THE APHORISMES OF HIPPOCRATES PRINCE OF PHYSITIANS.
WITH A short COMMENT on Them, taken out of those larger Notes Of
With an exact Table shewing the substance of every APHORISME.
LONDON, Printed for Humphrey Moseley, at the Princes Arms in St. Pauls Church yard. 1655.
HIppocrates was born in an Island in the Aegean sea, called Cos or Ccos. and was the son of Heraclides, and Praxithea the daughter of Phenaretes. He rec∣koned his Pedigree from Hercules and Esculapius, and counted him∣self nineteen generations or de∣scents from the one, and twenty from the other. Of his Genealo∣gy Erat••sthenes makes mention. and Pherecides and Apollod••rus and Arius Tarsensis. He was his Fa∣ther Heraclides disciple, then to one Her••dicus, and as some relate, he heard Leontinus the Rhetori∣cian,
〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉
and Democritus the Philoso∣pher of Abdera. He flourished in Pelops his time: and was born (as Isthomachus relates in his first book of Hippocrates Sect.) in the first yeer of the eightieth Olimpi∣ad. But S••ranus a Coan, having searched the Library of Cos, goes further▪ and saith he was born du∣ring Abriada his Monarchy the seven and twentieth day of the month Agrian, at which time the Coans do to this day offer Sacri∣fices to Hippocrates. Another Author saith he lived in the times of Eliachim, Malachi, Pereno, and Socrates. He being exceed∣ing skilful in Physick, and the whole course of learning, after his parents died forsook his native Country (as one Andreas falsly imputes to him in a book which he hath written of the Origine of Physick) for having fired the Cui∣dians
Library. Others say he left his Country through a desire he had to see the effects and success of Physick in several effects, Cli∣mates, and places. But Soranus saith the Lord appeared to him in a dream, and wished him go to live in Thessalia Howsoever he was famous all Greece over, and ad∣mired for his skill in Physick so far that he was by Ambassadours sent for to Perdi••cas King of Ma∣cedonia when he was thought to lye sick of a Consumption, and came to him, together with one Euryphon, who was elder then he; and by some signes and to∣kens, found that the Kings disease was a trouble of the mind, for after the death of his Father Alexander, he fell in love with one of his Concubines called Phila: Which Hippocrates discovered by his pulse, in which he felt an alte∣ration
at her coming into the room, and acquainting Phila therewith, cured the King▪ He was also called to Abdera to re∣cover Democritus from his mad∣ness, and expel the Plague out of the whole City. And the Plague being at a time gotten in amongst the Pahnonians and Illyrians, they sent Ambassadors for him, who having enquired of them what winds ordinarily blew there sent them away unsatisfied: and when by prudent Arguments he fore∣saw the Plague would prevail up∣on the Atticans dominions, he foretold it, and took great care both of those Cities and of his Disciples. And he so truely lo∣ved Greece, that the renown of his learning spreading it self as far as Persia, and Artaxerxes sending for him by means of Hystanides Governor of Hellespont, upon
proffer of exceeding great re∣wards, preferring honesty, before lucre of mony, he absolutely de∣nyed him; as by his letter writ∣ten to him it plainly appears. He freed his own Country, when the Athenians intended to war against it, and had called the Thessalians to aid them, whereupon he had great honors decreed him by the Coans. Yea and by the Thessa∣lians, Argives, and Athenians, who entered him into the Eleusinian Sacrifices or mysteries, next to Hercules, and admitted him into their franchize, and allowed both him and all his posterity mainte∣nance of Corn out of their com∣mon Granaries. He taught all as were studious of this Art, free∣ly and without envy.
He died amongst the Larisseans about that time as Democritus al∣so died, some say at ninety, some
at eighty five, some at one hun∣dred and four, some at a hundred and nine yeers of age. And was buried between Gyrtone and La∣rissa, where his Monument is to this day to be seen, in which for a long time there was a swarm of Bees, with whose hony the nurses coming to the Monument, would anoint the Ulcers of infants mouths, and cure them. In many of his pictures and Images he is painted with his head covered (some say) with a hat, it being a sign of Nobility (for so was Ʋlisses painted) Some say his head was covered with his Cloak, which some affirm was for comeliness because he was bald, and some by reason of the weakness of his head. But some will have it done so by him significatively to shew that it i•• fitting to have the chief ••eat of the soul well guarded and
covered. Others say it is the dress of one who loves travel: some a∣gain say it was to demonstrate the obscurity of his writings. And finally some that it was to testifie, that we ought in our health time beware of such things as may be hurtful to us. Though some affirm it was because his cloak should not hinder him, hanging about his hands when he was about to give Physick, and that therefore he wrapped it up and cast it behind his head.
There is great controversie a∣bout his writings, so that the••e being several opinions, it is not easie to assert any thing certainly concerning them, for many causes which may obcure a mans judge∣ment. As first his sirname Se∣condly because it is not possible to observe his phrase: Thirdly, because that according to his age
he alters it, besides many other reasons; I could (if I pleased) al∣leadge. He always contemned mony, was pious, and a lover of the Greeks. Wonderful well-affected to his own Countrymen, so that he freed them all from the Pestilence, as I said before, wher∣by he was much honored both by them and the Argives and A∣thenians. He left two sons after his decease, Thessalus and Draca, and a great number of Disciples; but his sons were the most fa∣mous.
I Swear by Apollo the Physi∣cian, Aesculapius, Hygiea, Panacea, and call all the Gods and Goddesses to witness, that I will observe and keep this under∣written oath to the uttermost of my power & judgement. I wil reverence my Master who taught me this Art, equally with my Parents, will allow him things necessary for his life, and will esteem his children as brothers, and (do they desire it) will teach them this my Art with∣out any salary or Covenant. I will participate all my instructions, and Lectures and whatsoever I know else, to all mine own and my Ma∣sters
children, yea and to all my schollers, who shall in writing be bound to me, and tyed by a Physical oath, and to none else.
And as what concerns curing of the sick, I will to the uttermost of my power and judgement prescribe them their diet, and will secure them from all detriment and inju∣ry. I will not by any mans intrea∣ties be moved to minister poyson to any man, nor give any advice to do it. Neither will I give a woman any Physick to make her miscarry of her birth: but will use mine Art and lead my life piously and chastly. I will cut none for the stone, but leave that to skilful Chyrurgions. In what house soe∣ver I come, it shall be for the good of the sick, and will abstain from offering any voluntary injury, espe∣cially in any Veneral way to any such as I shall have to cure, men or women, bond or free
Whatsoever I shall see or hear during my cure, yea though I were not called to give physick, but as it were being in a common conver∣sation of life, if they be not things fitting to be revealed, I will con∣ceal and keep them secret to my self. If I observe this oath faith∣fully, may I thrive and prosper in mine Art and Living, and grow famous to posterity. Or may the contrary happen to me upon breach of it.
Note the first number stands for Aphorism, the second for Section.
This first Section doth for the most part handle the Dietary part of Physicck, prescribing not onely the measure and observation in meats and drinks for sound bo∣dies, but also for those that are sick and diseased, with a modera∣tion of Labour and Exercise.
LIfe ••is short, the art is long, occasion suddain, experince dangerous, judgement difficult. Neither is it suffent that the Physician doe his office, unless the Patient, and those which are attendants about him do their duty, and that outward
things be as well ordered, as those that are given inwardly.
This Aphorism is as it were an Introduction or Proeme to the whole Work.
In distemperatures, loosnesses, Fluxes of the belly, and Vomitings which do com of their own accord if such things be purged as ought to be purged, they are easily endu∣red, and are profitable, otherwise it falleth out contrary. In like sort if an emptying of vessels be done as it should be, it doth good as is easily suffered, otherwise it doth work contrary effects. Wherefore consideration is to be had both of the region and the time, and also of the age and the quality of the disease for which such things ought to be evacuated, or else not.
For the Physician ought in all
things to imitate and assist Nature.
The full habit and state of the bodies of wrestlers, if it comes to the highest degree of fulness is dangerous; for it cannot conti∣nue and remain in the same state, and when it cannot so remain nor grow into a better habit, it re∣mains, that it must needs decline into a worse. Wherefore that over full plight of body must speedily be dissolved, to the end it may take a beginning of new nourishment: Neither must we proceed so far that the vessels be quite empty, and void (for that is dangerous) but we must pro∣ceed so far as Nature will bear and tolerate. So extreme evacuations are perilous, and extreme repleti∣tions are likewise dangerous.
The former Aphorism was of the quality of humors to be evacuated
now this and those which follow, treat of the quantity.
A small and slender diet in long and lingering diseases is al∣ways dangerous, and in sharp dis∣eases likewise, when it is not con∣venient, and again diet reduced to extreme slenderness, is as full of peril, as extreme repletion, and fulness in laborious and painful.
In this Aphorism Hippocrat•••• speaks, of the diet which fick men ought to use.
The sick may offend in a slen∣der diet, for thereby it happeneth that they grow worse, for every error in this case is more danger∣ous, then in a somwhat fuller diet. For the same cause, a very slen∣der and too precise a diet, is some∣what dangerous to sound and healthful bodies, because they en∣dure
the errors thereof with more difficulty. Wherefore a thin and exact manner of diet, for the most part is more dangerous, then that which is a little more full and plentiful then should be.
He saith for the most part; for Hippocrates meaning is not that a slender diet is absolutely hurtful.
To extreme diseases, extreme and exquisite remedies are best.
Extreme diseases are call'd those which are most sharp and acute.
When therefore the disease is very sharp and hath presently most extreme passions and pains, we must use a most exceeding slender diet when it is so. But when it is not so, we may use a fuller diet, and as the disease declineth, we may by little increase the diet.
By passions and pains he means
symptomes, which in these very sharp diseases are seldom but ac∣••ompanied with hot Feavers.
When the force of the disease is greatest, then a most sparing diet is to be observed.
This Aphorism enjoyns that in general which the former doth give order to be done in some particular diseases.
But we must consider and con∣jecture by the sick man, whether he be able to hold out, and persist with the prescribed diet, even to the state and uttermost extremity of the disease, or may faint or fail and being too weak with such di∣et, may yield the victory to the disease, before it retire, and be o∣vercome.
For if the patient were able to indure without food, till the extre-〈2 pages missing〉〈2 pages missing〉
or course: in the recourse of those fits, we must use abstinence.
This Aphorism speaks of inter∣mitting diseases, which leave men for a season, and then return again.
The fits and kinds of the disea∣ses, the seasons of the year, and the observation of the alteration of the times of the fits return, if they come again every other day, or after a longer interval of time, will shew the sharp invasions or extremities of the diseases▪ Like∣wise signs and tokens are taken from those things which appear afterwards, as for example in a Plurisie, if the corrupt matter, a∣voided by spitting, appear present∣ly in the beginning, it declares the disease will be but short; but if it be longer before it do appear, it declareth a longer continuance of it. Moreover Urines, excrements
of the belly, and swets declare whither the diseases will prove ea∣sie, or difficult, short or long.
For if diseases come in sum∣mer, they will for the most part proceed from choller, and the fits come every third day, and last a short time, if in wiuter they will proceed chiefly from Phlegm, the fits come every day and last lon∣ger.
Old men easily endure fasting, those who are in their declining age not so well, young men worse, and children worst of all, especi∣ally those who are of a more live∣ly spirit.
Old when they are above 50 un∣til 70, for those who are decrepit ought to feed often, but a little at a time.
Those bodies that grow, have
much natural heat, therefore they require great store of food, or else the body consumeth. But old men have little heat in them, therefore they require but a little food: for much nourishment extinguisheth that heat. And this is the reason that old men have not very acute Feavers, because their bodies are not so hot.
This Aphorism shews the reasons of the precedent, namely why old men can endure fasting better then young men and children.
The venters by nature are most hot in winter, and in the Spring, and sleep most long. Wherefore in those seasons more abundant food ought to be allowed, because they have most natural heat; whereby it cometh to pass, tha•• they need more abundant food. Of which thing the differences of
ages, and wrestlers bodies, are suf∣ficient proofs.
Venters are the stomach and bel∣lie. And sleep increaseth the natu∣ral heat.
Moist diet is good for all that are troubled with Agues, especi∣ally for children and others who are accustomed to such diet.
Because Agues are dry, and be∣cause custom is a kind of an acqui∣red nature.
We must also consider whom it may be convenient to feed once or twice a day, more or less, and by little and little: we must at∣tribute something also to custom, age, season, and region.
Having before spoken of the quantity and quality of food which may be given, he now speaks how it ought to be given, wherein he saith
custom, time, country, and age ought to be considered.
Sick folk do most hardly brook store of meat in Summer, in Win∣ter most easily, in the Spring time in a meaner manner.
Here he expounds more particu∣larly what he spoke generally in the former Aphorism, and saith that in Summer they brook no store of food, the reason is because then the na∣tive heat is weak and languisheth, and in Autumn the bodies are ob∣structed, but in Winter, the Venters (namely the stomach and those parts) are very hot, and their sleep is long, and in the Spring the natural heat evaporates more then in Wiuter.
