tyed to any of our prescribed method not but consideration is to be had to differing causes and persons And now what I have experienced I shall here insert as to the cure of these great and Chronick Diseases being most common and all most difficultly cured viz. Gout Dropsie Scurvy Gonorrhea Consumptions Obstructions and in speaking of them I shall describe their symptomes cause and regiment in Cure very briefly and those that make tryal of my Medicines shall by Gods grace find them very effectual where every one may be his own Doctor if they please observing the Rules annexed the motive that induced me to put forth this little Treatise may well claim Charity her self to Patronise it for in my daily practice how many do I meet with that have wandred from one Physitian to another and yet not cured nay some yea very many think the Cure as bad as the Disease I mean for fear of having it discored for too many have receiv'd damage thereby besides the excessive gain of some Physitians who for every Ulcer they cure will themselves be covered with a Rich Roab not to mention the ignorance and dishonesty of many professors that not being able to give a diffinition of a disease will yet undertake to cure by default of whom many good people have perished in Estate health and credit especially in Venereal Distempers Therefore I shall first shew what each Disease is and its certain Sign to know it and to avoid all mistake I have set down certain and safe ways of Government with directions in taking that Physick is most suitable in each Disease which I have here prescribed being certain and safe all performed by a few Medicines as you will find and for the certainty of their goodness I will not entrust any to prepare them nor the delivery of them from my own house and there only delivered for the best Medicine not well and truly prepared may make a failing in cure So wishing preservation of health to the sound and recovery of health to the sick to the Poor I shall be willing to give advice freely and to all that are in any doubt I shall readily resolve them For oftentimes where the Disease is great dangerous or a complication of Diseases it is necessary to consult with your Doctor where no prescribed rule can in all circumstances be adaequate without the sight of the patient in all occasions I shall willingly resolve any doubts or Fears and shall manifest my self thy Faithful Friend J. A. CHAP. II. Treating of the POX IN performance of what I have promised and to begin with this fiery Dragon or Mr. Disease the Pox whose domination or Rule begins not like other Diseases lento pede gently but per saltem like the bite of a Serpent or sting of a Scorpion for most Diseases are seated in some particular part of mans body as the Squinancy or Plurisie c. Being confined to the spirits humors or solid parts but this disease is not confined neither to solid parts nor humors but comixeth its self to all being the malignity of all other Diseases and a Hell upon Earth for Mans punishment bringing at once with a sting of discontent a cursed pain with loathsome and shameful symptomes and great fear for diffinition lues venerea malum est Contagiosum quod consuetudine veneris magna ex parte contrahitur It is the corruption of the Radical moisture of the body chiefly taken by contact in those tender parts in the act of copulation yet it may be taken divers other wayes and though the Liver be especially hurt and doth labor to free it self by sending the putrefaction to the emunctories as to the Groins Buboes also to the Arm-pits and other parts Ulcers yet doth it transform it self proteus like in divers shapes appearing in some like the Scurvy in others like an Itch in some like the Gout and bringing pain to all especially to some most exquisite torment in the night the Pox may be taken several ways without copulation as by lying in a hot bed with the infected whereby emission of putrid sweat through the pores penetrates the adjacent body the pores being then open by sleep and the warmth of the bed so one Man may infect another where that abominable sin of Sodome is practiced also drinking frequently with them that have it foul in their throats or by sitting upon a close stool whilst the fume evaporates also a young child born of corrupt Parents may infect the Nurse that succles it or the infected Nurse may put it on a sound Child which I have often seen in my practice I come now to the particular Signs if infected As. CHAP. III. Signs of infection by the POX PResently after a man hath lain with an infective Woman he shall find a faintness or indisposition a lassitude over the whole body without other cause which is occasioned by the infection of the natural spirits which are the instruments of Life and motion then the next symptome is commonly pain in the Head with a vagrant wandring pain which goeth into the Shoulders from one to the other also very frequently pain in the Groins and Buboes there sometimes in less then a weeks time also Heat of Urine Inflamation of the Yard and Pustules with many a Running of the Reins with some an itching over all the body and in some angry Pustules breaking out in Head Face and other parts with some there breaks forth a great heat in the palms of the Hands and soals of the Feet also