A Collection of Seven and Fifty approved Receipts Good against the Plague

«Taken out of the Five Books of that Renowned Dr. DON ALEXES Secrets, for the benefit of the poorer ſort of people of theſe Nations. By W. J. Gent» — la portada declara la estructura de la obra: no es un libro de Alexes, es una compilación hecha por W. J. a partir de sus cinco libros y destinada a los pobres.

«LONDON, Printed by Peter Lillicrap, for John Wingfield at the Bible and Anchor in Tower-street near Mark-lane end. 1665» — el pie de imprenta, con el año de la Gran Peste de Londres.

«I through Gods divine providence, have had at ſeveral times, great occaſion to make uſe of Medicines for the health of my own body» — el compilador se presenta en primera persona, y su credencial es haber tenido que curarse a sí mismo.

«in the year 1642, for Cuts and Shots, where then I came acquainted, and into familiarity with Maſter George Dunne Chyrurgion, Maſter Leadbeater the Apothecary, Maſter Guye, Maſter Hicks, and Maſter Nicholas Culpepper» — los prácticos con los que dice haber tratado —un cirujano, un boticario y Nicholas Culpepper—; las grafías son las del impreso, con la ſ larga que la capa de texto conserva.

«in the end of September 1663 our houſe was viſited with the Plague, one died before we knew what it was» — la peste entra en su casa.

«I lay in the ſame bedding the deceaſed dyed out of, he dyed full of the marks, I had a Boyle in my Groyne that never brake, but went away by purging and vomiting, my fellow had one that brake, yet none dyed but the fir» — y lo que declara haber hecho: dormir en la cama del muerto y sobrevivir con un bubón que nunca reventó.

«I helpt to Coffin about ſix perſons, in one family at that time, yet by Gods providence am yet alive» — el recuento de los que amortajó.

«I had a long ſickneſs from Midſomer till Chriſtmas, of that miſerable diſeaſe called the griping or plague of the Guts» — la segunda enfermedad, la que lo lleva a los libros.

«all publick means for cure, and having ſpent what means I had upon Doctors like the woman that had the bloudy Iſſue: And all gave me over for dead, I betook me to ſearch for directions in books» — y el itinerario que declara: primero gastarse lo que tenía en médicos, y solo después buscar en libros.

«providence guided me to light upon the moſt excellent and approved Works of that famous Doctor named DON ALEXES» — cómo dice haber llegado a la obra que compila.

«a man well ſkilled in the Latine Greek, Hebrew Chaldes and Arabick tongues, and of divers other Nations and Countreys, he being naturally inclined and took a ſingular pleaſure in Phyloſophy, and in the ſecrets of nature, he travelled ſeven and twenty years to gain knowledge» — el retrato que hace de Don Alexes: lenguas, filosofía, secretos de la naturaleza y veintisiete años de viaje.

«the five books were tranſlated into Engliſh by Maſter William Ward and Maſter Richard Andrews and Dedicated unto the Right honourable Francis Lord Ruſſell Earl of Bedford» — y la cadena de transmisión al inglés que declara, con sus dos traductores y su dedicatario.

«COLLECTION OF Seven and Fifty approved RECEIPTS Good againſt the PLAGUE.» — el título mismo, con el número que la compilación se pone: cincuenta y siete recetas.

«ake an Ounion and cut him overthwart, then make a little hole in each peece, the which you ſhall fill with fine Triacle, then ſet the pieces together again as they were before, then wrap them in a white linnen cloth. Putting it ſo to Roaſt in the Embers and Aſhes, then when it is Roaſted enough preſs out all the juice of it: and give the patient a ſpoonful thereof to drink, and ſo by Gods help he ſhall feel eaſe and moſt undoubtedly be healed.» — la primera receta: cebolla partida, rellena de *Triacle*, envuelta en lienzo y asada en las brasas; se le da al enfermo una cucharada del jugo. El remedio se declara aprobado en el título y su efecto queda condicionado a la ayuda de Dios.

«Take Maſtick, Cyprus, Incence, Mace, Wormwood, Mirrhe, Lignum Aloe, Tegname Muſk, Ambergreiſe, Timioma, Nutmugges, Mirtle-tree, Bay-tree, Roſemary, Saige, Roſes, Elder, Cloves, Juniper, Rue, Pitch, and a kind of Raw-pitch, called in Latine Raſiſe, ſtamp all theſe together mixe them well ſet them on the embers, or Coles and ſo perfume the Chamber.» — el perfume de cámara: veintiún aromáticos molidos juntos y quemados sobre las brasas. El texto da el nombre latino de la pez cruda y no lo explica.

