he so is it indéed vnto all the godly but vnto the wicked it is an entrance into a continuall and eternall punishment from the which Christ that hath died for vs deliuer vs. Amen Now hauing shewed sin to be one cause of the Pestilence and sometimes the onely cause when it pleaseth God to punish the impietie of his people vsing it as the executioner of his wrath it followeth that I shewe the other causes whereof the Pestilence may arise The second cause is the corruption of the aire Galen the most excellent and famous Physition in his booke de Differentijs Febrium saith there be two causes of the Pestilence Vnam aërem vitiatum ac putridum alterā humores corporis vitio so victu collectos ad putreso endum paratos The one cause is saith he an infected corrupted and putrified aire the other cause is euill and superfluous humors gathered in the body through haughtie and corrupt diet which humours be apt and ready to putrifaction And this is most true and not onely the opinion of Galen and Hippocrates the Fathers and princes of Physicke but of all the learned and iudiciall Physitions of latter time and at this day Now let vs consider how and by what meanes the aire may be corrupted and altered from his wholsom qualitie vnto a venemous dispositiō Entring into due consideration therof I finde many causes that may corrupt the aire all which I will compose or include in these two The first cause whereby the aire may bée corrupted is through the vnholsom influence of that planets who by their malitious disposition qualitie and operations distemper alter and corrupt the aire making it vnholesome vnto humane nature When the temperature of the aire is changed from his naturall estate to immoderate heate and moisture then it corrupteth and putrifieth and ingendreth the Pestilence I emit to write what I haue read concerning the alterations and mutations that are sometimes caused by the superior bodies or planets here below vpon the earth for vnto the learned it were superfluous and vnto the vulgar or common sorte it woulde rather bréede admiration then credite but this euerie man is to vnderstand Deus regit Astra GOD rules the starres and yet I doubt not but through the Eclipses Exaltation Coniunctions and aspectes of the Planets the aire may bée corrupted and made vnholesome sometimes in somuch that diuers griefes are bred thereby The second cause whereby the aire may be corrupted is a venemous euaporation arising from the earth as from fennes moores standing muddie waters and stinking ditches and priuies or from dead bodies vnburied stinking chanels and mixsones and multitudes of people liuing in small and little roome and vncleanlie kept all these are causes and meanes whereby the aire may be corrupted The third cause of the pestilence is the euill disposition of the body which is bred by euill diet the bodie being repleat with corrupt and superfluous humors which humors bereadie to putrifie and rot vpon anie light occasion And when such a person doth but receiue into his bodie by inspiration the corrupted and infections aire he is therewith by and by infected his bodie being disposed thereunto through superfluous and corrupt humors abounding whereas contrarie wise a body of a good disposition I meane a body frée from grosse corrupt and superfluous humors is not castlie or lightlie infected because there is not that matter for the infectious ayre to worke vpon And againe nature is more stronge to repell the infectious or corrupted ayre if it be receiued and this is the cause why one person is rather infected then another namelie the disposition of the bodie Now hauing shewed all the causes of the pestilence I will GOD assisting mée set downe the cure and remedie for euerie cause which causes being taken away the effect which is the sicknesse must néedes cease The first cause I say is sinne and this ought first to be taken awaie and then I dare vndertake by Gods assistance my corporall medicines shall soone staie this furious sicknesse Sinne is a sicknesse of the soule the cure thereof dooth consist in these two points The first is true hartie and faithfull repentance with all contrition of heart confessing thy sinnes vnto the Lorde with faithfull prayer vnto Christ Iesu that it will please him to be an aduocate and mediator vnto the Lorde for the forgiuenesse of thy sinnes Do this and thou shalt find GOD mercifull hee is readier to forgiue then we to aske forgiuenesse of him He would not the death of a sinner but with all mercy patience and long suffering wayteth and expecteth our conuersion vnto him The second point is newnesse of life for what shall it auaile vs to haue forgiuenesse of our sinnes if we fall into the same againe and walke in our former euilnesse of life This will but increase Gods wrath and indignation against vs and exasperate him to punish our impietie of life with all seueritie Therefore I counsell thee as thou tendrest the saluation of thy soule flie from euill and do the thing that is right walke vprightlie before him in newnesse and holinesse of life for the Lord séeth all thy waies and knoweth the thoughts of thy heart long before Remember thy time here is but short and death will sommon thee thou knowest not how soone to giue an account how thou hast spent thy time and vsed the talent that the Lord hath lent thée here on earth Then shalt thou stād before the tribunall