ERRATA. PAg. 34 line 2 for four Ounces, read three Ounces. p. 35 l. 14 for Batter Roots, r. Butter-burr Roots. p. 38 l. 13 for half an Ounce, r. half a Scruple. p. 39 l. 7 for Bole Armenick, r. Bole ammoniac. p. 65 l. 13 for causeth the swelling, r. causeth swelling. p. 69 l. 6 for opened, r. ripened. portrait of Thomas Willis, M.D. ●. W. sculp. Thomas Willis M.D A Plain and Easy Method FOR Preserving [by God's Blessing] those that are WELL from the Infection of the PLAGUE, OR Any Contagious Distemper in City, Camp, Fleet, etc. AND For Curing such as are Infected with it. Written in the Year 1666. By Tho. Willis, M. D. late Sidney Professor in Oxford, and a Member of the Royal Society and College of Physicians in London. With a Poem on the virtue of a Laurel Leaf for curing of a Rheumatism. By W. B. Never before Printed. LONDON, Printed for W. Crook, at the Green-Dragon, without Temple-Bar. 1691. TO THE READER. Good Reader, HAving been hitherto very averse from Publishing any of Dr. Willis' Posthumous Works, because it may be presumed that they want his last Hand to complete them; and for that Reason, giving no ear till now to any Entreaties of that kind, though never so powerful, or never so importunate: I think myself obliged to give the World some Account why I altered my mind as to this particular, and did at length suffer myself to be prevailed with to Print the following Treatise, it being now Fifteen Years after his Death; and it is briefly this: A worthy Friend and an old Acquaintance of mine, desiring if I knew of, or could procure any choice and approved Receipts against the Plague, that I would furnish him with some for a Friend of his, for the preservation of whose Health he had a singular concern, and who was going in the late Embassy to Constantinople, where that Distemper than was, and did frequently rage: I promised to use my utmost endeavours to supply him; and calling to mind this short Tract, which I transcribed from the Doctor's Papers in the Year 1666, being then his Amanuensis; I knew it would far exceed whatsoever I could elsewhere obtain, or pretend to collect upon this Subject: Whereupon I allowed him to take a Copy of it for his Friend's use, upon condition he would not make it public. But not long since a suspicious Sickness having seized their Majesty's Army in Ireland, the same Person was very much of opinion, that the Printing of it might do great service, should that Disease prove Pestilential; and urged such Arguments, as made me to be also of the same persuasion; especially, he having showed the Copy to several of the most eminent Physicians amongst us, whose opinion it was, as he assured me, that the Publishing of it might be of very great use, it being a charitable instruction in cases of great danger, for such as cannot procure the attendance of Physicians: I must needs own, that I could not withstand the judgement of such Persons. The regard I have always had, and shall still have for the Reputation and Memory of my dear Master, and best Friend, will not, I presume, be thought to lessen, by my giving way upon these terms to this Publication; since it is so earnestly desired, and so well esteemed of: And the Good that is aimed at by it can be no ill Apology for Thy Friend and Servant, J. Hemming. St. Martins-Lane, Sept. 1. 1690. A POEM UPON A Laurel-Leaf. Viris admodum Colendis, PUBLICAE SCHOLAE, Vulgò dictae, Harrow super Montem, GUBERNATORIBUS, VIZ. Dnᵒ CAROLO GERARD Baronetto. Dnᵒ EDVARDO WALDO Militi. CHEEK GERARD, Armigeris. DANIELI WALDO, Armigeris. GULIELMO FEN, Armigeris. EDVARDO WALDO, Armigeris. Hoc qualecunque Poema, Gulielmus Bolton M.A. & ejusdem Scholae Archi-didascalus, humillimè dedicat. In LAURUM APOLLINI dicatam, cujus Foliis (monitu Reverendi Viri Domini Fisher, & jussu Honoratissimae Dominae, Dominae Gerard) usus sum, quae mihi Morbo articulari laboranti, saepe medicata sunt. COnvenere loco quodam flammantis Olympi (Ut fama est) omnes Diique Deaeque simul. Queis placuit varias leges edicere, & inter Istas, de Arboribus Lex fuit una rata. Esto Jovi Quercus, Pinus Cybelaeque dicata, Populus Alcidi, Pallas, Oliva tibi. Sit mihi, Bacchus ait, Vitis, dulcissima Vitis, Deliciaeque virûm, deliciaeque Deùm. Formosae Veneris circundet tempora Myrtus, Myrto cincta duas vicerat illa deas. Sol memer & fati Phaethontis, & orbis adusti, Deposuit radios, qui nocuere, suos. Pro radiis dixit, cingat mea tempora Laurus, Sola caput nostrum Laurea s●rta tegant. Nunc, Quàm me juvat * Vide Ovidii Metam l. 1. esculeas dimittere frondes? Jupiter has solus, si placet, inquit, habe. Sic Ph● bus: risere Dii, riscre Deaeque; Et mira attonito res mihi visa fuit. Quamvis attonito, causas tamen addere causis Stat mihi, cur Phoebo Laurea sacra fuit. Anne quòd, aiebam, flammis data conscia Laurus Dat strapitum, Dominum ceu miserata suum? An, quod perpetuo Laurus frondescit honore, Et semper, Juvenis ●●u Deus iste, viget? An, quòd non saevi fulmen timet illa Ton●ntis, Fulmen, quô Phaethon praecipitatus erat? An, quòd venturi narratur praescia, visa est Arbor Fatidico Laurea digna Deo? Nunc hanc, nunc aliam placuit mihi fingere causam, Quin causa incerta est ista, vel ista mihi. Arborem in hanc versâ de Daphnê fabula venit In mentem; haud placuit fabula at ista mihi. Ob fructum, dixi, Pallas dilexit Olivam; Neve minùs prudens Pallade, Phoebus erat: Inveni tandem: Medicorum Divus Apollo est; Consului Medicos; hi retulere nihil. Ridebat quidam, si quisquam, verus amicus, Quique Lucas misero contulit alter opem; Ridebat, Quare, &, Medicos tu consulis, inquit? Ut radios, Laurum donat Apollo tibi. Non capio, di●●: Non me capis, ille ferebat? D●t Phoebus gratis munera quaeque sua. Te Medici Laurum, te celavere, salutem Q●amque Ars istorum non dabit, illa dabit. Vane, quid à Medicis posthàc sperare licebit? Quum Needhamus opem non tulit ipse tibi. Non tulit ipse tibi; qui saepe●e faucibus atrae Mortis, te raptum reddidit arte suâ. Needhamus, cui non Medicorum opprobria dici