THE Plague is a cruell and contagious disease, which every where, like a common disease, invading Man and Beast, kils very many; being attended, and as it were associated with a continuall Feaver, Botches, Carbuncles, Spots, Nauseousnesse, Vomitings, and other such maligne accidents. This disease is not so pernitious or hurtfull, by any elementary qualitie, as from a certain poysonous & venenate malignity, the force wherof exceeds the condition of common putrefaction. Yet I will not deny but that it is more hurtfull in certain bodies, times and regions, as also many other diseases, of which Hippocrates makes mention. But from hence we can only collect, that the force and malignity of the plague, may be encreased, or diminished, according to the condition of the Elementary qualities concurring with it, but not the whole nature and essence thereof to depend thereon.
This pestiferous poyson principally assailes the Vitall spirit, the Store-house and originall whereof is the Heart, so that if the Vitall Spirit prove stronger, it drives it far from the Heart; but if weaker, it being overcome and weakened by the hostile assault, flies backe into the fortresse of the Heart, by the like contagion infecting the heart, and so the whole Body, being spred into it by the passages of the Arteries.
Hence it is, pestilent Feavers are sometime simple and solitary, other-whiles associated with a troope of other affects, as Botches, Carbuncles, Blaines, and Spots, of one or more colours.
It is probable such affects have their originall from the expulsive Faculty, whether strong or weake, provoked by the malignity of the raging matter: yet assuredly divers symptomes and changes arise, according to the constitution of the body of the Patient, and condition of the humor in which the virulency of the plague is chiefly inherent, and lastly, in the nature of the efficient cause.
I thought good, by this description, to expresse the nature of the plague, at this my first entrance into this matter, for we can scarce comprehend it in a proper definition. For although the force thereof be definite and certaine in nature, yet it is not altogether certaine and manifest in mens minds, because it never happens after one sort: so that in so great variety, it is very difficult to set down any thing generall and certaine.
IT is a confirmed, constant, and received opinion in all Ages amongst Christians, that the plague and other diseases, which violently assaile the life of man, are often sent by the just anger of God punishing our offences. The Prophet Amos hath long since taught it, saying, Shall there be affliction, shall there be evill in a City, and the Lord hath not done it? On which truely we ought daily to meditate, and that for two causes: The first is, that wee always beare this in minde, that wee enjoy health, live, move, and have our beings from God, and that it descends from that Father of Light: and for this cause we are always bound to give him great and exceeding thanks. The other is, that knowing the calamities, by sending whereof the Divine anger proceeds to revenge, wee may at length repent, and leaving the way of wickedness, walke in the pathes of godlinesse. For thus we shall learn to see in God, our selves, the Heaven and Earth, the true knowledge of the causes of the plague, and by a certaine Divine Philosophy teach, God to be the beginning and cause of the second causes, which cannot well without the first cause goe about nor attempt, much lesse performe any thing. For from hence they borrow their force, order, and constancy of order; so that they serve as Instruments for God, who rules and governes us, and the whole World, to performe all his workes, by that constant course of order, which hee hath appointed unchangeable from the beginning. Wherefore all the cause of a plague is not to be attributed to these neere and inferiour causes or beginnings, as the Epicures and Lucianists commonly do, who attributing too much, yea all things to nature, have left nothing to Gods providence. On the contrary, wee ought to thinke, and beleeve in all our things, That even as God by his omnipotent Power hath created all things of nothing, so he by his eternall Wisedome preserves and governes the same, leads and enclines them as he pleaseth, yea verily at his pleasure changeth their order, and the whole course of Nature.
This cause of an extraordinary Plague, as wee confess and acknowledge, so here we will not prosecute it any further, but thinke fit to leave it to Divines, because it exceeds the bounds of Nature, in which I will now contain my self. Wherefore let us come to the naturall causes of the plague.
THE generall and naturall causes of the Plague are absolutely two, that is, the infection of corrupt Aire, and a preparation and fitnesse of corrupt humours to take that infection; for it is noted before out of the doctrine of Galen, that our humours may be corrupted, and degenerate into such an alienation which may equall the malignity of Poyson.
The Aire is corrupted, when the foure seasons of the yeere have not their seasonablenesse, or degenerate from themselves, either by alteration, or by alienation: as if the constitution of the whole yeere be moist and rainy by reason of grosse and blacke Cloudes; if the Winter be gentle and warme without any Northerly * 1.9 wind, which is cold and dry, and by that meanes contrary to putrefaction; if the spring which should be temperate, shall be faulty in any excesse of distemper; if the Autumn shall be ominous by Fires in the Aire, with stars shooting, and as it were falling down, or terrible comets, never seen without some disaster; if the summer be hot, cloudy and moist, and without winds, and the clouds flie from the South
into the North. These and such like unnaturall constitutions of the seasons of the yeere, were never better, or more excellently handled by any, than by Hippocrates in his books Epidemion. Therefore the Aire from hence drawes the seeds of corruption and the Pestilence, which at the length, the like excesse of qualities being brought in, it sends into the humours of our bodies, chiefly such as are thinne and serous. Although the pestilence doth not always necessarily arise from hence, but somewhiles some other kinde of cruell and infectious disease.
But neither is the aire onely corrupted by these superiour causes, but also by putride and filthy stinking vapours spred abroad through the Aire encompassing us, from the Bodies and Carkasses of things not buried, gapings and hollownesses of the earth, or sinkes and such like places being opened: for the sea often overflowing the land in some places, & leaving in the mud or hollownesses of the earth (caused by earth-quakes) the huge bodies of monstrous Fishes, which it hides in its waters, hath given both the occasion and matter of a plague. For thus in our time, a Whale cast upon the Tuscan shore, presently caused a plague over all that country.
But as fishes infect and breed a plague in the aire, so the aire being corrupted often causeth a pestilence in the sea among fishes, especially when they either swim on the top of the Water, or are infected by the pestilent vapours of the Earth lying under them, & rising into the aire through the body of the water, the latter wherof Aristotle saith, hapneth but seldome. But it often chanceth, that the plague raging in any countrey, many fishes are cast upon all the coast, and may be seen lying on great heaps. But sulphureous vapours, or such as partake of any other maligne quality, sent forth from places under the ground, by gapings and gulfs opened by earthquakes, not only corrupt the aire, but also infect and taint the Seeds, Plants, and all the fruits which we eat, and so transferre the pestilent corruption into us, and those beasts on which we feed, together with our nourishment. The truth whereof Empedocles made manifest, who by shutting up a great Gulf of the earth, opened in a valley between two mountaines, freed all Sicily from a plague caused from thence.
If winds rising suddenly shall drive such filthy exhalations from those regions in which they were pestiferous, into other places, they also will carrie the Plague with them thither.
If it be thus, some will say, it should seeme that wheresoever stinking and putride exhalations arise, as about standing Pooles, Sinkes and Shambles, there should the Plague reigne, and straight suffocate with its noysome poyson the people which worke in such places: but experience findes this false.
We do answer, that the putrefaction of the plague is farre different, and of another kinde than this common, as that which partakes of a certaine secret malignity, and wholly contrary to our lives, and of which wee cannot easily give a plaine and manifest reason. Yet that vulgar putrefaction wheresoever it bee, doth easily and quickly entertaine and welcome the pestiferous contagion, as often as, and whensoever it comes, as joyned to it by a certaine familiarity, and at length, it self degenerating into a pestiferous malignity, certainly no otherwise than those diseases which arise in the plague time, the putride diseases in our bodies, which at the first wanted virulency and contagion, as Ulcers, putride Feavers, and other such diseases, raised by the peculiar default of the humours, easily degenerate into pestilence; presently receiving the tainture of the plague, to which they had before a certain preparation. Wherefore in time of the plague, I would advise all Men to shunne such exceeding stinking places, as they would the plague it self: that there may be no preparation in our bodies, or humours to catch that infection (without which, as Galen teacheth, the Agent hath no power over the Subject, for otherwise in a plague time, the sickenesse would equally seaze upon all) so that the impression of the pestiferous quality may presently follow that disposition.
But when we say the aire is pestilent, we do not understand that sincere, elementary, and simple as it is of its own nature, for such is not subject to putrefaction, but that which is polluted with ill vapoures rising from the earth, standing waters, vaults, or sea, and degenerates, and is changed from its native purity & simplicity. But certainly amongst all the constitutions of the Aire, fit to receive a pestilent corruption, there is none more fit than a hot, moyst and still season: For the excesse of such qualities easily causeth putrefaction. Wherefore the South wind reigning, which is hot and moyst, and principally in places neare the Sea, there flesh cannot long be kept, but it presently is tainted and corrupted.
Further, wee must know, that the pestilent malignity which riseth from the carcasses or bodies of men, is more easily communicated to men; that which riseth from oxen, to oxen; and that which comes from sheep, to sheep, by a certaine sympathy and familiarity of Nature: no otherwise than the Plague which shall seaze upon some one in a Family, doth presently spread more quickly amongst the rest of that Family, by reason of the similitude of temper, than amongst others of another Family, disagreeing in their whole temper. Therefore the Aire thus altered and estranged from its goodnesse of nature, necessarily drawn in by inspiration and transpiration, brings in the seeds of the Plague, and so consequently the Plague it self, into bodyes prepared and made ready to receive it.
HAving shewed the causes from which the Aire doth putrefie, become corrupt, and is made partaker of a pestilent and poysonous constitution, wee must now declare what things may cause the humours to putrefie, and make them so apt to receive and retaine the pestilent Aire and venenate quality.
Humours putrefie either from fulnesse, which breeds obstruction, or by distemperate excesse, or lastly, by admixture of corrupt matter & evill juice, which ill feeding doth specially cause to abound in the body: For the Plague often followes the drinking of dead and mustie Wines, muddy and standing waters, which receive the sinks and filth of a City; and fruits and pulse eaten without discretion in scarcity of other Corn, as Pease, Beans, Lentils, Vetches, Acorns, the roots of Fern, & Grass made into Bread. For such meats obstruct, heap up ill humours in the body, & weaken the strength of the faculties, from whence proceeds a putrefaction of humours, and in that putrefaction a preparation and disposition to receive, conceive and bring forth the Seeds of the Plague: which the filthy scabs, maligne sores, rebellious ulcers, and putrid feavers, being all forerunners of greater putrefaction and corruption, do testifie. Vehement passions of the minde, as anger, sorrow, griefe, vexation and feare, helpe forward this corruption of humours, all which hinder natures diligence and care of concoction: For as in the dog-dayes, the Lees of wine subsiding to the bottome, are by the strength and efficacy of heat drawne up to the top, and mixed with the whole substance of the wine, as it were by a certaine ebullition, or working: So melancholy humours, being the Dregs or Lees of the bloud, stirred up by the passions of the mind, defile or taint all the bloud with their feculent impurity.
We found that some years agone by experience, at the battell of St. Dennis. For all wounds, by what weapon soever they were made, degenerated into great and filthy putrefactions & corruptions, with feavers of the like nature, & were commonly determined by death, what medicines, & how diligently soever they were applyed; which caused many to have a false suspicion that the weapons on both sides were poisoned. But there were manifest signes of corruption and putrefaction in the bloud let the same day that any were hurt, and in the principall parts dissected afterwards, that it was from no other cause, than an evill constitution of the Aire, and the minds of the Souldiers perverted by hate, anger and feare.
WEE may know a Plague to be at hand and hang over us, if at any time the Aire, and seasons of the yeare swarve from their naturall constitution, after those wayes I have mentioned before; if frequent and long continuing Meteors or sulphureous Thunders infect the Aire; if fruits, seeds and pulse be worme-eaten; If Birds forsake their nests, egges or Young, without any manifest cause; if we perceive women commonly to abort, by continuall breathing in the vaporous Aire, being corrupted and hurtfull both to the Embrion and originall of life, and by which it being suffocated, is presently cast forth and expelled. Yet notwithstanding, those airy impressions do not solely corrupt the Aire, but there may be also others raised by the Sunne from the filthy exhalations, and poysonous vapours of the earth and waters, or of dead carcasses, which by their unnaturall mixture, easily corrupt the Aire, subject to alteration, as which is thin and moyst, from whence divers Epidemiall diseases, and such as every-where seaze upon the common sort, according to the sev•…l kinds of corruptions, such as that famous Catarrhe with difficulty of breathing, which in the yeare 1510. went almost over the World, and raged over all the Cities and Townes of France, with great heavinesse of the head (whereupon the French named it Cuculla) with a straitnesse of the heart and lungs, and a Cough, a continuall Feaver, and sometimes raving.
This, although it seazed upon many more than it killed, yet because they commonly dyed who were either let bloud, or purged, it shewed it self pestilent by that violent and peculiar and unheard of kinde of malignity.
Such also was the English Sweating-sicknesse, or Sweating-feaver, which unusual, with a great deale of terrour invaded all the lower parts of Germany, and the Low Countryes from the yeare 1525. unto the yeare 1530. and that chiefly in Autumne.
As soone as this pestilent disease entred into any City, suddenly two or three hundred fell sick on one day, then it departing thence to some other place. The people strucken with it languishing, fell down in a swoune, and lying in their beds, sweat continually, having a feaver, a frequent, quick, and unequall pulse; neither did they leave sweating till the disease left them, which was in one or two dayes at the most: yet freed of it, they languished long after, they all had a beating, or palpitation of the heart, which held some for two or three yeeres, and others all their life after.
At the first beginning it killed many, before the force of it was knowne: but afterwards very few, when it was found out by practice and use, that those who furthered and continued their sweats, and strengthened themselves with Cordials, were all restored. But at certaine times many other popular diseases, sprung up, as putrid feavers, fluxes, bloudy-fluxes, catarrhes, coughes, phrenzies, squinances, pleurisies, inflammations of the lungs, inflammations of the eyes, apoplexies, lithargies, small pocks and meazels, scabs, carbuncles, and maligne pustules. Wherefore the plague is not alwayes, nor every-where of one and the same kind, but of divers; which is the cause that divers names are imposed upon it, according to the variety of the effects it brings, and symptomes which accompany it, and kinds of putrefaction, and hidden qualities of the Aire.
They affirme, when the Plague is at hand, that Mushromes grow in greater abundance out of the earth, and upon the surface thereof many kindes of poysonous insecta creepe in great numbers, as Spiders, Caterpillers, Butter-flyes, Grasse-hoppers, Beetles, Hornets, Waspes, Flyes, Scorpions, Snailes, Locusts, Toads, Wormes, and such things as are the off-spring of putrefaction. And also wilde beasts tyred with the vaporous malignity of their Dennes and Caves in the earth, forsake them; and Moles, Toads, Vipers, Snakes, Lizzards, Aspes and Crocodiles are seen to flee
away, and remove their habitations in great troopes. For these, as also some other creatures, have a manifest power by the gift of God, and the instinct of Nature, to presage changes of weather, as raines, showers, and faire weather; and seasons of the yeare, as the Spring, Summer, Autumne, Winter, which they testifie by their singing, chirping, crying, flying, playing, and beating their wings, and such like signes: so also they have a perception of a Plague at hand. And moreover, the carcasses of some of them which tooke lesse heed of themselves, suffocated by the pestiferous poyson of the ill Aire contained in the earth, may be every where found, not onely in their dens, but also in the plaine fields.
These vapours corrupted not by a simple putrefaction, but an occult malignity, are drawne out of the bowels of the earth into the Aire, by the force of the Sun and Starres, and thence condensed into clouds, which by their falling upon corne, trees and grasse, infect and corrupt all things which the earth produceth, and also kils those creatures which feed upon them; yet brute beasts sooner than men, as which stoope and hold their heads downe towards the ground (the maintainer and breeder of this poyson) that they may get their food from thence. Therefore at such times, skilfull husbandmen, taught by long experience, never drive their Cattell or Sheep to pasture, before that the Sun, by the force of his beames, hath wasted and diffipated into Aire this pestiferous dew hanging and abiding upon boughes and leaves of trees, herbs, corne and fruits.
But on the contrary, that pestilence which proceeds from some maligne quality from above, by reason of evill and certaine conjunction of the Stars, is more hurtfull to men and birds, as those who are neerer to heaven.
HAving declared the signes fore-shewing a Pestilence: now wee must shew by what meanes we may shun the imminent danger thereof, and defend our selves from it. No prevention seemed more certaine to the Ancients, than most speedily to remove into places farre distant from the infected place, and to be most slow in their returne thither again. But those, who by reason of their business or employments, cannot change their habitation, must principally have care of two things: The first is, that they strengthen their bodies, and the principall parts thereof against the daily imminent invasions of the poyson, or the pestiferous and venenate Aire. The other, that they abate the force of it, that it may not imprint its virulency in the body; which may be done by correcting the excesse of the quality inclining towards it, by the opposition of its contrary. For if it be hotter than is meet, it must be tempered with cooling things; if too cold, with heating things: yet this will not suffice. For wee ought besides, to amend & purge the corruptions of the venenate malignity diffused through it, by smels and perfumes resisting the poyson thereof. The body will be strengthened and more powerfully resist the infected Aire, if it want excrementitious humours, which may be procured by purging and bleeding, and for the rest a convenient diet appointed, as shunning much variety of meats, and hot and moyst things, and all such which are easily corrupted in the stomacke; and cause obstructions, such as those things which be made by Comfit-makers; we must shun satiety and drunkennesse, for both of them weaken the powers, which are preserved by the moderate use of meats of good juice.
Let moderate exercises in a cleare Aire, and free from any venemous tainture, precede your meales.
Let the belly have due evacuation either by Nature or Art.
Let the heart, the seat of life, and the rest of the bowels be strengthened with Cordials and Antidotes applyed and taken (as wee shall hereafter shew) in the forme of epithemes, ointments, emplasters, waters, pills, powders, tablets, opiates, fumigations, and such like.
Make choice of a pure Aire & free from all pollution, & far remote from stinking places, for such is most fit to preserve life, to recreate and repaire the spirits; where as on the contrary, a cloudy or mistie Aire, and such as is infected with grosse and stinking vapours, duls the spirits, dejects the appetite, makes the body faint and ill coloured, oppresseth the heart, and is the breeder of many diseases.
The Northern wind is healthfull, because it is cold and dry. But on the contrary, the Southerne wind, because it is hot and moyst, weakens the body by sloth or dulnesse, opens the pores, and makes them pervious to the pestiferous malignity. The Westerne winde is also unwholesome, because it comes neere to the nature of the Southerne: wherefore the windowes must be shut up on that side of the house on which they blow, but opened on the North and East side, unless it happen the Plague come from thence.
Kindle a cleare fire in all the lodging Chambers of the house, and perfume the whole house with Aromatick things, as Frankinsence, Myrthe, Benzoine, Ladanum, Styrax, Roses, Myrtle-leaves, Lavender, Rosemary, Sage, Savory, wilde Time. Marjerome, Broome, Pine-apples, pieces of Firre, Juniper berries, Cloves, Perfumes: and let your cloathes be aired in the same.
There be some, who think it a great preservative against the pestilent Aire, to keep a Goat in their houses, because the capacity of the houses, filled with the strong sent which the Goat sends forth, prohibits the entrance of the venemous Aire: which same reason hath place also in sweet smels; and besides, it argues, that such as are hungry are apter to take the Plague, than those who have eaten moderately: for the body is not onely strengthened with meat, but all the passages thereof are filled by the vapours diffused from thence, by which otherwise the infected Aire would finde a more easie entrance to the heart.
Yet the common sort of People yeeld another reason for the Goat, which is, that one ill sent drives away another, as one wedge drives forth another; which calleth to my mind that which is recorded by Alexander Benedictus, that there was a Scythian Physician, which caused a Plague, arising from the infection of the Aire, to cease, by causing all the dogs, cats, & such like beasts which were in the City, to be killed, and cast their carcasses up & down the streets, that so by the comming of this new putride vapour as a stranger, the former pestiferous infection, as an old guest, was put out of its Lodging, & so the Plague ceased. For poysons have not onely an antipathy with their Antidotes, but also with some other poysons.
Whilest the Plague is hot, it is not good to stirre out of doore before the rising of the Sunne: wherefore wee must have patience, untill hee have cleansed the Aire with the comfortable light of his Beames, and dispersed all the foggy and nocturnall pollutions, which commonly hang in the Aire in dirty, and especially in low places and Vallies.
All publike and great meetings and assemblies must be shunned.
If the Plague begin in Summer, and seeme principally to rage, being helped forward by the summers heat, it is the best to performe a journey begun, or undertaken for performance of necessary affaires, rather upon the night time, than on the day, because the infection takes force, strength and subtlety of substance, by which it may more easily permeate and enter in, by the heat of the Sun; but by night mens bodies are more strong, and all things are more grosse and dense. But you must observe a cleane contrary course if the malignity seeme to borrow strength, and celerity from coldness. But you must alwayes eschew the beames of the Moone, but especially * 1.35 at the full: For then our bodies are more languid and weake, and fuller of excrementitious humours. Even as trees which for that cause must be cut down in their season of the Moone, that is, in the decrease thereof.
