sicknesse for the most part mortall wherein vsually there appeare certaine Tumors Carbuncles or spottes which the common people call Gods tokens which Plague procéedeth from the venemous corruption of the humors and spirits of the body infected by the attraction of corrupted aire or infection of euil vapours which haue the propertie to alter mans bodie and poyson his spirits after a straunge and daungerous qualitie contrary and mortall enemy to the vitall spirits which haue their residence in the heart by reason whereof it suddainly rauisheth shortly cutteth off mans life who for the most part is attainted with such a venemous contagion And for that we haue saide that the plague is a popular and contagious sicknesse it shall not be amisse to declare and plainly discouer what these wordes Popular and Contagious do signifie Popular and Epidemich haue one and the same signification that is to say a sicknesse common vnto all people or to the moste part of them Contagion is an euil qualitie in a bodie communicated vnto an other by touch engendring one and the same disposition in him to whom it is communicated So as he that is first of all attainted or rauished with such a qualitie is called contagious and infected For very properly is he reputed infectious that hath in himselfe an euil malignant venemous or vitious disposition which may be imparted and bestowed on an other by touch producing the same and as daungerous effect in him to whom it is communicated as in him that first communicateth and spreddeth the infection This sicknesse of the Plague is commonly engendred of an infection of the Aire altered with a venemous vapour dispearsed and sowed in the same by the attraction and participation whereof this dangerous and deadly infirmitie is produced and planted in vs which Almightie God as the rodde of his rigor and iustice and for the amendment of our sinnes sendeth downe vppon vs as it is written in Leuiticus the 26. Chapter and in Deuteronomy the 28. If you obserue not my Commaundements saith our Lord I will extinguish you by the Plague which shall consume you To the like effect is that of Celsus a man of famous memorie amongst our Phisitions who very learnedly saith that all straunge sicknesses befall mortall men by reason of the wrath and displeasure of the Goddes and that the necessary meanes to finde recouery and remedie for the same is to haue recourse vnto them by intercession and prayer◠The same also testifieth Homer the soueraigne of all diuine Science Poeticall perfection in the first booke of his Iliades Since therefore it is euident by the testimonies abouesaid that the Plague is a manifest signe of the wrath of God conceiued against vs the first and most wholesome remedie is to haue recourse vnto him who is the Father of mercy and soueraign Phisition of all infirmities imploring his grace and mercy by fastings praiers and supplications by almesdéeds good works and amendment of life to the ende we may appease and pacifie his wrath and reconcile our selues vnto him and obtaine his grace and mercy according to the example of penitent Dauid and the contrite Niniuites In imitation of whome if we shall haue our recourse vnto his mercy seat we may rest assured that he will beholde vs with his eye of pittie and graunt vs both health of soule and bodie according vnto his promises made vnto those who call vpon him in humilitie and sinceritie of hart and conscience Sée here the first rule CHAP. II. Of the causes of the Plague THose sicknesses which are contagious and pestilent euen as al other kinds of infirmities haue their causes For nothing may produce without an efficient cause that bringeth the same to effect The Plague then hath his originall producing causes from whence shée taketh originall beginning and is engendred by a certaine and more secret meanes then all other sicknesses For for the most part the causes of priuate sicknesses which are not infectious are either to great repletion or a generall deprauation of the humours which are in the body or obstruction or binding or putrifaction as Galen in his Booke Of the Causes of sicknesses hath very learnedly written But the Plague hath none of these aboue mentioned causes but only contagious and pestilent yet notwithstanding together with these causes of repletion Cachochimie obstruction putrifaction the Plague may bée annexed and vnited but yet in such sort as they be not the proper reputed causes which ingender the Plague for then if that should follow all sicknesses accompanied with such like causes might be reputed pestilentiall which were both vntrue and absurde It behooueth vs therefore to finde out a proper and continent cause of the Plague and such like contagious infirmities Let vs then conclude with Galen in his Booke Of Treacle to Piso and Pamphilianus that all pestilentiall sicknesses as from the proper cause are ingendred from the ayre depraued and altered in his substance by a certaine vicious mixture of corrupted and strange vapours contrary to the life of man and corrupting the vitall spirit which vnkindly excretion sowed in the ayre and infecting the same communicateth vnto vs by our continuall alteration of the same the venome which poysoneth vs. The ready and spéedy chaunges saith Galen which happen in the ayre through the euill corruption of the same produce the Plague which like a rauishing beast depopulateth and destroyeth diuers men by death yea whole cities because men hauing a necessitie to sucke in the ayre together with the same sucke in the infection and venome By this it appeareth that the proper and immediat cause which ingendreth the Plague is the attraction and in breathing of the ayre infected and poisoned with a certaine venemous vapour contrary to the nature of man To his effect before his time the great M. of Physique Hipocrates writeth thus in his Booke Of Humane Nature The cause saith he of the generall pestilence which indifferently attainteth all sortes of men is the ayre which we sucke that hath in it selfe a corrupt and venemous seede which we draw with our in-breathing Now the causes which engender such vapours in the aire are diuers and of different kindes for sometimes such a vapour is lifted vp into the ayre by reason of the corruption stench of dead and vnburied bodyes as in places where any great battell haue béene fought it often falleth out according as diuers Histories testifie It is ingendred also through euill vapours that issue from the earth or certaine Caues thereof which yéelde foorth exhalations full of corruptions that infect the ayre where it contracteth by an euill qualitie It happeneth likewise by a loathsome steame of certain Marsh in plashie Fennes full of mudde and durt as also from diuers sorts of Plantes and venemous beastes whose euill qualitie may produce such an effect in the ayre But the ancient Physitians and Astrologers as namely Auicen with diuers others report that the Plague hath two