Possunt, quem doctum noveris atque pium. Pergit: luce suà quâ conspicit omnia, Phoebus Virtutem Lauro vidit inesse suae. Nec desivit adhuc: Quendam vidisti n' amicum, M●re tui misero qui laceratus erat? Acceptam Lauro gratus fert ille salutem; Dominus Meur. Vidisti, erectus quàm novus Aeson adest? Arreptâ dextrâ Laurùs tunc comiter usum Me docet; at surdis auribus ille canit. M●rbo etiam atque etiam fueram distortus acuto; (Scilicet, haud Laurum corpora sana probent) Assurgit tandem mulier sata sanguine Regum, (Cui non est Virtus nobilitate minor) Haec, tanquam suerat divino concita motu, Uterer ut Lauro, ter mihi jussa dedit. Nec mora: continuò illius praecepta facesso, Atque manu capio munera, Phoebe, tua. Admotâ Lauro, morbi fugêre dolores, Et sumunt vires corpora nostra novas: Auricomis ramis tutus sic Troïus Heros Tartarei vidit regna timenda Dei. Post Laurum acceptam, Quàm sum diversus ab isto Olim qui fueram? Quàm novus alter ego? Dissimilis primae Domina es Gerarda Parenti; Arbore tu vitam, contulit Eva necem. Visa tuo Regi in somnis dedit herba salutem, Quam medici haud dederant, sic Ptolomaee, tibi. Romano, multos hostes qui fudit, habere Appositam Laurum, fas erat, ante fores. Heu! Quàm non decuit talem sacra Apollinis arbor? Seruâsse est Phoebi, non jugulâsse viros. Arbor pluris erit Phoebi, ratione medendi, (Si minimo vatum scire futura dedit) Quid? Laurum spectat Phoebus de sede coruscâ, Reddentem miseris corpora firma viris: I nunc, laetus ait, mireris, Pallas, Olivam, Vitemque ostendas, ebrie Bacche, tuam. Afficiunt morbis mortales munera vestra; E Lauro nostrâ est certa reperta salus. Quòd per te, Alma Pales * V. Ovid. de Fast. l. 4. , valuere hominesque gregesque, Grata tuis fuerat Laurus adusta focis. Nunc, per me, Medicis licet ingeminare cachinnos, Arborem Apollineam dilacerentque jocis. Gratus ego scribam: Vireat Phaebeïa Laurus, Quâ mihi plus nummi, plusque salutis adest. Upon the LAUREL, sacred to APOLLO, whose Leaves I made use of (by the Advice of Mr. Fisher, and the repeated Commands of the Honourable the Lady Gerard) which have often cured me of a Rheumatism. Paraphrastically translated by T. F. Gent. THE Gods and Goddesses, with joint Consent, Met once (as Fame reports) in Parliament, And there disposed, by high and firm Decrees, Of all Things; and, amongst the rest, of Trees. Jove made Dodona's Noble Oak his Choice, His Right being first to an Elective Voice. The Mother-Goddess took the lofty Pine. The fruitful Olive was, Minerva, thine. And jolly Bacchus chose the spreading Vine. Sacred t' Alcides was the Poplar Tree: The Myrtle, Beauteous Queen of Love, to thee. Let all the Grove turn round into a Ring, And bowing low, salute thy Myrtle King. 'Twas made for Rule, tho' not for Empire fit By Native Worth, yet by thy Choice of it. Apollo laid his too bright Glories down, And wreathed about his Head a Laurel Crown, Loving much less to be in Sun shine seen, Than clad in new and everlasting Green. Jove turned about his Head, and smiling said, Now, now you have enjoyed the flying Maid. Most thought the thing ridiculous and odd, A Choice too foolish for so wise a God; And all did Pallas and Lyaeus praise, Who from their Trees both Wine and Oil could raise. I wondered likewise at an Act so vain, And feared the God had prejudiced his Brain; And sought a thousand Reasons in my Mind, T' excuse the Choice, but could not Reason find. I knew the Laurel had been always worn, And still the Heads of Poets did adorn; But since the Rhyming Tribe are always poor, (For Father Homer begged from Door to Door) The Laurel was for Mercury more fit, As th' Emblem both of Poverty and Wit. At last, thought I, since Phoebus has the Art, As God of Physic, Medicine to impart, Perhaps by Laurel he some way has found To cure an high Disease, or heal a Wound. I asked the Doctors, whether it were so; Who smiling at my Question, answered, No. But wiser Fisher better Comfort gave, Fisher the Name of Second Luke may have; Fisher, that can both Souls and Bodies save. Consult Physicians, Friend, said he, no more, But take Apollo's much more bounteous Store; He with a quick and all discerning Eye The secret Virtues did of Laurel spy. All may enjoy alike his Beams and Tree; He scatters both his Blessings, frank and free; Gives the best Physic, and yet takes not Fee. Dost thou not know, (thou canst not choose but know) How our dear Friend was wracked a while ago? Monsieur Meur. How your Disease did all his Limbs surprise? A Torture, which almost all Art defies. Yet he no sooner did these Leaves apply, But he cried out aloud, I will not die. I feel, I change this heavy lump of Earth, And, Aeson like, receive a second Birth. This, and much more, my dear Friend Fisher told, And then began its Virtues to unfold. I stupid, hardly heard the Words he spoke, Nor minded Counsel, I refused to take: Till by a Noble Lady ordered thrice, I yielded to her safe and wise Advice. The Prophetess affirmed, th' Effects were sure, And both at once foretold and made the Cure. Tell me, my Muse, for thou alone canst tell, What Magic in the beauteous Sex does dwell? What charming Witchcraft do the Fair invent, To force, and yet persuade us to consent? Blessed be the Sex, so apt and prone to save, And blessed the Tongue, which those Injunctions gave. What different Gifts do I from you receive, From those bestowed by my first Mother Eve? She brought in Death by one forbidden Tree, You by another do new Life decree; And by an Act, which nothing can confute, Have made the Leaf more noble than the Fruit: For nothing, when I'm sick, can that excel, Which but to use and try, is to be well. That healing Herb was something like this Tree, Which Alexander did in Vision see, And did his Health to Ptolemy restore, When the Physicians had quite gi'n him o'er. Rome (which allowed t' each mighty Conqueror To plant a Laurel tree before his Door) Mistook its Property, and placed it ill; The Laurel is to cure, and not to kill. And therefore Phoebus values it as good, Rather for saving, than for spilling Blood. Now, O Physicians, torture whom you please With nauseous Potions, worse than the Disease. Who'll now esteem those Medicines you impart, When one poor Leaf can baffle all your Art. Mock as ye will, ye have my leave to grin; I'll trust the Proverb, Let them laugh that win: And will that safer Physic still pursue, Which gives me Health, and saves my Money too. LONDON, Printed for W. Crook at the Green Dragon without Temple-Bar. 1690. Books Printed for W. Crook. 