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
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
outward remedies that you may vse in this strange sicknesse How a man ought to proceede in curing the plague sore WHenas the plague sore appéereth in any of the emunctories it is a signe that Nature by her power would discharge the member principall of that venim which assaileth it and therfore hath she by her prouidence created in the heart the braine and liuer certaine glandalous and spungy parts which are apt to receiue the superfluities that are hurtful to those members For vnder the arme pittes there are certain kernels that serue the heart and these are the emunctories of that member as behinde the eares also there are the like which serue to discharge the braine and in the groines for the liuer And when as the venime inuades any of these principal members nature to warrantize the nobler part dischargeth and sendeth the venime to his proper emunctory wherefore if the hart be attainted with venim the plague sore will soon appéere vnder the arme pits if the braine be infected the sore wil appéere behinde the eares as also if the liuer be indempnified the sore wil breake out in the groine and because it is an expulsion which nature maketh to the exterior and vilder parts to defend the interior principall we ought to take great héed lest by cold repercussiue or astringent medicines we driue the sore inwards but rather bicause the said sore is of a venimous nature it ought to be driuen and forced outward by medicines that draw and are in qualitie hote and fitte to draw the sore to ripenesse and matter if it be possible When as the tumor appeareth in any of the saide emunctories you shall sodainly make incision round about the tumor after the manner of scarification made with the rasor to auoyde the inuenimed bloud and shall sodainely apply a cupping-glasse therevpon to draw out the venimous poison if that place be capable of a cupping-glasse as in the groine and behinde the eares but vnder the arme-pittes very hardly And afterwards you shal apply suppuratiue ripening medicines and such as draw after this forme Take a white onion and cut out the inward kore with your knife and make a sufficient hollow therein fill it with very good treacle or the theriacall powlder of Guidon couer and close it and roast it gently vnder the ashes till it be soft and hote as it comes from the fire or as the patient may indure it apply it to the sore This is one of the best remedies that a man can apply Or take the hearb scabious bruise it betwéene two stones and apply it on the sore either of it selfe or mixed with salted hogges grease You may also make a cataplasme according to this forme folowing take of the roots of white lillies wel cleansed halfe a handfull of the leaues and roots of mallowes and holy-hocks twoo handfulls of fat figges to the number of thirty of linte-séede and fenu-gréek séed of each halfe an ounce of leuaine one ounce of bran halfe a handfull of scabious halfe a handfull boyle al these in water stamp and straine them and afterwards adde vnto them wheate floure of lin-séede and fenugrée séede of each an ounce boyle them as before with a little water and hony Galbanum twoo drachmes armoniac a drachme the yelkes of egges two in number common salt a drachme oyle of white lillies as much as néedeth of hennes grease one ounce of safferne a drachme make a cataplasme of all these and apply it on the sore with fat wooll remoouing it two or thrée times a day This also is very good take the crummes of white bread to the quantitie of halfe a pound fatte figges xxx in number leuan two ounces liue snayles with their shells xx in number fenugréeke séede one ounce seethe all these together in water then beate them together and adde vnto them of salted hogs grease one ounce of oyle of white lillies as much as néedeth make a cataplasme heereof which is very good to ripen and breake an impostume The ancient Phisitions vse the implaster of Diachilon magnum and spread it on the sore of that I haue made proofe For it is a good drawer by reason of the gums that are ingredient It is likewise very allowable to draw out the venime from the sore to take a chicken or cocke and to pull the feathers from his taile and to apply him to the soare for by this meanes he driues out the venome and when he is dead apply another In stead of this remedy some vse to take great pullets and pigeons and cutting them in two along the backe apply them hote as they are vpon the tumor or carbuncle for this is an appropriate remedy both for the one the other When the kore shal be ripe you must open the same with an actual cautery which is better thē the lancet or cold yron because it comforteth the member and driueth out the venome by the actuall heate and violence of the fire I likewise aduise all those that are sicke of the plague to endure the same notwithstanding it shal affright them somewhat for it is the best and most wholsom remedy that may be giuen as both Albucatus and Auicen do testifie in that place where they discourse of the actuall cautery And instéed of the actuall cautery if the patient will not endure the same you must proceede with familiar ruptories of which the best is that which is made of ashes and quicke lime boyled together till such time as the water is consumed and there remaineth nothing but the ashes and lime incorporated and vnited together which is a strong and excellent ruptory and such a one as worketh his operation without any or very little payne as at diuers times and in many patients I haue approoued And note that in these pestilent tumors you must not exspect the intire maturation thereof but must open the same before it be thorowly ripe to the end that the venome remaine not long time in the body and there thorough steame vp to the principall members and communicate the venome with them to the danger of him that is diseased and therefore it is better to open them sooner than later And whenas the sores or sore is opened you must not thrust bigge tents of lint into them but little ones to the end that the venimous matter may the better issue forth make no stay in the sore And in this case Alexander Benedictus councelleth in the 14. chap. of his booke de peste not to put any tents of linte or other linnen into the sore lest the venime be forced backe and in effect the reason is very good He likewise willeth vs not to bind vp the sore too straight when it is opened thinking the ligature sufficient which kéepeth the plaisters to the sore And for mine owne part I am truly assured that it is far better to vse certaine tents of hollow siluer lead or tinne then of lint altogether to
