Of Feuers in Generall .

First then to speake of Feuers or Agues● , the Hus-wife shall know those kinds thereof , which are most famillar and ordinary , as the Quotidian or daily ague , the Tertian or euery other day ague , the Quartan or euery third dayes ague , the Pestilent , which keepeth no other in his fits , but is more dangerous and mortall : And lastly the accidental Feuer which proceedeth from the receite of some wound or other , painefull perturbation of the spirits . There bee sundry other Feuers which comming from Consumptions , and other long continued sicknesses , doe altogether surpasse our Hus-wiues capacity .

Of ●he quotidian .

First then for the quotidian feuer , ( whose fits alwaies last aboue twelue houres ) you shall take a new laid egge , and opening the crowne you shall put out the white , then fill vp the shell with very good Aquauitae , and stirre it and the yolke very well together , and then as soone as you feele your cold fit begin to come vpon you , sup vp the egge , and either labour till you sweare , or else laying great store of cloathes vpon you , put your selfe in a sweat in your bed , and thus do whilst your fits continue , and for your drinke let it be onely posset ale .

Of the single Tertian ▪

For a single Tertian feuer , or each other dayes ague ; take a quart of posset ale , the curde being well drained from the same , and put thereinto a good handfu●l of Dandilion , and then setting it vpon the fire , boyle it till a fourth part be consumed , then as soone as your cold fit beginneth , drinke a good draught thereof , and then either labour till you sweat , or else force your se●fe to swea● in your bed , but labour is much the better , prouided that you take not cold after it , and thus do whilst your fits continue , and in all your sicknesse let your drinke bee posset Ale thus boyled with the sa●e hearbe .

Of the accidentall Feuer .

For the accidentall Feuer which commeth by meanes of some dangerous wound receiued , although for the most part it is an ill signe if it be strong and continuing , yet many times it abateth , and the party recouereth when the wound is well tended and comforted with such soueraigne balmes and hot oyles as are most fit to be applied to the member so grieued or iniured : therefore in this Feuer you must respect the wound from whence the accident doth proceed , and as it recouereth , so you shall see the feuer wast and diminish .

Of the Feuer hetticke .

For the Hettique feuer , which is also a very dangerous sicknesse , you shall take the oyle of Violets , and mixe it with a good quantity of the powder of white Poppy seed finely searst , and therewith annoint the small and raines of the parties backe , euening and morning , and it will not onely giue ease to the Feuer , hut also purge and cleanse away the dry scalings which is ingendred either by this or any other feuer whatsoeuer .

For the quartan or for any Feuer .

For any feuer whatsoeuer , whose fit beginneth with a cold . Take a spoonefull and a halfe of Dragon water , a spoonefull of Rosewater , a spoonefull of running water , a spoonefull of Aquavite , and a spoonefull of Vinegar , halfe a spoonefull of Methridate or lesse , and beate all these well together , and let the party drinke it before his fit beginne .

Of thirst in Feuers .

It is to be vnderstood that all feuers of what kind soeuer they be , and these infectious diseases , as the Pestilence , Plague , and such like , are thought the inflammation of the bloud , infinitely much subiect to drought ; so that , should the party drinke so much as he desired , neither could his body containe it , nor could the great abundance of drinke do other then weaken his stomacke , and bring his body to a certaine destruction .

Wherefore , when any man is so ouerpressed with desire of drinke , you shall giue him at conuenient times either posset ale made with cold herbes ; as sorrell , purslen , Violet leaues , Lettice , Spinage , and such like , o● else a Iulip made as hereafter in the pestilent feuer , of some Almond-milke : and betwixt those times , because the vse of these drinkes wi●l grow wearisome and loathsome to the patient , you shall suffer him to gargil in his mouth good wholesome beare or ale , which the patient best liketh , and hauing gargled it in his mouth , to spit it out againe , and then to take more , and thus to do as oft as and then to take more , and thus to doe as oft as he pleaseth , till his mouth be cooled : prouided that by no meanes he suffer any of the drinke to goe downe , and this will much better asswage the heat of his thirst then if he did drinke ; and when appetite desireth drinke to goe downe , then let him take either his Iulip , or his almond milke .

For any ague sore .

To make a pultis to cure any ague-sore , take elder leaues and seeth them in milke , till they be soft then take them vp and straine them ; and then boyle it againe till it be thicke , and so vse it to the sore as occasion shall serue .

For the quartaine Feuer .

