CHAP. VIII. Of locall medicines to be applied outwardly.
THose medicines that have proper and excellent vertues against the pesti∣lence, are not to bee neglected to bee applied outwardly, or carried in the hand. And such are all aromaticall, astringent, or spirituous things, which therfore are endued with vertue to repell the venemous and pesti∣ferous aire from comming and entring into the body, and to strengthen the heart and * 1.1 the braine. Of this kind are Rue, Balm, Rosemary, Scordium, Sage, Worme-wood, Cloves, Nutmegs, Saffron; the roots of Angelica, and Lovage, and such like, which must bee macerated one night in sharpe Vinegar and Aquavitae, and then tyed in a knot as bigge as an egge: or rather let it be carried in a sponge, made wet or soaked in the said infusion. For there is nothing that doth sooner and better hold the spiri∣tuous vertue and strength of aromaticke things, than a sponge. Wherefore it is of principall use either to keep or hold sweet things to the nose, or to apply Epithemes and Fomentations to the heart.
Those sweet things ought to be hot or cold, as the season of the yeere, and kinde of the pestilence is. As for example, in the Summer you ought to infuse and mace∣rate Cinamon and Cloves beaten together, with a little Saffron in equall parts, of Vinegar of Roses, and Rose water, into which you must dippe a sponge, which row∣led in a faire linnen cloath, you may carry in your hand, and often smell to.
Take of Wormewood halfe a handfull, ten Cloves, of the roots of Gentian and Angelica, of each two drammes, of Vinegar and Rose water, of each two ounces, of Treacle and Mithridate, of each one dramme, beat and mixe them all well together, and let a sponge be dipped therein, and used as above-said. They may also bee en∣closed in boxes made of sweet wood, as of Juniper, Cedar, or Cypresse, and so car∣ried for the same purpose.
But there is nothing more easie to be carried than Pomanders: the form of which is thus. Take of yellow Saunders, Mace, Citron pills, Rose and Mirtle leaves, of each two drammes, of Benzoin, Ladanum, Storax, of each halfe a dramme, of Cinamon, and Saffron, of each two Scruples, of Camphire and Amber Greece, of each one scruple, of Muske, three graines. Make thereof a Pomander, with Rose water, with * 1.2 the infusion of Tragacanth. Or take red Rose leaves, the flowers of Water-lillies, and Violets, of each one ounce, of the three Saunders, Coriander seeds, Citron pills, of each halfe an ounce, of Camphire, one dramme, let them all bee made into pou∣der, and with Water of Roses and Tragacanth make a pomander.
In the winter it is to be made thus: take of Storax, Benzoin, of each one dram and a half; of Musk, half a Scruple; of Cloves, Lavander, and Cyperus, of each two drams; of the root of Orris, i. Flower-de-Luce, and Calamus aromaticus, of each two drams and a half; of Amber Greece, three drams; of gum Tragacanth dissolved in Rose water & Aquavitae, as much as shall suffice: make thereof a Pomander. * 1.3
And for the same purpose you may also use to carry about with you sweet pou∣ders, made of Amber Greece, Storax, Orris, Nutmegs, Cinamon, Mace, Cloves, Saffron, Benzoine, Muske, Camphire, Roses, Violets, Juncus odoratus, Marjoram, & such like, of which being mixed together, Pouders may be compounded & made.
Take of the rootes of Orris two drams, of Cyperus, Calamus Aromaticus, red Ro∣ses, of each halfe an ounce, of Cloves halfe a dramme, of Storax one dramme, of Muske eight graines: mixe them, and make a pouder for a bagge: or take the rootes of Orris two ounces, red Rose leaves, white Saunders, Storax, of each one ounce, of Cyperus one dram, of Calamus Aromaticus, one ounce, of Marjoram, halfe an ounce, of Cloves, three drammes, of Lavander, halfe a dramme, of Coriander seedes two drammes, of good Muske, halfe a scruple, of Ladanum and Benzoin, of each a dram, of Nutmegs and Cinamon, of each two drammes: Make thereof a fine pouder, and few it in a bag.