¶ London treacle, Being the enemy to all infectious diseases; as may appear by the discourse following.  
London Printed by EDW: ALLDE. 1612.   

To the gentle Reader, R.B. wisheth all health and welfare according to his own heart's desire.  
It was my good hap gentle Reader, not many days ago, to hit upon this discourse of London treacle: which after I had showed unto divers of judgement and skill in such matters & found that they judged the book well worthy the setting out, especially in this infectious season. I resolved thereupon to publish it to the world, that thereby the fruit and benefit thereof might the better be imparted to our whole nation. It should seem the discourse was fully ended before the plague in London began this last Summer, for otherwise it is not to be thought but the author would somewhere have made mention thereof. Notwithstanding, I myself having made diligent inquiry as well of Physicians as of Surgeons & Apothecaries what trial hath been made thereof in the time of pestilence, I am by many of good judgement assuredly certified that amongst the poor especially (whom it most haunted) this treacle by good trial and experience hath been found to be of singular virtue, and to have saved the lives of hundreds which have taken it: for very few which in the first or second day of the disease took any reasonable quantity of it (for little of it as of all other preservatives can have small force) and therewithal laid themselves to sweat, very few I say miscarried: yea the most part did within few hours perceive the venom of the disease to be driven clean from the heart to the outward parts, whereby within a day or two after, they found themselves past all danger. But because it is no part of my meaning, neither presume I to have skill enough to set down at full the due praises of so precious a preservative. I will surcease to proceed any further in commending the same unto you: and that so much the rather, because the Author in the discourse itself hath at large declared the virtues thereof. Only this I will say thereof by the way, that I can in nothing resemble this treacle better, then to the most valiant and victorious champion Hercules for his worthy acts and conquests canonised amongst the Gods. For as Hercules is reported to have travailed continually from country to country throughout the whole world, every where as he went destroying monsters, slaying Tyrants, murderers & robbers; clearing high ways, cleansing all pestiferous airs and noisome waters, whereby he delivered infinite nations from thraldom and slavery, freed all passages for travailers and waifarers, and restored the interrupted intercourse and trade with foreign countries, to the wonderful and inestimable benefit of all mankind: Even so this treacle being by good advice received into man's body, destroyeth all venom and poison, killeth or expelleth all corrupt vapours and humours, and scoureth all the pipes & conduits whereby it saveth the heart and chief entrails from suffocation and destruction, freeth all the veins and vessels and restoreth free recourse and passage of the lively and cheerful spirits and nourishing humours into all the members of the body, to the singular comfort and refreshing of the whole man. What should cause or induce the Author so long to stay the publishing of so fruitful or rather necessary a discourse, in this so fit an opportunity, it is hard to guess, unless peradventure it be that he perceived strait upon the perfecting of his book the plague to begin, and therefore thought it not amiss to defer the setting out thereof until either by himself or some learned men, sufficient trial might be taken of the forcible effects thereof in the plague itself, as already very good experiment had been proved in many other diseases, Wherein if I have guest aright, I hope the Author hath less cause to be offended with me considering I have but done that which he meant to have performed himself, in making him do his country good a little sooner than he intended. And my hope herein is the greater, because it is apparent by the suppressing of his name, that he neither ambitiously thereby hunted after praise, nor greedily gaped for gain, but wholly respected the benefiting and profiting of his country, By how much the more his good meaning is of all men to be taken in good part. And thus presuming that the Author will bear with my boldness and not doubting but so well a meant work shall be acceptably received of the gentle Reader, I commit them both unto the almighty's protection.  
R. Band.   

The contents of the Book,  
1. The occasion of making London treacle.  
2. The first invention of Theriaca, and in what estimation mighty princes ever have had it.  
3. Why it was called treacle or Thiriaca.  
4. The virtues and qualities of London treacle.  
5. The order of using this treacle.  
6. For what cause the receipt is not yet published, and wherefore the making of it is (by authority) committed to one Apothecary.   

