cure which the Pox have they proceed of cholerick and melancholie bloud The cause of the Pox and Measels The primitive cause as Valetius saith is by alteration of the aire in drawing some putrified and corrupt quality unto it which doth cause an ebullition of our bloud The cause antecedent is repletion of meats which do easily corrupt in the stomack as when we eat milk and fish together at one time or by neglecting to draw bloud in such as have accustomed to doe it every year whereby the bloud doth abound The conjunct cause is the menstruall bloud which from the beginning in our mothers wombs wee received the which mixing it self with the rest of our bloud doth cause an Ebullition of the whole The efficient cause is nature or naturall heat which by that menstruall matter mixing it self with the rest of our bloud doth cause a continuall vexing and disquieting thereof whereby an unnaturall heat is increased in all the body causing an Ebullition of bloud by the which this filthy menstrual matter is seperated from our natural bloud and the nature being offended and overwhelmed therewith doth thrust it to the outward pores of the skin as the excrements of bloud which matter if it be hot and slimie then it produceth the Pox but if dry and subtil then the Measels or Males But Mercurialis an excellent writer in Physick in his first Book de morbis puerorum cap. 2. agreeing with Fernelius in his Book De is rerum causis c. 12. doth hold opinion that the immediate cause of this disease doth not proceed of menstrual bloud but of some secret and unknown corruption or defiled quality of the aire causing an Ebullition of bloud which is also verified by Valetius and now doth reckon it to be one of the hereditable diseases because few or none doe escape it but that either in their youth ripe age or old age they are infected therewith The contention hereabout is great and mighty reasons are oppugned on both sides therefore I will leave the judgement thereof unto the better learned to define but mine opinion is That now it proceedeth of the Excrements of all the four humours in our bodies which striving with the purest doth cause a supernatural heat and ebullition of our bloud alwaies beginning with a Fever in the most part and may well be reckoned in the number of those diseases which are called Epidemia as Fracastorius in his first Book De morbis contag cap. 13. witnesseth this disease is very contagious and infectious as experience teacheth us There are two speciall causes why this disease is infectious The first is because it proceedeth by ebullition of bloud whose vapour being entred into another bodie doth soon defile and infect the same the second reason is because it is a disease hereditable for we see when one is infected therewith that so many as come neer him especially those which are allyed in the same bloud doe assuredly for the most part receive the infection also CHAP. II. Sheweth to know the signs when one is infected as also the good and ill signs in the disease THe signs when one is infected are these first he is taken with a hot Fever and sometime with a Delirium great pain in the back furring and stopping of the nose beating of the heart hoarsnesse redness of the eyes and full of tears with heavinesse and pain in the head great beating in the forehead and temples heaviness and pricking in all the body dryness in the mouth the face very red pain in the throat and breast difficulty in breathing and shaking of the hands and feet with spitting thick matter When they doe soon or in short time appear and that in their coming out they doe look red and that after they are come forth they doe look white and speedily grow to maturation that he draweth his breath easily and doth find himself eased of his pain and that his Fever doth leave him these are good and laudable signes of recovery When the Pox lye hidden within and not appearing outwardly or if after they are come forth they doe suddenly strike in again and vanish away or that they doe look of a black blewish and green colour with a difficultie and straitnesse of drawing breath and that he doe often swoun if the sick have a flix or lask when the Pox were found double that is one growing within another or when they run together in blisters like scalding bladders and then on the sudden do sink down and grow dry with a hard black scar or crust as if it had been burnt with a hot iron all these are ill signs Avicen saith there are two speciall causes which produce death unto those that have this disease either for that they are choaked with great Inflammation and swelling in the throat called Angina or having a flix or lask which doth so weaken and overthrow the vitall spirits that thereby the disease is increased and so death followeth How to know of what humours this disease cometh If it come of bloud then they appear red with generall pain and great heat in all the body If they come of choler then will they appear of a