shall help it._
Sometimes you shall find that it will be a long time before those
pustulaes will come to maturation, or grow white: now here you must
help nature to bring it to passe, which you may well do with this
decoction.
Take Mallowes, one handfull, Figgs, twelve in number, Water, a quart.
Cut the Figgs small, and boyle altogether, untill half and more be
consumed, and then wet a fine soft linnen cloth therein, and touch the
place therewith oftentimes, which will soone bring them to maturation,
and also ease the paine, if any be.
_Ulceration, to help it._
If in the declining of the Pox they chance to grow unto Ulcerations,
which is oftentimes seen: then for the curing thereof use this order
here following.
Take Tamarinds, leaves of Lentils, Mirtils, budds of oaken leaves, red
Roses dried, of either a little handfull.
Boyle all these in a pottle of clean water untill half be consumed,
then strein it, and with a fine cloth wet therein do you wash and soak
the place well, then wipe it dry with a soft and fine linnen cloth, and
then cast into the place some of this powder following.
Take Frankincense, Mastick, Sarcocoll, and red Roses, of either two
drachms.
Make all these into fine powder severally by themselves, then mix them
together, and so reserve it to thy use.
_A very good unguent for the same purpose._
Take oyle of Roses, vi. ounces, white Wax, one ounce, Ceruse washt in
Rose and Plantaine-water, one ounce and half, clear Turpentine, iii.
drachms, Camphire, half a drachm.
You must first melt the wax in the oyle, then put in the Ceruse by
little and little, alwaies stirring it with an iron spalter, and let it
boyle on a gentle fire of charcoles untill it grow black, but stirr it
continually in the boyling, for feare least it burn: then take it from
the fire, and add thereto the camphire, and lastly the Turpentine: this
unguent is good both to mundifie, incarnate, and sigillate.
_For extream heat and burning in the soales of the feet, and palms of
the hands._
_Petrus Forestus_ willeth to hold the hands and feet in warm water, and
that will ease the pain and burning, and may boldly be used without any
danger.
_For to help the sorenesse and ulceration of the mouth._
Sometime it chanceth in this disease, that there is a great ulceration
or excoriation in the mouth and jawes, called _Aptham_, which if it be
not well looked unto in time, will grow to be Cankers,: now to cure and
prevent the same, this gargarisme is excellent good.
Take Barley-water, a quart, red Roses dried, a little handfull, Sumach,
and Rybes, of either two ounces, juice of Pomegranates, ℥. iii.
Boyle them altogether, saving the juice of Pomegranates, untill a
third part be consumed, then strein it, and add thereto the juice of
Pomegranates, with this you must often wash and gargarise, as also hold
some thereof in the mouth a pretty while.
Also to prevent the same, the kernel of a Pomegranate held in the mouth
is very good, and so it is excellent good to lick oftentimes some
_Diamoron_, or juice of a Pomegranate.
_For inflammation and paine in the tonsils and throate._
Take Plantaine-water, a pint, Sirrup of Pomegranates, two ounces.
Mix them together, and gargarise therewith oftentimes being warm.
_Another._
Taste Nightshade-water, a pint, Seeds of Quinces, four scruples.
Boyle them together a little, then strein it, and add thereto two
ounces of the sirrup of Pomegranates, and gargarise therewith
oftentimes.
_How to open the eye-lids that are fastened together with the Pox._
Sometimes the eye-lids are so fastened together that you cannot open
them without great pain and danger: then to open them you must foment
or bath them well with a decoction made of Quince seed, Mallowes and
water boyled together, wherein wet some fine linnen clothes five or six
double, and apply them warm, and continue it untill you may easily open
them, and then if you perceive any web or filme to be grown over the
sight, then thrice a day do you put some powder of white sugar-candy
into the eye, or if you list, you may dissolve the sugar in Rose-water,
and so use it in the eye, which will fret it away, and preserve the
sight.
_A good Collery for a Web or Ungula in the eye._
Take the juice of Rue, Fennell, Salendine, Mallowes, of either two
ounces.
Boyle them together in a vessell of glasse, or peuter, over a chafer
with coales, and scumme away the froth that doth rise thereof, then add
thereto the gaule of an Eel, one drachm, and let them boyle together
a little, then put thereto four scruples of white copperas, and one
scruple of verdigreace in fine powder, boil all together a little,
then let it run through a fine linnen cloth, and keep it in a glasse,
you must every morning and evening put one drop thereof into the eye,
provided that first due evacuation be made so well by phlebotomie as
purging.
