THat this treatise of bloud-letting may haue an orderly proceeding ; we must begin with Fulnesse & Emptinesse , which haue betweene them selues a mutuall relation . Abundance or fulnes therfore is called of the Grecians Pleonexia : and after Galen in his booke De plenitudine it is two fold . One fulnesse is in qualitie , as namely , when the bare qualitie exceedeth without Humor . The other is of quantitie , as aboundance of meat or of Humors .

Aboundance of meat is called of the Grecians Plesmone ; of the Latines Sacietas : wher we are to note , that some interpreters translate verie ill , for Plesmone , repletio : as in the second of the Aphorismes . Aphoris . 22. Quicunque morbi ex repletione fiunt curat euacuatio ; when it should be thus conuerted : Quicunque morbi ex satiaetate fiunt , &c. All those diseases that come of fulnes , euacuation doth cure .

Abundance of meat , called of the Latines Satietas , is also two-fold , according to Galen in his 2. booke of Aphorisines , Comen. 17. One according to the great largenes or capacitie of the veines or vessels called of the Latines quo ad vasa : as when such abundance of meat is receiued , as thereby the stomacke is ouerstretched : the other abundance is according to natures strength , called quo ad vires : as when more meate is eaten , then natures force can well ouercome .

Abundance of humors is also of two sorts . One of all the humors called in Greeke Plethos or plethora : in Latine plenitudo , or multitudo : whereof Galen writeth in his 13. booke . Metho . cap. 6. Vbiautem aequaliter inter sesucci ad aucti sunt , idem plethos & plethoram Graecivocant , nos succerum plenitudinem seu redundantiam dicimus . When as the humors are equally increased betweene themselues , that the Grecians cal plethos or plethora ; we call it , abundance of humors . Now whereas Galen saith in his 2. booke de Composi . Medic. secundum locos , cap. 1. That to be abundance of humors , when onely bloud is increased : wee are to vnderstand that bloud there signifieth impure bloud , & such as is mixt with other humors , called bloud , of that which principaly there aboundeth . For it can not be , that only pure & good bloud should be conteined in the veines , without sommixture of choller , flewme or Melancholie : which must be so likewise vnderstood , where it is saide that any other humor aboundeth , the same is not pure alone without mixture of others , but that humor ioyned with others aboundeth in the vessels .

The second abundance of humors , is called in Greeke Cacochymia , in Latine Vitium succi , or vitiosus succus ▪ and it is when one humor alone aboundeth . Hereof also Galen speaketh 13. Meth. cap. 6. Vbi flaua bile , nigra , vel pituita , vel serosis humoribus repletum corpus fuerit : Cacochymia . i. succorum vitium dicimus . When the bodie is replete with yellow or black choler , with flewme or watrish humors , we cal it Cacochymia . i. corruption of humors . And in the end of his booke de Plenitudine he saith : Plenitudo est copia humorum in vniuerso animalis corpore . Fulnes is abundance of humors in the whole bodie : & a little after , he plainly sheweth the difference between Cacochymia & Plethora .

Plenitude or fulnesse of humors , is also two-fold : one in regard of natures strength , called Quo ad vires or virtutem : which is , when the humors so abounde , that they oppresse and much grieue the naturall forces of the body . And although there be not such aboundance of bloud in this fulnes quae ad vires , as is in the other quo ad vasa : yet those humors which are in the body , oppresse the powers of nature , whereupon nature being oppressed and not able to gouerne those humors : they being as it were forsaken of nature , lose their goodnes , and offorce putrifie . And of this fulnesse these are the signes : heauines , stretchings , a sensible werines , hauing a feeling like an vlcer : of which Galen sayeth 2. Aphoris . Aphoris . 5. Spontaneae lassitudines morbos praenunciant : Voluntarie wearines forsheweth diseases .

