The gouerance and preseruation of them that feare the plage. Set forth by John Vandernote, phisicion and surgion, admitted by the kynge his highenesse. Now newly set forth at the request of William Barnard of London Draper. 1569

¶The tokens and Sygnes which dooe Pronostyque the Plage or Pestilence to come are seuen.

i. The fyrst token is, when the day in somer often dooeth chaunge: as in the mor∣ning inclinyng to rayne, after to darkenes and after to winde, specially windes com∣mynge fourth of the Southe.

ij. The seconde when the daies in somer are darke, and like often to rayne and doo not rayne.

iij. The thirde, when vpon the grounde are many Flies fliynge nere the grounde, that is a token that the ayre is corrupte.

iiij. The fourth, when y^e starres are like ofte to fall or slippe, this is a token that the ayre is inflamed, and full of venimous va∣pours.

v. The fifte, when there doth appere in the ayre a Comete or a slidyng Starre, as Aristotle saieth in Mytauris. It signifieth greate warre, sheddinge of bloud, and the death of a greate multitude of people, the destruction of many Townes, drownynge of shippes thorow greate tempestes of the

Sea. And the darkenesse of the Sunne, sig∣nifieth chaunging of Regions. And that the common people shall haue dearth and Pe∣stilence.

vi. The sixte figure is, when it dooeth often lighten and thundre, and specially when it commeth out of the South.

vij. The seuenth, when many windes blowe or come forth of the South, for they corrupt the ayre.

When these for sayde signes doo appere, then it is to be feared of a greate Plage, or Pestilence for to come, without the greate mercy of almightie God doo it withstande.

¶The cause of the Pestilence.

¶The cause of Pestilence are three maners.

i. Sometimes it doeth ingender thorow y^e vapors and corruptions vpon the earth.

ii. Sometimes it doth ingender thorow the vapors and corruption of the Skie and Elementes, or bo∣dies

aboue.

iii. Sometimes it doth ingender throw the mixting of them bothe.

i. The plage is somtime ingendered, thorowe the vapours and corruptions co∣ming of the earth, as we doo dayly se out of Priues, Dikes, filthy Canels, standinge muddy waters, being neare y^e place where the people doth rest and sleape a nightes, & thorow this the ayre becometh infect in hir substance and qualitie, and that onely in some places. And this particuler corrup∣tion commeth euery day. And thorow the same commeth often Pestilente Feuers, whiche often doo deceyue the Physicion, which doo not take them for to be the feuer pestilenticall. The Plage or Pestilence commeth likewise sometimes thorow the stinke of deade bodies, aswell of mankinde as of beastes. Also it cōmeth thorow stan∣ding Mudde, stinking Pooles and waters, and this dooeth corrupt the ayre, and this pestilence is somtimes vniuersall, and som∣times perticular.

ij. Secondarely, the Plage is somtime ingendred thorowe the vapoures and cor∣ruptions

of the Skies and Elementes or Bodies aboue, and that thorow y^e vertues of the Sterres and Bodies aboue, and tho∣row the same the spirituall liuinge spirites and bodies beneth are infecte. And of the same Auicen saith in his fourth booke say∣inge: that the bodies are often inflamed & corrupt thorow the infections of the bodies aboue, for the corrupte ayre doth infect the sprites beneth, and so the liuing spirites in mankinde is often infecte.

iij. Thirdly, the Plage doth ingender tho∣row the mixynge of them both: y^t is when thorowe the impression or influence of the bodyes aboue, the ayre being corrupt, and thorow the putrefaction of caryon liynge vpon the earth and stinking ayre, a sycke∣nesse is ingendred in mankind. And the same sicknesse is often caled Febris Pesti∣lenci alis and somtimes & often an aposte∣macion, for sumtimes the ayre that we do draw in our bodyes is corrupt and vene∣mous. And so infecteth the hart, wher tho∣row it is agrauate strongly, in so much y^t she doth eate & gnaw filthy infection: & then the vryne & the disgestion is then often like for to be good, notwithstanding that y^e pa∣cyent

is still declining toward death. And thorow the same many Phisycions are often dece∣uid. And therfore it is nedefull that euery body prouide him selfe of a good and expert Phisicion: not onely seen in learning, but also well and better in practyse, concer∣ning the premisses.