Nothing must be given to them neither must they be constrained to take meat, which have fits re∣turning
at certain determined courses: but we ought to dimi∣nish food, before manifest tokens appeare to judge of the disease.
To the end that Nature may not be called away from its concoction and digestion.
We ought not to move, alter, or change those things which are or justly have been justly determi∣ned by Nature, either with medi∣cines or other procurements, but to let them alone.
Because Nature by her determi∣ation having shewn she is of herself strong enough, needs no help of art.
Carry those things which are ••o be drawn out thither whether they shall seem to encline and bend, by such ways and places as are fittest for conveyance and ex∣pulsion.
If Nature be not able of her self (as in the former Aphorism) to ex∣pel the cause of the disease, then let Art help, to do it that way as Nature enclines.
We must move with Medicine those things which are concocted and digested, and not those which are raw and undigested. Neither in the beginning of diseases, unless they be provoked by their own force and violence, which very sel∣dom cometh to pass.
Nature after concoction doth se∣gregate and expel humors; which if she be too languid to do, then it is good to help it with medicines.
Things evacuated and purged are not to be estimated by thē multitude, but advisedly to be con∣sidered if those things be avoided and sen••forth, which should and 〈2 pages missing〉〈2 pages missing〉
purged, which should be, it doth good, and the sick may easily suf∣fer it, but if the contrary be e∣vacuated, they do painfully en∣dure it.
Having in this latter part of this Section spoken of purges given by Physicians. He sets down this to put us again in mind of those pur∣gations which come voluntarily from Nature. Having said the same thing of them in the second Aphorism.
This second Section, of which the universal and plenary intention cannot well be assigned and set down, hath many things apper∣taining to the Doctrine of Ages, Signes, Nature, and Purgati∣on.
IF sleep bring labour and pain in the disease, it is a mortal sign: but if it bring ease and mi∣tigation of pain, the sign is not deadly.
Sleep may hurt in two kindes: the one is common, when sick men sleep in the beginning of their fits. The other is proper when they slelp
at any other times. Here we must conceive he speaks of the last.
When a Delirium or raving is appeased by sleep, it is a good signe.
This is an example of the uni∣versal assertion in the preceding A∣phorism, now the reason of it is be∣cause nothing causeth and nourish∣eth raving more then want of sleep; therefore if that cause it to cease, it is a signe death is approaching.
Sleep and watching, if they be immoderate, and shall exceed a mean, are evil.
For all immoderate things are e∣nemies and adverse to Nature, and too much sleep is a sign that the brain is too cool and moist, and too little argues that it is too dry.
Neither satiety nor hunger,
neither any other thing which shall exceed the measure of Na∣ture, can be good or healthful.
For health is defined to be a sym∣metry and just proportion, and be∣sides too much fasting fils the ven∣tricle with evil humors.
Weariness and dulness pro∣ceeding of their own accord, sig∣nifie diseases to come.
Namely such a weariness as comes, without any immoderate ex∣ercise of the body.
They which suffer pain of any part of the body, and do not in a manner feel it, have their under∣standing distempered and diseased.
That is to say, have any disease or sore which causeth pain, and they feel it not.
Bodies extenuated and wasted
with long sickness, are to be re∣stored and refreshed by little and little, but those which have been brought low quickly and in short time, are sooner to be restored.
For in those who are wasted with long sickness, the flesh is wasted; in those who are quickly brought low, the spirits onely, which may sooner be restored then the flesh.
If any man eating meat after sickness, doth not recover strength it argues his body is burthened and oppressed with too much store of food. But if the same happen to one feeding meanly, we must understand that he hath need of evacuation.
Because the body being oppressed with noxious humors, they hinder concoction, wherefore the said hu∣mors must first be evacuated.
How much the more thou shalt nourish and cherish impure bo∣dies, by so much the more thou shalt harm and hurt them.
This gives a reason of the for∣mer Aphorism. Namely, because the aliment which you give to such bodies increases the quantity of vi∣cious humors.
He who will purge bodies, must first make them fluxible.
Which may be done two ways, either by opening the passages, or by cutting off and extennating the thick humors.
It is more easie to be restored with drink then with meat.
That is to say with a liquid ali∣ment, for that is sooner altered and distributed then a solid, and if yet greater speed be required, they may be recreated with odours.
Those things which are left be∣hind after the Crysis, are wont to bring forth relapses.
Left because the matter was not fit to be expeld, or Nature was so weakened by sickness, that it was not able to expel all the noxious hu∣mors.
The night which goeth before the fit or invasion is tedious, but the night following is commonly more easie.
We feel the pains of diseases more by night, then by day, because in the day time, all the senses being awaked are imployed about some o∣ther thing.
The alteration of the excre∣ments, not made to the worse part in fluxes of the belly is good.
Because it is a sign that those no∣xious
humors which by the excre∣ments appeared to be in the body, are voided and gone.
When the upper parts of the throat or gullet are sore or a breaking out of wheals doth arise in the body, it behoveth us to look upon the excrements, for if they be cholerick, the body is al∣so sick, but if they be like the ex∣crements of sound persons, the body may be cherished without danger.
For if the excrements make no show of any further inward dis∣eases those wheals signifie that Na∣ture hath been strong enough of her self to drive out the evil humors into those external parts of the body.
When hunger beareth sway, we must rest from much stirring or labour.
For hunger and exercise toge∣ther, would cast down strength, and dry up the bodie too much.
When over much meat is recei∣ved against Nature, it causeth sick∣ness as the manner of curing dis∣eases proceeding from repletion doth declare.
Because it oppresses Nature now those diseases are cured by evacua∣tion, which shews they were caused by repletion.
Those thlngs which nourish speedily and plentifully, are quick∣ly excreted and voided.
For being speedily concocted and digested the excrements must also of necessity have a speedy passage.
Praedictions of death or health in sharp diseases are not altoge∣ther certain.
By reason of the suddain chan∣ges which happen in them, accor∣ding to the Nature of the humors; which cause those sharp diseases: and because the molestant humor runs out of one part into another.
They which in young age have a moist and loose belly, in old age have it dry. But those who have it dry in their young age, have it moist when they are old.
This Aphorism is to be under∣stood of those who continue in the same diet when they are old, which they used in their younger years, o∣therwise it would not be any way remarkable.
Drinking of strong wine, put∣teth away hunger.
By hunger here is meant a dis∣ease which is called Appetitus Ca∣ninus, or Appetentia Canina, and
those who are diseased therewith can never be satisfyed, though they eat never so much.
Diseases which are bred of sa∣tiety and surfeting are cured by evacuation and those which pro∣ceed from emptiness are cured by fulness, and so in the rest, contra∣ries are the remedies of contra∣ries.
Neither must these contraries be used in an extreme degree, for nei∣ther too much repletion nor too much evacuation can conveniently be endured.
Acute and sharp diseases are judged within fourteen days.
Though some may be judged be∣fore, yet fourteen days is the utter∣most day that can be expected for the judgement or Crysis of such diseases.
The fourth day is the Index of the seventh, the eighth the begin∣ing of the week following. Also the eleventh day is to be consi∣dered, for that is the fourth day of the second week And again the seventeenth day is to be consi∣dered, being the fourth from the fourteenth, and the seventh from the eleventh.
He hath taught us that acute diseases run out to a Crysis within fourteen days, which he here ex∣plains, and shews which are the Cri∣tical days for three weeks together.
Summer Quartan Feavers are for the most part short: but the Autumnal long, especially those which remain till Winter.
Because in Summer the super∣fluous humors being driven into the outward parts of the body, are
quickly expelled through the pores, but they last longer in Autumn, for they are some way peculiar to that season, because by the forerunning Summer the faculties of the body are weakened, and in Winter by reason that then the humors are thickened, and the pores shut up by the ambient cold. And this is but for the most part, for sometimes it may prove otherways.
It is better that a Feaver should succeed a Convulsion, then Con∣vulsion a Feaver.
For if a Convulsion precede a Feaver, it proceeds from fulness, which is easily cured by evacuati∣on, but if it succeeds it proceeds from emptiness, and is very danger∣ous for the Patient.
We ought not to be too confi∣dent if a sharp disease slacken
without any reason. Neither much fear those diseases which happen without any reason. For most of them are uncertain, and do not usually last long.
For if it slacken without reason, it threatens a relapse, and if it come without reason, it is not much to be feared, for it will fall having no good foundation.
If the body of those which have a sharp Feaver abide all at one stay, and is nothing abated, or else is melted and wasted away beyond reason, it is a very evil signe, for the first doth signifie a continuance of the disease, and the latter a great imbecility of Nature.
For the first is caused by a den∣sity or thickness of the skin, and thickness and gluttinousness of hu∣mors, and the latter by a thinness
or tenuity of the skin, and extenu∣ation of humors which commonly is followed by imbecility of Nature.
In the beginning of diseases if there appears cause for moving of any thing; move it. But when they are in their state it is far better to let it alone.
The reason of this Aphorism is laid down in the next.
Abo•••• the beginnings and ends of dis••••se•• all things 〈…〉〈…〉 calm and remis••▪ in 〈…〉〈…〉d state more vehement.
This Aphorism is but the rea∣son of the precedent, and explains the formers and its own meaning.
If the body thrive not with him who after a disease feedeth well it is an evil sign.
For it signifies one of these two
things, namely that he takes more food, then Nature (yet weakened by sickness) can digest. Or that there is yet such abundance of evil humors left in the ventricle and o∣ther parts of the body, that what∣soever is put into it presently cor∣rupts with them.
Those which in the beginning of sickness feed much, and do not thrive therewith, for the most part do at last fall into a loathing of meat. On the contrary, those who in the beginning do vehe∣mently abhor food, and after∣wards desire much meat, are more easily freed from their sickness.
Because feeding hard whilst there be yet reliques of evil humors re∣maining in the body, increases the quantity of those evil humors, and so hinders their convalescencie. Whereas those who feed sparingly in
the beginning oppress not the pow∣ers of Nature, which increa∣sing do at last expel those remain¦ders of evil humors.
In any disease, if reason be not weakened nor hurt, but that it is willing to embrace such meats as are proffered it, it is good, but if it be otherwise it is evil.
Because to have ones good un∣derstanding sound, signifies that the brain and all the nervous parts, with the Liver, Heart, and Ven∣tricles are also well affected, where∣as if the Reason be hurt, it signifies that both the Brain and Ventricle are out of frame.
They are not so dangerously sick, to whose nature, age, habit, or season, the disease is familiar and agreeable; as they to whom the disease is not agreeable to any of those things.
By Nature here is meant the temperament of the body, by habit: whether a body be composed of a soft and tender flesh, or of a thick and solid. Age, and season are easie to be known what they mean, howsoe∣ver for examples sake, acute Fea∣vers are not common to old age, the body being then cold, and likely are deadly in old men. And what dis∣eases have most affinity with each season of the year, is shewn in the third Section, the Aphorisms 20, 21, 22, 23.
It is better in any disease that the parts adjoyning to the Navel and nethermost belly be some∣what thick and gross: for the ex∣tenuation and consumption of them is evil, and then it is not safe to minister purgations working downward.
Because the thickness and grosse∣ness
of those parts signifie that the native heat is more valid, and the concoction better.
Those which are endued with health of body, do quickly faint drinking a purging potion: and so do those which use bad and cor∣rupt nourishment.
For in healthful men, the purg∣ing potion finding no vicious nor redundant humor to draw out and evacuate, doth first dissipate the spirits, then dissolves those parts which are humid and moist, and finally corrupts those which are so∣lid. And those which use bad food have sharp and biting humors, which being by the medicament dri∣ven through the sensible parts of the body do cause fainting:
Those which are of sound and perfect health of body, do pain∣fully
and grievously endure purg∣ing medicines.
This Aphorism is more general then the former, which expressed but one symptome which befals sound men when they are purged. But this includes all the rest.
Those meats and drinks which are worse, yet pleasant, are to be preferred before those which are better, but yet unpleasant and di∣stasting.
Because they please the Patient best, and because the Ventricle doth more greedily embrace, and speedi∣lier concoct those meats and drinks which are pleasant.
For the most part old men are not so often sick as young are: But being once taken with long diseases they commonly dye.
Old men are presumed to be more
discreet and temperate in their feeding which is the cause of this assertion for those which are not so, are more subject to sickness then young men, being weaker then they.
Rheums descending down to the mouth, and falling down to the throat do not come to con∣coction in those which are very old.
This is as it were an example of the latter assertion of the precedent Aphorism, namely that old men once taken with long disease com∣monly dye.
They dye suddenly which do often, and vehemently swoun and faint without any manifest cause.
Because it argueth an imbecili∣ty of the vital faculty.
It is impossible to cure a vehe∣ment
Apoplexie and very hard to cure a weak one.
For all Apoplexies are caused by a stopping of the animal Faculties from descending any lower into the body then the head.
