THe word Plague in English, signifieth,The Names of the Con­tagious Sicknesse. A Sharpe Punishment of what kind soever. As we may reade many were the Plagues in­flicted on the Egypti­ans: and some of us in Indignatiō wil threa­ten to plague those that highly offend us. But it is usually and most properly taken for that dreadfull affliction which in Latin is called Pestis, or Pestilentia; in Greeke [...], which signifies A Deadly Fretting, and it is the same with [...] a [...], quod efficiat Defectum Hominum. Or [...], Pernities seu Exitium. Hippocrates gives it a name of distinction, calling it [...], Morbus Communis, a Common or popular Disease.

But we must understand that there are two sortsTwo sorts of Plagues. [Page 2] of Plagues that be Epidemicall. Viz. A Simple, and a Putrid Plague.

The Simple Plague, The Sim­ple Plague.] is The very Influence of the striking Angell executing the vengeance of God upon the Bodies of Men. This kind of Plague ariseth from no distemper of Blood, putri [...]action of Humo [...]s, or influence of Starres; but falleth meerely from the immediate stroke of Gods punishing Angell (Such were the Plagues, Exod. 12 Num. 11.16.25. Also, 2 Sam. 24. and 2 Kings, 19.) whereof some dye suddenly without any precedent complaint or conceit of Infection. Others againe, though they be sicke before they dye; yet their first ta­king hath beene after an extraordinary manner. For I observed in the last great Plague heere in London, (Anno 1625.) That some felt themselves manifestly stricken, being sensible of a blow sud­dainly given them, on the Head, necke, backe, or side: Sometime so violently, that they have been eyther almost, or altogether over-turned: and af­ter these and such like stroakes some have dyed, and those that recovered, escaped without humane helpe: For this kind of Plague, as it is rare, so it is also by all Art of Man incurable.The Remedy Therefore no Method but Repentance, no Medicine but Prayer, can avert, or heale this stroake: Of all Antidotes for the Body, that Triacle which is made o [...] the Flesh of earthly Serpents, is the best esteemed: But for the Soule, that only which is made of the Bloud of that Brazen Serpent that was lifted vp on the Crosse for our sinnes. Hee that by a lively Faith applyeth the benefit of our Blessed SAVI­OURS [Page 3] Sufferings to the sicknesse of his Soule, shall undoubtedly recover (if not health here) heaven hereafter.

The Putrid Plague, The Putrid Plague.] is a Popular Feavor vene­mous and Infectious, striking chiefly at the Heart, and for the most part is accompanied with some Swelling, which is eyther called a Blayne, a Botch or a Carbun­cle, or else with Spots called GODS Tokens. This comes of Putrifaction of the Bloud and Humors in the Body, which it pleaseth God sometimes to make the Instrument of his punishing Iustice, mixing it with the Simple Plague before men­tioned.

This Putrifaction may be caused by the Influ­ence of the Starres, The Causes. who doe undoubtedly worke upon all sublunarie bodies. For Astrologers are of opinion, that if Saturne and Mars have domi­nion (especially under Artes, Sagitarius, The Starres and Ca­pricorn,) a Pestilence is shortly to be expected. Or if these two (the most Malevolent) be in Op­position to the gentle Planet Iupiter; as the Poet singeth: —

The Windes The Windes. likewise are led into theyr moti­ons by the motions of the Starres; The Planets (especially the Sunne) by extracting the earths ex­halations (which are the substance of the Winds) doe set them so on worke. And the Windes are some by nature wholsome, and some unwhol­some. The South-wind blowing from the Meridi­an [Page 4] is of nature hot and moyst, and full of show­ers. Now when by the influence of the Planets this Wind bloweth long and bringeth continuall raine, it causeth much moysture in all Airie and Earthy bodies, and so much the more by how much the milder it is. This moysture being in such abundance cannot be digested nor attenuated by the Sunnes heat; and therefore setling together it must needs putrifie; and that so much the soo­ner, because the heate of the Sunne (not being able to extract all) does inflame the remnant, by which inflamation the putrifaction becomes the greater. In this manner are the windes in cause: and more­over they doe sometimes transferre the Contagi­on from one region to another; as Hippocrates af­firmes the Plague to be brought over the Sea from Aethiopia into Greece, by the South-wind.

The Cure of these Causes is the same with the for­mer.Now if the Starres be pestilently bent against us, neyther Arts nor Armes, Perfumes nor Prayers, can prevaile with them, who have neyther pitie nor sense, nor power to alter their appointed moti­ons. But Hee that commandeth their course, and altereth them at his pleasure: Hee that made the Sunne and Moone to stand still for Iosuah, yea drew the Sunne tenne degrees backe for Hezekiah, and caused the Starres to fight in their courses against Sisera. He, and He onely is able to heale all infec­tions that can arise from their influences. The Cure of this Cause therefore is the same with the former.

Common Causes.Other Causes there be also of this Putrid Plague. Namely, corrupt and unwholsome Feeding, sten­ches [Page 5] of unsavorie and rotten Dung-hils, Vaults, Sinckes, Ditches and dead Carions; as the Poet affirmes; — ‘Corpora faeda iacent, vitiantur adoribus aurae.’

These are the Maintaining Causes of the Contagion after it is begun. So is likewise the unseasonable­nesse of the Weather: Quum tempestiva intempesti­vè redduntur: as sayth Hippocrates, When the weather is unseasonable for the season of the yeare; being hot when it should be cold, moyst when it should be dry: and on the contrary.

