Sugar one pound and a quarter A little before the end of the making it vp add two Drammes of Confectio Alkermes and of Camphire dissolued in Rose Water one Scruple make thereof an Opiate according to Art the Dose thereof is from halfe a Dramme to halfe a Scruple Treacle and Mithridate saithfully compounded excell all other Cordiall Medicines adding for euerie halfe ounce of each of them one Ounce and a halfe of Conserues of Roses or of Buglosse or of Violets and three Drammes of Bole Armenicke prepared Of these being mixed with stirring and incorporated together make a Conserue It must be taken in the morning the quantitie of a Filberd You must choose that Treacle that is not lesse then foure yeeres old nor aboue twelue That which is some-what new is iudged to be most meet for Cholericke persons but that which is old for Flegmaticke and old Men. For at the beginning the strength of the Opium that enters into the composition thereof remaines in its full vertue for a yeere but afterwards the more yeeres old it waxeth the strength thereof is more abolished so that at length the whole composition becommeth verie hot The Confection of Alkermes is verie effectuall both for a preseruatiue against this Disease and also for the Cure The quantitie of a Filberd of Rubarbe with one Cloue chawed or rowled in the Mouth is supposed to repell the comming of the pestilent Aire As also this composition following Take of preserued Citron and Orange Pilles of each one Dramme of Conserue of Roses and of the Roots of Buglosse of each three Drammes of Citron Seeds halfe an Ounce of Annice Seeds and Fennell Seeds of each one Dramme of Angelica Roots foure Scruples Sugar of Roses as much as suffices Make a Confection and couer it with Leaues of Gold and take a little of it out of a Spoone before you goe abroad euerie morning Or take of Pine Apple Kernels and Fisticke Nuts infused for the space of sixe houres in the Water of Scabious and Roses of each two Ounces of Almonds blanched in the fore-named Waters halfe a Pound of preferued Citron and Orange Pilles of each one Dramme and a halfe of Angelica Roots foure Scruples Make them according to Art vnto the forme of March-pane or of any other such like Confection And hold a little piece thereof often in your Mouth The Tablets following are most effectuall in such a case Take of the Roots of Diptam Tormentill Valerian Elecampaine Eringoes of each halfe a Dramme of Bole Armenicke Terra Sigillata of each one Scruple of Camphire Cinnamon Sorrell Seeds and Zedoarie of each one Scruple of thē Species of the Electuarie Diamargariton Frigidum two Scruples of Conserue of Roses Buglosse preserued Citron Pilles Mithridate Treacle of each one Dramme of fine Sugar dissolued in Scabious and Carduus Water as much as shall suffice Make thereof Tablets of the weight of a Dramme or halfe a Dramme take them in the morning before you eat The Pilles of Ruffus are accounted most effectuall preseruatiues so that Ruffus himselfe saith that he neuer knew any to be infected that vsed them The composition of them is thus Take of the best Aloes halfe a Dramme of Gumme Ammoniacum two Drammes of Mirrhe two Drammes and an halfe of Masticke two Drammes of Saffron seuen Granes Put them altogether and incorporate them with the Iuice of Citrons or the Sirupe of Limons and make thereof a Masse and let it be kept in Leather Let the Patient take the weight of halfe a Dramme euery morning two or three houres before Meat and let him drinke the Water of Sorrell after it which through its tartnesse and the thinness of its parts doth infringe the force and power of the malignitie or putrefaction For experience hath taught vs that Sorrell being eaten or chawed in the Mouth doth make the pricking of Scorpions vnhurtfull And for those Ingredients which doe enter into the composition of those Pilles Aloes doth clense and purge Myrrhe resisteth putrefaction Masticke strengthens Saffron exhilarates and makes liuely the Spirits that gouerne the Body especially the Vitall and Animall Those Pilles that follow are also much approued Take of Aloes one Ounce of Myrrhe halfe an Ounce of Saffron one Scruple of Agaricke in Trochisces two Drammes of Rubarbe in powder one Dramme of Cinnamon two Scruples of Masticke one Dramme and a halfe of Citron Seeds twelue Graines Powder them all as is requisite and make thereof a Masse with the Sirupe of Maiden Haire Let it be vsed as afore-said If the Masse begin to waxe hard the Pilles that must presently be taken must be mollified with the Sirupe of Lemons Take of washed Aloes two Ounces of Saffron one Dramme of Myrrhe halfe an Ounce of Ammoniacum dissolued in White Wine one Ounce of Honey of Roses Zedoarie Red Saunders of each one Dramme of Bole Armenicke prepared two Drammes of Red Corall halfe an Ounce of Camphire halfe a Scruple Make thereof Pilles according to Art But those that are subiect or apt to the Haemorrhoides ought not at all or verie seldome to vse those kinds of Pilles that doe receiue much Aloes They say that King Mithridates affirmed by his owne writing that whosoeuer tooke the quantitie of an Hasell Nut of the preseruatine following and dranke a little Wine after it should be free from Poyson that day Take two Wall-Nuts those that be verie dry two Figges twentie Leaues of Rue and three Graines of Salt beat them and incorporate them together and let them be vsed as is afore-said This remedy is also said to be profitable for those that are bitten or stung by some venomous Beast and for this onely because it hath Rue in the composition thereof But you must forbid Women that are with Child the vse of this Medicine for Rue is hot and dry in the third degree and therefore it is said to purge the Wombe and prouoke the Flowers whereby the nourishment is drawne away from the Child Of such varietie of Medicines euerie one may make choyse of that that is most agreeable to his tast and as much thereof as shall be sufficient CHAP. VIII Of Locall Medicines to be applyed outwardly THose Medicines that haue proper and excellent vertues against the Pestilence are not to be neglected to be applyed outwardly or carried in the Hand And such are all aromaticall astringent or spirituous things which therefore are endewed with vertue to repell the venomous and pestiferous Aire from comming and entring into the Body and to strengthen the Heart and the Braine Of this kind are Rue Baulme Rosemary Scordium Sage Worme-wood Cloues Nutmegs Saffron the Roots of Angelica and Louage and such like which must be macerated one night in sharpe Vineger and Aqua Vitae and then tyed in a knot as bigge as an Egge Or rather let it be carryed in a Sponge made wet or soaked in the said Infusion For there is nothing that doth sooner and better hold the spirituous vertue and strength
Therefore it is better to erre in this that you should thinke euerie disease to be pestilent in a pestilent season and to cure it as the Pestilence because that so long as the ayre is polluted with the seedes of the Pestilence the humors in the bodie are soone infected with the vicinitie of such an ayre so that then there happeneth no disease void of the Pestilence that is to say which is not pestilent from the beginning by his owne nature or which is not made pestilent Manie begin the cure with bloud-letting some with purging and some with Antidotes We taking a consideration of the substance of that part that is assaulted first of all begin the cure with an Antidote beeause that by its specificke propertie it defends the heart from poison as much as it is offended therewith Although there are also other Antidotes which preserue and keep the heart and the patient from the danger of Poison and the Pestilence not onely because they doe infringe the power of the poison in their whole substance but also because they driue it and expell it out of all the bodie by sweate vomiting scouring and such other kindes of euacuations The Antidote must be giuen in such a quantitie as may bee sufficient to ouercome the poison but because it is not good to vse it in greater quantitie than neederh lest it should ouerthrow our nature for whose preseruation only it is vsed therefore that which cannot bee taken together and at once must bee taken at seuerall times that some portion thereof may daily be vsed so long vntill all the accidents effects and impressions of the poison be past and that there bee nothing to be feared Some of those Antidotes consist of portions of venomous things being tempered together and mixed in an apt proportion with other medicines whose power is contrarie to the venom as Treacle which hath for an ingredient the flesh of Vipers that it being thereto mixed may serue as guide to bring all the Antidote vnto the place where the venenate malignitie hath made the chiefe impression because by the similitude of nature and sympathie one poison is sodainly snatched and carried vnto another There are other absolute poisonous which neuerthelesse are Antidotes one vnto another as a Scorpion himselfe cureth the pricke of a Scorpion But Treacle and Mithridate excell all other Antidotes for by strenthening the noblest part and the mansion of life they repaire and recreate the wasted Spirits and ouercome the poyson not onely being taken inwardly but also applied outwardly to the region of the heart Botches and Carbuncles for by an hidden propertie