Strangled & suffocated folk, being not as yet dead, do not return to themselves, if there appear any foam about their mouth.
Because it is a sign that the Lights are violently wrong∣ed.
Those which are very gross by Nature, do enjoy shorter life then those which are lean.
Because fat mens native heat is weaker then lean mens.
Change and alteration of place, and diet, and especially of age, free children from the falling evil.
For when they come to their youthful age they are cured by their hot and dry temperament.
Of two pains at one time, not possessing the self-same place, that which is the most vehement, doth dull the pain of the other.
It doth neither cure nor expel the other, but onely dull and ob∣scure it.
Whiles filthy and corrupt mat∣ter is digesting, pains and Agues do rather happen, then when it is come to maturation
For when it is maturated the in∣flammation and burning ceaseth.
In every exercise of the body, when it beginneth to be wearied, rest doth presently mitigate the weariness.
For as he said in the two and
twentieth Aphorism of this Secti∣on, one contrary is the cure of the other.
Thoke who are accustomed to daily labours, although they be weak or old men, do more easily endure accustomed exercises, then those who are not accustomed to them, although they be strong and young
Because custom is a second nature
Things accustomed a long time, although they be worse are wont to be less grievous, then those which are unaccustomed, where∣fore also a change is not to be made to unaccustomed things.
Because the bodies are subject to changes, therefore upon such chan∣ges we must also fall upon some un∣accustomed diet.
It is danderous at one time, much and suddainly, either to empty, fill, heat or cool, or by a∣ny other means to move or stir the body. For any thing passing the bonnds of mediocrity is an e∣nemy to Nature, and that is safe which is done by little and little, and especially when an alteration and change is to be made from one thing to another.
Namely from accustomed to un∣accustomed.
He must not pass forthwith from one medicine to another, when all things fall not out so well as they should, to him; who doth proceed by good reason; so that remain still and continue which seemed to him to be so from the Beginning.
For it is no point of wisdom light∣ly
to recede from that which once you have approved of, though it doth not presentely work as you would have it.
Those which have a moist bel∣ly, pass their youthful age more easily then those which have the same dry: but they pass their old age more hardly and with more difficulty, for when they wax old, for the most part it is dryed.
This Aphorism is of it self plain enough, and compared with the 20 Aphorism of this Section, they expound one another.
Greatness and tallness of body is comely to the state of young age: but to old age it is improfita∣ble, and worse then a short stature.
For it burdeneth old men, and makes them go stooping and crook∣backed.
This third book is almost reduced to the discourse of ages or times, expressing unto us two common places, that is to say the strength and force of ages, and the diver∣sity of diseases throughout those ages, and times.
ALteration and variableness of the seasons, do most e∣specially bring forth diseases, and likewise great alterations of cold and heat in those seasons, and of other things answering to them in proportion.
Because they alter the air which we draw in continually with our breaths.
Some natures are well or ill af∣fected in Summer, and some in Winter.
By natures he means the tempe∣ratures: and of them the cold and moist temperatures fare best in Summer, and the hot and dry worst.
Some diseases are well or ill affected, some more to one time, and some to another, and some ages more to some one time, place and kind of dyet then they are to another.
He now affirms that to be true in diseases and ages, which he had in the precedent Aphorism asserted in temperatures of the body.
Autumnal diseases are to be ex∣pected in those seasons, when on the self-same day it is sometimes hot, and sometimes cold.
For not the names but the tem∣peratures of the seasons, are the causes of diseases.
The South wind dulleth the hearing, obscureth and darkneth the sight, offendeth the head with aches and rheumes, procureth and causeth heaviness and faintness in the members. When therefore it is frequent and bloweth often, such things are incident to the weak and sickly. Contrariwise the North wind causeth coughs, exa∣sperateth and excoriateth the jaws, hardens the belly, suppresseth U∣rine, stirs up cold shiverings and shakings, ingendereth the pains of the sides and breast. Therefore when this wind bears sway those that are weak and feeble must, look for such accidents.
The South wind by reason of its hot and moist Nature, and the north
wind because of its cold and dryness do work these effects in weak bo∣dies.
When the Summer is like the Spring time, we must expect much sweating in Agues.
Because by its temperate and mo∣derate heat, it draws the humidities of the body to the skin, but cannot dissolve them into vapors.
Sharp Agues are ingendred by great drought and dryness, and if the year prove to be for the most part such; as the state of the sea∣son is, such kinds of diseases for the most part must be so expected.
Sharp Agues are those which quickly end, but have heavy and troublesome symptomes.
In certain & moderate times, ob∣serving their seasonablenes, certain
and seasonable diseases having a happy determination are ingen∣dred. But in uncertain and immo∣derate times, uncertain diseases are ingendred; and evil to be judged.
For diseases follow the nature of the efficient causes, and the efficient causes are likely such as the tem∣perature of the year is.
In Autumn universally there are most sharp and deadly disea∣ses: but the spring time is most wholesom, and free from deadly diseases.
The reasons whereof are, first by reason of its ineqnality, the mor∣nings and evenings being cold and the midday hot. Secondly, because the preceding Summer hath made the humors adust. Thirdly; because the said Summer hath weakened the forces. Fourthly, because the
morning▪ and evenings ambient coldness drives the vicious humors into the body. And fiftly, because there is abundance of fruits eaten in that season, the eating of which breeds store of evil humors.
Autumn is hurtful to such as are in a consumption.
By reason of its dryness, coldness, and inequality.
Amongst the parts of the year if the Winter be extraordinary dry, and the Spring very rainy, and subject to southerly winds. It must of necessity fall out that in Summer, sharp Agues, Rheums in the Eys and Bloody-fluxes do happen, especially to women and men who are of a moist nature.
By reason of the abundance of humors which are subject to putre∣faction.
Contrarily if Winter be South∣ernly, full of rain and warm, and the Spring dry and northernly, women whose child-birth and de∣liverance happeneth neer the Spring, do upon the least occasion suffer abortment and untimely birth: or if they be delivered at their due time, they bring forth such weak and diseased children, that either they die quickly, or live but weakly and sickly. To others there happen bloody-fluxes and hot inflammations of the eys, and to old men rheums which shortly kill them.
This Aphorisms meaning is plain enough now, the particular causes why these several diseases happen are set down at large in Ga∣lensComments to which we refer the Reader.
Summer being dry and the wind northernly, Autumn full of rain and the wind southernly, vehement pains of the head are to be expe∣cted in the Winter following. Al∣so coughs, hoarsnesses, & rheums, distillings at the nostrils, and to some pining Consumptions.
Having in the preceding Apho∣risms spoken of the Winter and Spring, he now speaks of the other two seasons, namely Summer and Autumn.
A northernly and dry Autumn is profitable and good to men which are of a moist temperature, and also to women, to others it causeth hot inflammations in the eys, and Feavers partly sharp, and partly long, and some also are troubled with Melancholly.
This Aphorism ought to be an∣nexed to the former as part of it.
Of all the seasons throughout the whole yeer, dryness and droughts are more wholsom and less dangerous to mans life, then daily showers of rain and moisture
This Aphorism by right should have been placed after the 17th of this Section, and the 17 after the 5, as Galen shews in his Comment up∣on this present Aphorism.
When there is much rain these diseases for the most part are in∣gendred, namely long contlnuing Agues, Fluxes of the belly, cor∣ruption of humors, Falling-sick∣ness, Apoplexies, Squinancies But when there is much drought there happen Consumptions, Rheumes in the eys, pains of the joynts, difficulty in making Urine, and passions of the intestines or in∣ward parts.
This Aphorism is as it were an explication of the former, by which some ignorant men might infer that in a dry year, there would be no dis∣eases at all ingendred.
Daily seasons of weather being northernly do close and strength∣en the body and make it nimble, well coloured and quick of hear∣ing. They dry and harden the belly, but bite and offend the eys, and if any pain have possest the breast, they make it more grie∣vous▪ Contrariwise southernly seasons loose and moisten the bo∣dy, and weakens it, dull the hear∣ing, cause heaviness, and giddiness of the head, mistiness and dimness of the eys, dulness and laziness of the body, and make the belly loose and laxative.
For the northern wind is cold and dry: and the southern hot and moist.
As touching seasons of the year in the Spring and beginning of Summer, children and those which are neerest to them in age, live in very good health; in Sum∣mer and some part of Autumn old men live best, but in the rest of Autumn and Winter they of a middle age.
Summer is good for old men by reason of the frigidity of their na∣ture, Winter for men in the strength of their age, because it abates and is contrary to their bilious temper.
Any diseases, are ingendred in any times of the year, yet many are rather caused, and stirred, in some one more then in another.
Intending in the following Apho∣risms to set down what diseases are peculiar to several times of the year he promises this as a general one.
In the Spring there happeneth madness, melancholly, falling-e∣vil, fluxes of blood, the squinancy, rheumes, distillations of humors, coughs, leprosies, dry scabs, mor∣phues, and many ulcerous wheals, pushes, and pains of the joynts.
Which diseases for the most part being not dangerous, but rather con∣ducing to health by driving out no∣xious humors out of the inward to the outward parts of the body; this Aphorism rather confirms then op∣poses the latter part of the ninth A∣phorism.
In Summer there are some of those diseases before spoken of; in the Spring also continual Feavers and burning Agues, and many Tertians, and Quartans, Vomi∣tings, Fluxes of the belly, inflam∣mations of the eys, pains of the
ears, ulcerations of the mouth, pu∣trefactions of the genitals, and sweatings,
Namely in the beginning of Sum∣mer are incident some of those dis∣eases which were also towards the latter end of the Spring, for it be∣ing of the same temperature they must ingender the same diseases.
Also many Summer diseases are in Autumn, both Quartans and un∣certain wandring Agues, swellings of the Spleen, Hydropsie, Con∣sumptions, Strangury Looseness & excoriations of the bowels, aches of hucle-bone, Squinancies, short∣nesses of breath, streight pressings or drawing together of the bow∣els in some part of them; the Falling-sickness, madness, and melancholly.
The beginning of Autumn, and end of Summer have the same affi∣nity
as the beginning of Summer and end of the Spring.
In Winter are ingendred Plu∣risies, inflammations of Lungs Lethargie, Rheums in the nostrils, hoarsness, coughs, pains of the breasts, sides, and loyns, head∣aches, swimmings and giddinesses of the head (causing dimness to the eys) and Apoplexies.
This and the precedent Aphorisms concerning seasons, are to be under∣stood when seasons do hold their own order and temperature.
But as concerning ages, these diseases do happen to little chil∣dren and lately born; Ulcers in the mouth, Vomiting, Coughs, want of sleep, great fears, inflam∣mations of the Navil, moist run∣ings at the ears.
Having spoken of the seasons of
diseases he now sets down in what ages such and such diseases use to happen, beginning with infants newly born.
The time of Teeth-breeding coming, there happen itching of the gums, Feavers, Convulsions, Fluxes of the belly, especially when they bring forth their dog∣teeth, and especially those chil∣dren chiefly that are most fat, and have their belly bound.
Which time of teeth breeding be∣gins commonly at seven moneths of age, and sometimes at four: the dog∣teeth at a year or ten moneths.
When children begin to be a little elder, they are subject to the inflammations of the Almonds of the mouth, dislocation of the turning joynts in the nape of the neck inwardly, shortness of wind,
breeding of the Stone, round-worms, gut-worms, long hanging warts, Satyrasms, Stranguries Scrophules in the neck and other risings, especially those before de∣clared
Now he sets down those diseases which children are subject to after they are past teeth-breeding, to twelve or fourteen years of age.
Moreover to those which are greater and coming to ripe age, there happen many of those for∣mer diseases, but more long con∣tinuing Agues, and fluxes of blood at the nostrils.
This Aphorism concerns children about twelve, thirteen, or fourteen years of age, and ripeness of age comes sooner or later according to the beat or coldness of constitutions.
The diseases of children for the
most part, some of them attain to the Crysis or alteration within 40 days, some within seven moneths, some within seven years, others when they come to ripe age. But those which shall continue longer, and shall neither be dissolved, in men children when they come to be about fourteen yeers or fifteen or maiden children when their monethly terms do break forth, do use to last a long time.
Or as Heurnius saith in his Com∣ments, do last as long as they live.
To young men there doth hap∣pen spitting of blood, Consumpti∣ons, sharp Feavers, falling-sick∣nesses and other diseases, but espe∣cially▪ these we have now rehears∣ed.
This age according to Heurniusis when their voice breaks and they begin to speak big. 〈2 pages missing〉〈2 pages missing〉
nostrils, dimness of sight, Glau∣coma, and dullness of hear∣ing.
Here by old men he means those who have attained to their last age.
This fourth Section is variable, but for the most part is reduced to evacuation and prognostick signs of future events.
THou shalt purge child-bear∣ing women if it be needful, at the fourth moneth after con∣ception, and so unto the seventh, but those more sparingly: but the conception being younger, or elder, thou shalt abstain.