After a little gentle walking in your Chamber, you must presently use some means that the principall parts may be strengthened by suscitating the heat & spirits, & that the passages to them may be filled, that so the way may be shut up from the infection comming from without. Such as by the use of garlick have not their heads troubled, nor their inward parts inflamed, as Countrey people, and such as are used to it, to such there can can be no more certaine preservative and antidote against the pestiferous
fogs or mists, and the nocturnall obscurity, than to take it in the morning with a draught of good wine; for it being abundantly diffused presently over all the body, fils up the passages thereof, and strengtheneth it in a moment.
For water, if the Plague proceed from the tainture of the Aire, wee must wholly shun and avoyd raine-water, because it cannot but be infected by the contagion of the Aire. Wherefore the water of Springs, and of the deepest Wells are thought best. But if the malignity proceed from the vapours contained in the earth, you must make choice of Raine-water. Yet it is more safe to digest every sort of water by boiling it, and to preferre that water before other, which is pure and cleare to the sight, and without either tast or smell, and which besides suddenly takes the extremest mutation of heat and cold.
SUch as cannot eat without much labour, exercise and hunger, and who are no lovers of Break-fasts, having evacuated their excrements, before they goe from home must strengthen the heart with some Antidote against the virulency of the infection. Amongst which Aqua Theriacalis, or Treacle-water, two ounces, with the like quantity of Sacke, is much commended being drunke, and rubbing the nostrils, mouth and eares with the same; for the Treacle-water strengthens the heart, expels poyson, and is not onely good for a preservative, but also to cure the disease it self: For by sweat it drives forth the poyson contained within. It should be made in Iune, at which time all simple medicines, by the vitall heat of the Sun, are in their greatest efficacie.
The composition whereof is thus: Take the roots of Gentian, Cyperus, Tormentill, Diptam, or Fraxinella, Elecampaine, of each one ounce; the leaves of Mullet, Card•us Benedictus, Divels-bit, Burnet, Scabious, sheeps Sorrell, of each halfe a handfull; of the tops of Rue a little quantity; Mirtle Berries one ounce; of red Rose leaves, the flowers of Buglosse, Borage, and St. Johns wurt, of each one ounce: let them be all cleansed, dried and macerated for the space of twenty foure hours in one pound of white wine or Malmesey, and of Rose-water or Sorrell water; then let them be put in a vessell of glasse, and adde thereto of Treacle and Mithridate, of each foure ounces: then distill them in Balneo Mariae, and let the distilled water be received in a glasse Viall, and let there be added thereto of Saffron two drams, of bole Armenick, Terra Sigillata, yellow Sanders, shavings of Ivory and Harts-horne, of each halfe an ounce, then let the glasse be well stopped, and set in the Sun for the space of eight or ten daies. Let the prescribed quantity be taken every morning so oft as shall be needfull. It may be given without hurt to sucking children, and to women great with child. But that it may be the more pleasant, it must be strained through an Hippocras bag, adding thereto some suger and cinamon.
Some thinke themselves sufficiently defended with a root of Elecampaine, Zedoarie, or Angelica, rowled in their mouth, or chawed betweene their teeth.
Others drinke every morning one dram of the root of Gentian brused, being macerated for the space of one night in two ounces of white-wine.
Others take Worme-wood wine.
Others sup up in a rere egge one dram of Terra Sigillata, or of Harts-horne, with’a little Saffron, and drinke two ounces of wine after it.
There be some that do infuse bole Armenicke, the roots of Gentian, Tormentill, Diptam, the Berries of Juniper, Cloves, Mace, Cinamon, Saffron, and such like, in aqua vitae and strong white wine, and so distill it in Balneo Mariae.
This Cordiall water that followeth is of great vertue. Take of the roots of the long and round Aristolochia, Tormentill, Diptam, of each three drams, of Zedoarie two drams, Lignum Aloes, yellow Saunders, of each one dram, of the leaves of Scordium,
St. Johns wurt, Sorrell, Rue, Sage, of each halfe an ounce, of Bay and Juniper berries, of each three drams, Citron seeds one dram, Cloves, Mace, Nutmegs, of each two drams, of Mastick, Olibanum, bole Armenick, Terra Sigillata, shavings of Harts-horne and Ivory, of each one ounce, of Saffron on scruple, of the conserves of Roses, Buglosse flowers, water-lillies, and old Treacle, of each one ounce, of Camphire halfe a dram, of aqua vitae halfe a pint, of white wine two pints and a half, make therof a distillation in Balneo Mariae. The use of this distilled water is even as Treacle water is.
The Electuary following is very effectuall. Take of the best Treacle three ounces, Juniper berries and Carduus seeds of each one dram and a halfe, of bole Armenicke prepared halfe an ounce, of the powder of the Electuarie de Gemmis and Diamargariton frigidum, the powder of Harts-horne, and red Corall, of each one dram: mixe them with the syrupe of the rindes and juice of Pome-citrons as much as shall suffice, and make thereof a liquid Electuary in the forme of an Opiate, let them take every morning the quantity of a Filberd, drinking after it two drams of the water of Scabious, Cherryes, Carduus Benedictus, and of some such like cordiall things, or of strong wine.
The following Opiate is also very profitable, which also may be made into Tablets. Take of the roots of Angelica, Gentian, Zedoarie, Elecampaine, of each two drams; of Cytron and Sorrell seeds, of each halfe a dram; of the dried rindes of Cytrons, Cinnamon, Bay and Juniper berries, and Saffron, of each one scruple; of conferve of Roses and Buglosse, of each one ounce; and fine hard Sugar as much as is sufficient: make thereof Tablets of the weight of halfe a dram, let him take one of them two houres before meate: or make thereof an Opiate with equall parts of conserves of Buglosse and Mel Anthosatum, and so adding all the rest dry and in powder. Or take of the roots of Valerian, Tormentill, Diptam, of the leaves of Rue, of each halfe an ounce; of Saffron, Mace, Nutmegs, of each halfe a dram; of bole Armenick prepared halfe an ounce; of conserve of Roses and syrupe of Lemons as much as will be sufficient to make thereof an Opiate liquid enough. Or take of the roots of both the Aristolochia’s, of Gentian, Tormentill, Diptam, of each one dram and an halfe; of Ginger three drams; of the leaves of Rue, Sage, Mints and Penny-royall, of each two drams; of Bay and Juniper berries, Cytron seeds, of each foure scruples; of Mace, Nutmegs, Cloves, Cinnamon, of each two drams; of Lignum aloes, and yellow Saunders, of each one dram; of Male Frankincense, i. Olibanum, Masticke, shavings of Harts-horne and Ivory, of each two scruples; of Saffron halfe a dram; of bole Armenicke, Terra Sigillata, red Corall, Pearle, of each one dram; of conserves of Roses, Buglosse flowers, water-lillyes and old Treacle, of each one ounce; of loafe sugar one pound and a quarter: a little before the end of the making it up, adde two drams of Confectio Alkermes, and of Camphire dissolved in Rose-water one scruple: make thereof an Opiate according to Art, the dose thereof is from halfe a dram to halfe a scruple.
Treacle and Mithridate faithfully compounded, excell all Cordiall medicines, adding for every halfe ounce of each of them, one ounce and a halfe of conserves of Roses, or of Buglosse, or of Violets, and three drams of bole Armenicke prepared: Of these being mixed with stirring, and incorporated together, make a conserve: It must be taken in the morning the quantity of a Filberd: You must choose that Treacle that is not lesse than foure years old, nor above twelve: that which is some-what new, is judged to be most meet for cholerick persons, but that which is old for flegmatick and old men. For at the beginning the strength of the Opium that enters into the composition thereof, remains in its full vertue for a yeare: but afterwards the more years old it waxeth, the strength thereof is more abolished, so that at length the whole composition becomes very hot.
The confection of Alkermes is very effectuall both for a preservative against this disease, and also for the cure.
The quantity of a Filberd of Rubarbe, with one Clove chawed or rowled in the mouth, is supposed to repell the comming of the pestilent Aire: as also this composition following.
Take of preserved Citron and Orange pils, of each one dram; of conserve of Roses, and of the roots of Buglosse, of each three drams; of Citron seeds halfe an ounce; of Annise seeds and Fennell seeds, of each one dram; of Angelica roots four scruples; sugar of Roses as much as sufficeth: Make a Confection, and cover it with leaves of Gold, and take a little of it out of a spoone before you goe abroad every morning.
Or take of Pine-Apple kernels, and Fistick nuts, infused for the space of six hours in the water of Scabious and Roses, of each two ounces; of Almonds blanched in the fore-named waters halfe a pound: of preserved Citron and Orange pils, of each one dram and a halfe: of Angelica roots foure scruples: make them according to art, unto the forme of March-pane, or of any other such like confection: and hold a little piece thereof often in your mouth.
The Tablets following are most effectuall in such a ease. Take of the roots of Diptam, Tormentill, Valerian, Elecampaine, Eringoes, of each halfe a dram; of bole Armenick, Terra Sigillata, of each one scruple; of Camphire, Cinnamon, Sorrell seeds, and Zedoarie, of each one scruple; of the Species of the Electuarie Diamargariton Frigidum, two scruples; of conserve of Roses, Buglosse, preserved Citron pils, Mithridate, Treacle, of each one dram; of fine sugar dissolved in Scabious and Carduus water, as much as shall suffice: Make thereof Tablets of the weight of a dram or half a dram: take them in the morning before you eat.
The pils of Ruffus are accounted most effectuall preservatives, so that Ruffus himself saith, that he never knew any to be infected that used them: the composition of them is thus.
Take of the best Aloes halfe a dram; of Gumme Ammoniacum two drams; of Myrrhe two drams and an halfe; of Masticke two drams; of Saffron seven graines: Put them all together, and incorporate them with the juice of Citrons, or the syrupe of Lemons, and make thereof a masse, and let it be kept in leather: Let the patient take the weight of half a dram every morning two or three hours before meat, & let him drinke the water of Sorrell after it, which through its tartnesse, and the thinnesse of its parts, doth infringe the force and power of the malignity or putrefaction: For experience hath taught us, that Sorrell being eaten or chawed in the mouth, doth make the pricking of Scorpions unhurtfull. And for those ingredients which do enter into the composition of those pils, Aloes doth cleanse and purge, Myrrhe resists putrefaction, Mastick strengthens, Saffron exhilerates and makes lively the spirits that governe the body, especially the vitall and animall.
Those pils that follow are also much approved. Take of Aloes one ounce; of Myrrhe halfe an ounce, of Saffron one scruple, of Agarick in Trochisces, two drams, of Rubarbe in powder one dram, of Cinnamon two scruples, of Masticke one dram and a half, of Citron seeds twelve grains: Powder them all as is requisite; and make thereof a masse with the syrupe of Maiden-haire: Let it be used as afore-said.
If the masse begin to wax hard, the pils that must presently be taken, must be mollified with the syrupe of Lemons.
Take of washed Aloes two ounces, of Saffron one dram, of Myrrhe half an ounce, of Ammoniacum dissolved in white wine, one ounce, of hony of Roses, Zedoarie, red Saunders, of each one dram, of bole Armenick prepared two drams, of red Coral half an ounce, of Camphire halfe a scruple: make thereof pils according to Art. But those that are subject or apt to the haemorrhoids ought not at all, or very seldome to use those kindes of pils that do receive much Aloes.
They say that King Mithridates affirmed by his own writing, that whosoever took the quantity of an hasell Nut of the preservative following, and dranke a little wine after it, should be free from poyson that day. Take two Wall-nuts, those that be very dry, two figs, twenty leaves of Rue, and three grains of salt: beat them, and incorporate them together, and let them be used as is aforesaid.
This remedy is also said to be profitable for those that are bitten or st•ng by some venemous beast, and for this onely, because it hath Rue, in the composition thereof. But you must forbid women that are with child the use of this medicine, for Rue is hot and dry in the third degree, and therefore it is said to purge the womb, and provoke
the flowers, whereby the nourishment is drawne away from the child. Of such variety of medicines, every one may make choice of that that is most agreeable to his taste, and as much thereof as shall be sufficient.
THose medicines that have proper and excellent vertues against the pestilence, are not to be neglected to be applied outwardly, or carried in the hand. And such are all aromaticall, astringent, or spirituous things, which therfore are endued with vertue to repell the venemous and pestiferous aire from comming and entring into the body, and to strengthen the heart and the braine. Of this kind are Rue, Balm, Rosemary, Scordium, Sage, Worme-wood, Cloves, Nutmegs, Saffron; the roots of Angelica, and Lovage, and such like, which must be macerated one night in sharpe Vinegar and Aquavitae, and then tied in a knot as bigge as an egge: or rather let it be carried in a sponge, made wet or soaked in the said infusion. For there is nothing that doth sooner and better hold the spirituous vertue and strength of aromatic things, than a sponge. Wherefore it is of principall use either to keep or hold sweet things to the nose, or to apply Epithemes and Fomentations to the heart.
Those sweet things ought to be hot or cold, as the season of the yeere, and kinde of the pestilence is. As for example, in the Summer you ought to infuse and macerate Cinamon and Cloves beaten together, with a little Saffron in equall parts, of Vinegar of Roses, and Rose water, into which you must dippe a sponge, which rowled in a faire linen cloath, you may carry in your hand, and often smell to.
Take of Wormewood halfe a handfull, ten Cloves, of the roots of Gentian and Angelica, of each two drams, of Vinegar and Rose water, of each two ounces, of Treacle and Mithridate, of each one dram, beat and mixe them all well together, and let a sponge be dipped therein, and used as above-said. They may also be enclosed in boxes made of sweet wood, as of Juniper, Cedar, or Cypresse, and so carried for the same purpose.
But there is nothing more easie to be carried than Pomanders: the form of which is thus. Take of yellow Saunders, Mace, Citron pills, Rose and Mirtle leaves, of each two drams, of Benzoin, Ladanum, Storax, of each halfe a dram, of Cinamon, and Saffron, of each two Scruples, of Camphire and Amber Greece, of each one scruple, of Muske, three graines. Make thereof a Pomander, with Rose water, with the infusion of Tragacanth. Or take red Rose leaves, the flowers of Water-lillies, and Violets, of each one ounce, of the three Saunders, Coriander seeds, Citron pills, of each halfe an ounce, of Camphire, one dram, let them all be made into pouder, and with Water of Roses and Tragacanth make a pomander.
In the winter it is to be made thus: take of Storax, Benzoin, of each one dram and a half; of Musk, half a Scruple; of Cloves, Lavander, and Cyperus, of each two drams; of the root of Orris, i. Flower-de-Luce, and Calamus aromaticus, of each two drams and a half; of Amber Greece, three drams; of gum Tragacanth dissolved in Rose water & Aquavitae, as much as shall suffice: make thereof a Pomander.
And for the same purpose you may also use to carry about with you sweet pouders, made of Amber Greece, Storax, Orris, Nutmegs, Cinamon, Mace, Cloves, Saffron, Benzoine, Muske, Camphire, Roses, Violets, Juncus odoratus, Marjoram, & such like, of which being mixed together, Pouders may be compounded & made.
Take of the roots of Orris two drams, of Cyperus, Calamus Aromaticus, red Roses, of each halfe an ounce, of Cloves halfe a dram, of Storax one dram, of Muske eight graines: mixe them, and make a pouder for a bagge: or take the roots of Orris two ounces, red Rose leaves, white Saunders, Storax, of each one ounce, of Cyperus one dram, of Calamus Aromaticus, one ounce, of Marjoram, halfe an ounce, of Cloves, three drams, of Lavander, halfe a dram, of Coriander seeds two drams, of good Muske, halfe a scruple, of Ladanum and Benzoin, of each a dram, of Nutmegs and Cinamon, of each two drams: Make thereof a fine pouder, and few it in a bag.
It will be very convenient also to apply to the region of the heart, a bagge filled with yellow Saunders, Mace, Cloves, Cinnamon, Saffron, and Treacle shaken together, and incorporated, and sprinckled over with strong vinegar and Rose water in Summer, and with strong wine and Muskedine in the Winter.
These sweet aromatic things that are so full of spirits, smelling sweetly and strongly, have admirable vertues to strengthen the principall parts of the body, and to stirre up the expulsive faculty to expell the poyson.
Contrarie-wise, those that are stinking and unsavory, procure a desire to vomit, and dissolution of the powers, by which it is manifest how foolish and absurd their perswasion is, that counsaile such as are in a pestilent constitution of the aire, to receive and take in the stinking and unsavoury vapours of sinkes and privies, and that especially in the morning.
But it will not suffice to carry those preservatives alone, without the use of any other thing, but it will be also very profitable to wash all the whole body in Vinegar of the decoction of Juniper & Bay berries, the roots of Gentian, Marigolds, S. Johns Wort, and such like, with Treacle or Mithridate also dissolved in it. For vinegar is an enemy to all poysons in general, whether they be hot or cold: for it resisteth & hindereth putrefaction, because it is cold & dry: therfore in this, inanimate bodies, as flesh, Herbes, fruits, and many other such like things, may be kept a long time without putrefaction. Neither is it to be feared, that it should obstruct the pores, by reason of its coldness, if the body be bathed in it: for it is of subtle parts, and the spices boyled in it, have vertue to open.
Whosoever accounteth it hurtfull to wash his whole body therewith, let him wash onely his arme-holes, the region of his heart, his temples, groines, parts of generation, as having great and marvellous sympathy with the principall and noble parts.
If any mislike bathing, let him annoint himself with the following unguent. Take oyle of Roses, four ounces; oyle of Spike, two ounces; of the pouder of Cinamon and Cloves, of each one ounce and a halfe; of Benzoin, halfe an ounce; of Muske, six graines; of Treacle, halfe a dram; of Venice Turpentine, one dram and a halfe; of wax, as much as shall suffice: make thereof a soft unguent.
You may also drop a few drops of oile of Mastick, of Sage, or of Cloves, and such like, into the eares, with a little Civet or Muske.
VENERY is chiefly to be eschewed, for by it the powers are debilitated, the spirits dissipated, and the breathing places of the body diminished, and lastly, all the strength of nature weakened. A sedentary life is to be shunned, as also excesse in diet, for hence proceeds obstruction, the corruption of the juices, and preparation of the body to putrefaction and the pestilence.
Women must be very carefull that they have their courses duely, for stopping besides the custome, they easily acquire corruption, and draw by contagion the rest of the humours into their society. Such as have fistulous, or otherwise old ulcers, must not heale them up in a pestilent season, for it is then more convenient rather to make new ones, and these in convenient and declining places; that as by these channels, the sinke of the humors of the body may be emptied.
The Haemorrhoids, bleedings, & other the like accustomed evacuations, must not be stopped, unlesse they exceed measure. Moreover, they must at such times take heed that they touch or handle not any of these things wherein the seeds or fuell of the pestilence may lye hid, such as are, hempe, flaxe, quilts and coverings wherein such as have had the plague, have laid; skins and all leathern things, hangings and cloaths. You must dwell farre from church-yards, especially from those wherein the corps of such as have died of the plague, are not buried deep in the ground, as in the church of the Innocents in Paris, in which place by the same reason it sundry times happens that the buried bodies are plucked up, rent and torne by dogs. Also let them dwell farre from places of execution, shambles of flesh and fish, from tanne-houses, diers, tallow-chandlers, cloth-dressers, farriers, skinners, and from the places wherein metals are cast or wrought. The filth and dung, especially of Swine, Privies, standing and muddy waters, and lastly all things of the like evill smell, must be farre remote from your habitation; the belly must not be emptied into those places, into which the excrements of such as have the plague are cast. The company of such as usually visite those sicke of the plague, must be eschewed, as of Physitians, Apothecaries, Surgeons, Nurse-Keepers, Grave-makers and Bearers. For though they have not the plague, yet comming forth of a pestilent place, they may carry with them lying hid in their garments, the seeds thereof. You may gather this by such as have for a little while stayed in a perfumers shoppe, for the perfume diffused in the aire, bestowes the smel upon the garments of such persons, so that gone from thence, such as meet them, will judge them to carry perfumes with them. They shall also shunne long watchings, sound sleeping, all passions of the minde, especially anger, hunger, thirst, journying in the sun, for that hath oft-times occasioned a diary feaver, which hath not seldome beene seen to turne into a pestilent one, for by dilating the pores of the skinne, they have given entrance to the pestilent aire, which by that meanes hath easily taken hold of the humour disposed to putrefaction.
MAgistrates ought to have a speciall care that no filth be heaped up, either in private or publike places: let all things be kept neat in every house, and let all the streets be kept cleane, the dung and filth be carried forth of the city, as also the dead carcasses of killed dogs and cats, for because * 1.61 they oft-times licke and devour the excrements of such as have the Sicknesse, therefore they may by their familiar entry into sound houses, there propagate the plague. Wherfore they must either be driven forth of the city, or killed, and so be carryed forth and buried deep in the ground. Wells, springs, and rivers themselves, must be freed and cleansed from all impurity. Care must be had that musty corne, tainted flesh, nor stinking fish be not set to sale. Publike bathes and hot-houses * 1.62 must be prohibited, for that in these, mens bodies are weakened, and made more yeelding and pervious to the pestiferous aire. They shall commit the cure of such as have the plague, to learned, skilfull and honest Physitians, Apothecaries, and Surgeons.
