A boke, or counseill against the disease commonly called the sweate, or sweatyng sicknesse. Made by Ihon Caius doctour in phisicke. Very necessary for euerye personne, and muche requisite to be had in the handes of al sortes, for their better instruction, preparacion and defence, against the soubdein comyng, and fearful assaultying of the-same [sic] disease

¶ The boke of Ihon Caius against the sweatyng sicknes .

MAN beyng borne not for his owne vse and commoditie alone , but also for the common benefite of many , ( as reason wil and al good authoures write ) he whiche in this world is worthy to lyue , ought al wayes to haue his hole minde and intente geuen to profite others . Whiche thynge to shewe in effecte in my selfe , although by fortune some waies I haue ben letted , yet by that whiche fortune cannot debarre , some waies again I haue declared . For after certein yeres beyng at cambrige , I of the age of .xx. yeres , partly for mine exercise and profe what I coulde do , but chefely for certein of my very frendes , dyd translate out of Latine into Englishe certein workes , hauyng nothynge els so good to gratifie theim with . Wherof one . of S. Chrysostome de modo orandi deum , that is , of the manner to praye to god , I sent to one my frende then beyng in the courte . One other , a woorke of Erasmus de vera theologia , the true and redy waye to reade the scripture , I dyd geue to maister Augustine Stiwarde Alderman of Norwiche , not in the ful as the authore made it , but abbreuiate for his only purpose to whome I sent it , Leuyng out many subtile thinges , made rather for great & learned diuines , than for others . The thirde was the paraphrase of the same Erasmus vpon the Epistle of . S. Iude , whiche I translated at the requeste of one other my deare frende .

These I did in Englishe the rather because at that tyme men ware not so geuen all to Englishe , but that they dyd fauoure & mayteine good learning conteined in tongues & sciences , and did also study and apply diligently the same them selues . Therfore I thought no hurte done . Sence that tyme diuerse other thynges I haue written , but with entente neuer more to write in the Englishe tongue , partly because the commoditie of that which is so written , passeth not the compasse of Englande , but remaineth enclosed within the seas , and partly because I thought that labours so taken should be halfe loste among them whiche sette not by learnyng . Thirdly for that I thought it beste to auoide the iudgement of the multitude , from whome in maters of learnyng a man shal be forced to dissente , in disprouyng that whiche they most approue , & approuyng that whiche they moste disalowe . Fourthly for that the common settyng furthe and printing of euery foolishe thyng in englishe , both of phisicke vnperfectly , and other matters vndiscretly , diminishe the grace of thynges learned set furth in the same . But chiefely , because I wolde geue noue example or comforte to my countrie men , ( whom I wolde to be now , as here tofore they haue bene , comparable in learnyng to men of other countries ) to stonde onely in the Englishe tongue , but to leaue the simplicite of thesame , and to procede further in many and diuerse knoweleges bothe in tongues and sciences at home and in vniuersities , to the adournyng of the common welthe , better seruice of their kyng , & great pleasure and commodite of their owne selues , to what kinde of life soeuer they shold applie them . Therfore whatsoeuer sence that tyme I minded to write , I wrate the same either in greke or latine . As firste of all certein commentaries vpon certein bokes of William framingham , maister of art in Cambrige , a man of great witte , memorie , diligence and learnyng , brought vp in the same scholes in Englande that I was , euer from his beginnyng vntil his death . Of the which bokes .ii. of cō●inētia ( or continence ) wer in prose , the reste in metre or verse of diuerse kindes . One a comforte for a blind man , entitled ad Aemilianum caecum consolatio . one other ●cpyros●s , seu incendi● sodomo●● , the burnyng of Sodome . The thirde Laurentius , expressyng the tormentes of Saincte Laurence . The fourthe , Idololatria , Idolatrie , not after the trade and veine of scripture ( wherein he was also very well exercised ) but conformable to scripture and after the ciuile and humane learnyng , declaryng them to worshippe Mars , that warre , or fight : Venus , that lyue incontinently : Pluto , that folowe riches couetousely : and so forth through all vices vsed in his time . The fiueth boke Arete , vertue : the sixth , Epigrammes , conteined in two bokes , whiche by an epistle of his owne hand before the boke yet remainyng , he dedicated vnto me , purposyng to haue done many more prety thynges , but that cruell death preuented , and toke him away wher he and I was borne at Norwiche , in the yere of our Lord M.d.xxxvii. the xxix daie of September , beynge then of the age of .xxv. yeres , vii . Monethes , and vj. daies , a greate losse of so notable a yonge man . These workes at his death he willed to comme to my handes , by which occasion after I had viewed them , and perceiued them ful of al kyndes of learnyng , thinkyng them no workes for all men to vnderstande with out helpe , but such as were wel sene in all sortes of authours : I endeuoured my selfe partely for the helpe of others , & partly for mine owne exercise , to declare vpon theim the profite of my studie in ciuile and humane learnynge , and to haue before mine eyes as in a worke ( which was alwaies my delyght ) how muche I had profited in the same . Thys so done , I ioyned euery of my commentaries to euery of hys saied bokes , faier written by Nicolas Pergate puple to the saied Maister Framyngham , myndyng after the iudgement of learned men had in the same , to haue set theim furthe in prynte , if it had ben so thought good to theim . For whyche cause , at my departynge into Italie , I put an Epistle before theym dedicatorye to the right Reuerend father in God Thomas Thirlbye , now Bishoppe of Norwiche , because thesame maister Framyngham loued hym aboue others . He after my departure deliuered the bokes to the reuerende father in god Ihon Skippe , late bishop of Hereforde , then to . D. Thixtle , tutor to the sayd maister framyngham , from him to syr Richard Morisine , now ambassadoure for the kinges maiestie with th emperour , then to D. Tailour Deane of Lincolne , and syr Thomas Smithe secretarie after to the kynges Maiestie , all great learned men . From these to others they wente , among whome the bokes died , ( as I suppose , ) or els be closely kept , that after my death they may be setfurthe in the names of them which now haue them , as their workes . Howe soeuer it be , wel I knowe that at my returne out of Italie ( after .vj. yeres continuance ther ) into England , I coulde neuer vnderstand wher they wer , although I bothe diligently and desirousely sought them . After these I translated out of Greke into Latine a litle boke of Nicephorus , declarynge howe a man maye in praiynge confesse hym selfe , which after I dyd geue vnto Ihon Grome bacheler in arte , a yong man in yeres , but in witte & learnyng for his tyme , of great expectacion . That done I beganne a chronicle of the citie of Norwiche , of the beginninge therof & thinges done ther from time to time , The matere wherof yet rude and vndigested lyeth by me , which at laisure I minde to polishe , and to make an end of that I haue begunne . And to be shorte , in phisicke diuerse thynges I haue made & settefurth in print bothe in Greke and Latine , not mindyng to do other wise , as I haue before said , al my life : For which cause al these thinges I haue rehersed , els superstuous in this place . Yet see , meaning now to counseill a litle agaynst the sweatyng sickenes for helpe also of others , notwithstandyng my former purpose , two thynges compell me , in writynge therof , to returne agayne to Englishe , Necessite of the matter , & good wyl to my countrie , frendes , & acquaintance , whiche here to haue required me , to whome I thinke my selfe borne .

Necessite , for that this disease is almoste peculiar vnto vs Englishe men , and not common to all men , folowyng vs , as the shadowe the body , in all countries , albeit not at al times . Therfore compelled I am to vse this our Englishe tongue as best to be vnderstande , and moste nedeful to whome it most foloweth , most behoueth to haue spedy remedie , and often tymes leaste nyghe to places of succourre and comforte at lerned mennes handes : and leaste nedefull to be setfurthe in other tongues to be vnderstand generally of all persons , whome it either haunteth not at all , or els very seldome , as ones in an age . Thinkynge it also better to write this in Englishe after mine own meanyng , then to haue it translated out of my Latine by other after their misunderstandyng .

