Cassia extracted with halfe or a whole dramme of Rubarb or two ounces of Manna or thrée ounces of sirope of Roses or with the sirope of Sucery with Rubarb but with this Prouiso alwayes that the direction be taken from a learned and diligent Phisitian and not according to the fancie of foolish chare women and ignorant practizers To those litle children that are subiect to the wormes you shal giue this pouder in the Plague time which is both fit to correct the one and expell the other the vse thereof is in Purslane or Sorrel water with one ounce of sirope of Limons Take Worme-seed Citron or Pomecitron-seed of the séeds of Sorrell and Purslane of each halfe a dram of the hearbe called Scordion one scruple of Rubarb a dram of bole Armenus one scruple make a small powder of all these whereof in the aforesaid waters giue halfe a dram or a scruple to the child acording to former direction CHAP. VI. A Rule and direction whereby by Potions Pils Powders Opiates and Losenges which are most fit apt and conuenient to preserue the body from Contagion the Plague may be preuented THe Diuine prouidence of God being carefull for his creatures and the preseruation of mankind hath produced many remedies to represse and preuent the daungerous insultes and assaults of the Plague or any other venemous contagion whatsoeuer which remedies our ancient Phisitians haue called Antidotes that is to say certaine medecines which in their nature and hidden property inclosed in them are contrary vnto them as Galen in ij books of Antidotes hath learnedly declared Of these remedies I wil set down some and those the most effectuall in this Chapter as well for the rich as for the poore whose miserie and distresse we ought more inwardly to releiue then the rest partly because God hath especially enioyned vs no lesse partly because they of theÌ„selues haue no meanes to succour themselues for which cause we are in charitie bound to relieue theÌ„ as herafter shal be proued And of these remedies we ought to vse some change to the ende that nature making vse of one of them do â—ot dispise the vertue thereof as Galen writeth in his fift booke de Sanitate Tuenda The body therefore being first of all well purged it is good to make vse of Guidos Electuarie Theriacal especiall in Winter or Autumne namely in those who are of a colde and moyst complection especially where it may euery waies be commodiously applyed The Apothecaries either haue or may conueniently haue the Species therof ready prepared of which a man may take a draÌ„ at once in Buglos or Sorrel-water or in good White wine or in the winter time with Claret wine This powder is very effectuall in this case if it be wel and faithfully dispensed neither is the price ouer valued for the poore of this powder may you make vse two or thrée dayes either with some fit water or else in the forme of Losings This powder also which ensueth is a very singular remedie which in stead of the former and in way of chaunge you may vse for two or three dayes space Take the rootes of Tormentill the rootes of Zedoary and Angelica of each a Dramme Fine Cinamon yellow Sanders of the séedes of Citrons and Sorrell of each a Dramme and a halfe of the shauings of Iuorie of Cardus benedictus the rindes of Citron of each foure scruples of bole Armenus prepared two Drammes of fine Sugar as much as shall suffice make thereof a a very fine powder of which those that are strong and in yeares may take a dram the yonger sort half a dram in Scabious water and Sorrell water or in three good spoonefuls of good White wine Galen in his second booke of Antidotes setteth downe this singular remedie for the poore which was made and composed by Apollonius Take twentie leaues of Rew two common Nuttes two dried and fatte Figges a little Salt mixe all together and take euery Morning a morsell and drinke a little pure White wine after If any one fasting taketh this medecine no venome may hurt him that day as Galen according to Appolonius opinion testifieth in the place afore alleaged There is an other easie and excellent medecine which followeth the which King Nicomedes vsed against all venome and poyson Take of Iuniper berryes two Drams of Terra Sigillata as much make hereof a powder incorporate the same with good Honie and reduce it to the forme of an Opiate of which a man may take a bole or bit to the valew of ij drams for the rich for the poore in stead of Terra Sigillata you may vse as much bole Armenus prepared This remedy is set down by Galen in