Because in those moneths the li∣gaments wherewith the conception is fastened to the womb, are strong∣est and thickest, and not cas••e to be
broken by the commotions of purg∣ing medicines.
Such things are to be drawn out of the body by the use of purging medicines, as they are, which issuing out of their own accord would do good to it. But those which issue out in a contra∣ry manner are to be stopped.
For it is good in artificial purges to imitate Nature.
If such things be purged as should be it is good, and the Pati∣ent doth easily endure it. But if you do otherwise, the patient doth indure it painfully.
This Aphorism being the same with the 2 and 25 of the first Se∣ction, it needs no further explica∣tion, and some have in this place left it quite out.
In Summer it is more conve∣nient to purge the upper Venters, in Winter the inferior by stool.
For in Summer choller is the predominant humor, and naturally by reason of the ambient heat all things are carried upwards, so it is best to purge by Vomit.
Under the Canicular or Dog∣star, and before it, purgations are painful and difficult.
Because the ambient heat seeks to draw the humors outwards by sweat while the purgation forces them out by stool.
Lean and slender men are easi∣ly provoked to Vomit, and there∣fore must be purged by vomit, unless it be in Winter.
For slender men are for the most part chollerick, which choller if
they have a facility in vomiting should be purged upward, unless it be in Winter, for then the inferior venters must be purged by stool.
Purge those which do not vo∣mit easily, and are in good plight, downwards by stool, so it be not Summer.
For at any other time of the year you may securely do it.
Do not purge them upwar••s which are subject to a Consum∣ption or Phtysick.
For fear of hurting the instru∣mental parts of respiration which are weak.
Thou shalt purge melancholly folk strongly by stool, in like man∣ner beginning the contrary way of purging.
For light matter bending up∣ward,
must be drawn out by the upper parts, but the heavier and grosser matter by the lower parts.
We must purge in very sharp sicknesses, if the matter do move to the purging of it; and that the very same day wherein the sickness doth begin; for delay in such diseases is very hurtful and dangerous.
Before the strength of body fail, or diminish, or the aguish heat in∣crease, or the humors which wan∣der up and down the body settle a∣bout some principal part.
Those which have gripings and wringings in the belly, and horri∣ble pain about the navel and the loyns, and cannot be eased and dissolved by medicine or other∣wise, they will fall into a dry Dropsie.
Which is called a Timpany.
Those are not to be purged in Winter by vomit, whose stomack and belly cannot retain meat un∣til it be digested
He means such purges as are ge∣neral and purge the whole body; for in particular purges you may do o∣therwise. As if we would onely ease the ventricle of phlegm, we may do it by vomit in Winter. And by the same reason, if yellow chol∣ler be in the intestines only, we may in Summer purge it out by stool.
Their bodies are to be made moist before hand with plenty of food, and with ease and rest; who taking a potion of Hellebor do hardly and painfully vomit.
Because if the nerves and other dry parts of the body be not moisten∣ed the Hellebor which is hot and dry
in the third degree, and is very drawing, may cause deadly Con∣vulsions
Hellebor being drunk, the bo∣dy ought rather to be moved, then yielded to sleep or rest: For the sayling in a ship doth manifest, that our bodies are provoked and st••irred by motion.
And seeing that motion of it self provokes the body to vomit, much more will it do it, with the help of a medicine. And rest keeps the body in the same state, motion changes and alters it.
If you will have Hellebore to work more forcibly move and stir the body, but when you will stay it, procure sleep and do not move.
For since motion sets it more vi∣olently a working, rest must needs cause it to stay, seeing contrary ope∣rations
work contrary effects.
Hellebor is very dangerous to them which have a healthful bo∣dy, for it ingendreth Convulsions.
For it is one of its chief qualities to cause distentions, so finding no excrements in the body it falls upon the solid parts, and especially the nerves.
If he which hath not an Ague doth loath his meat, hath a gnaw∣ing of the mouth or the stomack, a darksom giddiness of the brain, and bitterness of the mouth, it signifieth that he had need to be purged upwards.
For these are three symptomes by which the Physician may know the Patient hath need of being purged upward.
Whosoever having need of
hath pains above the Middriff, it is a sign he must be purged up∣wards, but the pains which are un∣der the same, shew a purging downwards to be needful.
For which way the humor natu∣rally desires to go, that way you must by the help of medicines send it.
Those which do not thirst while they are purged by a medicinal potion, shall not leave purging while they do thirst.
Because the excrements being evacuated, the mouth of the ven∣tricle is dryed up which causeth thirst.
If there be gripings about the Navel without a Feaver, and hea∣viness of the knees, and pain of the loyns, they signifie that there is need of purging downward.
Because that all these symptomes
shew that the noxious humors moti∣on and violence is downward.
Black excrements of the belly like unto black blood, coming forth of their own accord, both with a Feaver, or without, are most evil, and by how much the more the evil colours are, so much the worse, the excrements are. But such things to be expelled out by a medicine is far better, and that by how much the more colours there shall be.
For if they come out of their own accord it shews there are many ill affected humors in the body, which driven out by Physick the body re∣mains sound.
In the beginning of any disease if black choller come forth either above or beneath it is deadly.
For it signifies that nature is ill
affected, which never evacuates superfluous things till they be conco∣cted, wherefore if black choller come forth in the beginning of a disease, it is evacuated by its proper malice and not by the law of Nature.
Those which are pined or brought low by sharp or long dis∣eases, or by wounds, or any other means, and do void black choller or as it were black blood, do dye the next day following.
Namely through the imbecility of faculty, and greatness of the disease.
A Bloody flux if it proceed from black choller is mortal.
Because it ulcerates the entrails with an ulcered cancer, which can hardly be cured in the outward parts, to which medi caments may be applyed; therfore much less there
where no such medicaments can be applyed.
For blood to be carried upward of what kind soever it be, is an evil sign, but if black blood be avoided downwards it is good.
For if it be carried upwards, it shews there is some vessel opened, extended, or broken in the upper parts. And in this place by car∣rying upward is meant through the mouth, not through the nostrils, which for the most part is good.
If any man being afflicted with a bloody-flux, void as it were little pieces of flesh, it is a mortal sign.
For then the exulceration is so great that it can no way be healed.
To those which have store of blood flowing from what part so∣ever, in Feavers, their bodies be∣come
come moist after they have been refreshed.
Because the natural heat is weakened by store of blood flowing, and though here mention be made onely of Feavers, yet it holds in o∣ther diseases likewise.
Those which avoid chollerick excrements downward, if deafness come thereupon, they cease from avoiding them. And those which are affected with deafness are cu∣red of it by avoiding of chollerick excrements.
He means not a permanent deaf∣ness, for that is not so cured, but of a transitory or supervening deafness caused by cholerick humors molest∣ing the brain, which must needs cease when they come down.
If cold shakings happen, to them that are sick of an Ague,
the sixt day they have a difficult Crysis, and we cannot well judge of the disease▪
Because for the most part they presage either death or return of the disease.
In them which are afflicted with fits of Agues, whensoever the Ague shall leave them, if it return the same hour the next day it is wont to have a difficult Cry∣sis, and determination.
That is to say it will not easily be dissolved.
Imposthumes are caused neer the joynts, and especially neer the jaw-bones, or mandibles to them which feel weariness or lassitude in Feavers.
Because the heat of the Feaver having drawn the humors up into the head, when they fall down again
the jaw-bones being very weak can∣not expel them to other parts of the body, but there they must rest. And the joynts heated by motion attract the humors of the body.
Those which recovering from a disease have a pain in some place shal have Imposthumes or botch∣es in that place.
He speaks of such as recover and yet have some reliques of feaverish matter remaining in their bodies.
If any part be pained before the disease, there is the seat of the disease.
Therefore if it be a principal part, we must indeavor to divert the humors from thence.
If a suffocation of the breath do happen upon a suddain to one afflicted with a Feaver, no swelling
appearing in the jaws or gullet, it is deadly.
For it is a sign that Phlegm stop∣peth his breath and respiration, without which he cannot live.
If to one afflicted with a Fea∣ver the neck be suddainly turned awry, and he can scarce swallow, and no swelling appear it is deadly
For it shews there is an inflamma∣tion in the muscles lying before the throat, or in the throat it self.
Sweats are good to those who are sick of an Ague, if they issue forth the third, fifth, seventh, ninth eleventh, fourteenth, seventeenth, one and twentieth, thirty, and four and thirtieth days, for those sweats work the dissolution of the disease: those which happen o∣therwise signifie pain and length of the disease, or a return of the same.
For these are the onely days of Critical sweats, in which we may be judge of the d••ssolution of the dis∣ease.
Cold sweats with a sharp Fea∣ver betoken death, but with a milde and gentle Ague, length of the disease.
Because it shews that the Pati∣ents body doth so much abound in cold humors, that neither the natu∣ral, nor the sharp Feavers heat is able to heat them.
In what part of the body the the sweat is, there is the disease.
Because in that part, stick the redundant and noxious humors.
And in what part of the body there is heat or cold, there the the disease is setled.
Namely in an excessive manner,
and not proceeding from any exter∣nal cause, for it shews a distempe∣rature contrary to health.
And when alterations do hap∣pen in the whole body, and it is sometimes cool, and sometimes hot, or one colour arises after a∣nother, it signifies continuance of the disease.
Because Nature cannot in a short time concoct and subdue several defects or diseases.
Much sweating caused through sleep without any manifest out∣ward cause, signifies that the body is fed with store of food. But if this happen to one that feeds spa∣ringly, it shews that the body wants evacuation.
By reason of the evil humors and excrements which are the cau∣ses of that sweating.
When there is much sweat cold or hot always issuing forth, the cold signifies a longer, the hot a shorter disease.
Because it shews the matter to be thin, which nature can easily con∣coct and shake off.
Continual Feavers which afflict every third day more vehemently, and do not cease are the more dangerous, but if they cease and pause in any manner, they signifie that there is no present danger.
For it sheweth the Phlegm doth not trouble any noble part, and that no venemous force hath laid siege to any principal part. And natural strength doth recollect it self during the intermission of the Feaver.
Swellings and pains about the joynts are caused to them who
are afflicted with long Agues.
By the humors set••••ng in those places, unless they be carried away by a thick white urine making.
Those which have swellings and pains of the joynts after long A∣gue, feed over liberally.
For the disease being gone, no o∣ther reason can be given for this re∣dundancy of humors.
If a cold shivering fit, the Fea∣ver being without intermission, do assail the sick man being already weak, it is a deadly sign.
For it shews nature to be so far spent, that it is able onely to stir, but not to thrust out the excre∣ment; or if it doth, the sick man fainteth therewith.
Excrements avoided in Fea∣vers not intermittent, by vomit,
or spitting, if they be of a leaden colour, bloody, stinking, or cho∣lerick, they are all evil: but if they come forth conveniently they are good
Leaden colour because they signi∣fie a mortification of those parts from whence they come; bloody be∣cause they signifie an opening of some vessels. Stinking because they signifie putrifaction. Ch••lerick be∣cause they testifie abundance of choller.
In continual Feavers, if the ex∣terior parts be cold, and the in∣ward burn, and the Patient be thirsty, it is a deadly sign.
Because the ••eat of that inward part draws all the blood to it, where∣by the heart is oppressed.
In continual Feavers, if the lip, eye, brows, or nose be turned a∣awry,
if the sick man do not see nor hear, which soever of these shall happen, the body being weak, death is neer at hand.
For all these are signs that the moving animal faculty suffereth.
If there happeneth in a conti∣nual Feaver defficulty and hardniss of breathing, with delirium and doting, these signs are deadly.
Because it signifies that both the brain, and the instruments of breathing do suffer.
Aposthumes in Feavers which are not dissolved in the first Crysis or judgement signifie length of the disease.
Because they shew that there is a multitude of noxious humors, which nature could not expel at one Crysis.
It is not absurd to weep and shed
tears in Feavers and other diseases voluntarily, but to weep against the will is very absurd and incon∣venient.
Because that weeping against the will shews a weakness and imbecili∣ty in the retentive faculty.
They have fierce and vehement Feavers, who have a tough, and clammy moisture about their teeth in those Feavers.
For those clammy moistures can∣not grow there so abundantly with∣out excessive heat which dries up the pituitous humor.
Those who have long lasting dry coughs, in burning Feavers, which do not provoke much, are not wont to be very thirsty.
For by that motion which is made in coughing, there is some humidity drawn from those places which are
adjoyning to the rough artery.
All Feavers proceeding from tu∣mors in the groyn, and other ade∣nous parts are evil, except diary Feavers which last but one day.
For those Feavers come when those tumors are caused by some out∣ward thing, as some blow or the like, and not by any inward inflam∣mation.
Sweat coming often upon one sick of an Ague not ceasing, is evil, for the disease is prolonged, and it signifieth that there is much moisture.
Which abundance of moisture asketh nature much time to concoct and disperse.
If o••e have Convulsions, or Cramps, a Feaver coming dissol∣veth them:
Because the Feaver doth heat, extenuate, and shake off those cold humors which filled up the nervous parts.