Good wyll to my countrie frendes and acquaintance , seynge them wyth out defence yelde vnto it , and it ferefully to inuade them , furiousely handle them , spedily oppresse them , vnmercyfully choke them , and that in no small numbers , and such persons so notably noble in birthe , goodly conditions , graue sobrietie , singular wisedome , and great learnynge , as Henry Duke of Suffolke , and the lorde Charles his brother , as fewe hath bene sene lyke of their age : an heuy & pitiful thyng to here or see . So that if by onely learned men in phisicke & not this waye also it should be holpen , it were nedeful almost halfe so many learned men to be redy in euery toune and citie , as their should be sweatynge sicke folkes . Yet this notwithstandynge , I wyll euery man not to refuse the counseill of the present or nighe phisicen learned , who maie , accordyng to the place , persone , cause , & other circumstances , geue more particular counseil at nede , but in any wise exhorte him to seke it with all diligence . To this enterprise also amonge so many learned men , not a litle stirreth me the gentilnes and good willes of al sortes of men , which I haue well proued heretofore by my other former bokes . Mindynge therefore with as good a will to geue my counseil in this , and trusting for no lesse gentlenes in the same , I wyll plainly and in English for their better vnderstandynge to whome I write , firste declare the beginnynge , name , nature , and signes of the sweatynge sickenes . Next , the causes of the same . And thirdly , how to preserue men from it , and remedy them when they haue it .

In the yere of our Lorde God , The beginnyng of the disease . M. CCCC.lxxxv . shortly after the .vij. daye of august , at whiche tyme kynge Henry the seuenth arriued at ●…ilford in walles , out of Fraunce , and in the firste yere of his reigne , ther chaunced a disease among the people , lastyng the reste of that monethe & all september , which for the soubdeine sharpenes and vnwont cruelnes passed the pestilence . For this commonly geueth .iv. or .iiij. often .vij. sumtyme ix . as that firste at Athenes whiche Thucidides describeth in his seconde boke , sumtyme .xj. and sumtyme .xiiij. dayes respecte , to whome it vexeth . But that immediatly killed some in opening theire windowes , some in plaieng with children in their strete dores , some in one hour , many in two it destroyed , & at the longest , to them that merilye dined , it gaue a sorowful Supper . As it founde them so it toke them , some in sleape some in wake , some in mirthe some in care , some fasting & some ful , some busy and some idle , and in one house sometyme three sometime fiue , sometyme seuen sometyme eyght , sometyme more some tyme all , of the whyche , if the haulfe in euerye Towne escaped , it was thoughte great fauour . How , or wyth what maner it toke them , with what grieffe , and accidentes it helde theym , herafter them I wil declare , when I shal come to shewe the signes therof . In the mene space , know that this disease ( because it most did stand in sweating from the beginning vntil the endyng ) was called here , the Sweating sickenesse : and because it firste beganne in Englande , it was named in other countries , the englishe sweat . Yet some coniecture , that it , or the like , hath bene before seene among the Grekes in the siege of Troie . In th emperour Octauius warres at Cantabria , called nowe Biscaie , in Hispaine : and in the Turkes , at the Rhodes . How true that is , let the aucthours loke : how true thys is , the best of our Chronicles she with , & of the late begonne disease the freshe memorie yet confirmeth . But if the name wer now to be geuen , and at my libertie to make the same : I would of the maner and space of the disease ( by cause the same is no sweat only , as her after I will declare , & in the spirites ) make the name Ephemera , which is to sai , a feuer of one natural dai . A feuer , for the feruor or burning , drieth & sweating feure like . Of one naturall day , for that it lasteth but the time of .xxiiij houres . And for a distinction from the commune Ephemera , that Galene writeth of , comming both of other causes , and wyth vnlike paines , I wold putte to it either Englishe , for that it followeth somoche English menne , to whom it is almoste proper , & also began here : or els pestilent , for that it commeth by infection & putrefaction , otherwise then doth the other Ephemera . Whiche thing I suppose may the better be done , because I se straunge and no english names both in Latine and Greke , by commune vsage taken for Englishe . As in Latin , Feure , Quotidian , Tertian , Quartane , Aier , Infection , Pestilence , Uomite , Person , Reines Ueines , Peines , Chamere , Numbre , &c. a litle altered by the commune pronunciacion . In Greke , Pleuresie , Ilchiada , Hydrops , Apostema , Phlegma , and Chole : called by the vulgare pronunciation , Schiatica , Dropsie , Impostume , Phleume , & Choler : Gyne also , and Soutyre , Sciourel , Mouse , Rophe , Phrase , Paraphrase , & cephe , wherof cometh Chaucers couercephe , in the romant of the Rose , written and pronounced comonly , kerchief in the south . & courchief in the north . Therof euery head or principall thing , is comonlye called cephe , pronounced & written , chief Uery many other there be in our commune tongue , whiche here to rehearse were to long . These for an example shortelye I haue here noted . But for the name of this disease it maketh now no matter , the name of Sweat beyng commonly vsed . Let vs therfore returne to the thing , which as occasion & cause serued , came againe in the . M.D.vi. the .xxii. yeare of the said Kyng Henry the seuenth . Aftre that , in the yeare M.D.xvii . the .ix. yeare of Kyng Henry the viii , and endured from Iuly , vnto the middest of Decembre . The .iiii tyme , in the yeare . M.D.xxviii . the xx . yeare of the saied Kyng , beginning in th ende of May , & continuing Iune and Iuly . The fifth tyme of this fearful Ephemera of Englande , and pestilent sweat , is this in the yeare . M.D.LI. of oure Lorde GOD and the fifth yeare of oure Souereigne Lorde king Edwarde the sixth , beginning at Shrewesbury in the middest of April , proceadinge with greate mortalitie to Ludlowe , Prestene , and other places in Wales , then to Westchestre , Couentre , Oxenfoorde , and other tounes in the Southe , and suche as were in and aboute the way to London , whether it came notablie the seuenth of Iuly , and there continuing sore , with the losse of .vii. C.lxi. from the .ix. day vntil the .xvi. daye , besides those that died in the .vii. and .viii. dayes , of whom no registre was kept , from that it abated vntil the .xxx. day of thesame , with the losse of . C.xlii. more . Then ceassing there , it wente from thence throughe al the east partes of England into the Northe vntill the ende of Auguste , at whiche tyme it diminished , and in the ende of Septembre fully ceassed .

