A Plain and Easie
METHOD, &c.
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 furnish'd 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 chiefly in these two Parts, viz. How to preserve the Whole from taking Infection; And how to cure the Sick that are infected.
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 us'd to secure [so far as it is possible] those that are forced to stay by it. Such Means of Prevention, either concern the Publick Magistrate, which are already sufficiently known, and commonly practis'd 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 endeavour'd, as well by purifying the Air we breathe, as also by fortifying our selves 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 noisom smells, be taken away; and amongst other things, the smell of Sope Suds, and Lye, in the washing of Clothes, be avoided; this, Experience has taught to be very dangerous; as 'tis observed by Diemerbroek and Vander Heyden.
Besides the suppressing of Vapours that may increase the infection of the Air, it is to be purg'd 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 Weather 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 us'd 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 calcin'd, Saltpeter, and Sulphur, of each a pound, beat them well together, and keep it for use.
In close Rooms, and in hot Weather, Vinegar with Rue, or Wormwood, chopt 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; boyl these in a Quart, or three Pints of White-Wine Vinegar, 'till they are all dissolv'd; 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 purifie 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 wholesom as we can; we must arm our selves against taking in that Malignity, which [notwithstanding all means of purifying it] shall still remain mixt with it. Now because the Spirits are commonly the first that receive Infection; We must fortifie 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 forc'd to give back, the Enemy enters, and first seizeth them, and thence gets into the Blood and Humors; 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 chearful, and endeavour to compose his Mind and Affection against fear and sadness.