HELPS FOR SUDDEN ACCIDENTS Endangering Life. By which Those that live far from Physicians or Surgeons may happily preserve the Life of a poor Friend or Neighbour, till such a Man may be had to perfect the Cure. Collected out of the best Authors for the general Good, By STEPHEN BRADWELL. Physician. LONDON, Printed by THOMAS PURFOOT, for T. S. and are to be sold by Henry Overton in Popes-head Alley. 1633. To the Charitable READER. THou, that imitating the Good Samaritan, hast never a hand, but what is ever ready to help thy grieved Neighbour. Take thou this little Labour, to make thy Charitic greater. And know, that the main motive which made my Pen for this work, was my observation of Man; who is called A little World, or (if you will) A Globe in plano; delineated with all those fair & fruitful Kingdoms of virtues, and sweet proportions which beautify both Mind, and Body. Yet withal, those boundless Oceans of fatal Accidents (whose merciless and sudden billows threaten still to confound him) make him but A World of Miseries. Time's Footmen run not so fast on their sandy errands, as mischances in full careers rush upon us. All the joys we possess by day (if they hold it out) vanish with the day. All our Glories are Sunbeams but of a waterish shining. Our Clocks of Health seldom go true; those of Death, more certain than believed. We are owners of no content but sleep; and yet even that blessing is subject to distraction: for our very Dreams do often prove Diseases, and affright us. Nor do these uncertain winds blow down Signposts only, blast the Common sort alone: But from head to foot, the Statues even of PRINCES are sometimes riven with these thunders. To bring a Catalogue of all those Great Ones Histories testify to have died by Poison, Drowning, and other Accidents in this Treatise specified; would make this preface (like the Cates of Mindus) too big for this Book. Let it suffice, that not only the Sun and Moon oft suffer Eclipses; but all the lesser Stars in their brightest glories are often clouded with Mischances. We see then on what a ticklish needles point our Pleasure's dance; and when they fall off, with what a nimble foot Calamities leap into their places. Let it not then be held a worthless Work to bring defensive furniture against such Sudden Incursions. And if the Cedars for all their wealthy timber be sometimes over-turned with Tempests: have not the lower Trees that fill the Land with fruit (the Husbandmen I mean) much more need of succour in such storms? It is their way chiefly that I strew with these flowers of Recovery. If others gather some, and find their sweetness, I hope their virtues will teach such virtuously to loath Ingratitude. For the Poor (whose wants double their Pains, and yet their Painstaking makes their natural strength easily repayrable) I have brought easy and common Medicines. But before the Rich (whose pampered lives make mischances more difficult, both to be endured and cured) I have laid open Remedies of richer value. In all which I have here and there stuck some Observations of mine own. The Work is but little; but my Labour was the greater so to compile it; that as every one may need it, so every man may be able to buy it. I have likewise written it in a plain style, that every one also may understand it. Hoping therefore that these my Labours shall (by GOD'S blessing) be beneficial to thee, of what estate or degree soever thou art; I rest Ready with my best skill to do thee all healthful Service, STEPH. BRADWELL. A Table of the Contents of every Chapter in this BOOK. CHAPTER I. Prevention of Mischief by Poisons eaten or drunk. CHAPTER II. A General way of Curing such as are hurt by Inward Poisons. CHAPTER III. A more Particular way of Cure; wherein is touched the eating of Mushrooms, Muskles, and Perewinckles. CHAPTER FOUR Serpents or Worms crept into the Body. CHAP. V. Poisonous Humours spurting or dropping out of the wounded bodies of venomous creatures, and lighting upon a Man's skin. CHAP. VI Certain General Notions for the Help of such as are Stung or Bitten by venomous Beasts. CHAPTER VII. The General Method of Preventing, and Curing all venomous Stinging and Bite. CHAP. VIII. Stinging of Hornets, Bees, and Wasps. CHAP. IX. Bitings of Adders, Slow-wormes, Efts, the Shrew-Mouse, and other such venomous Beasts. CHAP. X. The Biting of a Mad Dog. CHAPTER XI. Bitings of Creatures not venomous, yet in some Constitutions apt to turn into venom. CHAP. XII. Inward or Outward Bruises by a fall from an high place. CHAP. XIII. For those that are almost Strangled by a Halter, Garter, or such like means. CHAP. XIIII. For such as are almost Drowned and stifled in Water. CHAP. XV. For those that are Choked with Smoke of new kindled Coals in a close Room. CHAP. XVI. For such as are Suffocated with Stinking Smells. CHAP. XVII. For things Sticking in the Throat. CHAP. XVIII. For Scaldings with Water, Oil, Lie, Milk, or any other Liquor. As also for Burnings with Fire, Gunpowder, Lime, or such like. HELPS FOR SUDDEN ACCIDENTS. CHAPTER I. Prevention of mischief by Poisons eaten or drunk. Divers Physic Authors have invented various rules to prevent Poisoning, by suspecting their food and company: But those are all false lights, and uncertain; poisoning the mind many times with causeless jealousies, till the passions break out into sore afflictions of one's own self, and contagious infections of some others purer reputations. Therefore (that I may be no abettor of other men's errors) my counsel shall be; First, and principally to rely upon the provident mercy of GOD to watch over and keep us; And in the second place, to rest upon the use of good Antidotes only. Such as are, Common Antidotes. Mithridate, Andromachus or London-Treacle, Confectio Alkermes, and Confectio Liberans. These are always ready in every well furnished Apothecaries shop. Of any of which, you may take every morning fasting the quantity of a Hasell nut: and that either simply by themselves, or else in some Broth, or Posset drink: or, if your stomach through coldness and ill digestion require it, in white Wine sweetened with a little Sugar. Or else use the plain, but anciently applauded Antidote. Take two Walnuts, Mithridates' Antidote. two Figs cut in two, twenty leaves of Rue, and a little Salt. Beat all together in a Mortar to a pulp, and eat it in the morning fasting. In praise of which these Verses were written. Armatusque cibo tali, quascunque veneno Quilibet insidias sibi tenderet▪ haud metuehat. He that with such a Poyson-proofe was armed, Feared not that day by Poison to be harmed. Avicen makes it thus. Take of Walnut kernels two parts, Another way. dried Figs and Salt, of each 5. parts, and of dried Rue twenty parts. Of which Rhasis saith that it will make one vomit up any unwholesome food received that day after it. You may also apply this Outward Medicine, which is an approved one. Take half a halfpenny loaf newly drawn out of the Oven, make it hollow in the middle of the crummy side, and fill it with Treacle and Vinegar, while it is hot apply and tie it to the Navel. It both preserveth the body; and draweth out the venom (if any be within) be it of what kind soever. I have an excellent Antidote of mine own, The Author's Antidote. if any will be pleased to come to me for it. CHAPTER II. A general way of Curing such as are hurt by inward Poisons. IF any be Poisoned, How to know if one be poisoned or no. Aëtius (Tetrab. 4. Serm. 1. cap. 47.) saith it will appear by these signs. Not long after the taking of it, there will come either a sudden coughing, or vomiting of bloody and stinking stuff, or trouble in making water, or some pain within the body, or vehement heat, or gnawing within the stomach or guts, or else some sudden numbness: also prickings in the flesh, trembling of the limbs, Hicket or Yex, Convulsions or Cramps; break out of the skin into blisters, biles or scabs; filthy spots, or foul and unnatural colour of the skin; swelling either all over, or else of some part of the body; streitnesse of breath, much filthy vomiting, and in those vomits sometimes the very plain appearance of some part of the Poison. If any of these (saith he) happen to a healthy man suddenly upon his meat, this man is to be judged infected with Poison. And then must this course following be observed. First, you must endeavour to fetch the Poison out by the same way it was taken in. As, if it were eaten, or drunk; by vomit: If in a clyster or Suppository; by a clyster again it must be purged out. If by a Fume, by a cordial Perfume it must be encountered, and conquered. If by the mouth it were received, whatsoever kind of Poison it be, before it be digested further than the stomach (if it may be time enough found) give the party a great draught of some fat broth; or Oil and child's urine; Vomits. or else Sweet Butter and Water, with two or three spoonfuls of the juice of Radish roots in it. Give one of these bloud-warme, to make him vomit. If the first vomit fail, give the second, and so the third if the second fail. And if they work not of themselves quickly, provoke them further by putting the finger into his throat, or a feather dipped in rank Oil, or in Oil of Linseed. But if it have gotten into the guts (which will appear by the gnawing and gripings) give him a sharp clyster. As Take Mallows, A clyster. Violet leaves, Mercury, Beets, of each a handful; Aniseeds, Fenell-seeds, Caraway-seeds, of each a spoonful bruised; the flowers of Violets, Bugloss, borage, Damask Roses, and Camomile, of each half a handful. Boil all well in a sufficient quantity of fair Water. Then strain it; and to three quarters of a pint of the liquor, put an ounce of Diacatholicon, These Purging Medicines may be had at the Apothecaries. and three drams of Diacolocynthis. Three ounces of Honey and a knife's poynt-full of Salt. Mix all together, and give it Lukewarm. And if, while it is yet in the stomach, a vomit or two, or at the most three bring not away the Poison (which will appear by the ease the party receiveth) then give him a strong Purgation, such as this: Take of Mallows, A Purging Potion. Violet leaves, of each one handful. The flowers of Violets, borage, Bugloss, Damask Roses, of each half a handful. Aniseeds, and fennel seeds bruised, of each half a spoonful. Liquorice scraped and sliced a quarter of an ounce. Boil all together in a sufficient quantity of half Water half white wine. Then having strained it, Take a quarter of a pint of the liquor; to which put Hiera of Coloquintida and Diacatholico, of each three drams; Syrup of Roses solutive, and Syrup of Wormwood, of each half an ounce, or a little spoonful. Mix all well together, and give it as a Purgation. Those that are of good ability may have this Mass of Pills made by some skilful Apothecary for them, to keep by them against a time of need. Rs. Pills. Alos rosatae unc. ij. Myrrhae extractae cum aq. vitae drach. vi. extracti croci drach. iij. rhabarbari electi drach. ij. agarici trochiscati drach. i. ss. turbith albi & gummosi drach. i. scammonij rosati sorup. ij. ss. Ambrae griseae scrup. ij. moschi grana x. Cum syr. ros. soluti. q. s. fiat Massa. Take at once the weight of six pence or nine pence, as need requireth; being form and rolled into Pills of a fit bigness for the Patient to swallow. If it be a Child, A Gentle Potion for weak ones. or a weak body; make a quarter of a pint of plain Posset-ale, wherein is boiled a few sweet Fenell seeds bruised: adding