Pilulae Pestilentes
Pills for Pestilence

Tradition:

Western

Source / Author:

Herb Name Aloe Rhubarb Saffron Myrrh Zedoary Gentian Agaric Venice Treacle

Latin Aloe spp. Rheum palmatum Crocus sativus Commiphora molmol Curcuma zedoaria Gentiana lutea Fomitopsis officinalis Theriac Venetia Amount 1 oz. 2 drams 1 dram ea. 1 scruple ea. 4 drams

Preparation:

Powder, and make a Pill mass with the Theriac

Function:

Opens Obstructions, moves Blood, clears Heat and Damp, purges excess

Use:

1. Resists Infection during Epidemics including the Plague
2. Benefits the Brain and improves Memory
3. cleanses the Stomach and Bowels
4. clears the Sight and Hearing

Dose:

Preservative and to open the body: 6–10 grains; to cure in Infectious diseases give 1 dram, then cover in bed to sweat

Cautions:

None noted

Modifications:

This is a fore-runner formula to the modern ‘Swedish Bitters’. This was taken from Salmon, but where the original was from is uncertain. The modern Swedish Bitters is credited with being penned by Paracelsus, but numerous versions on this theme were given by various authors, this really being a more compound version of Common Pills (aka Pills of Ruffus) which far preceded Paracelsus.
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