A DISCOURSE OF THE Plague.  
Containing The Nature, Causes, Signs, and Presages of the Pestilence in general.  
Together with the state of the present Contagion.  
Also most rational Preservatives for Families, and choice Curative Medicines both for Rich and Poor.  
With several ways for purifying the air in houses, streets, etc.  
Published for the benefit of this Great City of London, and Suburbs,  
By Gideon Harvey M.D.   printer's or publisher's device 
London, Printed for Nath. Brooke, at the Angel in Cornhill, near the Royal Exchange▪ 1665.   

Advice against the Plague.  

The Preface.  
PHysicians can never discharge their Duty with greater Applause, than by contributing their aid to popular Diseases, which at this season is the prime movent of these Meditations. I might justly vacate from this task, having so lately amused myself about a Tract of the French Contagion; but since doing a thing opportunely is twice doing, renders me more willing to Oblige the World with a Proposal of my sentiment upon this accrueing Pest, and advice of Preservatives, Curatives, and Extinguishers of what ever Pestilent seminaries might be conceived in the Air.   

Distinction I. Comparisons of Plagues.  
Plague's do ordinarily survene great Inundations, Stinks of Rivers, unburied Carcases, Mortality of cattle, Withering of Trees, Extinction of Plants, an extraordinary multiplication of Frogs, Toads, Mice, Flies, or other Infects and Reptiles, a moist and moderate Winter, a warm and ● moist Spring and Summer, fiery Meteors, as falling Stars, Comets, fiery Pillars, Lightnings, etc. A ready putrefaction of Meats, speedy Moulding of Bread, briefness of the Small Pox and Measles, etc. Hence it may appear somewhat strange this Pest should visit us upon such disguised Forerunners, at other times consequents and signs of a late extinct Pestilence, yea potent Causes in amortising that Contagion, viz. a preceding rude, cold and dry Winter and Spring, a dry Summer, no appearance of fiery Meteors, except those Comets of the last Winter, which seemed not to be imminent over this Region, or to direct their rays hither: Meats retaining their usual sweetness as at other seasons, the Measles or Small Pox less Predominant than in other years, no Inundations, no stinks of Air, no extraordinary increase of reptiles or Infects, etc.   

Distinction II. The Nature of the Plague.  
THe Plague is a most Malignant and Contagious Fever, caused through Pestilential Miasms, insinuating into the humoral and consistent parts of the Body; first speedily putrefying, then corrupting the fluors, afterwards the solid parts, whereupon a great ebullition or fermentation ensuing between the Venene Corpuscles and the Vital Spirits, causes that sense of burning heat and dryness, etc.   

Distinction III. Signs of the Plague.  
THe highest pitch or degrees of Malignity and Contagion accompanying a Fever, are the essential properties, that distinguish the Plague from all other Diseases; so that where we find a Fever is most Malign and most Contagious, there we are not to doubt of the birth of a Plague.  
That the said Pestilence is a most Malign and Contagious Fever, is evidenced by these signatures; particularly that superlative degree of Malignity is known by an universal Lassitude, or Subitous soreness of all one's Limbs, as if bruised or beaten; sometimes a Diary Fever, but immediately changing into a putrid, and that soon after into a most Malign Fever; or a Putrid Fever at first, suddenly accrescing to a most Malign or Pestilent Fever; or a most Malign Fever at the first attaque, a great burning heat within and without, sometimes the heat is moderate or scarce sensible without, but within melting and burning; other times the heat is not very intense either without or within, continual vigilies, or a perpetual restlessness, with anguishing jactitations, or throwing one's self from one part of the bed to the other; a raging pain of the Head, a sudden and raving Frenzy; a loss of appetite, with a loathing of all Victuals, an insatiable drought, frequent and anguishing Vomitings; a Dysentery or griping Looseness in some, in others a Costiveness. The Pulses beat according to the nature of the Pestilence, viz. in a Pestilent Diary great and quick; in a putrid Pest inequal in motion and strength, but quick; in a Malign Pestilent Fever, thick, low; languid, inequal in motion and strength, quavering and intercident. The Urine varies likewise accordingly: and observe that both Urine and Pulses are very fallacious in Pestilentials, many expiring after strong Pulses and good Urines. Spots and Blotches of several colours and figures straggling over the Body; some are red like fleabits, but livid about; others yellow, livid, or black. A pricking of the entire skin, as if stung with Nettles: Rise like blisters, or small tumours and bushes, some red, others yellow or blackish: Carbuncles, or red, purple or blackish Boils or inflammations about the groin, under the ears or armpits, which if they break, contain a black crust or coal within them.  
The single presence of these Signs are no certain Diagnosticks or Determinations of a Plague, unless the said Fever prove Infectious, as two or three dying in one house, or several in a Neighbourhood, of one and the same kind of Fever, is no small argument.   