to it an ounce of the black pulp of Cassia fistula. Mix all well together, and let the party drink it off. If there be torments in the guts, A mild clyster. this may be given in way of a Glister also, adding only some course Sugar. In this case likewise, when the venom appeareth much and violent, you must give a clyster besides the Purgation; yea clyster upon clyster, as soon as one ceaseth to work giving another, (though they be twenty in a day) till all complaints cease. That is, till neither evil taste, smell, vomitings, or gripings within the body remain, to show that any relics of the venom are yet left. If the stomach and guts complain of a burning heat; Note. to qualify the stomach, drink Posset-Ale boiled with sweet Fenell-seeds, and mixed with Cassia, as before-said: and for the guts, this Suppository following. Take of Hiera of Coloquintida ij. A Suppositorie. drams: a little Salt, and a sufficient quantity of Honey. He ate them together softly on the fire, till the lump come to a sufficient hardness; then roll it up in form of a Suppository, and anointing it with salad-oil, or sweet-Butter, administer it. Now, What is to be done after Purging. when by Vomits, Glisters, Suppositories, and other Purging Medicines before described, the venomous matter appeareth drawn away; in that the body feeleth no more of those torments and troubles it was before afflicted with: then let the party drink a draught of warm milk mixed with Honey. And if sharp Glisters have been often used before, let him take also one clyster of milk and Honey; or of some fat broth to wash away the relics of the sharpness and biting quality left in the guts and stomach. In the mean time, to defend the brain, heart, and liver from infection of the venomous vapours that will hasten to those noble parts; A Plaster. Take Conserve of Barrage-flowers, Mithridate, and London-Treacle, of each a like quantity: Mix them well together, and spread all thick upon a piece of Leather of a hand-breadth every way, and lay it well warmed betwixt the Paps. Take also, A Fomentation. of Red Roses three handfuls; Sage, Betony, Rosemarie-tops, Rue, Wormwood, of each a handful; Tormentill-roots, and Gentian-rootes, of each cleansed and sliced thin, half a handful. Boil all these in a sufficient quantity of white wine, half water, till a third part be boiled away. In this liquor dip woollenclouts, then wring out the liquor from them, and apply one cloth reasonable hot to the mould of the head; and another all over the stomach. And when these clouts wax dry, dip them again in the same liquor well warmed, wring them, and apply them as before. Thus, having rid the body of all evil Accidents; you must root out all the relics of poison yet left behind, lest they remaining still, beget as dangerous, though not so sudden or violent an issue. Therefore, then betake yourself to Antidotes. Such as are named in the first Chapter, for Praevention; but their Doses must be doubled. In way of Cure, these also that follow are especially commended against all kinds of Poisons whatsoever. Viz. The Hoof of an Ox cut into parings, Antidotes against any kind of Poison. and boiled with bruised Mustardseed in white Wine and fair Water. The Blood of a Malard drunk fresh and warm: or else dried to powder, and so drunk in a draught of white Wine. The Blood of a Stag also in the same manner. The Seeds of Rue, and the leaves of Betony boiled together in white Wine. Or, Take ij. Scruples (that is, forty grains) of Mithridate; of prepared Crystal one dram (that is, threescore grains) fresh Butter one ounce. Mix all well together: Swallow it down by such quantities as you can swallow at once; and drink presently upon it a quarter of a pint of the decoction of French Barley; or so much six shillings Beer. Of this I have had happy proof. There is also another excellent course to be taken (besides all these) by those of ability, A way of Sweeting described by Mathiolus. and that is; Take a sound horse, open his belly alive, take our all his entrayles quickly, and put the poisoned party naked into it, all save his head, while the body of the horse retains his natural heat: and there let him sweat well. This may be held a strange course: but the same reason that teacheth to divide live Pullet's and Pigeon for Plague-sores, approveth this way of Sweeting as most apt to draw to itself all poisons from the heart & principal parts of the Patient's body. But during this time of Sweeting, he must defend his brain by wearing on his head a Quilt thus made. Take Cynnamom, A Nightcap to preserve the Brain. Nutmegs, Cloves, all the Saunders, of each half an ounce. Roots of Angelica, Tormentill, white Dittany, and Valerian, of each one ounce. Dried Sage, Rosemary, Balm, of each half a handful; and of Redrose leaves dried two handfuls. Make all these into a gross Powder, and Quilt them up in Sarsnet or Calico; and let it be so big as to cover all the head like a Cap: Then bind it on fast with a kerchief. In all this time, What Diet he is to use. the Patient's diet is not the least to be thought upon which must be new Milk from the Cow, His meat. fresh Butter, Salad Oil, fat Broths of Mutton or Veal, or of fresh Beef. For fat things stop the vessels, & hinder the course of the Poison to the principal parts. In his broths also boil these herbs; Burnet, bugloss, borage, and wild Time. He must reside in a clear air, Air. or else have the Air rectified with perfumes, and those must be temperate and mild, not too full of fume, lest they suffocate his Spirits. I need not set down any; every one knoweth the use of Rose-water, juniper, Rosemary, Bays, and Frankincense: Let him be ever smelling to Rosemary rubbed in one's hand; to juniper- berries a little bruised, Lemons stuck with Cloves, Myrrh, Storax, or Lignum Aloës. He must sleep little: Sleep. for sleep draws the venom to the centre of the body; but watching drives it to the outward parts. As for Thirst; Drink. let him bear it as much as he can: But if it afflict past sufferance, let him drink (now and then) new milk turned with Vinegar into Posset-drinke. CHAPTER III. A more Particular way of Cure; wherein is touched the eating of Mushrooms, Muskles, and Perewinckles. THough I intent not to discover the particular nature of every Poison (which might be a way to instruct evil minds in evil purposes) yet without some distinction, Distinction of Poisons. I shall take much pains to little purpose. Therefore this general difference must be made known; namely, that there are Poisons both Hot and Cold: and their Cures are as different as their Complexions. Therefore, In Hot Poisons. if the Poison taken, be hot (as will appear by the Accidents that will follow; viz. Bitings, Prickings, and Gnawing within; extreme Heats, Burnings, inflammations and Hot Swellings Inward or Outward) Then the Glisters must be gentle. As thus, Take Mallows and Violet leaves, A Gentle clyster. of each two handfuls; French Barley one handful, Camomill-flowers half a handful. Boil them in a sufficient quantity of fair water till the third part of the water be boiled away. Then srayne it, & to three quarters of a pint of the strained liquor, put an ounce of Diacatholicon (or for the richer sort, an ounce of Cassia Fistula newly drawn) and three ounces of Course Sugar (or else Honey of Roses two ounces) and a little Salt. Eat fat Broths, with coolehearbs boiled in them, Diet. as, borage, Bugloss, Violet leaves; & likewise French Barley; with juice of Lemons, the tartness being taken off with Sugar or Honey; as also Sorrell so corrected. Give the Patient leave to sleep, Sleep. if he can; but enforce it not. And for his Antidotes, Antidotes. use Mithridate mixed with Conserve of Roses. Or else Take of Diamargariton frigidum, one dran; of oxymel fimplex one ounce, and Carduus water three ounces. Mix them together, and let him drink it. In all other points keep him as is taught before. But if the Poison be of a Cold nature, Cold Poisons. which will appear by coldness within or without, or both; numbness, fullness, dulness, and drowsiness. Then use Vomits, shape Glisters, and the like, as are appointed in the precedent Chapter. Keep him from Sleeping. Waking. Make him sneeze often with powder of strong Tobacco blown up into his nose with a quill: Neezing. or if the Tobacco alone will not do it; mix a little powder of Euphorbium with it. Rub his Breast, Frication. Sides, Back, and Limbs with warm woollen clothes. Speak much to him, Stirring. and enforce him to stir his body as much as may be. Sweat. Endeavour also to make him Sweat: to which purpose you may use this Medicine following. Take one dram of Gentianroote in fine Powder, with two or three grains of Bezoar-stone. Give it in a little draught of Carduus Posset-drinke made with white wine and a little Vinegar. Give it hot, and cover him well with clothes, ordering him so before, in, and after sweeting, that he take no cold; neither eat, nor drink in five or six hours after. Let his Antidotes be Andromachus or London-Treacle. Antidotes. With his meat, Meat and Thirst. boil Garlic, Onions, Balm, and Sweet Fenel-seeds. And let him endure Thirst as long as he possibly can. In all otherthings, order him as occasion shall serve or require, according to the prescriptions in the Chapter before. Some, Mushrooms. out of wantonness, and apish imitation of Strangers, have learned to eat Mushrooms, commonly called Toadstools: which is an excressence of the earth's superfluity, not void of a venomous quality; though some are less hurtful than others, and to some constitutions, little or nothing at all apparently offensive. I knew a Mountebank in Devonshire, A Story teaching the Cure. that persuaded many to the use of them; whereof two (the one a young man, and the other a woman) to the hazard of their lives were over-taken with his Cookery. To the young man, I gave this Medicine, two drams of Hens-dung dried and powdered; fair water, white wine, & Vinegar, of each half a quarter of a pint, with half an ounce of Honey. All mixed together he drank it, vomited, had also two stools, and so recovered. The woman, being his mother, and seeing me use the dung, conjured me to give her some other Medicine that was more cleanly. Whereupon I made her go to her well warmed bed; & then gave I her a draught of Posset-ale wherein pennyroyal was boiled, to which I put a little Aqua Vitae and Salt Peter: She hereupon did Sweat abundantly, and recovered. Others there are, Muskles & Perewinckles. that out of an Antipathy to their Constitution, are directly poisoned if they eat Muskles: others again are in the like case with Perewinckles. I have seen some with Muskles swelled, and spotted all over. In which case, after a Vomit, and a clyster (such as are before described in the second Chapter) I gave this Antidote following. I took Terra Sigillata (for want of terra Lemnia, which I account the better) and juniper berries, of each a like quantity; made them into fine Powder: And of this Powder I took the weight of half a dram, & with a sufficient quantity of fresh Butter, made a Bolus or lump, which the Patient swallowed: and after the third time (which was done every 12. hours) he recovered. And in five days was perfectly well. CHAPTER FOUR Serpents or Worms crept into the Body. THough it happeneth very rarely; A Snake, Est, or Siowworm crept into the stomach. yet sometimes it hath so fortuned, that some lying asleep on the grass with their mouth open (as many do sleep so) have had a Snake, some an Est, one had a Slowworm crept in at his mouth into his Body: Any of these will much torment a man; but especially the last: Because therefore, I have known many take delight to sleep on the grass in the fields; and since such an accident may happen, I thought it not amiss to teach a help for the same. While it is yet in the Stomach, labour by vomiting to cast it out. If that prevail not, Take the juice of Rue mixed with your own urine: and drink a draught of it: and if need require, drink divers of these draughts one within an hour of another. Marcus Gatinaria commended the smoke of burnt old shoes received in at the mouth through a Funnel: A Viper. Telling of a man that had in vain tried many other Medicines; and with the use of this, avoided a Viper downward. This Mizaldus recordeth in Centur. 