For the Quartaine Eeuer or third day ague , which is which is of all feuers the longest lasting , & many times dangerous consumptions , blacke iaundies and such like mortall sicknesses follow it : you shall take Methridate and spread it vpon a lymon slice , cut of a reasonable thicknes , and so as the lymon be couered with the Methridate ; then bind it to the pulse of the sicke mans wrist of his arme about an houre before his fit doth beginne , and then let him goe to his bed made warme , and with hot cloathes laid vpon him , let him try if he can force himselfe to sweat which if he doe , then halfe an houre after he hath sweate he shall take hot posset ale brewed with a little Methridate , and drinke a good draught thereof , and rest till his fit be passed ouer : but if he bee h●●d to sweate , then with the sayd posset Ale also you shall mixe a few bruised Anny-seeds , To make one sweate . and that will bring sweate vppon him : and thus you shall doe euery fit till they beginne to cease , or that sweate come naturally of it owne accorde , which is a true and manifest signe that the sicknesse decreaseth .

Of the pestilent Feuer .

For the pestilent Feuer , which is a continuall sicknesse full of infection , and mortality , you shall cause the party first to bee let blood , if his strength will beare it : then you shall giue him coole Iulyps made of Endife or Succorie water , the sirrop of Violets , conserue of Barberries , and the iuyce of Lymons , well mixed and simboliz'd together .

Also you shall giue him to drink Almond milke made with the decoction of coole hearbes , as violet leaues , strawberry leaues , french mallowes , pu●sline , and such like ; and if the parties mouth shall through the heate of his stomacke , or liuer Inflame o● grow sore , you shall wash it with the sirrop of mulber●ies ; and that will not onely heale it , but also strengthen his stomacke . ( If as it is most common in this sicknesse ) the party shall grow costiue , you shall giue him a suppositary made of hony , boyld to the height of hardnesse , which you shall know by cooling a drop thereof , and so if you find it hard , you shall then know that the hony is boyled sufficiently ; then put salt to it , and so put it in water , and worke it into a roule in the manner of a suppositary , & administer it , and it most assuredly bringeth no hurt , but ease to the party , of what age or strength soeuer he be : during his sicknesse , you shall keepe him from all manner of strong drinkes , or hot spices , and then there is no doubt of his recouery .

A preser●atiue against the plague .

To preserue your body from the infection of the plague , you shal take a quart of old ale , & after it hath risen vpon the fire and hath been scummed , you shall put therinto of Aristolochia longa , of Angelica & of Cellandine of each halfe an handfull , & boile them wel therin ; then strain the drink through a cleane cloath , & dissolue therein a dramme of the best Methridate , as much Iuory finely powdred and searst , and sixe spoonful of Dragon water , then put it vp in a closse glasse ; and euery morni●g fasting take fiue spoonful thereof , and after bite and chaw in your mouth the dried root of Angelica , or smel on a nose-gay made of the tasseld end of a shippe rope , and they wil surely preserue you from infection .

F●r infection of the plagu● .

But if you be infected with the plague , and feele the assured signes thereof , as paine in the head , drought , burning , weaknesse of stomacke and such like : Then you shal take a dram of the best Methridate , and dissolue it in three or foure spooneful of dragon water , and immediately drink it off , and then with hot cloathes or bricks made extreame hot , and layd to the soales of your feet , after you haue beene wrapt in woollen cloathes , compel your selfe to sweat , which if you do , keep yourselfe moderately therein till the sore begin to rise ; then to the same apply a liue Pidgeon cut in two parts , or else a plaister made of the yolke of an Egge , Hony , hearbe of grace chopt exceeding small , and wheate flower , which in very sho●t space will not onely ripen , but also breake the same without any other incision ; then after it hath runne a day or two , you shall apply a plaister of Melilot vnto it vntil it be who●e .

For the Pestile● .

Take Fetherfew , Mal●selon , Scabious , and Mugwort , of each a like , bruise them and mixe them with old ale , and let the sicke drinke thereof sixe spooneful , and it wil expel the corruption .

Another .

Take Yar●ow , Tansie , Fetherfew , of each a handful , and bruise them wel together , then let the sicke party make water into the hearbs , then straine them , and giue it the sicke to drinke .

A preseruation ●g first the ●e●ce .

Take of Sage , Rue , Brie● leaues , or Elderleaues , of each an handful , stampe them and straine them with a quart of white wine , and put thereto a little Ginger , and a good spooneful of the best Treackle , and drinke thereof morning and euening .

How to draw a plague botch to any place you will .

Take Smalledge , Mallowes , Wormewood , and Rue , stamp them wel together , and fry them in oyle Oliue , til they be thicke , plaisterwise apply it to the place where you would haue it rise , and let it lye vntil it breake , then to heale it vp , take the iuyce of Smallage , Wheateflower , & milke , and boile them to a pultis , and apply i● morning and euening til it be whole .

