Advice for the Poor by way of Cure & Caution.  
Being very sensible that it is impossible for all the Physicians now in London Effectually to attend the Cure of this Sickness in Person; And that the necessities of people are such, that it requires all that can be done for them both in Person and Paper; and also finding nothing of this nature hath as yet been Printed, I have therefore for public use and benefit so plainly laid down the manner of Cure in this Paper, that any Nurse may do as much for the Sick she attends for less than 12 d. as is necessary, or the Disease will permit. I also assure myself that if care could or rather WOULD but be taken, that every private family, especially the poorer sort, for whom it is chiefly intended might have but a Paper delivered to them By Public Authority, not only the Patient but Physician (if he be candid and without reserve will find it a great help to him in his practice.  
The use I make of it myself in Practice is when people come to me, I bid them read the Paper, and do as they are there directed in the Cure; and by this means I do relieve and help them more than otherwise (had I Twenty hands) it were possible for me to do.  By T. COCK. 

The CURE God Permitting.  
FOr all Persons so soon as they find themselves ill or infected, 
EXPULSIVES.  (Excepting the very Aged and Consumptive) is immediately to 
(1) The best way of Vomiting will be to put two or three Ounces of Oximel of Squill, into a Pint or Quart of Carduus Posset, and drink it all off; This will cost about six pence.  Vomit, especially if Repletion, or any Surfeit was the cause, or they find any inclination to it: In this case don't dispute it but immediately 
(2) But if there be any sharp or pricking pains about the Groynes, etc. or the Disease lie much in the Head▪ or hath assaulted and weakened the heart, then only Sweat; and at the some time apply outwardly Warm, to the Forehead, Temples, and Heart, Bole Armoniac, and Oil of water Lilies of each one penny worth, with as much Vinegar as will make it a soft Paste 〈◊〉 ●f you add a little Camphor and Salt Peter it will be the better. This Medicine being of great use, (when the violence of the Disease lies much in the Head) is therefore to be had i● a readiness at those Apothecaries hereafter mentioned,  Vomit, with a Draught of warm water, and 2 or three spoonfuls of Salt dissolved in it, using the Finger or a Feather, dipped in Oil to provoke it, if it come not away presently.  
Within one quarter of an hour after, whether you Vomit or no, go into a warm Bed and sweat Fifteen or Twenty hours (if it can possibly be endured) with two or three pennyworth of London Treacle, (more or less, according to to the Age and Constitution of the party) dissolved in five or six Spoonful of warm Vinegar; 
(3) Or Elect, de. Ovo 2 Drams, or a Scruple, or Sir Walter Raleigh's, or Mr dixon's Sudoriffique, or rather Dr Burgess Sulphur auratum against the Plague, which doth both Vomit, Sweat, and Purge.  and as often as they Thirst during their Sweat, let them Drink freely hot Posset-Drink, or Mace Ale, a little Rosemary and Sage boiled in it, and Drink no other Drink for two or three days; nor any cold Drink for four or five days or more: An hour or two after the Sweat is over, and the Body well dried with warm clothes, they must wash their Mouths and Hands with warm water and Vinegar, and then (if their stomach will permit) they may refresh themselves with some convenient food; as Mutton Broth, Egg Candle, Water-gruel, or Panada, with a sprig of Rosemary, Mints, or Thyme, boiled in it.  
This being done they may go to sleep, and at the same time they go to rest, to put on the Vesecatories 
(4) You must spread the Plaster upon Leather, and cut it into six parts, those two for the Ears no bigger than a half Crown; the other each of them about the bigness of a hand: Those that are so extreme poor that they muct rather beg then buy, rather than they shall want so necessary a help, are to have the Plaster gratis; others to pay six pence.  or Blistering Plaster of Cantharideses, (which may be had at any Apothecaries) under the Ears, Armholes, and Groins, and let them lie on six or eight hours, then take them off and clip the Blisters if they be not broke, and keep them running till the Disease be over, which may be done by buying at any Apothecaries a pennyworth of Melliolote Plaster, commonly called the Green Plaster; and applying it to each Blister, and renewing it as often as conveniently you can: And if at any time there be in any part of the Body any 
(5) Those that can make use of an Apothecary, the best way will be to anoint the swelling with Oil of Roses, Lilies, or Unguent of Althaea; and then put upon the Tumour, the Plaster of Diacalum cum Gummis, or Mr. dixon's Plaster.  swelling apply the said Green Plaster constantly to it, and continue the taking of 
(6) And use this for a Cordial, a quart of Claret burned; and afterwards put into it almost a quarter of a pint of Vinegar, and this makes a very pleasant and profitable Cordial Julip. The Richer sort may instead of Vinegar, use Spirit of Vitriol, Syrup of Citrons or Lemons, ●o much as will make the wine sharp and pleasing to taste; neither need a better be provided, ●f they use Zeduary instead of Ginger when they burn the Wine.  Cordials, or the former Posset-Drink of Sage until they be well come forth or break; and when they are broke keep them running as long as you can, by applying the said Green Plaster to them: And take great notice, That when you have Running Sores, there is great hopes of life; but the least Cold being taken, it is certain death, and Hundreds have miscarried by going abroad too soon: In such cases therefore (upon the forfeiture of Life) keep Warm within doors for two or three Weeks, or until the Sores be perfectly well: Also if the Disease lie much in the Head and the body be bound, you may safely at any time give this Suppository, viz. a Fig slit and filled with Salt, and so put up into the Body, putting up after it a small piece of Candle if two or three inches long: Or if there be any violent Looseness, great burning heat, or Drowth, boil then in their Posset Drink, Plantain, Sorrel, or Knot grass; where these cannot be had Vinegar may be permitted, so much as to make the Posset Drink a little sharpish.  
These few and plain Directions designed and contrived for the poorest and meanest Persons and Capacities, being carefully observed may with God's blessing be the mean of preserving such as shall use them, neither (waving in such Exigencies as these, all Rites and Ceremonies) can more be done, 
PREVENTIVES.  where the Physician Can or Cannot be consulted. And I do solemnly require all that are concerned in my Practice, as they respect their lives to advise with this Paper to all Intents and Purposes, as if I were personally present.   

