Miscellania OR A Collection OF Necessary Useful and Profitable TRACTS ON Variety of Subjects Which for their Excellency and Benefit of Mankind are Compiled in one Volume By THOMAS TRYON Physiologus London Printed and Sold by T. Sowle in White-Hart-Court in Grace-Church-street 1696. THE CONTENTS THe true and Natural Methods how to Cure all sorts of Cuts Bruises Pricks of Thorns Weapons or any kind of Wounds also Old Vlcers and to prevent Gangreens and other Evils whatsoever p. 3. How to Cure Pricks in any Member of the Body p. 4. To Cure Old Vlcers 5. To Cure Gauls or the skin being rubbed off by any accident 5. 61. An Excellent Poultis to Cure sore Breasts 6. A rare Poultis to â—llay all Swellings or Contusions in any part of the Body 6. Another Excellent Poulâ—is to dissolve ripen and Cure any Rising Swelling or Boyls in the Flesh 7. The best Spirit of Scurvy-grass is made thus 8. How you may make this plain Spirit of Scurvy-grass into a Purging Spirit 8. An Excellent Drink against the Stone Gravel and other Obstructions 9. How to Purgo by Herbs and Foods 10. Another Way to Purgâ— by Foods and Drinks 11. An Excellent Poultis against the Headach pain in the side also a rare Remedy against the Disease called St. Anthony's Fire 11. An Excellent remedy against any Wound Stab Prick or Cut with a Sword or other Weapon 12. Pythagoras's method and advice to his Disciples 13. An Excellent remedy against all Old 〈…〉 and Sores Occasion'd by the Disease called thâ— Kings Evil p. 14 An Vniversal Fâ—mentation for all Tumors Bruises ' Hard-Swelled Members or parts of the Body 15 A famous Poultis against Sprains 16 A good method to Cure Sprains if you can't have the forementioned Poultis viz. 16 An excellent Wash against all Old Aches and Sciatica's in any part or member of the Body 17. An excellent Method to Cure the Sores occasion'd by the Kings Evil 17. A rare Poultis against all Inflamations Rhumes and other Sores in the Eyes 18. A rare Poultis against the Headach 19. An excellent Poultis against all sorts of Sprains 20. A brave Noble Poultis against all hot Tumors Bruises or Swellings or the like 20. A method how any Person may sâ—â—ply the place of Hopâ— with Wormwood to all extents and purposes and please the pallats of the Drinkers for Wormwood is an excellent Herb and of far greater Strength Power and Vertue than Hops provided it be gathered in its prâ—â—er season and dried in the Sun and bagg'd up 〈◊〉 Hops are so keep them for use according to the Directions in our Way to Health Long Life and Happiness viz. 21. Of Brandy Rum and Rack from Page 1. to the 12. What Powers Meats and Drinks have in the Body from p. 12. to 20. What Inconveniences and Evils the Drinking Brandy and other Spirits bring upon Women and their Children from p. 20. to 28. Of Eating of Flesh and its Operation on the Body and Senses from p. 29. to 53. Of Herbs Fruits and Grains and their inward Operation on the Body and Mind from p. 53. to 60. Of Cleanness in Houses and Beds and the great Evils of stale Feather-Beds from p. 60. to 66. How Buggs breed from 60. to 70. Other Inconveniences arising from the same Cause to p. 73 How to prevent the Generation of Vermin and preserve Health from p. 73. to 79. How the preservation of Mens Health resides in the Wisdom and Temperance of Women from p. 79. to 87. Of the pain in the Teeth also from what cause and how to prevent it from p. 87. to 97. Observations on the great Frost 1683. from p. 97. to 111. Some Considerations on the keeping Christmas with remarks on the many Irregularities committed therein from p. 111. to p. 137. Good News for the Poor and better for the Rich wherein is shown how 20 or 15000. l. might be Weekly raised for support of the Poor and no Body the worse from p. 137. to p. 151. A true and Natural Method of preparing Gruels and Paps made of Flower and Pease wherein is shown the great advantage and benefit the Poor may receive thereby from p. 151. to 156. A Proposal to Sr. T. Lane Lord-Mayor and the Court of Alderman and other Citizens of London for the Erection of 20 free Schools for poor Children from p. 156. to 164. An excellent way to make Water-gruel or any other Pottages from 164. to the End THE PREFACE OBserving the tedious methods of some unskilful Chyrurgeons together with their improper Compositions and unatural Applycations which do not only Ruin and Undo many poor necessitous People but to the losing of their Limbs and sometimes their Lives too therefore I think it no worthless Service to recommend unto the World especially to the Poor the use of the following Remedies which are not only cheap and easily Come-at-able but certain in their Operation far beyond any things hitherto known or published These are noble Poultices and all the Ingredients do cast a friendly aspect to each other being of a cleansing mild Balsamick Nature and Operation and therefore they do by their active penetrating Power strengthen and raise up the dismayed Oyl or wounded Spirits by meliorating and asswaging the irritated or awakened fierce