they break forth in greater quantity than the first. Nay, it has been known, that some have had the Small Pox, and been very full too, three times within the space of six Months. Though it be a thing that rarely uses to happen, especially in so short a time.
These Diseases took their Rise from a continual Fever, which in some is more intense, in others more remiss, with a Pulse for the most part oppressed, weak, thick and unequal. For the most part the Symp∣toms were very bad; an extream heaviness, oppression of the Heart, dryness of the Mouth, tremblings of the extream Parts, Deliri∣ums, &c.
In many the Small Pox come forth after the first or second, but in most not before the third fourth or fifth days; where they appeared later the Patients were in great danger, and many dy'd; for oft-times the strength of the Patient was so wasted by the violence of th•…•… •…•…i∣stemper, that at length, when the red Spots, the Harbingers o•…•… •…•…e Small Pox appeared, Nature was so feeble that she could not expel them with that vigour as she ought to have done.
They that vomited or coughed up Blood, or Piss'd bloody, they generally dy'd, not one in six hundred escaping. For their internal Bowels being seized with the Small Pox, were so corrupted that they could never be restored to Health.
Such as had the Small Pox very thick in their Mouths, Tongues, Pa∣late, Chaps, Asperia Arteria, and Gullet were very much troubled to fetch their Breaths, and to swallow before the maturation and breaking of the Wheals; which was the reason that many were stiffled.
They who were Purged by unskilful Physitians at the beginning for the most part died; In regard the Small Pox come forth more Natu∣rally, when the Belly is bound then when it is loose.
Our Treacle water was much more prevalent to provoke Sweat in Children, then any other Diaphoretic.
After breaking, the Decoction of Figs drank very much assisted to expel the Pox, especially if Sycory, Carduus Benedict. Scabious, red Vetches, and other such things were added. However it was not to be administred if the Belly were loose.
The common People and Country folk, steeped Sheeps dung and Horse dung in Wine or Ale, and then straining it through a Linnen Cloath, gave it lukewarm with good success to their Patients.
But the greatest part of the Cure consisted in keeping all manner of Cold from the Patients.
ANNOTATIONS.
1. OF the Use and Vertue of Figs, and their Benefit in the Cure of these Diseases, and the Decoctions usu∣ally made of them, we have discoursed at large cap. 10. before. Avicen also thus speaks of their Vertues. The water of Figs, says he, is good; for Figs are vehe∣ment expellers to the outward Parts, and that is one way to escape the Disaster of the Small Pox.
2. This very advice concerning Cold has Avicen also taken notice of, when says he the Small Pox begin to appear, then the catching Cold will be the occa∣sion of a great mistake, for that it de∣tains the superfluity within, and carrys it to the Principal Members, and for that it is impossible for the Small Pox to come out and appear; thence pro∣ceeds restlesness, narrowness of the Throat, and sometimes swoonding Therefore the superfluities are to be assisted with such things as make them boyl, and open Oppellations, as Fennel and Parsley with Sugar and their Juices, or some Decoction of their Roots and Seeds.