doth look blew and that then there appear not any matter or quitture in the wound but as it were a spume or froth issuing out thereof are ill and deadly signes When the botch waxeth so hard that by no means it will come to suppuration but resisteth whatsoever is done unto it for the furthering thereof and so returneth in againe into the inward parts suddenly is a token of sudden death at hand and so it is if either before or after it is broken it look of a blewish colour or of divers colours like the Rainbow round about it When the Carbunckle or Blain doth suddenly dry up as if it were scorcht with the fire and that the place round about it doth shew to be of a wannish blew colour is a deadly sign if in the skin appear green or black spots the excrements of divers colours with worms in it either dead or living having a vile stinking savour and spitteth stinking and bloudy matter doth betoken death When the sick complaines of great and extream heat in the inward parts and yet cold outwardly the eyes staring or weeping the face terrible the said excrements or urin passing away and the party not knowing thereof are evill signes When in the fourth or seventh day they are taken with a frensie or do fall into an extream bleeding at nose or have a great flux with a continuall vomiting or a desire to vomit and do it not extream pain at the heart watchfullness and the strength clean gone are deadly signes When the party being very sick yet saith he feeleth himself well his eyes sunk deep in his head and full of tears when he thinks all things do stink his nailes looking blew the nose sharp and as it were crooked the breath thick and short with a cold sweat in the brest and face and turning and playing with the clothes the pulse creeping or scarcely to be felt and greivous unto him to speak these are infallible signes of death at hand Some before any of these signes are perceived do dy and some likewise which have divers of them appearing and yet do escape such is the uncertainty of this disease there are many other symptoms which do happen in this contagious disease which would be too tedious to declare but these as the chiefest may suffice The end of the first Treatise The Second Treatise shewing the meanes how to cure the Plague CHAP. I. WHen we perceive any to be infected with this contagious disease we must with all possible speed seek all the meanes we can how to prevent the malignity thereof whose property is at the first to assault the principall part which is the heart and therefore requires present help for unlesse something be done within eight or four and twenty houres little will it then prevail to attempt it for by that time nature is either subdued and clean overthrown or else hath thrust the same to the exterior parts or otherwise digested it yet may we not neglect at any time to use all the meanes we can in helping and furthering of nature to the uttermost of our indeavour because we doe oftentimes see nature so wearied and weakened in expelling of this venemous matter that unlesse some help be added to assist and comfort her the party for lack thereof dyeth which otherwise might be saved For I have oftentimes seen by diligent helping of nature that to be effected and brought to good passe which I have judged most desperate There are foure intentions required for the curing thereof that is by bloud-letting Cordials sweat and purging but the manner how to execute the same hath bred great contention both amongst the old and later Writers which here to treat of were too tedious for unto the learned it were needlesse and for the commonalty little would it availe them therefore in brief will I shew you what I have observed touching the cure First if it be in a Plethorick sanguine and strong body and hath pain in the head great heat at the heart thirstnesse the pulse strong and labouring or beating strongly and hath great and large veines appearing these ought presently to be let bloud in that side where yee perceive the greif doth proffer it selfe to come forth and not visibly appearing tending to maturation For then we may not draw bloud but use all other meanes we can devise in helping nature to expell it neither may you draw bloud if the party have a flix or lask which is an evill sign in the beginning of the disease for by that meanes you shall hinder nature greatly but onely give the party Cordials neither may you stop the flix in the beginning but if it be extream and that it stay not the second day then must you give some purgation which may leave an astringency behind it as hereafter in the cure of the flix shall be shewed For as Hyppocrates in his first book and one and twentieth Aphorisme doth admonish us we must consider and mark how nature doth incline her self for that will teach us what we are to doe Now if you perceive the botch or carbunkle to appear underneath the chin about the throat then presently draw bloud in both vein̄es under the tongue and immediately after that apply a cupping glasse with scarification in one side of the neck next unto the fore thereby to draw it from the throat for fear least suddenly it choke him up and then apply Chickens rumps or Hens rumps to the botch the feathers being first pluckt away from the rump and a grain of Salt put into the tewell and so hold the bare place to the greif untill the Chicken die which will be within half an hour and then apply another and so continue in changing them so long as they doe die and lastly apply a mollificative Cataplasme or plaister to the same place as in the fift Chapter