influence of the ayre if any raigne at that time Let therefore all men be curious to obserue this commendable sobriety if they be desirous to auoyd the dangers of the Plague by forbearing al diuersities of meats and surceasing to fil their stomackes with vnmeasurable repastes and let them féede soberly and no more then is néedfull to sustaine life obseruing a temperate exercise in pleasant and delightfull places Let them leade their life in peace and quiet of minde in ioy disport and honest pleasure auoyding all perturbations of the spirit and especially sadnesse melancholy wrath feare and suspect which are the most daungerous accedents that may encounter a man in such like times as Galen in his Booke Of the Art of Medecine hath written and of this kinde of temperate life I wil make a particular discourse in the Chapter ensewing to the ende that euery one may vnderstand what meanes he ought to obserue in the maintenance of his health by good diet and order CHAP. VII A briefe Methode and rule of life how to preserue the healthfull in the time of sicknesse THE Principall meanes to continue a man in health consisteth in an orderly obseruation of diet elections of meate measure and opportunitie in receiuing the same and in the quantitie and qualitie thereof which shall be the argument of this present Chapter It is therefore especially to be considered and prouided in this cause that the body abound not in superfluities and excrements which may yéelde matter and foode to putrifaction and contagion in humours which may no better wayes bée performed but by a good regiment in life Men that are curious of their health will take héede of all immoderate repletion of meates and in suspected times diuersitie of meates is to bee eschewed leaste the stomacke should bee ouercharged thereby by which meanes diuersities of humours may be ingendred but it behooueth a man to féede of one only dishe or two that in qualitie and nourishment may be conformable to his nature He ought likewise to beware in these times of such meats as may easily putrifie in the stomack such as yéeld but grosse nourishment and bréed oppilation and obstruction that heate the blood and humours and make them vicious and sharpe Of this sort are salt meates Porke Béefe Scalions Colewortes Garlike Onions Spice Mustard old Chéese such Fish as are caught in standing Pooles and Marshes strong hote hie and troubled wines Such meates as are conuenient are of delicate flesh and easily digested as Capon Chickens yong Pullets the broth whereof doth rectifie and temper the humours of the body as Mesue testifieth Also the flesh of Ueale Kid or yong Mutton are allowed and the birds of the field such as are Partridges yong Pigeons Turtells and such like are to be admitted And in the broth of such like things you ought to séeth Sorrel Purslane Borage and Marigoldes which according to Alexander Benedictus in his Treatise of the Plague is an excellent medecine The iuice of Sorrell likewise and sowre Grapes are allowed and Oranges and Limons with Sugar are not amisse in the iuice whereof you may dip your meat or bread at your meales and such like Rose vineger in this time is commended As for all bakt meats as Pasties or such like are forbidden both for the gluttonous substance that is in them as for that they engender obstructions Fresh and reare Eegges sod in water are of good nourishment Sea fish as the Soale the Mullet Gurnard and such like may be admitted yet ought they not too oftentimes bée vsed by reason they bréed humidite and waterish blood Amidst the sowrer fruite the Proyne Straberries and muscadine Peare are to be eaten so they be taken in a little quantitie as for al other fruit they may wel be omitted because they fill the vaines with watrish blood and such as easily corrupteth except the Raison which is very good In vse of wine Claret and white not fuming nor ouer hye coloured but tempered with good water are very fit to be drunke at meales and no otherwise For exercise it ought to be cōuenient and temperate accustomed in the morning in places delightfull and pleasant in the shade in Summer-time in Winter-time in the Sunne Touching apparell each one ought to vse decencie and comelinesse therein and oftentimes to shift both woollen and linnen especially in Summer in which time if those that are of ability shift once a day it is not amisse Care likewise is to be had that men heat not their blood by violent trauell but to vse a cōuenient rest after their repasts It is behooueful likewise as hath béen said to kéepe the body soluble so as once a day or twise in 21. houres either by the benefite of nature or the vse of the pilles aboue mentioned the belly may be loosned the body no wayes suffered to be bound Especially in those times al vse of women is forbidden For there is not any thing during this contagious season more forcible to enféeble nature then such vnbridled desires which stirre and distemper the humors and dispose the body to receiue infection Briefly to liue in repose of spirit in al ioy pleasure sport contentation amongst a mans friendes comforteth heart and vitall spirits and is in this time more requisite then any other things This is the order and maner which euery one ought to obserue in his manner of life in these suspected times with this finall Prouiso that the houses be kept cleane and well ayred and be perfumed with water and vinegar in Summer time and in winter time with perfumes of Iuniper Rosemarie Storax Beniamin and such like That the windowes thereof be kept open to the East towards the shining Sunne and the Northren winde shutting out all Southerly windes and such as blow from contagious places The