the foresaid place is of great efficacy The Electuary de bolo Armeno also is commonly vsed hath no vnpleasant taste therwith The Pilles of Rufus also are an excellent preseruatiue against the Plague which are made after this manner following Take Aloes and Armoniack of each two drammes and make a composition thereof with white Wine and vse the same for they are of Paulus Aeginetas description but if you wil more properly dispence the same leaue out the Armoniac and in stead thereof put therto a litle Saffron according to the forme which ensueth and you shall make a most excellent medicine to this effect Take of Aloes washed in Rose water one ounce of Mirrh and Saffron of each two drammes of Bole Armenus two drammes make Pilles thereof with white Wine or the iuice of Limons in Sommer Of this composition you may forme fiue Pilles for a dramme and take them euery morning An other preseruatiue and very profitable for the poore is this that followeth Take one or two handfuls of Sorrell stéepe them in a Uioll in good Rose-Wine Uinegar and kéepe it close stopped and in the morning when you rise take thrée of foure leaues of the Sorrell thus stéeped and eate the same for it is a profitable medicine the reason is because Sorrell by his vertue represseth the heate of the blood and resisteth against all putrifaction And if you drinke a spoonefull or two of the saide Uineger in the morning Or stéepe a toste of white bread in the same and ouerspread it with Sugar it is both comfortable and wholesome at all times Some there are that vse the leaues of Rew after the same sort but this memedicine is not allowable but in the cold time of the yeare and in such bodies as are cold and phlegmatique by reason of the heate thereof Iuniper berries also being stéeped in Rose Uineger and taken in the morning as wonderfully profitable to that efâ—â—ct These remedies which ensue are very excellent and appropriate for the Plague A Pomander of excellent sent and sauour good against Pestilent aires TAke pure and swéete Ladanum Beniamin Storax Calamite of the Trocisques of Gallia Moscata of Cloues Mace Spikenard the wood of Aloes the thrée Saunâ—â—rs the rootes of Orace of
eache halfe an ounce let all these 〈◊〉 beaten to a fine powder and searsed and then incorporate the whole with liquide Storax adding therevnto of Muske â—nd Amber of each a dramme of Ciuet two drammes make â—â—aste hereof with the infection of Gumme Tragacents in â—ose water â— prettie preseruatiue to be carried in a mans mouth during the time of infection which procureth a sauoury and sweete breath TAke of fine Sugar one ounce of Orace halfe an ounce of the shell of an Egge the inward skin being taken away halfe an ounce put the shell of the Egge into Muske Rose water till it be mollified for the space of eight dayes beat 〈◊〉 these to a fine powder and with Rose water wherin Gum Tracagant hath bene infused make prettie Pellets according so what bignesse you please These are very wholesome and make the breath swéete and comfort the heart inwardly and are of a temperat qualitie which you may kéep in your mouth some thrée houres An admirable and excellent defensatiue in forme of an oyntment to defend the heart in time of infection profitable both for the healthy and diseased and of admirable effects TAke of the best Treacle you can get or in stead thereof Methridate but Treacle is the better take I say two ounces The iuice of sixe Limons mixed together and put them into a litle glassed pipkin and let them boyle therein till halfe the iuice be consumed Then suffer it to coole and afterwards take two drams of beaten Saffron of Caroline and white Diptamy of each two drammes incorporate all these things together after they are well pounded and bring them to the forme of an ointment wherwith euery day annoint the region of the heart vnder the left pappe making a circle with the same round about the pap Afterward take an ounce of Christaline pure Arsenick and wrap it in Gossapine Cotton and red Taffata after the forme of a litle bag carry the same about you being bounde vnderneath or hard vpon your left pap by this meanes each man may be assured that he shall not be infected if so be he vse those interior remedies which I shal set downe and haue heretofore declared for the good of my Country An other excellent preseruatiue against the Plague TAke of the leaues of Mary-golds which the Latines call Calendula of Uerveine Scabious and Sorrell of each a handfull of the rootes of Gentian Zedoary