Says Stow, was a great Dearth in England, without Scarcity. September the 4th, at four a Clock after Noon, was a terrible, Storm of Rain in London. In October and November, a great Dearth there, and ſome ſmall Plague. Sunday Nov. 14. about Midnight ſeveral ſtrange impreſsions of Fire and Smoke were ſeen in the Air coming out of a black Cloud in the North toward the South, till day-light ; next Night, the Heavens in all Quarters, ſeemed to be in a raging Flame of Fire, which riſing round the Horizon, met in the middle, there doubled and rolled as in a Furnace. On the 18th at Night, a Hurricane came out of the South. After Harveſt the Price of Corn fell a little, but Bay-ſalt was dearer than ever was known. The Spring was like a Summer, the Summer like a Spring ; the whole Harveſt like a bad Winter, moſt rainy and ſoutherly ; moſt of the Year without both Wind and Thunder. Many Exhalations, Meteors, &c. were ſeen in the Air. Great Porverty, continual Fear, Grief, bad Food, &c. The Plague now followed laſt Year’s Fever. In this Peſtilence, ſcarce any Symptoms happened before the third Day, and even then, only ſlight Sleep, moderate Toſsings of the Body Vomiting or Looſneſs, Tongue was greeniſh coloured, Straightneſs of the Precordia ; all which ſcarce exceeded the like Symptoms in an Ephemera : At laſt the Spots breaking out about the 4th or 7th Day, many being more cheerful, walked about, or ſat upright, but ſuddenly fell down dead ; and ſome without any Fever, but from meer Apprehenſion, or outward Effluvia ſucked in, had their whole Body inſtantly covered over with Spots the Bigneſs of Peas, black or livid, without any Inconvenience, Sickneſs or Danger. The Contagion was always leſs or more according to the Summer’s Heat, but greateſt in the Decreaſe of the Moon. Beſides the common Precautions, the Method of Cure was near the ſame uſed laſt Year. As the Diaſcordium, or Pills, mentioned for the ſame Purpoſe, or Ruffius’s Pills, or Succotrine Aloes, with Zedoary, Cardomom, Mace, Citron, Bark, &c. After theſe Lenitives, the above Syrups and Waters were uſed, with Bezoar, Coraline, but eſpecially the Species of Diaſcordium, moderately taken, were good. However, Bleeding for Prevention might prove it was found very bad for Cure, except in a Phlogoſis. Cupping, Scarification, actual Cautery, Bliſters on the Tumours, were all found very uſeful and ſucceſsful, as were Iſsues and Seatons. For the Swellings behind the Ears, (which were worſt of all) Pigeons Dung being beaten up with Soap, and laid on the Arm directly under it, anſwered well, by drawing the Humour to it ; or when the Tumour was in the Groin, raiſe an Inflammation in the Legs. The Cleanſers did great Service to many with this, viz. Rape Oyl, Water, and Whites of Eggs, of each a like Quantity ; mix and give. Powder of roaſted Nutmeg, with a little Salt and Vinegar, was often beneficial ; as alſo Camphire one Part, Ginger two Parts, Sugar of Roſes four Parts, infuſed in Wine, and given : Or rather, take Camphire, Dittany of Crete, Scordium, Cinnamon, Roots of Angelica, Ginger, Zedoary, of each a Dram; Nutmeg two Drams; true Bole half a Dram; Mace, Saffron, Rue Seeds, of each a Scruple ; Muſk 7 Grains, with Sugar, perfumed Wines enough to make like an Opiat. But above all, the diſtilled Water from the Ingredients for the Diaſcordium, they having been firſt infuſed in Wine, and the ſtrongeſt Vinegar, was the moſt powerful and effectual. Some ſcarified the Bubos, and then cupped on the Top of them ; after that laid on Treacle in a ſcoped roaſted Onion : Others opened them with a hot Iron or a Knife. Some laid on young Pigeons, Whelps, or Chickens, cut up alive, and laid on hot ; or Pigeons Dung with Onions and Treacle, or a ſuppurating Plaiſter of Muſtard Seed, white Lilly Roots, Figs and Elder Leaves. Some added four Dough, Sowbread, black Hellebor Roots, with Juice of Scabious, Oyl of Cammomil, and beaten Linſeed ; and when it was broke, cured it as other Ulcers. The Baſis of Schenckius’s Diaſcordium, ſo often mentioned, was, Dittany of Crete, Sea Wormwood, Dodder of Time, Roſes of Alexandria, Plantin Seed, Pine Nuts ; Seeds of Mellon, Lettice, White and Corn Poppies, Cucumbers, Gourds. But to have the Ingredients lie in narrower Compaſs, Myrrh, white Pepper, Nutmegs, Mace, Saffron, Cinnamon, Coraline, Wood Aloes, Benzoin, Bole, Maſtich, Camphire, Roots of Rhubarb, Zedoary, Gentian, Angelica, of each laſt four alike. The Pills were of Orrice root, red Roſes, Citron Bark, Dittany of Crete, Marjoram, of each a Dram ; Styrax Calamita, Benzoin, Cinnamon, Cloves, of each two Drams ; liquid Styrax, white Saunders, Nutmeg, Mace, Zedoary, Angelica, of each a Scruple ; Camphire, Cubebs, of each ten Grains ; Muſk, Ambergreaſe, of each ſeven Grains ; of the pureſt and fineſt Gum Ladanum, with Vinegar and Roſe Water, where in is Gum Tragacanth diſsolved, enough to make all into a Maſs of Pills. Schenchius reſided then at Breſlaw.