poysonous Humors by which this doth as far exceed the common and usual methods and practices of Chyrurgeons and other Practitioners as that Light doth Darkness But here I shall meet with a swingeing Objection viz. Why do you leave out of your Poultices the great Ingredient viz. The fulsom Grease of Swine and other Fat 's Which all skilled in the Art of Curing have for the most part advised and for 〈◊〉 other reason as I know then that their Poultices should not offend the patient by sticking to the Sore or wounded part for their long lying on the grieved parâ— if there were not some Fat 's or Oyles the Poultices would occasion them to become hard and stiff and so stick to the Sore which we prevent by our often repetition for the Spitituous Vertues and Qualities of Fat 's are so hid and lookt up in the oyly Body that Nature cannot separate noâ— draw forth their fine sweet Spirituous Vertues to that degree as she can from Vegetations as all men skilled in Nature and Chymistry do know they being of a heavy dull flat Nature and Operation very offensive to the tender Spirits and Blood by which they imâ—ede and hinder the Cure therefore those Poultices wherein Fat 's are mixed the fine Spirits and Vertues thereof do not so easily nor powerfully penetrate the Wound as rich Vegetations whose Spirit and lively Vertues are as it were on the Wing and therefore Poultices aptly compounded thereof their Vertues do in a moments time penetrate to the Center and incorporate with their similes by which they strengthen and raise up the wounded Spirits and at the same time do qualify the fierce raging Poysons more especially if our method be
and in the Blood and Spirits lie hid all the Dispositions and Inclinations the Creature was endued withal and therefore all sorts of Flesh that were permitted to be eaten were to be well purged from the Blood And also this same Blood was either to be consumed by Fire or an hole made in the Earth and the Blood cast into it and covered that the wrathful Spirits and Vapours thereof might not defile the Air which is continually breathed into our Bodies for when any Creature is killed the great pain and agony they endure does so powerfully awaken the Center of the wrathful Fire and also the internal Poysons which are the Root of every Life that the said fierce Poysonous Spirits seize the Blood on their right Fountain of Preservation so that the Blood does not only contain all the Natural Dispositions Passions and Inclinations but also the awakened Poysons and irritated Spirits which were violently stirred up by Death's stroke For when the Natural Life is in danger the continuation of which is so sweet unto all Creatures and they do so unwillingly part with it especially when the Creature is in perfect health and strength what a strange fear and dread must needs attend the Creature in this condition And how strongly and violently are all the Centers and Powers of Nature stirred up And then are awakened the revengful Spirits which do contain the Blood for that is their Habitation which in this Agonous condition does often spread it self through the whole Body and makes the Flesh look red but this is generally drawn back again by the drawing away of the Blood where the wound is made Now if this Blood be exposed to the open Air these fiery dark wrathful Spirits do by degrees evaporate and incorporate themselves with the Air and so defiles it and renders it pernicious The very same is to be understood in all other Uncleannesses and these are the chief Reasons why the Prophet Moses commanded the Blood either to be burnt on the Altar or buried in the Earth tho' there doth remain somewhat more to be said why he commanded the Blood to be consumed on the Altar by Fire which I shall forbear and speak of it in its proper place for those fiery wrathful Spirits that do evaporate themselves into the Air being continually breathed into the Body by such People as do communicate near such places as Slaughter-Houses and the like and more especially those that are of killing Imployments those awakened wrathful Spirits do enter them and powerfully incorporate themselves with their Similies for this cause all Butchers and others that do use such Trades are more fierce and cruel sooner moved to Wrath than others killing is as easie and familar to them as Plowing the Land is to the Husbandman and in a word they are far more inclined to violence than Men of other Imployments are The same is to be understood in all other Trades and also in Communications as those that are brought up and have their Conversasions amongst Horses are not most of them Robustick Proud Bold and Surly like the Creatures they Communicate with the same is likewise to be understood in many other hard working rough Trades and Imployments are not most of them rash head-strong scarce endued with common Humanity There is nothing so good or so bad but Man is capable of being captivated to it from this ground it is that weak Inclinations that a Man in himself is hardly sensible of may either by