This kind of Plague is by Art curable in as ma­ny as it pleaseth GOD to send and sanctifie the right meanes unto.

The former is most properly called The Plague, The Putrid Plague, is rightly cal­led the Sick­nesse. being the immediate Stroke of Gods hand. This, The Sicknesse, because infectious, and many times Curable.

For this therefore doe I intend to prescribe a course of Physicke, such as both my much rea­ding, and also my manifest Experience in the last great Visitation, have preferred to my best appro­bation.

Wherein I will first open the way of Preserva­tion, The Method of this Trea­tise. after that, shew the Signes of being Infected, and then the Course of Cure.

In the way of Preservation, Preserva­tion. it is first necessary to be considered, whether it be Infectious or no: And then who are most or least subject (according to naturall reason) to receive this Infection.

This Putrid Plague, The Plague is Venemous. is (as I have sayd i [...] [...]he [Page 6] Definition) venemous, which is granted of all both Physitians and Philosophers. Now by Venom or Poyson, we commonly understand some thing that has in it some dangerous subtle quality that is a­ble to corrupt the substance of a living body to the destruction or hazard of the life thereof. This working is apparent in this Sicknesse, by his se­cret and insensible insinuation of himself into the Vitall spirits, to which as soone as hee is gotten, he shewes himselfe a mortall enemy, offering with suddaine violence to extinguish them. His subtle entrance, his slye crueltie, his swift destroying; the unfaithfulnesse of his Crisis, and the other Prognostick signes; and the vehemencie, grievous­nesse and ill behaviour of his Symptomes, all be­ing manifest proofes of his venemous quality. For in this Disease the Seidge, Vrine, and sweat, have an abhominable savour, the breath is vile and noy­some: Ill coloured Spots, Pustles, Blisters, swel­lings, and vlcers full of filthy matter arise in the outward parts of the Body: Such as no superflui­tie or sharpnesse of Humors, nor any putrifacti­on of matter (without a venemous qualitie joyned with it) can possibly produce.

But though it may thus by the Learned be ac­knowledged to be Venemous; yet is it by many of the Ignorant sort conceited not to be Infectious. It is Infe­ctious.

To satisfie such, I define Infection or Contagion to be That which infecteth another with his owne qualitie by touching it, whether the medium of the touch be Corporeall or Spirituall, or an Airie Breath. Of this kind there are divers Diseases that are in­fectious, [Page 7] though not so deadly as the Plague. As for Example, Itch and Scabbinesse, Warts, Measels, small Pox, the Veneriall Pox; these by rubbing, and corporeall touches doe infect: Also soare Eyes doe by their Spirituous beames infect other eyes: And the Pthisick or putrified Lungs doe by their corrupt breath infect the lungs of others. But the Plague infects by all these waye [...], and such sicke bodies infect the outward Aire, and that Aire again infects other Bodies. For there is a Seminarie Tincture full of a venemous quality, that being very thin and spirituous mixeth it selfe with the Aire, and piercing the pores of the Body, en­treth with the same Aire, and mixeth it selfe with the Humors and spirits of the same Body also.

For proofe of this, we see by daily experience, that Garments, Coffers, nay walls of Chambers will a long time retaine any strong sent, wherwith they have beene fumed. Now the Sent is meerly a Qualitie, and his substance is the Aire, which is al­so the Vehiculum wherein it is seated and con­veighed. So does the Pestilent Infection take hold, though not sensibly (for the strongest Poysons have little taste or smell) yet certainly; as experi­ence testifies: for Garments, and Houshold-stuffe have beene infected, and have infected others. As Fracastorius tels of a Furred-Gowne, that was the death of 25. Men in Verona, Anno 1511. who one after another wore it, thinking still they had ay­red it sufficiently. And if Alexander Benedictus may be beleeved, Feather-beds will keepe the Con­tagion seaven yeares. Other experiences we have [Page 8] also of live Poultry, which being applyed to the soares, are taken away dead, having not been woun­ded, crushed, nor hurt any whit at all. And ma­ny that have beene Infected, have plainly percei­ved where, and of whom they tooke it.

Object. But (say some) then why is not one infected as well as another? I have eaten of the same dish, dru [...] in the same cup, and lyen in the same bed with such sicke ones, and that while their Soares were running: yet never had so much as my fin­ger aking after it.

Answ. To this I answer, there may be Two speciall Causes for this. The first and Principall Cause is the Protection of the Almighty, which preserves some as miraculously as his Iustice strikes others. Thus through his Mercy he often preserves those that with faithfull and conscionable care doe Christian offices about the Sicke; being warran­tably called thereto, and not thrusting them­selves eyther presumptuously, or rashly into the businesse without a just, and reason-rendring Cause. For GOD has given his Angels charge over vs, to keepe vs in all our wayes, as the Psal­mist sings.

And secondly, every pestilent Contagion is not of the same nature, nor hath equall conformity with every Constitution, Age, or manner of Living: For some Contagion is apt to infect onely the San­guin complexion, some the Cholericke, some the Phlegmaticke onely: Some Children, some Youths, some those of Ripe age, some Antient peo­ple; some the Rich, and other the poore onely: [Page 9] And where the Seminarie Tincture hath no Analo­gie, there is none, or verie flight Infection.