1. Homer's Iliads and Odysseys, translated into English, by Thomas Hobbes of Malmsbury. 12ᵒ. 2. The Wonders of the Peak in Darbyshire, commonly called The Devil's Arse of Peake; in a Poem, Latin and English. By Tho. Hobbes. 12ᵒ. 3. The historians Guide; or Britain's Remembrancer: Being an Account of all Actions, etc. Designs, etc. Preferments, etc. that are worthy notice, that have happened in His Majesty's Kingdoms from Anno Dom. 1600. to this time; and showing the Day of the Month each Action was performed in: With an Alphabetical Table. In 12o. Price 2 s. 4. Peppa, a Novel, with the Songs set to Music for two Voices. By a Gentlewoman. In 12ᵒ. 5. Britain's Glory; or, England's Bravery: Wherein is showed the Degrees of Honour from the Prince to the Peasant, and the proper Places and Precedency of all Persons, from the Throne to the Bondman: With a Dictionary explaining Terms in Heraldry. Also an Account of all the Orders of Knighthood in Christendom, etc. By B. Smithurst. 12o. Price 1 s. 6 d. 6. A Modern View of such Parts of Europe that have lately been, and still are the Places of great Transactions, viz. Italy, France, Germany, Spain, etc. With curious Remarks of Antiquity. 8o. Price 2 s. 6 d. A Plain and Easy METHOD, etc. IN time of Pestilence, because a Physician cannot easily, or often, be consulted with; Therefore it behoveth all Persons, as well Poor as Rich, to be furnished with Remedies against that Contagious Disease; and certain Rules, or a Method how to use them: Which Method being very plain, and almost the same to all People, consists chief in these two Parts, viz. How to preserve the Whole from takeing Infection; And how to cure the Sick that are in fected. Touching the First; Though the surest way is to fly from it, yet in regard this cannot be done by all, some Means should be used to secure [so far as it is possible] those that are forced to stay by it. Such Means of Prevention, either concern the Public Magistrate, which are already sufficiently known, and commonly practised in all places that are infected, and it would be superfluous to repeat them here; Or else such as belong to private Persons, what ways every Man that lives in, or near an infected place, may arm himself against the danger of Contagion; Which should be endeavoured, as well by purifying the Air we breathe, as also by fortifying ourselves against taking the Infection at our Nostrils, Mouth, or Pores of the Body, which are the chiefest, if not the only parts the Poison creeps in at. That the Air we breathe in may be wholesome, all Things, that may advance or add to the corruption of it, should diligently be removed; our Houses, and Streets kept clean; all Filth, and whatever may cause noisome smells, be taken away; and amongst other things, the smell of Sope-Suds, and Lie, in the washing of Clothes, be avoided; this, Experience has taught to be very dangerous; as 'tis observed by Diemerbroek and Ʋander Heyden. Besides the suppressing of Vapours that may increase the infection of the Air, it is to be purged of that Malignity it brings with it from other infected places; and this is done by great Fires, which should be continually kept, except the Wether be too hot, and by Fumes of Sulphur, Nitre, Frankincense, Pitch, Rosin, Tarr, and the like, which every day should be burnt in the Room we most frequent, also before our Doors, and on the tops of our Houses. Of simple Medicines to be used for this purpose, Brimstone is commended for the best that is; 'Tis likely that Vitriol, which partakes much of the like acid Spirit, may be very proper; but in regard 'tis not easily combustible, make this mixture, and strew of it on Coals in a hot Chafing-dish. Take green Vitriol calcined, Saltpetre, and Sulphur, of each a pound, beat them well together, and keep it for use. In close Rooms, and in hot Wether, Vinegar with Rue, or Wormwood, chopped small, and evaporated in a perfuming Pot; or else Pestilential Vinegar [as we shall describe] thrown on a hot Brick. Or take Myrrh, Galbanum, Ammoniac, of each half an Ounce; boil these in a Quart, or three Pints of White-Wine Vinegar, till they are all dissolved; put half a spoonful of this at a time on a hot Brick. Some commend Slakeing of Lime, supposing the fume that ariseth from it, may purify the Air: 'Tis possible, if this be done with Vinegar, either simple, or impregnated with Alexipharmacal Medicines, it may be more effectual. Next to the Cure of the Air, to render that as wholesome as we can; we must arm ourselves against taking in that Malignity, which [notwithstanding all means of purifying it] shall still remain mixed with it. Now because the Spirits are commonly the first that receive Infection; We must fortify them, that they may not easily admit the approaches of their Enemy, which when they are in full vigour and expansion, they will repel, and as it were keep off at a distance; Therefore Wine and Confidence are a good Preservative against the Plague: But when the Spirits, through fear, or want of supply, do recede, and are forced to give back, the Enemy enters, and first seizeth them, and thence gets into the Blood and Humours; Therefore much Fasting and Emptiness are bad: But every one should Eat and Drink at convenient Hours, in such manner and measure, as may always keep the Spirits lively and cheerful, and endeavour to compose his Mind and Affection against fear and sadness. But besides keeping the Spirits in a good height, and more especially when