The second fulnes of humors called Quae ad vasa is , when there is such aboundance of humors or of bloud ; that the veines and vessels are greatly extended or stretched : so that it is to be feared , least the veines themselues breake . And therefore Hippo in the firste booke of Aphorisines : Aphoris. 3. woulde haue in wrestlers this dangerous fulnes speedily euacuated , that the bodie might begin againe to be nourished . And this plenitude quae ad vasa is either of pure bloud only , or of all humors with the bloud . And this fulnesse hath these markes : rednesse of color , swelling , veines full & stretched . Of these two Plenitudes and their signes speaketh Galen in his booke De Plenitudine , reckoning vp these markes : swelling and stretching of the veines , rednesse , lumpishnes of the bodie , a slouthfulnesse in motion of the bodily members . Also Method . 9. Cap. 5. He reckoneth these signes of repletion quo ad vasa : obstructions , stretchings , swelling & rednesse : Of this twofold , read Auicen , Secunda primi doct. tertia . cap. 3. Also Galen in his booke De Plenitu . & Metho . 9. Cap. 5. & 10. lib. eiusdem Cap. vltimo .

Because these pointes taken out of the bookes of auncient learned Phisicions , may seeme as yet hard to the vnskilfuller sort , that yet rashly and without skill or regarde of these things vse the practise of letting bloud : It will not be lost labour in my poore iudgement , with more plaine wordes to illustrate their sayings , if it may be , to the vnderstanding of all men that are this way studious , and yet want the helpe of the Latine tongue & Latine writers .

It appeareth by the premisses what Repletion is , vz , a superfluous aboundance of humors in mans body , which happeneth two waies , either in quantitie or in qualitie .

We may also learne , that repletion in quantitie , is when the foure humors are more in aboundance than is proportionable to the bodie that conteineth them , or when one humor much exceedeth the rest in quantitie : For the bloud contained in the veines is not simple , or of one kind , as hath beene said ; but consisteth of flewme , blacke & yellow choler , and pure bloud mingled together , which humors notwithstanding so mingled , by comon agreement and continuall vse of speaking : we commonly call bloud .

The iust and agreable proportion of humors is this : That in a man throughly healthfull & of good temperature : there is lesse yelow choler than Melancoly : lesse Melancoly than flewme : lesse flewme than pure bloud : so that that bloud is accounted best , not that hath like proportion of all humors , but such an equalitie of the foure , as hath beene now specified .

Bloud therfore faulteth in quantitie when the humors being setled in a iust proportion , do passe and exceede the agreable measure of Nature : for then the whole frame of the bodie swelleth ; the veines aboue measure are stretched , and all the members , specially after any exercise , are wonderfully retched . This constitution of humors , though they be good , yet it faulteth , beclause it is come to an immoderate abundance , which accustomably is wont to bring great perill . Whether therefore there be in the bodie abundance of other humors aboue the bloud , so that the equabilitie of the proportion be not obserued that waie : or that there be too much abundance of pure bloud . Yet because the pure bloud in the permixtion greatly exceedeth the other humors ; it is a ●ault not in the qualitie but only in the quantitie : and therfore both of these are conteined vnder this kinde of repletion in quantitie : and this is simply , absolutely , most properly , & commonly iudged repletion , & is called Plenitudo ad vasa , as is aforesaid , because it doth throughly fill the large capacitie of the veines , which are termed the vessels or receptacles of the body , though it enforce not the powers therof . First therefore , where al the humors superfluously increase , filling & extending the receptories of the bodie , as the stomacke , the veines , and the bowels : It is most properly called in English fulnesse or repletion in Latine plenitudo , in Greeke Plethora as before .

Repletion in qualitie ; is when the bloud or other humor is hotter or colder , thicker or thinner than is conuenient to the bodie . This is the seconde kinde of repletion , mentioned by the foresaide auucient writers in Phisicke , and which is referred to the force , strength and abilitie of the bodie .

In this repletion , although the vessels of the bodie be not so much puffed vp , n●ither swell , as in the other : yet they conteine more good bloud and nourishment than the nature of the patient can wel rule or ouercome : For a litle nourishment to a weak nature , is often troublesome and grieuous : and although at the first it be right good ; yet it doth not long so continue : but being forsaken of the bodily heat , as not able to concoct the same : in protract of time and number of daies , it corrupteth and becommeth the causes of diseases .