following is shewed which is made with Unguentum basillicon and to the botch apply the Epithemation and Cataplasme in the seventh Chapter following But if it be in the neck he doth complain then let him bloud in the Cephallica vein in the arm of the same side where he complaineth If in the groin or flanke he doth complain then let him bloud in the foot on the same side and open the vein called Maleola or Saphena the quantity must be according as the age and strength of the party requireth but at most draw not above six or eight ounces For Avicen willeth us to preserve bloud as the treasure of nature But in a weak spare and cachochimious body as Galen teacheth us we may not draw bloud at all for thereby should you greatly indanger the Patient but help such by Cordials and sweat And here you shall understand that unlesse Phlebotomy be done at the first that is within six or eight houres atmost it will be too late to attempt it neither may you doe it if the sore doe appear up in height tending to suppuration for then
cure which the Pox have they proceed of cholerick and melancholie bloud The cause of the Pox and Measels The primitive cause as Valetius saith is by alteration of the aire in drawing some putrified and corrupt quality unto it which doth cause an ebullition of our bloud The cause antecedent is repletion of meats which do easily corrupt in the stomack as when we eat milk and fish together at one time or by neglecting to draw bloud in such as have accustomed to doe it every year whereby the bloud doth abound The conjunct cause is the menstruall bloud which from the beginning in our mothers wombs wee received the which mixing it self with the rest of our bloud doth cause an Ebullition of the whole The efficient cause is nature or naturall heat which by that menstruall matter mixing it self with the rest of our bloud doth cause a continuall vexing and disquieting thereof whereby an unnaturall heat is increased in all the body causing an Ebullition of bloud by the which this filthy menstrual matter is seperated from our natural bloud and the nature being offended and overwhelmed therewith doth thrust it to the outward pores of the skin as the excrements of bloud which matter if it be hot and slimie then it produceth the Pox but if dry and subtil then the Measels or Males But Mercurialis an excellent writer in Physick in his first Book de morbis puerorum cap. 2. agreeing with Fernelius in his Book De is rerum causis c. 12. doth hold opinion that the immediate cause of this disease doth not proceed of menstrual bloud but of some secret and unknown corruption or defiled quality of the aire causing an Ebullition of bloud which is also verified by Valetius and now doth reckon it to be one of the hereditable diseases because few or none doe escape it but that either in their youth ripe age or old age they are infected therewith The contention hereabout is great and mighty reasons are oppugned on both sides therefore I will leave the judgement thereof unto the better learned to define but mine opinion is That now it proceedeth of the Excrements of all the four humours in our bodies which striving with the purest doth cause a supernatural heat and ebullition of our bloud alwaies beginning with a Fever in the most part and may well be reckoned in the number of those diseases which are called Epidemia as Fracastorius in his first Book De morbis contag cap. 13. witnesseth this disease is very contagious and infectious as experience teacheth us There are two speciall causes why this disease is infectious The first is because it proceedeth by ebullition of bloud whose vapour being entred into another bodie doth soon defile and infect the same the second reason is because it is a disease hereditable for we see when one is infected therewith that so many as come neer him especially those which are allyed in the same bloud doe assuredly for the most part receive the infection also CHAP. II. Sheweth to know the signs when one is infected as also the good and ill signs in the disease THe signs when one is infected are these first he is taken with a hot Fever and sometime with a Delirium great pain in the back furring and stopping of the nose beating of the heart hoarsnesse redness of the eyes and full of tears with heavinesse and pain in the head great beating in the forehead and temples heaviness and pricking in all the body dryness in the mouth the face very red pain in the throat and breast difficulty in breathing and shaking of the hands and feet with spitting thick matter When they doe soon or in short time appear and that in their coming out they doe look red and that after they are come forth they doe look white and speedily grow to maturation that he draweth his breath easily and doth find himself eased of his pain and that his Fever doth leave him these are good and laudable signes of recovery When the Pox lye hidden within and not appearing outwardly or if after they are come forth they doe suddenly strike in again and vanish away or that they doe look of a black blewish and green colour with a difficultie and straitnesse of drawing breath and that he doe often swoun if the sick have a flix or lask when the Pox were found double that is one growing within another or when they run together in blisters like scalding bladders and then on the sudden do sink down and grow dry with a hard black scar or crust as if it had been burnt with a hot iron all these are ill signs Avicen saith there are two speciall causes which produce death unto those that have this disease either