Loimologia: Or, an Historical Account of the Plague in London in 1665 Part 8

_A Treacle-Water._

? _Radic. Asari Virgin. +? [ss.]+ contrayerva +? j.+ tormentilla, scorzon.

petasitidis ana +? j.+ p. sem. cardui, calendulae, angelicae, citri ana +?

iij.+ quibus praep. affunde spir. vini, aceti opt. ana +lib. [ss.]+ dissolve theriac. Ven. +lib. [ss.]+ adde croci Ang. +? ij.+ misce indantur organis vitreis, & post octiduanam super cineres digestionem, distillae, in rostro Alembici suspendendo caphurae +? iij.+ Dos. ad cochl. +v.+ vel +vj.+_

_A Diaph.o.r.etick Oil._

? _Salis Absynthii, vel Scordii, sive Rutae +? ij.+ flor. Sulphuris ter, quaterve sublimat. +? j.+ ol. Juniperi +lib. j.+ invicem misc., per biduum calore mediocri bene occlusa relinque, dein per Retortam distilla, etiam altera vice distilla, dgerendo per biduum, addendo salis absynthij +? j.+ Dos. ad cochl. unum, vel duo, ex aq. angelicae, vel scordii, saccharata, ad olci +v.+ a. e. Commixtionem._

_An Alexipharmick Vinegar._

? _Radic. Scorzon. Hispan. Chelidoniae mai. ana +? ij.+ contrayerva +? i.+ angelicae, tormentillae ana +? i.+ p. fol. scordii, melissae, scabiosae ana +M ij.+ summit. Rutae p. +ij.+ dictamni cret. +M [ss.]+ flor. sambuci, calendulae ana p. +iij.+ gr. Junip. +? ij.+ ras. C. C. eboris ana +? j.+ sem. rutae, cardui, citri ana +? ij.+ portulacae +? v.+ cinam. opt. +? [ss.]+ caryophyll.

+? iij.+ Theriac. Androm. +lib. [ss.]+ quibus s. a. praep. affunde Aceti ex vin. albo acerrimi +lib. v.+ vitro opt. obaurato digere per triduum, bis, terve de die conqua.s.sando, tum caute distilla, suspensis camphorae, & croci ana +? ij.+ in rostro Alemb. Dos. ad cochl. +v.+ vel +vj.+_

BUT sufficiently of these; from whence it is easie for any one to gather, why liquid Medicines, and especially when warmed, are preferrable to others in the Form of _Boles_ or _Electuaries_; that is, because of their more expeditious and more effectual Operations.

BUT because many of the Infected have a Loathing at Stomach, and an Inclination to vomit, in the same Manner as an Overload of Eating and Drinking occasions, Medicines in solid Forms suit best with such, as they are not so easily thrown up, and adhere better to the Sides of the Stomach: Of this Kind we have the following Composition, which at taking may be made into Boles of ? ij. each adding thereunto _Salt of Carduus_, or _Wormwood_ ? j. or more or less according to the Exigency of Symptoms.

? _Elect. de ovo mineralis +? j.+ theriac. Androm. +? [ss.]+ pulu: serpentariae virgin. +? v.+ cuchianellae +? iij.+ croci pulveriz. +? [ss.]+ c.u.m Syr. e succo melissophyll. vel citri, coagmentetur ma.s.sa._

_The famous Sir +Theodore Mayerne+'s Electuarium de Ovo_.

? _Ovum vulgariter ut in Pharmacopia +Londinensi+ praep. de quo sume, & sem. sinapios, vel eruca ana +? j.+ Antidoti Saxonicae +? [ss.]+ lapidis prunellae +? v.+ Antimonii diaph.o.r.et. fixissimi, & croci metallorum simul ustorum +? iij.+ pulv. scordii, rutae, zedoariae ana +? ij.+ +[ss.]+ Theriacae ven. veteris +? iv.+ Philonii Turneri +? vij.+ gr. +ij.+ misce & c.u.m spir. Theriac. +? iij.+ & mellis de spumati q. s. Piat Elect. molle, Dos. ad +? iv.+ vel +? ij.+ corroborand. adjiciendo corda, & jecinora +vj.+ viperarum v. a. e. praep._ But it is to be observed in this likewise, as in other Antidotes, that a long Fermentation of the Ingredients together in a Ma.s.s is very necessary, because by that Means they more intimately mix with one another.