and white Diptamy of each two drams boyle them all together for two houres space in good and pure fountain-fountaine-water from the value of a quart to a pinte adde thervnto the iuice of sixe Limons and as much Sugar as shal be sufficient make a sirope hereof and aromatise it with Cinamom and take thereof euery morning foure or fiue spoonefulls A singular water both for the healthy and diseased in the time of the sicknesse whereof they may take an ounce euery morning with much comfort TAke Ualerian Carline Zedoary good Mirrhe Bole Armenus Gentian of round Birtwoort of Aristolochia of Calamus Aromaticus of white Diptamy Imperatoria of each one ounce and a halfe of fiue Aloes two drams of Saffron a scruple beate all these to a fine powder and afterwards stéepe them in fiue pintes of excellently wel râ—ctified spirit of Wine and let them inâ—use therein sixe houres and sée the body wherein you put them be well luted After the sixe houres be past adde thervnto fiue pintes of good Malmessie and straine the same or rather you may leaue the simples in the bottome and dreine it clearly and gently Of this water euery morning fasting take two or thrée spoonefulls for it is an excellent and well approued remedy Excellent Pilles against the Plague TAke of Aloes one ounce of Mirrh and Saffron of each thrée drammes of Bole Armenus Terra Sigillata Zodoarie white Diptamus the rootes of Tormentil of each a dramme make Pilles of these being all of them well poudered and mixed with the iuice of Mary-goldes or redde Coleworts of which euery day take one and once euery moneth a dramme An excellent and approued remedie allowed by diuers learned mens experience TAke the rootes of Tormentil and of white Diptamus the rootes of Ualerian and white Daises and if it be possible to get them gréene it shal be the better Take these aboue named rootes as much of the one as of the other pound them and make a fine pouder of them Then take the decoction of Sorrel and let the aboue named pouder be infused in the same then let it be taken out and dried in the Sunne Afterwards beate it to pouder againe and infuse it anew and afterwards dry it in the Sunne as before which when you haue done thrée or foure times reserue the same pouder clearly in some conuenient vessell and when as any one feeleth himselfe strooken with the Plague giue him presently halfe an ounce of this pouder in Rose water or Scabious water or in nine houres after he shall séele himselfe infected This remedy in diuers persons and very oftentimes hath bene experimented and hath wrought wonderfull effects if it were giuen within the time prescribed A singular and secret Remedie the which I receiued from a worthy man of Venice admirable for his learning in all Sciences who of curtesie imparted the same vnto me with protestation that he had seene wonderfull effects of the same TAke of the Rootes of Tormentil and white Diptamy as much of the one as of the other of Bole Armenus washt in Rose water the quantitie of a great Chestnut of orientall Pearles one dramme of the sharings of Iuory one dramme and a halfe beate all these into a fine powder and incorporate them with conserue of Roses in a marble Morter reserue this confection in a vessell of glasse well couered Take hereof the quantitie of a great Nut in the Morning and drinke a spoonefull of the Iuice of Mary-golds or Lemons with Sugar after it The Gentleman that gaue me this assured mée that hée had giuen it to many in the time of the great Plague in Venice who though continually conuersant in the houses of those that were infected receiued no infection or preiudice by them A Remedie worthy the vse and noting An Opiate against the Plague extracted partly out of Galen partly out of Dioscorides and others of excellent effect TAke twentie common Nuttes of dried Figges to the number of 15. and of Rue and Scabious of each twentie leaues Of the rootes of both sorts of Aristolochia the round and long of each halfe an ounce of Tormentil white Diptamy Pimpernell Bay Berries Borage flowers the Kinde of the roote of Capres of each two drammes a halfe of Galingale Harts horne Mace and Mirrhe of eache two drammes of Bole Armenus Terra Sigillata common Salt of each two scruples beat all these to fine pouder and incorporate them with two pound of pure clarified Hony and make an Opiate therof wherof in the morning take the quantitie of a Nut
