Page:A practical method as used for the cure of the plague in London in 1665.pdf/27

 too often ended in Death; although, at that Time, the Distemper was not come to the Height of its Malignity: Whereupon perceiving this, and not thinking it answerable to true Practice, any longer to administer according to a written Rule, he had Recourse to some generous Remedies of his own Composition; whose Prevalency and Effects, might manifest themselves with greater Vigor, and by a universal Disposition, be more essential to true Healing. I would not have the World judge, that Specificks are altogether useless; because I am well assured, that the Sacred Art consisteth in finding out, and rightly applying the same: Yet in such a Manner, that they suit to Parts, and the Operations thereof, so that the sad, the merry, the cold, and hot Constitutions, may thence reap an equal Benefit; which is not so difficult to accomplish. For if a Specifick be fermented with a Universal, by this Means it is made more general, and will not have a regard to Constitutions, but the offending Matter in the Operations thereof.

Under all the various Manifestations of this dreadful Disease, he generally used one and the fame Method of Cure, excepting where there was very great Danger. When they were first taken Sick, he ordered them to go presently to Bed, and lay on them no more Cloaths, than they usually did in time Rh