Imployments or Communications be made strong which is one Reason why Mens Inclinations and their Love and Hate alters and changes according to time place business and communication as some Men have declared that they did not fear being overcome with Drink Women or the like Evils becaue at that time they found no Inclinations to such things nevertheless Time Opportunity Communications and other Circumstances concurring many of them have been overcome by those Vices they so little stood in fear of though also Astrologick Configurations and Influences have a share in altering and changing Mens Inclinations and more especially when other causes concur For this cause the most prudent in all Ages have advised all Men to avoid evil occasions and the Apostle Paul saith That Evil Communication corrupts good Manners the truth of which no Man will or can deny Now if Imployments Communications Labours Words and all kind of outward business have so great power of changing and altering Dispositions and Inclinations increasing them and the contrary how can we imagine but Meats and Drinks received into the Body will have the same or greater Power and Operation as those that feed much on unclean Elesh as on Swine and that have their Conversation amongst Animals are not many of them much like those Creatures of sottish dull heavy sordid Dispositions yet subtle and cunning in a Bestial way And on the contrary those that drink Wine and feed on the highest Food have not they Spirits accordingly Also those whose Conversation is amongst Men as Citizens and Merchants have they not higher and greater Spirits being more tractable and humane fair and ingenious in all their Dealings and Conversations For all things have sympatheticil Operation whether it be Imployments Meats Drinks or Communications every thing does secretly awaken its like property which do often captivate the Spirit of a Man before he is sensible of it being ignorant of the Nature and sympathetical Operation all things have with his own Nature 'T is true most Men believe that evil Company corrupts Manner and will acknowledge that some sorts of Imployments do by degrees dispose People to Inhumanity Violence and Cruelty but if you tell them there is the same possibility and greater in Meats to vary not only Mens Bodies but also their Inclinations and Minds they shall laugh at it as a ridiculous Dream though in Truth it is a most certain Truth and daily Experience if we would but â—ear her Voice bears Witness unto it Why did Moses prohibit his People the eating of Swines Flesh seeing Swine are not serviceable unto Mankind any other way but by being killed and eaten and besides a Swine is a Creature that being well ordered becomes as wholesome Nourishment as some other Animals that are counted clean though there is somewhat to be said against the grossness of that sort of Flesh but the chief thing the Spirit of God in that great Prophet regarded was no doubt the Spirit of that Creature whose original and predominant quality stands in the dark wrath of Nature which is manisested by their shapes criâ—s and tones which Spirit the humane Nature ought not to joyn it self unto lest it partakes of its Nature Every thing having power to joyn its self with its likeness and to strengthen its own property Doth not Wine and strong Drink precipitate Men into Fury and Madness by Simile That is the Spirits in Wine do incorporate themselves with the natural Spirits and violently awaken them making
Judgments But I may say that probably according to the Prospect of Natural Causes such Calamities seem not far off and 't will concern every Man living to prepare for it Qui sapit Ille animum Fortunae preparat omni Praevisumque potest Arte Levare malum Iuvare Bonum A Wise Man sits his Mind for every Chance And whilst he doth in Virtues Paths Advance Each promis'd Good encreaseth by his Skill And kindly lessens every threatned Ill But to proceed Great and no less Just are the Cries of the Poor in such a sharp and pinching Season as this for few of them have the Opportnity or at least the Prudence and Fore-sight to lay up any thing to support them in Necessitous Times How many thousands of very many Trades about this Populous Cities and elsewhere cannot now possibly follow their Callings or get any thing whereby to sustain themselves and Perishing Families with Bread And can you whom God has but intrusted with Plentiful Estates gorge your selves with over-charged Tables even to a Surfeit and Riot with Excessive Bottles of Wine whilst your Brethren thus languish and die for want of Necessaries Can you but think that God at such a Juncture calls upon you for his Quit-Rent out of those vast Revenuâ—s which you hold meerly by the Tenure of his free and undeserved Gift Great and truly Royal has our Gracious Soveraigns Bounty and Charity shew'd it self on this occasion as well by bestowing a Considerable Summ Himself as Commanding the Officers of every Parish to importune the Charity of all able Inhabitants Pursuant to this Great and Generous