And first those are most apt to be Infected, Who are most apt to be Infected. that have thin Bodyes and open pores; and whose hearts are so hot, that they need much attraction of Aire to coole them.

Also, they whose Veynes and Vessels, are full of grosse humors, and corrupt juyces (the venemous matter being thicke, and therefore unapt to breath through the pores) their putrefaction is increased by the inward heat, and so driven to malignitie; and thence onward to a Pestilent qualitie. Hence those bodies that are moist and full of Phlegma­ticke humors, whose veines are straight (and there­fore apter to intercept then entertaine those well well concocted juyces that would make the purest Bloud) and the thicknesse of whose skin denies the transpiration of excrements: these are easily poluted and infected.

And such are Women, especially women with childe; for their bodies are full of excrementiti­ous humors, and much heat withall, which is as oile and flame put together. Also Virgins that are ripe for marriage, are apt to receive infection, and being once stricken, seldome or never escape with­out great meanes. Quia spirit [...]osum semen in motu cùm sit facilò succenditur; vel quia intus detentum facilè corrumpitur, & in veneni perniciem abit. Min­dererus de Pestilen. c. 10.

Also young Children, in regard of their soft, ten­der, and moist bodies; and likewise because they feed on moister meats, and feed with more appe­tite then judgment.

Likewise, the more Pure and delicace Complexi­ons, whose bloud is finer and thinner then others, is so much the more apt to receive mutation: and the Contagion insinuates it selfe into all the hu­mors; But first and most easily into Bloud; Cho­ler next, more slowly into Phlegme, and most rare­ly into Melancholy.

Those that are fearefull likewise, as I shall prove anon, when I treat of Passions of the Minde.

Those that are very Costive, or have their wa­ter-stop'd; the noysome vapours that are by these excrements engendred, make the body apt to in­fection. And such as in former times have had customary evacuations by sweat, Haemerrhoids, Vomitings, Menstrua, Fontanels, or other like vents for noxious humours; and have them now stop­ped.

Those that Fast too long (their bodyes being emptie) receive more ayre in then they let out: and (their spirits being weakned for want of due nourishment) they have lesse strength to resist the contagion.

On the other side Gluttons and Drunkards (let them argue what they will for the filling of the veynes, as they use to say, to keepe out the evill ayre) can never be free from crudities and di­stemper'd bloud; which easily takes infection: As Hippocrates testifies, when he sayes: Corpora impura quo magis aluntur; eò magis laeduntur. Impure bodyes the more they are nourished the more they are endangered.

Poore people (by reason of their great want) li­ving sluttishly, and feeding nastily and unwhol­somly, on any food they can with least cost pur­chase, have corrupted bodyes, and of all others are therefore more subject to this Sicknesse.

And yet the Rich are also as subject in too much pampering dyet, bringing themselves thereby to an Athleticke habit, which Hippocrates in the third Aphorisme of his first hooke, proves to be very dan­gerous at all times.

Furthermore, nearenesse of Bloud or Kinred, by Sympathy of nature, is another aptnesse.

And lastly, those that are continually conver­sant with the sicke, are in greatest danger, though many escape through Gods mercifull protection.

But Old folkes, whose bodyes are cold and dry,Who are least subject to bee In­fected. Confident Spirits, whose very courage is an Anti­dote, if they keepe their bodyes cleane by a regu­lar course of life. And those that have the Gout, in whom the nobler parts of the body doe expell the noxious humors to the ignobler.

Milch-Nurses because their Children sucke the evill juyces from them with their milke. These are in the way likely to escape: but if the Nurse be infected, the childe cannot recover it.

Also those that have Fontanels, or any other kinde of Issue; as Vlcers, Haemerrhoids, or plenty of other evacuations, whereby the hurtfull hu­mors are dreyned away.

And lastly, those that keepe themselves private; using good Antidotes and meanes praeservative: such are least subject to Infection. Diogenes Laer­tius [Page 12] lib 2. sayes, that Socrates (by temp [...]rate and discreet [...] lived in Athens divers Plague-times, yet was never touched with it.

[...]Now what this Dyet Preservative is, I will b i [...]fly shew you.

• Ayre.
• Meate and Drinke.
• Repletion and Evacuation.
• Exercise and Rest.
• Sleepe and Wa [...]ching.
• Passions of the Minde.

They are composed also in these two Verses.

These indeed are the sixe Strings of Apollo's Vi­all, wherein consisteth the whole harmonie of health. If these be in tune, the body is sound: But any of th [...]se too high wrested, or too much slack­ned (that is immoderately used) makes a discord in nature, and puts the whole body out of tune.

For Ayre first.