BUT if the Body be too open, the _Lapis Contrayerva_ is very suitable, and 'tis thus made:

? _Pulv. radic. contrayerva res. +? j.+ serpentariae virgin. +? ij.+ +[ss.]+ extract. radic. Angelicae, tormentillae ana +? ij.+ pulv. C. C.

philosophice calcin. chelarum Cancrorum praep. pulv. Corall. rubr. ana +?

j.+ +[ss.]+ Antimonii Diaph.o.r.et. vel potius Diaphor. Jovis +? iij.+ cuchianellae +? [ss.]+ croci +? j.+ (aliqui addurat lapid. bezoar. orien.

+? ij.+) ambrae grys. +? [ss.]+ c.u.m gelatina spoliorum serpentum, vel C. C.

fingantur globuli s. a. exiccandi, Dos. ad +? ij.+ vel +? j.+ e vehiculo idoneo, +&c.+_

FOR the same Purpose also is the celebrated _Orvietan_ thus compounded, and given ? ij. at a Dose.

? _Cardui bened. totius eupatorii mai. & min. ana +? [ss.]+ scordii, aristolochiae utriusque ana +? v.+ viperinae, h. e. echii, gentianae, bacc.

Junip. bistortae ana +? j.+ bacc. lauri, tormentillae, dictamni albi ana +?

[ss.]+ carlinae, angelicae ana +? j.+ +[ss.]+ rhabarb. imperatoriae, scorzon.

hispan. valerianae ana +? [ss.]+ morsus diaboli, calami aromat. ana +? iv.+ Theriac. Androm. opt. +? iij.+ corda, & jecinora 12 viperarum, terantur terenda subtilissime, & c.u.m s. q. mellis despumati fiat Elect. per tres menses fermentand._

IT is to be observed, that these and the like Medicines, whether _Galenical_ or _Spagyrical_, which cannot be prepared as soon as _Asparagus_ can be boiled, ought to be always in Readiness.

THE general Remedies being thus provided, the exact Way of Living and Diet comes to be considered: And first of all whensoever the Patient is taken, he must immediately be put to Bed; wherein we have found it much more serviceable to be covered with Blankets, than Linen Sheets, because the Woollen much better encourages Sweating, and also absorps it, and keeps the Body cleaner all the while; for Linen being not suited to drink up the Sweat, the Pores of the Body, at such Times as open as possible, will be choaked up and obstructed by the Moisture hanging upon the Skin, and giving also a Chilliness to the Flesh: To all therefore who sweat thus, Change of Cloaths is to be denied, for the Patient takes Harm by clean Coverings, not so much from any prejudicial Quality of the Soap abounding in them, (according to the Opinion of _Diemebrooeck_) as from a Dampness which is inseparable from them, and the Approach of Air which is unavoidable in the s.h.i.+fting; both which will check the Sweating.

UNLESS the Patient hath Occasion for a Vomit, or Purge, or a Clyster, immediately upon his going to Bed, _Alexipharmicks_ ought to be given, and if thrown up by Vomiting, repeated until the Stomach if strengthned, and can retain them; and I have always observed, that such Nauseousness goes off as soon as Sweat breaks out.

SOME indeed of a very dry Temperament, or from a Consumption of their Humidities by the febrile Heat, do not easily get into a Sweat; such therefore I ordered liberally to drink of a medicated Posset-Drink; in order by this Means both to render the viscid Humours more fluid, and contemper and a.s.swage the feverish Heat.

THE Milk with which this Posset-Drink was made, was turned with two Parts of Ale, and one Part of Vinegar, in which had been boiled the Roots of _Scorzonera_ and _b.u.t.terbur_; the Leaves of _Baum_, _Scabius_, and _Wood-sorrel_; the Flowers of _Borage_ and _Marygolds_; the Raspings of _Ivory_ and _Hartshorn_, and _Carduus_ and _Coriander_ Seeds.

THESE Sweats we used to keep up for two or three Hours at a Time, as the Strength would bear them; and until the morbifick Venom was rarified and subtilized, so as to be exhaled quite away along with the viscid Humours: Sleep also was industriously kept off, although sometimes, through meer Weariness, the Patient would drop into a Doze.

AS much Care, besides that of Sweating them, was taken to support the Strength and Spirits of the Infected, by such Aliments as the Stomach was able to receive; for which End I ordered them Bread soaked in Wine, poached Eggs with _Juice of Citrons_, _Pomegranates_, or _Elder Vinegar_, as also cordial Waters, Broths, Gellies, and sometimes also generous Wines.