order and policy that ought to be held in a City during the plague time and wherin the Lord Mayor and Sherifs and such as vnder them haue care of the infected ought to shew their diligence in the maintenance and order of their cittizens Chap. VIII AS order conducted by good aduice and counsaile is in all things that concerne the administration of a Commonweale most necessary so in this cause which is one of the most vrgent order policy and serious diligence is not onely profitable but also necessary because the sicknes of the plague contagion inuading a city is the totall ruine of the same by reason of the danger and spoile of the cittizens as we reade in Thucidides of the great plague in Greece which for the most part rauished the inhabitants of the same and in Titus Liuius of diuers horrible pestilences that happened in Rome which by their greatnesse and cruelty made that mother Citty almost desolate and destitute of the better part of the cittizens thereof bringing with it both famine and fatal indigence For which cause such as are in authoritie in Citties as Mayors Sherifes and those that
sirrop of violets And if the patient wil not drinke barly water let him drinke fountaine water or raine water boiled and mixed with the sirrops aforesaide The patient likewise may in this feuer drinke water very fréely and his fill to the intent he may extinguish the inward heate of the pestilent feuer and not by little and little but fréely as Paulus Aegineta and Auicen thinke necessary in this disposition For which cause let this serue both to aduise the sicke his kéeper to alow drinke fréely the vse of water after which let the patient be wel couered to prouoke sweate which is one of the best euacuations that profiteth in this sicknes Chap. XII Rules as touching bloud-letting the potions and Euacuations which are necessary for him that is sicke of the plague AS soone as the sicke man by the signes aforesaid féels himselfe strooken he ought very spéedily séeke out for some remedy for this sickenesse neither leasure nor delay without danger of death by reason of the malignitie thereof opposed against mans life wherefore we ought with all diligent care to withstand the same and prohibit the venime and breake the forces thereof lest it woorke the vtter ruine of our bodies As soone therefore as any one féeleth himselfe seazed giue him this potion Take of the iuice of marigolds the quantity of two or thrée ounces giue it the patient to drinke with a little white wine or sorrel-water and couer him wel that he may sweat This Iuice maketh a man frée and assured from the venime as testifieth Alexander Benedictus in his treatise of the plague and it is a most tryed and notable secret And if he sweat after he hath taken the same hée shall be assured by the grace of God of perfect health In stead of the said hearbe you may take the iuice of veruine in like quantity or the Iuice of the hearbe called Scabious which hath great force and efficacy in this case giue two ounces of the said Iuice with white Wine Rose-water or Sorrel-water and you shall sée a wonderfull effect But these remedies ought to be giuen sodainly For if the sicke man dally a day or two before he complaine they haue no effect or force Of Blood-letting AS soone as the sicke féeleth himselfe strucken if he be sanguine yong and full you ought to let him bloud by those rules that ensue hereafter If the signe or tumor appeare not as yet you ought to let him bloud in the Mediana of the right arme rather than of the left to prouide lest the venime haue recourse to the hart and to take blood according to the repletion and vertue of the patient Or to worke more surely wée may take the veine in the foote called Saphena to diuert the venime from the noble parts or instéede of letting bloud apply cupping-glasses with scarification on his shoulders and buttocks From the strong able and well complexioned you may take some sixe ounces of bloud or at the least thrée or foure but for such as are weake they must not be dealt with And note that in this sickenesse we ought not to be busie in taking bloud although bloud-letting be necessarie because bloud is the treasury of life whose assistance nature néedeth to combate with the venime As also for that by much letting bloud mens forces are weakened and the venime worketh with more aduantage as shal be hereafter declared And whenas the patient is letten bloud wee ought to cause him kéepe in his mouth either a little péece of an orenge or a lemmon or a cloue or some cinnamon or else a little rose vineger and rose water mixed together to comfort his heart and vitall spirites But if the markes or botch do appeare the blood is to be drawne on that side of the body on which the tumor sheweth it selfe namely if the swelling beginneth to shew behinde the right eare drawe blood in the Cephalica of the right arme and so of the left If the signe appéere vnder the arme pits you shal cut the median of the same side namely on the right arm if the impostume be vnder the right armehole and that on the left likewise when the impostume sheweth it selfe vnder the left arme hole But in trueth the surest way is rather in this case to open the veines of the féete then of the armes to the end you may draw the venime farthest off if the signe appéere vnder the groyne strike the Saphena on the same side or rather the inward veine of the ham if it may be found the like ought also to be done in the carbuncle when it appéereth yet ought not the bloodletting be redoubled but onely vsed on that side where the carbuncle appéereth But note in this case of bloodletting that it ought to be done before the patient hath remained infected foure and twenty houres for after the terme is past blood letting is both hurtfull and pernicious because that by the same the contagion is inwardly drawne into the body and heart Whence it happeneth that the most part of those that are let blood doe die as by Hierome Fracastorius an excellent and noted Phisitian is sufficiently testified in his treatise of the Plague the third Booke and fift chapter who testifieth that all they who in the pestilent yéeres of 1505. and 1528. were let blood died all of them by the reason aforesaide because that where the interior séede of the venime is scattered and mixed with the blood