[...] Ayre [...]. Ayre is that which we draw in with our breath continually, and wee cannot live without it one minute; for it is the food of our Spirits, and therefore we had need take heed that the ayre we draw be pure and wholsome. The whol [...] streame of Opinion runnes upon a cold and dry Aire, so commending the North and East windes, as most [Page 13] wholsome:What most unwholsom. and condemning the Hot and Moist Aire engendred by the South and West windes, as the fittest matter for infection, because most apt to putrefaction. So Hippocrates (in the 2^d. of his Epidem.) saith, that in Cranon a Citie of Thessalie, there arose putrid Vlcers, Pustuls, and Carbuncles, through the hot and moyst constitution of the ayre. And Galen (in 1. de Temperam. c. 4.) affirmeth, that the hot and moyst constitution of the ayre, doth most of all breed pestilent diseases. And from these mouthes, a multitude of late Writers have learnt to speake the same thing. Yet we know that the hot and dry weather also, may cause a contagious ayre. So saith Avenzoar in his 3. Booke, 3. Tract. and 1. chap. And Titus Livius (in lib. 1. decad. 4.) recordeth, that Rome was infected with the Plague by a Hot and Dry distemper of the Aire. Wee also may remember, that the Summer 1624 was an extreame dry and parching Summer: and we can­not forget that this last Summer was not much un­like like it. The Contagion indeed this yeare was be­gotten beyond Sea, and was rock'd hither in sicke bodyes; but our Ayre I feare will prove a Nurse though not a Mother to it: This Spring an­swering to the sore-past Summer in heate and drouth.

Now to avoyde the mischiefes of unwhol­some ayre; Hippocrates the Prince of Physitians,H w we may guard us frō unwholsome Aires. (in his Booke de Natura humana) gives this counsell. Providendum est ut quàm paucissimus aëris influxus corpus ingrediatur, & ut ille ipse quam peregrinus existat: Regionum etiam locos in quibus morbus con­sistat, [Page 14] quantum ejus fieri potest permutare oportet.

Others advise in threee words. Citò, Longè, Tardè, which Iordanus calls an Antidote made of 3. adverbs, thus versifying upon them.

But I will not teach to flee; for too many with Dedalus put on wings the last great visitation, that with Icarus dropt downe by the way. Onely my counsell is this.The Au­thors coun­saile for without doores. Let every one keepe himselfe as priuate as he may: Shun throngs of people, and all wet, close, and stinking places. Walke not a­broad before, nor after Sunne. Keep moderation between heat and cold in all things; yet rather encline to heate a little, because of drying up su­perfluous moystures. Let the streets bee kept cleane; washing the channels every morning and evening, and sweeping away all durt, leaves, stalkes, and rootes of hearbes, and offals; leaving no dunghils nor other noysome matter in the streets.But the wa­ter is most to be vsed in hot and dry, the fire in hot and moyst weather chiefly. Also in the evenings it is good to purifie the ayre with Bonefires, but especially with Fire­workes: or rather with discharging of peeces: for Gunpowder is exceeding drying by reason of the Salt peeter and Sulphur with which it is made, and by the crackes that it gives, the Ayre is forcibly shaken and attenuated, and so opened to let in that purification, which is immediately made by the fire that goes along with it. This way is commen­ded by Levinus Lemnius, de Ocultis Naturae Mirac. lib. 2. cap. 10. Also by Crato in consilio 275 By Ray­mundus [Page 15] Mindererus lib. de Pestilentia cap. 20. and all the late Writers.

Within doores observe,For within doores. that little houses must not be pestered with many Lodgers, for it is best (for those that are able) to have shift of Beds and Chambers to lie in, that the ayre in them may be kept free and sweet. Keepe every roome daily very cleane, leaving no fluts corners. Let not Water stand so long in any vessell as to putrifie; which in hot weather it will soone doe. Make Fires every day in everie roome, in quantitie ac­cording to the largenesse of the roome, and the temperature of the weather. Perfume them and all the houshold-stuffe in cold and moist weather with Frankinsense, Storax, Benjamin, Pitch, Rosin, Lignum alöes, Lignum Rhodium, Iuniper-wood, or the Berries. In hot and drie weather with Rose­water on a hot Fire-shovell, or some such like coole fume in a perfuming-pot. Strew the Win­dowes and ledges with Rew, Wormwood, Lavender, Marjoram, Penyriall, Costmary, and such like in cold weather; but in hot with Primroses, Violets, Rose­leaves, Borrage, and such cooling scents.

For Garments, Garments best guar­ding the vi­tall parts. avoide (as much as may bee) all leather, woollen, and furres: also velvets, plush, and shagge. Choose such as may be watered, as chamlets, grograms, paropas, philip and chenyes, and such like: for their gumminesse excludeth the in­fectious aire best. Have shift, and shift often; and still as cloathes are left off, perfume them well.

Beware of buying old clothes, Bedding or such like stuffe: for if they have beene used by [Page 16] the infected, they are verie dangerous, as I told you before in the authoritie of a furr'd Gowne, and Feather-beds.

What to hold in the mouthCarrie in your mouth a peece of Citron-pill, or for want of that, of Lemon pill; a Clove, or a peece of Tormentill Root. Or if any will resort to me in Golding lane, I will soone provide for them Lozenges to hold in their mouth, sit for their constitution, and such as I have had good experi­ence of, the last great Plague time.

What to [...].Carry in your hand a Lemon stucke with cloves, sweet Marjoram, Lavender, Balme, Rew, or Worm­wood; as the constitution of your braine shall re­quire. For beleeve by my experience, that many did enflame their braines, and so fell into the Sicknesse they shunned in the last great Contra­gion, by smelling to, and carrying things in their mouthes too hot for their complexion.Camphor. Camphor also, though it be accounted an excellent coole fume for ill aires, yet those that have cold and weake stomacks are very much weakned by the use of it.

