The strength of this argument will better appeare hereafter in the particular Symptoms, which we are to entreate of: where it shall be made manifest that the most of them doe both depende vpon such naturall causes as other diseases haue in our bodies, and also are oftentimes mixed with other diseases which are accompted naturall.
It may likewise appeare by this, that whereas all other diseases are knowne by their notes and signes which resemble their cause (as Choller, Flegme, Melancholy, &c. haue their proper markes, corruption and putrefaction, their proper notes and malignity his Character) so there must be some Character or note of a supernaturall power in these cases (as [4]extraordinary strength or knowledge or suffering) or else we haue no cause but to think them naturall. If the diuell as an externall cause, may inflict a disease by stirring vp or kindling the humours of our bodies, and then depart without supplying continuall supernaturall power vnto it;[5] then the disease is but naturall, and will submit it selfe vnto Physicall cure. For externall causes when they are already remoted, giue no indication of any remedy.
The second argument of this is, that these Symptoms do yeeld vnto natural causes, and are both procured and also eased by such ordinary meanes, as other diseases are: and[6] therefore they must needs be naturall.
The strength of this argument is grounded vpon the very foundation of our profession which hath beene layd by[7] Hyppocrates and[8] Gallen long agoe and euer since confirmed by the practise and obseruations of all learned men; that diseases are cured by their contraries. I say contrary[9] both vnto the disease, vnto the cause, and vnto the Symptom. And the more exact the contrarietie is; the more proper is the remedy: as when they are equall in[10] degree or in power. But what equality of contrariety either in degree or in power, can there be betweene a supernaturall suffocating power, and the compression of the belly or throate. They are disperats in Logicke, but not contraries. For contrarietie is betweene such as are comprehended vnder one generall. And where one is opposed vnto one alone, and not indifferently vnto many. Neither doe I thinke, that any man wel aduised, will say that by compression of those parts, he is able to suppresse the power of the diuell. The like may be saide of the application of cupping glasses, of sweete plaisters, of ligatures, &c. beneath, and of euell smelles aboue; by all which we do obserue those kindes of fits to be mitigated: and yet there can bee no such contrary respect in thẽ against a supernatural cause, as is between a remedy and a disease. They are also procured vpon sweete smelles, vpon pleasant meats and drinkes, vpon feare, anger, iealousie, &c. as in the particular causes shall bee farther declared: and yet no such consent can bee shewed in them with any supernaturall affect, as that they may any way cause or encrease it. Wherefore the rule of Hyppocrates must needes be true; that if these Symptoms do yeeld vnto naturall remedies, they must also bee naturall themselues. Georg. Godelman. de magis. &c. lib 1: cap 8.
Bruno Seidelius de morbis incurab: pag: 19: Centuria 5, curat: 75. And thus much in explanation of these two arguments of Hyppocrates against the errour of his time: which notwithstanding hath been continued in the mindes of men vntill this day, and no maruell: vnlesse the same corruption which bred it at the first, had beene remoued out of the world. And therefore diuers of our Authors doe make especiall mention of this case wherein they report the common people to haue beene deceiued by imagining witchcraft or possession, where indeed there was none.
Amatus Lusitanus reporteth of one Diua Clara, a maide of 18. years of age, which had euery day two or three such strange fits, as those that were about her, gaue out that she was haunted with an euill spirit.
In those fits euery part of her body was distorted, she felt nothing, nor perceiued any thing: but had all her senses benummed, her hart beating, her teeth close shut together: yet for an houres space or two she would haue such strong motions, that shee would weary the strongest men that came at her. When she had beene three weekes in this case, her left arme began to be resolued with a palsie, &c. He being called vnto her prescribed such remedies as are usuall in this case, and within few dayes recouered her, to the great admiration of the beholders.
Petrus Forrestus Obseruationũ medicin: lib: 10 obseru: 30. maketh mention of another maid of 22. yeares old, which dwelt with a Burgermaster of Delft in Holland, who falling in loue with a yong man, fell also into these fits of the Mother: which held her many houres together with such violent horrible accidents, as hee neuer sawe the like: her whole body being pulled to and fro with convulsiue motions, her belly sometimes lifted vp, and sometimes depressed, a roaring noise heard within her, with crying and howling, a distortion of her armes and handes: insomuch as those about her thought her to be possessed with a diuell, and out of all hope of recouery. He being called vnto her in Ianuarie 1565. applied conuenient remedies as there he setteth downe, and in a short time restored her to her health againe.
Thaddæus Dumus miscall: cap 9. Many more such like examples might bee produced both out of authenticall writers in our profession and out of our own experiences, which yet do liue (were it not that late examples would bee offensiue to rehearse:) but these may suffice to show how easily men vnexperienced in those extraordinarie kinds of diseases, may mistake the causes of them: when through admiration of the vnwonted and grieuous accidents they behold, they are caried vnto Magicall and Metaphysicall speculations. But the learned Phisition who hath first beene trained vp in the study of Philosophy, and afterwards confirmed by the practise and experience of all manner of naturall diseases, is best able to discerne what is naturall, what not naturall, what preternaturall, and what supernaturall, the three first being properly subiect to his profession: and therefore they doe wrong vnto the faculty of Phisicke, and vnto them selues, and oftentimes vnto others, who neglecting that light which wee might yeeld them, doe runne headlong and blindefold into many errors and absurdities. For preuention whereof I haue breefly set downe Lib. 28. obseru. 26: what the doctrine of Phisitions is concerning this disease of the Mother, which of all other is most subiect vnto misconstruction. For that as Forrestus saieth it is a harde matter to discerne in what maner the Mother may occasion such strange and manifold accidents.
Cap. 2.
What this disease is, and by what means it causeth such varietie of Symptoms.