_How many sorts of Dropsies are there?_ There are three general _Species_, _viz._ the _Ascites_, _Tympanites_, and _Leucophlegmatia_. _What is an Ascites?_ It is a kind of Dropsy that forms the Tumour or Swelling of the _Abdomen_ or lower Belly, by a Mass of Water. _What is a _Tympanites_?_ It is a kind of Dropsy, which in like manner causeth a Tumour or Swelling in the lower Belly, with this difference, that a great deal of Wind is mixt with the Water, which renders the Tumour transparent, and sounding, as it were a Drum; whence this Disease hath taken its Name. _What is the Dropsy call'd _Leucophlegmatia_?_ It is a Tumour, or, to speak more properly; a general Swelling or Bloating of all the other Parts of the Body, as well as of the lower Belly. It is produc'd by a viscous and mucilaginous sort of Phlegm; whence it happens that the Print of the Fingers remains in those places that have been press'd. _What are the particular kinds of Dropsies?_ They are those that are incident to different Parts, of which they bear the Names; as the _Hydrocephalus_, which is the Dropsy of the Head; the _Exomphalus_, of the Navel, and the _Hydrocele_ of the _Scrotum_. There is also a Dropsy of the Breast, and that of the _Matrix_. {123} _What are the Remedies proper for all these sorts of Tumours or Dropsies?_ They are in general all those that are agreeable to the _Oedema_, which are variously us'd, as Liniments, Fomentations, Cataplasms, and Plaisters: Internal Medicines ought also to be much consider'd, as Diaphoreticks, Sudorificks, and Purgatives, when they are assisted by a regular Diet. A Decoction of the Roots of Briony with Cinnamon and Liquorish, provokes Urine very much; as well as a Decoction of Turneps and Carrets, and an Infusion of Sage in White-Wine. * * * * * ARTICLE IV. _Of a _Scirrhus_, and its peculiar Remedies._ _What is a _Scirrhus_?_ It is a hard unmoveable Tumour, almost altogether void of Pain, and of a livid dark Colour; which is form'd of a Melancholick Humour, frequently succeeding _Phlegmons_ and _Oedema's_ that have not been well dress'd with convenient Remedies. _How is a _Scirrhus_ cur'd?_ By mollifying or dissolving it, and seldom by bringing it to Suppuration. It may be mollify'd by the application of a Cataplasm or Pultis, compos'd of the Leaves of Violet-Plants, Mallows, Beets, Elder, Rue, and Wormwood, with Camomile-Flowers, {124} Horse-Dung, Cow-Dung, and White Lillies. The whole Mass is to be boil'd together in Wine, afterward adding Honey and Hogs-Lard, to make a Cataplasm thereof with the Crum of White Bread. It is dissolv'd with Plaisters compos'd of those of _Diachylon_, Melilot, and Mucilages, to which is added _Oleum Lumbricorum_, and Flower of Brimstone. To render the Remedy more effectual, Oil of Tobacco may be also mixt with it, and Gum _Ammoniack_ dissolv'd in Vinegar.