yellowish red and clear colour with a pricking pain in all the bodie If they come of flegm then will they appear of a whitish colour and scaly or with scales If they come of melancholie then will they appear blackish with a pricking pain CHAP. III. Sheweth the meanes to cure the Pox or Measels THere are two speciall meanes required for curing this disease the first is to help nature to expell the same from the interior and principall parts unto the exterior the second is to preserve both the interior and exterior parts that they may not be hurt thereby For the first intention if the age and strength of the sick will permit and that the Pox or Measels appear not it were then good in the first second or third day to draw bloud out of the Basilica veine in the right arme if he be not under the age of fourteen years but the quantity must be at the discretion of him that draweth it either more or lesse as occasion is offered but for children and such as are of tender years and weak bodies it were not good to draw bloud out of the arme but out of the inferior parts as the thighes hams buttocks and the Emeroidall veines especially if the party be melancholie or else to apply ventoses to the loynes buttocks or hams which may boldly be used both before and after they do appear either with scarification or without as cause requireth which is a speciall good meanes to draw that Ichorous matter from the interior to the exterior parts but for sucking Children it were best to apply bloud-suckers unto any of the foresaid places which is a thing that may be used with more ease then ventoses neither do I wish either of them to be used unlesse necessity require it which is when
and thrust forth the venomous humours and then you must have respect to the signes before rehearsed The infection of the Plague entereth into a man after this sort In a man are three principall parts that is the Heart Liver and Brains and each of these hath his cleansing place If they appear in the neck they shew the Brains to be chiefly vexed if under the arme-holes the Heart but if they appear in the share the Liver is most infected For when a man hath taken infection it presently mingleth with the bloud and runs to the heart which is the cheif part of man and the heart putteth the venome to his cleansing place which is the arme-holes and that being stopt putteth it to the next principall part which is the liver and it passeth it to his cleansing place which is the share and they being stopt passe it to the next principall place that is the braines and to their cleansing places which are under the eares or under the throat and they being stopped suffer it not to passe out and then it is moved twelve hours before it rest in any place and if it be not let out within the space of four and twenty hours by bleeding it brings a man into a pestilentiall Ague and causeth a botch in one of those three places or near unto them The Cure of the Plague When thou feelest thy self infected bleed in the first hour or within six hours after drink not and tarry not above twelve hours from bleeding for then when the bloud is flitting too and fro the venome is then moving and not yet setled and after it will be too late those that are fat may be let bloud or else not If the matter be gathered under the arme-holes it comes from the heart by the Cardiacall vein then bleed on the same side by the Basilica vein the innermost vein of the arme If the botch appear behind the eares above the chin or in any other part of the face or neck bleed out of the Cephalica vein on the same side you may bleed with cupping Glasses and Scarification or Horseleeches If the botch appear in the share bleed in the ankle on the same side in any case not in the arme for it will draw up the matter again But if no botch appear outwardly draw bloud out of that side where you feel greatest pain and heavinesse and out of that vein the greif of the members affected shall point thee out If you perceive the Plague invade you at meat or on a full stomack vomit speedily and when your stomack is empty take some Medicine that may resist Poyson as Mithridate or Triacle or some of these following which as choise Medicines I have inserted as being Doctor Edwards Experiments For the Plague Infuse two peices of fine pure Gold in the juyce of Lemons four and twenty hours and drink that juyce with a little Wine with powder of the Angelica root It is admirable and hath helped divers past all hope of cure Another Take two drachms of Juniper berries of Terra lemnia ℈ i. make both into fine powder and mix it with Honey and take of it as much as a haâ—…ell Nut in three drachms of honeyed water made up thus Take a pint of Honey and of water eight pints seeth and scum it at an easie fire till the fourth part be wasted It is an excellent Antidote against Poyson and Plague if the Poyson be taken before it will expell it by vomit if not the Medicine will stay in the stomack Another Take