Colt 3/0
ARTES
1817
SCIENTIA
VERITAS
LIBRARY
OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
TVEBOR
SI QUÆRIS PENINSULAM AMŒNAM
CIRCUMSPICE
Sapr. 10. the 740/f!
RM
$5.
215
.A67
1735
Mem?" I bought this Book at Hull
in the year 1762 when
of Militia was
our
Regiment
quartered there
EB:
Everard Buckworth 1762
E
SSA
CONCERNING THE
Y
NATURE
OF
ALIME ENTS,
And the CHOICE of THEM,
According to the different Conftitutions of
HUMAN BODIES.
In which the different Effects, Advantages, and
Difadvantages of Animal and Vegetable
Diet, are explain'd.
The THIRD
EDITION.
To which are added,
PRACTICAL RULES of DIET
In the various Conftitutions and Difeafes of
HUMAN BODIES.
By JOHN ARBUTHNOT, M. D.
Fellow of the Colleges of Phyſicians of London and Edinburgh,
and of the Royal Society.
LONDON:
Printed for J. TONSON in the Strand.
M DCC XXXV.
5 36
SI
THE
PREFACE.
W
HAT gave Occafion to the
following ESSAY is briefly
what follows; my learned and
worthy Friend Dr. Cheyne,
Some Years ago published an Effay upon
Health and long Life, in which he
gave a Proof both of his Fudgment
and Humanity. This Book was receiv'd
by the Publick with the Refpect that
was due to the Importance of its Con-
tents; it became the Subject of Con-
verfation, and produc'd even Selfs in
the dietetick Philofophy. In fume of
thofe fympofiac Difputations among ft my
Acquaintance, being appeal'd to: I
happen'd to affirm that the dietetick Part
A 2
of
The PREFACE.
of Medicine depended, as much as any
of the reft, upon Scientifick Principles:
Being call'd upon to make good
my Af-
Sertion, I compos'd the following short
Treatife, which is, properly fpeaking, only
an Effay or Attempt of a Phyfiology
of Aliment. The most of it was wrote
in a Situation where I had no Aſſiſt-
ance, except from Extracts out of fome
imperfect Editions of the Works of the
moft learned and induftrious Boerhaave,
and from a very excellent Edition of his
Chymistry by Dr. Shaw and Mr. Cham-
bers. This I am oblig'd to fay once
for all, to fave my felf the Trouble of
perpetual Quotations: The Circumftan-
ces of ill Health, and Abfence from my
Books, in which I compos'd it, and the
Want of Leifure fince to correct it fuf-
ficiently, may be fome Excufe for the
Want of that Accuracy which the Sub-
ject deferves. I am likewife obliged to
make use of a very common and tri-
vial Reafon for publishing it at this
Time, viz. the Approbation of fome
Friends
The PREFACE.
Friends who perus'd it, and perfuaded
me that it might be of fome Ufe to the
Publick. I can fay but little of the
Merit of the Performance, but a great
deal of that of the Subject; for furely
the Choice and Meaſure of the Mate-
rials of which the whole Body is com-
pos'd, and what we take daily
Pounds, is at least of as much Impor-
tance, as of what we take feldom, and
only by Grains and Spoonfuls.
The Reader must not be furpriz'd to
find the most common and ordinary
Facts taken notice of: In Subjects of
this Nature there is no room for In-
vention;
; many important Confequences
may be drawn from the Obfervation of
the most common Things, and analogous
Reaſonings from the Causes of them.
I believe a Reader, with as much
Anatomy as a Butcher knows, and mo-
derate Skill in Mechanicks, may un-
derstand the whole Effay, provided he
goes through it at Leifure, and with
Attention: To a Perfon fo qualify'd
A 3
many
The
PRE FACE.
many Obfervations concerning his own
Conftitution will occur, which I was
not capable of making; as for the hard
Words which I was oblig'd to uſe,
they are either Terms of Art, or fuch
as I fubftituted in the place of others,
that were too low and vulgar; the
Reader will find most of them explain'd at
the Beginning of the Book: And I hope
an Indulgence to a few Readers will
not be reckon'd an Indignity to the reft;
and that I shall not be fufpected of
Affectation, where my principal Inten-
tion was Perfpicuity.
In Subjects of
this kind, one is oblig'd in the fame
Paragraph, to join many Particulars
together in one Propofition, because the
Repetition of the Subftantive Verb would
be tedious and unnecessary. This bin-
ders the Stile from being smooth, but
not from being perfpicuous.
I have laid a Plan for treating the
other Parts of Diet, as Air, Reft, and
Motion after the fame Manner; but
I am oblig'd to delay the Execution
of
The PRE FAC E.
of my Defign till I have more Lei-
fure.
I do not prefume to inftruct the Gen-
tlemen of my own Profeffion; and if
any of them shall inftruct me better, I
declare beforehand that I am very
willing to be convinc'd: I will not de-
fend any Miftake, and at the fame
time I do not think my felf oblig'd to
anfwer every frivolous Objection.
A 4
THE
THE
CONTNENTS.
CHAP. I.
Obfervations drawn from the Alterations
which the Aliment undergoes in its
Paffage into the Blood.
HE Neceffity of Chewing.
THE
Page t
The Virtues and Usefulness of the Spittle
for Digeftion.
3
The proper Aliment of fuch as do not chew. ibid.
The Action of the Stomach upon the Aliment ex-
plain'd.
5
The Liquor of the Stomach in a found State not
acid.
7
How fpirituous Liquors hurt the Stomach. ibid.
Conjectures about the Caufes of Depravation, and
Lofs of Appetite.
8
The Effects and Cure of too great Repletion of
the Stomach.
୨
ibid.
Symptoms of Depravation of the Functions of the
Stomach
The Digeſtion of the Stomach refembleth vegeta-
ble Putrefaction, and abolisheth the specifick
Difference of all Subftances.
ibid.
The Qualities of the Gall, its Action in diffolv-
ing the Aliment. Bitters a fort of fubfidiary
Gall. Symptoms of Depravation of the Func-
tions of the Gall.
I 2
The
The CONTENT S.
16
The Quality and Ufe of the pancreatick Juice. 15
Subftances too viscous or acrimonious, why hurt-
ful in the firft Paffages.
Symptoms of Depravation of the Function of the
Intestines.
19
ibid.
The Mechanifm of Nature in converting Aliment
into Animal Substances.
The Liquors fecern'd from the Blood, re-enter it
again with the Aliment.
Unfound Juices, weak folid Parts, and Obftruc-
tion of the Glands of the Mefentery, binder
Nutrition.
20
21
The Aliment of a Nurſe quickly turn'd into Milk.
23
Nutrition not proportional to the Quantity of Ali-
ment.
24
The Aliment enters into the Blood by feveral other
Paffages, befides the Thoracick Duct. 25
Thin and liquid Aliment refresheth the Spirits the
Sooneft.
CHA P. II.
26
Obfervations drawn from the Circulation of
the Chyle with the Blood.
26
Chyle cannot pass through the smallest Veffels of
an Animal Body in a healthy State.
The Lungs the first and chief Inftrument of San-
guification, the Mechaniſm of this Action ex-
plain'd.
Faulty Lungs binder Nutrition.
27
3 x
The Neceffity of fuch as have faulty Lungs taking
fmall Quantities of Aliment at a time. 32
Why the Lungs are fo fenfible of Acrimony in
Aliment.
ibid.
How
The CONTENT S.
How good Air affifts Digeftion.
33
The Chyle not perfectly affimilated into Blood by
its Circulation through the Lungs.
34
The Mechanifm of Nature in converting the Chyle
into Animal Juices during its Circulation with
the Blood through the Body.
ibid.
Good Blood, and a due Degree of projectile Mo-
tion, necessary for converting the Chyle into
Animal Substances.
36
The Strength of the Aliment ought to be propor-
tional to the Strength of the Solid Parts. ibid.
The extreme Tenuity of the Aliment before it can
ferve the Animal Purpoſes.
37
Hence the Inconveniences of Vifcidity and Acri-
mony of Aliment.
39
The Neceffity of Reparation of the Fluids and
Solids of an Animal Body.
40
The Quantity of real Solids in an Animal very
fmall; that they proceed from the Brain and
Spinal Marrow.
41
42
ibid.
The manner of Nutrition, and Accretion of the
folid Parts, explain'd.
An Animal, the nearer to its Original, has the more
Channels through which the Fluids pafs. 45
Hence fome practical Rules for Diet according to
the different Stages of Life.
The nutricious Juice of an Animal reſembles the
White of an Egg, and the Heat proper for
Nutrition equal to that from the Incubation
of a Hen upon ber Eggs.
47
The Neceffity of the frequent Repetition of Ali-
ment, the bad Effects of long Abftinence, and
the manner bow Starving kills an Animal. 48
Why an Animal may fubfift long upon mere Wa-
ter.
49
CHAP.
The CONTENTS.
CHA P. III.
Obfervations drawn from the Nature and moſt
fimple Analyſis of vegetable Subſtances.
so
All Animals made immediately or mediately from
vegetable Substances.
Vegetables proper to make or repair Animal Sub-
Atances.
The Aliment of Vegetables. The Diverfity of
Juices of the feveral Parts of Vegetables, and
the variety of Juices taken in a Plant which
is eaten raw.
54
The Mechanifm of Plants feems to be more va
rious than that of Animals.
SS
In what the fpecifick Qualities of Plants refide.
ibid.
The Effects of the feveral Ingredients of Plants
upon Human Bodies.
56
Taftes the Indexes of the Ingredients of Plants. 58
Plants have different Effects, as they are Acid or
Alkaline.
59
Of the Qualities of the feveral Kinds of Alimer-
tary Vegetables, particularly of the farinaceous
or mealy Kind.
ibid.
Fermentation renders mealy Substances more easy
of Digestion.
61
The Qualities of ſeveral forts of Fruits, Leaves,
Stems, Roots of Alimentary Vegetables. 63
The Ingredients into which Vegetables refolve them-
felves by the most fimple Operations of Cookery
and Chymiftry.
66
Vegetable Emulfions.
ibid.
Vegetable Putrefaction.
Of the fragrant Spirit of Vegetables.
ibid.
The
The CONTENT S.
The Virtues of Infufions, Decoctions, Jellies,
Rob-Extracts, express'd Juices, and effential
Salts of Vegetables.
70
The volatile Parts of Plants loft by Cookery. 71
The vaſcular or folid Parts of Plants incapable of
Change in an Animal Body.
Fermentation of Vegetables.
CHAP. IV.
73
74
Obfervations from the Nature and moft fimple
Analyſis of Animal Subſtances.
Account of the constituent Parts of Animal Sub-
ftances.
Animal Solids, what?
76
ibid.
77
Blood the univerfal Juice from which the rest are
deriv'd.
The characteriſtick Differences of animal and ve-
getable Subftances, confider'd as Aliment. 78
Of the exhaling volatile Oil, or Spirit of Ani-
mals.
ibid.
Of the Water contain'd in Animal Substances. 79
Of Animal Salts.
Of Animal Oils.
ibid.
81
Animal Nourishment depends on the Food and
manner of living of the Animal from which
it is taken.
82
Animal Aliment more easily tranfmutable into Ani-
mal Subftances than Vegetable,
ibid.
Fish Diet, its Effects.
ibid.
The different Qualities of Animal Food accord-
ing to the age, Element, Diet, &c. of the
Animal.
84
Of the Qualities and moft fimple Analysis of Ani-
mal Subftances.
87
Animal
The
CONTENT S.
Animal Fluids in a found State, neither Acid
nor Alkaline.
88
Experiments upon Milk, Urine, the White of
an Egg, Serum of the Blood, Bones and ani-
mal Solids.
ibid.
Experiments on Human Urine, its Nature. 95
Experiments of the Mixture of feveral Alkaline
and Acid Subftances with the Serum of the
Blood.
CHAP. V.
103
Of the Effects of different Alimentary Sub-
ftances upon the Fluids and Solids of a
Hurman Body.
Alimentary Subftances, when they have enter'd
the Blood, are not intirely divefted of their
original Qualities.
IIZ
113
ibid.
114
II
The fmall Activity of Alimentary Subftances com-
penfated by their Quantity.
Their Medicinal Qualities to be confider'd in this
Subject.
Enumeration of the feveral Actions upon the Flu-
ids and Solids of a Human Body.
As by fimulating, contracting, relaxing the So-
lids, conftipating the capillary Tubes. 115
Upon the Fluids, by diminishing or increafing their
Quantity.
ibid.
Altering their Qualities by attenuating and con-
denfing, rendering them mild or acrimonious.
ibid.
ibid.
Coagulating and diluting, increafing or diminiſh-
ing their projectile Motion.
That the Fluids and Solids of a Human Body are
capable of thofe Alterations, may be demon-
ftrated
The CONTENT S.
116
Atrated by ocular Inspection, when they are
open'd by a Wound or Sore.
Enumeration and Explanation of the Effects of the
feveral kinds of Alimentary Subftances. 118
Of fuch as act with fmall Force upon the Solids.
ibid.
Great Changes produc'd in a Human Body by
ftimulating the Solids. Of Alimentary Sub-
ftances which ftimulate.
Of Alimentary Subftances which contract the So-
ibid.
lids.
119
The bad Effects of fermented Spirits of Aliment
which relaxeth the Solids; nothing taken as
Aliment has the Quality of totally obftructing
the capillary Tubes.
123
Of the Effects of ſeveral ſorts of Aliment upon
the Fluids.
Of Aliment attenuating.
Of Aliment thickening.
124
125
ibid.
Denfity a good Quality of Blood, which is in-
creas'd by Labour.
The Qualities of found Blood.
Of the feveral forts of Acrimony.
Of Alirent anti-acid.
ibid.
126
127
128
Of Acrimony alkaline, Aliment which fubdues
it, Aliment demulcent, oppofite to both acid
and alkaline Acrimony.
ibid.
The Effects of increasing or diminishing the pro-
jectile Motion of the Blood in producing of
Acrimony
Of Dilating.
Of coagulating the Fluids.
129
132
ibid.
Of increafing and diminishing the Quantity of
Fluids.
Of Aliment moral. Lenitive.
Of Diuretics.
133
134
136
Of
The CONTENT S.
137
What increaſeth and diminisheth infenfible Per-
Of Sudorificks.
Spiration.
Cephalick. Cordial.
Of Aliments heating and cooling.
Carminative.
ibid.
141
142
143
144
The Qualities of Coffee, Tea and Chocolate.
CH A P. VI.
Of the different Intentions to be purſued in
the Choice of Aliment according to
different Conftitutions.
Enumeration of the feveral forts of Conftitutions.
151
156
The Caufes and Symptoms of lax Fibres, and the
proper Diet for fuch Conftitutions.
The Caufes and proper Diet of too strong and
elaftick Fibres.
161
The Caufes and proper Diet of plethorick Con-
ftitutions.
Of fanguineous Conftitutions.
Of acid Conftitutions.
166
168
172
Of fuch as abound with a spontaneous Alkali.
180
The Causes, and proper Diet for the muriatick
Scurvy.
186
The Causes, Symptoms, and proper Diet of
phlegmatick Conftitutions.
188
Of too great Fluidity.
The Causes, Symptoms, and proper Diet
or fat Conftitutions.
Of the Quantity of Aliment in general.
193
of oily
194
201
The
The
CONTENT S.
The Causes, Symptoms, and proper Diet of melan
cholick or atrabilarian Conftitutions. 206
General Inferences from the foregoing Doctrine re-
lating to the Aliment of Human Creatures in
the feveral Stages of Life.
21[
The bad Effects of Excefs in feveral forts of Ali-
ment.
215
General Rules about the Choice of Aliment, with-
out regard to particular Conftitutions, abfurd.
218
The different Effects, Advantages, and Difad-
vantages of Vegetable and Animal Aliment
explain'd.
219
221
That both Sorts are proper for Mankind.
Proofs from Anatomy that Human Creatures are
carnivorous.
ibid.
The Conformity of the Doctrine of this Effay to
that of Hippocrates.
227
THE
Ever. I THE Buckworths
EXPLANATION
OF SOME
CHYMICAL TERMS
Uſed in the following
ESSAY.
A
S the following Treatife is
chiefly defign'd for Perfons not
bred up in the Profeffion of
Phyfick, it is neceffary to give
a general Notion of the Mean-
ing of fome Chymical Words that fre-
quently occur in it.
The Principles of Natural Bodies, ac-
cording to the Chymifts, are Water, Earth,
Oil, Salt, Spirit, of all which every one
has fome general Notion; but the Diverfity
of the Names and Qualities of Salts and
Spirits occafions fome Confufion in the
Minds of fuch as are ignorant of Chymiſtry.
The Chymifts define Salt from fome of
its Properties, to be a Body fufible in the
Fire,
a
The EXPLANATION
Fire, congealable again by Cold into brit-
tle Glebes, or Cryſtals, foluble in Water fo
as to diſappear, not malleable, and having
fomething in it which affecteth the Organs
of Tafte with a Senfation of Acrimony or
Sharpneſs. Of Native Salts there are,
Firft, Sea-Salt and Sal Gemmæ, or Rock-
Salt, which are of the fame Nature. The
Firſt in all Appearance being a Solution of
the Second in the Water of the Ocean;
theſe two are perfect Salts, fixt and immu-
table by any Power in Animal Bodies; for
the other Salts are never found in the Urine
of any Animal that fwallows them down,
but Sea-Salt is always found in the Urine of
every Animal that takes it, and in no other.
Secondly, Sal Nitre, or Sal Petre, which
is more eafily diffolv'd by Fire, and lefs
eafily by Water than any other Salt, it is
cold, and affects the Tongue like a faltiſh,
Ice: It ſeems to be of a middle Nature,
between Foffil and Animal, being pro-
ducible from Animal Excrements inter-
mix'd with vegetable Salts.
Thirdly, Sal Ammoniac of two Sorts, the
ancient deſcribed by Pliny and Diofcorides,
no more to be found; and the modern,
which is a Compound of Foffile, Animal,
and Vegetable Salt. This Salt cools Wa-
ter; it is fix'd in a gentle Fire, and fu-
blimes in a great one; its Tafte is quicker
than that of common Salt, reſembling that
of Urine.
Fourthly,
Of fome Chymical TERM S.
Fourthly, Borax, a Foffile Salt of a ſweet-
iſh Tafte, it promotes the Fufion of Metals.
Fifthly, Alum, which, tho' no pure Salt,
has moſt of the Properties of Salts, being
foluble in Water, &c.
Salts are divided into Acid and Alka-
line: Of Acid or Sour, one has a Notion.
from Tafte; Sournefs being one of thoſe
fimple Ideas, which one cannot more
plainly defcribe. What being mix'd with
an Acid cauſeth an Effervefcence, is call'd
an Alkali.
Effervefcence, in the Chymical Senfe,
fignifies an inteftine Commotion, produced
by mixing two Bodies together, that lay
at reft before; attended fometimes with a
hiffing Noiſe, Frothing, and Ebullition:
For Example, let us place in the firſt Claſs,
Acids, as Vinegar, Juice of Limons, Juice
of Oranges, Spirit of Nitre, Spirit of A-
lum: In the fecond Clafs, other faline Sub-
ſtances obtain'd from Animals and Vegeta-
bles, by Diſtillation, Putrefaction, Calci-
nation, as Spirit of Urine, Spirit of Harts-
horn, Salt of Tartar; becauſe the Sub-
ftances of the fecond Clafs being mix'd with
the Subſtances of the firſt, raile an Efferve-
ſcence, they are call'd Alkalis. There is a
third Clafs of Subftances, commonly call'd
Abſorbents, as the various kinds of Shells,
Coral, Chalk, Crabs-eyes, &c. Which
being mix'd with the first Clafs, likewife
raife
2 2
The EXPLANATION
raiſe an Effervefcence, and are therefore
call'd Alkalis, tho' not fo properly; for
they are not Salts, and have nothing com-
mon with the fecond Clafs, except this
Quality of fermenting with Acids.
It is obfervable, that a violent Cold, as
well as Heat, may be produced by this
Ebullition; for if Sal Ammoniac, or any
pure volatile Alkali diffolv'd in Water be
mix'd with an Acid, an Ebullition with a
great Degree of Cold will enfue, therefore,
I think (with leave of the Chymifts) Effer-
vefcence not fo proper a Word to exprefs
this inteſtine Motion. There is another
Criterion of Acid and Alkali by the Change
of Colour which they produce in fome
Bodies; for Example, thofe Liquors, which
being pour'd to the Syrup of Violets, turn
it red, are Acids; thofe which change it
into a green Colour, are reckon'd Alkalis.
Thus Oil of Vitriol turns Syrup of Vio-
lets red, and Oil of Tartar green.
The Word Alkali, comes from an Herb
call'd by the Egyptians, Kali. This Herb
they burnt to Athes, boil'd them in Wa-
ter; and after having evaporated the Wa-
ter, there remain'd at the bottom a white
Salt, this they call'd Sal Kali, or Alkali.
It is corrofive, producing Putrefaction in
Animal Subftances, to which it is apply'd.
Substances which are not perfectly A-
cid, but naturally turn fo, I call Acefcent.
Sub-
Of fome Chymical TER M S.
Subſtances which are not perfectly Alka-
line, but naturally turn fo, I call Alka-
lefcent.
Theſe are not Qualities in Bodies mere-
ly imaginary, but have very different and
contrary Effects upon Human Bodies.
Salts, which are neither acid nor alka-
line, are call'd Neutral; fo are Sal Ammo-
niac, Sea-Salt, Sal Gemmæ, Borax, Alum,
Nitre, which as long as they retain their
faline Quality, are neither acid nor alka-
line. But the Chymical Products of them
all (except Sal Ammoniac) are generally
Acid.
Fix'd Salts are fuch as fuftain the Fire
without flying away.
Volatile Salts fly away with a ſmall
Heat, affecting the Nofe with an urinous
Smell.
There are volatile and fix'd Alkalis.
The effential Salts of Plants are fuch as
fhoot upon the Sides of the Veffels, which
contain their exprefs'd Juices.
In Diſtillations, what trickles down the
Sides of the Receiver in certain unctuous
Rivulets, if it will not mix with Water,
it is call'd Oil, if it will mix with Wa-
ter, it is call'd Spirit: Spirits are either
inflammable, or not inflammable; the laft
either Acid or Alkaline. Alkaline Spi-
rits, are fubtile volatile Liquors, that run
in Veins down the Sides of the Receiver
in
The EXPLANATION
in Diftillations, which will not take Fire,
mix with Water, and contain fome Al-
kaline Salt, as Spirit of Hartfhorn. Such
are obtain'd from all the Parts of Ani-
mals, from all Plants by Putrefaction, and
from the pungent kind, as Muſtard,
Horſe-Radiſh, &c. without it. Acid Spi-
rits are fubtile Liquors which come over
in Diſtillations, not inflammable, mifcible
with Water, fuch are obtain'd from Ve-
getables diftill'd with Water, and like-
wife from Foffils; inflammable Spirits are
fubtile volatile Liquors which come over
in Diſtillations, mifcible with Water, and
wholly combustible; fuch Spirits are ob-
tainable from Plants by a previous Fer-
mentation, and not without it. By the
Spirit of a Plant or that of an Animal,
we underſtand that pure elaborated Oil,
which by reafon of its extreme Volatility
exhales fpontaneouſly, in which the Odour
or Smell confifts.
Sope is a Mixture of a fix'd Alkaline
Salt and Oil, in common Ufe its Virtues
are cleanfing, penetrating, attenuating and
refolving. Any Mixture of any oily Sub-
ſtance with Salt may be call'd a Sope.
Bodies of this Nature are call'd Sapo-
naceous.
INTRO-
INTRODUCTION.
É who would skilfully treat
H
of the Nature and Choice
of different forts of Ali-
ment, ought to draw his
Obfervations from the following Par-
ticulars. First, From the Alterations
which the Aliment undergoes in its
Paffage into the Blood. Secondly,
From the Alteration it undergoes du-
ring its Circulation with the Blood.
Thirdly, From the Nature and moſt
ſimple Analyſis of Vegetable Sub-
ftances. Fourthly, From the Nature
and moſt ſimple Analyſis of Animal
Subſtances. Fifthly, He ought to treat
of the Effects of different forts of
Alimentary Subſtances upon the Flu-
ids and Solids of a Human Body.
Sixthly,
INTRODUCTIO N.
Sixthly, Of the different Intentions
to be purſued in the Choice of Ali-
ment in different Conftitutions. Tho'
I have neither Time, Ability, nor
Obfervations fufficient to handle thoſe
Particulars fo fully as they deſerve,
I hope at leaſt to give a Specimen
how they ought to be treated.
This is agreeable to the Doctrine
of Hippocrates, who tells you in his
firft Book of Diet, that to write du-
ly upon it, one muſt underſtand the
Nature of Aliment, and of the Per-
fon it is given to.
For the Eaſe of the Reader I have
fet down every thing in diſtinct Pro-
pofitions, with Inferences and Obfer-
vations; the firft in Roman, the other
in common Numbers.
A N
A N
ESSAY
CONCERNING
The Nature of Aliments, and the Choice
of them, according to the different
Conftitutions of Human Bodies.
CHA P. I.
Obfervations drawn from the Altera-
tions which the Aliment undergoes
in its paſſage into the Blood.
M
Digeſtion.
PROP. I.
ASTICATION is a
very neceffary Preparation
of folid Aliment, without
which there can be no good
* Chewing.
B
By
2
An ESSAY concerning
By Chewing, folid Aliment is di-
vided into fmall Parts; in a human
Body, there is no other Inftrument
to perform this Action, but the Teeth.
By the Action of Chewing, the Spit-
tle and Mucus are ſqueez'd from the
Glands, and mix'd with the Aliment,
which Action if it be long continued,
will turn the Aliment into a fort of
Chyle. The Spittle is an active Liquor,
immediately deriv'd from the arterial
Blood. It is *faponaceous, as appears
by its frothing, and likewife by Diftil-
lation, and conſequently is attenuating,
reſolving, penetrating, and cleanſing.
After long Abftinence, it is extreme-
ly fharp, and copious; it ferments
with the juices of Vegetables, and
conſequently difpofeth them to be
chang'd into inflamable Spirits; it dif-
covereth its Virtues in feveral Chirur-
gical Ufes. Beſides, in the Action of
Chewing, the Mucus mixeth with the
*Seapy. Vide Explanation of the Chymical Terms.
Aliment:
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
3
Aliment: The Mucus is an Humour
different from the Spittle; and the
great Quantity of Air which it con-
tains, helps to diffolve the Aliment.
The neceffity of Spittle to diffolve the
Aliment, appears from the contri-
vance of Nature in making * the fa-
livary Ducts of Animals, which ru-
minate or chew the Cud, extremely
open. Such Animals as fwallow their
Aliment without Chewing, want fali-
vary Glands; and Birds have them
placed in their Maw. There are In-
ſtances of Men who fwallow'd their
Meat whole, but ruminated or chew'd
the Cud afterwards. Rumination
ſeems to be given to Animals to enable
them at once to lay up a great ſtore
of Food and afterwards to chew it.
And Animals ruminate more upon
Hay than Graſs, the Food being har-
der. From all which Obfervations it
appears, that the Solution of the Ali-
ment by Maſtication is very neceffa-
* The Canals which feparate the Spittle.
B 2
ry;
An ESSAY concerning
ry;
and that without it the Aliment
could not be duly difpofed for the
other Changes which it receives as it
paſſeth through the * Alimentary Duct.
1. A great lofs of Spittle cauſeth
a decay of Appetite. This has been
confirm'd by Experience in feveral,
who have made it their conſtant Cu-
ſtom to chew Maftick, chewing and
fmoking of Tobacco is only proper
for phlegmatick People.
2. The Humour of Salivation is
not properly Spittle, but putrified
Blood.
3. The Depravation of the In-
ftruments of Maftication, by a pa-
ralytical Difpofition, or by the want
of Teeth, as in old Men and Infants,
is a natural Indication of a liquid
Diet, as of Milk and Broths, and
even fuch of them as take Solids
ought to chew in order to make an
Expreffion of the Spittle.
* The whole Paffage from the Mouth to the Anus.
PROP.
1
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
*
PROP. II.
The Change which is made of the
Aliment in the Stomach is effected
by Attrition of the folid Parts, or
inward Coat of the Stomach, and the
Action of a diffolvent Liquor affifted
with Heat.
The Liquor in the Stomach is a
Compound of that which is ſeparated
from its inward Coat; of the Spittle,
which is almoſt continually fwallow'd,
and the Liquor which diftills from
the Gullet. By the help of this Li-
quor, and the conſtant Attrition of
the folid Parts, the Aliment is dif
folv'd by an Operation reſembling
that of making an Emulfion; in
which Operation the Oily parts of
Nuts and Seeds being gently ground
in a marble Mortar, and gradually
mix'd with ſome watery Liquor, are
diſſolv'd into a ſweet, thick, turbid,
* Rubbing, Grinding.
B 3
milky
6
An ESSAY concerning
milky Liquor, reſembling the Chyle
in an Animal Body. That the Sto-
mach in Animals grinds the Sub-
ftances which it receives, is evident
from the Diffection of Animals,
which have fwallow'd Metals, which
have been found poliſh'd on the ſide
next the Stomach. Birds being with-
out Teeth to chew their Aliment,
have ſtrong and nervous Stomachs,
to make this Attrition the ſtronger;
and this motion in them hath been
both feen and heard. The Rugæ or
Plies of the inward Coat of the
Stomach, contribute to the detaining
the Aliment in the Stomach. The
Heat in Land Animals affifts likewife
in the Solution of the Aliment, but
not much; for Fiſhes have a strong
Digeſtion without it, tho' by the trial
of the Thermoſcope, they have more
heat than the Element which they
fwim in. It has been fhew'd before
that the Spittle is a great Diffolvent,
and there is a great quantity of it in
the
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
7
the Stomach, being ſwallow'd con-
ſtantly, at leaſt in Sleep. He who eats
a Pound of Bread fwallows at leaſt as
much Spittle as Bread. This Liquor
of the Stomach in a found State is not
Acid, for it has been found by Ex-
periments, that Pearls have pafs'd
through Cocks and Hens undiffolv'd.
1. The Liquor of the Stomach,
which with faſting grows extremely
fharp, and the quick Senfation of the
inward villous Coat of the Stomach,
feem to be the cauſe of the Senſe of
Hunger.
2. Such as have, by the ufe of
fpirituous Liquors, weaken'd and de-
ftroy'd fome of the folid parts of the
Stomach, can neither recover a good
Appetite nor right Digeftion; for
this inward villous Coat when de-
ſtroy'd cannot be reſtor'd.
3. This Liquor of the Stomach
may (by reafon of fome faline Acri-
mony) acquire fome determined Qua-
lity, and affect human Creatures with
B 4
Ap-
An ESSAY concerning
Appetites of other Animals of unu-
fual things, which in that caſe they can
take without hurt, or it may likewiſe
occaſion an exorbitant Appetite of u-
fual things, which they will take in ſuch
quantities till they vomit them up like
Dogs, from whence it is call'd Canine;
in the firft cafe the Organs of Tafte
are vitiated; both Diſeaſes are eur'd by
Diet, oppoſite to this Acrimony, whe-
ther Alkaline, Acid or Muriatick.
4.
Thirſt and Hunger denote the
State of the Spittle, and Liquor of
the Stomach. Thirſt is the fign of
an Acrimony commonly † Alkaleſcent
or Muriatick.
. A paralytical Difpofition of the
Nerves of the Stomach, a deprav'd
Condition of the Liquor of the Sto-
mach, but chiefly ſomething viſcous,
fat, and oily remaining there, deſtroys
the Senſation of Hunger.
* Briny.
+ See Explanation of the Chymical Terms.
6. The
**
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
6. The Action of the Stomach is
totally ſtopp'd by too great Reple-
tion, in which cafe both the Orifices
of the Stomach by a neceſſary Me-
chaniſm cloſe, and neither will ad-
mit nor expel any thing. Confe-
quently Relaxing, as by warm Water,
is the only proper Expedient.
*
The Signs of the Functions of the
Stomach being deprav'd, are Pains
in the Stomach many Hours after
Repaſt, Eructations either with the
Taſte of the Aliment, Acid, Nido-
roſe, or Fœtid, reſembling the Taſte
of rotten Eggs; Inflations, or the Sen-
fation of Fulneſs, Sickneſs, Hickup,
Vomiting, a Flushing in the Coun-
tenance, Foulneſs of the Tongue. In
general, whatever be the State of the
Tongue, the fame is that of the in-
ward Coat of the Stomach.
the Taſte of the Mouth is bitter, it
is a Sign of a Redundance of a bi-
lious Alkali, and demands a quite
* Belchings.
When
diffe-
"
10
An ESSAY concerning
different Diet from the cafe of Aci-
dity or Sourneſs.
PROP. III.
By Digeftion in the Alimentary
Duct the fpecifick Difference of all
Subſtances is abolish'd, and the whole
Action reſembles Putrefaction.
Digeſtion is a Fermentation be-
gun, becauſe there are all the Requi-
fites of fuch a Fermentation, Heat,
Air and Motion; but it is not a
compleat Fermentation, becauſe that
requires a greater time than the Con-
tinuance of the Aliment in the Sto-
mach. Vegetable Putrefaction reſem-
bles very much Animal Digeſtion.
Vegetable Putrefaction is produced
by throwing green juicy Vegeta-
bles in a Heap in open warm Air,
and preffing them together, by which
all Vegetables acquire, First, A Heat
equal to that of a Human Body.
Secondly,
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
ces.
Secondly, A putrid ftercoraceous Tafte
and Odour, in Taſte reſembling pu-
trid Fleſh, and in Smell human F-
This putrid Matter being di-
ftill'd, affords, Firft, A Water im-
pregnated with an urinous Spirit,
like that obtainable from Animal
Subſtances, which Water is ſeparable
into Elementary Water, and a vola-
tile Animal Salt. Secondly, A vola-
tile oily Alkaline Salt. Thirdly, A
volatile thick Oil. Fourthly, The
remainder being calcin'd affords no
fixt Salt; in fhort, every thing hap-
pens as if the Subject had not been
Vegetable, but Animal. Putrefaction
utterly deſtroys the fpecifick Diffe-
rence of one Vegetable from ano-
ther, converting them into a pulpy
Subftance of an Animal Nature:
Making the fame Alteration very
near, as if the Vegetable had
through the Body of a found Ani-
mal; for tho' fuch an Animal fhould
entirely live upon Acids, no part of
gone
its
I 2
SAY
An Essay concerning
L
its Body affords any acid fix'd Salt,
* This is fo far true, that even the
Herbs taken out of the Omafus of
ruminating Animals afford the fame
Contents as putrified Vegetables. But
tho' this Action of Putrefaction comes
the neareſt to Animal Digeſtion, it
fo far differs from it, that the Salts
and Oils are only detain'd in the
Animal Body fo long as they remain
benign and friendly to it; but as
foon as they putrify entirely, are ei-
ther thrown off, or muft produce
mortal Distempers.
PROP. IV.
The Gall is the principal Diffol-
vent of the Aliment, and when it is
peccant or deficient, there can be no
right Digeſtion.
The Bile is of two forts, the Cy-
ftick or that contain'd in the Gall-
Bladder, which is a fort of Repoſitory
* Vide Philofophical Tranfactions.
for
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
I }
for the Gall, and the Hepatick or what
flows immediately from the Liver. The
Cyſtick Gall is thick and intenſely bit-
ter, fo that one Drop of it will make a
whole Pint of Water bitter. The He-
patick Gall is more fluid and not ſo
bitter. There is no other bitter Hu-
mour in a Human Body, befides
Gall, except the Wax of the Ear.
The Gall is not a perfect Alkali, for
it does not ferment with an Acid,
but it is Alkaleſcent, entirely oppo-
fite to Acefcents, and foon corrupti-
ble, and convertible into a Corrofive
Alkali. It is a faponaceous Sub-
ſtance, being compos'd of an Alka-
line Salt, Oil, and Water, all which
can be extracted from it. The Bile,
like Soap, takes out Spots from Wool
or Silk, and the Painters uſe it to
mix their Colours; by this fapona-
ceous Quality, it mixeth the oily
and watery Parts of the Aliment to-
gether. But tho' the Bile be an Oil,
it is not combuftible till dry. Theſe
Qualities
£4
An ESSAY concerning
Qualities make it a moſt powerful
and proper Diffolvent, which ap-
pears by Experience. The Milk in
the Stomach of Calves, which is co-
agulated by the Runnet, is again dif
foly'd, and render'd fluid by the Gall
in the Duodenum. Voracious Ani-
mals, and fuch as do not chew, have
a great quantity of Gall, and fome
of them have the Biliary Duct in-
ferted into the Pylorus. It is like-
wife the chief Inftrument (by its Ir-
ritation) of the periftaltick Motion of
the Guts. Such as have the Bile
peccant or deficient are reliev'd by
Bitters, which are a fort of fubfidia-
ry Gall. The learned Boerhaave has
found the Gall of an Eel, which is
moſt intenſely bitter, a moſt effectual
Remedy in fuch Cafes. The com-
mon Symptoms of the Excretion of
the Bile being vitiated, are a yel-
lowish Colour of the Skin, white
hard Faces, a Lofs of Appetite, a
lixivial Urine.
PROP.
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
IST
'}
PROP. V.
The Bile is fo acrid, that of itſelf
it could not be admitted into the
Lacteal Veſſels. Therefore Nature
has furniſh'd another Humour, viz.
the pancreatick Juice to temper its
Bitterneſs and Acrimony, after it has
done its Office.
The Pancreas is a large falivary
Gland feparating about a Pound of
an Humour like Spittle, in twelve
Hours. It is probable that this
Humour tempers the Acrimony of
the Gall, becauſe the Bile mix'd with
Spittle loſeth its Bitterneſs in time,
and even Wormwood eat with Bread
will do ſo, becauſe it is mix'd with
a great Quantity of Spittle. The pan-
creatick Juice likewife mixeth the
Parts of the Aliment rendring the
Chyle homogeneous. When the Bile
not ſeparated in the Liver the Fœ-
ces are white, but this is not occa-
fion'd
16
An ESSAY concerning
fion'd by the Mixture of the pan-
creatick Juice.
PROP. VI.
* Acrimony and Tenacity are the
two Qualities in what we take in-
wardly moſt to be avoided.
The papillous inward Coat of the
Inteſtines is extremely fenfible, and
when the Acrimony is fo great as to
affect the folid Parts, the Senfation of
Pain is intolerable. The † periftal-
tick Motion of the Guts, and the
continual Expreffion of the Fluids,
will not fuffer the leaft Matter to be
apply'd to one Point the leaſt inſtant
of Time; for the ſmalleſt quantity
of Turpentine or Pitch will tick to
the Fingers, but not to the Guts.
But this Motion in fome Human
Creatures may be weak in reſpect to
* Sharpness and Glueness.
+ Alternate Motion of Contraction and Dilatation,
commonly tending downwards.
the
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
17
*
Be-
the Viſcidity of what is taken fo as
not to be able to propell it, the
confequence of which is dangerous,
and perhaps fatal to the Life of the
Creature. Subſtances hard, cannot
be diffolv'd, but they will pafs; but
fuch, whofe Tenacity exceeds the
Powers of Digeſtion, will neither paſs
nor be converted into Aliment.
fides, the Mouths of the
may permit Aliment too acrimoni-
ous, or not ſufficiently attenuated, to
enter in People of lax Conftitutions,
whereas their Sphincters will fhut a-
gainſt them in fuch as have ſtrong
Fibres. The Mouths of the Lacteals
may be ſhut up by a vifcid † Mucus,
in which cafe the Chyle paffeth by
Stool, and the Perfon falleth into an
|| Atrophy.
tery.
* Drive forwards.
Lacteals
‡ Veffels which carry the Chyle through the Mefen-
+ Snot.
# Decay of Flesh.
C
1. Fat
18
An ESSAY concerning
i
1. Fat or Oil is neceſſary, as for
Animal Motion, fo likewife for this
periſtaltick Motion of the Inteſtines;
and lean People often ſuffer for want
of it, as fat People may by Obſtruc-
tion of the Veffels. The Fat will melt
by ſtrong Motion, as has been found
in Horfes by hard running.
2. This peristaltick Motion, or re-
peated Changes of Contraction and
Dilatation, is not in the lower Guts,
elfe one would have a continual need-
ing to go to ſtool.
Wind and Dif
tention of the Bowels are Signs of
a bad Digeſtion in the Inteſtines, (for
in dead Animals, when there is no
Digeſtion at all, the Diftention is in
the greateſt Extremity) fo likewiſe are
Diarrhoeas, which proceed from A-
crimony, Laxity of the Bowels, or
Obftruction of the Lacteals.
PROP.
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
19
PRO P. VII.
The Mechaniſm of Nature in con-
verting our Aliment into Animal
Subſtances confifts chiefly in two
Things. First, In mixing conftant-
ly with it Animal Juices already pre-
par'd. Secondly, In the Action of
the folid Parts as it were churning
them together. This is evident, if
we confider firft the vast quantity of
Saliva mix'd with the Aliment in
chewing: He that eats a Pound of
Bread mixeth it very near with as
much Spittle, and this ſeparated from
Glands that weigh only about four
Ounces. Afterwards the fame Ali-
ment is mix'd with the Liquor of
the Stomach, the Bile and pancrea-
tick Juice, and if we compute the
quantity of Bile and Pancreatick,
from the Weight of theſe Viſcera in
refpect of the falivary Glands, we ſhall
find ſtill a vastly greater quantity of
C 2
thefe
20
An ESSAY concerning
theſe Animal Juices mix'd with the
Aliment; this is not all, for when
the Chyle paffeth through the
* Mefentery, it is mix'd with the
Lymph (which is the moſt ſpiri-
tuous and elaborated Part of the
Blood) from its Glands: So that
the Juices of an Animal Body are
as it were † cohobated, being ex-
creted and admitted again into the
Blood with the fresh Aliment; all
the while the folid Parts act upon the
Mixture of Aliment and Animal
Juices, fo as to make the Mixture
more intimate and compleat. Be-
fides, [none of theſe Animal Juices,
except the Liquor of the Inteſtines,
are mix'd with the Faces of an Ani-
mal, which in a found State are hard:
So that one may compute, that a
Pound of Bread before it enters the
Blood, is mix'd perhaps with four
* A Membranous part in the Lower Belly, to which
the Guts are connected.
+ New diftill'd.
times
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
21
times the quantity of Animal Juices.
The fame Oeconomy is obferv'd in
the Circulation of the Chyle with
the Blood, by mixing it intimately
with the Parts of the Fluid to which
it is to be affimilated.
1. From whence it follows, that
an Animal, whofe Juices are unfound
or folid Parts weak, can never be duly
nouriſh'd; for unfound Juices can ne-
ver duly repair the Fluids and Solids
of an Animal Body, and without a
due Action of the folid Parts, they
never can be well mix'd. The Sto-
mach, the Inteftines, the Mufcles of
the lower Belly, all act upon the Ali-
ment; beſides, the Chyle is not fuck'd
but ſqueez'd into the Mouths of the
Lacteals by the Action of the Fibres
of the Guts: The Mouths of the
Lacteals are open'd by the inteſtinal
Tube, affecting a ſtraight inſtead of
a fpiral Cylinder; therefore it is
plain that the Chyle muſt be peccant
in Quantity or Quality when thefe
C 3
Actions
22
An ESSAY concerning
Actions and Organs are too weak ;
and whatever ftrengthens the folid
Parts muſt help the Digeſtion.
2. Diarrhoeas and ſtrong Purga-
tions muſt ſpoil the firſt Digeftion,
becauſe of the great Quantities of
Animal Liquids which they expell
out of the Body; a vaſt quantity and
variety of Animal Liquors are car-
ried off by Purging: Air, Spittle,
Mucus, all the Liquors that are fepa-
rated in the Glands of the Alimenta-
ry Duct, both forts of Bile, the pan-
creatick Juice, Lymph, and fometimes
Blood, computing the quantity of
thefe Secretions, makes it plain that
the whole Juices may be carried off
by Purging; and when thofe Liquors
are expell'd out of the Body, which
by their mixture convert the Aliment
into an Animal Liquid, this cannot
ſo well be perform❜d.
3. The peristaltick Motion of the
Inteftines is the laft that ceaſeth in
an Animal Body, for it remains af-
ter
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
23
ter the Motion of the Heart is ceas'd.
By the Entry of the Chyle and Air
into the Blood, by the Lacteals, the
Animal may again revive.
The Obſtruction of the Glands of
the Meſentery is a great Impediment
to Nutrition, for the Lymph in thoſe
Glands is a neceffary Conftituent of
the Aliment before it mixeth with
the Blood; and for the fame Reafon
young Animals are moſt and beſt
nouriſh'd, for the Mefenterick Glands
are largeſt in the vigour of Youth;
in old Age they vanifh, and are li-
able to Obftructions: Therefore fcro-
phulous Perfons can never be duly
nouriſh'd; for fuch as have Tumors
in the Parotides often have them in
the Pancreas and Meſentery.
4. In tabid Perfons Milk is the
beſt Reſtorative, for it is Chyle al-
ready prepar'd; the Aliment paffeth
very quick into the Paps of any Ani-
mal that gives Milk, for if a Nurſe
after being fuck'd dry eats Broth, the
Infant
C 4
24
An Essay concerning
Infant will fuck the Broth almoſt
unalter'd.
5. The Chyle by reaſon of the
Smoothness of its Particles is white,
grows more gray in the Thoracick
Duct, where it ſtill retains the Flavour
of the Aliment.
it
6. Animals, which take a large
quantity of Aliment by the Mouth,
may be leſs nouriſh'd than thoſe that
take a ſmaller; for according to the
Force of the * Chylopoetick Organs,
a larger or lefs quantity of Chyle may
be extracted from the fame quantity
of Food.
Aftriction of the Belly is com-
monly a fign of ftrong Chylopoc-
tick Organs.
PROP.
VIII,
The moſt fubtile part of the Chyle
paffeth immediately into the Blood
by the abſorbent Veffels of the Guts,
* Which makes Chyle. † Which fuck in.
which
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
25
which diſcharge themſelves into the
Meſaraick Veins; their Largenefs and
Number demonftrate this, for they
are numerous and vaftly larger than
their correſpondent Arteries; befides,
wherever there are ✶ Emiffaries, there
are abforbent Veffels, ex. gr. in the
Skin, by the abſorbent Veffels of which
Mercury will pass into the Blood.
Birds, which have ſtrong and large
Breafts, fmall Bellies, and their Ribs
upon their Backs, have no Lacteals
nor † Thoracick Duct, and their Ali-
ment paffeth immediately into the
Mefaraick Veins. If one confiders
the Capacity of the Thoracick Duct,
and the Slowness of the Paffage of
the Aliment by the Lacteals through
it, and at the fame time the great
quantity of fome Liquors, as of Cha-
lybeat Water, which in ſome paſs in
a fmall time by Urine; by an eafy
* Veffels which throw out a Liquid.
+ A Canal through which the Chyle paffeh from the
Lactçals into the Blood.
Calcu-
26
An ESSAY concerning
Calculation he will be able to de-
monftrate that ſuch a quantity could
not paſs into the Blood by the Tho-
racick Duct in fo ſhort a time.
Therefore when the Intention is to
give an immediate Refreshment to
the Spirits, as after great Abftinence
and Fatigue, thin or liquid Aliment
is the propereft, and for the fame
reaſon Chalybeat Waters ſeem to be
a proper Remedy in Hypochondria-
cal Cafes; their fubtle and divided
Particles are taken immediately into
the Mefaraick Veffels, and carried
ftraight into the Liver and Spleen.
CHA P. II.
Obfervations drawn from the Circula-
tion of the Chyle with the Blood.
PROP.
I.
HE Chyle of it ſelf cannot paſs
through the ſmalleſt Veſſels
(for
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
27
(for it neither will paſs by Urine nor
Sweat) therefore it cannot nouriſh the
Animal, till it is converted into
Blood; and it is converted into
Blood by the Mechaniſm of Nature
above deſcrib'd, viz. by intimately
mixing it with the Particles of the
Liquor, to which it is to be affimi-
lated, as will appear by what follows.
PRO P. II.
The Lungs are the firſt and chief
Inftrument of Sanguification.
*
The Chyle firſt mixeth with the
Blood, in the Subclavian Vein, and
enters with it into the Heart, where it
is very imperfectly mix'd, there being
no Mechaniſm nor Fermentation by
extraordinary Heat, &c. to convert it
immediately into Blood, which is firſt
effected by the Lungs. The Wind-
pipe divides it ſelf into a great num-
* Making of Blood.
ber
28
An ESSAY concerning
ber of Branches called Bronchia, theſe
end in fmall Air-Bladders dilatable
and contractible, capable to be infla-
ted by the Admiffion of Air, and to
fubfide at the Expulſion of it.
Pulmonary Artery and Vein pafs along
the Surfaces of thefe Air-Bladders in
an infinite number of Ramifications
The
A
great number of thofe Air-Bladders
form what we call Lobuli, which
hang upon the Bronchia, like Bunches
of Grapes upon a Stalk. Theſe Lobuli
conftitute the Lobes, and the Lobes
the Lungs. Let us ſee what effect an
Engine fo contriv'd will have upon
the crude mixture of Blood and Chyle:
firſt, as the Blood and Chyle paſs to-
gether through the * Ramifications of
the Pulmonary Artery, they will be
ftill more perfectly mix'd; a red Li-
quor and a white Liquor, paffing on-
ly through one Tube, will both retain
their original Colours; but if this
• Branchings.
Pipe
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
29
Pipe is divided into Branches, and
theſe again fubdivided, the red and
white Liquors, as they paſs through the
Ramifications, will be more intimate-
ly mix'd, and both Colours will be
blended together; the more Ramifica-
tions, the Mixture will be the more
perfect; but this is not all, for as this
Mixture of Blood and Chyle paffeth
through the Arterial Tube, it is prefs'd
by two contrary Forces, that of the
Heart driving it forward againſt the
fides of the Tube, and the Elaftick
Force of the Air preffing it on the
oppofite fide of thoſe Air-Bladders;
along the Surface of which (as was
faid before) this Arterial Tube creeps.
By thoſe two oppofite Forces, the
parts of the Liquor are compreſs'd to-
gether, and as it were churn'd, and
more intimately mix'd. Moreover by
the alternate Motion of thoſe Air-
Bladders, whofe Surfaces are by turns
freed from mutual Contact, and by a
ſudden Subfidence meet again by the
ingrefs
30
An ESSAY concerning
ingreſs and egreſs of the Air; the
Liquor is ftill farther attenuated, dif
folv'd, and chang'd into a ✶ homo-
geneous Fluid.
1. The Force of the Air upon the
Pulmonary Artery is but ſmall, in re-
ſpect of that of the Heart, but it is
ſtill ſomething, and whatever the ef-
fect of it be, it increaſeth, and dimi-
niſheth with the Gravity of the Air, to
which the † Elaſticity is proportional.
As to the admittance of the weighty
and claftick Parts of the Air into the
Blood, through the Coats of the Vef-
fels, it ſeems contrary to Experiments
upon dead Bodies. The ſpumous and
florid ftate, which the Blood acquires
in paffing through the Lungs, is eaſily
accounted for, from its own Elafti-
city, and the violent Motion before
defcrib'd; the Aerial Particles in the
Blood and Chyle expanding them-
felves. That the Air in the Blood-
*
Of one kind. † Spring.
Veffels
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
3 E
Veffels of live Bodies has a Commu-
nication with the outward Air, I think
feems plain from the Experiments of
human Creatures being able to bear
Air of much greater Denſity in diving,
and of much leſs upon the tops of
Mountains, provided the Changes be
made gradually; otherwife the Air
within the Veſſels being of a lefs Den-
fity, the outward Air would prefs their
fides together, and being of a greater
Denfity, would expand them fo as to
endanger the Life of the Animal *
1. As much Blood paffeth through
the Lungs, as through all the reſt of
the Body: The Circulation is quicker,
and Heat greater, and their Texture
is extremely delicate; upon all which
Accounts they are extremely fenfible
of any Force either from the too vio-
lent Motion or Acrimony of the Blood.