But beware of unsavourie smels and stinking o­dours. For though Dioscorides commends Galba­num, and Cardan the burning of Leather, Aver­roes a potion of Vrine, and others the smelling to Horse-dung: yet I stand to it, that sweet and plea­sing odours are more proper; because they di­late, restore and comfort the Spirits; whereas the contrary doe contract, and repugne them; and so weaken the faculties. I intend to have also preservative waters to dip Spunges in for severall [Page 17] Constitutions, to be carried in Boxes to smell to: As also, preservative Pomanders of choyse ver­tue.

The next point of Dyet, is Meat and Drinke. Meate and Drinke. Let your meate be alwayes good and sweet, tem­perate betwixt hot and cold, and not too moyst or fl [...]shie: easie of digestion, and such as makes the best Bloud.

Such are Beefe, Mutton, Lambe, Kid, Flesh. and Co­ny. Turkey, Capon, Pullet, Partridge, Pheasant, Pigeons, Turtles, Larkes, Black-birds, Thrushes, and Finches. All Water-fowles are naught. The Hearts of Red and Fallow Deere, are speciall good: so also are those of young Steeres, Calves, Kids, and Lambes: beeing cordiall, both by reason of Sympathy, and solidnesse of the flesh, which cau­seth them to be the lesse corruptible.

Of Fish, (which should be eaten but seldome,Fish. though it be of the best kinde) the elected are fresh Salmon, Trout, Barbell, Shrimps, Playse and Floun­ders, (when they are firme, not flashy) Smelts, Ma­karell, Gudgion, Mullet, Soale, Gurnard, Lobster, and Cray-fish. But Eeles, Lamperns, and Lampreys, with all such as delight in Mud, are to bee avoy­ded.

Egges Egges. of Hennes and Turkeys, are good.

Oyle and Butter, Oyle and Butter. are kindes of Antidotes a­gainst venome; and Butter-milke may now and then be used by hot Constitutions.

Fruites Fruites. must be eaten but sparingly.

Those that wee may be most bold withall, are [Page 18] sowre Cherries; Plums, and Gooseberries before they be full ripe, having a sowre taste. Also Pea­ches, Quinces, Pomgranads, Oranges, Limons, Med­lars, Services, Mulberries, Raspes, Strawberries, and Currans, which being not full ripe are astringent, but ripe doe loosen the body. But of Walnuts, Fil­bers, and Small-nuts, the elder are the better Dry­ed Fruits also are good, whether they bee Peares, Plums, Cherries, Figs, Raisons, or Prunes. Moreover, Pease, Beanes, and Artichokes, may be used some­times by leane and spare Bodies. If other Fruits that are colder and moyster bee longed for; eate after the man Orange with a little fennell and salt.

The best Rootes Rootes. are Onions, Leekes, and Radishes, for these are vertuous against venome. But they offend hot heads, and weake eyes.

Of Herbes; Hearbes. Rue, Wormwood, Balme, Mints, Penny­ryall, Rosemary, Sage, sweet Marjorum, and Time. For Sallets and Sauces, Burrage, Buglosse, Violets, Fennell, and especially Sorrell; Olives also, and Capers.

Sharp Sau­ces. Vineger, Verjuice, juice of Limons and Oranges; which for their drynesse resist putrifaction, and for their coolnesse, Feavors. But those colder stomackes that are offended with them, may tem­per them with Wine and Spices. Yet there must be cautious usage of hot spices, and all salt meates, lest they inflame the Bloud; though in regard of their drying and heating quality they be usefull in some bodies, and at some times; especially for cold and waterish stomackes: Others must mixe them with Vineger, Verjuice, or the juice of Li­mons or Oranges.

Note here, That Vineger Vineger good. is of a speciall vertue against putrifaction, as AMBROSE PAREY in the 8. Chapter of his Booke of the Plague proveth, by the use of it in washing dead bodies with it be­fore they are Embalmed, that they may keepe sweet the longer. But it is not so good for Wo­men, But not for Women. because it offends the Mother (as CRATO af­firmeth, Consil. 275.) therefore they must allay it with white Wine and Sugar.

Note also, that Cabbages, Coleworts, Lettuce, Dangerous things. Pompions, Musk-Mellons, and Coucumbers, are ve­ry dangerous meates in contagious times; nei­ther doe I approve of any other rootes, then Gar­licke, for rusticke bodies; and for others Onions, Leekes, and Radishes (as I said before) onely.

Roasting is the best way of dressing Flesh, Dressing of Meates. and Frying or Broyling of Fish.

Broths Broths. are but for Sicke and weake ones fit: And then they must be sharpned with a little Vineger, or juice of Lemmons. For (as MANARDUS sayes, lib. 5. Epist. 3.) the body ought rather to be dried then moystened.

And so then for Drinke, Drinke. it must be as little as may well be borne; good and pure, whether it be Beere, Ale, or Wine, (for Mede, Vsquba (que), Bragget, &c. I account them rather Medicines then parts of Food) But neither heady, too sweet, nor too small. To a weake stomacke and a feeble Nature, Wine is an Antidote against all Poysons;Wine for whom fit. as CEL­SUS lib. 8. de Re Medica cap. 27. affirmeth. And Senectutis summa est medicina, as A [...]TIUS teaches, Tetr. 1. serm. 4. cap. 30. But let not those that [Page 20] are young and strong, make a common use of them in Contagious times: For it must needs breed Inflamation, after which followes Putri­faction, which is a fit host to entertaine such an ill guest as the Pestilence.

