sirrop of violets And if the patient wil not drinke barly water let him drinke fountaine water or raine water boiled and mixed with the sirrops aforesaide The patient likewise may in this feuer drinke water very fréely and his fill to the intent he may extinguish the inward heate of the pestilent feuer and not by little and little but fréely as Paulus Aegineta and Auicen thinke necessary in this disposition For which cause let this serue both to aduise the sicke his kéeper to alow drinke fréely the vse of water after which let the patient be wel couered to prouoke sweate which is one of the best euacuations that profiteth in this sicknes Chap. XII Rules as touching bloud-letting the potions and Euacuations which are necessary for him that is sicke of the plague AS soone as the sicke man by the signes aforesaid féels himselfe strooken he ought very spéedily séeke out for some remedy for this sickenesse neither leasure nor delay without danger of death by reason of the malignitie thereof opposed against mans life wherefore we ought with all diligent care to withstand the same and prohibit the venime and breake the forces thereof lest it woorke the vtter ruine of our bodies As soone therefore as any one féeleth himselfe seazed giue him this potion Take of the iuice of marigolds the quantity of two or thrée ounces giue it the patient to drinke with a little white wine or sorrel-sorrel-water and couer him wel that he may sweat This Iuice maketh a man frée and assured from the venime as testifieth Alexander Benedictus in his treatise of the plague and it is a most tryed and notable secret And if he sweat after he hath taken the same hée shall be assured by the grace of God of perfect health In stead of the said hearbe you may take the iuice of veruine in like quantity or the Iuice of the hearbe called Scabious which hath great force and efficacy in this case giue two ounces of the said Iuice with white Wine rose-Rose-water or Sorrel-water and you shall sée a wonderfull effect But these remedies ought to be giuen sodainly For if the sicke man dally a day or two before he complaine they haue no effect or force Of Blood-letting AS soone as the sicke féeleth himselfe strucken if he be sanguine yong and full you ought to let him bloud by those rules that ensue hereafter If the signe or tumor appeare not as yet you ought to let him bloud in the Mediana of the right arme rather than of the left to prouide lest the venime haue recourse to the hart and to take blood according to the repletion and vertue of the patient Or to worke more surely wée may take the veine in the foote called Saphena to diuert the venime from the noble parts or instéede of letting bloud apply cupping-glasses with scarification on his shoulders and buttocks From the strong able and well complexioned you may take some sixe ounces of bloud or at the least thrée or foure but for such as are weake they must not be dealt with And note that in this sickenesse we ought not to be busie in taking bloud although bloud-letting be necessarie because bloud is the treasury of life whose assistance nature néedeth to combate with the venime As also for that by much letting bloud mens forces are weakened and the venime worketh with more aduantage as shal be hereafter declared And whenas the patient is letten bloud wee ought to cause him kéepe in his mouth either a little péece of an orenge or a lemmon or a cloue or some cinnamon or else a little rose vineger and rose water mixed together to comfort his heart and vitall spirites But if the markes or botch do appeare the blood is to be drawne on that side of the body on which the tumor sheweth it selfe namely if the swelling beginneth to shew behinde the right eare drawe blood in the Cephalica of the right arme and so of the left If the signe appéere vnder the arme pits you shal cut the median of the same side namely on the right arm if the impostume be vnder the right armehole and that on the left likewise when the impostume sheweth it selfe vnder the left arme hole But in trueth the surest way is rather in this case to open the veines of the féete then of the armes to the end you may draw the venime farthest off if the signe appéere vnder the groyne strike the Saphena on the same side or rather the inward veine of the ham if it may be found the like ought also to be done in the carbuncle when it appéereth yet ought not the bloodletting be redoubled but onely vsed on that side where the carbuncle appéereth But note in this case of bloodletting that it ought to be done before the patient hath remained infected foure and twenty houres for after the terme is past blood letting is both hurtfull and pernicious because that by the same the contagion is inwardly drawne into the body and heart Whence it happeneth that the most part of those that are let blood doe die as by Hierome Fracastorius an excellent and noted Phisitian is sufficiently testified in his treatise of the Plague the third Booke and fift chapter who testifieth that all they who in the pestilent yéeres of 1505. and 1528. were let blood died all of them by the reason aforesaide because that where the interior séede of the venime is scattered and mixed with the blood and humors of the body which is done in two daies space or thereabout after a man féeleth himselfe infected letting blood is greatly harmefull because it causeth agitation of the blood and augmenteth by this means the putrifaction and by such agitation and motion the contagion doth more inwardly mixe it selfe with the humors and maketh them of pure and sincere corrupt and infected after no other maner than whenas stincking mud is mooued it venteth out the more and maketh the aire infected and stincking as is séene by experience or whenas a man shaketh or shoggeth a vessel full of salt or bitter water the water becommeth more bitter and salt than if it had béen suffered to be settled without moouing it For euery matter that is mooued is worse then that which remaineth in quiet as testifieth Galen in his fift booke de Symptomatum causis And by these reasons the said Fracastorius and Fernelius likewise men both of them excellently learned are of opinion that blood is not to be let in this case to whose iudgements I subscribe And for mine owne part and in trueth I finde it more expedient instéede of letting blood to vse cupping glasses with scarrification for after the second day is past phlebotomy is to be omitted Sée héere our instruction as touching blood-letting Of Purging AS touching purgation it ought to be administred in the beginning but rather with gentle and pleasing medicines than violent which doe weaken and force Nature and with them we ought to mixe