some have an interruption or sudden starting when they begin to sleep and great drowsiness which is caused of the fiery vapours Oftentimes there appears Red or Yellow spots upon the body and sore Pustules like the Scurvy and though there be few of the former signs yet if there is a corrupt matter though but a weeping about the privy part when cause for suspition hath preceeded you may be assured that is the French disease And I do here declare that I have and do daily cure those that have had it ten or more years as many can testifie to their comfort CHAP. IV. How to cure the POX SHewing all Men and Women how they may cure themselves of the French disease Before you proceed to the particular cure of the Pox resolve not to do any thing that may hinder thy present cure or which may bring thee to thy old misery again after thou art cured and first observe this general Rule for thy dyet that it might be drying and easie of concoction and feed very sparingly the best meat is Rabbets Birds Poultrey Mutton all throughly Roasted or more then enough for others stale bread crusts of bread or Bisket and you may sometimes eat a few Raisins oâ— the Sun therewith avoid Venery and leachery as the bane of Cure in time of Physick and also all Salt meats Fish spiced meats and sharp things as Vinegar Lemmons Fruit c All milk meat
Every MAN his own DOCTOR In two PARTS Shewing 1. How every one may know his own Constitution and Complection by certain Signs Also the Nature and Faculties of all Food as well Meats as drinks Whereby every Man and Woman may understand what is good or hurtful to them Treating also of Air Passions of Mind Exercise of Body Sleep Venery and Tobacco c. The Second part shews the full knowledge and Cure of the Pox and Running of the Reins Gout Dropsie Scurvy Consumptions and Obstructions Agues Shewing their causes and Signs and what danger any are in little or much and perfect Cure with small cost and no danger of Reputation Written by John Archer Chymical Physitian in Ordinary to the King Felix qui potuit Rerum Cognoscere Causas LONDON Printed by Peter Lillicrap for the Authour and are to be sold by most Booksellers 16â—â— To the Reader COnsidering the great damage that comes upon most people daily by not knowing or not regarding there own Constitutions of body whereby they neglect the pretious Jewel of Health and so by Ignorance do live negligenly and Eat and Drink they care not what so it be good in it self thinking it cannot be bad for them so it please the Pallat but thereby many dig their Graves with their Teeth and cut off the thread of their lives sooner then is required by God or Nature besides their uncomfortable living in sickness and disease of body Now for prevention I have to the benefit of all if perused writ this short Compendium Shewing how every one may know his own Complection and the Nature and Faculty of most Food now used in England whereby every Man may be his own Doctor in a Dietetical way which may prevent a Physical course and for such as are distempered or Diseased I have mentioned some of the most dangerous Diseases now in being which with their knowledge and dangers are clearly laid down and their best cure faithfully propounded which experience will best testifie having pitty to all that are so ignorant that eat they know not what or that are diseased and know not how to be cured but with ruine to their Credit and Name These Reasons made me publish this short tract for thy good that art willing and hast need of Advice least too late thou considerest J. A. Licensed and Entred according to Order The Contents of this Book FIrst The Epistle to the Reader Chap. 1. Of the preservation of health page 1. Chap. 2. Shews the best temperature page 4. Chap. 3. Shews certain Signs to know your Constitution and Complection page 6. Chap 4. Shews the benefit to be gathered from knowledge of our own Complection page 10. Chap. 5. Declaring some common Axiomes and Maximes to be observed in preserving of health page 12. Chap. 6. Treats of the worth of Air and the best and worst Air also difference of Air. page 14. Chap. 7. Treats of Meat or Food shewing the difference also the best and worst page 23. Chap. 8. Shews the Nature and Faculties of every thing we eat in beasts or fowl page 26. Chap. 9. Shews the Nature and variety of Fish page 40. Chap. 10. Treats of Food taken from living creatures as Milk Eggs Honey and others page 48. Chap. 11. Treats of Food from plants and Vegetables as Corn Fruits Roots Herbs page 57. Chap. 12. Shews the difference of drinks and nature of Waters Wine Beer Ale Honey drinks Coffee and Tobacco for whom it is good page 80. Chap. 13. Of passions of the mind and exercise and rest of the body sleep watchings excretions retentions and Venery page 96. The Second part Chap. 1. THe advertisement page 109. Chap. 2. Treats of the Pox. page 115. Chap. 3. Shews the Signs of Infection by the Fox page 118. Chap. 4. How to cure the Pox. page 120. Chap. 5. Shews how to cure the Running of the Reins or weakness of Nature page 125. Chap. 6. Shews how to know and cure the Scurvy page 129. Chap. 7. Treats of the Gout and how to cure page 132. Chap 8. Of the different Dropsies their causes and cures page 135. Chap. 9. Of an Ague or Feaver what it is and how to