Wheaten-Bread Bread. of a Day old, and a little leave­ned is absolutely the best for healthy people. Light Biskets also with Anise-seeds is very good.

Quantity of Meate and Drinke.For the strict Quantitie of Eating and Drin­king, I cannot stint every mans stomacke; but must conclude with HIPPOCRATES, Aph. 17. lib. 1. Concedendum est aliquid Tempori, Regioni, Aeta­ti, & Consuetudini. The Season, Place and Cu­stome, must beare some sway in these things. On­ly beware of Sacietie or Glutting: For the same Hippocrates in his 17th. Aphorisme, in the 2, Booke. Sayes, that Meate and Drinke immoderately taken, causeth Sicknesse. For from thence arise Crudities, which (sayth GALEN, in Comm. 2. in Hippocr. de Natur. Humana) breed new Diseases. Therefore hearken to AVICEN, Who adviseth alwayes to rise from Meate with some remainder of appetite: for within halfe an houre, or thereabouts, as soone as the meate first eaten beginneth to digest, our hunger cea­seth. lib. 1. Fen. 3. Doct. 2. cap 7. And hence it is, that some (greedily following the sense of their appetite-onely) over-charge their stomackes e­ven to vomiting, before they feele themselves sa­tisfied: because though the vessell be over-full, yet appetite is not app [...]ased till Concoction have begun her worke upon some part of that which is already received.

And here I cannot but justly taxe those that give up themselves to disorderly Dyet. Gluttony & Drunkenesse For the lives of many are so monstrous, that HELIOGA­BALVS was but a pingler to them.

The Dutch may yeeld up theyr seas of Drin­king, and strike sayle to the English. Men loose theyr good names, and are faine to get new ones, as to bee called Blades and Roarers, as if they had beene begotten by drunken Cutlers, or bruitish Bulls. There was one DIOTEMVS of Athens, that was called the Tunnell, for his filthy delight in Drinke, and drinking in a Tunnell. What doe many in this Land (too too many in this Citie) but rise to Drinke, drinke to fall, fall a sleepe of ne­cessity, and ere they are halfe sober, fall a drinking drunke againe. That as VALERIVS AVRELIA­NVS the Emperor was wont to say of BONOSVS, a Spaniard, Such are borne, not to live, but to drinke.

If any of that Luxurious sect beate this time sober,The dangers of Surfet­ting. let them but listen to the testimonies of learned Experience, and they will tell them into what bodily dangers they plunge themselves by this detestable disorder.

HIPPOCRATES has an Aphorisme to this pur­pose,Lib. 2. Aph. 17. that Meate and Drinke immoderately taken causeth Sicknesse.

PAVLVS AEGINETA goes yet further, saying;De Re Me­dica lib. 1. c. 32. That the Veynes being filled too full, are afflicted, di­stended, or else broken: obstructed, filled with winde and over-charged. And of all diseases, hee affir­meth, That over-charging of the vessels is the worst.

In com. 2. Hipp. de Na­tis. [...].GALEN affirmes, that Drunkennesse, and Cru­dities (which arise from intemperance) doe breed new diseases.

Li. de Cau­sis Morbo­rum, cap. 3.And in another place, he sayes, Whereas Wine moderately taken increaseth Naturall heate; as be­ing his proper aliment: by Drunkennesse commeth Astonishment of the Braine, Falling sicknesse, or some maime either to sence or motion. And so, the best meates which afford most nourishment, being immode­rately eaten, ingender cold Diseases.

De R [...]mo­vendis No­cumentis in Regimina Sanitatis Tract. 4. cap. 1.But AVICEN more particularly layes downe the dangers that follow this over-repletion, in these words. Eating much nourisheth not; but fills the Body with Crudities, and raw humors, stops the pores, weakens the powers of Nature; causes putrifaction, mixed feavors, short breath, Sciatica and joynt Aches.

Ibidem, cap. 19.Againe, in another place hee speakes Drinking, thus: Much drinking of Wine in Sanguine and Chol­lerick Complexions, over-heats the bloud, and causeth Choller to superabound; and by too much repletion of the veynes and Vessels, there may follow a hot Apo­plexie, and suddaine death. In Cold Complexions, it breeds diseases of the Sinewes; and that for two cau­ses. The first is the over-moystning of the Nerves; the other the turning of the drinke into Vineger before it it can passe through the Body. So the Nerves are by the former relaxed, and by the latter corroded, where­upon followes the cold Apoplexie, Astonishment, Senslesnesse, Lethargie, Palsey, Trembling of the Limbes, and convulsions of the Mouth.

And what these have said of Wine, the same is true likewise of all other strong Drinkes. I hope [Page 23] these lines will keepe such men the soberer in this dangerous time; and in that sober tune, the time may touch their hart strings so, that Sobrietie may let in Religious meditations (which continuall Drunkenesse has lock'd out of doores.) And then Repentance may draw them to GOD, and him neerer to them; and so they may become new Creatures. Which the Father for his Sonnes sake grant.

In the meane time,Restorative Diet for sick ones. let those that are in health eate Flesh; but the Sicke the Iuices of them rather, because aliment must be made more easie and quicke for their supply. And for such weake ones, Veale, Chicken, Caponet, Partridge, and Phea­sant, are to be boyled till all the vertue of the meat be boyled out, and then the Broth to be strained hard, that the flesh may be left juicelesse, so will all the strength of the meate be in the broth; which you may spice with some of these pow­ders following:

Take of Red Saunders halfe an ounce, Cynnamon iij. drains and halfe, Saffron halfe a dram. Make them into fine Powder.