some powlder as the powlder of the electuary Theriacal of Guidon or the powlder of Bole Armenus with Iuniper berries or for the rich with Terra sigillata or treacle or good mithridate If then the patient be poore thou must giue him halfe an ounce of the electuary of the iuyce of roses or asmuch of Diaprunis solutiue or an ounce of Diacatholicon if hée be cholerike And if he be phlegmatike thrée drachmes of Diacarthamum or Electuary de Citro solutiue And if he be melancholike the confection Hamech dissolued in water of scabious or sorrel or buglosse an ounce of sirop of limons or a drachme of good treacle or the powlder of bole Armenus prepared or the séedes of Citron or Iuniper berries The richer sort ought to be purged with manna Rubarbe sirrop of roses solutiue without scammony with Cassia and Mirabolans and if néede require you may mixe a little dose of the electuary of the iuyce of roses or Diaprunis solutiue in those that are cholerike as in the phlegmatike a litle Diaphenicon or in the melancholike alitle of confection Hamech mixing with the saide potions for the rich halfe an ounce or a drachme of Terra sigillata or of the powlder of Diamargariton or of the powlder Theriacal of Guidon with the abouenamed waters and the sirrope of limons or the iuyce of citrons And if they take more contentment to be purged by pils they may vse the common pils of Rufus made of aloes mirrhe and saffron adding thereunto a little Rubarbe for the rich Agaric with a little Terra sigillata or Bole Armenus prepared The poore may vse pilles Aggregatiue or Aurea or Cochia to the quantitie of a drachme or foure scruples and when their medicine hath wrought his operation they may take half a porrenger of the broath of a chickin and make a light meale And during the working of their medicine they may alwayes holde in their handes to smel to roses orenges limons marioram rosemary and such like and may oftentimes wash their hands and wet their nostrilles in rose water mixed with vineger and the powlder of cloues or Angelica or Zedoary as hath béene before times declared Sée héere the methode in purgation Potions against the Plague AND to accomplish this chapter it remaineth to set downe certaine necessary potions to minister to the sicke that may resist the venime which during the time of their sickenesse ought very oftentimes to be ministred vnto them vntill such time as nature ouercommeth the force of the infection being assisted by the vertue of naturall heate and by cordiall Antidotes that is to say by medicines that are altogether contrarie to the venime of the plague which the Arabians in their tongue are accustomed to call Bezoatici and the Latines Antidotes Euerie morning and euening therefore and if néed be at midday or midnight if the accidents be violent you may cause the patient to drinke these potions folowing If he be poore take Iuniper-berries and Bole Armenus of each a drachme powlder them wel and mixe them with scabious buglosse or sorrel water and one ounce of sirop of limons cause him to take it euening and morning euery day or else take the powlder of the Electuary of Guido giue him a drachme after the same manner you may also vse with good effect the poulder of betony dried to the quantity of a drachme or 4. scruples taking it in summer time with rose water and in winter in good white wine and it worketh wonderful effects if the patient kéepe himselfe well couered and sweate therevpon for it causeth the venime to euaporate by sweat Treacle and Mythridate also are soueraine medcines to this effect being taken to the quantitie of a drachme with rose water in summer or succorie or sorrel water and in winter with good white or claret wine For the rich let this powlder be dispensed Take the rootes of tormentil the roote of Diptamus Creticus if it be possible the roots of Angelica Zedoari and Gentian of each a drachme of the seedes of citrons and sorrel two drachmes of true Bole Armenus prepared twoo drachmes of Terra sigillata thrée drachmes of pearles two drachmes of red corall foure scruples of the rinde of the citron or Oringe dryed a drachme beate all these to a fine powlder of which you may giue the patient in the waters aboue named the weight of a drachme or a drachme and a halfe If you will make an opiate thereof you may confect the powlder with conserue of roses or buglosse or sirrop of limons and make an opiate of which you may giue the patient halfe an ounce at a time This poulder is of most excellent vertue and great effect if it be wel dispenced which amongst all other medicines is most appropriate as by the vertue of the ingredients the expert and learned Phisitian may easily coniecture These are the remedies which in potions are most assured and are both experimented and alowed laying aside the superstitious and vaine opinions of the vnicornes horne of which the common sort make so great reckoning For in truth it is a méere folly to beléeue that the pieces of horne which diuers men beare about them is the horne of that beast which the Gréekes called Monoceros and the latins Vnicornu as the simple sorte vnicornes horne for it is a beast so rare to be séene and in places so strange that scarsely Alexander the great could recouer one to his great charge and expence as Plinie Aelian and Philostratus testifie neither may it be taken aliue for that it liueth in places desart and solitary in the extreamest parts of India and the East But leauing these things apart I say that we ought to trust to perfect tried experienced medicines such as are those which heretofore I haue faithfully set downe for the common good and the loue I beare vnto my neighbours In prosecution of which matter I say by the authoritie of Galen Lib. 9. de simpl fac cap. 14. V.T. that Bole Armenus is by him singularly commended amongst all other simples for the plague For in that great plague which in his time was in Greece all those that drunke Bole Armenus were sodainely healed as the said Galen testifieth who aduiseth vs to take it with good white wine somewhat qualified and mixed with water the quantitie ought to be some two drachmes And here you are to note that in those who are already taken with the plague it behooueth to giue them a greater dose of your Antidotes then those whom you intend to preserue For in the venime of the plague is already inclosed in their bodies it is necessary that the medicine should be more forcible to ouercome and subdue the same then before that it seazeth the body And therefore if to the healthy you will ordaine a drachme to preserue him you ought to giue eare to those that are sicke And this may serue for an aduertisement to the common sorte how they should gouerne their