Zedoary roots the best you can get great Raisins and Licorice champ it with thy teeth and swallow it if you be infected it preserveth without danger Another for botches boyls and tokens Take of ripe Ivy berries dryed in the shade as much of the powder as will lye upon a groat or more and put it into three or four ounces of white Wine and lie in bed and sweat well after your sweat is over change shirt and sheets and all the bed clothes if he may if not yet change his shirt and sheets Some have taken this powder over night and found themselves well in the morning and walked about the house fully cured One having a Plague sore under the thigh another under the left arme-pit taking this powder in the morning and again that night the sores brake of themselves by this excellent Medicine sent by Almighty God It is good for Botches Boyles Plague-sores Tokens Shingles Erisipella and such like c. Thus farre Doctor Edwards Doctor in Physick and Chirurgery Experiments tried by my selfe For the Plague TAke of Pillulae pestilentiales called Ruffi or of Panâ—…hy Magogon or for want of it of extraction Rudii of each half a drachm mingle these into six pills for two doses whereof take three at a time in the morning fasting for two dayes together Another excellent approved Remedy Take eight or nine grains of Aurum vitae either in Triacle water or made up in Diascordium fasting Another excellent sweating powder for the Plague Take of the powder e Chelis Cancrorum of Aromatitum rosatum and of Cerusa Autimonii of each half a scruple mingle these up together in a diaphoretick powder and take it in four spoonfuls of Triacle water well mingled together The Cure of Diseases in Remote Regions The Calenture HAppeneth to our Nation in intemperate Climates by Inflammation of bloud and proceedeth often of immoderate drinking of wine and eating of pleasant fruits which are such nourishers thereof as they prevent the meanes used in curing the same To know the Calenture At the first apprehension it afflicts the Patient with great pain in the head and heat in the body which is continuall or increasing and doth not diminish and angment as other Fevers doe and is oft an Introduction to the Taberdilla or Pestilence but then the body will seem very yellow To cure the Calenture So soon as you perceive the Patient possest of the Calenture except the Chirurgion for danger of the sign defer it I have seen the time of the day not respected open the Median vein of the right arm and take such quantity of bloud as agreeth with the ability of the bodie but if it asswage not the heat by the next day open the same vein in the left arme and take so much more like quantity of bloud at his discretion and if the body be costive as commonly they are give him some meet purgation and suffer him to drink no other then water cold wherein Barley and Annise-seeds have been boyled with bruised Liquorice And if within 4. dayes the partie amend not or being recovered take it again open the vein Cephalick in one or both hands bathing them in warm water untill there come so much more bloud as cause requires Suffer not the Patient to drinke seven dayes after he is perfectly recovered any other drinke then such water as is before herein directed The Taberdilla IS a disease so called
A TREATISE CONCERNING THE PLAGUE AND THE POX Discovering as well the meanes how to preserve from the danger of these infectious Contagions as also how to cure those which are infected with either of them LONDON Printed by Gartrude Dawson 1652. The Printer to the Reader THis Treatise hath pass'd the view and approbation both of juditious Phisitians and Chirurgians and hath been judged worthy to have a new vesture put upon him and to be vindicated from the obscurity and darknesse it hath lain involved and eclipsed in this many yeares being collected out of the Authorities of the most excellent both former and later Writers and confirmed strengthened and approved by the late experiences of many well practitioned Chirurgians being formerly commended to publick view by the approbation of a late famous Servant and Chirurgian to King Iames deceased who seriously considering the facilenesse of providing the Medicines with their approvednesse in a necessitous time and in places remote both from able Phisitians and Chirurgians the danger of the present Infection requiring speedy help to such as might have occasion to make use of these Medicines not doubting but the charitable intentions of the carefull Authour publishing it on purpose for the publick good shall find the acceptance of so necessitous a work as is wished by A. M. The Author to the Reader WHereas there are divers Receits set down in this Book which are written in Latine in Characters used by Phisitians and Apothecaries which cannot so fitly be brought into our English phrase and because their quantities are set down according to the Latine order observed in the making up their Receits prescribed I have for