Or else

Take of Cynamon halfe an ounce, Cloves and Saffron, of each halfe a dram, Red Corall ij. Scruples. And the weight of all in Sugar. Make of them a fine Powder.

But Women (dum Menses ef fluunt) must not use Saffron so much. For such therefore this Pow­der is better.

Take Harts-horne, red and yellow Saunders, of each ij. drams, Cloves and Cynamon, of each one dram.

Make a fine Powder.

Let all be more sparing in Dyet now, then at other times: Eate little, and Drinke lesse. But never goe out of doores Fasting.

Take therefore first of some Antidote, Antidotes. of which kind the Apothecaries shops are (or ought to bee) alwayes stored with these: That is,

• Theriaca Andromachi,
• Theriaca Londinensis,
  • Venice Triacle.
  • London Triacle.
  • Mitridate.
• Mithridatium Damocratis,
• Electuarium de Ovo Imperatoris,
• Antidotus magna Mathioli,
• Confectio Liberans,

Dioscordium. Of any of these, take the quan­tity of a Nutmeg.

• Confectio Alkernes,
• Confectio de Hiacyntho.

Of eyther of these, take the quantitie of an Ha­zell nut.

If you would choose to take a Powder rather; Pulvis Contra Pestem Montagnanae. halfe a Dram.

Of Waters, there is —

Aqua Angelicae,

Aqua Theriacalis. Of eyther of these halfe an Ounce, either with white Wine and a few drops of the juice of a Limon;

Or, Aqua Bezoartica Langii. Aqua Calestis Ma­thioli, for the richer sort, with a drop of Oyle of Vitriol, in halfe an ounce of eyther.

But for such as abhorre the taste of Physicke, and had rather take their Antidote in forme of Pills then otherwise; let a skilfull Apothecarie make this masse of Pills.

Of which ten, fifteene, twenty, or two shillings graines may be taken at once in one, or two, or three Pills, as the party can swallow them in big­nesse.

Those that are offended with the heate of Tria­cle, or other of the hot Antidotes above named: may use this Opiate made by an Apothecarie; which is excellent for hot complexions.

The dose is the quantity of a Nutmeg.

For Women with childe.Neither must women with childe be over-hea­ted with common Antidotes. Therefore theirs must be onely of Terra Lemnia, Bole Armoniack, Harts-horne; Conserves and Syrups of Roses, Violets, and Betony. Or a little Mithridate, with twice, as much conserve of Borrage or Buglosse. Likewise, the species de gemmis frig. or of Diamargar. frig. in Borrage, Buglosse, and Carduus water. Or else such may have this Antidote made for thē.

• Rs. Cornu carvi, Cynamonni, nucis moschatae, santalorum omnium, ana drach. 1.
• Rad. Angelicae, tormentillae, Enulae, camp. ana drach. ss. f. Pulvis subt.
• Dein. Accipè Conservae buglossi, & borraginis, ana drach. iij. cum aquali quantitate Syr. ê Limonibus & rosis siccis. Fiat Conditū. s. a.

For young Children, For young Children. there is nothing better or fitter then Bole Armoniack, or Terra Lemnia, with a little Tormentill roote, or Citron pills, made into fine Powder, and mixed with their meates, but­ter, and broths; for their breakfasts. And be­cause they are not much to be tampered with by internall medicines, annoint the region of their heart with oyle of Hypericon, every morning and evening: or with oleo Scorpionium, or oleo corcino: or else let them commonly weare next their skin over their heart, such a Quilt as this.

• Take of red Roses 2. drams, red saunders, red cor­rall, & spodium, of each one dram, Zedoarie, [Page 27] lignum aloes, cynnamon, cloves, citron pill, saffron, of each halfe a dram.
• Sew it up in a peece of red Sarcenet or Calico, moy­sten it with a little Rose-vineger; so heat it and apply it warme. And when it waxeth dry moystit, and heate it so againe

And take this noteNote. by the way.

When you suspect a Childe to have the wormes in a contagious time, use not Wormseed, nor those common trifles; but order him as in danger of Infection: for that disease comming of so much putrefaction as it does, is apt to receive conta­gion, as tinder to take fire. Give it (therefore) ten or twenty graines of this Powder following.

Take of Harts-horne one dram, citron pill, rootes of Angelica, and Tormentill, Rheubarb, and Coralline, of each halfe a dram.

Make all into a fine powder; and give the afore­said quantity in a little Carduus water, sweetned with some sugar.

After the taking of any of these Antidotes, Breakfasts. ab­staine from all meat and drinke for two or three houres. And then eate a piece of Bread and butter strewed with a little grated Nutmeg. Or Bread and Sallet-oyle, spiced with the powder of Tormentill rootes. Or a piece of Bread sopped in White-wine, allayed with a little Vineger.

Let your Dinner be about high noone,Dinner and Supper. and then eat not of above two or three several dishes. Your Supper at five or sixe a clocke in the evening, and then let one dish suffice. For it is a pretty saying, [Page 28] and worth the noting. In the Morning a little is e­nough, at Noone enough is but a little, but at Night, a little may be too much.

