causes Antonius At what time of the yere dooeth the Pestilence caste forthe her poison Medicus In the time of Haruest saieth Hypocrates are moste sharpe and dedlie sicknesses but lesse daunger in the Spring time and in the time of sondrie chaunge of Windes when the weather is hotte and moiste Antonius To what persones I praie you doeth the Pestilence come Medicus Moste chiefly to them vnder the place infected then to slotishe beastlie people that kepe their houses and lodginges vnclene their meate drincke and clothyng moste noisome their labour and trauell immoderate or to theim whiche lacke prouident wisedome to preuente the same by good diete aire Medicine c. Or to the bodies hotte and moiste And these bodies doe infecte other cleane bodies and wheras many people do dwell on heapes together as Auicen saieth Et communicat multitudine hominum c. Fen. j. Tra. iiij Antonius By what signe or token is this perilous plague or stripe of the Pestilence best knowen emong the Phisicions Go not about the bushe with subtile woordes but plainlie speake the truthe to me beyng in this fearfull daunger as you doe well knowe that I am in Medicus The signes are moste manifest whiche are the starres rūning course or rase after their causes Oh the most fearfull eclipses of the Sunne and Moone those heauenlie bodies are manifest signes of the pestilence emōg men and the starres cadente in the beginning of Haruest or in the moneth of September or moche South winde or Easte winde in the Canicular daies with stormes and cloudes and very cold nightes and extreme hot daies moche chaunge of weather in a litle time or whē birds do forsake their egges flies or thinges breding vnder the grounde do flie high by swarmes into the aire or death of fishe or cattelle or any dearth going before these ar the signes of the pestilēce euident presages of thesame Antonius These are good signes generalle but particulare what manifest tokens doe signifie the Plague or Pestilence in a mannes owne proper bodie Medicus Thei whiche are smitten with this stroke or plague are not so open in the spirites as in other sicknesses are but straite winded thei doe swone and vomite yellowe chollour swelled in the stomacke with moche pain breaking forth with stinking sweat The extreme partes verie cold but the internal partes boiling with heate and burnyng no reste bloode distillyng from the nose Urine somewhat watrie and sometyme thicke with stincke sometyme of colour yellowe sometyme blacke skaldyng of the tonge ordure moste stinkyng with redde iyen corrupted mouthe with blacknes quicke pulse and depe but weake hedache altered voice losse of memorie sometime with ragyng in strong people These and soche like are the manifest signes how the hart hath drawen the venome to it by attraccion of the aire by the inspiracion of the arters to the harte and so confirming it to be the perilous feuer Pestilēciall This is moste true of this cometh foule bubos antaxis and carbuncles sores through putrifaccion as Galene saieth li.iii. De presage Auicen Fe. i. tract iiii Gal. lib. i. De diffe cap. iiii Rasis de constitutione pestilētiae ad mansorem Also this feuer is skante to be recouered and almoste past help whē these Symptomatas doe appere as Galene saieth .iii. De praesage ex pul qua propter neque hos curare tentandum erit Antonius You haue declared vnto me a fearfull tale of the Plague whereof thousandes haue and shall die a pitifull case how it cometh emong people sodainly euen as you haue shewed the cause primatiue in thaire The antecedent when thesame aire is drawen into the hart by attracciō of the arters the coniunct when it with boiling heat doeth chaunge by putrifaccion nature into the worse parte and almoste paste cure of any Phisician when it is come to this poincte as I gather by your late talke which doth putte me in greate feare of my life But I will common with you for others whiche are not infected howe maie thei bee moste safely defended maister Doctor Medicus Would you fain knowe Surely I will declare thee the beste defence that I can I will hide nothyng First of all let all men women and children auoide out of the ill aire into a good soile and then accordyng to their age strengthe of nature and complexion let eueryone of theim with some good Medicene drawe from the bodie superfluous moisture and deminishe humor hotte and drie and vse the regimente of diete to driyng sharped with vineger or tart thynges and lesser meates not so moche wine as thei haue vsed in custome neither Potage Milke vnripe fruictes hotte Spices dates or Honie or swete meates wine with Suger are not tolorable No anger or perturbacions of the minde specially the passion called feare for that doe drawe the spirites and bloode inwardes to the harte and is a verie meane to receiue this plage Neither vse actes venerous nor bathyng either with fume Stoue or warme water for this cause thei all dooe open the poores