Such as are knowne to have the plague, shall be separated from such as are free therefrom, and be sent to such fit places as shall be provided for them; for this is better and more humanely done, than to shut up every man in his owne house. They shall provide and foresee that the houshold-stuffe of such as have the plague be not set to sale. They shall set signes and noted markes upon the houses seazed upon by this disease, lest they should unawares run into danger. Wherefore to the same purpose they shall procure that the Surgeons & others that visite the sicke of the plague may be known by some conspicuous marke, that such as pass by them may be admonished of the danger; they shall also take care that the bodies of the dead be buried as speedily as may be. For they sooner & more grievously putrefie in a short time, * 1.63 than the bodies of others of what death soever they die. Wherfore, neither birds nor ravenous beasts dare once touch their bodies, though unburied, for by tasting them they should quickly come to their deaths. The keepers of the gates of the city shall be admonished, that they take speciall care that such as are infected, or come from a visited place, do not enter into the city, for from one, the evill may come to spread it self further, for one sparke may set a whole city on fire, and one scabby sheep infect a whole flock. And because there is nothing which may more perfectly purge
the aire, and cleanse it from all manner of noysomnesse and infection, than fire, they shall command that there be kindled, and perpetually kept burning fires, made with odoriferous and strong smelling things, as Juniper, Turpentine, Broome, and the like.
In stead hereof Levinus tells that the souldiers of the Garrison of Torney used in a Plague time to discharge their Cannons laded onely with Powder, turning their mouths upon the citty, and that morning and evening, that by the vehemency of the moved aire, the pestiferous fogges might be chased away, and by the heate of the burned powder, the venenate and noysome quality of the aire might be amended. Lastly, I judge it fit to admonish Magistrates that they have their eics and mindes attentive upon a murderous and impious kinde of bearers and nurse-keepers, which allured with a desire of gain (which whilst the plague reignes, they get abundantly) anoint the walls, doores, thresholds, knockers of gates and lockes with the filth and ointments taken from such as have the plague, that the plague within a while after seazing upon these also, the masters of them flying away, and the family dispersed, they may there reigne alone, and freely and without punishment carry thence what they please, oft-times strangling such as lye ready to dy, lest recovering, they might be their accusers. This I remember happened at Lyons, Anno Dom. 1565.
IT is the part of Magistrates in the so great necessity of the afflicted common-wealth, to appoint learned, skilfull, and honest Physitians, Surgeons, and Apothecaries, and such as have more regard to the law of God than to gain, to have the care & cure of such as are visited. But principally let them not take Surgeons and Apothecaries called by proclamation with sound of trumpet, that if they will take this charge, they shall become free without examination or reward. But let them rather be allured by gifts and honest rewards, not only then when as necessity urgeth, but also after the plague is over. For such servant Surgeons and Apothecaries as are called by proclamation, so to gain freedome, are most commonly unskilfull and unexperienced Dunces, who, conscious of their owne ignorance, and fearing to undergoe the examination of the Masters of their Companies, refuse no hazzard, however dangerous, with desire to obtaine their freedome.
It is farre worse and more dangerous to fall into the hands of such, than into the hands of theeves and murderers, for these, by providence or strength, wee may chance to escape; but wee seeke for and embrace the other, and having found them, lay our throats bare unto them, so by their unskilfulnesse to be burchered. Certainly by the fault of the times, and the neglect of Magistrates, it is almost come to this pass, that if any honest and learned Physitians and Surgeons shall undertake this cure, they are commonly forced thereto by the Magistrate for feare of banishment or fining. Therefore because they do it against their wills, they shew themselves lesse vigilant, cheerefull and painefull about the sicke. They come unwillingly and compelled hereto, because by the memory of the forepast time, they sufficiently know, how sordide and basely Magistrates, when the plague hath beene overpast, have bin in paying the promised reward to men of their condition, who have sloutly run into danger; for thence it happens that during the rest of their lives they may sit idle at home, for that they are infamous and feared by the people onely for this, that a while agone they visited such as had the plague. Therefore I would have Magistrates prudent, faithfull, and free in choosing honest, learned and skilfull men, who may undergoe this so difficult and dangerous a charge.
FIrst they must thinke and hold for certaine, that they are not called to this office by men, but by God, so directing the counsels and actions of men as he thinketh fit. Therefore they shall confidently enter into the cure thereof, for that our lot, life and death are in the hands of the Lord: but notwithstanding they ought not to neglect remedies, which are given to men for prevention, lest by neglecting the gifts of God, they may seem to neglect him also that is the giver of so many good and excellent benefits. Therefore first let them by purging and bleeding evacuate the humours subject to putrefaction, and to conceive the seeds of the pestilence. Let them make two fontanella’s by application of cauteries to be as rivelets to evacuate the excrementitious humours which are daily by little and little heaped up in us; let one of them be in the right arme a little below the muscle Epomis, the other the space of three fingers under the knee on the inside of the left legge. This is found by experience a very certaine meanes of prevention. Let them wash their whole bodies with the following lotion.
℞. aquae ros. aceti rosati, aut sambucini, vini albi aut, malvatici, an. lb. vi. rad. enulae camp. angelicae, gentian. bistortae, Zedoar. an. ℥iii. baccar. juniperi, & hederae, an. ℥ii. salviae, rorismar. absinth. rutae, an. m. i. corticis citri, ℥ss. theriacae & mithridat. an ℥i. conquassanda conquassent. bulliant lento igni, & serventur ad usum ante commemoratum.
The Epithemes, unguents and bags formerly described shall be applyed to the region of the heart. I have read it noted by John Baptist Theodosius, that amongst other things, Arsenick may be profitably applyed to the region of the heart, that so it may by little and little accustome it self to poysons, that afterwards it may be lesse harmed by their incursion, first making their assault upon it.
Let their garments be made of Chamelet, Dutch sarge, Satin, Taffaty, or the like. Or else if they cannot of these, let them be of some other handsome stuffe, but not of cloth, frieze or the like, that may take the venenate Aire, and carry it with them to the infection of the sound. They shall oft-times change their clothes, shirts and other linen, and perfume them with aromatic things; let them warily approach to the sicke, more warily speake unto him, with their faces looking away from him, rather than towards him, so that thy may not receive the breath of his mouth, neither the vapour nor smell of any of his excrements.
When as I upon a time being called to visit one that lay sicke of the plague, came too neare and heedlesly to him, and presently by sudden casting off the cloathes, laid him bare, that so I might the better view a Bubo that hee had in his right groine, and two Carbuncles that were on his belly, then presently a thick, filthy and putride vapour arising from the broken abscesse of the Carbuncle, as out of a raked puddle, ascended by my nostrils to my braine, whereupon I fainted and fell down senselesse upon the ground; raised up a little after, all things seemed to me to run round; and I was ready to fall again, but that I stayed my self by taking hold of the bed poste. But one thing comforted mee, that there appeared no signes that my heart was affected, either by paine or panting, or the strong and contumaciou failing of my powers. An argument that the animall spirits were only dissipated by a venenate vapour, and that the substance of the heart was no way wronged, was a sneesing which tooke me so violently, that I sneesed ten times, and then fell a bleding at the nose; which excretion, I beleeve freed me from all the impression of the malignity. Let others warned by this mine example, learn to be wiser and more wary in this case, lest they come to a worse mishap than befell mee.
WEE must not stay so long before wee pronounce one to have the Plague, untill there be paine and a tumour under his arme holes, or in his groine, or spots (vulgarly called Tokens) appeare over all the body, or carbuncles arise: for many dye through the venenate malignity, before these signes appeare. Wherefore the chiefest and truest signes of this disease are to be taken from the heart, being the mansion of life, which chiefly and first of all is wont to be assailed by the force of the poison. Therfore they that are infected with the Pestilence, are vexed with often swounings and fainting; their pulse is feebler and flower than others, but sometimes more frequent, but that is specially in the night season; they feele prickings over all their body, as if it were the pricking of needles; but their nostrils do itch especially by occasion of the maligne vapours rising upwards from the lower and inner, into the upper parts, their breast burneth, their heart beateth with paine under the left dug, difficulty of taking breath, Ptissicke, Cough, paine of the heart, and such an elation or puffing up of the Hypocondria or sides of the Belly, distended with the abundance of vapours raised by the force of the feaverish heat, that the Patient will in a manner seeme to have the Timpany. They are molested with a desire to vomit, and oftentimes with much and painful vomiting, wherein green and black matter is seen, & always of divers colours, answering in proportion to the excrements of the lower parts, the stomack being drawn into a consent with the heart, by reason of the vicinity and communion of the vessels; oftentimes bloud alone, & that pure, is excluded & cast up in vomiting; and it is not only cast up by vomiting out of the stomack, but also very often out of the nostrils, fundament, and in women out of the wombe; the inward parts are often burned, and the outward parts are stiffe with cold, the whole heat of the Patient being drawn violently inward, after the manner of a Cupping-glasse, by the strong burning of the inner parts; then the eye-lids waxeblew, as it were through some contusion, all the whole face hath a horrid aspect, and as it were the colour of lead, the eies are burning red, & as it were, swoln or puffed up with Bloud, or any other humour, shed teares; and to conclude, the whole habit of the body is somewhat changed and turned yellow.
Many have a burning feaver, which doth shew it self by the Patients ulcerated jawes, unquenchable thirst, dryness and blackness of the tongue, and it causeth such a phrensie by inflaming the braine, that the patients running naked out of their beds, seeke to throw themselves out of windowes into the pits and rivers that are at hand. In some the joynts of the body are so weakned, that they cannot goe nor stand, from the beginning they are as it were buried in a long swoune and deep sleep, by reason that the feaver sendeth up to the braine the grosse vapours from the crude and cold humours, as it were from green Wood newly kindled to make a fire.
Such sleeping doth hold him especially while the matter of the sore or Carbuncle is drawne together, and beginneth to come to suppuration. Oftentimes when they are awaked out of sleepe, there do spots and markes appeare dispersed over the skin, with a stinking sweat. But if those vapours be sharpe that are stirred up unto the head, in stead of sleepe they cause great waking, and alwayes there is much diversitie of accidents in the urine of those that are infected with the Plague, by reason of the divers temperature and condition of bodies: neither is the urine at all times, and in all men of the same consistence and colour: For sometimes they are like unto the urine of those that are sound and in health, that is to say, laudable in colour and substance, because that when the heart is affected by the venemous Aire, that entreth in unto it, the spirits are more greatly grieved and molested than the humours: but those, i. the spirits, are infected and corrupted when these do begin to corrupt.
But Urines onely shew the dispositions of the humours or parts in which they are made, collected together, and through which they pass.
This reason seemeth truer to me than theirs which say, that nature terrefied with the malignity of the poyson avoyds contention, and doth not resist or labour to digest the matter that causeth the disease.
Many have their appetites so overthrowne, that they can abstaine from meat for the space of three dayes together.
And to conclude, the variety of accidents is almost infinite, which appear & spring up in this kinde of disease, by reason of the diversity of the poyson, and condition of the bodies and grieved parts: but they do not all appeare in each man, but some in one, and some in another.
IT is a most deadly signe in the Pestilence, to have a continuall and burning Feaver, to have the tongue dry, rough, and black, to breathe with difficulty, and to draw in a great quantity of breath, but breathe out little; to talke idely; to have phrensie and madnesse together, with unquenchable thirst and great watching; to have Covulsions, the Hicket, heart-beating, and to swoune very often and vehemently; further, tossing and turning in the bed, with a loathing of meats, and daily vomits of a green, blacke and bloudy colour; and the face pale, blacke, of a horrid and cruell aspect, bedewed with a cold sweat, are very mortall signes.
There are some which at the very beginning have ulcerous and painefull wearinesse, pricking under the skin, with great torment of paine; the eyes looke cruelly and staringly, the voyce waxeth hoarse, the tongue rough and stutting, and the understanding decaying, the Patient uttereth and talketh of frivolous things. Truely those are very dangerously sicke, no otherwise than those whose urine is pale, black, and troubled like unto the urine of carriage beasts, or Lye, with divers coloured clouds or contents, as blew, green, black, fatty and oylie, as also resembling in shew a Spiders Web, with a round body swimming on the top.
If the flesh of the carbuncle be dry and blacke, as it were feared with a hot iron, if the flesh about it be black and blew, if the matter do flow back, and turne in, if they have a laske with greatly stinking, liquid, thin, clammy, blacke, green or blewish ordure; if they avoyd wormes by reason of the great corruption of the humours, and yet for all this the patient is never the better; if the eies wax often dim, if the nostrils be contracted or drawne together, if they have a grievous crampe, the mouth be drawne aside, the muscles of the face being drawn or contracted equally or unequally; if the nailes be blacke; if they be often troubled with the Hicket, or have a Convulsion and resolution over all the body, then you may certainly prognosticate that death is at hand, and you may use Cordiall medicines onely, but it is too late to purge or let bloud.
YOU shall understand that the Pestilence proceeds from the corruption of the aire, if it be very contagious, and disperse it self into sundry places in a moment. If it kill quickly and many, so that whilst sundry persons goe about their usual business, walke in the places of common resort and through the streets, they suddenly fall downe and dye, no signe of the disease or harme appearing, nor any paine oppressing them; for the malignity of the corrupt Aire is quick and very speedy in infecting our spirits, overthrowing the strength of the heart and killing the patient. The patients are not troubled with great agitation, because the spirits dissipated by the rapid malignity of the poyson, cannot endure that labour; besides they are taken with frequent swouning, few of them have Bubo’s, few have Blains come forth; and by the same reason their urines are similar to those of sound men.
FOrmerly we have reckoned up the causes of the corruption of humours from plenitude, obstruction, distemper, and the ill juice of meats. Now must wee deliver the signes of each corrupt humour which reignes in us, that it may be reduced to soundnesse and perfection of nature by the opposition of its contrary, or else be evacuated by physick. Therefore if the body be more yellow than usual, it is a signe of choler offending in quantity and quality. If more black, then of melancholy; if more pale, then of phlegme; if more red, with the veins swolne up and full, then of bloud. Also the colour of the rising blaines, tumours and spots, expresse the colour of the predominant humour, as also the excrements cast forth by vomit, stoole and otherwise; the heavinesse and cheerfulnesse of the affected body; the manner of the present feaver; the time of the year, age, region, diet. Such things as have a cutting, penetrating, attenuating, and cleansing faculty, take away obstruction. By meanes of obstruction feavers oft-times accompany the Plague, and these not onely continuall, but also intermitting, like tertians or quartans. Therefore that Plague that is fixed in the infection or corruption of a cholericke humour, shewes it self by the forementioned signes of predominating choler, to wit, the heate of the skin, blaines and excrements, as also in the quicknesse of killing, and vehemency of the symptomes, bitternesse of the mouth, a painefull and continuall endeavor of going to stool, by reason of the acrimony of choler stimulating and raking the guts in the passage forth. That which resides in the corrupt substance of grosse humours, as of bloud, sheweth it self by many and plentifull sweats, by a scowring, by which are avoyded many and various humours; and oft-times also bloudy matter that proceeds from corrupt phlegme, it invades with more sound sleep, & a causeless weariness of all the members; when they are awakened out of their sleepe, they are not seldome troubled with a trembling over all their joints, the entrance and way of the spirits into the members being obstructed by the grossenesse of the humours. That which is seated in the corruption of a melancholy humour, is accompanied with heavinesse and paine of the head, much pensivenesse, a deep and small pulse. But the most certaine signe of the Plague residing in the corruption of the humours, is to be taken from the urine. For the signes of the vitiated humours cannot but shew themselves in the urines: therefore troubled urines, and such as are like those of carriage beasts, as also blacke and green, give certaine notice thereof. But some are much troubled with thirst, others not at all, because choler or Phlegme sometimes onely putrefie in the stomacke or orifice of the ventricle, sometimes besides they will weaken the governement of the naturall faculties of the part, as of the appetite. But if the feaver happen by the default and infection both of the Aire and Humours, then will there be a great confusion of the fore-mentioned signes and symptomes.
YOU may well fore-tell the future motions and events of diseases, when you throughly know the nature of the disease, and accidents thereof, and the condition, function, and excellency of the body and grieved parts: Although that this may be spoken in generall, That there is no certaine prediction in pistilent diseases, either to health or death, for they have very unconstant motions, sometimes swift and quick, sometimes slow, and sometimes choaking or suffocating in a moment, while one breathes in the venemous Aire, as hee is going about any of his necessary affaires, having pustules rising in the skin with sharpe pain, and as though the whole body were pricked all over with needles, or the stings of Bees. Which I have seen with mine eyes in the Plague that was at Lyons when Charles the French King lay there. It many times comes to pass that the accidents that were very vehement and raging a little before, are suddenly asswaged, and the patients do thinke themselves better, or almost perfectly sound. Which happened to Mary one of the Queene-Mother her Mayds, in that notable pestilent constitution of the Aire, that yeare when Charles the French King lay at the Castle of Rossilion: For when she was infected, a great tumour or Bubo arose in her groine, and suddenly it went in again, so that the third day of her sicknesse, she said she was without any griefe or disease at all, but that shee was somewhat troubled with a difficulty of making water; and I think it was because the bladder was enflamed by the refluxe of the matter; but shee was sound in mind and body, and walked up and downe the Chamber on the same day that she died. The strangenesse of which thing made the King so fearfull, that he hasted to depart thence.
Although this disease doth spare no man, of what age, temperature, complexion, diet and condition soever, yet it assaulteth young men that are cholericke and sanguine, more often than old men that are cold and dry, in whom the moysture that is the nourisher of putrefaction by reason of their age is consumed, and the wayes, passages and pores of the skin, whereby the venemous Aire should enter and pierce in, are more strait and narrow. And moreover, because old men do alwayes stay at home, but young men for their necessary business, and also for their delight and pleasure, are alwayes abroad in the day time, in the Aire, where-hence the pollution of the pestilence comes more often.
That pestilence that comes by the corruption of the humours, is not so contagious as that which comes by the default of the Aire. But those that are phlegmatick and melancholy, are most commonly grieved with that kinde of pestilence, because in them the humours are more clammy and grosse, and their bodies more cold and lesse perspirable, for which causes the humours sooner and more speedily putrefie.
Men that are of an ill juice are also most apt to this kinde of pestilence, for in the naughty quality of the juice there is a great preparation of the humours unto putrefaction: You may know it by this, that when the pestilence raigneth, there are no other diseases among the common people, which have their original of any ill juice, but they all degenerate into the Plague. Therefore when they begin to appeare and wander up and downe, it is a token that the pestilence will shortly cease, or is almost at an end.
But here also I would have you to understand those to be of an ill juice, which have no pores in their skin, by which, as it were by rivers, the evill juice which is contrary to nature, may be evacuated and purged. And I have noted and observed, * 1.87 that those are lesse in danger of the Pestilence which have cancerous ulcers and stinking sores in their noses, and such as infected with the French Pocks, have by reason thereof, tumours and rotten ulcers, or have the Kings evill running upon them, the leprosy or the Scab: and to conclude, all those that have fistulous and running ulcers in their bodies.
I thinke those that have quartan Feavers are the better priviledged for the same, because that by the Fit causing sweat, that comes every fourth day, they avoyd much of the evill juice that was engendered.
This is more like to be true, than to thinke that the poyson that comes from without, may be driven away by that which lurketh within.
Contrariwise, women that are great with child, as I have noted, because they have much ill juice, being prohibited from their accustomed evacuations, are very apt to take this disease, and do seldome recover after they are infected.
Blacke or blew impostumes, and spots and pustules of the same colour, dispersed over the skin, argue that the disease is altogether incurable and mortall.
When the swelling or sore goes or comes before the feaver, it is a good signe, for it declareth that the malignity is very weak and feeble, and that nature hath overcome it, which of it self is able to drive so great portion thereof from the inner pars. But if the sore or tumour come after the feaver, it is a mortall and deadly signe, for it * 1.90 is certaine that it comes of the venemous matter not translated, but dispersed, not by the victory of nature, but through the multitude of the matter, with the weight whereof nature is overcome.
When the Moone decreaseth, those that are infected with the Pestilence are in great doubt and danger of death, because then the humours that were collected and gathered together before the full of the Moone, through delay and abundance, do swell the more, and the faculties by which the body is governed, become more weake and feeble, because of the imbecility of the native heate, which before was nourished and augmented by the light, and so consequently by the heat of the full Moon: For as it is noted by Aristotle, the wainings of the Moone are more cold and weak: and thence it is that women have their menstruall fluxes chiefly or most commonly at that time.
In a grosse and cloudy Aire the pestilent infection is less vehement and contagious than in a thin and subtle Aire; whether that thinnesse of the Aire proceed from the heat of the Sun, or from the North wind & cold. Therfore at Paris, where naturally, and also through the abundance of filth that is about the Citie, the Aire is darke and grosse, the pestilent infection is lesse fierce and contagious than it is in Province, for the subtlety of the Aire stimulates or helps forward the Plague.
But this disease is mortall and pernicious wheresoever it bee, because it suddenly assaulteth the heart, which is the Mansion, or as it were the fortresse or castle of life: but commonly not befo•… signes and tokens of it appeare on the body: and yet you shall scarce find any man that thinketh of calling the Physitian to helpe to preserve him from so great danger before the signes thereof be evident to be seen and felt: but then the heart is assaulted. And when the heart is so assaulted, what hope of life is there, or health to be looked for? Therefore because medicines come oft-times too late, and this malady is as it were a sudden and winged messenger of our * 1.92 death, it comes to pass that so many dye thereof. And moreover, because at the first suspicion of this so dire and cruell a disease, the imagination and minde (whose force in the diversly stirring up of the humours is great and almost incredible) is so troubled with feare of imminent death, and dispaire of health, that together with the perturbed humours, all the strength and power of nature falleth and sinketh downe.