Distinction IV. Causes of a Pestilent Fever or Plague.  
Disease's are caused through some innate, or adventitious weakness of the Entrails; or vitiate quality and effect of some or all the Non-naturals, viz. victuals and drink, air, passions, etc. or by reason of some external errors, or intemperance, or ill government in the use of the said Non-naturals; or mischances, as falls, poisons, etc.  
The first sort of these Causes evades all suspicion, since strong Bodies and the best Complexions are equally exposed to the said Contagion with the worst. Neither is the second accusable, most persons varying in the use and election of all the Non-naturals, except the air, which all Inhabitants of a City or Country seeming to inspire alike or in common, must likewise be the occasion of a common Disease.  
The air to be capable of engendering a venomous and malign Disease, must be first venenated or rendered poisonous itself, for if distempered only generates no other than hot or cold, dry or moist Distempers: But 1. What this venom is? 2. Where out? 3. Through what? 4. Whence this venenosity in the air arrives? are intricate Queries, that merit studious Solutions.  
What is this Pestilential venom? Pestilential symptoms declare nothing a proportionate efficient of their effrajable and miscreant nature, but Arsenical fumes, which imitating the nature of Arsenic, result into a most pernicious poison; for Arsenic ingested within the Body in a course thick substance, immediately effects enormous Vomits, Dysenteries, burning Fevers, raging Headaches, etc. Much more such subtle Arsenical fumes, that aggress the Body from all parts.  
Where or in what place are the said Arsenical fumes generated? The Earth can only be supposed the Womb of such venene fumes, which imbibing all sorts of stinking or putrid Bodies, embraces them within her close recesses, coagulates and kindles them into Pestilential Arsenical flames; so that all manner of stinks or rotten Bodies expiring into the air, are returned by moderate Rains, and so sucked in by the Earth; likewise all filth and dirt thrown into standing Waters, Pools, Sinks, Gutters, or Ditches, are also imbibed by the Earth, or by its clammy mud, and there coagulated into venene Miasms. Whence its apparent that nastiness and filth of Kitchins, and several nasty Trades, as Tallow-Chandlers, Butchers, Poulterers, Fishmongers, Dyers, etc. neglect of cleansing Gutters, Sinks or Ditches, ●a●●ng the Streets, burying the dead, removing Carrions and dead Carcases, are great occasions of a Plague.  
Further observe, that to the production of Pestilential atoms, the concurrence of these conditions is requisite: 1. That those Pestilential fumes be first embryonately or preparatively form in a close thick or standing air, (that is not much ventilated) and close places, viz. by harbouring great quantities of stinks and corruptions, and returning them to the earth or mud of standing Waters, Ditches, Gutters, or dirt of the streets, to be coagulated into venene fumes, which stinks participating of a sulphurous inflammable nature, do soon kindle and are converted into flaming atoms, by being coagulated in close places, as the pores of the earth or mud. 2. A want of great showers of Rain, which otherwise would prevent a Pestilence, by washing away all stinks and mud, clear the Gutters and Sinks, cool the Earth, and extinguish those late concepted venoms. 3. Small Rains to open the pores of the Earth, and to convey those corruptions in the air into her bosom. 4. A dry and hot season following the moist, whereby the mud of the earth is seared up, and the foresaid malign coagulations are kindled into flaming atoms. 5. The said Arsenical bodies being now coagulated and kindled into flaming atoms, require either a very dry and warm, or subtiliating air, to melt and open the surface of the Earth, for to disincarcerate the said venene bodies, or to attract and evocate them thence: Or small Rains to unglue and relax the earth to give vent to the inflamed atoms. 6. These expiring require a thick and dull air to support, preserve and feed them, otherwise if subtle and thin, they would soon be amortised, dissolved, or expelled by the thin quick and movable air.  
But since Plagues oft reign in places where the air seems clear, and freed from all stinks or corruptions, it's an argument, there must be some other sort of pestiferous matter, viz. Mineral arsenical fumes, engendered within the bowels of the Earth; for its probable, the Earth being an universal Parent of various mixed bodies, as Vegetables, Stones, and Minerals, must necessarily abound with excrements, that are sequestered from all those Bodies she concocts, and remain unapt of being converted into them, which she expels to the surface, and thence into the air; But if it happens the Pores of the surface should be constipated, and occasion a preternatural retention of the said excrements, probably the more sulphurous parts of them do putrefy and inflame, in the same manner of retained excrementitious humours within the Microcosm, and so assume a venene nature, which expiring infect and venenate the air. The Earth may also happen to be constipated upon great Frosts, and so we see many Plagues derive their original from a rude Winter, or by great Rains converting her surface into a tough thick mud.   

Distinction V How the said Venenosities cause the Plague.  
THe said flaming Arsenical corpuscles floating in the air, are attracted into the Body, by Inspiration through the Lungs and Nostrils; or otherwise they pierce through ones clothes, and so penetrate into the pores of the entire Body. The said Miasms entering the Body are not so Energick as to venenate the entire mass of blood in an instant, (for in that case no preservatives would avail, and any Person that had but inspired the least breath of contagious air would be struck with death immediately) but by degrees, gradually corrupting the blood, and converting its parts into bodies of their own nature. The blood being afterwards rendered so turgid with a daily access of new Pestilential atoms from without, and increase of others within, Nature finds herself incapable of resisting any longer, and yields; whereupon the concepted fiery atoms unite, and excite a Pestilential fermentation, the genuine cause of all those ensuing symptoms. Vid. Venus Unmasked, Par. 81.   

