De morbis puerorum, or, a treatise of the diseases of children;: with their causes, signs, prognosticks, and cures, for the benefit of such as do not understand the Latine tongue, and very useful for all such as are house-keepers, and have children. With the contents of the several chapters, as also an alphabetical table of all the diseases mentioned herein. By Robert Pemell practitioner in physick, at Cranebrooke in Kent. May the 29. 1653.

CHAP. 27. Of the disease called St. Anthonies fire, or wilde fire, as also of Burning and scalding.

THis disease is a great heat and rednesse that disperseth it self over the uppermost part of the body; and it is twofold, either onely with heat and rednesse; or with inflammation, heat and small pimples, and very painful. This the Vulgar call the Shingles.

Others are troubled with this disease as well as children.

The cause.

It is caused of thin and hot blood, or of blood mingled with Choler.

The signs.

The signs are manifest; for there is a rednesse upon the outward skin, very hot and angry, and many times doth flash abroad, if it be not prevented by the use of means.

The Prognosticks.

Although many have this disease without danger, yet the cure hereof must not be neglected, least a worse disease follow: For as * 1.1Hippocrates saith, if an Erisipelas being outward, be returned inwards, it is evil; but if on the contrary, if being inward it be turned outwards it is a good sign.

If strong repercussive, or repelling means be used in the begin∣ning of the disease, it is dangerous least the humour strike inward, and so indanger the life of the party.

If this disease appear in the head, it is more dangerous then in other parts; because if the matter passe to the membranes of the brain, it cause a Frenzie, if to the muscles of the neck, the Quinzie.

The cure.

First of all great care must be had to use such inward means as may expel the matter outward: as give the child a scruple of Lon∣don Treacle, or five grains of the powder of Crabs clawes in Car∣duus water. Then use outward means, as, take of Plantain wa∣ter, Rosewater, Lettice and Housleek water, of each one ounce, Vinegar half an ounce, mix them together, and wet Linnen clouts therein, and apply it a little warm, so oft as it dryeth up let it be wet again in the same, and applyed.

Or

Take of Galens cooling oyntment one ounce and a half, oyl of Roses two ounces, of the oyntment called Populeon one ounce, the juice of Plantain and Nightshade, of each half an ounce, the white of two or three eggs beaten; mix them altogether, and anoint with it. See more in my book called Help for the Poor, Pag, 14. and 15.

Against Burning or Scalding.

See my Help for the Poor, page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6. where you have many easie and safe medicines.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Hip. Aph. sect. 6. 25.