2. Since the Lungs are the firſt
and chief Inſtrument of Sanguifica-
* See the Effay concerning the Effects of Air on hu-
man Bodies; printed for Jacob Tonfon.
tion,
32
An ESSAY concerning
tion, the Animal that has that Or-
gan faulty, can never be duly nou-
rish'd, nor have the Vital Juices,
(which are all deriv'd from the Blood)
in a good State; and this is true, un-
derſtanding the Lungs only as an In-
ſtrument of Digeftion, and abftract-
ing from an acrid and purulent Mat-
ter, that mixeth with the Blood in
fuch as have their Lungs ulcerated;
therefore fuch as have a faulty Circu-
lation through the Lungs, ought to
eat very little at a time, becauſe the
Increaſe of the quantity of fresh Chyle
muft make that Circulation ftill more
uneafy; which indeed is the Cafe of
Confumptive and fome Afthmatick
Perſons, and accounts for the Symp-
toms they are troubled with after eat-
ing: Therefore the great Rule of
Diet for Confumptive People, and
upon which the whole Cure depends,
is taking their Aliment in fmall
quantities at a time. It happens very
often unfortunately for Afthmatick
Per-
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
33
Perſons that they have voracious Ap-
petites, and confequently for want of a
right Sanguification are often Leu-
cophlegmatick.
3.
The Choice as well as Quantity
of Diet, is of great Importance to fuch
as have weak Lungs, for it was obſerv'd
† that the Chyle in the Thoracick
Duct retain❜d the original Tafte of
the Aliment, which not being yet
converted into Blood, and intirely
fubdued by Circulation, muft operate
upon the Lungs into which it enters
in this Condition, according to its
original Qualities. The Texture of
the Lungs is extremely delicate, and
befides, being the chief Inftrument of
Sanguification, and acting ſtrongly
upon the Chyle to bring it to an
Animal Fluid, muſt be reacted upon
as ſtrongly.
4. Good Air affifts the Digeftion,
as it is an Inftrument of Sanguifica-
* Pale and phlegmatick, bloated.
+ Chap. I. Prop. VII. 5.
D
tion
34
An ESSAY concerning
tion in the Lungs. It is known by
Experience, that People both lofe
and recover their Appetites in diffe-
rent kinds of Air.
PROP.
III.
The Chyle is not perfectly affi-
milated into Blood by its Circulation
through the Lungs, for it is known
by Experiments of Blood-letting, that
feveral Parts of it remain unmix'd
with the Blood, ſwimming a-top like
an oily Subſtance, even eight Hours
after repaſt; and no doubt this Di-
geftion, as well as that through the
Alimentary Duct, is different in dif-
ferent Subjects.
PROP. IV.
After the Chyle has pafs'd through
the Lungs, Nature continues her ufual
Mechaniſm, to convert it into Ani-
mal Subſtances, during its Circula-
tion with the Blood, viz. by inti-
mately mixing the Parts of the Ali-
ment,
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
35
ment, with thoſe of the Animal Juices,
by the Action of the folid Parts.
The Mixture of Blood and Chyle,
after its Circulation through the Lungs,
being brought back into the left Ven-
tricle of the Heart, is drove again by
the Heart into the Aorta, through
the whole Arterial Syftem; every Parti-
cle of the Body receives fome Branch
from the Aorta, except fome of the fo-
lid Parts of the Liver. The Arteries are
elaſtick Tubes, endued with a con-
tractile Force, by which they fqueeze
and drive the Blood ftill forward, it
being hinder'd from going backward
by the Valves of the Heart. They are
† conical Veffels, with their Baſes to-
wards the Heart; and as they pafs on,
their Diameters grow ftill lefs and lefs :
Conſequently the Celerity of the Mo-
tion diminiſhes by the Increaſe of the
Friction of the Fluid againſt the ſides
*The great Artery, which proceeds from the left Ventri-
cle of the Heart, and carries the Blood through the Body.
+Tapering, diminishing by degrees.
D 2
of
3 6
An ESSAY concerning
of the Tubes: Without this Motion,
both the Blood and the Chyle would
be converted into one folid Mafs;
but on the contrary by the continu-
ance of it, the Fluid being comprefs'd
by the fides of the Tube, eſpecially in
the fmall Veffels, where the Points of
Contact are more, the Blood and
Chyle are ſtill more intimately mix'd,
and by Attrition or Friction attenua-
ted; by which the Mixture acquires a
greater degree of Fluidity and Simi-
larity, or Homogeneity of Parts.
Therefore,
1. Good Blood, and a due Pro-
jectile Motion or Circulation are ne-
ceffary to convert the Aliment into
laudable Animal Juices. Hence ap-
pears the Neceffity of Exercife (which
increaſeth the Elafticity of the folid
Parts) towards good Digeſtion.
2. The Strength of the Aliment
(by which I underſtand its Reſiſtance
to the folid Parts) ought to be
portion'd to the Strength of the folid
pro-
Parts;
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
37
The
Parts; and as Animals that uſe a great
deal of Labour or Exerciſe, have their
folid Parts more elaſtick and ſtrong,
they can bear and ought to have
ſtronger Food, too thin Nouriſhment
being quickly diffipated by the vigo-
rous Action of the folid Parts.
Neglect of this Rule is the Occafion
of great Diſeaſes, the Subſtance to be
ground or prepared ought to be pro-
portion'd to the Strength of the Engine.
The Defects of the firk Con-
coction are not to be mended by
the ſecond; for if the Chyle paſſeth
into the Blood in a bad State, as the
force of Fibres, which contribute to
the ſecond Digeſtion, is limited, it is
not fufficient to convert a peccant
Liquor, into laudable Animal Juices.
3.
PROP, V.
The Aliment, as it circulates through
an Animal Body, is reduc'd almoft to
an imperceptible Tenuity, before it
can ferve the Animal Purpoſes.
D 3
The
38
An ESSAY concerning
The Blood in live Animals, con-
fifts of red Globules, fwimming in
a Serum or watery Liquor. The
fmalleſt Veſſels, which carry the Blood
or red Fluid by lateral Branches, fe-
parate the next thinner Fluid or Se-
rum, the Diameters of which lateral
Branches are less than the Diameters of
the Blood-Veſſels, and will not in a
healthy State admit the red Fluid.
Such may be call'd Serous Arteries.
Thofe Serous Arteries emit lateral
Branches, which carry a Lymph, a
Liquor ſtill more limpid than Serum,
and from the Liquor which they car-
ry may be call'd, Lymphatick Arte-
ries, tranfmitting their Liquor into
the Lymphatick Veins; thofe Lym-
phatick Arteries will not admit Se-
How far this Progreffion goes
is not certain; ten capillary Arteries
in fome parts of the Body, as in the
Brain, are not equal to one Hair;
and the fmalleſt Lymphatick Veffels
are a hundred times fmaller than the
ſmalleſt
rum.
!
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
3 9
ſmalleſt Capillary Artery. What Me-
chanifm is that which can attenuate
a Fluid compounded of the Ingre-
dients of Human Aliment, as Oil,
Salts, Earth, Water, fo as to make
it flow freely through fuch Tubes,
without obſtructing or breaking
them?
1. Hence one can eaſily perceive
the Inconveniency of Vifcidity which
obſtructs, and Acrimony that deftroys
the Capillary Veffels.
2. Obſtructions must be moſt in-
cident to fuch Parts of the Body,
where the Circulation and the elaſtick
Force of the Fibres are both ſmalleſt,
and thoſe are the Glands which are
the Extremities of Arteries form'd in-
to Cylindrical Canals.
3. Hence too folid or viſcous
Aliment is hurtful to scrophulous
Perfons.
D 4
PROP.
40
An ESSAY concerning
PROP. VI.
The Fluids and Solids of an Ani-
mal Body demand a conftant Repa-
ration.
An Animal, in order to be movea-
ble, muſt be flexible, and therefore
is fitly made of ſeparate and ſmall
folid Parts replete with proper Flu-
ids. The whole Body is nothing but
a Syſtem of ſuch Canals, which all
communicate with one another, me-
diately or immediately (for a Lym-
phatick Veffel communicates with
the Artery, by the intermediate
Gland.) In this moveable Body the
fluid and folid Parts must be con-
fum'd; by the muſcular Motion, and
the perpetual Flux of the Liquids, a
great part of the Liquids are thrown
out of the Body by proper Emiffaries,
and the ſmaller Solids are likewife
rubb'd off, mix'd with the Fluids,
and in that form exhal'd. Therefore
both
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
41
both Fluids and Solids demand a con-
ſtant Reparation.
1. The Quantity of Solids not
morbid in an Animal Body is very
ímall, as appears by Atrophies, or
Decays, and likewife by Microſcopes;
thofe Solids are entirely Nervous,
and proceed from the Brain, and
Spinal Marrow, which by their bulk
appear fufficient to furniſh all the Sta-
mina or Threads of the folid Parts.
The Solids are originally form'd of a
Fluid, from a ſmall Point, as appears
by the gradual Formation of a Fœ-
tus.
The Solids and Fluids differ
only in the Degree of Coheſion,
which being a little increas'd, turns a
Fluid into a Solid. How the Fluids
are repair'd, has been already ex-
plain'd. The Nutrition of the So-
lids is fomewhat more obfcure.
PRO P. VII.
Nutrition of the Solids is perform'd
by the circulating Liquid in a due de-
gree
42
An ESSAY concerning
gree of Heat and Tenuity in the
fmalleſt Vaſcular Solids.
The Fluids and Solids of an Ani-
mal Body are eaſily tranfmutable
into one another. The White of an
Egg (a Fluid refembling the Serum
of the Blood, and of which a whole
Animal is made) will coagulate and
turn Solid by a moderate Heat, and
the hardeſt of Animal Solids are re-
處
​folvable again into Gellies.
As the White of an Egg by Incu-
bation, fo can the Serum by the
Action of the Fibres be ftill more
and more * attenuated. A Fluid
moving through a flexible Canal,
when the Canal grows extremely
fmall and flender, by its Friction,
will naturally lengthen, and as it
were wire-draw the Sides of the
Canal, according to the Direction
of its Axis; and as the Canal is leng
then'd or wire-drawn, it grows ftill
ſmaller and flenderer, fo as that the
* Made thin.
eva-
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
4.3
evaneſcent Solid and Fluid will ſcarce
differ, and the Extremities of theſe
fmall Canals will by Propulfion be
carried off with the Fluid continual-
ly, and likewiſe continually repair'd,
and new ones made in their room.
The Force of the Fluid will likewife
feparate the ſmalleſt Particles which
compofe the Fibres, fo as to leave va-
cant Interftices in thofe Places where
they coher'd before, which vacant
Places will be again fill'd up by Parti-
cles carried on by the fucceeding Fluid
(as a Bank by the Mud of the Cur-
rent) and which of courſe muſt be
reduced to that Figure which gives
the leaſt Reſiſtance to the Current,
and confequently muft apply them-
felves to the inward Surface of the
Canal, fo as to fill up the Inter-
ſtices, and to preſerve the Tube, the
Syſtem of Tubes, that is, the Animal
entire.
* Vanishing, growing extremely ſmall.
1. Thoſe
44
An ESSAY concerning
1. Thoſe Tubes which are moſt
recently made of Fluids are moſt flexi-
ble, and moſt eaſily lengthen'd; fuch
Tubes as have often fuffer'd this Force
grow rigid, and hardly more extendi-
ble therefore.
2. An Animal the nearer to its
Original, the more it grows.
3. To this Motion of * Elonga-
tion of the Fibres, is owing the U-
nion or Conglutination of the Parts
of the Body, when they are ſeparated
by a Wound.
4. From the foregoing Doctrine
it is eaſy to explain the Formation of
the moſt ſolid Parts of the Body, for
when the Fluid moves in ſeveral ſmall
Veffels, which by the Contact of
their Sides ſtop the Current of the
Fluid, thofe Canals by degrees are a-
bolish'd and grow folid, feveral of
them united grow a Membrane
theſe Membranes further conſolidated
become Cartilages, and Cartilages,
* Lengthening.
Bones;
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
45
Bones; confequently, an Animal the
nearer it is to its Original, the more
Pipes it hath, and as it advanceth in
Age ſtill the fewer. Many of our
Veſſels degenerate into Ligaments, the
very Sutures of the Skull are abolish'd
in old Age.
5. Many practical Rules may be
drawn from the foregoing Doctrine,
for the Diet of Human Creatures
according to their different States of
Life and the Condition of the So-
lids; it is evident that the Diet of
Infants ought to be extremely thin,
ſuch as lengthens the Fibres without
Rupture; yet ev'n in a young Ani-
mal, when the Solids are too lax (the
Cafe of rickety Children) the Diet
ought to be gently aftringent.
From this Doctrine it appears how
detrimental acrimonious
acrimonious Aliment
muſt be to ſuch as have any Sore,
Ulcer, Wound, &c. becauſe Heal-
ing is perform'd by the Elongation of
the Fibres; thofe tender Fibres are de-
ftroy'd by Acrimony.
The
46
An ESSAY concerning
1
The Aliment likewiſe ought to be
different, according to the State of
the Solids, in Animals full grown:
tho' an Animal arrives at its full
Growth at a certain Age, perhaps it
never comes to its full Bulk till the
laft Period of Life. The * Membra-
na adipofa inveſts almoſt every Part
of the Body, fo that there is hard-
ly any Fibre but is fheath'd with a
Part of it. This Membrane feparates
an oily Liquor call'd Fat, neceffary
for many Purpoſes of Life; when
the Fibres are lax, and the Aliment
too redundant, great part of it is
converted into this oily Liquor, all
the fuperfluous Weight of an Ani-
mal beyond the Veſſels, Bones and
Muſcles is nothing but Fat; but the
Converfion of the Aliment into Fat
is not properly Nutrition, which is
a Reparation of the Solids and
Fluids; and Fat, properly ſpeaking, is
* A Membrane which contains the Fat.
neither.
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
47
neither. But I fhall treat more par-
ticularly of theſe Subjects, in their
proper Place.
7. The Matter of Nutrition is
moſt fubtile, and Nutrition the laſt
and moſt perfect animal Action; to
perform it by the foregoing Propo-
fitions, there must be a due degree
of projectile Motion or Celerity of
Circulation to which Attrition and
Heat are proportional. The Heat
equal to Incubation, is only nutri-
tious; any thing lefs or more is in-
fufficient, and the nutritious Juice it-
ſelf reſembles the White of an Egg
in all its Qualities. By too weak a
Circulation the Aliment approacheth
to theſe Qualities which it would ac-
quire by a ſmall degree of Heat with-
out Motion, becomes vifcous, imper-
fectly mix'd; and the Perfon in this
Condition is fubject to all the Acci-
dents of a Plethora. By too ftrong a
projectile Motion the Aliment tends
to Putrefaction, is diffipated, and
the
*
48
An ESSAY concerning
the folid Parts, inſtead of being re-
pair'd, are deſtroy'd: Hence may be
deduc'd the Force of Exercife in help-
ing Digeftion, and likewife the Rules
for regulating the Times and Degrees
of it. But thofe are foreign to my
Subject.
PRÒ P. VIII.
The frequent Repetition of Ali-
ment is not only neceffary for re-
pairing the Fluids and Solids of an
Animal Body, but likewife to keep
the Fluids from the putrefcent alka-
line State, which they would acquire
by conſtant Motion and Attrition,
without being diluted by a frefh
Emulfion of new Chyle.
An Animal that ſtarves of Hunger,
dies feverish and delirious, as appears
by Experiments upon Cats and Dogs,
for the moſt fluid Parts are diffipated,
what remains turns alkaline and
* See Explanation of the Chymical Terms.
corrofive,
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
49
corrofive, affecting the tender Fibres
of the Brain. The moſt ſevere Or-
ders of the Church of Rome who
practiſe Abſtinence, feel after it, fœ-
tid hot Eructations and Head-Aches.
Long Abftinence does not kill by
want of Blood; for twenty Days faſt-
ing will not diminiſh its Quantity fo
much as one great Hæmorrhage. An
Animal can never die for want of
Blood, while there is a Quantity fuf-
ficient for the Continuity of the Preſ-
fure, fo apply'd to the Brain, as to
produce Animal Spirits. Befides, the
Diminution both of the Fluids and
Solids in an Atrophy, is much grea-
ter than what can happen by being
ſtarv'd: Therefore Fafting kills by
the bad State, not by the infufficient
Quantity of Fluids.
Any watery Liquor will keep an
Animal from ſtarving very long, by
diluting the Fluids, and confequent-
ly keeping them from this alkaline
State, which is confirm'd by Expe-
rience;
E
50
An ESSAY concerning
*
rience; for People have liv'd twenty
four Days upon nothing but Wa-
ter; and the Stories of long Abfti-
nence, where Water has been allow'd,
are not incredible.
1. Long Abſtinence in hot bi-
lious Conſtitutions may be the Pa-
rent of great Diſeaſes; yet it is more
troubleſome to acid Conftitutions, by
the Uneafinefs it creates in the Sto-
mach.
CHA P. III.
Obfervations drawn from the Nature
and moft fimple Analyfis of vegeta-
ble Subftances.
A
PROP. I.
LL Animals are made imme-
diately or mediately of Vegeta-
bles, that is by feeding on Vegetables;
* Vide Philofophical Tranſactions.
or
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
or on Animals that are fed on Vegeta-
bles, there being no Proceſs in infinitum.
PROP. II.
Vegetables are proper enough to
repair Animals, as being near of the
fame fpecifick Gravity with the Ani-
mal Juices, and as confifting of the
fame Parts with Animal Subſtances,
Spirit, Water, Salt, Oil, Earth; all
which are contain'd in the Sap they
derive from the Earth, which con-
fifts of Rain-Water, Air, putrified
Juices of Plants and Animals; and
even Minerals, for the Aſhes of Plants
yield ſomething which the Loadſtone
attracts.
PROP. III.
The Sap is diverfify'd, and ſtill more
and more elaborated and exalted, as it
circulates through the Veffels of the
Plant.
E 2
The
$2
An ESSAY concerning
The Sap when it first enters the
Root, and is not fubdued by the Ac-
tion of the Plant, retains much of its
own Nature, and has not much of the
Vegetable; being earthy, watery, poor,
and ſcarce* oleaginous. The Sap after
it has enter'd the Root is more and
more elaborated, as it paffeth into
the Stem, Branches, Leaves, Flowers,
Fruit and Seeds. The Juice of the
Stem is like the Chyle in an Animal
Body, not fufficiently concocted by
Circulation, and is commonly fuba-
cid in all Plants. This Juice is yield-
ed in great Plenty by Incifion, in
fome Plants. The Juices of the
Leaves are, First, That obtain'd by
Expreffion, which is the nutritious
Juice render'd fomewhat more olea-
ginous; from this Juice proceeds the
difference of the Taſte of the Leaves
of Plants. Secondly, Wax which is
fcrap'd off by the Bees, and is a ve-
getable Subſtance. Thirdly, Manna,
* Oily.
· which
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
53
which is an effential faccharine Salt,
fweating from the Leaves of moſt
Plants.
Y
The Juices of the Flowers are,
First, The exprefs'd Juice, a little
more elaborated. Secondly, A vola-
tile Oil and Spirit, wherein the
par-
ticular Smell of the Plant refides.
Thirdly, Honey, exuding from all
Flowers, the bitter not excepted; this
is gather'd by the Bees, and fuck'd
in by their Trunks into their Sto-
machs. The Juice of the Fruit is
ſtill the Juice of the Plant, more ela-
borated. The Juice of the Seed is
an effential Oil or Balm, defign'd by
Nature to preſerve the Seed from
Corruption. The Bark contains, be-
fides the common Juice, an oily
Juice, which fweats out of diverfe
Plants; when this Juice is in greater
plenty than can be exhal'd by the Sun,
it renders the Plant ever green. This
Oil farther infpiffated by Evapora-
tion turns by degrees into Balm, Pitch,
E 3
Rofin,
$4
An ESSAY concerning
Rofin, &c. Beſides all theſe, there
is a peculiar Juice in each Species,
not reducible to Water, Oils, Balfam,
which may be call'd the Blood of the
Plant. Thus fome Plants upon
break-
ing their Veffels yield a milky Juice,
others a yellow, of peculiar Taftes
and Qualities.
1. Theſe are the Ingredients of
Plants, before they are prepared by
Cookery: Hence it follows, that he
who eats a whole raw Plant, or the
exprefs'd Juice of it, takes in a grea-
ter variety of Subftances, than he
who feeds on the fame Plant pre-
par'd, or on fome of the Parts of it;
for all Plants have the moſt of the
foremention'd Ingredients, at leaſt in
fmall Quantities.
2. Vegetables differ from Foffils,
and Animals, in that being burnt to
Afhes they yield a fix'd Alkaline Salt,
which, in thoſe of a ſharp Scent and..
pungent Taſte, as Muſtard, Onions,
&c, is in a very ſmall Quantity.
3. The
༧
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
ss
3. The Effects of vegetable Sub-
ſtances upon Human Bodies, are more
various than thofe of Animal Sub-
ſtances; and the Mechaniſm of Plants
ſeems to be more various than that
of Animals, for the fame Plant pro-
duceth as great a variety of Juices, as
there is in the fame Animal, and dif-
ferent Plants a greater variety, and yet
the Aliment of Plants is nearly one
uniform Juice; for from the fame Soil
may be produc'd a great variety of
Plants, whereas Animals live upon
very different forts of Subftances;
both Mechaniſms are equally curious,
from one uniform Juice to extract all
the variety of vegetable Juices, or
from fuch variety of Food to make
a Fluid very near uniform, the Blood
of an Animal.
4. The fpecifick Qualities of Plants
refide in their native Spirit, Oil, and
effential Salt; for the Water, fix'd
Salt, and Earth, appear to be the fame
in all Plants.
E 4
The
56
An ESSAY concerning
The Effects of the foremention'd
Ingredients of Plants are as follow:
Vegetable Salts are capable of refol-
ving the coagulated Humours of a
Human Body, and of attenuating,
by ftimulating the Solids, and dif-
folving the Fluids: Salts likewife pro-
mote Secretions; Oils relax the Fibres,
are Lenient, Balfamick, and abate
Acrimony in the Blood. It is by
virtue of this Oil, that Vegetables
are nutrimental, for this Oil is ex-
tracted by Animal Digeſtion as an
Emulfion, and abounds moft in
Plants of full Growth, and when the
Salts and Water are in leaft abun-
dance. Aromatick Plants, tho' they
abound with Oil, yet it is not ſoft
and nutritious; but as it is mix'd with
a Spirit, is too heating.
The volatile Salt and Spirit of
Vegetables is penetrating, heating,
and active, contrary to the Proper-
ties of Acids. The Balfams of Plants
contain a volatile Salt; fuch Balfams,
when
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
57
when depriv'd of their Acids, change
into Oils. Wax confifts of an acid
Spirit of a nauſeous Taſte, and an
Oil, or Butter, which appears white:
This Oil is emollient, laxative, and
* Anodyne.
Honey is the moſt elaborate Pro-
duction of the Vegetable Kind, be-
ing a moſt exquiſite vegetable Sope,
refolvent of the Bile, Balfamick and
Pectoral. Honey contains no in-
flammable Spirit, before it has felt
the Force of Fermentation; for by
Diftillation it affords nothing that
will burn in the Fire.
The Fruits of moſt Vegetables are
likewife Sopes; all Sopes (which are
a Mixture of Salt and Oil) are at-
tenuating and deobftruent, reſolving
vifcid Subſtances; for mere Water
diffolves nothing but Salts: but as
the Subftance of Coagulations is not
merely Saline, nothing diffolves them
but what penetrates and relaxes at
* Abating Pain.
the
58
An ESSAY concerning
the fame time, that is, a Sope, or a
Mixture of Oil and Salt.
6. Taftes are the Indexes of the
different Qualities of Plants, as well
as of all forts of Aliment: Different
Taſtes proceed from different Mix-
tures of Water, Earth, Oil, and Salt;
but chiefly from the Oil and Spirit,
mix'd with fome Salt of a peculiar
Nature. A muriatick or briny Tafte
feems to be produced by a Mixture
of an acid and alkaline Salt; for Spi-
rit of Salt and Salt Tartar mix'd, pro-
duce a Salt like Sea Salt. Bitter and
Acrid differ only by the fharp Parti-
cles of the first, being involv'd in a
greater Quantity of Oil than thoſe
of the laft. Acid or Sour proceeds
from a Salt of the fame Nature, with-
out a Mixture of Oil; in auftere
Taftes, the oily Parts have not difen-
tangled themſelves from the Salts and
earthy Parts; fuch is the Taſte of un-
ripe Fruits.
In fweet Taſtes the a-
cid Particles feem to be fo atte-
nuated,
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
59
nuated, and diffolv'd in the Oil, as
to produce only a ſmall and grate-
ful Titillation. In oily Taſtes the
Salts feem to be intirely difentan-
gled.
Vegetables have very different Ef-
fects on Human Bodies, as they con-
tain acid or alkaline Salts, and are
to be us'd according to the different
Conſtitution of the Body at that
time, as will appear by what will be
faid afterwards. All the Tetrapeta-
lous filiquofe Plants are Alkaleſcent.
*
PROP. IV.
Mankind take as Aliment all the
Parts of Vegetables, but their pro-
pereſt Food of the vegetable King-
dom, is taken from the farinaceous,
or mealy Seeds of fome † Culmiferous
Plants, as Oats, Barley, Wheat,
Rice, Rye, Mays, Panick, Millet;
*Having Flowers with four Leaves and Pods.
+ Having long Stems and Heads.
or
60
An ESSAY concerning
or of ſome of the Siliquofe Legumi-
nous, as Peaſe, Beans, &c. Thoſe
as they are Seeds (by what was ſaid,
Prop. III.) contain the moſt elabo-
rate part of the Plant, are oily, and
therefore proper to make the Ani-
mal Emulfion of Chyle; and their
Oil is not highly exalted, and hot
as that of acrid and aromatical
Plants, but mild and benign to hu-
man Bodies.
Barley is emollient, moiftning and
expectorating. Oats have fome of
the fame Qualities. Barley was cho-
fen by Hippocrates as proper Food in
inflammatory Diftempers. Rice is the
Food of, perhaps, two Thirds of
Mankind; it is moſt kindly and be-
nign to Human Conftitutions, pro-
per for the Confumptive, and fuch
as are ſubject to Hæmorrhages. Next
to Rice is Wheat, the Bran of which
is highly Aceſcent and Stimulating;
therefore the Bread that is not too
much purged from it, is more whole-
fome
the Nature of Aliments, &c:
Gr
fome for fome Conftitutions. Rye
is more acid, laxative, and lefs nou-
riſhing than Wheat. Millet is diarrhoe-
tick, cleanſing, and uſeful in Diſea-
ſes of the Kidneys. Panick affords
a foft demulcent Nouriſhment, both
for Granivorous Birds, and Man-
kind. Mays affords a very ſtrong
Nouriſhment, but more viſcous than
Wheat. Peaſe being depriv'd of any
aromatick Parts, are mild, and de-
mulcent in the higheſt degree; but
being full of aerial Particles, are fla-
tulent when diffolv'd by Digeftion.
Beans reſemble them in moſt of their
Qualities. All the foremention'd
Plants are highly aceſcent, except
Peaſe and Beans.
The mealy Parts of the foremen-
tion'd Plants diffolv'd in Water,
make too vifcid an Aliment to be
conſtantly us'd, and juſtly condemn'd
by Hippocrates: Therefore Mankind
* That eat Grains.
have
62
An ESSAY concerning
have found the means to make them
more eafy of Digeftion, by ferment-
ing, and making fome of them into
Bread, which is the lightest and pro-
pereft Aliment for Human Bodies,
Leaven, by its acid Salt, dividing the
mucous and oily Parts of the Meal.
The next fort of Subftances which
Mankind feed on, are Fruits of Trees,
and Shrubs; thefe all contain Water
or Phlegm, Oil much elaborated,
and an effential Salt; upon the diffe-
rent Mixtures of thefe Ingredients,
depend their different Qualities, by
which they are fharp, fweet, four or
ftyptick. Of Fruits, fome are Pul-
py, others contain'd within a hard
Shell; which laft are indeed the Seeds
of the Plants to which they belong,
and contain a great deal of Oil, en-
tangled with earthy Parts and Salts,
which oftentimes make them hard of
Digeftion, and paſs the Alimentary
Duct undiffolv'd.
There are other
Fruits which contain a great deal of
cooling
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
63
cooling vifcid Juice, combin'd with
a nitrous Salt, which fometimes
makes them offenfive to the Stomach;
fuch are many of the low pomife-
rous Kind, as Cucumbers, Pom-
pions; tho' amongſt thofe, Melons,
when good, have a rich Juice, and
ſomewhat aromatick; they are diure-
tick, and there are Inftances of their
having thrown People into bloody
Urine.
Of Alimentary Leaves, the Olera,
or Pot-Herbs afford an excellent Nou-
riſhment; amongſt thoſe are the Cole
or Cabbage Kind, emollient, laxa-
tive, and refolvent, alkalefcent, and
therefore proper in Cafes of Acidity.
Red Cabbage is reckon'd a Medi-
cine in Conſumptions and Spittings
of Blood. Amongst the Pot-Herbs
are fome * lactefcent Plants, as Let-
tuce, Endive, and Dandelion, which
contain a moſt wholeſome Juice, re-
* Containing a milky Juice.
folvent
64
An ESSAY concerning
folvent of the Bile, anodyne and
cooling, extremely uſeful in all Dif-
eaſes of the Liver. Artichokes con-
tain a rich nutritious ftimulating
Juice.
Of the Stems of flants, fome con-
tain a fine aperient Salt, and are di-
uretick and faponaceous; as Aſpara-
gus, which affects the Urine with a
foetid Smell (eſpecially if cut when
they are white) and therefore have
been fufpected by ſome Phyſicians as
not friendly to the Kidneys; when
they are older, and begin to ramify,
they loſe this Quality, but then they
are not fo agreeable.
Of Alimentary Roots, ſome are
pulpy, and very nutricious, as Tur-
nips, Carrots; theſe have a fattening
Quality, which they manifeſt in feed-
ing of Cattle. There are other Roots
which contain an acrid volatile Salt,
as Onions, Garlick, Leeks, Ra-
diſhes, the mildeſt of theſe is Celery.
Thoſe forts of Roots are alkalefcent
and
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
65
and heating, and therefore proper in
Cafes of Acidity. The Fungus Kind,
as Muſhrooms or Truffles, afford an
alkaline Salt, and much Oil; fome
of them being poiſonous make the
others fufpicious, if taken in too great
Quantities.
There are many vegetable Sub-
ftances uſed by Mankind, as Seaſon-
ings, which abound with a highly
exalted aromatick Oil, as Thyme,
Savoury, Marjoram, Bafil, Spices:
Thofe are heating, and the moſt of
them hard of Digeſtion. The moſt
friendly to the Stomach, is Fennel.
Muſtard, which is us'd in Seaſoning,
abounds with a moſt pungent Salt
and Oil, extremely active and heat-
ing. Sugar is an effential Salt of a
Plant, combin'd with an Oil, which
renders it inflammable; and there-
fore it is faponaceous, refolvent, and
cleanfing.
F
PROP.
66
An ESSAY concerning
PROP. V.
To give an Account of the In-
gredients into which Vegetables re-
folve themſelves by the moſt fimple
Operations of Cookery and Chy-
miſtry.
The Operations of Cookery and
Chymiſtry fall much fhort of the
vital Force of an Animal Body: No
Chymift can make Milk or Blood
of Grafs; yet it gives fome Light to
this Subject, to fhew into what Parts
Vegetables refolve themſelves by fuch
fimple Operations, as barely feparate
their Parts without confounding or
deſtroying them.
The two Operations already men-
tion'd, viz. making an Emulſion
and vegetable Putrefaction reſemble
Animal Digeſtion the moſt.
1. In making an Emulfion, the
oily Parts of Vegetables diffolve in-
to a white Liquor, refembling Chyle.
Qur
1
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
67
Our vegetable Food conſiſts of mealy
Seeds, Fruits, Bread, &c. upon which
the Teeth and Jaws act as the Peftle
and Mortar, the Spittle, Bile, pan-
creatick Juice, &c. are the Men-
ftruum, inſtead of the Water, which
the Chymift employs; the Stomach
and Inteſtines are the Prefs; and the
lacteal Veffels the Strainers, to ſe-
parate the pure Emulfion from its
Faces. The Chyle is white, as con-
fifting of Salt, Oil, and Water of
our Food, much levigated or ſmooth.
This likewife conftitutes the White-
nefs of Emulfions.
2.
Vegetable Putrefaction (by what
has been mention'd before) turns ve-
getable Subſtances into an animal Na-
ture.
3. Amongſt the Ingredients of Ve-
getables, that which conftitutes the
moſt ſpirituous and fragrant Part of
the Plant, is what paffeth by Per-
ſpiration, and exhales by the Action
of the Sun.
This is as it were the
Fi
pre-
68
An ESSAY concerning
preſiding Spirit of the Plant, from
which it draws its peculiar Flavour,
and is the most active Principle in
the Vegetable. Thus every Plant has
its Atmoſphere, which have very va-
rious Effects on thoſe who ſtay near
them, producing Head-achs, Sleep,
Fainting, Vapours; and others, a
great Refreſhment of the Spirits. It
is reported, that in Brazil there are
Trees which kill thoſe that fit under
their Shade in a few Hours. This
fragrant Spirit is obtain'd from all
Plants which are in the leaft aroma-
tick, by a cold Still, with a Heat
not exceeding that of Summer.
4. If to a Plant you pour hot Wa-
ter, and let it ſtand a fufficient time,
the Liquor ftrain'd is call'd the Infu-
fion of the Plant; if the Plant be boil'd
in the fame Water, the ftrain'd Li-
quor is call'd the Decoction of the
Plant. The Infufions and Decoctions
of Plants contain the moſt feparable
Parts of the Plants, and convey not
only
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
69
This is
The
only their nutritious but medicinal
Qualities into the Blood.
plain by many Experiments.
Infufion of Caffia Fiftularis makes
the Urine green. The Infufions and
Decoctions of Rhubarb and Saffron,
will, in a Quarter of an Hour tinge
the Urine with a high Yellow.
5. The moſt oily Parts are not
ſeparated by a flight Decoction, till
they are diſentangled from the Salts;
for if what remains of the Subject,
after the Infufion and Decoction, be
continu'd to be boil'd down with the
Addition of fresh Water, a fat, fapid,
odorous, viscous, inflammable, frothy
Water will conftantly be found float-
ing a-top of the boiling Liquor,
which being ſcumm'd off, and gently
dry'd, will flame away in the Fire.
This Liquor is a kind of Sope con-
fifting of the Oil and Salt of the
Plant.
6. Infuſions and flight Decoc-
tions contain more of the Speci-
F 3
fick
70
An ESSAY concerning
fick Qualities of the Plant, than theſe
which are more violent; for by a
ftrong Decoction fome part of the
Taſte and Smell fly off every Mo-
ment.
7.
The Infufion and Decocti-
on, prepar'd as before, being evapo-
rated to a thicker Confiftence, ac-
cording to the feveral Degrees of
Thickneſs, paffeth into a Jelly, * Defru-
tum, Sapa, Rob, Extract, which con-
tain all the Virtues of the Infufion or
Decoction, freed only from fome of
the watery Parts.
8. The utmoſt Force of boiling
Water is not able to deſtroy the
Structure of the tendereſt Plant. The
Lineaments of a white Lily will re-
main after the ſtrongeſt Decoction.
9. The Extract obtain'd by the
former Operation, burnt to Afhes,
and thoſe Aſhes boil'd in Water, and
filtrated, yield a fiery Salt.
* The express'd fwice, boil'd to a thick Confiflence.
10. The
}
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
71
10. The greater Quantity of vo-
latile Salt any Plant contains, which
is the Cafe of the more pungent in
Taſte and Odour, the leſs it affords
of this fix'd Alkali: Thofe fix'd al-
kaline Salts do not pre-exiſt in the
fame Form in the Plant; for acid
Plants, as Sorrel, will afford by this
Operation an alkaline Salt. Thoſe
Salts grow ſtill more fiery and al-
kaline by a greater degree of Heat.
Of all the effential Salts of Plants,
that which is in moſt common Ufe
in Aliment, is Sugar, which rather
diffolves Phlegm than increaſeth it;
for it grows tenacious only by long
boiling: It is a Sal Oleofum, for it
is both foluble in Water, and fufi-
ble in Fire.
11. Another manner of preparing
Vegetables, is by expreffing their
Juices. Thofe exprefs'd Juices con-
tain the true effential Salt of the
Plant; for if they be boil'd into the
Confiſtence of a Syrup, and fet in a
F 4
cook
72
An ESSAY concerning
cool Place, the effential Salt of the
Plant will ſhoot upon the fides of
the Veffels. Thofe effential Salts of
Plants differ, according to the Plant
unto which they belong, but are re-
duc'd into three Claffes. First, Thoſe
of acid, aftringent, auftere Vege-
tables, as of unripe Fruits, which re-
femble the Tartar. Secondly, Thofe
of fucculent watery Plants, as En-
dive, Cichory, which afford a fine
nitrous kind of Salt, foluble in Wa-
ter, and very cooling. Thirdly, Thoſe
from oily, aromatick, and odoriferous
Vegetables, which will hardly afford.
any, till their Oils be extracted from
them : From hence it appears, that
the express'd Juices of Vegetables, not
filtrated very clear, contain their
whole Specifick Virtues.
12. In the Preparations of Cooke-
ry, the moſt volatile Parts of Vege-
tables are deſtroy'd; if
any of them
are retain'd, it is in Decoctions which
are made in Balneo.
De
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
73
Decoctions, when we take the Li-
quor, contain the Specifick Virtues
of the Plants; when we feed upon
the Plant, it makes their folid Parts
more tender, and deprives them of
a great deal of their more fubtile
Oils.
13. The vaſcular and folid Parts
of Plants are incapable of any Change
in the Animal Body; for the Re-
mainder of a ſtrong Decoction, held
over a clear Fire, will burn to Aſhes,
which is true Elementary Earth.
The fibrous and folid Parts of Plants,
paſs unalter'd through the Inteftines,
and fometimes by ſticking there, occa-
fion great Diſorders. Grains and Nuts
paſs often through Animals, unalter'd.
The Excrements of Horfes are nothing
but Hay, and, as fuch, combuftible.
14. Vegetable Subſtances contain
a great deal of Air, which, as they
are diffolv'd in the Alimentary Duct,
expands itſelf, producing all the Diſf-
orders of Flatulency.
Is. There
74
An ESSAY concerning
15. There are other Preparations of
Vegetables by Fermentation, where-
by they are wrought up into fpiritu-
ous Liquors, which may be call'd by
the general Name of Wines: Such
fermented Liquors have quite diffe-
rent Qualites from the Plant itſelf;
for no Fruit, taken crude, has the
intoxicating Quality of Wine.
CHA P. IV.
Obfervations from the Nature and moft
Simple Analysis of Animal Sub-
ftances.
A
N Animal, confider'd in its
material Part, cannot well be
defin'd from any particular organical
Part, which in fome Species are want-
ing, in others, are more than one;
nor from its locomotive Faculty, for
there are ſome which adhere to Rocks,
and other Places. The Characteriſtick
H
of
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
75
of an Animal, is to take its Aliment
by a voluntary Action, by fome Aper-
ture of the Body, which may be
call'd a Mouth, and to convey it into
another call'd the Inteftines, into
which its Roots are implanted, where-
by it draws its Nourishment much
after the manner of Vegetables, only
a Vegetable has its Root planted with-
out itſelf, and an Animal its Root
within itſelf. A Foetus in the Womb
is indeed nourish'd like a Plant, but
afterwards by a Root planted within
itſelf, perhaps too an Animal may be
diſtinguiſh'd from a Vegetable, in
that its Juices move through the Ca-
nals by a projectile Motion.
PROP.
I.
To give a fhort Account of the con-
ftituent Parts of Animal Subſtances.
An Animal confifts of folid and fluid
Parts, unleſs one fhould reckon fome
of an intermediate Nature, as Fat,
and Phlegm.
1. The
76
An ESSAY concerning
1. The Solids feem to be Earth,
bound together with fome Oil; for
if a Bone be calcin'd fo, as the leaſt
Force will crumble it, being immers'd
in Oil, it will grow firm again.
The laft Animal Solids are Earth,
in its greateſt Simplicity; for the
Chymifts make Veffels of Animal
Subſtances calcin'd, which will not
vitrify in the Fire; for all Earth, which
hath any Salt or Oil in it, will turn
to Glafs
2. The Fluids of Animals are
more crude, and reſemble thoſe of
Vegetables, as they are nearer the
Root of the Animal: Thus Chyle
may be faid to be a vegetable Juice
in the Stomach and Inteftines, and
pour'd upon Blood, it ſeems like Oil;
as it paffeth into the Lacteals, it grows
ftill more Animal; and when it has
circulated often with the Blood, it is
entirely fo.
* Burnt to a Cinder.
3. Blood
the Nature of Aliments, &c: 77
3. Blood is the most univerfal
Juice in an Animal Body, and from
which all the reſt are deriv'd; the
of it differs from the Se-
red part
rum, the Serum from the Lymph, the
Lymph from the nervous Juice, and
that from the ſeveral other Humours
that are ſeparated in the Glands.
4.
Animal Subſtances differ from
Vegetable, in two Things. First, In
that being reduc'd to Afles, they are
perfectly infipid; all Animal Salts be-
ing volatile, fly off with great Heat.
Secondly, In that there is no fincere
Acid in any Animal Juice.
And yet
the Parts of the one
5.
are tranfmutable into the nutritious
Juice of the other.
An Animal can
nouriſh a Plant, and a Plant an Ani-
mal, by which it ſeems probable that
Vegetables have the Power of con-
verting the alkaline Juices of Ani-
mals into Acids; as Animals have
the Power of converting the acid
Juices of Plants into alkaline Sub-
ftances.
78
An ESSAY concerning
ftances. From the two fore-men-
tion'd Differences of Vegetable and
Animal Subſtances, it follows. First,
That all animal Diet is alkaleſcent,
ör anti-acid. Secondly, That animal
Subſtances, containing no fixt Salt,
want the Affiftance of thofe for Di-
geftion, which preſerve them both
within and without the Body from
Putrefaction.
6. The conſtituent Parts of Ani-
mals are, Firſt, Earth. Secondly, A
peculiar Spirit analogous to that of
Plants. Thirdly, Water. Fourthly, Salts.
Fifthly, Oil.
7. The Earth, as was before obi-
ferv'd, is fincere and immutable.
8. The Spirit is an oily Subſtance,
fo attenuated, as to become volatile.
This Spirit ſeems to be diſtinguiſh'd
in every Species, and Individual; a
Blood-Hound will follow the Tract
of the Perfon he purſues, and all
Hounds, the particular Game they
have in Chaſe; and the Faculty by
which
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
79
which they diſtinguiſh particular Men,
feems to be analogous to ours of dif-
tinguiſhing the different Species of
Vegetables by their Scent.
9. Therefore, fince the Animals
of the wild Kind have their Scent,
and confequently this prefiding Spi-
rit more high, it is probable that
their Juices are more exalted in pro-
portion.
10. Water is the chief Ingredient
in all the Animal Fluids and Solids;
for a dry Bone, diſtill'd, affords a great
Quantity of infipid Water. There-
fore Water ſeems to be proper Drink
for every fort of Animal.
11. The Juices of Animals con-
fiſt of Water impregnated with Salts
of a peculiar Nature (excepting Chyle,
which, as was faid before, may be re-
puted a vegetable Juice, and often
contains Acids.) Theſe Salts are nei-
ther acid, nor perfectly volatile;
for, in the Evaporation of Human
Blood, by a gentle Fire, the Salt will
not
82
An Essay concerning
not rife, but only the Spirit and
Water, not perfectly fix'd; for Hu-
man Blood, calcin'd, yields no fix'd
Salt, nor is it a Sal Ammoniac; for
that remains immutable after repeat-
ed Diſtillations; and Diftillation de-
ſtroys the ammoniacal Quality of
animal Salts, and turns them alka-
line; ſo that it is a Salt neither quite
fix'd, nor quite volatile, nor quite
acid, nor quite alkaline, nor quite
ammoniacal; but foft and benign;
approaching neareſt to the Nature of
a Sal Ammoniac. The elementary
Salts of Animals are not the fame, as
they appear by Diſtillation, theſe
Alterations being made by Fire. Thoſe
Salts are of a peculiar, benign, mild
Nature, in healthy Perfons, who have
a vital Force to ſubdue all the ſapid
Subſtances which they feed upon; but,
in fuch who have not that vital Force,
or commit fome Error in their Diet,
theſe Salts are not fufficiently atte-
nuated, and retain their original Qua-
lities,
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
8 I
lities, which they diſcover in Ca-
chexies, Scurvies of feveral kinds, and
other Diftempers; the Cure of which
chiefly lies in the Choice of Aliment
with Qualities oppofite to the Na-
ture of theſe Salts.
I 2. Animal Oil is various, accord-
ing to Principles inherent in it, but
being freed from the Earth, Salts, &.
it is a fimple unactive Principle, and
the fame in all Animals.
13. Animal Subftances are more
eafily affimilated into animal Sub-
ftances; and therefore it feems pro-
bable that they are more nouriſhing
to Human Bodies than Vegetable.
The Nature of animal Food muſt
depend upon the Nature, Age, Diet,
and other Circumſtances of the Ani-
mal we feed
upon.
Animal Juices, as well as Vegetable,
are in their greateſt Perfection when
the Animal is full grown; young Ani-
* Ill Habits of Bodies.
G
mals
82
An ESSAY concerning
mals participate of the Nature of
their tender Aliment, as Sucklings of
Milk.
Animal Nouriſhment differs con-
fiderably as the Animal is terreftrial,
amphibious, or aquatick. Fishes con-
tain more of animal Salts and Oil,
for they corrupt ſooner than terref-
trial Animals; fome Fiſhes, as the
Thornback, when dry'd, taſte of Sal
Ammoniac.
The muſcular Fibres of Fishes are
generally more ſmall and tender than
thoſe of terrestrial Animals, and their
whole Subftance more watery. Some
Fishes, as Whitings, can be almoft
entirely diffolv'd into Water.
From which Qualities, a Diet of
fome Fish is more rich and alkalefcent
that that of Fleſh, and therefore very
improper for fuch as practiſe Mortifi-
cation.
The Inhabitants of Sea-Port
Towns are generally prolifick.
The Oils with which Fishes a-
bound often turn rancid, and lie hea-
vy
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
8 z
vy on the Stomach, and affect the
very Sweat with a rancid Smell, which
is found to be true in fome Places,
where the Inhabitants live entirely
upon Fish.
?
Notwithſtanding the redundant Oil
in Fiſhes, they do not increaſe Fat fo
much as Fleſh, by reafon of their
watery Quality.
Water-Fowl abound with the fame
rancid Oil as Fiſh.
Fiſh being highly alkalefcent wants
to be qualified by Salt and Vinegar.
14. Another Difference of the Flesh
of Animals depends upon the Diffe-
rence of their Food, from which it
is not hard to determine their Qua-
lities, confider'd as Aliment; and the
Fleth of Animals of the fame Species
is more or lefs delicate and nourish-
ing, according to their Food. Thofe
Animals that live upon other Ani-
mals have their Flesh and Juices more
alkalefcent than thofe that live upon
Vegetables.
G 2
15. The
84
An ESSAY concerning
15. The Difference of the Quali-
ties of the Flesh of the fame Species,
depends upon the manner of living
of the Animal.
Abſtracting from other Confide-
rations, the moſt healthy Animal af-
fords the beſt Aliment, and the ca-
ftrated, than thofe that are not fo.
An Animal that feeds itſelf, takes
the moſt proper Food in the proper-
eft Quantities (if it has Plenty enough)
has better Air and more Exerciſe;
all which contribute to make the
Animal more healthy; for theſe Rea-
fons Hippocrates commends the Fleſh
of the wild Sow above the tame;
and no doubt, but the Animal is
more or leſs healthy, according to
the Air it lives in; the Flesh of the
fame Species differs very much, as
the Animal lives in Marthes or
Mountains. The wild Kinds of
Animals having more Exerciſe, have
their Juices more elaborated and ex-
alted; but for the fame Reafon the
Fibres
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
85
Fibres are often harder, eſpecially
when old. For this Reaſon, per-
haps, the Roe-buck is the fineft of
the Venifon Kind. This Rule, in
fome meafure, holds true with Fishes;
Sea-Fiſh living in an Element more
agitated, and River-Fish are better
than thoſe in Ponds.
Eels, for want of Exerciſe, are fit
and flimy; for this Reafon, perhaps,
Fish without Fins and Scales were for-
bid the Ifraelites.
As the Fibres of fat Animals are
often more tender and moiſt than
thoſe of lean, they are more covet-
ed by Mankind; and tame Fowls
offering themſelves, as it were, to
Mankind, feem to be their natural
Food.
16. The Juices of the fame Ani-
mal in Decoctions are often more
nourishing, when the folid Parts are
not fo good, and the Broth made
of grown Animals more nourishing
than that of young, for of the Parts
G 3
of
86
An ESSAY concerning
of the fame Animal, the mufcular
Fleſh with the nervous Parts afford
the beſt Nouriſhment, as containing
the moſt ſpirituous Parts. The Dif
ference of the mufcular Flesh, taken
in Subſtance, depends upon the
Hardness, Tenderneſs, Moiſture, or
Drinefs of the Fibres. The feveral
Parts of the fame Animal differ like-
wife in their Qualities; their Livers
are tender, and by the Juice which
they contain are eafily corruptible;
all the Parts, and efpecially the
Glands, partake of the Qualities and
Juices which they prepare; the In-
teftines, and Parts about the Mefen-
tery, are relaxing, the Bones and
Horns contain a great deal of vola-
tile Salt, the Feet, confifting of
Tendons and Ligaments, contain a
viscous Nourishment proper where
fuch is indicated. The Blood of
Animals contains Salts which makes
it laxative; it is not eafy of Di-
geftion. Stall fed Oxen, and cramm'd
Fowls
J.
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
87
Fowls are often difeas'd in their
Livers.
PROP. II.
To give an Account of the Nature
and moſt fimple Analyſis of animal
Fluids and Solids.
The propereft Subjects for fuch
an Enquiry are, Firft, The Fluid,
which begins to receive an animal
Nature without having perfectly at-
tain'd' to it, and approaches neareſt
to the Nature of Chyle, viz. Milk.
Secondly, That which having attain'd
an animal Nature by Circulation, is
noxious, if retain'd in the Animal,
as Urine. Thirdly, An animal Fluid,
no ways excrementitious, mild, ela-
borated, and nutritious, and from
which every Part of a 'perfect Ani-
mal can be form'd, as the White of an
Egg. Fourthly, The nutritious Juice
of a healthy Human Body, which re-
fembles the White of an Egg, in
G 4
moft
8 8
An ESSAY concerning
moſt of its Qualities. Fifthly, The
Bones.
1. None of the animal Fluids
above mention'd, in a found State, is
either acid, or alkaline. First, If to
any Quantity of warm new Milk you
pour Oil of Tartar per deliquium, or
any other Alkali, no Effervefcence
will follow, but the whole Body of
the Liquor will remain at reft, though
it appear fomewhat thinner. To ano-
ther Quantity of warm Milk pour
Spirit of Nitre, or any ſtrong Acid,
and again no Motion nor Ebullition
will appear, only the Milk prefently
after will become thicker than it was;
mix together the two Parcels of Milk,
upon which the Experiments were
made, and a great Effervefcence will
immediately arife; from whence the
Propoſition is evident, that Milk is
neither acid nor alkaline; but when
there is an Acid and Alkali mix'd in
it, they manifeft themſelves by their
Conflict: Milk doth not diſcover it-
felf
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
$9
felf to be acid or alkaline by Trials
with the Syrup of Violets.
The fame Experiments hold in two
Parcels of the Urine of a healthy Per-
fon, before it has ftood twelve Hours.