If a cold shaking fit doth come upon him which hath a burning Feaver, it dissolveth it.
For a burning Feaver being caused by choller putrifying in the veins, and a cold shaking, by the cholers being swiftly carryed about the sensible parts of the body, it shews that the choler is come out of the veins, to the skin.
An exquisite and perfect Ter∣tian Feaver cometh to his Crysis or state, in seven circuits or fits, at the utmost.
An exquisite Tertian is that which is caused by yellow choler car∣ried up and down the sensible parts of the body, keeping its nature pure and sincere.
Those that wax deaf and thick of hearing through Feavers, are delivered from it, by flux of blood at the nose, or by the belly.
It is no marvel if diseases cease, when the noxious humors are trans∣lated or carried away.
Unless the Feaver leave the pa∣tient in the odd days, it is accusto∣med to return again.
If this Aphorism should speak of all Feavers it were false: if of acute and continual Feavers it is true.
Those which have the yellow Jaundise upon Agues before the seventh day have an evil sign.
Because the yellow Jaundies pro∣ceeds from the inflammation of the Liver.
Those Feavers which have their
shaking fits every day are every day dissolved.
Yet there remains some fire wher∣by the paroxism is renewed.
It is a good thing for them which have the yellow-Jaundies coming on them in Feavers on the 7 day, ninth, eleventh, or fourteenth, un∣less the right Hypocondrium be hard, for then it is evil.
For the Hypocondrium being hard signifies there is an inflamma∣tion of the Liver.
In Feavers a vehement heat a∣bout the Stomach, and a gnawing about the heart is bad.
Because it signifies an ebullition of choler in the tunicles of the ven∣tricle or stomach.
Convulsions and vehement pains about the bowels in sharp Feavers are evil.
For vehement Feavers dry and stretch the nerves like fire, and by the same vehemence of heat and drought, the bowels are pained.
In feavers great fears or Con∣vulsions after sleep do prognosti∣cate evil.
For fears signifie the repletion of the head with melancholy humors and Convulsions, abundance of phlegmatick humors.
The breath not keeping its due course, is evil: for it doth signifie convulsion.
Caused by the over-drying of the muscles and nerves which move the stomack
Urines in a Feaver being thick, clotted, and little in quantity, do profit them that make them, if afterwards, thin urine, and much
in quantity be avoided by them. But those urines most commonly become such, in which the hypo∣stasis or sediment shal appear pre∣sently after they are made, or not long after.
Because the gross humors causing the Feaver are expelled in the hu∣mor, which makes the urine which comes afterwards to be thin in re∣spect of that.
Those who have their water troubled or unclean in Agues, such as are the waters of Cattel, have or shall have head-aches.
Because the windy or flatuous spi∣rit is easily drawn up into the head together with heat.
Those which shall have their Crysis or alteration of the disease the seventh day, have a little red cloud in the urine the fourth day,
〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉
and other things thereunto be∣longing accordingly.
These red clouds are seldom seen, though the white be frequent, and are both of them signs of concoction.
Urines very cleer and white are bad, especially in those who are afflicted with phrensies.
Because such urines are signs of an extreme crudity. And Galen saith he never knew any one who was afflicted with a phrensie, and made such water, saved.
Those which have an inflation of the Hypoco••dria, and a rum∣bling pain of the loyns succeed∣ing, have their bellies moist∣ned & loosened except the wind break forth downwards, or store of urine do issue forth. And these things happen in Feavers.
Namely in essential, not sympto∣matical
Feavers, and such as are diseases of themselves.
Those that have hope of Apo∣sthumations to come about the joynts, much urine thick and white doth deliver from the Aposthume, such as is wont to be avoided in painful Feavers the fourth day: when also blood shall be voided out of the nostrils, there shall be a dissolution & deliverance speedily.
For those urines purge out the hu∣mors which would cause the apost∣humations, and especially if there be a bleeding at the nostrils joyned, for then the causes issue out two ways.
If any piss blood or filthy mat∣ter, it signifies an exulceration of the Kidneys or bladder.
That is, if he do it for a continu∣ance, for otherwise it may proceed from some other cause
Those which have small pieces of flesh, or as it were hairs issuing forth together with thick urine, do avoid those excrements from the Kidneys.
Those small pieces of flesh are part of the reins or kidneys, and are a ma∣nifest sign of their being ulcerated, but the hairs are onely bred there, but are no part of them.
Those which avoid thick urine with certain things like bran, have their bladder infected with scab∣bedness.
If the defect be not in the veins for such stuff comes sometime from them.
If any piss blood on a suddain, it is a sign there is some vein of the Kidneys broken.
Namely meer and pure blood, and
without any external cause.
They in whose urine appeareth an hypostasis or sediment full of sand, have their bladder troubled with the stone.
This Aphorism is mutilated and defective, for the sand may come as well from the kidneys as from the bladder.
If any one piss blood or clots of blood, and make his water by drops having pain in that part of the belly (which is between the Navel and the secret parts) named hypogastrion: or at the seame line of the skin of the Cods, called pe∣rinaeum, and at the place called pecten (where the hair about the privy members groweth) then the places about the bladder are dis∣eased.
Namely all the parts belonging
to the bladder, and not the bladder onely.
If any one piss blood or filthy matter, or little scales, and there be also a stinking or strong smell, it betokens an exulceration of the bladder.
The two first accidents may hap∣pen upon the exulceration of any of the instruments serving to make water, but the scales and stink are proper signs of the bladder being ill-affected.
Those which have an Apost∣hume bred in the urinary passage, are delivered from it, the same being brought to suppuration and broken.
Which suppuration and break∣ing, gives the urine free passage.
Voiding of much urine in the
night doth signifie small evacuati∣on of excrements by the Fun∣dament.
He makes particular mention of the night, because at that time by reason of the sleep Nature is most busie about her concoction and di∣stribution.
This fift Book or Section is varia∣ble, yet it doth almost wholly in∣treat of the diseases of women, and of the good and bad disposi∣tions of the womb.
A Convulsion after taking Hellebore is deadly.
Namely after white Hellebore, and that for five causes. First by reason of the agreement which is ••etween the nerves and the mouth of the Stomack. Secondly by rea∣son of the biting humors which it draws to the mouth of the stomack. Thirdly by reason of the abundant
evacuation the Hellebore causeth. Fourthly, by reason of the attra∣ctive faculty by which it draws the moistness from the nerves. And fift∣ly because it vehemently dryes up the substance of the nerves.
A Convulsion caused by a wound is deadly.
Not always but for the most part.
The Hicket, or a Convulsion af∣ter a copious flux of blood is evil.
Because of the great emptiness caused by the copious flux of blood, and because the Hicket is caused by a depraved motion of the ventricle.
After an immoderate purgation, a Convulsion or Hicket is evil.
For the same reason that they are evil after taking of Hellebore. Aph. 1.
If one that is drunk suddainly fall dumb, he shall die with a Con∣vulsion unless he be taken with a Feaver, or presently recover his speech as soon as his surfet is dis∣solved
Obj. How can wine being hot cause a Convulsion which is a cold disease?
A. Wine is hot moderately taken, over abundantly cold as a little oil powred upon a fire will increase it, but an over abonnding quantity thrown upon a little will put it out.
Those who are taken with a Cramp or distention called Teta∣nus, die within four days, or if they overpass them they recover.
Because it is a sign that nature hath overcome the disease.
The falling sickness, which is be∣fore ripeness of years may be cu∣red:
but that which comes after five and twenty yeers of age for the most part accompanies us to death.
By ripeness of yeers he means 25 yeers of age, yet they are not all cu∣rable before that age, unless they take a care in dieting themselves.
Those which have a plurisie, un∣less they be purged upwards with∣in fourteen days, shall have their disease turned into an imposthume
Namely spitting and purging such matter upward.
A Consumption likely happen∣eth in that age which is from the 18 to the 35.
Namely that Consumption which comes by an exulceration of the Lungs.
Those who have the evil cause of the Squinancy and escape it, that
evil passeth to the Lungs, and they dye within seven days, but if they escape, the humor imposthu∣mates.
And if that imposthumated hu∣mor be not purged out it breeds a Consumption.
If the spittle which they void by coughing that are affected with a Consumption, do stink vehe∣mently being cast upon the coals, and the hairs of the head do fall off, it is a deadly sign.
For the more faculties are weak∣ned in so much the worser case the Patient is.
If a flux of the belly happen to them, which have their hair falling away by a Consumption; death is neer at hand.
Because it proceeding from weak∣ness also, it shews a further weaken∣ing
of the natural faculties.
Those which cough forth frothy blood, do retch and draw the same out of the Lungs.
And it is part of the very sub∣stance and flesh of the Lungs.
If a flux of the belly happen to him which is in a Consumption it is deadly.
This affirms what was said before Aph. 12 and moreover that a flux of the belly added to a Consumption, is alone sufficient to kill without fal∣ling away of the hair.
Those which are infected with an imposthume by a Plurisie, if they be purged from the corrupt matter within forty days after the breaking of the imposthume are cured, or otherwise they pass into a Consumption.
For the matter will otherwise be so putrified that it will perish the lungs
Hot water too often used, bring∣eth these discommodities: tender∣ness of the flesh, distemperature of the sinews, heaviness, and stupe∣faction of the mind, fluxes of blood, faintings and swounings; and to these things succeeds death
Hippocrates here wisheth us to shun; the excessive use of any thing, though never so temperate.
The use of cold water, bringeth Convulsions, distentions or Cramps, blackness, and cold Agu∣ish shakings.
This is also not of the use simply but of the immoderate use of cold water.
Cold water is hurtful to the bones, teeth, sinews, brain, and
marrow of the back. But that which is hot is good and profita∣ble.
All the parts here rehearsed are by nature the coldest.
We must heat those things which are over cold, except those which pour forth or are inclined to pour forth blood abundantly.
For when there are more diseases then one coupled together, we must make hast to cure that first which is most urgent.
Cold water biteth and nippeth Ulcers, hardeneth the skin, hinder∣eth a soreness from maturation of the corrupt matter, causeth black∣ness, bringeth forth cold shivering fits of Agues, Convulsions, and distentions of the sinews.
This Aphorism relates some other hurts which cold water doth.
Notwithstanding there is some time when in the Cramp without an ulcer in a wel flesht young man in the midst of Summer, plentiful pouring out of cold water, doth call back the heat, and so the heat dissolves the Cramp.
This is not done by any vertue of its, but accidentally by drawing the natural heat outward in such well flesht young men.
Hot water yieldeth unto us a great token of security and safety, when it causeth suppuration, yet not in all Ulcers. It softneth and mollifieth the skin, and maketh it thin, it doth appease pain, it miti∣gateth and assawageth cold shake∣ings, Convulsions and distentions: It dissolveth the heaviness of the head: It profiteth broken bones very much; especially if they be
bare without flesh, and principally in the head, if they be ulcerated: it profiteth those things which are mortified, and ulcerated through cold, eating Ulcers in the Funda∣ment, privy members, womb, and bladder. To all those hot water is a friend, and of good judgement; but cold water is an enemy and destroyer.
Not in all ulcers, because some wil not be brought to supuration by heat
We must use cold water to those sores from whence blood doth is∣sue, or is about to issue, yet not to the same place, but neer to it. And if any inflammation or burning of the parts, do incline to a red and bloody color, with fresh cleer blood, apply cold water to them, but if the inflamations be invete∣rate and old it maketh them black. It helpeth the inflammation called
Erysipelas, if it be not ulcerated, for if it be it hurteth it.
Now he relates what things cold water is good for.
Cold things, as Snow and Ice are hurtful to the breast, they procure coughs, they cause ruptures of the veyns, and produce Rheumes.
He hath spoken of the effects of cold water, now he speaks of the hurt which other cold things do.
Cold water poured out abun∣dantly, doth ease and diminish the tumors and pains of the joynts, which are without ulceration. And also gouty swellings and pains, and Convulsions for the most part, and dissolveth the dolor, and diminish∣eth it. for a small benumming hath the force of dissolving and putting away of pan.
The end of this, phorism is a reason
of the whole Aphorisms assertion. As if he should say a little benumming puts away pain; cold water benum∣eth, therefore, &c▪
Water that is quickly made hot, and quickly cools, is most light.
He means not by weight, but he speaks of that water which doth not long burthen the belly, and quickly passeth through.
It is good for them who desire to drink in the night, to fall asleep when they are very thirsty.
Because sleep concocts the food, which being concocted ingenders blood, which nourishes and moistens the parts of the body.
A Fumigation of odoriferous spices brings forth womens terms: and would be also profitable for many other things, if it did not breed heaviness of the head.
For it doth excite the expulsive faculty of the womb, and open the obstructions of the veines which touch the womb.
Thou shalt pruge a woman with child if necessity require, the 4th. month after conception, until the 7th month, though those that come neer the 7th, not so much: but the conception being younger or elder thou shalt abstain.