«Take the Ripe berries of a Bay-tree, then pill off the black ſkin that is upon them, beat them into powder with a little Salt, and as ſoon as the party perceiveth himſelf infected with the Plague, and that he begin to have a hot Fevor, he muſt take a ſpoonful of the ſaid powder» — las bayas maduras de laurel, peladas y molidas con sal; el momento que fija para tomarlas es en cuanto el enfermo se sienta infectado y le entre la fiebre.

«Take white Dittany, Turmentill, white Corall, Genitine, Bole Armoniack, Terra ſigilata, and Endive, water of Scabius, and the Accedent coming upon him, this muſt be made at leaſt four hours before it be uſed, take of the ſaid things ſtamped each one by it ſelf, and put them ſeverally in glaſſes, and make of all of them a drink at your own diſcretion, making the Vineger mount in the glaſs a little above the other things, and let the patient take it hot, covering himſelf hot in his bed untill he ſweat, and by Gods help he ſhall undoubtedly be Cured.» — para el ya enfermo: ocho simples machacados por separado, guardados en vasos distintos y compuestos en bebida a discreción de quien la hace, con el vinagre montando un poco por encima; se toma caliente y bien tapado hasta sudar.

«To make this take white Ditany, round Ariſtolochia, with Crocodilium otherwiſe called Cardina, or Cordua, with Voruine, Gentian, Zeduariſe, an hearb called in Latine, pes midi, of each of them two Ounces, ſtamp all theſe together with a Handful of Rue, then take a glaſs that holdeth at leaſt three quarts, and fill it with the beſt wine you can find, whereinto you ſhall put all the foreſaid things, and let it ſtand ſo in your houſe, and in dangerous times take every morning a glaſs full of the ſaid wine before you go out of your houſe, but firſt obſerve to eat a Walnut a Fige and a branch or two of Rue» — el preservativo: siete simples con un puñado de ruda en tres cuartillos del mejor vino, dejado reposar en casa; en tiempo peligroso se bebe un vaso cada mañana antes de salir, tras comer una nuez, un higo y una rama de ruda.

«but if the Fevor come with a cold, inſtead of Vineger he muſt take wine, and then do as is ſaid before, this hath been experimented on many in the laſt great Plague time.» — la variante que da para cuando la fiebre viene con frío —vino en lugar de vinagre— y la credencial que se atribuye: haberse experimentado en muchos durante la última gran peste.

«To make this take a quantity of Oyl of Olive and ſet it on the fire in ſome firme veſſel, put thereto fine Cerus or White Lead well ſtamped together, literage of ſilver very fine and thine, with a quantity of Common wax, ſet it on the fire untill you may ſpread it with your finger upon a ſmooth ſtone» — el ungüento para reventar el bubón: aceite de oliva, albayalde, litargirio de plata y cera común al fuego hasta poder extenderse con el dedo sobre una piedra lisa.

«then take it from the fire and power a little Vineger upon it, but have a care of your face, then make a Plaiſter of this ointment, as big as all the ſore, and make a hole in the midſt thereof the breadth of a penny» — el vinagre se echa al retirar del fuego —con la advertencia de cuidarse la cara— y el emplasto se hace del tamaño de la llaga, con un agujero al centro del ancho de un penique.

«let this lye twenty four hours, then change onely the middle plaiſter, letting it ſo lye twenty four hours longer» — los tiempos: veinticuatro horas, y otras veinticuatro cambiando solo el emplasto de en medio.

«but remember to annoint the top of the ſore with ſome Hogs ſuite, or Hen or Capons greaſe to mollifie it, ſo it will be hard in the middle, and round about it will be tender fleſh, in ſuch ſort that the ſore will break and come forth about the end of forty and eight hours» — y lo que el texto dice que ocurre a las cuarenta y ocho horas, con la unción de grasa de puerco, gallina o capón para ablandar.

«then will the dead fleſh fall out with the core, like unto a round half Ball, but the hole will remain which you muſt dreſs with healing ointment, you muſt ſtrow burnt Alum beaten to powder to eat the dead or rather proud fleſh away.» — el cierre de la operación: la carne muerta sale con el núcleo, queda el agujero y sobre él va ungüento sanativo con alumbre quemado en polvo.

«Take the topes of Rue a Garlick-head, or half a quarter of a Walnut, and a corn of Salt, eat this every morning continuing ſo a moneth together, this is alſo good againſt the worms both in young and old.» — el remedio del capítulo séptimo, cuyo cuerpo cae ya en la plana siguiente al título: ruda, ajo, un cuarto de nuez y un grano de sal cada mañana durante un mes, con un segundo uso declarado contra las lombrices en chicos y grandes.