and drinke thereafter a litle white Rose Uinegre and Rose water and you shall find this medicine very effectuall A perfume for to aire the Chamber of him that is infected correcting the venemous aire TAke blacke Pitch Rosin white Frankincence of each sixe ounces of Mirrhe foure ounces of the wood of Aloes halfe a dramme of Storax and Beniamin of eache a dramme of Iuniper berries and the leaues of Rosemary of each two drammes make a grosse powder of these and in a Chafingdish and coales cast of the same perfume the Chamber A powder of great vertue against the Plague which was sent by Philip King of Spaine to Charles the ninth King of France in the yeare 1564. when as almost the whole kingdome of France was infected with the Plague TAke chosen and perfect Mirrhe the wood of Aloes Terra Sigillata of Bole of Armenia prepared of Mace Cloues and Saffron of each an ounce beat them to a fine powder of which you may take a dramme in Rose water or the iuice of Limons in sommer and in winter with good wine This powder was sent to the King and Quéenes Maiestie for a soueraine remedy Valleriola in his third booke of his Phisicall obseruations the first Enarration setteth downe a composition to this effect taken out of the best Authors in Phisicke especially out of Galen Paulus Aegineta Diascorides and Auicen according to this forme following Take of the best Bole of Armenia one ounce of perfect Cinamom halfe an ounce of the rootes of the hearbe called in Latin and Gréeke Pentaphillon or else Tormentil of each halfe an ounce of the roote of Gentian thrée drammes of the rootes of both the sorts of Aristolochia the round and long of the rootes of Florentine Lillies of each two drammes of the rootes of Enula Campana thrée drammes of the dried rinde of Oranges or Pomecytrons which is farre better and more effectual thrée drammes of Pomecytron séeds or in stead therof Orange or Limon of Tornep séede and Sorrel séede of each two drammes Of Iuniper berries Cloues Mace Nutmegs Zedoary and Angelica of each two drammes of the leaues of Rosemary Sage Rew Bittony and Chama Pilis of each a dramme of Bay-berries Saffron Masticke Frankinsence the shauings of Iuory orient Pearles white red and yealow Saunders of each a dramme of the flowers of red Roses of Uiolets of water Lillies and Buglosse of each two drammes let all these be beaten to a fine powder and with clarified Hony or the iuice of Limons make an Opiate thereof The dose of the powder to those that are in health is a dramme for preseruation and in those that are sick two drammes with Scabious or Rose water in sommer and with good wine in winter and if a man desire to haue it in an Opiate he may well take halfe an ounce A soueraine and excellent Remedie taken out of Alexis TAke Iuie berries of the oake in their full maturitie gathered if it be possible in such places as are Northward dry them in the shadow and afterwards kéepe them in a boxe or leather Sachell and reserue them for an especiall Remedy and when you would make vse thereof you shall giue of this pouder to those that are infected to the value of a dram as much as will couer a French Crowne mixe this powder with good white wine and let the Patient drinke thereof and couer him wel in his bed that he may sweat so long as he may endure and afterwards cause him to change his shirt shéetes and bed if it be possible And by experience it will profite for proofe wherof the Author produceth maruellous effects of this medicine especially of a Millanors being at Allep in Siria who witnesseth that he tooke this medicine and that sodainly the Carbuncle or Botch brake And this was in the yeare 1523. The Almaines and Flemmings in the time of the Plague vse this Remedie that ensueth TAke one part of Aqua Uita of the best thrée partes of Malmesie or other pure wine of Iuniper Berries halfe a handfull or of common Nuttes thrée or foure these doo they stéepe in the abouesaid Liquor thrée houres and afterwards eate them morning and euening This Remedie in old folkes in the winter time is not to be misliked Treacle and Methridate are excellent remedies in the Plague time if you take a dramme in sommer time in Rose water or Sorrell water and in winter with good Wine But those that take the same ought to abstaine from meate for the space of sixe houres after and to suppe little or nothing at all the day before for otherwise the saide medicines takes no effect See here the most soueraigne and exquisite remedies that may be found to preserue those that are in health as well the rich as the poore in this contagious time which interchangeably vpon all opportunities