A Necessary Caution.  
THe Great Mistake that I find about Preventives against the Plague hath occasioned the Publishing of this Paper for Public use and benefit; it being not only my own, but the Judgement of those that aught most to be Trusted, That those Hot Medicines of 
(7) One pound of the Conserve of Wood-Sorrel, of London Treacle, and Bole Armoniac; Sirup of Vinegar, or Sirup of Citrons, of each one Ounce, is undoubtedly a far more safe and Sovereign Preventive, taken morning and night, the quantity of a large Nutmeg. The poorer sort may put the Bowl and London Treacle in a pint of Vinegar, and take a Spoonful Morning and Night, first shaking it.  Sir W. Raleigh, Dr. Burgess, Mr. Dixon, and some others so much taken notice of, are, without exception, of very great Worth for such as are Infected, Yet so far are they from being Preventives of This present Infection, That they are rather great promoters of it, by Exalting Blood, and disposing of it for Fevers, especially in Young, Lean, Sanguine, Choleric, Constitutions and Persons: But Corpulent, Rheumatic, Aged and infirm people and No others, may safely be permitted the moderate use of them, and other Hot Medicines, as Zeduary, Angelica, Rue, etc.  
Those that appoint, or shall plead for the promiscuous use of them, either mistake themselves and good Authors, or do not consult the Causes of this present Contagion, but judge of it as of former Pestilencies, proceeding from Putrefaction, by an Intempëries of those first qualities, Heat and Moisture; whereas (things rightly examined) an Arsenickfome by a Dyscrasy of Heat and Dryness will be found concerned in it; And as this Consideration is (in the behalf of better judgements) propounded; So also (till solid reasons be produced to the contrary) 'tis desired that the great Error of Hot and Dry Medicines for Preventives may be Reform.  
The great business to prevent the Plague is to prevent 
(8) By avoiding all things, that may inflame, over heat, and exasperate Blood as Salt Diet, and strong-Drinks.  Fevers and 
(9) By Temperance, and not cooling the Blood too fast after it is heated, by a too sudden and eag●r use of Cold and crude things, as small Beer and Fruits.  Surfeits; and therefore the College in compliance with his MAJESTY'S great care of His people, have prohibited the use of all Green, raw Crude and unindigested Fruits, especially Cucumbers, Melons, and Cherries, other Fruits moderately used may be permitted: Neither are they to be understood where they advise hot Medicines, that there hot Medicines are to be used as Preventives but Expulsives; that is for Sick, not for well persons.  
The provision I make for myself is to live Temperately, to wash my hands and mouth frequently with Vinegar and Water, and to make the best provision that may be to supply by 
(10) Within doors you cannot, nor is there a better Fume to be used, both for the Preventing Infection, and securing persons Infected, than Sulphur and Nitre, that is Brimstone and Salt-Peter, with a little Assa Fetida, Stonepitch, Myrrh, Labdanum or Olibanum, and upon very good grounds I judge it to be no ways inferior to that commonly called St Giles' Powder, which is common Salt-Peter disguised, and sold for 16 shillings the Pound; how much it is now improved is left to an impartial judgement to determine, which with the addition (things rightly managed) may be afforded at two shillings the Pound. Burn this Fume in infected houses four or five times a day, about a spoonful at a time, in Houses that are not infected, twice a day will be enough, and good to be used in Taverns, Coffeehouses, and Churches, and places of common resort. Also I cannot but commend, as the best of Preventives, the use of a little Diascordium rubbed in the inside of the Nostrils when people walk the streets or visit the Sick.  Artificial Fumes and Scents, the defects of a sound, wholesome and well constituted Air.  