they draw the poisons vnto them as Amber doth Chaffe and digest it when it is drawne and spoile and robbe it of all its deadly force as it is declared at large by Galen in his booke de Theriaca ad Pisonem by most true reasons and experiments But you will say that these things are hote and that the Plague is often accompanied with a burning Feauer But therereto I answer there is not so great danger in the Feauer as in the Pestilence although in the giuing of Treacle I would not altogether seeme to neglect the Feauer but thinke it good to minister or apply it mixed with cordiall cooling medicines as with the Trochisces of Camphire Sirup of Lemmons of water Lillies the water of Sorrell and such like And for the same cause wee ought not to choose old Treacle but that which is of a middle age as of one or two yeares old to those that are strong you may giue halfe a dramme and to those that are more weake a dramme The patient ought to walke presently after that he hath taken Treacle Mithridate or anie other Antidote but yet as moderately as he can not like vnto many which when they perceiue themselues to be infected do not cease to course and runne vp and downe vntill they haue no strength to sustaine their bodies for so they doe dissolue nature so that it cannot suffice to ouercome the contagion After moderate walking the patient must be put warme to bedde and couered with manie clothes and warme brick-bats or tiles applied to the soles of his feete or in stead thereof you may vse swines bladders filled with hot water and apply them to the grindes and arme-holes to prouoke sweate for sweating in this disease is a most excellent remedie both for to euacuate the humors in the Feauer and also to driue forth the malignitie in the Pestilence although euerie sweate brings not forth the fruit of health For George Agricola saith that he saw a woman at Misnia in Germanie that did sweat so for the space of three dayes that the bloud came forth at her head and breast and yet neuerthelesse she died This potion following will prouoke sweate Take the roots of China shaued in thinne peeces one ounce and halfe of Guaiacum two ounces of the barke of Tamariske one ounce of Angelica rootes two drams of the shauings of Harts-horne one ounce of Iuniper berries three drams put them into a viall of glasse that will containe sixe quarts put therto foure quarts of rūning or riuer water that is pure and clear macerate them for the space of one whole night on the hot ashes and in the morning boile them all in Balneo Mariae vntill the halfe be consumed which will be done in the space of sixe houres then let them be strained through a bagge and then strained againe but let that be with sixe ounces of sugar of Roses and a little Treacle let the patient take eight ounces or fewer of that liquor and it will prouoke sweat The pouder following is also verie profitable Take of the leaues of Dictamnus the rootes of Tormentill Betoni of each halfe an ounce of bole Armenicke prepared one ounce of Terra Sigillata three drams of Aloes and Mirrhe of each halfe a dram of Saffron one dram of Masticke two drammes pouder them all according to Arte and giue one dram thereof dissolued in rose-Rose-water or the water of wilde sorrell and let the patient walke so soone as he hath taken that pouder then let him be laid in his bed to sweate as I haue shewed before The water following is greatly commended against poyson Take the roots of Gentian and Cyperus of each three drams of Carduus benedictus Burnet of each one handfull of Sorrell seedes and Diuels-bit of each two pugils of Ivie and Iuniper berries of each halfe an ounce of the flowers of Buglosse Violets and red Roses of each two pugils pouder them somewhat grossely then soake or steepe them for a night in white wine and Rose water then adde thereto of Bole Armenicke one ounce of Treacle halfe an ounce distill them all in Balneo Mariae and keepe the distilled liquor in a viall of glasse well couered or close stopped for your vse let the patient take sixe ounces thereof with Sugar and a little Cinamon and Saffron then let him walke and then sweate as
Fogges or Mists and the nocturnall obscuritie then to take it in the morning with a draught of good Wine for it being aboundantly diffused presently ouer all the Body filles vp the passages thereof and strengheneth it in a moment For Water if the Plague proceed from the tainture of the Aire we must wholly shun and auoid Raine-water because it cannot but be infected by the contagion of the Aire Wherefore the Water of Springs and of the deepest Welles are thought best But if the malignitie proceed from the vapours contained in the Earth you must make choyse of Raine-water Yet it 's more safe to digest euerie sort of Water by boyling it and to preferre that Water before other which is pure and cleerer to the sight and without either tast or smell and which besides suddainly takes the extremest mutation of heat and cold CHAP. VII Of the Cordiall Remedies by which we may preserue our Bodyes in feare of the Plague and cure those already infected there-with SVch as cannot eat without much labour exercise and hunger and who are no louers of Breakefasts hauing euacuated their Excrements before they goe from home must strengthen the Heart with some Antidote against the virulencie of the Infection Amongst which Aqua Theriacalis or Treacle Water two Ounces with the like quantitie of Sacke is much commended being drunke and rubbing the Nose-thrils Mouth and Eares with the same for the Treacle Water strengthens the Heart expels Poyson and is not onely good for a preseruatiue but also to cure the Disease it selfe For by sweat it driues forth the Poyson contained within It should be made in Iune at which time all simple Medicines by the vitall heat of the Sunne are in their greatest efficacie The composition whereof is thus Take the Roots of Gentian Cyperus Tormentill Diptam or Fraxinella Elecampaine of each one Ounce the Leaues of Mullet Carduus Benedictus Diuels-bit Burnet Scabious Sheepes Sorrell of each halfe a Handfull of the tops of Rue a little quantitie Mirtle Berries one Ounce of Red Rose Leaues the Flowres of Buglosse Borage and S t Iohns Wurt of each one Ounce let them be all cleansed dryed and macerated for the space of 24 houres in one pound of White Wine or Malmsey and of Rose Water or Sorrell Water then let them be put in a Vessell of Glasse and add thereto of Treacle and Methridate of each foure Ounces then distill them in Balneo Mariae and let the distilled Water be receiued in a Glasse Viall and let there be added thereto of Saffron two Drammes of Bole Armenicke Terra Sigillata Yellow Sanders Shauings of Iuorie and Harts-horne of each halfe an Ounce then let the Glasse be well stopped and set in the Sunne for the space of eight or tenne dayes Let the prescribed quantitie be taken euerie morning so oft as shall be needfull It may be giuen without hurt to sucking Children and to Women great with Child But that it may be the more pleasant it must be strayned thorough an Hippocras Bagge adding thereto some Sugar and Cynnamon Some thinke themselues sufficiently defended with a Root of Elecampaine Zedoarie or Angelica rowled in their Mouth or chawed betweene their Teeth Others drinke euerie morning one Dramme of the Root of Gentian brused being macerated for the space of one night in two Ounces of White Wine Others doe take Worme-wood Wine Others sup vp in a rere Egge one Dramme of Terra Sigillata or of Harts-horne with a little Saffron and drinke two Ounces of Wine after it There be some that doe infuse Bole Armenicke the Roots of Gentian Tormentill Diptam the Berryes of Iuniper Cloues Mace Cynnamon Saffron and such like in Aqua Vitae and strong White Wine and so distill it in Balneo Mariae This Cordiall Water that followeth is of great virtue Take of the Roots of the long and round Aristolochia Tormentill Diptam of each three Drammes of Zedoarie two Drammes Lignum Aloes Yellow Sanders of each one Dramme of the Leaues of Scordium S t Iohns Wurt Sorrell Rue Sage of each halfe an Ounce of Bay and Iuniper Berryes of each three Drammes Cytron Seeds one Dramme of Cloues Mace Nutmegs of each two Drammes of Masticke Olibanum Bole Armenicke Terra Sigillata Shauings of Harts-horne and Iuorie of each one Ounce of Saffron one Scruple of the Conserues of Roses Buglosse Flowers Water Lillyes and old Treacle of each one Ounce of Camphire halfe a Dramme of Aqua Vitae halfe a pint of White Wine two pints and a halfe make thereof a distillation in Balneo Mariae The vse of this distilled Water is euen as Treacle Water is The Electuarie following is verie effectuall Take of the best Treacle three Ounces Iuniper berries and Carduus Seeds of each one Dramme and a halfe of Bole Armenicke prepared halfe an Ounce of the Powder of the Electuarie De Gemmis and Diamargariton Frigidum the Powder of Harts-horne and Red Corall of each one Dramme mixe them with the Sirrupe of the Rinds and Iuyce of Pome-citrons as much as shall suffice and make thereof a liquid Electuarie in the forme of an Opiate let them take euerie morning the quantitie of a Filberd drinking after it two Drammes of the Water of Scabions Cherryes Carduus Benedictus and of some such like cordiall things or of strong Wine The following Opiate is also verie profitable which also may be made into Tablets Take of