The fame Experiments fucceed on
two Parcels of the White of an Egg,
only it grows fomewhat thicker upon
mixing with an Acid. The Serum of
the Blood ftands the fame Trials of
Acids and Alkalis.
2. The Milks of feveral Animals
differ but very little as to their fenfi-
ble Qualities; Womens Milk is the
ſweeteſt; as to their nutritious Qua-
lities, they ſeem to ftand in the fol-
lowing Order: That of Women,
Affes, Mares, Goats, Sheep, Cows.
The Milk of Animals which make
hard Dung, is moſt nouriſhing.
3. Milk, ſtanding ſome time, na-
turally ſeparates into an oily Liquor,
call'd Cream; and a thinner, blue,
and more ponderous Liquor, call'd
Skimm'd Milk, neither of which Parts
is
90
An ESSAY concerning
is naturally acid or alkaline (but may
turn fo by ſtanding for fome time)
nor in the leaſt acrimonious; for be-
ing let fall into the Eye, they caufe
no Pain or Senfation of Sharpneſs,
Milk is a kind of Emulfion, or white
animal Liquor, reſembling Chyle, pre-
pared chiefly from Vegetables, and
after it has been mix'd with the ani-
mal Juices of the Spittle, Bile, pan-
creatick Juice, &c. is eafily feparated
from them again in the Breaſts.
4. It differs from a vegetable Emul-
fion by coagulating into a curdy Mafs
with Acids, which Chyle and vege-
table Emulfions will not: Acids mix'd
with them, precipitate a tophaceous
chalky Matter, but not a cheefy Sub-
ftance; for, as was before obferv'd,
if you pour Spirit of Nitre into any
Quantity of boiling new Milk, no
Conflict or Effervefcence will fol-
low, but the Liquor divides itself into
Curd and Whey, which Whey turns
fpontaneously acid, and the Curd will
turn
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
21
turn into Cheeſe, as hard as a Stone;
which fhews that the moſt ſolid Parts
of Animals may be made of Milk.
The fame Effect of turning Milk into
a hard Curd, may happen in a Hu-
man Body that abounds with Acids.
5. Milk drawn from a found Ani-
mal, fed on Vegetables, ftanding in a
Heat equal to that of a Man in
Health, will foon feparate itſelf into a
Cream, and a more ferous and pon-
derous Liquor, which after twelve
Days attains to the higheſt Degree of
Acidity. But if the Milk be drawn
from fome Animals that feed only up-
on Fleſh, that have fafted long, are
feverish, or have undergone hard La-
bour, it will be more apt to turn ran-
cid, and putrify, than turn acid, ac-
quiring firſt a faline Tafte, which is a
Sign of Putrefaction, and then it will
turn into an Ichor. The Milk of
*
Animals in hot Countries is more apt
to putrify, than of thoſe in cold.
* f water pubvid Hamte.
6. If
92
An ESSAY concerning
6. If to a Quantity of boiling
new Milk, you add by degrees any
fix'd Alkali, as Salt of Tartar, or
Oil of Tartar per deliquium, there
will be a lighter Coagulum form'd than
by an Acid. The Milk, by boiling,
will change into a yellow Colour,
and run through all the intermediate
Degrees, till it ſtops in an intenſe
Red. The fame thing happens by
the alkaline Powers of the Body; for
when an Animal that gives Suck turns
feverish, that is, its Juices more alka-
line, the Milk turns from its native
genuine Whiteness to Yellow; to
which the Suckling has an Averſion:
This was the Cafe (as the learned Boer-
haave tells us) of the Cows of Holland.
If a Nurſe ſhould abſtain from
all acid Vegetables, from Wine, Malt-
Drink, and feed only on Fleſh, and
drink Water, her Milk, inftead of
turning four, will turn putrid and
fmell like Urine. An alkalefcent Diet,
except that of Water, is often the
7.
Cafe
the Nature of Aliments, &c. 93
Cafe of Nurſes in great Families;
their Milk ſubjects the Child to Fe-
vers. On the other hand, the Milk
of poor People that feed upon an a-
cefcent vegetable Diet, fubjects the
Child to Difeafes, that depend upon
Acidity in the Bowels, as Cholick:
The Symptoms of fuch a Conftitution
are a four Smell in their Fæces, four
Belchings, Diftenfions of the Bowels,
and Palenefs of the Flesh. The Cure
of both Diſeaſes is effected by a
Change of Diet in the Nurfe, from
Alkaleſcent to Acefcent, or contrary
ways, as the Cafe requires. The beft
Diet for Nurſes is a Mixture of both.
It follows likewife from the fore-
going Obfervations, that no Nurſe
fhould give Suck after twelve Hours
faſting; and that a Tendency to Yel-
low is an early Sign of a Fever in the
Nurſe.
From the foremention'd Qualities
of Milk, it appears to be a proper Diet
for Human Bodies, where Acrimony
is
94
An ESSAY concerning
.
is to be fubdued or avoided; but not
fo proper where the Canals are ob-
ftructed, it being void of all faline
Quality. The Inconveniencies ari-
fing from its Curdling by the four
Juices of the Stomach, may be over-
come by time; all that it can do in
Obſtructions is by Dilution.
8. Recent Urine, as it is neither a-
cid nor alkaline, diftill'd, yields a lim-
pid Water, neither acid nor alkaline,
ſaline nor inflammable, and what re-
mains at the bottom of the Retort is
neither acid nor alkaline; but being
exhal❜d to the Confiftence of a Syrup,
paffeth through all the degrees of Co-
lours, Yellow, Red, Brown and
Black; and this foapy Water being,
calcin'd, affords fome Quantity of
Sea-Salt, but only in the Cafe of the
Animal's taking Sea-Salt with its Food.
9. Hence Sea-Salt paffeth unal-
ter'd through all the Strainers of a
Human Body; the moderate Ufe of
it is very proper to preferve Bodies,
through
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
98
through which it paffeth, from Cor-
ruption; it detergeth the Veffels, and
keeps the Fluids from Putrefaction.
The Ancients gave the Sal Gemme in
putrid Fevers.
All Human Urine, diſtill'd, affords
a Water of a fœtid Odour, which
that of Animals who feed on Vege-
tables, does not. The Urine of hard
Drinkers and feverish Perſons, affords
a Liquor extremely fœtid, but no
inflammable Spirit; what is inflam-
mable ſtays in the Blood, and affects
the Brain. Great Drinkers commonly
die Apoplectick.
10. The Urine is a Lixivium of
the Salts that are in a Human Body,
and the proper Mark of the State and
Quantity of fuch Salts; and therefore
very certain Indications for the Choice
of Diet may be taken from the State
of Urine. Though the Salts of Hu-
man Urine be neither acid nor alkaline,
theſe Salts may by the violent Motion
of the Blood be turn'd alkaline, and
even
96
An ESSAY concerning
even corrofive; and when they begin
to turn fo, they affect the fmall and
tender Fibres of the Brain more fen-
fibly than other Parts.
II. Recent Urine, diftill'd with a
great Heat, and dry Sand, will afford
a volatile alkaline Salt; and after
the fame manner, the Heat of a Hu-
man Body, as it grows more intenſe,
makes the Urine fmell ftill more
ſtrong, and of a deeper Colour.
But as long as thoſe alkaline Salts
are carried off by Urine, the Brain
and Nerves are lefs affected; but on
the contrary, when in a Fever theſe
Salts are left behind, that is, when
the Urine turns pale, the Patient is in
danger.
12. Recent Urine, diftill'd with a
fix'd Alkali, is turn'd into an alka-
line Nature; whence it feems proba-
ble, that alkaline Salts taken into a
Human Body, have the Power of
turning its benign Salts into fiery and
volatile; on which Account they feem
improper
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
97
improper in inflammatory Diſtem-
pers, where the Salts are already too
much attenuated. Hippocrates, who
found out this by Experience, or-
der'd in fuch a Cafe things of an
acid Nature. In general, a high co-
lour'd Urine indicates an acid cool-
ing Diet; for it is certain an acid
or alkalefcent Diet makes a great
Difference in the Salts of a Human
Body
13. The Rob or Sapa of Urine,
diſtill'd with quick Lime, affords a
fiery, but not an alkaline Spirit;
and Lime-Water, given inwardly in
the Cafe of a Diabetes, will bring
the Urine from limpid Pale, to be
of a higher Colour, which fhews the
Power of a Lixivium of quick Lime
to unlock the Salts that are entangled
in the vifcid Juices of fome fcorbutic
Perfons.
14. Recent Urine will likewife
cryſtallize by Infpiffation, and afford
a Salt neither acid nor alkaline, but
H
of
28
An ESSAY concerning
of an active Nature, which may
be properly call'd the Effential Salt
of a Human Body. Urine becomes
alkaline by Digeftion, in a Heat not
greater than that of a Human Body,
and throws off a ftony Matter to the
Sides of the Veffel.
1
I 15. The Urine long detain'd in
the Bladder, as well as a Glafs, will
grow red, fœtid, cadaverous and al-
kaline. The Cafe is the fame with the
ftagnant Waters of Hydropical Per-
fons, which at laft produce a Drought
and feverish Heat.
16. From hence very good Rules
may be drawn for the Diet of Ne-
phritick and Dropfical Perfons, that
it ought to be fuch as is oppoſite to
and fubdueth the alkalefcent Nature
of the Salts in the Serum of their
Blood; thofe manifeſt themſelves in
the Urine, which, as was faid before,
is the Lixivium of the whole Bo-
dy. Sal Ammoniac may likewiſe
be obtained from Urine, which is
nearest
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
heareſt to the Nature of an animal
Salt.
17. The White of an Egg refem-
bles the nutritious Juice of an ani-
mal Body; from the White of an
Egg every part of a perfect Animal is
formed; for during the Incubation of
the Hen, there is nothing of the Egg
confum'd but the White.
18: The White of an Egg is a
viſcous, unactive, infipid, inodorous
Liquor, capable of mixing with Wa-
ter, and fo mild, that apply'd to the
moſt ſenſible Part, the Eye, it caufeth
no Pain.
19. It is neither acid nor alka-
line; for if the Juices of an animal
Body were either, fo as by the Mix-
ture of the Oppofites, to caufe an
Ebullition, they would burft the
Veffels.
20. The White of an Egg gra-
dually diffolves by Heat, exceeding a
little the Heat of a Human Body; a
greater degree of Heat will thicken
H 2
it
100
An ESSAY concerning
it into a white, dark-colour'd, dry,
viſcous Mafs; and this is the Cafe of
the Serum of the Blood, upon which
different degrees of Heat produce
contrary Effects.
Attention ought to be had to this
Maxim, in the Management of Diet,
Exerciſe, and all outward and inward
Application to Human Bodies: Warm
Cataplafms difcufs, but fcalding hot
may confirm the Tumor. Heat, in
general, doth not reſolve and atte-
nuate the Juices of a Human Body;
for too great Heat will produce Con-
cretions.
21. Spirit of Wine mix'd cold
with the White of an Egg, coagu-
lates it as much as boil'd Water,
which fhews that Spirit of Wine is
an immediate Styptick, fo that in-
jected into the Veins, it is fudden
Death; and taken by the Mouth in
great Quantities, is ſometimes fudden,
but always certain Death. Spirituous
Liquors are fo far from attenuating,
volatilizing,
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
volatilizing, and rend'ring perſpirable
the animal Fluids, that it rather con-
denfeth them, and hard'neth the So-
lids, and therefore properly us'd to
hinder the Growth of young Ani-
mals; and this it will do by mere
external Friction, thereby coagulating
the Juices in the Extremities of the
Veſſels, hardening and aboliſhing the
Canals, and fo increaſing their Re-
fiſtance againſt the Force of the in-
fluent Liquid, which would other-
wife ſtretch them. This plainly de-
monſtrates the bad Effects of inflam-
mable Spirits on Human Bodies.
22. The Water gain'd from the
White of an Egg, by a gentle Diſtil-
lation, is neither acid nor alkaline;
but by a ſtrong Diſtillation it affords
an alkaline Spirit, Salt, two kinds of
Oil, and an Earth, which is another
Inſtance of the Alterations great de-
grees of Heat cauſe in animal Sub-
jects; and hence we may conclude,
that volatile Salts never exift in
their
H 3
102
An ESSAY concerning
their own Form, in an animal Bo-
dy; that the Heat requir'd to make
them volatile, endangers the Life of
the Animal, hence a highly alkalef
cent Diet, in hot Conftitutions, muſt
be hurtful and dangerous,
23. The White of an Egg will
putrify and turn alkaline by Di-
geftion; a fingle Grain of this pu-
trify'd Subſtance has operated like a
Poiſon, caufing Vomiting, and a
Looſeneſs; the Antidote of this Poi-
fon is fome acid Liquor, and fuch
are indeed indicated when the Juices
of a Human Body verge to Putre-
faction. The White of an Egg du-
ring Incubation, is diffolv'd, but not,
properly fpeaking, putrify'd; for in
fuch a State it would be unfit for
Nutrition.
24. It ſeems probable that the
Bile in a Human Body, by ſtagnating,
putrifies, cauſing a Cholera Morbus
in the firſt Paffages, and a Peftilen-
tial Diftemper when it mixeth with
the
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
103
the Blood.
In fuch a State of the
Bile, the Aliment ought to be thin
to dilute, demulcent to temper, or
acid to fubdue and deftroy an alka-
line Acrimony.
The nutritious Juice of a healthy
Animal reſembles the White of an
Egg, in most of its Qualities; but
this nutritious Juice being a fubtile
Liquor, fcarce obtainable from a Hu-
man Body, the Serum of the Blood
is fairly ſubſtituted in its Place.
25. The Serum of the Blood
ftands the foremention'd Trials, and
diſcovers itſelf, to be, neither acid
nor alkaline, only Oil of Vitriol
thickens, and the Oil of Tartar thins
it a little.
26. The Serum of the Blood di-
gefted in a Heat not greater than
that of a Human Body in Health,
will gradually become thinner, begin
to ſmell * cadaverous, and putrify;
* Like a Carcafe.
H 4
and
104
An ESSAY concerning
and at laſt, like the White of an Egg,
turn to an alkaline Ichor, that fer-
ments with Acids, and commited
to Diſtillation, affords like the White
of an Egg, an alkaline Salt. This
fhews the Effect of gentle Heat in dif-
folving Coagulations; for even the
viſcous Matter which lies like Leather
upon the extravafated Blood of Pleu-
ritick People, may be diffolv'd by a
due degree of Heat,
27. When the Blood ſtagnates in
any part of the Body, it firft coa-
gulates, then refolves, and turns al-
kaline, putrid, and corrofive.
28. As the Serum of the Blood
is refolvable by a ſmall Heat, a
greater Heat coagulates it fo as to
turn it horny like Parchment, but
when it is throughly putrified, it will
no longer concrete. The Blood of
fome Perfons who have dy'd of the
Plague, could not be made to con-
crete, by reaſon of the Putrefaction
already begun.
29. The
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
105
29. The Serum of Blood coagu-
lates like the White of an Egg, with
cold Spirit of Wine.
30. The Serum of the Blood is
more faline than the White of an
Egg, perhaps by the Salts taken in
Nouriſhment; and has ſomething of
a more fœtid urinous Scent.
31. The Serum of the Blood af-
fords by Diſtillation an exceeding
limpid Water, neither acid nor al-
kaline, which fhews that the moſt
fubtile part of the Blood approacheth
nearer to Water than any other Li-
quor, and that the Blood naturally
contains no volatile Salt.
32. Theſe Experiments are to be
made on the Blood of healthy Ani-
mals: It
It is poffible in a lax and
weak Habit of Body, where the Chyle
is not throughly affimilated by Cir-
culation, but floats on the Blood like
Oil, that ſuch a Serum might afford
quite other Contents, and perhaps
even an inflammable Spirit, by rea-
fon
106
An ESSAY concerning
fon of the vegetable Nature of the
Chyle.
33. The Serum of the Blood by
a ſtrong Diſtillation affords a Spirit,
or volatile alkaline Salt, and two
kinds of Oil, and an Earth, which
ftill proves the Effect of Heat in Hu-
man Bodies, in changing the benign
Salts into alkaline.
34. The Serum of the Blood is
attenuated by Circulation, fo as to
paſs into the minuteſt Channels of an
animal Body, and become fit Nutri-
ment for it, but by the continual At-
trition and Heat of ſome of its Par-
ticles, becomes fharp and offenfive
to the Body: Nature has provided
the Kidneys to diſcharge them. Hence
appears (as by Prop. VIII. Chap. II.)
the continual Neceffity of a freſh
Recruit of Chyle, which like an
Emulfion dilutes the Serum, as like-
wife the Miſchiefs arifing from the
Retention of Salts that ought to paſs
by Urine, and the proper Indica-
tions
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
107
tions for cooling and diluting in
fuch an alkalefcent State of the
Fluids.
35. It appears, by Experiments
made upon Bones, and other Ami-
mal Solids, that they confift of the
fame Principles with the Fluids; a
dry Bone diftill'd affords a great
Quantity of infipid Water; after the
Bones have undergone the Violence
of the Fire, the Ashes afford no fix'd
Salt, only fometimes in Animals
that take Sea-Salt, there will be a
very ſmall Proportion of that in the
Aſhes.
36. The animal Fluids and So-
lids are refolvable into the fame Prin-
ciples; and this is true not only of
the Fluids and Solids themſelves,
but likewiſe of all Preparations of
them. The Gellies made of the
Decoction of lean Flesh and Bones
in clear Water, are refolvable into
the fame Principles as the Fleſh and
Bones themſelves; and if theſe De-
coctions
108
An ESSAY concerning
coctions be repeated till the Water
comes off clear, the Remainder yields
no Salt by Diſtillation, and little Oil;
therefore it is poffible to extract the
whole Virtues of animal Subſtances
by Decoctions, but the gentleft ex-
tract the moſt volatile and fineſt
Parts after the Oil or Fat is fepa-
rated.
37. Preparations by Cookery of
Fiſh or Fleſh ought to be made with
regard to rectifying their moſt noxi-
ous and flimy Subſtances, and to re-
tain thoſe that are moſt nutritious;
fuch Preparations as retain the Oil or
Fat, are moſt heavy to the Stomach,
which makes bak'd Meat hard of
Digeſtion. Boil'd Flesh is more
moiſtening, and eaſier of Digeſtion
than roaſted,
38. By Experiments of the Mix-
ture of different Subftances with the
Serum of the 'Blood, it appears that
all volatile Alkalis thin it, and Acids
coagulate it. I faid, volatile Alkalis,
for
the Nature of Aliments, &c:
109
for the Serum being mix'd with an
equal Quantity of Oil of Tartar per
deliquium, will grow ſomewhat thicker,
and an alkaline Vapour ariſeth from
the Mixture, but the fame Propor-
tion of Spirit of Sal Ammoniac
makes the Serum thinner, without
cauſing any Alteration in the Scent
or Colour.
2. Spirit of Vitriol pour'd to
pure unmix'd Serum, coagulates it
as if it had been boil'd. Spirit of
Sea-Salt makes a perfect Coagu-
lation of the Serum likewife, but
with ſome different Phenomena from
the former. The Spirit of Nitre
produceth the fame Effect.
The Serum, which is mix'd with
an Alkali, being pour'd to that which'
is mix'd with an Acid, raifeth an
Effervescence; at the Ceffation of
which the Salts, of which the Acid
was compos'd, will be regenerated.
40. Vinegar is an Acid of a very
peculiar Nature, cooling, and yet
not
110
An ESSAY concerning
not coagulating; for Spirit of Vi
negar gently dilutes the Serum of
the Blood; and even the Oil of
Tartar being pour'd to this Mixture
caufeth no Effervefcence; tho' Hom-
berg fays, that Spirit of Vinegar con-
centrated, and reduc'd to its great-
eft Strength will coagulate the Se-
rum.
41. The Mixture of the Colurions
of Sea Salt, Sal Gemma, Borax, Ni-
tre, and Sal Ammoniac, caufe no
change of Colour in the Serum; but
diffolve its Texture a little, all except
that of the Borax. Glauber's Salt
maketh a ſtrong Coagulation of the
Serum, by reaſon of the Oil of Vi-
triol it contains.
42. All faponaceous Subſtances,
which are a Mixture of Oil and al
kaline Salty thin the Blood, without
caufing any Effervefcence: Spirit of
Hartshorn given in great Quantities
will produce Hæmorrhages, which
I have known by Experience, and
therefore
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
ΠΙΣ
therefore is very improper in many
Cafes. Boerhaave, in his Chymiſtry,
fays, That Sal volatile oleofum will
coagulate the Serum on account of
the Alcahol or rectify'd Spirit which
it contains.
43. The Tincture of Salt of Tar-
tar, viz. a Preparation of the high-
eft rectify'd Spirit of Wine, and the
ſtrongeſt fix'd Alkali, preferves the
Serum in a neutral State; for the Spi-
rit of Wine tends to coagulate, and
the Alkali on the contrary to dif-
folve it, whence it becomes neither
thicker nor thinner.
44. What we take in common
Aliment is endued with the above-
mention'd Qualities in fome degree.
Therefore from thefe Experiments
very uſeful Indications for Diet may
be taken, according to the different
State of the Blood, as will appear
by what follows.
CHAP.
112
An ESSAY concerning
1
CHA P. V.
Of the Effects of different alimentary
Subftances upon the Fluids and So-
lids of a Human Body.
D
PROP. I.
Ifferent forts of Aliments are not
fubdu'd or affimilated by the
vital Force of a Human Body fo in-
tirely, as to be diveſted of their ori-
ginal Qualities; but while they re-
pair the Fluids and Solids, act va-
riouſly upon them, according to their
different Natures. Therefore,
1. The proper Way of treating
the Subject of Aliment, is to confider
the Actions of the feveral forts of it
upon the Fluids and Solids of Hu-
man Bodies, and to ſeparate, at leaſt
in Idea, their Alimentary from their
Medicinal Qualities.
PROP.
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
113
PROP. II.
The Diſeaſes of Human Bodies of
ten require Subſtances of more active
Principles, than what are found in
common Aliment, in order to pro-
duce fudden Alterations: But where
fuch Alterations are not neceffary,
the fame Effect may be obtained by
the repeated Force of Diet, with
more Safety to the Body, where the
lefs fudden Changes are lefs dange-
The ſmaller Activity of Ali-
ment is compenſated by its Quantity;
for according to the Laws of Motion,
if the Bulk and Activity of Ali-
ment and Medicines are in reciprocal
Proportion, the Effect will be the
fame.
rous.
All Bodies which by the ani-
mal Faculties can be changed into the
Fluids and Solids of our Bodies, are
call'd Aliment. But to take it in
the largeſt Senfe, by Aliment I un-
derſtand
I
114
An ESSAY concerning
derſtand every thing which a Hu-
man Creature takes in common Diet,
as Meat, Drink; and Seaſoning, as
Salt, Spice, Vinegar, &c.
2. It has been explain'd (Prop. VII.
Chap. II.) how the Aliment, in moving
through the capillary Tubes at laſt,
as it were ſtagnates and unites itſelf
to the Veffel or Tube through which
it flows: But in this Motion it will
act differently, both upon the Fluid
and Solid, according to its different
Nature. Every thing that acts up-
on the Fluids, muft at the fame time
act upon the Solids, and contrari-
wife, yet one may ſeparate theſe two
Actions in Idea.
PROP. III.
To enumerate the different Ac-
tions upon the Fluids and Solids of a
Human Body.
There is a multitude of Words to
exprefs the various Alterations which
are
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
115
are produc'd in a Human Body by
Diet and Medicines, but as far as
relates to our preſent Subject, they
may be reduc'd to the following ge-
neral Heads.
1. The Actions upon the Sc lids are,
First, Stimulating or increafing their
Vibrations or ofcillatory Motions.
Secondly, Contracting, that is, dimi-
nifhing their Length, and increaſing
their Thickneſs. Thirdly, Relaxing, or
making them more flexible in their
lefs coherent Parts. And Laftly, Con-
ftipating, or contracting, or narrow-
ing the Cavity of the capillary Tubes.
2. The Actions upon the Fluids
are either changing their Qualities or
their Quantity.
3.
Their Qualities are chang'd by,
Firſt, Attenuating and condenſing, that
is, diminishing or increafing the Bulk
of their Particles. Secondly, By ren-
dering them acrimonious or mild.
Thirdly, By coagulating and diluting,
that is, making their Parts more or
I 2
lefs
116
An ESSAY concerning
leſs coherent. Fourthly, By increaſing
or diminiſhing their Motion through
the Veffels.
4. The Quantity of the Fluids is
increas'd or diminiſh'd by the Increaſe
or Diminution of the Quantity of
Aliment; or by the fuppreffing or
promoting animal Secretions.
5. That all theſe Actions can be
perform'd by Aliment as well as Me-
dicines, is plain from Reaſon, Ex-
perience, and in fome Cafes by ocu-
lar Demonſtration, by obſerving the
Effects of different Subftances upon
the Fluids and Solids of a Human
Body, when the Veſſels are open and
gape by a Wound or Sore. The Ef-
fects of tepid Water and farinaceous
Subſtances in relaxing; of Spirits, in
ſtopping Hæmorrhages, and confoli-
dating the Fibres; the Power of alka-
line Abforbents in fubduing Acri-
mony, and of Oil in ſtopping Per-
fpiration, is well known to Chirur-
geons, who are likewife well ac-
quainted
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
117
quainted with the Influence of Diet
upon the Wounds and Sores of their
Patients, and from the Condition of
the one, can gueſs at the Errors or
Regularity of the other. Acrid Sub-
ſtances will break the Veffels, and
produce an Ichor inſtead of laudable
Pus. The chief Intention of Chi-
rurgery, as well as Medicine, is keep-
ing a juft Æquilibrium between the in-
fluent Fluids and vafcular Solids;
when the Veffels are too lax, and
don't fufficiently refift the Influx of
the Liquid, it begets a Fungus or
proud Flesh; when the Balance is on
the other fide, it produceth a Cica-
trice. Were it not criminal to try
Experiments upon Patients, which
they too often try upon themſelves,
I could anſwer that the Doctrine of
this Chapter would be verify'd by
Experience in Wounds and Sores, as
it is often perceptible even in an
Iffue.
I 3
PROP.
118
An ESSAY concerning
PROP. IV.
To explain the Effects of diffe-
rent alimentary Subftances upon the
Fluids and Solids of a Human Body.
1. The first fort of Alimentary
Subſtances are fuch as are of fo mild
a Nature, that they act with ſmall
Force upon the Solids, and as the
Action and Re-action are equal, the
fmalleſt degree of Force in the Solids
digefts and affimilates them; of fuch
fort is Milk, and Broths made of the
muſcular Parts of Animals, which are
as it were already prepar'd, and cafi-
ly converted into animal Subftances;
thefe are proper Nouriſhment for
weak Bodies, and agree perfectly well
with them, unless there be fome par-
ticular Acrimony in the Stomach,
which fometimes makes them offen-
five, and which Cuſtom at laft will
overcome.
2. Thoſe
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
119
2. Thoſe things which ſtimulate
the Solids, produce the greateſt Al-
terations in an animal Body. This
is ſeen in many Inſtances. Violent
Sneezing produceth Convulfions in
all the Muſcles of Reſpiration, and
an univerſal Secretion of all the Hu-
mours, Tears, Spittle, Sweat, Urine,
c. So great an Alteration can be
produc'd only by the Tickling of
a Feather, and if the Action of
Sneezing ſhould be continu'd by ſome
very acrid Subſtance, it will at laft
produce Head-ach, Vomiting, uni-
verfal Convulfions, Fever and Death.
Therefore fuch active Subſtances as
taken inwardly in fmall Quantities
make great Alterations in the Fluids,
muſt produce this Effect by their fti-
mulating Quality.
3.
Acrid Subftances, which are
fmall enough to pafs into the capil-
lary Tubes, muft ftimulate the finall
Fibres, and irritate them into greater
Contraction, and ſtronger Vibrations.
I 4
4. Many
120
An ESSAY concerning
4. Many things which we take as
Aliment, or with our Aliment, have
this Quality in fome degree: As the
Juices of acid Vegetables, fermented
Liquors eſpecially ſharp Wines, fermen-
ted Spirits; aromatical Vegetables, as
Fennel, Savory, Thyme, Garlick,
Onions, Lecks, Muftard, which a-
bound with a volatile pungent Salt;
all Spices in general, all Vegetables,
which being corrupted, eafily refolve
themſelves into a fœtid oily alkaline
Subſtance. Onions, Garlick, Pep-
per, Salt, and Vinegar taken in great
Quantities by their Stimulus, excite
a momentary Heat and Fever, and
therefore in fome Cales to be men-
tion'd afterwards are very proper.
5. The folid Parts may be con-
tracted various ways. First, By dif-.
folving their Continuity, for when
a Fibre is cut through, it contracts
itſelf at both ends; therefore all
things which are fo fharp as to de-
ftroy the fmall Fibres, muft contract
them.
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
121
them. Secondly, Whatever empties
the Veffels, gives room to the Fibres
to contract; therefore Abftinence
produceth this Effect in the beſt man-
ner. Whatever ſhortens the Fibres,
by infinuating itſelf into their Parts,
as Water in a Rope, contracts; fer-
mented Spirits poffefs this Quality in
a great degree.
6. The more oily any Spirit is,
the more pernicious, becauſe it is
harder to be cluted by the Blood.
Brandy is more eafy to be fo, than
Spirit of Juniper; and that, than Spi-
rit of Annis-feed. Compound aro-
matical Spirits deſtroy, Firft, By their
fermentative Heat. Secondly, By their
oily Tenacity. Thirdly, By a cau-
ftick Quality refiding in Spices
apt to deſtroy the folid Parts; but
thefe Qualities render them proper
in ſome Cafes, taken in fmall Qnan-
tities.
}
* Washed away.
7. Fer-
122
An ESSAY concerning
7. Fermented Spirits contract,
harden and confolidate many Fibres
together, abolishing many Canals, ef-
pecially where the Fibres are the ten-
dereft, as in the Brain, by which Qua-
lity they deftroy the Memory and in-
tellectual Faculties.
8. Acid auftere Vegetables have this
Faculty of contracting and ftrength-
ning the Fibres, without fome of the
bad Effects of fermented Spirits, as
all kinds of Sorrel (the Virtues of
which lie in an acid aftringent Salt,
a fovereign Antidote against the pu-
treſcent bilious Alkali) feveral kinds
of Fruits, as Quinces, fome forts of
Pears with the Marmalades made of
them, Medlars, Capers, Barberries,
Pomegranates, Purflain; fuch are ea-
fily diftinguiſh'd by a rough flyptick
Taſte. Amongſt Drinks, auftere
Wines; unripe Fruits likewife have the
fame Quality, but are apt to occafion
foul Eruptions on the Skin, to ob-
ftruct the Nerves, and occafion Palfies.
2. Re-
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
123
9. Relaxing the Fibres is making
them flexible, or cafy to be length-
en'd without Rupture, which is done
only in the capillary vaſcular Solids.
Amongst Liquids endued with this
Quality of relaxing, warm Water
ſtands first; next watery Decoctions
of *farinaceous Vegetables, or Grains,
as Oats, Barley, &c. All fweet and
mild Garden-fruits, almoſt all Pot-
Herbs, Spinage, Beets, Cabbage, Cole-
worts, and all that Tribe. Red Cab-
bage, befides, is reckon'd a good Pec-
toral;
fome of the Plants which yield
a milky Juice, as Lettuce, Cichory,
whofe Milk is anodyne and refolvent,
therefore good in Diſeaſes of the Li-
ver; but all fuch Vegetables muſt
be unfermented, for Fermentation
changes their Nature. Oils express'd
from mild Plants, Animal Oils,
Cream, Butter, Marrow, which laft
is of all oily Subſtances the moſt
penetrating.
* Mealy.
10. It
124
An ESSAY concerning
10. It is not probable that any
thing which Human Creatures take
as Aliment, fhould have the Quality
of entirely conſtipating or fhutting
up the capillary Veffels, becaufe fuch
Subſtances could hardly enter the
Lacteals, and if they did, would ftop
the Circulation in the Lungs; but all
vifcid Aliment, fuch as is made of
farinaceous Subftances unfermented,
neither paſs the Lacteals, nor circu-
late ſo eaſily as the fame Subſtances
fermented. Some of the Fungus kind
gather'd by miſtake for edible Muſh-
rooms, have produced a Difficulty of
Breathing: But the capillary Tubes
are moſt commonly totally obftru&t-
ed, either by outward Compreffion,
or Congelation of the Fluid.
11. The Qualities of the Fluids
can be likewife chang'd by Diet; as
First, Byattenuating or diminiſhing
the Coheſion of the Parts of the
Fluid. The Coheſion of the Parts
* Making thin.
depends
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
12.5
depends upon the Weight and Quan-
tity, therefore Abftinence and a flen-
der Diet attenuates, becauſe * De-
pletion of the Veſſels gives room to
the Fluid to expand itſelf.
12. Whatever penetrates and di-
lutes at the fame time; therefore Wa-
ter impregnated with fome penetra-
ting Salt, attenuates moſt ſtrongly;
Water with Sal Ammoniac will paſs
through a Human Skin.
To this
Quality may be juſtly afcrib'd the
great Effects of medicated Waters;
all ſtimulating Subſtances, by increa-
fing the Motion of the Blood, atte-
nuate, unleſs they increaſe the Mo-
tion fo much, as at laft to produce
Coagulation.
13. Thickening the Blood is moft
eaſily brought about by exhaling the
moſt liquid Parts by fudorifick or
watery Evaporations; but this brings
it into a morbid State. Acid auftere
Vegetables before-mention'd, have
*
Emptying.
this
126
An ESSAY concerning
this Quality of condenſing the Fluids,
as well as ſtrengthening the Solids.
14. The Blood of labouring Peo-
ple is more denfe and heavy than of
thoſe who live a fedentary Life, and
the Diſeaſes which People imagine
proceed from the Thickneſs of Blood,
come often from the contrary Caufe;
too thin Blood ftrays into the im-
mediately fubordinate Veffels, which
are deſtin'd to carry Humours fecre-
ted from the Blood, according to
what was faid, Prop. V. Chap. II.
This cauſes an
afcrib'd to the
Blood.
Obftruction falfly
Thickneſs of the
The Qualities of Blood in a healthy
State are to be florid when let out
of the Veffel, the red Part congeal-
ing ſtrongly and foon together in a
Mals moderately tough, fwimming
in the Serum, which ought to be
without any very yellow or greenifh
Caft. The Gravity of Blood to Sea-
Water is as 26 is to 25, that of the
Serum
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
127
Serum to the fame Water, as 300 to
353; it's an eaſy Matter to examine
extravafated Blood by theſe Marks.
*
15. Acrimony ✶ is not natural,
but induc'd into the Fluids of an ani-
mal Body. Acrimony may be intro-
duc'd by Diet that is either Muria-
tick, (Briny) or Acid, which likewife
is of two forts, of things naturally
acid, or (made ſo by Fermentation)
Subſtances aromatick, confifting of
Salts, and highly exalted Oils, inti-
mately united. Or Secondly, by in-
creafing the Velocity of the Blood,
and confequently the Attrition of the
Parts.
16. Acrimony in the Blood itſelf
is commonly of three forts accord-
ing to the Nature of the Salts in
which it refides; † Acid, Alkaline, or
Muriatick, as in the Sea Scurvy, but
the laſt approaches more towards the
Alkaline, and admits of the fame
Sharpness.
+ See Explanation of the Chymical Terms.
Cure:
128
An ESSAY concerning
Cure: Acid Acrimony refides chiefly
in the firſt Paſſages, proceeding often
from the Weakneſs of Digeſtion, and
the too long Duration of Vegetables,
and Milk in the Stomach.
Subſtances are all alkaleſcent, of ve-
getable Subſtances fome are acid,
others alkalefcent; and each fort is
to be uſed according to the two dif-
ferent Intentions.
Animal
17. Antiacid Vegetables are, Firft,
All kinds of Garlick, Onions, Leeks,
and Celery; the Antifcorbutick Plants,
Carrots, Turnips, Eringo Roots, Af-
paragus, Horſe-radiſh, Muftard, Cab-
bage. Secondly, All animal Sub-
ftances, eſpecially of fuch as live on
other Animals, the Juices of which
are more alkaleſcent than of the Ani-
mals which live upon Vegetables;
fuch are moſt Fiſhes, eſpecially fome
of the Teftaceous kind. Thirdly,
Water, as it dilutes and fubdues Aci-
dity. Fourthly, Oils are Antiacids fo
far as they blunt Acrimony; but as
fome-
the Noture of Aliments, &c. 129
fometimes they are hard of Digeſtion
they produce Acrimony of another
fort.
18. On the other hand, when the
Acrimony is alkaline, which is more
frequently the Cafe in the circulating
Juices, the proper Diet is Decoc-
tions of farinaceous Vegetables, which
ſeem appointed by Nature for the
vegetable Diet of Human Creatures.
This alkaline Acrimony indicates the
copious uſe of Vinegar, and acid
Fruits, as Oranges, which contain a
Juice moſt effectual in the Cure of
the Muriatick Scurvy of Mariners;
the Juice of Lemons is likewife pro-
per and more cooling and aftrin-
gent than that of Oranges. In this
Cafe all the mild Antifcorbuticks are
indicated, as Sorrel, Cichory, Lettuce,
Apples; and of Liquids, Whey: On
the contrary, all the acrid Antifcor-
buticks, as Scurvygrafs, Horſe-radiſhes,
Muſtard, &c. are hurtful in this hot
Scurvy.
K
19. There
130
An ESSAY concerning
19. There is a third fort of An-
tifcorbuticks proper in this alka-
leſcent State of the Fluids, which
are call'd Aftringent, fuch as Pome-
granates, Capers, and moſt of the
common Pickles prepar'd with Vi-
negar. The Extremity of Alkali is
Putrefaction. All acid Subſtances,
and Sea-Salt refift Putrefaction; but
as it is a fharp folid Body unalterable
in an animal Body, when it is taken
in too great Quantities in a conſtant
Diet of Salt Meat, it breaks the
Veffels, produceth Eroſions of the
folid Parts, and all the Symptoms of
the Sea-Scurvy, which is to be cured
by acid Vegetables, and not by hot
Antifcorbuticks; all Spices likewiſe
induce this Acrimony, as was hinted
before.
zo. There are other Subftances
which are oppofite to both forts of
Acrimony, which are call'd demul-
cent or mild, becauſe they blunt or
fheath theſe ſharp Salts, as farinaceous
Legumes,
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
1 3 1
Legumes, fuch as Peaſe, Beans, Lentils.
Native Oils of Animals, as Cream,
Butter, Marrow, which laft is a Spe-
cifick in that Scurvy which occaſions
a crackling of the Bones, in which
Cafe Marrow performs its natural
Function of moiſtening them. All
Plants which are without Smell or
pungent Taſte, are demulcent; as like-
wife all the Alimentary Parts of found
Animals, for none of their Juices
will hurt the Eye, or a freſh Wound.
Acrimony which is not * vifcid, may
be cur'd by Diet; but Vifcidity requires
more active Subftances to diffolve it.
J
21. Whatever renders the Motion
of the Blood more languid than na-
tural, difpofeth to an acid Acrimo-
ny: What accelerates the Motion of
the Blood beyond what is natural
diſpoſeth to an alkaline Acrimony.
22. The next Alteration which is
made in the Fluids, is rendering them
* Tough, Gluey.
K 2
more
1 An ESSAY concerning
32
3 2
more thin, which is perform'd by
Diluting; there is no real Diluent but
Water, every Fluid is diluent as it
contains Water in it. Water dilutes,
but at the fame time relaxeth, this
laſt Quality is taken off by mixing
ſome acid Juice with it:
Water
mix'd with Acids refifts the Heat and
alkaleſcent State of the Fluids; as long
as there is Thirſt, a quick Pulfe,
Drineſs, with a free Paffage by Urine,
and Stricture of the Veffels, fo long
is Water fafely taken.
23. Oppofite to Dilution is Co-
agulation or Thickening, which is
perform'd by diffipating the moſt
liquid Parts by Heat, or by infi-
nuating fome Subftances which make
the Parts of the Fluid cohere more
ftrongly. All Vegetables, which make
a black Tincture with the Vitriol of
Steel, have this Quality; they have
commonly a rough ftyptick Tafte:
Vinegar, as was faid before, is an
Acid very particular, for it doth not
coagulate :
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
133
coagulate: Inflammable Spirits coa-
gulate the Fluids, and harden the So-
lids in a ſtrong Degreɔ.
24. Refolving what is congeal'd,
is turning it into a Fluid again; this
can be perform'd by watery Liquors,
impregnated with fome penetrating
Salt, but more effectually by fapo-
naceous Subſtances compos'd of Oil
and Salt, fuch are Honey, and the
Robs and Gellies of moft Fruits.
Vinegar and Honey mix'd is a ſtrong
Refolvent. Spiffitude is fubdu'd by
acrid things, and Acrimony by in-
fpiffitating.
25. The fecond Manner of Opera-
ting upon the Fluids is by increaſing
or diminishing their Quantity: the
firft is perform'd by a plentiful Diet,
and the Suppreffion of Evacuations;
the Second, either by a ſpare Diet,
or promoting the animal Secretions,
that is, expelling the Fluids out of the
Body. Tho' Secretions of the lauda-
K 3
ble
134
An ESSAY concerning
ble Juices are beſt accompliſh'd by
increaſing the Fluids.
26. Whatever generates a Quan-
tity of good Chyle, muft likewife
generate Milk, fuch is new Milk
feafon'd with Sugar or Salt. This
will increaſe the Milk when it is di-
minifh'd by the too great ufe of
Flesh-Meat; Gruels made of Grains,
Broths, Malt - Drink not much
hopp'd, Poffet-Drinks, and in gene-
ral whatever relaxeth, have the fame
Effect.
27. There are as many good Pec-
torals of the Alimentary, as of the
Medicinal Kind, as all Preparations of
Barley, Oats, Honey; all faponace-
ous Subſtances before - mention'd,
which attenuate Phlegm.
28. There is Aliment lenitive, ex-
pelling the Faces without ftimulating
the Bowels; fuch are animal Oils
quite freſh (for by ſtanding they grow
acrid) as Cream, Butter, Marrow,
Broths
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
135
Broths made of the Parts of Animals
about the Meſentery, Oils exprefs'd
from ripe Fruits (from unripe they
are auftere and aftringent) the Juices
of mild and ripe Fruits, Decoctions
of farinaceous Vegetables, natural
Sopes, as Honey, Sugar, fuch Diet
is proper for the hot Conftitutions
of warm Countries, where ftrong
Perfpiration exhales the Moiſture,
Water, Milk, Whey, taken in the
open Air without much Exercife, fo
as to make them perfpire, relax the
Belly.
29. There are Aliments which
beſides this lubricating Quality, fti-
mulate in a ſmall degree. Gellies
made of the folid Parts of Animals,
as of their Horns, ftimulate by the
Salts that are in them. Salted Fleſh,
which often throws Ships-Crews into
Fluxes; Shell-Fifhes, which have a
faline Tafte; Garden Fruits which
have any Acrimony; moft forts of
Berries, fome of which will produce
Diarrhoeas;
K 4
136
An ESSAY concerning
Diarrhoeas; warm Water mix'd with
Honey, and Honey mix'd with Acids
diffolve Phlegm in the Bowels. There
are others which promote the Secre-
tion of Bile, fuch as all natural Sopes,
the Juices of Fruits fharp and ſweet,
eſpecially Grapes; the immoderate uſe
of which will produce a Cholera
Morbus.
30. Diureticks are Decoctions,
Emulfions, and Oils of emollient
Vegetables, in fo far as they relax
the Urinary Paffages: Such as relax
ought to be try'd before fuch as force
and ftimulate. Thoſe Emollients
ought to be taken in open Air to
hinder them from perfpiring, and on
empty Stomachs. Vegetables which
abound with effential Salts, are Diu-
retick by ftimulating, as Sorrel,
Chervil, Parfly, Eringo, &c. and
likewife all fuch as contain an aro-
matical Balfam, as Afparagus, Fen-
nel, &c.
31. As
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
137
31. As to Sudorificks, it ought
to be confider'd that the Liquid which
goes off by Sweat, is often the moſt
fubtile part of the Blood, and ought
not to be forc'd away without ma-
nifeſt Neceffity. The Matter of in-
fenfible Perfpiration is mild; that of
Sweat reſembles Urine, and yields a
volatile Salt, oily and fœtid. When
Sweat is vehement it will grow bloody.
The Matter of Sweat is the watery
part of our Drink impregnated with
this Salt, fometimes in weak and
confumptive People, Crude Chyle;
and fometimes (as was ſaid before)
the moſt elaborate fubtile part of our
Blood, as in fat People, who have a
fmall infenfible Perfpiration.
32. Sweat is produc'd by changing
the Balance between the Fluids and
Solids (in which it muſt be confeft
that true Health confifts) fo as the
projectile Motion of the Fluids over-
come the Reſiſtance of the Solids;
therefore it is produc'd by relaxing
the
138
An ESSAY concerning
the Paffages of the Skin. Secondly,
By diluting. Thirdly, By diffolving
the Blood. Fourthly, By accelerating
its Motion. Water dilutes and re-
laxes at the fame time, therefore is the
beſt and ſafeſt Sudorifick; watery and
acid things mix'd prove ftrong Sudo-
rificks; Spices by heating and diffol-
ving the Blood are not ſo proper
and
fate Sudorificks.
33. Infenfible Perfpiration is the
laft and moſt perfect Action of ani-
mal Digeftion; the keeping it up
in due meaſure, is the Caufe as well
as Sign of Health, and the leaſt
Deviation from that due Quantity,
the certain Forerunner of a Diſeaſe;
therefore the beſt Indications for Diet
are taken from the Meaſure of Per-
fpiration.
The Food, which is moſt vapour-
iſh and perſpirable, is certainly the
moſt eaſily digeſted, but fuch may
be proper or improper for the Ani-
mal, according to its Circumftances,
eſpecially
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
139
7
{
eſpecially the Quantity of its Muf-
cular Motion. By Prop. IV. Chap. II.
The Strength of the Aliment muft
be proportion'd to the Action of the
Solids upon it, which, in an Animal
under a courſe of Exerciſe or hard
Labour is much ſtronger; therefore
Aliment too vapourous or perfpira-
ble, will fubject it to the Inconve-
niencies of too ſtrong a Perſpiration,
which are Debility, Faintings, and
fometimes fudden Death. What di-
miniſheth Sweating, or the fenfible
Perfpiration, increaſeth the infenfible,
for that Reaſon a ſtrengthening and
aftringent Diet often conduceth to
this Purpoſe. According to the Ex-
periments of Santorius, the moſt
nouriſhing Aliment is the leaſt per-
fpirable, except Mutton, which of all
others is moſt fo, and Hogs-Fleſh the
leaft; and for the fame Reafon Eels,
and all very fat and oily Subſtances:
Copious Food of fmall Nourishment
perfpires much.
A
140
An ESSAY concerning
A Stomach too void or too full,
ſtops Perfpiration. The Fruits of the
low pomiferous Plants, as Cucumbers,
Melons, &c. ftop Perfpiration, there-
fore they are wifely provided by Na-
ture in a Seafon when the Perfpira-
tion is too great. Variety of Meats
diminiſh Perfpiration, Honey in cold
Conftitutions increaſeth Perfpiration,
except when it promotes too great a Se-
cretion of the Bile, and then it dimi-
niſheth it: Drinking exceffively during
the time of Chylification, ftops Per-
fpiration. Let thoſe who fit long at
their Bottle after Meals, confider this.
The moft fure Sign of a deficient
Perfpiration is Flatulency, or Wind.
34. The Menfes are promoted.
First, By every thing which occa-
fions a Plethora, fuch are all Aliments
of eaſy Digeſtion, taken in ſufficient
Quantity. Secondly, By all fapona-
ceous Subſtances, which incide the
* Cut, Diffelve.
Mucus
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
141
Mucus in the firſt Paffages. Thirdly,
By Spices and warm Vegetables,
which abound with à volatile oily
Salt. Of theſe we have ſpoken be-
fore.
35. Heat in animal Bodies is
produc'd by the Attrition of the Fluids
and Solids, for when that ceaſeth, as
in Death, there is Extremity of Cold.
The folid Parts of Animals rubbing
againſt one another, would in time
produce a Heat capable to deſtroy
the Parts, had not Nature provided
an oily Subſtance to lubricate and
moiſten them; when that fails, as
happens fometimes in the Scurvy,
Gout, and Rheumatism, an Inflam-
matory Heat is often produc'd.
36. Stimulating Subſtances taken
in Diet, increaſe Heat, becauſe they
increaſe the ofcillatory Motion of the
Solids, but moſt of all inflammatory
Spirits. Whatever increafeth the
Denſity of the Blood, even without
increaſing its Celerity, heats, becauſe
a denfer
142
An EssaŸ concerning
x
?
Cold
a denfer Body is hotter than a rarer.
Extreme Cold at laſt heats.
in animal Bodies is produc'd by
Cauſes contrary to thofe productive
of Heat; as Firft, by diminiſhing
the Force of any Stimulus, as by
Whey, Milk, Water, &c. Secondly,
By all things which relax. Thirdly,
Alkaline Subſtances in refpect of Acid,
and Acid in refpect of Alkaline are
cooling.
37. Cephalick are all fuch things
as attenuate the Blood fo as to make
it circulate caſily through the capil-
lary Veffels of the Brain. A Cor-
dial, properly ſpeaking, is not always
what increaſeth the Force of the
Heart; for by increafing that, the
Animal may be weaken'd, as in in-
flammatory Difeafes.
Whatever in-
creaſeth the Natural or Animal
Strength, the Force of moving the
Fluids and the Muſcles, is a Cordial;
theſe are fuch Subſtances as bring
the Serum of the Blood into the
propereſt
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
143
propereſt Condition for Circulation
and Nutrition, as Broths made of
animal Subſtances, Milk, ripe Fruits,
and whatever is endued with a
wholeſome, but not pungent Taſte.
Whatever relaxes the too ftrict, or
ftrengthens the too lax Fibres; what
in fome Cafes difpels Wind; what
excites and takes off the fluggiſh Mo-
tion of the animal Spirits, as Spices,
Wine, and fpirituous Liquors.
1
38. Carminative are fuch things
as dilute and relax at the fame time,
becauſe Wind occafions a Spaẩm or
Convulfion in fome Part; whatever
promotes infenfible Perſpiration is
carminative, for Wind is perſpirable
Matter retain'd in the Body.
39. All emollient relaxing Diet,
and all things which deftroy Acri-
mony, abate Pain.
40. There are feveral things taken
in Diet which kill Worms, as Oil,
and Honey.
Who-
L
An ESSAY concerning
144
Whoever attends to the Particulars
'barely hinted at in this Chapter, will
eafily perceive that all the Intentions
purfued by Medicines, may be ob-
tain'd and inforc'd by Diet.
It may be expected that I fhould
fay fomething in this Chapter of the
Qualities of three exotick Plants,
whoſe Infuſions and Decoctions are
now much us'd in common Aliment,
Tea, Coffee, and Chocolate: There
are many Treatifes wrote about them,
which afcribe to them both good
and bad Qualities, which they have
There is lately publiſhed a ve-
ry learned and elaborate Differta-
tion upon Tea, by Dr. Thomas Short,
in which the Author with great
Knowledge, Induſtry, and Skill, has
not only given us the natural Hifto-
ry of the Plant, but likewife its Ana-
lyfis.
not.
But as the Infufions and Decoc-
tions of the foremention'd Vegetables
in common Water, are the only Pre-
parations
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
145
parations of them in Ufe, there is no
Neceffity in this Place of confidering
any of their Contents, but fuch as
are extracted by thofe fimple Opera-
tions of Cookery.
The green Leaves of Tea contain
a narcotick Juice, which exudes by
Roaſting. This is perform'd with
great Care before it is expos'd to fale.
