Many sources could cause itching. Ringworm, spots and sores, chapping, scabies, eczema and impetigo were all possibilities (Cockayne, 55). John, however, focused on itching caused by lice. He wrote in Primitive Physic, "This distemper is nothing but a kind of very small lice, which burrow under the skin. Therefore inward medicine, are absolutely needless. -- Is it possible any Physician should be ignorant of this?" (Wesley, Physic, 75.) John would have been familiar with itch, since he treated himself for it at least twenty times. As he traveled, he would have to sleep in infected beds because of his commitment to be with those who were poor (Watson, David Lowes. "Faithful Discipleship" lecture, Wesley Pilgrimage, Salisbury, UK. 10 October 2012.)
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| Louse (top) and flea published 1746 (Wellcome Library) |
"439. Wash the parts affected with strong rum: tried.
440. Or, anoint them with black soap: but wash it off soon.
441. Or, steep a shirt half and hour in a quart of water, mixed with half an ounce of powdered brimstone. Dry it slowly, and wear it five of six days. Sometimes it needs repeating: tried.
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| Hellebore The Old Rectory, Epworth, UK 9 October 2012 |
443. Or, beat together the juice of two or three lemons, with the same quantity of oil of roses. Anoint the parts affected. It cures in two or three times using." (Wesley, Physic, 75.)
Dropsy (edema)
"A dropsy is a preternatural collection of water in the head, breast, belly, or all over the body. It is attended with a continual thirst. The part swelled pits [leaves an indentation] if you press it with your fingers. The urine is pale and little." (Wesley, Physic, 52.) See the swelling of the abdomen in the etching?
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| "Christ Healing the Dropsical Man" early 19th century (Wellcome Library) |
There were two types of dropsy identified in the 18th century. Anaseara, which was thought to be caused by a leg tumour, evidenced itself mainly in leg swelling. Acites was considered to be caused by a tumour anywhere else in the body, including the abdomen. The lifestyle causes were identified as too much alcohol; too much bleeding, vomiting, urinating or defecating; the sudden inability to evacuate; drinking cold liquids when the body is overheated; dampness; and heredity (Madden, Cheap, 222-23).
As a hospice nurse, I have seen two types of abdominal and leg swelling. One is caused by congestive heart failure, which was poorly understood at Wesley's time since they thought heart failure immediately led to death. He and other medical practitioners believe this type was due to sluggishness of the blood, suppressed perspiration, and lazy fibers in the heart (Madden, Cheap, 223). The second form is acites, which is caused by liver failure often due to alcohol abuse.
John's treatments:
"252. use the cold bath daily, after purging:
253. Or, rub the swelled parts with sallad oil by a warm hand, at least an hour a day. This has done wonders in some cases. [It would cause redistribution of the extra fluid trapped in the extremities.]
254. Or, cover the whole belly with a large new sponge dipt in strong lime-water, and then squeezed out. This bound on often cures, even without any sensible [observed] evacuation of water.
255. Or, apply green dock-leaves to the joints and soles of the feet, changing them once a day.
256. Or, mix half an ounce of amber with a quart of wine vinegar. Heat a brick (only not red hot) and put it into a tub. Pour them upon it and hold the part swelled over the smoke, covering the tub close, to keep in the smoke. The water will come out incredibly, and the patient be cured: tried.
257. Or, eat a crust of bread every morning fasting: tried.
258. Or, take as much as lies on a six-pence [this was a way to measure amounts] of powdered laurel-leaves, every second or third day. It works both ways: tried.
... 260. Or, make tea of roots of Dwarf Elder. It works by urine [excretion]. Every twelve or fourteen minutes, (that is, after every discharge) drink a teacup full. -- I have known a dropsy cured by this in twelve hours time.
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| Juniper Old Rectory, Epworth, UK 9 October 2012 |
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| Butcher's Broom Old Rectory, Epworth, UK 9 October 2012 |
... 264. Or, half a pint of decoction of Butchers Broom (intermixing purges twice or thrice a week.) The proper purge is ten grains of jalap, with six of powdered ginger. ...
... 266. Or, take sena, cream of tartar and jalap, half an ounce of each. Mix them and take a drachm [1/8 ounce] every morning in broth. It usually cures in twenty days. ...
267. Or, be electrified: this cures dropsies supposed incurable." (Wesley, Physic, 52-54.)
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