The cure of the plague by an antidote called aurum vitæ. Being well approved to be an easie safe, and perfect cure thereof; as also of contagious agues, or feavers beginning either hot or cold. The description, order and use whereof, together with the said antidote, and are to be sold at the shop of Nicholas Bourne, stationer, at the south entrance of the royal exchange. Invented and produced by John Woodall, master in surgery. Published by authority.

The cure of the plague by an antidote called aurum vitæ. Being well approved to be an easie safe, and perfect cure thereof; as also of contagious agues, or feavers beginning either hot or cold. The description, order and use whereof, together with the said antidote, and are to be sold at the shop of Nicholas Bourne, stationer, at the south entrance of the royal exchange. Invented and produced by John Woodall, master in surgery. Published by authority.

Table of contents

Title page

To the Reader.

A DESCRIPTION OF THE CORDIAL ANTIDOTE CALLED AƲRƲM VITAE.

Of the rule and order to be held in the taking of this Antidote for the cure of the Plague.

The Vertue of the precedent Antidote, in the cure of the small Pox.

§

§

[Page]

THE CVRE OF THE PLAGUE BY AN ANTIDOTE CALLED AURUM VITAE.

Being well approved to be an easie safe, and perfect cure thereof; as also of contagious Agues, or Feavers begining either Hot or Cold.

The description, order, and use whereof, together with the said Antidote, are to be sold at the Shop of NICHOLAS BOURNE, Stationer, at the South Entrance of the ROYAL EXCHANGE.

Invented and produced by John Woodall, Master in SURGERY.

Published by Authority.

LONDON: Printed by E. P. for Nicholas Bourne. 1640

To the Reader.

[Page]

[Page]

The Author sendeth greeting in the Lord.

SHewing, that he having of late published some workes in Surgery, amd amongst the rest, a Treatise concerning the cure of the Plague, which workes, although they are allowed and well approved of by many right worthy personages, for the matter in them contained, yet neverthelesse the Author findeth, he hath by improvidence failed of his desires in one of the main points he aimed at, in the production of those workes, which was in the putting forth of the Treatise of the Plague in one and the same Volumne, with the rest of his Workes, for whereas his intent was, that treatise above the rest should have beene common, and open to every person, and also to have bin at an easie rate for the poorer sort, in which case his best course had beene to have printed it by it selfe, so had it borne its owne burthen of price, but by reason that the other treatises are bound up together with it, the book will cost ten shillings, which the poorer sort cannot buy, and they commonly [Page] have the greatest need thereof, especially in that dreadfull Disease of the Plague; wherefore, partly through solicitation of some Friends, and partly, for that the present time of Infection requireth helpe, he hath thought fit to draw out of the said Treatise, that one principall Medicine called Aurum Vitae, and to publish it by it selfe, with an expression of the Vertues and uses thereof, for the present occasion, and service of any person which shall thinke good to make use thereof, or that shall for the future be disposed to be provided before hand, against a time of need, of such a Medicine, as will not decay in seven yeeres and more.

VALE.

A DESCRIPTION OF THE CORDIAL ANTIDOTE CALLED AƲRƲM VITAE.

[Page]

THis Antidote, at one onely time given, taketh away the Pestilentiall Feaver, and therby cureth the Plague, that the patient frequently becommeth well the very next day; especially if the Medicine be taken upon the first day of the complaint; he or she observing of certain easie Rules hereafter prescribed, concerning the order of administring thereof, and it is so easie and safe a Medicine, that an Infant, although it sucke upon the Mothers breasts, may safely take it; yea, and may easily be induced to receive it into the Body: for that it is small in quantity, and is without offence in taste or smell to any: Also, it may safely be given to any Woman that [Page] is great with childe, whereof diverse trials have bin had with safety and comfort.

The Dose of Aurum Vitae.The Dose or quantity sufficient thereof for a Man or Woman to take at any one time, is but eight graines, and by that proportion, any discreet person may gather what may be given to any younger person: viz. A child of two full yeeres old, may safely take two graines, and a child of foure or five yeeres old, may take three graines, or foure, and one about foureteene yeeres may take six graines, and one of eighteene, nineteene, or twenty yeeres old, or more, may safely take the full of eight graines.

