CHAP. XVIII. How a pestilent Fever comes to be bred in us.
THe Plague oft-times findeth fuel in our bodies, and oft-times allurements, to wit, the pu∣trefaction of humors, or aptness to putrefie: but it never thence hath its first original, for that comes alwayes from the defiled air; therefore a pestilent Fever is thus bred in us: The pestilent air drawn by inspiration into the lungs,* 1.1 and transpiration into the utmost mouths of the veins and arteries spread over the skin, the bloud or else the humors already putrefying or apt to putrefie therein, are infected and turned into a certain kind of malignity resembling the nature of the agent. These humors, like unquench't lime when it is first sprinkled with water, send forth a putrid vapor, which carryed to the principal parts and heart especially, infecteth the spirituous bloud boyling in the ventricles thereof, and therewith also the vital spirits; and hence proceeds a certain feverish heat. This heat diffused over the body by the arteries, together with a malign quality, taints all, even the solid parts of the bones, with the pestiferous venom; and besides, causeth divers symptoms, according to the nature thereof, and the condition of the body and the h••mors wherein it is. Then is the conflict of the malignity assailing, and nature defending, mani∣fest; in which, if nature prevail, it, using the help of the expulsive faculty, will send and drive it far from the noble parts, either by sweats, vomits, bleeding, evacuation by stool or urine, buboes, carbuncles, pustles, spots, and other such kinds of breakings out, over the skin.* 1.2 But on the con∣trary, if the malignity prevail, and nature be too weak, and yield, and that first he be troubled with often panting, or palpitation of the heart; then presently after with frequent faintings, the pa∣tient then at length will die. For this is a great sign of the Plague or a pestilent Fever, if presently at the first, with no labour, nor any evacuation worth the speaking of, their strength fail them, and they become exceeding faint. You may find the other signs mentioned in our preceding discourse.