This you may perceive and know, by reason that the keepers of such as are sicke, and the bearers which are not fearefull, but very confident, although they do all the basest offices which may be for the sick, are commonly not infected, and seldome dye thereof if infected.
The Plague oft-times findeth fuel in our bodies, and oft-times allurements, to wit, the putrefaction of humours, or aptnesse to putrefie: but it never thence hath its first originall, for that comes always from the defiled aire; therefore a pestilent feaver is thus bred in us: The pestilent Aire drawne by inspiration into the lungs, and by transpiration into the utmost mouthes of the veins and arteries spread over the skin, the bloud or else the humours already putrefying or apt to putrefie therein, are infected and turned into a certaine kind of malignity resembling the nature of the agent. These humours, like unquencht lime when it is first sprinkled with water, send forth a putride vapour, which carryed to the principall parts and heart especially, infecteth the spirituous bloud boyling in the ventricles thereof, and therewith also the vitall spirits; and hence proceeds a certaine feaverish heat. This heat diffused over the body by the arteries, together with a maligne quality, taints all, even the solid parts of the bones with the pestiferous venome, and besides, causeth divers symptomes, according to the nature thereof, and the condition of the body and humours wherein it is. Then is the conflict of the malignity assailing, & nature defending, manifest, in which if nature prevaile, it, using the help of the expulsive faculty, will send & drive it far from the noble parts, either by sweats, vomits, bleeding, evacuation by stoole or urine, buboes, carbuncles, pustules, spots, and other such kinds of breakings out over the skin. But on the contrary, if the malignity prevaile, and nature be too weake, and yeeld, and that first he be troubled with often panting or palpitation of the heart, then presently after with frequent faintings, the patient then at length will dye. For this is a great signe of the Plague or a pestilent Feaver, if presently at the first, with no labour, nor any evacuation worth the speaking of, their strength faile them, and they become exceeding faint. You may find the other signes mentioned in our preceding discourse.
The Plague oft-times findeth fuel in our bodies, and oft-times allurements, to wit, the putrefaction of humours, or aptnesse to putrefie: but it never thence hath its first originall, for that comes always from the defiled aire; therefore a pestilent feaver is thus bred in us: The pestilent Aire drawne by inspiration into the lungs, and by transpiration into the utmost mouthes of the veins and arteries spread over the skin, the bloud or else the humours already putrefying or apt to putrefie therein, are infected and turned into a certaine kind of malignity resembling the nature of the agent. These humours, like unquencht lime when it is first sprinkled with water, send forth a putride vapour, which carryed to the principall parts and heart especially, infecteth the spirituous bloud boyling in the ventricles thereof, and therewith also the vitall spirits; and hence proceeds a certaine feaverish heat. This heat diffused over the body by the arteries, together with a maligne quality, taints all, even the solid parts of the bones with the pestiferous venome, and besides, causeth divers symptomes, according to the nature thereof, and the condition of the body and humours wherein it is. Then is the conflict of the malignity assailing, & nature defending, manifest, in which if nature prevaile, it, using the help of the expulsive faculty, will send & drive it far from the noble parts, either by sweats, vomits, bleeding, evacuation by stoole or urine, buboes, carbuncles, pustules, spots, and other such kinds of breakings out over the skin. But on the contrary, if the malignity prevaile, and nature be too weake, and yeeld, and that first he be troubled with often panting or palpitation of the heart, then presently after with frequent faintings, the patient then at length will dye. For this is a great signe of the Plague or a pestilent Feaver, if presently at the first, with no labour, nor any evacuation worth the speaking of, their strength faile them, and they become exceeding faint. You may find the other signes mentioned in our preceding discourse.
WEE have said that the perpetual and first originall of the pestilence comes of the Aire, therefore so soone as one is blasted with the pestiferous Aire, after he hath taken some preservative against the malignity thereof, hee must withdraw himself into some wholesome Aire, that is, cleane and pure from any venemous iufection or contagion, for there is great hope of health by the alteration of the Aire; for we do most frequently and abundantly draw in the Aire of all things, so that we cannot want it for a minute of time: therefore of the Aire that is drawne in, dependeth the correction, amendment, or increase of the Poyson or malignity that is received, as the Aire is pure, sincere or corrupted.
There be some that do think it good to shut the patient in a close Chamber, shutting the windowes to prohibite the entrance of the Aire as much as they are able: But I thinke it more convenient that those windowes should be open from whence that wind bloweth that is directly contrary unto that which brought in the venemous Aire: For although there be no other cause, yet if the Aire be not moved, or * 1.96 agitated, but shut up in a close place, it will soone be corrupted. Therefore in a close and quiet place that is not subject to the entrance of the Aire, I would wish the patient to make wind, or to procure Aire with a thick and great cloth dipped or macerated in water and vinegar mixed together, and tied to a long Staffe, that by tossing it up and downe the close chamber, the wind or aire thereof may coole and recreate
the patient. The patient must every day be carried into a fresh chamber, and the beds and the linen cloaths must be changed: there must always be a cleare and bright fire in the patients chamber, and especially in the night, whereby the aire may be made more pure, cleane, and voyd of nightly vapours, and of the filthy and pestilent breath proceeding from the patient, or his excrements. In the meane time, lest (if it be in hot weather) the patient should be weakened or made more faint by reason that the heat of the fire doth disperse and wast his spirits, the Floor or ground of the chamber must be sprinkled or watered with vinegar and water, or strowed with the branches of vines made moist in cold water, with the leaves and flowers of Water-lillyes, or Poplar, or such like. In the fervent heat of summer hee must abstaine from Fumigations that do smell too strongly, because that by assaulting the head, they encrease the paine.
If the patient could goe to that cost, it were good to hang all the chamber where he lyeth, and also the Bed, with thicke or course linen cloaths moistened in vinegar and water of Roses. Those linen cloaths ought not to be very white, but somewhat browne, because much and great whitenesse doth disperse the sight, and by wasting the spirits, doth encrease the paine of the head: for which cause also the Chamber ought not to be very lightsome.
Contrariwise, on the night season there ought to be fiers and perfumes made, which by their moderate light, may moderately call forth the spirits.
Sweet fiers may be made of little pieces of the wood of Juniper, Broom, Ash, Tamarisk, of the rinde of Oranges, Lemmons, Cloves, Benzoin, gum Arabick, Orris roots, Mirrhe, grossely beaten together, and laid on the burning coals put into a chafing dish. Truely the breath or smoake of the wood or berries of Juniper, is thought to drive serpents a great way from the place where it is burnt. The vertue of the Ash-tree against venome is so great, as Pliny testifieth, that a serpent will not come under the shadow thereof, no not in the morning nor evening, when the shaddow of any thing is most great and long, but she will runne from it. I my self have proved that if a circle or compass be made with the boughes of an Ash-tree, and a fier made in the midst thereof, and a serpent put within the compass of the boughs, that the serpent will rather runne into the fire than through the Ash boughes.
There is also another meanes to correct the Aire. You may sprinkle vinegar of the decoction of Rue, Sage, Rosemary, Bay berries, Juniper berries, Cyperus nuts, & such like, on stones or bricks made red hot, and put in a pot or pan, that all the whole chamber where the patient lyeth may be perfumed with the vapour thereof.
Also fumigations may be made of some matter that is more grosse and clammy, that by the force of the fire the fume may continue the longer, as of Ladanum, Myrrhe, Masticke, Rosine, Turpentine, Storax, Olibanum, Benzoin, Bay berries, Juniper berries, Cloves, Sage, Rosemary, and Marjoram, stamped together, and such like.
Those that are rich and wealthy may have Candles and Fumes made of wax, or Tallow mixed with some sweet things.
A sponge macerated in Vinegar of Roses, and Water of the same, and a little of the decoction of Cloves, and of Camphire added thereto, ought always to be ready at the patients hand, that by often smelling unto it, the animall spirits may be recreated and strengthened.
The water following is very effectuall for this matter. Take of Orris, foure ounces; of Zedoarie, Spikenard, of each six drams; of Storax, Benzoin, Cinamon, Nutmegs, Cloves, of each one ounce and a halfe; of old Treacle, halfe an ounce: bruise them into a grosse pouder, and macerate them for the space of twelve houres in foure pound of white and strong wine, then distill them in a Limbeck of glasse on hot ashes, and in the distilled liquor wet a sponge, and then let it be tied in a linen cloath, or closed in a boxe, and so often put unto the nostrills. Or take of the vinegar and water of roses, of each foure ounces; of Camphire, six graines; of Treacle, half a dram: let them be dissolved together, and put into a viall of glasse, which the patient may often put unto his nose.
This Nodula following is more meet for this matter. Take of Rose leaves, two
pugils; of Orris halfe an ounce; of Calamus Aromaticus, Cynamon, Cloves, of each two drams; of Storax and Benzoin, of each one dram and a halfe; of Cyperus, halfe a dram: beat them into a grosse pouder, make thereof a Nodula betweene two pieces of Cambricke or Lawne of the bignesse of an hand-ball, then let it be moistened in eight ounces of Rose water, and two ounces of Rose vinegar, and let the patient smell unto it often. These things must be varied according to the time: For in the Summer you must use neither Muske nor Civet, nor such like hot things: and moreover women that are subject to fits of the Mother, and those that have Feavers or the head-ach, ought not to use those things that are so strong smelling & hot, but you must make choice of things more gentle: Therefore things that are made with a little Camphire and Cloves bruised and macerated together in Rose water & vinegar of Roses, shall be sufficient.
IF the feaver be great and burning, the patient must abstain from wine, unlesse that he be subject to swouning: and he may drinke the Oxymel following in stread thereof.
Take of faire water, three quarts, wherein boyle foure ounces of hony untill the third part be consumed, scumming it continually; then strain it, and put it into a cleane vessell, and adde thereto four ounces of vinegar, and as much cinamon as will suffice to give it a tast. Or else a sugred water, as followeth. Take two quarts of faire water, of hard sugar, six ounces, of cinamon, two ounces, strain it through a woollen bagge or cloth without any boiling; and when the patient will use it, put thereto a little of the juice of Citrons. The syrupe of the juice of Citrons excelleth amongst all others that are used against the pestilence.
The use of the Julep following is also very wholsome. Take of the juice of Sorrell well clarified, halfe a pint, of the juice of Lettuce so clarified, foure ounces, of the best hard sugar, one pound, boile them together to a perfection, let them be strained and clarified, adding a little before the end a little vinegar, let it be used betweene meales with boyled water, or with equall portions of the water of Sorrell, Lettuce, Scabious and Buglosse: or take of this former described Julep strained and clarified foure ounces, let it be mixed with one pound of the forenamed cordiall waters, and boile them together a little. And when they are taken from the fire, put thereto of yellow Sanders one dram, of beaten Cinamon halfe a dram, strain it through a cloth: when it is cold let it be given the patient to drink with the juice of Citrons.
Those that have accustomed to drink Sider, Perry, Beer or Ale, ought to use that drink still, so that it be clear, transparent, and thin, and made of those fruits that are somwhat tart; for troubled & dreggish drink doth not only engender grosse humors, but also crudities, windiness, and obstructions of the first region of the body, whereof comes a feaver.
Oxycrate being given in manner following, doth asswage the heat of the feaver, and represse the putrefaction of the humours, and the fiercenesse of the venome, and also expelleth the water through the veins, if so be that the patients are not troubled with spitting of blood, cough, yexing, and altogether weake of stomacke: for such must avoyd all tart things.
Take of faire water, one quart; of white or red vinegar three ounces; of fine Sugar, foure ounces; of syrup of Roses, two ounces: boile them a little, and then give the patient there of to drinke. Or take of the juice of Lemmons & Citrons, of each halfe an ounce; of juice of soure Pomegranates, two ounces; of the water of Sorrell and Roses, of each one ounce; of faire water boyled, as much as shall suffice: make thereof a Julep, and use it betweene meales. Or take of Sirupe of Lemmons and of red Currance, of each one ounce; of the water of lillies, foure ounces; of faire water boyled, halfe a pint; make thereof a Julep. Ortake of the syrups of water Lillies, and vinegar, of each half an ounce, dissolve it in five ounces of the water of Sorrell; of faire water one pint: make thereof a Julep.
But if the patient be young, and have a strong and good stomacke, and cholericke by nature, I thinke it not unmeet for him to drinke a full and large draught of fountaine water cold; for that is effectuall to restraine and quench the heat of the Feaver, and contrariwise, they that drinke cold water often, and a very small quantity at a time, as the Smith doth sprinkle water on the fire at his Forge, do encrease the heat
and burning, and thereby make it endure the longer. Therfore by the judgment of Celsus, when the disease is in the chiefe encrease, and the patient hath endured thirst for the space of three or four daies, cold water must be given unto him in great quantity, so that he may drink past his satiety, that when his belly and stomacke are filled beyond measure, and sufficiently cooled, he may vomit.
Some do not drinke so much thereof as may cause them to vomit, but do drinke even unto satiety, and so use it for a cooling medicine; but when either of these is done, the patient must be covered with many cloaths, and so placed that hee may sleepe; and for the most part, after long thirst and watching, and after long fulnesse, and long and great heat, sound sleep comes, by which great sweat is sent out, and that is a present helpe.
But thirst must sometimes be quenched with little pieces of Melons, Gourds, Cucumbers, with the leaves of Lettuce, Sorrell, and Purslaine, made moist or soked in cold water, or with a little square piece of a Citron, Lemmon, or Orange macerated in Rose water, & sprinkled with Sugar, and so held in the mouth, and then changed.
But if the patient be aged, his strength weak, flegmatick by nature, & given to wine, when the state of the Feaver is somewhat past, and the chiefe heat beginning to asswage, he may drink wine very much allayed at his meat, for to restore his strength, and to supply the want of the wasted spirits. The patient ought not by any meanes to suffer great thirst, but must mitigate it by drinking, or else allay it by washing his mouth with oxycrate and such like, and he may therein also wash his hands and his face, for that doth recreate the strength. If the fluxe or lask trouble him, he may very well use to drinke steeled water, and also boyled milke, wherein many stones comming red hot out of the fire have beene many times quenched. For the drynesse and roughnesse of the mouth, it is very good to have a cooling, moistening and lenifying lotion of the mucilaginous water of the infusion of the leeds of Quinces, psilium, id est, Flea-wort, adding thereto a little Camphire, with the Water of Plantain and Roses; then cleanse and wipe out the filth, and then moisten the mouth, by holding therein a little oile of sweete Almonds mixed with a little syrupe of Violets. If the roughnesse breed or degenerate into Ulcers, they must be touched with the water of the infusion of sublimate, or Aqua fortis.
But because wee have formerly made frequent mention of drinking of water, I have here thought good to speake somewhat of the choice and goodnesse of waters. The choice of waters is not to be neglected, because a great part of our diet depends thereon, for besides that we use it either alone, or mixed with wine for drink, we also * 1.117 knead bread, boile meat, and make broaths therewith. Many thinke that rain water which falls in summer, and is kept in a cisterne well placed and made, is the wholesomest of all. Then next thereto they judge that spring water which runnes out of the tops of mountaines, through rocks, cliffes and stones: in the third place they put Well water, or that which riseth from the foots of hils. Also the river water is good that is taken out of the midst or streame. Lake or pond water is the worst, especially if it stand still; for such is fruitfull of and stored with many venemous creatures, as Snakes, Toads, and the like. That which comes by the melting of Snow and Ice is very ill, by reason of the too refrigerating faculty and earthy nature. But of spring and well waters these are to be judged the best, which are insipide, without smell, & colour; such as are cleare, warmish in winter, and cold in summer, which are quickly hot and quickly cold, that is, which are most light, in which all manner pulse, turneps, and the like, are easily and quickly boyled. Lastly, when as such as usually drink * 1.118 thereof, have cleer voices and shrill, their chests sound, and a lively and fresh colour in their faces.
NOw we must treate of the proper cure of this disease, which must be used as soone as may be possible, because this kinde of poyson in swiftnesse exceedeth the celerity of the medicine. Therefore it is better to erre in this, that you should think every disease to be pestilent in a pestilent season, and to cure it as the Pestilence: because that so long as the Ayre is polluted with the seeds of the Pestilence, the humours in the body are soone infected with the vicinity of such an ayre, so that then there happeneth no disease voyd of the Pestilence, that is to say, which is not pestilent from the beginning by his owne nature, or which is not made pestilent.
Many begin the cure with bloud-letting, some with purging, and some with Antidotes. We, taking a consideration of the substance of that part that is assaulted, first of all begin the cure with an Antidote, because that by its specificke property, it defends the heart from poyson, as much as it is offended therewith. Although there are also other Antidotes which preserve & keep the heart & the patient from the danger of Poyson and the Pestilence, not onely because they do infringe the power of the poyson in their whole substance, but also because they drive and expell it out of all the body by sweat, vomiting, scowring, and such other kinds of evacuations.
The Antidote must be given in such a quantity as may be sufficient to overcome the poyson; but because it is not good to use it in greater quantitie than needeth, lest it should overthow our nature, for whose preservation onely it is used, therefore that which cannot be taken together and at once, must be taken at severall times, that some portion thereof may daily be used so long, untill all the accidents, effects and impressions of the poyson be past, and that there be nothing to be feared. Some of those Antidotes consist of portions of venemous things, being tempered together, and mixed in an apt proportion with other medicines, whose power is contrary to the venome: as Treacle, which hath for an ingredient the flesh of Vipers, that it being therto mixed may serve as a guide to bring all the antidote unto the place where the venenate malignity hath made the chiefe impression; because by the similitude of nature and sympathy, one poyson is suddenly snatched and carryed unto another. There are other absolute poisonous, which neverthelesse are Antidotes one unto another: as a Scorpion himself cureth the prick of a Scorpion. But Treacle and Mithridate excell all other Antidotes: for by strengthening the noblest part, and the mansion of life, they repaire and recreate the wasted Spirits, and overcome the poyson, not onely being taken inwardly, but also applyed outwardly to the region of the heart, Botches and Carbuncles: for by an hidden property they draw the poysons unto them, as Amber doth Chaffe, and digest it when it is drawne, and spoile and robbe it of all its deadly force; as it is declared at large by Galen, in his book de Theriaca ad Pisonem, by most true reasons and experiments. But you will say that these things are hot, and that the Plague is often accompanied with a burning Feaver. But thereto I answer, there is not so great danger in the Feaver as in the Pestilence, although in the giving of Treacle, I would not altogether seeme to neglect the Feaver, but think it good to minister or apply it mixed with cordiall cooling medicines, as with the Trochisces of Camphire, syrupe of Lemons, of water Lillies, the water of Sorrell, and such like. And for the same cause wee ought not to choose old Treacle, but that which is of a middle age, as of one or two yeares old: to those that are stong, you may give halfe a dram, and to those that are more weake, a dram.
The patient ought to walke presently after that hee hath taken Treacle, Mithridate, or any other Antidote; but yet as moderately as hee can: not like unto many, which when they perceive themselves to be infected, do not cease to course and run up and downe, untill they have no strength to sustaine their bodies, for so they dissolve nature, so that it cannot suffice to overcome the contagion. After moderate walking, the patient must be put warm to bed, and covered with many clothes, & warm brick-bats or tiles applyed to the soles of his feet; or in stead thereof you may use swines bladders filled with hot water, and apply them to the groines and arme-holes, to provoke sweate: for sweating in this disease is a most excellent remedy, both for to evacuate the humours in the Feaver, and also to drive forth the malignity in the Pestilence, although every sweate brings not forth the fruit of health. For George Agricola saith, that hee saw a woman at Misnia in Germanie, that did sweat so for the space of three dayes, that the bloud came forth at her head and breast, & yet neverthelesse shee died.
This potion following will provoke sweate. Take the roots of China shaved in thinne pieces one ounce and halfe; of Guajacum two ounces; of the barke of Tamariske one ounce; of Angelica roots two drams; of the shaving of Hats-horne one ounce; of Juniper berries three drams; put them into a viall of glasse that will contain six quarts, put thereto foure quarts of running or river water that is pure and cleare, macerate them for the space of one whole night on the hot ashes: and in the morning boile them all in Balneo Mariae, untill the halfe be consumed, which will be done in the space of six houres; then let them be strained through a bagge, and then strained again, but let that be with six ounces of sugar of Roses, and a little Treacle: let the patient take eight ounces or fewer of that liquor, and it will provoke sweat. The powder following is also very profitable. Take of the leaves of Dictamnus, the roots of Tormentill, Betony, of each halfe an ounce, of bole Armenicke prepared one ounce, of Terra Sigillata three drams, of Aloes and Myrrhe, of each halfe a dram, of Saffron one dram, of Masticke two drams: powder them all according to art, and give one dram thereof dissolved in Rose-water, or the water of wild sorrell, and let the patient walke so soone as he hath taken that powder; then let him be laid in his bed to sweat as I have shewed before.