This disease is not a Sweat onely , ( as it is thought & called ) but a feuer . as I saied , in the spirites by putrefaction venemous , with a fight , trauaile , and laboure of nature againste the infection receyued in the spirites , whervpon by chaunce foloweth a Sweate , or issueth an humour compelled by nature , as also chanceth in other sicknesses whiche consiste in humours , when they be in their state , and at the worste in certein dayes iudicial , aswel by vomites , bledinges , & fluxes , as by sweates . That this is true , the self sweates do shewe . For as in vtter businesses , bodies that sore do labour , by trauail of the same are forced to sweat , so in inner diseases , the bodies traueiled & labored by them , are moued to the like . In which labors , if nature be strong & able to thrust out the poison by sweat ( not otherwise letted ) the person escapeth : if not , it dieth . That it is a feuer , thus I haue partly declared , and more wil streight by the notes of the disease , vnder one shewing also by the same notes , signes , and short tariance of the same , that it consisteth in the spirites . First by the peine in the backe , or shoulder , peine in the extreme partes , as arme , or legge , with a flusshing , or wind , as it semeth to certeine of the pacientes , flieng in the same . Secondly by the grief in the liuer and the nigh stomacke . Thirdely , by the peine in the head , & madnes of the same . Fourthly by the passion of the hart . For the flusshing or wynde comming in the vtter and extreame partes , is nothing els but the spirites of those same gathered together , at the first entring of the euell aire , agaynste the infection therof , & flyeng the same from place to place , for their owne sauegarde . But at the last infected , they make a grief where thei be forced , whiche commonly is in tharme or legge ( the fartheste partes of theire refuge ) the backe or shulder : trieng ther first a brunt as good souldiers , before they wil let their enemye come further into theire dominion . The other grefes be therefore in thother partes aforsaid & sorer , because the spirites be there most plentuous as in their founteines , whether alwaies th infection desireth to go . For from the liuer , the nigh stomack , braine , and harte , come all the .iij. sortes , and kyndes of spirites , the gouernoures of oure bodies , as firste spronge there . But from the hart , the liuish spirites . In putrifieng wherof by the euel aier in bodies fit for it , the harte is oppressed . Wherupon also foloweth a marueilous heauinesse , ( the fifthe token of this disease , ) and a desire to sleape , neuer contented , the senses in al partes beynge as they were bounde or closed vp , the partes therfore left heuy , vnliuishe , and dulle . Laste foloweth the shorte abidinge , a certeine Token of the disease to be in the spirites , as wel may be proued by the Ephemera that Galene writethe of , whiche because it consistethe in the Spirites , lasteth but one natural day . For as fire in hardes or straw , is sone in flambe & sone oute , euen so heate in the spirites , either by simple distemperature , or by infection and putrefaction therin conceyued , is sone in flambe and sone out , and soner for the vehemencye or greatues of the same , whiche without lingering , consumeth sone the light matter , contrary to al other diseases restyng in humoures , wherin a fire ones kindeled , is not so sone put out , no more then is the same in moiste woodde , or fat Sea coles , as well by the particular Example of the pestilence , ( of al others most lyke vnto this ) may be declared , whyche by that it standeth in euel humors , tarieth as I said , sometyme , from . iiij.vii.ix . & xj . vntill .xiij. dayes , differentlie from this , by reason therof , albeit by infection most lyke to this same . Thus vnder one laboure shortelie I haue declared , bothe what this disease is , wherein it consisteth , howe and with what accidentes it grieueth and is differente from the Pestilence , and the propre signes , and tokens of the same , without the whiche , if any do sweate , I take theym not to Sweate by this Sickenesse , but rather by feare , heate of the yeare , many clothes , greate exercise , affection , excesse in diete , or at the worst , by a smal cause of infection , and lesse disposition of the bodi to this sicknes . So that , insomoche as the body was nat al voide of matter , sweate it did when infection came : but in that the mattere was not greate , the same coulde neyther be perilous nor paineful , as in others , in whom 〈◊〉 was greater cause .

Hetherto I haue shewed the beginning , The causes . name , nature , & signes of this disease : nowe I will declare the causes , which be .ij : infection , & impure spirites in bodies corrupt by repletion . Infection , by th aire receiuing euel qualities , distempring not only the hete , but the hole substance therof , in putrifieng the same , & that generally .ij. waies . By the time of the yere vnnatural , & by the nature & site of the soile & region . wherunto maye be put the particular accidentes of this same . By the time of the yeare vnnaturall , as if winter be hot & drie , somer hot and moist : ( a fit time for sweates ) the spring colde and drye , the fall hot & moist . To this mai be ioyned the euel disposition by coustellation , whiche hath a great power & dominion in al erthly thinges . By the site & nature of the soile & region , many wayes . First & specially , by euel mistes & exhalations drawen out of the grounde by the sunne in the heate of the yeare , as chanced among the Grekes in the siege of Troy , wherby died firste dogges & mules , after , men in great numbre : & here also in England in this m.d.lj. yeare , the cause of this pestilent sweate , but of dyuers nature . Whiche miste in the countrie wher it began , was sene flie from toune to toune , with suche a stincke in morninges & eueninges , that men could scarcely abide it . Then by dampes out of the earth , as out of Galenes Barathrum , or the poetes auernum , or aornū , the dampes wherof be such , that thei kil the birdes flieng ouer them . Of like dampes , I heard in the north country in cole pits , wherby the laboring men be streight killed , except before the houre of coming therof ( which thei know by the flame of their candle ) thei auoid the ground . Thirdly by putrefaction or rot in groundes aftre great flouddes , in carions , & in dead men . After great fluddes , as happened in the time of Gallien th emperor at rome , in Achaia & Libia , wher the seas sodeinly did ouerflow the cities nigh to that same . And in the .xi. yeare of Pelagius , when al the flouddes throughe al Italye didde rage , but chieflye Tibris at at Rome , whiche in many places was as highe as the walles of the citie .

In carions or dead bodies , as fortuned here in Englande vpon the sea banckes in the tyme of King Alured , or Alfrede , ( as some Chroniclers write ) but in the time of king Ethelred after Sabellicus , by occasion of drowned Locustes cast vp by the Sea , which by a wynde were driuen oute of Fraunce thether . This locust is a flie in bignes of a mannes thumbe , in colour broune , in shape somewhat like a greshopper , hauing .vi. fiete , so many wynges , two tiethe , & an hedde like a horse , and therfore called in Italy Caualleto , where ouer the citie of Padoa , in the yere .m.d xlij . ( as I remembre , ) I , with manye more did see a swarme of theim , whose passage ouer the citie , did laste two hours , in breadth inestimable to euery man there . Here by example to note infection by deadde menne in Warres . either in rotting aboue the ground , as chaunced in Athenes by theim of Ethiopia , or els in beyng buried ouerly as happened at Bulloigne , in the yere M.D.xlv. the yeare aftre king Henrye th eight had conquered the same , or by long continuance of an hoste in one place , it is more playne by dayly experience , then it neadeth to be shewed .

Therefore I wil now go to the fourth especial cause of infection , the pent aier , breaking out of the ground in yearthquakes , as chaunced at Uenice in the firste yeare of Andrea Dandulo , then Duke , the .xxiiii. day of Ianuarye , and xx . hour after their computacion . By which infection mani died , & many wer borne before their time . The v. cause is close , & v●stirred aire , & therfore putrified or corrupt , out of old welles , holes in the ground made for grain , wherof many I did se in & about Pesaro in Italy , by opening them aftre a great space , as both those countrimen do confesse , & also by example is declared , for that manye in opening them vnwarely be killed . Out of caues , & tombes also , as chaunced first in the country of Babilonia , proceding aftre into Grece , and so to Rome , by occasion that the souldiers of th emperour Marcus Antoninus , vpon hope of money , brake vp a golden coffine of Auidius Cassius , spieng a litle hole therin , in the temple of Apollo in Seleucia , as Ammianus Marcellinus writeth . To these mai be ioyned the particular causes of infection , which I cal the accidentes of the place , augmenting the same . As nigh to dwelling places , merishe , & muddy groundes , puddles or donghilles , sinkes or canales , easing places or carious , deadde ditches or rotten groundes , close aier in houses or ualleis , with suche like . Thus muche for the first cause .

