A Brief Treatise of the Plague Wherein is showed, The 

Natural cause of the Plague.  
preservations from the infection.  
Way to cure the infected.    
Newly corrected with new additions, and many approved Remedies.  
Printed at London by Valen●●●e Si●●●●. 1603.   

To the Reader.  
GOD most mercifully chastineth his Children for their sins when they forget him: sometime with war, sometime with famine, and sometime with the pestilence and other diseases, that they might forsake their sins, and flee unto him for help: but the wicked, to their utter destruction.  
Yet he never sendeth a plague or punishment but he continually preserveth some. Yea, and those also he preserveth by means. Therefore they worthily are consumed which neglect that lawful means God hath appointed, even as they were justly drowned that would not enter Noah's ark. And Lot's sons worthily consumed, because they would not forsake Sodom, and they justly partakers of the plagues of Egypt which forsook the land of Goshen, and their first borne deservedly slain, which marked not the posts of their doors with the blood of the Lamb. And were they not justly scourged to death, which would not behold the Brazen Serpent Moses set up?  
Doth not the whole History of the Bible, both the old and new Testament comm●nd ●nto us the lawful means whereby we are to be preserved from dangers.  
Therefore they are greatly too blame that contemn the good means which God hath appointed for their safety, and do wilfully, rashly, and foolishly run themselves into all kind of dangers, saying, GOD is able to preserve them if it please him, themselves neither using the lawful means God hath appointed, not yet eschewing the danger: which means according to the judgement of the best Writers upon this matter, thou shalt here find briefly, which I pray God may be profitable unto thee, and that he will keep us from all plagues and dangers which we have justly deserved. Val●.  
I. W.   

¶ Of the natural causes of the infection of the air, and of the plague.  
OF all the diseases whereunto the body of man is subject, the Plague or Pestilence is the most terrible and fearful, and most contagious, therefore we must seek all means, both natural and artificial, to preserve ourselves and families from it: therefore first we will speak of the natural causes of this infection.  
There be two especial causes of the Pestilence.  
The first is, an infected, corrupted and putrefied Air.  
The second is, evil and corrupt hu●●●● engendered in the ●●●y.  
The air is corrupted and infected diverse ways as Astronomers say, by the influences, aspects, conjunctions, and opposition of ill planets, the Eclipse of the Sun and Moon, through the immoderate heat of the air, where the temperature of the air is turned from his natural state to excessive heat and moisture, which is the worst temperament of the air, 〈◊〉 being drawn up by the heat of the Sun, remaining unconsumed, do rot, putrefy, and corrupt, and so with the venom ●he air beco●●eth corrupted and infected.  
Also the air is often corrupted by the evaporation of dea● carcases lying ●●●●ried, as it 〈…〉 in the ●●rres, 〈◊〉 also by the evaporation of p●●les, 〈◊〉 marshes, stinking and noisome sinks and kennels.  
A man falleth into the Pestilence by disordering of himself, 〈◊〉 in diet, or wi●h other exercises.  
Therefore, during the time of 〈…〉 sickness 〈◊〉 must have a special regard, to keep himself from all 〈◊〉, and 〈◊〉 (to wit) from all excess of meat, drink, sweeting, baths, lechery, and all other things that open the pores of the body, and causeth the bad airs to enter, which entering, inuenome the lively spirits of man, and infect, and endanger the whole body.  
And seeing it is evident, that the plague as pestilence is not caused, but through the breathing in of pestilent and corrupt air, there cannot be a more ●a●e and present remedy to preserve one, then by ●ying from that corrupt air, there is no other means to 〈◊〉 pestilent air, because, whether 〈…〉 we must draw in such air, unless we get us away into some other place where the air is not corrupted nor infected, but pure and good, neither must you return 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from that place 〈◊〉.  