A question.

Wherfore doth the one dye and the other not, being both infect? lykewise more in one place then an other.

Aunsvver

¶This may be thorow the meanes of two causes.

i. Fyrst thorow it, that is working.

ii. Secondarely thorow it that is sufferyng.

i. Fyrst thorow it that is working, that when the heuenly influences regard more the one person then the other, and the one place more then the other.

ij. Secondarely, thorow it that is suffe∣ring, that is as when the one body is more inclined and disposed to the Plage then the other is.

Nota.

These bodies are most inclined or disposed to the Plage or Pestilence. Fyrste all those y^t are hot or warme, and those that haue greate swea∣tynge yssues: and bodies that are corrupt. All those that hath theyr sweating yssues stopped. And ther∣fore are the bodyes fore inclined vn∣to the plage, wherin be come greate resolucyons: lyke as in them that are greate medlers in Lechery, and them that serue in hot houses: and all they that do lightly sweate tho∣rowe small laboure or trauayle, or waxe hote, and all they that lightly waxe angrye, hote and fumous, al suche are inclined vnto the plage.

An other question.

Whether suche infectyon of the Pesty∣lence be contagious or infectiue or not?

Aunsvvere.

Suche infection is infectiue and conta∣gyous. For throughe the bodies of the in∣fect

persons, cōmeth suche venemous va∣pours and humours that doo not only cor∣rupt the other hole bodyes: but also the ay∣er where thorowe commeth infectyon. And therfore ought euery person to eschue the infect persons. And moreouer when y^e plage rayneth, you shall not stande emong many people for feare if any of them shuld bee infecte vnknowen. And therfore stan∣deth the wyse Phisycyons (whyche dooe viset suche in the Plage tyme) a farre of from the pacientes, beholdinge with theyr face the window or dore. Also they shall doo likewise, that do serue them.

Nota.

It is very good for the paciente that he do often chaunge his cham¦ber, and that his windowes stand and open toward y^e east, and north east, but the windowes which opē toward y^e south, shall euer be closed or locked, for the south winde hath in him two causes of corruption.

i. Fyrst he debiliteth and weakeneth nature, as wel of whole people as of sicke.

ii. Secondarely, like as it is written in

tertio Aphrorismorum, the southwinde ag∣grauate the hearing, hurteth the herte, for he openeth the sweating issues of mankind and so entreth into the harte. And therfore euery hole person shall in the time of pesti∣lence, when the south wind doth blow, tary in the house the hole daie. And he nedes must goo forthe, yet shal he tary within so long til the sun be hie and longe risen or vp.

¶The remedies against the Pestilence.

Here shalbe sayd how euery body shal preserue & keepe him from y^e in∣fection of the plage or Pestilence.

i. And first for the same euery christian creature shalbe aduertised by the word of Ieremy the prophet, which commaundeth that euery creature shall eschewe the euil and folowe the good waies, and that he re∣pentantly with a meke harte shal confesse him of his offences and this is the most su∣rest medecine in the plage time.

ii. The second, that euery person flie the places infect if it be possible. And they that can not avoide the place, let them abstain

of all thynges causing putrefaction, asmuch as is possible, like as is ouermuch copula∣cion between man & woman, and the south winde whiche naturally is infectiue. And therefore shall euery person kepe the win∣dowes locked in the morninge till eyght of the clocke standing against the southe.

Also they shall auoyde all maner of stin∣kyng sauours, as of stables, stréetes, kanels welles, standing mudde waters, and speci∣ally of all maner of foule stinking carion, or dead bodies. And most of all of all maner of olde stinking Vrines and waters, for in some houses, they doo keepe it two or thrée dayes longe, and in some houses are some kanels running vnder or aboue y^e grounde: where greate stinke ingendreth & remay∣neth, and all this doeth ingendre great pu∣trefaction. And that is the cause that more people be infected & diseased more in those places where suche are, then in other pla∣ces where none suche is. Likewise do the people more die and be infecte where pla∣ces are where they doo sell cabushe & wur∣tes, for that ingendreth a daungerous hu∣mour which doth infecte mankinde, when they be rotten or perished. And as thorow

odours aromaticke or good sauours are the hertes and other the spiritual partes recre∣ated, renued, comforted and strengthened: Likewise thorow euell foule sauours, are they debelitated and infected.