The occasion of the making of London treacle  
THe Masters & Wardens of the Grocer's company, having by sundry years searches, well marked and observed, that a filthy & unwholesome baggage composition, (termed commonly treacle of Geane) hath been craftily, and by covin of certain lewd persons, in a monstrous quantity, some thousand weight yearly brought into this Realm, and here to the fowl deceiving, and danger of the lives of many thousands, been publicly sold, carrying credit with all sorts of people, only for the bare name sake of Theriaca, or treacle: (as their duty to their country bound them) did divers years use all such good means and orders, as they could devise, to banish clean out of the realm, or at least to hinder much the vent of such a voysome and poysonish drug. For although that the most of the company were not greatly learned, yet many of them being discreet men, and of good insight and experience in such matters, did out of the rules of bare reason, gather that this so named Geane treacle, being (as it is well known) made only of the rotten garble, & refuse outcast of all kind of spices and drugs, hand over head, with a little filthy molasses, and tar to work it up withal, was so far from either curing or preventing any disease in man's body, that by all likelihood it must needs engender most rotten and corrupt humours. And with good reason might they judge that composition of no great virtue and force, which hath been often sold of late years for thirty. s. and sometimes for xxviii. s. the hundred, which falleth out iii d or at most under three d.q. a pound.  
Now, what good Spice, Sugar, Honey, or other drug of any virtue can be sold for so base a price, let any man judge? So as it is most apparent to one that hath but half an eye, that so base a composition must needs be made of such dregs, and refuse, as are more fit for the dungcartes, than the Apothecaries, or Grocer's shops. And surely it is great pity, that some severe punishment is not by the superior magistrates, inflicted upon such lewd persons, as being so often warned do still bring in, or otherwise by themselves, or their servants make, or utter such filthy and rotten drugs, and that under the cloak and name of so comfortable a preservative, as Triakle hath in all ages been esteemed to be.  
But to go forward, the Grocer's finding that their good care, and discreet orders for the banishing of so unwholesome a drug, did not take such effect as they looked for and wished: and observing that the very cheapness of this misnamed Geane treacle, together with the excessive dearnes of Venice treacle, and Mithridate, were the only causes, that still contiinued so marvelous a vent thereof, After deliberate consultation had, thought it best to entreat the learned Society of Physicians, to set down some effectual receipt of treacle, which might be both forcible against rotten and venomous diseases, and also of an easy and moderate price for the poor subject.  
Unto which, their so honest and reasonable request, the College of Physicians did readily condescend: and thereupon they presently committed the charge of the setting down of the receipt, unto three choice men of their company, which should (by a certain day) deliver unto Mr. Bess an Apothecary (to whom both by the Physicians and Grocer's order, the making thereof was only committed) their prescript, which they did after diligent conferring of sundry receats of learned writers, together (according to the charge to them committed, carefully perform:) within few days after Mr. Bess did bring to the College, both the prescript to him before delivered, and also a pound of the composition, which he by their order had made up for a trial sake, to the intent that all the whole company of Physicians together, after diligent examination of the prescript, with such trial as Art could take, by the colour, taste, smell, and consistence of the treacle itself, might either resolve upon that receat already set down, or elsbies adding, and rebating, as by their skill should seem good (with some little change) set down another. And so it fell out indeed, that some little alteration, being in one simple or two made, the receipt, was (with the College seal annexed unto it) redelivered to the said Mr. Bess, to be yearly by him accordingly dispensed and prepared, with straight charge, not in any jot or point, to vary from the very words of the same prescript: And that every year before the dispensing thereof, he should give notice to the Precedent, and Censors of the physicians College, that for the carefuller preparing thereof, they might with any other of their Society, come to his house and there make examination, and trial of all the simples, ingredients, before they were put together, & compounded.  
And that to the good of all the Realm, the said treacle might be the more faithfully prepared, the Master and Wardens of the Grocers, first presented M.W. Bess to the Lord Mayor and the Aldermen his brethren, as a very fit Man both for skill, and honest carefulness in his profession, to perform the Compounding of such a treacle: where was given him a corporal Oath, for the true, and careful preparing thereof: And afterwards, the said Master and Wardens did deliver unto M.W. Bess in writing, both the receipt new writ out again, and withal, all the points of his Oath, with the Seal of their Company, reserving the physicians receipt and seal, for their discharge, in the Grocers Hall. Which course and order of examining yearly the simples, and careful making up of the Composition, hath now these five years been accordingly put in execution, and the treacle itself (by so many years experience) thoroughly tried to be of singular virtue, and of wonderful force, as well in comforting nature, as in expelling all noisome, and venomous matter from the heart, and principal parts of man's body.  
