Aphorisms on Arthritics, collected by Culpeper, (Composita, 1656):
The joints are most infested with Capital diseases, and therefore cured with Cepahlic Medicines.
The reason is soon given, which is, because they are of a nervous quality.
Those things are appropriated to the Joints, which have a drying and heating quality, with a certain light adstriction.
Yet take notice of this, that because the Joints are more remote from the Center, they require stronger medicines than the Brain does.
As to what belongs to pains in the Joints, this is the manner of proceeding. Pain is either taken away, or asswaged, but its true cure is by taking away what causes it.
Yet sometimes so great is its fury, that we must give Anodynes, before we can meddle with the cause, and that especially when it causes heat, influxion of blood or inflammations.
Besides, the Mediicnes which take away the cause of pain are very hot, and therefore to be forborn in such cases.
Also the manner of easing pains, is twofold, for if you regard the pain itself, use Anodynes, if the heat, use Refrigeratives [cooling medicines].
Also take notice of thus much, that Phlegm [Damp] compacted in the joints, when it is teased a little, causes pain and influxion.
Such medicines as take away the cause of such pain, are strong cutters and drawers, which neither agree with Choler or Blood [constitutions].
When you perceive that there is attraction and discussion enough made, so that the pain is ceased, and the cause of it taken away, use adstrictions [astringent medicines] to strengthen the Joints, that they may not easily excite more defluxions [of Damp].
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