Inscription by Turner: Symptoms and Treatments of Maltese Plague

<Matese> Maltese Plague

1 Symptoms. Sickness debility shivering [apparently overwriting a first attempt at the same word] heat thirst | Headach – | 2 Delirium | 3 Darkspots. Ulcers

Emetic 10 Grains of Epicacuina | Purge 5 Grains of Calomel 10 of Jalap | Tea spoonfull of Sal Mandereri [‘e’ inserted above the ‘a’] Evry 2 hours | Common drink Lemonade – Head shaved | Vinegar and Water applied with a sponge | to the Head and Body

1st, That one individual only, from each healthy and unsuspected family, be appointed to go to market, and to avoid contact with others as much as possible. 2nd, That the number and names of each family be written and affixed to the outer door, and the members composing the same to show themselves when required so to do, as this measure will lead to the earliest detection of the disease. 3rd, That no animal food or vegetables should be received at market, unless in a vessel with water in it, mixed with salt or vinegar. 4th, That all excesses and indulgences tending to debilitate the body or mind should be avoided, and the greatest attention paid to personal cleanliness. 5th, The introduction of papers and parcels to be avoided; but, if introduced, to be fumigated. 6th, If an individual feels himself indisposed, to report the same without delay. 7th, The symptoms by which to detect the disease: 1st stage, Debility, sickness at stomach, shivering, followed by great heat and thirst, violent pains in the head, with giddiness and delirium: 2nd stage, Dark-coloured spots, and sometimes boils in different parts of the body, with swellings at or below the groins, in the armpits, neck, or side of the face, and not unfrequently small foul sores at the extremities. These last are the most certain symptoms of plague. The medicines recommended are, an emetic of 15 or 20 grains of ipecacuanha for an adult; 10 for a child: purgative, 5 grains of calomel, 10 of jalop, for an adult; the half for a child; and, after its operation, a sudorific; a table-spoonful of the spiritus mindereri every two hours in a weak liquid. Lemonade is recommended as a drink in the 1st stage, and shaving the head, and applying cloths moistened in vinegar and water, as well as to the whole body.