8. Num. 94. Some enforced through great thirst in the heat of Summer to drink of any water next to hand, A Horseleech. have in their greediness swallowed a Horseleech; which being in the throat, and finding itself in a place full of such food as it loved; fell to sucking of blood there; which must needs be a great torture to the Party. For which Accident, I find in Authentical Authors these Remedies following. The juice of Willow leaves drunk, hath the property of vexing that creature; making him let go his hold; and so the party, enforcing himself to vomit, may cast it out. Assa faetida dissolved in Vinegar, & the throat therewith gargled (if it be not gone down into the stomach) will do the like. But if it be gone down so low, drink a draught of white wine wherein Garlic is boiled. Or else, Take half a dram of Aloës Succotrina powdered in a draught of white wine or wormwood Beer. If an Earwig or other like creature chance to get into the Ear; Earwigs. Blow the smoke of Tobacco through a pipe into the ear. Or, Take the juices of Wormwood and Southernwood, of each a like quantity; mix them, warm them, and drop a little into the Eare. CHAP. V. Poisonous Humours spurting or dropping out of the wounded bodies of venomous creatures, and lighting upon a Man's bare skin. THus have some been outwardly poisoned. My self while I was a Student in Cambridge, was so hurt by the spurting of a venomous humour from the body of a great Toad into my face, while I pashed him to death with a brickbat. Some of the moisture lighted on my right eye, which did not a little endanger it, and hath made it ever since apt to receive any flux of Rheum or Inflammation. Others I have known to receive like harm from a Spider's juice. The skin that it toucheth swelleth and groweth red and painful. The mischief of this, may be prevented by presently washing & bathing the place for half an hour or an hour with the juice of Rue, and the distilled water of St. john's Wort, or with Plantain water, mixed with Andromachus-Treacle, & a drop or two of Oil of Aniseeds. Hereunto I may add the Stinging & Blistering of Gnats, Blistering of Gnats, Ants, and Nettles. Ants, and Nettles. Though no danger doth follow this Accident; yet we may avoid the temporary trouble: By fomenting the place with the juice of Lavender Cotton: or else anointing it with Salad Oil and Wood ashes. Or, Take Nettleseeds and Aniseeds, of each a like quantity, bruise them, and steep them in Salad Oil in a glass with something a wide mouth: set it in the Sun in Summer time for a month together. Anoint the place with it. Oil of Aniseeds will do it also. CHAP. VI Certain General Notions for the Help of such as are Stung or Bitten by venomous Beasts. AS there are diverse kinds of Creatures that sting or bite venomously; What Beasts are most venomous. so are the mischiefs different that break forth from their venomous natures. For the Hornet hath a more venomous Sting than the Bee or Wasp. So the Biting of the Adder (which is a kind of Viper) or of the Slowworm (which some also call the Blind-worm) is more dangerous, than of the Est, or Shrew-mouse. As for the Snake; The Snake doth no harm. I know by experience, that he hath neither sting nor tooth to offend with; though his likeness to the Adder at first sight, hath long deterred people from so near acquaintance, as to take notice of his innocence. Likewise the Stings and Teeth of the living Creatures are more pernicious than those of the dead: Living are more venomous than dead Beasts. because native heat, that ministereth spirit to the venom, maketh the venomous substance more thin and subtle; as also more active and piercing. Furthermore, More or less venomous by Sex; Age; the Female of every kind is more fierce, and more dangerously venomous, than the Male: the young, than the old: And those that live in rocks, Place of living. mountains, and dry places, than they that breed in fens, moors, marshes, & such moist grounds. Moreover, Feeding. those that feed upon other venomous Creatures, are more pernicious upon the eating of that food; As the Adder when he hath eaten a Toad. And require stronger Antidotes and in greater quantity than others. Also, Engendering at the time of their engendering, they are more cursed, and full of poison, & than at other times. And in Summer time, Time of the Year. all these are more deadly, than in Winter: For the venomous hidden is more deadly, than the manifest quality; the thin, than the thick matter; and the hot, than the cold temperature. To which we may add, Aptness of the Body offended. the more or less aptness of disposition & constitution of the body by any of these so offended. For those men or women that are of a hot temperament; having many and great veins outwardly apparent, and thereupon their pores more open; are much more apt to receive the venom even speedily to the Liver and Heart: than those, that (being of a cold constitution) have small veins, and strait pores, through which the poison hath but slow passage. Lastly, Fasting make these Accidents the more dangerous. those that are stung or bitten while they are yet fasting, and their stomach empty; are in more danger than they that are full fed. For when the veins and vessels are empty, they do greedily suck in any matter that is administered; yea, though nature abhor the quality, because at that time she minds only the supply of quantity (as is apparent in those that are extreme thirsty; for they will drink a great draught before they regard or find the taste) whereas those that have fed, & filled the veins to the satisfaction of quantity; their vital spirits are thereby made the more strong, and able to resist and repel the fierceness of the venomous quality. With these few general Notions, I have thought good to acquaint such, whose understandings are able to make use of them; that they may lend their helping hand to those that need them, with the more judgement and dexterity. CHAPTER VII. The General Method of Preventing, and Curing all venomous Stinging and Bite. PRevention is only two ways: Prevention. By having an eye to all places where they are likely to be abroad: And by driving them from the place of a man's habitation. All venomous Creatures are driven from the house by these fumes and washings following. Fume your rooms with the smoke of Hartshorn shave, burnt in a chasing-dish or firepanne: or the shave of sheep's hooves: or the parings of old shoes. Wash the walls with the Gaul of any beast boiled a little in water: or the decoction of Rue or Wormwood: or Assa faetida: or Coloquintida boiled in water. But in the Cure; The first point of Cure. The first thing is to pluck out the Sting, if there be any: and presently after, anoint the place with Honey: If with that it assuage not. Mix Mithridate with your Honey, & annoyt it again: or Honey and Treacle of Andromachus. If the prick or wound be large enough, wash it with urine, or salted water, or sharp Vinegar, or else with white wine: in any of which, dissolve Mithridate or old Treacle of Andromachus; which being mixed together, heat it good & hot, and so wash the place well, rubbing it as hard as the patient may endure it, to draw the venom from running inward. Some do presently burn the wound with a hot Needle or Bodkin: Actual Cautery. and it is the best way, both to consume the venomous matter before it go further, and also to keep the orifine open, which must be so kept, till there be no likelihood of venom left in the affected part. Upon this burning, there will grow a crusty scab, round about which the place must be scarified with the sharp point of a Penknife, that the corrupted blood may have issue. And when the scab is grown dry, you must anoint it with fresh Butter alone, or fresh Hog's grease mixed with it, & having so loosened it, take it off. All which time, the part must be often washed with such a mixture as I praescribed before: And round about the wound, over all the swollen part lay a Plaster made of Turpentine, Wax, black Pitch, and Pitch of Burgundy: And into the wound put some Lint dipped in Vnguentum Basilicon, mixed with a little burnt Alum, to keep the wound open. But if the hurt be in the face, the actual Cautery or hot iron must not be used, for fear of leaving a scar and blemish in the face for ever after. Therefore in stead of that way; let some body presently suck the wound with his mouth: Sucking of the wound. which also is very good; but it must be done with these Caveats. First, 1. Caution. the sucker must take heed he have no sore, blister, nor rawness in any part of his mouth, tongue, gums, throat, or lips; for than he endangereth himself, by sucking venomous matter into places prepared to entertain the infection of it. Secondly, 2 before he suck, he must wash his mouth, first three or four times with white wine wherein Mithridate or old Andromachus Treacle is dissolved; and after, with salad-oil. Thirdly, 3 he must be careful, that he presently spit out all that he sucketh into his mouth, and let none of it go down his throat: lest while he physic another, he poison himself. Lastly, 4 when he hath sucked out all the venom; let him again wash his mouth three or four times with the like washing, as before he sucked. And to conclude, let him drink a little draught of the same, to prevent all evil chances. But if no man will venture thus to suck: Application of Pullet's. Take a Pullet or Cockerell, bore his rump, and rub the fundament well with Salt; then hold it close to the wound, holding his beak closed with your hand, and giving him breath but now and then, only to keep him alive; and his fundament will draw out the venom. If one die, take another; and so continue till one of the creatures outlive the labour. Then may you be sure the venom is clean drawn out. Some apply Horseleeches to the wound, if it be very small. But sometimes it is so big, (as when an Adder or Slowworm hath entered many teeth; or when a mad dog hath made it) that the fundament of such a creature before named cannot compass it. Then take a Pullet or a Pigeon, and divide it alive, and apply it (while it is full of life's heat) upon the wounded and grieved place (which must be scarified beforehand) that the vital heat of that creature may draw the venom through the scarifications. Let it be therefore bound on, and kept there, till it be even cold; and then apply another, and so another; till (by assuaging of all pains, and swelling without, as also by the quietness and quickness of the spirits within) the patient appear freed from all poison us offence. Then apply Garlic fried with sweet Butter or salad Oil: to make