the better ease and understanding of the Reader set down the signification of their weights and measures according to their Characters A Handfull is written thus M. 1. Half a Handfull thus M. ss. A little small Handfull thus P. 1. A Scruple thus ℈ 1. Half a Scruple x. Graines or thus ℈ ss. A Drachm thus ʒ 1. An Ounce thus ℥ 1. Half an Ounce or half a Drachm ℥ ss. ʒ ss. A Grain thus Gra. 1. A Drop thus Gut 1. The number of any thing thus Nu. 1. c. Half of any thing thus ss. A Pound or Pint thus lib. 1. Twenty Graines make a Scruple Three Scruples make a Drachm Eight Drachms make an Ounce Twelve Ounces a Physick Pound Ana. is of either of them so much P. ae is equall parts or parts alike S. a. Secundum Artem according to Art So much as shall suffice is marked thus q. s A defensative against the Plague The first Treatise CHAP. I. What the Plague is THe antient Phisitians in times past have greatly doubted what the essentiall cause of this disease which we commonly call the Plague or Pestilence should be yet all doe agree that it is a pernitious and contagious Fever and reckoned to be one of the number of those which are called Epidemia chiefly proceeding of adusted and melancholy bloud which may be easily perceived by the extream heat and inflammation which inwardly they doe feel that are infected therewith first assaulting the heart and astonishing the vitall spirits as also by the exteriour Carbunkles and botches which it produceth whose malignity is such both in young and old rich and poor noble and ignoble that using all the meanes which by Art can or may be devised yet in some it will in no sort give place untill it hath by death conquered the party infected therewith CHAP. II. Cause of the Plague THere are divers causes whereof this disease may proceed as sundry Writers doe alledge as by over great and unnaturall heat and drought by great rain and inundations of waters or by great store of rotten and stinking bodies both of men and beasts lying upon the face of the earth unburied as in the time of warres hath been seen which doth so corrupt the air as that thereby our Corn Fruits Hearbs and Waters which we daily use for our food and sustenance are infected also it may come by some stinking dunghils filthy and standing pooles of water and unsavory smels which are near the places where we dwell or by thrusting a great company of people into a close narrow or streight room as most commonly we see in Ships common Gaoles and in narrow and close lanes and streets where many people doe dwell together and the places not orderly kept clean and sweet But most commonly in this our time it is dispersed amongst us by accompanying our selves with such as either have or lately have had the disease themselves or at least have been conversant with such as have been infected therewith But for the most part it doth come by receiving into our custody some clothes or such like things that have been used about some infected body wherein the infection may lie hidden a long time as hath been too too often experimented with repentance too late in many places It may also come by Dogs Cats Pigs and Weasels which are prone and apt to receive and carry the infection from place to place But howsoever it doth come let us assure our selves that it is a just punishment of God laid upon us for our manifold sins and transgressions against his divine Majesty for as Seneca saith Quicquid patimur ab alto venit What crosses or afflictions soever we suffer it cometh from the Lord either for a triall of our faith or a punishment for our sins Wherefore to distinguish any farther thereof I think it needlesse for my intent is in breif sort so exactly as I can to shew the meanes how to prevent the same as also how to cure it when we are infected But before I enter to treat thereof I think it not amisse to shew what forewarnings and tokens are given us before hand of the coming thereof thereby the better to prevent the same by prayer and repentance CHAP. III. Warnings of the Plague to come AVicen a noble Physitian saith that when wee see the naturall course of the ayre and seasons of the year to be altered as when the spring time is cold clowdy and dry the harvest time stormy and tempestuous the mornings and evenings to be very cold and at noon extream hot these do foreshew the Plague to come Also when we see fiery impressions in the firmament especially in the end of summer as comets and such like and that in the begining of harvest we see great store of little frogs red to ades and myse on the earth abounding extraordinarily or when in summer we see great store of toades creeping on the earth having long tailes of an ashy color on their backs and their bellies spotted and of divers colours and when we see great store of gnats swiming on the waters or flying in great companies together or when our trees and hearbs do abound with Caterpillars Spiders Moaths c. which devoure the leaves on the trees and hearbs on the earth it sheweth the ayre to be corrupt