Example Methinks all you that are Loyal Subjects and would be thought good Christians should be forward to Contribute to the Common Necessities and what if you should resolve for one Day in a Week at least during such a hard time to restrain your selves from large Eating and Set Meals and wholly on that Day forbear Bibbing of Wine and Strong Liquors I dare promise you it shall be never the worse for your Health but the better as also for your Business and Imploy what you so Save in Charitable Uses to the Relief of the Poor Such a thing has been done on a worse occasion within our Memory and therefore is not impracticable By this only means within Londons Bills of Mortality might easily be raised Twenty Thousand Pounds a Week for the Poor and no Man a Farthing the worse but even in his Estate the better and much more in his Health which is more Valuable than the greatest Estate in Christendom for without dispute there are within that Circuit more than an Hundred Thousand Families whose Dinners each day cost them one with another more than Three Shillings each I mean Eâ—traâ—agantly in Flesh Fowls or Fish when a little Bread and Cheese Milk or the like might as well nay I am sure would better for once at least in a Week supply Nature Now One Hundred Thousand Three Shillings is Fifteen Thousand Pound and then 't is not to be doubted since in this Age generally more is spent in Drink than Victuals but that there are above One Hundred Thousand Persons that daily lavish away above Twelve Pence a day in Wine Brandy Ale or some strong Liquors which they forbearing but for one day in a week and bestowing as aforesaid thereby might be raised 〈◊〉 Thousand Pounds more and so in the whole Twenty Thousand Pounds a week which justly distributed would bravely supply Fourscore Thousand Families at Five Shillings a week a piece or afford an Hundred and Threescore Thousand Poor People Half a Crown a piece every week And will you suffer such a number of Souls to Perish for want rather than abridge your Wanton Palates and Insatiaâ—e Paunches of unnecessary nay pernicious Danties one only day in a week Look up thou Soâ—tish Epicure that Denyest it and call thy self Christian hence forward if thou Darest CHAP. V. Christmas-Contemplations Or some Considerations touching the due keeping of that Solemn Festival As likewise of several Irregularities therein too frequently Practised AT this time when most People supersede themselves from the common Drudgery of Business and yet too many are far worse imployed than in the ordinary Duties of their Callings I thought I could scarce better spend a few 〈◊〉 hours than in serious 〈◊〉 on that Subject and drawing up some 〈◊〉 Remarks that may 〈…〉 of such 〈…〉 them to Repentance and Amendment who have already perhaps rather through Inadvertency and Compliance with vain Custom than any wilful depravity been guilty thereof In this Disquisition my thoughts have chiefly Centered on three Particulars 1. The Grounds and Proper End of keeping this Festival 2. The Abuses and Prophanations thereof 3. Some Directions how better to observe it for the future Though I do not find any express Precept in the Evangelical or Apostolâ—â—â—l Writings for the Observation of this or any other stated Festivals yet since in the Old Testament the like were Instituted by God himself and since great Deliverances require expressions of more than ordinary Gratitude and signal Mercies deserve to be Celebrated with perpetual Commemorations I am far from that narrow morose humour of condemning simply the setting apart this time to the happy Remembrance of the most unspeakable Loving Kindness that God ever did or indeed could do the sinful World but since 't is requir'd that all things be done to Edification and that he that keepeth a day should keep it to the Lord I would wish it might be kept in some Respect suitable to the Dignity of the Occasion It is taken for granted by most professing the Christian Name that at or about this Season of the Year the ever Blessed Creator of all things of his Infinite Goodness and Clemency in pursuance of that Gracious Promise That the Seed of the Woman shouldâ—break the Serpents Head was Pleased to send his Well Beloved Son the Principle of Light and Love into the World to be manifested in the Humane Nature that thereby and by his Excellent Doctrine and Perfect Example and especially his most Meritorious Passion that he might put the Sons and Daughters of Men into a Capacity of escaping that fierce Wrath and Condemnation which they had justly rendred themselves obnoxious unto Now if we would rightly Commemorate this mighty Mercy and glorious Work so profound and abstruse that the very Angels are said to be desirous to pry and penetrate thereinto as a matter of the greatest Wisdom and Wonder how can it be more fitly done than by serious Reflections on the Woful Dâ—generaâ—y of Man whereby he that was made little lower than the Angels had by Transgression depressed himself far below the Beasts that perish How better than by admiring Infinite Divine Love in sending of Christ and his exceeding readiness for the loss of Man to undertake that Blessed Work so as to descend from the Regions of Glory and Cloath himself in our vile Flesh and suffer all kind of Indignities