for that they are choaked with great Inflammation and swelling in the throat called Angina or having a flix or lask which doth so weaken and overthrow the vitall spirits that thereby the disease is increased and so death followeth How to know of what humours this disease cometh If it come of bloud then they appear red with generall pain and great heat in all the body If they come of choler then will they appear of a yellowish red and clear colour with a pricking pain in all the bodie If they come of flegm then will they appear of a whitish colour and scaly or with scales If they come of melancholie then will they appear blackish with a pricking pain CHAP. III. Sheweth the meanes to cure the Pox or Measels THere are two speciall meanes required for curing this disease the first is to help nature to expell the same from the interior and principall parts unto the exterior the second is to preserve both the interior and exterior parts that they may not be hurt thereby For the first intention if the age and strength of the sick will permit and that the Pox or Measels appear not it were then good in the first second or third day to draw bloud out of the Basilica veine in the right arme if he be not under the age of fourteen years but the quantity must be at the discretion of him that draweth it either more or lesse as occasion is offered but for children and such as are of tender years and weak bodies it were not good to draw bloud out of the arme but out of the inferior parts as the thighes hams buttocks and the Emeroidall veines especially if the party be melancholie or else to apply ventoses to the loynes buttocks or hams which may boldly be used both before and after they do appear either with scarification or without as cause requireth which is a speciall good meanes to draw that Ichorous matter from the interior to the exterior parts but for sucking Children it were best to apply bloud-suckers unto any of the foresaid places which is a thing that may be used with more ease then ventoses neither do I wish either of them to be used unlesse necessity require it which is when
and thrust forth the venomous humours and then you must have respect to the signes before rehearsed The infection of the Plague entereth into a man after this sort In a man are three principall parts that is the Heart Liver and Brains and each of these hath his cleansing place If they appear in the neck they shew the Brains to be chiefly vexed if under the arme-holes the Heart but if they appear in the share the Liver is most infected For when a man hath taken infection it presently mingleth with the bloud and runs to the heart which is the cheif part of man and the heart putteth the venome to his cleansing place which is the arme-holes and that being stopt putteth it to the next principall part which is the liver and it passeth it to his cleansing place which is the share and they being stopt passe it to the next principall place that is the braines and to their cleansing places which are under the eares or under the throat and they being stopped suffer it not to passe out and then it is moved twelve hours before it rest in any place and if it be not let out within the space of four and twenty hours by bleeding it brings a man into a pestilentiall Ague and causeth a botch in one of those three places or near unto them The Cure of the Plague When thou feelest thy self infected bleed in the first hour or within six hours after drink not and tarry not above twelve hours from bleeding for then when the bloud is flitting too and fro the venome is then moving and not yet setled and after it will be too late those that are fat may be let bloud or else not If the matter be gathered under the arme-holes it comes from the heart by the Cardiacall vein then bleed on the same side by the Basilica vein the innermost vein of the arme If the botch appear behind the eares above the chin or in any other part of the face or neck bleed out of the Cephalica vein on the same side you may bleed with cupping Glasses and Scarification or Horseleeches If the botch appear in the share bleed in the ankle on the same side in any case not in the arme for it will draw up the matter again But if no botch appear outwardly draw bloud out of that side where you feel greatest pain and heavinesse and out of that vein the greif of the members affected shall point thee out If you perceive the Plague invade you at meat or on a full stomack vomit speedily and when your stomack is empty take some Medicine that may resist Poyson as Mithridate or Triacle or some of these following which as choise Medicines I have inserted as being Doctor Edwards Experiments For the Plague Infuse two peices of fine pure Gold in the juyce of Lemons four and twenty hours and drink that juyce with a little Wine with powder of the Angelica root It is admirable and hath helped divers past all hope of cure Another Take two drachms of Juniper berries of Terra lemnia ℈ i. make both into fine powder and mix it with Honey and take of it as much as a haâ—…ell Nut in three drachms of honeyed water made up thus Take a pint of Honey and of water eight pints seeth and scum it at an easie fire till the fourth part be wasted It is an excellent Antidote against Poyson and Plague if the Poyson be taken before it will expell it by vomit if not the Medicine will stay in the stomack Another Take Zedoary roots the best you can get great Raisins and Licorice champ it with thy teeth and swallow it if you be infected it preserveth without danger Another for botches boyls and