Anatomia sambuci, or, The anatomy of the elder cutting out of it plain, approved, and specific remedies for most and chiefest maladies : confirmed and cleared by reason, experience, and history / collected in Latine by Dr. Martin Blochwich ...

CAP. XX.

Of the Small Pox and Measles.

SEeing these spots and pushes de∣pend upon that putred and malign humor, which nature, troubled with it, doth expel to the skin and external parts; it is commodious to commit the whole business to nature, if she work righly and effectually.

But seeing, before they break out, a fever doth possess those tender bo∣dies, which is unknown whether it be a token of the Pox and Meazles, or of pituite putrefying in the stomach, or neighbouring parts: It is commo∣dious to give to Infants a spoonful or two of the infused flowers: For if it be the Pox, it causeth them to strike out; if it be putred pituit in the sto∣mach, it gently purgeth it.

If it be to one of riper age, give him one or more ounces, adding according to his strength, yea on the first day, &

before nature go about to expel the Pox, of the Polichrestick powder of the Elder-buds, a scruple or half a drachm, whereby nature being dis∣burdened of the sinck of the first regi∣on, more happily and easily may ex∣pel the rest, which is mixed with the mass of blood.

After this, the water of the Elder∣flowers given in spoonfuls is good: for it strengeheneth the heart, and thrusteth forth that putred and ma∣lign humor, both in children and in those that are older; it may be sweet∣ned with syrup of the berries. Which, if they come forth more slowly or sparingly, besides internals, we must use unctions; of whose matter and manner we have spoken in the for∣mer Chapter.

Alpinus testifies, that the Egyptians have none more excellent and famili∣ar in all their Pox and malignant spots than these. And our women would do well to follow their foot-steps, for∣saking old wives fables, which oft

times bring not so much help as ha∣zard. Nevertheless we are to have a care, that a little after we wipe the whole body with soft and warm lin∣nen cloths, in a warm place, free of all cold.

To quench thirst where the fever∣ish heat is more vehement, and the strength more vanquisht, use those Julaps we have mentioned in the cure of Fevers.

But if you perceive by the continu∣ed host, that the Pox hath seized on the lungs, abstain from these sharp things, and instead of them, use the syrup of the flowers or of the juice of Elder-berries, being thickned with Sugar, for a Linctus: The distilled water of the flowers of the Elder, sweetned with the same syrups, is to be used for a Julap to strengthen the intestines, and prevent a flux; mix with it Tragea granorum actes.