have the Preheminence of Foods Neither are they indued with so much nor so good Nourishment as Corn Foods But here we must give way to the prevailing Tyrant Custom which is the Champion I am to make War against and as the Foods of Beasts are better or worseâ— clean or substantial their Health Strength and Ability are according The like is to be understood of the Food Men live on for it is not as is said before the gross Juices that affords the true Nourishment but the fine light volatile Spirituous Vertues for this cause most are greatly mistaken that attribute so great and good Nourishment to Flesh and Fish Indeed they are full of gross Matters and Juices which do serve chiefly to cloud the finer Vertues and true Life which do also add Weight and not Spirit so that the great Eaters thereof become dull and heavy loading Nature with too great quantities of Phlegmatick Juices and Humours which do not only oppress Nature in all her Operations but is the Root of many Diseases both of the Body and Mind Green Corn and Grass are endued with more Substance and Juices than either Hay or Corn but it is Earthly and Gross and affords a Nourishment of a like Nature The more any thing is loaded or endued with Gross or Corrupt Matter the sooner it falls into Putrifaction But on the contrary the dryer firmer and more Spirituous any thing is the longer it will endure and be preserved from Corruption But of all things Men eat Flesh and Fish do sâ—oner decay because of the abundance of gross Matter it does contain which does as it were in a moments time cloud and suffocate the fine Sal-nitral Vertues I am sure that a Man may make a better Meal with half a Penny-worth of Wheat-Flower made into Pap and half a Penny-worth of Bread to eat with it and a little Salt and be as strong brisk and able to perform any Labour as he that makes the best Meal he can with either Flesh or Fish So great is the Ignorance Folly Blindness false Opinion and Custom of those that call themselves the Learned Pray tell me what kind of Ignorance and Madness does possess the Poor Labouring Man that hath but Six Pence or One Shilling to buy Food for his whole Family and to lay it out in a Sheeps Head and Gethers or an Oxes Liver which is his whole Stock and the best Food that can be expected from it is a little Corrupt Broth or Putrified Pottage when with five times less charge in Flower he might have procured a far better Meal being made into Pap or Gruel with a little Bread and Salt It is also to be noted that those that live on Corn Food have not occasion to drink Strong or Cordial Drinks as those that eat Flesh and Fish the first being more spiriâ—uous and warming the last Cold Phlegmatick and Gross and harder of Concoction 'T is likewise observable that half the quantity of Wine or strong Drink will exhillerate a Man that lives on CornFood to as high a degree as double the quantity will those that feed on Flesh c. which is a good Argument that Corn Food affords the cleanest and finest Nourishment and breeds the best Blood and Humours the Spirits being as it were always upon the Wing and consequently apter to be moved The Complexion of Fish and Flesh is Cold and Phlegmatick but whilst living they are for the most part of a hot lively-brisk Temperament each according to its Nature and the Food they live on But when the great Powers of Life are destroyed by the baneful stroak of the Butcher all the airy brisk Vertues bid the Corpâ— adue and the whole Mass becomes a lump of a sad Melancholick Nature and Operation what Notions soever some have to the contrary The True and most Natural Method of Preparing the forementioned Pottage Gruels and Paps made of Flower Pease c. TAke one Ounce of Wheatâ— flower which is a small Spoonful make a Point of Water near boyling hot temper your Flower with 3 or 4 Spoonfuls of cold Water then stir it into your hot Water keep it stirring on your Fire till it boyls up then it is at the thickest and is compleatly prepared add some Salt and a few crums of Bread letting it stand till it be almost cold this makes an excellent Meal for any Child from five or six years of Age to ten or twelve Or you may make it thus Take an Onion cut it 〈◊〉 boyl it in your Water a few minutes then add your temper'd Flower as before seasoning it with Salt and some Crums of Bread this eats very pleasant and is very satisfactory to the Stomach Onions are very wholsom in Pottages and Gruels they naturally warm and open the Obstructions of the Brest and Ureters and are not prejudicial to the Head nor Eyes when temperately used Another TAke two Ounces of Flower beaten or mixed with cold Water stir this into one Pint and a half of hot Water till it boyls up adding Salt and a little Bread and those that have no Bread may boyl an Onion in the Water before the Flower