COUGHSare eitherHumidorSiccid: They are call’dHumid, when theHumourscontain’d in theAspera Arteria, of whatsoever Nature, are expell’d by its own Force thro’ theMouth. AndSiccid, or dryCoughs, when, notwithstanding great Pains and Trouble, nothing isexcreted, only the whole Body fatigued by a continual irritated Endeavour toCoughandspit-out; whence arise Pains of theHead,Hypochondriacks, and other Parts.
THECauseof whichSYMPTOMisFour-fold, and proceeds either from the sharp acidVapoursof theHumoursflying towards theLungs,Wind-pipe, andJaws; irritating the natural Faculty toExpulsion: Or, from the finer Part of theBlood, converting itself to thepectoral Veins: Or, from theHumoursthemselves ascending to theHead, and relapsing upon theBreast: Or, in fine, from the suppressedAlbedinesorWhites, and whatsoever may vellicate theAspera Arteria, or in any respect oppress or irritate thesame.
THISSymptom(however slighted or lightly esteem’d) is very Dangerous; forasmuch as it attenuates and weakens thewhole Body, enervates or destroys itsStrengthandVigour, causes difficultRespiration, excitesHead-Aches, hindersnatural Rest, occasionsWatchings, promotes Defluxions, and finally givesOrigintoFevers, as well as most otherDiseases: Besides that, it continually exagitates and distresses theMusclesof theAbdomen, or lower Belly; and thereby too commonly provokesMiscarriage.
FORthese Reasons thisSYMPTOMought to be carefullymitigated, if notcur’d, without any loss of Time: But theCureitself, in my humble Opinion, may be easily effected, by evacuating thepeccant Humours, by purging and corroborating theHead, and by the rightUseof properThoracick Medicines.