the Roots of Angelica Gentian Zedoarie Elecampaine of each two Drammes of Cytron and Sorrell Seeds of each halfe a Dramme of the dryed Rinds of Cytrous Cinnamon Bay and Iuniper Berryes and Saffron of each one Scruple of Conserue of Roses and Buglosse of each one Ounce of fine hard Sugar as much as is sufficient make thereof Tablets of the weight of halfe a Dramme let him take one of them two houres before meat Or make thereof an Opiate with equall parts of Conserues of Buglosse and Mel Anthosatum and so adding all the rest dry and in Powder Or take of the Roots of Valerian Tormentill Diptam of the Leaues of Rue of each halfe an Ounce of Saffron Mace Nutmegs of each halfe a Dramme of Bole Armenicke prepared halfe an Ounce of Conserue of Roses and Sirupe of Lemons as much as will be sufficient to make thereof an Opiate liquid enough Or take of the Roots of both the Aristolochia's of Gentian Tormentill Diptam of each one Dramme and a halfe of Ginger three Drammes of the Leaues of Rue Sage Mints and Peny-royall of each two Drammes of Bay and Iuniper Berries Citron Seeds of each foure Scruples of Mace Nutmegs Cloues Cinnamon of each two Drammes of Lignum Aloes and Yellow Saunders of each one Dramme of Male Frankincense i. Olibanum Masticke shauings of Harts-horne and Iuorie of each two Scruples of Saffron halfe a Dramme of Bole Armenicke Terra Sigillata Red Corall Pearle of each one Dramme of Conserues of Roses Buglosse Flowers Water Lillyes and old Treacle of each one Ounce of Loafe
of aromaticke things then a Sponge Wherefore it is of principall vse either to keepe or hold sweet things to the Nose or to apply Epithemes and Fomentationsto the Heart Those sweet things ought to be hot or cold as the season of the yeere and kind of the Pestilence is As for example in the Summer you ought to infuse and macerate Cinamon and Cloues beaten together with a little Saffron in equall parts of Vineger of Roses and Rose Water into which you must dip a Sponge which rowled in a faire Linnen Cloath you may carrie in your Hand and often smell to Take of Worme-wood halfe a Handfull ten Cloues of the Roots of Gentian and Angelica of each two Drams of Vineger and Rose Water of each two Ounces of Treacle and Mithrid te of each one Dramme beat and mixe them all well together and let a Sponge be dipped therein and vsed as aboue-said They may also be enclosed in Boxes made of sweet Wood as of Iuniper Ceder or Cypresse and so carryed for the same purpose But there is nothing more easie to be carryed then Pomanders the forme of which is thus Take of Yellow Saunders Mace Citron Pilles Rose and Mirtle Leaues of each two Drammes of Benzoin Ladanum Storax of each halfe a Dramme of Cinnamon and Saffron of each two Scruples of Camphire and Amber Greece of each one Scruple of Muske three Graines Make there of a Pomander with Rose Water with the infusion of Tragacanth Or take Red Rose Leaues the Flowers of Water Lillyes and Violets of each one Ounce of the three Saunders Coriander Seeds Citron Pilles of each halfe an Ounce of Camphire one Dramme Let them all be Powders and with Water of Roses and Tragacanth make a Pomander In the Winter it must be made thus Take of Storax Benzoin of each one Dramme and a halfe of Muske halfe a Scruple of Cloues Lauander and Cyperus of each two Drammes of the Root of Orris i. Flower de Luce and Calamus Aromaticus of each two Drammes and a halfe of Amber Greece three Drammes of Gum Tragacanth dissolued in Rose Water and Aqua Vitae as much as shall suffice Make thereof a Pomander And for the same purpose you may also vse to carrie about with you sweet Powders made of Amber Greece Storax Orris Nutmegs Cinamon Mace Cloues Saffron Benzoin Muske Camphire Roses Violets Iuncus Odoratus Marioram and such like Of which being mixed together Powders may be compounded and made Take of the Roots of Orris two Drammes of Cyperus Calamus Aromaticus Red Roses of each halfe an Ounce of Cloues halfe a Dramme of Storax one Dramme of Muske eight Graines Mixe them and make a Powder for a Bagge Or take the Roots of Orris two Ounces Red Rose Leaues White Saunders Storax of each one Ounce of Cyperus one Dramme of Calamus Aromaticus one Ounce of Marierome halfe an Ounce of Cloues three Drammes of Lauender halfe a Dramme of Coriander Seeds two Drammes of good Muske halfe a Scruple of Ladanum and Benzoin of each a Dramme of Nutmegs and Cinnamon of each two Drammes Make thereof a fine Powder and sow it in a Bagge It will be verie conuenient also to apply to the Region of the Heart a Bagge filled with Yellow Saunders Mace Cloues Cinnamon Saffron and Treacle shaken together and incorporated and sprinckled ouer with strong Vineger and Rose Water in Summer and with strong Wine and Muskedine in the Winter These sweet aromaticke things that are so full of Spirits smelling sweetly and strongly haue admirable virtues to strengthen the principall parts of the Body and to stirre vp the expulsiue facultie to expell the Poyson Contrarie-wise those that are stinking and vnsauerie procure a desire to vomit and dissolution of the Powers by which it is manifest how foolish and absurd their perswasion is that councell such as are in a pestilent constitution of the Aire to receaue and take in the stinking and vnsauorie vapors of Sinkes and Priuies and that especially in the morning But it will not suffice to carrie those Preseruatiues alone without the vse of any other thing but will be also verie profitable to wash all the whole Body in Vineger of the decoction of Iuniper and Bay Berryes the Roots of Gentian Marigolds S t Iohns Wort and such like with Treacle or Mithridate also dissolued in it For Vineger is an enemie to all Poysons in generall whether they be hot or cold For it resisteth and hindreth putrefaction because it is cold and dry Therefore in this inanimate Bodyes as Flesh Hearbes Fruits and many other such like things may be kept a long time without putrefaction Neither is it to be feared that it should obstruct the Pores by reason of its coldnesse if the Body be bathed in it For it is of subtile parts and the Spices boyled in it haue vertue to open Whosoeuer accounteth it hurtfull to wash his whole Body there-with let him wash but onely his Arme-holes the Region of his Heart his Temples Groine parts of Generation as hauing great and maruelous sympathy with the principall and noble parts If any mislike bathing let him annoint himselfe with the following Vnguent Take Oyle of Roses foure Ounces Oyle of Spike two Ounces of the Powder of Cinnamon and Cloues of each one Ounce and a halfe of Benzoin halfe an Ounce of Muske sixe Graines of Treacle halfe a Dramme of Venice Turpentine one Dramme and a halfe of Waxe as much as shall suffice Make thereof a soft Vnguent You may also drop a few drops of Oyle of Masticke of Sage or of Cloues and such like into the Eares with a little Ciuet or Muske CHAP. IX Of the signes of such as are insected with the Plague WE must not stay so long before we pronounce one to haue the Plague vntill there be paine and a tumour vnder his Arme-holes or in his Groyne or Spots vulgarly called Tokens appeare ouer all the Body or Carbuncles arise For many dye through the venenate malignitie before these signes doe appeare Wherefore the chiefest and truest signes of this Disease are to be taken from the Heart being the Mansion of Life which chiefly and first of all is wont to be assaulted by the force of the Poyson Therefore they that are infected with the Pestilence are vexed with often swoundings and fainting their Pulse is feebler and slower then others but some-times more frequent but that is specially in the night season they feele prickings ouer all their Body as if it were the pricking of Needles but their Nose-thrils doe itch especially by occasion of the maligne vapours rysing vpwards from the lower and inner into the vpper parts their Breast burneth their Heart beateth with paine vnder the left Dug difficultie of taking breath Ptissicke Cough paine of the Heart such an elation or puffing vp of the Hypocondria or sides of the Belly distended with the aboundance of vapours raysed by the force of the feuerish heat that the Patient will in a manner