The second cause of this Englyshe Ephemera , I said were th impure spirites in bodies corupt by repletion . Repletion I cal here , abundance of humores euel & maliciouse , from long time by litle & litle gathered by euel diete , remaining in the bodye , coming either by to moche meate , or by euel meate in qualitie , as infected frutes , meates of euel iuse or nutriment : or both ioyntly . To such spirites when the aire infectiue cometh consonant , them be thei distempered , corrupted , sore handled , & oppressed , them nature is forced , & the disease engendred . But while I doe declare these impure spirites to be one cause , I must remoue your myndes from spirites to humours , for that the spirites be fedde of the fiuest partes therof , & aftre bringe you againe to spirites where I toke you . And forsomuche as I haue not yet forgotten to whome I write , in this declaration I will leaue a part al learned & subtil reasons , as here void & vnmiete , & only vse suche as be most euident to whom I write , & easiest to be vnderstanden of the same : and at ones therwith shew also why it haunteth vs English men more than other nations . Therfore I passe ouer the vngentle sauoure or smell of the sweate , grosenes , colour , and other qualities of the same , the quantitie , the daunger in stopping , the maner in coming furthe redily , or hardly , hot or cold , the notes in the excrementes , the state longer or soree , with suche others , which mai be tokens of corrupt humours & spirites , & onli wil stand vpon .iii. reasons declaring that same swet by gret repletion to be in vs not otherwise for al the euel aire apt to this disease , more than other nations . For as heraftre I wil shew , & Galen confirmeth , our bodies cannot fuffre any thing or hurt by corrupt & infectiue causes , except ther be in them a certein mater prepared apt & like to receiue it . els if one were sick , al shuld be sick , if in this countri , in al countres wher the infection came , which thing we se doth not chance . For touching the first reason , we se this sweting sicknes or pestilent Ephemera , to be oft in England , but neuer entreth Scotland , ( except the borders ) albeit thei both be ioinetly within the compas of on sea . The same begining here , hath assailed Brabant & the costes nigh to it , but neuer passed Germany , where ones it was in like facion as here , with great mortalitie , in the yere .m.d.xxix. Cause wherof none other there is naturall , then the euell diet of these thre contries whiche destroy more meates and drynckes withoute al ordre , conuenient time , reason , or necessite , them either Scotlande , or all other countries vnder the sunne , to the greate annolance of their owne bodies and wittes , hinderance of theim which haue nede , and great dearth and scarcitie in their common welthes . Wherfore if Esculapius the inuentour of phisike , the sauer of men from death , and restorer to life , should returne again into this world , he could not saue these sortes of men , hauing so moche sweatyng stuffe , so many euill humoures laid vp in store , from this displeasante , feareful , & pestilent disease : except thei would learne a new lesson , & folowe a new trade . For other wise , neither the auoidyng of this countrie ( the seconde reason ) nor fleyng into others , ( a commune refuge in other diseases ) wyll preserue vs Englishe men , as in this laste sweate is by experience well proued in Cales , Antwerpe , and other places of Brabant , wher only our contrimen ware sicke , & none others , except one or .ij. others of th englishe diete , which is also to be noted . The cause hereof natural is onely this , that they caried ouer with them , & by lyke diete ther incresed that whiche was the cause of their disease . Wherefore lette vs asserteine our selues , that in what soeuer contrie lyke cause and matter is , there commyng lyke aier and cause efficient , wil make lyke effecte and disease in persons of agreable complexions , age , and diete , if the tyme also doe serue to these same , and in none others . These I putte , for that the tyme of the yere hote , makethe moche to the malice of the disease , in openynge the pores of the body , lettynge in the euill aier , resoluynge the humores and makynge them flowable , and disposing therfore the spirites accordyngly , besyde , that ( as I shewed in the first cause of this pestilente sweate ) it stirreth and braweth out of the erthe euill exhalations and mistes , to th infection of the aier and displeasure of vs . Diet I put , for that they of the contrarie diete be not troubled with it at all . Age and complexion , for this , that although it spareth non age of bothe kyndes , nor no complexion but some it touche the , yet for the most parte ( wherby rules and reasones be alwayes to be made ) it vexed theim of the middle age , beste luste , and theim not moch vnder that , and of complexions hote & moiste , as fitteste by their naughty & moche subtiltie of blode to fede the spirites : or nigh and lyke to the same in some one of the qualities , as cholerike in hete , phlegmatike in moister , excepte thother their qualities , as drinesse in cholerike , & cold in phlegmatike , by great dominion ouer thother , did lette . For the clene contrarie complerions to the infected aier , alwaies remaine helthful , saulfe and better then tofore , the corrupte and infected aier notwithstandyng . Therfore cold and drie persones either it touched not at all , or very fewe , and that wyth no dangers such I say as beside their complexion , ( whiche is so harde to finde in any man exacte and simple , as exacte helthes ) were annoied with some corrupt humoures & spirites , & therfore mete by so moch to receiue it , & that by good reason . For nothing can naturally haue power to do ought against any thing , excepte the same haue in it selfe a disposicion by like qualities to receiue it . As the cause in the fote cannot trouble the flanke and leue the knee ( the mean betwixte ) except there were a greater consent and likenes of nature in sufferance ( whiche we call sympathian ) betwixte those then thother . Nor fire refusynge stones , ca●●e burne hardes , strawe , stickes and charcole , oile , waxe fatte , and seacole , except these same first of al wer apte , and by conuenient qualities disposed to be enflamed and burned . Nor any man goeth about to burne water , because the qualities thereof be contrary , and the body vndisposed to the like of fire . By whiche reason it may also be perceiued , that the venemouse qualitie of this corrupt is hote and moiste . for it redily enfectethe the lyke complexions , and those nygh vnto theim , and the contrary not at all , or hardly : & easely doth putrify , as doe the Southe wyndes . Therfore next vnto those colde and drie complexions , olde men escaped free , as like to theim by age : and children , as voide of replecion consumed by their great hete , and therefore alwaies redy to eate . But in this disease the subtile humour euill and abundant in full bodies fedyng the spirites , is more to be noted then the humour complexional , whiche notwithstanding , as an helper or hinderer to the same , is not to be neglected . For els it should be in all contries and persones indifferently , wher all complexiones be . The thirde and laste reason is , that they which had thys sweat sore with perille or death , were either men of welthe , ease , & welfare , or of the poorer sorte such as wer idle persones , good ale drinkers , and Tauerne haunters . For these , by the great welfare of the one sorte , and large drinkyng of thether , heped vp in their bodies moche euill matter : by their ease and idlenes , coulde not waste and consume it . A comfirmacion of this is , that the laborouse and thinne dieted people , either had it not , because they dyd eate but litle to make the matter : or with no greate grefe and danger , because they laboured out moche thereof . Wherefore vpon small cause , necessarily must folowe a smal effecte . All these reasones go to this ende , that persones of all contries of moderate and good diete , escape thys Englishe Ephemera , and those be onely vexed there with , whiche be of immoderate and euill diete . But why ? for the euill humores and corrupte aier alone ? No. for them the pestilence and not the swet should rise . For what then ? For the impure spirites corrupte in theim selues and by the infectiue aier . Why so ? for that of impure and corrupte humores , whether thei be blode or others , can rise none other then impure spirites . For euery thynge is suche as that whereof it commeth . Now , that of the beste and fineste of the blode , yea in corrupte bodies ( whyche best is nought ) these spirites be ingendred and fedde , I before expressed . Therfor who wyl haue them pure and cleane , and him selfe free from sweat , muste kepe a pure and cleane diete , and then he shal be sure .