cure page 137. Chap. 10. Of a Consumption and decays of strength and how to cure page 140. Chap. 11. Treating of all sorts of Jaundies and obstructions and green sickness page 146. Chap. 12. Of the prices of the Medcines that cures these great diseases and proper for all Constitutions page 149. Being to be had at the Authors house only Every man his own Doctor CHAP. I. Of the preservation of Health TO preserve health when present and to Restore if lost is the chief end of Phisick and shall be my Main design in this small tract The word Medicina being derived amedendo that is healing such as are sick doth properly belong to the Theraputicall part only which part being most necessary was first invented yet afterwards when that part was added which shews the preservation of present health the same denomination was still retained and is now given to the whole art of Phisick therefore for definition Phisick is an art of preserving mans health when present and restoreing it when lost as far as it is posible The subject of Phisick is mans body as it is obnoxious to diseases the scope or end of Phisick is to heal although it is impossible to cure all that are sick yet the Physitian hath performed his office if he hath omitted none of those things that are in the power of nature and art Health amongst all things called good by Mortals is most desired when sick therefore ought to be highly prized when in well being and I think it may not only be acceptable but very profitable to all to be sincerely and briefly informed how to keep health and cure themselves Especially for those that have not patience to read voluminous Authours and those that want time and means for due Regulation and Government although we have an old Proverb that every Man is a Fool or a Physitian at forty year old Which saying is very true my meaning is that every Man in prudence should so far be his own Doctor as rightly to know his own Constitution and Complection and the reasons for the Friendly agreement or the Antipathy of any Food to his own body and for this end he ought to know the Nature of all Meat and Drink in use as ordinary Food amongst us in England especially The aforesaid knowledge is the Hygenial part of Physick that is Rules how present health may be preserved and how to beware not to fall into a Disease not that I think it necessary that every particular Person should be able to read an Anotomy Lecture upon the parts of his own Body nor study the Nature differences causes of Diseases nor the various sorts nor qualities of Purgative Medicines but that Man is to be pittied that eats for hunger and knows not the Nature of what he
Scurvy Companion but when some are at a loss in the understanding and full comprehending of the cause of Distempers in Patients it is common to fly to the sanctuary of the Scurvy like young Phylosophers that when they cannot find out the cause or reason of such an effect will fly to their ultimum refugium and say it doth it by an occult quality or some hidden property my thinks such might ingeniously say I do not understand it nor can yet find out the reason but most certain such a Disease there is which is peculiarly called the Scorbute or Scurvy which in brief not mentioning all the Catalogue of Distempers entailed to it it is a putrifaction of the blood by which sundry Diseases may be bred after which I think it ought to loose the name of the first cause as the names of small brooks are swallowed in the current of a great River Generally the symptomes are laziness or wearyness without cause especially in the Calves of the Leg and Thighs pain spots putrifaction of the Gums blackness and looseness of the Teeth for the Cure after purging with one dose of our Morbus Pill with 3 4 or 5 as the Patient is strong or weak let them drink Morning and Evening half a pint of our excellent dyet drink and stir much after it every morning and every night endeavour to sweat with some in bed after 2 days from taking your purging Morbus pills take every morning before your mornings draught of dyet drink one or two of our corroborating pills and so drink your dyet drink and walk or stir much after it presently helps And for the corruption of the Gums I have often experienced and I find very certain if you apply a Leech to suck them it will draw away the corrupt blood presently and the dyet drink and Physick takes away the inward cause so continuing the pills and dyet drink every day till cured CHAP. VII The Cure of the Gout THe Gout is a most grievous pain in the Joynts or est articulorum imbecillitas dolorque ex inter vallo invadens the cause is an acremonious humour proceeding from the Spermatick part of blood and congealing in the Joynts therefore very seldom Women or Eunurches or Children are ever troubled with it it takes its various names from its scituation or place residing if in the Hands or Fingers it is called Chiragra if in the knees it is called Genogra if in the Feet Podagra in the Hips Sciatica For the Cure it is best cured in Spring and Fall although all diseases are then best cured yet this is especially moved then in youth it may be perfectly Cured but in the Aged seldome so throughly but it will sometimes give a visit to his old Mr. especially if they eat plentifully or drink