of the body neither quassyng or moche drinking euen so thirst or drines is not tolorable or immoderate exercise or labour speciallie after meate Musicke is good in this case and pleasaunt tales and to haue the meates well sauced with cleane sharp◠vineger Forget not to kepe the chamber and clothyng cleane no priues at hande a softe fire with perfumes in the mornyng Shift the lodgyng often tyme and close in the South Easte windes speciallie in the tyme of mistes Cloudes and windes And vse to smell vpon some pleasaunt perfume and to be letten blood a little at ones and to take Pilles contra Pestē that is a good preseruatiue against the plague Antonius These are good rules and happie are thei that do wisely obserue them in time place and maner accordingly but if one be new lie infected what remedie then as when a man is sicke and the sore appereth not Medicus A coming forthe like a bubos are signes of those partes from whiche thei doe swell as example in the lefte side hedde necke flanckes c. but often times the plage sore will not appere the verie cause is this nature is to weake and the poison of the infeccion to strong that it cannot be expelled and this is moste perilous of all whē soche a cruell conquerour doeth rain within the hart the principall part of life now possessed with death The causes of this I haue declared before with signes to y e same Not withstanding consider twoo thinges first whether it is in bodies sanguine and cholerike or theim whiche are flegmatike or melancholie or not The firste twoo blood is the cause the seconde .ij. abundaunce of euill humours Therfore let blood wheras it hath the victorie and purge whereas other humours haue predominacion or chief rule in some menne that haue verie strōg bodies first purge thā let blood Note this that what
twoo dragmes and a halfe Maces Morrhe Bole Armoniacke and the yearth of Limodes of eche Dragmes three Salte of the Sea a dragme and a half Nux vomica dragmes twoo Buglos flowers one handfull staÌ„ped together by arte with clarified honie make it this is good to be eaten a dragme euery mornyng Forget not the Pilles of Ruffi of them maie bee taken one at ones Antonius After or with this Pestilence there will a fearfull sore appere as we haue y e knowledge vniuersall by painfull experience whiche we dooe call the plague sore what doe you saie to thesame sore Medicus This sore is called Carbunculus of Carbo a Cole or Anthrax thei are bothe one and not twoo and is ingendered of moste sharpe hotte and grosse blood whiche nature doeth cast forthe through the skinne to one particulare part with extreme pain and perille to the bodie whose Primatiuâ— cause was the corrupcion of aire or diete drawen to the harte of whiche pestiferous smoke or poisoned fume this sore hath his cause thesame sore is theffect folowing Antonius What are the signes when it commeth nere hande Medicus A feuer going before noisome and lothsomnesse of stomacke wambleyng of the harte pulse not equall vrine stinking desirous of slepe perilous dreames with startyng through the sharpenesse of hotte and burning humours and then a little pushe will creepe forthe like a scabbe sometyme more then one then it wille increase and shine like pitche or Bptumen with passing pain and then it will haue a crust like vnto the squanies or flakes of Iron wheÌ„ thei fall of when the Smith doeth worke and in colour like ashes is this crust wrought by extreme heate and burnyng therfore it maie be called the burnyng cole or Ignem persicum Furder there are fower colours to be obserued in the sore besides the crust yelowe redde grene and blacke The first twoo are not so daungerous as the second twoo are Yet saieth Rasis in his booke of the pestilence to Mansor the king that the Carbuncle is deadlie and moste perilous And Auicen affirmeth the blacke to be incurable speciallie when a Feuer PestileÌ„ce doe reigne Sometime it is drawen backe againe into the bodie then no remeadie Somtyme it happeneth in the moste noble places as nere the harte the throte moste perilous with sodain stopping the spirites of life Some pestileÌ„t sores doe come in the clensing places as arme holes flankes c And when nature is so strong to caste it forthe with a redde colour palishe or yellowishe the cure is not then verie harde Antonius It should seme to bee moste harde you haue shewed more periles then helpes hether vnto But if there bee any remedies what are thei I praie you tell them for in that poincte you maie doe moche good Medicus Euen as I haue rehersed before so will I again begin in the cure of the carbuncle of the openyng of a vein and if none other thing doe lette as extreme weakenesse c. then let the pacient bleede vntill the defeccion of the spirites or nere hande swoning Let it be doen on that side greued or afflicted as I haue saied before in the feuer Pestilence of the Mediane c. Also forget not viij speciall thinges First the substaunce