The feveral Methods of difcovering
the Adulterations of Tea by Coppe-
ras, Galls, Spirit of Hartshorn, one
may fee in the foremention'd Trea-
tile. Tea, by its manner of affecting
the Organs of Taſte and Smell, con-
tains very little of a volatile Spirit;
its Rofin or fix'd Oil, which is bit-
ter and aftringent, cannot be ex-
tracted by Water, but demands recti-
fy'd Spirit. The active Principles of
it extracted by Infufion, are the moſt
ſeparable Parts of its Oil or Gum,
and its Salt.
Its Salt and Gum are aftringent;
chalybeat Water draws from it a
L
Tincture
146
An ESSAY concerning
Tincture of the fame Colour as that
from Oak-leaves. It is acefcent, as
appears by its Effects upon Stomachs
troubled with Acidity: So that Tea
is an Infufion of a Plant acefcent,
and moderately aftringent in warm
Water.
As a watery Liquor, it is diluting;
and ſtimulating by its Salt: By its
aftringent Quality it moderates the
relaxing Quality of warm Water.
By what has been faid before in this
Chapter, Water endu'd with any fa-
line ftimulating Subſtance is very pe-
netrating, and goes into the moſt
inward Receffes of the circulating
Juices by its Quality, and refreſh-
eth the Brain and animal Spirits;
but by its ſtyptick and ſtimulating
Quality it affects the Nerves, very
often occafioning Tremors; by its
Heat it promotes Perfpiration; by
its watery Quality it diffolves what
is vifcid in the Stomach, and fo
may help Digeſtion; but a ſtrong
De-
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
147
Decoction of it is emetick, and
drinking too great Quantities may
relax and weaken the Tone of the
Stomach.
As ſtimulating and diluting, it is
diuretick, but as it is aftringent, it
is not quite fo proper where relax-
ing the Urinary Paffages is neceffary.
Milk abates fome of the foremen-
tion'd Qualities, making it more ſoft
and nutritious, and Sugar, as a Salt,
increaſeth its Stimulus. From thoſe
Hints it follows, Firft, That Tea is
proper only for fuch whofe Bodies
are in fuch a State as demands fome
of the foremention'd Alterations.
Who theſe are, will be fhewn more
plainly in the following Chapter. Se-
condly, That the immoderate Strength
and Quantity of this Liquor may be
hurtful in many Cafes, and to moſt
People.
Coffee has in common with all
Nuts an Oil ſtrongly combin'd and
entangled with earthy Particles.
L 2
The
148
An ESSAY concerning
The moſt noxious Part of its Oil
exhales in roaſting to the Abatement
of near of its Weight.
+
* One Pound of Coffee, by Di-
ftillations, afforded of volatile Spirit,
fix Ounces, fix Drachms; of Oil,
two Ounces, two Drachms, two
Scruples; of Caput mortuum, five
Ounces, three Drachms. Tho' the
Chymift did not, or could not cal-
cine the Caput mortuum, ſo as to ob-
tain its fix'd Salt, to be fure it muſt
have fome.
What is extracted by Water from
Coffee, is the moſt ſeparable Parts of
Oil, which often fwims a-top of the
Decoction. This Oil is volatile,
and confequently very little nutri-
tious.
Volatile Oils refreſh the animal
Spirits, but likewife are endued with
all the bad Qualities of fuch Sub-
ſtances, producing all the Effects of
* Fide Philofophical Tranfactions.
an
the Nature of Aliments, &c. 149
an oily and aromatical Acrimony
mention'd in the following Chapter,
as Drinefs, Heat, Stimulation, Tre-
mors of the Nerves; from whence it
has been accus'd of caufing Palfies,
Leanneſs, Watchfulneſs, and deſtroy-
ing maſculine Vigour.
From thefe Qualities it is eaſy to
imagine, that it must be hurtful to
hot, dry, bilious Conftitutions, and
perhaps beneficial to Phlegmatick;
and when drank in too great a De-
gree of Strength or Quantity, hurtful
to every body.
Chocolate is certainly much the
beſt of thoſe three exotick Liquors;
its Oil feems to be both rich, ali-
mentary, and anodyne; for an Oil
as foft as that of Sweet Almonds can
be extracted from the Nut, and the
Indians make Bread of it. This Oil,
combin'd with its own Salt and Su-
gar, makes it faponaceous and clean-
fing, by which Quality it often helps
Digeſtion and excites Appetite; when
L 3
it
1
An ESSAY concerning
150
لاته
it is mix'd with Vanillios, or Spices,
it acquires likewife the good and
bad Qualities of aromatick Oils,
which are proper in fome Caſes and
Conftitutions, and very improper in
others.
;
Į
CHAP. VI.
Of the different Intentions to be pur-
fued in the Choice of Aliment in dif-
ferent Conflitutions.
W Holeſome and unwholeſome
are relative, not real Quali-
ties; therefore to affirm that fuch a
Thing is wholeſome or unwholeſome,
without defcribing the Subject in all
its Circumſtances to which it bears
theſe Relations, is, with Submiffion,
talking Nonſenſe.
To make theſe Terms of whole-
fome and unwholeſome Aliment in-
telligible, there are two things ne-
ceffary,
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
151
ceffary, Firft, To fhew what Aliment
is proper for what Intention. Secondly,
What Intention is proper to be purſued
in fuch a Conftitution of a Human Bo-
dy. The Firft is the Subject of the fore-
going Chapter, and the Second of this.
PROP. I.
To enumerate the most common
Diverſities of the Conftitutions of
Human Bodies.
The moſt common Diverſities of
Human Conftitutions ariſe either
from the folid Parts as to their dif
ferent Degrees of Strength and Ten-
fion; in ſome being too * lax and
weak, in others too telaftick and
ſtrong; or from the different State
of the Fluids, which, as they confiſt
of Spirit, Water, Salts, Oil, and ter-
reſtrial Parts, differ according to the
Redundance of the whole, or of
any of theſe Ingredients, and there-
* Slack, of a looſe Texture.
† Springy.
L 4
fore
152
An ESSAY concerning
fore are plethorick, phlegmatick, oily
or fat, faline, earthy, or dry, by the
Diffipation of the moſt fluid Parts,
which laft Conftitution is call'd by
the Ancients, Atrabilarian, or Melan-
cholick. A plethorick Conftitution
in which true Blood abounds, is
call'd Sanguineous. A faline Con-
ftitution is either acid, alkaline, or
muriatick, according to the Difference
of the Salts which occafion it.
2. In fome of theſe Senfes, tho'
every Human Conftitution is mor-
bid, yet are their Diſeaſes confiftent
with the common Functions of Life,
and leave them under their own
Conduct, as to their manner of liv-
ing, and therefore are a proper Sub-
ject for this Difcourfe, in which I am
far from pretending to inftruct the
Brethren of the Profeffion, or anti-
cipating their Directions to fuch as
are under their Government.
3.
I think it proper to advertiſe
the Reader of two things.
First,
That
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
153
That I endeavour to give the moſt
fimple Idea of the Distemper, and
the proper Diet, abſtracting from
the Complications of the Firſt, or the
Contra - Indications to the Second.
Secondly, That in a Diſcourſe of this
Nature, the Reaſonings muſt be pre-
cife, tho' the Practice may admit of
great Latitude.
PROP. II.
To explain the Cauſes, Symp-
toms, and proper Diet of weak and
lax Fibres.
1. In all the Fibres of an animal
Body, and in the Sides of all the
Canals, there is a contractile Power
whereby the Fibres endeavour to
fhorten themſelves. This is evident;
for if a Fibre be cut tranfverfly,
both the Ends fhrink, and make the
Wound gape; the Force oppos'd to
this contractile Power of the Fibres,
is the influent Liquid. Health con-
fifts
154
An ESSAY concerning
fifts in the* Equilibrium between thofe
two Powers, when the Fluids move
fo equally, that they don't preſs up-
on the Solids with a greater Force
than they can bear, and no more in
one Part than in another; and on
the other hand, when the Solids re-
fift and act upon the Fluids fo
equally, that there is no uneafy Sen-
fation, the Animal is in Health; on
the contrary, whenever this Equili
brium between the influent Fluids and
Solids is taken away, the Animal is in
a morbid State; and whatever deſtroys
it in any Point, deſtroys it in fome
meaſure through the whole Body.
2. The firſt and moſt ſimple So-
lids of our Body are perhaps merely
terreftrial, incapable of any Change
or Difeafe; of thefe Elements are
conftituted the fmalleft Fibres, of
thoſe Fibres the Veſſels, of thoſe Veſ-
fels the Viscera or Organs of the Body;
therefore the Weakneſs and Laxity of
* Equal Balance.
the
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
ISS
the Fibres, Veffels, Vifcera, and all
Parts of the Body, may be confider-
ed as one Difeafe; tho' it muſt be
own'd that the Diſeaſe is not always
univerfal, and there will be fometimes
a Weakneſs in ſome Organ with a
great degree of Mufcular Strength.
3. A Fibre is faid to be weak
when the Coheſion of its Parts is fo
fmall that it may be broken, or re-
folved by a Force not much greater
than what happens commonly in the
Body of a healthy Perfon: Debility
of the Veffels or Organs is ſo ſmall
a Coheſion of the conftituent Parts
as makes them unable to diſcharge
the common Functions of Life, con-
fider'd in a State of Health. Tho'
there is a Debility of Fibres in In-
fants, abfolutely ſpeaking, yet it is
no Diſeaſe, becauſe their Fibres be-
ing lax, lengthen by the Influx of
the Liquids, which is the Caufe of
their Growth; but in adult Perfons,
when the Fibres cannot any more
yield,
136
An ESSAY concerning
yield, they muft either break or loſe
their Spring.
4. Laxity of a Fibre is ſuch a
fmall Coheſion of its Parts, as fuf-
fers it to be lengthen'd by a ſmall
Force: Laxity is a Species of Debility.
5. The moſt common Cauſes of
Debility of Fibres are, Firft, A De-
fect or great Loſs of the vital nutri-
tious Juices: If there is not Blood
enough, the Chyle cannot be eaſily
affimilated. A Perſon who lofeth
daily great Quantities of Blood, turns
Dropfical and Leucophlegmatick. An
elaftick Fibre, like a Bow, the more
extended, it reftores itſelf with the grea-
ter Force; if the Spring be deftroy'd,
it is like a Bag only paffive as to the
Influx * of the Liquid. Secondly, Nou-
riſhment too vifcid and glutinous to
be fubdu'd by the vital Force; of this
Sort Hippocrates reckoned unfermen-
ted Bread. Thirdly, A fedentary Life,
for Motion increaſeth the Circulation
* Flowing in.
of
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
157,
of the Juices, and confequently the
Application of the folid Parts to one
another. Fourthly, Too great an Ex-
tenfion of the Fibres by Plenitude;
a Lute-ſtring will bear a hundred
Weight without Rupture, but at the
fame time cannot exert its Elafticity;
take away fifty, and immediately it
raifeth the Weight. Fifthly, A moiſt
Atmoſphere. The Atmoſphere is
what keeps the Fibres of an animal Bo-
dy together, we feel our Fibres grow
ſtrict or lax, according to the State of
the Air; many who live healthy in a dry
Air, fall into all the Diſeaſes that de-
pend upon Relaxation in a moiſt one.
Laftly, A natural Weakneſs from the
Frame and Conſtitution of the Body.
6. The common Signs and Ef-
fects of weak Fibres are Paleneſs,
Smoothness, Coldneſs of the Skin,
Colour of the Blood not Florid (for
what maketh that is a ſtrong Action
of the Solids) a weak Pulfe, Tume-
factions in the whole Body or Parts,
Stagna-
158
An ESSAY concerning
-:
Stagnation of Humours, and its
Confequence, Putrefactions; for when
the Force of the Veffels and Preſſure
of the Air is taken off, all the Humours
expand themſelves, and what ſtagnates
muſt putrify; if a Perſon of a firm
Conſtitution begins to bloat, and from
being warm, grows cold, his Fibres
grow weak. Anxiety and Palpitations
of the Heart are a fign of weak Fi-
bres: Acid Eructations upon taking
vegetable Food, or Nidorofe upon ta-
king Animal, is a Sign of Weak Or-
gans of Digeſtion. Depravation of the
Humours from a found State, to what
the Phyſicians call by the general
Name of a Cacochymy, Spots and
Difcolourations of the Skin are Signs
of weak Fibres; for the lateral Vef-
fels, which lie out of the Road of
Circulation, let grofs Humours paſs,
which could not if the Veffels had
their due degree of Stricture. † Atro-
* Redundance of ill Humours.
+ Decay of the Flesh.
phy,
the Nature of Aliments, &c:
159
phy, as denoting a Deftruction or
Obſtruction of the Veffels, which car-
ry the Nouriſhment, and Dropfies,
proceed from a Laxity of the Fibres,
being too weak to return the Fluid.
In a Word, the moſt part of chroni-
cal Diſtempers proceed from Laxity of
the Fibres; in which Cafe the prin-
cipal Intention is to reſtore the Tone
of the folid Parts; all Attempts with-
out this, will prove unſucceſsful; and
if the Tone of the Solids is reftor'd,
the Diſeaſe will go off in time.
7. It is evident that the Aliment
of Perfons with weak Fibres, ought
to be ſuch as requires but a ſmall
Force to convert it into animal Sub-
ſtances, ſuch is that mention'd Chap. V.
Prop. IV, V. As Milk, which is the
Chylous Part of an Animal already
prepar'd, the Cheefy Part is fepara-
ted and diffolv'd by the Bile, and the
more Serous and Spiritous Part en-
ters into the Blood; meer Whey is
•
too
160
An ESSAY concerning
too relaxing: Eggs taken warm from
the Hen; for the moſt elaborate and
ſpiritous Part is loft in the dreffing:
Broths made of Fleſh, which are the
nutritious animal Juices feparated
from the folid Parts; the alkalefcent
Quality of Broths may be corrected,
if neceffary, by mixing them with
fome Acid: Decoctions, and Creams,
or Jellies of well fermented Bread (for
Fermentation, as was hinted Chap. III.
Prop. IV. deſtroys the glutinous oily
Viſcidity with which mealy Subſtances
abound) auftere Wines diluted with
Water, which cool more than Water
alone, and at the fame time do not
relax; Vegetables with an acid auftere
Juice, mention'd Chap. V. Prop. IV.
VIII. are all proper in this Cafe. Re-
laxation from Plenitude is cur'd by
fpare Diet, and from any Cauſe by
that which is contrary to it. Care
muſt be taken in contracting the
Fibres, not to obftruct the Veffels.
PROP.
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
161
PROP. III.
To explain the Symptoms, Caufes,
Diet of too ſtrong and
and proper
too elaſtick Fibres.
1. A State oppoſite to the former
is too great Rigidity and Elaſticity
of the Fibres, which is fuch a degree
of Coheſion as makes them inflexible
to the Cauſes to which they ought
to yield, ſo as to preſerve the Ani-
mal in Health: Too great Elafticity
is that Quality by which they not
only reſiſt againſt ✶ Elongation, but
reftore themſelves with too great
Preffure and Force upon the moving
Fluid.
*
† Rigidity of the Organs is ſuch a
State as makes them refift that Ex-
panfion, which is neceffary to carry
on the Vital Functions. Rigidity of
* Lengthening.
+ Hardness, Stiffness:
M
the
162
An ESSAY concerning
the Veffels and Organs muft neceffari-
ly follow from Rigidity of the Fibres,
both as the Fibres are their conftituent
Parts, and likewife becauſe by the
ſtrong Force of the Heart, and Mo-
tion of the Fluids, many of the So-
lids are compacted into one, and the
Canals, through which they flow'd,
abolish'd, as by Prop. VII. Chap. II.
2. True Health confifts in fuch a
Flexibility of Fibres as yield to the
Force of the Heart, fo as to admit
the influent Fluid, and then fuch a
due Spring to reſtore themſelves fo
as to drive it forward; for if the Ca-
nals were intirely rigid, or the Force
of the Fibres in reftoring themſelves
were either in Æquilibrium with, or
exceeding that of the Heart, there
could be no Circulation, even if the
Veffels drive back the Blood with
too great a Force upon the Heart,
it will produce Polypoſe Concre-
* Selid Subflances.
*
4
tions
the Noture of Aliments, &c.
163.
tions in the Ventricles of the Heart,
eſpecially when the Valves of the
Heart are apt themſelves to grow too
rigid; if but one Drop of Blood re-
main in the Heart at every Pulfe,
thoſe in many Pulfes will grow to a
confiderable Mafs.
3. It is eaſy, by the Laws of Hy-
draulicks, to determine the natural
Effects of fuch a Conftitution, which
is the Parent of acute Diſeaſes, as
Laxity of Chronical.
4. The Cauſe of ſuch a Diſeaſe,
befides the natural Conſtitution and
Frame of the Body, is too long a
Continuance of fuch Diet as ftrength-
ens the Fibres; hard Exerciſe, or La-
bour, fuch as uſe it, according to
Hippocrates, are not easily cur'd of
Pleurifies; fuch a Conftitution is
eaſily known by the outward Ap-
pearances of the Body being lean,
warm, hairy, fcraggy, dry, without
a Difcafe, with hard and firm Mufcles;
for the great Force by which the
fmall
M 2
164
An ESSAY concerning
fmall Veffels reſtore themſelves, makes
them grow narrow, expelling the
Liquor they contain, and ſcarce ad-
mitting what is influent, by which
the Veffels grow hard and contract-
ed, laſtly, by the Strength of the
Pulſe, and the Force of the vital
Actions.
The Rules of Diet for fuch a
Conſtitution may be drawn from
Prop. IV. of the foregoing Chapter.
First, Abftinence from things us'd
in the contrary State of too great
Laxity. Milk is too nouriſhing, but
Whey proper as an Emollient.
Au-
ftere and ſtrong Wines are improper,
but much more fo are inflammable
Spirits, which harden the Fibres;
Water is the proper Drink, being
ftrongly relaxing, there is no better
way of fuppling a Carcass, than by
drenching it in Water: All emol-
lient Nourishment, fuch as Fruits,
which contain a Mucilage, and may
be boil'd into Jellies: Pot-Herbs
of
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
165
of the emollient kind, ſuch things
as reſolve and cleanſe, that is, take
away any tenacious Solid which ad-
heres to the Fibres, fuch are vegeta-
ble Sopes, the chief of which is Ho-
ney. The animal Food fhould be
prepar'd in Broths rather than in any
other Form. In this Cafe are proper
all things which increaſe Fat, all oily
Subſtances, the animal Oils, Cream,
Butter, Marrow, farinaceous Sub-
ſtances unfermented, as little Salt in
the Aliment as poffible; for Salt har-
dens.
6. From thoſe two Cauſes of the
Laxity and Rigidity of the Fibres,
the Methodiſts, an ancient Set of
Phyſicians, deriv'd all Difeafes of hu-
man Bodies with a great deal of
Reafon; for the Fluids derive their
Qualities from the Solids. There
feems hardly any other Account to
be given of the different animal Se-
cretions, than the different Configu-
ration and Action of the folid
Parts,
M 3
166
An ESSAY concerning
Parts, which from one homogene-
ous Liquor feparate fo many various
Fluids in an animal Body; and I
am of opinion, that in moft Cafes
where the Juices are in a morbid
State, if one could fuppofe all the
unfound Juices taken away, and
found Juices immediately transfus'd,
the Quality of the folid Parts re-
maining the fame, after many Cir-
culations the found Juices would grow
morbid. The Methodifts err'd in fo
far as they confider'd the Diſeaſe in-
hering only in the Vaſcular Solids,
and applied their Remedies chiefly to
them, not reflecting that the Solids
themſelves can be changed by work-
ing upon the Fluids.
PROP. IV.
To explain the Cauſes and proper
Diet of Plethorick Conftitutions.
The Difeafes of the Fluids are, firſt
a Plethora, or too great Abundance of
laudable
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
167
laudable Juices; the Cauſes of which
are ſtrong chylopoetick Organs,
Plenty of wholeſome Diet, a middle
Age, fanguineous Temperament (of
which afterwards) Laziness, or want
of muſcular Motion, moift Air, Sup-
preſſion of uſual Evacuations. The
Effects are Impatience of Heat, or
Labour, Extenſion of the greater Vef-
fels, Compreſſion of the leffer, * Lace-
rations upon ſmall Cauſes, a Stoppage
of Circulation by too great a Weight
upon the Heart, Suffocation, &c.
The Remedies for this Conftitution
are oppofite to the Cauſes of it; fpare
Diet, Exerciſe, and proper Evacua-
tions; only it muſt be obferv'd that
Plethorick Bodies are not to be cur'd
by long Abſtinence, becauſe in that
Cafe the moſt liquid Parts fly off, and
the groffer remain: Blood-letting re-
moves a Symptom, but often in-
creaſes the Force of the chylopoetick
* Tearing, breaking.
M 4
Or-
168
An ESSAY concerning
Organs, and confequently the Dif
eaſe.
PROP. V.
To explain the Symptoms and
proper Diet of fanguineous Confti-
tutions.
1. A fanguineous Conſtitution (in
the common Acceptation of the
Word) that is, of a Perſon who
abounds with Blood, is different from
a Plethorick; the common outward
Sign of fuch a Conſtitution is a florid
Appearance in the Countenance, a
Blueneſs and Fulneſs of the Veins,
Softness of the Fleſh, a particular
vivid, fair, but not pale Colour of
the Skin; fuch a Conftitution with
à great Appearance of Health is ſub-
ject to many Diſeaſes.
2. The Blood, as was obferved
Prop. V. Chap. II. confifts of red
Globules, fwimming in a thin Li-
quor call'd Serum, the red Part is
ſmalleſt
1
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
IGO
ſmalleſt in Quantity. The red Glo-
bules are elaſtick, and will break,
one red Globule into fix fmall, and
then they will turn yellow, thoſe
yellow Globules break into others
ftill ſmaller, and then they grow more
white and tranſparent; the Veffels
which admit the fmaller Globules,
cannot admit the greater without a
Difeafe. Therefore as the Blood paf-
feth through narrower Channels, the
Redneſs diſappears more and more.
All the Chyle is white, and acquires
this red Colour by Circulation. A
free and ftrong projectile Motion of
the Blood muſt occafion a florid Ap-
pearance upon the Skin in fuch
Conſtitutions, becauſe a ſtronger Mo-
tion forceth the red Part into more
capillary Veffels. To which likewife
there is commonly another Cauſe
that concurs,
the greater Tranfpa-
rency of the Veffels occafioned by
the Thinness and Delicacy of their
Coats. That this is the Cafe of fan-
guineous
170
An ESSAY concerning
guineous Perfons is plain from their
great Veins appearing blue and tranf-
parent by the Colour of the Blood
in them.
3. Therefore fuch Perfons feem to
be ſuſceptible of Diſeaſes, that de-
pend upon a ſtrong projectile Mo-
tion of (the Blood, and too great
Thinneſs and Delicacy of the Veffels;
by the firſt they are fubject to In-
flammatory Distempers, for the greater
Action or Reaction of the Fluids and
Solids produceth a greater Attrition,
to which Heat is proportional: This
great Attrition must produce a great
Propenfity to the putrefcent alkaline
Condition of the Fluids, and confe-
quently to Suppurations: a ftronger
projectile Motion of the Blood, muft
likewife occafion greater Secretions,
and loſs of liquid Parts; and from
thence perhaps Spiffitude and ✶ coria-
ceous Concretions, which are always
*Tough like Leather.
*
found
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
171
found in Animals that die of too
ftrong a Circulation.
↓
If the Veffels are in a State of too
great Rigidity, ſo as not to yield, a
ftrong projectile Motion occafions
their Rupture and Hæmorrhages; ef-
pecially in the Lungs, where the
Blood is abundant; if the Veffels, in-
ftead of breaking, yield, it fubjects
the Perfon to all the Inconveniences
of an erroneous Circulation, (that is,
when the Blood ſtrays into the Veffels
deftin'd to carry Serum or Lymph,
according to Prop. V. Chap. II.) From
whence will follow Obftructions and
Inflammations, and as the Thinneſs,
and Delicacy of the Veffels probably
reigns through the whole Syftem, it
muſt affect the Glands and Lympha-
tick, as well as the Blood-Veffels,
and fuch Conſtitutions must be fub-
ject to glandulous Tumours, and
Ruptures of the Lymphatick, and
all the Diſeaſes thereon dependent.
4. The
172
An ESSAY concerning
4. The natural Helps from Diet
are, firſt, Moderation in the Quantity,
all things which relax the Veins; for
what does fo, prevents too vigorous
a Motion through the Arteries:
Therefore relaxing and cooling are
proper Intentions in the Diet, only
where there are Signs of too great a
Thinneſs in the Fluids, fubacid Sub-
ſtances are proper, tho' they are a
little Aftringent; for Perſons who take
a great deal of Vinegar, abate their
florid Colour, which is the Diſeaſe
of fuch a Conſtitution.
For fuch a Diet the Reader is re-
ferr'd to the foregoing Chapter.
A faline Conſtitution of the Fluids
is either acid, alkaline, or muriatick,
as in the Sea-Scurvy: Of theſe in
their Turns.
PROP. VI,
To explain the Symptoms, Cauſes,
and proper Diet of acid Conftitutions.
1. It
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
173
1. It has been demonſtrated be-
fore, that the Juices of a found Ani-
mal are neither acid nor alkaline, by
the Experiments mention'd Chap. IV.
All the Subftances, fluid and folid,
of an Animal fed even with aceſcent
Subſtances, yield by Fire nothing
but alkaline Salts. Thoſe Experi-
ments which endeavour to fhew the
contrary, have been made upon Ani-
mals which had taken much Sea-Salt,
which is never totally changed in an
animal Body. The ingenious and
learned Boerhaave fed a Sparrow with
Bread four Days, in which time it
eat more than its own Weight, and
yet there was no Acid found in its
Body or Excrements: The Reaſon
of this is, that the vital Force of a
found Animal is capable to tranfmute
the acid Subftances it takes in Ali-
ment, into foft nutritious animal Li-
quids, by its vital Force: (By which
is understood the Sum of all thoſe
Powers in an animal Body which con-
verts
174
An ESSAY concerning
verts its Aliment into Fluids of its
own Nature.) A Cow fed with Tre-
foil, Daifies, Sorrel, gives Milk in
which there is not the leaft Acidity;
but if this vital Force is weak, it is
infufficient to fubdue the Acidity of
the Subſtances taken by the Mouth.
The Liquors which are made of fer-
mented Plants, as Wine, and Malt
Liquors, ftanding in a Heat not
greater than that of a Human Body,
turn four; and fo they will in a Hu-
man Body that has not fufficient vi-
tal Force to change them, which
makes no more Alteration in fuch
Subſtances than a Veſſel with the
fame degree of Heat and Moiſture.
Thus weak Stomachs vomit up the
Wine that they drink in too great
Quantities to be digeſted, in the Form
of Vinegar. Put Bread into the
Stomach of a dying Man, and it
will follow its own Nature, and un-
dergo the Alteration that is merely
the Effect of Heat. A weak Sto-
mach
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
175
mach will turn Rye-Bread into Vi-
negar, and a Plough-man will digeſt
it. Mealy Subſtances fermented,
turn four; and unfermented, being
mix'd with a ſmall Quantity of Wa-
ter, they turn vifcid, and then hard
like Stones: Accordingly, given to a
weak Child, they ſtill retain their Na-
ture, for Bread will give him the
Cholick, and unfermented farinace-
ous Subftances will fill his Belly with
a viſcous Humour.
2. As no Acid is naturally in an
animal Body, but muſt be taken in
by the Mouth; fo if it is not fub-
du'd in the Paffages of the Chyle,
it may get into the Blood; and if
there is not a fufficient Quantity of
Blood, and Strength of Circulation
to fubdue it, it may infect the
whole Maſs of the Fluids; but this
is a morbid State. The Experi-
ments made upon Chyle have never
diſcover'd any Acidity in it; but the
Subject of theſe Experiments has
been
176
An ESSAY concerning
been always the Chyle of healthy
Animals.
3. The firſt and principal Seat of
Acidity is the Stomach; this Quali-
ty of the Chyle is in fome meaſure
taken off in the Duodenum, and by the
Mixture of Bile with it, grows leſs in
the other Parts of the Alimentary
Duct, and ſtill lefs in the Thoracick
Duct, becauſe great Quantities of
animal Liquors have been mix'd with
it; but at laſt it may (as was faid
before) infect the Blood: Thus it is
found by Experience, that the Sweat
is fometimes acid, which is a Sign
of Recovery after acute Diftempers,
where the Blood was in the contra-
ry alkaleſcent Difpofition.
4. The antecedent Concomitants
and Effects of fuch a Conftitution
are Acids taken in too great Quan-
tities: Sour Eructations, a craving Ap-
petite, eſpecially of terreſtrial and ✶ab-
* That fucks in a Liquid.
forbent
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
177
forbent Subſtances, the Cafe of Girls
in the Green-Sickneſs, Sourneſs in
the Stomach, Pain in the Stomach,
(which, tho' ſometimes occaſion'd by
an acrid Bile, this Caufe may be
diſtinguiſh'd by the Abſence of other
Symptoms) Colical Pains about the
Navel; the West-India dry Gripes are
perhaps occafion'd by the too great
Quantities of Acids, as Lime-Juice in
Punch. The Colicks of Infants
proceed from Acidity, and the Air
in the Aliment expanding itſelf while
the Aliment ferments; for Oil of Vi-
triol will throw the Stomach into
involuntary Contractions: Inactivity
and Change of Colour in the Bile;
for Acids change the Colour and
Conſiſtence of it. Bile is the chief
Inftrument of Digeſtion, and, as was
faid before, Prop. V. Chap. I. can at-
tenuate the cheeſy Subſtance in the
Stomach of a Calf, and render it
fluid; hence bilious Conftitutions ea-
fily digeſt Cheeſe: a four Smell of
N
the
178
An ESSAY concerning
the Faces (when the Bile is redun-
dant, they ſmell cadaverous) acid
Sweats, Palenefs of the Skin; for, as
was obferv'd before, taking much
Vinegar will make the Lips pale. It
is poffible that Tumors in the Breafts
may be the Effect of Acidity in the
Milk, and Convulfions in Infants
may be occafion'd from Acidity paf-
fing into the Blood, and affecting
the tender Fibres of the Brain. Some
forts of cutaneous Eruptions are oc-
cafion'd by feeding much on acid
unripe Fruits, and farinaceous Sub-
ftances.
5. Acidity, as it is not the natu-
ral State of the animal Fluids, but
induc'd by Aliment, is to be cur'd
by Aliment, with the contrary Qua-
lities; for which the Reader is re-
ferr'd to the foregoing Chapter. Anti-
acid Medicines are ineffectual with-
out a Diet of the fame kind; all
animal Diet is alkalefcent, efpecial-
ly of fuch as feed upon other Ani-
mals,
the Noture of Aliments, &c.
19
mals, as Infects, Fish, and eſpecially
Shell-Fiſh. Acidity in the Infant
may be cur'd by a Fleſh-Diet in
the Nurſe. There are a great many
anti-acid Vegetables which do not
eafily ferment, but putrify, as all the
warm Anti-ſcorbuticks: Celery, AF-
paragus, Cabbage, Turnips, Carrots,
Onions, Leeks, Radiſhes, Muſtard,
Eringo-Roots and Nettles, are Anti-
acid. In Cafes of Acidity, Water
is the proper Drink; its Quality of
relaxing too much may be corrected
by boiling it with ſome animal Sub-
ſtances, as Ivory, Hartshorn: Ab-
ftinence from fermented Liquors is
neceffary.
6. This Diftemper is moft inci-
dent to Children, becauſe of the De-
bility of their Fibres and Milk-Diet,
to fuch as lead a fedentary Life, to
thoſe who take much Bread and
Wine, and vegetable Acids, to Girls
difpos'd to the Green-Sickneſs, and
to Artificers who deal in the Pre-
parations
N 2
180
An ESSAY concerning
parations of Acids, as Diftillers,
Dyers.
PROP. VII.
To explain the Symptoms, Cau-
fes, and proper Diet of Conftitu-
tions, which abound with a fponta-
neous Alkali.
1. A Conſtitution oppoſite to the
former, is that which abounds with a
ſpontaneous Alkali. No Animal un-
putrify'd, being burnt, yields any
alkaline Salt, but putrify'd, yields a
volatile Alkali, therefore in a healthy
Animal no true Alkali is found; but
as an Animal degenerates from this
State, by fuch Diſeaſes as increaſe
the Attrition and Heat of the Fluids,
the animal Salts formerly benign
approach towards an alkaline Nature.
Human Blood, when it is firſt let, is
mild, and will not make the Eye or
a freſh Wound fmart. Let it ftand
in a degree of Heat equal to that of
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
181
a Human Body, it will grow in three
Days fœtid, the Salt of it volatile and
alkaline, fermenting with Acids, the
Oil that remains volatile and rancid;
the Blood in the Veffels may at laſt
arrive at the fame State, but muſt
paſs thro' infinite Degrees, and be-
fore it comes to the laft the Ani-
mal will be deſtroyed. All animal
Subſtances expos'd to the Air, turn
alkaline of their own accord, and
ſome Vegetables by Heat will not
turn acid, but alkaline: Every Plant
in that State of Putrefaction by Prop.
III. Chap. I. is converted, as it were,
into an animal Subftance, by Chy-
mical Trials, yielding the fame Con-
tents.
2. The Cauſes of fuch a Diftem-
per is a Diet of alkalefcent Sub-
ftances. If a Woman fhould live
upon Vegetables, Bread, and fer-
mented Liquors, her Milk would be
aceſcent, or ready to turn four; if
only an animal Food, her Milk would
N 3
be
182
An ESSAY concerning
be apt to turn fœtid and putrid, but
not four.
1
If it was poffible to take Muſtard
in great Quantities, it would quick-
ly bring the Blood into this alkaline
State, and deſtroy the Animal; the
warm antifcorbutical Plants taken
in Quantities, will occafion ſtinking
Breath, and corrupt the Blood. All
Animals that live upon other Ani-
mals have their Juices more alkale-
ſcent, than ſuch as live upon Vegeta-
bles, and for that Reafon perhaps
Fiſhes have this Quality more than
terreſtrial Animals; for in the open
Air they putrify fooner, by what
was faid Prop. 1. Chap. IV. An Ani-
mal with a ſtrong vital Force of Di-
geftion will turn Acids into animal
Subſtances; but if its Food be in-
tirely alkaleſcent, its Juices will be
more fo. No Perſon is able to fup-
port a Diet of Fleſh and Water with-
out Acids, as Salt, Vinegar, and
Bread, without falling into a putrid
Fever,
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
183
Fever. If his Diet confifted of Snails,
Fish, efpecially their Livers, Shell-
Fiſh, Vipers, ravenous Birds, as ſome
who feed upon Infects and alka-
leſcent Vegetables, the Effect would
happen fooner.
fooner. Eggs and Spaniſh
Wines taken in great Quantities, with-
out Exercife, will occafion a Fever.
Abundance of good Blood and lau-
dable Juices difpofeth towards this al-
kalefcent State; fo do likewife long
Abſtinence, (by which the Fluids
are depriv'd of a Dilution of the
cooling Emulfion of fresh Chyle.
See Prop. VIII. Chap. II.) great
Strength of the Bowels, and a right
State and Abundance of Bile. Bile
is an Anti-acid. Another Caufe is
a vigorous Action of the Veffels,
through which the Juices circulate,
which is the Reason that ftrong,
healthy, and young People, are more
in peril by peftilential Fevers, than the
weak, and old.
Violent
N 4
184
An ESSAY concerning
Violent animal Motion produ→
ceth this alkaline State. Two Bones
rubb'd hard againſt one another,
or with a File, produce a fœtid
Smell. It is poffible to produce a
Gangrene by ſtrong Friction, and
yet Stagnation of the Fluids turns
them putrid.
The Effects of fuch an alkalefcent
State in any great degree, are Thirſt,
and a Dejection of Appetite, which
putrid things occafion more than any
other; (thoſe who are troubled with
Acidity have often a bad Digeſtion,
but a craving Appetite) nidorofe Eruc-
tations, which are different from
acid, Foulneſs of the Tongue and
Palate, a bitter and hot Tafte in the
Mouth, Thirſt, Sickneſs, Loathing,
bilious Vomitings and Dejections of
a cadaverous Smell, iliacal Pains
with Heat. Theſe are the Effects
of it in the alimentary Diet. Such a
In tlfmall Guts, about the Navel.
State
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
185.
State diffolves the Blood, and difpo-
feth it towards Putrefaction, hinders
Nutrition; for no Chicken can be
hatch'd of a rotten Egg, the Blood
turning acrimonious corrodes the
Veffels, producing Hæmorrhages,
Puftules, red, lead-colour'd, black, and
gangrenous, and almoſt all Diſeaſes
of the inflammatory kind.
3. The Aliment of fuch Perfons
ought to be aceſcent Subſtances, much
Bread, and Seaſoning of Vinegar, and
other Acids without Spices; in a Word,
fuch as is deſcrib'd in the foregoing
Chapter. Acids keep animal Sub-
ſtances from Putrefaction; for neither
Blood, Fleſh, or Fat will putrify in
Vinegar, or four Wine: The Effect
of the ſtrongeſt Acids, even Oil of
Vitriol, in putrid Fevers, is known by
Experience, in which alkaline Spirits
muſt be hurtful; farinaceous things,
eſpecially fuch as are made of Oats,
are proper, as having an acefcent Qua-
lity; it is a common Miſtake that Peo-
ple
186
An ESSAY concerning
ple in fuch a State fhould forbear
Wine; thin Wines, as Rhenifh, Mo-
felle mix'd with Water, are pro-
per in a Fever. But when the Dif
temper is attended with great Heat,
Milk mixed with Water is the pro-
pereſt Drink.
The propereft Sea-
foning is Salt-Petre; Sea-Salt creates
Thirſt, Water is the only Diluent;
but as it has no Acidity in it, it is
better mix'd with Limon, or with
the Rob or Jelly of fome acid Fruit,
fometimes the demulcent Aliment
mention'd Prop. IV. of the foregoing
Chapter, will be of
great Ufe.
The muriatick Scurvy, induced
commonly by too great Quantity of
Sea-Salt, and common among Ma-
riners, is rather an artificial than a
natural Diſeaſe, fpontaneous only
in few who have a great Difpofition
towards it. Its common Symptoms
are a faline Taſte in the Spittle, Itch-
ing and red Eroſions of the Skin,
great Thirft, Drinefs of the Skin, a
lixivial
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
187
lixivial Urine ſometimes with a fatty
Subſtance like a thin Skin a-top, Re-
lief from watery and acid Subſtances.
The Cure of this Diftemper lies in a
Diet of freſh unfalted things, watery
Liquors acidulated, farinaceous emol-
lient Subſtances, four Milk, Butter-
Milk, acid Fruits, and avoiding of
the hot Antifcorbuticks of the Mu-
ftard kind, the Rule of Diet is not
much different from that in the al-
kaline Scurvy before-mention'd.
5. It is of great Importance to
know whether cutaneous Diftempers
proceed from an acid or alkaline
Caufe, becauſe, according to the Dif
ference of the Caufe, there muſt be
quite oppofite Methods of Cure;
they may be diſtinguiſh'd firft by the
Difference of the Diet that occafion'd
them; crude Aliment, farinaceous
Subſtances, unripe Fruits, and other
Aceſcents, will ſometimes produce the
Scurvy and Itch, and even Leprofies
depending on the fame Caufe, in
which
188
An ESSAY concerning
which volatile Salts, and fuch as are
taken from animal Subftances are
indicated. Secondly, From the Ab-
fence of the concomitant Symptoms
of the one, and the other: In the
acid Acrimony there is not Thirſt,
Heat, nor fo great a Dejection of
Appetite as in the Alkaline. Thirdly,
The Eroſions of the Skin are not of
fo deep a Colour in the Acid as Al-
kaline. In general, an Attention to
the Symptoms before enumerated
may be a Guide to the Diet.
6. Another Conftitution of the
Fluids of a Human Body, may be
properly call'd Glutinous or Phleg-
matick: Phlegm amongſt the An-
cients fignified a cold viſcous Hu-
mour, contrary to the Etymology of
the Word, which comes from paéyw,
to burn; but amongſt them there
were two forts of Phlegm, cold
and hot. A cold Tumor they
call'd fimple Phlegmonem; when
it came from glutinous Blood, they
call'd
the Nature of Aliments, &c. 189
call'd it Phlegmonem Phlegmono-
dem.
7. Phlegm, or Pituite, `is a fort of
Semi-fluid, it being ſo far folid, that
one Part draws along ſeveral other
Parts adhering to it, which doth not
happen in a perfect Fluid, and yet
no Part will draw the whole Maſs,
as happens in a perfect Solid.
8. The Pituite, or Mucus, fecern'd
in the Noſe, Mouth, Palate, Sto-
mach, Inteſtines, and Wine-Pipe, is
not an excrementitious, but a lauda-
ble Humour, neceffary for defending
thoſe Parts from which it is fecern'd,
from Excoriations, as happens in the
Nofe, when the Pituite is too thin.
The Want of it in the Wind-Pipe
occafions Hoarſeneſs in the Gullet,
and Difficulty of Swallowing. The
Pituite defends the Inteftines from
the Acrimony of the * Ingefta, and
lubricates the Extremities of the Joints.
* Things taken inwardly.
There-
190
An ESSAY concerning
Therefore thofe are miſtaken who ima-
gine that Phlegm cannot be too much
parg'd off; but when the Phlegm is
either too viscous, or ſeparates in too
great a Quantity, it brings the Body
into a morbid State; this viſcous
Phlegm feems to be the ✶ vitrious Pi-
tuite of the Ancients.
9. The firft Seat of it is the ali-
mentary Duct, where it creates Cru-
dity, Dejection of Appetite, a Senfe
of † Repletion and Sickneſs; for it
hinders the natural Contraction of
the Fibres, and that Senfe of Irrita-
tion which produceth Hunger. A
Senfation of Fulnefs without eating,
is a fure Sign of a Phlegmatick Sto-
mach. In the Inteftines it occafions
a Tumour of the Belly, with an Atro-
phy in the reſt of the Body; for
the viſcous Cruft ftops the Entry of
the Chyle into the Lacteals. The
Cafe of rickety Children.
In the
* Like Glass.
+ Falness.
Body
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
191.
Body it often affects the Lungs.
Phlegm may be ſo concocted in the
Lungs by the Evaporation of its
moſt liquid Parts, as to fhut up the
Paffages of the Bronchea: and it makes
Paleneſs in the Skin; for as it was
obferv'd before, our Aliment in the
Form of Chyle before it circulates
with the Blood, is whitish; by the
Force of Circulation it runs through
all the intermediate Colours, till it
fettles in an intenfe Red; as much
as the Force of Circulation is defi-
cient, fo much will the Blood fall
fhort of that florid Colour, and Per-
fons in that Condition are call'd
Leucophlegmatick; from this Phlegm
proceed white, cold, Tumors, Vifci-
dity, and confequently Immeability
of the Juices; hence Lethargies in
old People.
L
10. The Caufes of this Phlegma-
tick Conſtitution are, Firft, Vifcid
Aliment, as of unripe Fruits, farina-
ceous Subſtances unfermented, and
taken
192
An ESSAY concerning
taken in great Quantities. The Flowers
of Grains, mix'd with Water, will
make a fort of Glue. Meals have
an Oil in them which makes their
Parts adhere. Secondly, Great Loſs
or Want of Blood, which is a natu-
ral Sope, preſerving itſelf and the
Aliment from Coagulation by con-
ftant Motion. Thirdly, Weakneſs and
Indigeſtion in the Alimentary Duct,
which leaves the Aliment viscous.
Fourthly, A Defect, or bad Confti-
tution of the Bile (which is the chief
Refolvent of the Aliment) phlegma-
tick and bilious Conftitutions are
oppofite. Fifthly, Diffipation of the
moft fluid Parts by Heat, or fome
great Evacuation; therefore profuſe
Sweats, and Fluxes of Urine, difpofe
towards this Conſtitution by thicken-
ing the Phlegm. Sixthly, Stagna-
tion from the Debility of the Inftru-
ments of Excretion; for if the Pi-
tuite ftagnates, it muſt grow vifcid
from Heat. Theſe are the Cauſes
and
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
193
and Symptoms of a Phlegmatick cold
Conſtitution; but Spiffitude attend-
ed with Heat, grows inflammatory.
But no Cauſe is more frequent and
powerful in producing this Diftemper
than a fedentary Life, and no Reme-
dy more effectual than Exerciſe.
11. The Symptoms point to the
Cure. All the Methods of attenu-
ating, mention'd Chap. V. Prop. IV.
well fermented Bread, and well fer-
mented Liquors; Fermentation de-
ftroys the Vifcidity of farinaceous
Subftances. High ſeaſon'd Aliment
is proper for Phlegmaticks. Spices,
Onions, Garlick, diffolve Vifcidity.
Water impregnated with fome ftimu-
lating Subſtance, which both dilutes
and attenuates. Hot Mineral Wa-
ters are the beſt Diffolvers of Phlegm.
All forts of Nourishment which pro-
mote Heat, and a vigorous Motion
of the Blood, and for that Reaſon
Broths made of the moft volatile and
alkaleſcent Parts of Animals.
O
12. A
i 94
An ESSAY concerning
12. A Diſeaſe oppofite to this
Spiffitude, is too great Fluidity; the
Symptoms of which are Excefs of
animal Secretions, as of Perfpiration,
Sweat, Urine, Liquid Dejectures,
Leanneſs, Weakneſs, and Thirſt. The
Methods in fuch a Cafe muſt be op-
poſite to the former. Farinaceous
Subſtances and watery Liquors, un-
fermented Gellies of animal and vege-
table Subſtances, all fuch things as are
defcrib'd, Prop. IV. Chap. V.
13. Another Conftitution is the
oily or fat; animal Fat is a fort of
amphibious Subſtance; it is fciffile
like a Solid, refolvable by Heat not
greater than what is incident to Hu-
man Bodies, circumfcrib'd and con-
tain'd in proper Weffels, like a Fluid.
The Symptoms of this Conſtitution
are too manifeſt to want a Deſcrip-
tion, it co-incides often with the ple-
thorick and phlegmatick Conftitu-
tions above defcrib'd. It is but one
Species of Corpulency, for there may
be
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
195
be Bulk without Fat, from the great
Quantity of mufcular Flesh, the Cafe
of robuft People. An Animal in the
courſe of hard Labour feems to be
nothing but Veſſels, Bones, and muf-
cular Fleſh. Let the fame Animal con-
tinue long in Reft, it will perhaps
double its Weight and Bulk. This
Superaddition is nothing but Fat, or
Oil; and in this Senfe an Animal per-
haps never arrives at its full Growth.
5
14. The common Cauſes of this
Diſtemper are a particular, and per-
haps a gentilitious Diſpoſition of
Body, which feems to confift in the
Chylopoetick or Organs of the firſt
Digeſtion being ſtrong, and the Fibres
of the circulating Veffels, eſpecially
thoſe about the Panniculus carnofus
being lax, according to the Doctrine
of the ſecond Chapter. By the Ac-
tion of the Fibres of the Veſſels up-
on the Fluids, the oily Parts of the
Chyle are intimately mix'd with the
* Family
O 2
Blood,
196
An ESSAY concerning .
Blood, which by Prop. III. Chap. II.
will ſwim a-top of it feveral Hours
after Repaft; when this Action is not
ſtrong enough, and the Chyle ex-
tremely copious, perhaps the thicker
Oil is never intirely fubdu'd; fome
forts of cramm'd Fowl have always a
milky Juice fwimming a-top of their
Blood. Secondly, Quantities of oily
Nouriſhment, Milk, Butter, and oily
fermented Liquors. Thirdly, All things
which occafion Coldneſs in the Skin
fo as to ſtop Perfpiration, by which the
oily Parts are congeal'd, which Heat
refolves and attenuates. The Inhabi-
tants of cold moift Countries are ge-
nerally more fat than thoſe of warm and
dry; but the most common Cauſe is
too great a Quantity of Food, and too
fmall a Quantity of Motion, in plain
English, Gluttony and Lazineſs. I am
of opinion that ſpare Diet and La-
bour will keep Conftitutions, where
this Difpofition is the ſtrongeſt, from
being fat. You may fee in an Army
forty
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
197
forty thouſand Foot-Soldiers, without
a fat Man amongſt them; and I dare
affirm, that by Plenty and Reſt twen-
ty of the Forty fhall grow fat. Much
Sleep increaſeth Fat, not only as it is
a long Ceffation of Mufcular Motion,
but by relaxing the folid Parts; the
greateſt Cures of this Diſeaſe have
been perform'd by little Sleep. This
by the way.
15. The Oil in Animals is ne-
ceffary for many Purpoſes; in all for
Motion, in fome for Nouriſhment;
fuch accumulate Fat in the Summer,
which ferves to refresh the Blood in
the Penury of Aliment during the
Winter, and for that purpoſe fome
Animals have a quadruple Caul: But
the too great Abundance of Fat fub-
jects Human Conftitutions to the fol-
lowing Inconveniencies.
16. First, It hinders the Motion of
the Joints, making them more heavy,
by filling the Spaces occupy'd by the
Muſcles when they contract and fwell,
03 Secondly,
198
An ESSAY concerning.
?
Secondly, It fubjects them to all the
Difeales depending upon a defective
projectile Motion of the Blood; for
the Blood flows through the Veffels by
the Exceſs of the Force of the Heart
above the incumbent Preffure, which
in fat People is exceffive; and as want
of a due Quantity of Motion of the
Fluids increaſeth Fat, the Diſeaſe is the
Cauſe of itſelf. Thirdly, To Suppura-
tions, of which the Membrana adipofa
is the chief Seat. Fourthly, To Danger
in inflammatory Diftempers; a Fever
refolves many things which ftagnate,
and amongst others the Fat, which
being mix'd with the Blood, turns
volatile, and occafions an Acrimony
much more dangerous than the faline';
for Salts can be diluted with Water
which Oils cannot. That the Fat is
diffolv'd by Fevers, is evident from
the great Lofs of Fat which People
undergo in Fevers. Amongſt thofe,
and many other bad Effects of this
oily Conftitution, there is one Advan-
1
i
tage,
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
199
tage, that ſuch of them who arrive to
an advanc'd Age, are not fubject to
Stricture and Hardneſs of Fibres, the
Effect of old Age.
17. The Cauſes above-mention'd
lead directly to the Cure; as it is the
Product of Gluttony and Lazineſs,
Exercife and Abftinence is the Anti-
dote; it has been obferv'd that a fe-
veriſh Heat refolves Fat, and there-
fore what produceth this Effect in a
fmall degree, ſo as not to endanger
the Life of the Patient, muſt be pro-
per,
fuch are all acrid and ſtimula-
ting Subſtances. Salt, Pepper, Gar-
lick, Onions, Vinegar, &c. taken
in Quantities, will produce a mo-
mentary Fever. Salt taken in great
Quantities will reduce an animal Bo-
dy to the great Extremity of Aridity,
or Drinefs. The Ancients were fo
fenfible of the Force of Stimulating
in this Cafe, that the celebrated Re-
medy againſt Fat was a certain Quan-
tity of the Vinegar of Squills taken
every
O A
200
An ESSAY concerning
every Morning; for the fame Reafon,
ſaponaceous Subſtances, as Sugar, Ho-
ney, the Juices of ripe Fruits, Pot-
Herbs, with Abftinence from fat
Meat, and even an entire Milk-Diet,
by its Thinneſs, are very effectual.
Unfermented watery Liquors are hurt-
ful only as they relax ; but on the other
hand, Quantities of oily fermented
Liquors commonly increaſe the Dif-
cafe. All things which promote the
animal Secretions, eſpecially Sweat,
and infenfible Perfpiration, and for
that Purpoſe even Water taken in
Quantities are ſometimes uſeful. Salts
mix'd with Fat, harden it, and acid
things congeal Oil; Spirit of Nitre
will turn Oil of Olives into a fort
of fatty Subſtance; but Acids may be
us'd as ftimulating. If acid things
were us'd only as Coolers, they would
not be ſo proper in this Cafe, in
which it is neceffary to keep up a
confiderable degree of Heat; but
for their fore-mention'd Qualities they
are
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
201
!
are ſtrongly indicated in the inflam-
matory Distempers of fat People,
where the Oil difpofeth to a rancid
Putrefaction; but Abftinence being
the chief dietetick Method of pre-
venting or curing the Diſeaſe, leads
me to ſay ſomewhat of the Quantity
of Aliment in general.
