Certaine rules, directions, or advertisements for this time of pestilentiall contagion With a caveat to those that weare about their neckes impoisoned amulets as a preservative from the plague. First published for the behoofe of the citie of London, in the two visitations, 1603 & 1625. And reprinted for the benefit of the said citie now visited, and all other parts of the land that may or shall hereafter be: by Francis Herring ... Whereunto is added certaine directions, for the poorer sort of people when they shall be visited.

CERTAINE RVLES, DIRECTIONS, OR ADVER∣TISEMENTS FOR THIS TIME OF PESTILENTIALL CONTAGION.

[ 1] THe Plague (if you will have his true Characterisme and essentiall forme) is Ictus irae divinae pro peccatis homi∣num, The stroke of Gods wrath for the sinnes of mankinde.* 1.1 This is not onely the opinion of Divines, but of all learned Physitians, and acknowledged by the blinde Heathen in all ages,* 1.2 by the light of nature. Therefore his appropriate and speciall Antidote is Seria paenitentia, & conversio ad Deum: unfained and heartie repentance and conversion to God. Till this be practised, I tell you plainely, I put small confidence in other by-courses. The cause remai∣ning, who can looke for the taking away of the ef∣fect? Let me therefore be an humble suitor, that your Highnesse would be pleased to command a generall humiliation of the people by prayer and fa∣sting. This action as it would be honourable to your Majestie, and such as you would undoubtedly con∣discend unto most readily and willingly, if it were but mentioned and moved; so in my perswasion, there would appeare a most admirable and comfor∣table

effect thereof. And till this be performed, what other wayes soever wee shall follow, wee shall begin at the wrong end:

Ni Deus affuerit, viresque infuderit Herbis, Quid cedò Diptamús, quid Panacea juvat?

Let not Gentlemen and rich Citizens by flying (unlesse they likewise flie from their sinnes) thinke to escape Scotfree. So long as they carry their sinne with them, the Lord will find them out, and his hand will reach them wheresoever they are.

[ 2] There should (in my opinion) be provided a place of Sepulture for the bodies especially of such as die by the Sicknes, some good distance from the Citie and Suburbs. The burying of infected bodies in Churches, Church-yards, and namely in Paules Church-yard, where the chiefe Magistrates of the Citie, and many other Citizens meete weekly to heare Sermons, must needs be not onely inconveni∣ent, but very dangerous for spreading the contagion, and poisoning the whole Citie. For all men that have the least insight in Philosophy know that from the dead corps, by force of the Sunne, certaine va∣pours or exhalations are elevated, which partake of the nature of those bodies, and doe undoubtedly taint, corrupt, and poyson the aire with their ill qua∣litie. For this principall cause, in most well ordered Cities of forrein Countries, there is a common place of Buriall appointed a good distance from the buil∣ding of the Citie. And till this may be procured for our Citie, I wish that straight charge be given, that

all dead corpses be layd a convenient depth in the ground, and not one coffin heaped upon another, and they layd so neare the top of the earth as (it is to be feared) they now are.

[ 3] It were necessarie the place of Buriall should be on the South side of the Citie, that the Sunne may draw the vapours from it.

[ 4] Let care be had, that the streets, especially the nar∣row lanes and allies, be kept from annoyance of dung-hilles, vaults or houses of office, the common sewers and chanels be well purged and scowred, the dung-farmers tyed to their stint of time in Winter, and not suffered (unlesse urgent necessitie require) to perfume the streets all Summer long, especially in this time of contagion. Let not the carkasses of horses, dogs, cats, &c. lye rotting and poysoning the ayre (as they have done) in More and Finsburie fields, and elsewhere round about the Citie.

[ 5] Let the Pipes layd from the new River be often opened, to clense the channels of every streete in the Citie.

[ 6] Let the Ditches towards the suburbs, especially towards Islington and Pick-hatch, Old-streete, and towards Shoreditch and White-chappell, be well clensed, and if it might be, the water of the new River to runne through them, as also the like to be done through the Burrough of South-worke.