This constitution of the Greekes , properly called Cacochymia , is when the bodie is infarced either with choler yelow or black , or with flewme , or with watrie humors , and of late writers is thus defined : Cacochymia est vitiosa humoris qualitas , qua is a iusta mediocritase desciscit : Cacochymia is a corrupted qualitie of the humors , by reason whereof the humor departeth from his iust mediocritie . Vnder which Cacochymia is contained all corruption of humors in qualitie : wherby the powers of the bodie are hindred from their proper functions , wherby also the whole bodie waxethfilthie & daily decayeth .

Of this corruption of humors in qualitie , one kind is somewhat better and more tollerable : as namely , when either superfluous humors are excessiuely heaped vp together ; or when the humors mixt with the bloud , do not keepe their iust and naturall concord or proportion : the other kind is worse and intollerable : when the superfluous humors or iuces in the bodie , both primi & secundarii , both the principal humors , and these next the principall are fallen into corruption , from their naturall and conuenient temperature , which is the destruction and corruption either of the substance or of the temperament . Againe both these happen sometime with rottennes and putrifaction , sometime without . Where note , moreouer that the name Cachochymia largely taken , comprehendeth also the corruption of the excrements . Hippocrates Aphoris. 15. saith , where meate is receiued much aboue nature , it causeth sicknes . Galon in his Commentaries declaring that place saith , more meate then accordeth with natures measure , is named Replecion . And afterward hee expoundeth that worde aboue nature , to signifie too much and superfluously : As who would say , where the meate is superfluously taken , it causeth sickenes . Meate but a little exceeding doth not forthwith cause diseases , but may yet keepe the bodie within the bounds of health , for meat ingendring sickenes must not a little , but much exceede the exquisite measure .

It appeareth by Galen that in his time certaine denied this foresaide diuision of fulnes , set downe by the auncient writers , and approued of the late practisioners , saying that the same was to bee considered onely by the strength of nature , granting plenitudo secundum vires , but not quo advasae . These he confuteth in his booke de plenitud . about the beginning in these wordes . Qui ex ipsis tantum viribus plenitudinem metiuntur hi videnter nunquam vtres praeter modum repletosvidisse , nec se etiamplus quapar est vnquam impleu●sse ●ibo ita vt ventriculus inde distenderetur . 1. Those that measure Replecion onely according to the forces of nature ; they seeme neuer to haue seene mens bodies puffed vp like bladders or bottels , neither at any time to haue stuffed themselues with meate , more than moderation required , and whereby the stomacke was ouerstretched .

Againe , others in Galens time graunted onely that plenitude which is quo ad vasa . and denied the other quo ad vires . These hee confuteth in the same place in these wordes . Itaque subiecimus duas esse tum notiones , tum relationes multitudinis : alteram ad robur virefque illi us qui defert , alteram ad eius qui suscipit capacitatem . Idest , Therefore we haue added that there are two notions and reportes of fulnesse , one according to the strength of the patient , the other after his capablenes .

The discommodities which happen by Replecion are manifold , moistnes thereby is too much increased , and naturall heate quenched , againe naturall heate resolueth somewhat of the superfluous meate and drinke , and of that which is resolued of meate vndigested , proceede grosse and vndigested fumes , which ascending vp to the heade , and touching the rim wherein the braine is wrapped , causeth headach , trembling of the members , dimnes of sight , and many other diseases .

Moreouer the sharpenes of the said fumes , pricke and annoy the sensible sinewes , whose roots are in the braine , and from thence passeth through all the whole body . The said fumes ingendred of Replecion , and piercing the innermost part of the saide sinewes called sensible , greatly annoy the animall powers , there beeing : by occasion whereof Vnderstanding and Reason both , as touching the vse of them , are wonderfully let and troubled , and likewise the tongue which is Reasons Expositor , is greatly depriued and hindred of his Office : As it appearethin them which are miserably drunk , and in those which haue most extreame and grieuous paines in their heade , proceeding of Replecion .