tokens Take of ripe Ivy berries dryed in the shade as much of the powder as will lye upon a groat or more and put it into three or four ounces of white Wine and lie in bed and sweat well after your sweat is over change shirt and sheets and all the bed clothes if he may if not yet change his shirt and sheets Some have taken this powder over night and found themselves well in the morning and walked about the house fully cured One having a Plague sore under the thigh another under the left arme-pit taking this powder in the morning and again that night the sores brake of themselves by this excellent Medicine sent by Almighty God It is good for Botches Boyles Plague-sores Tokens Shingles Erisipella and such like c. Thus farre Doctor Edwards Doctor in Physick and Chirurgery Experiments tried by my selfe For the Plague TAke of Pillulae pestilentiales called Ruffi or of Panâ—…hy Magogon or for want of it of extraction Rudii of each half a drachm mingle these into six pills for two doses whereof take three at a time in the morning fasting for two dayes together Another excellent approved Remedy Take eight or nine grains of Aurum vitae either in Triacle water or made up in Diascordium fasting Another excellent sweating powder for the Plague Take of the powder e Chelis Cancrorum of Aromatitum rosatum and of Cerusa Autimonii of each half a scruple mingle these up together in a diaphoretick powder and take it in four spoonfuls of Triacle water well mingled together The Cure of Diseases in Remote Regions The Calenture HAppeneth to our Nation in intemperate Climates by Inflammation of bloud and proceedeth often of immoderate drinking of wine and eating of pleasant fruits which are such nourishers thereof as they prevent the meanes used in curing the same To know the Calenture At the first apprehension it afflicts the Patient with great pain in the head and heat in the body which is continuall or increasing and doth not diminish and angment as other Fevers doe and is oft an Introduction to the Taberdilla or Pestilence but then the body will seem very yellow To cure the Calenture So soon as you perceive the Patient possest of the Calenture except the Chirurgion for danger of the sign defer it I have seen the time of the day not respected open the Median vein of the right arm and take such quantity of bloud as agreeth with the ability of the bodie but if it asswage not the heat by the next day open the same vein in the left arme and take so much more like quantity of bloud at his discretion and if the body be costive as commonly they are give him some meet purgation and suffer him to drink no other then water cold wherein Barley and Annise-seeds have been boyled with bruised Liquorice And if within 4. dayes the partie amend not or being recovered take it again open the vein Cephalick in one or both hands bathing them in warm water untill there come so much more bloud as cause requires Suffer not the Patient to drinke seven dayes after he is perfectly recovered any other drinke then such water as is before herein directed The Taberdilla IS a disease so called
A TREATISE CONCERNING THE PLAGUE AND THE POX Discovering as well the meanes how to preserve from the danger of these infectious Contagions as also how to cure those which are infected with either of them LONDON Printed by Gartrude Dawson 1652. The Printer to the Reader THis Treatise hath pass'd the view and approbation both of juditious Phisitians and Chirurgians and hath been judged worthy to have a new vesture put upon him and to be vindicated from the obscurity and darknesse it hath lain involved and eclipsed in this many yeares being collected out of the Authorities of the most excellent both former and later Writers and confirmed strengthened and approved by the late experiences of many well practitioned Chirurgians being formerly commended to publick view by the approbation of a late famous Servant and Chirurgian to King Iames deceased who seriously considering the facilenesse of providing the Medicines with their approvednesse in a necessitous time and in places remote both from able Phisitians and Chirurgians the danger of the present Infection requiring speedy help to such as might have occasion to make use of these Medicines not doubting but the charitable intentions of the carefull Authour publishing it on purpose for the publick good shall find the acceptance of so necessitous a work as is wished by A. M. The Author to the Reader WHereas there are divers Receits set down in this Book which are written in Latine in Characters used by Phisitians and Apothecaries which cannot so fitly be brought into our English phrase and because their quantities are set down according to the Latine order observed in the making up their Receits prescribed I have for the better ease and understanding of the Reader set down the signification of their weights and measures according to their Characters A Handfull is written thus M. 1. Half a Handfull thus M. ss. A little small Handfull thus P. 1. A Scruple thus ℈ 1. Half a Scruple x. Graines or thus ℈ ss. A Drachm thus ʒ 1. An Ounce thus ℥ 1. Half an Ounce or half a Drachm ℥ ss. ʒ ss. A Grain thus Gra. 1. A Drop thus Gut 1. The number of any thing thus Nu. 1. c. Half of any thing thus ss. A Pound or Pint thus lib. 1. Twenty Graines make a Scruple Three Scruples make a Drachm Eight Drachms make an Ounce Twelve Ounces a Physick Pound Ana. is of either of them so much P. ae is equall parts or parts alike S. a. Secundum Artem according to Art So much as shall suffice is marked thus q. s A