and humors of the body which is done in two daies space or thereabout after a man féeleth himselfe infected letting blood is greatly harmefull because it causeth agitation of the blood and augmenteth by this means the putrifaction and by such agitation and motion the contagion doth more inwardly mixe it selfe with the humors and maketh them of pure and sincere corrupt and infected after no other maner than whenas stincking mud is mooued it venteth out the more and maketh the aire infected and stincking as is séene by experience or whenas a man shaketh or shoggeth a vessel full of salt or bitter water the water becommeth more bitter and salt than if it had béen suffered to be settled without moouing it For euery matter that is mooued is worse then that which remaineth in quiet as testifieth Galen in his fift booke de Symptomatum causis And by these reasons the said Fracastorius and Fernelius likewise men both of them excellently learned are of opinion that blood is not to be let in this case to whose iudgements I subscribe And for mine owne part and in trueth I finde it more expedient instéede of letting blood to vse cupping glasses with scarrification for after the second day is past phlebotomy is to be omitted Sée héere our instruction as touching blood-letting Of Purging AS touching purgation it ought to be administred in the beginning but rather with gentle and pleasing medicines than violent which doe weaken and force Nature and with them we ought to mixe
stench corruption putrifaction and euill qualitie For which cause it is necessary to make good fumes in our houses of swéet and wholesome wood as Rosemarie Iuniper and Lawrell or Bayes and to perfume the whole house and chambers with the fume of Rosemary Iuniper the parings of Apples Storax Beniamin Incence dried Roses Lauender and such like both Euening and Morning It is not amisse likewise at euery corner of the stréet at least twise in the wéek to make cleare and quicke Bonefires to consume the malignant vapours of the ayre according as Acron the great Phisitian commaunded to be done during the mortall plague in Greece As Paulus Aegineta testifieth in his second Booke Chap. 35. It is good also to weare swéet sauors and perfumes about vs such as in Winter time are Marcorame Rosemarie Storax Beniamin or to make a Pomander after this sort that ensueth and to weare it about vs to smell too vpon all opertunities Take of the flowers of red Roses of Violets of Buglos of each halfe a little handfull of the thrée Sanders of each a Dramme of the rootes of Angelica Gentian and Zedoary of each foure scruples of white Encens Cloues Nutmegs Calamus Aromaticus of each a dram of Storax Calumit and red Beniamin of each a dramme and a halfe of orientall Muske a scruple of Amber-greece halfe a scruple of Ladaum infused in Rose-water one ounce mixe all these together in Rose-water where in the Gum Dragacanth hath béene infused and with a little of Rose-vinegar make a paste of which you may forme certaine rounde Pomanders to weare about your necke and smell vnto continually Or take of Rose-water thrée ounces of white Vinegar of Roses ij ounces of white Wine or pure Malmosie two spoonfuls of the powder of Cloues of the roote of Angelica and Storax of each halfe a dramme mixe them all together and with this liquor it shall not be amisse to wash your hands bedeaw your forehead nostrils and the pulces of your armes for such an odour and of so wholesome a qualitie vehemently repulceth the venome that assaileth the heart and altereth the pestilence of the ayre It shall not be amisse likewise to carrie an Angelica roote in your mouth or a Gentian or Zedoary roote or else the rine of an Orange Lemon or Pomecitron which as Auicen testifieth haue soueraine effects in this case The continual vses of these good odors comforteth the heart and vitall spirites driueth away all venemous vapours and rectifieth the ayre that whirleth about vs as Auicen testifieth in his Booke Of the Forces of the Heart For which cause they which desire the continuance of their health ought neuer to be vnprouided of these things Amongst all other medicines that haue the propertie to comfort and reioyce the heart the Easterne Hyacinth béeing worne about the brest and next vnto the naked skin or else held in the mouth is very effectuall as Auicen testifieth in his Booke Of the Forces of the Heart in that Chapter wherein hée entreateth of the Hyacinth where hée saith that the sayd Stone hath not only a propertie to fortifie the heart and quicken the vitall spirites but also to resist all venomes For which I aduise all such as haue both meanes and maintenance to get such a iewel to carrie the same either in their mouthes or continually about their neckes neare vnto the region of their hearts by reason of that excellent propertie which all Authors by vniforme consent attribute vnto the same CHAP. V. The meanes and preseruatiues which are to be ministred inwardly against the Plague GAlen in his first booke of the differences of Feuers and in that Chapter wherein he intreateth of the pestilent Feuer saith That to preserue the body from infection it shall be very necessarie to clense and purifie the same from al corruptions and superfluities by sit purgations and to take away these oppilations and stoppings which are the meanes that naturall heat cannot bee dispersed to dry the body from humidities and to maintaine such bodyes as are drie in their Estates In imitation of whose opinion and direction it shall be good to euacuat and expell those superfluities of humours which abound according to there natures age complexion vertue quantitie and qualitie who are forced with the same superfluous humours It is therefore note worthy in suspected and dangerous times that no accustomed euacuations either by fluxe of Hemeroides or of the belly old vlcers menstruall blood itches or such like should be restrained For those purgations which are of this kinde doo clense the vnnecessary humours and by this meanes maketh the body healthfull whereas such humours being either repressed by astringent medecines or such like ointments might greatly hurt the principall members and produce strange sicknesses in the same And for this cause Galen and Hipocrates write That it is a good signe when as any defluxion is expelled