[CHAP. XV. Of CHOLICKS.]
Cholicks are like Cramps or Convulsions; or Convulsions and Cramps, like Cholicks: for, as Convulsions are Contractions of the Nerves and Sinews; and Cramps, Contractions of the small Fibers: so Cholicks
are a Contracting of the Gutts: and, for proof, So soon as the Contracting Motions alter, and are turn'd to Dilating or Expelling Actions, the Patient is at ease. But, there are several Causes that produce the Cholick: for, some Cholicks are produced by Hot and Sharp Motions, as Bilious Cholicks; others from Cold and Sharp Motions, as Splenetick Cholicks; others from Crude and Raw Humours; some from Hot Winds; some from Cold Winds. The same some sorts of Convulsions and Cramps may be: but, though these several Cholicks may proceed from several Causes; yet, they all agree in this, To be Contractions: for, as I said, when those Corporeal Motions alter their Actions to Dilatation or Expulsion, the Patient is at ease. But, those Cholicks that proceed from Hot and Sharp Motions, are the most painful and dangerous, by reason they are, for the most part, more strong and stubborn. As for Cholicks in the Stomack, they are caused by the same sorts of Motions that cause some sorts of Contractions: but, those sorts of Cholick Contractions, are after the manner of wreathing, or wringing Contractions. The same in Convulsive-Contractions.
[CHAP. XVI. Of Shaking Palsies.]
Shaking Palsies proceed from a Slackness of the Nerves, or Sinew strings, as may be observed by those that hold or lay any heavy weight upon the Arms, Hands or Leggs: for, when the Burdens are removed, those Limbs will be apt to tremble and shake so much, for a short time, (until they have recovered their former strength) that the Leggs cannot go, or stand steadily; nor the Arms, or Hands, do any thing without shaking. The reason of these sorts of Slackness, is, That heavy Burdens occasion the Nerves and Sinews to extend beyond their Order; and being stretched, they become more slack, and loose, by how much they were stretched, or extended; until such time as they contract again into their proper Posture: And the reason that Old Age is subject to Shaking-Palsies, is, That the Frame of their whole Body is looser and slacker, than when it was young: As in a decayed House, every Material is looser than when it was first built; but yet, sometimes an old shaking House will continue a great while, with some Repairs: so old shaking Men, with Care, and good Dyet, will continue a great time. But this is to be noted, That trembling is a kind of a Shaking-Palsie, although of another sort; and so is Weakness
after Sickness: but, these sorts are occasioned, as when a House shakes in a great Wind, or Storm; and not through any Fundamental Decay.
[CHAP. XVII. Of the Muther, Spleen, and Scurvy.]
As for those Diseases that are named the Fits of the Muther, the Spleen, the Scurvy, and the like; although they are the most general Diseases, especially amongst the Females; yet, each particular sort is so various, and hath such different Effects, that, I observe, they puzzle the most Learned Men to find out their jugling, intricate, and uncertain Actions. But this is to be observed, That the Richest sorts of Persons are most apt to these sorts of Diseases; which proves, That Idleness and Luxury is the occasion.