defensative against the Plague The first Treatise CHAP. I. What the Plague is THe antient Phisitians in times past have greatly doubted what the essentiall cause of this disease which we commonly call the Plague or Pestilence should be yet all doe agree that it is a pernitious and contagious Fever and reckoned to be one of the number of those which are called Epidemia chiefly proceeding of adusted and melancholy bloud which may be easily perceived by the extream heat and inflammation which inwardly they doe feel that are infected therewith first assaulting the heart and astonishing the vitall spirits as also by the exteriour Carbunkles and botches which it produceth whose malignity is such both in young and old rich and poor noble and ignoble that using all the meanes which by Art can or may be devised yet in some it will in no sort give place untill it hath by death conquered the party infected therewith CHAP. II. Cause of the Plague THere are divers causes whereof this disease may proceed as sundry Writers doe alledge as by over great and unnaturall heat and drought by great rain and inundations of waters or by great store of rotten and stinking bodies both of men and beasts lying upon the face of the earth unburied as in the time of warres hath been seen which doth so corrupt the air as that thereby our Corn Fruits Hearbs and Waters which we daily use for our food and sustenance are infected also it may come by some stinking dunghils filthy and standing pooles of water and unsavory smels which are near the places where we dwell or by thrusting a great company of people into a close narrow or streight room as most commonly we see in Ships common Gaoles and in narrow and close lanes and streets where many people doe dwell together and the places not orderly kept clean and sweet But most commonly in this our time it is dispersed amongst us by accompanying our selves with such as either have or lately have had the disease themselves or at least have been conversant with such as have been infected therewith But for the most part it doth come by receiving into our custody some clothes or such like things that have been used about some infected body wherein the infection may lie hidden a long time as hath been too too often experimented with repentance too late in many places It may also come by Dogs Cats Pigs and Weasels which are prone and apt to receive and carry the infection from place to place But howsoever it doth come let us assure our selves that it is a just punishment of God laid upon us for our manifold sins and transgressions against his divine Majesty for as Seneca saith Quicquid patimur ab alto venit What crosses or afflictions soever we suffer it cometh from the Lord either for a triall of our faith or a punishment for our sins Wherefore to distinguish any farther thereof I think it needlesse for my intent is in breif sort so exactly as I can to shew the meanes how to prevent the same as also how to cure it when we are infected But before I enter to treat thereof I think it not amisse to shew what forewarnings and tokens are given us before hand of the coming thereof thereby the better to prevent the same by prayer and repentance CHAP. III. Warnings of the Plague to come AVicen a noble Physitian saith that when wee see the naturall course of the ayre and seasons of the year to be altered as when the spring time is cold clowdy and dry the harvest time stormy and tempestuous the mornings and evenings to be very cold and at noon extream hot these do foreshew the Plague to come Also when we see fiery impressions in the firmament especially in the end of summer as comets and such like and that in the begining of harvest we see great store of little frogs red to ades and myse on the earth abounding extraordinarily or when in summer we see great store of toades creeping on the earth having long tailes of an ashy color on their backs and their bellies spotted and of divers colours and when we see great store of gnats swiming on the waters or flying in great companies together or when our trees and hearbs do abound with Caterpillars Spiders Moaths c. which devoure the leaves on the trees and hearbs on the earth it sheweth the ayre to be corrupt
Benedictus water Also so much Triacle of Andromachus description eaten every morning as a bean with a little conserve of Roses is a very excellent good preservative Valetius doth greatly commend the taking of three or four grains of the Bezar stone every morning in a spoonfull of Scabios water I cannot here sufficiently commend the Electuarie called Dioscordium which is not onely good to resist the infection but doth also expell the venemous matter of those which are infected being taken every morning and evening the quantity of a bean and drinke a draught of Rennish or White wine after it in winter season but in Summer a draught of Beer or Ale is best In strong and rusticall bodies and such as are dayly labourers Garlick onely eaten in the morning with some Butter and Salt at breakfast drinking a cup of beer or ale after it hath been found to be very good which is greatly commended by Galen who calleth it the poor mans Triacle but in the sanguine daintie and idle bodies it may not be used because it over-heateth the bloud causeth head-ach and universally inflameth the whole body CHAP. VI NOw when you have taken any of the foresaid Preservatives it were good and necessary to wear upon the Region of the heart some sweet Bag or quilt that hath power to resist venome and also to carry in your hand some sweet Pomander