taken away mixe the same with oyle of roses in a leaden morter and stirre it well and you shall haue a good oyntment to repaire the deformed cicatrises which are left after carbuncles This is the whole forme of the cure of a pestilent carbuncle Chap. XV. The maner how to withstand the most vrgent accidents that happen in the pestilent feuer the Botch and Carbuncle THE most troublesome and dangerous accidents in this sickenesse are weakenesse of vertue faintings of the heart soundings rauing or frensie extreame drith profound sléepe or continuall waking crampes coldnesse of the extreame parts which we ought diuersly to correct according as the nature of each of them requireth The féeblenesse of vertue which may be knowne by the weaknesse of the pulse palenesse of the face and dulnesse of the patient may be preuented or corrected by comforting the sicke by good and cordiall broths and colices cawdles or such like with good wine also as Galen commandeth in the twelfth booke of his Methode ministring it but little in quantitie and alayed with water or to make him take a toste of bread with sugar cinamon stéeped in good white or claret wine you shall giue him Diamargariton Manus Christi with pearles and amongest al the medicines that are proper to comfort the vertue the confection Alchermes described by Mesue in his Antidotary is allowed which hath maruelous force and efficacie to restore vertue almost extinct in the sicke as by diuerse experiments I am able to auow to the valew of a drachme in buglosse water or white wine It shal be good also to comfort the patient to incourage him with friendly words to embolden him extinguish his feare for these meanes both quicken and strengthen vertue The faintings of the heart which the Gréekes call Lipothimiae may be eased by the Electuary of Diamargariton or the powlder thereof annexing vnto it the powlder of Electuarium de gemmis or a little of the powlder of Diamosci dulcis giuen in white wine or buglosse or scabious water to the valew of a drachme And in this accident you must comfort the sick with good odors and rubbe the pulses of his armes and his temples with rose water and rose vineger or with the mixture of rose water rose vineger the powlder of cloues and cinamon and if the patient be bound it wil be good to giue him a clister of the decoction of mallowes béetes borage mercury mellon séedes and a little annice séede and branne and dissolue therein an ounce of Catholicon or Cassia oyle of violettes and grosse sugar If the sicke fall into a sound giue him sodainely two or thrée spoonefuls of pure wine as Galen commaundeth in the twelfth of his Methode and in such a case it is good to giue him foure graines of muske dissolued in good wine and buglosse water if the Feuer be not ouer vehement or instéede of this remedie giue him this drinke folowing Take of powlder of cloues halfe a drachme of the powlder of pearles and corrall of each halfe a drachme make a drinke with buglosse water and a little good white wine or claret wine And in such an accident you must crie vpon the sicke rubbe him violently make him smel rose water and muske or giue him a drachme of the confection Alchermes with buglosse water and a little wine and halfe a drachme of pearles for the rich and for the poore the powlder of cloues And if he abound in cholerike humors purge him with a little rubarbe or the Electuary of the Iuyce of roses or the sirrope of roses It is good also to cast fresh water very oftentimes in his face for it quickeneth the decayed spirites These are the remedies for soundings If the patient fall a rauing you must giue him some spéedy euacuation to diuert the humors lest they mount to the braine you must therefore rubbe the lower partes very often and apply ligatures to the extremities and make him take sirrope of poppy with water of the decoction of lettuce purselane or sorrell and wash his féete and armes with the warme decoction of the leaues of willow vine leaues lettice floures of roses and lillies camomile and the tops of white poppy boyled in water and kéepe the patient in silence and in a secret place and to beware that he speak not as much as is possible and if the raging be ouerfurious you ought to binde him and to take all thinges from him that may hurt him as all sorts of armor and other offensible things finally to procure him to sléepe The extreame thirst that presseth the patient must be eased by drincking fréely as Paulus Aegineta and Auicen commaund and his drinke shall be fresh water in great quantitie if the patient be yoong and strong or mixed with sirope of limons or sower grapes or sirop of violets And note that he must drink largely and aboundantly to extinguish the heate of the feuer that burneth him inwardly for to drincke in little quantitie rather inflameth then cooleth the same And therefore the aboue named Authors will that in the pestilent feuer we should allow aboundance of drinke for it either prouoketh vomite or sweate or extinguisheth the feuer heauinesse of sléep must be remedied by strong rubbings of the féete and handes by often calling on the sicke by kéeping him in a lightsome chamber by clapping cupping glasses with scarification to the nape of his necke by sharpe clisters made with the decoction of mallowes holihockes béetes hisope bitony rew sage and the lesser centory of each a handfull agaric two drachmes polipody an ounce coloquintida a drachme branne a handfull let all be boyled in water and strayned to which you may adde of catholicon one ounce of the electuary of Indie or Hiera piera composita halfe an ounce of salt a drachme of common hony halfe an ounce make hereof a clister which he may take in the morning or after supper during his heauines Subeth and déepe sléepe It is good also to make him smel to the powlder of burnt haire mixed with vineger for it awaketh him much And if contrariwise the patient cannot sléepe you shall giue him two ounces of the sirope of poppy or one ounce an houre before he take rest with the decoction of lettuce and poppy séede and you shal annoynt his forehead with vnguentum populeonis or alittle of the séedes of white poppy and annice you may annoynt his nosthrills also with the oyles of poppy and violets with a graine of Opium and saffron incorporated together if necessity require it and not otherwise If the patient be seazed with the cramp which is a mortal signe and after which few escape as Hippocrates testifieth in his second booke 2◠Aphorisme yet must we notwithstanding assist all that wée may and annoynt the nape of his necke with oyles of white lillies and violets and make him holde in his mouth a péece of nutmeg and chew it often you shall likewise giue him
