Besides, There is a certain moisture in the body of man, which is called radical moisture, which being taken away, the parts must needs die, seeing natural heat and life also consists in it, and this may be done by too frequent use of medicines dry in the fourth degree: And it may be this was the reason of Galen’s writing, that things dry in the fourth degree, must of necessity burn; which is an effect of heat, and not of dryness, unless by burning, Galen means consuming the radical moisture.
The use then of drying medicines, is only to such bodies, and parts of the body, as abound with moisture, in which observe these rules.
1. If the moisture be not extreme, let not the medicine be extremely drying.
2. Let it be proper to the part of the body afflicted, for if the liver be afflicted by moisture, and you go about to dry the brain or heart, you may sooner kill than cure.
Thus have we briefly spoken of the first qualities of medicines, and in the general only, and but briefly, because we shall always touch upon them in the exposition of the other qualities, in which you must always have an eye to these.
SECTION II.
Of the appropriation of Medicines to the
several parts of the body.
That the qualities and use of these medicines may be found out, and understood by every one, and so my country reap the benefit of my labour, they shall find them presented to their view in this order.
Medicines appropriated.
- 1. To the head.
- 2. To the breast and lungs.
- 3. To the heart.
- 4. To the stomach.
- 5. To the liver.
- 6. To the spleen.
- 7. To the reins and bladder.
- 8. To the womb.
- 9. To the joints.