Therefore euery person shal so vse their houses, that no suche ayre or sauour come in beyng corrupte as is aforesayde, for the corrupt ayre is moyst, and ingendreth tho∣row his owne nature a putrifaction in the house and in the places wher they do slepe. And therefore shal you ayre and clense the houses and chaumbers with light flames of fyre, beyng made with Oken wood. Also you shall after that perfume the place with these herbes folowynge, as Bayes, Iuniper buries, Organum, wormewood, Ysope, Rue, and Moogworte. Lignum A∣loes perfumed is best of all, were it not so costly or dere. Al these ayres and perfumes conforte and strengthen the inward parte of the body, when the ayre entreth thorow the mouth or nosethrilles.

You shall also clense and abstayne of all maner of fulsumnesse or replecion of hu∣mors. For the bodies that are replete with humors are sone infected and inflamed.

For Auicen saieth in quarto canone. That people whiche will be often filled with meate and drinke doo shorten their life. Also you shall avoide muche bathinge or sweating in baumes or hote houses. Also for to be conuersant emong great congre∣gacion of people to the intent other being corrupt and infecte: doo not corrupte and infecte you, you being cleane. And when you come not emong the congregacion or company of people, then shall you vse this followinge.

i. Firste in the morning, when you doo rise, you shall eate a quantitie of hearbe∣grace or rue, well washed with a litle salte and one or two cornels of nuttes wel clen∣sed. And when you can get none of this, then shall you take a crumme of bread dep∣ped in good vineagre and eate nexte your hert, and specially when the aire is darke, misty and not clere. And it is not good in the plage time for to walke in the townes or vilages, but rather to tary at home with in the house, then to goo forthe.

ii. Secondarelye, you shal spreade or sprinkle the house (and specialy in sommer) with vinegre, with roses, with vine leues.

And it is good that you dooe often washe your handes in water and vineagre, and then often to smel the handes when they be dried. Also al soure and sharpe sauoures are then holsome for to be smelled on, as well in winter as in sommer. And it was for bodden me to shew it vnto the cōmons in Rome, where I was constrayned for to go from house to house I beyng a studient and prentes there, where I went dayly to minister and dresse the people, and tooke but onely a crumme of bread, or a pece of a spounge beyng depped in strong vyneagre and the same helde I before my mouth & nose for to smel. For all soure sauours stop the fluxe of humours, and dooe not suffre the venemosite or corrupcion to entre the bodye. And this dooyng I was (thorow the helpe of God) & the premisses, saued from the sayde infection, at whiche my compa∣nions did maruaile.

All these premisses haue I my selfe ex∣perimented and founde true, in diuers re∣gions and countrees, as in Rome, Italie, Lumbardye, Naples, Poyelles, Cala∣bers, Almanye, Flaunders, and likewise in Englande this .xvij. yeares. I beynge

sworne vnto the noble late Frenche Que∣nes grace my Ladie Mary, and my Lorde of Suffolke his grace.

¶Here foloweth of the confortinge and strengthening of the herte, and the other spirituall and speciall members of the bodie.

THe comforters of the Herte are Safferon, Cam∣phir, and Plantaine with o∣ther herbes, which do clense the liuinge spirites within, and conforte. And these are good for y^e cōmon people, which are lightly infected one of an other. And therfore shall euery one beware that they doo not receue the breath comming out of the mouth or nosethrilles of an other, Also the sight is darkened thorow the infecte ayre, when they do not beare such like hearbes in their handes.

It is very good that you do washe your face, mouth, eies, & handes with rosewater

myxt with vyneagre. And when you haue none of the premysses, & muste nedes go e∣mong the people, then take & vse good vin∣eagre, & then boldly go emong the people. Also solubelnesse of the wombe is a greate helpe in this case. And when you can not haue by the waye of nature solubelnesse, then prouoke hym with suppositories: or after the counsayle of learned and experte Phisicions. And lykewyse shal you finde at y^e Apotecaries Pillule Pestilenci ales, which are very good. And you shall alwaies kepe your houses good fire, for that letteth the impression of the sky, & clarifieth the ayre,

Item fine triacle is best for the same, as well for them that are in helth as for them that are infect, of this shall you take twise a daie in clere wine, or with rosewater, or with clere ale or bere. And euery time that you take Triacle, you shall not excede the quantite of a common pease at ones, and of the water ale or bere, the quantitee of two sponefulles. The Triacle shalbe first dissolued in a cuppe with the wine, water, ale or bere, and then shal you not eate after by the space of foure or fiue houres, to the intent the Triacle may haue her due ope∣racion

within the body.