stench corruption putrifaction and euill qualitie For which cause it is necessary to make good fumes in our houses of swéet and wholesome wood as Rosemarie Iuniper and Lawrell or Bayes and to perfume the whole house and chambers with the fume of Rosemary Iuniper the parings of Apples Storax Beniamin Incence dried Roses Lauender and such like both Euening and Morning It is not amisse likewise at euery corner of the stréet at least twise in the wéek to make cleare and quicke Bonefires to consume the malignant vapours of the ayre according as Acron the great Phisitian commaunded to be done during the mortall plague in Greece As Paulus Aegineta testifieth in his second Booke Chap. 35. It is good also to weare swéet sauors and perfumes about vs such as in Winter time are Marcorame Rosemarie Storax Beniamin or to make a Pomander after this sort that ensueth and to weare it about vs to smell too vpon all opertunities Take of the flowers of red Roses of Violets of Buglos of each halfe a little handfull of the thrée Sanders of each a Dramme of the rootes of Angelica Gentian and Zedoary of each foure scruples of white Encens Cloues Nutmegs Calamus Aromaticus of each a dram of Storax Calumit and red Beniamin of each a dramme and a halfe of orientall Muske a scruple of Amber-greece halfe a scruple of Ladaum infused in Rose-water one ounce mixe all these together in rose-Rose-water where in the Gum Dragacanth hath béene infused and with a little of Rose-vinegar make a paste of which you may forme certaine rounde Pomanders to weare about your necke and smell vnto continually Or take of Rose-water thrée ounces of white Vinegar of Roses ij ounces of white Wine or pure Malmosie two spoonfuls of the powder of Cloues of the roote of Angelica and Storax of each halfe a dramme mixe them all together and with this liquor it shall not be amisse to wash your hands bedeaw your forehead nostrils and the pulces of your armes for such an odour and of so wholesome a qualitie vehemently repulceth the venome that assaileth the heart and altereth the pestilence of the ayre It shall not be amisse likewise to carrie an Angelica roote in your mouth or a Gentian or Zedoary roote or else the rine of an Orange Lemon or Pomecitron which as Auicen testifieth haue soueraine effects in this case The continual vses of these good odors comforteth the heart and vitall spirites driueth away all venemous vapours and rectifieth the ayre that whirleth about vs as Auicen testifieth in his Booke Of the Forces of the Heart For which cause they which desire the continuance of their health ought neuer to be vnprouided of these things Amongst all other medicines that haue the propertie to comfort and reioyce the heart the Easterne Hyacinth béeing worne about the brest and next vnto the naked skin or else held in the mouth is very effectuall as Auicen testifieth in his Booke Of the Forces of the Heart in that Chapter wherein hée entreateth of the Hyacinth where hée saith that the sayd Stone hath not only a propertie to fortifie the heart and quicken the vitall spirites but also to resist all venomes For which I aduise all such as haue both meanes and maintenance to get such a iewel to carrie the same either in their mouthes or continually about their neckes neare vnto the region of their hearts by reason of that excellent propertie which all Authors by vniforme consent attribute vnto the same CHAP. V. The meanes and preseruatiues which are to be ministred inwardly against the Plague GAlen in his first booke of the differences of Feuers and in that Chapter wherein he intreateth of the pestilent Feuer saith That to preserue the body from infection it shall be very necessarie to clense and purifie the same from al corruptions and superfluities by sit purgations and to take away these oppilations and stoppings which are the meanes that naturall heat cannot bee dispersed to dry the body from humidities and to maintaine such bodyes as are drie in their Estates In imitation of whose opinion and direction it shall be good to euacuat and expell those superfluities of humours which abound according to there natures age complexion vertue quantitie and qualitie who are forced with the same superfluous humours It is therefore note worthy in suspected and dangerous times that no accustomed euacuations either by fluxe of Hemeroides or of the belly old vlcers menstruall blood itches or such like should be restrained For those purgations which are of this kinde doo clense the vnnecessary humours and by this meanes maketh the body healthfull whereas such humours being either repressed by astringent medecines or such like ointments might greatly hurt the principall members and produce strange sicknesses in the same And for this cause Galen and Hipocrates write That it is a good signe when as any defluxion is expelled from the inward and principall parts of the body where contrariwise if the same be transported from the outward to the inward parts it is a most euil and sinister signe For which cause in the Plague time it is the surest way rather to suffer those superfluities to haue their course then to stop or stay them by any medecine because by the voydance thereof the body is purged from the same superfluities which being retained might wonderful annoy it Which counsaile of theirs may serue for an aduertisement to all those that shall be so disposed and affected in the time of the Plague It behooueth therefore such as be Sanguine full in loue and youthfull in yeares to be let blood after a competent manner thereby to diminish their replexion and aboundance of blood Those that are chollerique ought to be purged with an infusion of Rubarb if they be wealthy and if poore with the Electuary of the iuice or Roses by taking thrée Drammes or halfe an ounce thereof in Sorrell Endiue or Purslane water or else by Diacatholium Diaprunis Laxatiue the sirope of Roses Cassia or the pilles of Rubarb Femetorie or those that for their gentle working are called by the Phisitians Aureae The Flegmatique ought to be purged with Agaric Diaphenicon Diacarthami the pils Aggregatine Cochiae according to the strength of their bodyes the qualitie of the humor which are offensiue at the discreton of the learned experienced Phisitians by whose directions and prescriptions such medecines are to be ministred not according to the custome of this time by foolish Idiotes and ignorant Emperiques Such as are melancholy should be purged with the infusion of Sena and Epithemum with a little Anice seede and Diacathelicon with the Confection Hamech Diasene Solutiue the pilles of Femitory and Aureae I forbeare to call the pils De lape Armeno and Lasuli into vse because they are too violent and scarcely well prepared Such as are weake and delicate persons As woman with childe children and aged people it shall suffice to purge them with an ounce of
