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The best guess was that the plague was caused by a corruption of the atmosphere
最佳的猜測便是這場瘟疫 是由空氣中的腐敗氣息所造成的
putrefaction - the mark of men and beasts rising from lakes, swamps and chasms.
人畜造成的腐敗物 在湖泊 沼澤和深洞中溢出氣體
This dank smog even had a name,miasma.
這些潮濕的霧氣甚至有名字 瘴氣
If sickness grew in stench,then sweet smells were an obvious remedy.
如果疾病是由這些臭氣引起 那么甜美的氣味當然就是解藥
Physicians and herbalists lost no time in devising recipes for pomanders and potions
醫生和藥師爭分奪秒 設計各色香丸和香帖的方劑
to guard against infection,or even to act as an antidote for the stricken.
以預防瘟疫 甚至作為病患的解藥
Five cups of rue if it be a man.If it be a woman, leave out the rue.
如果是男人 五杯蕓香 如果是女人 就不要用蕓香
Five little blades of columbine.A great quantity of marigold flowers.
五片耬斗菜葉 大量金盞草花
An egg that is newly laid, and make a hole in one end and blow out all that is within, and lay it to the fire
一個新下的蛋 一頭開一個洞 把里面的東西倒空 然后放在火上烤
and roast it till ground to powder, but do not burn it.
直到烤成粉末 但小心不要燒著了
And brew all these herbs with good ale,but do not strain them. And make the sick drink it for three evenings and mornings.
把所有這些草藥和上好的啤酒一起釀 但小心別壓壞了 然后給病患 早晚各一 連喝三天
If they hold it in their stomach, they shall have life.
他們只要不吐出來就能得救
But if God decided otherwise,all the potions in the world would be of no avail.
但如果這都是上帝的旨意 那世上所有的香帖都不會有效
