BUT all Authors and practical Physicians agree in this, to throw out the pestilential Malignity as soon as possible; which is expeditiously and surprizingly done by Alexipharmicks; and to these, as soon as the Belly is loosned, Recourse must speedily be had, as to a sacred Refuge: And there is such Plenty of Remedies of this kind, that Nature seems to have had more than
an ordinary Indulgence and Forecast, in providing against this destructive Enemy of Mankind; nor hath the medicinal Art been likewise wanting in supplying us with many Preparations of Simples, that are powerful against so grievous a Destroyer. But in this great Choice it behoves us to select those which are most efficacious; for this Distemper, which is certainly the most tyrannical of any that besets a humane Body, may be sometimes conquered in its Infancy, which when got to a Head, is not to be managed by the greatest Efforts of humane Skill.
AMONGST the Simples of the three Kingdoms, to begin with the Vegetable, Virginian Snake Root, when fresh and fragrant, is the most efficacious; insomuch indeed that I have often admired, that such great Vertue should reside in such minute Fibres, having a Tast very pungent, and a quick aromatick Scent, and discovering somewhat wonderful and almost supernatural; so that it deservedly is accounted the most efficacious and generous Diaphoretick and Alexipharmick for expelling the pestilential Poison. Its Dose, finely powdered, is from gr. iv. or vi. to [a]℈] ij. in any proper Vehicle,
due Regard being had to the Strength and Age of the Patient.
THE next Place is justly given to the Contrayerva-Root, from which also a compound Medicine, which I shall hereafter describe, is admirably contrived: The Dose of this in fine Powder is from [a]℈] i. to [a]ʒ] i. in Angelica, or Scordium Water, or in Wine, &c.
THERE are other Roots likewise which daily Experience hath taught us to be very good for the same Purposes; and with which, as Occasion requires, many valuable Compounds are formed, in order to effect that with a united Force which they could not do singly; in this Class are the Roots of Angelica, Scorzonera, Butterbur, Masterwort, Tormentil, Zedoary, Garlick, Elicampane, Valerian, Birthwort, Gentian, Bittany, and many others, which any Person that loves Variety may find in proper Authors.
BUT even Gratitude obliges me not to omit saying somewhat of Ginger, which I have prescribed both in the Root powdered, and candied, many Times with great
Success, for it is very powerful both to raise a breathing Sweat, and defend the Spirits against the Pestilential Impression.
FROM these Roots may be made Extracts, either with Spirit of Wine or Vinegar; for it is agreed by all, that the more subtil Particles collected together, and divested of their grosser and unprofitable Parts, become more efficacious in Medicinal Cases.
THE Leaves of Vegetables most used in Practice, are Scordium, Rue, Sage, Veronica, Dragon, the lesser Centaury, Scabious, Pimpinel, Marygolds and Baum, and from which, on Occasion, are several Formulæ contrived.