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
feuer without any other appearance so that nature desisteth not to performe hir functions being as yet vnassailed by the venime For which cause the patient will haue a good pulse and healthful vrine almost as perfect as when they were in health when as sodainly they are séene to die without any manifest occasion which bréedes doubt and trouble in the Phisition as Galen and Auicen do testifie For this cause men ought not to maruell though the Phisitions in this case are pusseld and doubtful since this sicknes in his nature is so doubtfull fraudulent and deceiuable This notwithstanding whenas with the feuer the tokens tumor or carbuncle do appeare there is no cause of suspition or doubt of the disease Then ought they readily to withstand the same by a fit and conuenient diet and by exquisit and proper medicines sodainly and exquisitely ordained for a sickenes of that nature admits no delay without certaine danger of death And therefore Hipocrates saith that it is expedient in such sickenesses to minister euacuations and other meanes the very same day Now for that it is one of the principall intentions of a Phisition in this case to correct the aire and prohibite the venime that it may haue no operation in the body we will beginne with the same and so consequently discourse vpon the rest The preparation of a Chamber FIrst therefore men ought to make choice of a chamber for the patient that is wel aired if it be possible hauing the windowes towards the North or East And if it be in summer time it is good to kéep those windows that regard the North opened to the end that the ayre of the chamber may be purified and cleansed Care likewise must be had to haue the Chamber cleansed twoo or thrée times a day and that the floore be sprinckled the wals bedewed with good Rose-vineger mixed with common-water or with Rose-water if the patient be rich The said chamber likewise must be strewed with odoriferous flowres and swéete smelling hearbs namely in Summer time with roses violets and pinkes with the leaues of willow and the vine It is good also to haue quinces citrons to smell to to the end that the ayre may be more odoriferous Neyther is it amisse at what time soeuer it be to make a light fire in the Chamber in Summer time for it purgeth the infected ayre very much And if it be in Winter it is not amisse to make a great fire in the Chamber of Rosemary bayes Iuniper and such like perfuming the Roome with Beniamin Storax Frankinscence Cloues Iuniper-berries or such like And if the patient be of abilitie so as he may change chambers it shal not be amisse to do it oftentimes so as it be prepared as we haue aduised The bed of the patient ought to be large cleane and perfumed with good odors according to the season of the yeare as is aforesaide He ought also oftentimes to change his shéets and his shirt if he haue meanes twise or at leastwise once in the day Round about his bed if it be summer time and on the top of his couerlets you shal strew floures and odoriferous fruit and boughs and the sicke party shal haue by him diuerse orenges quinces limons or citrons to smell to And if he be rich he shall cause certaine shéets to be stéeped in vineger and water and hung round about his bed not onely to refresh the place but to repulse the euill vapour of the chamber He shall likewise oftentimes wash his hands his pulses and his face and forhead with this mixture Take of white rose vineger foure ounces or halfe a pinte of rose water a pinte of good malmsey claret or white wine foure ounces of the powlder of zodoarie cloues dried roses and muske of each two graines let al these be beaten and mixed together and let him rubbe his nose his eares handes and face therewith for it will comforte and quicken the heart and vitall spirites and driue away all euill vapours Lo here the preparation of the chamber and bed of him that is diseased and sick of the plague Hereafter insueth the maner of his diet Chap. XI The Diet of him that is strucken with the Plague BEcause in this sickenesse the appetite is deiected and the vertue of the stomacke and all other members is much enféebled it behooueth those that are sicke to enforce themselues to eate to the end they may resist the sickenes and strengthen nature as Auicene commaundeth where he saieth that they who manfully enforce themselues in this disease and eate couragiously are they who escape The Diet therefore of the patient ought to be in quantitie moderate taken by little and little and often and in qualitie substantiall and nourishing and tempered with such things as resist venome Let his meate be of good nourishment of easie digestion and pleasant to the taste as shall be hereafter declared His meate shall be caponets chickins and pullets yong kidde veale and mutton partridge plouer turtle fesant and quaile and the pottage made of them very nourishing shall be altered with sorrell lettuce borage pimpernell and the leaues of mariegoldes for in this sickenesse they haue great vertue as Alexander Benedictus testifieth in his 23. chap. de peste yet must you not mixe them all together but it shall suffice to vse one or other and in the saide broathes it shall not bée amisse to mixe some little quantitie of the iuyce of limons orenges or sowre grapes in their seasons The bread and meate which they eate should be taken with the Iuyce of lemmons citrons oringes pomegranats rose vineger veriuyce the Iuyce of sorrel vsing one or the other at seuerall repasts And if sharpenesse be displeasant to his stomacke you may vse a little of the Iuice of mintes with suger and alittle sinimon Barly creame Almond milke and panatels are fit meates in this cause as also fresh and new egges poched in water and taken with the Iuice of sorrel and alittle suger And among other restoratiues our ordinary candles of white wine rose water yelks of Egs sugar and cinamon is much commended A coulis also is of very good nourishment whenas the sick man cannot eate for then must we restore him with cordiall strong broths His drink shal be good white or claret wine such as fumes not but is wel qualified with pure fountaine water for by reason of the weaknes of the vertue in this cruell sicknes to resist the operation of the venome it is not necessary to take from them the vse of wine except the sick be very sanguin yong ful and of an able body In which case it shal be better to forbid than to licence them to vse it Betwéene meales they may drink barly water in which they may stéep and infuse some leaues of sorrel and with their barly water they may mix sirrop of limons sirrop of sowre grapes sirrop of the Iuice of Citrons sirrop Alexandrine or