«Take a quantity of the water of wilde Purſley, called in Greek Meliſſophillon, Melephilo, and Melenon, and in Latine Apiaſtrum, with Plantine water, of each of theſe a like quantity in ſeveral glaſſes, take daily of this mixing equall quantities together in a ſmall glaſs, and then you ſhall drink thereof, ſo by the bleſſing of God you ſhall be preſerved and keept ſafe from the infection of the Plague, this water is alſo good for Fiſtula's and hath been often proved true by experience.» — agua de perejil silvestre —al que da tres nombres griegos y uno latino— a partes iguales con agua de llantén, bebida a diario; la receta declara además un segundo uso contra las fístulas y se acredita por experiencia repetida.

«Fill a Glaſs a third part full of fine Triacle, and one third part with Aquavitæ, and fill the other third part with the Urine of a man childe that is a virgin and healthfull mixe all theſe well together, and give the patient to drink a glaſs full three mornings one after another, this was proved in Venice in the year 1504 and in London in the laſt great Plague.» — los tres tercios —*Triacle*, aguardiente y orina de un niño varón virgen y sano— bebidos tres mañanas seguidas; la receta se acredita con dos fechas y dos plazas: Venecia en 1504 y Londres en la última gran peste.

«As ſoon as the party feeleth himſelf infected, let him ſwallow a quantity of the beſt Triacle, then take of the ſame Triacle the bigneſs of a Cheſnut, and lay it on the ſore that beginneth to riſe, rubbing it well round about with the ſame Triacle, then immediately take a young Pegion and cut him in the midſt quick feathers and all, lay him to the ſore warm as he is in his feathers, let him lye till that part of the Pegion become green, and the Triacle red, then take it off, and you ſhall perceive, that out of the Pegion will come a green water, which is all the venome that was in the ſore» — el pichón aplicado vivo sobre el bubón: se traga primero *Triacle*, se unta la llaga con él, y el ave partida por medio se deja hasta que su parte verdee y el *Triacle* enrojezca; el agua verde que sale del pichón es, dice el texto, todo el veneno que había en la llaga.

«then cure the place with this following plaiſter, take two parts of freſh Barrows greaſe, and one part of Wormwood well ſtamped and lay it upon the ſore and the effect followeth.» — y el emplasto con que se cierra: dos partes de grasa fresca de puerco por una de ajenjo.

«Take two Ounces of Maſtick, one Ounce of Euphorbium, five Ounces of Spignard, beat theſe into powder and give it the patient to drink, if he be under ten years of age give him but a Scruple of it, if betwixt ten and twenty years of age give him half a dram, if above twenty years old give him a dram» — el polvo de almáciga, euforbio y espicanardo, con la dosis graduada por edad: escrúpulo bajo los diez años, medio dracma entre diez y veinte, un dracma pasados los veinte.

«then take the hearb called in Greek Pentaphylon, in Latine Quinque folium, in Engliſh Cinkfoil, and wrap it like a round Apple in a linnen cloath lay it ſo under the embers a certain time, and having taken it out, cut it in three pieces in the middle, and lay it upon the ſore, this will give immediate eaſe unto the patient proved and experimented many times.» — y el segundo tiempo de la misma receta: la hierba que nombra en griego, latín e inglés, envuelta como manzana bajo las brasas y partida en tres sobre la llaga. El alivio se declara inmediato y la receta, experimentada muchas veces.

«In a dangerous time take three branches of Rue, a Walnut and a Fig, eat all this and your ſtomach ſhall be fenced againſt Infection.» — el preservativo más corto del libro: tres ramas de ruda, una nuez y un higo comidos juntos en tiempo peligroso, con el estómago por plaza que queda guarnecida contra el contagio.

«Take Vineger, the juce of a white Ounion, the juce of Rue and of Milfoil, Yarrow, or Noſe-bleed, of each of them alike quantity mixe all together, and give the patient a glaſs full very hot, but let it be before the ſixth hour after the pain hath taken him, then make him ſweat in a warm bed, this hath been an approved remedy.» — vinagre con jugos de cebolla blanca, ruda y milenrama —a la que da tres nombres— en cantidades iguales, un vaso muy caliente; el texto fija el plazo, antes de la sexta hora desde que empezó el dolor, y manda sudar en cama abrigada.