CHAP VI.
_Teacheth how to help divers accidents which chance after the Pox are
cured and gone._
_For rednesse of the face and hands after the Pox are gone, how to
help it._
Take Barley, Beanes, Lupins, of either one handfull: bruise them all in
a morter grosely, and boyle them in three pints of water untill it grow
thick like a jelly, then straine it, and annoint the face and hands
therewith three or four times a day, for three or four daies together,
and then you must wet the face and hands so oftentimes a day with this
water following.
Take Vine leaves, two handfuls: Beane-flower, Dragons, wilde-tansey, of
either one handfull: Camphire three drachms, two Calves feet, the pulpe
of three Lemons, a pint of raw cream.
You must shred the hearbs small, as also the Lemons, and break and cut
the Calves-feet small, then mix them together, and distill it in a
glasse still, also the water of May-dew is excellent good for any high
colour, or rednesse of the face.
_For spots in the face remaining when the Pox are gone._
Take the juice of Lemons and mix it with a little bay-salt, and touch
the spots therewith oftentimes in the day; for it is excellent good.
_A good ointment for the same purpose._
Take oyle of sweet Almonds; oyle of white Lillies, of either one ounce:
Capons-grease, Goats-tallow, of either four drachms: Sarcocoll, half a
drachm: Flower of Rice, and of Lupins, of either one drachm: Litharge
of gold, one drachm and half: Roots of Brionie, and of Ireos, of either
one scruple: Sugar-candy white, one drachm.
Make powder of all those that may be brought into powder, and searce
them through a searce, then put them all in a morter together, and
labour them with a pestle, and in the working do you put the water of
Roses, Beane-flower, and of white Lillies _ana_ a great spoonfull,
which must be put in by little and little in the working of it, and so
labour them altogether untill it come to an unguent.
You must every evening annoint the face therewith, or hands, and in the
morning wash it away in the water wherein Barley, Wheaten-bran, and the
seed of Mallowes hath been boyled.
_For holes remaining when the small Pox are gone._
For helping of this accident I have shewed many things, yet never could
find any thing that did perfectly content me, but the best meanes that
I have tried, is one day to wash the place with the distilled water
of strong Vinegar, and the next day with the water wherein Bran and
Mallowes have been boyled, and continue this order twenty daies, or a
moneth together.
_Running of the eares, how to help it._
Sometimes the eares do run very much in this disease, which in any wise
you may not go about to stop in the beginning, but suffer it so to
run, and the eares to remaine open: but if there be great pain in them,
then wet a spunge in warm water and oyle of Roses mixt together, and
lay it upon the eares.
_For stopping of the nostrills, to help it._
Sometimes the nostrills are greatly pestered by stopping them with the
Pox growing in them, which doth oftentimes cause ulceration in them,
therefore to prevent the same, take red-Rose, and Plantaine, of either
one handfull: Mirrh in powder half an ounce.
Boyle all these in a quart of water untill half be consumed, and so
being warm, cause the sick to draw the fume thereof into his nostrills
oftentimes.
Also if the sick doth oftentimes smell unto Vinegar, it is good.
_For hoarsenesse remaining when the Pox are gone._
Take Licorice, Sebesten, Jujubes, of either two ounces: Fat-Figgs, four
ounces, clean water, four pints.
Boyl all these together untill half be consumed, then strain it, and
give one spoonfull thereof to the sick oftentimes, and it helpeth.
_For filthy and moist scabs after the Pox are gone._
Take _Lapis calaminaris_, Litharge of gold, and of silver of either two
drachms: Quick brimstone and Ceruse, _ana_ ʒ ii.
Bring all these into fine powder, and then labour them in a morter with
so much Barrowes-mort or grease as shall be sufficient to make up an
unguent, and annoint the place therewith every morning and evening.
FINIS.
_Some other few additionall observations concerning the passages in
this latter Treatise._
_Page_ the eighth of this precedent Book, a Quilt or Bag is commended
to be very excellent; it is reported to be Pope _Adrians_ Bag, which he
used against infection, and in the great last Sicknesse in _London_, it
was commended to many great Persons of worth by some Apothecaries, who
kept it as a great secret, and affirmed, it would prevent infection,
and preserve them safe in that dangerous time; and thereupon sold it
unto them at a very great rate: But that you may not be deluded in
the prescription, I have set down the true receit thereof, as it was
delivered unto me from the hands of a very noble friend.