A Cordiall for any infection at the heart . ☜

Take of Burrage , Langdebeefe , and Callamint , of each a good handful of Hartstongue , Red m●nt , Violets , and Marigolds , of each halfe a handful , boyle them in white wine , or faire running water , then adde a penny woorth of the best Saffron , and as much Sugar , and boyle them ouer againe wel , then straine it into an earthen pot , and drinke thereof morning and euening , to the quantity of seauen spoonfuls .

Against too viol●nt sweating .

Take Linseed , and Lettice , and bruise it wel , then apply it to the stomacke , and remooue it once in foure houres .

For the Head-ache . ☜

For the Head-ach , you shal take of rosewater , of the iuyce of Cammomil , of womans milke , of strong wine venegar , of each two spooneful , mixe them together wel vpon a chafing-dish of coales : then take of a peece of a dry rose cake and steepe it therein , and as soone as it hath d●anke vp the lyquor and is throughly hot , take a couple of sound Nutmegs grated to powder , and strew them vppon the rose cake ; then breaking it into two parts , binde it on each side vppon the temples of the head , so let the party lye downe to rest , and the paine wil in a short space be taken from him .

For th Frenzy .

For Frenzie or inflamation of the calles of the braine , you shal cause the iuyce of Beets to be with a Serrindge squirted vp into the patients nostrils , which will purge and cleanse his head exceedingly ; and then giue him to drinke posset ale , in which Violet leaues and Lettice hath been boyled , and it will sodainely bring him to a very temperate mildnesse , and make the passion of Frenzie forsake him .

F●● the lethargy .

For the Lethargie or extreame drowsines , you shall-by all violent meanes either by noyse or other disturbances , force perforce keepe the party from sleeping ; and whensoeuer he calleth for drink , you shal giue him white wine and Isop water of each a little quantity mixt together , and not suffer him to sleepe aboue foure houres in foure & twenty , till he come to his former wakefulnes , which as soone as he haue recouered , you shall then forthwith purge his head with the iuyce of Beets squirted vp into his nostrils as is before shewed .

To prouoke sleepe .

But if any of the family be troubled with too much watchfulnesse , so that they cannot by any meanes take rest , then to prouoke the party to sleepe , you shall take of Saffron a dramme dryed , and beaten to pouder , and as much Lettice seed also dryed , and beaten to pouder , and twice as much white Poppy seed beaten also to pouder , and mixe these with womans milke till it be a thick salue , and then binde it to the temples of the head , and it will soone cause the party to sleepe ; and let it lye on not aboue foure houres .

For the swimming of the head .

For the swimming or dizzing in the head , you shall take of Agnus cas●us , of Broome wort , and of Camomile dryed , of each two drammes mixt with the iuyce of Iu●e , oyle of Roses , and white wine , of each like quantity , ti●l it come to a thicke salue , and then binde it to the temples of the head , and it will in short space take away the griefe .

For the palsie .

For the Apoplexie or palsie , the strong sent or smell of a Foxe is exceeding soueraigne , or to drinke euery morning halfe a pint of the decoction of Lauendar , and to rub the head euery morning and euening exceeding hard with a very cleane course cloath , whereby the humours may be dissolued and disperst into the outward parts of the body : by all meanes for this infirmity keepe your feet safe from cold or wet , and also the nape of your necke , for from those parts it first getteth the strength of euill and vnauoidable paynes .

For a new cough .

For a cough or cold but lately taken , you shall take a spoonfull of Sugar finely beaten and searst , and drop into it of the best Aquauitae , vntill all the sugar be wet to through , and can receiue no more moysture : Then being ready to lye downe to rest , take and swallow the spoonefull of sugar downe ; and so couer you warme in your bed , and it will soone breake and dissolue the cold .

For an old cough .

But if the cough be more old & inueterate , & more inwardly fixt to the lungs , take of the pouder of Bettonie , of the pouder of Carraway seeds , of the pouder of Sheruit dryed , of the pouder of Hounds tongue , and of Pepper , finely beaten , of each two drams , and mingling them well with clarified hony make an electuary therof and drink it morning & euening for nine daies together : then take of Sugar candy coursly beaten , an ounce of Licoras finely peared & trimmed , and cut into very little small slices , as much of Anniseeds and Coriander seeds halfe an ounce ; mixe all these together and keepe them in a paper in your pocket and euer in the day time when the cough offendeth you , take as much of this dredge , as you can hold betweene your thumbe and fingers & eate it , and it will giue ease to your griefe : And in the night when the cough taketh you , take of the iuice of Licoras as two good Barly cornes , and let it melt in your mouth and it wil giue you ease .