seat of the Almightie iust Iudge where all thy whole life shal be laide open and all thy actions and thoughts of thy heart made manifest and knowne Then happy and ten times happie are they vnto whom the Lord shall say Come yee blessed of my Father receiue ye the Kingdome prepared for you before the beginning of the worlde But how vnhappie and in what miserable estate are they vnto whom the Lord shall say Goe you cursed into eternall darknesse a place of punishment appointed for you where there is horror weeping and gnashing of teeth This is the place appointed for the vngodly worldlings that wallow and continue in their sinne neglecting the seruice of the Lord for which end they were created Consider this good Christian Reader and defer no time to turne vnto the Lord for this life of ours is fraile vnconstant and very vncertaine We haue examples daily before our eies of the vncertainty thereof to day a man to morrow none Homo natus Muliere paucorum dierum est repletur inquietudine saith Iob Man that is borne of a woman his daies are fewe and is full of misery For thy further instruction I refer thée vnto the godly and learned Diuines heare them for they are the messengers and ministers of the Lorde appointed to teach his people and in mée it might be noted for presumption to take vpon mée the office of another man hauing in this point more
herewith offended or enuy my endeuours considering it is for the benefit and helpe of many in this or such like dangerous time wherein many perish for want of counsel and helpe in their sicknesse at the beginning thereof And where anie ouersight or defect hath passed in my booke as I doubt not but that there are some hauing so short time and so little opportunity to ouerlooke it I desire the learned Reader to correct and amend the same and in so doing I shall be vnto him beholding And so now taking my leaue I beseech God of his great mercy to blesse the meanes that we shall vse for our health vnto the honour glorie and praise of his holy name and vnto our health comfort Farewell luly the ninth Non quaero quod mihi vtile est sed multis Thine in all friendly loue and good will Thomas Thayre A Treatise of the Pestilence wherein is shewed all the causes thereof with most assured preseruatiues against all infection THis contagious sicknes which is generally called the Plague or Pestilence is no other thing then a corrupt and venemous aire deadly enemie vnto the vital spirits most commonly bringing death and dissolution vnto the body except with spéede good remedy be vsed I mean not that the aire of it self is a verie poison for then consequently all persons for the most part that liue within the aire so corrupted should be infected and few or none escape the danger thereof but my meaning is that the aire hath in it selfe a venemous qualitie by reason whereof those bodies wherein there is Cacochymia corrupt and superfluous humours abounding are apt and lightly infected those humours being of themselues inclined and disposed vnto putrifaction Now I will proceede to shew the causes of this dangerous sicknesse and also the cure thereof Now hauing briefly defined what the Pestilence is I will God assisting me prosecute mine intended purpose First in shewing all the causes thereof and the cure and remedie for euerie cause Entring into due consideration of the causes of the Pestilence that now raigneth Christian Reader I find there are thrée causes thereof The first and chiefest is sinne The second is the corruption of the aire The third and last cause is the euill disposition of the body bred by euill diet and the abuse of things called Res non naturales things not natural not so called for that they are against nature but because through the abuse of them nature is debilitated corrupted and oftentimes vtterly destroyed The first cause I say is sinne The holy Scriptures sufficiently proueth the same and giueth manie examples how the Lord oftentimes punisheth his people for their sin and impietie of life with the Pestilence Reade the 14. chapter of the booke of Numbers and the 11. and 12. verses where the Lord speaking vnto Moses saying How long will this people prouoke me and how long will it be ere they beleeue me for all the signes I haue shewed among them I will smite them with the pestilence and will destroy them and will make thee a greater mightier nation then they Why doth the Lord here threaten the children of Israel his chosen to strike them with the Pestilence the reason is shewed in the same chapter because saith he they haue murmured against me and haue rebelled not keeping nor obseruing my lawes And as the Lord spake vnto the children of Israel by Moses so speaketh he vnto vs dayly by his ministers and preachers of his word Also reade Deuteronomy the 28. chap. the 1. 2. 