_A Preservative against the infection of the air, and the Plague,
often approved by Pope +Adrian+, and many others of great rank and
credit._
Take _Arsenick_ two ounces, _Auripigmentum_ one ounce, make little
tablets thereof with the whites of Eggs, and Gum Dragacanth, and hang
them about the neck against the heart.
_I have also set down a red Cordiall water, very good against
infection, which I had also from that noble friend._
Take a quart of good spirit of Wine, or very good _Aqua vitæ_, infuse
it in one ounce of good Mithridate, with as much good _Venice_ Triacle:
let it be close stopped some few dayes in the infusion before you use
it, then pour the spirit clear off, and reserve it for your use.
But to discover what opinions other Phisitians have held of that and
the like, I have annexed hereunto their severall judgements hereafter,
that amongst so many choise Medicines, they may select out the best and
safest for their own preservations, when need shall require.
And to give them the better satisfaction, I have annexed, out of some
choise Manuscripts, some approved Experiments, of some of our _London_
ablest Doctors, as also out of some other Authors.
_Severall opinions against wearing of +Arsenick+ Amulets, as
Preservatives against the Plague._
The poysonous vapours of _Arsenick_ being sucked or drawn into the
body, when they find no contrary poyson with whom to wrestle with, as
with an enemy, (for in an infected body there cannot be health; but we
suppose him to be well, whom we desire to preserve so) those vapours
must needs imprint a malignant and venomous quality on the spirit and
heart, most adverse and pernitious to nature.
And by _Galens_ own doctrine, all Alexiteries doe in a manner, if they
be used too liberally, greatly offend and weaken our bodies; how can we
then think, that ranke Poysons and Dilætories, (such as _Arsenick_ is)
being applied, as to penetrate into the noblest region of all other,
will no whit violate and wast our naturall, vitall, and radicall heat?
_Galen libr. de simp. cap. 18_.
Nor did _Galen_, or any of the antient Fathers and Professors of
Physick, use to preserve from the Plague, or any other poison, by
administring some other poison inwardly, or prescribing outwardly
Applications, but proceeded by Antidotes, and Alexiteries, as will
appear in _libr. de Theriaca ad Pis. cap, 16_. Wherefore, unlesse we
will utterly disclaim or relinguish the method and prescripts of these
worthy Antients, and prosecute new wayes and inventions, to oppose this
man-yelling Monster, we must attempt it not with Poysons but Antidotes.
And _Galen_ defineth those to be Poysons, which agree not with nature,
either well or ill affected at any time; for though there are some
Poysons, which if they meet in the body with a contrary venome, so
fight with it, and oppose it, that both doe perish in the conflict
betwixt them; so that the party, by their colluctation and strugling
together, escapes with his life: yet all of them agree in uniform
opinion together, that where they meet with no opposition, they ruine
the party: And therefore conclude, that _Arsenick_, worn by a healthy
man, finding not onely no contrary Poyson to make conflict with, but no
Poyson at all, must necessarily thwart, and oppose, and make an onset
on nature her self.
And to confirme their opinions, I have purposely introduced the
judgements of other learned Phisitians concurring with them.
_Gerardus Columbus_, a learned Phisitian, reporteth, that it hath been
observed, that the wearers of these Amulets, upon unusuall heating
their bodies, have fallen into sudden _Lipothimies_, and Swounings,
with other fearfull accidents, which continued upon them till the
Amulets or Placents were removed from them; and that others, though
not instantly, yet after some time, have by late and wofull experience
discovered their malignity, by falling into malignant and pestilent
Fevers, some of them ending with death.
_Franc. Alphanus_, a Phisitian of _Salerne_, relateth of one, who
wearing _Arsenick_, and heating himself with playing earnestly at
Tennise, fell down suddenly dead.
_Mattheus Hessus_ also thus writeth, As Cordiall Bags or Amulets ought
not to be disavowed, so empoysoned Amulets can be no way commended; nor
doe I remember, that ever any received good from them, who abstained
from other Antidotes: But this I certainly know, that divers persons,
who cury about them Quick-silver in a Nutshell, by the vain perswasions
of some Imposters, have died of the Plague, and the counsellours
and advisers of such like Amulets, have been the first to have
betaken themselves their heeles, confiding more in their running
than cunning: and yet these Quacks perswaded the ignorant people,
with glorious promises and protestations; that whosoever carried
Quick-silver or _Arsenick_ about his neck, should be as safe, as if he
had purchased a protection from the King of Heaven
Historians also report, that _Caracalla_, though he were a wicked
Emperour, prohibited by publick Edict or Proclamation, that no man
should wear about him superstitious Amulets.