The water following is greatly commended against poyson. Take the roots of Gentian & Cyperus, of each three drams; of Carduus benedictus, Burnet, of each one handfull; of Sorrell seeds and Divels-bit, of each two pugils; of Ivie and Juniper berries, of each halfe an ounce; of the flowers of Buglosse, Violets and red Roses, of each two pugils: powder them somewhat grossely, then soak or steepe them for a night in white wine and Rose water: then adde thereto of bole Armenick one ounce, of Treacle halfe an ounce, distill them all in Balneo Mariae, and keepe the distilled liquor in a vial of glasse wel covered or close stopped for your use: let the patient take six ounces thereof with Sugar and a little Cinamon & Saffron: then let him walk, and then sweat as is aforesaid: the Treacle and cordiall water formerly prescribed are very profitable for this purpose. Also the water following is greatly commended. Take of Sorrell six handfuls, of Rue one handfull: dry them & macerate them in vinegar for the space of foure and twenty houres, adding thereto foure ounces of Treacle: make thereof a distillation in Balneo Mariae, and let the distilled water be kept for your use; and so soone as the patient doth thinke himself to be infected, let him take foure ounces of that liquor, then let him walke and sweate. He must leave sweating when he beginneth to wax faint and weake, or when the humour that runs downe his body begins to wax cold, then his body must be wiped with warme clothes, and dried. The patient ought not to sweat with a full stomacke, for so the heat is called away from performing the office of concoction: also he must not sleep when he is in his sweat, lest the malignity goe in wardly with the heat and spirits unto the principall parts; but if the patient be much inclined to sleep, hee must be kept from it with hard rubbing, and bands tied about the extreme parts of his body, and with much noise of those that are about him, and let his friends comfort him with the good hope that they have of his recovery; but if all this will not keepe him from sleepe, dissolve Castoreum in tart Vinegar, and Aqua vitae, and let it be injected into his nostrils: and let him be kept continually waking the first day, and on the second and third, even unto the fourth; that is to say, unto the perfect expulsion of the venome; and let him not sleep above three or foure houres on a day and night. In the meane time let the Physician that shall be present consider all things by his strength: for it is to be feared, that great watchings will dissolve the strength, and make the patient weake: you must not let him eate within three houres after his sweating; in the meane season, as his strength shall require, let him take the rinde of a preserved Citron, conserve of Roses, bread toasted and steeped in wine, the meat of a preserved Myrabolane, or some such like thing.
There are also some topick medicines to be reckoned amongst Antidotes, which must be outwardly applyed as speedily as may be, as cordiall and hepaticke Epithemes for the safety of the noble parts, and strengthening of the faculties, as those that drive the venenate aire farre from the bowels: they may be made of cordiall things not onely hot, but also cold, that they may temper the heat, and more powerfully repercusse. They must be applyed warme with a scarlet, or a double linen cloth, or a soft spunge dipped in them, if so be that a Carbuncle do not possesse the regions of the noble parts, for it is not fit to use repercussives to a Carbuncle. You may make Epithemes after the following formes;
℞. aquar. ros. plantag. & solan. an ℥iv. aquae acetos. vini granat. & aceti, an. ℥iii. santal. rub. & coral. rub. pulveris. an. ʒiii. theriac. vet. ℥ss. camph. ℈ii. croci ℈i. carioph. ʒss. misce, fiat epithema.
Or else,
Or,
℞. aquar. rosar. & melissae, an. ℥iv. aceti ros. ℥iii. sant. rub. ʒi. caryophyl. ʒss. croci. ℈ii. caphurae ℈i. boli arm. terraesigil. & zedoar. an. ʒi. fiat epithema.
Or else,
℞. aceti rosat. & aquae rosat. an lb. ss. caphurae ʒss. theriac. & mithridat. an. ʒi. fiat epithema. Or else, aqu. rosar. nenuph. buglos. acetosae, aceti rosar. an. lb. ss. sant. rub. ros. rub. an. ʒiii. flor. nenuph. violar. caphur. an. ʒss. mithrid. & theriac. an. ʒii. terantur & misceantur simul omnia. When you intend to use them, take some portion of them in a vessell by itself, wherewith let the affected bowell be fomented warme.
SO soon as the heart is strengthened & corroberated with cordials & antidotes, we must come to phlebotomy & purging. As concerning bloud-letting in this case, there is a great controversie among Physicians. Those that wish it to be used, say or affirme that the pestilent Feaver doth infixe it self in the bloud, and therein also the pestilent malignity taketh its seate; and therefore it will soone infect the other humours; unlesse that the bloud be evacuated, & the infection that remaineth in the bloud be thereby taken away. Contrariwise, those that do not allow phlebotomy in this case, alledge, that it often comes to pass that the bloud is voyd of malignity when the other humours are infected with the venemous contagion. If any man require my judgment in this doubtfull question, I say, that the pestilence sometimes doth depend on the default of the aire: This default being drawne through the passages of the body, doth at length pierce unto the entrals, as we may understand by the abscesses which breake out one while behind the eares, sometimes in the arme-holes, and sometimes in the groines, as the braine, heart or liver are infected. And hereof also come Carbuncles, and other collections of matter, and eruptions, which are seen in all parts of the body, by reason that nature using the strength of the expulsive faculty, doth drive forth whatsoever is noysome or hurtfull. Therefore if the Physician will follow this motion of nature, he must neither purge nor let bloud, lest that by a contrary motion, that is, by drawing in from without, the motion of nature which proceeds outwardly
from within, should be troubled. So wee often see in those who are purged or let bloud for such Buboes as come through unlawfull copulation, that the matter is thereby made contumacious, and by drawing it inwardly, it speedily causeth the French Pocks.
Wherefore, when Buboes, Carbuncles and other pestilent eruptions appeare, which come through the default of the Aire, we ought to abstain from purging and phlebotomie; but it is sufficient to fore-arme the heart inwardly and outwardly with Antidotes that are endued with a proper vertue of resisting the poyson. For it is not to be doubted, but that when nature is debilitated with both kindes of evacuation, and when the spirits together with the bloud are exhausted, the venemous Aire will soone pierce, and be received into the empty body, where it exerciseth its tyranny to the utter destruction thereof.
In the yeare of our Lord God 1565. in which yeare there was great mortality throughout all France, by reason of the pestilence and pestilent diseases, I earnestly & diligently enquired of all the Physicians & Chirurgians of all the Cities (through which King Charles the ninth passed in his progresse unto Bayon) what success their patients had after they were letten bloud and purged, whereunto they all answered alike, that they had diligently observed, that all that were infected with the Pestilence, and were letten bleed some good quantity of bloud, or had their bodies some-what strongly purged, thence forwards waxed weaker and weaker, and so at length dyed; but others which were not let bloud nor purged, but took cordiall Antidotes inwardly, and applyed them outwardly, for the most part escaped and recovered their health: for that kind of Pestilence tooke its originall of the primitive and solitary default of the Aire, and not of the corruption of the humours.
The like event was noted in the hoarsenesse that we spake of before: that is to say, that the patients waxed worse and worse by purging and phlebotomie; but yet I do not disallow either of those remedies, if there be great fulnesse in the body, especially in the beginning, and if the matter have a cruell violence, whereof may be feared the breaking in unto some noble part. For wee know that it is confirmed by Hypocrates, that what disease soever is caused by repletion, must be cured by evacuation; and that in diseases that are very sharpe, if the matter do swell, it ought to be remedied the same day, for delay in such diseases is dangerous; but such diseases are not caused orinflicted upon mans body by reason or occasion of the pestilence, but of the diseased bodies, and diseases themselves commixed together with the Pestilence; therefore then peradventure it is lawfull to purge strongly, and to let a good quantity of bloud, l•st that the pestilent venome should take hold of the matter that is prepared, and so infect it with a contagion, whereby the Pestilence taketh new and farregreater strength; especially as Celsus admonisheth us, where he saith; that, By how much the sooner those sudden invasions do happen, by so much the sooner remedies must be used, yea or rather rashly applyed; therefore if the veins swell, the face wax fiery red, if the arteries of the temples beat strongly, if the patient can very hardly breathe by reason of a weight in his stomacke, if his spittle be bloudy, then ought he to be let bloud without delay, for the causes before mentioned. It seems best to open the liver veino on the left arme, whereby the heart and the spleene may be better discharged of their abundant matter; yet bloud-letting is not good at all times, for it is not expedient when the body beginneth to wax stiffe by reason of the comming of a Feaver; for then by drawing backe the heat and spirits inwardly, the outward parts being destitute of bloud, wax stiffe and cold; therefore bloud cannot be letten then without great losse of the strength, and perturbation of the humours. And it is to be noted, that when those plethoricke causes are present, there is one Indication of bloud-letting in a simple pestilent Feaver, and another in that which hath a Bubo, idest, a Botch or a Carbuncle joined ther with. For in one or both of these, being joyned with a vehement & strong burning Feaver, bloud must be letten by opening the veine that is nearest into the tumour or swelling against nature, keeping the straightness of the fibres, that this being open, the bloud might be drawn more directly from the part affected; for all and every retraction of putrefied bloud unto the noble parts, is to be avoyded, because it is noysome and hurful to nature, and to the patient. Therefore, for example sake, admit the patient be plethoricke by repletion, which is called Advasa, idest, unto the vessels, and Advires, idest, unto the strength: and there withall he hath a tumour that is pestilent in the parts belonging unto his head or neck, the bloud must be let out of the cephalick or median veine, or out of one of their branches dispersed in the arme on the grieved side. But if through occasion of fatte, or any other such like cause, those veins do not appeare in the arme, there be some that give counsell in such a case to open the veine that is betweene the fore-finger and the thumbe, the hand being put into warme water, whereby that veine may swell and be filled with bloud, gathered thither by meanes of the heate.
If the tumour be under the arme-hole, or about those places, the liver veine, or the median must be opened which runneth alongst the hand: if it be in the groine, the veine of the hamme, or Saphena, or any other veine above the foot that appeareth well, but always on the grieved side. And phlebotomie must be performed before the third day: for this disease is of the kind or nature of sharpe diseases; because that within foure and twenty houres it runneth past helpe. In letting of bloud you must have consideration of the strength. You may perceive that the patient is ready to swoune, when that his forehead waxeth moyst, with a small sweate suddenly arising, by the aking or paine at the stomacke, with an appetite to vomit, and desire to goe to stoole, gaping, blackness of the lippes, and sudden alteration of the face unto palenesse: and lastly most certaincly by a small and slow pulse: and then you must lay your finger on the veine, and stop it untill the patient come to himself again, either by nature, or else restored by art; that is to say, by giving unto him bread dipped in wine, or any other such like thing: then, if you have not taken bloud enough, you must let it goe again, and bleed so much as the greatnesse of the disease, or the strength of the patient will permit or require: which being done, some one of the Antidotes that are prescribed before will be very profitable to be drunk, which may repaire the strength, and infringe the force of the malignity.
IF you call to minde the proper indications, purging shall seeme necessary in this kinde of disease, and that must be prescribed as the present case and necessity requireth; rightly considering that the disease is sudden, and doth require medicines that may with all speede drive out of the body the hurtfull humour wherein the noy some quality doth lurke and is hidden; which medicines are diverse by reason of the diversity of the kinde of the humour, and the condition or temperature of the patient. For this purpose six graines of Scammonie beaten into powder, or else tenne graines are commonly ministred to the patient with one dram of Treacle. Also pils may be made in this forme: Take of Treacle and Mithridate, of each one dram; of Sulphur vivum finely powdred halfe a dram; of Diagridium foure graines: make thereof Pils. Or, Take three drams of Aloes; of Myrrhe and Saffron, of each one dram; of white Hellebore and Asarabacca, of each foure scruples: make thereof a masse with old Treacle, and let the patient take foure scruples thereof for a dose, three houres before meate. Ruffus his pils may be profitably given to those that are weake. The ancient Physicians have greatly commended Agarick for this disease, because it doth draw the noysome humours out of all the members: and the vertues thereof are like unto those of Treacle; for it is thought to strengthen the heart, and to draw out the malignity by purging. To those that are strong the weight of two drams may be given, and to those that are more weake, halfe a dram. It is better to give the infusion in a decoction, than in substance; for being elected and prepared truly into Trochises, it may be called a most divine kinde of medicine.
Antimonium is highly praised by the experience of many; but because I know the use thereof is condemned by the counsel and decree of the School of Physicians at Paris, I will here cease to speake of it.
Those medicines that cause sweats are thought to excell all others, when the Pestilence comes of the venemous Ayre: among whom the efficacy of that which followeth hath beene proved, to the great good of many in that Pestilence which was lately throughout all Germany, as Matthias Rodler Chancellor to Duke George the Count Palatine signified unto me by letters.
They do take a bundle of Mugwort, and of the ashes thereof after it is burnt, they make a lye with foure pints of water; then they do set it over the fire, and boyle it in a vessell of earth well leaded, untill the liquor be consumed, the earthy dregges falling unto the bottome like unto salt, whereof they make Trochisces of the weight of a crowne of gold: then they dissolve one or two of those Trochisces, according to the strength of the patient, in good Muskadine, and give it the patient to drinke, and let him walke after that hee hath drunke it for the space of halfe an houre; then lay him in his bed, and there sweat him two or three houres, and then he will vomit, and his belly will be loosed as if hee had taken Antimony; and so they were all for the most part cured, especially all those that tooke that remedy betimes, and before the disease went unto their heart, as I my self have proved in some that were sicke at Paris, with most happy success: Truely Mugwort is highly commended by the ancient Physicians, being taken and applyed inwardly or outwardly against the bitings of venemous creatures, so that it is not to be doubted but that it hath great vertue against the Pestilence.
I have heard it most certainly reported by Gilbertus Heroaldus Physician of Mompilier, that eight ounces of the pickle of Anchoves, drunke at one draught, is a most certaine and approved remedie against the Pestilence, as he and many other have often found by experience. For the plague is no other thing but a very great putrefaction; for the correction and amendment whereof, there is nothing more apt or fit than this pickle or substance of the Anchoves, being melted by the sun and force of the salt that is strawed thereon. There be some which infuse one dram of Walewort seed in white wine, and affirme that it drunken will performe the like effect as Antimony. Others dissolve a little weight of the seed of Rue being bruised in Muskadine, with the quantity of a Beane of Treacle, and so drinke it. Others beate or bruise an handfull of the leaves or tops of Broome in halfe a pint of white wine, and so give it to the patient to drinke, to cause him to vomit, loose his belly, and make him to sweat. Truly those that are wounded or bitte with venemous beasts, if they bind broome above the wound, it will prohibit or hinder the venome from dispersing it self, or going any further: therefore a drink made thereof will prohibit the venome from going any nearer the heart. Some take of the roote of Elecampaine, Gentian, Tormentill, Kermes berries and broom; of the powder of Ivory and Harts-horne, of each halfe a dram: they do bruise and beate all these, and infuse them for the space of foure and twenty houres in white wine and Aqua vitae on the warm embers, and then straine it, and give the patient three or foure ounces thereof to drinke; this provokes sweat, and infringeth the power of the poyson: and the potion following hath the same vertue.
Take good Mustard half an ounce, of Treacle or Mithridate the weight of a Bean, dissolve them in white wine, and a little Aqua vitae, and let the patient drinke it, and sweat thereon with walking. You may also roast a great Onion made hollow, and filled with halfe a dram of Treacle and Vinegar under the embers; and then straine it, and mixe the juice that is pressed out of it with the water of Sorrell, Carduus Benedictus, or any other cordiall thing, and with strong wine, and give the patient to drinke thereof to provoke sweat, and to repell the malignity. Or else take as much Garlick as the quantity of a big Nut; of Rue and Celandine, of each twenty leaves, bruise them all in white wine and a little Aqua vitae; then straine it, and give the patient thereof to drink. There be some that do drink the juice that is pressed out of Celandine and Mallowes, with three ounces of Vinegar, and halfe an ounce of the oyle of Wall-nuts, and then by much walking do unburthen their stomack and belly upwards and downewards, and so are helped. When the venemous ayre hath already crept into and infected the humors, one dram of the dried leaves of the Bay tree macerated for the space of two dayes in Vinegar and drunke, is thought to be a most soveraigne medicine to provoke sweat, loosenesse of the belly, and vomiting.
Mathiolus in his Treatise de Morbo Gallico writeth, that the powder of Mercury ministred unto the patient with the juice of Carduus Benedictus, or with the electuary de Gommis, will drive away the Pestilence before it be confirmed in the body, by provoking vomit, looseness of the belly & sweat: one dram of Calchanthum or white Copperose dissolved in Rose-water, performeth the like effect in the same disease. Some do give the patient a little quantity of the oyle of Scorpions with white wine to expel the poyson by vomit, & therewithall they anoint the region of the heart, the breast and the wrests of the hands. I think these very meet to be used often in bodies that are strong and wel exercised, because weaker medicines do evacuate little or nothing at all, but onely move the humours, whereby comes a Feaver. When a sufficient quantity of the malignity is evacuated, then you must minister things that may strengthen the belly and stomack, and withhold the agitation or working of the humours: and such is the confection of Alkermes.
IF the malignity be carryed into the braine, and nature be not able to expell it, it inflames not onely it, but also the membranes that cover it: which inflammation doth one while hurt, trouble, or abolish the imagination, another while the judgment, and sometimes-the memory, according to the situation of the inflammation, whether it be in the former, hinder or middle part of the head; but hereof comes alwayes a Phrensie, with fiery redness of the eyes and face, and heavinesse and burning of the whole head. If this will not be amended with Clisters, and with opening the Cephalicke veine in the arme, the arteries of the temples must be opened, taking so much bloud out of them, as the greatnesse of the Symptomes and the strength of the patient shall require and permit. Truly the incision that is made in opening of an arterie will close and joyne together as readily, and with as little difficulty, as the incision of a veine. And of such an incision of an artery, comes present helpe, by reason that the tensive * 1.146 and sharpe vapours do plentifully breath out together with the arterious bloud. It were also very good to provoke a fluxe of bloud at the nose, if nature be apt to exone•ate herself that way. For, as Hippocrates saith, when the head is grieved, or generally aketh, if matter, water, or bloud flow out at the nostrils, mouth or eares, it presently cures the disease. Such bleeding is to be provoked by strong blowing, or striving to cleanse the nose, by scratching or picking of the inner sides of the nostrils, by pricking with an horse haire, and long holding downe of the head.
The Lord of Fontains, a Knight of the Order, when we were at Bayon, had a bleeding at the nose, which came naturally for the space of two dayes, and thereby hee was freed of a pestilent Feaver which he had before, a great sweat rising therewithall, and shortly after his Carbuncles came to suppuration, and by Gods grace he recovered his health being under my cure. If the bloud do flow out and cannot be stopped when it ought, the hands, armes, and legges must be tied with bands, and sponges wet in oxycrate must be put under the arme-holes, cupping-glasses must be applyed unto the dugges, the region of the liver and spleen; and you must put into the nostrils, the doune of the willow tree, or any other astringent medicine, incorporated with the haires pluckt from the flanke, belly or throat of a Hare, bole Armenicke, Terra Sigillata, the juice of Plantain and Knot-grasse mixed together; and furthermore the patient must be placed or laied in a coole place. But if the pain be nothing mitigated not withstanding all these fluxes of bloud, we must come to medicines that procure sleep, whose formes are these.
Take of green Lettuce one handfull, flowers of water Lillies and Violets, of each two pugils, one head of white Poppy bruised, of the foure cold seeds, of each two drams, of Liquorice and Raisons, of each one dram: make thereof a decoction, and in the straining dissolve one ounce and an halfe of Diacodion: make thereof a large potion to be given when they goe to rest. Also a Barly-creame may be prepared in the water of water-Lillies and of Sorrell, of each two ounces, adding thereto six or eight graines of Opium: of the foure cold seeds, and of white Poppy seeds, of each halfe an ounce, and let the same be boyled in broths with Lettuce and Purslaine; also the Pils de Cynoglosso, id est, Hounds tongue may be given. Clisters that provoke sleep must be used, which may be thus prepared:
Take of Barly-water, halfe a pint; oyle of Violets and water-Lillies, of each two ounces; of the water of Plantaine and Purslaine, or rather of their juices, three ounces; of Camphire seven graines, and the whites of three egges: make thereof a Clister. The head must be fomented with Rose-vinegar, the haire being first shaven away, leaving a double cloth wet therein on the same, and often renewed. Sheep’s lungs taken warme out of the bodies, may be applyed to the head, as long as they are warme. Cupping-glasses with and without scarification, may be applyed to the neck and shoulder-blades. The armes and legs must be strongly bound, being first wel rubbed to divert the sharpe vapours and humours from the head. Frontals may also be made on this manner. Take of the oyle of Roses and water-Lillies, of each two ounces, of the oyle of Poppy halfe an ounce, of Opium one dram, of Rose-vinegar one ounce, of Camphire halfe a dram; mixe them together. Also Nodules may be made of the flowers of Poppies, Henbane, water-Lillies, Mandrakes beaten in Rose-water with a little Vinegar, and a little Camphire, and let them be often applyed to the nostrils: for this purpose Cataplasmes also may be laid to the forehead. As, Take of the mucilage of the seeds of Psilium, id est, Flea-wort, and Quince seeds extracted in Rose-water, three ounces; of Barly-meale foure ounces; of the powder of Rose-leaves, the flowers of water-Lillies and Violets, of each halfe an ounce; of the seeds of Poppies and Purslaine of each two ounces; of the water and vinegar of Roses, of each three ounces: make thereof a Cataplasme, and apply it warme unto the head. Or take of the juice of Lettuce, water-Lillies, Henbane, Purslaine, of each half a pint; of Rose-leaves in powder, the seeds of Poppy, of each halfe an ounce; oyle of Roses three ounces; of Vinegar two ounces; of Barly-meale as much as shall suffice: make thereof a Cataplasme in the forme of a liquid Pultis. When the heate of the head is mitigated by these medicines, and the inflammation of the braine asswaged, wee must come unto digesting and resolving fomentations, which may disperse the matter of the vapours. But commonly in paine of the head, they do use to bind the forehead and hinder part of the head very strongly, which in this case must be avoyded.