3. and 4. verses and there you shall sée the blessings that the Lord promiseth vnto them that walke in his waies and kéepe his commandements And it followeth in the same chapter But if thou wilt not obey the voice of the Lord thy God and keep and doe his commandements The Lord shall make the pestilence to cleaue vnto thee And many more curses hee pronounceth against them that continue in their sin and iniquitie of life And further The Lord shal smite thee with a consumption with a feuer and with a burning ague and so forth This spake the Lord vnto the children of Israel his people and this speaketh the Lord daily vnto vs but we are slow to repentance and amendment of life Reade Leuiticus the 26. chap. and the 21. verse And if you walke stubbornly against me saith the Lord and will not obey my word I will bring seuen times more plagues vpon you according vnto your sinnes And in the third verse following he saith I will send the pestilence among you and you shall bee deliuered into the hands of your enemies This spake the Lord vnto the inhabitants of Ierusalem and this speaketh hee vnto vs oftentimes by his Ministers whom we ought with all reuerence to heare and with all diligence to follow Many more places could I cite and inferre out of the sacred Scriptures to proue sinne to be a cause of the Pestilence and sometime the onely cause thereof example in Dauid example in Pharao and diuers other which for prolixitie I omit hoping this may suffice to proue sinne to bee a cause of the Pestilence which is indéede as a messenger or executioner sometimes of Gods iustire Manie and great plagues hath this our land tasted of in times past and it is not yet tenne yeares since this Citie of London was visited and afflicted with this sicknes dispersing it selfe into diuers and many places of this land cutting off and taking away a great multitude of people and I doubt not but sin was a great cause thereof O that man would therefore remember the inconstancie and srailtie of this life And consider the end of his creation was to serue and glorifie God but we daily dishonour him by committing of sinne and not giuing vnto him that honor and seruice that is due vnto the Lord But placing all our affections vpon the vaine delights and inconstant pleasures of this alluring and deceitfull world which do as it were bewitch vs and withdrawe vs from that Christian care that we ought to haue of our saluation abusing Gods mercie and long sufferance with our delayes and procrastination to turne vnto him being misebly deluded by satan and intised by the glittering shewes of this world to the loue thereof and God knowes how soone we must leaue it I pray God infuse his grace and holy Spirit into our hearts that sinne may be mortified in vs and that it may worke in vs a reformation and amendment of life that we may henceforth walk in this our short pilgrimage as Christians and seruants of the Lord seruing him in all holinesse and pietie of life contemning the vaine pleasures of this fraudulent world which are but snares to intrap our soules and the baites of Sathan to draw vs vnto destruction then shall we not need to feare death but say with Saint Paul Mors mihi lucrum Death vnto me is gaine saith
néede to be taught my self then able to instruct others The cure of the soule belongeth vnto them and thē cure of the body vnto me I will now hasten vnto the second cause which is the corruption of the aire I haue shewed before all the causes that may corrupt the aire it followeth now that I teach the correction purging and altring of the aire corrupted which is the second cause of the pestilence And first I would counsel you that al the stréetes lanes and allies be kept cleane and swéete as possible may bée not suffering the filth and swéepings to lie on heapes as it dooth especiallie in the suburbes but to be caried awaie more spéedily for the uncleane kéeping of the stréetes yéelding as it dooth noisome and vnsauory smelles is a meanes to increase the corruption of the aire and giueth great strength vnto the pestilence Also that al the pondes pooles ditches about the City if they yéeld any stinking and noisom smels that they be scoured and clensed for there ariseth from them an euill and vnholesome aire which furthereth the corruption of the aire and worse will do in hotter weather Also that you suffer no mixsons to be made so néere vnto the Citie as they are but to be caried far off neither any dead carion to lie vnburied as I haue séene but to be caried forth and buried déepe Also that euerie Euening you make small and light fiers with Oken wood in those stréets where the infection is either two or thrée fiers according vnto the length of the stréete or place infected the wood being consumed cast in some stickes of Iuniper and therewithall two thrée or foure rowles of perfume that I haue here set downe in my booke which I would wish were vsed through the whole Citie in your chambers and houses cast in vpon some coles in a chafingdish or fuming pot in the Morning and Euening This fumigation hath a most excellent and singular propertie to purge and alter a corrupt and vnholsome aire But peraduenture some men for want of Iudgement wil think this my direction ouer curious of small validity but I do and will affirme that the vse thereof is very requisite and of great force vtility and the best meanes for the purging and altering the euill qualitie of the aire that is knowne vnto man This fumigatiō is to be vsed where the infection is in the euening and also in the morning is of great force for the purging of the aire and altering the euill qualitie thereof which I wish were dayly vsed through the Citie in their houses and chambers for the excellent vertue thereof R. Storax Calamint Labdanum Cypresse-wood Myrrhe Beniamin Yellow Sanders Ireos red Roseleaues Flowers of Nenuphar of each one ounce liquid Storax one ounce Cloues one ounce Turpentine one ounce Withy cole fiue ounces Rose-water as much