And note that this medicine performeth its operation only by sweat which is the truest and safest way of the entrance upon that cure of the Plague (for the most part) and also it doth [...]t without moving the body either upwards or downeward; and namely it causeth no vomits nor stooles: neither is it at all nauseous or offensive to the stomach, neither any wayes causing extraordinary thirst, nor faintnesse to the patient, but on the contrary, the patient, when his sweating is over, shall manifestly feele cheerefulnesse, as being much refreshed thereby, with also an abatement of his paines, and his Feaver will be gone at the onely once taking thereof, neither shall the patient need to over-burthen himselfe with too many cloathes to force him or her to sweat: for the medicine of it selfe sufficiently performeth that duty, onely hee may bee ordered to have somewhat more to cover him, than the ordinary coverings [Page] he usually lyeth under, and the roome ought likewise to be kept warme with a fire therein, for that cold aire in time of sweating, is obnoxious and dangerous.

And further,Of the continuance of its Vertue. this Medicine may bee kept seven whole yeares and longer, if occasion and need be, it will not decay in that time, for it being truly prepared of gold, is thereby permanent above other Medicines, and looseth not its vertue as vegetable medicines doe: But as Gold, that excellent mineral, excelleth all other mettals, in price and vertue; even so the true prepared medicines thereof, as far exceed al other mineral medicines in their vertues, in the preserving and defending of men from Diseases, as also in curing their inffrmities, when by Gods permission they seize upon the bodyes of mankind.

And whereas other strong medicines commonly worke two wayes at once, namely by sweat, and also by Vomit, whereby they fiercely distract the Patient, and produce fearefull accidents, as if death it selfe were at hand, by two violent expulfions at one time, yea oftentimes by a third, viz. By purging downeward: Also this most safe, and sweating medicine, performeth as much as it promiseth, pleasantly, and without rigour or nautious offence, as well in the Plague, as also in other contagious diseases, and namely in the smal Pox, where Nature also striveth to thrust out her venemous enemy, per poros cutis, or by the sweat holes of the skin, and that course of curing, is of all other the safest, in a contagious Disease at the first entrance, which then consisteth rather of poysonous vapours [Page] vapours then of putrifaction of humours, in which regard the aforesaid course is safe, for it is a fearefull thing, yea, and a desperate one (as I conceive) to purge in the beginning of a contagious disease.

To cure Agues or Feavers that are contagious.This Medicine is also approved good to be given in the beginning of any contagious Ague or feaver, hot or cold, and for the most part, it cureth the patient at once giving, and it faileth seldome.

Of the rule and order to be held in the taking of this Antidote for the cure of the Plague.

FIrst the patient is to be demanded if he had any stoole that day, or the day before, and if yea, all is well for that point; if otherwise, and that you find you have time to tarry so long (else not) let the patient have onely a suppository that may move him once, and when he hath had one stoole thereby, proceed without any further delay to the administring of the Antidote; for delayes are dangerous in that fierce disease, and whether the patient at that instant be found sweating, burning, quaking, raving, or in any other distemper give it in, and the party that taketh it, [...]ought to be in his warme bed fitted with sufficient coverings before he takes this Medicine in, then let him take it, either mixed with some cordiall thing, if he please, as a little Mithridate, or give it mixed with the pap of an Apple, which will doe as well, and so it is easiest taken in by infants (as I suppose) for it needs no addition at all to adde vertue to it, onely the addition chiefly serves to carry or convay the medicine [Page] without wasting into the stomach, for that it is a powder small in quantity, and subject to waste.

Also the party that is to take it,Necessaries to bee provided before the taking. must have before hand an ordinary posset of Ale and milke to the quantity of a quart very warm, which when he hath taken his medicine, shortly after let him drink a reasonable full draught of the said posset well warmed, and then lying on the one side, which side the patient please, let him be warme covered, head, face and all, leaving full breathing scope, and so in Gods name let him lye still and sweat gently, if he can beare it for three or foure houres were best, & ever as he thirsteth, let him freely take warme posset drink, which were best to be given him in some cruet or spout-pot, if such were at hand, that he take no ayre by raising himselfe up in drinking. And when he hath performed his due sweating, let him be wiped dry and shifted, and then give the patient some warme broath▪ And further by divers experiences the Author hath found, that a patient so healed (shifting his cloaths) infecteth not an other, although he goe abroad the next day, for by that strong sweating the venome of the disease is wholy evaporated and gon, so as the next day he may by Gods mercy safely goe abroad, but for the day of his sweating let him keepe within, and give him food competent in a sparing quantity, such as is of a light digestion, and deny him not drinke, so that it be somwhat warme at the fire only for that day.