«Take Pennirial with Suger Ruſſet, make an Electuary, eat the bigneſs of a Cheſnut at breakfaſt this hath been proved and found good.» — el electuario de poleo con azúcar rojizo, del tamaño de una castaña al desayuno, para tiempo sospechoso de peste; la fórmula de crédito que el compilador emplea es haberlo probado y hallado bueno.

«Take Walnuts that are green tender and good to Confecture, or Preſerves, put them in Vineger the ſpace of eight days, then take them out again, and break them in pieces, then put them into the Limbeck, without Vineger, and ſtill the water of them; the patient ſhall drink every day a ſmall half glaſs full and after drinking of this potion, let him ſweat well in his bed.» — nueces verdes tiernas ocho días en vinagre, luego rotas y destiladas en el alambique ya sin vinagre; medio vaso pequeño al día y sudor en la cama después de beber.

«Take an Ounce of Aloes Epaticum, half an Ounce of Mirrhe, half an Ounce of Saforne beaten into powder, ſift the Aloes and Mirrhe together, then ſteep and ſoake the Saforne, or waſh it with White wine that is very ſtrong, ſo that it be like ſauce, put then the other powder to it, and mixe all well together, if need require you may put more Wine to it ſo make thereof a paſte, and ſo make pills of the ſame» — el secreto del capítulo dieciséis: acíbar hepático, mirra y azafrán, cernidos, remojados en vino blanco muy fuerte hasta hacer pasta y luego píldoras.

«but if you will have it very ſtrong put to every Ounce half an Ounce of Diagridum and half an Ounce of Camphire, Mr. Francis Albert took three eight parts of the ſaid pills without Diagridum, ſoaking them in good Wine and gave them to his patient as ſoon as he could and cauſed him to ſweat much in his bed and by ſweating diſolved the venome.» — el refuerzo opcional con *Diagridum* y alcanfor, y la atribución declarada: Mr. Francis Albert las dio sin el *Diagridum*, remojadas en buen vino, e hizo sudar al enfermo.

«Take the flowers or bloſoms of Walnuts, dry them in the ſhadow, and when the nuts be in ſeaſon to confect, you ſhall cut part of them into ſmall pieces, putting the ſame into ſmall Vineger for three days, then take them out and mingle flowers diſtilling them through a Limbeck of glaſs, or of earth, well leaded, keep this water diligently» — las flores de nogal secadas a la sombra, tres días en vinagre suave y destiladas por alambique de vidrio o de barro bien vidriado; el agua se guarda con cuidado.

«and when any man feeleth himſelf infected with the Plague, give preſently to him two Ounces or three Ounces more or leſs as the party is in years or ſtrength, and he ſhall looſe his diſeaſe by ſtoole or by vomit, or elſe it will force the ſore to come forth, which you may ripen and break and draw forth the core and ſo heal the ſame as is before declared.» — y la dosis graduada por edad y fuerza, con las tres salidas que el texto anuncia para el mal: por cámara, por vómito, o forzando la llaga, que entonces se madura y se le saca el núcleo.

«Take bay Salt well beaten into powder and ſerced, incorporate it with the yolk of an Egge then lay it on the Carbuncle or ſore, and be you aſſured that by Gods grace it will take away all the venome and poyſon of the Plague ſore, ſo that in ſhort time he ſhall be cured; this Remedy hath been often proved.» — sal de bahía molida y cernida con yema de huevo sobre el carbunco; el texto lo da por probado muchas veces y condiciona el efecto a la gracia de Dios.

«They acquired a tremendous vogue in the course of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, with such collections as the Segreti of the pseudonymous Alessio Piemontese going through myriad printings» — William Newman adjudica el seudónimo: los Segreti son «of the pseudonymous Alessio Piemontese», y sitúa su enorme circulación.

«the family was five in number, I lay in the ſame bedding the deceaſed dyed out of, he dyed full of the marks» — el compilador declara el tamaño de la casa visitada y en qué cama durmió; el difunto, dice, murió cubierto de las marcas.

«but leſt I ſhould make my Porch greater then my building, I do refer thoſe that would be further ſatisfied, unto thoſe five books aforeſaid, where they ſhall finde every one inſerted» — el límite que se pone a sí mismo: no glosa ni discute, remite a los cinco libros de Alexes, donde dice que están todas.

«I gathered them at firſt for my own perticular private uſe, but conſidering the ſcarcity of the books and altogether at an extraordinary dear rate, I have for the publick benefit of all men expoſed them to the care of the Printer to ſerve for publick uſe. June 12, 1665. W. J.» — la razón que da para imprimir lo que había reunido para sí —la escasez de los libros y su precio— y la fecha y la firma con que cierra el prólogo.