18. By Prop. VIII. Chap. II. The
frequent Repetition of Aliment is
neceffary, not only for repairing the
Fluids and Solids, but to keep the
Fluids from the putreſcent alkaline
State, which they acquire by conftant
Attrition without being diluted; from
whence it follows, Firft, That long
Abſtinence may be the Parent of
great Diſeaſes, eſpecially in hot bi-
lious Conſtitutions, and extremely
painful to acid Conftitutions by the
uneafy Senſation it creates in the Sto-
mach. Secondly, That the Quantity
of Aliment neceffary to keep the Ani-
mal in a due State of Vigour, ought
to be divided into Meals at proper
Inter-
202
An ESSAY concerning
Intervals in the natural Day, by
which Method neither the chylopoe-
tick Organs, nor the Blood-Veffels
are overcharg'd, nor the Juices de-
priv'd too long of fresh Recruits of
Chyle. Sanctorius confirms this Ma-
xim in his Doctrine of Perfpiration.
19. The great Secret of Health
is keeping the Fluids in due Propor-
tion to the Capacity and Strength of
the Channels through which they
pafs; but the Danger is lefs when the
Quantity of the Fluid is too fmall,
than when it is too great; for a ſmaller
Quantity of Fluid will pafs where a
larger cannot, but not contrariwife.
20. When the Quantity of the
Fluid is too ſmall, the elaftick Power
of the Canal (in which Life con-
fifts) exerts itſelf with too great a
Strength upon the Fluid. In which
Cafe there muſt follow too great a
Diffipation of the Fluid, Drinefs,
and a gradual Decay. In too great
Repletion, either the elaftick Force
of
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
203
of the Tube is totally deftroy'd; or
if it continue proportional to the
degree of Extenfion, like a Bow too
ſtrongly drawn, it throws the Fluid
with too great a projectile Force for-
ward through the Veffels, and back
upon the Heart, and ſubjects the Ani-
mal to all the Diſeaſes depending up-
on a Plethory, and may bring it in-
to immediate Danger. Therefore the
Difeafes depending upon Repletion
are more acute and dangerous than
thofe that depend upon the contrary
The Inftances of Longevity
State.
*
are chiefly amongſt the Abftemious.
Abſtinence in Extremity will prove
a mortal Diſeaſe, but the Experi-
ments of it are very rare.
21. Such as have an imperfect
Circulation through any Organ of
the Body, ſhould never charge their
Veffels with too great a Quantity of
Chyle, this was obferv'd Prop. II.
Chap. II. of the Lungs, and is equally
true in any other Cafe, as in Head-
aches,
204
An ESSAY concerning
aches, which eating little relieves,
and eating and drinking much occa-
fion. A Senfation of Droufinefs,
Oppreffion, Heavineſs, and Laffitude,
are Signs of a too plentiful Meal,
eſpecially in young People.
22. The Meaſure of infenfible
Perſpiration diſcover'd by weighing,
is the beſt Rule of Diet; therefore
in fat People the Uſe of vaporofe or
perfpirable Food, and Exercife (both
which increaſe Perfpiration) are pro-
per.
23. The Conftitution of the Air
diſpoſeth the Inhabitants of one
Country more to be fat, than that of
another. Santorius's Experiment of
Perſpiration being to the other Se-
cretions as 5 to 3, does not hold in
this Country, except in the hotteft
time of Summer; fo that the Ac-
tion of Paduan Air in promoting Per-
fpiration the whole Year round, is
equal to ours in the Month of Au-
guft.
24. From
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
205
24. From the foregoing Doctrine,
a common Cafe both of fat and lean
Men having great Stomachs may be
accounted for; by the laſt having a
great Perfpiration, and ſome of the
perſpirable Matter in the firſt not
fufficiently attenuated, ſtopping at
the Surface of the Skin, and as it
were carried about him. Hunger is
only a Warning of the Veffels being
in fuch a State of Vacuity as to re-
quire a freſh Supply of Aliment; af-
ter Secretions the Veffels of the fat
and lean Man are equally empty, for
the Fat is as much out of the Thred
of Circulation as what is evaporated,
and perhaps the Fat in that Cafe be-
comes like a morbid Excrefcence,
requiring a fuperfluous Nutrition.
25. Infants and old People fup-
port Abſtinence worſt. The firſt
from the Quantity of Aliment con-
fum'd in Accretion, the laſt from
their Weakneſs, and the ſmall Quan-
tity of Aliment taken at once. The
middle-
206
An ESSAY concerning
middle-aged fupport it the beſt, be-
cauſe of the oily Parts abounding in
the Blood.
"
26. From the foregoing Princi-
ples follow naturally the Hippocrati-
cal Rules of Diet in Fevers, of giv-
ing more or leſs, more thick, or more
thin Aliment, according to the fore-
ſeen time of the Duration of the Fe-
ver; for Example, in an Ephemera
none, becauſe of its Termination in
one Day, in a Fever of four Days
Duration less than in one of eight.
And as the Fever comes
Fever comes to its
Height, ftill fubtracting from the
Quantity of Aliment, and making it
more diluent and thin.
27. We come now to what we
may call the earthy or atrabilarian
Conftitution, where the fpirituous
and moſt fluid Parts of the Blood
are diſſipated, that is the Spirit, Wa-
ter and fubtile Oil fo much evapo-
rated as to leave the Salts, Earth,
and groffer Oil in too great a Pro-
portion.
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
207
portion. The Blood grows darkish
and thick, fuch a Conftitution the
Ancients call'd Atrabilarian, or Melan-
cholick: Melancholy fignifying in
Greek, black Gall; whether there be
any fuch Humour as black Gall, is
only a Difpute about Words. Hip-
pocrates gave fuch an Humour this
Name, and that is fufficient; befides
it is Matter of Fact, that in the Ex-
tremity of this Difeafe, the Gall it-
ſelf will turn of a blackiſh Colour,
and the Blood verge towards a pitchy
Confiflence.
28. The Signs of a Tendency to
fuch a State, are Darkneſs or Lividi-
ty of the Countenance, Drynefs of
the Skin, Leannefs, a penetrating
quick Genius, a flow Pulſe and Re-
fpiration. The Cauſes of it are all
fuch as expel the moſt volatile Parts
of the Blood, and fix the Refidue:
Great Applications of the Mind to
one Object, either fuch as produce
Sadness, or great Joy, both which
equally
208
An ESSAY concerning
equally diffipate the Spirits, and im-
moderate Exercife in hot Air with un-
quench'd Thirſt: Aliments of hard
Digeſtion, as dry'd and falted Fleſh,
unripe Fruits, farinaceous Subftances
unfermented, and likewiſe immo-
derate Uſe of Spirituous Liquors.
The Effects of fuch a vapid and
viſcous Conſtitution of Blood, are
Stagnation, Obſtructions, Acrimo-
ny, Putrefactions, Viſcidity, an im-
perfect Secretion of the Gall, a de-
fective Circulation, eſpecially in the
lateral Branches deftined to ſeparate
the more fluid Parts, and therefore
viscous, and ſparing Secretions in the
Glands: The Blood moving too
flowly through the✶ celiack and me-
fenterick Arteries, produce various
Complaints in the lower Bowels and
+Hypochondres; from whence fuch
Perfons are call'd Hypochondriack:
* Arteries of the Lower Belly.
† Under the fort Ribs about the Belly.
Such
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
209
Such as Senſation of Weight, Anxiety
and Repletion, a bad Digeſtion; from
whence different kinds of Aliment
acquire fuch a State as they affect of
their own Nature; acefcent, if the Diet
is of acid Vegetables; and alkaline or
nidoroſe, if of animal Subſtances, eſpe-
cially Fat, which remains rancid fo as
the Spittle will ſometimes flame in the
Fire. This Indigeſtion proceeds from
the Inactivity of the Gall, which like-
wife occafions a Conſtipation of the
Belly, and a Difficulty of being purg'd.
The Urine is ſometimes limpid, fome-
times thick, which latter is often a
Sign of Recovery. The Obſtruction
of the Pituite in the lower Belly, forceth
it upon the falivary Glands, and pro-
duceth Spitting.
29. Such a State of the Fluids at
laſt affects the tender capillary Vef-
fels of the Brain, by the Viſcidity and
*Immeability of the Matter impacted
* What renders impaſſable.
P
in
210
An ESSAY concerning
in them, and diſorders the Imagi-
nation, and at laft produceth Cor-
ruption in the Bowels of the lower
Belly.
30. It is plain, that the Removal
of fuch a Diſeaſe is not to be at-
tempted by active Remedies, any
more than a Thorn in the Fleſh, or
pitchy Matter adhering to a Thread
of Silk is to be taken away by Vio-
lence; what is vifcid, ought to be
gently attenuated, diluted and carried
off. That all Subftances which do
heat, will ſtill diffipate the fluid Parts
more, and confequently increaſe the
Diſeaſe: Therefore Water impregna-
ted with ſome penetrating Salt, is
found to have great Effects in this
Diftemper. The Diet ought to be
oppofite to the particular Acrimony,
whether acid or alkaline, which it is
eafy to gueſs at by N°. 5. of this
Propofition. It ought to be demul-
cent, in both Caſes light, and of ea-
fy Digeſtion, moiſtening, and refol-
vent
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
211
vent of the Bile; of fuch Nature
are vegetable Sopes, as Honey, and
the Juices of ripe Fruits, fome of
the cooling, lacteſcent, papeſcent
Plants, as Čichory, Lettuce, Dande-
lion, which are found effectual in
hot Countries.
The Diet proper
for all the Intentions in this Cafe, the
Reader may ſee in the foregoing
Chapter.
PRO P. VIII.
To draw a few general Inferences
from the foregoing Doctrine.
From the Doctrine of this fhort
Eſſay it is as eafy to determine the
Rules of Diet in the different natu-
ral States, as in the different morbid
States of a Human Body.
1. By Prop. VII. Chap. II. Infancy
and Childhood demand thin copious
nouriſhing Aliment, fuch as lengthens
their Fibres without breaking or
hardening, becauſe of their Weakneſs
P 2
and
212
An ESSAY concerning
and State of Accretion, Milk has
all thoſe Qualities.
2. By Prop. IV. Chap. II. The So-
lidity, Quantity and Strength of the
Aliment is to be proportion'd to the
Labour or Quantity of muſcular
Motion, which in Youth is greater
than any other Age, upon which Ac-
count a ſtrong and folid Diet would
feem to be indicated; but as that
Age is ftill in a State of Accretion,
their Diet ought ſtill to be emollient,
and relaxing, copious, and without
Acrimony.
3. The Diet of a Human Crea-
ture full grown, and in the State of
Manhood ought to be folid, with a
fufficient degree of Tenacity, with-
out Acrimony, their chief Drink Wa-
ter cold, becauſe in ſuch a State it
has its own natural Spirit and Air,
(which Heat deſtroys) with a Quan-
tity of fermented Liquors propor-
tion'd to their natural Conftitutions.
4. The
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
213
4. The Courſe of the Fluids
through the vaſcular Solids and the
common animal Functions without
any Violence, muft in length of
time harden the Fibres, aboliſh ma-
ny of the Canals, and make the So-
lids grow together; from whence
Drinefs, Weakneſs, Immobility, De-
bility of the vital Force both of the
first and fecond Digeſtion. Lofs of
Teeth, Depravation of Maſtication,
the Condition of old Age, which
therefore demands a Diet reſembling
that of Childhood often repeated, but
not ſo copious in proportion to the
Bulk, emollient and diluting.
5. From the Doctrine of the
fifth Chapter, it is likewiſe eaſy to
determine the Inconveniences ari-
fing from the Exceſs of any one fort
of Diet. Too much Sea-falt pro-
duceth Thirſt, Hoarſeneſs, Acrimo-
ny in the Serum (which deftroys
its foft nutritious Quality) Eroſion
of the fmall Fibres, Pains, and all
P 3
the
214
An ESSAY concerning
the Symptoms of the muriatick
Scurvy.
6. Acids taken in too great Quan-
tities, eſpecially fuch as are auftere,
as unripe Fruits, produce too great a
Stricture of the Fibres, incraffate and
coagulate the Fluids; from whence
Pains, Rheumatiſm and Gout, Pale-
neſs, Itch, and other Eruptions of
the Skin: Subftances extremely ftyp-
tick are hurtful to the Nerves, and
occafion Palfies.
7. Spices in too great Quantities
occafion Thirft, Drinefs and Heat,
quicken the Pulfe, and accelerate the
Motion of the Blood, diffipate the
Fluids; from whence Leannefs, Pains
in the Stomach, Loathings, and Fe-
vers.
8. Strong Liquors, eſpecially in-
flammable Spirits, taken in great
Quantities, intoxicate, conftringe, har-
den, dry, and ſtimulate the Fibres,
and coagulate the Fluids. They cor-
rode and deſtroy the inward Coat of
the
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
21S
the Stomach and Inteftines, and if
Digeſtion be a Putrefaction, Spirits
muft by their natural Quality hinder
that; * they produce Debility, Flatu-
lency, Obftructions, eſpecially in the
Liver, Fevers, Leucophlegmacy, and
Dropfies, as by their ftimulating
they raiſe the Spirits for a Moment,
to which fucceeds a proportional
Depreffion; they create a Habit and
Neceffity of continuing the fame
Courſe, and increaſing the Quantity.
Liquors in the Act of Fermentation,
as Muft and new Ale, are apt to pro-
duce Spafms in the Stomach, Colick
and Diarrhoeas.
9. A Diet of vifcid Aliment cre-
ates Flatulency and Crudities in
the Stomach, Obftructions in the
fmall Veffels of the Inteſtines,
in the Mouths of the Lacteals
and Glands, Tumors and Hard-
nefs of the Belly, Coldneſs, Pale-
* Fide Chifelton's Anatomy.
neſs
P 4
216
An ESSAY concerning
neſs of the Skin, and Viſcidity in
the Fluids.
10. A Diet of oily Nouriſhment
relaxeth the Solids, and particular-
ly the Stomach and the Inteſtines,
(Monks who take a great deal of Oil
are ſubject to inteftinal Ruptures) it
creates nidorofe Eructations, Loath-
ings, oily and bitter Vomitings, ob-
ſtructs the capillary Veffels by hin-
dering the Entrance of the watery
and fluid Part, with which it will not
mix; it creates Thirſt and Inflamma-
tions.
11. A conſtant Adherence to one
fort of Diet, may have bad Effects
on any Conſtitution. Nature has
provided a great Variety of Nou-
riſhment for Human Creatures, and
furniſh'd us with Appetites to defire,
and Organs to digeft them (there is
a moſt curious Bill of Fare in Sir
Hans Sloan's Natural Hiſtory of
Famaica) as Aliments have different
Qualities; a conftant Adherence to
one
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
217
one fort, may make the Conftitu-
tion verge to fome of the Extremes
mention'd in this Chapter; for heal-
thy People, Celfus's Rule I. Chap. I.
is a good one, Sanus homo qui bene
valet & fuæ fpontis eft, nullis obliga-
re fe Legibus debet, nullum cibi genus
fugere quo populus utitur, interdum in
convivio effe, interdum ab eo fe abfti-
nere, modo plus, modo amplius affumere,
&c. The Senſe of the whole Paf
fage, is, That a healthy Man under
his own Government ought not to tie
himſelf up to ſtrict Rules, nor to ab-
ſtain from any fort of Food in com-
mon Uſe; that he ought fometimes
to feaſt, fometimes to faft, fome-
times to fleep, fometimes to watch
more than ordinary, &c. An un-
erring Regularity is almoſt impracti-
cable, and the fwerving from it,
when it is grown habitual, dange-
rous; for every unuſual thing in a
Human Body becomes a Stimulus,
as Wine or Fleſh Meat to one not
us'd
218
An ESSAY concerning
us'd to them; therefore Celfus's Rule
with the proper moral Reftrictions,
is a good one for People in Health,
and even in Perſons diſeas'd in any
of the Senſes of this Chapter, as too
ftrict, too lax, acid and bilious, c.
BC.
A conſtant Adherence to one fort of
Diet may carry the Cafe beyond a
Cure, to the contrary Extreme.
12. General Rules about Diet,
without Regard to particular Confti-
tutions, are abfurd.
13. That with Regard to diffe-
rent Conſtitutions, the common Di-
ſtinction of Diet into Vegetable
with Water, and Animal with fer-
mented Liquors, is not proper and
compleat. First, Becauſe in the
Enumeration of Conftitutions in this
Chapter, there is not one that can
be limited and reftricted by fuch a
Diſtinction, nor can perhaps the
fame Perſon in different Circumſtan-
ces be properly confin'd to one or
Secondly, Becauſe a ve-
getable
the other.
A
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
219
getable Diet is not characteriz'd, there
is not a general alimentary Quality
in which all Vegetables agree; there
are Vegetables, acid, alkaline, cool-
ing, hot, relaxing, aftringent, acrid,
and mild, &c. Uſeful or hurtful, ac-
cording to the different Conftitu-
tions to which they are apply'd, there
may be a ſtronger Broth made of
Vegetables than any Gravy-Soup.
14. As Fleſh Diet is generally al-
kaleſcent, and many Vegetables are
acid and cooling, People of hot bi-
lious Conftitutions find themſelves
extremely well in a vegetable Diet
and Water, and the fame Perfons
perhaps had enjoy'd their Health as
well with a Mixture of Animal Diet
qualify'd with a fufficient Quantity of
Acefcents, as Bread, Vinegar, and
fermented Liquors.
15. The Oil of moſt Vegeta-
bles, in which their nutritious Qua-
lity chiefly confifts, feems not to
be fo hard of Digeſtion as that of
Animals;
220
An ESSAY concerning
1:
Animals; fat Meat is harder to di-
geft than the moſt oily Plant taken
as Aliment: Sick People could not
take fo great a Quantity of melted
Fat, as they can of Oil of fweet Al-
monds.
16. Animal Subftances are more
nouriſhing, and more eaſily tranſmu-
table into animal Juices, than Ve-
getable, and therefore a vegetable
Diet is more proper for fome Con-
ftitutions, as being leſs nouriſhing;
tho' fome Vegetables, as Carrots and
Turnips, are fattening to Animals
who live only on Vegetables.
17. As the Qualities of Plants are
more various than thofe of animal
Subſtances, a Diet of fome forts of
Vegetables may be more effectual in
the Cure of ſome ✶ chronical Di-
ftempers, than an animal Diet.
18. The fibrous or vaſcular Parts
of Vegetables ſeem ſcarce changeable
* That do not kill foon.
in
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
221
in the alimentary Duct. The Dung
of Horfes is nothing but the Fila-
ments of the Hay, and as fuch, com-
buftible.
19. Vegetables abound more with
aerial Particles, than animal Sub-
ſtances, and therefore are more fla-
tulent.
20. Man is by his Frame as well
as his Appetite a carnivorous Ani-
mal; the Inftruments of Digeftion
are fo well adapted to the proper
Food of each Animal, that from the
Structure of the Firſt, it is eaſy to
gueſs at the Second. Moſt Quadru-
pedes that live upon Herbs, have
incifor Teeth to pluck and divide
them after they are ſwallow'd, they
are brought up again from one Sto-
mach to receive a new Alteration
by a fecond Chewing; after that,
the Maſs ſo prepar'd paffeth through
four Stomachs of different Figures
and Structure, before it comes into
the Inteſtines. This is the Caſe of
:
rumi-
222
An ESSAY concerning
ruminating Animals, except fome
few, as of Hares, who have but one
Stomach, by which it appears, that
Nature is at a great deal of Labour
to tranſmute Vegetable into Animal
Subſtances: Therefore Herb-eating
Animals, which don't ruminate, have
ftrong Grinders, and chew much.
There have been feveral Inftances of
ruminating Men, and that Quality
leaving them, was a Symptom of
approaching Sickneſs, Vid. Philofoph.
Tranfa&t. & Bonet. Sepulchret. Ana-
tom. Granivorous Birds have the
Mechaniſm of a Mill, their Maw is
the Happer which holds and foftens
the Grain, letting it drop by degrees
into the Stomach, where it is ground
by two ſtrong Muſcles, in which
Action they are affifted by fmall
Stones which they fwallow for the
Purpoſe; and becauſe this Action of
Grinding cannot be perform'd by
the weaker Stomachs of their Young,
many of them, as Pigeons, half di-
geſt.
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
223
geft the Aliment before they give it
to their Young. Some Birds that
live upon Subſtances eafily diffolvable,
as Worms, Eggs, have the Coats of
the Stomachs fmooth, as Cuckows.
Birds of Prey that live upon animal
Subſtances, have membranaceous, not
muſcular Stomachs.
The beſt Inſtruments for dividing
of Herbs are incifor Teeth; for crack-
ing of hard Subſtances, as Bones
and Nuts, Grinders, or Mill-Teeth;
for dividing of Flesh, fharp-pointed
or Dog-Teeth, which feem to be fo
neceffary for that Purpoſe, that an
Eagle has fuch Teeth not in his Bill,
but two at the Root of his Tongue
to hold his Prey, and three Rows in
his Jaws at the Entry of his Gullet.
A Human Creature has all the three
forts of Teeth; the Teeth and Sto-
machs of fome carnivorous Beafts
don't differ much from the Human.
A Lion has generally fourteen in
each Jaw; four Incifors, four Ca-
nine,
224
An ESSAY concerning
of Bones.
nine, and fix Grinders. fharpiſh, for
dividing of Fleſh as well as cracking
A Human Creature has
commonly fixteen Teeth in each
Jaw, two of them only Canine.
The inward Coat of a Lion's Sto-
mach has ſtronger Folds than a Hu-
man, but in other things not much
different. The Stomachs of Water-
Fowl that live upon Fifh are Hu-
man; therefore it ſeems that Nature
has provided Human Creatures with
Inſtruments to prepare and digeſt al-
moſt all forts of alimentary Sub-
ftances, as Herbs, Grain, Nuts; by
the Structure of their Parts as well
as Appetites, they are plainly carni-
vorous.
21. It has been objected againſt
this Doctrine, that Granivorous
Animals have a long Colon and a
Cæcum, which in Carnivorous are
Now it is well known
wanting.
*That live upon Grains or Seeds.
that
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
225
that a Man has both, Vid. Philofo-
phical Tranfactions; to this it is an-
fwer'd, That the Obfervation is not
true without Exceptions, many car-
nivorous Animals have neither Co-
lon nor Cæcum, and many grani-
vorous have both. There are Ani-
mals not carnivorous that have a
large Cæcum, and no Colon, and
others that have neither.
;
There are carnivorous Animals, I
mean ſuch as eat Flesh fometimes,
that have both Colon and Cæcum
but as the Obfervation is generally
true, it proves at leaſt that Mankind
is defign'd to take vegetable Food
fometimes, and it is a freſh Inſtance
of Nature's being at more Labour to
affimilate Vegetable into Animal Sub-
ftances, by affording them a longer
and more retarded Paffage.
22. Carnivorous Animals have
more Courage, muſcular Strength,
and Activity, in proportion to their
Bulk; which is evident by comparing
the
226
An ESSAY concerning
the Cat-kind, as Lions, Tigers; and
likewife the Dog-kind with Herb-
eating Animals of the fame Bulk.
Birds of Prey excel Granivorous in
Strength and Courage. I know more
than one Inftance of irafcible Paf-
ſions being much ſubdu'd by a vege-
table Diet.
23. Fermented Liquors are pro-
per, and perhaps neceffary for fuch
as live upon an Animal Diet; for
Fleſh, without being qualify'd with
Acids, as Bread, Vinegar, and fer-
mented Liquors is too alkaleſcent a
Diet; and Wine moderately taken,
rather qualifies the Heat of Animal
Food, than increaſeth it. Water is
the only Diluter, and the beſt Diffol-
vent of moſt of the Ingredients of
our Aliment. It is found by Expe-
rience, that Water digefteth a full
Meal fooner than any other Liquor;
but as it relaxeth, the conftant Ule
of it may hurt fome Conftitutions.
As it contains no Acid, it is impro-
per
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
227
per with a Diet that is intirely alka-
leſcent.
The Doctrine laid down in this
Effay, is in moft Particulars (I do
not fay in all) conform to that of
the divine Hippocrates, as appears
by feveral Paffages of his Works,
particularly of his Books of Diet,
of his Method of Diet in acute Dif
cafes, and Galen's Commentaries both
upon thoſe Books, and fome others
of his Works. I fhall inſtance in
fome few Particulars, as far as relates
to that Part of Diet call'd Aliment,
without referring to the Editions,
Books and Pages, which would be
of ſmall Uſe to my Readers. The
Maxims of this great Man are, That
Health depends chiefly upon the
Choice of Aliment.
That the Phyſicians before his Time
were to be blam'd for not preſcri-
bing Rules of Diet.
That he who would skilfully treat
the Subject of Aliment, must confi-
Q 2
der-
228
An ESSAY concerning
der the Nature of Man, the Nature
of Aliments, and the Conſtitution of
the Perſon who takes them.
In his Books of Diet, he de-
fcribes the Qualities of all the Sub-
ſtances which Mankind generally feed
upon.
As of all forts of Fleſh, many of
which are not in Ufe amongſt us; as
of Dogs, Foxes, Affes, Horſes.
That the Fleſh of wild Animals
is drier than that of Tame; of Stall-
fed, than of thoſe fed by Paftu-
rage.
That the Flesh of Animals, in the
Vigor of their Age, and of ſuch as
are caftrated, is beft.
That of Animals which have not
us'd hard Labour, is tendereſt.
That Beef is bilious, that is, alka-
lefcent, as all Fleſh Meat is.
That the Fleſh of hot dry Coun-
tries is moſt nouriſhing.
He is very particular as to manner
of Cookery, that Roaſting deſtroys the
Humidity.
That
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
229
That falted Fleſh fhould be mace-
rated and moiſten'd.
That falted Fleſh dries, attenuates,
and moves the Belly.
He is is likewife very curious in
tempering the Qualities of his Meats,
by Seaſonings of contrary Qualities.
He deſcribes the Qualities of the
Fleſh of moſt forts of Fowl; that
the Fleſh of granivorous Birds is not
fo moiſt and oily as that of Ducks;
he is particular as to the Qualities
of Fiſhes freſh and falted, and of all
Vegetables both Alimentary and Me-
dicinal; that Onions, Leeks, Radishes,
;
c. are hot and acrimonious; that
fome of them, as Muftard and Cref-
ſes, will occaſion a * Dyſury : that
others, as Lettuce, are cooling and
relaxing; Celery, diuretick; Mint,
hot; that the Cabbage kind refolve
the Bile; that fuch Herbs as are odo-
rous, are heating; Legumes are fla-
* Difficulty of Urine.
Q 3
tulent;
230
An ESSAY concerning
tulent; ripe Fruits, laxative; and un-
ripe, aftringent.
That unripe Cucumbers are hard
of Digeſtion.
That the Fruits of the Earth in
hot Countries are drier and hotter
than in cold.
He is no leſs exact in defcribing
the Qualities of Milk, Whey, all
forts of Bread and Water, which he
chooſes clear, light, without Tafte or
Smell, drawn not from Snow, but
from Springs, with an Eaſterly Expo-
fition; tho' he ſeems to have known
fomething of Mineral Waters, he fays
nothing of the Uſe of them.
He is no lefs accurate in the De-
ſcription of the Qualities of feveral
forts of Wines, Black, White, Auftere,
Oily, Thin, with the proper Ufes of
them, by which it appears that Wine
was feldom or never drunk in his
Country without Water. He allows
Wine unmix'd after great Diffipations
of the Spirits by Fatigue, and regu-
lates
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
231
lates the Quantities of it according
to the Seaſons.
He likewife confider'd the Medi-
cinal Qualities of Aliments, and tells
you, that of Aliments fome are laxa-
tive, fome moiſten, fome dry, fome
bind, fome move Urine.
Indeed the Qualities which he a-
ſcribes to alimentary Subftances, are
the four in common Ufe amongſt
the Ancients, as hot, cold, moift,
and dry; according to thoſe, his No-
tions are often very juft and inftruc-
tive, and nothing can be more fo
than what follows; That acid, acrid,
auftere and bitter Subftances do not
nourish, but by their Aftringency
create Horror, that is, ftimulate the
Fibres; that ſweet, oily, and fat things
are nouriſhing and anodyne; that Wa-
ter dilutes and cools; that Honey is
cleanſing; and Vinegar profitable to
bilious Conftitutions: No lefs judi-
cious are his Intentions in the Cure
of Diſeaſes by Aliment.
Q4
That
232
An ESSAY concerning
That Diſeaſes depend on the Parts
contain'd, and the Parts containing,
that is, on the Fluids and Solids.
That the folid Parts were to be re-
lax'd or aftricted as they let the Hu-
mours paſs, either in too ſmall or too
great Quantities.
That Animals confift of Fire and
Water, which Divifion is not fo un-
compleat as one may imagine; for
by Water he ſeems to underſtand the
unactive, and even the folid Parts;
and by Fire all the volatile and active
Parts, and that the Difference of Con-
ftitutions, confifts in the Exceſs or De-
fect of theſe Principles; and he com-
pares the due Mixture of them to a
Sort of Harmony.
That there are in a Human Body,
Bitter, Salt, Sweet, Acrid, and Infipid.
That Contraries are the Remedies
of their Contraries.
That Health confifts in a due Pro-
portion of Blood, Pituite, and Gall.
That
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
233
That Redundance of Blood and
Gall are the Cauſes of acute Diftem-
pers.
That long Abſtinence occafions
Bitterneſs in the Mouth, and beating
of the Temples; and he finds fault
with the Phyſicians that ſtarv'd their
Patients in the beginning of a Dif-
temper, and gives a Reaſon for it
conformable to the Principles laid
down in this Eſſay, That it dry'd too
much, that is, the liquid Parts were
diffipated.
That a Man cannot be healthy
and digeſt his Aliment without La-
bour, and that the Quantity and
Kind of Diet muſt bear a due Pro-
portion to the Labour. His Com-
mentator Galen lays down this Apho-
rifm.
Young, hot, ftrong, and labour-
ing Men may feed on Meats giv-
ing both a hard and grofs Juice (as
Beef, Bacon, powdered Fleſh and
Fiſh, hard Cheeſe, Rye-Bread, and
hard
234
An ESSAY concerning
hard Eggs, &c.) which may nou-
rish flowly, and be concocted by
Degrees; for if they ſhould eat
things of light Nourishment, ei-
ther their Meat would be too ſoon
digeſted, or elſe converted into Cho-
ler.
And again, Milk is fitteft for
young Children, tender Fleſh Meat
for them that are growing, and li-
quid Meats for fuch as have acute
Diſeaſes.
Hippocrates obferves, that Paleneſs
is the Effect of Acidity.
That the Choice of Diet fhould
be according to the Difference of
Conftitutions; as in phlegmatick
Conftitutions, Fish and Fleſh well
feafon'd: The Flesh of Fowls (which
is an alkalefcent Diet) not many
Vegetables, black auftere Wines. In
dry Temperaments, lenitive Fruits,
Figs, Raifins, and foft Wines.
fuch as have a bad Digeſtion, and
moiſt Bellies (the Cafe of acid Con-
ftitutions)
In
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
235
ftitutions) the Flesh of Fowl, which
is a Diet both alkalefcent and of eafy
Digeſtion; for ſuch as have dry Bel-
lies, Pot-Herbs.
Galen his Commentator tells you,
That bitter Subſtances engender Cho-
ler and burn the Blood, giving no
general Nouriſhment to the whole;
how foever they may be acceptable
to fome one Part, that is (according
to what was ſaid in this Eſſay) that
they are a fort of fubfidiary Gall:
And again, fharp Spices are moft
unfit for tender Bodies, whofe Sub-
ſtance is eaſily melted and inflam’d:
However, ſtrong Men may eat them
with grofs Meats, and confequently
by the Principles of the Effay, Spi-
ces, by their melting Quality, are pro-
per for fat People: Meats over-falted
are dangerous; Inflammations, Le-
profies, Sharpneſs of Urine, and great
Obſtructions happening to fuch as
uſe them much, agreeing with none
but ftrong Bodies, as Sailors, Sol-
diers,
236
An ESSAY concerning
diers, and Husband-men, accuftom'd
to hard Labour, and much Toiling.
Fat Meats are not good but for
dry Stomachs; for in fanguine and
cholerick Stomachs, they are foon
corrupted; in phlegmatick Stomachs,
they procure Looſeneſs, and hinder
Retention.
That when any Man is fick or
diſtemper'd, his Meats ſhould be of
contrary Qualities to his Diſeaſe; for
Health itſelf is but a kind of Tem-
per gotten and preferv'd by a conve-
nient Mixture of Contrarieties. Ac-
cordingly, in Fevers the Aliments pre-
fcrib'd by Hippocrates, were Ptifans
and Cream of Barley, Decoctions of
ſome Vegetables likewife with the
Mixture of fome Acid, Hydromel,
that is, Honey and Water, Oxymel,
Honey and Vinegar, thin Wines
without Flavour, diluted with Water,
when there was no Tendency to
Delirium. Water, Vinegar, and Ho-
ney in Pleurifies and Inflammations
of
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
237
of the Lungs; in which Caſes ſome-
times he mixeth Spices, which feem
odd, but that muſt have been for pro-
moting Expectoration; and even in
Ulcers of the Lungs, he preſcribes Fat
and Salt for the fame Purpoſe; and
to Women troubled with Pains after
Child-bearing, he mixeth his Ptiſan
with Leeks and Fat; which Practice
no doubt he had found fuccefsful.
He preſcribes great Quantities of
Affes Milk, as far as an English Gal-
lon in proper Cafes, eſpecially as a
Reſtorative; and to fuch as had hot,
dry Conſtitutions, Affes Milk, Whey,
and Abſtinence from Fat and Oil.
No lefs judicious are his general
Maxims for preſerving of Health.
A Diet moderate in Quantity, with
a due Degree of Exerciſe.
That fuch as are of hot Conftitutions
fhould abstain from violent Exerciſes,
uſe Bathing (in hot Water, rather than
Unctions, feed upon Mays (which is
his favourite Food) and Pot-Herbs.
That
238
An ESSAY concerning
That one must not accuftom one's
ſelf to a too regular Diet, becauſe the
leaft Error is dangerous.
That all fudden Alterations in Ex-
tremes, either of Repletion, Evacua-
tion, Heat, or Cold, are dangerous.
Galen, fpeaking the Mind of Hip-
pocrates, tells
tells us, That the whole
Conftitution of Body may be chang'd
by Diet.
That we ſhould take thofe kinds
of Meats which are beft for our
own particular Bodies, for our parti-
cular Age, Temperature, Diftempera-
ture, and Complexions; for as every
particular Member of the Body is
nouriſh'd with a ſeveral qualify'd
Juice, fo Labourers, and idle Per-
fons, Children and Striplings, old
Men and young Men, cold and hot
Bodies, phlegmatick and cholerick
Complexions, muſt have diverſe Diets.
It would be eaſy to produce a great
many more Inſtances to prove the
Conformity of the Doctrine of the
Effay,
the Nature of Aliments, &c.
239
Effay, with the Notions and Practice of
Hippocrates; but thoſe already men-
tion'd are ſufficient, and may be of uſe
to fome Readers to confirm by Autho-
rity, what they will not be at the
Trouble to deduce by Reaſoning.
の
​PRACTICAL RULES
O F
DIET
In the various
Conftitutions and Diſeaſes
O F
HUMAN BODIES.
By YOHN ARBUTHNOT, M. D.
Fellow of the College of Physicians, and of the
Royal Society.
LONDON:
Printed for J. and R. TONSON in the Strand,
M DCC XXXVI,
THE
PREFACE.
HE former Part of this Trea-
tife has been cenfur'd for two
Faults; firft for being obfcure;
Secondly, for not being ſo practi-
cal as it ought to be: As to the
First, I answer, That_Obſcurity may be
taken in two Senfes, as Real, or as Relative
to the Understanding of the Reader; if
Obfcurity is taken in the first Senfe, I will
venture to affirm, That it is unjustly blam'd
upon that Account: Perhaps it may not be
all true, but I am fure it is intelligible. If
Obfcurity is taken in the fecond Senfe, Eu-
clid's Elements may be faid to be obfcure:
I freely own that I had made too partial a
Judgment of the Capacity of feveral of my
Readers; and yet it is true, That many, not
bred up in the Profeffion of Phyfick, under-
ftood the Whole; many, a great Part of it;
R 2
and
The PREFACE.
1.
and it was not poffible to write it down to
the Capacity of every Body.
The fecond Fault, of its not being fuffi-
ciently practical, I have endeavour'd to re-
pair, by the Addition of this Second Part,
which I was oblig'd to write in hafte, when
the Diftrefs both of my Mind and Body, be-
fides Business, render'd me very unfit for
fuch an Undertaking: All I can fay for it
is, That tho' it be less accurate, it may per-
haps be more useful than the first, it being
much fuch a Work as an Almanack, of pub-
lick Benefit, but from which no body I be-
lieve ever propos'd any Reputation. It is a
Collection of the ſcattered Precepts of the
First Part, and other new Rules, extended
to the most common Difeafes as well as Con-
ftitutions of Human Bodies. I have ftill
follow'd the Method of the learned and in-
duftrious Boerhaave, who has certainly ftu-
died and taught this Part of the Profeffion
more than any that ever were before him.
I cannot think it trifling nor unnecessary
to treat this Dietetick Part of Medicine
by it felf with fome Accuracy, for the fol-
lowing Reafons: First, Because the Parts
of any Art or Science are often beft under-
ftood when they are treated jeparately: Se-
condly, Because the Practitioners in Phy-
fick and Chirurgery are often fruftrated in
their Intentions by Errors in Diet com-
mitted
The PREFACE.
mitted by their Patients, a Misfortune that
I myself have felt feveral times, and, as I
Suppoſe, in common with others of the Pro-
feffion. Thirdly, Becaufe fome practical
Rules of this fort may be useful to fuch as
are remote from good Advice; and likewife
to fome coarse Practitioners which they are
obliged to make use of: By the Methods
prefcrib'd in this fhort Treatise, which are
almoſt within the Reach of every Body, more
Good and lefs Mifchief will be done in acute
Diftempers,than by Medicines improperly and
unfeaſonably adminiftred; and great Cures
may be effected in Chronical Diftempers, by
a proper Regimen of the Diet. I hope I
have done with this Subject. I was drawn
in to write the First Part by Accident, and
to write the Second by fome Defects in the
First; these are the cumberfome Perquifites
of Authors.
M
THE
R 3
THE
CONTENTS.
CHAP. I.
Of the different Qualities and Effects of Ali-
mentary Subſtances.
A Limentary Subftances, auftere and aftrin-
gent.
Page 249
Alimentary Substances, foftening and relaxing.
Diluting Subftances.
251
258
Anti-acid, or contrary to Acidity or Sourness. 259
Acid Subftances.
265
Thoſe things which refolve glutinous and fat Sub-
Stances.
Stimulating.
ibid.
266
Incraffating, or Thickeners of the Humours. 267
What renders the Blood acrimonious, or sharp.
Abaters of Acrimony, or Sharpness.
Coagulators of the Humours.
268
269
271
Thoſe things which accelerate the Motion of the
Blood.
ibid.
Thofe things which increafe Milk.
272
Substances expectorating.
ibid.
Lenitive, or laxative of the Belly.
273
Diuretick.
275
Sudorificks.
277
Diaphoreticks, or Promoters of Perfpiration. 279
Emenagogues.
ibid.
Thoſe
The
CONTENTS.
!
Thofe things which produce Heat in animal Bo-
dies.
281
Thoſe things which produce Cold in animal Bo-
dies.
282
Cephalick.
283
Cordial.
284
Carminative, or Expellers of Wind.
285
Anthelmintick, or contrary to Worms.
286
Anodyne, or Abaters of Pain of the
alimentary
Kind.
287
CHA P. II.
Rules of Diet in the different Conftitutions
of Human Bodies,
Lax and weak Fibres.
289
Too strong and ſpringy Fibres.
290
Plethorick Conftitutions.
291
Sanguineous Conftitutions.
293
Conftitutions fubject to Acidity.
294
Conftitutions abounding with a fpontaneous Alkali.
296
Phlegmatick Conftitutions.
299
Thickness of Blood.
301
Oily or fat Conftitutions.
302
Melancholy or atrabilarian Conſtitutions.
304
Faulty Motion of the Fluids.
306
Wounds.
307
CHAP. III.
Of Acute Difeafes.
Fevers, with their various Symptoms.
309
Intermitting Fevers.
329
R 4
Inflam-
The CONTENT S.
Inflammatory Difeafes.
A Phrenfy, or Inflammation of the Brain.
333
Quincy.
334
Inflammation of the Lungs.
338
Pleurify.
345
Paraphrenitis, or Inflammation of the Dia-
phragm.
Inflammation of the Liver.
Inflammation of the Stomach.
Inflammation of the Guts.
Å Thruſh.
Inflammations of the Kidneys.
Apoplexy.
347
348
354
356
361
363
368
CHAP. IV.
Rules of Diet in Chronical Diſeaſes.
Palfy.
373
Epilepfy, Convulfions.
376
Melancholy, Madness.
380
Scurvy.
383
Cachexy, or ill Habit of Body.
387
Confumption pulmonary.
388
Dropfy.
395
Gout.
401
Greenfickness, Obſtructions.
407
Difeafes of Infants.
Small-Pox.
Gravel, Stone.
Rheumatism.
410
418
425
434
PRACTICAL
PRACTICAL RULES
OF
DIE
E T
In the various
CONSTITUTIONS and DISEASES of
HUMAN BODIES.
CHAP. I.
Of the different Qualities and Effects
of ALIMENTARY SUBSTANCES.
Alimentary Subftances, auftere and
aftringent.
USTERE, aftringent, ve-
getable Subftances, are fuch
as contain an acid effential
Salt, combin'd with Earth,
and very little Oil; as,
Several
250
Practical Rules of Diet
Several forts of Plumbs, and fome
forts of Pears, diftinguiſhable by their
rough ftyptick Taſte.
Quinces, which by their Quality are
often uſeful to weak Stomachs, and
in ſtopping of Fluxes of Blood.
Pomegranates, which contain a Juice
ftyptick, and extremely cooling.
Barberries, Medlars, Cornelian Cher-
ries, all beneficial in Bloody-Fluxes.
Sorrel, uſeful in Spitting of Blood,
and Stinking Breath.
Purflain, fucculent, fubacid, with
a cooling nitrous Salt.
Burnet, aftringent, with a gentle
ſpicy Quality, vulnerary.
Tamarinds, cooling, aftringent, yet
laxative to the lower Belly.
Capers, aftringent and diuretick.
All Pickles, eſpecially Samphire,
which is ftimulating. Such fort of
Subſtances by their Acidity and a-
ſtringent Quality offend fome Sto-
machs.
There
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
251
There are Wines of the fame Qua-
lity, known by their rough auftere
Tafte; as likewife all acidulated and
chalybeat Waters.
Strong Waters or fpirituous Liquors
contract and harden the folid Parts
most of all.
2. Alimentary Subftances foftening and
relaxing.
The Juices of moft forts of ripe
Garden Fruits, as Cherries, are cool-
ing, and laxative to the Bowels; their
Kernels are good for the Gravel in
the Kidneys.
Strawberries, which by their fra-
grant Smell feem likewife to be cor-
dial. The Seeds, which are obtain'd
by fhaking the ripe Fruit in Water,
are an excellent Remedy againſt the
Stone: The Juice of Strawberries
and Limons in Spring-Water is an
excellent Drink in bilious Fevers.
Oranges,
252
Practical Rules of Diet
Oranges, thofe that are fweet are
more relaxing than the bitter or Se-
ville Oranges, which nevertheleſs are
not heating; theſe are an excellent
Remedy againſt the hot Scurvy.
Citrons and Limons, their Juices
more cooling than that of Oranges.
Sour Limons do not poffefs this re-
laxing Quality very much, they be-
ing fomewhat ftyptick.
Apples, which are likewife pecto-
ral, cooling, and lenitive; they dif-
fer confiderably as to the Kinds of
them, and their Qualities may be
eafily known by their Taſte.
Pears have moſt of the fame Qua-
lities; fome Kinds by their high Fla-
vour feem to be more cordial than
Apples.
Peaches, which are likewife cordial
and pectoral.
Sweet Plumbs, thofe of the auftere
Kind are aftringent.
Mulberries, pectoral, corrective of
the bilious Alkali.
Apricocks,
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
253
Apricocks, unlefs mellow, are ra-
ther fomewhat ftyptick.
Gooseberries, extremely ripe, are le-
nient; unripe, they are four, and ra-
ther aftringent.
Currants are good in Spitting of
Blood, extremely cooling, and fome-
what aftringent. The Jelly or Rob
of Currants, mix'd with Water, is a
moft excellent Drink in bilious Fe-
vers.
Grapes taken in moderate Quanti-
ties help the Appetite and Digeſtion;
in great Quantities, they refolve the
Bile too much, and produce Fluxes;
dry'd, they are pectoral.
Figs are great Subduers of Acri-
mony, uſeful in Hoarfenefs and
Coughs, extremely emollient, and by
relaxing the Urinary Paffages, diu-
retick, uſeful in bloody Urine; ic
has been always believed that the
immoderate uſe of them generates
Lice.
Plants
254
Practical Rules of Diet
Plants of the low pomiferous Kind,
as Melons, Pompions, Gourds, Cucum-
bers, contain a cooling Juice, with a
nitrous Salt; that of Melons and
the Ananas is rich and cordial; they
are diuretick; and there are Inftances,
when eaten in great Quantities, they
have produced bloody Urine; they
ought to be taken fafting. The
Juice of Cucumbers is too cold for
fome Stomachs, and ought not to
be taken by fuch as have thin and
poor Blood; if the Stem upon which
they grow be bruifed, the Pulp of
the Fruit grows bitter, and has the
Effect of Coloquintids. The Juice
of an unripe Cucumber is purga-
tive. Cucumbers are uſeful in bloody
Urine.
All Fruits which contain a fub-
acid effential Salt, much Phlegm, and
a fmall Quantity of Oil, have this
lenient Quality; as likewife the emol-
lient Pot-Herbs; as,
Cole,
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
255
Cole, Cabbage, Coleworts, which
are foft and demulcent, without any
Acidity. The Jelly or Juice of red
Cabbage, bak'd in an Oven, and
mix'd with Honey, is an excellent
Pectoral.
Lettuce, which has a milky Juice,
with an anodyne or opiate Quality,
refolvent of the Bile, proper for me-
lancholy People, diuretick, and good
in Stranguries, efpecially when eat
raw; it is reckoned to increaſe Milk.
Cichory and Dandelion have fome
of the fame Qualities, with a fmall
degree of Bitterneſs extremely agree-
able to the Stomach, and not heat-
ing. The Juice of the Dandelion is
a Remedy in intermitting Fevers.
Spinage, emollient, but not very
nouriſhing; it is reckoned good in
Inflammations of the Bowels.
Beets, emollient, nutritive, and
relaxing.
Carrots, good in nephritical Cafes,
antiacid, and fattening.
Parsnips,
256
Practical Rules of Diet
Parfnips, uſeful in phlegmatick Co-
licks; the Plant from which Apopo-
nax is taken, is a fort of Parfnip.
Skirrets, uſeful in bloody Urine,
and Spitting of Blood.
Scorzonera, demulcent in the Small-
Pox, Meazles, and peftilential Fevers,
and for Gouty People; the expreſs'd
Juice better than the Decoction.
Goats-beard, an alimentary Root,
has moſt of the Qualities of Scorzo-
nera.
Emollient likewife are all farinace-
ous or mealy Subſtances.
Barley, which is deterging, tho'
viſcous in a ſmall degree; the De-
coction and Cream of Barley are
proper in inflammatory Diſtem-
pers.
Rice, nourishing, good in Hæ-
morrhages, or Fluxes of Blood.
Mays is not fo eaſily brought to
Fermentation as other Grains, there-
fore more viscous.
Wheat,
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
257
Wheat, the propereſt of
any Grain
for Bread, which, when not intirely
purged from the Bran, is laxative,
and ſtimulating to the Bowels.
Rice, the Bread, more acefcent
and leſs nouriſhing than that of
Wheat.
Oats, cleanfing, refolving, and
pectoral; Oatmeal and Butter out-
wardly apply'd dry the Scab on the
Head,
Millet, diuretick, cleanſing, and
good in Diſeaſes of the Kidneys.
Panick, aperient, boil'd with Milk,
demulcent, temperating Acrimony.
Peaſe contain a foft Oil, without
any ſpicy Quality; therefore are ex-
tremely demulcent, and temper Acri-
mony.
Beans and Kidney-Beans have the
fame Qualities; they are reckoned
diuretick, and good for the Stone.
It has been commonly reckoned,
becauſe of the Viſcoſity of Peaſe and
Beans, that People who live a fe-
S
dentary
258
Practical Rules of Diet
dentary Life ſhould not feed much
upon them.
The Animal Oils, Cream, Butter,
and Marrow, are all lenient and nou-
riſhing: Marrow is excellent in the
dry Scurvy with crackling of the
Bones, where it performs its natural
Office.
Of all Drinks, Whey is the moſt
relaxing, ſo are warm Water and De-
coctions of mealy Subſtances, and
Panadas, or Bread boil'd in Water.
3. Diluting Subftances.
Water and watery Liquors, without
any faline Subſtance; Decoctions of
mealy Subftances; Robs and Gellies of
Garden Fruits in Water.
Refolving is bringing a Fluid which
is new concreted into the State of
Fluidity again. Such are
All Subftances which are fapona-
ceous, or contain Salt and Oil;
therefore moſt ripe Garden Fruits
have
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
259
have this Quality, and Honey moft of
all vegetable Subſtances. Mere dilu-
ting diffolves and carries off Salts.
4. Anti-acid, or contrary to Acidity
or Sourness, are,
All Animal Diet in general, be-
cauſe no Animal has any acid Salt
in it, eſpecially Flesh roafted; tho'
not ſo eaſy of Digeſtion as boil'd.
The Animals which feed on other
Animals muſt have this Quality
ſtronger than thoſe who feed on acid
Vegetables; fuch are moſt Fiſhes, ail
Birds which feed upon Worms and
Infects, feveral Kinds of Water-Fowl,
Woodcocks, Snipes, and feveral
Kinds of fmall Birds, which for that
Reaſon afford a higher Aliment than
thofe that feed upon Grains or other
Vegetables.
The Flesh of Animals differs accord-
ing as they are terreſtrial, aquatick,
or amphibious. Fiſhes contain much
S 2
Oil,
260
Practical Rules of Diet
Oil, and amphibious Animals par-
ticipate fomewhat of the Nature of
Fishes, and are oily; and the fame
Species of Animals differs according
to the Soil and Air it lives in, and
the Nouriſhment which it takes, as
thoſe in Marſhes and Mountains; the
Fleſh of Oxen, Sheep, Deer, in
different Paſturage; and this is in
none more ſenſible than in Hogs
Fleſh.
Young Animals from their Age and
the Nature of their Aliment have more
tender Fibres, and more fuperfluous
Humidity than old Animals, which
have their Fibres tougher, and the
Juices more exalted and reliſhing.
Mutton by Experiment is the moſt
perfpirable of all animal Food, and
Hogs Flesh and Oifters the leaſt.
The Flesh of Animals which take
and digeft a great Quantity of Food,
and confequently uſe ſtrong Exerciſe,
muſt be nouriſhing, becauſe they
have ſtrong Sanguification, fuch are
Pigeons;
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
261
Pigeons; and the fame is true of
fome Fishes.
The Nature of moſt fort of ani-
mal Diet may be diſcovered by Taſte
and other fenfible Qualities, and fome
of thoſe general Rules above-men-
tion'd, without particular Diſquifi-
tions upon every Kind.
Eggs are perhaps the higheſt, moſt
nouriſhing and exalted of all animal
Food, and moſt indigeftible, be-
caufe no body can take and digeft
the fame Quantity of them as of
other Food.