a man may vse But aboue all things it is behoueful to kéepe a good diet order euery waies and to sée the body be soluble for that it is one of the most principall points to preserue continue the body in health But amōgst those things that are most necessary requisit towards the continuance and preseruation of health and auoydance of contagion nothing is more to be respected then sobrietie and an orderly course of life for continence is the mother fostresse of all good disposition in mans body by reason that by sobrietie the health is confirmed and continued in his estate the humors are well tempered and naturall heate fortified the naturall passages of the body entertained in their due harmony the operations of nature euery one in themselues well and duly accomplished and by these reasons sobrietie is the foundation to warrantise the body from all euils as contrariwise intemperance is the source and and originall of all mishap and fatall infirmitie All which is confirmed by Hypocrates and Galen in the second booke Of the Aphorismes Aphorisme 17. and Hipocrates himselfe in the sixt of his Epidemies where he saith That the chiefest care that is to be had for to continue health consisteth principally in this to liue soberly to vse conuenient exercise and not to gorge a mans self with surfets The like also is confirmed by Galen and Plutarch in their writings and Bookes De Sanitate Tuenda wherein the error folly of the common sort appeareth most manifestly who dare in the time of infection and pestilence to ouercharge themselues with wine and fill their stomackes in the morning before they goe out of doores thinking by this time to coniure the time according to their lewd discourse and abate the euill vapour of the ayre whereas in effect they effect nothing but the contrarie For wine being taken fasting maketh the body more apt to conceiue infection through the heate thereof and the piercing qualitie and opening it causeth in the parts vessels of the body namely the vaines and arteries making thē by these meanes more capable to receiue the euill
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-Rose-water one ounce mixe all these together in rose-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-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
some powlder as the powlder of the electuary Theriacal of Guidon or the powlder of Bole Armenus with Iuniper berries or for the rich with Terra sigillata or treacle or good mithridate If then the patient be poore thou must giue him halfe an ounce of the electuary of the iuyce of roses or asmuch of Diaprunis solutiue or an ounce of Diacatholicon if hée be cholerike And if he be phlegmatike thrée drachmes of Diacarthamum or Electuary de Citro solutiue And if he be melancholike the confection Hamech dissolued in water of scabious or sorrel or buglosse an ounce of sirop of limons or a drachme of good treacle or the powlder of bole Armenus prepared or the séedes of Citron or Iuniper berries The richer sort ought to be purged with manna Rubarbe sirrop of roses solutiue without scammony with Cassia and Mirabolans and if néede require you may mixe a little dose of the electuary of the iuyce of roses or Diaprunis solutiue in those that are cholerike as in the phlegmatike a litle Diaphenicon or in the melancholike alitle of confection Hamech mixing with the saide potions for the rich halfe an ounce or a drachme of Terra sigillata or of the powlder of Diamargariton or of the powlder Theriacal of Guidon with the abouenamed waters and the sirrope of limons or the iuyce of citrons And if they take more contentment to be purged by pils they may vse the common pils of Rufus made of aloes mirrhe and saffron adding thereunto a little Rubarbe for the rich Agaric with a little Terra sigillata or Bole Armenus prepared The poore may vse pilles Aggregatiue or Aurea or Cochia to the quantitie of a drachme or foure scruples and when their medicine hath wrought his operation they may take half a porrenger of the broath of a chickin and make a light meale And during the working of their medicine they may alwayes holde in their handes to smel to roses orenges limons marioram rosemary and such like and may oftentimes wash their hands and wet their nostrilles in rose water mixed with vineger and the powlder of cloues or Angelica or Zedoary as hath béene before times declared Sée héere the methode in purgation Potions against the Plague AND to accomplish this chapter it remaineth to set downe