Thus much harme commeth to the body by too much nourishment , and although the stomacke doo his Office in concoction , yet the veins too abondantly filled , are spred out , diuided , stopped and stuffed with winde , and greatly grieued . It is apparant that of replecion and fulnes of the veines ( then the which in diseases a more hurtfull thing cannot chance ) diuers infirmities doo come , and the replecion of the belly , though the excesse may be expelled by vomit or sedge , and so is more tollerable than fulnesse of the veines : yet it is likewise to bee disallowed . If a man haue at any time too much ingorged himselfe by and by he may assay to vomit : for though hee doo well digest it , yet there is some danger , lest the veines be oppressed with fulnes : especially when the party continually liueth intemperately , neuer regarding or minding euacuation . It is good therefore to vomit first , before the meates bee corrupted in the stomacke , if any impediment hinder vomiting , a sedge by stoole is a present helpe . If neither serue , sleepe long , and oft in drinke vse warme water . When the surfet is sufficiently digested chiefly by sedge , it is expedient to wash and vse fomentations . i. plaisters mittigating paine , and a little to tast of salt meates , and to drinke wine or beare alaid or tempered with water . These things by the way touching remedies for surfetting , which in our daies is too vsuall , to the great dishonour of God , and the certaine destruction of our bodies , yea , and of our soules also , if GOD grantvs not grace speedily to repent and amend . But if neither siege , nor timely digestion of the meate recemed , doo not insue our surfettings ; then the signes of replecion are to be looked for , which are set downe by Oribasius Euporist . lib. 1. which are these that followe : as Losse of appetite , delight in nothing , sloughthfulnes , dulnes of wit and senses , more sleepe than was accustomed , crampes in the bodie , starting of the members , fulnesse of the veines , thickenes of the pulsies , horror and shroueling of the bodie mixt with heate .

But the generall signes of abundance of bloud are these : bleeding at the nose chiefly forth of the right nosthrill , spitting of bloud , veines full and great , chiefly in the face , rednes of colour , a ponderous waightines of the whole body vnapt to any motion , an vnacustomed drowsines , a sluggishnes of minde without any euident cause , the skinne stretched , pulses very full , debilitie of sight , grieuous dreames , plenty of sweete spittle in the mouth , swellings and blushings in the face , heauines and painefull wearines in the shoulders as it were after labour or bearing great burthens , vrine thicke and red . Replecion knowne by these notes , except it be ruled by Phlebotomy or otherwise , it choketh the naturall heate of the body as Galen saith , 1. Aphoris . Aphoris . 3. Nimia repletio calorem natiuum extinguit . Too much fulnes extinguisheth naturall heate . Also Metho . 13. cap. 6. Plethora tum sanguinis missione curatur , tum frequenti balneo , exercitatione , fictione & digerentibus medicamentis . Repletion is cured by bloud-letting , often bathing , exercise , rubbing , and digestiue medicines . Looke more in Galen 3. & 6. de tuenda sanita . These men therefore in whome bloude so aboundeth , are to bee holpen by Phlebotomy , by opening Mediana or Cephalica , or applying of Boxing-glasses with scarrifieng the place first , or otherwise as after shall bee declared . Remembring by the way , that if either purging seeme too long , or the opening of a veine cannot bee done accordingly : that in these cases Electuarii succi Rosarum are good to purge bloud . But hereof there is no place to speake further at this time .

Finally it is very behouefull to knowe in what place the corruption or ilnes of the contents of the body is placed , or where the Repletion is , before wee can addresse our selues fitly to euacuate . That fulnes therefore which of the Greekes , we haue said to bee called Plethora , is chiefly resident in the veines and habite of the body , and this being an abundance of all the Humors in quantitie , is euacuated by bloud-setting or opening a veine , and with cupping-glasses . The Repletion called Cachochymia beeing an abundance in quantity of one Humor , is i● the whole body or in some particuler part . If Cachochymia bee in the whole : it is euacuated by purgation , by generall sweate , by abstinence , and that kind called insensibilis euacuatio .

Cachochymia particuler is thus euacuated : If it bee in the belly , by vomit and by siege : If in the entrailes , with Clisters , Suppositors , and by siege : If in the Liuer , by the Vrine : If in the Spleene , by the Hemorroids : If in the Breast , by Coughing : If in the Heade , it is purged through the Nosthrils and roofe of the mouth : If in the Raines or Bladder by Vrine : If in the Genitals by Venus : If in the Skinne , by Sweating , Resoluing and with Cupping Glasses .

And thus I conclude this first Chapter containing the chiefest and principall points concerning Fulnesse , Emptinesse , and their diuisions . Not intending to write any thing at all of the subtile and abundant definitions and descriptions of Galen in his book De plenitudine , and likewise in his Commentaries vppon the Aphorismes of Hippocrates .