[ 7] Let the ayre be purged and corrected, especially in evenings which are somewhat cold, and in places low and neare the River (as Thames street and the Allyes there about) by making fires of Oken or Ash∣wood, with some few bundles of Iuniper cast into them.

Let men in their private houses, amend the aire by laying in their windowes sweet herbes, as Mar∣joram, Time,* 1.3 Rosemarie, Balme, Fennell, Peniroy∣all, Mints, &c. Likewise by burning Iuniper, Rose∣marie, Time, Bay-leaves, Cloves, Cinamon, or u∣sing other compound perfumes. The poorer sort may burne Worme-wood, Rue, Time. Let them cast often on the floores of their houses water min∣gled with Vineger.

Concourse of people to Stage-playes, Wakes or Feasts, and May-pole dauncings, are to be prohibi∣ted by publique Authoritie, whereby as God is dis∣honored, the bodies of men and women by surfet∣ting, drunkennes, and other riots and excesses, dis∣posed to infection, and the contagion dangerously scattered both in Citie and Countrie.

Let the Bells in Cities and Townes be rung often, and the great Ordnance discharged, thereby the aire is purified.

Touching our regiment and diet, repletion and inanition (as two dangerous extremities) are heed∣fully to be avoyded. Those meats are to be used which are of easie digestion and apt to breed good juice.

The blankets, matresses, flockbeds, and all bed-clothes of the infected, are to be burned, also leather garments, because they hold the infection very long. Alexander Benedictus reports,* 1.4 That in Venice, a flock∣bed used in a contagious time, was after 7 yeares found in an inward roome, the Mistris of the house commanded the servants to ayre and beat it, whereupon the servants were instantly infected with the pestilence and died.

Such as are of hard concoction, and cause ob∣structions, are to be avoyded: specially those that easily corrupt and putrifie in the stomacke, as the most part of summer fruit, raw cherries, plums, ap∣ples, &c.

It is not good to be abroad in the ayre, early in the morning before the Sunne have purified the ayre, or late in the night after Sunne-setting. In rainie, darke, and cloudie weather, keepe your house as much as you can.

Eschue all perturbations of minde, especially an∣ger and feare. The one by heating the body opens a doore for the enemie to enter: the other by coward∣ly running away gives him encouragement to tread on the hedge, which lyeth lowest, and maketh least resistance.

Let your exercise be moderate, ad ruborem, non ad sudorem. The time of exercise is an houre before dinner or supper, not in the heat of the day, or when the stomacke is full. Vse seldome familiaritie with Venus, for shee enfeebleth the body, and maketh it more obnoxious to externall injuries.

You may feede three times in the day,* 1.5 but more sparingly than at other times. Shunne varietie of dishes at one meale: Perniciosa ciborum varietas, perniciosior condimentorum. And if at any time the Rule holdeth, The most simple feeding is the most wholsome feeding; then it is in force at this time of infection. Augenius (a learned Physitian) thinketh it not possible that hee that liveth tem∣perately and soberly, should be subject to the Sick∣nesse.

Goe not forth of your house into the ayre, nei∣ther willingly speake with any, till you have broken your Fast. For breakfast you may use a good draught of wormwood beere or ale, and a few morsels of I read and butter wi••h the leaves of sage, or else a toste with swee•• salade oyle, two or three drops of rose vinegar, and a little s••gar. They that have cold stomackes may drinke a draugh•• of wormewood∣wine or malm-sey, in stead of al•• or beere. But take heed (as you loue your life) of extreame hot waters, as Aqua vitae, Rosa solis, or other com∣pound waters of like nature, which Emperickes prepare and set out with vaine and boasting words: Laudat venales qui vult extrudere merces. Of them Crato a great and learned Physitian pro∣nounceth, that they were inventa ad jugulandos, non ad curandos homines: devised to kill not to cure men. Hee speaketh of the daily and con∣tinuall use of them: and that is it which I disal∣low.

If you be not accustomed to a breakfast, take the quantitie of a Nutmeg or thereabouts of some cor∣diall Electuarie prescribed by the learned Physi∣tian, before you set foot out of doores. If you will use both, for greater cautell, then take your Ele∣ctuarie early in the morning, two houres before your breakfast.