doe hold opinion that having once an Issue he must be constrained to keep it alwaies which is most erronious for then those which have had Ulcers running upon them some six ten yea sixteen yeers may not be cured without some Issue to be made in some other place but therein they deceive themselves for my self by good proof have often found the contrary in divers people which I have cured some six some ten yea sixteen yeers past and yet to this day doe remain in perfect good health without any Issues CHAP. IX What Diet we ought to keep FOr our diet as Hippocrates teacheth us we must have a care not to exceed in eating and drinking but to keep a mean therein and in any case to beware of surfeting and drunkenness which are enemies both to the body and soule but as we may not exceed in eating and drinking so to endure great hunger and thirst is most dangerous our meat ought to be of a facile and easie digestion partly tending to a drying qualitie as Cocks Capons Hens Pullets Partridge Pheasants Quailes Pigeons Rabbets Kid Veal Mutton Birds of the Mountains and such like but Beef Pork Venison Hare and Goats flesh is to be refused and so are all water fowls as Duck Swan Goose Widgen Teal and such like because they are hard to digest and do increase ill blood and naughtie juyce in the bodie Lambs flesh because of his exceeding moisture is also to be refused Eggs in the Summer not good but in Winter tolerable All Fishes which are of a hard flesh whether they be of the Sea or fresh Rivers are to be allowed In fresh Rivers the Perch Barble Gudgeon Loch Cool Trout and Pike are good and for Sea fish the Gilthed Turbet Sole Rochet Gurnard Lobster Crab Praunes Shrimps Whiting and such like eaten with vinegar There are some Authors which hold opinion that Fish is better to be eaten then flesh in the great fervent heat of the year because they doe make a more cold bloud in the body then flesh another reason is because they doe live under the water they are not infected with any contagion of the aire as Beasts and birds may be and therefore more wholsome but in my judgement flesh is more wholsome because it doth-breed a more pure and fine Juyce in the body then any Fish whatsoever your bread ought to be made of pure wheat not too new nor too old but of one dayes baking or two at most is best Rie bread is to be eschewed because of his great moisture your drink is best beer or ale not too strong or new but the staler and clearer it is the better at your meals a draught or two of Claret wine is tolerable but in hot weather it were good to allay it with a little water for wine doth warm the stomack help digestion and comfort the heart For your Pottage you may take in the Summer Parsly Lettice Sorrell Endive Succorie Sperage Hopbuds Burnet Burrage Buglosse Thime Mints Hysop but in Winter Balm Bittanie Thime Marigold Hysop Majoram Mints and Rue are good For your Sallets take Pimpernell Purslane Mints Sorrell Hore-hound Yong cole Hop buds Sperage Thime Tops of Fennell Tarregon Lettice and Water-cresses are good Capers are greatly commended being preserved in Vinegar and eaten with a little oyle and vinegar and so are Olives very good also For your sauce the juyce of a Limon Citron or Orange is best the juyce of Sorrell and Vinegar is also good All raw fruits are to be refused except those which tend to sour tast as Pomgranates damask Prunes Pippins red and sour Cherries and Wallnuts Quinces and Peares preserved are very good eaten after meals All kind of Pulse is to be refused as Beans Pease and such like because they increase winde and make raw humours and ill juyce in the bodie Refrain from Garlick Onyons Leeks Pepper Mustard and Rocket because they doe over-heat the body make adustion of the bloud and cause fumes to ascend into the head Cheese is not good because it doth ingender grosse and thick humors Milk is also to be refused because it doth quickly corrupt in the stomack CHAP. X. Sheweth what Exercise and Order is to be kept YOu must beware of all vehement and immoderate exercise which doth provoke sweat as is Tennis dancing leaping running foot-ball hurling and such like because they doe over-much heat the body and open the Pores of respiration whereby the infected aire hath the more scope to enter our bodies but moderate exercise is very convenient the use of hot houses at this time I thinke very dangerous because it doth too much open the pores Walk not into the open ayre in the morning before the Sun hath had some power to cleanse and clear the same and in any case goe not abroad when great fogs and mists are upon the earth for it is dangerous but if urgent occasions move you then before you goeforth of your doors be sure to eat some preservative first and then take some good and odoriferous Pomander Nodule or Nosegay in your hand as before is shewed you The extream heat of the day is likewise to be refused to walk in because it chafeth