sure that no remainder of mischief be behind: for it is an excellent outward Medicine against all both Stinging and Bite that are venomous. When all this is done, and now it is sure that all the venom is perfectly drawn forth; If the wound be big, How to heal the wound. it must be healed up with some good Balsam as a green wound. But if it be but a prick, it will soon heal itself, so it be but kept from the air. But besides these outward Helps, the Patient must taken inward Antidotes also. And of such I have spoken in the first Chapter. This is sufficient for the general course; Now we must come to a more particular way of Cure. CHAP. VIII. Stinging of Hornets, Bees, and Wasps. SOmetimes these creatures leave not their sting in the place, but when they do, the first course is to pick it out: And then, if it be a Hornet, as it is the more dangerous, so there must be the more care had of it. If the Sting will not easily be gotten out, Stinging of Hornets. lay to it a poultis made of leaven, wood-ashes, and salad Oil mixed together. Or bathe it with Child's urine good and hot. And when it is out, wash the wound with a little water & salt mixed with the juice of Rue. Then burn it, or else suck it as was said before: and after that, apply to it a little lint dipped in old Andromachus Treacle mixed with Honey; and over it, as also over all the swelling, lay a poultis made of fresh Cowdung mixed with Barrowes grease, or salad Oil. Bees, Of Bees & Wasps. and Wasps, though they seldom endanger life, yet they swell and inflame the part stung by them, and cause a great deal of pain, which sometimes is followed by a Favour; therefore it is necessary to find a Cure for it. And some constitutions receive also deadly mischief by such stinging. As some thirty years ago appeared by the Lady Walsingham, wife to Sir Francis Walsingham Secretary to Queen Elizabeth: who (as I have often heard it related by my Father, who was her Physician) being stung in the hand by a Wasp at dinner time; the venom presently swelled up all her arm to her shoulder, and thence to her throat: that, had not speedy means been used, and (as God would) her Physician been there present, it was thought, snee would have died within less than an hour. First therefore, the Sting is to be taken out, as is said, and presently the place to be anointed with Honey, and covered from the air. If this prevail not (as with the most it doth) burn it, or suck it: and apply Treacle of Andromachus or Mithridate mixed with Honey. Or, for the poorer sort, fresh Cowdung or dog's dung mixed with salad Oil. And, if need be, give the party some inward Antidore; such as have been before commended. Or else for present speed, Take Garlic boiled in white wine, or strong ale. Or else, the seeds and roots of Lilies boiled in Beer. Or the seeds of Mallows boiled in water, and white wine, with a little Vinegar. Not long ago I saw a young man stung in the eyeball with a Bee, Stinging in the Eyeball. while he was too closely looking into the door of the hive: But the Bee left not her sting there. Upon the place, I applied this Plaster. I took a handful of Carduus benedictus newly gathered, pounded it in a mortar very fine, and mixed it with the white of an egg, so spreading it upon a pledget of flax, I laid it to the eye, and as it waxed dry, renewed it twice. This Plaster of Carduus is excellent to recover the eye if any venomous juice be spurted into it, or if the eye be hurt by a corrupt air, which the common people call blasting: It easeth pains; taketh away bloody spots in the eyes; and is good for all burnings in, or about the eyes. To this, Bitings of Spiders. let me add the bitings of Spiders; the garden ones are the worst: for they are of the kind of Phalangiae. The Inward Antidote for them, is, a draught of New milk, wherein the inner meat of River Crabs is boiled. Or, a spoonful of the brains of a sheep boiled in water and Vinegar. Outwardly, apply the Cobweb of the same Spider, binding it on with a fine linen rag. CHAP. IX. Bitings of Adders, Slow-wormes, Efts, the Shrew-Mouse, and other such venomous Beasts. Remembering what I said before in the sixth Chapter, Bitings of Adders, Slow-worms, or Efts. to begin the Cure. The flesh of the same beast that biteth, boiled, or roasted, as they dress Eels, and inwardly taken, helpeth much. Or a dram of Gentian root powdered & drunk in a little draught of white wine. Or half a dram of Terta Sigillata in the same kind of wine. Or else the same wine with Opoponax and Aristolochia rotunds. Outwardly, the best thing to be applied is the flesh of the same beast that did the hurt, pounded in a mortar, and applied in manner of a Poultis. Or a Poultis made of Cocks-dung and Vinegar. Or an old Walnut beaten with Salt, an Onion, and a little Honey, and applied. Or take Pennyroyal and Fenell, of each a like quantity, boil them in water and white wine, & bathe the place with the liquor. Or else drop into the wound the liquor that sweateth out of the green ashen wood while it burneth on the fire. Or Oil of Bay and oil of St. john's Wort, of each a like quantity. Or else a little Tar mixed with a little salt spread on a piece of Leather, and applied plasterwise. This is for the Adder, Slowworm, or Eft. Now the Shrew-mouse is a little kind of mouse with a long sharp snout, Bitings of the Shrew-Mouse. and a short tail; It liveth commonly in old ruinous walls: It biteth also very venomously, and leaveth four small perforations, made by her four foreteeth; To cure her biting; her flesh roasted and eaten is the best inward Antidote, if it may be had. Otherwise, a dram of the seeds of Agnus Castus beaten and steeped in white Wine. Or else some of the other Antidotes described at the beginning of this Book. And outwardly, apply her warm liver and skin, if it may be had. Otherwise Rocket-seeds beaten into powder, and mixed with the blood of a Dog. Or else the teeth of a dead man made into fine powder. CHAP. X. The Biting of a Mad Dog. ALthough in this our country of England, I have neither seen nor heard of any such terrible dangers happening to people by a mad-dogs biting, as in other Regions: yet I have seen Dogs mad. But the care that hath been used for prevention, hath perhaps hindered the sight of those Accidents which old Authors have so laboriously Commented upon. And besides that, the temperature of our Climate keepeth the Dogs of our Country from proving altogether so pernicious as in Graecia and Arabia. For Aëtius saith that the mad Dogs are worst in intemperate Climates, where the Winter's cold & Summer's heat are extreme. Tetr. 2. Serm. 2. cap. 24. Howsoever, I will set down a brief course of help, to prevent, the incurableness of the mischief; as I have it from the best Authors. This kind of madness proceedeth from black Choleric juices wherewith a dog more than other Beasts aboundeth. The cause of a Dog's Madness. For he is of temperament hot and dry; as appeareth by many proofs. As first, by his continual eager appetite (being always hungry) and greediness in devouring any filthy offals; Flesh putrified, stinking, and full of Maggots; whether it be raw, & perhaps buried under ground; or any other way rotten and infectious. Also they will drink of any dirty puddle, or stinking ditch-water: which kind of drink wondrously increaseth black choler. And besides this, at two seasons of the year especially are Dogs most subject to madness; which is the surest of all arguments: namely, in the height of Summer, and in the depth of Winter. By Summer's fervency their blood being overheated, turneth into burnt choler: And through Winter's extreme cold, the same blood is per Antiperistasin, so much inflamed, that it becometh burnt Melancholy. You shall know a Dog to be mad, The Signs that a Dog is mad. by these signs. He is afraid of Water, and at the sight of it, trembles and bristles up his neck; his eyes are fiery and glaring; he runs to and from, and reels this way and that way, like one that is drunk; he holds down his head, gapes with his mouth, lils out his tongue (which is blackish, or evil coloured) slavers at the mouth, and his nose runneth: he snaps and bites at every thing in his way, but barks not at all; he couches his ears, carries his tail betwixt this legs. Other Dogs (though bigger than he) fly from him at the smell of him. He takes no notice of any friend, neither spareth to bite his own Master: and being gone out of the house, never repaireth back again to it (unless by chance) for he knoweth no place aright. Whosoever therefore is bitten by such a Dog, must presently be looked to. And if the Dog that hath bitten, have passed by so suddenly, that sufficient notice could not be taken of him: Then dip a little bread in the blood of the wound, and offer it to some other Dog that is not mad; and if he refuse to eat it: there is cause of suspicion. Or take a Wallnut-kernell peeled, beat it in a mortar, then steep it in the blood of the wound; and give it to some Poultry mixed with their meat. If they die the day after, it is counted a sure sign that that biting was of a Mad Dog. The party so bitten finds no alteration in himself for divers days after. The Symptoms or Accidents that follow such Bitings. For this biting is no more painful than as a wound, nor doth any such swellings or other Symptoms follow presently upon it; as in the bitings of Serpents. But after some time, the bitten party begins to grow melancholy; and to have strange & unwonted fancies in his mind, talks to himself, and useth foolish gestures: for now the power of the poison having crept up into the brain, corrupteth the imagination. His sleeps are broken with terrors; and he leaves all company, choosing out solitary walks. If till this time there could be no certain knowledge. Now it is high time to begin a speedy help. Incurable. For when once he comes to bark like a Dog, to hate the light, and sight of all shining metals and looking-glasses; as also to fear water, & all other kinds of liquors (which Symptoms at last doth follow such bitings hitherto uncured) he is held to be past cure. Curable. But so long as he knoweth his own face in a glass, and is not frighted at it: or may be drawn to drink water; he is (by Avicen and others) accounted curable. As soon therefore as any one upon these signs suspecteth himself bitten by a Mad Dog, let him presently repair to some learned Physician, or at least to some well experienced Chirurgeon (for such extraordinary cases are beyond ordinary skills) if such may be had. Otherwise let some discreet man read carefully this Treatise, and ponder the method very diligently; especially this Chapter, which teacheth thus to begin the Cure. Labour forthwith to draw the contagion out of the wound by cupping-glasses; application of Pullet's or Pigeons that lay eggs, scarifications, Leeches, & drawing medicines; Read the 7. Chap. as in the 7. Chap. I have discoursed. If the wound be so small that it bleedeth not; scarify the place, and with a cupping-glass draw out the blood; or burn it with an hot iron, or else (if the patient will not endure the hot iron or actual cautery) apply a potential cautery, or an eating Medicine; as Sublimate mixed with some cold thing, that it may be less painful: as for example. Take of Sublimate two drams, An excellent caustic. of juice of Henbane one cunce, mix them and dry them together, and make them into a fine powder. Apply some of this, and when the scabby crust (or escar) is grown dry