Nodule or Nosegay that will comfort the heart resist venom and recreate the vitall spirits as here following is specified and set down An excellent quilt or Bag â„ž Arsenike cristaline â„¥ i. Diamargaritum frigidum ℈ ii Diambrae ℈ i. You must grinde the Arsenike in small powder and then with some of the infusion of Gum Dragagant in Rose water you must make a paste then spread it on a cloth which must be six inches long and five inches broad and spread it thick then cover it with another cloth and so quilt it together which being done fasten it in another bag of crimson taffetie or Sarseâ—…et and so wear it against the heart all the day time but at night leave it off and here you must take heed that when you sweat you doe take it away for otherwise it will cause the skin to amper a little There are some writers which doe utterly forbid the wearing of Arsenike but thus much I can say that I have given this bag unto divers to wear with most happie and good successe for never did I yet know any one that hath worn this bag and used any of the Electuaries aforesaid that hath been infected with the plague but for any inconvenience or accident that hath happened thereby I never found any hitherto other then the ampring of the skin as aforesaid Another Bag â„ž Ireos â„¥ ss. Calamus aromat. Ciperus ana Ê’ i. ss. Storax Calam. root of Angelica ana Ê’ iii Cloves Mace anaÊ’ i. Red roses dried Ê’ iii Pellemountain Penniroyall Calamint Elder floures ana Ê’ i ss. Nutmegs Cinnamon Yellow Sanders anaÊ’ i. Nardi Italicae Ê’ i. Amber greece and Musk ana six grains You must pound all these in powder and then quilt them in a bag of Crimson â—…affatie as aforesaid A Pomander good in the Summer time â„ž The rind of Citrons Red Roses Nenuphare Roses Yellow sanders anaÊ’ ss. Storax liquid Benjamin ana Ê’ i. Myrrh ℈ ii Ladanum Ê’ i. ss. Musk and Amber ana six grains Powder all that is to be powdered and then work them together in a hot morter with a hot pestell adding unto it in the working some of the Musselage of dragagant dissolved in sweet Rose water or rose vinegar and so make your Pomander Another good one for the winter time â„ž Storax liquid Benjamin Storax calamint Ladanum and Myrrh ana half a drachm Cloves one scruple Nutmegs Cinnamon of each half a scruple Red Roses Yellow Sanders Lignum aloes and Ireos of each half a dram Calamus aromaticus rind of a Citron ana four grains Amber greece Musk and Civet of each six grains You may make up this as the other before with some Musselage of the infusion of Gum dragagant infused in Rosewater A good Nodule for the Summer season â„ž Floures of Violets red Roses and Nenuphare of each one drachm Red White and Yellow sanders of each half a drachm Camphire xii graines Cause all these to be beaten in grosse powder then knit them all together in a peece of Taffetie and when you will use it then wet it in Rose water and a little Vinegar and so smell to it Another Nodule for the Winter season â„ž The dried leaves of Mints Majoram Time Penniroyall Lavender Pellemountain and Balm of each a little handfull Nutmegs Cloves Cinnamon Angelica roots Lignum aloes of each one drachm Saffron two scruples Cause all these to be infused in Rose-water and Vinegar one whole night then wet a spunge in the liquor thereof and knit it in a peece of Taffaty or your handkerchief whereunto you must smell oftentimes A Nosegay for the same purpose â„ž Hearb grace three branches Rosemary Majoram Mints and Thime of either one branch Red-Rose buds and Carnations of either three or four Make your nosegay herewith then sprinkle him over with Rose-water and some rose-Vinegar and smell often unto it Also when you suspect to go into any dangerous or infected company do you alwaies carry in your mouth a peice of the root of Angelica the rind of a Citron dried or a great Clove which must be first infused or steeped one whole night in rose-water and Vinegar CHAP. VII FOr that there is not a greater enemy to the health of our bodies then costiveness both in the time of the Plague and otherwise I have here set down how and by what meanes you may keep your self soluble which you must use once four and twenty hours if otherwise you have not the benefit of nature by custome A Suppository Take two spoonfulls of Honey and one spoonfull of Bay-Salt small pounded boyle them together untill it grow thick alwaies stirring it in the boyling then take it from the fire and if you list you may add one drachm of Ihera picra simplex unto it and so stirre them well together and when it is almost cold make up your suppositories of what length and bignesse you list and when you minister any you must first annoint it with Butter or Sallet oyle you may keep these a whole year if you put them in Barrowes mort or grease and so cover them up close therein A good Glister â„ž Mallowes Mercury Beets Violets Red-Fennell of either one handfull Seeds of Fennell Annis Coriander of either one drachm Boyle all these in a sufficient quantity of Water untill half the water be consumed then straine it and keep it in a glasse close stopt untill you need for it will keep a whole week Take of the same decoction a pint â„ž Mel Rosarum or common Honey one spoonfull Oyle of Violets or oyle of Olives three ounces Salt one drachm