the bloud as also in the evening after the Sun is set for then unsavory and unwholsome Fogs arise out of the earth and in any case if you can avoid it come not neer any any place infected but use to walk in the open aire and dry ground Use Venus combates moderately but none at all were better the best time to use them is three or four hours after supper before you sleep and then rest upon them Beware of anger fear and pensiveness of the minde for by their means the body is made more apt to receive the infection Use pleasant and merry recreations either with musick pleasant company to talke withall or reading some good books Bewar of sleeping at noon but specially in the Winter season but in Summer to take after dinner a nap of half an hour or an hour is tollerable in elderly bodies Watch not long in the evenings but two or three hours after supper is a good time to take your rest CHAP. XI Teacheth what orders Magistrates and Rulers of Cities and Townes should cause to be observed FIrst To command that no stinking dunghills be suffered near the City Secondly Every evening and morning in hot weather to cause cold water to be cast in the streets especially where the infection is and every day to cause the streets to be kept clean and sweet and cleansed from all filthy things which lye in the same Thirdly And whereas the infection is entered there to cause fires to be made in the streets every morning and evening and if some Frankincense Pitch or some other sweet thing be burnt therein it will be much the better Fourthly Suffer not any Doggs Catts or Pigs to run about the streets for they are very dangerous and apt to carry the infection
the matter lieth lurking in the interior parts not offering it self to appear outwardly otherwise I hold it better to leave the whole work unto nature specially in sucking children for when we see that nature is ready or doth endeavour to expell the malignity which is in the interior parts to the exterior which may be perceived by reviving of the Spirits and mitigating of the Fever here we ought not to use any meanes at all but leave the whole operation to nature which we must onely help by keeping the sick body in a reasonable heat being wrapt in a scarlet stammell or red cloth which may not touch the skin but to have a soft linnen cloth betwixt them both and then cover him with clothes in reasonable sort and keep him from the open ayre and the light except a little and also from anger using all the meanes you can to keep the sick in quietnesse and if the body be very costive then to give an easie Glister A Glister â„ž Barley two handfuls Violet leaves one handfull Boyle these in three pints of water untill half be consumed and strein it then take of the same decoction twelve ounces Oyle of Violets three ounces red Sugar and Butter of either one ounce Mix them together and give it to the sick warm you may encrease or diminish the decoction or ingredients according as the age of the party requireth but if the sick have great heat then may you add one ounce or four drachms of Cassia newly drawn unto it and when he hath expelled the Glister then rub the armes hands legs and feet softly with a warm cloth which is also a very good meanes to draw that chorous matter from the interior to the exterior parts when all this is done then if the body be inclined to sweat you must further the same by covering him with warm clothes having a care that you lay not more on him then he can well endure for otherwise you may cause faintnesse and swouning which are ill in this case yet must you alwaies keep the sick warm and suffer him not to sleep or permit very little untill the Pox or Measels do appear and here you must have a speciall care to preserve the eyes eares nostrels throat and lungs that they be not hurt or offended therewith as hereafter shall be shewed you which you must use before he sweat and also in the sweat if need be Eyes how to preserve them â„ž Rose-water Plantaine-water of either two ounces Sumack two drachms Let them boyle together a little or stand infused a night then mixe therewith half a spoonfull of the oyle made of the white of an Egg then wet two clothes five or six double therein then lay them upon either eye cold which must bee alwaies kept upon the eyes untill the Pox be all come forth and as they grow dry wet them in the same liquor againe and apply them but if there be great pain and burning within the eye then must you also put a drop of this musselage following into the eye take quinse-seed half a drachm bruise it a little then let it stand infused in three ounces of Rose-water a whole night then strein it and put one drop thereof into the eye three or four times a day at least or take of this water â„ž Rose-water â„¥ ii Womans milk â„¥ i. Myrrh finely powdered six graines Mixe them together and use it in the eye as before is shewed this doth ease the paine resisteth putrefication and preserveth the sight For the eares you