as compasse lengthe depthe hardnesse c. Second the matter whereof it is bread as blood c. The thirde as accidente through the dolor as a feuer rednesse c. Fowerth to knowe it from a cause wherof a doubt might arise thereof And this is the difference betwene theim A Carbuncle in the beginnyng is verie harde flamyng redde extreme paine c. As I haue saied before and will come quickelie to his hedde But Cancer is not so redde neither so painfull yet moche harder and longer time or it cometh to the hedde But when it beginneth to waâ—e softe then it ripeth faster then the Carbuncle The fift of the causes efficieÌ„t whether it be ripe through coÌ„coccion or no or the qualities of the corrupted humours or hardnesse c. The sixte in what place it is in place of perille or no. The seuenth is to worke by incision plaster c. The .viij. is good diet as aire meate drinks slepe c. These are verie good obseruacions worthie of memorie in this case And now followeth a perille to the Chirurgian whiche muste bee richelie rewarded for he putteth his life in daunger in that that he helpeth the sore bodie infected he ought to bée prouident that doth take this matter in hand and before he cometh to the pinche to eate his antidotari of Methridatum or to haue a Sponge with strong vineger applied to his nosthrilles to arme himself against the poisoned aire and to take his launce in his hande accordyng to the arte takyng héede that in launcyng he cutte no vaine or Senewe which haue societie with eche other therefore launce not verie depe This is no straunge thing after bloodletting to launce the sore to let forthe the matter in some it will come forth aboundauntly when it is ripe or rotten in other some not because the humours are grosse and baken together or the runnyng matter farre in or skante ripe and nothyng will come forthe but salte sharpe filthie stinckyng water then beware of any thing that might driue it backe again into the bodie as colde bole armen c. then thinsicion must be made in the lowest place so that thereby the matter mate the soner auoide and muste be made in the forme croked if it bee not in a place full of senewes if it be then make the insicion long after the matter is run forth thaÌ„ couer it with lint dipped in this folowing which is excelleÌ„t good yea if the matter be stubborne in the sore Take Quinse seede Galles of eche iij. dragmes Myrrhe Olibanum and Aloes of eche .ij. dragmes and a half Alom .ij. dragmes Aristolochia the round rootes Calamenthe as moche Calamenth i. dragme and a halfe Calcanthum a scruple all beaten finelie then temper it together in a little Redde Wine made in small rolles you maie kepe them drie and then in this case dissolue it or parte of it in the water of stilled milke applie this with lint into the sore also in this case to washe the sore with a sponge dipped in the warm waters of DragoÌ„s Scabious swete wine Aaristolochia and Comphori or their decoccioÌ„ And to haue the rootes of Comphoâ—â— of Lillies of Mallowes sodden in white wine vntill thei bée soft then stamped and drawen through a strainer put thereunto barlie meale honie of roses this is a very good thyng to applie to the sore after the washing for .xij. houres and will digest it An other good medicen both to ripe and asswage the pain mallowes violets chamâ— mill of eche half an handfull dill halfe as moche seeth theim and braie theÌ„ then adtâ— them barly meale oile of roses flaxe sede beane meale
no Phisike can preuaile the sorowes of death doeth compasse me rounde about the policie of the worlde with feare bad me flie and vse Gods meanes as Lot did wheÌ„ Sodome was a fire But now doe I se who so escapeth honger and the sword shalbe ouertaken with the pestilence I am at the pittes brinke now begin I to waxe weake in bodie I am verie drie my paine dooeth increase he is gone that did strike me but I doe fele his wound that he gaue me Alas woe is my vile stinkyng carkas and filthie fleshe conceiued and borne in sinne depriued of originall iustice compared to a beaste in Adam fallen as a rotten Aple from a liuing trée What haue I gotten my Lorde God by my fall nothing els but onely darkenesse care miserie affliccion sickenesse paine agues and now in myne harte Death moste painfull it self Now for all my pompe healthe wealthe riches and vaine pleasures of this worlde this my bodie whiche I haue bothe costlâ—e clothed well fedde and garnished with all delites for whose sake I haue been couetous and sinned against Iesus Christe to maintaine thesame bodie From heÌ„ceforth therefore now shall I bee tourned into a stinkyng carrion for wormes delite dust claie rotten moste vile forsaken of al meÌ„ poore without substaunce naked without clothing sowen in dishonour forgotten of my posteritee Not knowen from henceforthe vanishe like a shadowe wither like a leafe and fade as a flower Oh vncertain life but moste assured death fie on this filthie shadowe