For the falling sicknesse .

Although the falling sicknes be seldome or neuer to be cured , yet if the party which is troubled with the same , wil but morning and euening , during the wane of the moone , or when she is in the signe Virgo , eate the berries of the hearbe Asterion , or beare the hearbs about him next to his bare skin , it is likely he shall finde much ease and fal very seldome , though this medicine be somewhat doubtful .

For the falling euill .

For the falling euill take if it be a man , a female mole , if a woman a male mole ▪ and take them in March , or else April , when they go to the Bucke : Then dry it in an ouen , and make powder of it whole as you take it out of the earth : then giue the sick person of the powder to drink euening & morning for nine or ten daies together .

OF An Oyle to helpe hearing .

To take away deafnes , take a gray Eele with a white belly and put her into a sweet earthen pot quick , & stop the pot very close with an earthen couer , or some such hard substance : then digge a deep hole in a horse dunghill , and set it therein , and couer it with the dung , and so let it remaine a fortnight , and then take it out and cleare out the oile which will come of it , and drop it into the imperfect eare , or both , if both be imperfect .

For the Rhum .

To stay the flux of the Rhume , take Sage and dry it before the fire , and rub it to powder : Then take bay salt and dry it and beare it to powder , and take a Nutmeg and grate it , and mixe them all together , and put them in a long linnen bag , then heate it vpon a tile stone , and lay it to the nape of the necke .

For a stinking breath .

For a stinking breath , take Oake buds when they are new budded ou● , and distil them , then let the party grieued nine mornings , and nine euenings , drinke of it , then forbeare a while , and after take it againe .

A vomit for an ill breath .

To make a vomit for a strong stinking breath , you must take of Antimonium the waight of three Barley cornes , and beate it very small , and mixe it with conserue of Roses , and giue the Patient to eate in the morning , then let him take nine dayes together the iuyce of Mints and Sage , then giue him a gentle purgation , and let him vse the iu●ce of Mint and Sage longer . This medicine must be giuen in the spring of the yeare , but if the infirmity come for want of digestion in the stomacke , then take Mints , Maiora●● ●nd Worme-wood , and chop them small and boile the 〈◊〉 Malmsie till it be thicke , and make a p●●ister of it , and it to the stomacke .

For the Tooth-ache .

For the Tooth ach , take a handful of Dasie rootes , and wa●● them very cleane , and drie them with a cloath , and then stamp them : and when you haue stamped them a good while , take the quantity of halfe a nutshel full of Bay-salt , and strew it amongst the roots , and then when they are very wel beaten , straine them through a cleane cloath : then grate some Cattham Aromaticus , & mixe it good and s●ffie with the iuyce of the roots , and when you haue done so , put it into a quil and snuffe it vp into your nose , and you shall find ease .

Another .

Another for the Tooth-ake , take smal Sage , Rue , Smallage , Fetherfew , Wormewood , and Mints , of each of them halfe a handful , then stampe them wel all together putting thereto foure drams of vinegar , and one dram of Bay salt , with a penny-worth of good Aquavitae : stir them well together , then put it betweene two linnen clouts of the bignesse of your cheeke , temples , and iawe , and quilt it in manner of a course imbrodery : then set it vpon a chafing-dish of coales , and as hot as you may abide it , lay it ouer that side where the paine is , and lay you downe vpon that side , and as it cooles warme it againe , or else haue another ready warme to lay on .

A dri●●e for a ●●●●le in the eye .

To make a drinke to destroy any pearle or filme in the eye : take a good handfull of Marigold plants , & a handfull of Fennell , as much of May-weed beate them together , then straine them with a pint of beere , then put it into a pot & stop it close that the strength may not goe out ; then let the offended party drinke thereof when he is in bed , & lie of that side on which the pearle is , & likewise drinke of it in the morning next his heart when he is risen .

F●r p●●●e in 〈…〉 .

For payne in the eies , take Milke when it comes new from the Cowe , and hauing syled it into a cleane vessell , couer it with a pewter dish , and the next morning take off the dish and you shall see a dew vpon the same , and with that dew wash the pained eies , & it will ease them .

〈…〉

For dimme eyes : take Wormewood , beaten with the gall of a Bull , and then strane it and annoynt the eyes therewith , and it will cleare them exceedingly .

Fo● sore eyes .

For sore eyes , or blood shotten eyes : take the white of an egge beaten to oyle , as much Rosewater , & as much of the iuyce of House-leeke , mixe them well together , then dippe flat pleageants therein , and lay them vppon the sore eyes , and as they drye , so renew them againe , and wet them , and thus doe till the eyes be well .