upon the place, take it off with a little sweet butter, or with sweet butter, pitch, & the white of an egg mixed together. When it is come off, fill the orifice with the powder of Mercury and Roche Alum, or else use Mercury mixed with a little Vnguentum Basilicon. Which Mercury is an excellent thing, not only to keep the wound open, but also to draw the poison outward. The wound must be kept open forty days at least: In which time, One way of Cure. the juice of Sorrell is to be applied hot every night and morning; and the decoction (or broth) of the same herb, or at least of meat boiled with the same, must be drunk by the patient every morning fasting. Aëtius saith, he knew an old man that cured this disease often, with this medicine only. Or else you may dissolve a little Andromachus Treacle in white wine or Aqua vitae; Galens way. and dipping a little lint or rag in the warmed mixture, rub the orifice as hard as the patient can endure. This also is commended for an excellent Medicine; but than you must apply upon it Honey and Turpentine mixed with an Onion or Garlic beaten into the form of a Poultis. And Galen appointeth this Plaster following to be applied to the wound. Take of Vinegar a pint and a quarter, Opoponax three ounces, Tar one ounce. Boil away the Vinegar, and make it a Plaster. And this is highly commended by the Author. In the beginning of this mischief we must neither purge nor let blood, for than we shall draw the venom from the circumference to the centre; which is dangerous to life. Yet both these means may be used afterward; if by continuance of time, and neglect in the beginning, the venom have spread itself into all the vessels. In the mean time, we must set upon it with apt Antidotes. As with Garlic boiled in white Wine, and drunk fasting; which resisteth the poison's entrance into the principal parts. Or, Let him drink this draught every morning. Take the powders of Myrrh and Gentian root; of each one dram; the powder of River-Crabs (or Crayfish) two drams. Mix them in a fit quantity of white Wine, and drink it. Or, After Galens way, thus. Take nine parts of the powder of burnt River-Crabs, five parts of Gentian root powdered, and one of Frankincense powdered. Mix them together, and give a spoonful of it in a draught of Spring-water. These Antidotes are thus to be continued forty days together; and that in the beginning, before he feareth water: for after that, the quantities must be doubled. The powder of Crabs is made thus. Take River-Crabs, A Famous Medicine. or Crayfish, (for Sea-Crabs are naught for this use) in the height of Summer, when the Sun is in Leo, and the Moon a little past the full. [But Rasis will have it, when the Sun is in Aries. [Others in Cancer; it seems à similitudine] I will not disp ute the choice: but the first is the most generally accepted, from Galen] These being gotten, must be put alive into a copper vessel, and burnt on the fire to ashes. Then beat them in a Mortar, searce them, and so reduce them into a fine Powder. Another Author, called johannes Stockerus, both in this, and in all other kinds of venomous bitings, affirmeth, this course following, never to have deceived him. Take Gentian root powdered, Stockers way of Cure. and Treacle of Andromachus, of each one dram, every morning fasting for three days together; and the Patient must fast five hours after. If he feel himself disposed to sweat, let him order himself in his bed for it, and sweat as much as he can, or is able to bear. To the wound, in manner of a Plaster, apply Garlic, Rue, and Salt pounded together in a Mortar. And so much for the way of Cure in the beginning. When he beginneth to be afraid of water, The cure of Hydrophobia. he hardly admitteth of any Cure. Now the reason of this Hydrophobia or fear of water is generally held to be, The reason of Hydrophobia. That the venom abusing the Fantasy, makes the party affected to have horrid imaginations of water. But some special Authors (having found by experience that the drinking of cold water causeth Convulsions in such over-dryed and parched stomaches) conclude that it is extreme pain & torture proceeding from that drinking that so terrifieth them from it. And this also is the reason why those that fear water are counted incurable. Therefore the water that is forced into them ought to be at first very warm, and the party must by degrees be brought to drink it colder and colder; so likewise the Baths that they are to be cast into, aught to be in like temper, to avoid all cramps and Convulsions both inward and outward. Neither must there be any Bath used at all (according to Oribasius) till twenty days after the biting, at the soon. This Hydrophobia (or fear of water) beginneth not at any certain time after the Biting. For most commonly it followeth forty days after; in some, seven months; in others a whole year after. Again in some it cometh within a fortnight after: According to the strength or weakness of the constitution of him that is bitten. For some body's strength is able to resist the venom far longer, when others weakness sinks under it much sooner. Some have their pores more strait to keep out, others more open to let in the venom. Also some have their blood and humours more pure (and therefore less apt to infection) others more impure and corrupt; therefore more easily turned into venom. The main general Remedy is by Celsus & others held to be, The main Remedy. Casting of the Patient into the Water before he be aware of it; and this to be done every day for many days together: (For that which he feareth is the only Medicine to cure him). In doing this, if he cannot swim, after he hath swallowed a good quantity of the water, take him out again. But if he be skilful in swimming, hold him under water a little while till he have taken in some pretty quantity; For thus both his extreme thirst and fear of Water will be soon cured. But let him not be long deeper than his nostrils, lest he be suffocated. It the Cramp or any Convulsion take him; as soon as he is out of the water, bathe him all over with Salad Oil good and warm; which, as it will take away that Accident, so will it also stop the pores of the skin, and keep the waters cooling quality from going out again too suddenly. Myself (upon the sight of a picture of the Water-Torture in Amboyna) have conceited this invention. The Author's Invention. Let the Patient be bound fast to some post or stake, and tie about his neck a linen cloth doubled and cast into the form of a hollow Basin (as you would make him look like the sign of St. john Baptists head in a platter) the cloth must first be dipped in Oil and Wax well mixed together, that it may hold water like a Basin: Then let one with an Ewer or Pitcher pour water gently into the cloth, till the water rise up to his nostrils, where through it may enter into his body (if he will not open his mouth) whether he will or no. Keep the Water still at that height with continual soft pouring in, till he hath drunk a good draught: only sometimes forbear so much as to maintain his breathing. Thus have I out of a wicked weed sucked Honey for Health; and from an inhuman torture extracted ease in a grievous sickness. This is the help without which is no help; for this case is held incurable without drinking of water. Yet this is not all that must be done: Evacuations. For if the party be Plethoric (that is, too full of good blood, which will appear by his high colour, and his big and full veins) he must be let blood in the Liver-veyne, according to the discretion of the Artist. If Cacochymick (that is, full of corrupted Humours) he must be purged with Sena, Epithymum, Fumoterrae, Mirobalans, Elaterium, Black Helebor, and the like; or with Hamech, Diacatholicon or Diacolocynthis; with white wine, wherein is decocted also roots of Fenell and Parsley, of medowgrasse, water Lilies, and of Flower-Deluces, and such like diuretic simples: For the provocation of urine is also in this case very behooveful. This only I set down to make the cure complete; but I do not reduce the Purgatives into form; because by this time there is leisure enough to find out a Physician. Now in the last place the Patient's Diet cometh to be observed. Diet for those that are bitten with a mad Dog. And such sick ones must feed something liberally; for hunger is very hurtful to such as suffer under venomous wounds. In the beginning of this disease, Salt meats, and sharp Sauces are good, as Sorrell, Vinegar, and Verjuice; also Garlic, Onions, and Leeks, for by their help the mad venom is hindered from creeping into the noble parts. Fatty and slimy meats also are to be chosen, because they stop the passages, and mouths of the vessels, that they may not easily let in the poison. His drink must be stale middle Beer; And of Wines, Sherrys, and Graves-claret or White are the best. But after eight, or at the farthest fifteen days are past, let his sauces be of a more temperate quality, tending rather to moist than dry; and such as are proper to resist melancholy; as pickled Gelly-flowers, Broom-buds, Capars, Asparagus, and such like. In his Broths boil Beets, Violets, Succory and Endive, Parsley, and Fennell-roots; Aniseeds and Fenell-seeds, and such other simples that provoke urine, (which as I said before are very profitable in this case) Also Sweet Wines, as Muscadine, Canary, and High-Countrey white wine. Sometimes also (to please the palate; let him lick of Oxymel simplex, Syrup of Citrons, or Syrup of Lemons. He may also eat River-Crabs or Cray-fish either raw or buttered. But from the beginning the flesh that he eateth must be of Mutton, Veal, Lamb, Kid, Rabbit, Pullet, Chicken, Partridge or Pheasant. Some counsel to mince some roasted Veal, and the Liver of the mad dog roasted, together, and so let him ear it with a little butter, water, and Vinegar. To conclude; His Belly must be kept soluble (if need require) by gentle Giysters and Suppositories: And his Sleep must in the beginning be but little; but when he beginneth to rage, and is of himself overwakefull, it is good by some safe outward means (such as the Artist shall see cause to appoint) to cause Sleep. CHAPTER XI. Bitings of Creatures not venomous, yet in some Constitutions apt to turn into venom. SOme are bitten by Dogs that are not mad; or by Apes, Monckeys, Squirrels; by Horses, by Mankind, or any other creature not venomous: yet sometimes these wounds in some kind of Flesh are hard to heal. The reason is either in the Creature biting, or in the party bitten. In the Creature biting, though in its own nature it be not venomous; yet there is at that time a malignant quality in the moisture of the mouth, begotten by the disturbance of the brain, through immoderate anger. In the party bitten: The reason why some men's flesh is easily, and some men's hardly cured. Some men are made up of a kind of Flesh always (by what accident soever wounded) hard to be cured. These either are very melancholic of Constitution (and Melancholy is the most offensive humour in the body, and therefore apt through any extraordinary passion to become corrupted and in a sort venomous) or they are very fearful; and Fear corrupts the juices of the brain (through the force of imagination) and makes them fall down and disperse themselues into all the parts of the body filled with a sickly quality, and so contrary to nature. This is the reason why fearful men are apt to die of a slight wound: whereas a valiant Spirit hath always