Shell-Fish are nouriſhing, and their
Oil is corrected by their Salts, which
make it pungent and ſtimulating.
But, as was faid before, all Ani-
mal Diet is anti-acid or alkalefcent.
Vegetables uſed in Aliment anti-
acid are fuch as of themſelves turn
fœtid or ſtinking, rather than four.
All the Cole or Cabbage Kind.
Afparagus diuretick or aperient,
by the fœtid Smell which it gives
the
S 3
262
Practical Rules of Diet
the Urine it is fufpected to be hurt-
ful to the Kidneys.
Parfley and Celery, both contain a
pungent Salt and Oil, diuretick and
aperient, bad in Bloody-Fluxes.
Garlick, Rockambole, Onions, Shalot,
Leeks, theſe abound with a pungent
volatile Salt and Oil, are extremely
diuretick, and, when ſtimulating Diu-
reticks may be fafely us'd, are very
effectual: Garlick has been found by
Experience to be a very excellent Re-
medy in Jaundices and Dropfies, and
in Afthmas proceeding from a cold
viſcous Phlegm. All theſe Plants
are hurtful in Cafes where the Blood
is too much diffolv'd, in Spitting of
Blood, and bloody Urine.
Creffes, Radishes, Horfe-Radishes,
Muftard, abound likewife in their fe-
veral degrees with a pungent Salt,
and as they fubdue Acidity, are very
improper where the Blood verges to
the contrary State of a putrefcent
Alkali; and in general they are fitter
for
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
263
for old People, and cold Conftitu-
tions, than the young and fanguine.
Muſtard is a very powerful Remedy
in viſcous cold phlegmatick Cafes.
Dilfe, a Sea-Plant, antifcorbutick.
There are other Sea-Plants us'd as
Aliment, which contain a temperate
Sea-Salt, very uſeful in Scurvies; as
Laver, which is the Lactuca Marina,
or Sea-Lettuce, and Sea-Cole, or
Cale.
Carrots, Turnips, Parfnips, are An-
ti-acids of a milder Kind.
Nettles, good againſt Hæmorrha-
ges.
Such as abound with a foft Oil,
which operate by blunting the Acri-
mony of the Salts, as moft forts of
Nuts; most of which are hard of
Digeſtion, yet poffefs fome good me-
dicinal Qualities.
Walnuts are cordial, anti-hyfterick,
and gently fudorifick.
Hazle-Nuts, good againſt Spitting
of Blood.
S 4
Chef-
264
Practical Rules of Diet
Chefnuts are good in Female Weak-
neſſes, and afford a very good Nou-
riſhment.
Almonds, pectoral.
Piſtachos, nouriſhing and ſtimula-
ting.
Olives are anti-acid by their Oil,
but all oily Subſtances beget an Acri-
mony of another fort.
Truffles, which have an exalted Oil,
and a volatile Salt of a grateful Sa-
vour, are heating.
Morelles have fome of the fame
Qualities; and fo have Earth-Nuts and
Potatoes, which are very nouriſhing.
Mushrooms, which contain an Ŏil
Õil
of a volatile Salt; therefore they are
beſt corrected by Vinegar; fome of
them being poiſonous, make the reſt
fufpicious; the poiſonous Kinds ope-
rate by a fort of Suffocation, in which
the beſt Remedy is Wine or Vine-
gar and Salt, and Vomiting as foon
as poffible.
Acidity
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
265
Acidity is likewiſe cured by dilu-
ting, therefore Water is an Anti-acid.
5. Acid Subftances are,
Moſt ripe Garden Fruits, fermen-
ted Liquors, fmall Wines, with lit-
tle Oil, and much Tartar, Vinegar,
four Milk, Butter-Milk. Several
Plants known by their Tafte, as Sor-
rel, &c. Thoſe of the mealy Kind
are aceſcent, that is, being kept they
turn four rather than corrupted and
ftinking.
6. Thoſe things which refolve glutinous
and fat Subftances, are
Spices, as Cinnamon, Mace, Nut-
meg, Cloves, Ginger, Pepper. Theſe
abounding with a high exalted Oil,
and volatile Salt, by which Principles
they are heating, and act ftrongly
both on the Fluids and Solids; Gin-
ger is perhaps one of the beft of
them.
266
Practical Rules of Diet
them. All Spices are bad for me-
lancholy People.
Of the fame nature are the Vege-
tables uſed in Seaſoning, as Thyme,
Savory, Marjoram, Roſemary, Mint,
Orange and Limon-Peel; Fennel,
which contains a fubtile Spice, balfa-
mick, warm, and ftimulating; Cher-
vil, of the fame nature; they are
good in phlegmatick cold Conftitu-
tions: Sage is ftimulating, drying,
aftringent; us'd in great Quantities it
will produce Temulency, or Drun-
kenneſs.
All Soaps and Soapy Subftances, and
confequently ripe Fruits, the Juices
of pungent and aromatical Plants,
all thofe Subftances refolve Solids,
and fometimes attenuate or thin the
Fluids.
7. Stimulating.
All Salts in general, both acid
and alkaline; all acrimonious Oils, and
all
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
267
all Subſtances that abound with them,
for by their Oil they obftruct the
Extremities of the fmall Veffels, and
by their Salts they irritate the Solids,
confequently all the Subftances men-
tioned in the foregoing Article are
ftimulating, and all fermented Spirits,
the Effect of which is very fudden.
Extreme Cold ſtimulates, producing
firft a Rigor and then a glowing
Heat; thofe things which ftimulate
in the extreme Degree, excite Pain.
S. Incraffating or Thickeners of the
Humours, are
All things which expel the liquid
Parts ftrongly, fo as to thicken what
remains. Therefore violent Exerciſe
or Labour produceth this Effect;
the Blood of labouring People is
more denfe than that of the fedenta-
ry. A due Confiftence of the Blood
is very neceffary for Health, and this
is acquir'd chiefly by Exercife; all
things
268
Practical Rules of Diet
things which provoke great Secre-
tions, eſpecially Sweat, produce this
Effect at laft.
9. What renders the Blood acrimonious
or sharp,
Are fuch things as increaſe its Ve-
locity; for by mutual Attrition Salts
are produc'd.
Whatever attenuates the Humours.
Whatever refolves Concretions, and
turns them fluid; for whatever putri-
fies, is acrid.
Acrimony is threefold: Acid, which
is produc'd from Vegetables lying
long in the Stomach; no animal Sub-
ftance produceth Acidity, except
Milk.
and
Great Quantities of Oily Subftances,
for Animal Humours, by Heat, ftink
grow fœtid, like Oil.
Express'd Oils are mild.
Diftill'd Oils turn acrid,
Oils
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
269
Oils intirely deprav'd of their Salts
are not acrid.
Alkaline Acrimony is produced by
fix'd Salts, by fix'd Alkalis, and vo-
latile Alkalis, taken in great Quanti-
ties; and by eſſential Salts of Vege-
tables, of which fort are Sugar,
Manna, and Honey.
Alkaline Acrimony is produc'd by
all Vegetables which abound with a
pungent volatile Salt and Oil, as Muf-
tard, Garlick, Onions, Horfe-Radiſh,
Creffes; and by all Spices. All
things which create Pain, render the
Humours ſharp.
10. Abaters of Acrimony or Sharpness.
Express'd Oils of ripe Vegetables, and
all Preparations of fuch, as of Al-
monds, Piſtachos, and other Nuts.
Emulfion of the Seeds of Barley,
Oats, &c.
Decoctions of farinaceous Legumes,
as Peaſe, Beans, &c.
Native
270
Practical Rules of Diet
Native Animal Oils, as Fat, Cream,
Butter, Marrow, efpecially the laſt,
which is excellent in fome Scurvies.
All infipid inodorous Vegetables
are demulcent.
Fellies, Broths of Animal Sub-
ſtances not high ſeaſoned, acid Sub-
ſtances in respect of alkaline, and al-
kaline in reſpect of acid.
Fermented burning Spirits fubdue
Acidity, and are very often a prefent
Remedy when the Stomach is affec-
ted with it. Spirit of Wine dulcifies
Spirit of Salt, Nitre, or Vitriol; but
then thoſe Spirits have other bad Ef-
fects.
Abforbents, as Chalk, Crabs Eyes;
but theſe are not alimentary, except
calcin'd Hartshorn, which has fome-
thing of this Quality.
Nothing abates Acrimony of the
Blood more than an equable Motion
of it, neither too ſwift nor too flow; for
too quick a Motion produceth an alka-
line, and too flow an acid Acrimony.
11. Coa-
in the various Conftitutions, &c. 271
11. Coagulators of the Humours.
Thoſe things which expel the moſt
fluid Parts, as in the Cafe of incraf
fating, or thickening; and by thoſe
things which fuck up fome of the
fluid Parts, as Abforbents.
All Vegetables, which make a black
or purple Tincture with the Vitriol
of Mars, fuch as Galls do. Juices of
unripe Vegetables, and the Juices of
all auftere Vegetables which coagulate
the Spittle, and being mix'd with the
Blood in the Veins would produce
Polypus's in the Heart, and Death.
All burning fermented Spirits have
this Quality in a ſtrong degree.
12. Thoſe things which accelerate the
Motion of the Blood, are
All ſtimulating, diluting, and at-
tenuating Subftances; what relaxeth
the Veins, as Frictions, Bathings,
Com-
272
Practical Rules of Diet
!
Compreffions by Ligatures often re-
mov'd, Sneezing, Coughing, Laugh-
ing, and ſeveral other natural Mo-
tions.
Thoſe things which take off the
Cauſes of Acceleration, retard the
Motion of the Blood.
13. Thoſe things which increafe Milk.
What generates quickly a great
Quantity of Chyle, as thin Broths,
Ptifanes of Barley or Oatmeal, Pa-
nadas, but nothing more than Milk
with Salt and Sugar; Cream, if the
Milk be not too thick, Malt Drink,
not ſtrong, or ſtale; a due degree of
Exerciſe or Labour. Eating much Fleſh-
Meat abates Milk.
14. Subftances expectorating,
Such as cleanſe and open, as mild
vegetable Oils, ſuch as that of Al-
monds or Olives; foapy Subſtances,
eſpecially
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
273
eſpecially Honey; Emulfions of fari-
naceous Subſtances, Decoctions of
emollient Vegetables, Sugar.
Sometimes ftimulating Subftances
are neceffary to diffolve vifcid Phlegm,
and excite a Cough.
The mild Vapour of warm Liquids,
eſpecially warm Water.
And fuch things as are endued
with an opiate Quality by incraffating
the Phlegm.
15. Lenitive or laxative of the Belly.
Animal Oils, fresh Butter, Cream,
Marrow, Fat Broths, efpecially of
thoſe Parts which are about the Me-
fentery; Livers of Animals, becauſe
of the Bile which they contain; the
exprefs'd Oils of mild Vegetables, as
Olives, Almonds, Piſtachos, and the
Fruits themſelves; all oily and mild
Fruits, as Figs; Decoctions of mealy
Vegetables, thefe lubricate the Inte-
ftines; fome faponaceous Subftances
which
T
274
Practical Rules of Diet
which ſtimulate gently, as Honey, Hy-
dromel, or boil'd Honey and Water, and
even Sugar itſelf, eſpecially unrefin'd.
Such lenitive Subftances are pro-
per for dry atrabilarian Conftitutions,
who are fubject to Aftriction of the
Belly, and the Piles, and will operate
when ſtronger medicinal. Subftances
are fometimes ineffectual, but fuch
lenitive Diet hurts thofe whofe Bowels
are weak and lax.
Lenitive are likewife watery Sub-
ftances; and even common Water
or Whey, drank in cool Air, and
walking after it; four Milk and But-
ter-Milks have the fame Effect.
There are other Subftances which
ftimulate more, even new Milk, ef-
pecially Affes Milk, when it fours
on the Stomach; and Whey, turn'd
four, will purge ftrongly.
Jellies made of the folid Parts of
Animals contain a fort of ammonia-
cal Salt; Shell-Fish, as Oifters, the
fame, by which they are lenitive;
moft
in the various Conflitutions, &c.
275
moft Garden Fruits, by the Salts
which they contain, produce the
fame Effect; fome of them, as Grapes,
will throw fuch as take them immo-
derately, into a Cholera Morbus, or
incurable Diarrhoeas; all Fruits when
they have this Effect, are flatulent;
Wine and fpirituous Liquors are not
fo uſeful in fuch a windy Colick, as
Water, which is much the beſt Re-
medy after a Surfeit of Fruit.
exprefs'd Juices of feveral Vegetables,
becauſe of their effential Salts, ftimu-
late the Bowels.
The
All foffil Salts, as Sea-Salt, Rock-
Salt, &c. have this Quality; a Diet
of falted Flesh throws Ships Crews
fometimes into Diarrhoeas.
16. Diuretick.
All Decoctions, Emulfions, Oils of
emollient Vegetables, fuch relax and
lubricate the Urinary Paſſages; they
ought to be taken in an empty
T 2 Stomach,
276
Practical Rules of Diet
}
Stomach, an open Air, and with
gentle Exerciſe.
Diluents, as Water, Whey, Tea,
ſmall Ale without Hops.
Subftances ftimulating, by which
Quality all Salts whatſoever are diu-
retick.
Soaps which refolve folid Subftances,
any Salt, Oil, Salads of pungent
Herbs, with Oil of Olives, and Vi-
negar, are diuretick.
By this faline Quality, the Juices
of Shell-Fish, of Oifters, Muſcles,
Crabs, Crawfiſh, and the Soups made
of them, are diuretick.
Vegetables which have little Oil,
and a great Quantity of effential Salt,
are diuretick, Parfley, Celery, Sorrel,
Chervil, Eringo.
Vegetables which are aromatick
and balfamick, Saffron, Afparagus,
Nutmeg, theſe affecting the Urine
with an Odour, have fome fpecifick
Quality of this Kind.
All
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
277
Va
All anodyne Subſtances which take
off Spafms and Contractions of the
membranous Parts, and all which
fubdue any particular Acrimony, are
diuretick.
For provoking of Urine, one
fhould begin with the gentleft at firſt,
as the lenient, relaxing, diluent, de-
mulcent, and laft of all the ftimu-
lating.
The Blood may be cleans'd, and
the Salts of it carried off perhaps
better by Urine than any other Se-
cretion,
17. Sudorificks.
Such things as relax the Veffels
of the Skin, by which Quality many
things which are diuretick, are like-
wife fudorifick; warm Water and
Honey, Barley-water, Friction, and
tepid Vapours, apply'd to the Skin,
operate by this Quality.
T 3
Sub-
278
Practical Rules of Diet
Subſtances anodyne, by abating
Spaſms, relax, and by that Quality
prove fudorifick.
Such things as diffolve and dilute
the Blood, thus cold Water.
Water, Vinegar, and Honey, is a
moſt excellent Sudorifick us'd by Hip-
pocrates; it is more effectual with a
little Mace added to it.
Thoſe things which determine the
Motion of the Fluids towards the
extreme Parts, increaſe the Strength
and Frequency of the Pulſe, as vio-
lent Exercife, all Cordials, Spices,
thin and ſharp Wines, Juices of Li-
mon, operate by thefe Qualities.
The Matter of Sweat is the moſt
fpirituous and nutricious Part of the
Blood, nor is it to be forced without
apparent Indications. It contains the
fame lixivial Salts with Urine.
Sweating often thickens the Blood,
and fometimes thins and diffolves
it.
Sudo-
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
279
Sudorificks are to be varied ac-
cording to the Cauſe of the Diſeaſe
which it is defign'd to remove.
18. Diaphoreticks or Promoters of
Perfpiration.
What helps the Organs of Dige-
ftion, becauſe the Attenuation of the
Aliment makes it perfpirable.
Such things as conftrict the Fibres,
and ſtrengthen the folid Parts; Exer-
cife to a degree lefs than what pro-
vokes Sweat.
Subſtances which ftimulate in a
fmall degree.
Air, moderately warm.
There are likewife Aliments more
and lefs perfpirable. See Sanctorius,
19. Emenagogues.
Such as produce a Plethora or Ful-
nefs of the Veffels, confequently fuch
as ftrengthen the Organs of Di-
geftion,
I 4
280
Practical Rules of Diet
geftion, ſo as to make good Blood,
eſpecially Exerciſe, ſuch as carry off
the Faces and Mucus, deobftruct the
Mouths of the Lacteals, fo as the
Chyle may have a free Paffage into
the Blood.
Subſtances faline or ſoapy, that is,
confifting of Salt and Oil.
Such as relax, and take off the
Refiftance of the Veffels of the
Womb, Fomentations, and tepid
Bathings of the lower Parts of the
Body.
What accelerates the Reflux of the
Blood from the lower Parts to the
Heart, Friction, Walking, eſpecially
Dancing.
What ſtimulates and promotes the
Excretion of the Blood, eſpecially
fome of the Plants which abound
with a pungent Salt, and a high ex-
alted Oil, as thofe us'd in feaſoning
Aliment, Savory, Thyme, Marjo-
ram, Penny-Royal, c. Vapours
acrimonious.
20. Heat
in the various Conftitutions, &c. 281
20. Heat is produc'd in animal Bodies
By the Application of hot things.
By increaſing of Attrition or Rub-
bing of the Fluids and Solids, to
which Heat is proportional.
Therefore whatever increaſeth the
Velocity of the Blood, by ftimula-
ting, heateth, as ſpirituous fermented
Liquors; and when the Heat is in-
creas'd, the Velocity of the Blood is
certainly increas'd.
What increaſeth the Denſity of the
Fluids, heateth, for a denfer Fluid is
hotter than a rarer; and thus it is
that Cold itſelf at laſt heateth.
Whatever ftraitens the Veffels fo
as the Channels become more narrow,
muſt heat, becauſe in that cafe the
Attrition is made greater; therefore
ftrait Clothes, thick Coverings, heavy
and cold Air, but eſpecially cold
Baths, heat: All who are fubject to
Hæmorrhages ought to avoid thefe
things.
282
Practical Rules of Diet
things. In Confumptions and Atro-
phy the Liquids are exhaufted, and
the Sides of the Canals collapfe,
therefore the Attrition is increas'd,
and confequently the Heat.
21. Cold is produc'd in animal Bodies
By Cauſes contrary to the for-
mer, viz.
By whatſoever diminisheth the
projectile Motion of the Blood, by
weakening the Force of
any Stimu-
lus; therefore diluting things are
cooling, as Whey, Water, Milk and
Water, both as they abate Acrimony,
and relax the Veffels.
What is contrary to any particular
Acrimony, is cooling, as alkaline Sub-
ftances in respect to acid, and acid
Subftances in respect of alkaline; and
foapy Subſtances, if the Heat pro-
ceeds. from an oily or vifcous Cauſe.
What expels any Stimulus out of
the Body, cools.
Thofe
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
283
Thoſe things which attenuate and
dilute by diminiſhing the Denfity of
the Fluid; thus Nitres, and thofe Ve-
getables, which have nitrous Salts in
them, cool.
Tepid Baths cool by relaxing the
Veffels, and Air, when it is light,
is more cooling, cæteris paribus, than
when it is heavy, becauſe it com-
preffeth the Veſſels lefs.
All thoſe who have lax Fibres and
Veffels are naturally cooler than thoſe
that have ftrait.
22. Cephalick.
Such things as attenuate the Fluids
which circulate through the capillary
Veffels of the Brain, and abound
with a volatile Oil, Salt, and Spirit,
and are known commonly by a
grateful Flavour and Odour, as Mar-
joram, Balm, Sage, Rofemary.
Thoſe things which affect the Nofe
with a grateful Smell, and are not
hot,
284
Practical Rules of Diet
hot, by their Odour promote the Se-
paration of the animal Spirits.
23. Cordial
Are all fuch things as increaſe and
facilitate the animal or natural Mo-
tions, the Power of moving the
Muſcles, or circulating the Fluids.
What increaſeth the Strength of the
Heart, is not always a Cordial; for
in inflammatory Distempers, by in-
creafing the projectile Motion of the
Blood, the Strength may be dimi-
niſhed.
What increaſeth the Force of the
Heart fo as to give a due degree of
projectile Motion to the Blood, is a
Cordial.
What produceth a due Quantity
of animal Spirits, neceffarily facili-
tates the animal and natural Mo-
tions.
Such are all Aliments which put.
the nutricious Juices in ſuch a State
of
in the various Confiitutions, &c.
285
of Tenuity and Heat as approacheth
to the White of an Egg, while it is
hatching; thoſe are commonly Meats
and Drinks of eafy Digeftion, nou-
riſhing, of a Flavour grateful to moſt
Palates.
Such as determine and fettle the
irregular Motions of the animal Spi-
rits; therefore anodyne Subftances,
and what abate Spafms and Convul-
fions, are Cordial.
Such as ftimulate and excite the
Spirits, as Spices and Vegetables,
which abound with a volatile Salt,
Oil, and Spirit.
In short, whatever relaxeth the too
ftrict Veffels, or ftraitens the too
lax; what thickens the too thin, or
attenuates the too thick Fluids, is a
Cordial.
4
24. Carminative, or Expellers of Wind.
Wind is elaſtick and rarify'd,
pent up in ſome Veffel of the Body,
which
286
Practical Rules of Diet
which by its Expanfion creates a
Tenfion or Convulfion in that Part.
Every thing which takes off that
Convulfion, is, properly ſpeaking,
carminative.
Therefore what relaxeth or open-
eth ſo as the elaſtick Air may eſcape,
as warm Water drank plentifully,
Bathing, Fomentations, and all
things which abate Pain, and thoſe
things which abound with volatile
oily Salts, are carminative.
As thofe Spafms are often occa-
fion'd by fome acrimonious Sub-
ſtance which conftringeth the Fibres
of the affected Part; whatever is con-
trary to that particular Acrimony, is
carminative.
25. Anthelmintick, or contrary to
Worms.
All things which are known by
Experience to kill them, as Oils of
all Kinds; Honey taken upon an
empty
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
287
empty Stomach, or after fome gentle
purging Medicine.
Subſtances which by their fmall
pungent and fharp Particles kill
them without hurting the Inteftines,
as all Fiſh-Bones and Hartfhorn pow-
der'd.
Thofe things which purge and ex-
pel them out of the Body, of which
kind there are feveral alimentary Sub-
ftances.
26. Anodyne, or Abaters of Pain of
the Alimentary Kind.
Such things as relax the Tenfion of
the affected nervous Fibres, as Decoc-
tions of emollient Subftances; thoſe
things which attenuate and remove
the Obſtruction, or deſtroy the par-
ticular Acrimony which occafions the
Pain, or what deadens the Senfation
of the Brain by procuring Sleep;
fome Alimentary Subftances are en-
dued with this Quality, as Saffron,
Let-
288
Practical Rules of Diet
Lettuce, Cichory, Wine, and inflam-
mable Spirits.
This being a fort of a compendi-
ous Alimentary Difpenfatory, makes
it unneceffary in the following Rules
to repeat conftantly the fame things,
it being fufficient to mention the In-
tention or Deſign to be purſued in
the Diet.
When there are Contra-indications,
that is, when different Symptoms de-
mand oppoſite Methods one muſt a-
dapt the Method to the moſt urgent
Symptom.
When the Diſeaſe is complicated
with other Diſeaſes, one muſt confi-
der that which is moſt dangerous.
Thefe may ſerve for general Rules.
CHAP.
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
289
CHA P. II.
Rules of Diet in the different Conftitu
tions of Human Bodies.
PA
Lax and weak Fibres.
Alenefs, a weak Pulfe, Palpita-
tions of the Heart, flabby and
flack Fleſh, Lazineſs, Laffitude, Bloat-
edneſs, fcorbutical Spots are Symp-
toms of weak Fibres.
Leannefs is no Sign of weak Fibres,
for though the bundle of Fibres which
conſtitute the Muſcle may be fmall,
the Fibres themſelves may be ftrong
and fpringy.
Such as have weak Fibres ought
to avoid all great Evacuations, efpe-
cially Letting of Blood, Subſtances
viscous, and hard of Digeftion, a fe-
dentary Life, and moiſt Air.
They ought to take Aliment fre-
quently, in fmall Quantities, nouriſh-
U
ing,
290
Practical Rules of Diet
ing, and of eaſy Digeſtion, ſuch as
Milk, Broths and Jellies of Flefh
Meat, Panadas, &c. Their Drinks
ought to be auftere Wines mix'd
with Water, or any Wine mix'd with
chalybeat Water; and to uſe in their
Aliment ftyptick auftere Vegetables,
fuch as are enumerated N° 1, as far
as their Stomachs can bear them.
Too ftrong and ſpringy Fibres.
A Body hard, dry, ſcraggy, hairy,
warm, with firm and rigid Muſcles,
a ſtrong Pulſe, Activity and Prompt-
nels in Animal Actions, are Signs of
ſtrong, rigid, and elaſtick Fibres.
Such Conſtitutions are fubject to
inflammatory Distempers.
They ought to avoid the Diet pro-
per in the contrary State.
Their Nouriſhment ought to be
emollient and cooling, the Pulps,
Juices, Jellies, Mucilages, and De-
coctions of Vegetables mentioned
N° 2.
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
291
N° 2. animal Oils, and all things
which relax and increaſe Fat, avoid-
ing all things feaſoned with Spice
and Salt: Their Drink, Water, Bar-
ley-Water, Whey; and efpecially to
avoid fermented Spirits, which to fuch
are extremely hurtful.
Bathing in tepid Water is benefi-
cial to fuch Conftitutions, and im-
moderate Labour or Exerciſe hurt-
ful.
Plethorick Confiitutions.
The Signs of a Plethorick Con-
ftitution, or of fuch as abound with
laudable animal Fluids, are evident.
The Cauſes of it are a good Sto-
mach, nouriſhing Diet, a good Di-
geftion, little Exercife, much Sleep,
and Suppreffion of uſual Evacuations,
efpecially Perfpiration; therefore the
avoiding theſe, and inducing their
Contraries, are the proper Cure.
U 2
A
292
Practical Rules of Diet
A plethorick Conſtitution is fub-
ject to a Stoppage of the Circula-
tion, and confequently to Suffoca-
tion, Ruptures of the Veffels, and
fudden Death; therefore it ought to
be speedily broke by proper artificial
Evacuations, and restoring the uſual
natural ones.
Long Abſtinence is not proper for
plethorick Conftitutions, for it thick-
ens the Fluids, frequent Blood-let-
ting, in ſmall Quantities, often in-
creafeth the Force of the Organs of
Digeſtion, fattens, and increaſeth the
Distemper.
They ought to avoid oily and
nouriſhing Subſtances; watery Ve-
getables, as being lefs nouriſh-
ing than animal Diet, are proper;
and Fish rather than Flesh: In a
Lent Diet People commonly fall a-
way.
San-
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
293
Sanguineous Conftitutions.
Such are known by their Com-
plexion, or Colour of their Counte-
nance and Skin: They are fubject
to Hæmorrhages, Inflammations, ef-
pecially of the Lungs, Impofthuma-
tions, and often to fcrophulous Dif-
tempers.
All things which accelerate the
Motion of the Blood are hurtful to
fanguineous Conſtitutions, as violent
Exerciſe and Watching.
Acid Subſtances, N° 5, eſpecially
Vinegar, are uſeful; the copious Ufe
of Vinegar brings Paleneſs.
The fanguineous ought to avoid
the copious Uſe of all things that a-
bound with an acrimonious Salt
and high exalted Oil, as Muſtard,
Onions, Garlick, Leeks, the Herbs
us'd in Seaſoning, mention'd N° 6,
and in general, all Spices.
U 3
Confii-
294
Practical Rules of Diet
Conflitutions fubject to Acidity.
Sour Belchings, a craving Appe-
tite fometimes of unufual things, as
in the Cafe of the Green-Sickneſs,
Colical Pains, dry Gripes, change of
the colour of the Bile from Yellow
towards Green, a four Smell in the
Excrements and Sweat, Palenefs of
the Skin, Lowneſs of the Pulfe, and
fome fort of Eruptions of the Skin,
are the common Signs of fuch a
Conftitution.
The chief Seat of Acidity is in
the Stomach and Inteftines, from
whence it will fometimes pafs into
the Blood, and other Juices.
Such ought to abstain from the
copious ufe of acid alimentary Sub-
ftances, mention'd N° 5, they ought
not to eat much Bread, nor take great
Quantities of mealy Subftances, nor
drink much of fermented Liquors
eſpecially four and thin Wines.
Their
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
295
Their Diet ought to be rather of
animal Subſtances than vegetable:
The Fleſh of thofe Animals which
live upon other Animals is moſt an-
ti-acid, as feveral Birds, and Water-
Fowl; tho' thofe are offenfive to the
Stomach fometimes, by reafon of
their Oilinefs. Vegetable and ani-
mal Oils are often agreeable to fuch
Stomachs, as Almonds, Piſtachos,
Cream, Butter, Marrow.
Their Diet ought to confift, in
general, of Subſtances mentioned
N° 4.
Water or Wine not four or thin,
is their proper Drink.
They ought to ule much Labour
or Exerciſe, for labouring People have
commonly a good Digeftion, and
fubdue the Acidity of their Ali-
ment.
Acidity in the fucking Infant is to
be cured by an alkaline Dict in the
Nurfe
U 4
To
296
Practical Rules of Diet
To know whether Eruptions of
the Skin come from an acid or alka-
line Caufe, one must attend to the
previous Diet and the concomitant
Symptoms; (Children, by eating un-
ripe Fruit often, have Eruptions up-
on their Skin) the Lentor, itching
Colour, and State of tuch Eruptions,
not inflammatory, nor tending to
Suppuration, point rather to an acid
Caufe, and the Succefs of the Cure
often demonftrates the fame, fuch
being often heal'd by animal alka-
line Salts.
Conflitutions abounding with a fpon-
taneous Alkali,
This Conftitution is more natural
to Human Bodies, becaufe all animal
Subftances are alkalefcent.
Heat, Thirft, hot nidorofe Belch-
ings, Foulneſs of the Tongue and Pa-
late, a bitter and hot Tafte in the
Mouth, Sickness, Loathing, bilious
Vomit-
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
297
Vomitings, Stools with a cadaverous
Smell, Pains in the Belly, with Heat,
are Symptoms of an alkaline State
of the Humours in the Stomach and
Bowels.
Such a State difpofeth the Hu-
mours of the whole Body to Heat,
Inflammations, and Putrefaction, hin-
ders Nutrition, and often cauſeth
Eruptions on the Skin, dark, livid,
lead-colour'd and gangrenous, and
what is commonly called the hot
Scurvy.
Such Conſtitutions ought to avoid
alkaline Subſtances, mentioned N° 4,
viz, an animal Diet, efpecially Fat,
Spices, and all Vegetables which a-
bound with an acrimonious Salt and
high exalted Oil, and the copious
ufe of Salts in general; all animal
Salts are alkaline; Sea-Salt and Rock-
Salt, tho' they are of a mix'd Na-
ture, rather increaſe the Difeafe; Salt-
Petre is the moſt cooling and pro-
per.
They
298
Practical Rules of Diet
They ought to uſe plentifully the
acid Subſtances mentioned N° 15, to
live much upon Aliments made of
Grains or mealy Subftances, to eat
much Bread, and feafon much with
Vinegar, thin Wines, Wine mix'd
with Water, Water with Juice of
Limon, and efpecially Milk and Wa-
ter, are proper Drinks.
Thoſe who feel no Incovenience
in taking Acids, ought to take them
plentifully.
People of fuch Conftitutions ought
not to uſe violent Exercife, nor long
Abftinence, which difpofeth to fuch
a State, and after long Abftinence
they ought not to eat plentifully,
they ought to uſe liquid rather than
folid Aliment.
Plethorick Conftitutions are fub-
ject to fall into this alkaline State of
the Fluids, which is more dangerous
than that which proceeds from Aci-
dity; for the Bile (which is here re-
dundant) is the ſtrongeſt Anti-acid,
and
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
299
and when it is highly exalted, and
acrimonious, is capable of producing
all the dreadful Symptoms of malig-
nant and peftilential Fevers, as is
evident from the Experiments that
were made in the Plague of Mar-
feilles. There is nothing corrects the
Acrimony of the Bile fo much as the
acid Diet above-mentioned; therefore
one cannot be too early and quick in
diſcerning a Tendency to ſuch a State,
and obferving if the Perfon be ple-
thorick, hot, or dry; if the Air be hot;
if bilious Fevers reign; if there be
any Acrimony in the Faces, Urine,
Sweat; or a yellow Caft in the Skin;
with the Signs above-mentioned, by
an early Application of proper Reme-
dies, many dangerous and fatal Dif
cafes might be prevented.
Phlegmatick Confiitutions.
Sickneſs of the Stomach, a Senfe
of Fulneſs without eating, Crudities
or
300
Practical Rules of Diet
or Meat remaining in the Stomach
undigefted, Dejection of Appetite,
Wind coming upwards, but especial-
ly tough Phlegm frequently rejected
by Vomiting, Inflations and Tu-
mors of the Belly (fometimes fhort
Breath) and Palenefs, are Signs of a
phlegmatick Conftitution; when a
Child grows pale, and his Belly fwells,
as happens to thoſe that are rickety,
there is certainly tough Phlegm in
the Inteſtines, which commonly fhuts
up the Mouths of the Lacteals, and
hinders the Nourishment from paf-
fing: Perfons of fuch Conftitutions
ought to avoid mealy Subſtances un-
fermented, unripe Fruits, and all
viſcous Nouriſhment; they ought not
to let Blood, except upon urgent
Occafions, nor provoke Sweat, which
thickens the Humours.
Their Diet ought to be alkaleſcent,
of Subſtances mentioned Ne 4, be-
cauſe whatever brings them into an
alkaline State is a proper Cure for
the
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
301
the Diſeaſe, therefore foapy Sub-
ftances, which conſiſt of a pungent
Salt and volatile Oil, Spices, Salt,
Garlick, Onions, Leeks, and the
warm Vegetables us'd in Seaſoning,
Thyme, Roſemary, Savory, Bafil,
Marjoram, and in general, every
thing which exalts the Bile; for bi-
lious and phlegmatick Conſtitutions
are oppofite; and even Children fo
difcas'd ought to uſe a warmer Diet,
than what ſeems proper to their Age
without it.
Phlegmatick Perſons ought to drink
fermented Liquors and generous
Wines, fuch as put the Blood in a
vigorous Motion. Warm Water dif-
folves Phlegm, but it relaxeth too
much.
Thickness of Blood.
Thirſt, Leanness, Excels of ani-
mal Secretions, as of Urine, Sweat,
liquid Dejections, too ſtrong a Per-
fpiration,
302
Practical Rules of Diet
ſpiration, are Signs and Effects of
too great Thinneſs of Blood.
For fuch, the Diet prefcrib'd in
Debility or Weakneſs of Fibres, is
ufeful; Milk boil'd with Grains, ef-
pecially Rice, rather ſolid than liquid
Aliment, and auftere Wines for
Drink.
Oily or fat Conflitutions.
Fat People ought to eat and fleep
little, and ufe much Exercife, in
which the Cure chiefly confifts.
Whatever heats moderately, fti-
mulating Subſtances abounding with
a pungent acrid Salt, as Muftard,
Horfe - Radishes, Garlicks, Onions,
Leeks, Spices, and the aromatick
Plants us'd in Seaſoning, Saffron,
carminative Seeds, Meats high fea-
fon'd with Salt, Pepper and Vinegar,
are all proper, and diffolve Fat; they
have only one Inconvenience, that
they create Thirſt, and great Quan-
tities
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
303
tities of Liquids increaſe the Diſeaſe,
by diluting and relaxing the Solids;
Salt is a great Diffolver of Fat.
Fat People ought to avoid oily
Nouriſhment; but Soaps, which con-
fiſt of Oil and Salt, are proper, be-
cauſe they are refolvent; therefore
Honey, Sugar, and ripe Garden-Fruits
are uſeful.
Some of the aftringent Subftances,
mentioned Nº 1, are uſeful, becauſe
their Fibres are commonly too lax.
Whatever promotes Perfpiration,
and therefore Frictions of the Skin,
are uſeful.
Their Drink ought to be thin
Wines; Coffee and Tea, as they di-
lute and ftimulate moderately, are
uſeful; great Quantities of oily fer-
mented Liquors increaſe Fat; mere
Water relaxeth too much; moiſt Air
is hurtful to fat People, by relaxing
the Fibres, and ſtopping Perfpira-
tion.
Melan-
304
Practical Rules of Diet
Melancholy or atrabilarian Confiitutions.
A Tendency to this is known by
Darkneſs or Lividity of Countenance,
Dryness of the Skin, Leannefs, a
quick penetrating Genius, a flow
Pulſe and Reſpiration, Obſtruction
of the Belly, and too great Applica-
tion to one Object.
To fuch, all things which heat
and promote too great a Perfpiration,
as all Subſtances that abound with an
acrimonious Salt and volatile Oil,
are hurtful, which the Reader may
ſee in the Firſt Chapter. Nouriſh-
ment viſcous and hard of Digeſtion,
and nothing more than falted and
fmok'd Fleſh or Fish; in general,
every thing that thickens the Fluids,
or reduceth them to a pitchy Con-
dition.
Aftringent auftere Aliment, men-
tion'd N° 1, and auftere Wines, are
hurtful.
Too
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
305
Too cold and too hot Air are both
hurtful, for in fuch States of Air
melancholy Perſons are always worſt.
Diluting is beneficial, efpecially
with Water impregnated with fome
penetrating Salt, Subftances which
cool, relax the Belly, and refolve the
Bile; Barley-Water, Whey, ripe Gar-
den Fruits, emollient Pot-Herbs, efpe-
cially Lettuce, Cichory, Dandelion,
and Honey moſt of all.
There is one Caution to be ob-
ferv'd, That the Diet ought to be
oppofite to the particular Acrimony
which occafions the Difeafe; for if
it proceeds from too great Acidity,
in fuch a Cafe an animal Diet,
Broths made of Fleſh- Meat, and
even Eggs, are proper; if the Cauſe
be alkaline, the contrary Method is
uſeful.
X
Faulty
306 Practical Rules of Diet
Faulty Motion of the Fluids.
The Blood and other Fluids of a
Human Body, are often not only
peccant in their Qualities, but Mo-
tion, which may be either too flow,
tco quick, or in fome of the Veffels
totally obftructed.
Thoſe who have too flow a Circu-
lation, are to be confider'd as in the
Cafe of phlegmatick and fat People;
and thofe who have too quick a
Circulation are to be confider'd as
in the Cafe of fuch as are bilious,
hot, and alkaline; and the reſpective
Diets are proper.
In Obftructions of the Veffels in-
flammatory, the Aliment ought to
be cool, flender, thin, diluting, a-
voiding the copious ufe of Sub-
ftances of a faline Quality, which fti-
mulate, and confequently may in-
creaſe the Inflammations, unlefs in
fome Cafes where there is hopes by
volatile
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
307
volatile Salts to attenuate the Fluid,
and remove the Obftruction, or
where the Intention is to produce a
Suppuration; but it is certain that
any ſtimulating Subftance, when it
does not remove the Obftruction,
increaſeth the Inflammation.
In cold Tumors, where the In-
tention is to diffipate and attenuate,
the Diet ought to be diluting and
ftimulating, confifting of fuch Sub-
ſtances as are of a foapy Nature, that
is, of Salt and Oil.
Wounds.
The Aliment of fuch as have freſh
Wounds ought to be mild, that is,
without ftimulating or faline Sub-
ftances, of eafy Digeftion, of fuch
fort as keeps the Humours from Pu-
trefaction, and renders them oily and
balfamick.
When a Suppuration is to be pro-
moted, the Aliment ought to be
X 2
more
308
Practical Rules of Diet
more copious and warm, becauſe
fuch induceth a Putrefaction.
When a Sore is healing, the Pa-
tient is in fome meaſure in the Cafe
of an Infant that is growing, whoſe
Aliment ought to be fuch as lengthens
the Fibres without Rupture, for it is
by fuch an Elongation of the Fibres
that Sores heal; and indeed the Chi-
rurgeon ought to vary the Diet of
his Patient as he finds the Fibres
lengthen too much, are too flaccid
and produce Fungus's, or as they
harden and produce Callofities; in
the firſt Cafe Wine and fpirituous
Liquors are uſeful, in the laft hurt-
ful.
Women in Childbed are in the
Cafe of Perfons wounded.
CHAP.
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
309
CHA P. III.
Of Acute Difeafes.
Fevers, with their various Symptoms.
R
IGOR, Coldneſs. A right Regi-
men during the Rigor or cold
Fit in the beginning of a Fever, is
of great Importance, and Miſtakes
of dangerous Confequence: A long
continued Rigor is a Sign of a
ftrong Diſeaſe, and is in it felf an
Approach towards Death; during
the Rigor, the Circulation is lefs
quick, and the Blood actually ſtag-
nates in the Extremities, and preſ-
fing upon the Heart creates great
Anxieties, and may produce Con-
cretions about the Heart, and in
other Parts of the Body; therefore a
Rigor increaſeth an Inflammation.
Thoſe who die of Quartan Fevers,
die in the cold Fit; and indeed there
X 3
is
310
Practical Rules of Diet
is no Miſchief but what may pro-
ceed from a Rigor of long Dura-
tion.
In fuch Rigors, all warm Cordials
and ſtimulating Subſtances are im-
proper, for the first acting with
force upon the right Ventricle of the
Heart, may drive the Blood with
too much Force through the Lungs;
and ftimulating Subftances, by con-
ftringing the Veffels, often increaſe
the Symptom.
!
In ſuch a Rigor, nothing is more
proper than Water, which dilutes and
relaxes at the fame time, and will
fooner terminate the cold Fit, and
throw the Patient into a Sweat, than
the warmeſt Cordial; if a very ſmall
quantity of Rhenifh Wine be mix'd
with the Water, it will be ftill more
effectual: In this Cafe ftrong Fric-
tions of the Extremities relieve.
Anxieties. In Anxieties which at-
tend Fevers, when the cold Fit is
over, a warmer Regimen may be
allow'd;
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
311
allow'd; and becauſe Anxieties often
happen by Spafms from Wind, Spices
are ufeful.
In thoſe Anxieties, Soapy Sub-
ſtances which diffolve the Blood, are
indicated; ripe Fruits; fome of the
lactefcent Plants, as Lettuce, Endive,
c. and eſpecially Honey, have this
Quality.
Thirft. In Thirſt attending Fevers,
Liquors fhould not be drank quite
cold; for cold Liquors, by conftring-
ing the Glands of the Palate and
Throat, do not quench Thirst fo
well as Liquors moderately warm:
In this Cafe fubacid Liquors fhould be
drank plentifully; all Salts increaſe
Thirst, except Nitre, and dulcify'd Spi-
rit of Nitre mix'd with Water is very
proper in this Cafe, ſo are Barley-
Water and Emulfions, except in great
Weakneſs and Flatulencies of the Sto-
mach, in which Cafe Water, mix'd
with a fmall quantity of Rhenifh
Wine is best of all.
X 4
Sickness,
1
312
Practical Rules of Diet
Sicknefs, Vomiting. This is one of
the moſt troubleſome Symptoms at-
tending a Fever, becauſe it renders
the Patient incapable of taking any
thing.
This Symptom is often prevented
by giving a Vomit, or cur'd by pro-
moting the Vomiting for a while by
tepid Water.
During the Symptom, acid Li-
quors, and even fuch as are auftere
and aftringent, are indicated, becauſe
fuch ftrengthen the Fibres of the
Stomach; and indeed Nature directs
Patients to fuch a Diet, for they covet
fubacid Liquors, and abhor fat and
oily things.
Diluting, and ſometimes relaxing
the Belly, and carrying the bilious
Salts downwards, often cures this
Symptom.
Attention is to be given to the
Appetites of Patients, in this and
many other Cafes, who have fome-
times coveted odd things which
have
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
313
have reliev'd them, as Salt, Vine-
gar, &c.
Vomiting, from a bilicus Caufe,
is cur'd by fubacid Liquors; Vomit-
ing, from fome putrid Caufe, by
Salts of all Kinds; in fuch a Cafe,
Water-Gruel with Cream of Tartar,
Rheniſh Wine and Water, Jelly of
Currants, Marmalade of Quinces,
Sorrel boil'd in Broths well skimm'd
from Fat, are beneficial.
If the Vomiting comes from a
phlegmatick Cauſe, Spices and bitter
things will relieve. The Counterpoi-
ſon muſt be adapted to the Caufe;
for Example, in Poifon from Subli-
mated Corrofive, and Arfenick.
In the firft, alkaline Subftances;
in the fecond, oily Subftances are
proper; in both, diluent.
It is eafy to judge of the Caufe by
the Subſtances which the Patient
throws up.
Whe-
314
Practical Rules of Diet
Whether Vomit may be fafely or
properly given, muſt be judg'd by
the Circumstances; if there be any
Symptoms of an Inflammation of
the Stomach, a Vomit is extremely
dangerous.
Wind and Spafms are occafion'd by
the feverish Heat expanding the ae-
rial Particles in the Fluids.
Whatever is anodyne and quiets
Convulfions, and what abates the
Heat, relieves this Symptom.
Weakness, or the Impotence of ex-
ercifing animal Motion which attends
Fevers, proceeds from too great Ful-
nefs in the beginning, and too great
Inanition in the latter end of the
Difeafe; for whatever ftops or re-
tards the Circulation in the fmalleft
Veffels, eſpecially thofe of the Brain
(which either of thefe Caufes will do)
produceth this Symptom. Thofe
two Caules demand different Me-
thods, in the firſt emptying and dilu-
ting;
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
3 15
ting; in the latter, a more plentiful
Nourishment, the ufe of Wine dilu-
ted with Water, and Spices in fmall
quantities, Jellies, Broths, the alka-
lefcent Quality of which may be cor-
rected with fome Acid, unless there
be Signs of Acidity, and in that Cafe
the Diet ought to be contrary to the
Caufe of the Symptom; Viper-Broth
is both anti-acid and nourishing.
In Debility, from great Lofs of
Blood, Wine, and all Aliment that
is eaſily affimulated, or turn'd into
Blood, is proper; Blood is required
to make Blood; a fmall quantity of
Blood brings the Patient into danger
of a Droply.
Frictions of the extreme Parts re-
lieve Weakneffes, as they promote
the Flux of the Juices and Spirits in
the Joints and Limbs.
Fat People are moſt fubject to this
Symptom of Weakness in Fevers,
becauſe the Fat, melted by the fever-
ith Heat, obftructs the finall Canals,
and
316
Practical Rules of Diet
and confequently produceth this
Symptom. This is evident by the
great Lofs of Fat fuch People fuftain
in Fevers. In the latter end of Fe-
vers, fuch are weak by the Laxity of
the Fibres, and the Emptiness of the
fmaller Veffels; fuch therefore muſt
be treated with particular Care, viz.
after due Evacuations, diluting ſtrong-
ly both by Drink and Clyfters, avoid-
ing all things oily, and uſing Sugar,
Honey, and ripe Fruits.
Cordials made of fpirituous Li-
quors are not the best Remedies for
this Debility, tho' they increaſe the
Force of the Heart, and are neceffa-
ry fometimes to keep up the vital
Functions, they rather coagulate the
Fluid; they add Strength to the Mill,
but congeal the Stream. Whatever
makes the Circulation more free
through the finall Veffels, is a Cor-
dial.
Heat, the Degree of which may
be known by the Thermoſcope, the
Senfa-
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
317
}
Senfation of the Patient, the Intenſe-
nefs of the red Colour of the Urine,
the Sizeneſs of the Blood, the Diffi-
pation of the fluid Parts, which
renders it thicker; the Hardneſs,
Strength, and Frequency of the
Pulle, which makes the Friction the
ſtronger, to which the Heat is pro-
portional, the bad Difpofition of the
Humour, and the dry Temperament
of the Body.
Feverish Heat is moderated by
Blood-letting, by mufcular Reſt, by
moderate Ligatures which comprefs
the Veins only, and often removed.
from Joint to Joint, by a mechanical
Reafon, retard the Circulation; of
fuch fort is dry Cupping, bathing the
lower Parts, watery Liquors for Drink,
not cold, but tepid; fubacid, as Jel-
ly of Currants diffolved in tepid wa-
tery Liquors; Decoctions of mealy
Subſtances acidulated, Subftances a-
nodyne, Subſtances which diffolve
Concretions, as Sugar, Honey, and
the
3 18
Practical Rules of Diet
the fimple Oxymel, often uſed by
Hippocrates, plentiful diluting, and
reſtoring as much Water to the Blood
as is diffipated by the Heat; all de-
mulcent and relaxing Subftances,
cooling the Air in the Room, open-
ing the Curtains, and removing too
thick Bed-clothes; all ftimulating and
ftyptick Subſtances to be avoided, be-
cauſe they increaſe the Force of the
folid Parts.
Delirium. Too great Alacrity and
Promptneſs in Anfwering, eſpecially
in Perfons naturally of another Tem-
per, is a Sign of an approaching De-
lirium: In a feverish Delirium there
is a ſmall Inflammation of the Brain;
therefore any thing which increaſeth
the Circulation in the lower Parts,
and diminiſheth the Preffure on the
Brain, is beneficial, as immerging
the Feet in warm Water; nothing
relieves the Head more than the
Piles, therefore Suppofitories of Ho-
ney, Aloes, and Rock-Salt, ought
to
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
319
to be try'd, relaxing by emollient and
watery Subſtances, both in Drink
and Clyfters, especially Barley-Cream
and Barley-Gruel.
Coma Sleepiness.
A Coma will
proceed either from a Preffure upon
the Originals of the Nerves, by
too great Repletion; or from a
Penury of Spirits by too great Ina-
nition.
Old Men are fubject to Comas by
the Tenacity of the Fluids circula-
ting in the Brain, which being re-
folved by the Fever, obftruct the
fmall Canals of the Brain: In young
People it commonly proceeds from
Fulneſs, and is beft cur'd by letting
Blood, and relaxing the Belly. The
Sign of fuch a Fulnefs is, a red
Countenance, and Eyes inflamed; if
it proceeds from a glutinous Oil, it
ought to be attempted to be refolved
by Water, nitrous Salts, Soaps, and
fubacid Liquors.
People
320
Practical Rules of Diet
People recovering from Comas,
muſt take at firft foft Nourishment,
and in ſmall Quantities.
Watchfulness.
This Symptom,
which is fometimes call'd a Coma
Vigil, often precedes too great Sleepi-
nels, and is perhaps the moft ill-bo-
ding Symptom of a Fever.
The Expedients in fuch a Cafe
are extreme Care to keep the Pa-
tient from Noife, and what makes
any ſtrong Impreffion upon his Senfes,
fome of thofe Helps us'd in a Deli-
rium, becauſe this is an Approach to-
wards it; a moiſt ſoftening Diet; all
Preparations of Barley, Emulfions of
Poppy Seeds, and Almonds, Ali-
ment of fome lactefcent Plants, efpe-
cially Lettuces, Decoctions of Scor-
zonera Roots, Almond Cream, and
what is called Winter Flummery,
us'd as Aliment; Tea, made of
Cowflip Flowers, relaxing gently the
Belly.
Boer
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
328
Boerhaave propoſes fome mecha-
nical Expedients which may perhaps
have a good Effect, as a foft Noife
of Water diftilling by Drops into a
Balon, and the Patient trying to
reckon them.
The Air perfum'd with the Smell
of foporiferous Plants, as Poppies,
Mandrakes, Nightshade, Bean Flow-
ers.
Application of Cloths dipp'd in
Vinegar to the Temples.
Opiates muſt never be given but
after great Evacuations.
Convulfions. It is of the utmoſt
Importance to know the Caufe and
the Seat of this Diſeaſe, which is of-
ten obfcure.
In Infants they commonly pro-
ceed from Acidity in the Stomach,
and are cured by terreftrial Abfor-
bents; in fuch indeed Convulfions
attending Fevers are not quite fo
dangerous.
Y
Con-
322
Practical Rules of Diet
Convulfions arifing from fome
Acrimony in the Stomach, or from
fomething vellicating a Nerve in its
Extremity, and not in its Original
where it arifeth from the Brain, are
not very dangerous.
