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 mix'd; give fifteen or twenty Drops of Spirit of Harts-horn, 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 boyl in it some Butter-Roots, and give a Draught hot.
Or make this Potion which Henricus a Bra 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; boyl 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 pouder'd, and one Dram of it mix'd with half a Dram of Treacle, dissolv'd with White-Wine, is accounted an excellent Sudorifick.
Sudorifick Medicines may be given in Pouder thus.
Take of Virginian Snakeweed, Contrayerva, and Gascoigne Pouder, or Lady Kent's Pouder, of each one Scruple; give it in two Spoonfuls of Posset Drink, or of a Cordial Julep, or in Syrup of Gilloflowers.
Take Pouder of prepar'd Toad one Dram, Pouder 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 Cerusse 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 boyl'd in it.
Take of the Pouder of Ivy Berries one Dram; give it in a draught of warm White-Wine, with a Spoonful of Pestilential Vinegar.
Take Pouder of the Roots of Carline Thistle; Give it in the same manner.
Likewise Pouder of Butter Burr Root, given in the same manner, provoketh Sweat powerfully, and expelleth the Poyson 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 Pouder: The Dose is one Dram in some distill'd Water.
If the Patient can best take his Medicine in a Bolus.
Take of Venice Treacle one Dram, Tormentile Roots, Bole prepar'd, of each one Scruple, Syrup of Gilloflowers 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 Gilloflowers 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 Sweating 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 Gilloflowers 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 has 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 Pouder thus.
Take of the Pouder of Confectio Liberans, one Ounce, Roots of Contrayerva, Virginian-Snakeweed, Tormentile, Bole prepar'd, of each two Drams, of the Claws of Crabs pouder'd, 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 Pouders of Prepar'd 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 Vander 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, Pouder of Nutmegs, Rue Seeds, Root of Angelica, Enulacampane, of each one Dram and a half, Wine Vinegar (or rather Pestilential Vinegar) one Ounce, Oyl 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 Sweating, give the Patient Posset Drink made with Pestilential Vinegar; boyl in the Milk Scordium or Marigold Flowers; if he is very dry, boyl 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 mix'd with it: Or else give him Beer boyl'd with a Crust of Bread and Mace, and sweetn'd 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 Sweating 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 Sweating wash the Mouth with White-wine Vinegar and Rose Water: Also dip a Spunge in the same warm, and gently stroke 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 Gilloflowers (or of Juice of Citrons) two Ounces; Pearle finely pouder'd one Scruple; Spirit of Vitriol twelve Drops: Mix them.
Or make a Decoction thus.
Take of Harts-Horn rasp'd, 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 Gilloflowers, 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 Rasberries two Ounces, Species Diarrhodon Abbatis two Drams, Confectionis Liberantis one Dram and a half, of Prepar'd Pearl half a Dram, Red Coral prepar'd 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 chiefly Fluxes of Blood, and Loosness of the Belly, and Vomiting.
The first use to happen several ways, viz. at the Nose and Mouth, by Stool or Urine, by the Hæmorrhoids, and in Women by Menstrual Purgations: Some of which, as by Urine always, and ofttimes by Stool, are mortal; none of them ever tend to good. Therefore in all such cases, Remedies must be administred which may stop Bleeding: And though Sweating 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 administred with Diet too.
In all Hæmorrhages 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 infus'd in it, two Drams, Confection of Hyacinth one Dram, of prepar'd Bole half a Dram, Extract of Tormentil one Scruple, of Syrup of Coral three Drams.
Or make Posset Drink with Tormentil Vinegar, boyl in it a Root of Tormentil and Bistort; in one draught of it dissolve of Venice Treacle two Scruples, Confection of Hyacinth, prepar'd Bole, of each one Scruple.
Make this Apozeme, 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. Johns Wort, Plantane and Burnet, of each half a handful; Flowers of Roses, and Pomegranates, of each one Dram and a half; of Plantane 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.
Pouders 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 prepar'd, 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 prepar'd Bole, of each one Scruple; of Extract of Tormentil half a Scruple, of prepar'd Pearl six Grains, of Syrup of Coral as much as is sufficient.
For Juleps and Confections, to give in, and betwixt Sweating, 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 prepar'd Coral two Drams, of prepar'd 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 Hæmorrhages, 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 pouder'd, of each half an Ounce; Dragons Blood, Blood-Stone, 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 Mariæ to the Consistency of Honey.
In the Cure of the Plague, if a course of Sweating, timely administred, do plentifully succeed, and withal other private Excretions be either prevented or presently supprest, the Patient may be judg'd to be in a hopeful condition; and sometimes the Venom is quite expell'd, without any other accident: But for the most part, because the Poyson, by fermenting the Blood and Humours, is soon greatly encreas'd; 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 Tumors call'd Bubo's, should be ordered thus.
If a Blister is not rais'd on, or near the place already, 'tis good to apply a Vesicatory Plaister just below it, but on the Tumor it self to apply some drawing Medicine, to attract the Venom outward; as at first, the Fundament of some living Fowl, or else a Colewort-Leaf dipt in scalding Water, and dried again, and smear'd over with Oyl of Lillies or Scorpions. To ripen the Sore, lay on Pultises or Plaisters; or rather first Pultises, and then Plaisters, when it tends to suppuration; which should be renew'd every twelve hours at least.
For Pultises.
Take an Onion and White Lilly Roots, boyl them, or else wrap them in a wet Paper, and roast them in the Embers, afterward stamp both together, adding a little Treacle, and Oyl of Lillies as much as is sufficient: Or else roast a Fig with either or both these above-nam'd, and make a Pultis in the same manner: Or else with either, or all above-named Remedies, add an handful of Scabious or Sorrel wash'd; and after beat all into a Pultis.
Take Pimpernel roasted on the Embers, mollifie it with Oyl of Scorpions, adding a little Pouder of Myrrh and Venice Treacle, and lay it to the Sore.
Some do commend live Frogs to be applyed, and renew'd as oft as they die.
For a Plaister to break the Sore when it is open'd, Diachylon with Gums; or else those two Emplaisters, viz. Emplastrum Paracelsi, and de Fuligine, mention'd by Diemerbroek, pag. 213. Paracelsus his Plaister is there thus order'd 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 strain'd, and adding the Pouder of a dried Toad and Frog, of Natural Brimstone one Ounce, of Camphire one Dram: Let it be made a Plaister to be put upon the Tumor, and renewed every six hours.
Emplastrum de Fuligine, or Plaister of Soot, is thus made.
Take of Chimney Soot ten Drams, Leaven, Turpentine, Butter, of each one Ounce, Venice Sope 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 Tumor is ripen'd, it do not soon break of it self, it is best to open it by Incision; and when it is broken, put in a Pledget dipp'd in Turpentine mix'd with the Yolk of an Egg; or dress it with Basilicon alone, or the Liniment of Arceus.
A Carbuncle, which is the other kind of Plague-Sore, 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 discolour'd, 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, smear'd over with Rape Oyl: The same Author mentions a Pultis which he us'd for the most part, renewing it three or four times in four and twenty hours, till the Core was taken out; and then Digestive Medicines, and others succeedingly are to be us'd, as in other Ulcers.
Take Scabious and Devils Bit, 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.
Transcribers Notes
Original variations in hyphenation have been retained. Original spellings were also retained except in the cases of these apparent typographical errors:
Page [2], “takeing” changed to “taking.” (How to preserve the Whole from taking Infection)
Page [14], “Balsum” changed to “Balsam.” (five or six Drops of Balsam of Sulphur)
Page [31], “Medicins” changed to “Medicines.” (there is variety of such Medicines)