flesh apt to be healed. Now for such hard healing Flesh (from which of the two causes soever it cometh) I counsel, that besides the ordinary course of curing wounds artificially according to the Rules of Chururgerie, there be also given some temperate Cordial (as it were an Antidote against this venomous Accident) to call up the Spirits, and to comfort the Faculties. For I know it by experience, that the Cure is thereby made much the more easy. Such an Antidote is this following; which (because it cannot be rightly made but by an Artist) I will set down in Latin for the Apothecary's understanding only▪ lest the Ignorant tampering beyond their skill, discredit the Medicine. Re. Nepenthes Bradwelli. fol. Melissa, summitatum Rosmarini, florum Primulae veris, florum Cheyri, florum Calendulae, ana m. iij. florum Angelicae, m. ij. Rad. Angelicae, ʒj ss. Gariophyllorum, ʒiij. Rad. Enulae Campaniae, ʒuj. Infundantur omnia in Aquae Vitaeli. xxiv. horis 24. Tum in alembico destillentur. s. a. In Aqua elicita infunde etiam Glycyrrhizae parum, sic gustui arridebit. This Cordial Water my Father called Nepenthes. If the Angelica be good indeed, it will have both a pleasant taste and smell. A spoonful or two of this Water recalls, rectifies, and confirms the Spirits Animal, Vital, and Natural: For Swound acommon Accident. And is therefore very good against Fayntings and Swound. CHAP. XII. Inward or Outward Bruises by a fall from an high place. Sometimes it happeneth unfortunately, that a Man falleth down from an high place, as from a housetop, a high tree, a scaffold, or a ladder; and is taken up for dead: yet in a little time, may by good means be recovered to life; and the Bruise (whether it be inward or outward) may be cured. In this case, the main things to be looked to, are: First to recover the party to life & sense: which may be done by the use of my Cordial Water, called Nepenthes, described in the Chapter immediately going before; or else with some other comfortable drink of like nature. Secondly, if the Bruise be Inward: Inward Bruise. there will be either ejection of Blood at the Mouth, Nose, Fundament, or passage of Urine, or else congealing of Blood within, wherewith will be Inward pain, and difficulty of Breathing. If the party avoid blood, it is not amiss, so it go not too far to the expense of his Spirits: But if so, then give him half a dram of Terra Sigillata in a draught of Posset drink, Too much bleeding from within. wherein the flowers of St. john's Wort are boiled. Or, The tops of St. john's Wort boiled in Posset-ale. Or, Take red Coral, white Coral, white Amber, Bowl Armoniak, Terra sigillata, of each i. dram. Camphor iiij. grains. Make all into fine powder, and divide it into four equal quantities or Doses. Take every dose in two ounces of Plantain water, and as much red wine mixed together, once in six hours, as need shall require. Or else, Take the quantity of a Walnut of old Conserve of red Roses mixed with a scruple of the powder of Mastic; or rather with five or six drops of the Oil of Mastic: Repeat the taking according to need. But if there be no evacution, Blood congealed within. but suspicion of the Blood congealed within. Then Take Nep stamped and strained, with a little Ale or Beer, and drink a draught of it once in six hours. After three times taking it so; stamp it new and strain it with Muscadine, and drink a little draught in the morning fasting, and at night when you go to bed. Or, Take the quantity of a Bean of quick Brimstone in powder, in a little white Wine warmed. Or else, Twenty grains of Irish-Slate in powder in a draught of Posset-Ale made with white Wine. Some give ij. drams of Rheubarb, with one of Madder, made into powder, in a draught of white wine: repeating it, as need requireth. Or, two drams of Rheubarb alone, in neat white wine. Or, Take of Rheubarb one dram, Madder and Mummy, of each two scruples. Make them into fine powder, & drink it in a draught of some ordinary pectoral Decoction. Outwrdly anoint the Breast, Outward means. or Back, (as cause electeth) with two ounces of Oil of St. john's Wort, and half an ounce of Sperma ceti mixed together, and warmed, Do this morning and evening. Or else, use this Ointment. Take of new charned butter unsalted ij. pound; Madder one ounce powdered, tormentil roots powdered vi. drams, Mummy half an ounce powdered, Sugar Candie powdered iiij. ounces, Sperma ceti ij. ounces. Boil them together in a sufficient quantity of good white Wine, till all the wine be boiled away. Then with a little Wax boil it again to an Unguent. Thirdly, Outward Bruise. if the Bruise be Outward only; you must consider whether it be a Simple or mere Bruise, or a Bruise with a wound. If it be a simple Bruise. Simple. You may make a Plaster with Bran, Honey, and a little Salt (or rather Niter, if you can get it) and apply to it. Or, Take the powder, and the Oil of Myrtles, of each an ounce, and the white of an egg well beaten. Make a mixture of them, and dip Clonts in it, and apply them to the place. If the Contusion or Bruise be very large, you must make your quantity accordingly. But if there be a wound withal; With a wound. Stop not the blood too soon (if it bleed well) for many times the noxious humours that are mixed with the blood, are very happily evacuated that way. But if on the other side it bleed too much: Take the white of an Egg well beaten, and mixed with Bole Armoniak made into fine powder, and dipping a piece of flax therein, lay it to the wound. Or, the white of an egg beaten, brown paper ashes, and fine powder of Chalk mixed together. A Cobweb also of a fit bigness for the wound, doth many times serve the turn. Or else, have this Powder always ready. Take Sanguis Draconis, Olibanum, Aloës hepatica, and Sarcocolla, of each ij. ounces; root of the Flower de Luce one ounce. Make all into fine powder, and mix them together. Apply a sufficient quantity to the wound, and lay upon it some flax wet with the white of an egg on that side to be laid next the wound; and bind it on gently for straining the wound. This is very effectual. As for the Cure of a Green Wound, Bradwells Balsam for Green Wounds and Bruises. there are so many Balsams abroad, that I need not teach any. Yet to show, I am no niggard of my Medicines, accept of this Balsam of mine. Take of the best Salad Oil two pints, put it in a jarre-glasse with a broad mouth; put to it an handful of flowers of the greater Comfery. Then cover it with a trencher, and set it in the Sun a week. Then put in the leaves of six red Roses not too much blown; a handful of Mullen-flowers, and as much of the flowers of St john's Wort. Set it in the Sun still all the Summer. And if you add two or three leaves of green Tobacco, it will be the better. This have I often proved to be excellent, both for green wounds & Bruises, anointing the place with it warm: and lapping the part up close from the outward air. The last main point in this Accident to be considered is Pain in the Head, Pain in the Head. which is for the most part a companion of such falls; and if it be much, must be mitigated by some means, lest it bring the patient into a Favour. For this therefore, Anoint the aching part of the head with oil of Roses and oil of Lilies mixed together. Or foment & bathe it with this Fomentation. Take of the young and tender leaves of Myrtles one handful, Myrrh in powder three drams. Boil them in Muscadine. Or else, Take a Quince or two, pair them, and core them, & boil them in Muscadine till they be soft: Then beat them in a Mortar to a Poultis, and apply them very warm to the aching place. If one application serve not, repeat it often. But, if in such a fall, any Bone be put out of joint, or broken; they must get help of such as are skilful in Bone-setting, which Art is learned by sight, and not by writing. CHAP. XIII. For those that are almost Strangled by a Halter, Garter, or such like means. SOme have been strangled in jest. As I knew a Player that one time acting a part wherein he was to be hanged; and having not fastened his halter sufficiently to his truss, it slipped, and almost choked him in earnest. I knew another man that was robber at Tyburn, and because he asked the thieves how they could be so bold to tempt their fate in the face of the gallows, they hanged him up there; but presently upon sight of company took them to their heels, and by the same company the man was saved from a final execution. Some also through desperation have hanged themselves, as we have too often examples. If any of these may be cut down while there is life in him; he may by GOD'S blessing and skilful endeavours be recovered. A learned Doctor of Physic, Dr. Guyn. being asked how one might be recovered in this case, answered both briefly and wittily; Cut a throat to save a life. A good way of help but hard to perform. His meaning was, That way must be made by incision, through the skin in the place where the Halter was; that so the constrained blood might be set at liberty, the coagulated blood let out, and way given for the windepipe & other internal vessels to open themselves again. But this is not to be attempted by any but some skilful Chirurgeon indeed, that knoweth perfectly the situation of the parts; for if any nerve or tendon should be touched, great mischiefs would follow; and if the jugular veins be cut, it is the present death of the Patient. Therefore other and safer means are to be attempted. As soon then as the Halter is loosed from his neck, A more easy way. presently thrust your finger as far as you can down his throat (forcing open his with some fit instrument) & presently pluck it out again; that you may open the passage within, but not stop his breath more. Then strait way pour down his throat some warm Vinegar with beaten Pepper in it; or pennyroyal beaten & boiled in Vinegar; or Nettleseeds beaten and boiled in Vinegar. Provoke him also to vomit by tickling his throat with a feather dipped in rank Oil. About the place of the Halter also (to mollify and open the skin, and dissolve the bruised blood) wrap linen clouts dipped in Sperma ceti, (or salad Ole) and oil of Lilies mixed together, and apply them good and hot: and as they wax cold, renew them continually. Hypocrates in his 43. Question about Foaming at the mouth. Aphorism of his second Book, says that those that are any way strangled and not yet dead, if about their mouths there appear a foam, will never be recovered. But Galen in his Comment upon that place seems to be of another mind. And Christopherus à Vega in his Tract. de Arte Medendi li. 3. Sectio. 