In setting down of which receipt, the Physicians took especial care to appoint such ingredients as were perfectly known, not hard to be gotten, and (as much as might be in so forcible, and effectual a preservative) home bred: and this they chiefly did, for the good and ease of the poor subject, whose purse cannot reach unto the price of costly medicines. All which things well considered, there may be more said justly in the commendation of this London treacle, then may be of any other medicine whatsoever heretofore devised, and set out in this Realm: And if I should say foreign Realms too, it might well be justified, considering the sound learning, deep judgement, and long experience of the whole College of Physicians, that devised it with the great care which both they, and also the magistrates of the City have taken, for the diligent, and perfect preparing thereof. As for the price, it is so reasonable (a pound not amounting above ij. s. viii. d. an ounce by retale not above two. d.) as no wise man will spare so much to do his horse or dog good withal.  
This treacle is made, and to be had at the house of M. William Bess, dwelling in the Poultry, near the Counter.  

Of the first invention of Theriaca, and in what estimation mighty Princes ever have had it.  
ALthough Andromachus the Elder, Nero the emperors chief Physician, be of most men esteemed, as the first inventor of treacle, or Theriaca, yet you must understand, that he did only add vipers, first to some old composition thereof, which he liked best, and withal gave it a new name, terming it, not Theriaca, but Galene, as much to say as calmness, or stillness. This Galene did Crito (a famous practitioner under the Vespasian's reigns) name Theriaca, because it received the flesh of vipers: of Physicians, by a pre-eminence named in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 But that the Reader may, together take a view both of the first beginning, and original, and also what great credit Theriaca was presently in with mighty Princes, even upon the very first invention: He must understand, that the very first Theriaca, recorded of in writers, is that of Antiochus, whom Pliny surnameth Magnus, and Galen Philometor. He reigned in Syria some 200. years before Christ. This was called Antiochus his Theriaca, because that great and mighty King himself did continually use it as a preservative against all poisons, and venomous stingings. By whose countenance, it grew presently into such estimation and credit, that the famous Physician Endemus, (as Galen reporteth) put the receipt thereof in verse: And that all men might partake the good and profit of so forcible a preservative: The verses (as Pliny recordeth) were engraven in stone, over the porch door of Aesculapius his Temple, as a medicine of so divine power and virtue, as not to be esteemed for any man's invention, but rather a divine receipt revealed unto mankind, by the great God of Physic himself. Within two or three ages after Antiochus, did Nicander, that learned Physician and Poet, dedicate his book, named Theriaca, unto Attalus then King of Perganum, where after, Galen was borne. This Attalus was a noble Prince, greatly favouring and advancing all kind of good learning: but above all things, wonderfully given to make trial of the virtues of medicines, and especially of such as were thought of force against venomous beasts, & poisons: which both he then, and by his example afterward, Mithridates the great (as Galen truly testifieth) did curiously and diligently, make experiment of upon condemned persons. The experiments of this learned King Attalus, romming within an age or two after unto the hands of Mithridates, and being by his like study, and trial in imitation of Attelus (〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉) much increased, he could out of both their experiences, the very choice simples, and thereof devised a most effectual composition, named by Galen Theriaca Mithridatis (much differing from that which we commonly call Mithridate) by continual use of which medicine, he preserved himself many score years free from all danger of poisoning: so that (as Galen writeth) being straightly besieged by the Conquering Romans, and out of all hope to escape, to prevent their cruelty, and to avoid his own shame, he twice took rank and strong poison: but the force of his so often received treacle was such, as no poison never so great could prevail against it, whereby in the end, the good king was compelled to die upon his own sword.  
About fourscore years after Mithridates' miserable end, did Aelius Gallus, Tiberius the emperors lieutenant in Egypt and Arabiae, in his return from thence, bring two receates of Theriaca home with him: wherewith he presented the Emperor Tiberius, esteeming them as fit presents for so mighty a Manarch.  
