Directions for the prevention and cure of the plague Fitted for the poorer sort.

III. CURE. (Book 3)

THose Poor People that are actually infected and begin to be sick, must by all means (as they tender the pos∣sibility of their recovery) keep themselves within doors, and avoid rambling out into the open Air, or looking out at windows, either of which strikes the venom inward to the Heart and Bowels; wherefore their safest course is presently to betake themselves to their beds, where they must lie alone, and in bed take this Medicine following, or the like.

Take London-treakle a quarter of an ounce, one ounce

of White-wine Vinegar, one ounce of the juice of Wood-sorrel or juice of Orenges, 20 grains of the Salt of Worm∣wood, and one ounce and an half of Plague-water of Matthias, described in the College last book, pag. 13. and if they vomit it, renew it again as soon as the Stomach be∣gins to be setled. About an hour after let them drink about half a pint of White-wine or other Posset-drink, and lie in bed as quiet as they can, and sweat as long as they can well bear it, taking now and then a draught of the same or other Posset-drink; and about 6 hours after the first draught, take another of the same Medicine; and so con∣tinue every 6 or 8 hours till the poison of the disease be spent. In the mean time once in 12 hours at the least let them be refreshed with Water-gruel, Mace-ale, Oatmeal∣caudle, Harts-horn gelly, Chicken-broth with Mace, Ma∣rigold-flower, and Harts-horn, with a handful of Wood-sorrel boiled together, or any such like, which they can best get.

Children and Women with child being infected may take Gascoine powder made by the Apothecary, 20 grains in a spoonful of White-wine Posset-drink, drinking im∣mediately after it a good draught of the same with two spoonfuls of the Plague-water, or one for a Child.

It is expedient in the course of cure that Blisters be rai∣sed in several parts of the body, provided that not above four (if large) be applied at once; onely the disease con∣tinuing or increasing, others may be successively laid on some two or three days after the first; lest otherwise if there should be too many laid on at once, they should procure such a difficulty and pain in making water, as will not easily then be born. The places most proper for Blisters are the inside of the Arms a little above or a little be∣low the Elbow, the insides of the Thighs a little above the Knees, the insides of the Calves of the Legs, also a little

below the Croin, and a little below, the Arm-pits; like∣wise behind the Ears: and upon the shape of the Neck, which may be near double as large as any of the others. The place ought to be elected by the present Physician; so that it may best evacuate the matter from the parts to which Nature endeavours to thrust it.

Let the Rooms whereany sick persons are lodged be diligently kept clean and sweet, free from allmastiness and sluttishness, & where conveniently there may let Sea-cole fires be made; and sometimes let the Rooms be fumed with Brimstone, as before directed. Some change their Linen before the disease be fully sweated out, which is concei∣ved to be very dangerous; therefore we advise they do not change till all Symptoms cease.

For the Bubo or Batch.

Those that cannot apply such Poultisses as are appoint∣ed by the College for want of attendance, may make use of this Plaster following.

Take Empl. de amoniac. and diachyl. simpl. of each half an ounce, and of the Plaster of Muccilag. a quarter of an ounce, mix them at the fire, and spread it upon thin lea∣ther puncht full of holes, and apply it to the place; it will ripen and break the Sore, and draw out the Matter.

For the Carbuncle.

Take Wheat-flowre and Soot of each an ounce, sweet Sope, and Turpentine half an ounce, make it up with the yolks of two Eggs, the Turpentine and Eggs must be first mingled in a Mortar with a hot Pestel, then adde the rest, and apply it warm to the place.

There are two Cardial Sudonifick Powders, proper against the Plague, the one for Men, the other for Women, at Mr. Coniers at the Ʋnicorn in Fleet-street, with Di∣rections for their use.

FINIS.