FOrasmuch as things contained in the body against nature , while they remaine in the body , are the inward causes of infirmities , which by Art especially are to bee remoued : therefore then Euacuation , as a most generall remedy is first of al to be attempted . Euacua●●●● therefore is an expulsion of those things which are contained in the body against nature . There are contained in the body these three , spirits , humors and excrements . The excrements are the ordure or reffuse of the belly : vrine and superfluous humors , sent from the braine and the lungs . Humors some are superfluous , some necessary properly called succi . 1. iuces . Humors superfluous separated from the bloud by natures force , and as vnprofitable for the nutriment of the body : are sent a farre off . As flegme inhereth in the maw , stomacke , and about the entrailes . yeallow choler in his proper coffer , namely the gall . Melancholy in the Spleene : The iuces are conuerted into the substance of the body , nourishing the same : Of this kind are those iuces whereof the bloud is compact , & those otherwise called secundarii humores . Nowe each of these are sometime agreeable to nature , sometime repugnant to nature . They are agreeable to nature , when they retaine the right quality and quantity , according to the law of nature for conseruation of health . They are repugnant to nature , when they keepe measure neither in quality nor quantity . And therefore whatsoeuer of these manifestly departeth from the iust meane and measure which nature hath appointed , ( because it is the cause of sickenes ) if otherwise it cannot be amended , it is altogether to be taken away and expelled , the expulsion whereof is called Euacuation .

The differences of Euacuations are to bee taken of the scituation of the contents and corruptions , which are either Plethora or Cachochymia as was shewed in the Chapter precedent . The meats and drinkes receiued into the body , if the stomacke and liuer doo their naturall Office , bee altered by concoction , in such wise , that the best part thereof goeth to the nutriment of the bodie , the worst being separated by the members Officiall from the residue , are made excrementes in sundry formes and substances : which excrementes are like in quality to the naturall Humor , which then raigneth most in the body . These excrements are none other as was said● , but matter superfluous and vnsauory , which by the powers of nature may not be conuerted into flesh , but remaining in the body corrupt the members : and therefore nature abhorring them , desireth to haue them expelled . These excrements are in number three , Ordure , Vrine , Humor superfluous .

Of Ordure are two sortes , one digested which passeth by siege , the other vndigested expelled by vomit . Where I say digested I meane that it is passed the stomack , & turned into another figure . Likewise I call that vndigested which s●il retaineth the figure of meat .

Vrine is the watry substance of bloud , like as whey is of the m●ke , which out of the meate that is altred , concoct , or boyled in the stomacke , is streyned in the veynes called Mesacaicae , which proceedeth from the hollow part of the Lyuer , and sent by the Raines into the Bladder , passeth by the Instrument which is ordained as well for that purpose as for generation .

Humor superfluous is of three sorts either mixt with any of the foure Humors called naturall , or else it is gathered into the braine , or is betweene the skinne and the flesh , or lyeth among the Synewes , Muscles , or Ioynts : Of Humors some are more grosse and cold , some are subtle and hot , and are called Vapors , Now to expell these excrements there are nine sundry kindes of Euacuations . Letting of bloud , pargation by siege , abstinence , vomiting , sc●rrifieng or cupping , sweat , vrine , spytting , sternutation , bleeding at the nose , bleeding by the Hemmorroids , exercise : and in women there naturall purgations ▪ But in this Treatise I will onely handle that Euacuation which is done by opening of a veyne , by Cupping-glasses , and by Leaches , shewing the commodities which by the discrete vsing of these , come vnto the body of man .

And that the way of Euacuation may bee the more easie : wee may deuide the body of man into three general Regions , which being inclosed in their proper limits , haue not onely diuers receptories of superfluities , but also diuers waies to purge the same .

One and the first Region is extended from the meat pipe called Gula to the middle part of the Liuer , wherein are contained the maw , the stomacke , the venies Mesecaicae , as many as come to the entrance , the hollow or inner part of the Liuer , the Spleene , and Pancreas , that is , a thing betweene flesh and kernel lying betweene the stomacke and the Liuer .