Now in what wonderful estimation, or rather admiration, treacle was had in Galens' time, Galen himself doth at large set down, in his book Entitled of treacle, and dedicated unto Piso a noble Roman: which book (as may be gathered by the text) he writ in the beginning of Caracalla his Reign, before he had made away his brother Geta. For Marcus Aurelius (in the beginning of whose reign Galen first came to Rome) a Prince for his deep and profound learning, named Marcus the Philosopher, and which (as Galen testifieth) had a perfect and exquisite knowledge of his own temprature and complexion, by the daily use of treacle (being both by nature, and also by travail, as well of body as mind, of a weak constitution) lived many years (notwithstanding) in excellent good health, & state of body. So that the wonderful opinion, which was had through all the world of this emperors wisdom, & learning, together with his long continued health, procured by the only use of this preservative, brought treacle into such credit and estimation, that all great men, as well in the Court of Rome, as else where in the Country and Provinces abroad, following the emperors example, fell to the use thereof. And lest the reader should think that Marcus Aurelius only used Andromachus his treacle: let him read the last chapter of Galens second book of Counter-poisons, where, in the very first line he shall find the receipt that Aurelius so much used, compounded but only of four simples, and God he knows, a simple composition indeed (for all the great credit it had) if it be compared with our London treacle.  
Some fourteen year after M. Aurelius his departure, succeeded in the Empire Soptianus Severus, a prince though not greatly learned, yet both very wise and valiant.  
This Emperor made that most renowned Physician (or rather Prince of all Physicians) Galen, to prepare and compound for the Emperors own use, the Theriaca of Andromachus, and that of the chiefest, and most choice simples, which could be got in the whole world: whereby through the renounce of so famous a Physician, the glorious name of treacle was ever after amongst all posterity wonderfully increased and advanced. From Galen until our days (almost 1400. years) If one overrun the stories of all nations and ages, He shall find that treacle hath been from time to time, of all mighty Princes had in wonderful estimation and reputation. Yea that most Tyrannous and Barbarous Monarch, the great Turk, every year in Egypt (because that Country lieth most fitly to get all Indian and Arabian simples freshest) hath by the hands of the skilfullest and learnedst Physicians, which that savage & unlettered nation yieldeth, a composition of Theriaca prepared by the name of Tharach Faruc, which both of the Emperor himself, & of all his bashaws and great men, is had in wonderful estimation. Although that through the ignorance of their Physicians in the making thereof, both the vipers themselves (for whom they substitute a kind of Serpent with horns, called therefore of the Greeks Cerastes but of the Egyptians Tahyr) and many other especial simples beside are mistaken and falsified: whereby it cometh to pass, that the Alexandrian or Egyptian Theriaca is in no degree to be compared with any kind of treacle artificially prepared in sundry Cities of Christendom, where all kinds of good learning, and namely of Physic do most plentifully flourish.   

Why it was called treacle or Theriaca.  
FOr the naming of it Theriaca or treacle, divers and sundry reasons may be alleged. First, because it was of purpose ordained to supply the use, or rather to reform the abuse, and to enjoy and possess the room and place of that bastard treacle, which hath these many years, to the unspeakable annoyance of many thousands, been too too much used in this Realm, by the name of Geane treacle. The second, but principal reason is, for that all, or most of the ingredients, having singular force against, either inward poisons, or outward venomous bitings▪ or stingings of venomous beasts, it must needs follow, that so perfect a composition made of so choice counter-poisons, & those so orderly in weight and measure proportioned, could not but be of wonderful virtue and efficacy, not only against poisons and venoms, but also against all corruption and rottenness, either of humours or spirits: Neither is the name treacle or Theriaca to be thought, as unfitly attributed to the London composition, although it receive no vipers flesh in it at all. For notwithstanding that Crito a famous Empiric about Vespatianus his days, gave that same composition, which Andromachus Nero's Physician, first either invented or enlarged, & withal termed it Galene the name of Theriaca, because it received viper's flesh, (which kind of Serpent is of many greeks both Physicians & Philosophers, by a prerogative called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 yet the name of Theriaca hath both before Nero's time and since, been commonly attributed not only to compounds, containing no vipers flesh at all, but also to very simples, only for that they were judged of force against the bitings and stingings of venomous beasts. For compounds, who so doubteth, let him read the 10. chap. of the 2 book of Galen of counterpoisons (for so I translate Antidote) where he shall find five several Theriacaes upon a row, into none of which, viper's flesh is any ingredient. The first, of Antipater, The second, & third, of Aelius Gallus (under whose conduct in our Saviour Christ's time, Strabo that learned Geographer did travail both Egypt and Arabia) The fourth, of Euclid bynamed Palatianus. The fifth, of Zeno the Laodician. Again, in the fourteenth chap. he shall find Theriaca Antiochi, Philometoris (Plini calleth him Magnus) which reigned in Syria some 12. score years before ever viper's flesh was put into any Theriaca. For Andromachus Nero's Physician, by Galens own testimony, was the very first that added viper's flesh unto Theriaca. Now since Andromachus time, we may find infinite receipts of Theriaca in sundry Physicians, clearly void of viper's flesh: As namely, that which M. Aurelius so much used with so good success, than the vulgar Theriaca diatessaron a simple receipt, in show of four common simples, yet a receipt no doubt of singular force and virtue: And last of all, that baggage composition, thrust in under the name of Geane treacle, hath these many years usurped the name of Theriaca, although it hath no viper's flesh in it at all.  