sicke in time of visitation This water that enseweth is likewise of great vertue and allowed by many experiences TAke two pound of the iuyce of limons of rose vineger as much of Bole Armenus prepared two ounces of the dried rinde of orenges one ounce infuse them a day naturall or xxiiii houres in the saide vineger and afterwardes distill them in Balneo Mariae giue of this water foure ounces with sirrope of limons or sirrope of sowre grapes for it is an excellent medicine as Fracastorius in his third Booke de morbis Contagiosis chap. 7. whose name I héere set downe to the end I may no waies seeme to defraude any one of the praise due vnto them or challenge to my selfe other mens inuentions Hitherto haue we sufficiently spoken of those medicines which are to bée taken inwardly it remaineth that we speake of those that are to be applied outwardly But before that I intreate of them I will describe in this place a confection or restoratiue to be ministred vnto him that is infected with the plague Take conserue of roses conserue of water lillies conserues of sowre grapes and buglosse of each an ounce of pouldered pearles one drachme of Bole Armenus prepared foure scruples of fine suger as much as sufficeth reduce all these into the forme of a Conduite with leaues of golde for the rich As for the poore it shall suffice to giue them the foresaide conserues with a little of the poulder of Bole Armenus or Triasantali or the séeds of sowre grapes or citrons or the barke thereof It is good also to giue them oft times a tablet of losenge of Diamargariton when they haue the fainting of the heart with a little buglosse water or white wine and if they fall into soundings giue them confection Alchermes after the same maner for it is a miraculous medcine in strengthening the heart and reuiuing the spirites And in this case it is good to restore them with good broaths wine caudles and egges as wée haue héeretofore aduised Manus Christi perlata also is good in this case and pleasant to the eater which you may giue in brothes in buglosse water or in the forme of a tablet To comfort the heart outwardly vse this Epitheme that followeth For the rich take rose water sorrell water buglosse and balme water of each foure ounces of good white wine or malmsey thrée ounces of the powlder of Diamargariton and de Gemmis of each one drachme of powlder of scarlet which we call vermilion of cloues of each halfe a drachme of powlder of zedoary and Bole Armenus of ech a scruple of the trochisques of camphre halfe a scruple make an Epitheme for the heart the which you shall apply with a péece of fine scarlet vppon the region of the heart morning and euening For the poore it sufficeth to make an Epitheme of sowre grape-water or sorrel water of balme-water and rose water with alittle white wine and the powlder of sanders and alittle powlder of Iuniper-berries Instéed of the said Epithemes you may make certaine bagges of silke for the hart after this fashion Take dryed red roses flowers of violets water-lilies and buglosse of each a little handful of rosemary flowers as much of the powlder of scarlet cloues sāders the powlder of Diamargariton of each a drachme of Citron séede Bole Armenus of each foure scruples of muske and amber of each fiue graines beate all these to powlder and baste them with cotton in red taffatie and make a bag thereof which you may easily besprinckle with rose water and a little white wine and apply to the hart An Epitheme for the liuer TAKE of the distilled water of endiue succory sorrel rose and wormewood water of each thrée ounces of good white rose wine vineger thrée siluer spoonfuls of the powlder of sanders one drachme of the séeds of sower grapes two scruples of spicknard a scruple make an Epitheme hereof for the poore and for the rich you may adde powlder of Diamargariton pearles corall and Zedoary of each halfe a drachme Mathiolus of Siena a notable Phision of our age principally in matter of simples in his sixt booke of his Commentaries vpon Dioscorides writing vpon the preface sets down an excellent ointment of great virtu to withstand the operation of venim in those that are sicke of the plague the description whereof is long and difficult to be made and serueth but for Princes and great Lords in that it is very chargeable Therefore to auoyde prolixitie we haue thought good to referre the Reader to that place if he thinke good to cause it to be dispensed The name thereof is the oile of scorpions which in trueth is of maruelous vertue to expel poison and venime as by the maruellous composition and art in making that oile may be séene But instead thereof we will set downe an other oyle of scorpions of a more easie composition set downe by Alexander Benedictus in the xx chapter of his booke of the plague the description whereof hereafter ensueth Take of oile oliue the oldest that may be gotten one pound then take thréescore liue scorpions and put them in a violl of glasse in the said oyle and boyle them ouer a soft fire nine houres or set the said oyle in our Ladies baine and when they haue thus boyled in the oyle thou shalt adde vnto them of treacle two ounces and let it boyle in the said oyle a quarter of an houre then straine all of it and kéepe the said oyle in a violl well closed and stopped with waxe and parchment and with it annoynt the sicke vnder the armepittes behinde the eares on the breast the pulses of the armes the temples and nosthrilles twice or thrice a day This is a most excellent remedy and of great force as the aforesaid Authors testifie who writes that if this vnction be applied sodainly to him that is sicke of the plague before 24. houres be past he shal be deliuered vsing the remedies aforesaide The same Author likewise reporteth that this oyntment is of great effect Take a glasse that containeth a pint and a halfe and more fil it with oile that is old in which oile you shal infuse of elder floures six litle handfuls of the floures of walworth two handfuls of the leaues and floures of Hipericon or S. Iohns wort a handful but let the oile couer the hearbs and be more in quantitie set this vessel closely luted in the sunne for the space of fortie dayes or a whole summer and reserue it to the abouenamed vses to annoynt the sicke as hath béen saide But after you haue annoynted him you must couer him close for the oyle procureth sweate and by such euacuation causeth the venime to vapor outwardly and if to the said oyle you shal annex twenty or thirty scorpions it wil be farre more excellent if besides you adde two or thrée ounces of good treacle and boyle them in our Ladies bayne it will haue more force Sée here the best
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
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