from the inward and principall parts of the body where contrariwise if the same be transported from the outward to the inward parts it is a most euil and sinister signe For which cause in the Plague time it is the surest way rather to suffer those superfluities to haue their course then to stop or stay them by any medecine because by the voydance thereof the body is purged from the same superfluities which being retained might wonderful annoy it Which counsaile of theirs may serue for an aduertisement to all those that shall be so disposed and affected in the time of the Plague It behooueth therefore such as be Sanguine full in loue and youthfull in yeares to be let blood after a competent manner thereby to diminish their replexion and aboundance of blood Those that are chollerique ought to be purged with an infusion of Rubarb if they be wealthy and if poore with the Electuary of the iuice or Roses by taking thrée Drammes or halfe an ounce thereof in Sorrell Endiue or Purslane water or else by Diacatholium Diaprunis Laxatiue the sirope of Roses Cassia or the pilles of Rubarb Femetorie or those that for their gentle working are called by the Phisitians Aureae The Flegmatique ought to be purged with Agaric Diaphenicon Diacarthami the pils Aggregatine Cochiae according to the strength of their bodyes the qualitie of the humor which are offensiue at the discreton of the learned experienced Phisitians by whose directions and prescriptions such medecines are to be ministred not according to the custome of this time by foolish Idiotes and ignorant Emperiques Such as are melancholy should be purged with the infusion of Sena and Epithemum with a little Anice seede and Diacathelicon with the Confection Hamech Diasene Solutiue the pilles of Femitory and Aureae I forbeare to call the pils De lape Armeno and Lasuli into vse because they are too violent and scarcely well prepared Such as are weake and delicate persons As woman with childe children and aged people it shall suffice to purge them with an ounce of
feuer without any other appearance so that nature desisteth not to performe hir functions being as yet vnassailed by the venime For which cause the patient will haue a good pulse and healthful vrine almost as perfect as when they were in health when as sodainly they are séene to die without any manifest occasion which bréedes doubt and trouble in the Phisition as Galen and Auicen do testifie For this cause men ought not to maruell though the Phisitions in this case are pusseld and doubtful since this sicknes in his nature is so doubtfull fraudulent and deceiuable This notwithstanding whenas with the feuer the tokens tumor or carbuncle do appeare there is no cause of suspition or doubt of the disease Then ought they readily to withstand the same by a fit and conuenient diet and by exquisit and proper medicines sodainly and exquisitely ordained for a sickenes of that nature admits no delay without certaine danger of death And therefore Hipocrates saith that it is expedient in such sickenesses to minister euacuations and other meanes the very same day Now for that it is one of the principall intentions of a Phisition in this case to correct the aire and prohibite the venime that it may haue no operation in the body we will beginne with the same and so consequently discourse vpon the rest The preparation of a Chamber FIrst therefore men ought to make choice of a chamber for the patient that is wel aired if it be possible hauing the windowes towards the North or East And if it be in summer time it is good to kéep those windows that regard the North opened to the end that the ayre of the chamber may be purified and cleansed Care likewise must be had to haue the Chamber cleansed twoo or thrée times a day and that the floore be sprinckled the wals bedewed with good Rose-vineger mixed with common-water or with Rose-water if the patient be rich The said chamber likewise must be strewed with odoriferous flowres and swéete smelling hearbs namely in Summer time with roses violets and pinkes with the leaues of willow and the vine It is good also to haue quinces citrons to smell to to the end that the ayre may be more odoriferous Neyther is it amisse at what time soeuer it be to make a light fire in the Chamber in Summer time for it purgeth the infected ayre very much And if it be in Winter it is not amisse to make a great fire in the Chamber of Rosemary bayes Iuniper and such like perfuming the Roome with Beniamin Storax Frankinscence Cloues Iuniper-berries or such like And if the patient be of abilitie so as he may change chambers it shal not be amisse to do it oftentimes so as it be prepared as we haue aduised The bed of the patient ought to be large cleane and perfumed with good odors according to the season of the yeare as is aforesaide He ought also oftentimes to change his shéets and his shirt if he haue meanes twise or at leastwise once in the day Round about his bed if it be summer time and on the top of his couerlets you shal strew floures and odoriferous fruit and boughs and the sicke party shal haue by him diuerse orenges quinces limons or citrons to smell to And if he be rich he shall cause certaine shéets to be stéeped in vineger and water and hung round about his bed not onely to refresh the place but to repulse the euill vapour of the chamber He shall likewise oftentimes wash his hands his pulses and his face and forhead with this mixture Take of white rose vineger foure ounces or halfe a pinte of rose water a pinte of good malmsey claret or white wine foure ounces of the powlder of zodoarie cloues dried roses and muske of each two graines let al these be beaten and mixed together and let him rubbe his nose his eares handes and face therewith for it will comforte and quicken the heart and vitall spirites and driue away all euill vapours Lo here the preparation of the chamber and bed of him that is diseased and sick of the plague Hereafter insueth the maner of his diet Chap. XI The Diet of him that is strucken with the Plague BEcause in this sickenesse the appetite is deiected and the vertue of the stomacke and all other members is much enféebled it behooueth those that are sicke to enforce themselues to eate to the end they may resist the sickenes and strengthen nature as Auicene commaundeth where he