Infection by the aier , The preseruacion . and impure spirites by repletion thus founde and declared to be the causes of this pestilente sweate or Englishe ephemera , lette vs nowe see howe we maye preserue our selues from it , and howe it may be remedied , if it chaunce , wyth lesse mortalitie . I wyll begynne wyth preseruation . That most of all dothe stande in auoidyng the causes to come of the disease , the thinges helping forward the same , & remouyng that whiche is alredy had & gotten . Al be done by the good order of thynges perteynyng to the state of the body . Therfore I will begin with diete wher I lefte , & then go furth with aier where I beganne in treatyng the causes , and declare the waie to auoide infection , and so furthe to the reste in order . Who that luste the to lyne in quiete suretie , out of the sodaine danger of this Englishe ephemera , he aboue all thynges , of litle and good muste eate & spare not . the laste parte wherof wyl please well ( I doubt not ) vs Englishe men : the firste I thinke neuer a deale . Yet it must please theim that entende to lyue without the reche of this disease . So doyng , they shall easely escape it . For of that is good , can be engendred no euill : of that is litle , can be gathered no great store . Therfore helthful must he nedes be and free from this disease . that vsethe this kinde of liuynge and maner in dietynge . An example hereof may the wise man Socrates be , which by this sorte of diete escaped a sore pestilence in Athenes , neuer fleynge ne kepyng close him felfe from the same . Truly who will lyue accordynge to nature and not to lust , may with this diete be well contented . For nature is pleased with a litle , nor seketh other then that the mind voide of cares and feares may be in quiete merily , and the body voide of grefe , maye be in life swetly , as Lucretius writeth . Here at large to ronne out vntill my breth wer spent , as vpon a common place , against the intemperance or excessiue diete of Englande , th incommodities & displeasures of the same many waies : and contrarie , in commendation of meane diete and temperance ( called of Plato sophrosyne , for that it conserueth wisdome ) and the thousande commodities therof , both for helthe , welthe , witte , and longe life , well I might , & lose my laboure : such be our Englishe facions rather then reasones . But for that I purpose neither to wright a longe worke but a shorte counseill , nor to wery the reders with that they luste not to here , I will lette that passe , and moue them that desire further to knowe my mynde therin , to remember that I sayd before , of litle & good eate and spare not , wherby they shall easely perceiue my meanyng . I therefore go furth with my diete , wherin my counseill is , that the meates be helthfull , and holsomly kylled , swetly saued , and wel prepared in rostyng , sethyng , baking , & so furth . The bread , of swet corne , wel leuened , and so baked . The drinke of swete malte and good water kyndly brued , without other drosse nowe a daies vsed . No wine in all the tyme of sweatyng , excepte to suche whose sickenes require it for medicin , for fere of inflamynge & openynge , nor except that halfe be wel soden water . In other tymes , old , pure , & smal . Wishing for the better execution hereof & ouersight of good and helthsome victalles , ther wer appointed certein masters of helth in euery citie and toune , as there is in Italie , whiche for the good order in all thynges , maye be in al places an example . The meates I would to be veale , muttone , kidde , olde lambe , chikyn , capone , henne , cocke , pertriche , phesane , felfare , smal birdes , pigeon , yong pecockes , whose fleshe by a certeine natural & secrete propertie neuer putrefie , as hath bene proued . Conies , porke of meane age , neither fatte nor leaue , the skynne taken awaye , roste , & eaten colde : Tartes of prunes , gelies of veale & capone . yong befe in this case a litle poudered is not to be dispraised , nor new egges & good milke . Butter in a mornyng with sage and rewe fastynge in the sweatynge tyme , is a good preseruatiue , beside that it nourisheth . Crabbes , crauesses , picrel , perche ruffe , gogion , lampreis out of grauelly riuers , smeltes , dace , barbell , gornerd whityng , soles , flunders , plaice , millers thumbes , minues with such others , sodde in water & vinegre with rosemary time , sage , & hole maces , & serued hote . Yea swete salte fishe and linge , for the saltes sake wastynge the humores therof , which in many freshe fisshes remaine , maye be allowed well watered to them that haue non other , & wel lyke it . Nor all fishes , no more then al fleshes be so euil as they be taken for : as is wel declared in physik , & approued by the olde and wise romaines moche in their fisshes , lusty chartusianes neuer in fleshes , & helthful poore people more in fishe then fleshe . But we are nowe a daies so vnwisely fine , and womanly delicate , that we may in no wise touch a fisshe . The olde manly hardnes , stoute courage , & peinfulnes of Englande is vtterly driuen awaye . in the stede wherof , men now a daies receiue womanlines , & become nice , not able to withstande a blaste of wynde , or resiste a poore fisshe . And children be so brought vp , that if they be not all daie by the fire with a toste and butire , and in their furres , they be streight sicke .

Sauces to metes I appoint firste aboue all thynges good appetite , and next Oliues , capers , iuse of lemones , Barberies , Pomegranetes , Orenges and Sorel , veriuse , & vineigre , iuse of vnripe Grapes , thepes or Goseberies . After mete , quinces , or marmalade , Pomegranates , Orenges sliced eaten with Suger , Succate of the pilles or barkes therof , and of pomecitres , olde apples and peres , Prunes , Reisons Dates & Nuttes . Figges also , so they be taken before diner . els no frutes of that yere , nor rawe herbes or rotes in sallattes , for that in suche times they be suspected to be partakers also of the enfected aire .

Of aire so muche I haue spoken before , as apperteinethe to the declaration of enfection therby . Nowe I wyl aduise and counseill howe to kepe the same pure , for so moche as may be , or lesse enfected , and correcte thesame corrupte . The first is done in takynge a way the causes of enfection . The seconde , by doynge in all pointes the contrary thereto . Take awaye the causes we maye , in damnyng diches , auoidynge carions , lettyng in open aire , shunning suche euil mistes as before I spake of , not openynge or sturrynge euill brethynge places , landynge muddy and rotten groundes , burieng dede bodyes , kepyng canelles cleane , sinkes & easyng places sweat , remouynge dongehilles , boxe and euil sauouryng thynges , enhabitynge high & open places , close towarde the sowthe , shutte toward the winde , as reason wil & th experience of . M. varro in the pestilence at Corcyra confirme the. Correcte in doyng the contrary we shall , in dryenge the moiste with fyres , either in houses or chambers , or on that side the cities , townes , & houses , that lieth toward the infection and wynde commyng together , chefely in mornynges & eueninges , either by burnyng the stubble in the felde , or windfallynges in the woodes , or other wise at pleasure . By which policie skilful Acron deliuered Athenes in Gretia , and diuine Hippocrates abderam in Thratia from the pestilence , & preserued from the same other the cities in Grece , at diuerse times conyng with the wynde from aethiopia , illyria & paeonia , by putting to the fires wel smelling garlandes , floures & odoures , as Galene and Soranus write . Of like pollicie for purgyng the aier were the bonfires made ( as I suppose ) from long time he therto vsed in the middes of sommer , and not onely for vigiles . In confortyng the spirites also , and by alterynge the aier with swete odoures of roses , swet perfumes of thesame , rosemary leaues , baies , and white sanders cutte , afewe cloues steped in rose water and vinegre rosate , the infection shal be lesse noious . with the same you maye also make you a swete house in castynge it abrode therin , if firste by auoidynge the russhes and duste , you make the house clene . Haue alwaies in your handcercher for your nose and mouth , bothe with in your house and without , either the perfume before saide , or vinegre rosate : and in your mouth a pece either of setwel , or of the rote of enula campana wel steped before in vinegre rosate , a mace , or berie of Iuniper . In wante of suche perfumes as is beforesaide , take of mirrhe & drie rose leues of eche a lyke quantite , with a litle franke encense , for the like purpose , and caste it vpon the coles : or burne Iuniper & their beries . And for so moche as clenelines is a great help helthe , mine aduise is , that all your clothes be swete smellynge and clene , and that you wasshe your handes and face not in warme water , but with rosewater and vinegre rosate colde , or elles with the faire water and vinegre wherein the pilles or barkes of orenges and pomegranates are sodden : or the pilles of pomecitres & sorel is boiled . for so you shalle close the pores ayenst the ayre , that it redily entre not , and cole and tempre those partes so wasshed , accordynge to the right entente in curynge this disease . For in al the discurse , preseruation , and cure of thys disease , the chefe marke & purpose is , to minister suche thynges as of their nature haue the facultie by colyng dryenge and closyng , to resiste putrefaction , strength and defende the spirites , comforte the harte , and kepe all the body ayenst the displeasure of the corrupte aire . Wherfor it shal be wel done , if you take of this composition folowyng euery mornyng the weight of .ij. d. i● . vi . sponefulles of water or ●uleppe of Sorel , & cast it vpon your meate as pepper . ℞ . seins citri , acetos , ros. rub , sandal . citrin , an , 3. i , boli armeni oriental . 3. ● . 8 , terr . sigil . 3. 8 , margarit. 3. i , fol. auri puri . no. iiii , misce . & f. pul . diuidatur ad pond . 3.8 . Or in the stede of this , take fasting the quantitie of a small bene of Mithridatum or Uenice triacle in a sponeful of Sorel , or Scabious water , or by the selfe alone . And in goyng abrode , haue in youre hande either an handekercher with vinegre and rose water , or a litle muske balle of nutmegges , maces , cloues , saffron , & cinamome , of eche the weight of .ii. d. fiuely beaten . of mastike the weight of ij . d. ob . of storax .v. d. of ladane .x. d. of Ambre grise .vi. graines , of Muske .iii. graines dissolued in ryght Muscadel : tempre al together , & make a balle . In want of Mithridatum or suche other as I haue before mencioned , vse dayly the Sirupes of Pome granates , Lemones , and Sorell , of eche half an vnce , with asmuche of the watres of Tormentille , Sorell , and Dragones , fasting in the morning , and one houre before supper . A toste in vinegre or veriuse of Grapes , with a litle poulder of Cinamome and Settewelle caste vppon it . Or two figges with one nutte carnelle , and tenne leaues of rue in eche , and a litle salt . Oboutire , rue , and sage , with breade in a morning eaten nexte your harte , be as good preseruatiues , as theie be easye to be hadde . These preseruatiues I here appoincte the more willingly among many others further to be fetched , because these maye easelier behadde , as at hande in niede , which now to finde is my most endeuour , as moste fruictfulle to whome I write . And this to be done I counsaille in the sickenesse tyme , when firste you heare it to be comming and begonne , but not in the fitte . Alwayes remembryng , not to go out fastinge . For as Cornelius Celsus wrytethe , Uenime or infection taketh holde muche soner in a bodye yet fasting , then in the same not fastinge . Yet this is not so to be vnderstande , that in the mornynge we shal streight as our clothes be on , stuffe our bellies as fulle as Englishe menne , ( as the Frenche man saieth to our shames , ) but to be contente with oure preseruatiues , or with a litle meate bothe at breakefaste ( if custome and nede so require ) dynner and supper . For other wise nature , if the disease shoulde take vs , shoulde haue more a doe againste the full bealy and fearce disease , then it were able to susteyne .

