CHAP. XV. What cure must be used to such as fear the water, but yet are able to know themselves in a glass.
SUch as have not their animal faculty as yet orecome by the malignity of the rageing venom must have strong purgations given them. Wherefore, if in any case Antimony be useful,* 1.1 then is it in this, as that which causeth sweats, looseth the belly, and procures vomiting: For it is a part of extreme and dangerous madness to hope to overcome the cruel malignity of this poison already admitted into the bowels, by gentle purging medicines. Assuredly, such and so great danger is never overcome without danger. Baths also conduce, which may disperse and draw forth the poison by causing sweats. Also many and frequent treacle-potions are good to retund the venom, and strengthen the bowels; also it will be fitting to give them water and all other liquid things, which they so much abhor, in a cup with a cover. Alwaies let such as are poi∣soned, or stung, or bitten by a mad dog or other venomous beast, keep themselves in some warm and light place, that the poison which by coldness is forced in, may be the readil yet drawn out by the means of heat, and the spirits be recreated by the brightness of the air, and therefore move from the center to the circumference of the body, and let the room be perfumed with sweet things. To eat very hot and salt things presently at the beginning, as onions, leeks, all spiced meats, and strong wine not allaied, seem not to be besides reason; because such things by their spirituous heat hinder the diffusion of the poison over the body, and strengthen the filled entrails. There be some also that would have them to feed upon gross and viscous meats, which by ob∣structing the vessels, may hinder the passage of the poison to the heart and other parts; and by the same reason it will be better to fill themselves with meat to satiety then otherwise; because the malignity of humors is encreased by hunger, then which nothing can be more harmful to veno∣mous wounds. Yet within a short while after, as within five or six daies, they must return to a mediocrity, and use all things temperate, boiled meats rather then rosted, and that in a decoction of opening things, so to move urine. Lastly, they must keep such a diet as melancholick persons ought to do; neither shall they let blood, left so the poison should be further drawn into the veins; but it is good that the patients body be soluble from the very first. Let their drink be wine indif∣ferently allaied with water, oxymel simplex, or the syrup of the juice of Citron with boiled water; or else this following Julip. ℞ succi limonum, & malorum citri, an. ℥ ss. suc. gran. acid. ℥ii. aquae acetosae, min & ros. an. ℥i. aq. font. coct. quantum sufficit, fiat Julep, ut artis est.* 1.2 Sleep is to be avoided untill the force of the poison is abated, for by sleep the humors flow back into the bowels. All things that resist poison must be given any way whatsoever, as lemons, oranges, angelica-roots gen∣tian, tormentil, burnet, vervain, cardus benedictus, borage, bugloss, and the like. Let all things that are afterwards set before the patient, be meats of good juice, such as ate veal, kid, mutton, patridg, pullets, capons, and the like.