The workes of that famous chirurgion Ambrose Parey translated out of Latin and compared with the French. by Tho: Johnson. Whereunto are added three tractates our of Adrianus Spigelius of the veines, arteries, & nerves, with large figures. Also a table of the bookes and chapters.

CHAP. VII. Of the Cordial Remedies by which we may preserve our Bodies in fear of the Plague, and cure those already infected therewith.

SUch as cannot eat without much labour, exercise and hunger, and who are no lovers of Break-fasts, having evacuated their excrements, before they go from home must strength∣en the heart with some Antidote against the virulency of the infection. Amongst which Aqua Theriacalis,* 1.1 or Treacle-water, two ounces, with the like quantity of Sack, is much commen∣ded being drunk, and rubbing the Nostrils, Mouth and Ears with the same; for the Treacle-water strengthens the heart, expells poyson, and is not only good for a preservative, but also to cure the disease it self: For by sweat it drives forth the poyson contained within. It should be, made in June, at which time all simple medicines, by the vital heat of the Sun, ate in their greatest efficacy.

* 1.2The composition whereof is thus: Take the roots of Gentian Ciperus, Tormentil, Diptam, or Fraxella Elecampane, of each one ounce; the leaves of Mullet, Carduus Benedictus, Divels-bit Burnet, Scabious, Sheeps-sorrel, of each half a handful; of the tops of Rue a little quantity; of Mittle-berries one ounce; of red Rose-leaves, the flowers of Bugloss, Borage and S. Johns wott, of each one ounce; let them be all cleansed, dried and mace••ated for the space of twenty-four hours in one pound of white wine or Malmsie, and of Rose-water or Sorrel-water; then let them be put in a vessel of glass, and add thereto of Treacle and Mithridate, of each four ounces: then distill them in Balneo Mariae, and let the distilled water be received in a Glass-Viol, and let there be added thereto of Saffron two drams, of Bole-Armenick, Terra Sigillata, yellow San∣ders, shavings of Ivory and Harts-horn, of each half an ounce; then let the glass be well stopped, and set in the Sun for the space of eight or ten dayes. Let the prescribed quantity be taken every morning so oft as shall be needful. It may be given without hurt to sucking children, and to Wo∣men great with childe. But that it may be the more pleasant, it must be strained through an Hip∣pocras-bag, adding thereto some sugar and cinnamon.

Some think themselves sufficiently defended with a root of Elecampane, Zedoary, or Angelica, rowled in their mouth, or chawed between their teeth.

Others drink every morning one dram of the root of Gentian bruised, being macerated for the space of one night in two ounces of white wine.

Others take Worm-wood-wine.

Others sup in a rare egg one dram of Terra Sigillata, or of Harts-horn, with a little Saffron, and drink two ounces of wine after it.

There be some that do infuse Bole-Armenick, the roots of Gentian, Tormentil, Diptam, the berries af Juniper, Cloves Mace, Cinnamon, Saffron, and such like, in aqua vitae and strong white wine, and so distill it in Balneo Mariae.

This Cordial water that followeth is of great vertue.* 1.3 Take of the roots of the long and round Aristolechia, Tormentil, Diptam, of each three drams, of Zedoary two drams, Lignum Aloes, yellow Sanders, of each one dram, of the leaves of Scordium, St. Johns-wort, Sorrel, Rue, Sage, of each half an ounce, of Bay and Juniper-berries, of each three drams, Citron-feeds one Dram, Cloves, Macc, Nutmegs, of each two drams, of Mastich, Olibanum, Bole-Armenick, Terra Si∣tillata, shavings of Harts horn and Ivory, of each one ounce, of Saffron one scruple, of the Con∣serves of Roses, Bugloss-flowers, water-lillies and old Treacle, of each one ounce, of Champhire half a dram, of aqua vitae half a pinte, of white wine two pints and a half; make thereof a dissilla∣tion in Balneo Mariae: The use of this distilled water is even as Treacle water is.

