"Today we are used to reaching for a painkiller when we get a headache, we take anaesthetics and antibiotics for granted, and we would not dream of making our own medicines. But until a century ago that was far from the case, and people had to seek their own remedies or depend on far-from-reliable doctors and apothecaries for everything from an ingrown toenail to an amputation. "How to Cure the Plague presents a stark reminder of the days when many remedies were based on guesswork or superstition, and people swallowed bizarre or revolting mixtures; yet it was not all 'toads and brandy' -- many herb-based treatments formed the basis of modern medicines. "This new book presents a fascinating illustrated compilation of some of the most curious and disturbing cures from history, from the Middle Ages to the nineteenth century." --Book jacket.