French Wine much or sharp things For the absolute Cure leave off all Wine Beer and Ale for a season and drink every night and morning for 14 days half a pint at a time of our Cordial drink and one Pill of our corroborating pill every morning after the Pill stirring about much take the dyet drink warm And at meals drink only Fair Water take this Water at meals constantly but after you have used about 30 of the corroborating pills you may leave them off at pleasure or use them as you find cause For pains in any part nothing is better then a poultess of Milk Bread and Marsh-mallows applyed with some Saffron and put a little Oyl of Camomile to it so put it to the pained place or you may use Oyl of Camomile Marshmallows and Oyl of Turpentine each alike quantity mixt with some Brandy-Wine so anointed by the fire keeping it warm avoiding salt meat sharp things Strong Beer and Wine this remember that one of our pills every morning and drinking nothing but dyet drink and spring water for a season will be the Cure If pain be extream use one of my cordial Pills that gives ease in an hours time you may find its use with directions at the latter end of the book CHAP. VIII Of different Dropsies For Diffinition Hydrops passio est quam aquosi humoris copia comitatur propter sanguificandi facultatem vitiatam A Dropsie is a gathering together of the serous and watry humors from the Veins and Arteries into several parts of the body through hurt or imbecillity of the sanguifying faculty and by want of excretion by Urine and Sweat and by weakness of the Liver from a cold cause there are three sorts of Dropsies to wit the Dropsie Ascites Timpaintes and Anasarca When the waterish humor is collected in the Abdomen it is called Ascites or the Water Dropsie Timpaintes is when much windyness is heaped up between the peritonaeum and the Bowels Anasarca is when the ill humors are dispersed throughout the whole body that all the flesh appeareth moist like a spunge all proceeding from a cold cause and want of Fermentation of the blood the want of which bringeth obstruction of the Ureters and in the pores by which means what ought to be emitted is retained How to cure the Dropsie One method may well work the Cure of all Dropsies that is let their dyet be easie of concoction and very dâ—ying abstaining as much from Drink as possible and keeping altogether to our cordial dyet drink and Sweating a little morning and evening with half a pint at a time of it warm in bed and it will dry up the humors powerfully and speedily even as Lime doth water and for 3 weeks or a month take every day if possible one or two of our corroborating pills which will cause Fermentation strengthning the Liver and Ureters free them from all weakness and Obstructions and by exercising after your dyet drink and pills it safely cures CHAP. IX Of an Ague or Feaver what it is A Feaver is so called from the Latine word Ferveo because it is a Fervor or heat affecting the body it is a preternatural heat kindled in the heart as in its proper subject primarily and per se hurting our actions which heat by the meditation of blood in the Veins and Spirits is diffused through the whole body The reason of circuits of intermitting Feavers is of no small moment amongst the Learned for what one allows another rejects and therefore as well from their difference in judgement as their frequent Failing in Cure the Ague may be truly called Approbrium Medicorum but Feavers are usually distinguished into putred and malignant and putred Feavers into continual and intermitting not to enlarge upon all Agues passing under the several denominations or names though proceeding from putred of Quotidian Tertian Quartan double Tertian c. But the difference of its fits shews the humour it came from How to cure the Ague First take 2 or 3 of our vomiting pills in the morning then at night take of our cordial dyet drink half a pint hot every night and morning sweating upon it every time and forbear
and generate Putrid humours and sometimes Worms in Putrid Feavers taken by surfeit and ever-much eating them yet the black are most wholesome and indeed Medicinal against Convulsions Plumbs and Prunes Plumbs in general are cold and moist but there are divers kind of Plumbs the sweet ones are not so cold as the sower in nature they are chiefly profitable to cholorick stomachs they are easily concocted and pass through the belly those that are fresh alter most powerfully they mollify the belly being taken before meat but very dangerous taken after by reason they scatter abroad many excrements and that crude they do not generate good juice those which abound most with a moistcrude juice are the worst also the white or yellowish are the worst but the best are of a black or blew colour like Damsons and Damask Prunes the dry are more fit for nourishment for those that are weak in stomach plumbs are not convenient because they loosen its strength by a cooling moisture Mulburies Mulburies do very powerfully quench thirst from their moisting and cooling quality they mitigate choller but nourish little they easily pass through the belly but if they are retained they are easily corrupted and become putred and acquire an ill Nature wherefore they are to be eaten when the stomach is empty only and not