The heat of the kidnies is tempered by anointing with unguent. refrigerans Galen. newly made, adding therto the whites of egs wel beaten, that so the ointment may keep moyst the longer; let this liniment be renewed every quarter of an houre, wiping away the reliques of the old. Or,
℞. aq. ros. lb. ss. sucti plant. ℥iv. alb. ovorum iv. olei rosacei, & nenuph. an. ℥ii. aceti ros. ℥iii. misce ad usum. When you have anointed the part, lay thereon the leaves of water-Lillies or the like cold herbs, & then presently thereupon a double linen cloth dipped in oxycrate & wrung out again, and often changed; the patient shall not lye upon a feather bed, but on a quilt stuffed with the chaff of oates, or upon a matte with many doubled clothes or Chamelet spread thereon. To the region of the heart may in the meane time be applyed a refrigerating and alexiteriall medicine, as this which followeth.
℞. ung. rosat. ℥iii. olei nenupharini, ℥ii. aceti ros. & aquaerosar. an. ℥i. theriacae, ʒi. * 1.153 croci, ʒ ss. Of these melted and mixed together make a soft ointment, which spred upon a scarlet cloth may be applyed to the region of the heart.
Or,
℞. theriacae opt. ʒi ss. succi citri acidi, & limonis, an. ℥ ss. coral. rub. & sem. rosar. rub. an. ʒ ss. caphurae, & croci, an. gra. iiii. let them be all mixed together, and make an ointment or liniment.
At the head of the patient as he lies in his bed, shall be set an Ewre or cocke with a bason under it to receive the water, which by dropping may resemble raine. Let the soles of the feet and palmes of the hands be gently scratched, and the patient lye far from noise, and so at length he may fall to some rest.
THE skinne, in pestilent feavers, is marked and variegated in divers places with spots, like unto the bitings of Fleas or Gnats, which are not always simple, but many times arise in forme like unto a graine of millet. The more spots appeare, the better it is for the patient: they are of divers colours according to the virulency of the malignity, and condition of the matter, as red, yellow, browne, violet, or purple, blew and blacke. And because for the most part they are of a purple colour, therefore wee call them Purples. Others call them Lenticulae, because they have the colour and forme of Lentiles. They are also called Papiliones (i) Butterflies, because they do suddenly seaze or fall upon divers regions of the body, like unto winged Butterflyes, sometimes the face, sometimes the armes and legges, and sometimes all the whole body; often times they do not onely affect the upper part of the skin, but goe deeper into the flesh, specially when they proceed of matter that is grosse and adust. They do sometimes appeare great and broad, affecting the whole arme, legge or face, like unto an Erysipelas: to conclude, they are divers according to the variety of the humour that offends in quality or quantity.
If they are of a purple or black colour, with often swouning, and sinke in suddenly without any manifest cause, they foreshew death.
The cause of the breaking out of those spots, is the working or heat of the blood, by reason of the cruelty of the venome received, or admitted. They often arise at the beginning of a pestilent feaver: many times before the breaking out of the Sore, or Botch, or Carbuncle, and many times after: but then they shew so great a corruption of the humours in the body, that neither the Sores, nor Carbuncles will suffice to receive them, and therefore they appear as forerunners of death. Sometimes they breake out alone, without a Botch or Carbuncle; which if they be red, and have no evill symptomes joyned with them, they are not wont to prove deadly: they appeare, for the most part, on the third or fourth day of the disease, and sometimes later, and sometimes they appeare not before the patient be dead, because the working or heat of the humours being the off-spring of putrefaction, is not as yet restrained and ceased.
Wherefore then principally the putride heat, which is greatest a little before the death of the patient, drives the excremental humors, which are the matter of the spots unto the skin; or else because nature in the last conflict hath contended with some greater endeavor than before (which is common to all things that are ready to dye) a little before the instant time of death, the pestilent humour being presently driven unto the skinne; and nature thus weakened by this extreme conflict, falleth downe prostrate, and is quite overthrowne by the remnant of the matter.
YOU must first of all take heed lest you drive in the humour that is comming outwards with repercussives: therfore beware of cold, all purging things, Phlebotomy, and drowsie or sound sleeping. For all such things do draw the humours inwardly, and work contrary to nature. But it is better to provoke the motion of nature outwardly, by applying of drawing medicines outwardly and ministring medicines to provoke sweat inwardly, for otherwise by repelling & stopping the matter of the eruptions, there will be great danger lest the heart be oppressed with the abundance of the venome flowing back; or else by turning into the belly, it inferres a mortall bloody fluxe: which discommodities that they may be avoided, I have thought good to set downe this remedy, whose efficacy I have knowne and proved many times, and on divers persons, when by reason of the weaknesse of the expulsive faculty, and the thicknesse of the skinne, the matter of the spots cannot breake forth, but is constrained to lurke under the skin, lifting it up into bunches and knobs.
I was brought unto the invention of this remedy, by comparison of the like. For when I understood that the essence of the French pockes (and likewise of the pestilence) consisted in a certain hidden virulency, and venemous quality, I soon descended unto that opinion, that even as by the anointing of the body with the unguent compounded of Quick-silver, the grosse and clammy humors which are fixed in the bones, and unmoveable, are dissolved, relaxed, and drawne from the center into the superficiall parts of the body, by strengthening and stirring up the expulsive faculty, and evacuated by sweating and fluxing at the mouth; that so it should come to pass in pestilent Feavers, that nature being strengthened with the same kinde of unction, might unloade her self of some portion of the venemous and pestilent humour, by opening the pores and passages, and letting it breake forth into spots and pustules, and into all kind of eruptions. Therefore I have anointed many in whom nature seemed to make passage for the venemous matter very slowly, first loosing their belly with a Clister, and then giving them Treacle water to drinke, which might defend the vitall faculty of the heart, but yet not distend the stomack, as though they had had the French pockes, and I obtained my expected purpose: in stead of the Treacle water you may use the decoction of Guajacum, which doth heat, dry, provoke sweat, and repell putrefaction, adding thereto also vinegar, that by the subtlety thereof, it may pierce the better, and withstand the putrefaction. This is the description of the unguent.
Take of Hogs-greace, one pound, boyle it a little with the leaves of Sage, Time, Rosemary, of each halfe an handfull, straine it, and in the straining extinguish five ounces of Quick-silver, which hath bin first boyled in vinegar with the forementioned herbs; of Sal Nitrum, three drams; the yelks of three egges boyled untill they be hard; of Treacle and Mithridate, of each halfe an ounce; of Venice Turpentine, oyle of Scorpions and Bayes, of each three ounces; incorporate them altogether in a morter, and make thereof an unguent, wherewith annoint the patients arme-holes and groines, avoyding the parts that belong to the head, breast and back-bone: then let him be laid in his bed and covered warme, and let him sweat there for the space of two houres, and then let his body be wiped and cleansed, and if it may be let him be laid in another bed, and there let him be refreshed with the broth of the decoction of a Capon, rear egges, and with such like meats of good juice that are easie to be concocted and digested; let him be anointed the second and third day, unlesse the spots appeare before.
If the patient fluxe at the mouth, it must not be stopped: when the spots and pustules do all appeare, and the patient hath made an end of sweating, it shall be convenient to use diureticke medicines, for by these the remnant of the matter of the spots, which happely could not all breath forth, may easily be purged and avoyded by urine.
If any noble or gentlemen refuse to be anointed with this unguent, let them be enclosed in the body of a Mule or Horse that is newly killed, and when that is cold, let them be layed in another, untill the pustules and eruptions do breake forth, being drawne by that naturall heat. For so Mathiolus writeth that Valentinus, the sonne of Pope Alexander the sixt, was delivered from the danger of most deadly poyson which he had drunke.
A Pestilent Bubo is a tumor at the beginning long and moveable, and in the state, and full perfection copped, and with a sharp head, unmoveable and fixed deeply in the glandules, or kernells; by which the braine exonerates it self of the venemous and pestiferous matter into the kernells that are behind the eares, and in the neck: the heart, into those that are in the arm-holes; and the liver, into those that are in the groine; that is, when all the matter is grosse and clammy, so that it cannot be drawn out by spots and pustules breaking out on the skinne; and so the matter of a Carbuncle is sharpe, and so fervent, that it maketh an eschar on the place where it is fixed. In the beginning, while the Bubo is breeding, it maketh the patient to feele, as it were, a cord or rope stretched in the place, or a hardened nerve with pricking pain: & shortly after the matter is raised up as it were into a knob, and by little and little it groweth bigger, and is enflamed, these accidents before mentioned accompanying it. If the tumour be red, and encrease by little and little, it is a good and salutary signe: but if it be livid or black, and come very slowly unto his just bignesse, it is a deadly signe: It is also a deadly signe if it encrease sodainely, and come unto his just bignesse as it were with a swift violence, and as in a moment, have all the symptomes in the highest excesse, as paine, swelling and burning. Buboes or Sores appeare sometimes of a naturall colour, like unto the skinne, and in all other things like unto an oedematous tumour, which notwithstanding will sodainely bring the patient to destruction, like those that are livid and black, wherefore it is not good to trust too much to those kindes of tumours.
SO soon as the Bubo appeares, apply a Cupping-glasse with a great flame unto it, unlesse it be that kinde of Bubo which will suddenly have all the accidents of burning and swelling in the highest nature; but first the skinne must be anointed with the oyle of lillies, that so it being made more loose, the Cupping-glasse may draw the stronger and more powerfully; it ought to sticke to the part for the space of a quarter of an houre, & be renewed and applyed again every three quarters of an houre, for so at length the venom shall be the better drawn forth from any noble part that is weak, and the work of suppuration or resolution, whichsoever nature hath assaied, will the better and sooner be absolved and perfected: which may be also done by the application of the following ointment.
Take of Uuguentum Dialthaea one ounce and a halfe; oile of Scorpions halfe an ounce; of Mithridate dissolved in Aquavitae, halfe a dram; this liniment will very well relaxe and loosen the skin, open the pores thereof, & spend forth portion of that matter which the Cupping-glasse hath drawne thither: in stead thereof mollifying fomentations may be made, and other drawing and suppurating medicines, which shall be described hereafter.
A Vesicatory applied in a meet place below the Bubo profits them very much
but not above; as for example. If the Bubo be in the throat, the Vesicatory must be applied unto the shoulder-blade on the same side; if it be in the arme-holes, it must be applied in the midst of the arme, or of the shoulder-bone, on the inner side: if in the groin, in the midst of the thigh on the inner side, that by the double passage that is open for to draw out the matter, the part wherein the venome is gathered together, may be the better exonerated.
Spurge, Crow-foot, Arsemart, Beare-foot, Bridny, the middle barke of Travellers-joy, the rindes of Mullet, Flammula or upright Virgins-bower, are fit for raising blisters. If you cannot come by those simple medicines, you may apply this which followeth, which may be prepared at all times.
Take Cantharides, Pepper, Euphorbium, Pellitory of Spain, of each halfe a dram; of soure leaven, two drams; of Mustard one dram, and a little Vinegar; the vinegar is added thereto to withhold or restraine the vehemency of the Cantharides; but in want of this medicine it shall suffice to drop scalding oyle or water, or a burning candle, or to lay a burning coale on the place: for so you may raise blisters, which must ptesently be cut away, and you must see that you keep the ulcers open & flowing as long as you can, by applying the leaves of red coleworts, Beetes, or Ivie dipped in warme water, and anointed with oyle or fresh butter. Some apply Cauteties, but Vesicatories work with more speed: for before the eschar of the cauteries will fall away, the patient may dye: therefore the ulcers that are made with Vesicatories will suffice to evacuate the pestilent venome, because that doth worke rather by its quality than its quantity. Let the abscesse be fomented as is shewed before: and then let the medicine following, which hath vertue to draw, be applied.
Fill a great onion, being hollowed, with Treacle and the leaves of Rue, then roast it under the hot Embers, beat it with a little Leaven, and a little Swines grease, and so apply it warme unto the abscesse or sore; let it be changed every six houres. Or Take the roots of Marsh-mallowes and Lillies, of each halfe a pound; of Line, Foenugreek, and Mustard seeds, of each halfe an ounce; of Treacle one dram; ten Figges, and as much H•gges grease as shall suffice: make thereof a cataplasme according to Art. Or, take of Onions and Garlicke roasted in the embers, of each three ounces: bruise them with one ounce of sower leaven, adding thereto Unguentum Basilicon, one ounce; Treacle one dram; Mithridate halfe a dram; of old Hogs greace one ounce; of Cantharides in pouder one scruple; of Pigeons dung two drams: beat them and mixe them together into the forme of a cataplasme. Hereunto old Rennet is very profitable, for it is hot, and therfore attractive, being mixed with old Leaven and Basilicon: you ought to use these untill the abscesse be growne unto its full ripenesse and bignesse; but if presently after the beginning there be great inflammation, with sharpe paine, as it often happeneth, especially when the abscesses be of the kinde of Carbuncles, wee must abstaine from those remedies that are hot and attractive, and also from those that are very emplastic and clammy; because they do altogether close the pores of the skin, or because they resolve the thinner part of the collected matter, which if it might remain, would bring the other sooner to suppuration: or else because they may perchance draw more quantity of the hot matter than the part can beare, whereof comes rather corruption than maturation: and last of all because they encrease the feaver and pain, which inferreth danger of a convulsion or mortall Gangrene. Therefore in such a case it is best to use cold and temperate locall medicines, as the leaves of Henbane and Sorrell roasted under the coales, Galen’s pultis, and such like.
There are many that for feare of death, have with their owne hands pulled away the Bubo with a paire of Smithes Pincers: others have digged the flesh round about it, and so gotten it wholly out. And to conclude others have become so mad, that they have thrust an hot iron into it with their owne hand, that the venome might have a passage forth: of all which I do not allow one; for such abscesses do not come from without, as the bitings of virulent beasts, but from within, and moreover because pain is by these means encreased, and the humour is made more maligne and fierce. Therefore I think it sufficient to use medicines that relaxe, open the pores of the skinne, and digest portion of the venome by transpiration, as are these that follow. Take the roots of Marsh-mallowes and Lillies, of each six ounces; of Chamomill and Melilote flowers, of each halfe a handfull; of Linseeds halfe an ounce; of the leaves of Rue halfe a handfull: boyle them and straine them, dip sponges in the straining, and therewith let the tumour be fomented a long time. Or, Take the crum of hot bread, and sprinkle it with Treacle-water, or with aqua vitae, and Cowes milk or Goates milke, and the yolks of three egges, put them all one stupes or flaxe, and apply them warme unto the place. Or, Take of soure Rie leaven foure ounces; of Basilicon two ounces; three yolkes of egges; oyle of Lillies two ounces; Treacle one dram: let it be received on stupes, and applyed in like manner. Or, Take of Diachylon and Basilicon, of each two ounces; oyle of Lillies one ounce and an halfe: let them be melted and mixed together, and let it be applyed as is abovesaid. When you see, feele and know, according to reason, that the Bubo is come to perfect suppuration, it must be opened with an incision knife, or an actuall or potentiall Cautery, but it is best to be done with a potentiall Cautery, unlesse that happely there be great inflammation, because it doth draw the venome from beneath unto the superficiall parts, and maketh a larger orifice for the matter that is contained therein: neither must it be looked for, that nature should open it of her self, for then it were danger that lest while nature doth worke slowly, a venemous vapour should be stirred up, which striking the heart by the arteries, the braine by the nerves, and the liver by the veins, should cause a new increase of the venemous infection. For feare whereof there be some that will not expect the perfect maturation and suppuration, but as it were in the midst of the crudity and maturity will make an orifice for it to pass forth at: yet if it be done before the tumour be at his perfect maturity, paine, a Feaver, and all accidents are stirred up and enraged, whereof comes a maligne ulcer that often degenerats into a Gangrene. For the most part about the tenth or eleventh day the work of suppuration seemeth perfected and finished; but it may be sooner or later by reason of the application of medicines, the condition of the matter, and state of the part: when the matter comes forth, you must yet use suppurative and mollifying medicines, to maturate the remains thereof; in the mean while cleansing the ulcer by putting mundificatives into it, as we shall declare in the cure of Carbuncles. But if the tumour seeme to sinke in or hide it self again, it must be revoked and procured to come forth again, by applying of Cupping-glasses with scarification, and with sharpe medicines, yea, and with cauteries both actuall and potentiall.
When the cauteries are applyed, it shall be very good to apply a vesicatory a little below it, that there may be some passage open for the venome while the eschar is in falling away. For so they that are troubled with the French Pocks, so long as they have open and flowing ulcers; so long are they voyd of any paine that is worth the speaking of; which ulcers being closed and cicatrized, they do presently complain of great paine. If you suspect that the Bubo is more maligne by reason that it is of a green, or blacke and inflamed colour, as are those that come of a melancholy humour by adustion, turned into a grosse and rebellious melancholy humour, so that by the more copious influxe thereof into the part, there is danger of a gangrene and mortification; then the places about the abscesse must be armed * 1.175 with repercussives, but not the abscesse it self: and this may be the forme of the repercussives: Take of the juice of house-leeke, Purslaine, Sorrell, Night-shade, of each two ounces, of Vinegar one ounce, the whites of three egges, of oyle of Roses and water-Lillies, of each two ounces and a halfe: stirre them together, and apply it about the Bubo, and renew it often: or boyle a Pomgranate in vinegar, beat it with Unguentum Rosatum, or Populeon newly made, and apply it as is aforesaid. If these things do not stop the influxe of other humours, the abscesse it self and the places about it must be scarified round about, if the part will permit it; that the part exonerated of portion of the venome may not stand in danger of the extinction of the proper and naturall heat, by the greater quantity and malignity of the humours that flow unto it. In scarrifying you must have care of the great vessels, for feare of an irrepugnable fluxe of bloud, which in this case is very hard to be stayed or resisted; both because the part it self is greatly inflamed, and the humour very fierce; for the expulsion whereof, nature, carefull for the preservation of the part and all the body besides, seemeth to labour and worke. But yet you must suffer so much of the bloud & humour to flow out as the patient is able to abide without the losse of his strength. Moreover, you may spend forth the superfluous portion of the malignity, with relaxing, mollifying and resolving fomentations: as, Take the roots of Marsh-Mallowes, Lillies and Elicampaine, of each one pound, of Linseeds and Faenugreek, of each one ounce, of Fennell-seeds and Anise-seeds, of each halfe an ounce, of the leaves of Rue, Sage, Rosemary, of each one handfull, of Chamomill and Melilote flowers, of each three handfuls; boyle them all together, and make thereof a decoction for a fomentation; use it with a spunge according to Art. Also after the aforesaid scarification, wee may put Hens, or Turkies that lay egs (which therefore have their fundaments more wide and open, and for the same purpose put a little salt into their fundaments) upon the sharpe top of the Bubo, that by shutting their bils at severall times they may draw and suck the venome into their bodies, farre more strongly and better than cupping-glasses, because they are endued with a naturall property against poyson, for they eat and concoct Toads, Efts, and such like virulent beasts: when one hen is killed with the poyson that she hath drawne into her body, you must apply another, and then the third, fourth, fift and sixt within the space of half an houre. There be some that will rather cut them, or else use whelps cut asunder in the midst, and applyed warme unto the place, that by the heate of the creature that is yet scarce dead, portion of the venome may be dissipated and exhaled. But if neverthelesse there be any feare of a Gangrene at hand, you must cut the flesh with a deeper scarification, not onely avoyding the greater vessels, but also the nerves, for feare of convulsion: and after the scarification and a sufficient flux of bloud, you must wash it with Aegyptiacum, Treacle and Mithridate dissolved in sea-water, Aquavitae and Vinegar. For such a lotion hath vertue to stay putrefaction, repell the venome, and prohibite the bloud from concretion: but if the Gangrene cannot be avoyded so, cauteries may be applied to the part: especially actual, because they do more effectually repel the force of the poison, & strengthen the part. Presently after the impression of the hot iron, the eschar must be cut away even unto the quicke flesh, that the venemous vapours and the humours may have a free passage forth, for it is not to be looked for that they will come forth of themselves. With these inunctions they are wont to hasten the falling away of the eschar. Take of the mucilage of Marsh-mallowes and Linseeds, of each two ounces, fresh butter or Hogs-grease one ounce, the yolks of three egges, incorporate them together, and make thereof an ointment: butter, Swines grease, oyle of Roses, with the yolks of egges, performe the self same thing. When the eschar is fallen away, we must use digestives. As take of the juice of Plantaine, water-Bettony, and Smallage, of each three ounces, hony of Roses foure ounces, Venice Turpentine five ounces, Barly-slower three drams, Aloes two drams, oyle of Roses foure ounces, Treacle halfe a dram, make a mundificative according to Art. Or, Take Venice Turpentine foure ounces, Syrupe of dried Roses and Wormewood, of each one ounce, of the powder of Aloes, Mastick, Myrthe, Barly-flower, of each one dram, of Mithridate halfe an ounce, incorporate them together. This unguent that followeth is very meet for putrefied and corroding ulcers: Takered Orpiment one ounce, of unquenched Lime, burnt Alome, Pomgranate pills, of each six drams, of Olibanum, Galls, of each two drams, of wax and Oile as much as shall suffice, make thereof an unguent. This doth mundifie strongly, consume putrefied flesh, and dry up virulent humidities that engender Gangrenes. But there is not a more excellent unguent than Aegyptiacum encreased in strength, for besides many other vertues that it hath, it doth consume and waste the proud flesh, for there is neither oyle nor wax that goes into the composition thereof, with which things the vertue of sharpe medicines convenient for such ulcers, is delayed, and as it were dulled and hindered from their perfect operation so long as the ulcer is kept open. There have bin many that being diseased with this disease, have had much matter & venemous filth come out at their abscesses, so that it seemed sufficient, and they have bin thought wel recovered, yet have they dyed suddenly. In the mean while when these things are in doing, cordial medicines are not to be omitted to strengthen the heart. And purgations must be renewed at certaine seasons, that nature may be every way unloaded of the burthen of the venenate humors.