the end that by the hollow tents the venime may the better and the sooner be euacuated and not stayed within which is the intention that a good and aduised Surgeon ought to haue And this may serue for aduise and counsaile hence forward although that diuers will thinke this matter somwhat strange vnto them who are accustomed to vse an other fashion but the truth in all things ought to haue place and should not be any wayes disguised After that the sore is opened you must mundifie the same with these cleansing abstersiue medicines folowing and note that you ought to kéepe these sores open a long time and to suffer them to purge out their venime by the vse of these cleansing medicines following Take of the mundification of rozen and put it vppon the saide sores within them by hollow tents or take barley meale sod in water and honny an ounce or two incorporate with good honny of roses annexing the roote of the lilly of Florence and a little salt make a clensing medicine hereof or take Sarcocolla beaten to powlder sodden honny of each a like quantitie incorporate them togither and make an ointment thereof for it is a mundifier But amongst all other vnguents that cleanse loathsome vlcers and such as are of a venimous and euill quality I haue not found any more excellent or that cleanseth the loathsome stinking and euil matter then this which I composed my selfe and haue often vsed and tried the same with good effect Take of the iuices of daffadill and wormewood of each foure ounces of hony of roses clarified eight ounces boyle these together vntil the iuices be consumed then adde thervnto of turpentine of Venice washed in rose water or aqua vitae foure ounces of the rootes of the Florentine lilly and Aristolochia the round of ech thrée drachms of the flower of Lupins two drachms make an oyntment of these in truth I can assure you that I haue séene this medicine work admirable effect in the vlcers of the french pox and such like cleansing them very purely not only of their grosse and euil matter but of the dead flesh and kores inclosed in the said vlcers as I haue often times tried Or do thus Take of Venice turpentine washed in aqua vitae in winter and barley water in summer halfe a pound of oyle of roses three ounces of honny of roses foure ounces of good and gummy mirrh aloes mastike Aristolochia the round of ech one drachme and a halfe of barly meale thrée drachmes make an oyntment hereof to mundify these vlcers for it is very good Sée here the order of cleansing ointments After the vlcer is wel mundified a long time you must skinne with the emplaister of Diacaletheos or the plaister of Seruse or the red desiccatiue plaster of Tutia but this is the best Take betony centory the lesse agrimony Aristolochia the round of ech one ounce of déere suet halfe an ounce of masticke thrée drachmes of aloes halfe an ounce of new waxe two ounces séethe the hearbs in good red wine and straine them then adde the pitch the wax and sewet and séethe it againe and in the end adde Aloes and masticke and make a good incarnatiue hereof And note that if the sore be very painefull you must asswage the griefe therof with a cataplasme of bread crums boyled in milke and afterward with the yelkes of egs saffron and oyle of roses as much as sufficeth apply it to the painefull sore Or foment the place with the decoction of mallows holihocks camomile and melilote floures and branne sodde in water and apply it in way of fomentation to the pained place Lo héere the cure of the plague sore it followeth that we intreate of the carbuncle Of the cure of the Carbuncle THE Carbuncle is a malignant pustule procéeding from bloud very hote and grosse in substance which causeth the adustion thereof an vlcer with an Eschare or crust in the skin swelling and red raising thorow the inflammation thereof those partes that are néere about it and procuring excéeding paine in him that is possessed therewith Which by Galen in his second booke ad Glauconem the sixt chapter hath very learnedly taught And of these though euery sort of carbuncle be malignant and dangerous as testifieth the same Author in his third comentarie on the the third booke of Hippocrates his Epidemes the xii Aphorisme yet notwithstanding those that haue not with them a contagious and pestilent venime intermixed are not so dangerous of death as they that raine in the time of the plague by reason of the venome which is introduced into the humors and masse of blood infected by the euil quality of the aire which maketh such pustules ouer and aboue their naturall malitiousnesse more maligne dangerous deadly and accompanied with great and mortall accidents And therefore in such pustules it is necessary to take great care and diligence in curing them readily and rooting out and extinguishing their venime as soone as may be possible which by the meanes heerevnder written may be orderly performed according to methode When as therefore the carbuncle shall appéere in any part of any person the most soueraigne remedy is by actuall fire applied vpon to pustull to consume and abate the venome for there is not any thing that sooner mortifieth and extinguisheth the venime than fier And therefore the actuall cautery applied vpon the pustull is the souerainty and sure remedy to cure the same But diuers fearefull patients wil not endure the same instéede thereof therefore you shall apply vpon the carbuncle these folowing remedies which haue a cautsike vertue Take an olde nutte or two barly flowre small reasins without their stones fat figges dried of each one ounce beate them all together in a morter and afterward séethe them in wine and oyle of poppy and apply it vpon the carbuncle for it mortifieth the venome and helpeth to rotte the euill flesh Take also two or thrée yelks of egges of pepper a drachme of common salt a drachme and a halfe of soot of the chimny or ouen halfe a drachme mixe al together and make an oyntment thereof or this Take of the leaues of rew halfe a little handfull of fat figges sixe in number of pepper a drachme of soote of chimny or ouen halfe an ounce two yelks of egges of safforne halfe a drachme of fresh capons greace without salt one ounce and with the Iuice of scabious make an oyntment which is very excellent For it suffereth not the venime to procéede any further but openeth the carbuncle very quickly and maketh a good eschare Or do thus take of fat figs halfe a pound of mustard-séed thrée ounces of oyle of white lillies as much as sufficeth to incorporate them make a plaster hereof and apply it vpon the carbuncle The oyntment called Basilicon mixed with halfe an ounce of good treacle of mythridate and the iuyce of Scabious is maruellous good and appropriate as also the yelke of