Aftre diete and ayer followethe filling or emptieng . Of filling in the name of repletion I spake before . Of emptieng , I will now shortely write as of a thing very necessary for the conseruauation of mannes healthe . For if that whiche is euel within , be not by good meanes & wayes wel fet oute , it often times destroyeth the lyfe . Good meanes to fet out the euelle stuffe of the body be two , abstinence , & auoydance .

Abstinence , in eatynge and drinckynge litle , as a lytle before I sayed , and seldome . For so , more goeth awaie then comethe , and by litle and litle it wasteth the humours & drieth . Therfore ( as I wiene ) throughe the counseil of Phisike , & by the good ciuile , & politique ordres , tendring the wealth of many so much geuen to their bellies to their own hurtes & damages , not able for want of reason to rule them selues , & therby enclined to al vices and diseases : for th auoiding of these same , increase of vertue , witte and health , sauing victualles , making plenty , auoyding lothesomenesse or wearinesse , by chaunge , in taking sometime of that in the sea , and not alwaies destroieng that of the lande , an ordre ( without the whiche nothing can stand ) and comon wealth , dayes of abstinence , and fasting were firste made , and not for religion onely .

Auoidance , because it cannot be safely done withoute the healpe of a good Phisicien , I let passe here , expressing howe it shoulde bee done duelye accordinge to the nature of the disease and the estate of the personne , in an other booke made by me in Latine vppon this same matter and disease . Who therfore lusteth to see more , let him loke vpon that boke . Yet here thus much wil I say , that if after euacuation or auoiding of humors , the pores of the skinne remaine close , and the sweating excrement in the fleshe continueth grosse ( whiche thinge howe to know , hereafter I will declare ) then rubbe you the person meanly at home , & bathe him in faire water sodden with Fenel , Chamemil , Rosemarye , Mallowes , & Lauendre , & last of al , powre water half colde ouer al his body , and so dry him , & clothe him . Al these be to be don a litle before that end of that spring , that the humours may be seatled , and at rest , before the time of the sweting , whiche cometh comonly in somer , if it cometh at al. For the tormoiling of the body in that time when it ought to be most quiete , at rest , and armed against his enemy , liketh me not best here , no more then in the pestilence . Yet for the presente nede , if it be so thoughte good to a learned and discrete Phisicien , I condescend the rather . For as in thys , so in alle others before rehearsed , I remytte you to the discretion of a learned manne in phisike , who maye judge what is to be done , and how , according to the present estate of youre bodies , nature , custome , and proprety , age , strength , delyghte and qualitie , tyme of the yeare , with other circumstaunces , and thereafter to geue the quantitie , and make diuersitie of hys medicine . Other wise loke not to receiue by this boke that good which I entend , but that euel which by your owne foly you vudiscretelye bring . For good counseil may be abused . And for me to write of euery particular estate and case , whiche be so manye as there be menne , were so great almost a busines , as to numbre the sandes in the sea . Therfore seke you out a good Phisicien , and knowen to haue skille , and at the leaste be so good to your bodies , as you are to your hosen or shoes , for the wel making or mending wherof , I doubt not but you wil diligently searche out who is knowen to be the best hosier or shoemaker in the place where you dwelle : and flie the vnlearned as a pestilence in a comune wealth . As simple women , carpenters , pewterers , brasiers , sopeballe sellers , pulters , hostellers , painters , apotecaries ( otherwise then for their drogges . ) auaunters them selues to come from Pole , Constantinople , Italie , Almaine , Spaine , Fraunce , Grece and Turkie , Inde , Egipt or Iury : from the seruice of Emperoures , kinges & quienes , promising helpe of al diseases , yea vncurable , with one or twoo drinckes , by waters sixe monethes in continualle distillinge , by Aurum potabile , or quintessence , by drynckes of great and hygh prices , as though thei were made of the sunne , moone , or sterres , by blessynges and Blowinges , Hipocriticalle prayenges , and foolysh smokynges of shirtes Smockes and kerchieffes , wyth suche others theire phantasies , and mockeryes , meaninge nothinge els but to abuse your light belieue , and scorne you behind your backes with their medicines ( so filthie , that I am ashamed to name theim ) for your single wit and simple belief , in trusting them most , whiche you know not at al , and vnderstand least : like to them whiche thinke , farre foules haue faire fethers , althoughe thei be neuer so euel fauoured & foule : as thoughe there coulde not be so conning an Englishman , as a foolish running stranger , ( of others I speake not ) or so perfect helth by honest learning , as by deceiptfull ignorance . For in the erroure of these vnlerned , reasteth the 〈◊〉 of youre honest estimation , diere bloudde , precious spirites , and swiete lyfe , the thyng of most estimation and price in this worlde , next vnto the immortal soule .

For consuming of euel matter within , and for making our bodies lustye , galiard , & helthful , I do not a litle commende exercise , whiche in vs Englishe men I allowe quick , and liuishe : as to runne after houndes and haukes , to shote , wrastle , play at Tennes and weapons , tosse the winde balle , skirmishe at base ( an exercise for a gentlemanne , muche vsed among the Italianes ) and vaughting vpon an horse . Bowling , a good excercise for women : castinge of the barre and camping , I accompt rather a laming of legges , then an exercise . Yet I vtterly reproue theim not , if the hurt may be auoyded . For these a conueniente tyme is , before meate : due measure , reasonable sweatinge , in al times of the yeare , sauing in the sweatinge tyme . In the whiche I allow rather quietnesse then exercise , for opening the body , in suche persons specially as be liberally & freely brought vp . Others , except sitting artificers , haue theire exercises by daily labours in their occupations , to whom nothing niedeth but solace onely , a thing conuenient for euery bodye that Iusteth to liue in helth . For els as non other thing , so not healthe canne be longe durable . Thus I speake of solace , that I meane not Idlenesse , wisshing alwayes no man to be idle , but to be occupied in some honest kinde of thing necessary in a common welth . For I accompt them not worthi meate & drink in a common welth , that be not good for some purpose or seruice therin , but take them rather as burdennes vnprofitable and heauye to the yearth , men borne to fille a numbre only , and wast the frutes whiche th erthe doeth geue , willing soner to fiede the Lacedemonians old & croked asse , whiche labored for the liuing so long as it coulde for age , then suche an idle Engisshe manne . If the honestye and profite of honeste labour and exercise , conseruation of healthe , preseruation from sickenesse , maintenaunce of lyfe , aduauncement , safety from shamefull deathes , defence from beggerye , dyspleasures by idlenesse , shamefulle diseases by the same , hatefulle vices , and punishemente of the immortalle soule , canne not moue vs to reasonable laboure and excercise , and to be profitable membres of the commune welthe , let at the least shame moue vs , seing that other country menne , of nought , by their owne witte , diligence , labour and actiuitie , can picke oute of a cast bone , a wrethen strawe , a lyghte fether , or an hard stone , an honeste lyuinge : Nor ye shal euer heare theym say , alas master , I haue non occupacion , I must either begge or steale . For they can finde other meanes betwene these two . And forsomuche as in the case that nowe is , miserable persons are to be relieued in a common welth , I would wisshe for not fauouring the idle , the discretion of . Marc. Cicero the romaine were vsed in healping them : who wolde compassion should be shewed vpon them , whome necessitie compelled to do or make a faute : & no compassion vpon them , in whome a faulte made necessitie . A faulte maketh necessitie , in this case of begging , in them , whyche might laboure and serue , & wil not for idlenes : and therfore not to be pitied , but rather to be punished . Necessitie maketh a fault in them , whiche wold labor & serue , but cannot for age , impotency . or sickenes , and therfore to be pitied & relieued . But to auoyde punishmente & to shew the waye to amendmente , I would again wishe , that forsomuch as we be so euel disposed of our selfes to our own profites and comodities with out help , this old law were renued , which forbiddeth the nedy & impotent parentes , to be releued of those their welthi chyldren , that by theym or theire meanes were not broughte vppe , eyther in good learning and Science , or honeste occupation . For so is a man withoute science , as a realme withoute a kyng . Thus muche of exercise , and for exercise . To the which I wolde now ioyne honeste companye betwene man and woman , as a parte of natural exercise , and healpē to that emptieng & lightning the bodye in other tymes allowed , in this sweating tyme for helthes sake , & for feare of opening the bodye , and resoluing the spirites , not approued , but for dout , that with lengthing the boke , I shold wery the reader . Therfore I let that passe & come to sleping & waking , whiche without good ordre , be gretly hurtful to the bodie . For auoiding the whiche , I take the meane to be best , and against this sweat moste commendable . But if by excesse a man must in eyther part offend , I permit rather to watch to muche , then to lie in bedde to longe : so that in watchinge , there be no way to surfetting . Al these thinges duely obserued , and well executed , whiche before I haue for preseruation mencioned , if more ouer we can sette a parte al affections , as fretting cares & thoughtes , dolefull or sorowfull imaginations , vaine feares , folysh loues , guawing hates , and geue oure selues to lyue quietly , frendlie , & merily one with an onther , as men were wont to do in the old world , when this countrie was called merye Englande , and euery man to medle in his own matters , thinking theim sufficient , as thei do in Italye , and auoyde malyce and dissencion , the destruction of commune wealthes , and priuate houses : I doubte not but we shall preserue oure selues , bothe from this sweatinge syckenesse , and other diseases also not here purposed to be spoken of .