saieth that they who manfully enforce themselues in this disease and eate couragiously are they who escape The Diet therefore of the patient ought to be in quantitie moderate taken by little and little and often and in qualitie substantiall and nourishing and tempered with such things as resist venome Let his meate be of good nourishment of easie digestion and pleasant to the taste as shall be hereafter declared His meate shall be caponets chickins and pullets yong kidde veale and mutton partridge plouer turtle fesant and quaile and the pottage made of them very nourishing shall be altered with sorrell lettuce borage pimpernell and the leaues of mariegoldes for in this sickenesse they haue great vertue as Alexander Benedictus testifieth in his 23. chap. de peste yet must you not mixe them all together but it shall suffice to vse one or other and in the saide broathes it shall not bée amisse to mixe some little quantitie of the iuyce of limons orenges or sowre grapes in their seasons The bread and meate which they eate should be taken with the Iuyce of lemmons citrons oringes pomegranats rose vineger veriuyce the Iuyce of sorrel vsing one or the other at seuerall repasts And if sharpenesse be displeasant to his stomacke you may vse a little of the Iuice of mintes with suger and alittle sinimon Barly creame Almond milke and panatels are fit meates in this cause as also fresh and new egges poched in water and taken with the Iuice of sorrel and alittle suger And among other restoratiues our ordinary candles of white wine rose water yelks of Egs sugar and cinamon is much commended A coulis also is of very good nourishment whenas the sick man cannot eate for then must we restore him with cordiall strong broths His drink shal be good white or claret wine such as fumes not but is wel qualified with pure fountaine water for by reason of the weaknes of the vertue in this cruell sicknes to resist the operation of the venome it is not necessary to take from them the vse of wine except the sick be very sanguin yong ful and of an able body In which case it shal be better to forbid than to licence them to vse it Betwéene meales they may drink barly water in which they may stéep and infuse some leaues of sorrel and with their barly water they may mix sirrop of limons sirrop of sowre grapes sirrop of the Iuice of Citrons sirrop Alexandrine or
it to the inferior bodies Let vs therefore cast off this vaine and sottish opinion whereby we are induced to beléeue that the Plague procéedeth from the heauens that is to say from the influence of the starres as by the vanitie of time we haue had inducements But let vs confesse that it procéedeth from the secret iudgements of God who intendeth by this scourge to whip vs for our sinnes as it appeareth in Leuiticus and Deuteronomy To conclude we say that the cause of the Plague is a malignant alteration and corruption of the ayre infecting our bodies as it hath bene declared in the beginning of this Chapter CHAP. III. Of the signes of the Plague both impendent and present with the good and euil signes appearing in pestiserous sicknesses THe signes whereby a man may know the infection of the aire which threatneth vs with Pestilent sicknesses are when as we sée the same continuall and accustomably troubled with thicke cloudy moyst and ill smelling vapours the Skie vnaccustomed to Northren windes but sollicited with Southerly blastes The aire full of fogges and vapours making a showe of raine without any showers For such signes as are of that nature engender corrupt Feuours as Aristotle saith in his Probleames If the winter be hote and moyst and obserue not his naturall temperature and when the Spring time is very dry without raine and notwithstanding colde and after for many dayes charged with Southerly windes troubled aire and then cleare and afterwards suddainly ouercast the nights colde and the day very hotte and soultry It signifieth that we shall haue an euil Plague the Sommer after Moreouer if at that time there appeare any increase of such creatures as are engendred of putrifaction as wormes of the earth flies gnattes eales serpents toades frogs and such like foretokening corruptiō and putrifaction in the earth and waters and when the aire the same day chaungeth from faire to foule and from cleare to cloudy when the Sunne shineth and afterwards hideth his head in cloudes in one and the same day it is a signe that the temperature of the aire is altered And when as Rats Moules and other creatures accustomed to liue vnder ground forsake their holes and habitations it is a token of corruption in the same by reason that such sorts of creatures forsake their wonted places of aboade And when as the Birds of the aire fall downe dead or forsake their nests it is a signe of great corruption and contagion in the same Long and continuall raines accompanied with Southerly windes dispose the ayre to sicknesses and putrifaction as Hipocrates and Galen testifie in their Epidemies When as Feuers are accompanied with small Poxe or Mesels with spots or red markes like to the biting of Fleas it is a signe of a pestilent Feuer When the sicke is very much tormented with the passion of the heart vomitings soundings or weaknes or faintnes of the hart without great outward but vehement inward both heate and drought with appearance of swellings botches carbuncles and Mesels without all question he is seized with a pestilential Feuer especially if diuers at the same time and in the same place are attainted with the same griefe and if so be the partie which is infected hath frequented places both contagious and infected Sée heere the the principall signes of the Plague and pestilentiall Feuer The euill dangerous and mortall signes in such as are diseased are féeblenes and weaknes of the regitiue vertue of the body which may be discouered by the pulse when it is weake vnequall disorderly lanquishing and intermittent by often Sincopes or soundings alienation and frenzie blewnesse and blacknesse appearing about the sores and carbuncles and after their appearances the sodaine vanishings of the same cold in the extreame partes and intollerable heate in the inward vnquenchable thirst cōtinually soundings vrines white and crude or red troubled and blacke Colde swet about the forehead and face crampes blacknesse