that cannot be done, as in Persons that are naturally fearful, and of a tender Constitution, the Spirits should constantly, as it were, be kept armed with such Remedies as resist the Poison; that is, the use of proper Antidotes against the Plague. I shall set down some Preservatives to be taken of every Morning, and again at Night, by those that live in infected places. Take of Conserve of Woodsorrel four Ounces; Confectio Liberans, and Mithridate, of each half an Ounce; Salt of Wormwood two Drams; Confection of Hyacinth one Dram; Tormentil Roots, and fine Bowl, of each half a Dram; Pestilential Vinegar half an Ounce; mix all with Syrup of Citron; Take as much as a Nutmeg, Night and Morning. For the Poorer Sort, that Medicine of the Ancients, may be proper, viz. Take of Rue two handfuls, Figs and Walnut-Kernels, of each twenty four, common Salt half an Ounce; Which beat all together in a Mortar, till it be well mixed; Take of it as much as a Nutmeg every Morning and Night. This Medicine may be several ways advanced, by adding some Alexipharmacal Remedies to it, as by putting Salt of Wormwood, instead of common Salt, and by adding an Ounce of Venice Treacle, to the whole Composition. For those that cannot take an Electuary, these Tablets may be proper to eat, about one Dram at a time, two or three times a day. Take of the Roots of Virginian-Snakeweed, Zedoary, Contrayerva, Species Liberans, of each two Drams; Camphire two Drams; mix all finely powdered, then dissolve eight Ounces of fine Sugar in Pestilential Vinegar; Boyl it Candy high, and adding the Powder to it, make all into Lozenges. For some that are of a hotter Constitution, and a high Sanguine Temper, it may be proper to take every Morning a spoonful of Pestilential Vinegar in a little Carduus water, or plain Wallnut water; or else drink a draught of Posset-Drink, made with a Spoonful of that Vinegar. Let the Pestilential Vinegar be made thus. Take of the Roots of Angelica, Butterburr, Tormentil, Elecampane, of each half an Ounce, Virginian— Snake-Weed, choice Zedoary, Contrayerva, of each three Drams; Leaves of Scordium, Rue, Goats-Rue, of each one handful; Marigold Flowers, Clovegilloflowers, of each half a handful; Seeds of Citron and Carduus, of each two Drams; Cut and bruise these, and put them in a Glass-Bottle, with three Pints of the best Vinegar, to digest for ten days. When the Stomach, by frequent taking of one sort of Antidote, gins to loathe it: In such Cases the use of it may be changed into some other: And if the Stomach withal should be ill, and defective, in Appetite and Digestion; let the Party take every Morning, ten or twelve Drops of Elixir Proprietatis, in plain Wormwood Water, or else in Wormwood Wine. Those that have Coughs, and ill Lungs, may take five or six Drops of Balsam of Sulphur, made thus. Take Flower of Sulphur, two Ounces, melt it in an Earthen Dish glazed on the fire, then put to it two Ounces of Salt of Wormwood; stir it for a Quarter of an Hour, taking care that it does not catch fire; Then put into it of Aloes, Myrrh, Olibanum, finely powdered, of each one Dram, of Saffron half a Dram; Keep this stirring half a Quarter of an Hour; Take it off, and put half an Ounce of it powdered, to digest in five or six Ounces of good Spirit of Wine; It will take in a short time a very excellent Tincture: Which keep for use. Or else this Balsam may be made with Spiritus Theriacalis Camphoratus, and so will be more effectual against the Plague, Or which is more applicable to use, Put an Ounce of that Powder newly made, into a pretty large Glass, and put to it a Quart of good Sack; Set it in a gentle heat, for three or four Hours, it will take a Tincture: And of this one may take half a Spoonful at a time: And I suppose two Spoonfuls in a convenient Vehicle, may be a good Sudorific to be given one that is infected. Though Purging in time of Pestilence is not good, as Diemerbroek by frequent Examples has observed, yet in Cachochymick Bodies, it may be convenient once in a fortnight, to take a Dose of Pillulae Ruffi; Take half a Dram at Night, and next Morning take the wont Antidote, as at other times. Also for those that live in an infected Air, that there is suspicion that they may daily take in some pestiferous Vapours, which fermenting with the Blood and Humours, may insensibly at last break out in the Plague; it may not be amiss, once or twice a week, to take pretty large Sweats in their Beds: And this to be done, especially if the Party has had any occasion whereby he may suspect himself to have been more open to infection, or that he has taken any: After such Sweat he should keep his Chamber the forepart of the day, till the Pores are reduced to be as they were before. To provoke such a Sweat: Take of Venice Treacle, one Dram; dissolve it in three Ounces of Carduus Water, add a Spoonful of Syrup of Pestilential Vinegar; Or take a Draught of Posset-Drink, made with Pestilential Vinegar; In which boil a few Petasitis Roots: To promote and continue the Sweat, take Posset-Drink with Meadow-Sweet, or else with Carduus, or Marigold-Flowers boiled in it. Besides the daily and constant use of such Alexipharmacal Remedies, there are other Means, which occasionally and sometimes continually should be taken. For in regard we always draw in the Air at our Nostrils and Mouth, these parts should be well guarded with some Antidotes, that may keep out the poisonous Vapours from entering in, and especially as often as upon occasion we are more nearly exposed to danger of Infection. To this end, some things to smell to, others to be held in the Mouth, chewed, and swallowed down, are frequently to be insisted on. That which seems at once to fulfil most of these intentions, is taking of Tobacco in a Pipe; the Smoke of this secures those parts which lie openest, and at once intercepts the Contagion from the Brain, Lungs, and Stomach: Nay more than this, it stirs the Blood and Spirits all the Body over, and makes them shake off any