As you walke in the streets or talke with any; hold in your moath a Clove, a peece of a Zodoarie, Angelica, or Enula campana roote.

Once in foure of five dayes take three or foure cordiall and stomachicall pilles by direction of

your Physitian, to fortifie the heart and stomacke against all corruption, and to cleanse your body from such humours as may dispose you to the sick∣nesse. For Agens non agit nisi in Pattente disposito: An Agent worketh not but upon a fitted and dispo∣sed Patient.

If any man be bound by Religion, consangui∣nitie, office, or any such respect to visite the sicke parties; let him first provide, that the chamber bee well perfumed with odoriferous trochiskes, or such like, the windowes layd with the herbes afore-named, the floore cleane swept, and sprink∣led with rose-water and vineger: that there be a fire of sweet wood burning in the chimney, the windowes being shut for an houre, then open the casements towardes the North. Then let him wash his face and hands with rose-water and rose-vineger, and enter into the chamber with a waxe candle in the one hand, and a sponge with rose-vineger and wormewood, or some other Pomander, to smell unto. Let him hold in his mouth a peece of Mastic, Cinamon, Zedoarie, or Citron pill, or a Clove. Let him desire his sicke friend to speake with his face turned from him.

When he goeth forth, let him wash his hands and face with rose vineger and water as before, e∣specially if he have taken his friend by the hand as the manner is: and going presently to his owne house, let him change his garments, and lay those wherein he visited his friend, apart for a good time before he resume them againe.

Let him not forget upon his returne home or before, to take a convenient quantitie of his cor∣diall Electuarie, and forbeare meat an houre or two after it.

That Amulets confected of Arsenicke, are no good Preservatives against the Plague.

PErceiving many in this Citie to weare about their necks, upon the region of the heart, certaine Placents, or Amu∣lets (as Preservatives against the Pe∣stilence) confected of Arsenicke a strong poyson, I have thought it needfull (other men keeping silence) to declare briefly my opinion tou∣ching the said Amulets: not (I professe) in hatred to any mans person, or envie at their commoditie, wherein I might have shared with them, if I could have brought my judgement to concurre with theirs; but in conscience, and discharge of my dutie. The rather because I feare greatly, that through vaine confidence in them, other more apposite, conveni∣ent and effectuall Antidotes, and Alexeteries are neglected.

My opinion is, that these Placents of Arsenicke carried about upon the Region of the heart, are so farre from effecting any good in that kinde, as a pre∣servative, that they are very dangerous and hurtfull, if not pernicious to those that weare them.

It is evident that Arsenicke being a confessed poi∣son,* 1.6 is an opposite, professed and perpetuall enemy to our nature. Therefore being worne next the skin, as soone as the heart waxeth hot by any vehement motion, labour or stirring (as it falleth out usually) it must needs send out venomous vapours to that noble and principall part; which will either pene∣trate by their owne force, or be drawne in with the aire▪ by the dilation of those arteries which are spread about the skin.

Now these poisonfull vapours being entred or sucked into the body, when they finde no contra∣rie poison with whom to wrastle as with an ene∣my (for if there were any venom in the body, the partie could not enjoy health: but we intend him to be in health, whom we would preserve) they must needs imprint a malignant venomous qualitie in the spirits and heart, most adverse and pernicious to na∣ture.

If by Galens doctrine,* 1.7 all Alexeteries in a man∣ner, if they be used somewhat too liberally, doe greatly offend and weaken our bodies; shall wee thinke that ranke poisons and Deleteries (such as Arsenicke is) if they be so applied, as to penetrate into the noblest region of all other, will nothing at all violate, and wast our native, vitall, and radicall heate?

Galen and the ancient Fathers and Masters of Physicke,* 1.8 did not use to preserve from the Plague or any other poison, either by giving another poi∣son inwardly, or by appointing other poisons to be outwardly applied, but proceeded altogether by

Antidotes and Alexiteries. Lib. de Theriaca ad Pis. cap. 16. Therefore unlesse wee will disclaime these ancient worthies and ring-leaders method, and follow new-found and unsound devises, wee must fight against this monster, not with poisons, but Antidotes.