must put a drop of oyle of Roses warm into them before he sweat For the nostrels cause him oftentimes to smell to the vapour of Rose-vinegar or else Vinegar red-roses and n boyled together For the throate let him alwaies hold a peice of white sugar-candy in the mouth and as it melteth swallow it down For the Lunges give the sick oftenimes some sirrup of quinses or conserve of Roses a little at a time And for his drink the decocted water of barley boyled with a little licorice is best being mixed with the juice of a Lemon Citron Pomegranate or Rybes which the sick best liketh for either of them is very good And for his diet he must refrain from all salt fat thick and sharp meats and from all sweet things either in meat or drink his meat must be of a facile and easie digestion and that hath a cooling property in it as broth wherein burrage bugloss sorrell and such like are boyled and for ordinary drink small beer or ale is best CHAP IIII. Teacheth what is to be done when the Pox or Measels are flow in coming forth NOw when you perceive the Pox or Measels are slow and slack in comming forth then must you help nature with cordials and by sweat to thrust it out from the interior and principall parts unto which purpose I have alwaies found this drink to be excellent good here following â„ž Hordei mund. M. i. Lentium excort P. i. Ficuum No. x. Fol. capil. v. Lactucae ana M. ss. Fol. acetosae M. i. Florum cord P. i. Semen fenic Ê’ ii Semen 4. frigid ma. anaÊ’ ss. Aqua font lb. iiii Boyle all these together untill a third part of the water be consumed and then strein it â„ž Decoct. col lb. i. Succus granatorum vel ribes â„¥ iiii Mix all these together and give the sick four or six ounces thereof to drink every morning and evening which will provoke sweat and expell the disease and if you cannot get the juice of Pomegranats nor Rybes then you may take so much of the sirrup of either of them Another good drink to expell the Pox or Measels Take a quart of posset-ale a handfull of Fennell seed boyle them together till a third part be consumed then strein it and add thereto one drachm of Triacle and one scruple of Saffron in powder mix them together and give two three or four ounces thereof to drink every morning and evening as cause requireth But if it be for a strong and elderly body you may give any of the expelling electuaries which are used to expell the Plague as in the first Chapter for the curing of the Plague doth appear But if the sick be so weak that he cannot expell the disease in convenient time then it is good to epithemate the heart with this epithemation following Epithemation for the heart â„ž Aquarum ros. Melissae Card. b. Buglos Morsus diaboli vini alb. ana â„¥ iiii Aceti Ros. â„¥ ii ss. Pul. Ros. rub Trium santal-Cinamoni Elect. diamarg. frigid anaÊ’ ss. Mithridati â„¥ i. Theriacae Ê’ iiii Mix all these together and let them boyle a little and so warm Epithemate the heart and when you have done it then give some expulsive drink or electuary as cause requireth and then cause him to sweat upon it for by this meanes you shall obtaine your desire by Gods permission Thirst how to quench it Now if in the expelling of the pox
by the Spaniards by the Mexicans Cocalista and by other Indians is named Taberdet and is so exceeding pestilent and infectious that whole Kingdomes in both the India's have been depopulated by it for want of knowledge to redresse themselves of it To know the Taberdilla It first assaults the Patient vehemently with pain in the head and back and the body seeming yellow is some sign thereof and within 24 hours it is so torturous that the possest thereof cannot rest or sleep turning himself on either side back or belly burning in his back most extreamly And when it growes to perfection there will appear red and blue spots upon the Patients breast aâ—…d wrists And such persons as have not presently requisite means applyed to them to prevent it will be by the vehement torment thereof deprived of their wits and many to cease their pain by losse of their lives have despairingly slain and drowned themselves The Cure of the Taberdilla When you perceive it afflict the Patient permit him not to lie very warm nor upon feathers for of what quality soever he bee in Spain having this sickness he is laid upon wheatstraw Then immediatly open the Median Vein first in one arm and the next day in the other taking a good quantity of bloud Let him have water cold wherein Barlie and Annise-seeds have been sodden without Liquorice for the Spanish Physitians hold Liquorice to bee hurtfull unto them so much as he will desire which will be every moment but no other drink nor any raw fruits Assoon as the spots appear give him some Cordiall potion and laying him upon his belly set six Ventoses together on his back between and beneath the shoulders and scarifying them draw out if it be a body of strong constitution 18 ounces of bloud After which and that he hath slept he will