Bed time.Goe not to bed till three or foure houres after Supper, lest sleeping upon a full stomacke, you hinder digestion. And so I bid good night to the second Point of Dyet.

The third Point, is Repletion, and Evacuation. Repletion & Evacuatiō. When you arise in the morning rub your sides, armes, thighes, and legs downward gently, your clothes being on, combe your head and rub it. Hake, spit, and blow your nose, to evacuate the excrements of your head and stomacke. Then as­say to make water, and to goe to stoole, and labor to bring your body to this dayly custome. For The body ought especially to bee kept free from super­fluities: saith Galen. lib. 1. de Differ. Feb. cap. 4. Therefore if you be costive, use some supposistory or Clyster; and suffer not two whole dayes to passe without such evacuation.

It is necessary that every one that hath so much understanding, doe learne to know whether he be Phlethorick For Phlethoricke people. or Cacochymick; If Phlethorick (that is full of bloud, as those that live in high feeding) it will appeare by his high colour, full veynes, pulse greater and more frequent then it used ordi­narily to be, pursinesse, heavinesse and dulnesse of body, and such like signes. If you bee costive, take a common Clyster first; then be let bloud, ac­cording to the appointment of some skilfull Phy­sitian, and so ordered afterwards according to Art.

If Cacochymick, For Caco­chymick. that is, full of grosse and cor­rupted humors, (which will appeare by the pale­nesse and ill colour of the face, defective strength, and the like. He must be well purged, which none but a Physitian can safely prescribe, and that upon examination of his Body and Vrine.

But as a generallGenerall purgings for all sorts. rule, all doe appoint some purging medicine twice or thrice in a weeke, to keepe the Body free from the increase of superflu­ous humors. To this purpose the Pills of RUFFUS (which are common in every Shop) are very apt and good. Or, if you please use these of mine, whereof I had happy experience in the last great Visitation.

• Rs. Aloës Rosatae, unc. 1.
  Bradwels Pilles.
• Rhabarbari, Croci, ana drach. 3.
• Myrrhae, drach. 6.
• Santali citrini, drach. 1.
• Ambari grisei, scrup. 1.
• Cum syrupi de succo citri, q. s.
• fiat s. a. Massa Philularum.

Make Pils of 8. 10. or 12. graines a piece; and take 2 or 3. at a time; either at bed time, or after the first sleep: you may take them in Syrup of Roses, or conserve of Violets: or if you will, in the yolke of a reare egge. And it is good to drink after them when you rise in the morning, in cold weather a little draught of white Wine mixed with Balme-water. In hot weather, white-Wine and Succorie-water, with a drop or two of oyle of Vitrioll in it.

But those that cannot take Pills, may have this Syrup made for them. which for his excel­lent [Page 30] vertue in this case, is called Syrupus Divinus, the Diuine Syrup.

Syrupus Di­vinus Sancti Ambrosii. Rs. Cort. citri, rad cappar. berber. santal. rub. & citrin▪ spodii, ana drach. 1. Carryophyll. bor­rag. buglossi, mellissae, cichorei, ana unc. 1. A­cetosae, Hepaticae, marrubii, ana unc. ss. Thy­mi, Epithymi, Scariolae, Rhabarb. fol. senae, rad. polypodii, ana drach. 1. Succorum absynthii, fumariae, ebuli, Plantagenis, Myrobalanorum Chebul. & citrin. ana. drach. 6. Cum sacchari li. 2. ss. fiat Syrupus s. a. & Cum aceti succi cydoniorum q. s. reddatur dulcè acidus.

Take two or three spoonefuls of this, more or lesse as it workes: But keepe very warme, for it causeth sweat as wel as seidge. In a Manuscript of my Grandfather BANISTERS, I finde this cal­led St. AMBROSE his Syrup. The same a little al­tered is in RENODAEVS his Disponsatorie; and hee hath added two drams of Diagredium. Let men of judgment doe as they please; I like it best as I have set it downe. RENODAEUS gives it this Title (not acknowledging any Author) Syrupus qui red­dit corpus mundum à superfluitatibus; & per conse­quens, cor, cerebrum, hepar et omnia alia membrae confortat. Which commendations agrees with my Title: for it is worthy of all commenda­tions.

That Morning that you take your Purging Me­dicine, you must forbeare your other Antidote.

Women with childe, What Purge for women with Childe. must be kept solluble onely [Page 31] with mild Suppositories, and gentle Glysters, where­in a little new drawne Cassia is to be used. Or else a milde Potion made with some Pectorall Decoction, and a little Cassia: for stronger purgatives, will endanger abortion. But these ought to be directed by a good Physitian.

Young children For young Children. also with a Violet comfit, (for a Suppository) dipped in sweet sallet oyle: or else a little Cassia newly drawne, dissolved in a small draught of Chicken-broth; or a little Manna in the like broth, or in posset-drinke.

Beware of Bathings, Bathings. especially in open standing waters, within the Region of the Aire infected.

If Vrine or Menstrua stop,Courses stopped. repaire speedily to the Physitian for counsaile.

Fly Venus Venus. as farre as you may, for in these times she has but an ill name.

Sweat Sweat. comming easily of it selfe; and within dores (the house being well aired) is good, so it exceed not. But abroad it is dangerous.

Lastly, it is good to keepe open all Issues, Issues. and running sores; because Nature will labour to expell any venom to such a Common-sewer.