as wil be sufficient to make them vp in trochis let them be two drams in weight The wood béeing consumed cast in some stickes of Iuniper and after it cast in two or thrée of these trochis which will yéelde a comfortable smell and purge the aire Another more swéete and delectable for the better sort to vse in their houses and chambers dailie R. Storax Calamint Labdanum Cypresse-wood Frankēcense Beniamin of each of thē half an ounce red Roseleaues dried yellow Sanders of each two drams Cinamon Cloues wood of Aloes of each of them one dramme flowers of Nenuphar one dram liquid Storax halfe an ounce gum Dragagant two drams and muske six graines Withy cole three ounces Rose Water as much as will suffice to make it vp in Trochis This I would counsell Gentlemen and Citizens to vse dayly in their houses and chambers for the excellent operation it hath Also it is good for want of these to burn in your houses and chambers Iuniper Frankincense Storax Baylaues Marierom Rose marie Lauender and such like Now hauing shewed the remedies for the two first causes it followeth that I teach the cure of the third and last cause which is the euill disposition of the body through superfluous corrupt and euill humors abounding Here is the cause and these corrupt and superfluous humors must be taken away before the body can bée in any good estate of health And this is the reason that diuers persons liuing together in one aire that one is infected and not another namely the disposition of the body for those naughtie corrupt superfluous humors are of themselues apt and disposed vnto putrefaction and if it so chance that they do putrefie of themselues then there arise dangerous feuers according vnto the nature of the humor that corrupteth As for example If choler do putrifie within the vesselles it ingendreth febris ardens or febris causon a hot and a dangerous feuer working his malice in the concauitie of the liuer and lunges and about the heart except remedy be administred the person dieth And so when any of the other humors doe putrefie there springe feuers according vnto their nature as the learned knowe Now such bodies I say wherein there is such superfluous humors abounding in the time of any infection receiuing into their bodies the corrupt and venemous aire are thereby infected And these humors turned not only into putrefaction but into a venemous qualitie by the operation of the infectious aire Whereas in bodies voide and frée from such superfluous humors there the infectious aire hath not such matter to worke vpon and againe nature is more strong and forcible to resist and expell a corrupt and infectious aire although receiued Here the reason is apparant why one person is infected and not another And very niedfull it is especiallie in this time of sicknesse that this euill disposition of the body be taken away and amended by purging and euacuating of the perccant humors For which purpose I wil set down a very excellent and approued potion which purgeth the blood and disburdeneth the body of superfluous humors both choler flegme and melancholie opening attracting and euacuating the corrupt and vitious humors of the body to the great comfort helpe and ease of those that vse it with discretion as I shall direct them the making or composition whereof I haue here set downe But first taking this sirrup thrée morninges before you purge two spoonefuls euerie morning fasting after it two or thrée houres and vse your accustomed diet as before R. Oximell two ounces sir de quinque radicibus two ounces misce R. Good Rubarbe two drammes spicknarde six graines Sene halfe an ounce Fenill seede and annisseede of each halfe a dramme flowers of Borage and buglosse of each halfe a little handfull Water of Endiue and fumitarie of each of them fiue ounces and so make your infusion Let this infusion be made in some earthen stupot close couered and paasted that no breath or vapor goe forth and let it stand seuen or eight howers vpon some imbers
most conuenient when the first and second digestion is complete as well in the stomacke as in the vaines But in such a time of infection as this is I cannot commend exercise because it will too much open the pores and the pores being opened the bodie is apt to receiue the infectious aire Much more would I say of the benefit of exercise and the inconuenience of idlenesse but that I should be ouer-tedious in this place Of fulnesse and emptinesse All fulnesse and superfluitie of meates are to be eschued for as much as they make repletion And all bodies in whom there is repletion are apt to bee infected And such bodies must endeuour to kéepe themselues soluble All euacuations are good for them as purging and bléeding except some speciall cause doth forbid it And let them vse a sparing and frugall diet And they may safely and with great profit vse the pill I haue set downe before in my booke And as I haue said repletion is an enemie vnto health bringing and begetting sicknesse and sometime sodaine death so is too much fasting and emptinesse no lesse hurtfull it weakeneth the braine and drieth the whole bodie consuming the radicall moisture in man and shorteneth life And as repletion is to be abhorred and auoided so is too much emptinesse to be eschewed and as I haue said we must vse a mediocritie in all things Of affections of the mind Affections of the mind are called by M. Cicero