an egge incorporate with salt and the iuyce of scabious is a singular medicine and very common The simple medicines that are conuenient in this case is scabious pounded betwéeue two stones and applyed the hearbe also which is caled Cauda Equina that is to say horse taile which is a kinde of comfery and Verbascum which the Apoticaries call Tapsus Barbalus the english hearb Mullen is a good remedy The like qualitie is by diuers of our Maisters ascribed to the Saphire which hath the vertue to extinguish the venime of the carbuncle if the sore be diuerse times touched with that stone Mythridate also or treacle are very good to be layd therevnto and old nuttes applied with dryed figges And note that as soone as the carbuncle appéereth it is good to scarifie it round about with the rasor as Galen in the xiiii booke of his Methode saith or to apply horse-leaches to draw the venimous blood outward these are the remedies which you must presently lay vpon the carbuncle But round about the partes that are néere the sore you must apply repercussiue medicines for feare lest the venime attaint them to which effect the vnguent de bolo is the chiefest and most ordinary meanes applyed round about For it conforteth the part and repulseth the venime You shall therefore do thus Take of oyle of roses thrée ounces of rose vineger one ounce of Bole Armenus an ounce and a halfe make an oyntment thereof and apply it round about the carbuncle Or thus take oyle of roses Omphacine made of gréene oliues wine of pomgranats one or two ounces Bole Armenus and Terra Sigillata for the rich of each halfe an ounce make an oyntment thereof and apply it round about the carbuncle Galen maketh a plaster of plantane pomegranets with theyr rindes and houshold bread and boyleth them in strong wine adding lintels vnto them Or take lintells crummes of browne bread and bran and boyle them in vineger make a plaster of them you may make the like also of sowre pomegranets cut into quarters with their rinde and sodde in vineger til they be brought to a pulpe beate them and apply them about the carbuncle Or else thus Take of oyle of roses as much as sufficeth dissolue in it Bole Armenus Sanguis Draconis or beaten galls and make an oyntment to the same vse The whites of egges likewise beaten with rose vineger rosewater and clouts stéeped in that liquor may be ministred round about the sore Then are those medicines that defence the partes from the venime of the carbuncle Hitherto I haue taught both what should be applied vppon and round about the sore it remaineth now to set downe the meanes how to breake the carbuncle which are these Take of Opoponax thrée drachmes of fat figs an ounce of currans as much of leuen halfe an ounce beate and mixe al together and apply it on the carbuncle The doung of a man also is a fit remedy but for that it is filthy vse better yet wanteth it not his effect Take the yelke of an egge and a little salt and incorporate them with the iuyce of scabious and minister it Or do after this maner Take strong leuen one ounce of scabious and the greater comfery of each one ounce of smal reasins without their stones half an ounce Cantarides sixe in number of sparrowes doung thrée drachmes incorporate all with oyle of white lillies This also is good Take of fatte figges thrée ounces of leuen two ounces of mustard seede the leaues of rew common salt the roots of Aristologe the round of ech an ounce and a halfe of the meale of wheate and fenugreeke of each an ounce of common hony as much as sufficeth mixe al together and apply it To make the Eschare or dead flesh to fall out of the carbuncle TAke fresh butter and capons greace of each one ounce and the yelke of an egge mix them together and minister it you may likewise adde an ounce of Basilicon take also of the roots of holihockes two handfulls of buglosse a handfull séethe them in water and beat them togither and straine them and adde vnto them of the powlder of fenugréeke and lin-séed of each an ounce of fresh butter washed in water of fresh hogs-greace of each an ounce make an oyntment Or take of holi-hocke roots of beare-foote of mallowes and Herbe Robert called storcks-bill of each a handfull séethe them together in water stamp and strain them mixe them with fresh butter and capons greace apply them to the sore till the eschare fall Rasis made a plaster of hony and Sarcacoll of each a like and ministred the same After the Eschare is falne you must mundifie the vlcer with one of those mundifiers which are described in the twentieth chapter and then when the carbuncle shal be well purged from matter and corruption and yéeldeth no more incarnate the same with this vnguent folowing Take of mastike full of gum white incense Aristoloch the round mirrh of the flowre of Orobus Litharge Ceruse Aloes of each a like of déere suet as much as sufficeth a little oyle of roses make an oyntment of these according to art and apply it till the sore be thorowly cicatrized And because in carbuncles there ordinary happeneth some deformed cicatrice after they are healed to repaire and correct the same you may vse these remedies following take of Borax two drachmes of Camphire one drachme of white corall halfe an ounce of gumme dragacanth starch cristall of the stone called Dentalis white incense common salt of each thrée drachmes of white marble twoo drachmes Let the gumme dragant be beaten in a marble morter and the rest be beaten and serced afterwards adde hogges-greace clarified goats-greace capons-greace of each an ounce and a halfe melt al together in a leaden vessell and straine it thorow a cloath and after mixe the powlders except the Camphire and Borax séeth all together on a gentle fire stirring it often with a spatula and when it beginneth to séethe put to the camphire and when they are all of them well incorporated together kéepe this oyntment in a vessell of lead for it hath a maruelous effect For the poore to the saide intent you may take fresh chéese mixed with hony and a little powlder of Ceruse Likewise take hogges grease to the value of a pound prepared after this manner boyle it in a little white wine and afterwardes straine it thorow a cloth and incorporate the same in a marble morter with goates milke or plantane water then adde vnto it litharge of gold vnmelted brimstone of each three ounces of white incense one ounce of quicke siluer quenched and killed in the iuyce of limons halfe an ounce of Borax two drachmes of Camphire a drachme make an oyntment hereof Take likewise as much lime as you list that is quenched and slacked in water wash it sixe times in plantane or raine water vntill such time as all the sharpenesse thereof be