Distinction VI. Whence the Durability and great Contagion of the Pest.  
WE cannot rationally imagine, that the Earth should be so turgid, as to supply the air with such quantities of Pestilential fumes, as to protract a Pestilence to a Year or two: Wherefore it's very probable, those flaming malignities obtain a power of kindling and converting other sulphurous exhalations the air is at such times filled with, into Pestilent atoms; you may read more of this in my Venereal Discovery, Art. 6. Par. 25. The cause of their duration we ascribe to their analogick animation and nutrition, or attraction of fuel; But upon this I have already discoursed at large in Venus Unmasked, Art. 19 Par 95.   

Distinction VII. Why are some Bodies more exposed to the Contagion than others?  
BEcause of their passive disposition of Body and Humours to receive the Infection, and of being vitiated by it; to wit, by foulness of their bodies, abundance of blood, oppression of the Spirits, aperture of their pores, thinness of texture of body, intemperance, promiscuous converse with all sorts of people, whence the contagion oft lights in Taverns, Alehouses, etc.  
Whence is it the Plague is so scattering at present? Because Pestilent Seminaries chance to expire and be kindled in several places.   

Distinction VIII. Why doth the Plague haunt one place more than another?  
BEcause one place is closer, nastier, and more putrid than others, by being environed with ditches, stinking gutters, and sinks; houses built upon a clay and foggy ground are more subject to conceive pestilent Seminaries. Lastly, some sorts of earth being more sulphurous than others, are more disposed to expire venenous fumes.   

Distinction IX. How is the Pestilent Contagion propagated?  
TWo ways: Immediately, by conversing with infected persons; or Mediately, by Pestilent Seminaries, propagated through the air by continuation; or by those dense bodies, that easily incarcerate the infected air, as woollen clothes, beds, furniture, in which the Contagion may be preserved several years, as Fracastorius relates.   

Distinction X. The state of this present Plague.  
THis Contagion might have been presaged upon consideration of its precursors, viz. a rude Winter, want of great showers of rain, a thick, close, sulphurous, and fiery air, stinks of ditches, and neglect of cleansing the gutters, sinks, and paring the streets. Whence we may collect, this Pestilence derives from expiring Mineral and adventitious Arsenical exhalations. The differences of Plagues are specified by the degree, qualification, or modus substantiae of the Pestilent Seminaries, which according to their grosseness or subtlety, activity, or hebetude, cause more or less truculent plagues, some partaking of such a pernicious degree of malignity, that in the manner of a most presentaneous poison, they enecate in two or three hours, suddenly corrupting or extinguishing the vital spirits; others at their first appulse excite a Per-per-acute malign Fever; and some begin with a putrid fever, swiftly changing into a malign one, which nature this present Pest seems to have assumed, gradually encroaching upon us, as we have already expressed.  
The Pestilence, in respect of its Seminaries, peragrates the four ordinary times: to wit, first, the Commencement, when those fiery Miasms are but newly kindled, and begin to expire into the air, and but few dye. Secondly, The Augment, when the said pestilent exhalations exhale in greater quantities, and kindle other Seminaries in the air. Thirdly, The state, when they burst out in a full stream, and have kindled most part of the fiery contents of the air, at which time people die thickest, and fewest escape. Fourthly, The Declination, when they begin to be extinguished, and the number of burials decreases.   

Distinction XI. Prognostics of the Plague.  
THis Pestilence, balancing the qualification of its causes and precursors, with the number of the infected, (which, considering the numerosity of the people, are but few,) and the degree of its malignity (specifying a milder sort of Plague;) portends no great mortality. At present it is in the Augment, and likely to attain to a state about the latter end of August or September, according to observations of preceding Plagues that have began at the same time and season.  
Note, that most exitial fevers, although not concomitated with the Tokens, (Exan●hemata,) Anthraces, or Carbuncles, are to be censured pestilential, and contagious; and therefore, although such houses are not shut up, it is every one's concernment to forbear making visits to any persons supposed to be dangerously ill.  
Strong bodies, and good complexions, that have been temperate in their Diet, kept their bodies clean, and used Preservatives for a considerable time, are likely to escape, if they should be surprised in the Augment.   