This Aphorism is the same with the first of the fourth Section.
A woman with child, a vein be∣ing opened aborteth, and so much the rather if the conception be of any bigness.
Because it taketh away part of its food, namely the conceptions.
It is pernicious and deadly if a woman great with child be taken with any sharp disease.
For large feeding will kill the mother by increasing the disease, and little store of food will starve the conception.
A woman is cured from vomit∣ing blood, by her monethly terms issuing forth.
By the Physicians drawing down the blood to the lower parts.
A flux of blood at the nose is good for a woman whose month∣ly terms do fail contrary to the course of nature.
For if this happen not contrary to the course of nature, such a failing is nothing.
If the belly be very laxative and loose to a woman with child, there is danger fo abortment.
Because the food is not distributed to the liver and other parts of the
body, so that the food is taken away from the conception as when she is let blood.
Sneesing happening to a wo∣man grieved with suffocations of the womb, or that hath a difficult deliverance, is good.
For by a vehement shaking of na∣ture, it excites it, redintegrates the natural heat which was almost ex∣tinguished, and shakes off such noxi∣ous humors as hanged upon some part of the body.
The monethly courses being dis∣coloured, and not coming forth always in the same manner and time, declare a purgation to be necessary for the woman.
To purge those humors which cause the discoloration, and the al∣teration of time.
If the paps be suddenly extenu∣ated and become lank, to a woman with child abortment doth follow
This also happeneth, for want of food for the conceived child.
If one of the dugs be extenuated and become lank to a woman con∣ceived with child with twins, she bringeth forth one of them before the due time; and if the right dug become slender, she bringeth forth the male, if the left, the female.
For likewise the male conceptions lye on the right side, the female on the left: as is set down Aph. 48.
If any woman, neither with child nor having been delivered of child have milk in her breasts, her mo∣nethly courses have failed her.
The blood which should have turn∣ed to monethly terms, turning to milk in the breasts.
Women in whose dugs there is blood heaped together, wil be mad
For that blood is very bilious, which striking up into the head, causeth madness.
If you will know whether a wo∣man have conceived or no, give her a potion of hony and water mixed together going to sleep, and if she feel gripings and wringings of the belly, she hath conceived, if she do not, she hath not conceived
For such a potion is very windy, and the woman having conceived her womb doth press down, and keep together the intrails.
If a woman conceived with child, bear a male she is fresh and well-coloured, if she bare a female she is ill-colored.
This Aphorism is one of those
which for the most part are true, though not always.
If the inflammation called Ery∣sipelas be bred in the womb, if the woman be with child, it proves deadly.
One reason is because the chief cure for an Erysipelas is letting of blood and that must not be done to a wo∣man with child for fear of an abort∣ment, Aph. 30.
Those women which are very lean contrary to nature, and do bear children, do suffer untimely deliverance until they grow fatter
Because that food which should be for the child in the womb, goes to the nourishing of the mother.
Those women which being rea∣sonable fat, and make abortion the second or third month without
any manifest cause, have the ends of those vessels which come to the womb called acetabula or Co∣tylidons full of a pituitous or phlegmy humor, neither can they contain the conception coming to any weight, but they being broken it falleth down.
Wherby she must of necessity abort
Those which are fatter then na∣ture requires and cannot conceive have the orifice of the womb compressed and closed together by the fat Call of the guts, and can∣not until they grow leaner.
He means the inward orifice of the womb for it hath two.
If the womb shall Aposthumate in that part where it lieth neer the hip or huckle-bone, it must be cu∣red with tents dipped in a liquid medicine called in Greek Emmo∣ton.
It must be thus cured the sore being first broken either by art or nature.
Men children for the most part lye on the right side of the womb and females on the left side.
This is because the womb is war∣mer on the right side, by reason of its vicinity to the Liver.
A medicine procuring sneezing put into the nostrils doth drive and force out the Secundine, so that you stop the nostrils and mouth, close with the hand.
Which if it remained would pu∣trifie there, and with the stench of∣fend the head.
If a woman will stay her courses apply a very great cupping-glass under her breasts.
For there be veins which come up thither from the inferior parts.
Those women which are con∣ceived with child, have the orifice of the womb shut and closed up.
That the air may not get in and corrupt the seed, and that the heat of the womb may not get out.
If milk flow plentifully out of the dugs of a woman bearing a child in her womb it signifieth that the child is weak: but if the paps be hard and stiff, they de∣clare a stronger conception.
Because it shews in the former part that the child is not able to draw it for his own nutriment. But when they are solid it shews it hath nutriment enough, and that which superabounds goes to the breasts, and is there turned into milk.
The dugs and paps become slen∣der and lank to those women
which shall abort: but contrarily if they become hard, pain shall molest the paps, hips, eys, or knees, but they shall not suffer a∣bortment.
Because of the superfluous mat∣ter which is brought thither from the womb.
Those women which have the mouth of the womb hard, must of necessity have it shut up.
This Aphorism had been better placed immmediately after the A∣phorism 51.
Child-bearing women which are taken with Feavers, or are brought to a low state without any manifest cause, do bring forth their birth painfully, and with danger: or are in danger of life by an untimely deliverance.
Because it shews a great weakness or imbecility in them.
If a Convulsion, or swouning happen to a woman, in her flux of monethly terms, it is an evil thing
If they be vehement or last long, it may be deadly because the womb is exhausted and draws all the noble parts into a simpathy with it.
Womens terms flowing immo∣derately, diseases are ingendred; and being supprest or stopt, dis∣eases happen from the womb.
By their immoderate evacuation, the whole body is cooled, and its forces weakened, if they be stopt, in progress of time, excremental hu∣mors gather together in the womb.
The strangurie or dropping out of the urine doth happen by the inflammation of the straight gut,
and likewise of the womb, or if the reins be ulcerated. But if the liver be inflamed, the Hicket suc∣ceeds.
By reason of the vicinity of the bladder to the straigbt gut and the womb, and because of the purulent matter of the reins passing through the bladder: and the hicket is cau∣sed by a high inflammation of the liver because it swells the liver, and oppresses the ventricle, and the bi∣lious humor falling from the liver comes into the ventricle.
If a woman do not conceive, and thou wouldest know if she shall conceive at all, let her be wrapped round about with clothes, & make a fume under the lower parts, and if the scent be perceived to pass through her body to her nostrils, and her mouth, know that she is not barren by any default in her self.
Because then the body is cleer of all vitious humors, and the womb it self is in a good temper.
If the monethly purgations keep their course in a woman that is with child, it is impossible that the conception should be well.
Because it wants its aliment and food, being fed by that menstruous blood al the while it is in the womb.
If a womans monthly courses stop, and she have neither shiver∣ing cold nor Ague coming upon her, and she loath her meat, make account that she is conceived.
For at the first conceiving of a woman, the child cannot make use of those courses for its food.
Those women which have their womb cold and dry do not con∣ceive, nor those which have it o∣ver
moist, for the seed is extin∣guisht and perisht in them. Also those women cannot conceive which have those places over dry and hot, for the seed corrupts for want of nourishment. But those women which have obtained a moderate temperature of the pla∣ces in respect of both the opposi∣tions and contrarieties they are fruitful.
This Aphorism by right should be placed next to the 59 Aph.
The same consideration and rea∣son is likewise to be respected in men men, for either through the spongy substance of the body, the spirits are dissipated and scattered abroad so that the seed cannot be cast forth; or else the humor doth not issue forth because of its gros∣ness or thickness; or else because of coldness it doth not grow hot,
to be collected in its proper place▪ or by the means of heat, the very self same thing may happen.
This Aphorism is held to be spu∣rious, and none of Hippocrates, both by Galen and others.
It is not good to give milk to those who are troubled with the head-ach, or with Agues, nor to those who are troubled with flatus Hypocondriacus, nor to those who are troubled with thirst. It is also naught for them which avoid cho∣lerick excrements downwards, or to those which have sharp Fea∣vers, or have had some copious evacuation of blood. But it is good for those which are in a Consum∣ption, so they be not troubled with any vehement Feaver. It is also good for long lingering and mild Agues, so there be none of the sore spoken of signes. And
those who are brought low with∣out any apperant reason or occa∣sion,
The particular reasons for these particular assertions may be seen at large in Galen, Fuchsius, and Heurnius Comments, which would be too long to reherse here.
They are seldom troubled with Convulsions or madness, which have apparent tumors with their ulcers. But Convulsions and di∣stentions happen to them to whom the tumors shall suddenly vanish away, if they happen on the hinder part of the body. But if they happen on the fore part, there happeneth madness, vehe∣ment pain of the side▪ suppurati∣on or spitting of matter, and the bloody-flux.
Because the humors reside there. And if they go away by degrees al∣so
there is no danger for it shews, that the noxious humors are shaken off and dissolved.
If no tumor nor swelling appear in great and bad wounds, it is a great evil
Because it signifies a passing of the noxious humors to the principal parts.
Soft tumors are good, raw and indigested ones evil.
Because the first signifie there is a concoction, and in the second there is none.
To one who hath a pain in the hinder part of his head, the vena recta in the fore-head being opened doth good.
The vena recta is that which is over against that which is oppo∣site to that vein which nourisheth
the part which is evil affected, so the opening of it doth both evacuate and divert the noxious humors.
Cold shakings and shiverings for the most part do begin to wo∣men from the loyns, and through the back come to the head. But to men they do rather begin in the back part then in the forepart, as from the hinder part of the thighes and from the elbows; the rarity and thinness of the skin is a token thereof, which thing, the hair there growing, doth declare and manifest.
For the thicker the skin is, the l••ss will hair grow upon it.
Those which are taken with a Quartan Ague are not at all taken with Convulsions: but if before they have been taken, upon the coming of the quartan, they are delivered.
He means here such Convulsions as come by repletion of the nervous parts, with thin and pituitous hu∣mors, which by a quartan are both expelled and concocted
Those who have their skin acide, and dry, die without sweating, but those who have a loose and open skin, end their life with sweat.
He speaks here of those who have a Feaver.
Those that are diseased with the Jaundies are not much molested, with windiness.
By reason of the heat and strength of the parts belonging to the sto∣mack, which causeth them to con∣coct the food fully and perfectly.
This Section doth almost altogether concern that part of the Art which foretelleth good and evil things to happen in diseases.
IN a long lubricity and slipperi∣ness of the guts, if a sowerish belching do happen, which was not before, it is a good sign.
For it signifies, that now the food remains a while in the stomack, till such time at least as it begins to concoct.
Those which have ther nostrils more moist then others by nature,
and their seed also do enjoy their health but badly; but those which have the contrary properties, are more healthful.
By the nostrils he means the brains which purge that way, and by the humidity of the Seed, the humidity of the whole body, the seed coming from the blood.
In long fluxes of the bowels, loathing of meat is evil, and with a Feaver it is worser.
Because it signifies a mortifica∣tion of the nourishing faculty.
Ulcers which are every way smooth and bald.
Because of an evil humor lying in the bottom, which eats up the roots of the hair, as salt earth doth the herbs roots which grow on it.
In the pains of the sides, breast,
and other parts, we must consider whether they increase or differ much, or keep at a stay.
Whither they differ namely in their kind, or in their vehemency, whe∣ther they be pricking▪ stretching, or provoking.
The diseases and infirmities of the Kidneys and Bladder are of hard and difficult curation in old men.
••hich old age begins at fifty years which Hippocrates confirms in his sixt Book Epidemion where he saith he never saw or knew an ulcer of the reins or bladder cured after fif∣ty years of age.
Dolours and pains of the bes∣ly being aloft and in the upper part are more light & easie, those which are not aloft are more ve∣hement.
We must understand this word aloft not according to the length and height of the body, but accor∣ding to its depth and thickness, so be those which are not aloft, he means those which are next to the back.
Ulcers or sores in the body of those which are diseased with the dropsie, are not easily cured.
For an ulcer cannot be cured un∣til it be exactly dryed, which can∣not easily be done in those who have the dropsie, by reason of their super∣abundant humidity.
Broad wheals are not very full of itching.
For they are not bred by such hot humors as those which are narrow and high.
Corrupt matter, water or blood
issuing out, by the nostrils, mouth or ears, dissolveth and cureth a vehement and grievous head-ach.
If that the pain proceed from in∣flammation, or abundance of crude humors gathered in the head, for if it proceed from other causes, there must be other cures.
The Haemorroides happening to those, which are troubled with melancholly and pain of the Kid∣neys are good.
Both by reason of the evacuation, and because they evacuate such hu∣mors as ought to be evacuated.
Unless in the cures of Haemor∣roides which have long continued there be one vein kept open, it is to be feared that a Dropsie or Convulsion will shortly▪ follow.
That nature may by that means purge out those evil humors which remain.
The Hick•••• troubling us is put away by sneezing.
If the said Hicket was caused by fulness For by sneezing not on∣ly the brain: but the stomack also, by reason of the nerves derived un∣to it, is vehemently shaken, where∣by the humors exciting the Hicket are evacuated.
