3. He should be purged with the Powder [Nº. 4]. [37]
4. His common Drink may be a Strong Infusion of Leaves of Balm.
5. The Purge should be repeated the third Day.
6. Blisters should immediately be applied to the fleshy Part of the Legs, or between the Shoulder Blades. [38]
7. Should Nature seem disposed to relieve herself by Sweatings, it should be encouraged; and I have often known an Infusion of the Carduus benedictus, or blessed Thistle, produce this Effect very successfully. If this Method be entered upon, the Sweat ought to be kept up (without stirring if possible) for many Days. It has then sometimes happened, that at the End of nine Days, the Patient has been totally freed from the Palsy, which commonly succeeds this Species of the Apoplexy, just as it does the other.
§ 150. Persons who have been attacked with either kinds of this Disease are liable to subsequent ones; each of which is more dangerous than that preceding: whence an Endeavour to obviate or prevent such Relapses becomes of the utmost Importance. This is to be effected in each Sort by a very exact, and rather severe Diet, even to diminishing the usual Quantity of the Patient's Food; the most essential Precaution, to be observed by any who have been once assaulted with it, being entirely to leave off Suppers. Indeed those, who have been once attacked with the first, the sanguineous Apoplexies, should be still more exact, more upon their Guard, than the others. They should deny themselves whatever is rich and juicy, hot or aromatic, sharp, Wine, distilled Liquors and Coffee. They should chiefly confine themselves to Garden-Stuff, Fruits and Acids; such should eat but little Flesh, and only those called white; taking every Week two or three Doses of the Powder [Nº. 24], in a Morning fasting, in a Glass of Water. They should be purged twice or thrice a Year with the Draught [Nº. 23]; use daily Exercise; avoid very hot Rooms, and the violent Heat of the Sun. They should go to Bed betimes, rise early, never lie in Bed above eight Hours: and if it is observed that their Blood increases considerably, and has a Tendency towards the Head, they should be bled without Hesitation: and for some Days restrain themselves entirely to a thin and low Regimen, without taking any solid Food. In these Circumstances warm Bathings are hurtful. In the other, the serous, Apoplexy, instead of purging with [Nº. 23], the Patient should take the Purge [Nº. 21].
§ 151. The same Means, that are proper to prevent a Relapse, might also obviate or keep off a primary or first Assault, if employed in Time: for notwithstanding it may happen very suddenly, yet this Disease foreshews itself many Weeks, sometimes many Months, nay even Years beforehand, by Vertigos, Heaviness of the Head; small Defects of the Tongue or Speech; short and momentary Palsies, sometimes of one, sometimes of another, Part: sometimes by Loathings and Reachings to vomit; without supposing any Obstruction or Load in the first Passages, or any other Cause in the Stomach, or the adjoining Parts. There happens also some particular Change in the Looks and Visage not easy to be described: sharp and short Pains about the Region of the Heart; an Abatement of the Strength, without any discernible Cause of it. Besides there are still some other Signs, which signify the Ascent of the Humours too much to the Head, and shew, that the Functions of the Brain are embarrassed.
Some Persons are liable to certain Symptoms and Appearances, which arise from the same Cause as an Apoplexy; and which indeed may be considered as very light benign Apoplexies, of which they sustain many Attacks, and yet without any considerable Annoyance of their Health. The Blood, all at once as it were, flushes up to their Heads: they appear heedless or blundering; and have sometimes Disgusts and Nauseas, and yet without any Abatement of their Understanding, their Senses, or Motion of any Sort. Tranquillity of Mind and Body, once Bleeding, and a few Glysters usually carry it off soon after its Invasion. The Returns of it may be prevented by the Regimen directed [§ 150]; and especially by a frequent Use of the Powder [Nº. 24]. At the long Run however, one of these Attacks commonly degenerates into a mortal Apoplexy: though this may be retarded for a very long Time by an exact Regimen, and by avoiding all strong Commotions of the Mind, but especially that of Anger or violent Rage.