Poisons are desined to be such:* 1.9 as at no time doe agree with nature, either well, or ill affected. For though there be poisons which if they finde a contratie venom in the body, doe fight so with it, that by the skirmish both poisons die, and the par∣tie by their contention and colluctation escapeth with his life: yet it is agreed on by all, that where they finde no such adversary or opposition, they speed the partie. Therefore Arsenicke worne by a man in health, finding not onely no contrary poyson to warre upon, but no poyson at all, must necessarily oppose and set upon nature her selfe.

Gerardus Columbus a learned Physitian repor∣teth,* 1.10 that it hath beene observed, that the wearers of these Amulets, upon heating their bodies, have fallen into sodaine Lypothimies and soounings, with other fearefull accidents, which ceased not till the Bagge or Placent was remooved: That others, though not instantly, yet after some time, have by late and woefull experience discerned their malignitie, falling into malignate and pesti∣lent feavers, some of them ending with death it selfe.

Franc. Alphanus a Physitian of Salerne telleth of one, who wearing Arsenicke, and heating himselfe

at tennise, fell downe sodainly dead.

Matheus Hessus writeth thus: As cordiall bagges or Amulets cannot be disallowed, so em∣poisoned can no way bee commended; neither doe I remember that any ever received good from them who abstained from other Antidotes. This I certainly know, that diverse who carrie about them quick-silver in a nut-shell, by the vaine per∣swasion of some impostors, have died of the Plague: and the counsellers of such like Amulets have beene the first that have betaken themselves to their heeles, trusting more in their running than cunning. And yet these good fellowes, perswa∣ded the ignorant with great words, and it may be oaths, that whosoever carried Quick-silver or Arsenicke about his necke, was as safe as if hee had purchased a protection from the King of hea∣ven.

Historians report, that Caracalla though a wic∣ked Emperour, made a publike Edict or Procla∣mation, that no man should weare about him super∣stitious Amulets.

Theophrastus the great, esteemed (not with∣out cause) Pericles to have a crased braine, because he saw him weare an Amulet about his necke.

Hereunto (as a Corollary) wee may adde the ex∣perience of some London Physitians, who have seene foule holes made in the breast of those that have worne them, and observed diverse to die as well as others, who have religiously carried them about their neckes.

I omit, for brevitie, to answer their reasons, who allow them, because those that are alledged by Em∣perickes and ignorant persons, are not worthy the answering; and those that are produced by some few learned men (the whole streame running against them) are not comprehensible by the common sort, for whose good I have set forth this short Caveat. But if any will contend, I will either answer him, or yeeld up my weapons. In conclusion onely re∣member, that whereas the sellers and setters out, of these deceiptfull wares, make them as a Scout to discover the Infection, when it beginneth to seize upon a man, by giving a watch-word, and clapping close to the heart, to guard that part as the chiefe Tower: this is a meere deceipt, collusion and abusi∣on. For whensoever the body is heated, this event followeth necessarily, as is before declared, though no other infection be neare but the infectious, poi∣sonfull and venomous Arsenicke; who offereth not at that time, to the heart a friendly salutation or caveat, but rather a Iudas kisse, and Ioab-like im∣bracing.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Exod. 5. v. 3. & Cap. 9. 15. Levit. 26. 25. Num. 14. 12. Deut. 28. 21. & 2 Chron. 36. v. 15.
• * 1.2

  Inter Eth. Ho∣merus 2. Iliad.
• * 1.3

  Let them like∣wise rub their windowes of∣ten with worm wood and fen∣nell.
• * 1.4

  Hist. de Pest.
• * 1.5

  Varietie of meats is perni∣cious; much more varietie of sau••••••.
• * 1.6

  Gal. 3. de Temp cap.
• * 1.7

  1 Simp. cap. 18.
• * 1.8

  Lib. de Ther. and Pamphil. Epid▪ com. 5. Aetius lib. 1. Tetrah 4. ca. 96. Paulus lib. 2. cap. 35.
• * 1.9

  Gal 6. in Epid.
• * 1.10

  Lib •• de feb. contag.cap.17.