Pestilence commeth of the Aire therefore so soone as one is blasted with the pestiferous Aire after he hath taken some preseruatiue against the malignitie thereof he must withdraw himselfe into some wholesome Aire that is cleane and pure from any venomous Infection or Contagion for there is great hope of health by the alteration of the Aire for we doe most frequently and aboundantly draw in the Aire of all things so that we cannot want it for a minute of time therefore of the Aire that is drawne in dependeth the correction amendment or increase of the Poyson or malignitie that is receiued as the Aire is pure sincere or corrupted There be some that doe thinke it good to shut the Patient in a cloase Chamber shutting the Windowes to prohibite the entrance of the Aire as much as they are able But I thinke it more conuenient that those Windowes should be open from whence that Wind bloweth that is directly contrarie vnto that which brought in the venomous Aire For although there be no other cause yet if the Aire be not moued or agitated but shut vp in a cloase place it will soone be corrupted Therefore in a cloase and quiet place that is not subiect to the entrance of the Aire I would wish the Patient to make Wind or to procure Aire with a thicke and great Cloath dipped or macerated in Water and Vineger mixt together and tyed to a long Staffe that by tossing it vp and downe the cloase Chamber the Wind or Aire thereof may coole and recreate the Patient The Patient must euerie day be carryed into a fresh Chamber and the Beds and the Linnen Cloathes must be changed There must alwayes be a cleere and bright Fire in the Patients Chamber and especially in the night whereby the Aire may be made more pure cleane and voyd of nightly vapours and of the filthy and pestilent breath proceeding from the Patient or his Excrements In the meane time least if it be in hot weather the Patient should be weakned or made more faint by reason that the heat of the Fire doth disperse and wast his Spirits the Floore or Ground of the Chamber must be sprinkled or watered with Vineger and Water or strowed with the branches of Vines made moyst in cold Water with the Leaues and Flowers of Water Lillyes or Poplar or such like In the feruent heat of Summer he must abstaine from strong Fumigations that do smell too strongly because that by assaulting the Head they increase the paine If the Patient could goe to that cost it were good to hang all the Chamber where he lyeth and also the Bed with thicke or coarse Linnen Cloathes moysted in Vineger and Water of Roses Those Linnen Cloathes ought not to be verie white but some-thing browne because much and great whitenesse doth disperse the sight and by wasting the Spirits doth increase the paine of the Head for which cause also the Chamber ought not to be verie lightsome Contrariwise on the night season there ought to be Fiers and Perfumes made which by their moderate light may moderately call forth the Spirits Sweet Fiers may be made of little peeces of the Wood of Iuniper Broome Ash Tamarisk of the Rind of Oranges Lemmons Cloues Benzoin Gumme Arabicke Orris Roots Myrrhe grossely beaten together and layd on the burning Coales put into a Chasing Dish Truly the breath or smoake of the Wood or Berries of Iuniper is thought to driue Serpents a great way from the place where it is burnt The vertue of the Ash Tree against venome is so great as Pliny testifieth that a Serpent will not come vnder the shaddow thereof no not in the morning nor euening when the shaddow of any thing is most great and long but she will run from it I my selfe haue proued that if a circle or compasse be made with the Boughes of an Ash Tree and a Fier made in the middest thereof and a Serpent put within the compasse of the Boughes that the Serpent will rather run into the Fier then thorow the Ashes Boughes There is also another meanes to correct the Aire You may sprinkle Vineger of the decoction of Rue Sage Rosemary Bay Berries Iuniper Berries Cyperus Nuts and such like on Stones or Brickes made red hot and put in a Pot or Pan that all the whole Chamber where the Patient lyeth may be perfumed with the vapour thereof Also Fumigations may be made of some matter that is more grosse and clammy that by the force of the Fire the sume may continue the longer as are Ladanum Myrrhe Masticke Rosine Turpentine Storax Olibanum Benzoin Bay Berries Iuniper Berries Cloues Sage Rosemary and Marioram stamped together and such like Those that are rich and wealthy may haue Candles and Fumes made of Wax or Tallow mixed with some sweet things A Spong macerated in Vinegar of Roses and Water of the same and a little of the decoction of Cloues and of Camphire added thereto ought alwayes to be ready at the Patients hand that by often smelling vnto it the Animall Spirits may be recreated and strengthened The Water following is very effectuall for this matter Take of Orris fourÄ— Ounces of Zedoarie Spikenard of each sixe Drammes of Storax Benzoin Cynamon Nutmegs Cloues of each one Ounce and a halfe of old Treacle halfe an Ounce Bruise them into a grosse Powder and macerate them for the space of twelue houres in 4 pound of white and strong Wine then distill them in a Limbecke of Glasse on hoat Ashes and in the distilled Liquor wet a Spong and then let it be tyed in a Linnen Cloath or closed in a Box and so often put vnto the Nose-thrils Or take of the Vineger and Water of Roses of each foure Ounces of Camphire six Graines of Treacle halfe a Dramme let them be dissolued together and put into a Viall of Glasse which the Patient may often put vnto his Nose This Nodula following is more meet for this matter Take of Rose Leaues two Pugils of Orris halfe an Ounce of Calamus Aromaticus Cynnamon Cloues of each two Drammes of Storax and Benzoin of each one Dramme and a halfe of Cyperus halfe a Dramme beat them into a grosse Powder make thereof a Nodula betweene two peeces of Cambricke or Lawne of the bignesse of an Hand Ball then let it be moystned in 8 Ounces of Rose Water and two Ounces of Rose Vineger and let the Patient smell vnto it often These things must be varied according to the time For in the Summer you must vse neither Muske nor Ciuet nor such like hot things and moreouer women that are subiect to fits of the Mother those that haue Feauers or the Head ach ought not to vse those things that are so strong smelling hot but you must make choise of things more gentle Therefore things that are made with a little Camphire and Cloues bruised and macerated together in Rose Water and Vineger of Roses shall be sufficient CHAP. XIII What Dyet ought to
respect vnto his custome age the region and the time for through emptinesse there is great danger lest that the venomous matter that is driuen out to the superficiall parts of the bodie should be called backe vnto the inward parts by an hungrie stomacke and the stomacke it selfe should bee filled with choloricke hot thinne and sharpe excrementall humors whereof commeth biting of the stomacke and gripings in the guttes CHAP. XIV What drinke the Patient infected ought to vse IF the Feauer be great and burning the patient must abstain from wine vnlesse that he be subiect to swounding and he may drink the Oxymell following in stead thereof Take of fair water three quarts wherin boile foure ounces of hony vntill the third part bee consumed scumming it continually then straine it and put it into a clean vessell and adde thereto foure ounces of vineger and as much cynamon as will suffice to giue it a taste Or else a sugered water as followeth Take two quarts of fair water of hard sugar sixe ounces of cynamon two ounces straine it through a woollen bagge or cloth without anie boiling and when the patient will vse it put thereto a little of the iuice of Citrons The syrupe of the iuce of Citrons excelleth amongst all others that are vsed against the Pestilence The vse of the Iulep following is also verie wholesome Take of the iuice of Sorrell well clarified halfe a pinte of the iuice of Lettuce so clarified foure ounces of the best hard Sugar one pound boile them together vnto a perfection let them be strained and clarified adding a little before the end a little vineger let it be vsed betweene meales with boyled water or with equall portions of the water of Sorrell Lettuce Scabious and Buglosse or take of this former described Iulep strained and clarified foure ounces let it be mixed with one pound of the forenamed cordiall waters and boile them together a little And when they are taken from the fire put thereto of yellow Sanders one dram of beaten Cinamon halfe a dram straine it through a cloth when it is cold let it bee giuen vnto the patient to drinke with the iuice of Citrons Those that haue accustomed to drinke Sider Perrie Beere or Ale ought to vse that drinke still so that it be clear transparent and thinne and made of those fruits that are somewhat tarte for troubled and dreggish drinke doth not onely engender grosse humors but also crudities windinesse and obstructions of the first region of the bodie whereof comes a feauer Oxycrate being giuen in manner following doth asswage the heate of the feauer and represse the putrefaction of the humors and the fiercenesse of the venome and also expelleth the water through the veines if so be that the patients are not troubled with spitting of bloud cough yexing and altogether weake of stomacke for such must auoid all tart things Take of faire water one quart of white or red Vineger three ounces of fine Suger foure ounces of Sirup of Roses two ounces boile them alittle and then giue the patient thereof to drinke Or Take of the iuice of Lemons and Citrons of each halfe an ounce of iuice of soure Pomegranats two ounces of the water of Sorrell and Roses of each one ounce of fair water boiled as much as shall suffice make therof a Iulep and vse it between meales Or take of Sirup of Lemons and of red Currance of each one ounce of the water of Lillies foure ounces of faire water boiled halfe a pinte make therof a Iulep Or Take of the syrups of water Lillies and Vineger of each halfe an ounce dissolve it in fiue ounces of the water of sorrell of faire water one pinte make thereof a Iulep But if the patient bee young and haue a strong and good stomacke and choloricke by natnre I thinke it not vnmeete for him to drinke a full and large draught of fountaine water cold for that is effectuall to restraine and quench the heate of the feauer and contrariwise they that drinke cold water often and a verie small quantitie at a time as the Smith