Then you shal eat good meates & drinke good drinkes, as good cleare Wine, Ale or Bere, and that shalbe soberly, for superflu∣itie causeth corruption and putrefaction of the humours. Also you shall abstain from all maner of thinge ingendring heate, as Peper, Garlike. And yet notwithstanding that Peper doth pourge the flewme of the braynes, and the other membres of viscose humours, yet it doeth to much inflame and cause heate. And to muche heate gendreth putrefaction. And therefore is the bitter∣nesse better then the heate, smellyng or sa∣uoringe of the Peper, and Garlike pour∣geth the Flegmata and euel humours, and prouoketh appetite to eate, and suffer not the drie ayre to entre into the body. Not∣withstanding, because the Garlike pertur∣beth the eyes and the head with heate, to them that doo often eate or vse it, therfore it shall be in this time abhorred and ab∣stayned.

¶The Plage is oftentimes augmen∣ted and increased thorow hote causes.

Suche meates as are sonest disgested ar

best, the soner the better, & in the morning and at none shal they eate sodden meates, and at nightes rosted. All maner of pape meates and caudels shall be abstayned and eschued, excepte they be acetouse, or some∣what sower. For sower or sharpe thinges are better in this season of pestilence, then any other medecines. Also you shall ab∣stayne of all maner of fruites beynge not sharpe, nor hauing no sourenesse in them, except Cheries, Pomgranates, Orrenges and few peares or appels dressed in steade of a medecine, for all maner of fruites doth ingendre putrefaction.

Spices beynge apte & good in this time, are Gynger, Cynamon, Commyn, Macis, Saffron, and of the same ar made good pre∣seruatiues for the riche people. And the poore shall occupie Rue, Salge, Nuttes, Parcely, and this shall they mixe with salt and vineagre. And y^e meane people of sub∣staunce, shall take Commen and Saffron & mixe them with vyneagre. This is mar∣uelous good for to be taken inwarde, for it defendeth inward the putrefaction.

Myrth of herte is a greate comforte and helpe of health in the body. And therefore

feare of death is a daungerous case in this time, but only to be mery, and set the hole hope and confidence vpon God, and to cō∣mende him to his godly pleasure.

¶Here foloweth of the bloud letting in the Plage tyme.

ONes in a moneth you must be letten bloud, when age, strength, or any o∣ther cause doth not let, like pilgrims, sicke and extenuated people, and such as are ve∣rie solubel, or laxe. And the Fleobothomi should be doone in the lefte or right arme, in the Liuer vayne, Baselica, in the arme be∣fore meate. And when the Lyuer vayne is striken then shall you be mery, & drinke good drinke, as good Wyne, Bere or Ale, temperatly, and that same day shall you not sleape, and specially when the Liuer vayne is let bloud.

Item, when any doth feele himselfe in∣fecte or any curnell or Apostumations ap∣pere or pricke, then shal he wholy abstaine from sleape. But goe walkinge abrode, for

the sleape leadeth the venemous hotenesse to the hert: and to the other special mem∣bers, in so muche that no Hearbes can re∣solue the same, and bringe it to the first e∣state, whiche woulde not be so, if the bodie were walking and sturring.

A question.

What shall a man doo, that hath his na∣turall sleape after he be infecte?

Aunsvvere.

In the time when plage dooeth raygne when you will sleape after your meate, you shall prolonge it with walkyng in the Feilde or Gardeins, and then sleape an houre after meate. And therefore Auicen saith: when you be disposed for to sleape, it shall be holesome then after the sleape, to drinke a good draught of drinke. For that person that is sleaping draweth vnto him many humours, and suche euill humours are letted thorow a good draught of drink.

