A Gargle in the Small Pox.
Take French Barly, Liquorice, each half an ounce; Marsh Mallow roots, Tares, each 1 ounces; Figs 12; Jews Ears 1 handful; boil in Water 2 pints and half to 28 ounces; in the strain'd dissolve Oxymel simple and Honey of Roses, each 2 ounces, mix.
It mollifies, humects and smooths the Mouth and Throat, when inflam'd, swell'd, disstended, stiff, parch'd, rough and painful. It maturates Pock Pustules in the Throat, and helps on Salivation.
But towards the last Stage of the Confluent sort, when the Ptyalism begins to sink and go off, if it fall out, that the Saliva be so excocted and viscid, as to bring hazard of Suffocation (which is a not unusual Case) then necessity calls for Medicines that powerfully Attenuate and Irritate (such as the Gargle for Phlegm above describ'd) and when it is used, the proportion of Spirit of Salt Armoniac it to be increased or diminished, according as the present Exigence requires, and the Patient can bear.
Thomas Fuller
Pharmacopeia Extemporanea 1710