A pestilent Carbuncle is a small tumour, or rather a maligne pustle, hot and raging, consisting of bloud vitiated by the corruption of the proper substance. It often comes to pass through the occasion of this untameable malignity, that the Carbuncle cannot be governed or contained within the dominion of nature. In the beginning it is scarce so big as a seed or grain of Millet or a Pease, sticking firmly unto the part and immoveable, so that the skinne cannot be pulled from the flesh; but shortly after it encreaseth like unto a Bubo unto a round and sharpe head, with great heat, pricking paine, as if it were with needles, burning and intolerable, especially a little before night, and while the meate is in concocting; more than when it is perfectly concocted. In the midst thereof appeareth a bladder puffed up and filled with sanious matter. If you cut this bladder, you shall finde the flesh under it parched, burned and blacke, as if there had bin a burning cole layed there, whereby it seemeth that it took the name of Carbuncle; but the flesh that is about the place is like a Rainebow, of divers colours, as red, darke, green, purple, livid, and black; but yet always with a shining blackness, like unto stone pitch, or like unto the true precious stone which they call a Carbuncle, whereof some also say it tooke the name. Some call it a Naile, because it inferreth like paine as a naile driven into the flesh. There are many Carbuncles which take their beginning with a crusty ulcer without a pustle, similar to the burning of a hot iron: and these are of a blacke colour, they encrease quickly, according to the condition of the matter whereof they are made. All pestilent Carbuncles have a Feaver joyned with them, and the grieved part seemeth to be so heavie, as if it were covered or pressed with lead tied hard with a ligature: there comes mortall swounings, faintings, tossing, turning, idle-talking, raging, gangrenes and mortifications, not onely to the part, but also to the whole bodie, by reason (as I thinke) of the oppression of the spirits of the part, & the suffocation of the naturall heat, as we see also in many that have a pestilent Bubo. For a Bubo and Carbuncle are tumours of a near affinity, so that the one doth scarce come without the other, consisting of one kinde of matter, unlesse that which maketh the Bubo is more grosse and clammy, and that which causeth the Carbuncle more sharpe, burning and raging, by reason of its greater subtlety, so that it maketh an eschar on the place where it is, as we noted before.
SOme having the Pestilence have but one Carbuncle, and some more in divers parts of their body, and in many it happeneth that they have the Bubo and Carbuncle before they have any Feaver; which giveth better hope of health, if there be no other maligne accident therewith: for it is a signe that nature is the victor, and hath gotten the upper hand, which excluded the pestilent venome before it could come to assault the heart. But if a Carbuncle and Bubo come after the Feaver, it is mortall; for it is a token that the heart is affected, moved and incensed with the furious rage of the venome; whereof presently comes a feaverish heat or burning, and corruption of the humours, sent as it were from the center unto the superficies of the body. It is a good signe when the patients minde is not troubled from the beginning untill the seventh day; but when the Bubo or Carbuncle sinketh downe again shortly after that it is risen, it is a mortall signe, especially if ill accidents follow it. If after they are brought to suppuration they presently wax dry without any reason thereof, it is an ill signe: Those Carbuncles that are generated of bloud have a greater eschar than those that are
〈◊〉 choler, because that bloud is of a more grosse consistence, and therefore oc•… 〈◊〉 ••eater roome in the flesh: contrariwise, a cholerick humour is more small 〈◊◊〉 and thinne, and it taketh little roome in the upper part of the flesh onely, as you may see in an Erysipelas. And I have seen Carbuncles whose eschars were as broad and as large as halfe the backe: also I have seen others, which going up by the shoulders to the throat, did so eate away the flesh that was under them, that the rough artery or wind-pipe might be seen bare, when the eschar was fallen away: I had once a Carbuncle which was in the midst of my belly, so that when the eschar was fallen away, I might very plainly see the Piritonaeum or Rim: & the cicatrice that remaineth is as broad as my hand: but they do not spread themselves so far without the great danger or death of the patient. There are also some Carbuncles which beginning at the parts under the chin, disperse themselves by little & little unto the pattell bones, and so strangle the patient. So in many, the Buboes in the groin arise above a great part of the muscles of the Epigastrium. Truly of those abscesses that are * 1.186 so large & great in quantity, & so terrible to be seen, there is great danger of death to the patient, or at least to the grieved part. For after the consolidation, the part remaineth as if it were leprous, which abolisheth the action of the part, as I have seen in many. Oftentimes also the corruption of the matter is so great, that the flesh leaveth the bones bare: but Carbuncles often leave the joints and ligaments quite resolved through the occasion of the moisture that is soaked & sunk in unto them; for they often cast out putrefied & virulent sanious matter: whereby eating and creeping ulcers are bred, many blisters & pustules arising up in the parts round about it; which shortly breaking into one, make a great ulcer. These come very seldome and slowly unto suppuration, or at least to cast out laudible matter, especially if thy have their original of choler, because the matter is sooner burned with heat, than suppurated. Therefore then, if they can be brought to suppuration by no medicines, if the tumour still remain blacke, if when they are opened nothing at all, or else a very little sharpe moisture doth come forth, they are altogether mortall: and there is scarce one of a thousand who hath these accidents that recovereth health: dispersed small blisters, comming of vapours stirred up by the matter that is under the skinne, and are there stayed and kept from passage forth, do not necessarily fore-shew death in Carbuncles. But if the part be swolne or puffed up, if it be of a green or black colour, and if it feele neither pricking nor burning, it is a signe of a mortall Gangrene. Buboes or Carbuncles seldome or never come without a Feaver: but the Feaver is more vehement when they are in the emunctories, or nervous parts, than when they are in the fleshy parts, yet it is lesse, and all Symptomes are lesse, and more tolerable in a man that is strong and of a good temperature: Carbuncles not onely affect the outward, but also the inward parts, and oftentimes both together. If the heart be vexed in such sort with a Carbuncle that nothing thereof appeareth forth on the superficiall parts, all hope of life is past, and those dye suddenly, eating, drinking or walking, and not thinking any thing of death. If the Carbuncle be in the mid driffe or lungs, they are soon suffocated: If it be in the braine, the patient becomes frantick, and so dyeth. If it be in the parts appointed for the passage of the urine, they dye of the suppression of their water, as it happened in the Queene mothers waiting maide at the Castle of Rossilion, of whom I spake before. If it be in the stomacke, it inferreth the accidents that are shewed in this history following.
While I was Surgeon in the Hospitall of Paris, a young and strong Monke of the order of St. Victor, being overseer of the women that kept the sicke people of that place, fell into a continuall Feaver very suddenly with his tongue blacke, dry, rough, (by reason of the putrefied and corrupted humours, and the vapours rising from the whole body unto that place) and hanging out like unto an hounds, with unquenchable thirst, often swouning and desire to vomit. He had convulsions over all his body through the vehemency and malignity of the disease, and so hee dyed the third day: wherefore those that kept the sicke people in the Hospitall, thought that he had been poysoned, for the certaine knowledge whereof the Governours of the Hospitall commanded his body to be opened.
I therefore calling to mee a Physician and Surgeon, wee found in the bottome of
his stomack a print or impression, as if it had been made with an hot Iron or potentiall Cauterie, with an eschar or crust as broad as ones naile, all the rest of his stomack was greatly contracted and shrunke up together, and as it were horny; which wee considering, and especially the eschar which was deep in the substance of the stomacke, we all said with one voice that he was poysoned with Sublimate or Arsenick. But behold while I was sowing up his belly, I perceived many blacke spots dispersed diversly throughout the skin: then I asked my company what they thought of those spots; truely (said I) it seemeth unto me that they are like unto the purple spots or markes that are in the pestilence. The Physician and the Chirurgion denied it, and said that they were the bitings of fleas. But I perswaded them to consider the number of them over all the whole body, and also their great depth and depression into the flesh; for when we had thrust needles deep into the flesh in the middest of them, and so cut away the flesh about the needle, we found the flesh about the needle to be blacke: moreover his nostrils, nailes and eares were livid, and all the constitution of his body was contrary, and far unlike to the bodies of those that died of other sicknesses or diseases. Also it was credibly reported unto us by those that kept him, that his face was so altered a little before he died, that his familiar friends could hardly know him. Wee perswaded by these proofes, revoked our former opinion and sentence, and made a certificate to be sent unto the Governours and Masters of the Hospitall, setting our hands and seales unto it, to certifie them that hee died of a pestilent Carbuncle.
BY the forenamed signes of a pestilent Carbuncle, and especially by the bitternesse of the paine, malignity of the venemous matter, and by the burning Feaver that is therewithall annexed, I think it manifest, that very hot, emplastick, and drawing medicines should not be applyed to this kind of tumour; because they prohibite or hinder the exhalation, or wasting forth of the venenate malignity; because that by stopping the pores of the skinne, they increase and cause a greater heat in the part than there was before. Therefore it is better to use resolving medicines, which may asswage heate, and resolve the pores of the skinne. Therefore first the place must be fomented with water and oyle mixed together, wherein a little Treacle hath beene dissolved, leaving thereon stupes wet therein: you may also use the decoction of Mallowes, the roots of Lillies, Linseeds, Figges, with oile of Hypericon, for to make the skinne thin, and to draw forth the matter; and the day following you must apply the Cataplasme following.
Take the leaves of Sorrell and Henbane, rost them under the hot ashes; afterwards beate them with foure yolks of egges, two drams of Treacle, oyle of Lillies, three ounces, Barly-meale as much as shall suffice: make thereof a Cataplasme in the form of a liquid pultis; this asswageth heat, and furthereth suppuration. Or, Take the roots of Marsh-mallowes and Lillies, of each foure ounces, Linseeds halfe an ounce, boyle them, beat them, and then straine them through a searse, adding thereto of fresh butter one ounce and an halfe, of Mithridate one dram, of Barly-meale as much as shall suffice: make thereof a Cataplasme according to Art: those Cataplasmes that follow are most effectuall to draw the venemous matter forth, and to make a perfect suppuration, especially when the fluxe of the matter is not so great, but that the part may beare it. Take the roots of white Lillies, Onions, Leaven, of each halfe an ounce; Mustard-seeds, Pidgeons dung, Sope, of each one dram; six snailes in their shels; of fine Sugar, Treacle and Mithridate, of each half a dram; beate them all together, and incorporate them with the yolks of egs, make therof a Cataplasme, & apply it warm. Or, Take the yolkes of six egs; of salt poudered one ounce; of oyle of Lillies and Treacle, of each halfe a dram; Barly-meale as much as shall suffice: make thereof
a Cataplasme. Take of ordinary Diachylon foure ounces; of Unguentum Basilicon two ounces; oyle of Violets halfe an ounce: make thereof a medicine. Many ancient Professors greatly commend Scabious ground or brayed betweene two stones, and mixed with old hogs grease, the yolkes of egs, and a little salt; for it will cause suppuration in Carbuncles: also an egge mixed with Barly-meale, and oyle of Violets doth mitigate paine and suppurate. A Radish root cut in slices, and so the slices laid one after one unto a Carbuncle or pestilent tumour, doth mightily draw out the poyson. The juice of Colts foot doth extinguish the heat of Carbuncles: the herbe called Divels-bit being bruised, worketh the like effect: I have often used the medicine following unto the heat of Carbuncles, with very good success; it doth also asswage paine and cause suppuration. Take of the soot scraped from a chimny foure ounces, of common salt two ounces, beate them into small powder, adding thereto the yolkes of two egges, and stirre them well together untill it come to have the consistence of a pultis, and let it be applyed warme unto the Carbuncle. In the beginning the point or head of the Carbuncle must be burned, if it be blacke, by dropping thereinto scalding hot oyle, or Aquafortis: for by such a burning the venome is suffocated as touched by lightening, and the paine is much lessened, as I have proved oftentimes: neither is it to be feared lest that this burning should be too painful, for it toucheth nothing but the point of the Carbuncle, which by reason of the eschar that is there, is voyd of sense. After this burning, you must goe forward with the former described medicines, untill the eschar seemeth to separate it self from the flesh round about it, which is a token of the patients recovery, for it signifieth that nature is strong and able to resist the poyson. After the fall of the eschar you must use gentle mundificatives, as those which we have prescribed in a pestilent Bubo, not omitting sometimes the use of suppurative and mollifying medicines, that while the grosse matter is cleansed, that which is as yet crude may be brought to suppuration; for then the indication is twofold, the one to suppurate that which remains as yet crude and raw in the part, and the other to cleanse that which remains concocted and perfectly digested in the ulcer.
THE parts adjoyning to a pestilent ulcer oft-times are superficiarily excoriated by reason of ulcerous pustules, which here and there with burning and great itching pricke and vellicate the part. The cause may happen either externally or internally; internally by a thin and biting sanies, which sweating from the ulcer, moystens the neighboring parts. But externally by the constipation of the pores of the skinne induced by the continuall application of medicines. To remedy this, the place must be fomented with discussing and relaxing things, as aquafortis, which the Gold-smithes have used for separating of metalls, alome water, the water of Lime, Brine and the like. But ulcers left by Carbuncles and pestilent Buboes, are difficulty cicatrized by reason of the corroding sanies, proceeding from the cholericke, or phlegmaticke and salt bloud, which being in fault by the corruption of the whole substance causeth the abscesse. Besides, such ulcers are commonly round, and therefore more hard to be cicatrized, for that the quitture hath no free passage forth; so the sanies, of its owne nature acride and corroding, doth by delay acquire greater acrimony and intrositie, so that by its burning touch dissolving the adjacent flesh, it hinders the conjunction and unition of the lips of the ulcer; but in the interim the lips of the ulcer become callous, which, unlesse they be helped by cutting, or eating medicines, the ulcer cannot be healed, for that by their density they hinder the sweating out of a sufficient quantity of the dewy glew to heale up the ulcer. Now the ulcer being plained and brought equall to the other flesh, we must use Epuloticks, that is, such things as have a faculty to cicatrize ulcers
by condensing and hardening the surface of the flesh, of these there are two kinds; for some without much biting bind and dry, such are pomgranate pils, oake barke, Tutia, litharge, burnt bones, scailes of brasse, galls, cypresse nuts, Minium, antimony, bolearmenicke, the burnt and washed shels of oisters, Lime nine times washed, and many metalline things. Others are next to these, by which proud flesh is consumed, but such must be sparingly used: of this kind is washed Vitrioll, burnt Alome, which excelleth other Epuloticks, by reason of the excellent drying and astringent faculty consolidating the flesh, which by being moistened by an excrementitious humour, growes lanke. For that the scarre which is made, is commonly unsightly in this kind of ulcers, as red, livid, blacke, swolne, rough, by reason of the great adustion imprinted in the part, as by a burning coale, therefore I have thought good here to set down some means by which this deformity may be corrected or amended. If the scarre be too big or high, it shall be plained by making convenient ligation and strait binding to the part a plate of lead rubbed over with quicksilver; but you may whiten it by anointing it with Lime nine times washed (that so it may be more gentle and lose the acrimony) and incorporated with oile of Roses. Some take two pound of Tartar or Argole, burn it, and then powder it, put it in a cloth, and so let it hang in a moyst vault or cellar, and set a vessel under it to receive the dropping liquor, which is good to be rubbed for a good space, upon the scarre. The same faculty is thought to be in that moysture of egs which sweats through the shel, whilst they are roasted at the coals; as also unguent. citrinum, and Emplast. de cerussa newly made: The three following compositions are much approved.
℞. Axungiae suillae nonies lotae in aceto acerrimo ℥iv. cinab. succi titri, & alum. usti, an. ℥ss. sulphur. vivi ignem haud experti, ʒii. caph. ℈ii. fiat pulvis; then let them all be incorporated together, and make an ointment; it attenuates the skin and cleanseth spots.
℞. olei hyos. olei semin. cucurb. an. ℥i. olei tartar. ℥ss. cerae alb. ʒiii. liquefiant simul lento igne, deinde adde spermat. ceti ʒvi. removeantur predicta ab igne àonec infrigid. postea adde troch. alb. Rhasis pul. ʒiii. caph. ʒi. tandem cum mali cirei succo omnia diligenter commisce, fiat linmentum.
Or else,
℞. rad. serpent. ℥i. bulliat in aq. com lb i. ad dimid. deinde adde sulph. vivi ignem non experti, & alum. crudi, pulveris. an. ʒiss. colent. predict. & addatur caph. ʒi. succi hyoscyami ʒiss. Let this medicine be kept in a lead or glasse vessel, and when you would use it, dip linen clothes therein, and lay them to the part. You may also use these medicines against the redness of the face, and you may fetch them off in the morning by washing the face with warme water and bran.
The pestilent malignity is not onely evacuated and sent forth by the eruption of pustules and spots, but also by sweat, vomit, bleeding at nose, at the haemorrhoids, by the courses, a fluxe of the belly, and other wayes, so that nature by every kind of excretion may be freed from the deadly poyson, especially that which is not as yet arrived at the heart. But chiefe regard must be had to the inclination of nature, and wee must attend what way it chiefly aimes at, and what kind of excretion it affects. Yet such evacuations are not alwayes criticall, but usually symptomaticall, for that oft-times nature is so irritated by the untameable malignity of the matter, that it can no way digest it, but is forced by any meanes to send it away crude as it is. Wherefore if nature may seeme by the moystnesse of the skin, the suppression of urine, & other signes to affect a crisis and excretion by sweat, you then shall procure it by the formerly mentioned meanes. It is delivered by the Ancients that all sweats in acute diseases are salutary, which happen upon a Criticall day, which are universall and hot, and signified before the criticall day. But in this rapid and deadly disease of the Plague, wee must not expect a Crisis, but as soone as wee can, and by what meanes wee may to free nature from so dire and potent an enemy.
But oft times the tough and grosse excrementitious humours may be purged by vomit, which could not be evacuated by strong purges. Therefore also by this manner of excretion may we hope for the exclusion of the pestilent venome, if there be nothing which may hinder; and nature by frequent nauseousnesse may seem to affect this way: the endeavor thereof shall be helped by giving some halfe a pint of warm water to be drunke with foure ounces of common oyle, an ounce of vinegar, and a little juice of raddish, after the taking of the potion it is fit to thrust into the throate a goose quill dipped in the same oile, or else a branch of Rosemary, or else by thrusting in the fingers so to procure vomit, also a potion of eight ounces of the mucilaginous water of the decoction of Line seeds will procure vomit.
Or else,
℞. rad. raph. in taleol. sect. vel sem. ejus, & sem. antriplicit, an. ʒiii. bulliant in aquae com. quod sufficit pro dosi, in colatura dissolve oxym. & syr. acet. an. ℥ss. exhibeatur potio larga & tepida.
Or else,
℞. oxym. Gal. ℥vi. ol. com. ℥ii. paretur potio tepid. But nature must not be forc’t, unlesse of its own accord it undertake this motion; for forced and violent vomiting, distends the nervous fibers of the ventricle, dejects the strength, breaks the vessels of the Lungs, whence proceeds a deadly spitting of blood. Wherefore if the stomack shall trouble it self with a vain and hurtfull desire to vomit; it shall rather be strengthened with bagges of roses, worm-wood and Saunders, using inwardly the juice of Quinces and Berberies, and brothes made for the same purpose.
THat long evacuations may be made by spitting and salivation, you may learn by the example of such as have a plurisie, for the matter of the * 1.211 plurisie being turned into pus, the purulent matter suckt up by the rare and spongeous substance of the lungs, and thence drawn into the Aspera Arteria, is lastly cast out by the mouth.
There is none ignorant, how much such as have the Lues venerea are helped by salivation and spitting. But these shall be procured by Masticatories of the roots of Ireos, Pellitory of Spaine, Mastick, and the like, the mucilage of Line seeds held in the mouth will worke the same effect.