Thus much for those which take the medicine within 24 houres of the first complaint. Item unto such as the disease hath taken greater hold of, namely that before the receite of the aforesaid [Page] Antidote, the patient have outward tumours, swellings or Soares, as Botches, Carbuncles, or blaines, not yet broken nor ripe, if hee take the medicine as aforesaid, and sweat well upon it, the venome of the soares as is said, shall, through Gods Mercy, be so evapourated by his sweating, that the swellings shall decline of themselves, and not at all come forward, and if any after do break, as being formerly supperated, or ripe before the medicine tooke place, they also shall, as ordinary boyles, easily and quickly heale with every meane medicine.

And notwithstanding generally, once sweating healeth the Patient, yet neverthelesse if occasion bee, hee may safely take a second Dosse, or proportion, yea, and a third without danger; as diverse have done, so that he may be the more confident of perfect health; neverthelesse if he find his desire by the first, let him not take a second, and if by a second, let him not take a third, for sweating medicines, too often taken, are obnoxious to a dijected weeke patient.

The Vertue of the precedent Antidote, in the cure of the small Pox.

THe Disease of the small Pox, hath great affinity with that most fearefull Disease of the Plague, being also contagious and deadly often times, and the cure thereof I have experienced to be by the same way, as the cure of the Plague, only the cure of the smal Pox succeeds best, if it be begun before that they doe manifest themselvs, and namely, in the first day of the Feaver, or soon after, for that disease hath ever a forerunning hot feaver, [Page] or Ague, for a messenger, wherfore it were not amisse for any that hath young children, especially in times that are contagious and infectious, to be prepared with remedies at hand, to fit such an unwelcome guest, considering the medicine will keep its Vertue for more then seven yeeres.

Moreover, for the manner of the sweating in the small Pox, let it bee very wearily and gently, and with no more cloathes then will keepe the patients sweating, and defend them from taking cold, and deny not them warm posset-drinke in the time of their sweating.

Also, when any person is desirous to take the benefit of the aforesaid medicine, having an Ague, or Feaver, with paraxismes or fits, let him not take the medicine in the time of the fit, but one full houre as is said, before the fit, or rather more, but if the Feaver be continuall, as often in that fierce disease of the Plague it is, give it at any time in manner aforesaid; for if he take it, and his burning change into sweating, which the medicine usually produceth, the feare of Death in the Patient is halfe over.

And further of a truth, the Author can affirme that he hath cured some by the heretofore mentioned Antidote, that had the Pestities, or spots of the Plague, vulgarly called Gods tokens, upon them, and they are yet living witnesses thereof; for which, and all other his exceeding favours in that fearefull disease, the Almighty God alone be glorified: And so the Author briefly eoncludeth with a Copy of a certificate concerning the Vertue of the before mentioned Antidote, Aurum Vitae, referring [Page] the Reader for further attestation to the Authors Booke called the Surgions Mate, or Militarie and domestike Surgerie.

The Copy of a Certificate, concerning the Vertue of the precedent Antidote; called Aurum Vitae, from the Justices, Ministers, and other the Officers of the Parish of S. Margaret VVestminster, as it was by them presented to the Right Honourable, Henry, Earle of Manchester, Lord Privy Seale, &c. which by his Lordship was presented to the rest of his Majesties most Honourable Privy Counsell.

WEE the Inhabitants of Saint Margarets in Westminster whose names are here under written, doe most humbly certifie your Lordships, and that upon our owne knowledge, that in this time of visitation of the Plague, Feavers, Agues, and other diseases, which have beene very grievous and great afflictions unto us: It pleased Almighty God by the hands of one Iohn VVoodall Chirurgion of the East India Gompany, and of his Majesties Hospitall of Saint Bartholomewes in London, a learned, judiciall, and expert man, which said Iohn VVoodall about five weekes before Michaelmas last, delivered unto some of us, who were Officers in this said Parish, an Antidote composed in Pills, which hee had made us, with directions how they should be administred to such as had the Plague, Feavers, Agues, or any such violent diseases, that then remained among us; which said Pills have beene employed very carefully, according [Page] to his said directions, and administred to threescore severall persons, some of this new Feaver, some of the small Pox, some Agues, and some other diseases, but most, to them that were visited with the Plague, which had risings, Soares, Carbuncles, Blaines, and were certainely knowne to have that fearefull disease, all which persons recovered, and not one of all them that have taken the said Pils, dyed, thanks be given to Almighty God: neither can we doe lesse than publish the great skill, judgement, and charity of the said Iohn VVoodall, by whose industry and care this Antidote hath wrought so good effect, and did bestow them freely, without one penny recompence for the same.