5. cap. 8. affirmeth that he saw three recovered that foamed at the mouth. One of which had hanged himself, but his friends did quickly cut the rope, and he was preserved by drinking Vinegar and Pepper: for that mixture restoreth the almost extinct heat. Being come to himself, let the Patient abstain from much talk, for the space of four and twenty hours; and let him have some Ptisan or pectoral Decoction for his drink. And when he is grown strong again, if he yet feel some encumbrance, and swelling in his throat; it is good to open the Cephalica, or head-veyne of his arm, and let him bleed nine or ten ounces, or according to his age and strength. But this must be done by due judgement of the Artist, who may by this time be brought to him. CHAP. XIIII. For such as are almost Drowned and stifled in Water. MAny take great delight in swimming and bating themselves in Ponds and Rivers in the Summer time; some to cleanse and cool their bodies, some for pleasure of their skill in swimming, others either for company or mere wantonness: And many of these adventure into places past their depth; where I have known some taken with the Cramp on the sudden, that if there had not been many helpers at hand, they had speedily perished. Some happen into whirlepools, wherein they have been violently drawn, and immediately drowned, while their companions might look on with sorrow, but could lend no help to save them. Others in a great River have been carried away by the strength of the stream in spite of their skill in swimming, whereupon before they had so much presumed. Others floating among slags and weeds, have had their feet so entangled by them, that neither the strength of nature, nor the sleights of Art could keep them from being cast away. And here, by the way let me insert a counsel to such as are Fathers and Mothers, A Caveat. or Masters and Tutors to young Boys. Some use to keep their children in so strictly, that the unfortunate poor fools longing after such forbidden pleasure; and fearing to make others privy to their purpose, steal out by themselues, and run into some river or pond, without discretion or election; where (having neither guide nor helper, but such as themselves) some of them sometimes prove by the loss of their lives, that while they beguiled their governor's too much, they deceived themselves most of all. To prevent this therefore, it were good (in my judgement) to give way to these desires of children, at fit times of the year, and in waters whose bottoms are even and sandy, with clear & gentle streams fit for their strength and stature; and free from flags, weeds, holes and whirlpools: having also with them some discreet man skilful in swimming, that (if any danger should hap,) may speedily succour them. And the times of the year fit for such baths, I hold to be in the beginning of july, and in the end of August▪ That is, before and in the end of the dog days; The best time of the day likewise, is an hour before Sunset. And now to return to the point although by the accidents aforesaid, as also by violent storms, & the darkness of night, too too many following their affairs have been woefully wasted to the shore of sudden death: yet some have been taken up for dead that with careful and skilful usage have recovered both Life the true love of nature, & Health the happiness of Life. Therefore when any one is so found, The way of Recovery. the first thing to be done is to turn his feet upward, his head and mouth downward, & so to hold or hang him up by the heels, that the water may come out of him again. If this alone cause him not to cast out the water, and the party be without sense or motion; then also let some one of the standers by, that is of good discretion, put his finger into the party's throat, or take a feather dipped in Linseed oil, & thrust it into his throat, turning it round therein, to make him vomit. And in the mean time, let others help forth the water by stroking, crushing, and driving his belly and stomach reasonable hard, from the bottom of his belly toward his throat. If it be cold weather, let all this be done in a warm room before a good fire. After the water is come away, it is good to hold strong sweet smelling things to his nose (as Musk, Lignum Aloës, or such like) to warm the Brain, and comfort the Spirits. Also if he remain senseless or fainting, his Spirits are to be recalled and awaked with Ros solis, Aqua Caelestis, or some such comfortable water; and he is to be handled in all points as those use to be that fall in a Swoon. If by these means he recover life, The Cure after Recovery. sense, and speech; let him (some two hours after) eat some meat of a hen or chick (if he be able) or else suck the juice of them; and let them be roasted or broiled, rather than any other way dressed (for so doth Alexander Benedictus counsel, li. 7. cap. 3. De Curandis morbis.) And with his meat, let him eat Pepper and Sùgar, or Pepper and Honey, as he liketh best. He may also eat a roasted egg with pepper in it. But let him not drink at all in 24. hours at the least, & then let it be middle-Beere and white wine mixed together; of which let him drink but 2. small draughts at a meal, and betwixt meals not at all. This Diet let him observe for a week together, keeping himself warm and moderately stirring his body immediately before, & an hour after his meat. Also, if the Physician see it requisite, other means may be used to prevent the coming of a Favour, or to mitigate, and take it away if it be already come; as also to prevent a Dropsy, which is a likely effect of such a watery cause. The refore by good advise Blood-letting in the Liver-veyn, Glisters, and other Medicines may be administered. Lastly, For Water gotten into the Ears. if any water be gotten into his Ears; Take Goose grease, and the juice of an Onion, mix them well together, and drop a little of it bloud-warme into his Ears. Sometime such a sorrowfuli misfortune may befall a man in the Winter time; A Modern Story of an old Gentlewoman. or it may happen to an old body, as once it did in the North part of the Devonshire to a worthy old Gentlewoman, who stepping on a bridge over a gutter, her feet slipping, she fell in; and through her great weakness (being above fourscore years of age) because she was not able to help up herself again; she lay so long till with crying she had no voice left. It pleased God that the water was not so high as to drown her; but the coldness of it had like to have killed her before help came: for she was not heard into the house, though she strained her voice exceedingly, and though the house was hard by. Only her son coming forth that way by mere chance, found and saved her. In this case, The Cure. let some cordial water (as my Nepenthes, Aqua Caelestis, or the like) be given first inwardly, to help natural heat forth into the outward parts again. Then lay the patient in his naked bed well warmed; And if it be a man, let a young man (in whom natural heat hath his full force) strip himself naked and presently go to bed to him, and there embrace him closely, keeping in the clothes about him on all sides, till he have brought heat into him again. If it be a woman, let some young maiden of a sanguine complexion do the like. The patient's diet must be of good nourishing and warming things, using some cordial medicine morning and night, first and last, for ten days together. Once I knew an Infant of two years old, An Infant drowned in Soap-suds. or there about; that was drowned in a tub of Soap-suds. And because it is a chance that may happen to more, I will show how Skenckius saith that he recovered such an one. Observe. li. 2. Observ. 18. It was a little Girl betwixt two & three years of age, which fell into a vessel of Soap-suds, with which soapie water her stomach was much filled, and the child thereupon seemed ready to give up the ghost; lay in a dead sleep, rattled in the throat, hardly drew breath, made a groaning noise, as one suffocated, and lay gasping and gaping like a dying body: the wine-pipe being so over-full & oppressed, that it could hardly receive air in, or return breath out. Skenckius being sent for, The Cure. prescribed a Decoction of unhulled Barley with Liquorice and Figs, adding a little Butter and Sugar. This he caused presently to be poured down her throat lukewarm; where by she was provoked to vomit out all the soapie water; and so was recovered. And I believe (though Skenckius make no mention of it) he gave her also afterward some Antidote or Cordial Medicine (as was meet) to resist the venomous quality of the Soap, where of it must needs leave some relics behind it, too strong for the weak nature of such an Infant to overcome. Therefore in this case I would give ten grains of Heart's horn finely powdered, with one grain of Bezoar-stone, or else with three or four grains of Ambar-greise in a little distilled water of Carduus, Scabius, or Dragons. And this should be repeated every six hours, till it have been given three times. Or else a little Mithridate dissolved in Red-rose-water, sweetened with a little Sugar. Forestus (in li. 15. of his observations, the 26 Observation) tells of a maid about 19 Note. years of age, that having fallen into a filthy Water (some stinking ditch or sewer it should seem) being not suffocated, but having drunk in much of that water, and sufficiently vomited, using the help of no Physician; within a fortnight after, she fell into a pain of her loins, and a continual Favour. For which she was fain to be let blood and purged; and Forestus administered other remedies also, having much labour to save her life. This I thought good to note as a warning to those that are apt to make slight account of the Physician, when they find not present danger of death. CHAP. XV. For those that are Choked with Smoke of new kindled Coals in a close Room. IT is dangerous to be in a little room with the doors and windows shut, where there is a pan or furnace with fire in the midst of the room: especially while the Coals are kindling, or the Furnace but newly made is annealing. For the vapour & smoke stifleth suddenly, before it be suspected or perceived. Divers have been found dead in this manner. Christopherus à Vega, A Story out of Vega. Tract. de Arte Medendi. li. 3. Sect. 5. cap. 8. tells of diverse that having supped together in a close room, the fire (as it should seem) being renewed after supper, and the door shut to keep the cold air out; suddenly cast up their supper again, with great perturbation of their Spirits and swooning: No man considering the cause, and therefore not labouring for the remedy. Some of them died before they could complain that they ailed any thing. Others were by this Physician found vomiting. But when he had set open the door and casements, they were soon refreshed and recovered with the mere ingress of the fresh air. By which you may perceive, The Cure. that the venting of the ill air out, and the receiving of the fresh air in, is both the Prevention and Cure of this Accident. But commonly there remaineth an headache for a while after, which with some cool presume, as rose-water poured on a hot fire-shovel, or Camphor held to the party's nose; and the applying of a Rose-cake dipped in Vinegar and Rose-water (or in Vinegar alone) to the forehead and temples. After their recovery, it is good also to gargoyle with warm water, and Oil of Violets, or Oil of sweet Almonds; and to drink some fat broths; or swallow some warm fat moresells of Mutton or Lamb; or else some fresh butter. Such things doth Haly Abbas in the 6. Book and 4. Chapter of his practice appoint, And the reason I take to be, that Fatty and Oily things will best heal that harshness that the smoke and ill vapours have begotten in the throat and stomach. If a Favour sueceed, & the constiution require it, Forestus counseleth to open a vein. Li. 15. Scholia ad Obser. 