doth sprinkle water on the fire at his forge doe increse the heate and burning and thereby make it endure the longer Therefore by the iudgement of Celsus when the disease is in the chiefe increase and the patient hath endured thirst for the space of three or foure dayes cold water must be giuen vnto him in great quantitie so that hee may drinke past his satietie that when his belly and stomacke are filled beyond measure and sufficiently cooled he may vomit Some doe not drinke so much thereof as may cause them to vomite but do drinke euen vnto satietie and so vse it for a cooling medicine but when either of these is done the patient must be couered with many clothes and so placed that he may sleepe and for the most part after long thirst and watching and after long fulnesse and long and great heate sound sleepe commeth by which great sweat is sent out and that is a present helpe But thirst must sometimes bee quenched with little peeces of Melons Gourds Cucumbers with the leaues of Lettuce Sorrell and purslane made moist or soked in cold water or with a little square peece of a Citron Lemon or Orange macerated in Rose water and sprinkled with sugar and so held in the mouth and then changed But if the patient be aged his strength weake phlegmaticke by nature and giuen to wine when the state of the feauer is somewhat past and the chiefe heate beginning to asswage he may drinke wine verie much delayed at his meate for to restore his strength and to supply the want of the wasted Spirits The patient ought not by anie meanes to suffer great thirst but must mitigate it by drinking or else allay it by washing his mouth with Oxicrate and such like and hee may therein also wash his hands and his face for that doth recreate the strength If the Fluxe or Laske troubel him he may verie well vse to drinke steeled water and also boiled milke wherein many stones comming red hot out of the fire haue beene manie times quenched For the drinesse and roughnesse of the mouth it is verie good to haue a cooling moistening and lenifying lotion of the mucilaginous water of the infusion of the seedes of Quinces Psilium id est Flea-wurt adding thereto a little Camphyre with the water of Plantaine and Roses then cleanse and wipe out the filth and then moisten the mouth by holding therein a little oyle of sweete Almonds mixed with a little sirup of Violets If the roughnesse doe breede or degenerate into Vlcers they must be touched with the water of the infusion of sublimate or Aqua fortis CHAP. XV. Of Antidotes to be vsed in the Plague NOw we must entreate of the proper cure of this disease which must bee vsed as soone as may bee possible because this kinde of poison in swiftnesse exceedes the celeritie of the medicine
tied with bands and sponges wet in Oxycrate must be put vnder the arme-holes cupping-glasses must be applied vnto the dugges the region of the liuer and spleene and you must put into the nostrels the doune of the Willow tree or anie other astringent medicine incorporated with the haires pluckt from the flanke belly or throat of a Hare bole Armenicke Terra sigillata the iuice of Plantain and Knotgrasse mixed together and furthermore the patient must be placed or laied in a coole place But if the pain be nothing mitigated notwithstanding all these fluxes of bloud wee must come to medicines that procure sleepe whose formes are these Take of greene Lettuce one handfull flowers of water Lillies and Violets of each two pugils one head of white Poppy bruised of the foure cold seedes of each two drams of Liquoris and Raisons of each one dramme make thereof a decoction and in the straining dissolue one ounce and an halfe of Diacodion make thereof a large potion to bee giuen when they goe to rest Also a Barly-creame may bee prepared in the water of water Lillies and Sorrell of each two ounces adding thereto sixe or eight graines of Opium of the foure cold seedes and of white Poppie seedes of each halfe an ounce and let the same bee boiled in broths with Lettuce and Purslane also the Pils de Cynoglosso idest Hounds tongue may be giuen Clisters that prouoke sleepe must be vsed which may be thus prepared Take of Barly-water halfe a pinte oile of Violets and water-Lillies of each two ounces of the water of Plantaine and Purselaine or rather of their iuices three ounces of Camphire seuen graines and the whites of three egges make thereof a Clister The head must be fomented with Rose-vineger the haire being first shauen away leauing a double cloth wet therein on the same and often renewed Sheepes lungs taken warme out of the bodies may bee applied to the head as long as they are warme Cupping-glasses with scarrification and without scarrification may be applied vnto the necke and shoulder-blades The armes and legges must bee strongly bound being first well rubbed to diuert the sharpe vapours and humors from the head Frontals may also bee made on this manner Take of the oyle of Roses and water-Lillies of each two ounces of the oile of Poppey halfe an ounce of Opium one dramme of Rose-vineger one ounce of Camphire halfe a dram mixe them together Also Nodules may bee made of the flowers of Poppies Henbane water-Lillies Mandrakes beaten in rose-Rose-water with a little Vineger and a little Camphire and let them be often applied to the nostrels for this purpose Cataplasmes also may bee laid to the forehead As Take of the mucilage of the seedes of Psilium id est Fleawort and Quince seedes extracted in rose-Rose-water three ounces of Barly meale foure ounces of the pouder of Rose leaues the flowers of water-Lillies and Violets of each halfe an ounce of the seedes of Poppies and Purflaine of each two ounces of the water and vineger of Roses of each three ounces make thereof a Cataplasine and apply it warme vnto the head Or Take of the iuice of Lettuce water-Lillies Henbaine Purselaine of each halfe a pinte of Rose leaues in pouder the seedes of Poppie of each halfe an ounce oyle of Roses three ounces of Vineger two ounces of Barly meale as much as shall suffice make thereof a Cataplasme in the forme of a liquid Pultis When the heate of the head is mitigated by these medicines the inflammation of the braine asswaged we must come vnto digesting and resoluing fomentations which may disperse the matter of the vapours But commonly in paine of the head they doe vse to binde the forehead and hinder part of the head verie strongly which in this case must bee auoided CHAP. XIX Of the Erruptiou and spotts which commonly are called by the name of Purples and Tokens IN Pestilent feauers the skinne is marked and variegated in diuerse places with spotts like vnto the bitings of Fleas or Gnats which are not alwaies simple but many times arise in forme like vnto a graine of millet The more spots appeare the better it is for the patient they are of diuerse colours according to the virulency of the malignity and condition of the matter as red yellow browne violet or purpule blew blacke And because for the most part they are of a purple colour therefore wee callthem Purples Others call them Lenticulae because they haue the colour and forme of lentills They are also called Papiliones i Butterflies because they doe suddainly seaze or fall vpon diuerse regions of the body like vnto winged Butterflies sometimes the face sometimes the armes and leggs and sometimes all the whole body oftentimes they doe not onely affect the vpper part of the skinne but goe deeper into the flesh specially when they proceed of matter that is grosse and adust They doe sometimes appeare great and broad affecting the whole arme legge or face like vnto an Erysipelas to conclude they are diuerse according to the variety of the humour that offends in quality or quantity If they are of a purple or blacke colour with often sounding and sinke in sodainly without any manifest cause they foreshew death The cause of the breaking out of those spotts is the working or heate of the bloud by reason of the cruelty of the venom receiued or admitted They often arise at the beginning of a Pestilent feauer many times before the breaking out of the Sore or Botch or Carbuncle and many times after but then they shew so greata corruption of the humors in the body that neither the Sores nor Carbuncles will suffice to receaue them and therefore they appeare as fore-runners of death Sometimes they breake out alone without a Botch or Carbuncle which if they be redde and haue no euill Symptomes ioyned with them they are not wont to proue deadly they appeare for the most part on the third or fourth day of the dissease and sometimes later and sometimes they appeare not before the patient bee dead because the working or heate of the humors being the ofspring of putrefaction is not as yet restrayned and ceased Wherefore then principally the putrid heate which is greatest a little before the death of the patient driues the excrementall humors which are the matter of the spotts vnto the skin or else because nature in the last conflict hath contended with some greater endeuour then before which is common to all things that are ready to dye a little before the instant time of death the Pestilent humor being presently driuen vnto the skinne and nature thus weakened by this extreame conflict falleth downe prostrate and is quite ouerthrowne by the remnant of the matter CHAP. XX. Of the cure of Eruptions and Spotts YOu must first of all take heede lest you driue in the humor that is comming outwards with repercussiues Therefore beware of cold all purging things Phlebotomy and drowsie or sound