The E••ectuary following is very effectual. Take of the best Treacle three ounces,* 1.4 Juniper∣berries and Carduus-seeds of each one dram and a half, of Bole-Armenick prepared half an ounce. of the powder of the Electuary de Gemmis and Diamargariton frigidum, the powder of Harts-horn, and red Coral, of each one dram: mix them with the syrup of the rindes and juice of Pome-Citrons as much as shall suffice, and make thereof a liquid Electuary in the form of an Opiate, let them take every morning the quantity of a Filberd, drinking after it two drams of the water of Scabious Cherries, Carduus Benedictus, and of some such like cordial thing, or of strong wine.

The following Opiate is also very profitable, which also may be made into tablets.* 1.5 Take of the roots of Angelica, Gentian, Zedoary, Elecampane, of two drams; of Citron and Sorrel-seeds of each half a dram; of the dried rindes of Citrons, Cinnamon, Bay and Juniper-berties, and Saffron, of each one scruple; of conserve of Roses and Bugloss, of each one ounce; and fine hard Sugar as much as is sufficient; make thereof Tablets of the weight of half a dram, let him take one of them two hours before meat: or make thereof a Opiate with equal parts of conserves of Bugloss and Mel Anthosatum, and so adding all the rest drie and in powder.* 1.6 Or take of the roots of Valerian, Tormentil, Diptam, of the leaves of Rue, of each half an ounce; of saffron, Mace, Nutmegs, of each half a dram; of Bole-Armenick prepared halfe an ounce; of conserve of Roses and syrup of Lemmons as much as will be sufficient to make thereof an Opiate liquid enough.* 1.7 Or take of the roots of both the Aristolochiaes, of Gentian, Tormentil, Diptam, of each one dram and a half; of Ginger three drams; of the leaves of Rue, Sage, Mints and Penny-royal, of each two drams; of Bay and Juniper-berries, Citron-seeds, of each four scruples; of Mace, Nutmegs, Cloves, Cinnamon, of each two drams; of Lignum aloes, and yellow Sanders, of each one dram; of Male-Frankincense, i. Olibanum, Mastich, shavings of Harts-Horn and Ivory, of each two scruples; of Saffron half a dram; of Bole-Armenick, Terra Sigillata, red Coral, Pearl, of each one dram; of conserves of Roses, Bugloss-flowers water-lillies and old Treacle, of each one ounce; of Loaf-sugar one pound and a quarter: a little before the end of the making it up, add two drams of Confectio Alkermes, and of Camphire dissolved in Rose water one scruple; make thereof an Opi∣are according to Art, the dose thereof is from half a dram, to half a scruple.

Treacle and Mithridate faithfully compounded, excell all Cordial medicines, adding for every half ounce of them, one ounce and an half of Conserves of Roses, or of Bugloss, or of Violets, and three drams of Bole-Armenick prepared: Of these being mixt with stirring, and incorporated to∣gether, make a conserve: it must be taken in the morning the quantity of a Filberd. You must ••huse that treacle that is not less then fower years old, nor above twelve: that which is somewhat ••ew, is judged to be most meet for cholerick persons; but that which is old, for flegmatick and old men. For at the beginning the strength of the Opium that enters into the composition thereof, remains in its full vertue for a year: but afterwards the more years old it waxeth, the strength thereof is more abolished, so that at length the whole composition becometh very hot.

The confection of Alkermes is very effectual both for a preservative against this disease, and also for the cure.

The quantity of a Filberd of Rubard, with one Clove chawed or rowled in the mouth, is supposed to repell the coming of the pestilent Air: as also this composition following.* 1.8

Take of preserved Citron and Orange pils, of each one dram; of conserve of Roses, and of the roots of Bugloss, of each three drams; of Citron-seeds half an ounce; of Annise-seeds and Fen∣nel-seeds, of each one dram; of Angelica-Roots four scruples; sugar of Roses as much as sufficeth: Make a confection, and cover it with leaves of Gold, to take a little of it upon a spoon before you to abroad every morning.

Or take of Pine-apple-kernels, and Fistick-nuts,* 1.9 infused for the space of six hours in the water of Scabions and Roses, of each two ounces; of Almonds blanched in the fore-named waters half a pound: of preserved Citron and Orange pills, of each one dram and an half: of Angelica-roots four scruples: make them according to art, unto the form of March-pane, or of any other such like confection, and hold a little piece thereof often in your mouth.