is put in this eaten makes a brave noble Exhillerating Meal for a Man which costs little more than one Farthing notwithstanding Corn is at such a high Price after this manner you may make what quantity you please thicker or thinner as it agrees best with you thick is best for strong Healthy People and for such as Labour thin is more advantagious for sick People or such as are troubled with foul Stomachs and obstructed Ureters a mean or middle sort is most proper for those that are of a soft Imployment or live a Sedentary Life Oatmeal Pottage TAke a Quart of Water make it boyling hot then take a large Spoonful of small or ground Oatmeal or somewhat better than a Spoonful temper it with cold Water then set it on your Fire till it begins to boyl up then brew it again and it is done add Salt and a little Bread letting of it stand till it be almost cold with this alone a Man may make as good a Meal as with all the Varities the four Elements afford for it renders the common Eater thereof strong lively and healthful Or you make it thus if it be for a Meal without other things make your Water boyling hot then take an Onion and some Pot-Herbs let your Herbs and Onions boyl a little time in your Water before you brew or stir the tempered Oatmeal after which you must stir your Oatmeal in till it boyl up or begins to boyl then it is done adding Salt and Bread this a most pleasant and wholsome Pottage and very nourishing but such as loves it plain may have it so and others that will have it with Pot-Herbs without an Onion may please themselves it 's a brave Food whether with or without Herbs But give me leave to tell you that for such as live only on such Flowered or
and regress all such Matter is destroyed whence such Vermin is produced The Original of these Creatures called Bugs is from Putrifaction occasioned by stinking Scents and Vapours which do proceed from the Bodies and Nature of Men and Women and the mixing or incorporating of these Vapours with moist and sulphurous Airs For where there is no Heat nor Humidity there can begin no Putrifaction Therefore all that have attributed the Generation of this Vermin to Wood as Bedsteads and the like are grosly mistaken in the Productions of Nature for there is no Matter in Wood that can generate such a Vermin it being productive only or chiefly of two Creatures in England viz. of Wood-Lice and a small Worm These Wood-Lice are never generated but in places where the Sun and Air have not their free Influences so that there is store of Humidity contracted and when the Sun comes to such Degrees of the Zodiack this Creature is generated which is of as different a Nature from Bugs as sweet Wood is from a stinking Bed Also Wood does breed a certain small Worm but never till the Salts Nature and Power is decayed through length of time then the Air enters it which does presently cause it to contract a hâ—mid Quality from whence proceeds Putrifaction whereof when the Sun is Powerful this Worm is bred But so long as Wood continues sound and is kept dry the Air having its free Influences on it I affirm That no sort of Wood ever breeds any kind of Vermin 4. There are many also that attribute the Generation of this Creature to Hogs Hair which being mixed with Lime and Houses Plaistered with it does occasion say they the Generation of Bugs Now it is most certain that there is no possibility in Nature for this Production for no kind of Hair ever breeds any living Creature except it be put into Water or Mud when the Sun is powerful and then this Creature thus generated retains its first Species viz. a Hair with a live Head which was its Element from whence it proceeded but if you take it out of the Water it presently dies so also it doth when the Sun declines in heat as most â—orts of Vermin that are bred through Heat and Moisture do But Hair being mixed with Lime all Matter of Generation is thereby totally destroyed For Lime does chiefly contain a harsh fiery keen sharp coroding quality it is so sharp that it does destroy all Life and is as contrary to it as Light is to Darkness the predominant quality in it is the Salts Nature from which no living Creature can be produced Besides if there were never so much Mater in Hair for the Generation of such Vermin Lime would destroy it for in Lime there is only a Sal-nitral fiery Vertue 5. If the Reasons before-mentioned be not sufficient to convince the Ignorant of their erroneous Opinions in this particular then I hope the following one will which is more familiar to every one It hath never been krown that this troublesome Vermin was ever seen in Ware-houses Kitchins Parlors Dining rooms or any places were Beds have never been except they have by accident been brought into such Rooms or Ware-houses by Furniture of Chambers that have been troubled with them though all such places have the same Funiture as Chambers except Beds 6. From the same Substance or Matter whence Bugs are bred is also occasioned the Generation of many nasty Diseases in the Blood so that the destruction of the