poisonous Matter that adhered to them: Insomuch that Diemerbroek accounts it not only a Preservative, but tells us, that himself, when he was several times infected, by taking five or six Pipes of Tobacco together was presently cured. And amongst us in England 'tis reported, That in the last great Plague, no Tobacco-Shop was infected: If 'tis not of so great virtue still amongst us, the reason is, because most Men have been accustomed to take it so excessively; wherefore it is grown so familiar to them, that it produceth no alteration when it should be used as an Antidote. Besides the frequent use of Tobacco, which doubtless in time of Plague may be profitable for them that can take it; others, and also Tobacconists, at some times should be furnished with something to smell to when they pass through infected Places. Wormwood and Rue, Galbanum, Castor and Vinegar are good: The vulgar practice of putting Mithridate, or Treacle, or Tar in their Nostrils, may be very useful; or to have a Pomander to carry in ones hand, or put into the top of a Staff. Take of the Roots of Contrayerva and Virginian-Snakeweed powdered, of each Two Drams; of the best Myrrh powdered, half an Ounce; of Camphire half a Dram. Let it be made a Powder. Part of this may be enclosed in a fine Silk Bag, and oftentimes dip it in Pestilential Vinegar, and so smell to it. To the other part of this, add Oil of Nutmegs by Expression, and Oil of Cap-ivy, of each a Dram, or as much as will make it into a Mass; also add of Balsam of Peru one Scruple. Dip Cotton Wool in Elixir Proprietatis, enclose it in fine Silk, and put it in the head of a Staff, or Civet Box, to smell to. For Medicines to hold in the Mouth, and chew on, Roots of Zedoary, Contrayerva, and Snakeweed are very good; also Roots of Enulacampane, Angelica, and Masterwort; these either alone, or macerated in Vinegar, and dried again. Myrrh is very excellent: Some commend Tobacco, and chew it almost continually. These are the chiefest Remedies which help to keep Infection out of the Body. There is yet another sort which serves to let it out, and carry it away, before it grows to a head, viz. Issues, which have been found by often experience to be good Preservatives in time of Plague: For as much as Nature having a constant vent for excrementitious matter thrown off the Blood, by the same way expels poisonous Atoms soon after they are received into the Body. Concerning Rules of Diet I need not say much, because such Precepts are commonly known: 'Tis to be observed in general, that only wholesome Food should be taken: Very salt Meats, as hanged Beef, Bacon, Pork, salt Fish, also shellfish, most kind of Herbage and raw Fruit should be avoided. The Meals should be moderate, and eaten in due season. Some Antidotal Things may be taken with the Meat, or mixed in the Sauce; Clove Gilloslowers pickled, also Citron Peel and Juice, Raspberries, Currants, Pomegranate Juices, Pestilential Vinegar, and Mustard, made with the Seeds of Thlaspi, may be of some good effect. These kind of Remedies, and manner of living, ought chief to be insisted on as Preservatives against the Plague. Those that are timorous and of tender Constitutions require a support from the use of more means; whereas Persons that are strong, and of a bold temper, have need of the less Remedies. But 'tis not safe for any to be so confident as to dare to converse with infected People, or live in the midst of Contagion without any Antidote at all. In the use of means, caution is to be had, that strong and hot Cordials be not too often taken, nor yet indifferently by all People; for that will inflame the Blood, and make it apt to kindle a Fever, which at such times soon turns to the Plague. The like caution is to be had against immoderate drinking of Wine; though a moderate proportion cheers and fortifies the Spirits, yet too much greatly disorders them, and thereby People are more exposed to take Infection. Letting of Blood in time of Plague has been observed to be very pernicious; so also oft or strong Purging; for the Veins being emptied either way, will readily suck in whatever poisonous Atoms lurk in the outward Pores of the Body, which being admitted, become the more prevalent, because the Spirits being depauperated, are less able to subdue or repel them. Thus much of the way of Preservation: Next we are to treat of the Cure of those that are infected. The Cure of the Plague admits of no Delay; neither indeed is there need of any deliberation what ought to be done; but as soon as any one finds himself infected, let him forthwith take to his Bed, and having prayed to Almighty God for his Blessing, begin to use the Means. If the Party is much oppressed at his Stomach, and strains to vomit, or else with vomiting throws up bitter and stinking Matter; let him presently take a large draught of Carduus, or Camomile Posset-Drink, and in it either half a Dram of Salt of Vitriol, or two Ounces of Liquor of Squills, and with his finger or a Feather, fetch up what is contained in his Stomach; but take no Antimonial Medicine, that will work beyond the Stomach. As soon as he has vomited, [or if there is no occasion for this Evacuation] let him presently be put into a Sweat, and continue for twelve hours, more or less, according as his strength will hold out, and not sleep in it, or not till the latter end of it. If when he gins to Sweat, or endeavours it, his Vomiting still persists, then apply to the pit of the Stomach a Toast of White-Bread, spread over with Treacle or Mithridate, and dipped in Claret-Wine or Pestilential Vinegar, made Scalding hot in a Pewter Dish; Wrap this in fine Linen, and apply it very hot. After a plentiful Sweat for twelve, fourteen, or eighteen hours, give him some Refective, as Broth, Caudle, Mace-drink, or the like; and a little while after suffer him to sleep if he can. Then give him temperate Cordials by way of Confection or Julep, or both; which repeat every third or fourth hour: Also at the time