As for simples, both Galen calleth Garlic the country man's treacle, and Pliny maketh mention, of a kind of Vine in the Island of Thasos, called therefore Theriaca, because, as well the grape, as the wine would heal the bitings, and stingings of Serpents. Besides, Valeriana is of sundry late writers, named Theriaca for the same reason: which things considered, the learned College of Physicians of this famous City of London, did very aptly, and advisedly (to this their Composition) attribute the name of Theriaca. And that so much the more, for that this London treacle, besides the choice of old simples, containeth in it, at least a dozen spices and herbs, not known to the old writers: whose wonderful virtues, are notwithstanding against all poisons and venoms (by many a hundred years trial) sufficiently approved. And these late known simples were added, by warraant both of reason (the perfect rule and level of all physicians actions) and also of Averroes, the best learned, both Philosopher, and Physician of all the Arabians, which in his abridgement of Physic, (commonly called the Colliget) doth justly reprove the opinion of Avicen, (otherwise himself a most famous Physician) affirming the Andromachus his treacle, taketh his so wonderful force, not from the virtues & qualities of the simples which are in it, but from a fifth supernatural hidden property, proceeding from the essential form (as he termeth it forsooth) of the whole mixture, and therefore strictly warneth all Physicians, neither to add too, nor diminish any thing from Andromachus his first prescript: Which opinion of Avicen, as too superstitiously tying all posterity to our forefathers receipts, Auerroze doth, and that justly confute, wishing (which in this composition, the Physicians of London have with great reason put in practice) that divers of such excellent counterpoison simples, as later times have discovered, should be either added over and above the old ingredients, or else substituted in some of their places, which were found to be of least force and virtue.   

Of the virtues, and qualities of London treacle.  
TO recite all the virtues, and uses of the London treacle, as well in preventing, as incuring most grievous diseases, would require a learneder, and larger discourse, then at this present is either requisite, or intended to be set down. Notwithstanding the chief, and most principal qualities thereof, and those from which the reasons and grounds of all the rest must be fetched, are these that follow. First, this treacle heateth, and drieth about the midst (as Physicians term it) of the second degree, and withal, is of very thin parts. Secondly, it hath a scouring, or deansing virtue, with a moderate astriction. By his heat, it helpeth all kinds of concoction, and ripeneth all crud humours, or dryness in man's body. By his heat, & thinness of parts, it openeth all pores & passages, it thinneth & breatheth out gross humours and winds, it softeneth hard tumours, and relaxeth stiffness of parts, and consequently mitigateth all kind of pains, and griefs: It provoketh sweat, urine, and women's courses, it openeth the Emerands, and furthereth all evacuations: By his dryness, and cleansing power, it consumeth and wasteth, or else wipeth away all gross, tough, and clammy humours: and thereby delivereth obstructions, and mightily resisteth all putrefaction, and poisons, either inward or outward. By his mild astriction and moderate warmth, it strengtheneth all the principal members of man's body, and thereby reneweth good spirits, engendereth pure blood, and stayeth all immoderate wastings, and evacuations, either of humours or spirits. So that what soever infirmity in man's body, proceedeth either from too much abundance of humours and wind, or else from their faultiness in coldness, grossness, toughness, clammines, or rottenness: likewise what soever is caused by stopping of the conduits, and passages, or by the astriction, and shutting of the pores: Besides whatsoever imperfections or defaults possess the chief and principal parts, and thereby hinder or deprave any of their functions or works: all these (if they be by inward medicines curable) may by this treacle (artificially and skilfully used) be either wholly, and altogether cured, or at least greatly eased, and amended. To a Physician, or any other man trained up in good literature, these brief instructions are sufficient, to direct him fully to the perfect use of this treacle, in all convenient diseases. But because this discourse doth chiefly respect, and is especially written for the ignorant, and unlettered multitude of the common people, which is no ways able to conceive the natural causes of things: it will not be amiss, for the simple persons