And _Theophrastus_ the great (not without cause) esteemed _Pericles_ to
have a crazed brain, because he saw him wear an Amulet about his neck.
And hereunto Doctor _Francis Herring_, an able Phisitian, as a
Corollary to what hath before been written, addeth the experience of
some _London_ Phisitians, who report, they have seen foul holes made in
the breasts of those that have worn those Amulets, and have observed
divers to die, who have religiously worn them about their necks, as
well as others.
And whereas the venters and setters out of these deceitfull wares, make
them as a scout, to discover the infection when it beginneth to seize
on a man, by clapping close to the heart, to guard that principall
part, as the cheif Tower: It is a meer deceit and collusion: for
whensoever the body is heated, this event followeth necessarily, though
no other infection be near, but the poysonous and venomous _Arsenick_
itself, whose salutation is rather _Joabs_ imbracing, or _Juda’s_
kissing, than friendly preservatives.
_Causes of the Plague._
There are two speciall causes of the Plague.
First, An infected, corrupted, and putrified air,
Secondly, Evill and corrupt humours ingendered in the body.
The air is infected, when the temperatenesse of the air is changed from
his naturall state, to excessive heat and moisture, which is the worst
temperament of the air, the vapours drawn up by the heat of the Sun
being unconsumed, rot, putrifie, and corrupt, and so with the venome
infect the air: Also dead Carkases lying unburied, as it often chanceth
in Warres, evaporations of Pooles, Fens, Marishes, stinking and noysome
sents and Kennels, and Astronomers say, Aspects, Conjunctions and
Oppositions of ill Planets, and Eclipses of the Sun and Moon.
Also disordering ones self, either in diet or exercises bringeth one
into the Pestilence; therefore in time of contagion, outrages and
surfets are to be avoided, as also all excesse of eating, drinking,
sweating, bathing, lechery, and all other things that open the pores
of the body, and enter thereby ill aires, which invenome the lively
spirits.
_Signes of the Plague._
The signes which declare one infected already are many; but the secret
token of all to know the infected of the Plague is, if there arise
botches behind the eares, or under the arme-holes, or about the share;
or if Carbunkles suddenly arise in any member, for when they appear,
they betoken strength of nature, which being strong, laboureth to drive
the poyson out of the body; but if botches doe not appear, it is more
dangerous, for it sheweth, that nature is weak and feeble, and not able
to expell and thrust forth the venomous humours, and then you must have
respect to the signes before rehearsed.
_The infection of the Plague entereth into a man after this sort._
In a man are three principall parts (that is) the Heart, Liver, and
Brains, and each of these hath his cleansing place: If they appear
in the neck, they shew the Brains to be cheifly vexed, if under the
arme-holes the Heart, but if they appear in the share, the Liver is
most infected,
For when a man hath taken infection, it presently mingleth with the
bloud, and runs to the heart, which is the cheif part of man, and
the heart putteth the venome to his cleansing place, which is the
arme-holes; and that being stopt, putteth it to the next principall
part, which is the liver, and it passeth it to his cleansing place,
which is the share, and they being stopt, passe it to the next
principall place, that is, the braines, and to their cleansing places,
which are under the eares, or under the throat, and they being stopped,
suffer it not to passe out, and then it is moved twelve hours before it
rest in any place, and if it be not let out within the space of four
and twenty hours by bleeding, it brings a man into a pestilentiall
Ague, and causeth a botch in one of those three places, or near unto
them
_The Cure of the Plague._
When thou feelest thy self infected, bleed in the first hour, or within
six hours after, drink not, and tarry not above twelve hours from
bleeding, for then when the bloud is flitting too and fro, the venome
is then moving, and not yet setled, and after it will be too late;
those that are fat may be let bloud, or else not.
If the matter be gathered under the arme-holes, it comes from the heart
by the Cardiacall vein, then bleed on the same side by the Basilica
vein, the innermost vein of the arme,
If the botch appear behind the eares, above the chin, or in any other
part of the face or neck, bleed out of the Cephalica vein on the
same side; you may bleed with cupping Glasses, and Scarification, or
Horseleeches.
If the botch appear in the share, bleed in the ankle on the same side,
in any case not in the arme, for it will draw up the matter again.