Perturbations Galen calleth them Pathemata vel affectus anims and nothing is more hurtfull in this time of sicknesse nor greater enemie vnto life then feare sorrow anger heauinesse and griefe of mind Anger is a dangerous passion it chafeth the bloud and disquieteth the heart it inflameth the spirits which ascending vp into the head annoieth the animall powers or faculties This passion cholericke persons tyrants and fooles are much troubled withall and oftentimes in their wrath perform wicked and vnlawfull actions Feare sorrow and griefe of mind are no lesse hurtfull vnto the body for they waste the naturall heat and moisture wherein life consisteth making the bodie leane and drie whereupon consumption followesh it dulleth the wit and vnderstanding and draweth the spirits and bloud inward to the heart and withall attracteth the venemous and infectious aire if we liue within the compasse thereof If I should here stand to write of all the perturbations for the mind defining and distinguishing them one from another shewing the wonderfull effects of them and the inconuenience therof I should be ouer tedious in this short Treatise and it might seeme impertinent in this worke onely this I wish thée to remember Sub te erit appetitus tuus tudominaberis illi Vnder thée shall be thine appetite and thou shalt beare rule ouer it saith the Lord. We must therefore maister our affections for if they be not ouer-ruled and gouerned by wisedome they will excéede and proue daungerous enimies both vnto soule and bodie And in this time of sicknes we ought specially to auoid these perturbations of the mind and to vse all vertuous and commendable mirth swéete musicke good companie and all laudable recreation that may delight you and vse the perfumes in your chambers and in other roomes of your houses that I haue set downe being cast into a fuming pot or chafing dish vpon a few coales Do this euening and morning the charge thereof is small but the vtilitie is great It purgeth the aire and taketh away the euill qualitie thereof Now hauing shewed what ought to be auoided it followeth that I set downe preseruatiues that may resist all infection which God assisting me I will do First of all I counsell all men in whom bloud doth abound the which they may easily know themselues by the heate of their bodies colour largenesse and fulnesse of their vaines that they be let bloud in the liuer vaine in the right arme and let the quantitie be according vnto the strength of the person Also that all men in generall auoid all bathes and hote-houses and all vehement exercise that may ouerheate the body and inflame the bloud Also the companie of women this hote and contagious time is verie hurtfull and therefore ought to be vsed with great moderation Also walking verie early in a morning and verie late in the euening is hurtfull and dangerous Also auoide all prease and throng of people where a multitude are assembled al noisome vnsauourie places Now hauing shewed all the causes of the pestilence and set downe the cure and remedie for euerie cause I will by Gods assistance for the care I haue of the preseruation of the inhabitants of this honorable citie and for the loue I beare vnto them and my countrie communicate vnto them most excellent and approued preseruatiues and of singular vertue which whose vseth them shall not néed to feare the infection of this contagious sicknes First with an humble and contrite heart desire mercie of the Lord and then commend thy selfe vnto his protection which being done vse the good meanes he hath ordained for thy health Pilles of especiall vertue in preseruing all that vse them R. Good Aloes half an ounce washed in rosewater of good myrrhe of saffron of each two drams bolearmoniac praep one scruple seed pearle one scruple sir of limons as much as wil suffice to make them in pilles or in a masse Take halfe a dramme hereof made in pilles euerie second or third day in the morning faste after it thrée or foure houres but it shall be good for you to take a little thinne broth or a little alebrue or sixe or eight spoonefuls of wine within an houre after and vse your accustomed diet as before Another pill that doth more moue the bodie and giueth two stooles or three in some bodies and this is good for such as are costiue and in whom humours abound R. Good Rubarbe chosen myrrhe of each one dram chosen aloes two drams zedoarie roote one scruple saffron one scruple sirrup of Roses solutiue as much as will suffice to make the masse This pill purgeth gently and preserueth the bodie from all infection Such bodies in whom humours doe abound and are most commonly costiue may vse these pilles taking half a dram euerie morning for thrée foure fiue or sixe dayes together as they please Take after it either a little thin broth or of an alebrue or a draught of wine if it bée not too hote for your complexion and vse your ordinarie diet as accustomed if it be good Another very good Preseruatiue and worthy of much commendations R. Of good Mithridatum halfe an ounce Angelica root in powder two drams of Theriaca andro half an ounce Bolearmoniac praep two drams conserues of Roses and Borage halfe an ounce seede of Citrons two scruples sirup of Limons one ounce mix them make halfe this receite Or this which is very good R. Good Mithridatum halfe an ounce Conserues of Roses halfe an ounce
