This book has 250 pages of which 242 are written. The manuscript was signed at beginning and end "Francis Smith his Book 1704," and was written mainly in one hand with some later additions. Written from the back on left hand side (upside down), and from the 'front' on the right hand pages for majority of book. pages are numbered both directions.

Francis Smith (born 1687) of Amesbury, Wiltshire, compiles remedies from various sources including: Viscount St. Alban's Ale of Health and Strength, "A medicine for ye plague yt ye Lord Mayor had from ye Queen," "A soveraign water" which Dr. Stephens kept secret but gave to the Archbishop of Canterbury when he realized he was about to die, the Countess of Arundel (1603), the old Lady of Oxford, Lady Dacre, Lady Thornburgh, Lady Nevil, etc. It also contains an 8-line verse which was said when the Prince of Wales came to Amesbury, "This verse was made by Dr. Smith a man yt was very poor and for yt reason no body took any notice of him but had he been rich he would have been respected by Every one." Another verse on the same occasion mentions important events in the Smith family, such as: a 6-line verse epitaph on Frances Smith, wife of Francis Smith, "departed this Life January the 16th, 1742/1" and recording of freak harvests, storms, fires, etc. There are recipes for treating numerous complaints, including "A medicine for ye head worth gold," "A diet against melancholy," "for a red face," "for singing in ye head," and an angling bait made from assa-fetida, aqua vitae, etc. are included. (description from clipping from magazine included with the item)

Some events noted throughout the book as well, such as "Anthony Smith departed this life April the 15th, 1751 Aged 70"