that the Party settles to sleep, lay Vesicatory Plasters behind the Ears, and under the Armpits, and also in the Groin. After he has slept, or endeavoured it, and his Spirits are pretty well refreshed, at a moderate distance from the first sweeting, viz. Eighteen, or Four and Twenty hours, sooner or later, according as Symptoms are more or less urgent, and his strength is able, repeat the Sweeting again; and so proceed through the whole Cure; one while Sweeting, and another while refreshing his Spirits by temperate Cordials and Sleep; betwixt whiles administering fit Nourishment, until such time as the Symptoms are abated wholly, and either the Disease terminated, or else the Malignity is driven all out in Boils or Carbuncles; which how they must be ordered, shall be set down. Though the same kind of Sudorificks may be given indifferently to most People, yet because there is variety of such Medicines, in respect both of the Matter and Form of them, therefore some choice may be had in the administration of them, that so we may comply with the Patient's taking them best in this or that kind of Form; and also that those that are hotter be given to Persons of a cold Temper, and those Medicines which are more temperate to such whose Constitutions are hot: I shall set down several Forms of Sweeting Medicines, which are given either in Potion, Bolus, or Powder. Potions. Take of Small Plague Water, Two Ounces; Pestilential Vinegar, half an Ounce; of Venice Treacle, one Dram; mingle them. Take of Compound Scordium Water two Ounces; Treacle- Water half an Ounce, Venice Treacle one Dram, Salt of Wormwood one Scruple, Spirit of Vitriol Six Drops: Mingle them. Take of Butter Burr-Water three Ounces, Venice Treacle, Diascordium, of each one Dram, Pestilential Vinegar one Spoonful: Mix them. Take of Carduus Water Four Ounces, Pestilential Vinegar One Ounce, Pestilential Extract One Scruple: Mix them. Or make some Posset-Drink with Pestilential Vinegar; in a Draught of it dissolve one Dram, or a Dram and a half, of any of these Confections, adding one Scruple of Salt of Wormwood. In a Spoonful or two of Treacle-Water, or Vinegar, or both mixed; give fifteen or twenty Drops of Spirit of Hartshorn, or of the simple Mixture from half a Dram to a Dram; or of Balsam of Sulphur, from ten to twenty Drops, or fifteen Drops of Elixir Proprietatis. For the Poorer sort, make Posset-Drink with Pestilential Vinegar, and boil in it some Butter-Roots, and give a Draught hot. Or make this Potion which Henricus a Brabant magnifies above all other Remedies; from the Experience of it in a great Plague once raging in his Country. Take Celandine and Rue, of each one handful, Marigold Flowers half a handful; boil these in a Quart of White-Wine Vinegar; strain it out, and keep it in a Glass Bottle; give two or three Spoonfuls; in which dissolve of Venice Treacle, or Mithridate, one Dram. This will provoke Sweat very powerfully. Some others commend a Decoction of Guaiacum, to provoke Sweat with it, as in the cure of the French Pox. A plain Decoction of Rue in White Wine, with a little Vinegar added to it, is highly commended by others. Seeds of Rue powdered, and one Dram of it mixed with half a Dram of Treacle, dissolved with White-Wine, is accounted an excellent Sudorific. Sudorific Medicines may be given in Powder thus. Take of Virginian Snakeweed, Contrayerva, and Gascoigne Powder, or Lady Kent's Powder, of each one Scruple; give it in two Spoonfuls of Posset Drink, or of a Cordial Julep, or in Syrup of Gilliflowers. Take Powder of prepared Toad one Dram, Powder of Hyacinth half a Dram: Mingle them. Take of Bezoartica Mineralis half an Ounce, of Species Liberans two Scruples, Camphire eight Grains: Mingle them. Take of the Flower of Sal Armoniac half a Scruple, of Ceruse of Antimony one Scruple, of Bole Armenick one Scruple: Mingle them. Give any of these in a Spoonful or two of any Liquor, or in a Spoonful of Sack, with as much Pestilential Vinegar; half an hour after, drink a draught of Posset-Drink with Medesweet, or Woodsorrel boiled in it. Take of the Powder of Ivy Berry's one Dram; give it in a draught of warm White-Wine, with a Spoonful of Pestilential Vinegar. Take Powder of the Roots of Carline Thistle; Give it in the same manner. Likewise Powder of Butter Burr Root, given in the same manner, provoketh Sweat powerfully, and expelleth the Poison of the Plague. Take of Zedoary Root that is gummy and sound, one Ounce, Sugar Candy one Ounce and an half, Camphire half an Ounce; mix all in a fine Powder: The Dose is one Dram in some distilled Water. If the Patient can best take his Medicine in a Bolus. Take of Venice Treacle one Dram, Tormentile Roots, Bole prepared, of each one Scruple, Syrup of Gilliflowers as much as sufficeth. Take Diascordium, Confectio Liberans, of each half a Dram, or two Scruples, Salt of Wormwood one Scruple, Conserve of Roses vitriolated half a Dram, Syrup of Gilliflowers as much as is sufficient. Take of Conserve of Roses half a Dram, Balsam of Sulphur, fifteen Drops; mix them. Take Posset Drink half an hour, or an hour after any of these. When many People are sick, and there is not leisure to compound every Dose of these Medicines severally, there should be a large mixture of each kind made up together, which may immediately, and without trouble be distributed into Doses. For Sweeting Potions thus. Take a Quart of Small Plague Water, of Compound Water of Scordium and Pestilential Vinegar, of each a Quarter of a Pint, of Syrup of Gilliflowers two Ounces, Venice Treacle one Ounce, of Diascordium and Confectio Liberans, of each half an Ounce, Pestilential Extract, Salt of Wormwood, of each two Drams; put all together in a large Glass, shake them well together, and after it ha0s stood Four and Twenty Hours, make use of it: Pour out three Ounces of the clear, and two Ounces of it turbid or shaken just before: This may serve for fourteen or sixteen days. Mix a Powder thus. Take of the Powder of Confectio