Convulfions which ariſe from great
Evacuations, as great Hæmorrhages
attending Fevers, are dangerous.
Convulfions arifing from Inflam-
mations of the Membranes of the
Brain are commonly fatal: The
Symptoms attending them are 2
great Heat, a hard Pulfe, and a De-
lirium: The Remedies, and even
thoſe from Diet, are to be us'd ac-
cording to the Seat of the Diſeaſe.
If from the Stomach, fuch Ali-
ments as are contrary to the par-
ticular Acrimony, Acid Alkaline, or
Oily, refiding there, as in the Cafe
of Vomiting.
If from fomething impacted in
the Brain, warm volatile and fpicy
Subſtances will increaſe the Diſeaſe;
in
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
323
in that Cafe, Subftances which re-
lax and dilute are proper, eſpecially
fuch as open the Belly; which, See
in the First Chapter; and in general,
the Regimen prefcrib'd in a Coma,
or Delirium.
Violent Sweats proceed from a
Laxity of the Veffels, and too vehe-
ment a Circulation of the Blood.
Profufe Sweats deprive the Blood
of its moſt fluid Parts, thicken, and
often caufe Obftructions; it is not
good Practice to push Sweating too
much in Fevers, except in fuch as
are peftilential.
In profuſe Sweats, Care at leaſt
fhould be taken, by diluting, to re-
ftore the Liquid which the Blood
lofeth, and to uſe the Methods ad-
viſed in too great Heat, by taking
away fome of the Coverings of the
Bed, and admitting of cool Air,
and uſing a Diet moderately aftrin-
gent; Wine, Spices, and fpirituous
Liquors, in this Cafe, have often a
Y 2
good
324
Practical Rules of Diet
good Effect; fpirituous Liquors thick-
en the Fluids; Sage is a good Reme-
dy in the Cafe of profufe Sweats.
A Diarrhea Loofenefs proves often
a dangerous and fatal Symptom in
Fevers, it weakens, excoriates and in-
flames the Bowels, occafions Bloody-
Fluxes, thickens the circulating Juices,
and exhauſts the Strength of the Pa-
tient; notwithſtanding, a critical Di-
arrhoea is not to be ftopt, for fear of
incurring theſe Dangers.
Attention is to be given to the
Caufe, if Acidity; it is to be cur'd
by Anti-acids; but, as in Fevers, the
Cauſe is more frequently alkaline and
bilious, acid or four things relieve,
and it happens that oily Subſtances
by blafting the Acrimony will do
good in Diarrhoeas. Oily Subſtances
of themſelves do not irritate or pro-
voke Diarrhoeas, they only lubricate
or make the Bowels flippery. Diar-
hœas arifing from Quantities of Fruit
are often cur'd by Emulfions.
Vomiting,
in the various Conflitutions, &c.
3 25
Vomiting, by evacuating the irri-
tating Caufe, often cures fuch Diar-
rhœas.
Anodyne Subſtances are proper,
and generally ſpeaking, folid and dry
Aliment, rather than liquid.
Inflammatory Eruptions. In all
theſe of any kind whatsoever, as
Small-pox, Meazles, Scarlet Fever,
Purples, the Intention in Diet ought
to be, to avoid ſtrong Sudorificks,
which push out too great a quanti-
ty of the Matter upon the Skin; to
ufe cooling and temperate Diluents,
which keep the Matter fluid and
moveable, fo that it may be fecern'd
from the Blood; to keep warm du-
ring the Eruption; and that the Diet
be cool; for which Reafon the mo-
derate Uſe of Acids, as Juice of Li-
mon, is indicated.
A due Attention to the few Rules
above-mention'd, in the feveral Symp-
toms, will prove very fucceſsful in
the Cure of moft Fevers.
Y 3
I fhall
only
326
Practical Rules of Diet
only add a few more according to
the various Kinds of Fevers and In-
flammatory Distempers.
An Ephemera, or a Fever of one
Day, is cur'd by Abftinence, Reſt,
and Diluting; and the fame Method
will prove effectual if the Fever lafts
feveral Days, and is not putrid, or
attended with a greater Inflammation
and Acrimony, and Obſtruction of
the Veffels in fome Parts of the Bo-
dy, amongſt which is what is com-
monly call'd, a Caufus, or Burning
Fever.
The Caufes of fuch a Fever are va-
rious; Errors in the Non-Naturals,
Air, Meat and Drink, Reft and Mo-
tion. Such a Fever will be rais'd by
vehement Exercife or Labour, Heat
of the Sun, by long Thirst, by the
immoderate Ufe of fermented and
fpirituous Liquors, and hot things,
as Spices; and by great Laffitude en-
any way, eſpecially in hot
Weather.
dured
It
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
327
Its Symptoms are a burning Heat
in the Skin, a Senfation of extreme
Heat inwardly; fometimes Coldneſs
in the extreme Parts; Drynefs of
the Skin, Mouth, and Noftrils;
a Drynefs and Roughnefs of the
Tongue; laborious and fhort breath-
ing; great Thirft; Loathing, Sick-
nefs of the Stomach, and Vomiting;
Anxiety, Reſtleſnefs, Wearinefs; fome-
times a Cough and Hearfenefs; Watch-
fulneſs and Delirium, and Exacerba-
tion every other Day.
Such a Fever is often refolv'd by
a bleeding at the Nofe, which ought
not to be ftopt unless it endangers
Life. It is likewife often in the cri-
tical Day refolv'd by Sweating, Vo-
miting, Looſeneſs, and Spitting of
thick Phlegm. The fatal Signs are
commonly bloody Urine, Difficulty
of Swallowing, watery Sweats about
the Head and Face, without Relief;
Coldness of the Extremities, Trem-
bling, too great a Looſenefs; and
Y 4
fome-
328
Practical Rules of Diet
!
fometimes an Inflammation of the
Lungs.
The Regimen, in fuch a Fever, is
keeping the Air of the Room pure
and cool, untainted with Fire, Smoke,
or the Breaths of many People; they
ought to have no more Bed-clothes
than barely protects them from Cold;
their Curtains ought to be kept open
fo as to renew the Air; and their
Pofture in lying, as erect as they
can bear; the Sick, in this Condition,
covet all theſe things, and their Con-
traries offend them.
Their Drink ought to be cool,
mild, fubacid, tepid, given in mo-
derate Quantities, and often, as Wa-
ter with Juice of Limon or Tama-
rinds.
Their Aliment ought to be light,
of farinaceous Vegetables, as Water-
Gruel, Preparations of Barley, with
fome Juice of Limon; Rice boil'd in
Whey, and ſtrain'd. Roafted Apples
in the Progrefs of the Difcafe; a lit-
tle
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
329
tle toaſted Bread with Rheniſh Wine
and Water, Jelly of Currants; Broths
and Jellies made of animal Subſtances
are rather too alkaleſcent, at leaſt they
ought to be qualify'd with Juices of
Limon, or fome acid.
Sometimes fuch alimentary Sub-
ftances as gently ftimulate the Belly,
are uſeful, as fome ripe Fruits, Straw-
berries, Currants, Mulberries.
The Symptoms increaſe by the
Ufe of hot things given either as Ali-
ment or Medicine.
Intermitting Fevers.
They are (at leaſt in this Country)
very obftinate, often return in ſpite
of all Remedies, and by long Con-
tinuance they degenerate into Hepa-
tical Fevers, and many chronical Dif-
tempers, as Jaundice, Droply, Schir-
rus's, and Scurvies; therefore in this
Diſeaſe a right Method, both of Me-
dicines and Diet, is of great Impor-
tance.
330
Practical Rules of Diet
tance. There is a great Variety in
theſe Diſeaſes, as to the Intervals of
Times between the Paroxyfms; Ter-
tians fometimes redouble their Paro-
xyfms, ſo as to appear like Quotidians.
I think it may be taken as a general
Rule, That the greater diſtance of
Time there is between the Paroxyfms,
the Fever is leſs dangerous, but more
obftinate.
There is a different Regimen to
be us'd during the Continuance and
Abſence of the Paroxyfm; and in the
Paroxyfm itſelf, during the Rigor or
cold Fit, the Heat and the Sweat.
During the Rigor, the Regimen
preſcrib'd in the foregoing Part of
this Chapter, in the Article of Fever-
ifh Rigors, is proper in all Fevers,
and Care is to be taken by all pro-
Methods to ſhorten that Period as
much as poffible, and by tepid Di-
luents to bring on the Sweat foon,
but not to push it beyond its due
Meaſure, becauſe an intermitting Fe-
per
ver
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
331
ver relaxeth and weakens the Body
extremely.
Between the Paroxyfms, too great
Abftinence is hurtful as much as too
great Repletion; as intermitting Fe-
vers are often of long Continuance,
extreme Abſtinence is impractica-
ble, and would reduce the Pa-
tient to a Condition not to be able
to ſuſtain the Shock of the next At-
tack.
Between the Paroxyfms, fuch Sub-
ftances as temper, correct, and fub-
due the bilious Alkali, as acid Sub-
ftances, nitrous Salts, fmall thin
Wines with Water, Chicken Broth
with Juice of Limons; Wine with
Bitters infuſed, are proper; Cichory
and Dandelion are ufeful, becauſe
the express'd Juices of them cure in-
termitting Fevers in warm Countries;
the Phyſicians of theſe Countries like-
wife ufe aftringent Vegetables, See
Chap. I. Nº 1.
Exer-
332
Practical Rules of Diet
Exerciſe, to as great a degree as
the Patient can bear, is extremely
beneficial between the Paroxyfms.
But the chief Remedy of all is to
endeavour to prevent the cold Fit,
by getting to Bed, by Frictions, and
fome fudorifick and warm Liquor;
for by putting off the cold Fit fome
Agues have been cur'd.
Letting of Blood feldom does
good, and often a great deal of hurt
in intermitting Fevers; but the Con-
dition of the Patient is to be confi-
der'd in this Cafe.
Intermitting Fevers have been ob-
ferved to free from fome Chronical
Distempers, as the Gout and Con-
vulfions, but they often induce great
ones themſelves.
INFLAM-
in the various Conflitutions, &c.
333
INFLAMMATORY DISEASES.
A Phrenfy, or Inflammation of the
Brain.
This Diſeaſe, of all others, re-
quires the speedieft Applications,
profufe Hemorrhages from the Nofe
commonly refolve it, and copious
Bleeding, by opening the temporal
Arteries, are the moſt effectual Re-
medies: But to ftick to my Subject,
which is the Diet.
Subſtances which cool, and at the
fame time relax the Belly, are highly
beneficial, as Tamarinds boil'd in
Water, which taken plentifully may
at laft bring a Loofenefs which is a
great Relief to the Head.
Soliciting the Blood to other Parts
of the Body; therefore tepid Bathings
of the lower Parts, and procuring the
Piles, relaxing Fomentations apply'd
to the Veins, which carry the Blood
from the Head, relieve in this Dif-
cafe.
334
Practical Rules of Diet
eaſe. Cool Air, and Sitting up, if
poffible; for the warm Air of the
Bed exagitates the Blood.
The Aliment ought to be flender,
of farinaceous Subſtances, as Water-
Gruel acidulated, or fubacid ripe
Fruits, with their Jellies; the Drink
fmall, diluting, and cooling, Barley-
Water, Small-Beer, or the Decoction
of Tamarinds above-mentioned. All
fuch gentle Anodynes as are to be
found amongst the Alimentary Kind,
are ſafe.
See the Articles of De-
lirium and Watchfulneſs in this
Chapter.
Quincy.
The Tumour of the Throat, which
occaſions the Difficulty of Swallowing
and Breathing, attending this Dif-
temper, may be of various forts:
Sometimes it proceeds from a Sero-
fity obstructing the Glands, which
may be watery, ædematofe, fchirrous,
accord-
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
335
according to the feveral degrees of
the Viſcoſity of the Humour; fome-
time inflammatory, which Inflamma-
tion will ſometimes end in a Suppu-
ration, or Gangrene.
The Difficulties of Breathing and
Swallowing, which happen without
any Tumour outward or inward, af-
ter long Diſeaſes, proceed commonly
from a Refolution or paralytical Dif-
pofition of the Parts, and is the im-
mediate Forerunner of Death.
The Regimen in thofe Quincies
which proceed merely from the Ob-
ftruction of the Glands, muſt be to
uſe ſuch warm Liquors as gently re-
lax, foften, and moiften thofe Glands,
fuch as carry off the redundant Se-
rum by Stool, Sweat, and Urine; or
by ſtimulating, open the Emuncto-
ries of thefe Glands to fecern the
Humour *.
* See Chap. I.
In
336
Practical Rules of Diet
In a mere watery Tumour, the
Diet may be more warm than in the
inflammatory, and the moderate uſe
of Wine often relieves the Patient.
The Difficulty of Swallowing and
Breathing, occafion'd by Schirrofities
of the Glands, is not to be cur'd any
otherwife than by Extirpation.
Thoſe who are ſubject to Inflam-
mations of the Throat, ought to live
temperately to prevent a Plethora; or
to break fuch a Fulnefs fpeedily by
proper Evacuations, to beware of
cold Air, too aftringent or ftimula-
ting Aliment or Medicine, and vio-
lent Exercife, which, by increaſing
the projectile Motion of the Blood,
heat; but eſpecially the fwallowing of
cold Liquors when they are hot.
In theſe Inflammations a flight Di-
arrhoea relieves; therefore Aliments
which promote it are uſeful, as Ta-
marinds infus'd in Whey. Decoc-
tions and Emulfions of farinaceous
Vege-
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
337
Vegetables moderately acidulated, and
fuch as abound with a cooling ni-
trous Salt, are proper; it is com-
monly thought that Punpenella, Saxi-
fraga, or Burnet, is a Specifick in
this Cafe: Every body knows the Be-
nefit of Mulberries, taken all man-
ner of ways. All Acids, as Sorrel,
Juice of Limon, &c. abate Inflam-
mations.
The Mouth and Throat must be
kept moiſt, and the Nofe clear, that
the Air may have a free Paffage
through it; for Air drawn by the
Mouth, dries.
When the Deglutition is totally
aboliſh'd, the Patient may be nou-
rish'd by Clyfters, which I have
known to have been done for a
whole Week, after which the Tumour
fuppurated.
When the Inflammation ends in
a Gangrene, the Caſe generally proves
mortal, except it be only in the
Tonfils, Uvula, and Palate, and go no
further,
Z
3 3 8
Practical Rules of Diet
further, which Parts may be feparated,
and the Patient live.
Inflammation of the Lungs.
Such may happen either in the
bronchial or pulmonary Veffels, and
may foon be communicated from
one to the other; when the Inflam-
mation affects both the Lobes and the
whole Body of the Lungs, the Cafe
is defperate, becauſe the Circulation
muſt be ſtopt, and no Blood can
flow back into the Heart. Befides
the general Cauſes of Inflammations,
thoſe which affect the Lungs particu-
larly, are a bad Conformation of the
Lungs and Thorax commonly atten-
ded with an Afthma, Air too hot,
cold and moiſt, abounding perhaps
with cauftick, aftringent, and coa-
gulating Particles, the Lungs, pro-
perly ſpeaking, are an outward Part of
the Body, expos'd to the Air, which,
by its immediate Contact may eaſily
coa-
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
339
coagulate the Blood which flows a-
long the Surfaces of the Air-Bladders,
and I believe the Qualities of the
Air are the general Caufe of the In-
flammation of the Lungs which hap-
pen in the Winter time.
As the Lungs are the chief Organ
of Sanguification, crude and viscous
Chyle, viſcous Aliment, Spices, but
eſpecially fpirituous Liquors, may oc-
cafion this Inflammation; too great
an Exerciſe of the Lungs, fo as to
occafion a ſhort and laborious Breath-
ing, or keeping them too long upon
the Stretch by Vociferation, or loud
Singing, may produce the fame Ef-
fect: There are coagulating Poifons
which affect the Lungs very fuddenly;
extreme violent Paffions, by affecting
the Motion of the Heart, may do
the fame; it is a common thing to
fee People in fudden Tranſports of
Anger breathe ſhort. Inflammations
are fometimes tranflated from other
Parts to the Lungs; a Pleurify eaſily
paffeth
Z 2
340
Practical Rules of Diet
paffeth into Peripneumony. The a-
voiding thoſe Cauſes is the beſt Rule
of Diet to prevent the Diſeaſe; be-
fides, fpeedy and plentiful letting of
Blood before it has quite taken
place.
This Diſeaſe is often cur'd by the
critical Refolution, Concoction, and
Evacuation of the morbifick Matter,
which is either attenuated fo as to
be return'd into the Channels, and
to go on in the common Thread
of Circulation, or expectorated by
Coughing, which may be eafily
known by the Abatement of Symp-
toms, viz. the Fever, Difficulty of
Breathing, Thirit, Anxiety, Reſtlef-
neſs, and the Patient's falling into
gentle breathing Sweats. One of the
beft Refolvents is the Blood of the
wild Goat.
Copious Bleeding is the moſt ef-
fectual Remedy in the beginning of
the Diſeaſe, but when the Expecto-
ration goes on fuccessfully, not fo
proper,
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
341
proper, becauſe it ſometimes fuppref-
feth it, and in that Cafe Sudorificks
thicken the Matter that is expectora-
ted. The Motions of Nature ought
to be followed. This by the way.
From the Symptoms in this Stage
of the Diſeaſe, and the ufe of the
Lungs, it is evident the Aliment
ought to be more flender and thin
than in any other inflammatory Dif-
eafe whatſoever, common Whey be-
ing ſufficient to preferve the Strength
of the Patient; watery Liquors, and
even the Steam of warm Water
ken in by the Breath, attenuates the
impacted Matter.
Relaxing A-
ment, of which Barley and all its
Preparations are the beſt.
In this State, Diureticks, which
have not much Acrimony in them,
are proper, for Fluxes of Urine re-
lieve the Lungs; for this Intention,
an Infuſion of Fenel Roots in warm
Water, with Milk, is good, both as
Nouriſhment and Drink.
Z3
If
342
Practical Rules of Diet
If Nature relieves by a Diarrhoea,
without finking the Strength of the
Patient, it is not to be ftopt, but
promoted gently by emollient Cly-
fters.
Decoction of Cichory, Lettuce,
as being anodyne and refolvent, are
proper.
If the Patient is not reliev'd nor
dies in eight Days, the Inflammation
ends in a Suppuration and an Abſceſs
in the Lungs, and fometimes in fome
other Part of the Body; the Symptoms
of which are, an obftinate dry Cough,
increas'd by Motion and taking of
Food; the eaſieſt Poſture in Lying be-
ing upon the affected Side; a continual
Lent-Fever, with Rigors invading with
uncertain Periods; Exacerbations af-
ter Motion and Repaft, Thirſt, Night-
Sweats, a frothy Urine, Palenefs,
Leannefs, Weakneſs.
In fuch a Cafe one muft forbear
letting of Blood.
The Diet muſt
be mild, foft, incraffating, and more
plen-
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
343
plentiful; tepid Vapours admitted
into the Lungs, of Decoctions of
proper Ingredients; and when by the
Symptoms and Time the Impoft-
hume may be judg'd to be ripe, the
Vapour of Vinegar it felf, and any
thing which creates a Cough, as
Oxymel, or Vinegar and Honey,
Exercife and Concuffion are proper,
the fooner it is broke, the lefs Dan-
ger to the Lungs.
Tho' fuch a State is extremely dan-
gerous it is not quite defperate; the
Aliment ought to be Milk; the
Drink, Milk, and Barley-Water, and
fuch alimentary Subftances as are ex-
pectorating and cleanfing, with gen-
tle Anodynes, that the Patient may
have fome Reft. See Chap. I.
The principal Intention in every
State of Inflammation of the Lungs
is to promote Expectoration, and to
reſtore it when it is loft,
Z 4
If
344
Practical Rules of Diet
If the Inflammation ends in a
Gangrene, the Cafe is defperate; if
in a Schirrus, incurable.
There is a fpurious fort of a Pe-
· ripneumony, not inflammatory; when
the Veffels are obftructed with a vif
cous Pituite that mixeth with the
Blood, and invades in cold Weather,
it is dangerous, and often fuffocates;
it is incident to weak and old Peo-
ple. In this, fome of the Methods
ufed in the Inflammatory are pro-
per, but not fo copious Bleeding,
Clyfters frequently injected; Ali-
ment more generous, Broths, and
Jellies with Juice of Limon, Hydro-
mel, ar Hony and Water, for
Drink, foft Oils, and Aliments which
abound with a ſoft, not volatile Oil,
are beneficial.
A Peripneumony is the laſt fatal
Symptom of every Diſeaſe, for no
Body dies without a Stagnation of
the Blood in the Lungs, as long as
ię
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
345
it circulates through the Lungs, it
will circulate through the reft of the
Body. The total Extinction of
Breath is caus'd by the Stagnation of
Blood in the Lungs.
Pleurify.
There is none of the Membranes
which inveſt the Infide of the Breaſt,
but may be the Seat of this Diſeaſe,
the Mediaſtine as well as the Pleura.
The Cauſes of this Diſeaſe, be-
fides thofe common to all Inflamma-
tions, are often a particular Diſpoſi-
tion to inflammatory Diftempers, a
Straitneſs of the Arteries of the Pleu-
ra, a Callofity of that Membrane,
an Adheſion of the Lungs, the fud-
den Admiffion of cold Air by too
thin clothing, too hot a Regimen,
and eſpecially the copious ufe of fpi-
rituous Liquors, cold Liquors drank
when the Body is very hot, a Tranf-
lation
346
Practical Rules of Diet
lation of fome inflammatory Matter
from fome other Part, but moſt of
all cold Air from a Northerly or
North-easterly Wind,
from which
Caules proper Cautions
may
may be ta-
ken in the Regimen by way of Pre-
vention.
This Diſeaſe is fometimes dry,
without any Spitting, and fometimes
attended with Expectoration from
the Lungs, and that is taken off
by a Coction and Refolution of the
feverish Matter, or terminates in Sup-
purations, or a Gangrene.
The Regimen ought to be much
the fame as in a Peripneumony, a
cool, relaxing, flender, diluting Diet,
and avoiding all things which in-
creaſe Heat, even to hot Air.
The Symptoms of Suppuration
are the fame as in Inflammations of
the Lungs; when the Matter is made,
the Side muſt be opened to let it out.
When
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
347
When the Difeafe is obftinate a-
gainſt all Remedies, a fudden Abate-
ment of the Pain, a quick weak
Pulfe, fometimes intermitting, fhort
Breath and cold Sweats are Symp-
toms of a Gangrene, and approach-
ing Death.
Paraphrenitis, or Inflammation of the
Diaphragm.
The Symptoms of this Difeafe
(which is often mistaken) are a vio-
lent Fever, a moſt exquiſite Pain in-
creas'd upon Inſpiration; by which
it is diftinguiſh'd from a Pleurify, in
which the greateſt Pain is in Expi-
ration.
This Pain is increas'd by Sickneſs,
Vomiting, Repletion of the Sto-
mach, or any Compreflion of the
Muſcles of the Abdomen, by render-
ing the Faces or Union. The Breath-
ing is extremely quick, fuffocating,
and
348
Practical Rules of Diet
and ſeems to be perform'd only by
the Motion of the Breaft: It is like-
wife attended with a Delirium, Fury,
and an involuntary Laughter, the
Convulfion emulating this Mo-
tion.
This Diſeaſe terminates as Pleuri-
fies and Peripneumonies, but is ge-
nerally fatal if it fuppurates the Pus,
is evacuated into the lower Belly,
where it produceth Putrefaction, and
a moſt miſerable and painful Death.
The Regimen, if any can be fuc-
ceſsful, ought to be the fame as in
Pleurifies.
Inflammation of the Liver.
The hepatical Artery, and the Vena
Porta, carry the Blood into the Liver;
the firſt being very ſmall, and the Mo-
tion of the Blood in the laft being flow,
the Reaſons are that Inflammations in
the Liver are not fo frequent as in
fome
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
349
fome other Parts of the Body; but
when they obtain, extremely dange-
rous, unless they take up but a fmall
Part of the Liver, and fuch happen
more frequently than is commonly
imagined.
Some of the beſt Cautions in Diet
may be taken from the Caufes and
Symptoms of this Diſeaſe.
Which, befides the general Cauſes
of Inflammations, are extreme Fat-
neſs. Fat diffolv'd by Heat and In-
flammations obftructs the Veffels of
the Liver very fuddenly. Cattle fat-
ted by good Pafturage, after violent
Motion, fometimes die fuddenly; in
fuch the Liver is found to be in-
flamed and corrupted. An atrabila-
rian aduft Temper of the Blood and
Gall, an acrimonious or purulent
Matter, ftagnating in fome other Or-
gan, is more eafily depofited upon
the Liver than any other Part,
eſpecially if attended with the uſe of
hot and ſpicy Aliments, fpirituous
Liquors,
350
Practical Rules of Diet
Liquors, great Heat, and a Fever
Erofions, by the Acrimony of the
Gall, or Obftructions by Viſcoſity
any Callofity, Schirrus, or Stone in
the Liver; Thirſt, long endur'd, be-
ing fuddenly chill'd by cold Air, cold
Water, or drinking cold Liquors after
great Heat; Vomits given injudi-
cioufly, when the Liver is already
unfound, which if they do not re-
move the Obſtruction, exagitate the
Liver too much, inveterate hypo-
chondriacal Diftempers. All thefe
Caufes may produce Inflammations
of the Liver.
In fuch a Cafe, the Liver being
fwell'd compreffeth the Stomach, Dia-
phragm, and the neighbouring Vif
cera of the lower Belly, ftops the
Circulation of the Juices, the Gene-
ration and Excretion of the Gall,
and all Digeſtion; produceth an In-
finity of bad Symptoms, the Jaun-
dice, with all the Diſeaſes depending
upon it; for the Liver receives the
re-
in the various Confiitutions, &c.
351
refluent Blood almoſt from all the
Parts of the Abdomen, and is the
chief Inftrument of all the Dige-
ftions which are made there. A Fe-
ver, an Inflammation and pungent
Pain on the Region of the Liver
and Diaphragm, a Tenfion of the
Hypochondres, Yellowness of the
Skin and Eyes, and a Saffron-colour'd
Urine, are Signs of an inflammato
ry Diſpoſition of the Liver.
This Diſeaſe ends as other Inflam-
mations, being cur'd either by Refo-
lution, Concoction, and Excretion
of the morbid Matter, or terminates
in an Abfcefs, Schirrus, or Gangrene.
During the first State, a warm Re-
gimen and Saffron, which is reckon'd
a Specifick, is improper.
Cooling refolving Liquors taken
inwardly, as Whey, with Sorrel boil'd
in it; outward Fomentations, and
frequent Injection of Clyfters, Bath-
ing and Frictions, relax, and render
the Matter fluid, Hony, with a lit-
tle
352
Practical Rules of Diet
tle Rheniſh Wine, or Vinegar; the
Juices and Jellies of fome ripe Gar
den Fruits; and thofe of fome lactef
cent papeſcent Plants, as Endive
Dandelion, Lettuce, are refolvent.
Violent Purging hurts, gently re-
laxing the Belly relieves, Diluents
with nitrous Salts are beneficial, or
Tamarinds boil'd in warm Water or
Whey; bloody Stools, not in an ex-
treme degree, or ſtreak'd with Blood,
ought not to be ſtop'd, becauſe they
help to refolve the Distemper, and
Hæmorrhages by the Noſe often do
the fame.
The feverish Matter is often car-
ried off by Urine, and therefore Di-
ureticks not highly ſtimulating, are
proper.
Sweating ought not to be promo-
ted by warm Cordials, but encourag'd
by warm diluting Liquors.
It is a deplorable Cafe when the
Inflammation terminates in a Suppu-
ration, unleſs the Abfcefs points out-
wardly,
in the various Conflitutions, &c.
353
wardly, ſo as it may be opened; for
if the Pus be evacuated into the Ab-
domen, it produceth difmal Symp-
toms, Putrefaction, or an incura-
ble hepatical Dyfentery, or Bloody-
Flux.
The Pus, from an Ulcer of the
Liver, growing thin and ichorofe
corrodes the Veffels (for the Liver of
all the Vifcera, is the moft friable,
and easily crumbled or diffolv'd) it
is often carried into the Blood, and
rejected by Vomiting, with a cada-
verous Smell, attended with great
Thirst; if it is carried downward, it
occafions a purulent colliquative Di
arrhoea; acid Subſtances relieve moſt
in this Cafe.
This Diſeaſe may happen to pro-
duce a Cancer, or Schirrus; one can-
not fay that the laft is abfolutely in-
curable, becauſe it has been known
by Experience that Grafs and fresh
Paſture has cur'd it in Cattle; and
perhaps the exprefs'd Juices of Grafs
A a
and
354
Practical Rules of Diet
and fome opening Plants, may do the
fame thing in Mankind, as of the
lactefcent Plants above-mention'd.
The Diet prefcrib'd here is necef-
fary in a Jaundice, and all Diſeaſes of
the Liver; and Abftinence from fuch
Subſtances as induce Putrefaction,
eſpecially falted Fiſh and Fleſh, and
above all, ftrong Liquors.
Inflammation of the Stomach.
The Symptoms of this Diſeaſe are a
vehement, burning, fix'd, pungent
Pain in the Stomach, attended with
a Fever; a great Exacerbation of
this Pain the Moment after fwallow-
ing any thing, fucceeded with Vo-
miting, a painful Hickup, and great
Anxiety. The Cauſes of theſe Symp-
toms are thoſe common to all In-
flammations, a natural Weakneſs,
and perhaps Erofion of the Coats
of the Stomach, and acrid Subſtances
taken as Aliment and Medicines.
If
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
3 5 5
If this Diſeaſe is not ſpeedily cur'd,
it proves fatal.
It terminates in a Cure by a Refo-
lution of the morbifick Matter, a
Suppuration, Schirrus, Cancer, but
moſt commonly in a Gangrene.
Of all Diſeaſes this demands moſt
a total Abſtinence from every thing
that has Acrimony in it, even the
nitrous cooling Salts, which are be-
neficial in other Inflammations, ir-
ritate too much; Vomits, all Cor-
dials of volatile or ſpicy Subftances;
ſpirituous Liquors are no better than
Poiſon, and Milk generally curdles,
Aliments muſt be given frequently,
and by Spoonfuls at a time, for any
Diſtenſion increaſeth the Inflamma-
tion; a thin Gruel of Barley, Oat-
meal, Whey, with very little Sugar,
or Honey, or Chicken-Broth, are
proper Aliments; Whey, emollient
Decoctions, Barley-Water, Emulfions,
are proper Drinks; and it has been
found by Experience, that chalybeat
Waters
A a 2
356
Practical Rules of Diet
Waters have been agreeable to the
Stomach even in this inflammatory
State. If there happens an Impoft-
hume, Honey, and even Honey of
Rofes, taken inwardly, is a good
Cleanfer, and Decoctions of Com-
frey Roots, healing; fpeedy and
plentiful Bleeding, Fomentations, and
Clyfters, have the fame good Effect
as in other inflammatory Diftem-
pers.
The fame Regimen is neceſſary in
a Schirrus, or Cancer of the Sto-
mach; though nothing will be quite
effectual,
The fame Regimen is to be ob-
ferved in the Inflammation of the
Spleen, Caul, Pancreas.
Inflammation of the Guts.
The Inteſtines or Guts, moft fre-
quently the ſmall ones, may be in-
flam'd by any acrid or poiſonous
Subſtance taken inwardly; from any
puru-
in the various Conflitutions, &c.
357
purulent Matter tranflated upon them
from fome other Part of the Body;
from Bile, extremely acrimonious, by
a violent Tenfion; from a Convulfion
filling them with Wind.
The Symptoms are a total Stop-
page of the Paffage; a vehement fix'd
burning Pain, irritated by things ta-
ken inwardly, when any thing touch-
eth the affected Part, it excites Vo-
miting, fharp griping Pains, with
Wind in other Parts of the Bowels;
the Confequences of fuch an Inflam-
mation are an Ileus, what is com-
monly called the Twisting of the
Guts, but is really either a Circum-
volution or Infertion of one part of
the Gut within the other. All theſe
Symptoms are attended with a Fe-
ver.
It is of the utmost Importance to
know what the Caufes of Colicks
are; for as they are various, the Re-
medies in one Cafe are quite oppo-
fite and deftructive in the other; for
A a 3
the
358
Practical Rules of Diet
the ſpicy warm carminative things
which are given in a Colick, from a
phlegmatick or cold Cauſe, are Poi-
fon in an inflammatory one; they
may be diftinguith'd by the Fever,
high Pulfe, Thirſt, and flame-co-
lour'd Urine attending the Inflam-
mation; as to the Heat, tho' it is
great likewife by the Violence of the
Pain, the Extremities grow cold; be-
fides, there is a fudden Proftration of
the Strength or Weakneſs attending
this Colick, more than
any other.
This Diſeaſe admits of a ſpeedy
Remedy, or none, for it ends in an
Ileus, and Mortification of the Bow-
els very foon.
Beſides a copious Bleeding, there
is hardly any other Method but fo-
menting and relaxing the Bowels by
emollient tepid Liquids, both taken
by the Mouth and by Clyfters, in-
jected hourly; yet it has been known
by Experience, that Acids have re-
lieved in very defperate Caſes, as
Juice
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
359
Juice of Limons taken by the Mouth,
and Vinegar and warm Water given
in Clyfters, have fav'd the Patient,
becauſe of the inceffant Vomiting;
Opiates to quiet the Convulfions are
fometimes neceffary.
Warm Fomentations even of warm
Animals to the Belly, are extremely
beneficial.
If the Inflammation happens to
be in the lower Guts, it is not fo
dangerous; and even when it fuppu-
rates, it admits of a Cure, then it
can be reach'd by proper Medicines
in the Form of Clyfters; in the lat-
ter end of fuch a Cafe Chalybeat Wa
ters are beneficial.
If the Patient furvives three Days,
the Acuteness of the Pain abates,
and a Chillineſs or Gruing affects
the Body, it betokens a Suppuration,
and in a few Days the Matter flows
either into the Cavity of the Abdo-
men, producing all the Symptoms
which happen in the Impofthumation
A a 4
of
360
Practical Rules of Diet
of the Liver, or into the Cavity of
the Inteftines, and caufing a puru-
lent Bloody-Flux, and often a Con-
fumption, Sinus's, Fiftulas.
Whey and Chalybeat Waters are
often beneficial in fuch a Cafe, as
Drinks.
The Aliment ought to be of ſuch
things as generate little or no Excre-
ments, as Broths of Fleſh-Meat, with
Scorzonera, Parſley, or Fennel boil'd
in them; Goats Whey is likewife ex-
cellent; fat and oily Subftances ge-
nerally hurt.
The Continuance of the Fever,
clammy Sweats, Palenefs, an ichorofe
Diarrhoea, fœtid, black, or like the
Waſhings of Flesh, a fmall intermit-
ting Pulſe, and at laſt a total Ceffa-
tion of Pain, are Signs of a Gan-
grene and approaching Death.
If none of the foremention'd things
happen, if the Fever abates, and the
Patient complains of a Weight, dull
Pain, Stoppage of the Excrements,
3
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
361
a Schirrus is forming, which increaf-
eth daily, and may terminate in a
Cancer, which Purging, and indeed
all Medicines irritate; the Patient in
fuch a Cafe may protract a miſerable.
Life with an exact thin Diet of Whey,
Broths, and fuch things as produce
no Fœces, or by alimentary Clyſters.
A Thrush.
By this Name are call'd fmall,
round, fuperficial, Ulcerations, which
appear firſt in the Mouth, but as
they proceed from the Obſtruction
of the Emiffaries of the Saliva, by
the Lentor and Vifcofity of the Hu-
mour, they may affect every Part of
the alimentary Duct, except the thick
Guts; they often fucceed Fevers, ef-
pecially thoſe that inflame the Inte-
ftines, or are attended with a Loofe-
nefs; and they are juft the fame in
the inward Parts as Scabs in the Skin,
and fall off from the Infide of the
Bowels
362
Practical Rules of Diet
Bowels like a Cruft: The nearer they
approach to a white Colour, the lefs
dangerous.
The viſcous Matter is to be push'd
out, therefore Bleeding in the begin-
ning is not proper, nor Sudorificks,
becauſe they thicken; but Sweating
is beneficial, when the Matter is quite
puſh'd out; tepid, diluent and fmall
Liquors are good in the firft State,
and Bathing, if the Patient can bear
it, with Gargarifms, Clyfters; after-
wards the Food ought to be nouriſh-
ing, detergent, Panadas with Bread
and Water, Bread and Milk, Ho-
ney mix'd with the Aliment, when
they fall, Aliment demulcent, foft,
anodyne, and the moderate uſe
of Rhenifh Wine; when they are
feparated, lenitive, purging Sub-
ftances.
Inflam-
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
363
Inflammations of the Kidneys.
The Kidneys are fubject to Inflam-
mations as much as other Parts of
the Body.
A pungent Pain in the Region
of the Kidneys, a Stupor, or dull
Pain in the Thigh, Colick, Wind,
Vomiting, a Fever, Urine fome-
times totally fupprefs'd, in fmall
Quantity, high colour'd; and which is
worfe, fometimes quite pale, with-
out any Sediment, are Symptoms of
an Inflammation of the Kidneys; as
to the Senfation of outward Heat,
the Extremity of Pain often creates a
Coldneſs in the Extremities, but fuch
a Senfation is very confiftent with an
inflammatory Distemper.
Whatever obftructs the Blood in
the Extremities of the Arteries of the
Kidneys, will produce this Difeafe,
a Wound, Abfcefs, Bruife, Swelling,
Lying much on the Back, too vio-
lent
364
Practical Rules of Diet
lent Motion, eſpecially walking in
hot Weather; whatever obftructs the
Paffage of the Urine, as a viſcous
Matter, Gravel or Stone; every thing
which drives the Blood into the Uri-
nary Canals, Heat, hard Riding, too
great Fulness of Blood, but especially
fharp and forcing Diureticks: Laft-
ly, Spafms and involuntary Contrac-
tions of the Veffels of the Kidneys.
Coffee-colour'd Urine is not a dan-
gerous Symptom; it proceeds indeed
from a Mixture of a fmall Quantity
of Blood with the Urine, but often
prognofticates a Refolution of the
obftructing Matter, and the Expul-
fion of Gravel or a Stone after great
Pain; pale Urine is a Symptom of
a more lafting and dangerous Dif-
eaſe.
After plentiful Bleeding, and a
careful avoiding of all ftimulating
. Diureticks, which in this State of the
Diſeaſe will increaſe it, the Expul-
fion of the obftructing Cauſe muft
be
in the various Confiitutions, &c.
365
be promoted by emollient and foft
Liquors drank plentifully, by Cly-
fters of the fame frequently injected,
by Bathing and outward Fomenta-
tions, by opiate and anodyne Sub-
ftances, which ſtupify and relax the
Fibres; thofe Liquors muſt be fwal-
low'd down notwithſtanding the con-
tinual Vomiting, for Vomiting is
the Inftrument of Nature to promote
the Expulfion of the Stone, Gravel,
or other obſtructing Cauſe.
Whey, and in a great feverish
Heat, Butter - Milk, Emulfions of
Barley and Poppy Seeds, Honey in
Whey and Water, are proper Liquors
for this Intention.
When the Gravel, Stone, or other
obftructing Caufe is feparated from
the Kidney, foft exprefs'd Oils, and
oily Subſtances relax the Paffages; if
the Pain proceeds only from Gravel,
or a Stone, oily Subftances may be
join'd fafely with ftimulating Sub-
ftances, as with Juice of Limon, Ju-
niper
366
Practical Rules of Diet
niper-Water, and fome diuretick Sy-
rup; this by the way, for it is out
of my preſent Subject.
Violent Motion, as jolting in a
Coach, may be us'd in this Cafe.
The Pain protracted beyond ſeven
Days, a Pulfation, Chillneſs, often
and irregularly returning, a Heaviness
and Stupor in the Part, are Signs of
making of Matter, which when
made will appear in the Urine.
In which Cafe foft and balfamick
Subſtances are beneficial, for if the
Matter ftays long, the Cafe is incu-
rable.
It happens fometimes to end in a
Fiftula, with which the Patient may
live many Years in no great Uneafi-
nefs. Butter - Milk, not very four,
has been reckon'd a great Secret in
Ulcers of the Kidneys, and Chalybeat
Waters have been beneficial to fome;
Spruce Beer is a good Balſamick in
fuch a Cafe: I should adviſe ſoft Malt
Liquors rather than Wine.
Inflam-
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
357
Inflammations of the Kidneys.
ſometimes end in a Schirrus, or great
Stone in the Kidneys.
A fudden Remiffion of the Pain,
with cold Sweats, weak and inter-
mitting Pulfe, Hickup; no Urine,
or in fmall Quantity, black and fœ-
tid, are Signs of a Mortification and
approaching Death.
The Regimen of fuch as are fub-
ject to nephritick Symptoms may be
in fome meaſure taken from what is
above-mentioned.
Such ought to be extremely care-
ful of the choice of their Liquors;
fharp Wines which abound with
Tartar, are hurtful; Malt Liquors
not hard, nor ftale, are certainly bet-
ter to make ufe of; fome of the
fofteſt Diureticks mentioned Chap. I.
N° 15. to avoid acrimonious Sub-
ſtances in their Aliment, ufe mode-
rate Exerciſe, and not to lie hot, foft,
nor much upon the Back.
Apo-
368
Practical Rules of Diet
Apoplexy.
This Diſeaſe is a fudden Abolition
of all the Senfes, external and inter-
nal, and of all voluntary Motion, by
the Stoppage of the Flux or Reflux
of the Animal Spirits through the
Nerves deftin'd for thofe Motions,
commonly attended with a ſtrong
Pulfe, laborious Breathing, a deep
Sleep with Snorting.
There is no difference between a
Perſon aſleep, and in an Apoplexy,
but that the one can be awak'd, and
the other cannot.
The Cauſes of this Difeafe are a
particular Confirmation of the Body,
as a fhort Neck; for there be fome
who have fewer Vertebræ in their
Necks than others; long-necked Peo-
ple are fubject to Confumptions, and
ſhort-neck'd to Apoplexies, tho' this
Rule is not generally true; a groſs, ple-
thorick, fat, phlegmatick Conftitu-
tion,
in the various Confiitutions, &c.
369
tion; whatever hinders the Motion
of the Blood through the Arteries of
the Brain, as polypofe Concretions,
eſpecially about the Heart, attended
commonly with an unequal Pulfe, a
Vertigo, and ſometimes a momenta-
ry Lofs of the Eye-fight; an inflam-
matory and coreaceous Thickneſs of
the Blood, preceded by a Fever, at-
tended with the Head-ach, Redness
of the Face and Eyes; Old Age, at-
tended with a glutinous, cold, ca-
tarrhous, leucophlegmatick Conftitu-
tion; in fuch, the Forerunners of
an Apoplexy are Dulness, Inactivity,
Drowfinefs, Sleepinefs, Slowness of
Speech, and giving Anfwers, Verti-
goes, Tremblings, Oppreffions in
Sleep, Night-Mares; Weakneſs, Wa-
terynefs, and Turgidity of the Eyes;
pituitous Vomiting, laborious Breath-
ing upon the ſmalleſt Motion; what-
over compreffeth the Veffels of the
Brain fo as to ſtop the Flux of the
animal Spirits and Blood; a great
Ful-
B b
370
Practical Rules of Diet
Fulneſs of Blood with its Velocity,
increas'd by Heat, violent Motion,
a high Diet, fpirituous Liquors, Tu-
mours of any kind, within the Skull
a partial and imperfect Circulation
of the Blood towards the lower
Parts. The Effufion and Preffure of
any Serofity or Blood upon the Ven-
tricles of the Brain (which is the
moſt common and immediate Caufe
of Apoplexies) violent Paffions and
Affections of the Mind. The im-
mediate Forerunners of an Apo-
plexy are commonly a Vertigo,
Staggering, Lofs of Memory, Stu-
por, Sleepineſs, a Noife in the Ears,
and a more deep and laborious
Breathing; thoſe laſt Symptoms com-
monly precede an Apoplexy, but
they are likewife common to it with
other nervous and hyſterical Diſtem-
pers.
Attention to the foremention'd
Symptoms affords the beft Cautions
and Rules of Diet by way of Pre-
vention;
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
371
vention; for when it has taken place
Hippocrates's Prognoftick is generally
true, That it is very hard to refolve
a ſmall Apoplexy, and quite impof-
fible to refolve a great one; the
gen-
tleſt Kind of this Diſeaſe is often ta-
ken off by Sweating.
The Applications in the Fit are
of the Medicinal Kind, it being too
acute a Diſeaſe to admit of any Helps
from Diet, but that may be of great
uſe for Prevention; a thin, flender,
cool, regular Diet, oppofite to the
particular Symptoms above-men-
tion'd; frequent and copious Bleed-
ing, keeping the Belly always open;
ftimulating Subſtances, which have
been thought beneficial, in this Cafe
very often hurt, by forcing the Blood
too much up to the Head; Vomit-
ing may prove extremely pernicious,
but the Regimen is to be varied ac
cording to the Caufe of the Diſeaſe,
which may be collected from the
Conſtitution of the Patient in theſe
B b 2
Apo-
372
Practical Rules of Diet
Apoplexies, which depend upon a
fanguineous Cauſe: The Regimen
prefcrib'd in fanguineous Conftitu-
tions is proper, fat and phlegma-
tick People, who are very fubject to
this Diſeaſe, ought to attend to the
Rules preſcribed in their Cafe; and
as there are Apoplexies from invete-
rate Gouts, the Regimen of fuch
muſt be different from both, the
Intention being to tranſlate the mor-
bifick Matter upon the Extremities of
the Body.
Thofe who have a Difpofition to
this Diſeaſe ought never to go to
Bed with a full Stomach, nor to lie
with their Head low.
An Apoplexy is refolv'd by a Fe-
ver, and when not fatal terminates in
a Palfy.
There is a Difeafe of the fame
Kind, but not fo frequent, call'd a
Catalepfis, wherein the Patient is
fuddenly feiz'd without Senfe or Mo-
tion, and remains in the fame Po-
fture
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
373
ſture in which the Diſeaſe ſeizeth
him, the Muſcles remaining in the
fame Tenſion: Violent Fevers in
ftrong atrabilarious dry Conftitutions
has produc'd this Diftemper; the
Diet after the Fit is off ought to be
moiſtening and relaxing. A Lethar-
gy is a lighter fort of Apoplexy,
and demands the fame Cure and
Diet as an Apoplexy from a phleg-
matic Cafe, fuch being the Confti-
tution of the Lethargick.
CHA P. IV.
Rules of Diet in CHRONICAL
A
DISEASE S.
Palfy.
PALSY is an Immobility of
a Muſcle from Relaxation, in-
fuperable by the Will or any Endea-
vour of the Patient; fometimes the
B b 3
Senfa-
374
Practical Rules of Diet
Senfation or Feeling is either totally
abolish'd, or dull, with a Senfe of
Tingling: A Palfy is oppoſite to a
Convulfion in the firft; there is an
Ineptitude to Motion from the too
great Laxity in the Second; an In-
eptitude to Motion from too great
Tenfion, and a Relaxation of a
Muſcle, muſt produce a Spafm in
its Antagoniſt, becauſe the Aquili-
brium is deſtroy'd. The beſt Rules
of Diet in this Difeafe are taken
from the Knowledge of its Cauſes.
Whatever ftops either the Flux of the
Spirits, or the Flux of the Blood to
any Part, induceth a Palfy, for both
are neceffary for Senfe and Motion;
fuch are all the Cauſes of an Apo-
plexy, an Epilepfy, extreme and laſt-
ing Pains, the Suppreffion of uſual
Evacuations either natural ot mor-
bid, Tranflations of morbific Mat-
ter in acute Diftempers; whatever
diſtends, diſtorts, compreſſes, or
contracts the Nerves; ftrong and
ftrait
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
375
ftrait Ligatures, Luxations, Frac-
tures, any Inflammation in the Inte-
gument, or membranaceous Sheath of
a Nerve, eſpecially in the Ganglia,
where they are tied together; Serous
Defluxions, Exceſs in aftringent Ali-
ment, eſpecially unripe Fruits; drink-
ing too much warm Water, which
is weakning and relaxing; Excefs in
Coffee, or Tea; extreme Heat; ex-
treme Cold; poiſonous Vapours of
Arfenick or Mercury.
A Palfy is more or less dangerous
according to the Cauſe, the Extent,
and Seat of the Diſeaſe; when the
Original of the Diſeaſe is in the
Brain, it is moſt dangerous; when
it feizeth the Heart, or Organs of
Breathing, fatal, becaufe Life cannot
be continued a Moment without the
Uſe of thoſe Parts.
The Regimen in this Diſeaſe ought
to be warm, attenuating, confifting
of ſpicy and cephalick Vegetables,
fuch as create a feverish Heat, be-
B b 4
cauſe
376
Practical Rules of Diet
cauſe ſuch is neceffary to difpel the
Vifcofity. Of Vegetables, foapy;
of fuch as confift of an acrid, vola-
tile Salt and Oil, Muftard, Horſe-
Radiſh, &c. ftimulating by Vomits,
Sneezing, relaxing the Belly, purg-
ing and diluting ftrongly at the
fame time, promoting Sweat by fuch
Motions as can be us'd, or other
Means, by ſtrong Frictions, &c.
Bleeding is to be us'd or omitted
according to the Symptoms which
affect the Brain; it relieves in any
inflammatory Diſpoſition of the Coat
of the Nerve.
Epilepfy Convulfions.
The Cauſes of which are fome-
times an hereditary or family Difpa-
ſition from Parents; a fudden Fright
of the Mother when with Child of
the Patient; an Affection of the
Brain by a Contufion; Abſceſs, acri-
monious Serum, Splinter of a Bone
or
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
377
or fharp Inftrument; Inflammation,
Corruption, Erofion of the Meninges
or Membranes of the Brain; Fulneſs,
Heat, Drunkenneſs, intenfe Study,
Strong Paffions, efpecially fudden
Terror; all violent Affections and Ir-
ritations of the Nerves in any Part
of the Body; eſpecially by fomething
acrimonious in the Stomach or Bow-
els, by Worms, by Teething, and
Acidity in the Stomach in Infants;
by fome Contagion or purulent Mat-
ter after acute Diſeaſes; Suppreffion
of ufual Evacuations, the Menfes,
Hæmorroids; hysterical Affections
contracted by Accidents in Lying-in;
and often by too great Inanition; the
fmalleft irritating Caufe will induce
a Fit in fuch as are fubject to it, and
fuch ought to be prevented with
great Care.
There is no Diſeaſe which infeſts
Mankind more terrible in its Symp-
toms and Effects, the worst of which
are a weakening and perhaps an A-
bolition
376
Practical Rules of Diet
cauſe ſuch is neceffary to difpel the
Vifcofity. Of Vegetables, foapy;
of fuch as confift of an acrid, vola-
tile Salt and Oil, Muftard, Horſe-
Radiſh, &c. ftimulating by Vomits,
Sneezing, relaxing the Belly, purg-
ing and diluting ftrongly at the
fame time, promoting Sweat by fuch
Motions as can be us'd, or other
Means, by ſtrong Frictions, &c.
Bleeding is to be us'd or omitted
according to the Symptoms which
affect the Brain; it relieves in any
inflammatory Difpofition of the Coat
of the Nerve.
Epilepfy Convulfions.
The Cauſes of which are fome-
times an hereditary or family Difpa-
fition from Parents; a fudden Fright
of the Mother when with Child of
the Patient; an Affection of the
Brain by a Contufion; Abſceſs, acri-
monious Serum, Splinter of a Bone
or
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
377
or fharp Inftrument; Inflammation,
Corruption, Erofion of the Meninges
or Membranes of the Brain; Fulness,
Heat, Drunkenneſs, intenfe Study,
ftrong Paffions, eſpecially fudden
Terror; all violent Affections and Ir-
ritations of the Nerves in any Part
of the Body; eſpecially by fomething
acrimonious in the Stomach or Bow-
els, by Worms, by Teething, and
Acidity in the Stomach in Infants;
by fome Contagion or purulent Mat-
ter after acute Diſeaſes; Suppreffion
of ufual Evacuations, the Menfes,
Hæmorroids; hyfterical Affections
contracted by Accidents in Lying-in;
and often by too great Inanition; the
fmalleſt irritating Caufe will induce
a Fit in ſuch as are fubject to it, and
fuch ought to be prevented with
great Care.