in the excrements of the body stench and blewnes the flux of the belly with weaknesse of the heart shortnes of breath and great stench of the same lacke of sléepe and appetite to eate profound sléepe chaunging of colour in the face exchaunged to palenesse blacknesse or blewnesse cogitation or great vnquietnes All these signes betoken either certaine death or daunger thereof in the Plague euen as contrariwise the contrary foretoken recouery of the sicknesse by reason they testifie vpon the regitiue power and vertue of the bodie goodnesse of the complexion and vertue of the same with strength of the hart For as Auicen sayth They that are manly and confidently beare out their sicknesse without any showe of feare they are those which for the most part escape Likewise to haue a good appetite to sléepe in repose without disturbance of the body it is a good signe The Botches and Carbuncles to retaine a good colour and without great paine to be brought to ripenesse and supponation to haue a moderate heate mayntained through all the body The vrines in disgestion colour substance contents to be good To haue easie breathing swet warme vniuersall through all the body appearing on a decretory or criticall day All these signes appearing in the infected person giue great hope of his recouery These bée the signes and tokens by which you may gather a sure and vnfained iudgement of that which shall befall him that is attainted with the Plague CHAP. IIII. A Rule and instruction to preserue such as be in health from the infection WHen as by the will of GOD the contagion of the Plague is gotten into any place Citie or Countrey we ought to haue an especiall regard of the generall good and by all meanes to study for their preseruation who are in health least they fall into such inconueniencie First of all therefore it behooueth euery man to haue speciall care that he frequent not any places or persons infected neither that hée suffer such to breath vpon him but as Galen hath learnedly aduised in his Booke De Differentijs Frebrium Chap. 2. Estrange himselfe as farre as him lyeth from their societie The first and chiefest remedie then is to chaunge the place flie farre and returne late Hipocrates likewise in his Booke De Natura humana saith that wee ought to forsake the place whereas a generall sicknesse rangeth according to the common Prouerbe Cito longe tarde And if necessitie constraineth vs to frequent the infected either to be assistant to our friends or otherwise euery man ought to demeane himself in such sort that the sick mans breath doo not attaint him which may very easily be done if a man haue the skill to choose take the winde that properly bloweth towards the sicke infected and not from the infected to the healthfull And therefore in that case the healthfull ought to kéepe themselues vnder not ouer the winde The first part of preseruation is to purifie and purge the ayre from all euill vapours sentes
and onely reserue some to their ordinarie vse For where there is a pestilent sickenesse in a house it continually infecteth the ayre where it raigneth the garments couerlets bedding and shéetes and all things that are capable thereof or either receiue the breath sweat spittings or vapor that issueth from the sick and al things that are of a slender substance and full of pores are fit to receiue and that verie easily such infection as are woollen linnen cotten and feathers wherefore it behooueth aboue all other things that such houshold-stuffe be carefully cleansed aired washed and purged For if they be once attaynted they long time retaine the infection in them because the venime inbibeth and incorporateth it self in their substance very vehemently by reason of the spongines and thinnest of these things and as oyle pitch and rosin and such like norish conserue and augmēt the fire in that they yéeld it a conuenient matter so likewise doth woollen cotten fethers linnen and such like nourish and entertaine for a long time that infection which is imparted vnto them from the sicke retaining the pestilēt venime conceiued in them for a long time Euen as we sée chists and coffers where we lay swéet bags to perfume our linnen or garments doe long time retaine that odor which we laid on them as lauender roses oringes and such like which sort of odour is maintained a long time in these garments and linnen as experience teacheth vs which also we sée in Cotton wherein a man hath wrapped muske or ciuet which keepeth the said odour an infinite time The which the Poet Horace hath aptly expressed in this verse Quo semel est imbuta recens seruabit odorem Testa diu The vessel long time will retaine The odor which it first did gaine Since therefore such infection may long time remaine hidden in the things aforesaide wée ought very diligently to cleanse them after this forme that ensueth The garments of such as are dead of the plague if they be rich ought to be burned according as the custome is in Italy or if poore whose misery is such as they cannot buy new let the cloathes they haue vsed be bucked and washed in lie and oftentimes exposed to the northerly winde and sunne and perfumed with rosemary Iuniper and such like and in time of drith be exposed to the Northerne ayre which drieth al infectious vapors for the garments that are infected may retaine the same foure yeares nay the feather-beds seauen yéeres as Alexander Benedictus testifieth Note also that feather-beds cannot be cleared except the tikes be opened and the downe be ayred till a moneth or forty dayes be past in which time they may be purified Let each bench wenscote and other tables of the house be thorowly washed with water and vineger so that no sluttish corner be left Let the windowes by day be kept open to the north and shut when the south wind bloweth Thus in xxiiii dayes may the wooden implements be ayred If any sicke man hath afore worne a furr'd gowne let each man beware how he weareth it after for furre is too apt to take infection as appeareth in those xxv hie Almaines of whom Hierome Fracastorius maketh mētion who in the yeare 1511. in Verona died one after another til al were made away by wearing of that gowne The surgeon that hath assisted the sicke after xl dayes triall may be admitted to conuerse the Citty and so the rest after sixty so preseruatiues