find ease within twenty four hours and such alteration in himself as he will thinke he is delivered of a most strange torment Then give him moderately nourishing meats for he will desire to eat much the fourth day give him some convenient Purgations And if in the mean while he is costive provoke him every day by Clisters and warn him to forbear 15 dayes all other drink then what is ordained And be very carefull of his diet for if this Taberdilla which we call here in England Gods Tokens come againe unto the Patient he can hardly escape it And it is no lesse Infectious then the usuall English Plague The Espinlas IS a strange sicknes usuall in those parts to such as take cold in their Breasts after great heat or travell It comes most times to those that lye with their breasts upon the ground especially in the night To know the Espinlas The Party having it will be giddie in the head and have pain and pricking at his breast as with many thornes from whence I thinke it is called for Espina in Spanish signifies a thorn and there will be upon the Focell being the upper bone of his arm a hand breadth above the wrist a little kernell by the which it is certainly known He that hath this disease will have appetite neither to meat nor drinke nor can digest meat though he be invited and moved to take it To cure the Espinlas The Espinlas appearing by the former signs take presently oyle Olives and therewith chafe the kernell upon the Patients arm using so to doe twice every day untill it be dissolved and laying oyle likewise upon his breast stroke it upward somewhat hard with the hand then spread fine flaxe upon it and the kernel making it fast with a rowler and within two or three dayes the diseased will be recovered thereof whereas else it is very dangerous to deprive them of life Camera de Sangre LAxativeness or Blondy Flux proceed in those parts of divers causes As by eating Grapes Oranges Limons Melons Plantains and especially a great fruit growing in the West-Indies called Pina like a Pine-apple but bigger then four of the greatest which I have seen which the Spaniars hold for the most delicate fruit that is there and many other fruits Also by sudden cold or sitting being very hot upon a cold stone or being hot by drinking water abundantly And also eating of Butter Oyle and Fish is so hurtfull to the parties that have it that they must refrain to eat thereof and whatsoever else that may ingender any slimie substance in the Intrals The Cure of the Bloudie Flux There is more possibility of cure by how much more expedition the medicine is ministred and detracting it the Patients often die suddenly without feeling much grief For speedy and assured remedie the Patients bodie must be cleansed of the sliminess ingendred in the passages of the nutriments before any sustenance can remain in his bodie To that purpose purge him in the morning with halfe a pint of white wine cold wherein half an ounce of Rubard being smal cut hath been sodden putting some Sugar Candie to it to sweeten it and immediatly after he hath so purged keep at his navell Rosemary sod in strong Vinegar applyed in the morning and evening very hot untill it be stayed giving him often Quinces bruised and rouled in Marmalade like Pills which he should swallow whole and none of the fruits or meats before recited nor any more white wine but red wine of any sort And if it be one the land use the Livers of Goats especially Sheeps or Bullocks rosted not willingly permitting the Patient to eat any other meat And if at Sea Rice onely sodden in water rather then any thing else usuall there untill the infirmitie bee perfectly asswaged The Erisipela REigneth much in those Countries proceeding from the unwholsome aires and vapours those hot Countries doe yeeld whereof many perish and if it bee not prevented by Medicines presently ministred to the Sick Patients it proveth incurable To know the Erisipela Hee will be swoln in the face or some part of him and it will be of yellow colour mixed with red And when it is pressed with the finger there will remain a sign or dint of the same and then by degrees it will fill again to the former proportion It speedily infecteth the inward parts because such swellings come sooner unto perfection in hot places then in temperat Countries and therefore the diseased thereof must immediatly be provided of remedie To Cure the Erisipela The Savage people first found out perfectly how to cure this disease though it is the Spanish name of the Maladie by bruising so much Tobacco as will yeeld four spoonfuls of juyce and to drinke it presently after they are infected therewith and to launce the places swollen thereunto putting Casade wet and made into paste continuing in cold and shadie places neer Rivers and not to travell and labour till they bee recovered The Spaniards in India doe recover themselves by taking the same juyce of Tobacco and setting so many Ventoses upon the swoln places as they can contain