Distinction XII. The Preservative Cure.  
THe Preservative part seems the best, easiest, and surest cure of the Plague, for if once attaqued, it is great odds whether you escape, and therefore shall principally incline my endeavours to propose the best and most certain Preservatives.  
We have illustrated to you, this Plague works upon us gradually by vitiating and corrupting our humours through the malign air, against which we are to preserve our bodies and humours in their natural state, and defend ourselves against the injuries of the air.  
1. Our bodies and humours are best preserved by feeding moderately upon meats of easy digesture, and of a dry temperature, as Mutton, Veal, Hens, Capons, etc. but dry roasted. By being temperate in drink, avoiding French Wines, Sack, Strong Alc, and especially musty Beer. Coffee is commended against the Contagion; likewise moderate exercise; be sure to prevent costiveness, and violent passions; Sleep moderately, and after you are up uncover your bed, and open the curtains to air it, and have the bed well shaken when it is made; for damps are very dangerous.  
Abstain from all moist victuals, as fish, and moist fruits, especially from Cucumbers, Lettuce, Spinnage, Plumbs, Peaches, etc. Oranges and Lemons are judged very good against Infection; likewise Vinegar.  
To go forth with an empty or hungry stomach is unwholesome, because the spirits tending from the circumference to the stomach and entrails to attract nutriment, their deserted vacuities in the extremities are filled up with the infectious air.  
The best breakfast against the Contagion is Bisquit and Raisins.  
2. Plethory or abundance of blood oppressing the spirits, that are already engaged by the malign air, oppugning them from without, is very apt to putrefy, and to be converted into malignity: and therefore Phlebotomy or opening a vein is of absolute necessity, whereby the vessels are rendered more lose and free for the spirits to work in.  
3. Likewise foulness of body, or excrementitious humours lodging in hidden recesses, being disposed to putrefaction, and oppressing the spirits, aught to be tightly purged away.  
4. These internal disorders or apparent intestine hostilities being thus prevented, you are to provide against the injuries of the venene air, which assaults us two ways: 1. Through the nostrils and lungs by Inspiration. 2. Through the pores of the body, especially where the skin is thinnest, and the Arteries most detected, (for the vital spirits seem to attract the air potently through the Arteries,) as about the wrists, temples, Jugulars, groin, and under the arm pits. The Indicata relating to those Indicantia are: 1. Perfumes to smell to, correcting and purifying the air before it is attracted by the Lungs, or rather antipestilential unguents and oils to anoint the nostrils with; for it is tedious to be always obliged to hold a perfume to ones nose; besides, I observe most people that carry those perfumed boxes about with them, imagine them sufficient preservatories, as if the Infection were only taken by inspiration through the Nostrils; but that is a great mistake, since the Contagion doth more ordinarily penetrate into the body through the pores of the Arteries. 2. Lavatories to wash the temples, hands, wrists, and Jugulars, do potently profligate and keep off the venom: But I should rather advise Antipestilential Emplasters to be applied to the wrists, temples, groin, and armpits, which is a most excellent and commodious way of preserving, because those Lavatories are easily dried up.  
3. Since it is impossible, that those that are encompassed with a pestilential air can so preserve themselves, but at one time or other the Contagion will enter into this or that part, it is advisable we should continually fortify our spirits with internal Antidotes, to expel those Venenosities, as fast as they crowd in. The Antidotes ought to be so qualified as in a single Doss to retain the blood in a continual mild fermentation for 24 hours, (known by a small glowing of the body and extremities,) whereby the insidiating corpuscles are expulsed, and the advenient ones kept off: and such are only gross Diaphoreticks given in substance, that scarce exhale out of the body in less time than a natural day. Hence appears the vulgar vanity, reposing an indubious confidence in a spoonful or two of those ordinary Antipestilential spirits, (as that of Sir Walter Raleigh, the Lord Bacon, Mithridate, Treacle, and a thousand more, that are composed out of the same sudorific ingredients) which because of their subtle parts and exiguous Dose, are consumed and evaporated in less than two hours' time, and so the body is deserted without defence for the remainder of the day; besides they are apt to inflame the body, enrage the Gall, and engender pernicious humours. Neither, as we may universally observe, is the Plague more shy in attaquing those that are armed with the said Antipestilentials, than others that slight all Preservatives.  
But the greatest levity and imprudence is, that people should so preposterously addict themselves to tippling of the fore-instanced spirits, which encountering with foul bodies, and Plethories, and exciting a fermentation of those vitiate humours, must necessarily precipitate them into putrid and malign Fevers, especially where the air is so propitious for them. Moreover, they must also cause obstructions and constipations, by dissipating and absorbing the subtler parts of the fluors, and leaving the courser behind. Now, to evidence the necessity of Phlebotomy and cathartics; the long rude Winter and cold Spring occasioning great appetites have extremely provoked people to gourmandizing and debauchery, whence bodies result Plethoric, and Cacochymick, add thereunto the vitiate disposition of the air, sensibly contributing to the generation of depravate blood; thus far touching the Indications.   

