idents
frequently happen, upon these unknown occasions. Some are so caused by
philters, wandering in the sun, biting of a mad dog, a blow on the head,
stinging with that kind of spider called tarantula, an ordinary thing if we
may believe Skeuck. _l. 6. de Venenis_, in Calabria and Apulia in Italy,
Cardan, _subtil. l. 9._ Scaliger _exercitat. 185._ Their symptoms are
merrily described by Jovianus Pontanus, _Ant. dial._ how they dance
altogether, and are cured by music. [2395]Cardan speaks of certain stones,
if they be carried about one, which will cause melancholy and madness; he
calls them unhappy, as an [2396]_adamant, selenites_, &c. "which dry up the
body, increase cares, diminish sleep:" Ctesias in Persicis, makes mention
of a well in those parts, of which if any man drink, [2397]"he is mad for
24 hours." Some lose their wits by terrible objects (as elsewhere I have
more [2398]copiously dilated) and life itself many times, as Hippolitus
affrighted by Neptune's seahorses, Athemas by Juno's furies: but these
relations are common in all writers.

[2399] "Hic alias poteram, et plures subnectere causas,
Sed jumenta vocant, et Sol inclinat, Eundum est."

"Many such causes, much more could I say,
But that for provender my cattle stay:
The sun declines, and I must needs away."

These causes if they be considered, and come alone, I do easily yield, can
do little of themselves, seldom, or apart (an old oak is not felled at a
blow) though many times they are all sufficient every one: yet if they
concur, as often they do, _vis unita fortior; et quae non obsunt singula,
multa nocent_, they may batter a strong constitution; as [2400]Austin said,
"many grains and small sands sink a ship, many small drops make a flood,"
&c., often reiterated; many dispositions produce an habit.

MEMB. V.

SUBSECT. I.--_Continent, inward, antecedent, next causes and how the body
works on the mind_.

As a purlieu hunter, I have hitherto beaten about the circuit of the forest
of this microcosm, and followed only those outward adventitious causes. I
will now break into the inner rooms, and rip up the antecedent immediate
causes which are there to be found. For as the distraction of the mind,
amongst other outward causes and perturbations, alters the temperature of
the body, so the distraction and distemper of the body will cause a
distemperature of the soul, and 'tis hard to decide which of these two do
more har