26. Ambrose Parey (in his treatise de Renuntiationibus) finding two servants in this case, Another Story out of Ambrose Parey. in sight dead, and their teeth set in their head; took this course. First with a silver quill (which one may better do with a Syringe) he put into their months some Aqua vitae well rectified (that is, twice or thrice distilled) with Hiera and Treacle dissolved in it. With often doing thus, they began to stir; and soon after voided much filth at the nose & mouth, Upon this, he gave them Oxymel very often, with which (together with much rubbing & clapping on the back) a great deal of phlegm and slimy stuff, with bloody yellow frothy matter came out of their mouths. Then did he blow up into their nostrils the powder of Euphorbium to purge the brain better (but I would rather advise the powder of good Tobacco, with a little Euphorbium, if need be; because Euphorbium of itself is dangerously violent) and so with oil of Mints rubbing the palates of their mouths, and their jaws within, much more filthy matter came forth. Then a sharp clyster drew the remnant downward After which, with Cordials he refreshed their spirits, and rectified their depraved humours. CHAP. XVI. For such as are Suffocated with Stinking Smells. ONe may be choked also with stinking Scents, such as privies and filthy ditches send forth. Amoderne Story. As in Saint Laurence Lane in London a young man fell into a privy vault, about fourteen years ago (as I remember) who with the stinking stuff was for the time suffocated; but being miss, and by chance, was with much ado gotten to life again. Nevertheless, using such only as wanted skill to encounter such a strange Accident, he died within two or three days after. Christopherus à Vega, A Story out of Vega. in the place before quoted, tells of two men that being employed among others in cleansing certain sinks, and stinking sewers, were so overcome of the evil savours, that by their fellows they were taken up & carried out for dead. Yet he recovered them both The one by giving him Vinegar and Pepper to drink. The Cure. And the other by pouring into him Vinegar and the powder of pennyroyal. It is good for him also to hold to his nose strong sweet perfumes, as of Musk, Ambar-Greise, Civet, Lignum Aloës, and such like, But where such rich Simples are not to be had, Sweet Marjoram, Time, pennyroyal, Rosemary, and Lavender (rubbed together betwixt ones hands) may be held to the nose. And if any of that filthy water be gone down into his stomach, it must be brought forth by vomiting. Likewise, if in at the nostrils, the patient must be provoked to neezing, with powder of Tobacco, long Pepper, or such like. CHAP. XVII. For things Sticking in the Throat. OF Things that endanger stopping of the breath in swallowing, some are Sharp, and some Blunt. Of the Sharp sort are Fishbones, Sharp Things. Pinnes, Thorns, and such like: for sometimes a Fish-bone in swallowing sticketh cross the throat, and is very offensive. And the like hath happened by a Pin with such as foolishly use to carry Pins in their mouths. Of the Blunt sort, Blunt Things. it happeneth sometimes through over-greedy eating, that a gobbet of meat, or a piece of a bone too big for the swallow, sticketh in the throat likely to stop the breath. Sometimes through wanton rolling of a piece of money, a ring, a bullet, a pease, a plumstone, or some such like thing; it slippeth into the throat and sticketh there. Some again whose gullet is very narrow, in swallowing a Pill have been much endangered. I have heard of a Child in Woodstreet strangled with a Grape: and we read that Anacreon the Greek Poet was choked with a Grape stone. Now of those things that are Blunt; they that are of the bigger size cannot fall into the windpipe, because the passage is too little to entertain them: But they offend with their over-bignesse sticking in the meate-pipe, and so compressing or thrusting together the neck of the windepipe which joineth to the meat-pipe, that the breath (for that cause) cannot pass freely. On the other side, very Small things, as a Crumme, a drop of liquor, or the like, cannot stick in the meat-pipe; but their offence is by reason that when we swallow and breath at once, the Epiglottis (which is a little piece of flesh that covereth the mouth of the windepipe to keep the things that we swallow from falling into it) lifting itself up (as it always doth either to take in air, or to let out breathe) some little thing may in that point of time slip into the windepipe, whose passage is so strait, that the breath is presently stopped. The Sharp things may light into either passage, and if they turn cross; their offence is painful pricking & wounding of the part; whereupon may follow inflammation, and swelling; which swelling will stop the breath also, as in the Squinancy the swelling of the neighbour-parts streitens the Breath-pipe. If those of the bigger Blunt sort stick in the mouth of the meat-pipe, Toremove things in the meat-pipe. let the party drink as great a draught of drink as he can to carry it down. If that will not stir it, but the party waxeth black in the face, and cannot fetch his breath; clap him often on the neck betwixt the shoulders, holding down his head; and give him a draught of salad Oil to make it slip away. But if it be so low in the throat, & fixed, that it cannot be gotten up nor down; let some discreet body thrust it down with their finger, or with a smooth stick. If a Pin or Fish-bone stick in the throat, and it be so high that (opening the mouth wide) you may see some part of it: pluck it out (if you can come at it) with your fingers; or with a hooked wiar, or else with two smooth sticks in manner of a pair of tongs: a small curling-iron is very apt for the purpose. If it be low & out of sight, thrust in a small Candle of Virgin-wax warmed sufficiently, that the Pin or Bone may stick to it when it toucheth it, and so you may draw it out. Or if you have no such Candle, take a small limber willow stick, make it crooked like a bow, and anoint it at one end with Turpentine, and assay in the same manner to fetch it out. Or let him swallow down a piece of a Sprung fastened to the end of a brown thread, and anointed with Turpentine; and when it is gone so low as to touch that which sticketh in the way; with the thread pluck out the Sponge again. If it will not come forth; Swallow a piece of fat meat upon it to drive it down; or a fig opened & turned the inside outward; or a crummy piece of new bread dipped in saller Oil. But if a crumb of Bread, To remove Things in the windpipe. a small Fish-bone, a Pin or such like, suddenly slip into the windpipe; it will make him cough, & let some other make him neez likewise by tickling his nostrils with straws or rushes. If he cough not enough to bring it out, let him swallow (by sudden gulps) some Vinegar or Verjuice: so with much coughing it will be driven out; for the breath will not suffer it to sink very low. But sometime a drop of Vinegar, or some such sharp sauce slipping of itself into the same passage, causeth much trouble. The party must then drink leisurely, and by gulps a draught or two of water and honey; or else of small Ale and Sugar. CHAP. XVIII. For Scaldings with Water, Oil, Lie, Milk, or any other Liquor. As also for Burnings with Fire, Gunpowder, Lime, or such like. FOR Scaldings. For Scaldings. Take the White of an egg or two or more of them, according to the largeness of the hurt: Beat it with a sufficient quantity of oil of Roses, or else of salad oil. Dip fine rags in it, and apply them to the place, and take them off no more till it be well. Only three or four times in a day wet the place through them with the said mixture. Against Fire or Gunpowder; For Burnings. Take two pounds of Butter that was never salted, melt it, & pour it into Spring-water; there beat it and wash it well. Then take twelve ounces of the fine powder of Brimstone, the seeds of Coucumbers made into fine powder, and Camphor also in fine powder, of each half an ounce. Mix all together with the Butter, and keep it as an Ointment; in which dipping a feather, anoint the part burned, and lay a fine soft linen cloth upon it. Repeat the anointing often. Sometimes Burning Lime may be spurted into the Eye, For Burning Lime etc. in the Eye. or some scalding drop, or a spark of Fire may leap into it. For this, the white of an Egg beaten with Eyebright water, or Carduus water, is very good; if you drop now and then a drop of it into the eye. But the Plaster of Carduus described in the 8. Chapter is most sovereign. I was in place about seven years since, A True Story. where some Gentlemen were taking Tobacco; and as one had knocked out the snuff or coal of it on the Table; another in jest blew it toward him, he also blew it at him again. This began to be pursued from one to the other, till a little Girl looking on (whose height was little above the Table) received the evil of their jesting; for some of the burningcoale of Tobacco was blown into her eye. It tormented her extremely (as nothing burneth more terribly) I ran into the garden, where I found some ground Ivy, whereof I gathered some, which I stamped, and strained, and putting a little fine powdered Sugar to the juice, I dropped some of it into her eye; upon which she received sudden ease, and had it not applied above twice more, before she was perfectly well: But in the mean time, her eye was muffled up from the outward air. Here observe that the eye must never be dressed with any Oil or Ointment; Note. because oily and greasy things diminish the sight. But for all the parts of the Head and body beside, make use of these two Ointments following, which are approved excellent for All kinds of Scaldings and Burnings whatsoever. The first is my Grandfathers, Two Excellent ointments for all Scaldings and Buring. Master john Banisters. TAke of sweet Butter newly charned, Banisters. and never salted what quantity you will; boil in it a fit quantity of Goose-dung; strain it into clear and sweet Spring-water. Do this seven times: and the eight time strain it into Rose-water; where let it remain for the space of twelve hours. Ever now and then crushing it, and working it together with very clean hands. After that, take it out, and put it up in a Galley pot; keeping it as a precious ointment for that use. It taketh away the pain presently, and healeth with as little blemish as may be. The second hath been often proved by the Right Honourable, the Lady Hastings, late deceased. TAke the leaves of the Thorny-Apple of Peru, The Lady Hastings ointment. English Tobacco, and Ground Ivy, of each a like quantity. Chop them small, and rub them in a stone-morter as you do Green-sauce. Then in a fit quantity of Hogs-grease boil them very leisurely on a gentle fire, till it begin to look green. Then strain it, cool it, and reserve it. When it is cold, while it standeth to settle, you shall see a thin part above separate itself from the thicker part underneath: every day therefore, as it settleth, pour gently of that thin part (as of no use) and keep only that which is thick. This healeth grievous Burnings and Scaldings without scar. But the part when it is dressed must be left bare, that no linen or woollen touch it. Thus have I endeavoured a common good. And I beseech our Lord jesus Christ so to bless all his servants, that either by his Providence they fall not into any of these Accidents, or else by his blessing upon these or the like means they may safely escape them. An Advertisement to the Reader. IN this whole Treatise, the Quantities of the Inward Medicines must be balanced with the Age and Strength of the Patient. For the Doses that I have set down are intended for those that are in full ripeness of years, in the vigorous strength of their age. Those that are by age or nature more tender or feeble, must take less quantities at a time, according to the difference of their Age and Strength. FINIS.