Having conſidered with my ſelfe in theſe dangerous times the great diſtreſſes of the poore of this City, by reaſon of the contagious diſeaſe of the peſtilence, now reigning amongſt them; and ſeeing them to be altogether ignorant, in the uſe of thoſe meanes that are convenient for their cure, as purging, vomiting, bleeding, ſweating, and the like: Therefore conſidering what good theſe few rules (experimented by my ſelfe) may do unto many, I was thereby moved to print them, for the benefit of ſuch who want the helpe of the skilfull and faithfull Phyſician. For the underſtanding and memory of thoſe that ſhall have occaſion to uſe them, I have divided them into three Chapters, with contents. As for the medicines preſcribed, they are ſold by Apothecaries, who may afford them reaſonably to the poore: The others adjoyned I ſhall give to the poore for Gods ſake, and the rich ſhall have them for competent ſatisfaction; but I ſhall eſteeme it my greateſt reward, if any ſhall receive good and benefit by my ſmall labours and endevours. _Thine T. S._ CHAP. 1. _1. What are the cauſes of the Peſtilence. 2. How they are avoided. 3. Means to preſerve the body from Infection._ There are divers cauſes of this diſeaſe. The firſt is ſin, which ought to be repented of. The ſecond an infected and corrupted air, which ſhould be avoided. The third an evill diet, which ſhould be amended. The fourth are evill humours heaped together in the body, being apt to putrifie, and beget a Fever, which muſt be taken away by convenient medicines. Therefore whoſoever would preſerve their bodies from infection, let them firſt make their peace with God, in whoſe hand is the power of life and death. Then let them uſe the meanes, and ſhun all thoſe things that are able to beget this diſeaſe, as all infected and corrupted aire, all fogges and miſts that do ariſe from the earth or water, and all ſtinking ſmels that do ariſe from dunghills, ſinks, graves, carrion, ſnuffs of candles, or rotten fruits, or any thing elſe that doth putrifie and ſtink. Abſtain from all meats and drinks that beget rottenneſſe and filthineſſe in the body (& ſo conſequently a Fever or the Plague) as exceſſive eating of fruits, eſpecially thoſe that are unripe. Alſo forbear all ſorts of fiſh that have neither ſcales nor ſhels, as Eels, Lampreys, and the like. Laſtly, take heed of over-charging the ſtomacke with meats, or drinks, or hot Wines; but eſpecially your unripe medium Wines.