better instruction, to set down by name, such common and running diseases, as this treacle is most to be used against. First, of all therefore it is of marvelous force against the Plague, Sweating-sicknes Pocks (small I mean) or measles, or any other malicious & pestilent Fever. For being given the sick person to drink with Dragons, Carduus Benedictus, or Angelica water, it driveth out from the heart and principal parts to the skin, all the venom and corruption of the disease. By the same virtue it both preserveth, and also cureth as well any inward poison, as any biting or stinging of mad dog or venomous beast: yea, being outwardly applied to the bitings and stingings: or to the Carbunble or Bubo in the plague, it doth (as it were) miraculously draw out all the inward venom, and corruption by that issue. As for long headaches, & megrames, Turnsicknes, dullness of sight, thickness of hearing, and such like diseases of the brain, sinews, and instruments of Senses, which proceed from cold and tough humours, or from wind, all these by the continual usage hereof, may in time be either clean taken away, or else greatly assuaged and diminished: For by comforting the brain, it cheereth the spirits, sharpeneth the wit, strengtheneth the memory, quickeneth all the Sensces. Against the falling sickness, and worms, being diseases most commonly troubling children this treacle is an especial remedy: as having divers choice ingredients, particularly respecting those infirmities of purpose inserted into it: For the Wheasings, and old coughs, being taken with the water or decoction of Hyssop, or Horehound, it is very effectual: as also with the decoction of Comfrey roots, or conseruc of old red Roses, it excellently stayeth any linger spitting of blood, issuing from the lungs or chest: Likewise it healeth any stitches in the sides (if they proceed not from hot inflammations or pleurifles) being either inwardly taken, or outwardly applied hot. Now in the stomach, it provoketh appetite, helpeth concoction, and distribution, breaketh and discusseth wind and either digesteth or driveth out from thence, all raw and corrupt humours, whereby it healeth the inflation, or puffing up of the stomach with wind, and cureth that kind of greediness (which Physicians term the dogs appetite) which disease forceth them that have it, to eat their meat greedily, and that very much, but presently after to cast it again: notwithstanding after they have vomited, their appetite is no whit stayed nor abayted, but straight way they become as greedy again as before: In the liver it delivereth all obstructions, & cureth the yellow jaundice, especially being taken with the decoction of worm wood (ground pure) Horehound, Alecoast, Maudlin, or Succory: Whereby it cureth the green sickness, and the dropsy, not being grown too far, nor rooted. The like force it hath in infirmities of the spleen, wherein it helpeth all stops, discusseth windinesses, and diminisheth all sort of cold swellings or tumours: namely, being received with the decoction of Tamariske, bark of Capers roots, or of Finger-fearne. Neither is it of less power and virtue, in curing the diseases of the entrails or guts: for it singularly helpeth the Colic, and stayeth all lares, and assuageth all torments, and gripings, if it be orderly taken with fit, & convenient liquors, strops, or conserves. But the most especial, and singular virtue thereof, is the wonderful comfort and strength it yieldeth and imparteth to the heart, the principal part of the life of man: which his force is most mightily perceived in faintings, and swoonings. The same effects it showeth in tremble of the heart, and in all melancholie-passions and frights.  
But to go forward: in the kidneys and bladder, it mildly scoureth away and cleanseth sand, gravel, or stones, and thereby often times cureth the stops of Urine, and the Stran 〈…〉 rye. For the Gout (after general evacuations orderly administered) the continual use of this treacle, is a most effectual remedy: which effect it worketh by helping concoction in the stomach and liver, by comforting the brain, and by drying up, or driving out, either by sweat, or inscensible outbreathing, all superfluous moisture, both there and in all other parts of the body. Besides all these, it is a singular remedy, both for Palsies and cramps, either inwardly taken, or outwardly applied, and anointed with some convenient Oil or grease. In women's matters, although the virtues thereof be excellently effectual, notwithstanding, I think it not amiss to omit the rehearsal of them at this time, because any large discourse thereof, especially in the mother tongue, may seem unfit for chaste ears, and beside, is more likely to do harm then good, in unchaste minds.  