signe is the vrine most commonly is troubled thick like beastes water stinking but smel to it not if you loue your health but oftentimes the water dooth not shew at all especially in the beginning of the sicknesse therefore trust not vnto the water but looke vnto the other signes héere aboue set downe The twelfth and last signe and surest of all other is there ariseth in the necke vnder the arme or in the flanke a tumor or swelling or in some other part of the bodie there appeareth any red gréenish or blackish coloured sore these are most apparant signes to the eye that this person is infected with the pestilence But take héede bée not deceiued for oftentimes a person is strongly infected with the Pestilence and hath neither Apostume Carbuncle nor botch appearing in two or thrée dayes by which time hée is néere his death therefore when a botch dooth not appeare spéedily it is alwaies an euill signe and dangerous The reason hereof is nature is weake and the infection and poison is strong and furious and nature being weake as in children and in aged persons and in others also through the euill disposition of the body is not able to make resistance against so furious and puissant an enemie and to expulse the infection or poison And this is the verie reason and cause why in some persons there appeareth no botch or sore but other certaine markes or spots as I may call them Now contrariwise when the infection or poison is more milde and weake and nature strong then she gathering hir power and force together strineth and resisteth the infection and expulseth the poison from the heart and other the principall members vnto some emunctorie or clensing place where it may be best purged auoided Now this is a good signe that nature is strong and hath preuailed against the infectious poison so is it indéede if the sore arise not néere about the heart or throat or som such dangerous place And againe nature must now forth with bee aided least the venom gathering strength by the putrefaction of the humors within the body returne againe vnto the heart Therefore I say the heart must be strengthened with cordialles and also spéedily comforted and the other principal members likewise For we commonly sée notwithstanding the botch be thrust forth by nature yet the person often and most commonlie dyeth whereof the greatest and most part might liue if helpe in due time were administred And sometimes the infection is so strong and the Body so weake through corrupt and vitious humors that nature is sodainly ouercome and the spirits of life expulsed And this infection naturallie flieth with all possible spéed to the heart as the principal member of life to surprize it pierceth sooner vnto the heart of cholerick persons then any other complexion although the sanguine be more apt to be infected by reason of their heat and moisture and phlegmatick are also apt through humiditie that is in them the melancholie are not apt to be infected but hardlie cured béeing infected Now forasmuch as this sicknesse is swift fierce and dangerous and spéedily expulseth life if it be not preuented in time by good medicine Let vs I say leaue our follie in delaying to vse the meanes for our helpe remembring this good counsell Principijs obsta sero medicina paratur c. We must stop the beginninges medecines come too late nature béeing ouercome through the long suffering of the euil And what is the reasō that so many dy ofthis sicknesse as they doe I think you wil answere me it is Gods hand and visitation contra mortem non est remedium I grant indéede it is Gods visitation and so is all other sicknesses And this is the difference this sicknesse is strong swift and dangerous and killeth many through his violence and venemous quality some other more mild yet killeth also in some short time if it be not preuented and some other so mild weake that nature being strong doth ouercome hir selfe with good diet without the benefit of medicines The verie causes indeed that so many die of this sicknesse are two The first is the strength power and venemous qualitie of this sicknes spéedily surprizing the vitall spirits The second cause is our delay to vse medicine in time and not vsing good and effectuall medicines such as haue vertue by Gods grace giuen vnto them for the curing and withstanding of this violent sickenes We must relie vpon God fixing our whole trust in him and thankfully and diligently vse the good meanes that hee hath ordained and created for our health and helpe in time of sicknes And against this contagious sicknesse I haue set downe good preseruatiues which being vsed will by Gods grace preuent the danger And also most excellent and approued remedies for this sicknesse that whoso vseth them in time shal vndoubtedly by Gods grace and mercie be spéedily cured Now it followeth that I teach the vse of them and the true and perfect cure of the pestilence and what is to be obserued in the cure thereof And first I will teach the cure of the pestilence when no botch or sore appeareth and how to preuent the rising of any botch or sore most commonly in all persons The cure of the Pestilence when no botch or sore appeareth and how to preuent the rising of any botch or sores most commonly in all persons In the cure of this sicknes there are thrée intentions especially required The first is to aide and helpe nature to expell the infection and venemous poison The second