(11) 
Take of 〈…〉 prepared Oriental Bol● Florentine orrice, of each half a pound, Sugar tw● pound, Tormentil roots on● Ounce, Myrrh in powder ha● an Ounce, with Gum Dragon dissolved in Vinegar make a past for Lozanges  
Those that would hav● more ample satisfaction o● the great worth of this mea● Medicine, let them read Galen, lib. nono, de Med. facult. who in the great and dreadful Plague at Rome left this Observation to posterity, that very few miscarried that mad● use of it. Those that shall except against the Authority of so worthy a person as GALEN, were but people in such Controversies competent Judges, they would not suffer themselves under the notion and noise of Chemistry to be so easily deceived; but because they neither are, nor can be, they ought to confide (as a thing most reasonable) in those Persons, an● that Practice that hath undergone by the best of men the test and trial of so many Ages,   in the Mouth, and let down into the Stomach (by a Styptic property, it hath to close the Orifice of the Stomach and passages that lead to it) they resist the Attraction of Malignancy into the inward parts, by strengthening the Lungs, and wonderfully assisting the Heart (by fixing Humours) to resist sudden Death: The use of which are of very great benefit for Lawyers, Clergymen, and Citizens, who have public converse and concernments with people: I take no other myself, who am not ignorant of most that are Extant.   

An ADVERTISEMENT.  
The Fume and Lozanges mentioned in this Paper, are to be had at 12 pence the Paper, each Paper of the Fume containing half a Pound, each Paper of the Lozenge containing two Ounces, at every Parish Clerks house in and about London and when those Clerks are unprovided of any of the said Medicines, they or any other Persons may be supplied at these Apories, viz. Mr Wilkinson at the pestle and Mortar in Finch Lane over against the French Church. And Mr Reeds at the Queens-Armes in Fan Church-street, and nowhere else at present: Also all, or any of the Medicines mentioned in this Paper are to be had at the same Apothecaries at reasonable Rates, with the Paper and Directions how to use them (gratis.)   


At the Cockpit, Aug. 4th. 1665.  
HAving received very good Testimonies of the Abilities of Dr Thomas Cock, and his readiness to do good to the people in this time of Infection, by his Directions and Remedies in a Paper by him published. I do therefore hereby recommend the said Papers unto public use, and do desire that the Churchwardens of their respective Parishes, do take such quantities of them to be distributed to each several Family as shall be thought fit and convenient.  
Given under my hand and Seal at the Cockpit this 4th day of August, 1665. ALBEMARLE.   

August the Third 1665.  

Midd. ss.  HAving very well informed ourselves of the benefit of that may be had by the use and careful observance of the Directions and Remedies in this Paper; We do therefore recommend them and the said Papers of Dr T. Cock to public use, and desire that every Parish Clerk whom it shall concern, may have delivered to them a sufficient quantity thereof, and they to deliver them to every respective Family in their said Parishes, especially the poorer sort, that they may not be left destitute of all good and necessary helps.  
Given under our hands and Seals this Third day of August in the 17th year of His MAJESTY'S Reign. Present, The Right Honourable the 

Lord Craven.  
Edmond Warcupp.  
John Underwood.  
Thomas Wharton.      