Observations to be used, preserving from the Plague.  
But if upon ●rgent occasion of bu●●ne●●e you may not 〈◊〉 then have a special care that the hou●e in which you must tarry, be kept clea●● and 〈◊〉, without 〈…〉 or ●●u●●ishnesse, let the windows be kept close, and 〈◊〉 especially in cloudy and rainy wether, that the pestilent air enter not in, but if you will open them, do it about midday.  
You must come abroad as seldom as you can, and not (if you may) except the element be clear and bright, but before you come abroad, you must take 〈◊〉 ●e●icine, which is able to preserve you f●om infections, as the root of Ang●●ca, Pimper●ell, etc. chewes in the mouth. chewed in the mouth.  
Also you must make ●ires daily in your house●, 〈…〉 the corrupt air that is in the house, may be the better purged and 〈…〉 of the air.  
Also if you juniper, Ta●●●●is●●●, bay lea●●●s, Rosemary, and such like are very good to purge the house of ●ll airs, and to 〈…〉 and from ●pon it the p●●●er of Rosemary, Sage, Rew, Be●on●e, wormwood, Mai●ram, Orig●n, juniper berries, M●●h, Frankincense and Ma●●●ke, Cypress barks, Angeli●● the r●●ts or ●ea●●s, Lau●nder, 〈◊〉 of Aloes, Gall●● Mus●h●●a, Cloves, any one of all these are very good to air your house withal.  
It is best in hot weather to corr●●● and puri●●● the air with co●● 〈◊〉, as with sword: 〈…〉 leaves, and branches of Willows, etc. and to sprinkle the ●l●●re with coldwater mixed with Vinegar, Roses, or 〈◊〉, etc.  
It is very good when out goeth abroad to have something in their hands to 〈◊〉 to, the better to avoid those noisome 〈◊〉 and filthy 〈◊〉 which are in every corner, therefore it is very good to carry in the hand a branch of Rew, Rosemary, Roses, or camphor and the smell of Vinegar is very 〈…〉 something like this. Take of, 

Lapdanum, three drachmas.  
Storax calamintae, two drachmas.  
of each a drachm. 

Cinomon,  
Cloves,  
Nutmegs,    
Wood of Aloes, a scruple.  
spikenard, half a scruple.  
of each half a drachm. 

Myrrh,  
mastic,  
Frankincense,    
of each three grains. 

Musk,  
Amber.      
Make them to powder and ●earce them, and take 〈◊〉 water, and Rose vinegar, wherein 〈…〉 is dissolved, and so make it up in a Pomander.  
Seeing also, that gluttony, excess, and drunkenness, is at all times to be shunned, so at this time of infection is most dangerous, breeding the humours, and corrupting the body: Therefore they that love their health, let them use temperance in their diet, and choose such meats as engender good blood, and be not ready to putrefy and rot, but be of easy digestion, and eat with them sharp sauces, as vinigere, or the juices of sharp things, as verjuice, juice of Citrons, Lemons, Oranges, etc.  
Also use for potherbs, sage, or otherwise, Parsley, Maioram, Balm, Hyssops, B●glose, Endine, Succory, and Lettuce.  
Also he must refrain from eating of much fruit, for it doth breed corrupt blood, and if he eat any it must be 〈◊〉.  
Also he must eat little garlic, onions, or 〈◊〉, for these cause unkind heat.  
Also suffer not thirst greatly, and when thou dost thirst, drink but measurably, and that but small and thin drink, or barley water, 〈…〉 with 〈…〉.  
Another special regard must be had in exercises, ubi, qu●●od●, & 〈◊〉. The place where, must be in a 〈◊〉 and pure air, and 〈◊〉 must ●se them temperately and moderately, and 〈…〉 of violent exercises, as dancing, running, leaping: and wh●●soeuer such like kind of exercise that causeth after breathing in of Air, ●e must refrain in the extreme heat of the day, and in places where is much concourse of people.  
As for his sleep and 〈◊〉, let them be mean and moderate, only his sleep must be sufficient to suffice Nature, and in a close Chamber, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, and the windows and doors, close shut, lest the ill air enter into it, and he must have regard that his sheets be clean and sweet dags in chests where they keep linen.  
It is good also at night afore you go in bed to air the chamber with a good fire, or with a cha●●ng dish of coals, wherein it were good to ●●ro some powder of Rew, Sage, Be●onie, or of juniper and such like.  
When you walk in the morning, first empty the body of all superfluities and excrements, and take heed: and beware the body, be not too 〈◊〉 at any time. Therefore, if of thyself n●●●rally at any time thou canst not void out excrements, thou shalt take either a potion of pills, or else a glister o● suppos●●●ry o● 〈…〉: or el●e take of 

Aloes epatick, two parts,  
of each one part. 

