℞ _Extract. Pilularum Ruffi +ʒ ij.+ resin zalapii +℈ j.+ trochisc. de rhabarb. +ʒ j.+ gum. ammoniaci in aceto scillit. soluti +ʒ j.+ salis Tartari, absynthii +ana+ gr. +viij.+ cum tinct. Theriacali q. s. fiat massa, è cujus +ʒ j.+ conglobentur pilulæ +vij.+, vel +viij.+ Dos. in constitutione athleticâ ad +℈ ij.+ prout medico visum fuerit varianda._ IN a Disease that will admit of no Delay, it is best to evacuate but little, yet that not slowly; so that the morbid Humours may be expelled at the first Seizure, before they have received the pestilential Taint, and before its Virulence hath reached to the whole Mass of Fluids: For it is certain that no Digestion is to be expected in this Case, and therefore can there be no Room for _Alterants_ or _Digestives_: But when the Body is very costive, I judge it most convenient and safe to do this with Suppositories. BUT all Authors and practical Physicians agree in this, to throw out the pestilential Malignity as soon as possible; which is expeditiously and surprizingly done by _Alexipharmicks_; and to these, as soon as the Belly is loosned, Recourse must speedily be had, as to a sacred Refuge: And there is such Plenty of Remedies of this kind, that Nature seems to have had more than an ordinary Indulgence and Forecast, in providing against this destructive Enemy of Mankind; nor hath the medicinal Art been likewise wanting in supplying us with many Preparations of _Simples_, that are powerful against so grievous a Destroyer. But in this great Choice it behoves us to select those which are most efficacious; for this Distemper, which is certainly the most tyrannical of any that besets a humane Body, may be sometimes conquered in its Infancy, which when got to a Head, is not to be managed by the greatest Efforts of humane Skill. AMONGST the Simples of the three Kingdoms, to begin with the Vegetable, _Virginian Snake Root_, when fresh and fragrant, is the most efficacious; insomuch indeed that I have often admired, that such great Vertue should reside in such minute Fibres, having a Tast very pungent, and a quick aromatick Scent, and discovering somewhat wonderful and almost supernatural; so that it deservedly is accounted the most efficacious and generous _Diaphoretick_ and _Alexipharmick_ for expelling the pestilential Poison. Its Dose, finely powdered, is from _gr._ iv. or vi. to ℈ ij. in any proper Vehicle, due Regard being had to the Strength and Age of the Patient. THE next Place is justly given to the _Contrayerva-Root_, from which also a compound Medicine, which I shall hereafter describe, is admirably contrived: The Dose of this in fine Powder is from ℈ i. to ʒ i. in _Angelica_, or _Scordium_ Water, or in Wine, _&c._