Distinction XIII. Caveats against the Plague.  
1. Eat all public meetings, where people promiscuously conversing with one another, do readily propagate the infection: besides nothing subministrates apt matter to be converted into pestilent Seminaries than people's steams and breaths, especially of nasty folks, as beggars, and others: whence those houses happen to be soon infected, that are crowded with multiplicity of lodgers and nasty families.  
2. Avoid passing close, dirty, stinking, and infected places, as Alleys, dark Lanes, Churchyards, Chandler's shops, common Alehouses, Shambles, Poultries, or any places where old householdstuff is kept, as musty beddings and hang, for it is experienced, nothing breeds or retains Pestilent Atoms more than woollen, and feathers.  
3. Those that have occasion to go by water to Gravesend, let them rather prefer lying upon the boards, than on musty infectious straw: Likewise Travellers in their Inns had better lie on the floar, or upon Chairs, than in those common nasty beds▪  
4. The best Caveat, and surest Preservative is to change the air, according to that trite Distich: 
Haec tria pestiferam pellunt adverbia tabem,  
Mox, Long, & Tarde, Cede, Recede, Redi.   
i.e. Flee quick, Go far, and Slow return.   

Distinction XIV. Preservatives for the Rich.  
1. FOr those that are Plethoric or full of blood, it is necessary they should be let blood.  
2. It is of great concernment to have their bodies well purged, and obstructions removed, to procure the blood and spirits a free course, ventilation, and transpiration, by suitable purges and Ecphractick Medicines.  
3. The body ought to be maintained in its daily excretions, and its superfluous humours subtracted at several times, to hinder all excrementitious accumulations, by such means as are Eccoprotick, and do particularly oppugn the malignity, for which purpose Pilulae Ruffi sive Pestilentiales are much cried up, taking a half drachma or a drachma mornings, once or twice a week; or these following:  
℞ Alexander Succot. Nutrit. Suc. Absinth, ʒ ij. Gum. Ammon. Sol. in Acet. Squil. ʒ j Tart. Vitriol. Sal. Absinth. an. ʒ ss. Sal. Vitriol. ℈ j Croc. Angl. gr. 15. Ol. Succin. gut. 20. Syr. Veton. q.s. M. F. Mass. Pil. Das. a. ℈ j ad ℈ ij. Mane duabus horis ante cibum.  
This being premitted, I'll commend to you this following Antidote.  
℞ Pulu. Lign. Guaiac. ℥ ss. Flor. Sulphur. ʒ ij. Antimon. Diaphor. ʒ j Flor. Benz. ℈ ij. Sal. Centaur. Min. ʒ ss. Myrr. rub. ℈ j gr. 5. Camphor. ℈ j Croc. Angl ℈ ss. Ol. Succin. gut. 15. Ol. Vitr. gut. 10. Mel. junip. q. s. M. F. Elect. Does a ʒ ss. adʒ j ss. vel. ʒ ij.  
This mixture contains all the properties that can be desired in a most excellent Pestilential Antidote; The ingredients being prescribed in their substance do not suddenly exhale or depose their virtues, but maintain the blood in a gentle fermentation for a whole day and night, actuate the spirits, absorbe the intestinal superfluities, reclude oppilations, mundify the blood, oppugn putrefaction, gently expel and work out all contagious Seminaries through the pores, and all this without inflaming the body, which makes it suitable to all temperaments. I could here recite five hundred very select antipestilentials, but judging this to answer all Indications, shall therefore supersede that needless pains.  
The Dose hereof is about the bigness of a small Walnut, or more, every Morning, drinking upon it a draught of wormwood Rhenish, and an hour or two after you may breakfast upon biscuit and raisins.  
It is also very proficuous to take a good large dose once a week, and sweat moderately upon it a bed.  
This following we have composed out of the chiefest Alexipharms, but most for Phlegmatic temperaments.  
℞ Conserv. Salu. Ros. Vet. an. ℥ j Elect. de Ovo, Diascord. Frac. an. ℥ ss. Flor. Sulphur. ʒ ij. Rad. Zedoar. Dictam. Carlin. Scorzon. Angel. Ostrut. Gentian. Tormentil. an. ʒ ss. Myr. Suc. Alb. Thur. Camph. an. ℈ j Extr. junip. ʒ j Tinct. Croc ℈ ij. Ol. Angel. Spir. Vitriol. an. gut. 15. Syr. Acet. Citr. q s. M. F. Elect. Does a ʒ j adʒ ij.  
Children and bigbellied women require Antidotes somewhat more grateful to the Palate, and less hot; as these tablets.  
℞ Sp●●. e Chel. Cancr. Coru. Cer. Nou. Prap. Terr. Sigil. Succin. Alb. an ʒ j Ol ●ont. Citr. gut. 10. Sacchar. Alb● q.s. Sol. in Aq. Ros. M. F. Rotul. Poud. ʒ ij.  
Having now proposed to you the choicest internals, it is requisite to add some external defences, to keep off the air from entering, viz. Emplasters to be applied to the wrists, temples, and groin.  
℞ Mithrid. Opt. Vet. ℥ j Cinab. Factit. ʒ j Vitriol. Roman. ℈ ij. Pic. Liq. ʒ iij. Cer. Alb. q.s. M, F. Empl. Extend. Super. Alut. vel Pan. Seris.  
This Emplaster, I can assure you, is of that force and virtue, that you would detract from its worth in using any thing else to second it, since it performs the same effects of intrinsic Alexipharms; besides it perfumes one's clothes, purifies the air, attracts the venom outwards, and gently keeps the vital spirits in play.  
Cordial Bags worn next ones breast over the heart, likewise Pestilential stomachick Emplasters applied to the stomach, do potently resist the Infection, and preserve the entrails.  