Liberans, one Ounce, Roots of Contrayerva, Virginian-Snakeweed, Tormentile, Bole prepared, of each two Drams, of the Claws of Crabs powdered, half an Ounce, mix all very well. The Dose is from one Dram to one Dram and a half, or two Drams. Or take of the Powders of Prepared Toad one Ounce, and of Confectio Liberans half an Ounce, mix them. The Dose is from one Dram to one Dram and a half. For an Electuary to be distributed into several Doses, that of Hermannus Ʋander Heyden is a very good one, and as he asserts, approved by frequent Experience. Take of Diascordium one Ounce and a half, of Venice Treacle two Drams, of Confectio Hyacinthi one Dram, Powder of Nutmegs, Rue Seeds, Root of Angelica, Enulacampane, of each one Dram and a half, Wine Vinegar (or rather Pestilential Vinegar) one Ounce, Oil of Sulphur fifteen drops, Syrup of Juice of Citron as much as sufficeth: make up all together. The Dose is from one Dram and a half to two Drams. Or take of Conserve of Wood Sorrel, half a Pound, of Mithridate four Ounces. The Dose is two Drams. In time of Sweeting, give the Patiented Posset Drink made with Pestilential Vinegar; boil in the Milk Scordium or Marigold Flowers; if he is very dry, boil Medesweet, or Wood Sorrel; if he is ill at Stomach, and apt to vomit or faint, give Claret Wine burnt with Cinnamon and Zedoary Root, and Mint Water mixed with it: Or else give him Beer boiled with a Crust of Bread and Mace, and sweetened with Sugar. Besides, to the richer sort give now and then a draught of a Cordial Julep, and sometimes a Dose of a Cordial Electuary; which kind of Medicines should be given likewise after Sweeting is over, once in three or four hours, of one or other, to refresh the Spirits, and to keep the Malignity from the Heart. Give him no cold Beer in two or three days. After Sweeting wash the Mouth with White-wine Vinegar and Rose Water: Also dip a Sponge in the same warm, and gently struck the Temples of the Head, and Nostrils with the same. Between whiles give of the Medicines following. Take Woodsorrel Water, and Dragon-Water, of each Four Ounces; Scordium Water, two Ounces; Treacle Water (or Plague Water) one Ounce and a half; Syrup of Gilliflowers (or of Juice of Citrons) two Ounces; Pearl finely powdered one Scruple; Spirit of Vitriol twelve Drops: Mix them. Or make a Decotion thus. Take of Hartshorn rasped, and Ivory, of each three Drams; a Pear main sliced, Woodsorrel half an handful: Boyl these in three Pints of Water, till a third part is wasted; Strain it on two Ounces of Conserve of Gilliflowers, or Woodsorrel, or Red Roses: Let it infuse an hour: then stir it, and strain it out: Give a Quarter of a Pint warm. Whereas we give Emulsions made with such a Decoction and Almonds, and cold Seeds in Fevers, Diemerbroek affirms, upon his frequent Observation, Emulsions never do well in the Plague. Take of the Conserve of Woodsorrel four ounces, of the Rob of Goosberries or Raspberries two Ounces, Species Diarrhodon Abbatis two Drams, Confectionis Liberantis one Dram and a half, of Prepared Pearl half a Dram, Red Coral prepared one Dram, with a sufficient quantity of Syrup of Juice of Citron: Let it be made an Opiate: The Dose is one or two Drams often in a day. Sometimes the Plague is accompanied with dangerous Symptoms, to which if Remedies are not suddenly applied, all we do besides is to little purpose. Such Accidents, which call for respective ways of Cure, are chief Fluxes of Blood, and Looseness of the Belly, and Vomiting. The first use to happen several ways, viz. at the Nose and Mouth, by Stool or Urine, by the Haemorrhoids, and in Women by Menstrual Purgations: Some of which, as by Urine always, and oft times by Stool, are mortal; none of them ever tend to good Therefore in all such cases, Remedies must be administered which may stop Bleeding: And though Sweeting and Refection of the Spirits be still the principal intention of Cure; yet the other must come in as collateral with both of them; and Medicines that restrain Fluxes of Blood be mixed both with Sudorificks and other Cordials, and also be administered with Diet too. In all Haemorrhages Sudorificks must be compounded of Medicines that are temperate, and not astringent. For Potions they be made thus Take Pimpernel Water, or Tormentil Water two Ounces, of Scordium Water six Drams, of Vinegar that has Tormentil Roots infused in it, two Drams, Confection of Hyacinth one Dram, of prepared Bowl half a Dram, Extract of Tormentil one Scruple, of Syrup of Coral three Drams. Or make Posset Drink with Tormentil Vinegar, boil in it a Root of Tormentil and Bistort; in one draught of it dissolve of Venice Treacle two Scruples, Confection of Hyacinth, prepared Bole, of each one Scruple. Make this Apozem, and give two or three Ounces three or four times in a day. Take of Tormentil Roots half an Ounce, Bistort three Drams, Red Sanders one Dram, of Pomegranate Peel one Dram, St. john's Wort, Plantain and Burnet, of each half a handful; Flowers of Roses, and Pomegranates, of each one Dram and a half; of Plantain Seeds one Dram: Boyl these in three Pints of Water till a Pint is wasted; strain it, and add to it of Syrup of Coral two Ounces, Confection of Hyacinth two Drams: Mingle them. Powders may be compounded thus. Take of Confectio Liberans, or Confection of Hyacinth half a Dram; Tormentil Roots, Fine Bole, of each one Scruple; Pearl and Coral prepared, of each half a Scruple: Give it in a Spoonful of Syrup of Coral, with a Spoonful of Tormentil Vinegar. Make a Bolus thus. Take Confection of Hyacinth and Venice Treacle, of each half a Dram; Tormentil Roots and prepared Bowl, of each one Scruple; of Extract of Tormentil half a Scruple, of prepared Pearl six Grains, of Syrup of Coral as much as is sufficient. For juleps and Confections, to give in, and betwixt Sweeting, they be compounded thus. Take of Medesweet Water eight Ounces, small Plague Water, Scordium Compound Water, of each three Ounces; of Syrup of Coral two Ounces, Confection