A question.

How shal you know whether any be in∣fecte or no?

Aunsvvere.

He that is infect doeth eate that day but litle, for he is full of euell humours. And

when he doth eate he doth couet sleape and doth fele great hotnesse with cold and hath a great payne in the forparte of the head & thus shall he bring away by walking and going abrode. And that person that is in∣fect doeth holy abhore walking, or to ride a horsebacke, or otherwayes, thorowe slouthfulnesse and heauinesse.

Euery person that is infecte, doeth re∣quire, desire, and couet sleape euery houre for that inward venim perturbeth the li∣uing sprites, in such wise that they euer require rest. And of the same signes may euery person know whether they bee in∣fected or not. And when any doeth not be∣leue this, lette him tary halfe a day after, and then shall he feele an impostome in his arme holes, in his gruinde or behinde his eares. And the best remedy is when they doo feele any of these in the time of Pesti∣lence, not for to sleape. For in the sleape do the liuing spirites rest, as is aforesayd, and then all the infections spredeth thorow the whole members of the body. All these pre∣misses haue I proued before.

When any man or person féeleth him∣selfe infecte that same day shall he imme∣diatly

after, be letten bloud plenteously til swoninge, so soone as it be possible, or els till he waxe faynte, for a small voydynge of bloud doeth sturre and moue the bloud. And when the person will open but one vayne, and not many, so shall he let her bloud so longe as she will, for a smal voy∣dyng doth sturre the venemous infection, as is aforesayde.

Item euery person that is letten bloud: infecte or whole person, shall beware that he doo not sleape that day till midnight. And the sayde lettinge of bloud shall euer be done, in the same side where the aposte∣macion doth appere. And when the aposte∣macion doeth appere vnder the right arme then shall they bee letten bloude in the same arme, in the mediane. And when the apostemacion doeth appeare vnder the left arme, then shall the lettinge of bloude be in the sayd left arme, in the mediane, or lyuer vaine, vpon the hand nexte the eare finger.

And when the apostemacion doth appere by the grynd or priuy members, then shal they be letten bloude in the same syde vn∣der the anckle or nerer the hele. And when

then the letting of bloud shalbe done in the head vayne, neare the thumbe, in the same side where the Apostemacion appeareth, or in the Mediane of the same arme, or els by the eare finger. And when the Aposte∣macion doeth appeare by the eares, then the letting of bloud shalbe done in the head vayne in the same side, or els in the vayne between the thombe and the next finger, to the intent that the venemous infection do not desturbe the braynes, or in the vain by the eare finger, or els in the vayne, Ba∣silica named.

And when the Apostemacion doeth ap∣pere in the shoulders, then shall the bloud be taken forth, with Boxyng and Sacrifi∣cation, howbeit afore shall the Mediane be opened: or the Harte vaine. And when the Apostemation doeth appere vpon the back then y^e letting of bloud shalbe by the greate Toe, called Suger pedicā magnam, all the fore∣sayde Fleobothomyes or lettinge of bloud shalbe done before the infecte person hath sleapt, or before the appearing in the pric∣kyng of the Apostemacions.

When any doeth feele the Apostemacion after that they haue sleapte, then shall the

Fleobothomies be in the contrary side, in the side where the Apostemacion doth not appere, like as here, if the Apostemacion doeth appere after the sleapinge in y^e right arme, then the letting of bloud shalbe in y^e left arme, in the Liuer vayne, or Mediane, or els in the hand in the vayne called Basilica.

And when the Apostemacion doeth ap∣pere vnder the left arme, then shal the let∣ting of bloud be in the right arme, like as is sayd of the lefte arme. And likewise shal you do of all other Apostemacions; in what places they do appere, all times in the con∣trary side, if it do appeare after sleape.

When the pacient is very faint & weake whiche is letten bloud, then he may sleape somwhat, or els half a day, but euery space of a halfe day must the pacient be sturring, softely riding or walking. And when the a∣postemacion doth waxe bigge and greate, that is a good signe, the nature doth expell the venemosite outwarde, and maketh the body whole.

