_Apoplexies, Lethargies_, and the like Diseases, are produced by some decay of the Vital Spirits, or by Obstructions, as being obstructed by some Superfluities, or through the Irregularities of some sorts of Motions, which occasion some Passages to close, that should be open. But mistake me not, I do not mean empty Passages; for there is no such thing (in my opinion) in Nature: but, I mean an open passage for a frequent Course and Recourse of Parts. But an _Apoplexy_ is somewhat of the Nature of a _Dead-Palsie_; and a _Lethargy_, of a Numb-Palsie; but I have heard, that the Opinion of Learned Men is, That some sorts of Vaporous Pains are the Fore-runners of _Apoplexies_ and _Palsies_: but, in my opinion, though a Man may have two Diseases at once; yet surely, where Vapour can pass, there cannot be an absolute Stoppage. CHAP. XIII. Of EPILEPSIES. _Epilepsies_, or that we name the _Falling-Sickness_, is of the nature of Swounding or Fainting Fits: but there are two visible sorts; the one is, that only the Head is affected, and not the other Parts of the Body; and for proof, Those that are thus distempered only in the Head, all the other Parts will struggle and strive to help or assist the affected or afflicted Parts, and those Parts of the Head that are not Irregular, as may be observed by their Motions; but, by the means of some other Parts, there will also be striving and strugling, as may be observed by foaming through the Mouth. The other sort is like ordinary Swounding-Fits, where all the Parts of the Body seem, for a time, to be dead. But this is to be observed, That those that are thus diseased, have certain times of Intermissions, as if the Corporeal Motions did keep a Decorum in being Irregular. But some have had _Epilepsies_ from their Birth; which proves, That their Productive Motions was Irregular. CHAP. XIV. Of Convulsions, and Cramps. _Convulsions_ and _Cramps_ are somewhat alike; and both, in my Opinion, proceed from Cold Contractions: but, _Cramps_ are caused by the Contractions of the _Capillary_ Veins, or small _Fibers_, rather than of the Nerves and Sinews: for, those Contractions, if violent, are _Convulsions_: so that Cramps are Contractions of the small Fibers; and Convulsions are Contractions of the Nerves and Sinews. But the reason (I believe) that these Diseases proceed from Cold Contractions, is, That Hot Remedies produce, for the most part, perfect Cures; but, they must be such sorts of Hot Remedies, that are of a dilating or extenuating nature; and not such whose Properties are Hot and Dry, or Contracting: also, the Applications must be according to the strength of the Disease. CHAP. XV. Of CHOLICKS. _Cholicks_ are like _Cramps_ or _Convulsions_; or _Convulsions_ and _Cramps_, like _Cholicks_: for, as _Convulsions_ are Contractions of the Nerves and Sinews; and _Cramps_, Contractions of the small _Fibers_: so _Cholicks_