be obserued and first of the choyce of Meats THE order of Dyet in a Pestilent disease ought to be cooling and drying not slender but some-what full Because by this kind of Disease there commeth wasting of the Spirits and exolution of the Faculties which inferreth often swounding therefore that losse must be repaired as soone as may be with more quantitie of Meats that are of easie concoction and digestion Therefore I neuer saw any being infected with the Pestilence that kept a slender dyet that recouered his health but dyed and few that had a good stomacke and fed well dyed Sweet grosse moyst and clammy Meats which are altogether and exquisitely of subtile parts are to be auoyded for the sweet doe easily take Fier and are soone inflamed the moyst will putrefie the grosse and clammy obstruct and therefore ingender putrefaction those meats that are of subtile parts ouer-much attenuate the humors and inflame them and doe stirre vp hot and sharpe vapors into the Brayne whereof commeth the Feauer Therefore we must eschew Garlike Onions Mustard Salted and spiced Meats and all kinds of Puls must also be auoyded because they ingender grosse winds which are the authors of obstruction but the decoction of them is not alwayes to be refused because it is a prouoker of Vrine Therefore let this be their order of Dyet Let their Bread be of Wheat or Barly well wrought well leauened and salted neither too new nor too stale Let them be fed with such Meat as may be easily concocted and digested and may engender much laudable iuyce and verie little excrementall as are the Flesh of Weather Lambes Calues Kidds Leuerets Pullets Partriches Pigeons Thrushes Larkes Quailes Blacke Birds Turtle Doues Moore Hennes Phesants and such like auoyding Water Foules Let the Flesh be moystned in Veriuyce of vn-ripe Grapes Vineger or the iuyce of Lemmons Oranges Cytrons tart Pomegranats Barberyes Gooseberryes or red Currance or of Garden and wild Sorrell for all these sowre things are verie wholesome in this kind of Disease for they doe stirre vp the appetite resist the venomous qualitie and putrefaction of the humours restraine the heat of the Feauer and prohibite the corruption of the meats in the stomacke Although that those that haue a more weake stomacke and are endewed with a more exact sence are subiect to the Cough and Diseases of the Lungs must not vse these vnlesse they be mixed with Sugar and Cynnamon If the Patient at any time be fed with sodden Meats let the Broathes be made with Lettuce Purslaine Succorie Borage Sorrell Hoppes Buglosse Cresses Burnet Marigolds Cheruill the cooling Seeds Barley and Oates cleansed with a little Saffron for Saffron doth engender many Spirits and resisteth Poyson To these opening Roots may be added for to auoyd obstruction yet much Broath must be refused by reason of moysture The Fruit of Capers being eaten in the beginning of the Meale prouoke the appetite and prohibite obstructions but they ought not to be seasoned with ouer-much Oyle Salt they may also with good successe be put in Broathes Fishes are altogether to be auoyded because they doe soone corrupt in the Stomacke but if the Patient be delighted with them those that liue in stony places must be chosen that is to say those that doe liue in pure and sandy Water and about Rocks and Stones as are Trowts Pikes Pearches Gudgions and Crauises boiled in Milke Wilks and such like And concerning Sea-Fish he may be fed with Giltheads Gurnarts with all the kinds of Cod-fish Whitings not seasoned with Salt and Turbuts Fagges potched and eaten with the iuyce of Sorrell are very good Likewise Barley Water seasoned with the Graynes of a tart Pomegranate and if the Feauer be vehement with the Seeds of white Poppey Such Barley Water is easie to be concocted and digested it cleanses greatly and moystens and mollifies the Belly But in some it procures an appetite to vomit and paine of the Head and those must abstaine from it But in stead of Barley Water they may vse Pappe and Bread crummed in the decoction of a Capon For the second course let him haue Raysons of the Sun newly sodden in Rose Water with Sugar soure Damaske Prunes tart Cherryes Pippins and Katherine Peares And in the latter end of the Meale Quinces rosted in Embers Marmelate of Quinces Conserues of Buglosse or of Roses and such like may be taken Or else this Powder following Take of Coriander Seeds prepared two Drammes of Pearle Rose Leaues shauings of Harts-Horne and Iuory of each halfe a Dramme of Amber two Scruples of Cynnamon one Scruple of Vnicornes Horne and the Bone in a Stagges Heart of each halfe a Scruple of Sugar of Roses foure Ounces Make thereof a Powder and vse it after Meats If the Patient be some-what weake he must be fed with Gelly made of the Flesh of a Capon and Veale sodden together in the Water of Sorrell Carduus Benedictus with a little quantitie of Rose Vineger Cynnamon Sugar and other such like as the present necessitie shall seeme to require In the night season for all euents and mischances the Patient must haue ready prepared Broath of Meats of good digestion with a little of the iuyce of Citrons or Pomegranates This Restauratiue that followeth may serue for all Take of the Conserue of Buglosse Borage Violets Water Lillyes and Succory of each two Ounces of the Powder of the Electuarie Diamargaritum Frigidum of the Trochisces of Camphire of each three drams of Citron seedes Carduus seedes Sorrell seedes the rootes of Diptamnus Tormentill of each two drams of the broth of a young Capon made with Lettuce Purselaine Buglosse and Borraged boile in it sixe pintes put them in a Lembecke of glasse with the flesh of two Pullets of so manie Partridges and with fifteene leaues of pure gold make thereof a distillation ouer a soft fier Then take of the distilled liquor halfe a pinte straine it through a woollen bagge with two ounces of white Sugar and halfe a dram of Cinamon let the patient vse this when he is thirstie Or else put the flesh of one old Capon and of a legge of Veale two minced Partridges and two drams of whole Cinamon without anie liquor in a lembecke of glasse well luted and couered and so let them boile in Balueo Mariae vnto the perfect concoction For so the fleshes will be boiled in their owne iuice without any hurt of the fier then let the iuice bee pressed out therehence with a presse giue the patient for euery dose one ounce of the iuice with some cordiall waters some Trisantalum and Diamargaritum frigidum The preserues of sweete fruits are to bee auoided because that sweete things turne into cholor but the confections of tart Prunes Cherries and such like may be fitly vsed But because there is no kinde of sickenesse that so weakens the strength as the Plague it is alwaies necessarie but yet sparingly and often to feede the patient still hauing
be loosed as if he had taken Antimonie and so they were all for the most part cured especially all those that tooke that remedie betimes and before the disease went vnto their heart as I my selfe haue proued in some that were sicke at Paris with most happie successe Truely Mugwort is highly commended by the ancient Physitions being taken and applied inwardly or outwardly against the bitings of venemous creatures so that it is not to be doubted but that it hath great vertue against the Pestilence I haue heard it most certainly reported by Gilbertus Heroaldus Physition of Mompilier that eight ounces of the pickle of Anchoues drunke at one draught is a most certaine and approued remedie against the Pestilence as hee and many other haue often found by experience For the Plague is no other thing but a verie great putrefaction for the correction and amendment whereof there is nothing more apt or fit than this pickle or substance of the Anchoues being melted by the sun force of the salt that is strawed thereon There be some which infuse one dramme of Walewort seede in white wine and affirme that it drunken wil performe the like effect as Antimony Others dissolue a little weight of the seede of Rue beeing bruised in Muskadine with the quantitie of a Beane of Treacle and so drink it Others beate or bruise an handfull of the leaues or toppes of Broome in halfe a pinte of white wine and so giue it to the patient to drink to cause him to vomite loose his belly and make him to sweate Truely those that are wounded or bitte with venemous beasts if they binde broome aboue the wound it will prohibit or hinder the venome from dispersing it selfe or going any farther therefore a drinke made thereof will prohibite the venome from going anie neerer the heart Some take of the roote of Elecampane Gentian Tormentill Kermesberries and broome of the pouder of Iuorie and Harts-horne of each halfe a dramme they do bruise and beat all these and infuse them for the space of foure and twentie hours in white Wine and Aquavita on the warme embers and then straine it and giue the patient three or foure ounces thereof to drinke this prouokes sweate and infrignes the power of the poison and the potion following hath the same vertue Take good Mustard halfe an ounce of Treacle or Mithridate the weight of a Beane dissolue them in white Wine and a little Aqua vita and let the