The Cordial sweet-bag.  
℞ Rad. Calam. arom. Angel Zedoar. an ʒ j ss. Flor. Anth. Salu. Ros. an. P. j Sum. Rut. pull. Benz. Stir. Myrr. an. ʒ j Santal. Citr. Nuc. Muscat. Cinam. an. ʒ ss. Camphor. ℈ j Pulveriz. M, F. Saccul.   

The Stomach Emplaster.  
℞ Emplastr. Stomach. ℥ j Myrrhʒ j Zedoar. ℈ ij. Extract. Rut. Angel. an. ʒ j Ol. Succin. ℈ ss. Ol. Laurin. q.s. M. F. Empl. sentiform. applicand. stomach.  
The Nostrils and the jugular Arteries ought to be anointed every morning with this following lineament or Balsam.  
℞ Ol Stillat. Angel. Rutae. Succin. an ℈ j Caphur gr. 5. Cerae Alb. q.s. M. F. Balsam. inungant. intern. nar. & Art. jug.  
Some do also commend Balsam of Sulphur to anoint the Nostrils with; but erroneously, because it's sent is suffocating and very offensive to the Lungs.  
The face and hands may be defended with this single wash.  
Take half a drachma of Camphor, dissolve it in two ounces of wine Vinegar, and mix it with four ounces of Rose water.  
The brain should likewise be shielded with a Cucupha, or spice cap, made with the same species prescribed for the cordial sweet bag.  
It will not be amiss to insert a word or two touching their clothes. Nothing seems more preservative than cleanliness and oft shifting of Linen, because the steams of a man's body inhering in dirty linen are very apt to putrefy into malignity; it is likewise very commendable to change clothes once or twice a week, for the reason alleged. At nights have a fire kindled in your Chamber, which doth very much conduce to purify the air, and consume all noxious damps; and after you are a bed cause your clothes to be hung before the fire, whereby the venene air that possibly may be latent in the wool is potently extracted; Next morning perfume your clothes with these following Trochisces.  
℞ Rad Angel. Zedoar. an. ℈ iiij. Gum junip. Myrr Stir. Cal. an ʒ j Sem Rutilio flor. Lavend an ʒ ss. Arsen. Pel. ℈ j Excip. Thereb. M. F. Trochis. Pond. ʒ ij.  
What concerns the election of clothes, it is probable Hairs Stuff, as Camelots', or Grograins, are least disposed to harbour infection, their density denying passage to the thick contagious air, easily glancing or slipping off their glib surface, whereas woollen and worsted do easily retain infection.  
Since we have hitherto instructed you how to preserve yourself abroad, it falls in course to propose such means, as may conspire your preservation within. Above all keep your house very dry with fires, for dampness, as I have illustrated in my Philosophy, Part 2. Book 1. Chap. 24. Par. 5. is a great cause of the Plague. Next prefer neatness and cleanliness in your Kitchen, Buttery, Sinks, etc. be sure to have the upper corners of your Rooms well swept, and that often; cause your Room where you most abide in to be oft washed with water and Vinegar: flash Gunpowder in it twice or thrice a day, or burn frequently pitch and brimstone, or the before written Trochisces; perfume your sheets likewise by burning the said Trochisces in a warming pan. Put away your Cats and Dogs, for they are not only apt to transport the contagion from other places, but do also emit stinking fumes or steams, that are readily converted into malignity.    

Distinction XV. Preservatives for the Poor.  
CAcochymies or fowl bodies of the Vulgar, contracted through course and dreggish feeding do require strong Purges, or rather vomits once or twice repeated, among which for its cheapness and excellency in evacuating, deoppilating, and expelling all malignity, we prefer this following:  
℞. Vitr. Antimon. a gr. 2. ad 4. Diascord. Frac. a ℈ j ad ℈ ij. M. F. Bol. Caplat mane cum regimine.  
In Plethories opening a vein proves a great Preservative.  
Hereupon they are to take a draught of this antipestilential Tincture or Infusion every morning, repeating the foresaid Vomit once a month.  
Take juniper berries one ounce, Gentian root, Zedoary, Myrrh, of each two drachmas, Rue tops half a handful, bruise them all in a mortar, and being put into a clean earthen pot, pour upon them Wine Vinegar and Brandy, of each the same proportion, as much as will swim three fingers atop; stop the pot very close, and set it for 24 hours on the hot Cinders; then strain it, and dissolve in it Camphor, and sal Prunella, of each half a Drachma.  
A spoonful hereof, or two at most, taken Mornings and Evenings is so potent a defence and Preservative, that scarce any Pestilence is poisonous enough to infringe its force.  
An hour or two after, they may breakfast with bread and butter, and Sage, Rue, or Garlic; and wormwood Rhenish.  
To smoak Tobacco oft, especially Mornings and Evenings seems an excellent Preservative.  
It's judged by many, that Issues conduce to divert the malignity; but chief in Children and moist Constitutions.  
Annulets are commended by some, and disproved by others.  
We do also commend to them our Pestilential Emplasters, prescribed in the preceding Distinction, to be applied to the same parts, viz. wrists, temples, groin, and under the armpits.  
Touching fumes to correct the air, they will find this following very efficacious: Take Rue and steep it in Vinegar, and pour some of it twice or thrice a day upon a hot Iron: or pour Vinegar and water upon unquenched Lime.  
Above all let them study cleanliness.   