is to comfort the heart and other the principall members of the body The third is a good obseruation in diet afterward to be vsed And at the first when any person féeleth himselfe sicke let him well consider whether any of the signes before set downe that signifie a person infected be in him or no if he find any of them at al in himselfe then let him be assured it is the sicknesse But héere hée must not deferre the time doubting and making farther trial whether it bée or no For in this time when the pestilence reigneth there are few other sicknesses The nature of this venemous and corrupt aire is to alter and conuert other sicknesses into the pestilence as we find most true by experience And againe the nature and qualitie of this dangerous sicknesse is euer with all swiftnesse to approch and assaile the heart the principall member and fountaine of life Héere may it appeare how dangerous delay is in this sicknesse in not vsing some good and approued medicine that hath vertue through Gods gift to withstand the force thereof and power to expell the venemous infection of this contagious sickenes Now to preuent this lyon of his pray note what is to be done First when any féeleth himselfe sicke or euill at ease if the sicknes begin hote
thereby You ought to vse dayly in your chamber the perfumes before set downe thrée or foure times a day to vse a good diet and to eate of some of the cordials before set downe and your sore béeing néere well then ought you to purge with one of the potions before set downe What is to be done when a sore or botch lieth deepe and commes not forth You must take one of the medicines afore set down for the cure of the plague and sweat therewithall but if the Apostume or sorely déep notwithstanding your sweat then must you fasten cupping glasses ouer or vpon the sore first scarifing the place and when you haue vsed your cupping glasses then vse a yong cock or pullet as before is taught pulling the fethers from about the rumpe and taile putting a little salt into the fundament of the cocke or pullet set it vnto your sore houlding the bil of him sometime to retaine his breath and if he die take one more and do as before and then apply the plaister of onions and treacle setdown before and then applie some one of the other which will bring it to suppuration then let it be opened as before taught What is to be done when the botch wil not come to suppuration but continues hard If a botch come not to suppuration within thrée or foure daies as most commonly it dooth but resisteth your application continuing hard then must you vse some caustick or strong vessicatorie or insitioÌ„ which I like not of the matter béeing vnripe or not altered into corruption the continuance of a botch vnsuppurated and not drawn forth is very dangerous the reason is the venome gathereth strength by putrifaction within the body and returnes vnto the heart againe Then farewell life This I haue knowne and I am perswaded may die that might liue if this were séene vnto Therefore to preuent danger rather open the botch before it be full turned vnto suppuration and vse cataplasmes and pultesses to ripen the rest that remaines But being still hard then I say you must vse the counsell of a chirurgion and open it with a causticke as I before sayd how and wherewith I woulde teach but it would bee too long in this place First before it bée opened let it be well epithymated and vse some cordiall set downe in this book two or thrée times a day And then vse digestions and salue to heales What is to bee done when a botch strikes in againe Sometimes I haue knowne the botch to appeare and yet sodainlie to fall in againe and this is euer a dangerous and deadly signe But I will shewe you all that may bee done and manie haue by this meanes béene relieued from death First with all spéede giue him some one of the foure Electuaries set downe in this booke for the cure of the plague the quantitie is there set downe and procure him to sweate as long as he can endure it Then drie him with warme clothes And giue him cordials to eate of set downe in this booke Then ought hee to haue a glister the which I will set downe and the next day early giue him my purging potion set downe before the which is good in this case and giue him often cordials to eate And by this meanes by Gods grace the patient shall be deliuered from death The Clister R. Maluae Althaeae ambarum cum radicibus ana m. ss Mercurialis Hipericonis Meliloti ana m. ss Scabi m. ss sem lim fenigraeci vnc j. fiat decoctio m huius libra dissolue butyri vnc i. mellis rosarum vnc ii olei violacei vnc ii Catholici vnc semiss Succhari rub vnc j. Misce fiat clister Take foure ounces lesse of the decoction for that it will be too much in quantitie Let this glister bée giuen to the patient And then the next morning receiue the potion set downe before that purgeth venemous matter from the bodie and obserue what I haue written When a botch ariseth neare vnto the heart or in the throte then must you desire helpe of the Chirurgion who with cupping glasses may drawe the sore or botch farther off To set downe the maner héere it were néedlesse euery chirurgion that hath anie iudgement and practise knowes how to do it I will here end beséeching God to bee mercifull vnto vs forgiue our sins and make vs thankful for his great blessings bestowed vpon vs blesse our labours and cease this sicknesse Amen FINIS ne ope diuina â—il valemus What the Plague is Aerem vitiati ac putridum â—â—metimes the â— is corrupâ—â— by naturall â—ses somâ—â—â—es by euill â—its comâ—ded by God â—â—e first cause â—â—mb 14. 