But if no botch appear outwardly, draw bloud out of that side where you
feel greatest pain and heavinesse, and out of that vein, the greif of
the members affected shall point thee out.
If you perceive the Plague invade you at meat, or on a full stomack,
vomit speedily, and when your stomack is empty, take some Medicine
that may resist Poyson, as Mithridate, or Triacle, or some of these
following, which, as choise Medicines, I have inserted, as being Doctor
_Edwards_ Experiments.
_For the Plague._
Infuse two peices of fine pure Gold in the juyce of Lemons four and
twenty hours, and drink that juyce with a little Wine, with powder of
the _Angelica_ root: It is admirable, and hath helped divers past all
hope of cure.
_Another._
Take two drachms of Juniper berries, of _Terra lemnia_ ℈ i. make both
into fine powder, and mix it with Honey, and take of it as much as a
hasell Nut in three drachms of honeyed water made up thus: Take a pint
of Honey, and of water eight pints, seeth and scum it at an easie fire,
till the fourth part be wasted: It is an excellent Antidote against
Poyson and Plague; if the Poyson be taken before, it will expell it by
vomit, if not, the Medicine will stay in the stomack.
_Another._
Take _Zedoary_ roots the best you can get, great Raisins, and Licorice,
champ it with thy teeth and swallow it, if you be infected it
preserveth without danger.
_Another for botches, boyls, and tokens._
Take of ripe Ivy berries dryed in the shade, as much of the powder as
will lye upon a groat or more, and put it into three or four ounces of
white Wine, and lie in bed and sweat well; after your sweat is over,
change shirt, and sheets, and all the bed clothes if he may, if not,
yet change his shirt and sheets.
Some have taken this powder over night, and found themselves well in
the morning, and walked about the house fully cured.
One having a Plague sore under the thigh, another under the left
arme-pit, taking this powder in the morning, and again that night, the
sores brake of themselves, by this excellent Medicine sent by Almighty
God: It is good for Botches, Boyles, Plague-sores, Tokens, Shingles,
_Erisipella_, and such like, &c.
_Thus farre Doctor +Edwards+ Doctor in
Physick and Chirurgery._
Experiments tried by my selfe.
_For the Plague._
Take of _Pillulæ pestilentiales_, called _Ruffi_, or of _Panshy
Magogon_ (or for want of it) of extraction _Rudii_, of each half a
drachm, mingle these, into six pills for two doses, whereof take three
at a time in the morning fasting, for two dayes together.
_Another excellent approved Remedy._
Take eight or nine grains of _Aurum vitæ_, either in Triacle water, or
made up in _Diascordium_, fasting.
_Another excellent sweating powder for the Plague._
Take of the powder _e Chelis Cancrorum_, of _Aromaticum rosatum_, and
of _Cerusa Antimonii_, of each half a scruple, mingle these up together
in a diaphoretick powder, and take it in four spoonfuls of Triacle
water well mingled together.
_The Cure of Diseases in Remote Regions._
_The Calenture_,
Happeneth to our Nation in intemperate Climates; by Inflammation of
bloud, and proceedeth often of immoderate drinking of wine, and eating
of pleasant fruits, which are such nourishers thereof, as they prevent
the meanes used in curing the same.
_To know the Calenture._
At the first apprehension it afflicts the Patient with great pain in
the head, and heat in the body, which is continual or increasing,
and doth not diminish and augment, as other Fevers doe; and is oft an
Introduction to the _Taberdilla_ or Pestilence, but then the body will
seem very yellow.
_To cure the Calenture._
So soon as you perceive the Patient possest of the Calenture, (except
the Chirurgion, for danger of the sign defer it) I have seen the time
of the day not respected, open the Median vein of the right arm, and
take such quantity of bloud, as agreeth with the ability of the bodie;
but if it asswage not the heat by the next day, open the same vein in
the left arme, and take so much more like quantity of bloud at his
discretion; and if the body be costive, (as commonly they are) give
him some meet purgation, and suffer him to drink no other then water
cold, wherein Barley and Annise-seeds have been boyled with bruised
Liquorice. And if within 4. dayes the partie amend not, or being
recovered, take it again, open the vein Cephalick in one or both hands,
bathing them in warm water, untill there come so much more bloud as
cause requires. Suffer not the Patient to drinke seven dayes after he
is perfectly recovered, any other drinke, then such water, as is before
herein directed.
_The Taberdilla_,