Distinction XVI. The Pestilential Cure.  
IF on a sudden you are surprised with a great headache, anguish, and soreness or pains of all your limbs, you may with reason suspect your condition; and therefore lay aside all business immediately, betake yourself to this ensuing Antidote, composing yourself to a copious sweat in bed.  
℞. Bezoart. Min. a gr. 6. ad 12. Spir. Corn. Ceru. a gut. 4. ad 8. Caphur. a gr. 2. ad 4. Diascord. ℈ j M. F. Bol. Deauret.  
Continue the sweat for an hour; afterwards in case of too great a Laps of spirits, take a spoonful or two of the below mentioned Cordial restorative. The symptoms disappearing upon the sweat, it is a sign there was no infection; if otherwise, six hours after be let blood to a small quantity of 5, 6, 7, or eight ounces, and within a quarter of an hour after, sweat again upon the repetition of the prescribed Bole.  
In case the Sickness attaques you with more certain and evident Symptoms, immediately exhaust a convenient proportion of blood, and within a quarter of an hour assume the Pestilential Bowl, or this annexed Tincture, and sweat copiously upon it.  
℞ Rad. Carlin. Angel. imperat. Zedoar. Tormen. an. ʒ vj. Rad. Contrayer. ℥ ss. Diascord. Frac. ℥ iiij. Myrr. ℥ ij. Croc. Orient. ʒ vj. Camphor. ʒ ij. Superfan. Spir. Vin. Rect. Spir. Sulphur. per Camp. ʒ j Acuat. lb j ss. diger. p●r dies 8. Dein Cole●r. per Chart. Empor. M. F. Tinct. Does. ab ℥ ss. ad ℥ j  
1. We judge Vegetables more commodiously given in infusion than substance, because of their quicker operation. 2. We do also prefer Tinctures before distilled liquors; because these are nothing but abstracted menstruums, impregnated with a nauseous phlegm, or light cariared dusts of Vegetables, whereas the virtues of the ingredients are chief latent in their salts, that are left in the bottom of the Still: Whence it is, that Treacle Water is so feeble, and of so faint a taste, far different from the strong faculties and sent of Treacle in substance. Neither are Treacle or Mithridate in substance proper Medicines against the Plague, because consisting of a great many Aromata, or gross aduring Spices, they impress an Empyreume upon the entrails for want of subtle dissipative parts. Whence you may readily apprehend the excellency of the prescribed Tincture, being extracted from few, but most experienced and select ingredients.  
Having passed your sweat, relieve your spirits with a spoonful or two of this Analeptick.  
Take a Pollet or Capon, cut it into small pieces, and put them into a diet pot, affuse upon them black Cherry, Burnet, borage, and Rose water, of each four ounces, let them simper four hours upon a gentle fire, afterwards express the liquor, and mix with it Cinnamon water comp. an ounce and half, gely of Quinces, and Currants of each one ounce and half, syrup of Citrons one ounce, Saffron, twenty grains.  
Some six or eight hours after repeat the said sudorific, and thereupon the Refective Cordial. The Contagion being very malign indicateth the commixture of some Narcotick with the sudorific; as a grain or two of Laudanum Opiatum, to allay the violence of the Fermentation. If the malignity be only obtunded by the fore-instanced Diaphoreticks, a third Dose will prove necessary. Inject also lenitive and detergent glisters between times.  
To extinguish the great heat, and abate the Patients immoderate thirst, this Julep is thought very excellent.  
Take the shave of Heart's horn one ounce, affuse a quart of water, and boil it for half an hour or less, strain it, and dissolve in it three ounces of syrup of Popies, one drachma and a half of Sal. Prunellae, one Scruple of Spir. of Vitr.  
This may be enforced by admixing two or three ounces of Aq. Sperm. Ranar. to it,  
Against restlessness or immoderate vigilies we use to prescribe this following in malign fevers.  
℞. Aq. bor. Nymph. Pap. Rh. an ℥ j ss. Diascord. Frac. ℈ j Syr. Pap. Rh. ℥ j ss. This, if frustraneous, is fortified with Diascord. or Laudan. Op.  
Anoint the Temples, Nostrils, and Jugulars with Ung. Pop. Alabast. an. ʒ j ss. Op. Theb. dissol. in spir. Vin. gr. 9 Camphor. gr. 3. M. F. Lin.  
Against the adustion of the tongue and mouth use Plantain water four ounces, two ounces of Rose Vinegar, one ounce of Syrup of Mulberries, one drachma of Sal Prunellae.  
If upon the first shock of the Contagion the stomach is vitiated in its retention, so as it vomit up whatever is ingested, exhibit a Dose of salt of Vitriol, which besides its speedy evacuation by vomit without enervating the body, doth singularly infringe the malignity: An hour or two after its operation assume a Dose of the Antipestilential Tincture, which repeat as oft as necessary.  
If the Patient is surprised with a Lipothymous anguor, jactitation, or great oppression about the stomach and Hypochonders, expect no relief from Cordials in that case, although usually prescribed, but take a Dose of salt of Vitriol.  
A raging headache is only appeased with soporiferous Liniments, and internal Narcoticks.  
A Dysentery is stopped by a Detersive mixed with a Narcotick, viz. Diascord. adʒ j Laudan. Opiate. ad. gr. 2. vel 3.   