Westmincter the 6 of October. 1638.

Pet. Heywood, Iustice.

Rob. White, sub-Curate.

Thomas Mar. Church-Wardens.

Richard Protter. Church-Wardens.

William Hawkins.

Copia vera

Tho. Kirke.

Edward Martin.

And for Satisfaction of such Persons, as being in health, desire preservatives, the Author observing, that although his Antidote, be granted to be a cure for the diseased of the Plague yet nevertheles therby it giveth not those that are well, satisfaction concerning their desires, which are rather for the present, to be furnished with some good preservative Medicine, such as by art, through Gods permission, may preserve them in health from that [Page] dreadfull disease, that it seaze not upon them unawares; Wherefore to satisfie such, he hath prepared two preservative helpes, the one being a powder to be inwardly taken, fasting each morning, the quantity of eight graines, either in Beere, Ale, or wine; Or to children, if it be mixed with butter, and spred upon their bread, or given them in milke, or any way else that they will be induced to take it in, it sufficeth; And that they fast two houres after it, they may relie upon it, as on a good preservative, well approved of: And further, if any man, woman, or child, should accidentally or willingly take treble the quantity prescribed, they may safely doe it without any danger at all: Yet by way of a preservative as is said to prevent the comming of the disease, the Author holdeth the aforesaid quantity of eight graines is sufficient.

The second preservative intended for correction of the Ayre, is to be carried in a box, about the person of any, to make use of it at their wils, that they may often smell thereto, and thence draw in a preservative Ayre to defend them from the danger of noysome vapours, which commonly the Plague entreth by, as sent from the Almighty, who alone defendeth from, sendeth to, and of his mercifull providence cureth the Plague; Vnto whom be ascribed all honour, and glory Amen,

These 2 last recited Medicines, are to be sold with the Antidote, ready prepared for use, By Nicholas Bourne, as aforesaid.

[Page]

Information about this book

Title statement

The cure of the plague by an antidote called aurum vitæ. Being well approved to be an easie safe, and perfect cure thereof; as also of contagious agues, or feavers beginning either hot or cold. The description, order and use whereof, together with the said antidote, and are to be sold at the shop of Nicholas Bourne, stationer, at the south entrance of the royal exchange. Invented and produced by John Woodall, master in surgery. Published by authority.

Woodall, John, 1556?-1643.

Edition statement

1640

Publication

Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

Place of publication

Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2008-09 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A15689

ID [STC]

STC 25961

ID [STC]

ESTC S113972

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

99849200

ID [PROQUEST]

99849200

ID [VID]

14338

Availability

This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal. The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission.

Series

Early English books online.

Notes

(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A15689)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 14338)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 1698:15)

Source

— The cure of the plague by an antidote called aurum vitæ. Being well approved to be an easie safe, and perfect cure thereof; as also of contagious agues, or feavers beginning either hot or cold. The description, order and use whereof, together with the said antidote, and are to be sold at the shop of Nicholas Bourne, stationer, at the south entrance of the royal exchange. Invented and produced by John Woodall, master in surgery. Published by authority., Woodall, John, 1556?-1643..

Extent

[14] p.

Printed by E. P[urslowe] for Nicholas Bourne,. London :: 1640.. (Printer's name from STC.) (B4 is a cancel; B4v line 1 begins: dreadfull disease,.) (Signatures: A-B⁴ (-A1, blank?).) (Reproduction of the original in the British Library.)

Creation

Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford.

Editorial practices

EEBO-TCP is a partnership between the Universities of Michigan and Oxford and the publisher ProQuest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by ProQuest via their Early English Books Online (EEBO) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). The general aim of EEBO-TCP is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic English-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in EEBO.

EEBO-TCP aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the Text Encoding Initiative (http://www.tei-c.org).

The EEBO-TCP project was divided into two phases. The 25,363 texts created during Phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 January 2015. Anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source.

Users should be aware of the process of creating the TCP texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data.

Text selection was based on the New Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature (NCBEL). If an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in NCBEL, then their works are eligible for inclusion. Selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. In general, first editions of a works in English were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably Latin and Welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so.

Image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. Quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in Oxford and Michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet QA standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. After proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. Any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. Understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of TCP data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. Users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a TCP editor.

The texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the TEI in Libraries guidelines.

Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements).

Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site.