The Tablets following are most effectual in such a case. Take of the roots of Diptam, Tor∣mentil, Valerian, Elecampane, Eringoes, of each half a dram; of Bole-Armenck, Terra Sigillata, of each one scruple; of Camphire, Cinnamon, Sorrel-Seeds, and Zedoary of each one scruple, of

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the species of the electuary Diamargariton frigidum, two scruples of conserve of Roses, Bugloss preser∣ved-Citton-pills, Mithridate, Treacle of each one dram; of fine Sugar dissolved in Scabions and Carduus-water, as much as shall suffice: Make thereof Tablets of the weight of a dram, or half a dram: take them in the morning before you eat.

* 1.10The pills of Ruffus are accounted most effectual preservatives, so that Ruffus himself saith, that he never knew any to be infected that used them: the composition of them is thus.

Take of the best Aloes half a dram, of Gum-Ammoniacum two drams, of Myrrh two drams and an half, of Mastich two drams, of Saffron seven grains: put them all together, and incorporate them with the juice of Citrons, or the syrup of Limons, and make thereof a mass, and let it be kept in leather: Let the patient take the weight of half a dram every morning two or three hours before meat, and let him drink the water of Sorrel after it, which through its tartness, and the thinness of its parts, doth infringe the force and power of the malignity or putrefaction, For experience hath taught us, that Sorrel being eaten or chawed in the mouth, doth make the prick∣ing of Scorpions unhurtful. And for those ingredients which do enter into the composition of those pills, Aloes doth clense and purge, Myrrh resists putrefaction, Mastich strengthens, Saffron exhilerates and makes lively the spirits that govern the body, especially the vital and a∣nimal.

* 1.11Those pils that follow are also much approved. Take of Aloes one ounce, of Myrrh half an ounce, of Saffron one scruple, of Agarick in Trochisces two drams, of Rubarb in powder one dram, of Cinnamon two scruples, of Mastich one dram and a half, of Citron-seeds twelve grains: powder them all as is requisite; and make thereof a mass with the syrup of Maiden-hair: let it be used as aforesaid.

If the mass begin to wax hard, the pills that must presently be taken, must be mollified with the syrup of Limons.

* 1.12Take of washed Aloes two ounces, of Saffron one dram, of Myrrh half an ounce, of Am∣moniacum dissolved in white wine one ounce, of hony of Roses, Zedoary, red Sanders, of each one dram, of Bole-Armenick prepared two drams, of red coral half an ounce, of Camphi••e half a scruple: make thereof pills according to art. But those that are subject or apt to the hoemorrhoids ought not at all, or very seldom to use those kinds of pills that do receive much Aloes.

They say, that King Mithridates affirmed by his own writing, that whosoever took the quan∣tity of an hasel-nut of the preservative following, and drank a little wine after it, should be free from poyson that day. Take two Wall-nuts, those that be very dry, two Figs, twenty leaves of Rue, and three grains of Salt: beat them, and incorporate them together, and let them be used as is a∣foresaid.

This remedy is also said to be profitable for those that are bitten or stung by some venomous beast, and for this only, because it hath Rue in the composition thereof. But you must forbid wo∣men that are with childe the use of this medicine; for Rue is hot and dry in the third degree, and therefore it is said to purge the womb, and provoke the flowers, whereby the nourishment is drawn away from the childe. Of such variety of medicines, every one may make choice of that is most agreeable to his taste, and as much thereof as shall be sufficient.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Aqua Theriacalis good against the Plague both inwardly taken and out∣wardly applied.
• * 1.2

  The composi∣tion thereof
• * 1.3

  A cordial water.
• * 1.4

  A Cordial E∣lectuary.
• * 1.5

  An Opiate.
• * 1.6

  Another.
• * 1.7

  Another.
• * 1.8

  A Confection to be taken in the morning against the pe∣stilent Air.
• * 1.9

  A March-pans
• * 1.10

  Pills of Ruffus.
• * 1.11

  Other pills.
• * 1.12

  Other pills.