THE Broths then used were made by boiling in Chicken-Broth the Roots of _Scorzonera_; the Leaves of _Pimpinel_, _Meadow-sweet_, _Wood-Sorrel_, _Borage_, Raspings of _Hartshorn_, and _Dactyls_, with a Piece of White Bread, and a little _Saffron_ tied in a Nodule; and the Fat was not taken off unless in a Loosness or Loathing at Stomach: Of the Usefulness of Gold boiled in these Things I have nothing to say: Of this Broth was also sometimes Emulsions made with the _Seeds of Citrons_, _Plantain_, _blanched Almonds_, and _Pearl-Sugar_.

_+Mayerne+'s celebrated Cordial-water._

? _Radic. carlinae +? vj.+ zedoariae, scorzonerae, imperatoriae, gentianae, vincetox. valerianae, tormentillae, bistortae, petasitid. dictamni, bardanae, pimpinella totius ana +? iv.+ fol. cardui, oxytriphyll. scordii, ana M +v.+ ulmariae, scabiosae, morsus diaboli, melissae, pentaphyll. menthae, rutae, buglossae, flor. calendulae, hyperici ana M +iv.+ limones, & Aurant. c.u.m corticibus ana numero +xx.+ flor. salviae, rorism. ana M +ij.+ corda vervecina numero +vj.+ corda viper. numero +xx.+ vini generosi +Hispan.+ lib. +xx.+ infusione deb. peracta, fiat Distillatio cauta in B. M. hujus Aq. Dos. ad cochl. +iv.+ vel +v.+ dulcor. (si ita visum) c.u.m sacchari perl. q. s._

BUT the Patients were kept from Aliments of this Kind until some Relief was found by _Alexipharmicks_; and then only so much was allowed of as their Strength would admit of, for that was to be helped, and not loaded; but as they grew better, more was allowed: Yet an Hour or two after such Refreshment, notwithstanding the Distemper seemed to be extinguished, _Alexipharmicks_ were repeated, until all Suspicion of its Remainder was removed; because sometimes it would on a sudden recruit after it had seemed to be quite gone.

THE Infected were kept close in their Beds the whole Time of the Disease; and those who would not be thus governed, bitterly repented of their Obstinacy; for upon Checking a _Diaph.o.r.esis_, and Confining the pestilential Venom, most grievous Pains and Disorders ensued: And they who were delirious, were tied in their Beds, to prevent their doing either Injury to themselves, or those who attended upon them.

IF a Drowsiness came on at the first Attack of the Distemper, or in the Beginning to Sweat, the Patient was forcibly kept awake; although, when some Appearance came of Recovery, a little Sleep was indulged to recruit the Spirits, but not beyond four Hours together; for if they slept longer, they were waked to take their Medicines.

IF the Belly was costive, and the Distemper on its Declension, Clysters were used with Benefit; made of a Decoction with the Roots of _Scorzonera_, _Tormentil_, and _Marsh-Mallows_; the Leaves of _Scordium_, _Meadow-sweet_, and _Violets_; Flowers of _Chamomil_ and _Elder_; _sweet Fennil-Seeds_, and _Anniseeds_; and in it was dissolved the Yolk of an _Egg_, _brown Sugar_, and ? iij. of _Diascordium_ or _London Treacle_; and when more Haste was required for Evacuation, ? j. or ? j. [ss.] was added of the Infusion of _Crocus Metallorum_. After the Clyster came away, the Patient was allowed a Draught of generous Wine, or of some Cordial Julap, or Broth, _&c._

AND whereas a Languor upon the Spirits very much contributed (as before observed) both to the Propagation and Violence of the Contagion; to remove such an Inconvenience, grateful Scents were made use of, such as are known to comfort the Brain; sometimes _Vinegar of Roses_ was sprinkled upon live Coals, and at others, were burnt such things as _Styrax_, _Labdanum_, &c.

of which more hereafter, and all things avoided which might give any Offence to the Nose by its Smell.

HITHERTO we have treated of Antidotes, and the Regimen of our Patents; next we come to external Helps, amongst which _Blisters_ demand the first mention; and whose frequent and successful Application removed all Controversie about their Usefulness.

_BLISTER-Plasters_ were applied to several Parts; as the Nape of the Neck, within-side the Arms, the Thighs, and Legs; and by these the Vessels were warmed, the Juices rendered more fluid, a _Stimulus_ given to the Sluggishness of Nature, and Pa.s.sage made sufficiently large, for the Evacuation not only of superfluous Serosities and noxious Humours, but also for the pestilential Poison, which by this Artifice seemed to be turned out this Way; not to say any Thing of the Revulsion made hereby of Venom from the n.o.bler Parts.