stuffed with peccant humours that they may quickly descend through the belly Figs. Figs are hot and moist by Nature and nourish very much above any other Fruits they easily descend and pass through the belly they have a penetrating and cleansing faculty yet too much use of them begets Wind dry Figs are hotter and dryer then green and are of a very opening and attenuating quality and do also loosen the belly and drive humours to the external parts therefore profitably taken by Women near their time of travel they generate blood also but none of the best Grapes Grapes that are sweet are hot and therefore cause thirst sharp sower austere are colder therefore allay drotwh or thirst the mean between sweat and sowre are best to make Wine of the fresh gathered ate flatulent windy afford little nourishment and if they are detained long in the Stomach are corrupted and dilate the belly and stir up Chollick Fits and cause the Spleen to swell and fill the Stomach and Liver with crude humours the fresh gathered serve rather for pleasure then health but the best are the sweet ones mixt with a little sharp tast those without stones loosen the belly more but with stones strengthen the Stomach Almonds and Nuts Sweet Almonds are the best of Nuts and of them the largest and sweetest are most to be desired they are temperately hot and moist and yeilds store of nourishment and of good juyce and moderate they attenuate and cleanse for which Reason they are the best Food for imatiated bodies and they replenish the intrails and the whole body with convenient nourishment and such as is not apt to corruption they purge the breast open Obstructions of the Urinary passage and cause sleep but are not so useful for a Chollerick Stomach nor good to be given in Feavers proceeding from Choller they are usually given to the Sick dissolved in broaths which are called emulsions Filberds and Hasle-Nuts The best of Hasle Nuts are Filberds and do come nearest to Almonds in vertue but they are hot and dry in quality hardly digested afford a thick juyce if old the young or newly gathered are the best Walnuts Walnuts if new gathered are hot and moist the old are hot and dry in faculty the new are safer eaten then the old for the old generates Choller offend the orifice of the Stomach and hurt the Gullet or Wind-pipe cause a Cough and causeth pain in the head the use of them is commended after eating of Fish because their heating and dryness prevent the corruption of Fish Chestnuts Gallen that learned Physitian believes that Chestnuts have no ill juyce as all other Fruits of Trees have they are hot and dry and if they are well concocted nourish very much and affords durable nourishment they bind the belly and if they are eaten in too great plenty generates Wind. Olives Oyle Olives are temperate and the Oyl drawn from them that are Ripe affords nourishment temperate and agreeable to our Nature and can correct the pravity of other Aliments amends the crudity of Herbs Resists poyson it mollifies and loosens the belly it takes away sharpness it helps Ruptutes and such as are bursten bellied and mittigates pain internally and externally Mushromes and Toad-stools Lastly since the wantonness of some will eat Mushromes yet they are not eaten without danger they are by nature cold they yeild a watry and thick nourishment but oftentimes they are poysonous therefore better let alone then eaten Now we have passed through all eatable things it is necessary we speak next of all sorts of Drink CHAP. XII Of Drink Its Use DRink is of so absolute necessity that without it the moist substance which is daily consumed cannot be restored nor the natural thirst allayed neither can the Fat and thick moisture be carried through the narrow passages and by drink the meat in the Stomach is mingled concocted and poured forth and an inflamation of that Fat which destinated by Nature to nourish our bodies is prohibited Kinds of Drink There are divers kinds of Drink as Water Wine Strong Beer Ale Syder Perry Drinks made of Honey Sugar c. and divers decoctions Waters how to know good There is great variety of Waters all which are cold and moist but the best is that which is pure and clear by the sight taste smell and offers the sale of nothing to the tast nor odour to the smell which upon the fire is soon made hot and taken from the Fire doth soon grow cold which is light and wherein Flesh and Fruit are soon boyled some is Fountain others is River water some Rain water others Lake or Pond water some marish others Snow waters Fountain Water Fountain water is the best which hath these marks of good water that spreads towards the East and Runs Eastward and Riseth through Sand and Gravel that carries no mud with it that is hotter in Winter and colder in Summer River Water River Water for the most part is Fountain water and ariseth from many Fountains flowing together and therefore is of a mixed nature and receives also a mixt Nature from the Earth it passeth through Waters are mixed And sometimes also they are mingled with Snow melted in the Mountains and great showres of water collected together yet its crudity is corrected by the beams of the Sun whilst it runs through divers parts of the Earth before the use of it it should stand and settle in Cisterns and Tubs that what impurities it brought with it may settle to the Bottom Rain Water Rain Waters which falls in the Summer time with Thunder is the thinnest and lightest but since many vapours are lift up by