Matter that breeds them is of greater consequence than most People are sensible of And if these following Rules be observed I dare affirm That the Generation of Bugs will cease and also many other Inconveniencies and Distempers that are got by this sort of Uncleanness will be avoided First You are to destroy all Press-Bedsteads which stand in corners of Rooms being made up with Boards so close that the Air cannot penctrate or dry up and consume the moist sulphurous Vapours that are contracted These sorts of Beds that stand so are apt to have them more than others Also you are to set your other sorts of Beds as near as you can in the most Airy places of your Rooms exposing them to the Air the most part of the day with your Chamber-Windows open that the Air may freely pass which is the most excellent Element that does sweeten all things and prevents Putrifaction In the Night also you ought not to have your Window-Curtains drawn nor your Curtains that are about your Beds for it hinders the sweet refreshing Influences of the Air so that the Air of all close places becomes of a hot sulphurous Nature and Operation the thin pure Vapours which do wonderfully refesh Nature are as it were suffocated And this preventing the Influences of the Air is in an especial manner observable when People are sick or out of order as though the sweet pleasant Air had been the cause of their Disease such Rooms being so very close with great fires in them that if a healthy Person do but continue three or four hours in them the fulsom Steams and thick Vapours will much disorder him and take away the edge of his Appetite And if so what will the Operation be on those Spirits who are weak and disordered with Distempers What is more pleasant and healthful than good Air It chears and comforts the Spirits it opens the Passages of the Joynts and Nerves it purifies the Blood creates an Appetite increasing Strength and Vigour But on the contrary hot thick sulphurous Airs do not only obstruct the passages of the Spirits but suffocate them loading the Joynts and Nerves with evil Juices whereby the Limbs and Members become full of pain causing a general tenderness to possess the whole Body and destroying the Appetite and the power of the Digestive Faculty in the Stomach Also do not all Houses and Places grow musty and contract too great store of Moisture if the Air be any way prevented by Window-shutters or the like that it cannot have its free egress and regress Therefore moderate Cloathing hard Beds Houses that stand so as that the pleasant Bâ—iezes of Wind may air and refresh them and also Houses that are full of Windows are to be preferr'd for where the Air hath not its free Influences the Spirit becomes dull and heavâ— this being the true Life of the Spirit in everything 7. Now the certain Means and Way not only to prevent the Generation of this Vermin but also to preserve Health and Strength are Straw or rather Chaff-Beds with Ticks of Canvas and Quilts made of Wooll or Flocks to lay on them which certainly is the most easie and pleasant Lodging that can be invented and a little Custom will make it appear friendly to Nature and in every respect far beyond the softest Feather-Beds on which when a Man lies down he sinks into them as into an hole with Banks rising on each side of him especially if two lie together when first they
tells us of a Winter so hard That the River Tyber was frozen over a matter very strange in such a Climate as Italy In the Year 1234. the Adriatick Sea was so frozen that the Venetians went over the Ice thereof with Carts Zonâ—rus assures us that in the Reign of that Emperor Constantine who for a nasty Reason in his Christning was called Copronimus about the Year 750. the Pontick Sea was so Congealed that People for many Miles travelled it on foot And Horses and Carts loaden passed over the Fretum or narrow part of it but withal he adds that the Summer following was so excessive hot and dry that great Rivers and most Fountains were wholly dry'd up and People and Cattel perished for want of Water In the Year 821. the greatest Rivers of Europe as the Rhine the Danubius the Elb and the Sein were so incrusted with Ice that for the space of above 30 days Carriages freely passed along on them as on the Land But to look nearer home In the Year of our Lord 1365. and 49th year of K. Edward the 3d A Frost lasted from the midst of September to the Month of April but though so tedious the Cold was nothing so intense or violent as now In the 15th Year of the Reign of K. Henry the Eighth after great Rains and Winds there followed so sore a Frost that many died for cold and some lost Fingers some Toes and many their Nails I follow the very words of Sir R. Baker fol. 297. The same Author tells us That in the Seventh Year of Q. Elizabeth on the 21. of December began a Frost so extream that on New-Years-Day Even People passed over the Thames on foot some plaid at Foot-Ball some shot at Pricks as if it had been firm ground yet this great Frost the third of Ianuary at Night began to