" The prescriptions given by this worthy
body were consequently received with a simple faith which later
and more sceptical generations might deny them. Perhaps the most
remarkable of these directions, given under the heading of
"Medicines External," was the following: "Pull off the feathers
from the tails of living cocks, hens, pigeons, or chickens, and
holding their bills, hold them hard to the botch or swelling, and
so keep them at that part until they die, and by that means draw
out the poison. It is good to apply a cupping glass, or embers
in a dish, with a handful of sorrel upon the embers."]
The lord mayor, having likewise the welfare of the people at
heart, "conceived and published" rules to be observed, and orders
to be obeyed, by them during this visitation. These directed the
appointment of two examiners for every parish, who were bound to
discover those who were sick, and inquire into the nature of
their illness: and finding persons afflicted by plague, they,
with the members of their family and domestics, were to be
confined in their houses. These were to be securely locked
outside, and guarded day and night by watchmen, whose duty it
should be to prevent persons entering or leaving those
habitations; as likewise to perform such offices as were
required, such as conveying medicines and food. And all houses
visited by the distemper were to be forthwith marked on the door
by a red cross a foot long, with the words LORD HAVE MERCY UPON
US set close over the same sacred sign.
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