also Wine First begin to purge with our Morbus Pill so called because it doth so mightily prevail against the Morbus Gallicus take I say in bed and sleep after the first night 3 pills next night 4 pills and if thy strength is sufficient which you will find by taking the two first doses take the third day 5 pills always taking some posset drink made with small Ale in the morning and if the Weather be fair and your body strong you may safely go abroad after dinner or in the morning if you take them going to bed over night now after your body is sufficiently cleansed for preparation if you are young strong and Phlethorick take from the Liver Vein of the Right Arm eight or ten ounces of blood then begin to take of the dyet drink which doth wonderfully purifie the blood and restores any decay in the vital or noble parts and makes the Liver firm and sound and is very Cordial you ought to drink of this 3 half pints every day hot that is half a pint in the morning in bed an hour or two before you rise and put your self into a small breathing Sweat after it and take half a pint at four in the afternoon and walk much after it and take half a pint at night going to bed and indeavor to sweat a little after it and if you can confine your self at meals to it is best if you cannot drink some Ale but the less the better for our main design is to dry Exercise moving to Sweat is very proper in the Cure The time of taking this drink must be according to the Patients disease if the disease be newly taken it cures some in 14 days others a Month but if it be inveterate and old it requires six weeks but it is a sure medicine It never fails where recovery is to be hoped for without the patient be irregular and if he be he must wait the longer for Cure but this must be remembred to purge it least twice a week with the Morbus pills with 3 4 or 5 according to your strength and that morning as you take the Pills take no dyet drink but posset drink till the afternoon then drink again as at other days and leave not off taking your cordial dyet drink and the pills till you are cured and all symptomes be gone whether pains Pustules spots issuing at the Yard or otherwise for if you do it may grow again after the Cure be careful not to return to a full dyet speedily least there be some remains of the disease and nature being called from its work to the digesting of meat should omit the encounter this is a sure way but sometimes when men have a great and sore Disease and may keep out of sight for a months time if convenient for their constitution I cause a Flux or Salvation and I have so great a secret in that way that never fails being easie to take without any danger to the Patient not like the vulgar poysonous pill which some use I perfectly cure many to their great comfort however there is a necessity of dyet drink also I am well acquainted with those ways are used in Italy and elsewhere yet none better then what I have mentioned for the dyet drink doth corroborate and fortifie the noble parts of the body and doth perfectly cure that Disease in all that use it is sufficiently experienced If you are troubled with violent nocturnal pains in this French Disease make use of my cordial pill as directed in the latter end of this book and you will find speedy ease CHAP. V. How to cure the Running of the Reins or weakness in Men or Women THe Gonorrhea or Running of the Reins if it came without copulation with a Woman as by over-straining or too great fulness of seed or sharp and Chollerick humors any of which causes imbecile the Retentive Faculty of the Spermatick Vessels the cure is easie after gentle purging with my opening and corroborating Pills that are both cleansing and wonderful strengthning using also the cordial drying drink as before directed and remember to keep a slender dyet as in the French disease and at meals the smallest drink or water which is better forbearing leachery and much motion of the body and avoid lying on your back in bed and all sharp salt spice and acrimonous things and by taking of the pills every day or as your strength will permit you will soon be well commonly in ten days A foul Gonorrhea being taken by copulation is of a different nature from the former for this proceeds from a venenate quality taken by contact from the poysonous morbifick matter of the Pox and by the corrosive quality thereof it hath eaten into the Yard Neck of the Bladder or Reins where it ulcerates and so infects the Liver corrupts the blood and humors by meaâ—s whereof it is sent back again from the Liver to its emunctories so frequently there ariseth Buboes in the Groins with issuing forth of corrupt matter pain and heat from the Yard which if neglected infects the whole man and so the body becomes a miserable subject for that loathsome disease to prey upon the Pox although the Pox may be taken without the Running of the Reins and by several ways without copulation as before intimated as by lying in a hot bed with the infected whereby emission of Sweat through the pores penetrates the adjacent body being then open