patient drinke it and sweate thereon with walking You may also roste a great Onion made hollow and filled with halfe a dram of Treacle and Vineger vnder the embers and then straine it and mixe the iuice that is pressed out of it with the water of Sorrell Carduus Benedictus or anie other cordiall thing and with strong wine and giue the patient to drinke thereof to prouoke sweate and to repell the malignitie Or else take as much Garlicke as the quantitie of a bigge Nut of Rue and Celandine of each twentie leaues bruise them all in white Wine and a little Aqua vita then straine it and giue the patient thereof to drinke There be some that doe drinke the iuice that is pressed out of Celandine and Mallowes with three ounces of Vineger and halfe an ounce of the oyle of Walenuts and then by much walking doe vnburthen their stomacke and belly vpwards and downewards and so are helped When the venemous ayre hath alreadie crept into and infected the humors one dramme of the dried leaues of the Bay tree macerated for the space of two daies in Vineger and drunk is thought to bee a most soueraigne medicine to prouoke sweate loosenesse of the belly and vomiting Matthiolus in his Treatise de Morbo Gallico writeth that the powder of Mercury ministred vnto the patient with the iuice of Carduus Benedictus or with the electuarie de Gemmis will driue away the Pestilence before it be confirmed in the bodie by prouoking vomite loosenesse of the belly and sweate one dramme of Calchanthum or white Copperose dissolued in rose-Rose-water performeth the like effect in the same disease Some do giue the patient a little quantitie of the oile of Scorpions with white wine to expel the poison by vomite and therewithall they doe annoint the region of the heart the brest and the wrasts of the hands I thinke these very meet to be vsed often in bodies that are strong and well exercised because weaker medicines doe euacuate little or nothing at all but onely moue the humors whereby commeth a Feauer When a sufficient quantie of the malignitie is euacuated then you must minister things that may strengthen the belly and stomacke and withhold the agitation or working of the humors and such is confection of Alkermes CHAP. XVIII Of maute Symptomes which happen together with the Plague and first of the paine of the head IF the malignitie be carried into the braine and nature be not able to expell it it inflames not onely it but also the membranes that do couer it which inflamation doth one while hurt trouble or abolish the imagination another while the iudgement and sometimes the memorie according to the situation of the inflamation whether it bee in the former hinder or middle part of the head but hereof commeth alwayes a Phrensie with fierie rednesse of the eyes and face and heauinesse and burning of the whole head If this will not be amended with Clisters and with opening the Cephalicke veine in the arme the arteries of the temples must be opened taking so much bloud out of them as the greatnesse of the Symptomes and the strength of the patient shall require and permit Truely the incision that is made in opening of an arterie will close and ioine together as readily and with as little difficultie as the incision of a veine And of such an incision of an arterie commeth present helpe by reason that the tensiue and sharpe vapours do plentifully breath out together with the arterious bloud It were also verie good to prouoke a fluxe of bloud at the nose if nature be apt to exonerate her selfe that way For as Hippocrates saith when the head is grieued or generally aketh if matter water or bloud flow cut at the nostrels mouth or eares it presently cures the disease Such bleeding is to be prouoked by strong blowing or striuing to cleanse the nose by scratching or picking of the inner sides of the nostrels by pricking with an horse haire and long holding downe of the head The Lord of Fontaines a Knight of the Order when wee were at Bayon had a bleeding at the nose which came naturally for the space of two daies and thereby hee was freed of a pestilent Feuer which he had before a great sweate rising therewithall and shortly after his Carbuncles came to suppuration and by Gods grace he recouered his health being vnder my cure If the bloud doe flow out and cannot bee stopped when it ought the hands armes and legges must be
absolued and perfected which may be also done by the application of the following ointment Take of Vnguentum Dialthaea one ounce and a halfe oile of Scorpions halfe an ounce of Mithridate dissolued in Aquavitae halfe a dramme this liniment will verie well relaxe and loosen the skinne open the pores thereof and spend forth portion of that matter which the Cupping-glasse hath drawne thither in stead thereof mollifying fomentations may bee made and other drawing and suppurating medicines which shall bee described hereafter A Vesicatorie applied in a meete place below the Bubo profits verie much but not aboue as for example If the Bubo be in the throate the Vesicatorie must be applied vnto the shoulder blade on the same side if it bee in the arme-holes it must be applied in the middest of the arme or of the shoulder bone on the inner side if in the groine in the middest of the thigh on the inner side that by the double passage that is open for to draw out the matter the part wherein the venome is gathered together may bee the better exonerated Spurge Crow-foot Arsmart Beare-foote Brionie the middle barke of Trauellers-ioy the rindes of mullet Flammula or vpright Virgines-bower are fit for raising blisters If you cannot come by those simple medicines you may apply this that followeth which may be prepared at all times Take Cantharides Pepper Euphorbium Pellitory of Spaine of each halfe a dramme of soure Leauen two drams of Mustard one dramme and a little Vineger the Vineger is added thereto to withhold or restraine the vehemencie of the Cantharides but in want of this medicine it shall suffice to droppe scalding oyle or water or a burning candle or to lay a burning cole on the place for so you may raise blisters which must presently bee cut away and you must see that you keepe the vlcers open and flowing as long as you can by applying the leaues of red Coleworts Beetes or Iuie dipped in warme water and anointed with oyle or fresh butter Some apply Cauteries but Vesicatories worke with more speede for before the Eschar of the Cauteries will fall away the patient may die therefore the vlcers that are made with vesicatories will suffice to euacuate the pestilent venome because that doth worke rather by its qualitie than its quantitie Let the abscesse bee fomented as it is shewed before and then let the medicine following which hath vertue to draw bee applied Fill a great onion being hollowed with Treacle and the leaues of Rue then rost it vnder the hote embers beate it with a little Leauen and a little Swines grease and so apply it warme vnto the abscesse or sore let it be changed euery sixe hours Or Take the rootes of Marsh-mallowes and Lillies of each halfe a pound of Line Foenigreeke and Mustard seedes of each halfe an ounce of Treacle one dram tenne figges and as much hogges grease as shall suffice make thereof a Cataplasme according to Arte. Or Take of Onions and Garlicke rosted in the embers of each three ounces bruise them with one ounce of soure Leauen adding thereto Vuguentum Basilicon one ounce Treacle one dramme Mithridate halfe a dramme of old hogges grease one ounce of Cantharides in powder one scruple of Pigeons doung two drams beate them and mixe them together into the forme of a Cataplafme Hereunto old Rennet is verie profitable for it is hot and therefore atractiue beeing mixed with old Leauen Basilicon you ought to vse these vntil the abscesse be growne vnto its full ripenesse and bignesse but if presently after the beginning there be great inflammation with sharpe paine as it often happeneth especially when the abscesses be of the kinde of Carbuncles wee must abstaine from those remedies that are hot and attractiue and also from these that are verie emplasticke and clammie because they doe altogether close the pores of the skinne or because they doe resolue the thinner part of the collected matter which if it might remaine would bring the other sooner to suppuration or else because they may perchance draw more quantitie of the hot matter than the part can beare whereof commeth rather corruption than maturation and last of all because they encrease the Feauer and paine which inferreth danger of a Conuulsion or mortall Gangrene Therefore in such a case it is best to vse cold and temperate locall medicines as the leaues of Henbane and Sorrell rosted vnder the coles Galens pultis and such like There are manie that for feare of death haue with their owne hands pulled away the Bubo with a paire of Smiths pincers others haue digged the flesh round about it and so gotten it wholly out And to conclude others haue become so madde that they haue thrust an hot iron into it with their owne hand that the venome might haue a passage forth of all which I doe not allow one for such abscesses doe not come from without as the bitings of virulent beasts but from within and moreouer because paine is by these meanes encreased and the humor is made more maligne and fierce Therefore I thinke it sufficient to vse medicines that doe relaxe