If in him who hath a Dropsie if the water flow from the veins into the belly, the disease is dis∣solved.
If Nature or Physick make eva∣cuation of it from thence.
Vomiting coming by the meer benefit of nature dissolveth and riddeth away a long flux or loos∣ness of the belly.
By reason of the retraction and drawing back of the humors which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 downward.
A looseness of the belly, to one afflicted with a Plurisie or inflam∣mation of the Lungs is an evil thing.
Because it signifies the liver to be so affected, by the consent of those parts which serve for respiration, that through weakness it is not able to draw the aliment to it self, and convert it into blood.
It is good for him who hath a waterish dropping and running of the eys, if he be taken with a flux and loosness of the belly.
Whereby Hippocrates shews us a convenient way how to cure such eys, namely by drawing the humors which cause the disease downwards
It is a deadly thing when the bladder is wounded, or the brain, or the heart, the midriff, any small
〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉
〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉
〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉
gut, the Stomack or Liver.
The Greek word for wounded is here 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 which signifies deep wounded; for otherwise some of those parts have been wounded and cured as Galen saith.
A bone perished or cut off, a cartilage, gristle, or sinew, or any little parcel of the eye-lid, or of the foreskin, being diminished, do not grow or joyn together.
Yet they may be knit together by some other kind of substance as we see in bones.
If blood flow contrary to na∣ture into any concavity it corrupt∣eth and is putrified of necessity.
That is, into any other concavity besides the veins and arteries.
If the swellings of veins in the legs, called varices; or the Hae∣morroides,
shall happen to them which are mad, their madness is dissolved.
Because nature drives those hu∣mors which cause madness into the more ignoble parts.
Breaches or fluxes of humors, which descend from the back to the elbow, are dissolved by open∣ing of a vein.
By reason that those humors are thereby evacuated.
If fear and sadness continue long, it is a sign of melancholly.
Namely without any outward cause, for those who are sad or fear∣ful for any outward cause, their sadness and fear do not commonly last long; but if they do, they will turn to melancholly, if not to mad∣ness.
If any small or slender gut be pierced, it doth not grow together again.
This was spoken Aphorism 18. wherefore Galen and Heurnius would have it expunged.
If the cholerick tumor Erysi∣pulas being outward be returned inwards, it is evil; but if being in∣wards, it is turned outward, it is a good thing.
By this example Hippocrates shews that it is good to have all sores and diseases of tbe body to come from the noble and inward parts to the ignoble and outward ones.
Those burning feavers are dis∣solved with dotage or raving, in which are trembling shakings.
They are indeed dissolved, but that dissolution at last brings a ge∣neral
dissolution of the body by death
If the corruption, matter, or water do flow out altogether at once from them which are burnt or cauterized, or cut by the Chi∣rurgion for the cure of the inward aposthumation between▪ the lungs and the breast, or of the Dropsie, then the diseased shall question∣less die▪
By these examples Hippocrates shews that all total evacuations made at once, are noxious and dead∣ly.
Eunuchs or gelded men, are nei∣ther troubled with the Gout, nor with baldness.
Because in Hippocrates time they used a very good diet, and lived ve∣ry temperately they were not trou∣bled with the gout, though now a∣days they be, and their not being
bald comes from their native moi∣sture, which makes them have a ve∣ry thick skin.
A woman is not troubled with the Gout unless her monthly terms fail her.
The same reasons may be alleadg∣ed for women as were set down in the former, for Eunuchs. But if her terms fail her, then the superfluous humors being driven to the out∣ward parts may cause it.
A boy is not troubled with the Gout till he hath used Venery.
Ʋnless it come through their seed, or if the parents have had the French pox.
Drinking of strong wine, a ba••••, a fomentation, phlebotomy, or a purgation doth cure the pain of the eyes.
According as the cause of the disease is, so must the manner of the taking of it away be various.
Those which stammer are for the most part taken with a long flux of the belly.
Because stammering shews an extraordinary humidity of the tongue, whereof the ventricle of ne∣cessity participates.
Those which have sour belchings are not much subject to a Plurisie.
Because sour belching is a sign of much phlegm, and the Plurisie for the most part invades those who are troubled with much choller.
Great swelling veins in the legs called varices, are not incident to them who lose their hair, and if they happen to have varices whose hair do fall, their hair will grow again.
Because those vicious humors which before corrupted the hair, are now gon down into the legs.
If a cough come upon those which are troubled with a Drop∣sie it is an evil thing.
For it signifies the watery humor to be so increased, that it hath sei∣sed upon the rough artery, and so causeth danger of suffocation.
Phlebotomy cureth the difficul∣ty of making urine, but we must open the inward veins.
Namely that difficulty which proceeds from inflamation or fulness
If a tumor appear in the neck to him that is troubled with a Squinancy or Quinzy, it is good.
Because the humors are come from the inward parts to the out∣ward.
Those who have hidden or deep Cancers are not to be cured of them; for they which are healed die soon, and those which are not healed, live longer.
For fear of provoking or irrita∣ting them.
A Convulsion is caused by re∣pletion or evacuation. So is also the Hicket.
Namely when the nerves are fil∣led with some thick or clammy hu∣mor, or over dryed. And the Hicket is said by Galen to be as it were a Convulsion of the stomack.
They who have pain about the the hypocondrium without an in∣flammation are cured by a Feaver happening to them.
Because the humors which cau∣sed it are dissolved by the heat of the Feaver.
If a suppuration or corrupt matter, hidden in the body doth not shew it self, it is by reason ei∣ther of its own thickness, or of that part of the bodies thickness where it lies hidden.
Yet we may find that there is such corrupt matter hidden by two signs namely by the pain, and by a Fea∣ver which it causeth.
If the Liver wax hard to them which are affected with the yel∣low-Jaundies, it is an evil sign.
For it signifies there is either a hard tumor or an inflammation in the Liver
The splenetick which are taken with a bloody-flux in the bowel, do dye of the Dropsie, or a slippe∣riness of the bowels, following a long flux.
By splenetick he means those who have a tumor in the spleene, bred there, by a melancholly humor.
They dye within seven days, to whom the disease called Ileos or pain in the small guts shall hap∣pen after a Strangurie: unless a Feaver supervening, store of urine issue forth.
For the Fe••••••er with its heat con∣cocts and ex••••••••ates the thick hu∣mors, so that they may go out through the passage of the urine.
If ulcers continue a yeer or long∣er, the bone of necessity must grow foul, and the Cicatrices be hollow.
Because the bone being perished under, the flesh cannot grow up a∣gain as was said Aph. 19. of this Section.
Those which become Crook∣backt by shortness of wind, or a cough before they attain to ripe∣ness of years, doe die quicklie.
Because their brest or bulk doth not increase as their lungs and heart doth, they must in a short time to suffocated.
Those are to be let blood or pur∣ged in the Spring time, to whom opening of a vein or purging may do good.
For the Spring time being tem∣perate is most fit for purging or let∣ing blood.
The difficulty of the intestines & guts, coming upon them which are diseased with the spleen is good.
Because the thick and melan∣cholly humors are thereby eva••ua∣ted as Aph. 4••
Goutie diseases, the inflammation being asswaged, within fortie dayes decease.
For the inflammation wil be cured within forty dayes, if the Physitian prescribe right, and the patient be truly obedient.
It must needs be, that a Feaver, and Vomiting of choller must come upon them, which have their brain wounded.
A Feaver, because any principall members inflammation causeth a Feaver, and the vomiting of Choller because of the consent and agree∣ment which is between the braine and the stomack, to which some of the great nerves discend from the braine.
Those which are in health being sodainly taken with the head-ache,
and presently become dumb and snort, die within seven days, unless a Feaver come upon them in the mean while.
Because the Feaver heats, attenu∣ates and resolves the windie spirit and the pituitous humors which cause these symptomes.
We must consider in their sleeps if any part of the eyes appear; for if any of the white of them ap∣pears, the eye lidds not being fast closed, if it doe not happen by a Flux of the bellie, or by the taking of some medicinall potion, it is an evil and verie deadly signe.
If it happen not through some externall cause, for it signifies an imbecillitie of the facultie which moves the eye lids.
That doting which is done with aughter is not so dangerous, as
that which is done with earnest sadnesse.
For it does not proceed from so adust a Choler, as that which is done with earnest sadness.
Painfull breathings in sharp dis∣eases with a Feaver, as it were of such as sigh, and mourne, are evill.
For it signifies either a hardness of the nerves or muscles, or a weake∣ness of naturall strength, or some affect that causeth paine, or is con∣vulsory.
Paine of the Gout doe most commonly afflict, and are provo∣ked in the Spring and Autumn.
In Spring because the humors gathered together in the winter are expelled from the stronger parts to the weaker; and in Autumn by reason of its inequalitie, and because
the evill humors gathered together by eating of fruits in Summer▪ settle in those we akest parts.
The falling down of humors are verie dangerous in melancholie diseases at those seasons. And de∣clare an Appoplexie, or a convul∣sion, or maddness or blindness.
If they fall down to the ventricles of the brain, they cause an Apoplexie if to the nerves a convulsion, if to the substance of the braine madness, if to the eyes blindness.
Apoplexies are caused most especiallie from the fortieth to the sixtieth year.
He means those Apoplexies which proceed from melancholie, which in those times abound in our bodies.
If the Call hang foorth of the bodie, it must of necessity putrefie.
〈1 page missing〉〈1 page missing〉This seaventh Section is altogether prognosticall and foretelling things to come, and herein he in∣treateth of presages of health and death.
COldness of the extreame parts in sharp diseases is evill.
Because is shews there is a mightie ••nflamation in some of the inward parts, which like a cupping glasse draws all the blood to it, and so leaves the extream parts cold.
Flesh black and blew because of a foule diseased bone, is an evill thing,
For it shews there is a great putre∣faction of the bone, and extinction of the natural heat.
The hicket and redness of the eyes after vomiting are evill
For these two together shew there is a great inflamation, either in the ventricle or the braine.
After sweate, cold shiverings and shakings are not good.
For it is a signe that nature is weake, and that the sweat hath not had power to drive out all the noxi∣ous humors.
After madness, a bloodie Flux, the dropsie, or an extansie or trane is good.
For it signifieth that the noxious humors are gone from the head to the lower parts
Abhorring of meat in a long disease, and the excrements avoid∣ed down without mixture of hu∣mors, are evill.
Because, it shews the inbecilitie of the concocting facultie, and that all natural humidity is dried up by the seaverish heat.
Cold shakings, and fond dotings, after much drinking of wine are evill▪
The first by reason, it is a signe that the native heat is extinguisht by the much drinking of wine. And the doting proceeds from the heads being full of fervent blood and va∣pour.
After the breaking of an im∣posthume
inwardly faintnesse; vomiting and swouning.
He speakes here of the breaking of imposthumes which break in the stomack, for the symptome of vomi∣ting followes none else.
After a Flux of blood, a Deliri∣um or raveing, or a convulsion are evill.
For it shews a great drought of the bodie, and weakness of the brains forces.
After the Iliack passion, or colick the hicket, raveing, or convulsion are evil.
Which are caused by the foulness of the stomack and consent which is between the braine and the sto∣mack.
After a pleurisie, an Inflamation of the lungs is evill.
Because it signifies that part of the noxious humors is gone from the Iess noble part of the ribbs, to the more noble viz. the lungs.
A phrensie after an inflamation of the lungs is evill.
The inflamation of the lungs, sending up vapours into the head, and they possessing the braine cause a Phrensie.
A Convulsion, or the Cramp, after hot burnings, are evill,
Because it signifies a great dryness of the nerves or sinewes.
Astonishment and raving through some blow of the head is an evill signe.
Because it signifies that the wound hath penetrated to the ••raine▪
The spitting out of corrupt matter, after the spitting of blood is evill.
Because it signifies that the lungs are exulcerated.
A consumption▪ and a Flux of the haire or of the bellie, coming after the spitting of corrupt matter are evilsignes, for when the spitting is stopped, the diseased doe die.
The first part of this Aphorisme is averred, Aphorism. 11. and 12. of the 5 Section, to which we referr you. The reason of the second part is because if the spitting be stopped, the lungs are so oppressed with the abundance of flegme lying on them, that the patient is suffocated and strangled, for want of breath.
The hicket comming through an inflamation of the liver is evill.
For it shews the greatness of the inflamation, of which the stomack also participates, and being bitten by store of choller swiming in it, it causes the hicket,
A convulsion or raving caused through watching is an evill thing▪
For watching doth extreamly evacuate and exiccate the body; which causeth both the raving and convulsion.
After the laying bare of a bone, the inflamation and hot tumor Erisipelas is evill.
For it sheweth a confluction thither of hot blood and choler, which corrode, and consume the ad¦jacent flesh.
Putrefaction or impostuma∣tion after, from the inflamation Erisipelas is evill,
For it shews the malignitie of the said Erisipelas, which doth not only exulcerate the upper parts of the bodie, but feeds deeper in, and creeps on to the sound parts
A Flux of blood, after a strong pulse in vlcers is evill.
