...
"I asked him then for any thing that had the blood upon it, so he
presently sent for his Garter, wherewith his hand was first bound:
and having called for a Bason of water, as if I would wash my hands;
I took an handfull of Powder of Vitrol, which I had in my study, and
presently dissolved it. As soon as the bloody garter was brought me,
I put it within the Bason, observing in the interim what Mr _Howel_
did, who stood talking with a Gentleman in the corner of my Chamber,
not regarding at all what I was doing: but he started suddenly, as if
he had found some strange alteration in himself; I asked him what he
ailed? I know not what ailes me, but I find that I feel no more pain,
methinks that a pleasing kind of freshnesse, as it were a wet cold
Napkin did spread over my hand, which hath taken away the inflammation
that tormented me before; I replied, since that you feel already so
good an effect of my medicament, I advise you to cast away all your
Plaisters, onely keep the wound clean, and in a moderate temper 'twixt
heat and cold. This was presently reported to the Duke of _Buckingham_,
and a little after to the King [James I.], who were both very curious
to know the issue of the businesse, which was, that after dinner I took
the garter out of the water, and put it to dry before a great fire; it
was scarce dry, but Mr _Howels_ servant came running [and told me],
that his Master felt as much burning as ever he had done, if not more,
for the heat was such, as if his hand were betwixt coales of fire:
I answered, that although that had happened at present, yet he should
find ease in a short time; for I knew the reason of this new accident,
and I would provide accordingly, for his Master should be free from
that inflammation, it may be, before he could possibly return unto him:
but in case he found no ease, I wished him to come presently back again,
if not he might forbear coming.
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