And to the intent the Apostemacion may be the soner ripened, matured and opened you shal make this medecine: Stampe the leaues of Elder, and do to it pouder of Mu∣sterd

seede, and make of this a plaister, and lay it vpon the apostemacion. Some Sur∣geons do mixe vnto this triacle, which I do not like, for the Triacle will repercusse in∣ward agayne the sayde risynge and vene∣mosite, howbeit I doo counsayle that they shal drinke it, to the intent the venemosite may be driuen outwarde.

An other remedy, take Barbam Iouis or Houseleke, or Senegren, scerpillum plan∣taine & a litle Rie flower, and rub all these together till you perceiue water comming forth, then mixe that water with womans milke, & giue it him to drinke that hath the apostemacion, but this must he doone be∣fore they haue slept, in an emptie stomack or fasting, for then it doth worke better in the body.

As soone as any doeth perceiue the cur∣nels or apostemacions, they shal take hasel nuttes, Figges and Rue, and stampe them together and eate it, or lay it vpon it.

And euery person that doth gouern him after the premisses, shal wel inough auoide the daungers of the Plage or Pestilence with the helpe and ayde of God, without whom nothing can be.

¶Here foloweth a gouernaunce or preseruacion for all them that feare the Plage, in vsinge them selues in meates and drinkes.

FYrst, the substaunce of their breade shalbe white, one or two dayes olde, well leauened, and of pure wheate, well bulted from the Branne. In this breade shalbe baken the Annisseede & salt, and shalbe well baken.

Your drinke shalbe white Wine, cleare shininge, of good sauour, not to redde nor to hotte, nor to fumous, to the intent that the quicke spirites and the humours waxe not to hote, the wine likewise shall not be to small. And if it be possible, drinke olde Wine, for that is best, for he clenseth and drieth best. And is not so waterishe as the new wine is, and this wyne shalbe mixte with sothen water, and that more in sum∣mer then in wynter.

Item it is good that you shall take and drinke a draught of Malmesey, or of other

stronge Wine, before you go into the ayre for by the meane of this, many euell ayres & vapours be dried vp, the sprites be quick∣ned and conforted.

Item your sothen water, shalbe running water, or els that cōmeth from the rockes or sandy grounde, or Well water, and the sauour of this water shalbe sweet.

¶The gouernaunce of sauoures and sauces.

ALl maner of Sauces in this time shalbe made with Lemans, Orynges, with soure garnate Appels, mixt with this pou∣der: Take the best Cynamon that can be had, Gynger, Cloues, of eche halfe a dag∣ma, Bee white and redde of eche a dragma Corall white and redde of eche a dragma, Cardamomi two dragmas, Saffron halfe a dragma, and as much fine Suger, as of al the first, of al this shal you make a subtel pouder, and of this pouder shall you vse in your meates, and more in Summer then in Wynter.

And when there is no lettinge or impe∣diment, that doo hyndre, as coldenesse of

the stomacke, then shall you vse Orynges, Pomgranates, and Sitrins. And the see∣des of the aforesayde haue a speciall pro∣pertie in the premisses. And therefore in the Pestilent time shall you often occupie the pouder of these séedes with Suger like a dredge, or els seeth the séedes with fleshe or other meate or suppynge, when the sto∣macke is not hindred by the same, thorow coldenesse.

Of Vyneager.

When there is no impediment, then shal you vse good vyneager, and with that sea∣son your meate. And this vyneager shal be best, when it is made of good white wyne or Malmesey. Saue those that haue impe∣diment in the Brest, or Lunges, or Throte or Coughe, or shorte winde, and those that haue colde stomackes, shall not so much oc∣cupy of the vineager, but moderatly.

Of Potage in this time.

The Potage whiche shalbe eaten in this

time shalbe made with wheat flower, or ryse, or of lenttes. Howbeit, the first wa∣ter shalbe cast away. Or els you shall eate aleberies made with bere & bread or with red Cicers with y^e shels. The root of Fenel of Smallach are good in pottage, & eaten, and all manner of meat made with egges, Saue potaige made with dough or other comon potaiges are not good, saue potaige of Spiniage, of Percele, of Burrage, hart∣testonge, ar very good. And all manner of herbes that haue a sondry vertue, as Rue, Scabiousse, Isop, Marubin, & suche lyke.

¶Of Frutes and other meates that shalbe eaten in the pesti∣lent tyme.