of Hyacinth two Drams, of Tormentil Vinegar half an Ounce; Mix them: Give four or five Spoonfuls every third hour. Or take of Conserve of Red Roses four Ounces, of prepared Coral two Drams, of prepared Pearl half a Dram, Confection of Hyacinth and Alkermes, of each one Dram, of Tormentil Vinegar half an Ounce; or as much as is sufficient: Make it up into an Electuary: Give once in three or four hours as much as a Nutmeg. These kinds of Remedies, which are proper in Haemorrhages, are also to be used in Fluxes of the Belly; likewise by Women with Child, because other more hot Medicines may provoke an Abortion. Make Tormentil Vinegar thus. Take Roots of Tormentil, Bistort dried and sliced, of each an Ounce, Cinnamon half an Ounce, Red Sanders one Dram: Bruise all very well, and put to it a Quart of White-Wine Vinegar; digest it in a common Furnace for four days: At the same time take Red and White Coral finely powdered, of each half an Ounce; Dragons Blood, Bloodstone, of each one Dram; Fine Bole, two Drams: Digest these in the same manner with a Quart of Vinegar: Then strain out both the Liquors, and mix them. Let Extract of Tormentil Roots be made thus. Take Tormentil and Bistort-Roots, of each one Ounce; of Cinnamon half an Ounce, of Red Sanders two Drams, Salt of Wormwood half an Ounce; bruise all together, adding of Tormentil Vinegar two Ounces; put it in a Vessel to digest with three Pints of Medesweet Water: Strain it, and evaporate it with a gentle heat in Balneo Mariae to the Consistency of Honey. In the Cure of the Plague, if a course of Sweeting, timely administered, do plentifully succeed, and withal other private Excretions be either prevented or presently suppressed, the Patient may be judged to be in a hopeful condition; and sometimes the Venom is quite expelled, without any other accident: But for the most part, because the Poison, by fermenting the Blood and Humours, is soon greatly increased; so that all of it, especially the grosser Particles, cannot easily evaporate, it settles in the outward Parts, and there causeth the swelling and breaking out of divers kinds: Those that require any application of Remedies, are Boils and Carbuncles. The first of these commonly happen in Parts that are very Glandulous; as behind the Ears, under the Armpits, and in the Groin: They arise with a hard Swelling, which ought to suppurate and break, and the Corruption to be drawn all out, by the running of the Sore for some time: These Tumours called Bubo's, should be ordered thus. If a Blister is not raised on, or near the place already, 'tis good to apply a Vesicatory Plaster just below it, but on the Tumour itself to apply some drawing Medicine, to attract the Venom outward; as at first, the Fundament of some living Fowl, or else a Colewort-Leaf dipped in scalding Water, and dried again, and smeared over with Oil of Lilies or Scorpions. To ripen the Sore, lay on Poultices or Plasters; or rather first Poultices, and then Plasters, when it tends to suppuration; which should be renewed every twelve hours at least. For Poultices. Take an Onion and White Lily Roots, boil them, or else wrap them in a wet Paper, and roast them in the Embers, afterward stamp both together, adding a little Treacle, and Oil of Lilies as much as is sufficient: Or else roast a Fig with either or both these abovenamed, and make a Pultis in the same manner: Or else with either, or all abovenamed Remedies, add an handful of Scabious or Sorrel washed; and after beat all into a Pultis. Take Pimpernel roasted on the Embers, mollify it with Oil of Scorpions, adding a little Powder of Myrrh and Venice Treacle, and lay it to the Sore. Some do commend live Frogs to be applied, and renewed as oft as they die. For a Plaster to break the Sore when it is opened, Diachylon with Gums; or else those two Emplasters, viz. Emplastrum Paracelsi, and de Fuligine, mentioned by Diemerbroek pag., 213. Paracelsus his Plaster is there thus ordered to be made. Take of Gum Oppopanax two Ounces, Seraphin or Sagapen four Ounces, Bdellium three Ounces, Galbanum one Ounce, Olibanum two Drams; let them be dissolved in Vinegar, and strained, and adding the Powder of a dried Toad and Frog, of Natural Brimstone one Ounce, of Camphire one Dram: Let it be made a Plaster to be put upon the Tumour, and renewed every six hours. Emplastrum de Fuligine, or Plaster of Soot, is thus made. Take of Chimney Soot ten Drams, Leaven, Turpentine, Butter, of each one Ounce, Venice Soap one Ounce and a half, of Honey of Roses six Drams, Common Salt half an Ounce, the Whites of two Eggs, Treacle and Mithridate, of each two Drams: Let them be mixed. For the Poorer sort, Shoemakers Wax is as good as any. If when the Tumour is ripened, it do not soon break of itself, it is best to open it by Incision; and when it is broken, put in a Pledget dipped in Turpentine mixed with the Yolk of an Egg; or dress it with Basilicon alone, or the Lineament of Arceus. A Carbuncle, which is the other kind of Plaguesore, which requires the operation of the hand, happens but seldom in any of the Emunctories [and when it does it portends ill] but useth to be in most places else: It ariseth with angry Pustules, sometimes one, sometimes many; which soon grow discoloured, and tend to Mortification, and the substance mortified must be cast out, and then the hollow Ulcer which remains must be healed. When a Carbuncle first appears, Diemerbroek commends to be applied to it for the first and second day, a Red Colewort Leaf, smeared over with Rape Oil: The same Author mentions a Pultis which he used for the most part, renewing it three or four times in four and twenty hours, till the Gore was taken out; and then Digestive Medicines, and others succeedingly are to be used, as in other Ulcers. Take Scabious and Devils Bitten, of each two or three handfuls, stamp them, and then beat them with the Yolks of two Eggs, and a little Salt; lay it to the Carbuncle warm, renewing it three times in a day at least. FINIS.