open the pores of the skinne and digest portion of the venome by transpiration as are these that follow Take the rootes of Marsh-mallowes and Lillies of each sixe ounces of Chamomill and Melilote flowers of each halfe an handfull of Linne seedes halfe an ounce of the leaues of Rue halfe an handfull boile them and straine them dip spunges in the straining and there with let the rumor bee fomented a long time Or Take the crumme of hot bread and sprinkle it with Treacle-water or with Aqud vitae and Cowes milke or Goates milke and the yelkes of three egges put them all on stupes or flaxe and apply them warme vnto the place Or Take of soure Rie leauen foure ounces of Basilicon two ounces three yelkes of egges oile of Lillies two ounces Treacle one dramme let it bee receiued on stupes and applied in like manner Or Take of Diachylon and Basilicon of each two ounces oile of Lillies one ounce and halfe let them be melted and mixed together and let it be applied as is abouesaid When you see feele and know according to reason that the Bubo is come to perfect suppuration it must be opened with an incision knife or an actuall or potentiall Cauterie but it is best to bee done with a potentiall Cauterie vnlesse that happely there be great inflammation because it doth draw the venome from beneath vnto the superficiall parts and maketh a larger orifice for the matter that is contained therein neither must it bee looked for that nature should open it of her selfe for then it were danger that lest while nature doth worke slowly a venemous vapour should be stirred vp which striking the heart by the arteries the braine by the nerues and the liuer by the veines causeth a new encrease of the venemous infection For feare whereof there bee some that will not expect
Manie ancient Professors greatly commend Scabious ground or braied betweene two stones and mixed with old Hogges-grease the yelkes of egges and a little salt for it will cause suppuration in Carbuncles also an egge it selfe beeing mixed with Barly-meale and oyle of Violets doth mitigate paine and suppurate A Raddish roote cut in slices and so the slices laied one after one vnto a Carbuncle or pestilent tumor doth mightily draw out the poison The iuice of Colts foote doth extinguish the heate of Carbuncles the herbe called Diuels-bit being bruised worketh the like effect I haue often vsed the medicine following vnto the heate of Carbuncles with verie good successe it doth also asswage paine and cause suppuration Take of the soot scraped from a chimney foure ounces of common salte two ounces beate them into small powder adding thereto the yelkes of two egges and stirre them well together vntill it come to haue the consistence of a pultis and let it bee applied warme vnto the Carbuncle In the beginning the point or head of the Carbuncle must be burned if it be blacke by dropping thereinto scalding hot oyle or Aquafortis for by such a burning the venome is suffocated as touched by lightening and the paine is much lessened as I haue proued oftentimes neither is it to be feared lest that this burning should be too painfull for it toucheth nothing but the point of the carbuncle which by reason of the eschar that is there is voide of sense After this burning you must goe forward with the former described medicines vntill the eschar seemeth to separate it selfe from the flesh round about it which is a token of the patients recouery for it signifieth that nature is strong and able to resist the poison After the fall of the Eschar you must vse gentle mundificatiues as those which wee haue prescribed in a pestilent Bubo not omitting sometimes the vse of suppuratiue and mollifying medicines that while the grosse matter is cleansed that which is as yet rude may be brought to suppuration for then the indication is twofold the one to suppurate that which remaineth as yet crude and raw in the part and the other to cleanse that which remaineth concocted and perfectly digested in the vicer CHAP. XXVI How to cure Infants and Children taken with the Plague IF that it happen that sucking or weaned children be infected with the pestilence they must bee cured after another order then is yet described The Nurse of the sucking childe must gouerne her selfe so in dyet and the vse of medicines as shee were infected with the pestilence her selfe Her dyet consisteth in the vse of the six things not naturall Therefore let it bee moderate for the fruit or profit of that moderation in dyet cannot chuse but come vnto the nurses milke and so vnto the infant who liueth onely by the milke And the infant it selfe must keepe the same dyet as neere as he can in sleepe waking and expulsion or auoiding of superfluous humors and excrements of the body Let the nurse bee fed with those things that doe mitigate the violence of the feuerish heate as cooling brothes cooling herbs and meats of a moderate temperature shee must wholly abstaine from wine and annoint her nipples as often as shee giueth the infant sucke with water or iuice of sorrell tempered with sugar of roses But the infants heart must be fortified against the violence of the encreasing venom by giuing it one scruple of treacle in the nurses milke the broth of a pullet or some other cordiall water It is also very necessary to annoint the region of the heart the emunctories and both the wrests with the same medicine neither were it vnprofitable to smell often vnto Treacle dissolued in rose water vineger of roses and a little Aquavita that so nature may bee strengthened against the malignity of the venom When the children are weaned and somewhat well growne they may take medicines by the mouth for when they are able to concoct and turne into bloud meates that are more grosse and firme than milke they may easily actiuate a gentle medicine Therefore a potion must bee prepared for them of twelue graines of treacle dissolued with a little of the syrupe of succory in some cordiall water or the broth of a capon vnlesse that any had rather giue it with conserue of roses in forme of a bole but treacle must bee giuen to children in very small quantity for if it be taken in any large quantity there is great danger lest that by inflamming the humors it inferre a feuer Furthermore broth may bee prepared to bee taken often made of a capon seasoned with sorrell lettuce purslane and cooling seedes adding thereto bole armenicke and terrae sigillata of each one ounce being tyed in a ragge and sometimes pressed out from the decoction For bole armenicke whether it bee by its maruellous facultie of drying or by some hidden property hath this vertue that being drunken according as Galen witnesseth it cureth those that are infected with the pestilence if so bee that they may bee cured by physicke so that those that cannot bee cured with bole armenicke cannot be preserued by any other medicines But because the bodies of children are warme moist and vaporous they are easily deliuered of some portion of the venenate matter through the pores of the skinne by prouoking sweat with a decoction of parsly seedes prunes figs and the rootes of sorrell with a little of the powder of harts horne or Iuory But that the sweat may bee more aboundant and copious apply sponges dipped and pressed out in the decoction of sage rosemary lauender bayes chamomyle melilote and mallowes or else swines bladders halfe filled with the same decoction to the arme-holes and to the groines In the time that they sweate let their faces bee fanned to coole them Also let a nodule of Treacle dissolued in vineger and water of Roses bee applied to the nostrels but alwaies vse a moderation in sweating because that children are of a substance that is easie to bee dissipated and resolued so that oftentimes although they do not sweate yet they feele the commodities of sweating the matter of the venome beeing dissipated by the force of the heate through the pores of the skinne But in the sweating while the face is fanned and sweete and cordiall things applied to the nostrels nature must be recreated and strengthened which otherwise would bee debilitated through sweating that it may bee better able to expell the venome After that the sweat is wiped away it is verie profitable to take a potion of conserue of Roses with the pouder of an Harts horne or of Iuorie dissolued in the waters of Buglosse and Sorrell the better to coole and defend the heart If there appeare anie tumor vnder the arme-holes or in the groine let it be brought to maturation with a mollifying relaxing drawing and then with a suppuratiue fomentation or Cataplasme alwaies vsing and handling it as gently as you may considering the tender age of the infant If you haue neede to purge the patient the purgation following may be prescribed with great profite Take of Rubarbe in pouder one dramme infuse it in the watet of Carduus Benedictus with one scruple of Cinamon in the straining dissolue two drams of Diaratholicon of syrup of Roses laxatiue three drams make thereof a small potion This is the cure of the Pestilence and of the pestilent Feuer as farre as I could learne from the most learned Physitions and haue obserued my selfe by manifold experience by the grace and permission of God of whom alone as the author of all good things that mortall men enioy the true and certaine preseruatiues against the Pestilence are to bee desired and hoped for FINIS