Capers made w^t vineger, are good to eate at the beginning of the meale. But in win¦ter shall you myxt to it some of the spices beforesaide. A small quantitie of Onions with vineger eaten likewise is very good, for the Oniō doth ingender certē humores whiche dooe corrode the poisō, & consume. Auicen saieth in secundo canone y^t all other scharp meates saue Onions in the pestilēt

time, shalbe abhored, and forborne. The yolke of egges potched in faier water, are very good.

You shall abstaine from all maner of fishe thorowe their moystnesse, and speciallye those that haue greate scales. You may somtime vse small fishes of riuers, or smal sea fishes, how be it you must scrape of the scales and cast forthe their intraelles, and they shalbe well washed, and rubbed with anisseed and vineger. And then shal they be rosted and not fried in butter or oyle, and and after that they shalbe eaten with the foresayd spices, and in y^e winter shalbe put more spices to it then in sōmer. And when you haue eaten of this fishe, then shal you drinke therupon good strong wine, and like wise you shall eate with it almondes or ha∣sell nuttes.

You shall abstine of all maner of mylke for thorowe her cometh soone corruption.

After the meat or drinke you may eate these, for he comforteth the disgestiue strength. All manner of fruites are euell y^t time & in the stead of fruite: it is good to to take confits of Coriāder Auicen saieth in secundo canone, that this is specially good

and profitable.

In the beginninge of the meale, y^t is to wete diner or supper, it is good to eate .iii. leaues of Rue two dry figges & one nutte together for this is a special medecine for the plage, and against al poison. And ther∣fore all they that feare poison or pestilence let them vse it.

Of the superfluitie of meates and drynkes.

EVery one shalbe ware of to much meat or drinke in the time of Plage, but shall be sober in meate or drinke, more then you be vsed vnto in other times, for many su∣perfluities are ingendred thorowe muche eating and drinking.

Many and sundry meates in one meale is not good, euery one shalbe content with one dishe. And if you be where many dis∣shes are, yet feede vpon one which is light of digestion, you shall keepe your selfe so∣lubel, when nature will not, with glisters Suppositories, or Pylles, which are sayde in this present booke. Also you shall holde

open the vaines of vrine with drinkes or opening medecines.

Also you shall fastinig rubbe youre skin to open the sweate holes in the skinne, or with clawing.

Also you shall pourge your braines tho∣rowe the nosethrilles and mouthe.

Also you shall pourge your body of all superfluitie, as farre as possible shalbe.

Of the Fleobothomy.

When the bloud is superfluous in the body, then shall you be letten bloud, to the intent it be to the better complexion, and specially you shalbe let bloud in the pesti∣lent time once in a monethe, and that but litle, and that is good and helthfull. And when the other humours of the body are superfluous, like as is Melancholy adust of the color, whiche is mixte with the bloud. So shall you bee diligent in driynge, in e∣uacuacion or pourginge the same, and all suche pacientes shall beware of suche thin∣ges as dooe ingendre the same.

¶The fyrst medecine.

THe fyrst shalbe a certain of Pilles written by Auicen, in the fourth Canon de pre∣seruatione a Pestilentia, and are made thus. Take Aloe Epitacum two dragmes, of Myrre and Saffron, of eche a dragma, and make of this foresayd Pilles with the iuce of Myntes.

Take of these pilles euery morning fa∣sting, for they doo resolue and dry vp the euill humours, and letteth the putrifiyng.

Item when any that doth vse those pyl∣les, is inclined or apte to take the sycke∣nesse, in summer shall take and put to the sayde confection of pylles, sealed claye, called terra sigillata one dragma, and those Pilles shalbe made with Rosewater.

In other seasons the Pilles shalbe made as is aforesayde.

The seconde medecine.

Shall be good and fine Triacle, at the

leaste .x. yeares olde, of this shalbe taken one dragma euery weeke in summer with Rose water, and in Wynter with good stronge Wyne, or with the iuce of Roses, or with water of Citrie. And this shalbe doone syxe houres before meate fastynge in an emptie stomacke.

¶The thirde medecine.