and two nights then distill it in a stillatorie this water hath been found excellent good both to preserve one from the Plague being drunk three or four spoonfuls of it in the morning fasting as also to expell the disease being drunk with any of the Cordials aforesaid CHAP. II. Sheweth what is to be done after taking of the Cordiall NOw so soon as the partie hath taken his Cordiall if he be able cause him to walke upon it in his chamber a prettie while then lay him into his naked bed being first warmed if it be in cold weather and so procure him to sweat but in any case have a speciall care to keep him from sleep all that day because thereby the bloud and vitall spirits are drawn to the inward parts and there doth hold in the venomous matter about the heart but if the sore appear or be perceived to present it self in any place neer the heart then to defend the malignity thereof before he sweat it were good to annoint the place betwixt the region of the heart and the sore with Triacle or with this Unguent following A good defensative Unguent Take Triacle â„¥ ss. Terra lemnia Red n anaÊ’ i. Mix them together with a little Rose-water and Vinegar in a morter to the form of an Unguent and so use it as aforesaid And unto the sore place apply chickens rumps as before hath been told you and then annoint the place grieved with Oyle of Lillies and then Epithemate the heart with any one of these Epithemations following Epithemation Take the Powder of Diamargaritum frigidum ℈ i. Triasandalum Ê’ vi Ebeni Ê’ ii Saffron ℈ ss. Lettice seed Ê’ i. Waters of Roses Bugloss and Sorrel ana â„¥ vi Vinegar â„¥ ii boil them altogether a little Another Take the waters of Roses Balm Bugloss Carduus benedictus and white wine ana â„¥ iiii Vinegar of Roses â„¥ ii Powder of red Roses Cinnamon Triasandalum Diamargaritum Frigidum anaÊ’ ss. Mithridatum â„¥ i. Triacle â„¥ ss. â—…oil them together a little and being bloud warm Epithemate the heart therewith which being done then procure him to sweat and after sweat and the body dryed then apply this quickly to the heart A Quilt for the Heart Take the floures of Nenuphare Burrage Bugloss ana a little handfull Floures of Balm Rosemary anaÊ’ iii Red n Red corall Lignum aloes Rinde of a citron ana Ê’ i. Seeds of Basil Citrons anaÊ’ i. Leaves of Dittander Berries of Juniper ana ℈ i. Bone of a Stags heart half a scruple Saffron four grains Mixe all these in grosse powder and put them in a bag of crimson Taffetie or Lincloth and lay it to the heart and there let it remain All these things being done then procure him to sweat having a good fire in the chamber and windowes close shut and so let him sweat three or four houres more or lesse or according as the strength of the sick body can endure and then dry the body well with warm clothes taking great care that the sick catch not cold in the doing thereof and then give him some of this Julep following and apply the aforesaid quilt or bag to the heart A cordiall Iulep Take Waters of Endive Purslane and Roses ana â„¥ ii Sorrell water half a pint Juyce of Pomgranats and for lack thereof Vinegar â„¥ iiii Camphire Ê’ iii Sugar one pound Boil all these together in the form of a Julep and give three or four spoonfuls thereof at a time Another Iulep Take Sirrup of Ribes Sorrell Nenuphare ana â„¥ i. Juice of Limons â„¥ i. Sorrell water â„¥ viii Mix all these together and take two or three spoonfulls thereof oftentimes which will both comfort the heart and quench thirst And if in the time of his sweat he be very thirstie then may you give him to drink a Tysane made with water clean Barly and Licorice scrapt clean and bruised boil them together then strein it and unto a quart of the liquor add three ounces of Sirrup of Limons and give thereof at any time small beer or ale is also tolerable or you may give a spoonfull of this Julep following at any time A Iulep to quench thirst â„ž Sorrell-water four ounces Burrage-water Scabios water of either one ounce Sirrup of Lemons and sowre Citrons of either one ounce Mix all these together and so use it as occasion requireth at any time and give oftentimes a cake of Manus Christi made with Perls for him to eat But if in the time of his sweat you see the sick to faint or swoun then apply to his temples and the region of the heart this mixture following â„ž Conserve of Roses Burrage Bugloss Broom floures of either one ounce Mithridate four ounces Triacle one ounce Floures of Violets Pellamountaine Red Roses of either one drachme Roots of Ireos one drachm Musk Sivet of either eight graines Mix all these together with a quantity of Rose-Vinegar in the form of an Opiat this must be spread on Plaisters and applied to the heart and temples and to the soales of the feet apply this plaister following Take of the aforesaid Opiat â„¥ ii unto the which you must put so much more of an Onyon which must have the middle part thereof taken out and the hole filled with Mithridate and Aqua vitae and so rosted in the ashes and then mix it with the Opiat and apply it to both soales of the feet Now when all this is done and that one hour is past after his sweat and body dried as aforesaid it were good you did give the sick some good comfortable broth although he vomit it up againe then let him rest two houres and then offer him more which you must do oftentimes and but little at a time And if after all this done he continue still weak and faint without any amendment then give him another Cordiall as ye did at the first and so caufe him to sweat again so long as his strength can well endure it and after sweat give more of the Julep aforesaid for by this meanes you shall oftentimes see the sore which did offer it self to come forth will be clean discussed and consumed away but if it do not by this means go away then use all the means you can to bring it to suppuration and then open it with some caustick or incision as hereafter shall be shewed you at large The next day after his sweat you may tollerate him to sleep one hour or two in the forenoon whereby to prevent pain or lightnesse of the head which may chance through want thereof and if after his sleep the party be sick and faint then immediately give him some good Cordiall according as the state of his body requireth either in temperate or extream heat as before is shewed and in one hour after that give him some comfortable broth made with Veale Mutton Chicken or such like wherein some Burrage Bugloss Pimpernell and a little Hysop with some Parsley roots the
