The Massachusetts Spy

To the Printer.

I HAVE Sent you the following recipe, which I accidentally met with in an old manuscript book, where it is called "A most excellent medicine against the plague;" and at the bottom is this note,

"Keep this as your life, above all worldly treasure; in time of plague (under God) trust to this, for there was never man, woman, or child that it deceived."

At this time when the plague rages in distant parts, and perhaps may soon make nearer approaches to us, I thought it my duty to make it as public as I could, therefore hope you will insert it in your paper.

I am, Sir, your humble servant,

A Friend to Mankind.

Recipe

TAKE three pints of muscadine wine, boil in it a handful of sage, and as much rue, till a pint is wasted, then strain it and set it on the fire again, and put in it long pepper, ginger, and nutmeg, of each the third part of an ounce, beat together to a fine powder; let it boil a little, then put in it two ounces of treacle, one ounce of mithridate, and a quarter of a pint of Angelica water; dissolve the treacle and mithridate in the Angelica water before you put them in.

Directions for taking the above medicine.

TAKE one spoonful of it warm both morning and evening in your bed, or two spoonfuls if infected, and sweat after it; but if not infected, a spoonful a day will be sufficient, half in the morning and half in the evening, to prevent infection.

This is good also for the small-pox, measles, surfeits, or fevers.