by sleep and heat so one man may infect another where that abominable sin of Sodom is practiced also drinking frequently with them that have it foul in their Throats or sitting upon a close stool whilst the Fume evaporates also a young child born of corrupt parents may infect the nurse that suckles it which I have often seen in my practice but this is a digression I come now to the cure of this Running of the Reins which indeed is nothing less then the Pox though some have it more virulent then others which they may observe to increase or diminish as they are observant to my Rules before directed in the Pox therefore I need not again actum agere to give more instructions but advize all to temperance and a strict Observation and you may be cured if the disease be small in 14 days at the most if virulent sometimes longer this remember leave not taking the Morbus pills as your strength will permit and drinking daily of your dyet drink till well and return not suddenly to a full dyet after you are well for the reasons given already I caution you not to procure a stopping of the issue of the Yard by any other means then by the Morbus pills and dyet drink least you stop the Morbifick matter there and dissipate it to all parts of the body CHAP. VI. The Cure of the Scurvy THere is scarce any Disease now in being but some Physitians will call the Scurvy and it is true in a sense that every Disease is a
drinking of Beer or Ale for 4 days taking this drink at meat and else and take also 3 of our corroborating pills every morning for a week together early stirring after them it will free your body with ease and safety Avoiding the violent sweats the Jesuits powder doth commonly bring upon all that take it CHAP. X. Of a Consumption and decays of Strength or Consumptio corporis I Am come now last of all to treat of a Consumption any of which Diseases before mentioned if neglected may bring the body into therefore we say veniente occurite Morbo it is easier to prevent then cure the least Disease Diffinition Tabes Quia partium ingreditur soliditatem soluit A Consumption so called because the Disease enters into the solid and noble parts and consumes them as Fire doth mettles by melting them though properly it signifieth an Ulcer in the Lungs which by spreading doth wast and consume them and the whole body the French call it Le pulmonick by the name of the Lungs and there it doth begin by a putrid corosive sharp humour contained in the mass of blood which humours become such for want of Fermentation and continue such by additional acrimony which is the cause that all salt sharp Rheums and distillations which usually fall down most by night are so destructive and mortal and that the venenat quality of that sharp Phlegm distilling doth so continually stimulate the expulsive faculty of the Lungs desiring to free it self by Coughing Therefore all sharp salt acrimonous things or things easily corrupted are most dangerous to consumptive persons and all things that resist putrifaction and acrimony are the best preservatives For cure of a Consumption and all decays of Strength and Nature Be carefull to dispose of your self so that the Disease may be oppugned and nature strengthened and first I shall admonish you to have regard to those things called not naturall as Air Food Sleep the passions of the mind exercise and to the former may be added excrements that these may be Rectified if amiss and procured if wanting the full directions there to you are taught in the begining of this treatise in the Doctrine of preservation of health be careful of keeping your body from all excess which is hurtfull to nature also leave not of suddenly what you have been long acustomed to although worse except Air which we ought to change though you live in the best yet change is better walking Mornings to Hills or high grounds in the Evenings in Summer time by pleasant Rivers according to the saying Fons speculum gramen haec dant occulis Relevamen mane igitur montes sed serum inquirito fontes I caution you not to be out of house after Sun set nor to live in nor adjoyning to old Stone Walls nor new Buildings the former being though most before wet Wether yet dampishly unwholsome penetrating and will transmute Sound and Solid Bodies to putryfaction the latter very Suffocating till Summer Air hath throughly dryed putrid Air is also to be avoided if you live near stinking Lakes of Water Moorish Ground c. for as Air is more or less putred it is better or worse in this distemper for Air is obnoxious to putrifaction as well as any thing else therefore it is worth while for all Weak or Consumtive people especially to enquire into the nature of the Air of the place they intend to live in for we chiefly live by the Air by reason we are continually drawing in and breathing forth Generally the Air in Cities we find by daily experience is not so good as the open Country because the breath of many people in a close place doth putryfie the Air as well the transpiration of the pores of the Body and also the ill smells of divers filth These things are and may be proved as also the goodness or badness oâ— any Air by the keeping of any kind of Flesh meat for the better the Air is the longer it will keep uncorrupt and so it is with our instruments