A Directory for the Poor, against the Plague and Infectious Diseases.  
Published for the Common good.  
SInce it hath pleased God to bestow a small Talon upon me, Christianity obliges me not to hide it in a Napkin, but to bestow it upon my fellow Christians, who are not able to purchase the advice of those who will communicate nothing gratis. Therefore, that every one may know how to prepare for themselves that means of preservation that God hath given us, and the dictates of Nature prompts every one to seek after, I have here published such Remedies, as, being timely used, will preserve all such as God hath appointed for life. And such as are not able to make it themselves, though the charge be very small, I hope Christian charity will move their Neighbours of more ability to provide it for them, and not suffer them to perish for want, and thereby endanger▪ not only a greater calamity, but draw down a just Judgement upon themselves.  

The Cordial Antidote against the Plague.  
Take Sage, Rue, of each one handful, Masterwort root, Butter-burr root, Angelica roots, and Zedoary of each half an ounce, Virginia Snake-root a quarter of an ounce, Safron 20 grains, Contra Yerva a dram (at the Herb shops and Drugstors you may have them all) Malago Wine a quart, bruise the herbs, and pound the roots, and put them in a Pipkin close covered, and set it to the fire, and let it stand hot, but not boil, for the space of an hour or better, then strain it out, and put in a quarter of an ounce of Mithredate, and as much Venice Treacle, which dissolve in it. Take hereof half a Spoonful every Morning first, and every Night last, for preservation; but if one be taken sick, then let them drink a quarter of a pint, and cover them to sweat. This drink will powerfully fortify the vitals, and by sweat throw out the Malignity of the distemper. If you see that the party sweat not enough, you may give as much more; and so you may take a larger quantity than before is prescribed for Prevention, as you see cause, and the Constitution requires.   

A Drink for all Malignant Fevers.  
I recommend unto you a Posset drink to drink after it, wherewith I have cured many hundreds, in the time of the late unhappy Wars, of desperate Fever's Cousin (German to the Plague) which was then an Epidemical disease, and used no other Medicine.  
Take Carduus Benedictus, Scabious and Butter-burr roots, and boil them in posset drink, and let them drink largely of it; and be not too sparing of your ingredients, for they are easy enough to be had.  
It may be objected, That it will be so bitter you cannot drink it: To remedy that, boil it in the milk first, and the longer it boils, the less bitter it will be; and when the bitterness is gone, strain it, and set it on the fire again, and when it boils, put in your drink, and let it stand to raise the curd, which take off.  
This posset drink hath stayed violent Vomitings and Looseness: by drinking largely of it many have been cured in 24 hours, when nothing but death hath been expected.   

An outward Application for the Plague.  
I will likewise give you an outward Medicine, as good as you shall find in any sort composed, which you may make yourselves. Take Bay-salt if you can get it, and pound it small and burn it in a Fireshovel till it leave crackling; if you cannot get Bay-salt take White-salt, and powder it very fine, then take Castle-sope, slice it thin, and pound it in a Mortar; add to it as much oil of Lilies, as will make it soft to an ointment, then take two parts of Soap, and one of Figs, and one of Salt, and another of Mithridate, and mix them together.  
This will not deceive you in your expectation, for it will break any Pestilential Bubo, or Swelling, and turn out a Carbuncle, and strongly draws out the Malignity, and makes it fit to be cured by any ordinary Medicine.  
I would admonish all, not to suffer any thirst in any of those that are sick, but forbid small and cold drink; but let them drink Beer of a reasonable strength, heated as hot as they can drink it, the hotter the better; and such as can attain unto it, may moderately drink fragrant generous Wine, and Cordial Waters.  
There is one main cause of Diseases, by which many people are spoiled, and all are in danger to be infected with some foul distemper or another. Nay, there is none in safety, but his life, or at least health is in danger of it, from him that sitteth on the Throne, to him that grindeth at the Mill, and that is the Butchers in blowing their meat, when nothing is more usual then for stinking fellows to blow up the meat with their filthy Pocky, Stinking, Putrified Breath, whereby they putrify the flesh; and thereby are unknown Diseases communicated to the people, which is the cause of so many calamitous and strange distempers. It were therefore heartily to be wished, that the Right Honourable the Lord Major and the rest of the Magistrates were well informed hereof, that by their pious care the Laws made against these Pestilent Offenders were duly put in execution, which would conduce much to the health and safety of the people, which God preserve.    
Roger Dixon. From my House in Waterlane near the Customhouse, 16 June 1665.  
FINIS.