Distinction XVII. The Cure of Carbuncles.  
CArbuncles the more they break forth in number, and the farther from the heart, so much the better, which if soft, and easily perduced to a laudable maturation with the sequel of the imminution or mitigation of symptoms, portend a happy event, if otherwise, the contrary.  
Since Nature doth disburden herself of the venom by those kinds of tumors, we are to give them vent as speedily as possible, by applying strong acre and attracting Maturatives; as this following:  
Take sharp Leaven one ounce, Garlicks roasted number two, Mithridate half an ounce, Mustard seed bruised two drachmas, oil of Rue Per. infusion. two ounces, make it to a Poultis.  
The said tumors being but imperfectly maturated, known by their softness, are to be opened with a Canstick, and a milder Poultis to remain on until the crust falls off, then to be mundified with honey of Roses an ounce, Mithridate a dram, dissolved in spirits of Wine; this to be imbibed by stoops and applied, imposing upon them an Empl. Diachyl.   

Distinction XVIII. Whether Phlebotomy ought to be celebrated in the Cure of the Plague?  
IT is generally thought Phlebotomy retracting the blood from the Circumference to the Centre, doth also convey the concepted Contagion with it, and so impact it deeper into the body; for which reason it is disapproved by those that know no better; but this supposed, it is no prejudice as long as the Contagion being still in motion is immediately after expelled with a double force, by taking a sudorific upon it; for by letting blood in the beginning after that manner, we take the greatest advantages imaginable: 1. We detract some part of the burden from the spirits, that are too much oppressed already by the malignity. 2. Thereby by we remove obstructions of the vessels, and relax the constipation of the pores towards a ventilation and transpiration, which otherwise doth deny passage to the malignity Nature endeavours to expel by sweat. 3. The spirits being embroiled with the malignity, and drowned in the blood, (not only abounding, but also turgent and tumisied by the Febril fermentation,) and so tied up from expelling the venosity are by Phlebotomy relieved, set free and lose, abstracted from the fermentation, whence afterwards uniting together do forcibly expel the venom by transpiration, (whence it is most persons are easily incident into sweats after Phlebotomy,) especially if moved by a Diaphoretic, although but gentle. Wherefore you may now believe nothing more proficuous against the Plague (but in the commencement only,) than Phlebotomy, seconded with Diaphoreticks: read the same question in my Vener. Discov. Book, Art. 5. P. 14.   

Distinction XIX. Whether the Plague cannot be generally prevented by purifying the Air, and extinguishing the Pestilent Seminaries therein floating?  
IT is recorded Hypocrates cured his Island, being infected with a Deleterious Pestilence, by setting in fire a great Wood, which attracted all the Venene Seminaries, and so consumed and amortifed them: but it's observed he did so, when the Plague was declining. But it is not as the Vulgar imagines, the Pestilent Seminaries must not only be extinguished, but all the sulphurous matter of the air, whereout the said Venenosities are kindled, be consumed: And lastly, not only so, but the Earth must also have vented all her malign fumes; for know, that a Pestilence generally derives its origine from a Crisis of the Earth, whereby it purges itself by expiring those Arsenical fumes, that have been retained so long in her bowels; now before a Pestilence can cease, the Earth must have purged itself through those transpirations, which continue longer or shorter, according as the heat of the Sun doth assist her by attracting the said fumes, or small Rains open her pores by relaxing her surface; whence we may now weekly observe, the more small Rains there fall, the more the present mortality increases. So that you may now collect a Pestilence to be originally nothing but a Critical sweat of the earth.  
The air may be purified by burning great fires of pitch barrels, especially in close places; by discharging of great Guns into infectious Streets; by burning of Stink pots, or Stinkers, as they call them, in Contagious Lanes; besides many other ways which at present time and paper denies us a recital of: Otherwise I should have inserted many other very considerable Secrets for Preservation and Cure, but I content myself to have served the Public, by divulging the most apposite methods, and choicest Medicines that can be composed or thought upon.   
FINIS.