Shalbe Mythridatum a confection so na∣med and of this shal you take more in quā∣titie then of y^e Triacle, & euery wéeke shal you take of it a dragma, howbeit you must fast after it fiue houres, and it must be ta∣ken in an empty stomacke, this Mithrida∣tum or confection so called, must at y^e least be a yeare olde.

¶The fourth medecine.

Shalbe Coriander confittes, and of this shalbe taken euery morning a small spone∣full fasting, and thervpon, or after imme∣diatly shalbe dronken the thirde parte of a Goblet of good wyne. And also when any greate heate is or greate warme wether, then shall they take Suger of Roses.

¶The fifte medecine.

Shalbe against the wormes, wherfore al

they that are inclined toward the breeding of wormes, shall séeth wormewood in good Wyne, till halfe be sothen in.

¶The syxte medecine.

Shalbe a precious syroupe, allowed and made by diuers Autors and experimēters in the sayde sickenesses, & I my selfe haue founde this true, for she doth clense the bo∣die of all superfluitee, and drieth likewyse the bodie, conforting the heart, the braines and liuer, and all other interior partes of the bodie, howbeit of this syrup shalbe takē but an ounce and an halfe at ones.

And this is the syrup, and is made thus Recipe cortici citri, Radicū Caparis, Ber∣baris, Sandalorum vtrius{que} Spodij of eche two dragmus, Gariofilate Buglosse, Me∣lisse, Boraginis, Cicorie, of eche one ownce Acetose, Epatice, Marubij, of eche halfe an ounce, Lactucesyluestris two dragmus, se∣minum Communim, Violarum, of eche .i. ounce, Thimi epithimi, Sene Polipodij, of eche a dragma, Succi Absinthij, succi Fu∣miterre, succi Rebulorū, of eche one ounce Diagredij, two dragmas, Succare albe .ii. pounde. Of this shall you make a Siroppe, and this shall you clense with the iuce Ci∣toniorum

or Quinshes til it be inough, and this shall you occupie.

¶The vsyng of these foresaid sixe medecines.

The first day early in the morning shal you take of the Syrop, & after sleape vpon it one houre or twayne.

The second day shall you take a dragma of the Triacle.

The thirde day shall you take a sponeful of Corianders confite.

The fourth day, shall you take the decoc∣tion agaynst wormes.

The fift day shall you take a dragma of the Pylles.

The syxt day shall you rest.

The seuenth day shall you take any of these.

And it is very good, for to take ones in a weeke one dragma of these Pilles.

When soeuer you doo take any of these Pilles, that day you shall take none other medecine.

¶Of sleaping and watching.

Beware of to muche sleape and specially

in the day, also you shall not sleape imme∣diatly after you haue taken your meate before the meate be digested, or before the fyrst digestion is doone or passed. It is very euell to sleape vpon your backe. In the first sleape lye vpon the right side, and there af∣ter two houres vpon y^e left side. And then agayne the whole night vpon the right side Also you shall lie hie with your head, and be well couered with clothes. It is good that you kéepe you waking two or thrée houres after your meate before you sleape.

¶Of resting, or waking, or mouing.

When the pestilence strongly raigneth, then must you beware of greate trauayle and labour, and specially in the open ayre. And when you will labour, so shall you doo it fasting and in a close ayre. And in time of Pestilence shall you keepe you temporate in labour, for to much quietnesse, and to much labour is naught.

¶Of the accidentes.

Euery man shalbe ware of angre, of so∣rowfulnesse, of dredefulnesse, and of suche like, but you shalbe mery, glad, & be emong

mynstrels Harpes, Lutes, and other me∣lodies, reade fonde and mery stories and songes.

A medecine of Kyng Henry for the Plage or Pestilence.

TAke Marigolds, Sorrel, and Burnet, of euery of them a handful, Rew and Fe∣therfew of euery of them an other halfe handfull, and of Dragons a quantite of the crop or of the roote, and wash them in run∣ning water all cleane, and seeth all them softly in a pot, with a pottell of runninge water, till it come to a quarte of licker, and then set it backe till it be colde, and then strayne it in a fayre linnen cloth, and then drinke it, if you cannot drinke it for bit∣ternesse, put therto Suger Candy. And if this drinke be taken before the markes of God be vpon them, he shalbe whole by the grace of God.

FJNIS.