But here I may not over pass the mighty power it hath in driving away any long linger Ague, proceeding from cold, gross, or tough humours, & namely, of an old quartan Ague, if it be orderly given in good large proportion, with the decoction of Germander, or Tamariske half an hour before the fit, the party withal being put into a warm bed, & with store of warm clothes provoked presently to sweat: marry here great heed must be taken, that first the body be well purged, and let blood (if need be) and that the humour be ripe and concocted. To set down at large, all the particular virtues, & effects of this London treacle, would make up a large volume. For because therefore both I mean to be short, and these virtues already expressed are sufficient to direct any reasonable man to the orderly use of this London treacle, in most common diseases: I will surcease to discourse any longer of the qualities thereof, and proceed to the order of using it.   

The order of using London treacle.  
IN the use of London treacle, three things are to be considered: first, the quantity, next the time, and lastly, the manner of ministering of it. A certain quantity, either in weight or measure thereof, cannot precisely be declared in words, by reason of the manifold diversities, as well of the strength, age, sex, temperature, and complexion of the sick body, as of the diseases themselves, their causes, and the parts of man's body therewith possessed: In sucking children half a scruple will be a reasonable quantity: In women with child, or in childbed, in very old folks, or young children past sucking, a whole scruple may be well borne: in stronger bodies, and abler constitutions, a larger proportion may be allowed, (due consideration being had of the urgency of the disease, and the strength of the party) as from a scruple weight upward to a whole draime or four scruples in very urgent and hard diseases, as in driving away of a quartan or such like. But when poison is already received inwardly, or any body newly bitten, slung with a mad dog, or venomous beast, you must ascend yet higher, and increase your dasts to two drams weight, yea, and in strong poisons and venoms, unto three drams, and this you must often times do, and not be content with once giving it.  
And here because most men knows not these names of Scruples and Dragmes, and many men though, they peradventure know them, yet have them not ready at hand when need requires, it is to be understood, that a drag-weight in English silver is seven. d. ob. just, and a scruple (which is the third part of a dram, weigheth just ij. d. ob. now who so cannot half or double any of these, is too simple to be thought fit to minister medicines unto any sick body being in danger. Furthermore, for because that most of the common and vulgar people, though they had weights, yet they know them not: and which is more, knoweth not how to weigh any thing by those coins which they best know, it is thought not amiss, to set down such directions in giving of this treacle, as the ignorantest man of all cannot much go amiss. For a scruple, they are full the bigness of a mean and ordinary hazel. Nut husked: and for a dram, the quantity of a small nutmeggo, may safely be administered, and so the rest ●atably: And thus much for the quantity. Now for the time and fit season of giving it (which, as in all other medicines administering, so in this treacle giving is the difficultest point of skill in all physic) two things are chiefly to be noted: The time of the day, and the time of the disease. Of all times of the day the morning is most apt, and fittest both for this medicine and all other such like to be taken in. And good cause why: For in the morning, after the whole night's rest, the former days meat being fully digested and dispersed into the outward parts of the body, the inward parts, as the stomach, liver, spleen, and belly veins, are then empty, & therefore more apt both to receive in themselves, and to disperse throw into the whole body, the force and virtue of the medicine then taken. For always, especial care and regard is to be taken, that neither this treacle, nor any such like strong & forcible medicine, be administered inwardly after meat, or upon a full belly. Yea, and if the belly be not either by nature loose, or by Art made soluble, the use of treacle can no ways be safe.  
The other time to be observed, is that of the disease itself, which carrieth so great sway, that often times it overruleth the time of the day, and altereth it at pleasure, according to the time of the whole disease, or of that present fit then possessing the sick body: for the time of the whole sickness, as a long Ague, or other linger disease, it is against all rules of Art to minister treacle, either in the beginning, or in the increase of the disease, until manifest tokens of concoction and ripeness appear: after which time (if the obstructions of the liver or spleen continue not still great) you may safely, accordingly as the ripeness increase, & the obstructions decrease, rateably augment the quantity of your treacle. The same is to be observed in the time of the fit: for until the matter of that fit make show of ripeness, & that the passages of the outward parts and skin be somewhat opened, you may no ways give any treacle: but after that time you may safely minister it, the better thereby to further the issue of sweat, and insensible outbreathing: by which kinds of evacuations (being abundantly performed) very often times it falleth out▪ that the whole disease is dissolved and rid away.  