Amon●ia●●m,  
Myrrh.      
With white wine or with the Water of scabious make pills of them, which minister daily, if you will one scruple at a time.  
These pills 〈◊〉 most resist putrefaction, and have a very great virtue against the infecting of the pestilent air.  
Blood-letting also is very wholesome for young folk, and such as 〈◊〉 great store o● blood, for it doth much cool the state of the body, and bringeth it to a moderate hear, and letteth out the corrupt humours, which do make the body more subject to infection: blood-letting is very necessary in the time of infection, and doth much profit, and preserve health.  
Also it is very 〈◊〉 to be too passionate or melancholy: for the passions of sadness, Anger, hatred, fear, great cares, and heavy thoughts and sighing, do much distemper the body and make it 〈…〉 to withstand the infection: but on the contrary it is very good to use joy and mirth with temperance.   

Signs to know the infected.  
Having before showed the natural and original causes of the plague and pestilence, with the best means for the preservation of a man's self from it, we will proceed and show, first the ●●gnes whereby a man may best judge of himself, whether he be already infected, or not, and the means to cure the ●●ck.  
As concerning the signs that declare one to be already infe●●●●, they are many.  
First when the outward members are cold, and the inward parts burning hot, when there is a pain and heaviness of the head, and a great inclination to keep. A weariness, heaviness, and difficulty in breathing. A sadness and carefulness of the mind: a change of countenance, with a frowning look of the eyes: loss of stomach and appetite: immoderate thirst and often vomiting: a bitterness and dryness of the mouth: The Pulse frequent, small and deep, the urine troublous, thick, and stinking like beasts urine.  
The surest token of all to know the infected of the plague, is▪ if there do arise and engender botches behind the ears, or under the armholes, or about the share: or also if Carbuncles do arise in any member suddenly, for when they do appear they betoken strength of Nature: Which being strong and mighty, doth labour to drive the poison out of the body, but if botches do not appear, it is more perilous and dangerous: for it betokeneth that nature is weak and feeble, and not able to expel and drive out the venomous humours, and then you must have respect to the signs before rehearsed.  
Also 〈◊〉 botches which do appear, they do declare which members of the body be infected above any other, and do ●●rust out venomous humours from them.  
The infection of the plague entereth into a man in this 〈◊〉.  
In a 〈◊〉 are three principal parts (that i●) the heart, liver, and arms, and each of the●● hath his cleansing place: Therefore if they do appear in the neck, they do show the brains to be chiefly vexed: if under the armholes, the heart, but if they appear in the share, the liver is most infected.  
For a man having taken same venom, it is mingled with the blood, and runs to the heart, which is the chief part of man: and the heart by kind putteth the venom to his cleansing place which is the armholes▪ and it being stopped, putteth to the next principal part, that is the Liver, and it passeth it to his cleansing place which is the Ihigh-holes or share: Likewise they b●ing stopped, pass it to the next principal place (that is) the arms, and to their cleansing places which are under the ears, or under the throat, and they being stopped, suffer it not to pass out, th●● it is 〈◊〉 xii. hours before it rest in any place, and if it be 〈◊〉 let out within the space of xxiiii. hours by bleeding, it casts a man into an ague, and maketh a bot●● in one of the three places, or near them.   

