Old Saint Pauls | Page 9

of sulphur, together
with a poultice of mallows, lily-roots, figs, linseed, and palm-oil, for
the patient.
These orders given and obeyed, with Leonard Holt's assistance-for
Blaize, who had crept into a corner, in extremity of terror, was wholly
incapable of rendering any help-he conveyed his son to the adjoining
room, on the ground floor, where there was a bed, and placing him
within it, heaped blankets upon him to promote profuse perspiration,
while the apprentice lighted a fire.
Provided with the most efficacious remedies for the distemper, and
acquainted with the mode of treating it prescribed by the College of
Physicians, Bloundel was at no loss how to act, but, rubbing the part
affected with a stimulating ointment, he administered at the same time
doses of mithridate, Venice treacle, and other potent alexipharmics.
He had soon the satisfaction of perceiving that his son became
somewhat easier; and after swallowing the posset-drink prepared by old
Josyna, who used all the expedition she could, a moisture broke out
upon the youth's skin, and appeared to relieve him so much, that, but
for the ghastly paleness of his countenance, and the muddy look of his
eye, his father would have indulged a hope of his recovery.

Up to this time, the grocer had acted for himself, and felt confident he
had acted rightly; but he now deemed it expedient to call in advice, and,
accordingly, commissioned his apprentice to fetch Doctor Hodges, a
physician, residing in Great Knightrider-street, Doctors' Commons,
who had recently acquired considerable reputation for his skilful
treatment of those attacked by the plague, and who (it may be
incidentally mentioned) afterwards gave to the medical world a curious
account of the ravages of the disorder, as well as of his own
professional experiences during this terrible period. He likewise told
him--and he could not repress a sigh as he did so--to give notice to the
Examiner of Health (there were one or two officers, so designated,
appointed to every parish, at this awful season, by the city authorities)
that his house was infected.
While preparing to set out, Leonard again debated with himself whether
he should acquaint his master with Maurice Wyvil's meditated visit.
But conceiving it wholly impossible that Amabel could leave her
mother's room, even if she were disposed to do so, he determined to let
the affair take its course. On his way to the shop, he entered a small
room occupied by Blaize, and found him seated near a table, with his
hands upon his knees, and his eyes fixed upon the ground, looking the
very image of despair. The atmosphere smelt like that of an
apothecary's shop, and was so overpowering, that Leonard could
scarcely breathe. The table was covered with pill-boxes and phials,
most of which were emptied, and a dim light was afforded by a candle
with a most portentous crest of snuff.
"So you have been poisoning yourself, I perceive," observed Leonard,
approaching him.
"Keep off!" cried the porter, springing suddenly to his feet. "Don't
touch me, I say. Poisoning myself! I have taken three rufuses, or
pestilential pills; two spoonfuls of alexiteral water; the same quantity of
anti-pestilential decoction; half as much of Sir Theodore Mayerne's
electuary; and a large dose of orvietan. Do you call that poisoning
myself? I call it taking proper precaution, and would recommend you to
do the same. Beside this, I have sprinkled myself with vinegar,
fumigated my clothes, and rubbed my nose, inside and out, till it
smarted so intolerably, I was obliged to desist, with balsam of sulphur."
"Well, well, if you don't escape the plague, it won't be your fault,"

returned Leonard, scarcely able to refrain from laughing. "But I have
something to tell you before I go."
"What is the matter?" demanded Blaize, in alarm. "Where--where are
you going?"
"To fetch the doctor," replied Leonard.
"Is Master Stephen worse?" rejoined the porter.
"On the contrary, I hope he is better," replied Leonard "I shall be back
directly, but as I have to give notice to the Examiner of Health that the
house is infected, I may be detained a few minutes longer than I
anticipate. Keep the street-door locked; I will fasten the yard-gate, and
do not for your life let any one in, except Doctor Hodges, till I return.
Do you hear?--do you understand what I say?"
"Yes, I hear plain enough," growled Blaize. "You say that the house is
infected, and that we shall all be locked up."
"Dolt!" exclaimed the apprentice, "I said no such thing." And he
repeated his injunctions, but Blaize was too much terrified to
comprehend them. At last, losing all patience, Leonard cried in a
menacing tone, "If you do not attend to me, I will cudgel you within an
inch of your life, and you will