of this worlde and flattryng of thesame with all the instrumentes of the fleshe Oh Lorde although I be in this extreame trouble yet haue mercie vppon me according to thy greate mercie and louing kindnes For I doe make my praier in the tyme of trouble trustyng that thou wilt heare me Roger. Maistres the fearfull thing that talked with my Maister is gone Let vs go heare what newes with him Vxor. I am glad it is past thankes be to God I will go with spede to se my housebande for he hath been in greate daunger Roger. Sir I am glad that he is gone the deuill go with him hath he taken all your gold Ciuis No I haue my golde in store for in the worlde I founde it and in the worlde I muste leaue it it is but vaine and can not helpe in the time of this my trouble God hath preuented me and somoned me to appere before his seat This death hath smitten me I must dye Vxor. Alas my good swete housebande what aileth you Or what would you haue me doe for you to helpe you in this case Ciuis Helpe me into some house where as I might sende for some manne of God to be my heauenlie Phisicion teachyng me the waie to the kyngdome of Christe Roger. Here is a house at hande and here is your horse also we will helpe you vp and carrie you to this place Vxor. Now sir you be come here into this place for gods sake discoÌ„fort not your self I trust you shall doe well you shall want nothing that maie be had for mony gold and siluer I will sende for your own brethren and sisters You shall haue withal spede the best learned Phisicians in this Realme in the meane tyme drinke Dragon water MithridatuÌ„ mingled togither to put this passioÌ„ from your hart Ride Roger and seke a Phisician with al spede spare not the horse Ciuis Soft sirra and speake with me and doe what that I dooe commaunde you in the name of Iesus Christ. Roger. Sir looke what your maistership shall commaunde me to dooe that will I dooe with all spede and tary not Ciuis Go thy waies and praie moister Theologus to come to me that I maie haue his counsaille praie him to come with speede deliuer him this token Roger. I shall in the meane tyme good maister be of good cheare for Gods sake Vxor. Alas what shall I doe my poore childreÌ„ Ciuis I haue set my worldly thinges in order for so hath Gods worde taught me to do I thanke God and my debtes shalbe truelie paied and whatsoeuer any poor man doeth owe me I do forgeue them and restitucioÌ„ shall I make with all spede to as many as I haue wronged And I shall leaue plentie to you and my children requiryng you to liue according to Gods commaundement obeiyng him all y e daies of your liues and remember death and to doe to all men as you would be doen vnto To liue chast either in Mariage or a life sole vse praier chast your bodies with abstinence Bee pitifully minded hate vice beware of wicked companie loue well the temple of god visite the prisoners and helpelesse this is good Religion in the iyes of God As nere as you can kéepe the commauÌ„dementes of the almightie God and beware of idlenes and pride of harte lamente no more good wife For who can kepe that must nedes a waie me thinke I heare Theologus come Theologus Sir God the heauenlie Phisicion blesse you and geue you the perfite consolacion of conscience in Christ his sonne and geue you grace mekelie to beare this his crosse Ciuis You are hartely welcome deare Theologus I haue thoughte it long since I did sende for you Theologus Your man declared to me by the waie a pitifull storie which happened to you this daie Furder I had soner been with you but one maister Antonius sent for me but or I came he was dedde and Auarus and Ambodexter is in his house preparyng a solemne funerall for hym Ciuis Oh sir then I haue no cause to reherase the matter new again but seing my fleshe is nere the pit and in a maner my breathe faileth me beyng wouÌ„ded with death and that I am of twoo partes bodie and soule the one paste all cure the other in hope of saluacion I desire if it please God that I maie liue to thende of your oracions Declare vnto me what is the cause of sinne Theologus The Deuill was the first cause of sinne as it is written in Genesis how with a lie he deceiued the woman and thei that committe sinne are of the Deuill for he hath sinned from the beginnyng of the worlde and is the firste aucthour of sinne The seconde cause was manne declinyng from God and credityng the Deuill by whiche man sinne entred into the worlde and all the calamities and crosses therein as sorowe dread feare pouertie sickenesse and death it self all to punishe sinne Ciuis Oh lord how I haue erred I had thought God had been the cause As when I rede these woordes Indurabo cor Pharaonis I will indurate y e hart of Pharao with soche like places his induracion was the cause of his sinne and who did indurate him but God And when it is said ne nos inducas iÌ„ tentationem neither lede vs into temptacion c. Here I gathered it was God that led