But if in leauinge a parte these or some of them , The cure or remedy . or negligently executing them , it chaunceth the disease of sweating to trouble our bodies , then passinge the bondes and compasse of preseruation , we must come to curation , the way to remedie the disease , & the third and last parte ( as I first sayed ) to be entreated in this boke . The principalle entente herof , is to let out the venime by sweate accordinge to the course of nature . This is brought to passe safely two waies , by suffring and seruing handsomly nature , if it thruste it oute readily and kindely : and helping nature , if it be letted , or be weake in expellinge . Serue nature we shall , if in what time so euer it taketh vs , or what so euer estate , we streyghte lay vs downe vppon oure bedde , yf we be vp and in oure clothes , not takynge them of : or lie stille , if we be in bed out of our clothes , laiyng on clothes both wayes , if we wante , reasonably , and not loadinge vs therewith vnmeasurably . Thus layed and couered , we must endeuoure our selues so to continue wyth al quietnes , & for so much as may be without feare , distruste , or faintehartednesse , an euel thinge in al diseases . For suche surrendre and geue ouer to the disease without resistence . By whiche occasion manye more died in the fyrste pestilence at Athenes , that I spake of in the beginnynge of thys boke , then other wyse should . Oure kepers , friendes and louers , muste also endeuoure theym selues to be handesome and dilygente aboute vs , to serue vs redilye at al turnes , and neuer to leaue vs duringe foure and twentie houres , but to loke welle vnto vs , that neyther we caste of oure clothes , nor thruste out hande or foote , duryng the space of the saide foure and twenty houres . For albeit the greate daungere be paste after twelue houres , or fourtene , the laste of trial , yet many die aftre by to muche boldenes , when thei thinke theim selues most in suretye , or negligence in attendaunce , when they thinke no necessitie . Wherby it is proued that without dout , the handsome diligence , or carelesse negligence , is the sauing , or casting awaye of many . If .ij. be taken in one bed , let theym so continue , althoughe it be to their vnquietnesse . For feare wherof , & for the more quietnesse & safetye , very good it is duryng all the sweating time , that two persones lye not in one bed . If with this quietnes , diligence , and ordre , the sicke do kindelye sweate , suffre them so to continue , without meate all the .xxiiij. houres : withoute drincke , vntil the fifth houre , if it maie be . Alwayes taking hede to theim in the fourth , seuenth , nineth , & eleuenth houres speciallye , and fourtenth also , as the laste of triall and daungier , but of lesse in bothe . For these be most perilous , as I haue obserued this yere in this disease , hauing the houres iudicial , as others haue theire dayes , and therfore worse to geue anye thinge in , for troublyng nature standyng in trialle . Yet wher more daunger is in forbearyng then in takyng , I counseill not to spare in these howres to do as the case requireth with wisdome & discretion , but lesse then in other howres . In the fifthe howre geue theim to drinke clarified ale made only doulcet with a litle suger , out of a cruet , or glasse made in cruet facion , with a nebbe , for feare of raisynge theim selues to receiue the drinke offered , & so to let the sweat , by the ayer strikyng in . But if the sicke on this wise beforesaid cannot sweate kyndly , then nature must be holpen , as I sayd before . And for so moch as sweat is letted in this disease fower waies , by disorder , wekenes of nature , closenes of the pores in the skinne , & grosnes of the humoures : my counseil is to auoide disorder by suche meanes as hetherto I haue taught , and next to open the pores if they be close , and make thinne the matter , if it be grosse , and prouoke sweat , if nature be weke . Those you shal doe by gentle rubbynges , this by warme drinckes as hereafter streight I will declare . And for that euery man hath not the knowlege to discerne which of these is the cause of let in sweatyng , I wil shewe you plainly howe to do with moste suretie and leste offense . I wyll beginnne with wekenes of nature . Therefore remember well that in treatynge the causes of this disease , I sayed that this sweate chauncethe commonly in theim of the mydde age and beste luste , the infection hauyng a certein concordance , or conuenience with the corrupte spirites of theim more then others . Knowe agayne that nature is weke , ij . waies , either in the selfe , or by the annoiance of an other . In the selfe , by wante of strength consumed by sicknes or other wise . By annoiaunce of an other , when nature is so ouerlaid with the quantitie of euill humours that it can not stirre . Betwene thes two set youre witte , and se whether the person be lustye or sickly . If he be lustye , vnderstande that the sweat doth not stoppe for wekenes of nature in it selfe . Then of necessitie it must be for some of thother causes . But for whiche , thus knowe . Consider whether the lusty person were in foretyme geuen to moche drynkyng , eatyng and rauenyng , tomoch ease , to no exercise or bathinges in his helth , or no. If all these you finde in him , knowe that bothe nature is wekened by the annoiance of the humoures , and that the skinne is stopped , and the humoure grosse , and that for thys the sweate is letted . If you finde onely some of these , and that rauenynge , annoiance is the cause . If want of exercise or bathinges , stoppinges of the pores and closenesse , or grosenes of humours , or bothe , be the cause of not sweatyng . On the othersyde , if the person be sickely , it is easely knowen that his wekenes consisteth in nature the self . And for so moche as weke folkes and sicke shal also by other causes not sweate , consider if in his sickenes he hath swette moche or no , or hath been disposed to it and coulde not . If he neither hath swette , nor coulde sweat disposed , knowe that closenes of the skinne , and grosenes of the humour is the cause . Therfore euery thing in his kynde muste be remedied . Wekenes of nature , by drinkes prouokyng sweate : closenes , & grosenes , by rubbynge , as I said . But be ware neither to rubbe or geue drinkes , excepte you see cause as beforesayd . Forother wise , the one hindrethe nature , and thother letteth out the spirites & wasteth the strength . Therefore accordyngly , if rubbe you must , geue to the sicke in to their beddes a newe and somewhat harde kerchefe , well warmed but not hote , and bydde theim rubbe all their bodies ouer therewith vnder the clothes , neither to moche neither to litle , nor to harde or to softe , but meanely betwene , takyng you hede whiche be aboute theim , that by stirrynge their armes they raise not the clothes to let in the ayer . This done , if case so require , geue them a good draught of hote possette ale made of swiete milke turned with vinegre , in a quarte wherof percely , and sage , of eche haulfe one litle handfull hath bene sodden , wyth iii. sliftes of rosemary , ij . fenel rootes cutte , and a fewe hole maces . Alwaies remembrynge here , as in other places of this boke , to heate the herbes in a peuter dishe before the fyre , or washe theim in hote water , before you putte them in to the posset ale , and that you putte their to no colde herbes at any tyme durynge the hole fitte . Or geue theim posset ale hote with rosemary , dittane , & germander . Or baie beries , anise seades , & calamintes with claret wine sodden and dronke warme . Or white wine with hore and wilde tansy growen in medes sodden therin , and ii . d. weight of good triacle , dronke hote , or in that stede of that , wilde tanesy , mogwort or feuerfue . These prouoke sweat , may easely be hadde , & be metest for them which haue al the causes beforesayde of lettyng the same . But specially if for colde and grose humoures , or for closenes of the skinne , the sweate commethe not furthe . If with one draught they sweate not , geue theim one other , or .ii , successiuely , after halfe one houre betwene , and encrease the clothes , first a litle aboue the meane , after , more or lesse as the cause requireth , & make a litle fire in the chamber of clene woode , as ashe & oke , with the perfume of bdellium : or swiet woode , as Iuniper , fyrre , or pine , by theimselues : remembrynge to withdrawe the fire , when they sweat fully , and the clothes aboue the meane , by litle and litle as you laide theim on , when they firste complaine of faintyng . And after .xii. or .xiiii. houres , some also of the meane , but one after an other by halfe one houre successiuely with discrecion , alwaies not lokyng so moche to the quantitte of the sweat , as what the sicke maye saufely beare . And in suche case of faintynge , suffer competent open aier to come into the chamber , if thesame and the wether be hote , for smoderynge the pacient , by suche windowes as the wynde liethe not in , nor openeth to the south . Put to their noses to smell vinegre and rose water in an handkercher , not touchynge theim there with so nighe as maye be . Cause theim to lie on their right side , and bowe theim selues forward , call theim by their names , and beate theim with a rosemary braunche , or some other swete like thynge . In the stede of posset ale , they whiche be troubled with gowtes , dropsies , reumes , or suche other moiste euill diseases , chauncing to sweat , may drinke a good draught of the stronger drinke of Guaiacum so hote as they can , for the lyke effecte , as also others may , not hauynge these deseases , if it be so redy to theim as the other . After they ones sweate fully , myne aduise is not to geue any more posset ale , but clarified ale with suger , duryng the hole fitte , neither vnreasonably , nor so ofte as they call for it , neither yet pinchyng theym to moche when they haue nede , alwayes takynge hede not to putte any colde thynge in their mouthe to cole and moiste them with , nor any colde water , rosewater , or colde vinegre to their face duryng the sweat and one daie after at the leaste , but alwaies vse warmeth accordynge to nature , neuer contrariyng thesame so nighe as may be . If they raue or be phrenetike , putte to their nose thesame odour of rose water & vinegre , to lette the vapoures from the headde . If they slepe , vse theim as in the case of faintyng I said , with betyng theim and callynge theim , pullyng theim by the eares , nose , or here , suffering them in no wise to slepe vntil suche tyme as they haue no luste to slepe , except to a learned man in phisicke the case appere to beare the contrary . For otherwise the venime in slepe continually runneth inward to that hart . The contrary hereof we muste alwaies intende , in prouokyng it outwarde by all meanes duryng the fitte , whyche so longe lasteth in burnynge and sweatyng , as the matter thereof hath any fyrie or apte partes therfore . For as great & strong wine , ale , or bere , so longe do burne as their is matter in theim apte to be burned , and then cesse when that whiche remainethe is come againe to hys firste nature : that is , to suche water clere & vnsauery , as either the bruer receiued of the riuer , or vine of theearth : euen so the body so longe continuethe burnynge and sweatynge , as their is matter apte therefore in the spirites , and then leaueth , when the corrupcion taken of the finest of the euill blode is consumed , and the spirites lefte pure and cleane as they were before the tyme of their corruption .