That such as have a moist braine may expell their superfluous humours by sneesing and blowing their noses, the braine by the strength of the expulsive faculty, being stirred up to the exclusion of that which is harmefull, may be knowne by the example of old people and children which are daily purged by their noses; the braine is stirred up to both kindes of excretion from causes either internall or externall: from the internall, as by a phlegmaticke and vaporous matter, which conteined in the braine, offends it; externally, as by receiving the beames of the sunne in the nostri’s, or by tickling them with a feather, or blowing into them the powder of Hellebore, Euphorbium, Pyrethrum, Mustard seed, and the like sternutamentories. For then the braine is straitened by its owne expulsive faculty, to the excretion of that which is troublous unto it. Sneesing breaketh forth with noise, for that the matter passeth through straits, to wit, by the straining passages of the Os cribrosum, which is seated at the roots of the nostrills. It is not fit to cause sneesing in a body very plethorick, unlesse you have first premised generall medicines, lest the humours should be more powerfully drawne into the braine, and so cause an Apoplexie, Vertigo, or the like symptomes.
By belching the flatulencies conteined in the ventricle, being the off-spring of crudity, or flatulent meats, are expelled, these by their taste and smell, pleasing, stinking, sweet, bitter or tart, shew the condition and kinde of crudity of the humours from whence they are raised: now vomiting freeth the stomack of crudities, but the distemper must be corrected by contraries, as altering things to be prescribed by the Physitian.
Hicketting is a contraction and extension of the nervous fibers of the stomack, to cast forth such things as are too contumaciously impact in the coats thereof; yet repletion only is not the cause thereof, but sometimes inanition also; so oft times a putride vapour, from some other place, breaking into the stomacke, as from a pestilent Bubo, or Carbuncle; also all acide and acride things, because they pricke, vellicate & provoke the tunicles of the ventricle, as vinegar, spiced things, and the like; often & contumacious hicketting after purging, a wound or vomiting, is ill; but if a convulsion presently happen thereon, it is deadly.
Severall remedies must be used according to the variety of the causes: for repletion helps that hicketing that proceeds from inanition, & evacuation that which happens by repletion: that which proceeds from a putrid and venemous vapour, is helped by Treacle and Antidotes; that which is occasioned by acide and acrid things, is cured by the use of grosse, fatty, and cold things.
Now the whole body is oft times purged by urine, and by this way the feavourish matter is chiefly and properly accustomed to be evacuated: not a few, being troubled with the Lues venerea, when as they could not be brought to salivation by unction, have bin cured by the large evacuation of urine caused by diuretick medicines. Diureticks wherewithall you may move urine, are formerly described in treating of the stone. But we must abstaine from more acride diureticks, especially when as inflammation is in the bladder; for otherwise the noxious humours are sent to the affected * 1.216 part, whence there is danger of a deadly Gangrene. Therefore then it is better to use diversion by sweat.
NOt onely reason, but also manifold experience induceth us to beleeve that women, by the benefit of their menstruall purgation, escape and are freed from great, pestilent, and absolutely deadly diseases; wherefore it must be procured by remedies, both inwardly taken, and outwardly applied: these may be taken inwardly with good success, Cassia lignea, Cinamon, the barke of the root of a Mulberry, Saffron, Agricke, Nutmeg, Savine, Diagridium, and divers others. But if the affect require more vehement medicines, the roots of Tithymel, Antimony, Cantharides (taken in small quantity) move the courses most powerfully; frictions and ligatures made upon the thighes and legges conduce hereto, as also cupping in the inner and middle part of the thighs, the opening of the vein Saphena, leaches applyed to the orifice of the neck of the womb, pessaries, nodula’s, glysters, baths, fomentations made of oderiferous things, which by the fragrancy of their odor, or rather by their heat, may attenuate & cut grosse humors, open the obstructed orifices of the veins, such are the roots of Marsh-mallowes, Orris, Parsly, Fennell, Kneholne, the leaves and floures of St. Johns Wort, Asparagus, Rocket, Balme, Chervile, Mugwort, Mints, Penny-royall, Savory, Rosemary, Rue, Time, Sage, Bay berries, Broome, Ginger, Cloves, Pepper, Nutmegs, and the like; the vapour of the boyling whereof, let the woman, sitting upon a perforated seat, receive by a funnell into the neck of her wombe, covering herself warme on all sides, that so nothing may otherwise breath forth. Of the samethings may be made bathes, as well generall as particular. Also pessaries are good made after this manner.
℞. theriac. mithrid. an. ʒss. castor. gum. ammoniac. an. ʒi. misce cum bombace in succo mercurialis tincto, fiat pessarium.
Or else,
℞. rad. petroselin. & foenug. sub cineribus coctas, deinde contusas cum pul. staphysag. pyreth. croco & oleo liliorum, so make a pessary in the forme of a suppository or nodula.
Or,
℞. pulv. myrrh. & aloes, an. ʒi. fol. sabin. nigel. arthemis. an. ʒii. rad. Helleb. nigr. ʒi. croci, ℈i. cumsucco mercur. & melle communi: make a pessary in Cotton. This which followes is more effectuall.
℞. succirut. absinth. an. ʒii. myrrh. euphorb. castor. sabin. diacrid. terebinth. galban. theriac. an. ʒi.
make a pessary according to art; let a thread hang out of the one end of the pessaries, that so you may easily draw them forth as you please.
But if this menstruous flux once provoked, flow too immoderately, it must be stopped by using meats of grosser and more viscide juice, by opening a veine in the arm, application of cupping glasses under the dugs, frictions and ligations of the upper parts, as the armes, putting up of pessaries, application of refrigerating and astringent plasters, to the lower belly, share and loines, laying the woman in a convenient place, and not upon a feather-bed.
This following injection stoppeth the blood flowing out of the wombe,
℞. aquae plant. & fabror. an. lb i. nucum cupres. gallar. immatur. an. ʒii. berber. sumach. balaust. vitriol. rom. alum. roch. an. ʒii. bulliant omnia simul, & fiat decoctio: of this make injection into the wombe. In the performance of all these things, I would have the Surgeon depend upon the advice of a Physitian, as the occasion and place shall permit.
But if nature endeavor to free it self of the pestilent matter by the hoemorrhoides, you may provoke them by frictions and strong ligatures in the lower parts, as if the thighes or legs were broken, by ventoses applyed with great flame to the inner side of the thigh, by application of hot and attractive things to the fundament, such as are fomentations, emplasters, unguents, such as is usually made of an onion rosted under the embers, and incorporated with Treacle, and a little oile of Rue: after the hoemorrhoid veins, by these meanes, come to shew themselves, they shal be rubbed with rough linen cloths, or fig leaves, or a raw onion, or an oxe gall mixt with some pouder of Coloquintida: lastly you may apply horse-leaches, or you may open them with a Lancet, if they hang much forth of the fundament, and be swolne with much blood. But if they flow too immoderately, they may be stayed by the same meanes as the courses.
NAture often times, both by it self, of its owne accord, as also helped by laxative and purging medicines, casts into the belly and guts, as into the sinke of the body, the whole matter of a pestilent disease, whence are caused Diarrhaea’s, Lienteries, and Dysenteries; you may distinguish these kindes of fluxes of the belly, by the evacuated excrements. For if they be thinne and sincere, that is, reteine the nature of one, and that a simple humour, as of choler, melancholy or phlegme, and if they be cast forth in a great quantity, without the ulceration or excoriation of the guts, vehement or fretting paine, then it is a Diarrhaea, which some also call fluxus humoralis. It is called a Lienteria, when as by the resolved retentive faculty of the stomacke and guts caused by ill humours, either there collected, or flowing from some other place, or by a cold & moist distemper, the meat is cast forth crude, & almost as it was taken. A Dysenteria is when as many and different things, and oft times mixt with blood, are cast forth with pain, gripings, and an ulcer of the guts, caused by acride choler, fretting insunder the coats of the vessels.
But if in any kinde of disease, certainely in a pestilent one, fluxes of the belly happen immoderate in quantity, and horrible in the quality of their contents, as liquid, viscous, frothy as from melted greace, yellow, red, purple, green, ash-coloured, blacke, and exceeding stinking. The cause is various, and many sorts of ill humours, which taken hold of by the pestilent malignity, turne into divers species, differing in their whole kinde both from their particular, as also from nature in generall, by reason of the corruption of their proper substance, whose inseparable signe is stinch, which is oft times accompanied by wormes.
In the campe at Amiens a pestilent Dysentery was overall the Campe, in this the strongest Souldiers purged forth meere blood: I dissecting some of their dead bodies,
observed the mouths of the Mesaraike veins and Arteries, opened and much swollen, and whereas they entered into the guts, were just like little Catyledones, out of which, as I pressed them, there flowed blood. For both by the excessive heat of the summers sunne, and the mindes of the enraged souldiers, great quantity of acride and cholericke humour was generated, and so flowed into the belly: but you shall know whether the greater or the lesser guts be ulcerated, better by the mixture of the blood with the excrements, than by the site of the paine, therefore in the one you must rather worke by Glysters, but in the other, by Medicines taken by the mouth.
Therefore if by gripings, a tenesmus, the murmuring and working of the guts, you suspect in a pestilent disease, that nature endeavors to disburden it self by the lower parts, neither in the meane while do it succeed to your desire, then must it be helped forward by art, as by taking a potion of ℥ss. of hiera simplex, and a dram of Diaphaenicon dissolved in worme-wood water.
Also Glysters are good in this case, not onely for that they asswage the gripings and paines, and draw by continuation or succession from the whole body, but also because they free the mesaraike veins and guts from obstruction and stuffing, so that by opening and as it were unlocking of the passages, nature may afterwards more freely free it self from the noxious humours. In such glysters they also sometimes mixe two or three drams of Treacle, that by one and the same labour they may retunde the venenate malignity of the matter.
There may also be made for the same purpose suppositories of boyled hony ℥i. of hier a picra and common salt, of each ʒss. or that they may be the stronger, of hony ℥iii. of oxe gall ℥i. of Scammony, euphorbium and coloquintida powdered, of each ʒss. The want of these may be supplied by nodula’s made in this forme.
℞. vitell. ovor. nu. iii. fellis bubuli, & mellis, an. ℥ss. salis com. ʒss. let them be stirred together, and well incorporated, and so parted into linen rags, and then bound up into nodula’s, of the bignesse of a filberd, and so put up into the fundament, you may make them more acride by adding some powder of Euphorbium or Coloquintida.
VIolent and immoderate scourings, for that they resolve the faculty, and lead the patient into a consumption and death, therefore if they shall appear to be such, they must be stayed in time by things taken and injected by the mouth and fundament. To this purpose may a pudding be made of wheat flower boyled in the water of the decoction of one pomegranate, berberies, bole armenick, terra figillata, and white poppie seeds, of each ʒi. The following Almond milke strengthens the stomacke, and mitigates the acrimony of the cholericke humour, provoking the guts to excretion. Take sweet Almonds boiled in the water of barly, wherein steele or Iron hath been quenched, beat them in a marble motter, and so with some of the same water make them into an Almond milk, wherto adding ʒi. of Diarhodon Abbat is you may give it to the patient to drink.
This following medicine I learnt of Dr. Chappelaine the Kings chiefe physitian, who received it of his father, and held it as a great secret, & was wont to prescribe it with happy success to his patients: It is thus:
℞. boli àrmen. terrae sigil. lapid. haemat. an. ʒi. picis navalis, ʒiss. coral rub. marg. elect. corn. cervi ust. & loti in aq. plant. an. ℈i. sacchar. ros. ℥ii. fiat pulvisc. of this let the patient take a spoonefull before meat, or with the yolke of an egge.
Christopher Andrew in his oecoiatria much commendeth dogges dung, when as the dogge hath for three dayes before bin fed onely with bones.
Quinces rosted in embers, or boyled in a pot, the conserve of cornelian cherries, preserved berberies and myrabalans, rosted nutmeg taken before meat, strengthen the stomack and stay the laske; the patient must feed upon good meats, and these rather
reasted than boiled. His drinke shall be chalibeate water of the docoction of a some pomegranate beaten, or of the decoction of a quince, medlars, cervices, mulberies, bremble berries, and the like things, endued with a faculty to bind and waste the excrementitious humidities of the body: these waters shall be mixed with syrupe of red currance, Julep of roses, and the like.
Let the region of the stomacke and belly be anointed with oile of masticke, Moschatelinum, myrtles and quinces. Also a crust of bread newly drawn forth of the oven * 1.231 and steeped in vinegar and rose water, may be profitably applyed; or else a cataplasme of red roses, sumach, berberies, myrtles, the pulpe of quinces, mastick, bean flower, and hony of roses made up with calibeate water.
Anodyne, abstergent, astringent, consolidating and nourishing glysters shall be injected. These following retund the acrimony of humours, and asswage paine.
℞. fol. lactuc. hyosc. acetos. portul. an. m. i. flor. violar. & nenuph. an. p i. fiat decoctio ad lb i. in colatura dissolve cassiae fistul. ʒvi. olei rosat. & nenuph. an. ℥iss. fiat clyster.
Or else,
℞. ros. rub. hord. mund. sem. plant, an. p i. fiat decoctio, in colatura adde olei ros. ℥ii. vitel. ovor. ii. fiat clyster.
Or,
℞. decoctionis Capi, crur. vitellin. & capit. vervicin. una cum pelle, lb ii. in qua coquantur fol. violar. malv. mercur. plantag. an. m i. hord. mund. ℥i. quatuor sem. frigid. major. an. ℥ss. in colaturae lb ss. dissolve cass. recenter extract. ℥i. ol. viol. ℥iv. vitellor. ovor. ii. sach. rub. ℥i. fiat clyster.
Or,
℞. flor. chamaem. melil. aneth. an. p i. rad. bismal. ℥i. fiat decoctio in lacte; colaturae adde mucag. sem. lin. foenugr. extract. in aqua malv. ℥ii. sacchar. rub. ℥i. olei cham. & aneth. an. ℥iss. vitellor. ovor. ii. fiat clyster.
Such glysters must be long kept that they may more readily mitigate paine. When shavings of the guts appeare in the stooles, it is an argument that there is an ulcer in the guts; therefore then wee must use detergent and consolidating glysters, as this which followes.
℞. hordei integr. p ii. ros. rub. flor. chamoem. plantag. apii, an. p i. fiat decoctio, in colatura dissolve mellis rosat. & syr. de absinth. an. ℥iss. vitel. ovor. ii. This following glyster consolidateth.
℞. succi plantag. centinod. & portulac. nu ℥ii. bol. armen. sang. dracon. amyl. an. ʒi. sebi hircini dissoluti, ʒiii. fiat clyster.
Also cowes milke boyled with plantaine and mixed with syrupe of roses is an excellent medicine for the ulcerated guts.
This following glyster bindes.
℞. caud. equin. plant. polygon. an. m i. fiat decoctio in lacte ustulato ad quart. iii. & in colatura adde boli arm. terrae sigil. sang. dracon. an. ʒii. albumina duor. ovor. fiat clyster.
Or else,
℞. suc. plant. arnoglos. centinod. portulac. residentia facta depuratorum quantum sufficit pro clystere, addendo pul. boli armeni, terrae sigil. sang. dracon. an. ʒi. ol. myrthin. & rosat. an. ℥ii. fiat clyster.
If pure blood flow forth of the guts, I could wish you to use stronger astrictives. To which purpose I much commend a decoction of pomegranate pills, of cypresse nuts, red rose leaves, sumach, alome, and vitriol made with smithes water, and so made into glysters, without any oyle. It will be good with the same decoction to foment the fundament, perinaeum, and the whole belly.
Astringent glysters ought not to be used before that the noxious humours be drawne away and purged by purging medicines, otherwise by the stoppage hereof, the body may chance to be oppressed.
If the patient be so weake that hee cannot take or swallow any thing by mouth, nutritive glysters shall be given him.
℞. decoctionis capi pinguis, & cruris vitulini, * 1.235 coct. cum acetosa, buglosso, boragine, pimpinella, lactuca, ℥x. vel xii. in quibus dissolve vitellos ovorum, num iii. sacchari rosati, & aquae vitae, an. ℥i. butyri recentis non saliti, ʒii. fiat clyster.
The pestilent malignity as it is oft times drawne by the pores, by transpiration into the body, so oft times it is sent forth invisibly the same way again. For our native heat that is never idle in us, disperseth the noxious humours attenuated into vapours and aire through the unperceivable breathing places of the skin. An argument hereof is, we see that the tumours and abscesses * 1.236 against nature, even when they are come to suppuration, are oft times resolved and discussed by the onely efficacy of nature, and heate, without any helpe of art. Therefore there is no doubt, but that nature being prevalent, may free it self from the pestilent malignity by Transpiration, some Abscesse, Bubo or Carbuncle being come forth, and some matter collected in some certaine part of the body. For when as nature and the native heat are powerfull and strong, nothing is impossible to it, especially when as the passages are also in like manner free and open.
IF that it happen that sucking or weaned children be infected with the pestilence, they must be cured after another order than is yet described. The Nurse of the sucking childe must governe her self so in dyet and * 1.237 the use of medicines, as if she were infected with the pestilence her self: Her dyet consisteth in the use of the six things not naturall. Therefore let it be moderate, for the fruit or profit of that moderation in dyet cannot chuse but come unto the Nurses milke, and so unto the infant who liveth onely by the milke. And the infant it self must keep the same diet as neere as he can in sleep, waking, and expulsion, or avoyding of superfluous humours and excrements of the body. Let the Nurse be fed with those things that mitigate the violence of the feaverish heat: as cooling brothes, cooling herbs, and meats of a moderate temperature: shee must wholy abstaine from wine, and anoint her nipples, as often as shee giveth the infant sucke, with water, or juice of sorrell tempered with sugar of roses. But the infants heart must be fortified against the violence of the encreasing venome, by giving it one scruple of treacle in the Nurses milke, the broth of a pullet, or some other cordiall water. It is also very necessary to anoint the region of the heart, the emunctories, and both the wrests with the same medicine: neither were it unprofitable to smell often unto Treacle dissolved in rose water, vinegar of roses and a little aqua vitae, that so nature may be strengthened against the malignity of the venome. When the * 1.238 children are weaned, and somewhat well growne, they may take medicines by the mouth, for when they are able to concoct and turne into bloud meats that are more grosse and firm than milk, they may easily actuate a gentle medicine. Therefore a potion must be prepared for them of twelve graines of treacle, dissolved with a little of the syrupe of succory in some cordiall water, or the broth of a capon: unlesse that any had rather give it with conserve of roses, in forme of a bole: but treacle must be given to children in very small quantity, for if it be taken in any large quantity, there is great danger lest that by inflaming the humours, it inferre a feaver. Furthermore, broth may be prepared to be taken often, made of a capon seasoned with sorrell, lettuce, purslaine and cooling seeds, adding thereto bole armenick and terra sigillata, of each one ounce, being tied in a rag, and sometimes pressed out from the decoction. For bole armenicke, whether it be by its marvellous faculty of drying, or by some hidden property, hath this vertue, that being drunken (according as Galen witnesseth) it cureth those that are infected with the pestilence, if so be that they may be cured by physick: so that those that cannot be cured with bole armenick, cannot be preserved
by any other medicines. But because the bodies of children are warme, moist and vaporous, they are easily delivered of some portion of the venenate matter through the pores of the skin by provoking sweat, with a decoction of parsly seeds, prunes, figs, and the roots of sorrell, with a little of the powder of Harts horne, or Ivory. But that the sweat may be more abundant and copious, apply spunges dipped & pressed out in the hot decoction of sage, rosemary, lavender, bayes, chamomil, melilote and mallowes, or else swines bladders halfe filled with the same decoction, to the arme-holes, and to the groines. In the time that they sweat, let their faces be fanned to coole them. Also let a nodule of Treacle, dissolved in vinegar and water of Roses, be appled to the nostrils; but always use a moderation in sweating, because that children are of a substance that is easie to be dissipated and resolved: so that oftentimes although they do not sweat, yet they feel the commodities of sweating, the matter of the venome being dissipated by the force of the heat through the pores of the skin. But in the sweating while the face is fanned, and sweet & cordiall things applyed to the nostrils, nature must be recreated and strengthened, which otherwise would be debilitated through sweating, that it may be better able to expell the venome. After that the sweat is wiped away, it is very profitable to take a potion of conserve of Roses, with the powder of Harts horne or of Ivorie dissolved in the waters of Buglosse and Sorrel, the better to coole and defend the heart. If there appeare any tumour under the arme-holes or in the groine, let it be brought to maturation with a mollifying, relaxing, drawing, and then with a suppurative fomentation, or Cataplasme; always using and handling it as gently as you may, considering the tender age of the infant. If you have need to purge the patient, the purgation following may be prescribed with great profit. Take of Rubarbe in powder one dram, infuse it in the water of Carduus Benedictus, with one scruple of Cinamon, in the straining * 1.241 dissolve two drams of Diacatholicon, of syrupe of Roses laxative three drams; make thereof a small potion. This is the cure of the Pestilence and of the pestilent Feaver, as far as I could learn from the most learned Physicians, and have observed my self by manifold experience by the grace and permission of God: of whom alone, as the Author of all good things that mortall men injoy, the true and certaine preservatives against the pestilence are to be desired and hoped for.