and purges haue béene obserued and especialy so mirth ioy and pleasure haue been their companions if men obserue these precepts they may by Gods helpe and by kéeping good order auoyde the plague by those meanes I haue discouered by which helps there wil be no humors capable of infection and where there is no matter fit to receiue the same there can it not surprise any man Generall rules to bee obserued by all men in the plague time FIrst must we call vpon God desiring him to defend vs secondly but especially when we are fasting we ought to flie from the conuersation of those that are infected Let the wind be betwéene thée and the person that is sicke or some perfume be kindled or hold in thy hand some odoriferous perfume Fly the narrow wayes and stréets where are dunghils hant no vaine assemblies of feasts but if thy meanes be to follow Hippocrates rule Fuge longe cito Tarde or if thou must néeds stay be temperate aduised deuout and God shal blesse thée to whose mercy and thy harty praiers I humbly commend me FINIS A Table or Index A. ANgelica roote to prepare it fol. 7. Aptham how to helpe it fol. 26. B. BLoud when and where it is to be drawn fol. 17 18.40 Bolarmoniake how to prepare it fol. 19. Botch in the throte to cure it fol. 17. Botch how to know where it will be although no signe appeare fol. 18. Botch the generall cure thereof fol. 30. Botch that is hard and will not come to maturation how to helpe it fol. 32 Botch how to draw it from one place to another fol. 34 Botch when hee strickes in againe how to bring him out fol. 33. Botch how to draw him frō one place to another fol. 34. C. Carbunkle or blayne how to know him as also to cure it fol. 35. Carbunkle with paine and inflammation to helpe it f. 36 Chickens how to applie them fol. 17 Cordiall preseruatiues fol. 4. Cordiall to be taken after purging fol. 26. Costiuenes how to helpe it fol. 8.9 D. Digestiue for a botch how to make it fol. 30.31.33 Dyet to be kept in time of the plague fol. 11. Dyet for them that haue the small pockes fol. 41. E. EAres how to preserue them from the pockes fol. 41. Eares running of them what you must do to it fol. 47 Epithemation to comforte the harte fol 2.42 Epithemation for a botch fol. 34. Exercise and orders to be kept in the plague fol. 12. Eyes how to preserue them from the pockes fol 41 Eye paine and burning therein to ease it fol. 41 Eye perle or web therein to helpe it fol. 46 Eyes fastered and clong together to helpe it fol. 46. F. Faynting and pounding to helpe it fol. 23 Face how to preserue it from deformiting in the small pockes fol. 43. Face spotes therein and rednes after the pockes are gone to helpe it fol 46 Feete extreame heate in them with the smal pockes to helpe it fol. 45. Floures of wemen stopt to prouoke them fol. 10.11 Flixe how to stop it fol. 25. H. HAndes and feete extreame heate in them with the small pockes to helpe it fol. 45. Head lightnes and paine therein for want of sleepe f. 25 Holes in the face with the small pockes what is to bee done to it fol. 47 Hoarsnes remayning after the pockes are gone to helpe it fol. 48 I. Issues commended against the plague fol. 11. Iuleps Cordiall to make them fol. 22. Iulep to quench thirst fol. 23.24 L. LAske or flixe how to stop it fol. 25. Longs how to preserue them from the pockes f. 41. M. MAturatiue to ripe and rot a botch fol. 31.32.35 Mouth vlceration therin called Aptham to helpe it fol. 26. Mouth sorenes and vlceration therein with the small pockes how to preuent and cure the same fol. 45. Mundificatiue for a carbunkle or blayne fol. 36. N. Nodule against the plague fol. 7. Nosgaye against the plague fol. 7. Nostrels how to preserue them from the pockes fol. 41. Nostrels stopt and vlcerated with the small pockes to helpe it foll 47. O. Opiat good to expell the plague fol. 19. Oyntment to keepe on sollible fol. 8. Oyntment to prouoke sleepe and ease paine of the head fol. 26. Oyntment to keepe the face from pitting in the small pockes fol. 43. P. Parfumes against the plague fol. 3 Pilles to keepe one sollible fol 9. Pilles to purge the body fol 9. Plague what it is fol. 1. Plague cause thereof fol. 1. Plague forewarnings thereof fol. 2. Plague how to preuent it fol. 2 Plague how to cure it fol. 16. Plague how to expell it fol. 18. vnto 21. Pomanders against the plague fol. 6. Potion to purge the body fol. 10. Potion to expell the plague fol. 20. Preseruatiue against the plague fol. 4. Pouder to purge the body fol. 10. Pouders to expell the plague fol. 18.19 Pockes and measels whereof they proceede fol. 38 Pockes and measels how to cure them fol. 40 Pockes why they are infectious fol. 39. Pockes how to maturate them fol. 44. Pockes or measels that are slowe in comming forth to helpe it fol. 42. Pocks and measels how to vse them when they are come forth fol. 43. Pockes vlcerated how to cure it fol. 44. Purgation for a strong body fol. 24 Purgation for a plethoricke body fol. 24. Purgation for a weake body fol. 25. Purging when it is tollerable fol. 24 Q Quilte against the plague fol. 5. Quilte for the harte after sweate fol. 22. R Rauing and raging to helpe it fol. 26. Raysins laxatiue how to make them fol. 8 S Signs to know whē one is infected with the plague f 15 Signes of recouerie in the plague fol. 15 Signes of death in the plague fol. 15. Signes to know whē one is infected with the smal pox f. 39. Signes laudable and ill signes in the small pockes f. 39. Scabes which chance to come after the pockes are gone to helpe them fol. 48. Sleepe when it is tollerable fol. 23. Sleepe an oyntment to prouoke it fol. 26. Sounding how to helpe it fol. 23. Suppository how to make it fol. 8. T Thirst a Iulep to quench it fol. 23.24.43 Throte botch therein to helpe it fol. 17 Throte how to preserue it from the pockes fol 41. Throte vlceration therein to helpe it fol. 45. V Ventoses when and where to applie them fol. 18. Vessicatorie how to make it fol. 32. Vesicatorie of the sicke fol. 14. Vnguent defensatiue against the plague fol. 21. Vlceration of the small pockes to helpe it fol. 44. Vnguent for spots and rednes of the face fol. 47. Vomiting extreamely to helpe it fol. 28. W Water good against the plague fol. 20 Water for spots and rednes of the face after the small pockes are gone fol. 46. Y Yexing or yoxe how to helpe it fol. 28