thereto An Electuary for the green Sicknesse Take of Diatrion santalon and Diarrhodon abbatis of each one drachm of Diacurcuma and confection of Alkermes of each half an ounce of Diamargariton frigidum and Calidum of each two drachms of rasped Ivory and Hartshorn of each one drachm of all these make an Electuary and give it evening and morning by it self or with Dodder or Endive water the dose is one drachm protempore uno An excellent Powder for the green Sicknesse â„ž four scruples of Gentian made into fine powder of rasped Ivory and Hartshorn of each two scruples make these into a fine powder and give a spoonfull thereof with white Wine or the like at once Another Medicine â„ž Three or four spoonfuls of flemish Madder boyle it in two quarts of white Wine with a peice of Sugar to the consumption of half of it strain it and let the Maiden drink thereof morning and evening a good draught warm and walk or use some exercise to heat the body but take no cold use this for eleven or twelve dayes together A singular purging Potion against the green Sicknesse and all opilations of the Liver and causeth young Maids to look fresh and fair and cherry-cheek'd and will bring down their Courses the stopping whereof causeth this greif and it is good against all manner of itch scabs breaking out and manginesse of the body purifying the blood from all corruption â„ž Of the roots of Monkes Rubarb that is red Doâ—…k and of red Madder ana. half a pound of Sena four ounces of Anniseseed and Licorice of each two ounces of Scabious and Agrimony of each one handfull slice the roots of Rubarb and bruise the Anniseseed and Licorice break the hearbs small and put them all into a pot with four gallons of strong Ale and infuse them all the space of three dayes then drink of this drink for your ordinary drink for three weeks at the least the longer the better and make new as need requireth it eureth the Dropsie and yellow Jaundies also if you put in of Cammomill one handfull For the green Sicknesse or Iaundies â„ž Of white Briony root sliced half an ounce boyle it in a pint of Ale gently a quarter of an hour and drink a good draught thereof and sweat and in your sweat drink it all or as much as you can the next day make new and drink again but without sweating and use some exercise to keep the body warm use this last order twelve dayes together use good Cordials and Restoratives with sirrup and conserve of Fumitory For the green Sicknesse and Iaundies Boyle of Rue and Sage of each a bundle in a quart or three pints of Ale with one scruple of Saffron To cure this disease the Electuary of Steel is excellent if the body be first purged for it doth open all obstructions but the Patient must use some exercise after the taking it to stirre up naturall heat the better the dose is half an ounce at a time to take of it The Steel for the Electuary is thus prepared â„ž Of the filings of the best Iron or Steel as much as you please grinde it subtilly and finely upon a Porphiry or red Marble stone with Vinegar then dry it at the Sun or at the fire and grinde it again with Vinegar as at the first and doe thus seven times one after another and thus you have the Steel prepared fit for you The Electuary of Steel is made up thus â„ž Of the filings of Steel so prepared half an ounce Cinnamon Nutmegs condited of each three drachms of chosen Rubarb two drachms of the species of Aromaticum rosatum half a drachm of chosen Honey and of fine white Sugar of each one pound and one ounce mingle these all together over a soft fire and make it up into an Electuary After the taking of this Electuary let the Patient in all cases use some bodily exercises being first universally purged for this Electuary is most excellent against all obstructions of the Liver Spleen or other disease and for the green Sicknesse For the green Sicknesse or green Iaundies The green Sicknesse or Jaundies cometh of yellow choller mixed with corrupt or putrified flegm and corruption of bloud debility of nature and faintnesse of heart it happeneth also when the Liver is weakened that it cannot convert the nourishment into bloud but the digestion is raw and crude so that the whole body is filled with water and flegm instead of good bloud it is cheifly found in young Maidens who desire to abate their fresh colours and as they conceive to be fine and fair and foolishly feed upon trash which altereth the colour and state of their bodies as of unripe Apples Peares Plums Cherries and raw Fruits and Hearbs or Meale Wheat Barly raw Milk Chalk Lime and the like and they that have this disease are very pale and greenish if they chance to cut their finger no bloud but water will follow they feele great pain in their head with continuall beating are faint short-breathed and their naturall Flowers are stopped and stayed to the prevention and cure whereof the body must first be well and orderly purged as by the Medicines before prescribed FINIS