CHAP. XIV.
Of COUGHS.
COUGHS are either Humid or Siccid: They are call’d Humid, when the Humours contain’d in the Aspera Arteria, of whatsoever Nature, are expell’d by its own Force thro’ the Mouth. And Siccid, or dry Coughs, when, notwithstanding great Pains and Trouble, nothing is excreted, only the whole Body fatigued by a continual irritated Endeavour to Cough and spit-out; whence arise Pains of the Head, Hypochondriacks, and other Parts.
THE Cause of which SYMPTOM is Four-fold, and proceeds either from the sharp acid Vapours of the Humours flying towards the Lungs, Wind-pipe, and Jaws; irritating the natural Faculty to Expulsion: Or, from the finer Part of the Blood, converting itself to the pectoral Veins: Or, from the Humours themselves ascending to the Head, and relapsing upon the Breast: Or, in fine, from the suppressed Albedines or Whites, and whatsoever may vellicate the Aspera Arteria, or in any respect oppress or irritate the same.
THIS Symptom (however slighted or lightly esteem’d) is very Dangerous; forasmuch as it attenuates and weakens the whole Body, enervates or destroys its Strength and Vigour, causes difficult Respiration, excites Head-Aches, hinders natural Rest, occasions Watchings, promotes Defluxions, and finally gives Origin to Fevers, as well as most other Diseases: Besides that, it continually exagitates and distresses the Muscles of the Abdomen, or lower Belly; and thereby too commonly provokes Miscarriage.
FOR these Reasons this SYMPTOM ought to be carefully mitigated, if not cur’d, without any loss of Time: But the Cure itself, in my humble Opinion, may be easily effected, by evacuating the peccant Humours, by purging and corroborating the Head, and by the right Use of proper Thoracick Medicines.