The cure of the infected of the plague.  
The best way to cure the plague is in this, when thou findest thyself to be infected, and feelest the blood flickering, bleed in the first hour, or within six hours after drink not, 〈◊〉 tarry not above twelve hours from bleeding, for when thy blood is so flickering, the venom is then moving and not yet settled, and after it is to late: those that are fat may be let bl●●d, or else not.  
If the matter be gathered under the armholes, it comes from the heart by the vein cardiall, then bleed on the same side: on the innermost vain of the arm commonly called B●sollica: but bleed not on both sides, except it be in both armholes, for that is dangerous, and loss of good blood.  
And if the boch doth appear behind the ears, or above the 〈◊〉, or in any other parts of the face, or neck, you must let blo●d out of vein Cephali●a, on the same side let blood with c●pping glasse● for that is the best, or a horse ●each, or horse 〈◊〉.  
But if the botch appear in the share, you must then bleed in the ●●uckle of the same 〈◊〉, and then in any case bleed not in the Arm, for it will draw up the matter again.  
But if there appear no botch outwardly, you must then draw blood out of the same side where is felt the greatest pain and heaviness, and out of which vein the pain & grief of the members afflicted will declare.  
For if the members above the breast be most grieved and afflicted, cut the Cephalica vein. But if the parts about the neck be most grieved, bleed in the Basillica, or middle vain.  
And if the neither parts be most grieved and vexed bl●●d in the ham or ankles. And if nature be strong, and other things not letting draw out blood abundantly.  
But if through age or for other causes you may not use bl●●d letting, than you must fasten cupping glasses and 〈◊〉 them.  
And if you perceive the pestilence to infect or invade you at meat, or upon a full stomach, then vomit straightway, and when the body and stomach is empty, then take some medicine that can resist poison as methrydate or treacle.  
When the patient hath taken some medicines that will expel the venom, lay him in a warmed bed, being made with soft she●●s, and well covered with clothes, that there he may sweat well, for the space of four or five hours, or more, according to his strength. But if by this means you can scarcely provoke him to sweat, you may use some other means, as by the heating of tiles, and laying them hot to the feet of the patient, or with stone bottles filled with hot water, and being close stopped with cork, that the water spill not, and so put into the bed to the sick, they will by their beat provoke him readily to sweat. And all the time the sick doth sweat, you must take heed that he neither sleep, eat, nor drink.  
And after he hath sweat, you must wipe diligently off the sweat, with very clean and fine linen clothes. Then afterward let the sick rise from his bed, if he either will or can: But let him not come into the open air, but eschew it as much as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Also let the air of the chamber in the which the sick doth ●ie, be 〈◊〉 and amended and purified with odometrous things and wi●h sweet smelling perfumes, such as are before declared.  
Lastly, the principal 〈◊〉 whole body bring cleansed by bleeding, or cupping and sweeting, the patient must be very ●ary, and measurable in his diet, for in the 〈…〉 which is accidental to this sickness: it is good to eat 〈◊〉 flesh but little chickens 〈◊〉 with fresh water, but it is best to give 〈◊〉 him the breath of a chicken two or three hours after he ha●● 〈◊〉, and often, according to his strength, for the sick and weak must be nourished and refreshed by little and little: If the breath have in it the juice of lemons, oranges, ●eriuice, or vinegar, it is the better.   

preservatives against the Plague or Pestilence.  
TAke 〈…〉 and 〈◊〉, of each a little, and lay them in a little Vinegar, then take a sponge and wet it therein, and this you 〈◊〉 carry about you in a 〈◊〉 or any thing else, to smell thereon, and this will preserve you from the infected.   

Another.  
ALso take Angelli●s root, and hold in your mouth, for it is excellent 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 keep your body that no corrupted air came therein: likewise 〈◊〉 pills is very good to hold in your mouth, or Cloves.   

Another.  
IT is good to keep the head and stomach clean p●●ged, and not to overlay it with eating and drinking, nor to eat gross meats, but to abstain from all manner of 〈◊〉 and gross meats, and to purge yourself as oft as you can with some gentle purge, as 〈◊〉 pills, or such like.   

Another excellent preservative.  
TAke a Fig or a Walnut, and in a morning fasting, take a little Rew and a corn of bay salt, and eat them together, 〈◊〉 this will preserve you, that you need not fear the infection.   

Another preservative by purging the blood.  
TAke in your pottage, Buglase, B●rr●ge, Suckory, ●ettyse, and such like herbs: It shall be also very good at your meat to eat the inside of a ●ytteron, with a little ●nger, at morning, at noon, and at night when you got to bed: and it would be very good to wash your hands, and to bathe your temples & your pulses with Vinegar Rosset, and it would be good to perfume your houses with Vinegar and Rew upon a tile stone being heated in the fire: it is very good to hold your head over it: it is excellent good to keep your body that no infected air enter therein.   

A proved Remedy for the plague.  
TAKE an Oinion, and cut him overthwart, or a sunder, then make a little hole in each piece, the which ye shall fill with fine treacle and set the pieces together again, then wrap them in a wet linen cloth, cutting it as you would a warden and so roast him in the embers, seeing it be covered with embers, and when it is roasted enough, stra●●e out all the juice thereof, and give the patient a spoonful thereof to drink, and it will heal him by the grace of God.  
Take sorrel and lay it in steep in vinegar a day, & then 〈…〉, & when the patient feeleth himself 〈◊〉, give him a draft thereof, and 〈◊〉 he brook it, two or three hours after give him more thereof to drink, and by the grace of God he shallbe healed.   

Another for these that feel themselves infected.  
TAKE Card●●s Benedictus, the leaf, and dry it, than beat it to powder, and give the patient to drink of it, and then let him sweat, and it will heal him by the grace of God.   

A preservative.  
TAKE London Treakel, which you shall have▪ at divers apothecary's shops, in London, which do make it themselves▪