of Respiration as the Lungs will keep longer sound in a good Air then bad small Ale is most agreeable at meals and warm For dyet your best dyet being meat easie of concoction not easily corrupted fine manchet Land Birds Rabbets Poultrey c. Also where the Stomach is not very Phlegmatick milk hot from the Cow with Sugar of Roses dissolved to be drank about 5 a Clock in the afternoon is safely to be taken to the quantity of half a pint But for the Consumption Cure The most effectual remedy you will find is especially where there is any Catarrh distillation Rheum or Cough is our cordial dyet drink and corroborating pill therefore take of the dyet drink half a pint morning and evening warm in Bed which strengthens the vitals and resists putrifaction lying every morning an hour after it without drinking or eating any thing for that space at night taking as much and sleep upon it the Pill is to be taken one or two in a morning when you rise either constantly or as you find your strength and walk after it and you may eat or drink within an hour after It doth cleanse the Stomach and body in general it is a little laxative but very strengthning making a due Fermentation and a lively complection you ought to exercise according to your strength and to have your Legs arms and body often rubbed with a soft hand never drink cold nor sharp things which duly observed is the best means for recovery CHAP. XI Treating of all sorts of Jaundies and Green-Sickness Obstructions ICteritia est effusio bilis modo flavae modo atrae subnide utriusque quod in puellis saepe accidit per Universum corpus or the Jaundies is nothing but a diffusion of Choller or Melancholly or both through the whole body many times happening when the blood is corrupted without a Feaver as in the Crisis of Diseases and in Maids that have the Green-Sickness all oftentimes caused by Obstructions of the Gall Liver Spleen c. It is easily discovered by the yellowness and discoloration of the skin and deep Red tincture of the Urine or pale colour in the Green Sickness of young women The cure Be it to Men Women or Maids the cure is very safe and speedy first vomit with 2 or 3 of my emetick pills drinking posset drink as they work then sweat at night and morning with our cordial dyet drink hot half a pint at a time the next morning after your Sweat take 3 of our corroborating pills stir much after the taking of them and half an hour after taking them drink a large draught of small Ale or posset drink Maids ought to take the pills for 3 weeks time for the Green Sickness If Maids take them for the Green Sickness let them drink White-wine and continue taking the pills as directed for 20 days though you may be cured before 't is not safe to leave dregs behind and walk much every day after your pills and the Cure will speedily be effected though it be black Jaundies yellow or Green Sickness or any other obstructions in Liver Spleen or Reins in Men Women or Children and doth strengthen the noble parts and Reins to admiration For your dyet in the Jaundies it ought to be tender cooling and opening easie of concoction as Barley Grewel Fresh Fish Poultrey Rabbets and drink freely of small Ale or Barley broath with Liquorish boyled in it But Maids in the Green Sickness ought to use hot drinks that are opening as our dyet drink is also White-wine spiced meats c. because their Disease of Obstruction riseth from a cold cause therefore they must avoid all stopping cold things as Milk Cheese Fruit Nuts and such like One thing I shall say for the comfort of all persons that have lost their Complection that the corroborating pills being taken every morning for ten days or longer doth wonderfully revive and clear the countenance and make a fresh colour though in aged people and if Ladies once try them they need never paint more besides it makes the body sound and strong CHAP. XII Of the Prices of the Medicines that cure the Diseases aforementioned First our cordial dyet drink is 2 s. 6 d. the quart Morbus Pill the Box containing 30. at 5 s. The corroborating Pill the box containing 40. at 5 s. The vomiting Pill the box containing 20. at 3 s. The Cordial Pill giving ease in an hour and frees thy body from the greatest pain If pain be great in any part of the body occasioned by Gout Chollick Pox Stone or otherwise take one of my Cordial Pills at night going to bed and indeavor to sleep upon it and it will give ease in one hours time provided you do not eat nor drink any thing after for two hours space and fotbear speaking or else that may hinder its efficacy upon the Vitals for it gives ease by corroborating and not by stupifying It is most beneficial when the Patient hath had a stool not long before the taking of it Which may easily be procured by help of any small Glister I need not write more in commendation of it for he or she that finds release from pain will not longer doubt of the value and goodness its price 12 d. each pill there being three in a box is 3 s. price These pills and dyet drink are so well known by all that have used them for their excellent vertues that they need nothing of pen praise their benefit in use will shew their worth and to be had only from my house in Winchester-street near Gresham Colledge next door to the Fleece Tavern FINIS