certaine necessary potions to minister to the sicke that may resist the venime which during the time of their sickenesse ought very oftentimes to be ministred vnto them vntill such time as nature ouercommeth the force of the infection being assisted by the vertue of naturall heate and by cordiall Antidotes that is to say by medicines that are altogether contrarie to the venime of the plague which the Arabians in their tongue are accustomed to call Bezoatici and the Latines Antidotes Euerie morning and euening therefore and if néed be at midday or midnight if the accidents be violent you may cause the patient to drinke these potions folowing If he be poore take Iuniper-berries and Bole Armenus of each a drachme powlder them wel and mixe them with scabious buglosse or sorrel water and one ounce of sirop of limons cause him to take it euening and morning euery day or else take the powlder of the Electuary of Guido giue him a drachme after the same manner you may also vse with good effect the poulder of betony dried to the quantity of a drachme or 4. scruples taking it in summer time with rose water and in winter in good white wine and it worketh wonderful effects if the patient kéepe himselfe well couered and sweate therevpon for it causeth the venime to euaporate by sweat Treacle and Mythridate also are soueraine medcines to this effect being taken to the quantitie of a drachme with rose water in summer or succorie or sorrel water and in winter with good white or claret wine For the rich let this powlder be dispensed Take the rootes of tormentil the roote of Diptamus Creticus if it be possible the roots of Angelica Zedoari and Gentian of each a drachme of the seedes of citrons and sorrel two drachmes of true Bole Armenus prepared twoo drachmes of Terra sigillata thrée drachmes of pearles two drachmes of red corall foure scruples of the rinde of the citron or Oringe dryed a drachme beate all these to a fine powlder of which you may giue the patient in the waters aboue named the weight of a drachme or a drachme and a halfe If you will make an opiate thereof you may confect the powlder with conserue of roses or buglosse or sirrop of limons and make an opiate of which you may giue the patient halfe an ounce at a time This poulder is of most excellent vertue and great effect if it be wel dispenced which amongst all other medicines is most appropriate as by the vertue of the ingredients the expert and learned Phisitian may easily coniecture These are the remedies which in potions are most assured and are both experimented and alowed laying aside the superstitious and vaine opinions of the vnicornes horne of which the common sort make so great reckoning For in truth it is a méere folly to beléeue that the pieces of horne which diuers men beare about them is the horne of that beast which the Gréekes called Monoceros and the latins Vnicornu as the simple sorte vnicornes horne for it is a beast so rare to be séene and in places so strange that scarsely Alexander the great could recouer one to his great charge and expence as Plinie Aelian and Philostratus testifie neither may it be taken aliue for that it liueth in places desart and solitary in the extreamest parts of India and the East But leauing these things apart I say that we ought to trust to perfect tried experienced medicines such as are those which heretofore I haue faithfully set downe for the common good and the loue I beare vnto my neighbours In prosecution of which matter I say by the authoritie of Galen Lib. 9. de simpl fac cap. 14. V.T. that Bole Armenus is by him singularly commended amongst all other simples for the plague For in that great plague which in his time was in Greece all those that drunke Bole Armenus were sodainely healed as the said Galen testifieth who aduiseth vs to take it with good white wine somewhat qualified and mixed with water the quantitie ought to be some two drachmes And here you are to note that in those who are already taken with the plague it behooueth to giue them a greater dose of your Antidotes then those whom you intend to preserue For in the venime of the plague is already inclosed in their bodies it is necessary that the medicine should be more forcible to ouercome and subdue the same then before that it seazeth the body And therefore if to the healthy you will ordaine a drachme to preserue him you ought to giue eare to those that are sicke And this may serue for an aduertisement to the common sorte how they should gouerne their