This done , and the body by sufficient sweate discharged of the venime , the persone is saulfe . But if he by vnrulines & brekyng his sweate , sweateth not sufficiently , them he is in daunger of death by that venime that doth remaine , or at the leaste to sweat ones againe or oftener , as many hath done , fallynge in thrise , sixe tymes , yea , xii , tymes some . If sufficiently the sweate be come , you shal know by the lightnes & cherefulnes of the body , & lanckenes in all partes , by the continuall sweatyng the hole daie and out of all partes , whyche be the beste and holsome sweates . The other which come but by tymes & onely in certein partes , or broken , be not sufficient nor good , but very euill , of whose insufficiency , ij . notes learne : a swellyng in the partes with a blackenes , & a tinglyng or prickyng in the same . Suche I aduise to appointe theim selues to sweat againe to ridde their bodies of that remaineth , & abide it out vntill they fele their bodies lanke & light , and to moue the sweat as before I said , if the same come not kyndly by the selfe . If they cannot forbeare meate during the space of their fitte , and faste out their .xxiiij. houres , without danger , geue theim a litle of an alebrie onely , or of a thinne candel of an egge sodden with one hole mace or ij . If they be forced by nature to ease them selues in the meane time , let them do it rather in warme shetes put into them closely , then to arise . After they haue thus fully swette , conuey closely warme clothes into theyre beddes , and bid them wipe themselues there with in al partes curiouslye : and be ware that no ayer entre into theire open bodies ( and speciallye their arme holes , the openest & rarest parte therof ) to let the issue of that whych doeth remaine . The lyke may be done in the reste of their fitte , with lyke warenes , for that clenlinesse comfortethe nature , and relieueth the pacient . If in duringe oute the foure and twentye houres there be thought daungiere of death without remouing , rather warme well the other side of the bedde , and wil hym to remoue himself into it , them to take him vp & remoue hym to an other bed , which in no case mai be done . For better is a doubtful ware hope , then a certeine auentured death . The foure and twenty houres passed duly , they may putte on theire clothes warme , aryse , and refresshe theym selues with a cawdle of an egge swietelye made , or such other meates and sauces reasonably and smally taken , as before I meucioned . And if their strength be sore wasted , let theym smelle to an old swiet apple ( as Aristotle did by his reporte in the boke de pomo ) or hotte new bread , as Democritus did , by the record of Laertius in his life , either by it self alone , or dipped in wel smelling wyne , as Maluesey or Muscadelle , & sprinckled with the pouder of mintes . Orenges also and Lemones , or suche muske balles as I before described , be thinges mete for this purpose . For as I saied in my ij . litle bokes in Latine de medendi methodo , of deuise to cure diseases , there is no thinge more comfortable to the spirites then good and swiet odoures . On this wise aduised how to order your selues in al the time of the sitte , now this remaineth , to exhorte you not to go out of your houses for .iij. dayes , or .ij. at the least after the fitte passed , and then wiselye , warely , and not except in a faire bright daye , for feare of swouning after great emptinesse , and vnwont ayer , or for forcyng nature by soubdaine strikyng in of the same aier , colde , or euil , in to the open body . For nature so forced , maketh often tymes a sore and soubdaine fluxe , as wel after auoidaunce of these humores by sweate , ( as was this yere well sene in many persones in diuerse contries of Englande for none other cause ) as of others by purgation .

Thus I haue declared the begynning , name , nature , accidentes , signes , causes , preseruations , and cures naturall of this disease the sweatynge sickenes , English Ephemera , or pestilent sweate , so shortly & plainly as I could for the commune saufty of my good countrimen , help , relieue , & defence of thesame against the soubdaine assaultes of the disease , & to satisfie the honeste requeste of my louynge frendes and gentle acquaintance . If other causes ther be supernatural , theim I leue to the diuines to serche , and the diseases thereof to cure , as a matter with out the compasse of my facultie .