There is no Difeafe which infefts
Mankind more terrible in its Symp-
toms and Effects, the worst of which
are a weakening and perhaps an A-
bolition
3 7 8
Practical Rules of Diet
bolition of the Faculties of the Mind;
whether the Cauſe of the Diſeaſe be in
the Brain, is eaſily known from the
concomitant Symptoms.
The Intentions in the Cure of
the Diſeaſe muſt be different, accord-
ing to the Cauſe; Bleeding, and
plentiful Evacuations, when there is
à Plethora or inflammatory Difpofi-
tion in the Brain; Aliments without
Acrimony,demulcent, avoiding every
thing which ſtimulates, taking fuch
things as are oppofite to the particu-
lar Acrimony which cauſeth the Dif
cafe, relaxing the Belly without irri-
tating; in acute and periodical Pains,
anodyne Subftances; if the Diſeaſe
is the Confequence of an hysterical
Difpofition, a warmer Regimen is
neceffary; if the Cauſe is in the Sto-
mach, generally anti-acid Subſtances
relieve; if they are not flatulent, fe-
veral have been cur'd by a Milk-
Diet, but it will do hurt when there
is Acidity in the Stomach; when the
irri-
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
379
irritating Caufe is in ſome outward
Part of the Body, it is proper to era-
dicate it by Suppuration.
The common Cuſtom of apply-
ing ftimulating things, as volatile
Salts and Spirits to the Nofe, during
the Fit, is generally ſpeaking perni-
cious.
Epilepticks ought to breathe a
pure Air, unaffected with any Steams,
even fuch as are very fragrant. Their
Diet ought to be nourishing, of ea-
fy Digeſtion, avoiding Hogs Flefh,
Water-Fowl, and all Vegetables that
are pungent, windy, and generally
fpeaking all Fruits, eſpecially Nuts;
with little Wine, and none, if they
have not been accuftom'd to it; they
ought not to turn round, nor ftand
on Precipices, to keep regular Hours
for Repaſt and Sleep, for every un-
ufual thing is a Stimulus; but of
all things the moſt neceffary is the
avoiding the Occafions of violent
Paf
380
Practical Rules of Diet
Paffions, and keeping themſelves chear-
ful.
Melancholy, Madneſs.
The Conftitution which difpofeth
to ſuch a State, the Caufes, Symp-
toms and proper Regimen in it is
deſcrib'd Chap. II.
This being a Diſeaſe more terrible
than Death, extremely obftinate, in-
vading fometimes by infenfible de-
grees, and hard to be cur'd when it
has taken place, the Approaches to-
wards it ought to be carefully ob-
ferv'd.
Theſe are commonly obftinate
Watchfulneſs, or ſhort Sleeps, trou-
bleſome and terrible Dreams, great
Solicitude and Anxiety of Mind,
with Sighing, fudden Fits of Anger
without any Occafion given, Love
of Solitude, Obftinacy in defending
trifling Opinions, and Contempt of
fuch
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
381
fuch as are about them, Suppreffion
of ufual Evacuations, as of the
Menſes in Women, and Hæmorroids
in Men; great Heat, Eyes hollow
and fix'd, immoderate Laughter or
Crying without occafion;_ too great
Loquacity, and too great Taciturni-
ty, by Fits; great Attention to one
Object, all theſe Symptoms without
a Fever.
When this Difeafe is hereditary it
is feldom cur'd.
The atrabilarian Conftitution, or
a black vifcuous pitchy Confiſtence
of the Fluids which most frequently
occafions this Difeafe, makes all Se-
cretions difficult and sparing; the
Intention therefore ought to be to
render the Humours Auid, move-
able, and carry them out of the
Body, especially the Bile, which is
vifcous; Sudorificks indeed are not
fo proper, becauſe they thicken.
To uſe the Aliment prefcrib'd
Chap. II. in atrabilarian Conftitutions.
Boer-
382
Practical Rules of Diet
Boerhaave gives an Inftance of a
Patient who by a long uſe of Whey,
Water, and Garden-Fruits, evacuated
a great Quantity of black Matter,
and recovered his Senfes. Cold Bath,
and eſpecially a ſudden Immerſion in
the Sea, has done good by acting
upon the Nerves and Spirits; where-
ever there is any Uneafinefs or Sen-
fation of Pain, one ought to folicit
the Humours towards that Part, or
to make the proper Evacuations from
them, eſpecially (if it be poffible)
to procure the Piles, which feldom
mifs to relieve the Head.
The Madneſs which proceds from
a Plethora, or too great Fulneſs, is
cur'd by plentiful Bleeding and Purg-
ing.
The Weakneſs which fucceeds the
Madneſs requires a more refreſhing
and warm Diet, eſpecially the uſe of
Chalybeat Waters.
Scurvy.
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
383
Scurvy.
This is a Diſeaſe impoffible to be
defin'd by Words containing any
ſimple or diſtinct Idea; it is rather a
Name us'd to denote a Multitude of
Symptoms, different, and fometimes
oppofite in their Cauſes and Cures.
It is a Diftemper of the Inhabi-
tants of cold Countries, and amongſt
thofe, fuch as inhabit marshy, fat,
low, moiſt Soils, near ftagnating
Water, freſh or Salt; invading chief-
ly in the Winter fuch as are Seden-
tary, or live upon falted and ſmoak-
ed Flesh and Fish, or Quantities of
unfermented farinaceous Vegetables,
and drink bad Water; fuch as are
Hypochondriacal and Hyfterick; and
fometimes fuch as have taken the
Peruvian Bark, either in great Quan-
tities, or without proper Evacuations.
From theſe Cauſes the beſt Rules are
taken for Prevention.
Its
384
Practical Rules of Diet
Its Symptoms are a fpontaneous
Laffitude or Senfation of Wearinefs,
being unrefresh'd by Sleep, laborious
Breathing upon fmall Motion, cold
Tumours in the Legs going off and
returning; fometime Palenefs, or a
livid Colour of the Countenance;
Spots on the Skin of various Co-
lours, red, violet-colour'd, yellow,
livid, fometimes an ill Smell in the
Mouth, painful and bleeding Ero-
fions of the Gums, and by theſe the
Teeth growing bare and loofe; Hæ-
morrages of all kinds, Ulcers un-
tractable, eſpecially in the Legs, with
a gangrenous Appearance in the Skin;
the Itch; a dry crufty Eruption, and
fometimes a ſmall degree of Lepro-
fy in the Skin; the Blood, when let,
black, grumous, the red
part without
a due Conſiſtence; the Serum faline,
and of a yellowish Green; wander-
ing Pains in the Limbs, increaſing by
the Warmth of the Bed, fometimes
a feverish Heat.
Thefe
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
385
Theſe Symptoms proceed from an
ill Temperature of the Blood, too
thick or too thin, being of a faline
Conſtitution, either from an acid,
alkaline, or muriatick Cauſe, and ac-
cording to the Caufe, demands very
different and oftentimes oppofite Re-
medies. See Part Firft, of acid and
alkaline Conftitutions.
The Scurvy of Mariners is gene-
rally cured by Acids, as all forts of
ripe Fruits, Limons, Oranges, Butter-
Milk; alkaline Spirits hurt them;
and acid Spirits, as that of Salt,
does them good; when the Symp-
toms are attended with a Fotor of
any kind, either in the Urine, Mouth,
Breath, with Drought, Heat, Hæ-
morrhage of the Gums, or of any
kind, fuch a Difeafe will be cur'd
by aceſcent Subſtances, and none
better than Whey: In this Scurvy
Chalybeat Waters are generally ef
fectual.
Сс
If
386
Practical Rules of Diet
If the Scurvy be entirely muria-
tick, proceeding from a Diet of
falt Flesh or Fish, the Vegetables
commonly called Antifcorbutick, as
Water-creffes, Scurvy-Grafs,
and
Brook-Lime
may be
given with Suc-
cefs, but tempered with Acids, as
the Juice of Oranges and Limons:
And the Pot-Herbs which are anti-
acid in this Cafe are a proper Diet;
but if there be a high degree of
Heat and Inflammation, the hot An-
tifcorbuticks will do hurt.
If the Patient be pale, cool, with-
out Thirſt, with pale or natural co-
lour'd Urine, with a previous Diet
of aceſcent Subftances, the Erup-
tions not of a high inflammatory or
livid Colour, the warm Antifcorbu-
ticks, animal Diet, and animal Salts,
are proper.
There is great Attention to be
given to the Condition of the
Mouth, Gums, and Teeth, in the
Scurvy, from which the Nature and
Degree
in the various Conftitutions, &c. 387
Degree of the Diſeaſe may be gueſs'd
at.
Violent Purging always hurts fcor-
butick Conſtitutions; lenitive Sub-
ftances relieve.
Bleeding is not proper, unleſs where
the Symptoms are urgent, and the
Cafe is inflammatory.
A Scurvy, from an alkaline Cauſe
is more dangerous than from an
Acid.
Cachexy, or ill Habit of Body.
This is likewiſe a general Word to
expreſs a great Variety of Symptoms;
moſt commonly it denotes fuch a
Diſtemperature of the Humours as
hinders Nutrition, and weakens the
vital and animal Functions, pro-
ceeding from Weakneſs of the Fi-
bres, and an Abuſe of the Non-
naturals, and often from fevere acute
Diſtempers: It ſometimes diſpoſeth
to Confumptions, fometimes to Leu-
C c 2 cophlegmacy,
388
Practical Rules of Diet
cophlegmacy, Bloatedneſs, and Drop-
fies; it is attended often with Palpi-
tations of the Heart. The Rules
for Diet muſt be drawn from the
Symptoms. See Chap. I. of this Part.
Confumption pulmonary.
This Diſeaſe is a Decay of the
whole Body, from an Ulcer of the
Lungs, the Matter of which is mix'd,
circulates with, and infects the Blood,
and by its Acrimony infects the
whole Mals of the Fluids.
This Diſeaſe makes up above a
tenth part of all the Bills of Mortality
about London, is often the Product
of a ſcrophulous Conftitution, or
King's-Evil, feldom invades after
Thirty Years of Age, may be pre-
vented, but feldom admits of any
other than a palliative Cure, and is
generally incurable when hereditary,
but eafily fo when it proceeds from
an accidental Cauſe.
It
in the various Conflitutions, &c.
3 8 9
It is often preceded by a Spitting
of Blood, occafion'd by its Acrimo-
ny, and too great a projectile Mo-
tion, with Slenderneſs and Weakneſs
of the Veffels; to which Perfons of
a fair rofy Complexion, long Neck,
and narrow Cheft, are often fubject;
Aliment too viscous, obftructing the
Glands, and by its Acrimony cor-
roding the ſmall Veffels of the Lungs
(an Organ of a flender Texture,
through which the Half of the whole
Blood paffeth, and which is never at
reft) after a Rupture and Extravafa-
tion of Blood, eafily producing an
Ulcer, then a fmall Fever, dry Cough,
Heat, Flushing after Repaft; when
the new Chyle enters the Lungs,
fhort Breath, a Difpofition to Sweat
after Sleep; all thefe Symptoms,
when the Blood is moft copious and
hot, between the Ages of 16 and
30; fuch a Diſeaſe may be induc'd
by the Suppreffion of Evacuations
natural and artificial, by any great
Force
C c 3
390
Practical Rules of Diet
Force upon the Lungs, from fome
accidental Cauſe; by too hot, full,
and acrimonious Meat or Drink, by
ſome acute Diſeaſe, the Meazles or
Small-Pox.
The Blood is ejected from the
Lungs with ſome ſmall Pain, Heat,
Oppreffion on the Breaft, florid, and
frothing, with fhort Breathing, and
a fmall foft quick Pulſe.
If after fuch Hæmorrhage from the
Lungs, the Symptoms increaſe, Short-
nefs of Breath, Flushing in the Face,
a Cough, hectick Fever, but efpeci-
ally Rigours and Chillineſs invading
irregularly, with Weakneſs, one may
be fure that there is a Suppura-
tion.
In a Hæmorrhage from the Lungs,
no Remedy fo proper as Bleeding,
often repeated, Stypticks are often
infignificant, and if it were poffible
that they could operate immediately
upon the affected Part, fo far as
to make a Scar, when that fell off
the
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
391
the Diſeaſe would return. Both in-
craffating and flyptick Subftances
work univerfally, but they would
hurt the Lungs if given before the
Veffels are empty'd. Balſamick Sub-
ftances often hurt by their too great
Heat.
The Intention here is by Diet to
abate the Acrimony and projectile
Motion of the Blood, after repeated
Bleeding; to keep ftrictly to a Milk
Diet, with farinaceous Subftances, as
Rice and Barley, Milk with roafted
Apples, Jelly of Currants, or the
Jelly of any ripe fubacid Fruit, which
is cooling, and very agreeable to
the Stomach; Milk and common
Water, or Barley-Water, for Drink,
taking the Aliment frequently, and
in very ſmall Quantities, for fear of
charging the Lungs with too great
a Quantity of Chyle at a time. (See
Part I. Chap. II.) Avoiding all vio-
lent Motion, or any thing that puts
the Lungs upon a Stretch.
C C 4
Acri-
mony
392
Practical Rules of Diet
mony is likewife corrected by oily
Vegetables, not fuch as contain a
volatile or high exalted Oil, but
thoſe whofe Oil is mild, as Almonds,
Piftachos, Dates, &c.
The English Confumptions, gene-
rally ſpeaking, proceed from a fcro-
phulous Difpofition; in the firſt Ac-
cefs of fuch a Diſeaſe any Subſtance
which is deobftruent, without much
Acrimony, is beneficial, but what
heats difpofeth to Suppuration,
There is likewife a Confumption
from an Empyema, after an Inflam-
mation of the Lungs, which may
be known from a Weight upon the
Diaphragm, Oppreffion of the Lungs,
a difficulty of Breathing, and Ina-
bility to lie on one Side (which is
that which is found) a perpetual
Cough and Fever, with Thirſt, Flush-
ing of the Cheeks, Weakneſs, and
Decay of Appetite.
The Cure of fuch a Cafe is chi-
rurgical, by opening the Side; if the
Ulcer
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
393
Ulcer is not broke, it is commonly
called a Vomica, attended with al-
moſt the ſame Symptoms as an Em-
pyema, becauſe the Vomica com-
municating with the Veffels of the
Lungs muft neceffarily void fome of
the putrid Matter into theſe Veffels,
and taint the Blood.
The Ulcer may break fuddenly in-
to the Larynx, with the danger of
Suffocation; or inwardly, and the
Matter may by degrees be expectora-
ted. The Event of the Diſeaſe de-
pends upon the Symptoms, efpeci-
ally the Nature of the Pus; that
which ſwims in Water, without any
ill Smell, is better than what finks,
is livid, and fmells of putrify'd
Fleſh.
There may be a Confumption
with a purulent Spitting, when the
Vomica is contain'd in a Cyft or
Bag, upon the breaking of which
the Patient is commonly fuffocated.
In
394
Practical Rules of Diet
In this Cafe the fame Intentions
muſt be purſued in the Diet, as in
a Wound or any other Ulcer. The
Aliment cool, demulcent, vulnera-
ry, and not drying or hot, but con-
fifting of Quantities of liquid things,
even though they provoke Sweat. It
is a common Miſtake that acid things
hurt the Lungs. The Gas Sulphuris
may be given with Succefs in any
Difeafe of the Lungs, but at fome
diſtance of Time from Milk, Vine-
gar, and Honey, is proper and deter-
gent; anodyne Subſtances relieve the
Cough; gentle Exerciſe by Riding,
is beneficial; by an extremely exact
Regimen a confumptive Perfon may
hold out for Years, if the Symptoms
are not violent.
The Sweats and Diarrhoea attend-
ing Conſumptions are generally fatal
Symptoms, but muſt be reliev'd by
a Diet proper in theſe Caſes, not in-
terfering with what is formerly ad-
vis'd.
Con-
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
395
Confumptions are induc'd by Pu-
rulency in any of the other Vifcera;
the Regimen muſt be very near the
fame as in the Pulmonary.
Dropfy.
This Diſeaſe is commonly an Ex-
travasation of Serum receiv'd in fome
Cavity of the Body; I fay com-
monly, for there may be a Dropfy
by a Dilatation of the ferous Vel
fels, as that in the Ovarium, where-
in the very Membrane of the Ovum
is extended with the Water, and at
the fame time thickened fo as to
keep it from Rupture.
Therefore this Diſeaſe may happen
wherever there are ferous Veffels; a
Hydrocephalous, or Dropfy of the
Head, which is only incurable when
the Serum is extravafated into the
Ventricles of the Brain, and gene-
rally fatal in Infants, when the Su-
tures
396
Practical Rules of Diet
tures are clos'd, and the Skull will
yield no more.
A Dropfy of the Breaft is attend-
ed with almoſt the fame Symptoms
as an Empyema, and cur'd by the
fame Chirurgery.
A Droply of the Lungs, either by
Hydatides, or by Lymph, extrava-
fated in the Body of the Lungs.
A Dropfy in the Forepart of the
Windpipe, emulating a Bronchocele.
A Dropfy in the Ovarium, Teftes,
Scrotum, or Uterus.
An Afcites, or Collection of Wa-
ter in the Abdomen. 1. In the Du-
plicature of the Peritonæum. 2. Be-
tween the Peritoneum and the Bow-
els. 3. When the Water is contain-
ed in the membranaceous Coat of
the Glands.
Sometimes the Air is fo rarify'd
in the Tumour as makes it hard and
tight like a Drum, and from thence
it is call'd a Tympany; when the Ten-
fion
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
397
fion is from Air, it is eaſily diſtin-
guifh'd by the Specifick Gravity of
the Patient, and fo is Water.
When the Lymph ftagnates, or is
extravafated under the Skin, it is cal-
led an Anafarka.
Whatever hinders the Return of
the Lymph into the Veins, or breaks
the lymphatick Veffels, or obftructs
the abforbent Veffels, fo as
as the
Lymph cannot be abforb'd or ex-
hal'd, produceth a Dropfy: Any
Stoppage of the Circulation will pro-
duce a Dropfy, as by ftrong Liga-
ture, or Compreffion.
The moſt common of theſe Caufes
are an hereditary Difpofition; fwil-
ling down great Quantities of cold
watery Liquors, which are not void-
ed; violent acute Distempers; ftub-
born Obſtructions of the Vifcera;
the Jaundice, obftinate intermitting
Fevers, Bloody-Fluxes; great Evacu-
ations, eſpecially of Blood; Aliment
viscous
398
Practical Rules of Diet
viſcous and of hard Digeſtion; inve-
terate Scurvies; but the moft com-
mon of all is the habitual and co-
pious Ufe of fermented and fpiritu-
ous Liquors.
The Effects are a Swelling of the
Legs at Night by degrees, ftill af-
cending higher; a Swelling of the
Belly increafing, and in a Tympany
founding and tenfe like a Drum;
fometimes the Senfation and Noife
of fluctuating Water, Shortness of
Breath, Thirft, Urine in too fmall
Quantity, no Sweat; The ſtagnating
Serum at laſt turning acrimonious,
exulcerates and putrifies the Bow-
els, producing moſt diſmal Symp-
toms.
The beſt Cautions and Rules of
Diet may be taken from the Enu-
meration of theſe Caufes and Ef-
fects.
The Intentions to be purfued
are, removing the Caufes, as Ob-
ftructions,
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
399
ſtructions, diſſolving the Viſcoſity or
Tenacity of the Lymph, and evacu-
ating it out of the Body.
The Viſcoſity of the Lymph is
beſt corrected by fuch Subftances as
contain abundance of alkaline and
volatile Salts, Spices, acrimonious
pungent Vegetables, faponaceous Sub-
ftances; what they are the Reader
may fee Chap. I. of this Part.
The only Contradiction to this is
too great Heat and Thirft, to which
Regard is to be had, and do indi-
cate the Ufe of Acids, Juice of Li-
mons, Oranges, Sorrel, &c. I
think it may be taken for a general
Rule, when the Urine is high-colour'd,
that Acids are proper, for they are
oppoſite to that alkalefcent State of
the Humours, and refift the Putre-
faction, which is the Effect of acri-
monious Serum.
The Drink ſhould be fparing; but
forafmuch as the Thirst is fometimes
intolerable, the Patient may be in-
dulg'd
400
Practical Rules of Diet
dulg'd the free Ufe of Spaw-Water
and Rheniſh Wine.
The Aliment ſhould be dry, diu-
retick. See Chap. I. Diureticks of
the acid Kind are the fafeft.
The Chirurgical Operations for
drawing off the Waters are to be
left to the Judgment of the Phyfi-
cian.
Nothing is more beneficial than
ftrong Frictions of the Skin, which
attenuate and promote the Circula-
tion of the ſtagnating Serum.
Vomiting, in ftrong Conftitu-
tions, has prov'd often very effec-
tual, for the Concuffion of the folid
Parts diffolves and difpels the ftagna-
ting Humours; and even Clyfters of
proper Ingredients are very benefi-
cial.
Violent Purgers, by diffolving the
Blood, have prov'd often pernicious.
Many have been cur'd by Abfti-
nence from Drink, eating dry Bif
cuit, which creates no Thirft, and
ftrong
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
401
ftrong Frictions four or five times a
Day.
When the extravafated Serum is
evacuated, the Diet ought to be ſuch
as ftrengthens the folid Parts, allow-
ing Spices and generous Wine, and
eſpecially the Ufe of Chalybeat Wa-
ters, Abſtinence from other Sorts of
Liquids, dry Food and Vegetables
aftringent, Exerciſe, eſpecially Riding;
and in general, fuch a Diet as ge-
nerates good Blood.
If the Serum ftagnates long, it
turns acrimonious, and commonly
renders the Patient feverish and thirsty.
Acid or four things are the propereft
both to prevent and cure thefe Symp-
toms, as they are oppofite to that
alkaline Putrefaction.
Gout:
This is a Diſeaſe which may affect
any membranous Part, but common-
ly thoſe which are at the greateſt
D d
Diſtance
402
Practical Rules of Diet
Diſtance from the Heart or the Brain,
where the Motion of the Fluids is the
floweft, the Refiftance, Friction, and
Stricture of the folid Parts the great-
eft, and the Senfation of Pain by the
Obftruction of the fmall Veffels and
Dilaceration of the nervous Fibres ex-
treme.
The most common Seat of it is
in the Foot, its Tendons, Nerves,
Membranes, Ligaments, and Perio-
ftea, or Membranes invefting the
Bones.
The moſt common Caufes of it
are an hereditary Diſpoſition (which
operates more ſtrongly in this Dif-
eaſe than in any other) a too rich
and high Diet, and too copious Ufe
of Wine and other fpirituous Li-
quors, eſpecially at Supper; Exceſs
in fome other Pleaſures; a full grofs
Habit of Body; the too copious uſe
of acid or four things, the Gout be-
ing the only Diſeaſe in which they
are very hurtful to Human Bodies; a
fudden
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
403
fudden chilling of the Feet after
Sweat, or drying them at the Fire
after being wet and cold; a feden-
tary Life, with a plentiful Diet, and
intenſe Study, and Application of the
Mind; moſt commonly a Gouty
Conſtitution is attended with great
Acutenefs of Parts, the nervous Fi-
bres both in the Brain and the other
Extremities being delicate; and there
are Inftances where Wives have got
it from their Husbands by Infection,
fo Boerhaave lays; Females and young
People are not fubject to this Difeafe,
unleſs where it is hereditary.
A proper Regimen of Diet is ne-
ceffary in this Distemper, becauſe it
does not admit of very many Helps
from Medicines, and there are no
better Rules than Abftinence from
thoſe things which occafion it.
It ſeems to be a Difeafe of the
nervous Parts, which makes it ſo hard
to cure; Diſeaſes are fo as they are
more remote in the Thread of the
Motion
Dd 2
404
Practical Rules of Diet
Motion of the Fluids, by the con-
ftant and regular Returns of it in
fome People, and their Freedom from
it after the Morbid Matter is ex-
hauſted; it looks as there were regu-
lar Accumulations and Gatherings of
it, as of other Humours in the Bo-
dy, growing perhaps in fome People
as Corns.
As one of the Caufes of the Gout
is the Suppreffion of Sweat and Per-
fpiration, the procuring a due de-
gree of thefe feems to be the beft Pre-
ventive of it; if the Feet could be
made to fweat, in due time it would
prevent the Gout, which invades in
fuch Conftitutions of the Air as fup-
prefs Perfpiration.
Violent Purging, in Abfence of
the Paroxyfm, by agitating the Hu-
mours often hurts, and during the
Paroxyfm, may draw the Gout in-
wardly.
The beſt Diet is Abftinence from
acid Subftances; the moderate ufe of
fuch
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
405
fuch as promote Perfpiration, as Sub-
ftances aromatical, and volatile Salts,
which relieve the Gouty, as they
make the Body perfpirable; diluent
Liquors, taken in fuch a degree as
not to hurt the Stomach; Modera-
tion in the Quantity of Food and
fpirituous Liquors, Exerciſe without
Fatigue; but eſpecially Frictions of
the extreme Parts, daily, and often
repeated; all poffible Methods of
making the Feet fweat, and much
Sleep.
In the Paroxyfm, as temperate
and cool, and diluent a Diet as the
Patient can bear; Abftinence from
Opiates, except when the morbid
Matter is feparating (by Opiates any
Irruption goes on better) the conftant
Ufe of them will hurt; keeping the
affected Part warm, without the Ap-
plication of Cataplafms, ev'n fuch as
are emollient, weaken and relax too
much, and have been fometimes
found to diſtort the Parts,
D d 3
It
406
Practical Rules of Diet
It is of the utmoſt Importance to
know if any Diſeaſe proceeds from
a Tranflation of the Gouty Matter;
for the Methods, efpecially Evacu-
ations, us'd in an original Dif
eaſe, would be very improper in a
Gouty Cafe, where the Intention muft
be to draw the Gout down to the
Feet, by Bliſters apply'd to the Thighs
or Legs, and acrid inflammatory Ča-
taplafms and Plaiſters; therefore when
any Gouty Perſon is difappointed of
a Paroxyfm which he expected by
the Seaſon, or the previous Symp-
toms, and inſtead of it is feiz'd with
another Diſeaſe, let him fpeedily
confult his Phyſician.
If a Gouty Perfon can bring him-
felf intirely to a Milk Diet, he may
fo change the whole Juices of his Bo-
dy as to eradicate the Distemper.
The Approach of a Fit of the
Gout is eaſily known by the inward
Diſorders, as Wind, Sickneſs, Cru-
dities in the Stomach, a Drowfinefs,
thefe
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
407
theſe join'd with the Seaſon or Wea-
ther, if ſuch a one by a ſtatical En-
gine could regulate his infenfible
Perſpiration, he might often by re-
ftoring of that, foreſee, prevent, or
fhorten his Fit.
Greenfick:efs, Obftructions.
The Symptoms of this Diſeaſe
are evident, a due Age of the Pa-
tient, with an Obftruction of the
Menfes, a Fulnefs, fometimes Pains
about the Loins, a Laziness, Inac-
tivity, which is both the Caufe and
Symptom of the Difeafe; a quick
Pulfe, often emulating that of a
hectick Fever, Palpitation of the
Heart, Difficulty of Breathing up-
on the leaſt Motion, a livid Circle
about the Eyes, Dizinefs of the
Head, fometimes an Appetite of
odd things, as Chalk, Tobacco-
Pipes, proceeding from an Acidity
D d 4
in
408
Practical Rules of Diet
in the Stomach, a Paleneſs of the
Face and Skin, unnatural Hæmor-
rages from the Mouth, Nofe, and
other Parts, hysterical Symptoms.
Young Perfons under a womanly
Age are often troubled with fome
of the fame Symptoms, but not
from that Cauſe; and Women ob-
ftructed have not always the fore-
mention'd Symptoms; in thoſe, the
Signs of Gravidity and Obftructions
are hard to be diftinguiſh'd in the
beginning.
This Difeafe is the Parent of ma-
ny other dangerous Diſeaſes, and af-
ter fix Months hardly to be cur'd.
What is to be confider'd in this
Cafe, is chiefly, if there be a fuf-
ficient Fulneſs or Deficiency of Blood,
different Methods are to be taken,
in thoſe two Cafes, Bleeding, which
may relieve in the firft Cafe, will
do hurt in the Second Motion; Ex-
ercife, Frictions, Bathings, Clyfters,
Fu-
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
409
Fumigations often repeated are ve-
ry beneficial.
Subſtances abounding with vola-
tile oily Salts, Subftances faponace-
ous, aromatical, as thofe Vegetables
which abound with a volatile Oil.
When there is not a fufficient
Plethora, a Diet wholeſome, plenti-
ful, and nouriſhing, at the fame
time ftrengthening the Organs of
Digeſtion, is often effectual.
After Relaxing, fuch Subftances
as ftrengthen the folid Parts in ge-
neral, are beneficial; it is by this
Quality that Steel operates fo ftrong-
ly in this Distemper, and likewife
as being an Antiacid. See Chap. I.
N° 18.
A Woman, who by fome unuſual
Hæmorrage has that natural Defect
fupply'd, is only to be cur'd by
topical Remedies,
Dif-
410
Practical Rules of Diet
Diſeaſes of Infants.
Infants new-born, before they
have taken any Aliment, often have
the whole alimentary Duct filled
with a glutinous cheefy Matter, and
all of them have a Meconium, or
fort of dark-colour'd Excrement in
the Bowels, which ought to be
purg'd off.
Moſt of the Diſeaſes of ſuckling
Infants proceed from Milk growing
four and curdling in the Stomach;
the Cure of which is to be effected,
Firft, By attenuating this curdy Mat-
ter, and Secondly, by expelling it
out of the Body; it may be digeft-
ed by the Infant by Abſtinence from
Sucking for feveral Hours; Honey
and Water, with a little Wine, at-
tenuate and diffolve; and fome gen-
tle purging Syrup, as Syrup of Ci-
chory with Rhubarb, expels the pec-
cant
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
411
cant Matter; oily Subſtances are apt
to turn rancid on the Stomachs of
Infants; Clyfters and warm Fomen-
tations, and other Applications of
aromatical Subftances to the Sto-
mach and Belly, are uſeful in this
Cafe.
Antiacids, eſpecially the Abfor-
bents, are more effectual in the Dif
eaſes of Infants than in any other.
Opiates and anodyne Subſtances
are dangerous.
Volatile Salts are hurtful to Infants,
being too active, and operate fome-
times as Opiates.
Gall is the greateſt Refolvent of
curdled Milk; Boerhaave has given
at a time one Drop of the Gall of
an Eel with Succels.
Gentle Carminatives, as Fennel-
Water, Mint-Water, relieve.
The Colick, green Stools, Vomit-
ing, Wind, and Convulfions, all
depend upon this Acidity, and
1
when
412
Practical Rules of Diet
when that is rectify'd the Symptoms
ceaſe.
Diſeaſes of Infants, and the Cure
of them, depend very much upon
the Diet of the Nurfe. See Part I.
Page 93.
When Children begin to feed up-
on Subſtances on which Infects de-
pofite their Eggs, eſpecially Fruits,
they are often troubled with Worms,
for want of a fufficient Force of Di-
geftion to deſtroy theſe Eggs.
The moſt common Sort in Chil-
dren are the round or Earth-Worms.
The Symptoms occafion'd by the
Motion and Biting of thefe Worms
are Loathing as it were from a Fea-
ther in the Throat, a Vomiting,
Looſeneſs, Fainting, a feverish Dil-
pofition, with a fmall quick Pulfe,
Itching of the Nofe, Grinding of
the Teeth, Fits, Palenefs, a craving
Appetite, Weakneſs, and when the
Worms are large they confume the
Moiſture,
in the various Conftitutions, &c. 413
Moisture, and inſtead of Looſeneſs
will occaſion Aſtriction of the Belly,
with a Swelling; Worms will perfo-
rate the Guts.
Children fubject to Worms ought
not to live much upon Milk, Cheeſe,
or ripe Fruits, nor take much Su-
gar; fome Infects lay their Eggs in
Sugar.
The Gall of Animals, and Mer-
cury, kill Worms, and deſtroy their
Nefts; it is found by Experience
that the Water in which Mercury is
boil'd has this Effect; all Bitters a-
mong alimentary Subftances; Honey
and Oil given by the Mouth, or
Clyfters, have a good Effect; they
may be taken together fafting; any
Subſtance which by its Pungency
can wound the Worms, will kill
them, as Steel, Hartshorn, Cora-
line, Coral powdered, Fith Bones.
See Chap. I.
Above
414
Practical Rules of Diet
Above a tenth Part of Infants
die in Teething, by Symptoms pro-
ceeding from the Irritation of the
tender nervous Parts of the Jaws,
occaſioning Inflammations, Fevers,
Convulfions, Loofenefs, with green
Stools (not the worst Symptom) and
in fome, Gangrenes: It is plain that
fuch a Cafe ought to be treated as
any other inflammatory Diftemper.
When the Symptoms of Teeth-
ing appear, the Gums ought to be
relax'd by foftening Ointment, the
Jaws fomented with emollient De-
coctions, and the whole Head to be
kept warm; when the Teeth is rea-
dy to cut, the upper Part rubb'd
with hard Subftances, which Infants
by a natural Instinct affect, and
when there is a manifeft Tenfion
of the Gum by the Tooth, then it
ought to be cut; but this Operation
ought not to be perform'd too foon.
In
in the various Conftitutions, &c. 415.
In the Convulfions it is neceffary
to give volatile Spirits, which they
can bear better than when they are
new-born.
The Rickets is another Diſeaſe to
which Children are fubject: It has
been reckoned a Diſeaſe unknown
to the Ancients, uncommon in hot
Countries, and more common in
England than any other Northern
Country.
Children have this Difeafe from
fickly Parents, and eſpecially from
Mothers of a weak lax Conftitution,
living on a various, high, and plen-
tiful Diet, without Exercife; and
Children born healthy, often con-
tract the Diſeaſe from an unwholfom
Nurſe.
A Diet of farinaceous Subſtances
infermented, as of Pudding, much
Butter, wet or ill-air'd Linen, cuta-
neous Eruptions repell'd, or ill cur'd,
expoſing their lower Parts too long
to
416
Practical Rules of Diet
to cold Air, may bring, or at leaſt
increaſe this Diſeaſe.
The Diſeaſe may be foreſeen by
the Child's being long in taking to
his Feet; when it takes place the
Child grows lean, the muſcular Fleſh
decays, and grows flabby, the Skin
loofe and flaccid, the Epiphyfes of
the Bones about the Joints of the
Arms grow big, the Belly fwells, the
Blood-Veffels about the Neck en-
large, and fo does the Head it felf,
the Bones grow crooked; theſe are
the outward Appearances, the Con-
ftitution of the inward Parts is often
much worſe.
It is highly probable that this Dif-
cafe proceeds from a redundant Aci-
dity, becauſe Vinegar will foften and
crook tender Bones; and this Symp-
tom muft happen in Children when
there is no Strength in the Muſcles
to fupport them, or they muſt be
inflected to that Side where the
Muſcle
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
417
Muſcle pulls ſtrongeſt. Contrary to
the common Rules for the Aliment
of Children, the Diet of thoſe that
are Rickety ought to be moderately
warm, even making ufe of Spices
or carminative Seeds. They ought
to forbear unfermented farinaceous
Subſtances, new Bread; and rather
ufe Biſcuit. Their Diet fhould be
pretty much of fleſh Meat, fuch as
are commonly call'd White Meats,
and rather roafted than boil'd, fuch
Diet being anti-acid. They may be
allow'd a moderate Quantity of Wine.
I knew a rickety Child cur'd by
a very great Indulgence of fermen-
ted Liquors, but it is not an Expe-
riment that I would adviſe.
Frictions of the Back-bone and
Joints with Flannel, fmoak'd with pe-
netrating aromatical Subſtances, and
fomenting the Joints with old Malaga
Wine, have prov'd often very effec-
tual.
E €
They
418
Practical Rules of Diet
They ought to ufe as much Exer-
cife as they are capable of, but efpe-
cially by Voiture or Carriage. Care
muſt be taken to open the Obftruc-
tions in the lower Belly by Vomits
and proper Purgations, where the
Seat of the Diſeaſe chiefly lies, and
after that the Cold Bath is a very
proper and effectual Remedy.
I have lanch'd out of my Sub-
ject under this Head, mentioning
fome medicinal Helps, becauſe the
Nurſes in fuch Cafes are often the
Phyſicians, which nevertheleſs they
ought not to be when they can get
better Advice.
Small-Pox.
Though I took notice of this
Diſeaſe in the Article of Feverish
Irruptions, yet it being one of the
moſt dangerous and univerfal that
intefts Mankind, I fhall add a few
more
in the various Conflitutions, &c.
419
more Rules which may be of uſe to
fuch as have not the Advice of an
able Phyſician.
The greateſt and moſt important
Strokes for the Recovery of the Pa-
tient, muſt be made at the time of
the Invaſion, or firft State of this
Diſeaſe; therefore it is neceffary to
know the firſt Symptoms of it; ma-
ny have fuffer'd by miftaking it for
another Diſeaſe.
In general, young Perfons who
have not had the Diſeaſe ought to
be extremely careful to avoid great
Irregularities in their Diet, becauſe
the Small-pox which are occafion'd
by fuch, often prove dangerous.
This Difeafe is likewife more dan-
gerous as the Fluids are more ex-
alted and diffipated, and the So-
lids more ftrict and compacted, and
confequently more fo as People are
advanc'd in Age.
E e 2
This
420
Practical Rules of Diet
This Diſeaſe may be eafily com-
municated by the Contagion or
Steams of an infected Perfon fwim-
ming in the Air, and drawn in by
the Breath, or perhaps by the Pores
of the Skin; and it is evident by
Inoculation that the fmalleft Quan-
tity of the Matter mix'd with the
Blood produceth the Diſeaſe, tho'
not fo quickly as thofe volatile
Steams.
The first Symptoms are a Chil-
nefs, Rigor, fuccceded by a Fever
and conftant Heat, a certain Splen-
dor or Shining in the Eyes, with a
little moiſture; this is very obfervable
in Children; a great Pain in the
Head, with Dulness, Drowfinefs,
Sleepineſs, a Pain in the Back in
fome, but Pains in the Limbs in all,
Anxiety, Inquietude, notwithſtand-
ing their Drowſineſs, Loathing,
Sickneſs of the Stomach, Vomiting,
and in Infants Convulfions fhortly
before
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
421
before the Eruption. The Blood let
the firſt time, florid; after a fecond
time fizy.
It is evident that in this State the
Diſeaſe ought to be treated as any
other inflammatory Diftemper, by
fuch Methods as if it were poffible
to hinder any Suppuration at all,
and to refolve and digeft as much
of the feverish Matter as we can;
for the longer the Eruption is a com-
ing, and the fmaller when it comes,
the Diſeaſe is lefs dangerous; there-
fore all the Methods practis'd in
the beginning of inflammatory Dif-
eaſes are here neceffary, with a par-
ticular Care of cleanfing the ali-
mentary Du& by Vomiting and
Clyfters, the Impurities of which
will be carried into the Blood,
There is not yet found any par-
ticular Antidote to the pollonous
Stimulus of this Diftemper; the
learned Boerhaave is of opinion,
E e 3
that
4 22
Practical Rules of Diet
that if any fuch could be found, it
muſt be in Antimony, or Mercury
intirely deftitute of all Acrimony:
The Effects of Mercury on all Ul-
cerations are very manifeft.
Bleeding, which is extremely ufe-
ful in the beginning of the Diſeaſe,
is not ſo proper and uſeful when it
is advanc'd.
In the firſt Stage the whole Ha-
bit of the Body ought to be re-
lax'd, a free Perfpiration thro' the
Skin, without violent Sweating, pro-
moted; the Viſcoſity or Toughness
of the Fluids taken off by diluents;
the alkaleſcent State of the Salts cor-
rected; all theſe things are effected
by emollient Fomentations apply'd
inwardly in Clyfters, and why not
outwardly to the Skin? Such are
us'd fuccessfully in other Eruptions,
as Eryfipelas, Shingles, by a flender
Diet of Decoctions of farinaceous
Vegetables, and copious drinking
of
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
423
of cooling Liquors, with nitrous
and acid Salts, and other acid Sub-
ftances, mix'd with them; no Fleſh,
unleſs it be fmall Chicken-Broth;
no Spice; the Air ought not to
be ſpoil'd by Heat, nor the Cover-
ings of the Bed fo thick as to pro-
mote Sweat.
The Greatneſs and Danger of
this Diſeaſe is eſtimated by the Quan-
tity of Eruptions on the Face and
other Parts of the Head; therefore
the Matter ought to be folicited by
all poffible Methods to the lower
Parts, eſpecially the Legs, by Fo-
mentations, Bathing, Epifpafticks,
Bliſtering, and through the whole
Diſeaſe keeping the Feet and Legs
warm; the Breaft and Head not
any more cover'd than to keep them
from the Impreffion of cold Air.
During the Filling and Ripening
of the Puftles, the Diet may be
more plentiful, but ftill not hot or
in-
E e 4
424
Practical Rules of Diet
inflammatory, with the due Ufe of
anodyne Subſtances: In this State
Demulcents, or what abates Acri-
mony; and where the Circumſtances
of the Patient require it, a Spoon-
ful or two of Canary Wine, twice
or thrice a Day, are proper: The
Diet in this State ought likewife to
be adapted to the particular Symp-
toms of the Diſeaſe, as cleanſing,
attenuating, expectorating; to pro-
mote the Spitting, diuretick; when
that is fupprefs'd, and Clyfters dilu-
ent, without any Stimulus, frequent-
ly injected, are beneficial in every
Stage of the Diſeaſe.
When the Age, Temperament,
high Pulfe, and efpecially a Watch-
fulneſs and Delirium, all would feem
to demand it in any other Cafe,
why not Bleeding in this State?
which I know to have been us'd
with great Success; a great many
Veffels are in this State almoft im-
pervious
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
425
pervious by the Fluids; thofe who
die of this Diſeaſe have inward In-
flammations, eſpecially in the Lungs;
thoſe Reaſons ſeem to juftify Bleed-
ing.
Indeed the gangrenous Difpofi-
tion which appears in the malignant
Kind, is a Reafon againſt it, but
hardly any thing will do good in
theſe extremely malignant Cafes.
In fuch malignant Kinds, all that
is left is at laft to try evacuating the
morbifick Matter by other ways, as
Epifpafticks and Stools procur'd by
lenitive Subſtances, not irritating,
which would only agitate the Hu-
mours and increaſe the Fever.
Gravel, Stone,
A Stone or ftony Matter may
grow in any Part of a Human Bo-
dy; for when any thing infoluble
ſticks in any Part of the Body, it
gathers
426
Practical Rules of Diet
gathers a Cruft about it; a ſmall
Drop of concreted Blood may grow
to be a Stone, for by the Evapora-
tion of the moft fluid Parts it
grows hard, and by the Attraction
of new Matter increaſeth: Blood,
and a Human Calculus, or Stone,
yield the fame Contents by Chy-
mical Trial, tho' in an inverfe Or-
der.
Theſe ftony Concretions happen
moſt commonly in the Kidneys and
Bladder; and indeed if the Tartar
and other Contents of the Urine
were not conftantly voided, fuch
Concretions would happen to every
Human Creature; for the Urine of
the moſt found Perfon being in-
ſpected with a Microſcope, after it
has ſtood a while, will diſcover a
black Speck, which is Sand, and
wherever this Sand flicks it grows
ftill bigger, by the appofition of
new Matter: When fuch Concre-
tions
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
427
tions happen in the Kidneys, and
are expell'd or drop into the Ure-
ters, it makes what we call Gra-
vel; when they lodge and ſtick in
the Body of the Kidneys, and
grow to fuch a Bulk as not to
drop into the Pelvis, or paſs by
the Ureters, they make the Stone
in the Kidneys: The Symptoms
of which are a dull Pain in the
Kidney, moſt commonly bloody
Water; upon a fudden Jolt, vio-
lent Motion, Pain in Stooping; Pain
in the Thigh, Sickness in the Sto-
mach, Colical Pains, various Changes
in the Colour of the Urine, black,
bloody, pale, occafion'd by fome-
thing fharp or fcabrous wounding the
fmall Blood - Veffels; if the Stone
is ſmooth and well bedded, per-
haps this may not happen. Fleshy
Filaments, or Matter voided by
Urine, are fufpicious Symptoms of
a Stone in the Kidney, eſpecially
if
428
Practical Rules of Diet
1
if the Patient has been fubject to
Voiding of Gravel.
?
When a ſmall Stone is lodg'd in
the Body of the Kidney, it does
not create Pain, nor much when it
falls into the Pelvis; but when it
falls into the Ureter, and ſticks,
the Pain is moft acute; it often
ftops at the Flexure and Valve of
the Ureter, and fometimes in the
Urethra, or Paffage of the Urine
from the Bladder; while it ftays in
the Bladder it creates no Pain, but
remaining there long it grows a
confirm❜d Stone, too big to be pafs'd
by the Urethra: The manner of
its Concretion is by concentrical
Rings, like an Onion, about the
firſt Kernel, which fhews the Cauſe
to be Attraction. This is not on-
ly true of a ſmall Stone, but any
folid Body lodg'd in the Bladder
will make the Kernel of a Stone;
the Experiment of a Bullet's pro-
ducing
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
429
ducing this Effect has been try'd
upon a Dog; and fuch an Accident
has happen'd to a Man by a Wound,
in which a Bullet has dropt into the
Bladder.
The Symptoms of a Stone in the
Bladder are a Titillation about the
Neck of the Bladder, and the Parts
thereabout; a frequent Needing to
make Water; a Senfation of Weight
in the lower Belly, under the Shear-
Bone, with a great Pain, efpecially
upon any fudden Motion, which
cauſeth a Concuffion of the Blad-
der, a Dribling, Difficulty, and a
momentary Suppreffion of Urine by
the Stone, fhutting up the Orifice
of the Bladder, attended with a Te-
nefmus, or needing to go to Stool,
and a burning Pain in the Urethra;
fometimes a white Mucus in the U-
rine; tho' this laft Symptom will
happen without a Stone in the Blad-
der.
The
430
Practical Rules of Diet
The Regimen in the Stone in
the Kidneys is by diluent and foft
Diureticks to try to expel it, if it is
fmall enough to pafs; if the Stone
is brittle, it will often crumble and
pafs in the Form of Gravel; if the
Stone is too big to pass, the beſt
Method is to come to a fort of a
Compofition or Truce with it; the
Diet ought to be cool and diluent,
as far as poffible to hinder its
Growth; to uſe Diureticks that gent-
ly refolve, as Parfley, Fennel, Scor-
zonera, Saffafras, Mallows, and Tea,
Dandelion, Cichory, Oats, Barley,
Honey, Honey and Vinegar; Ni-
trous Salts, as Spirit of dulcify'd
Nitre; the moſt loft cooling Dilu-
ent of all, is Whey; the beft Emol-
lients are Decoctions of Marſhmal-
lows, Linfeed-Tea.
Bathing in tepid Water, Clyfters,
feafoning the Aliment moderately
with Sea-Salt, for the moderate Ufe
of
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
431
of it is refolving and diuretick; the
Belly, in all Cafes of the Stone, ought
to be kept lax and open.
In a confirm'd Stone of the Kid-
neys too violent Exerciſe is dange-
rous.
During the paffing of a Stone,
one ſhould avoid at firft all ſtrong
Stimulating; relaxing and lubrica-
ting the Paffages, and quieting the
Spaſms by Opiates is certainly the
beſt Method; and where Bathing
cannot be conveniently had, Ox-
Bladders, half full of warm Water,
apply'd conftantly to the affected
Part may be uſefully fubftituted.
Letting of Blood taketh off a Ten-
fion better than any thing, and is
very neceſſary where the Symptoms
are violent; when the Parts are fuf-
ficiently relax'd, ftimulating Diure-
ticks may be us'd more fafely, elpe-
cially if affociated with Opiates.
As
!
432
Practical Rules of Diet
As to Diffolvents of the Stone,
all that have hitherto been propos'd
are chimerical; Helmont talks of Bulls
Blood; Goats Blood is rather a bet-
ter Diffolvent.
The fureft way to hinder the
Generation of a Stone, is to pro-
cure a Diarrhoea by Whey, Broth,
and a liquid Diet, and indeed what
would not one do to prevent fo pain-
ful a Diſeaſe?
When the Stone is fallen to the
Bladder, Care fhould be taken to
make it pafs as foon as poffible,
for the Reaſons above-mention'd;
if all the Symptoms abate without
the pafling of the Stone, it is not
certain that the Stone remains in
the Bladder, becaufe a very fmall
Stone may pals infenfibly by Urine;
if the Stone has pafs'd, it is not cer-
tain that the Fit is over, for there are
often more, and the ufual Remedies
ought not to be left off.
The
in the various Confiitutions, &c. 435
The Irritations of the Membranes
of the Bladder by a Stone, may be
much mitigated by the Injection of
the Oil of Linfeed or Almonds, in-
to the Bladder.
Such as are fubject to the Gravel
or Stone ought to be careful of their
Diet, to ufe fuch Aliments as gene-
rate a ſmall Quantity of Faces, or
relax the Belly, Aliment demulcent,
as Peafe; a Decoction of Chick-
Peaſe is a Remedy in a Fit of the
Stone; they ought to drink Whey in
the Spring, and take Honey in feve-
ral Forms, if it agrees with them;
Rice, Barley, Millet, are all good
in this Cafe; nothing makes Stones
or Gravel pals more eaſily than
Opiates.
If the Stone fticks in the Ure-
thra, emollient Fomentation of the
Parts, Oil injected, or in cafe of
great Extremity, an Inftrument
with a Cavity like a fmall Spoon,
F f
dipt
434
Practical Rules of Diet
dipt in Oil, may fetch out the
Stone.
The Stone in the Bladder is not
only a painful, but a
eafe, if not extracted.
mortal Dif-
The Diet of
a Patient in fuch a Cafe is fuch as of
a wounded Perfon, nourishing, with-
out Acrimony.
Let the Reader look into the Ar-
ticle of Inflammations of the Kid-
neys, where there are fome Direc-
tions proper for all who are fubject
to the Stone or Gravel.
Rheumatism.
The Diſeaſe ſeems to be an in-
flammatory Difpofition in the ferous
Part of the Blood, affecting the lym-
phatick Arteries, and therefore af-
fecting thoſe Parts where the Veffels
are the narroweft. The Blood, as
in other inflammatory Cafes, is
fizy, the alkaleſcent Salts in the Se-
rum
in the various Conftitutions, &c.
435
rum producing coreaceous Concre-
tions.
The common Methods us'd in
this Cafe are certainly proper; theſe
are, repeated Bleedings and Purges,
interpofing Anodynes, and gentle
Sudorificks; and Blifters when the
Pain is obftinate in one Part.
As for the Diet, it ought to be
cool, diluting, and chiefly Vegeta-
ble.
If there be a Specifick in Aliment
it is certainly Whey; I knew a Per-
fon fubject to this Difeafe who could
never be cur'd by any other Mc-
thod but a Diet of Whey and Bread.
A Milk Diet is likewife effectual for
changing that faline Conftitution of
the Serum of the Blood.
Cream of Tartar in Water Gruel,
taken for feveral Days, will abate
the Pains and Swellings confiderably,
by its Acidity correcting the alka-
leſcent Salts in the Blood.
In
436
Practical Rules of Diet, &c.
In obftinate Sciatical Pains, Blif-
tering and Cauteries have been found
effectual, and the moſt penetrating
Medicines, eſpecially the ethereal Oil
of Turpentine mix'd with Honey.
I have lanch'd out of my Sub-
ject in this Article, becauſe of many
common People who cannot always
have good Advice.
FINI S.
A 562636
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
3 9015 04869 9196