First because it shews an ex∣treame inflamation to be joyned to the ulcer; secondly because this eruption or Flux cannot be, unless the month of the artery be opened: which is very difficult to be stopp∣ed.
After a long paine of the parts belonging to the bellie, an impost∣humation is evill.
Which it must needs come to at last▪ unless death of the patient pre∣vent it
After avoiding of unmixed ex∣crements
〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉
〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉
downwards, a bloodie Flux is evill
For such humors will erode and perish some parts of the intestines.
Raving or Delirium ensues af∣ter the wound of a bone, if it pene∣trate into the hollow or void space.
He speaks here of the bones of the head onely, as appears by the 14. Aph.
A convulsion after the taking of a purging potion bringeth death.
Because is signifies an incurable drought.
A great cold of the uttermost parts, through vehement paine of the parts belonging to the bellie is evill.
The reason whereof is set downe in the comment of the 1. Aphorism of this Sect.
If the disease called Tenesmus shall happen to a woman with child, it is the cause of abortment.
This Tenesmus is a great pro∣vocation or desire to goe to stoole, and when they come thither can doe nothing.
If either a bone, cartilage or sinew, shall be cut in the bodie, it doth neither increase nor grow together againe.
This was spoken afore in the 19. Aphorism Sect 6.
If a strong Flux of the bellie shall come upon him that is dis∣eased, with a dropsie called Lea∣cophlegmatia, it dissolveth and cureth the disease.
Because it evacuates the efficient cause of the disease, which is abun∣dance of white flegme, from whence also comes the diseases name.
They have a falling down of flegmatick humors from the head, which doe a vid froathie excre∣ments out of the bellie.
For phlegmatick humors being windie, it is no marvell if they be froathie.
Sediments in urines, made in the time of agues like unto course wheat-meal doe signifie that the sickness shall continue long.
For it shews a kind of gross thick humor, which cannot be disolved or voided in a short space.
Cholerick sediments in urins, which at the first were thinn, doe signifie a sharp disease.
For choller always causeth sharp diseases. And urines are always faithfull messengers of the affections of the veines.
Those which makes diverse urines, have a vehement distur∣bance in their bodie.
For when the urines are so, it shews a manifoldness of humors to be viciously diseased
The urins in which bubbles doe swim a loft, signifie a disease of the reins, and that the disease will en∣dure long.
For those bubbles proceding from humiditie which is extended about by a flatuous spirit, doe cause a cold disease which cold diseases are long.
Those to whom a fattness swims upon their vrine together & on a sodain, it is a signe the disease is in the reins, and asharp one too.
For if the disease were in the whole bodie, it would come forth by little and little, and it is a sharp
one, for the head of it melts the fat of the reins.
If also paines be caused to those which are diseased with the grief of the kidneys about the muscles of the back bone, and have the signes abovesaid, if they be felt towards the outward parts, look and expect that the imposthume shall be also outwardly. But if the pains bend and decline rather to the inward parts, we must then expect the imposthume will be inwards
Namely if the paine hath been long and great.
Vomiting of blood is wholsome to them which doe it without a Feaver: but if it be with a Feaver it is an evill thing, and the cure and remedie of the same, is to be performed with things that have a cooling and binding ••ualitie.
All vomits of blood are bad, Sect. 4. Aphorisme. 25, therefore this must be here understood com∣paratively, namely that it is more tolerable without, then with a Feaver.
Distillations upon the upper bellie come to suppuration and ripeness within twenty dayes.
By the upper belly, he means the stomach, whose heat causeth the suppuration to be made so soon.
If any one piss blood, or clots of blood, and be diseased with the Strangury, the pain falling into the Perinaeum, Hypogastrium, and Pectinem, the places and part about the bladder are diseased.
Perinaeum is the part between the privie Members and the Fun∣dament. Hypogastrium the bot∣tome of the belly: And Pecten
that part under the bellie where the haire grows.
If a mans tongue sodainly be∣come feeble, or any part of the body benummed without feeling, it is a signe of melancholie.
For they proceeded from a thick juice which is partly melancholie partlie phlegmatick.
If the hicket happen to old men, purged above measure it is not good.
Because such a hicket is bad in all, especiallie in old men, because in them all diseases are greater, and more to he doubted by reason of the imbecilitie of that age.
If the feaver be not caused by choller, much warm water poured upon the head doth disolve it.
Ʋnder the name of choler ••e doth here comprehend all other humors, as Phlegme, blood and black choler.
A woman hath not the use of both hands alike,
By reason of the imbecilitie of womans nature.
If a cleare and white matter doe issue out from them which are affected with corrupt matter, when they suffer cauterizing or incision, they doe escape: but if bloodie, stinking, and filthy matter doe issue forth, they die.
By being affected with corrupt matter he means all which have anie corrupt tumor, but especially such as have it gathered between the lungs and the brest,
If clear and white matter doe
issue from them whose liver is corrupted, and is burnt, they re∣cover health: for the corrupt matter is contained in the coat, but if that which cometh forth be like the lees of oyle they die.
The reason of the Aphorism is set down in it, when he saith, the matter is contained in the coat, for if it pe∣netrate into the flesh or substance of the liver they dye.
Cure and heale pains of the eyes, which proceed from drinking of strong wine▪ and bathing in hot water, by opening of a veyne.
This Aphorisme is by Gallen and Heurnius held to be spurious and not worthy of Hypocrates; alludes to the 31. Aphorism of the 6 Section, yet it much differs from it.
If a cough come upon one dis∣eased with the dropsie, he is irre∣coverable
This and the 35 Aphorisme of the 6 Section are all one.
Drinking of neat strong wine, and the opening of a veine dissolves the Strangurie and Dy∣surie, but the inward veins must be opened.
He speakes not of all Stranguries and Dysuries, but only of that Strangurie or dropping of urine, which is caused by coldness, and of that Dysurie, or the urines painful comming out, which proceeds from a viscous and flatuous humor.
A swelling and redness arising on the brest of him who have a Squiancie is good, for the disease inclineth outwards.
This differs nothing from the 37 of the sixt Section, but only in the place of the rednesses arising, so that in both, Hippocrates scope is to shew that in this disease it is good to have thè humors tend outward.
They die within three dayes, whose braine begins to corrupt, but if they overpasse them, they shall recover their health.
Because the brain is a principal and most noble part: But if they scape three daies it may be hoped, the disease may remitt and that the naturall forces will ouercome it.
Sneezing is provoked out of the head, the brain being much heated, or the void space of the head being much moistned: For the aire inclosed within, doth breake forth; and it makes a noise because it passeth through a narrow place.
He speaks in this Aphorisme only of that sneezing which is caused by the motion if nature desires to driue out flatuous spirit out of the head.
Those who are grieved with ve∣hement pain of the Liver, are de∣livered from it, if an Ague come upon them.
Which vehement pain cometh by windiness which the feaver disperses
Those which have occasion to have blood taken from them, must be let blood in the Spring.
This is part of the Aph. 47. Sect. 6 look upon that's Comment.
Those which have phlegm in∣closed between the ventricle and the middriff, which is painful to them, having no passage into ei∣ther of the bellies, are delivered from the disease, the phlegm be∣ing turned through the veins into the body.
Matter may come out of the veins into any place of the body, and being
extenuated return into them again.
Those have their belly filled with water and die, whose Liver reple∣nisht with water, makes an erupti∣on of it in the upper part of the belly where the Caul is.
This Aphorism speaks what is for the most part, for by the help of na∣ture and medicaments such may be cured.
Wine being drunk with an equal proportion of water, puts away sorrow, yawning, and cold shaking
For wine by its moderate heat ex∣pels most of those matters which cause these symptomes and temper∣eth the rest.
Those which have a little swel∣ling in the urinary passage, they are delivered from it, the same be∣ing brought to suppuration and broken.
This Aphorism is the same as the 82 of the fourth Secton where it was explained.
They must of necessity become dumb presently, which have their brain vehemently shaken & trou∣bled by some outward occasion.
In the word dumbness he here comprehends all other voluntary motions.
Hunger and fasting is to be indu∣red by bodies consisting of moist flesh. For fasting dryeth the body.
He means so much fasting as will serve to correct the humidity of the flesh.
Where there is alteration in the whole body, and it becometh cold and hot again, or changeth from one colour to another, it signisies length of the disease.
This Aphorism is repeated from that which is Sect. 4. Aph. 40.
Much sweat hot and dry fre∣quently issuing forth, declares a∣bundance of moistness, which in a strong body is to be vacuated up∣wards, in a weak one downwards.
This Aphorism is thought by Ga∣len to be spurious, and also the three following, yet Heurnius saith no such thing. But saith this Aphorism means that sweat which proceeds from superabundance of moisture, and not from plenty of food.
If Agues become more fierce and vehement every third day without intermission they are dan∣gerous. But in what manner soe∣ver they shall cease it signifieth they are void of danger.
Those which are afflicted with
long Feavers have little swellings or aches in the joynts.
Those which have long swellings or pains in the joynts after a Fea∣ver, do use too plentiful a diet.
These three last Aphorisms are the same with the 43, 44, and 45 of the fourth Section, where they have been already explained.
If any give the meat to one sick of a Feaver, which he giveth to a healthful person, he shall strength∣en the healthful person, and in∣crease the malady of the sick.
This Aphorism also is falsly im∣puted to Hippocrates.
We must look upon those things which pass through the bladder, whether they be such as issue forth in prosperous health. For those which are unlike them, are un∣healthful
signes, but those which are like them, are healthful signes.
This Aphorism speaks that which Hippocrates in a manner speaks elsewhere: yet because it hath nei∣ther the form nor phrase of Hippo∣crates, Galen rejects it.
Also when the sediments, if thou shalt suffer them to rest, and shalt not move them, do sink down into the bottom like shavings of guts or such like matter, if they be few, they signifie the disease is but little; but if they be many, that it is great Then it is necessary to evacuate the belly downwards; otherwise if thou shalt give broth and nou∣rishments, without purging the belly, the more thou givest, the more thou shalt offend.
This Aphorism Galen holds to be foisted in by some sophister and lover of obscurity and to be none of Hip∣pocrates.
Crude, raw and undigested excre∣ments voided downwards, do pro∣ceed from black choller. If they be many, they proceed from a more copious quantity, if they be few, from a lesser.
This Aphorism participates of the formers obscurity, and by some is joyned to it and made the latter part of the other.
Spittings, in Feavers not inter∣mitting, ash-coloured bloodyish, cholerick, stinking, are all evil. But if they come forth conveniently and easily they are good, whether they issue out by the belly or bladder. And if any thing stays unpurged which should have come forth, it is evil.
This Aphorism is in a manner the same with the 47 of the fourth Section
When any one goeth about to purge unclean bodies, he must make them soluble and fluxible.
This Aphorism hath also been ex∣plained in the tenth Aph. of the se∣cond Section.
Sleep and watchfulness, if they exceed a measure, are a disease.
This is also the same Aphorism in substance with the third of the se∣cond Section,
In Feavers not intermitting, if the exterior parts be cold, and the inward burning and the patient have a Feaver.
This Aphorism was better set down Sect. 4. Aph. 48. for why should he add at the end of this, if the patient have a Feaver when he had already said in the beginning, In Feavers not intermitting.
In a Feaver not intermitting, if a lip, nose, eye, or eye-brow be perverted and turned awry, if the sick man do not see nor hear, whatsoever of these things shall happen to a weak sick man, death is neer at hand.
This Aphorism is the same with the 49 of Sect. 4.
After white phlegme comes a Dropsie.
Namely when the body and its vessels, are abundantly filled with it
From a looseness of the belly, proceeds a bloody-flux.
Not from all loosnesses, but onely such as are long lasting, and bilious as Aph 23.
After a bloody-flux comes a Lienteria.
Which is a flux of undigested meat. See Sect. 6. Aph. 43.
After the corruption of the bone comes the impost humation of it called in Greek Sphacelismos.
It may be also taken for a Gan∣grening of the flesh about it.
After vomiting of blood, a Con∣sumption, and an evacuation of filthy purulent matter doth ensue.
This Aphorism is set down seve∣ral ways, but I have followed Ga∣lens exposition.
We ought to behold what things they be which pass out by urines or by the belly, and what things issue out through the flesh. And we must also consider and behold whether the body do decline in any other thing from nature. For if little be a voided the disease is
little, if much, the disease is great, and if very much it is deadly.
To the end that the Physician may know the disease, he must take special notice of the excrements, and examine them in substance, quantity, quality, and the time and manner of getting them out. For the excrements represent the Idea of those parts from whence they pro∣ceed.
FINIS.Quote of the Day
“in Mercury and the Sun for the Sun, and in Mercury and the Moon for the Moon; since the whole virtue of this art consists in them alone.”
Arnold de Villa nova
(Pt. I., cp. vii.)
Alchemical Books
Audio Books
Total visits