FOR this Purpose, I once ordered a _Blister-Plaster_ to be applied within-side the Thigh, a little below a Buboe in the Groin, but by the Carelesness of the Nurse, it was laid upon the Buboe it self; which happening to prove fortunate, after obtained in Practice, in Expectation thereby to prevent the morbifick Humour from going back again, and to forward its Suppuration; but altho' this was of Advantage in some Cases, it was yet much suspected by the more cautious Physicians and Surgeons, as for the most Part it brought too great an Inflammation all round it, and promoted a Strangury, which, by Excess of Uneasiness, greatly wasted the Spirits, and sunk the Patient's Strength.

THAT these Applications may certainly answer their End, the most sharp ought to be used: The following Composition never failed me in all my Practice; but before its Application, the Part was always rubbed with Vinegar.

? _Picis navalis +? v.+ galbani colat. +? j.+ cerae +? j. [ss.]+ quibus simul liquatis, & ab igne semotis, adde pulv. cantharidum praep. +? vij.+ vel +?

j.+ fermenti veteris, sem. ameos ana +? iij.+ euphorbii +? j.+ c.u.m aceti scillit. q. s. incorporentur, a.s.sidue agitando, quousque cogantur in Emplastri ma.s.sam._

THE Parts thus vesicated were never suffered to heal, till the Malignity of the Disease was spent; and to prevent their suddain drying up, they were continually stimulated by _Melilot_ Plasters sprinkled over with some Powder of _Cantharides_; which kept up a constant Drein of noxious Humours; but to a.s.swage the great Heat and Inflammations, sometimes occasioned hereby, _Cole-wort_ Leaves were applied to them.

YET although _Epispasticks_ did so much Service to the Infected, and sufficiently made amends for the Trouble and Pain they gave; yet they were not indifferently suitable to all Persons; As for Instance, where there was an Heat of Urin, or a continual Inclination to p.i.s.s, where the _Sphincter_ of the Bladder was inflamed, or ulcerated, in an Hemorrhage, or to Women with Child, or having the _Menses_; and lastly, where there was a great _Languor_ upon the Spirits; it is also diligently to be considered when _Epispasticks_ are applied to Buboes or Carbuncles near upon Suppuration, that they do not fuse the Humours too much, to admit them going into a laudible _Pus_, and give such a _Stimulus_ to the Parts, as may sink the Spirits, and frustrate other Endeavours of Nature to help her self.

BESIDES _Epispasticks_, it is not lost Labour to apply proper Things to the Feet; I commonly used a Plaster made of the compound _Bettany_ Plaster, adding to it some _Euphorbium_, _Saffron_, and _London Treacle_; And I found this to do more Good than _Cataplasms_, which some, however, liked better to use, and were made of _Bryony_ Root steeped in Vinegar, the Flesh of _pickled Herrings_, _black Soap_, _Rue_, _Scordium_, and _Arum_, with a sufficient Quant.i.ty of Vinegar: Sometimes also Pidgeons were applied to the Feet.

BUT these, and other Medicines of the same Rank, were not applied in any Expectation to draw away by them the pestilential _Miasmata_ as by Attraction; but because the Mult.i.tude of Pores, and their Largeness in the Soles of the Feet, gave such Things an Opportunity of sending in that warmth, as would keep the Animal Humours more fluxile, and cherish the natural Heat that was almost extinct; and from thence the whole Body would be refreshed by their Influence: Applications were likewise made to the Wrist with the same View.

AND thus having gone through the curative Part of a Pestilence in general, we now come to the Management of particular Symptoms; and first of all of the Buboes.

IT highly concerns all who are concerned for the Sick in these Cases, both Physicians and Surgeons, to attend with Diligence to the Nature of these Tumours, and have their several Differences ready in their Minds, that at their first Sight they may know their Condition, and use Means of treating them accordingly. And first of all it is to be enquired, whether they are moveable or fixt? whether soft or hard? whether depressed or prominent?

whether small or great? whether contracted or broad? whether with, or without Pain? and lastly, whether inflamed or not?

WHENSOEVER a Buboe is uncertain and dodges, sometimes appearing and then again going back, all Means is to be used to fix it; and this is very successfully done by cupping upon the Glands, which will fix a permanent Tumour upon them.