Thaw and by the fifth day there was no Ice to be seen but great Inundations followed In the Year 1609. which 't is not impossible but some living might remember being but 74 Years ago a Frost began in December which continued till April following with such violence that the Thames was so frozen that Carts loaden were frequently driven over it most Fowls and Birds were destroyed In the Year 1637. was another Frost which rendred the Thames passable so in the Year 1664. immediately followed by the Great Sickness and the like towards the latter end of the Year 1676. Some of the Consequences of these Extream Frosts I have mentioned more I might all are not convenient those that consult Chronology may eaâ—ily satisfie themselves a Man may soon err in assigning Effects to such or such particular Causes or adapting Events to Signnificators Modesty is the first Lesson in Wisdoms School Therefore as we have been studious in matter of Fact past but sparing as to Sequels so we shall retain the same becoming tenderness as to Futures wherein we shall steer our Course rather by the Guidance of Nature in her usual Operations here below than by curious Researches into remoter Influential Causes above though not neglecting them neither for the Universe is Intire Harmonical and Sympathâ—tical and he that does not competently understand the right Tone of the whole and the true Key of every part will make but bad Musick wherever he lays his Clumsy Fingers First then I say This Extremity of Cold Presages many Calamities and Evils to attend Mankind and the rest of their Fellow-Creatures for as the Innocent Inhabitants of the Air or expanded Suburbs of Heaven viz. Birds and Fowls are endangered by the Elements denying their usual Benefits and Provisions wherein another fourth part of the Creation viz. Fishes are somewhat concern'd so degraded Man taking advantage of this Cruel Weather does for Profit or Pleasure or Vanity destroy many thousands of them Now this great Destruction of them is but a Forerunner of Mortality amongst Creatures of greater value and even of Men themselves Would you know the reason I told you but now Universal Nature is Sympathetical 2dly This Immoderate Cold locks up the Pores of Mens Bodies and drives the Natural Heat more Central which occasions great Appetite and Draught whence follows much and excessive Eating and Drinking of Gross Fat Succulent Foods and strong Drinks in all that have wherewithal to procure them which the voracious desires do at present seem able to bear and digest yet really Nature is not able to do it and so by degrees there are Seeds sown and Foundations laid for Diseases On the other hand amongst the Poor necessity of Feeding on unfit and unusual Viands for their support at present or defect of due Nourishment must to them do as much mischief For want is as great though I think not so common an Enemy to Nature as Superfluity the way to prevent these mischiefs is for the Rich to observe Sobriety and Temperance and for the Poor to use Discretion in their Diet for a pint of Milk with a quarter of a pint of Water thickened with one Spoonful of Flower and heated just to Boyling and then putting into it a few Crums of Bread all which will not cost above a Penny shall give any Person as Nourishing a Meal as the best Surloyn of Beef or Capon I mention not this to prevent Benevolences towards the Poor which all that are able are bound to afford but only to Advise them how to supply themselves when they meet not with other Accomodations but find Rich Mens Charity more frozen than the Thames 3dly This Excessive Frost condenses the Air and renders it Sulphurous and Unhealthy especially in such Cities as London where Sea-Coals are generally used for Firing and most People especially Women creep close to those fulsom Fires without using themselves to proper Exercises whereby their Blood stagnates and becomes thick and foul whence are Generated the Scurvey stoppages of the Breast Coughs and Shortness of Breath the ill effects whereof will more manifest themselves next Spring and Summer 4thly This Disharmony and Inequality of the Elements portends a dry hot Summer to ensue for all Extreams as before observed produce their Contraries which will not only encrease Distempers but I fear some Epidemical Disease and it is also a Forerunner of Dearth and Scarcity and the latter is the more to be apprehended because we have had several Plentiful and Fruit. ful Years and very few of us scarce any have improved them to that end for which they were given us by the Lord and his Hand-Maid Nature but most that abound in Plenty have gratified their Lusts and Passions and such as have not had wherewith to commit the same Intemperances in Act have done it in their Wills and Desires and shall not our God visit us for these and other crying Abominations daily exhaled from our polluted Streets and Dwellings I will not take upon me to aver a Plague or Scarcity shall be the next Year Iehovâ—h the All-Wise is the Limiter of Times and Seasons for extraordinary