11. â—ut 28. 1. 2. â— Leuit 26. 2â— Vers 3. â—en de diff â—rium cap 8. â—ocrat de â—hus 2. cause is corruption he aire third he is the eâ—disposition â—e body Note Gal. de diff febrium lib. 1. cap. 5. The second cause of the pestilence Rotten exhaltions may corupt the aire The aire thaâ— commeth froÌ„ such stinking places corruâ—â— the blood The third cauâ—â— of the pestileÌ„d is the euill diposition of the body perfected â—n anâ— â—ritudiâ—â—m est Remember this whilst thâ— liuest here â—uations â—e good â—ers were in the of all â—ishes inâ—â— good persons â—t to be â—ed Yet it were good to take counsell of some Doctor To prepare the body The potion purging What is to be obserued in the â—aking of this â—otion And draweth from all parts superfluous humors These are the signes of repletion Both in feuers dropsies rhumes falling sicknesse Galen de humoribus Qualitie Quantity Eccl. 7. Galen iuuent neÌ„brorum lib. 1. cap. 4. Heate is the cause of digestion Auicen Hippocrat in Aphoris Except one draught for a cold and weake stomacke Arist de som Somnus causatur ex vapore cibi qui vadit ad cerebrum Moderate sleep is good and greatly comforts nature â—eepe in the â—y makes the â—dy apt to inâ—ction in this â—â—e of sicknes â—ne nimium â—â—turae inimicuÌ„ Galen in regim sanitat also increaâ—h wind â—oler meâ—choly â—hese passions the mind are â—angerous Take a little oâ— this euery morning â—â—ld wish to vse daiâ—me one of â— preseruaâ— and when â—ake no â—se some oâ— preseruaâ— â—â—t commons with â—e and â— water â—ncely preâ—tiue â—he Apoâ—rie make for you A good preseruatiue Rufi cont pest Auicen in lib. 4. Take these pils euery second day * â—hat is Oâ—â—â—ges LimoÌ„s â—â—mgranats â— good Poâ—ander A preseruatiue â—he comâ—â—s For the Commons â—or want of â—ese waters â—â—ke posset â—ink made white wine A medicine of singular vertue in curing this sicknesse A dram and a scruple is sufficient for a any man â—elay in this â—knes is verie â—angerous and â—mmonly â—ngeth death 3 good confeâ—on for cuâ—â—â—g the pestiâ—â—â—ce 4 Electuarium contra pestem cum gemmis 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. â—se are maâ—est signes â— the heart â— drawne â—venim vnto â—y attraction â—he aire by inspiration â—he arteries the heart 12. â—e reason â—y no sore apâ—reth in somâ—sons â—e reason of appearing sore or â—â—ch The heart ought with all speed to bee comforted No helpe in some persons but death followeth Venena Principes partes petunt Gal. What bodies soonest infected I shewed your before hote feuers â—he cause so â—any die of â—s sicknes 3. Intentions required in the cure of this sicknes Beware you sleepe not vntil you haue taken your medicine eight houres after Vse help in the first beginning Who ought to bleede â—e him in â— sweating if be very drie â—n of the corâ—ll sirrup set â—wne in this â—oke halfe a â—onefull or a â—onefull at a â—e What drinke the patient ought to vse To mitigate and take away his drinesse and thirst But my perfumes set down are far better to be vsed Let him sleepe one or two howers to preuent paine and lightnes of the head God is the author of health â—e purging is â—od ought be vsed purging poâ—â—n to be taâ—â—n the second â—y after sweat no botch or â—â—e appeare If it be not on the change or full of the Moone Great folly in many men to â—suse the means of their â—ealth WheÌ„ the botch sore growâ—h toward benesse beare ye neither â—rge nor â—eede but vse â—rdials and â—utward mediâ—â—nes to ripeÌ„ it Who may not â—eed Where to bleed in what place or vaine The quantity Any time or houre in necessitie let bloud The diet the â—cke ought to â—eepe Or rosewater â—â— vinegar together Change of chambers is good â—nd apply an â—pithymum â—nto the heart â—nd it were â—ry good that â—es were â—ade through â—ut the citie you think the â—erfumes too â—ere then â—e frankinâ—nse rosin and â—urpentine â—y sleepe the â—oud and â—rits vitall are â—awne inward â—d attracteth â—th it selfe the â—nome vnto â—e heart and â—taineth it in A defensitiue for the heart in sweating to be vsed A very good cordial confection to be eaten oftentimes in the day of the sick patieÌ„t A purging potion to be vsed the second day after sweat if no sore appeare â—t worke not thin two â—ures take a â—tle broth fiue â—â— sixe spooneâ—s This Cordiall â—onfection â—oth greatly â—omfort the â—eart The diet that â—â—ust be vsed His drinke A Iulep to help drinesse and thirst Against thirstinesse a sirrup Iulep against â—st driâ—e â—uilt comâ—ing the 〈◊〉 An EpithymuÌ„ for the heart to be vsed to a weak and fainting person â—xing it with infusion â—t was left â—member to often in â—ur chamber â—t perfumes downe beâ—e â—ppocrat cum â—isque purgare An vnguent to cause sleepe in watching and rauing A confection causing sleepe â—eause sleep â—ntlet to be â—ied vnto â—rowes â—ote this â— gargarisme Note this wheÌ„ vomit is good Cordials and sweat will stay vomiting To stay vomiting breake not selfe by meanes dily Vse cordials to comfort the heart The cause why the sore coms not forth is weaknesse of nature 〈◊〉 with a 〈◊〉 When a botch ariseth in a daÌ„gerous place what we must doe