ody, rather than the coarse and foeculant substances, that
contain them; which are always disagreeable, and sometimes hurtful
also, to the stomach. But this most difficult distemper demands helps
far superior to these; nor will any one method of cure answer in all
cases, but the course must be altered according to the difference of
constitution, &c. However, I will here propose those things, which
have been found to be most generally serviceable.

[132] _See Celsus, Lib. iii. Cap. xxiii. & Cael. Aurelian,
Lib. i. Cap. 4._

Blood is to be taken away several times, according to the strength of
the patient, in order to check its impetus. Vomits are to be
administered now and then, but cathartics more frequently. It is
particularly requisite to draw the redundant humor from the head,
which is done by blisters; but better, by applying a caustic near the
occiput, and making an issue, which is to be kept constantly running.

These remedies contribute indeed to weaken the paroxysms; but for
removing the cause, when it can be done (for sometimes it cannot)
other helps are requisite. For it is manifest, that the cause lies
chiefly in the nervous fluid, commonly called animal spirits. But to
investigate the manner how this fluid is affected in diseases of this
kind, would, in my opinion, be a fruitless labour. However, as I have
shewn on another occasion,[133] that it consists of very minute
particles secreted from the blood in the brain, and receives and
imprisons a considerable quantity of that elastic matter, universally
diffused throughout all nature; it cannot be doubted, but that it may
be so corrupted by some indisposition of the body or mind, as to
become more or less improper for executing the functions of life, and
perform all animal motions, not at the command of the will, but in a
disorderly manner, and with a certain ungovernable impetuosity. Now
the best remedies for correcting this depraved condition of the animal
spirits, are chiefly those, which have the most powerful faculties of
attenuating the humors, and throwing them out of the body by sweat.
Of these the most excellent are the _Root of wild Valerian_, _Russian
Castor_, _the foetid Gums_, and _Native Cinnabar_, taken daily in
pretty large quantities; with the interposition of cathartics at
proper intervals, among which there is none better than the _Tinctura
sacra_. I have long known by experience, that the celebrated _Misleto
of the Oak_, is an us