Besides the two times rehearsed, she one of the ●●y, th● the other of the disease, the age of the treacle it less is diligently to be considered: for the newer he is, the better, 〈◊〉 readi●● he stayeth any evacuation, especially by vomitto or stool, & withal assuageth any inward gripings or pains, chiefly such as proceed from hot and fretting humours. As gain, the older this treacle is, the more forcible and effectual are his virtues, in opening all stops and obstructions of the principal parts, and consequently in expecting, and driving out from the inward to the outward parts all venomous and rotten, either humours or vapours.  
Now for the manner of giving it, you must note, that if your intent be to stay any flux or evacuation, by strengthening the principal parts, or else to mitigate & assuage any inward point, in such cases you must minister your treacle in solid or dry form, either alone, or with some conserve, or Electuary, and then sleep upon it: unless you mean to stay immoderate sweeting. Contrariwise, if you mean and desire to drive out, and expel any corrupt or noisome humour or vapour, then give it dissolved in some convenient liquor, and sleep not after it: except your meaning be to procure sweat, which of all evacuations is only furthered by sleeping: And thus much for the right use of this London treacle.   

For what cause the receipt is not yet published, and wherefore the making thereof is committed only to one Apothecary.  
NO doubt many will not a little marvel why the receat & proscript of this London treacle, is neither in this discourse, nor any where else published to the view of all m●n, especially of Physicians abroad: that by the examining at the simples, they may better judge of of the force and virtue of the whole composition: An exam●●● whereof there is no precedent to be showed, either in former ages, or foreign countries, unless one would fetch a precedent and 〈◊〉 from the barber 〈…〉 Turks, who those many years have concealed the roseate 〈…〉 till now of late, Prosperus 〈…〉 ●●ing sundry years in Egypt, 〈…〉 prescript thereof, at the hands 〈…〉 Simpler, which yearly had the 〈…〉 days, all the simple ingredients for th●● 〈…〉 in the presence of all the skilfullest Phis●● 〈…〉 doth yearly make up the whole Composition: 〈…〉 ●●ceate, the same Alpinus hath very honestly, and to 〈…〉 praise, published to the whole world. In ancient tim●● 〈◊〉 pr●●decessors were so far from concealing and supp●●●● any such effectual medicine, that the first Composition of treacle (whereof record is found in any writer, Antioc●●us his Theriaca I mean) was presently by Endemus a famous Physician put into verse, and the verses engraven in stone, and set up over the good Esculapius his Temple doo●●e, the every man to read over, and copy out at his pleasure. What cause or reason than should move the Physicians of London, to keep their new receipt of treacle so much concealed? Assure yourselves they did it not without great reason, and good consideration.  
The very true cause of suppressing the receats, is the entire affection they bear to the whole nation, their native country, together with a diligent carefulness they have, that the Composition may without fraud or cou●●n ●●e truly and perfectly prepared. For seeing how great 〈…〉 grown in the world, by suffering every man that would take it upon him to make Geane treacle hand over hand, and that without over looking or correcting after ad●●is●● deliberately taken, they could fi●●e in thoroughly, and disorderly age, n●● other means to avo●●e 〈◊〉 inconvenience, or rather mischief, saving only by committing the making and compounding thereof, with some one 〈◊〉 and skilful Apothecary alone: which their good 〈◊〉 meaning could not have been compassed, if the 〈◊〉 have published to the world: For so every other, 〈◊〉 〈…〉 by the 〈…〉 〈…〉, might 〈…〉 〈…〉 as he is whom 〈…〉 〈…〉 the 〈◊〉 〈…〉 is commit the 〈…〉 〈…〉 only Apothecary, that thereby 〈◊〉 〈…〉 themselves of the perfect 〈◊〉 〈…〉 viewing, and diligently examining all the 〈…〉 at his house, which thing would have been 〈…〉 & labour for them to perform in so many 〈…〉 and Dr●●●ers houses as would have 〈◊〉 ●●on●● above the 〈◊〉 thereof. Neither is it their m●●●ing altogether to suppress the rec●●t●●, but only: to conceal it for a 〈◊〉, until good order may by authority be set down, for 〈◊〉 t●●e and orderly 〈◊〉 of it, and such other live. 〈◊〉 they were the ●●●●rly 〈◊〉, and 〈◊〉 and to 〈◊〉 for a season, that before the publishing, they might make perfect proof, and full trial of the effects and virtues thereof.  
FINIS.