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
lenitiue and no sharp clisters and make him drincke barly water with sirrope of violets and moysten him with good brothes for the cramp very often commeth of emptines and is commonly mortall if the extreame partes be colde in a pestilent feuer or other sharpe sickenesse it signifieth the weakenesse and mortification of naturall heate and for the most part betokeneth death In this case we must minister vnto his handes and féete with hote cloathes and chafe them and giue him a little wine to quicken naturall heate and make him holde a clowt in his mouth and giue him the powlder of Diacameron or Diamoscum and kéep him warme in his bed and take héede that no colde touch him But when the poore patient is come to this estate there is litle hope of them as testifieth Hippocrates in the fourth of his Aphorismes Aphorisme 48. for it is a signe that death is at hand Chap. XVI The order and gouernment they ought to obserue who assist and serue those that are sicke of the plague IT is a matter most euident that they that dwell continually with those that are infected with the plague are in great danger to receiue the same infection from those that are sicke by reason they haunt with them night and day receiue their breaths and smell their corruptions and sucke the infected ayre of the infected houses wherein they conuerse which is a thing very dangerous as Galen witnesseth in the first booke de differentijs febrium cap. 2. For which cause they that are resolued to kéepe them that are sick of the plague ought to haue a great care of themselues for feare they be infected And first of all they must haue recourse vnto God beséeching him to preserue them to the end that being thus assisted by his grace they may the better accomplish this charitable office to the sicke and succor and serue them to their vttermost which is an action that pleaseth Almighty God Folowing then the order prescribed in the second third fourth and fift chapter of this treatise he shall vse those preseruatiues there described according to his complexion age strength and the nature of these humors that abound in him taking fit medicines or pills powlders opiates or tablets against the plague treacle or mithridate according to the forme we haue set downe in the places afore alleaged continuing the same without intermission When hee shall visit the sicke hée must not approch ouer néere vnto him for feare he receiue his breath but stand farre off him especially if he be fasting Also before he enter into the sicke mans Chamber let him perfume it and cause the windowes to be opened and make a good fire therein of rosemary or iuniper Hée shall holde in his mouth an Angelica or zedoary roote or a cloue or the rinde of a citron orenge or limon He shall wash his handes face forehead and temples with vineger and rose water and if he haue leisure doe the like vnder his arme-pits and in other emunctory places but this is not alwayes sure and easie to be done He shall oftentimes and almost euery day change his garments and linen and carry in his hand apples pomanders orenges or limons to smell to He shall holde a spunge steeped in rose water vineger white wine besprinckled with the powlder of cloues zedoary and Angelica to which hée shall often smell and with some of the same liquor he shal gargarise his mouth and throate He shall perfume al the house and chamber of the sicke thrice a day and oftner in summer because the dayes are longer When he commeth to touch the sicke he shall cause him to turne his face from him lest he breathe vpon him and he likewise that performeth this office shall doe the like for his better securitie he shall kéepe himselfe cleanely purge often with the pilles against the plague or other fit medicines He shall be sober in his diet and auoyde all superfluous meate and drinke he must be merry and lightsome and driue away all feare sadnesse and melancholy For those that are fittest to be imployed in this matter are such as haue a good courage and are merry pleasant and well complexioned that despise the danger of death and are ready to doe seruice to their parents and frends wiues or children These in trueth are they that in these times are in least danger and whom God foreséeing their good zeale protects by his mercy preseruing them from so great danger Neuerthelesse in this time men ought not to be too rash or hazardous nor trust too much to their complexions youth vertue and force of body For the secret venome of the plague preuenteth all this and except a man be wary and prudent it wil then seaze him when he least suspecteth because a venime of that nature is accustomed to lie hidden in the body a long time without any effect or at leastwise notable impression after the nature of the byting of a madde dogge which sodainely before it be discouered takes a lamentable effect For which cause men ought not to be so bolde and rash as to expose themselues to such dangers except necessitie constraineth them to succour their parents or faithful friends to whom by lawe of nature they are tied Neyther on the contrary side shoulde they be too feareful and so cowardly as to forsake their fathers mothers wiues and children for feare of death but both by the commaundement of God and law of nature they ought to imploy all their power yea to aduenture life and bloud to preserue those who next vnder God gaue them life being and liuing Chap. XVII The manner how to cleanse the houses and places that are infected the woollen and linnen and the moouables of the same And how long they may remaine infected if they be not well cleansed and in what time they may be reputed cleane I Haue héeretofore declared in the first Chapter of this Treatise that the Plague is a contagious sicknesse rauishing life by the malignity thereof and because that the contagion of the same which is no other thing but a like disposition by a certaine hidden consent communicated by touch vnto another it remaineth long time hidden in such things as may receiue the same such as are the aire of the house infected the walls the garments of woollen linnen cotten fether and such like it is therefore necessary to know how to clense the houses of those that haue bin infected with the plague to the end that after they that haue béene infected shall returne to their houses they may not be infected anew by reason their garments couerlets beds and such like haue not béene well ayred and clensed And therefore by way of aduertisement to all in generall euery one during the time of the plague ought to shut vp his best moouables in a place apart that is cleane neate and to forbeare the vse thereof I say they ought to shutte vp their linnen tapistry and couerlets