1748, Robert James, A Dissertation on Fevers and Inflammatory Distempers, London: Francis Newbery, Junior, 8th edition, 1778, p. 139,
Of this chicken-water it is very proper to drink a small bason-full at a time, during the operation of the Powder, and more especially if the patient be sick.
1853, Robert Browning, letter dated at Bagni di Lucca, 20 August, 1853, in Mrs. Sutherland Orr (ed.), Life and Letters of Robert Browning, London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1891, p. 196,
We are enjoying the mountains here—riding the donkeys in the footsteps of the sheep, and eating strawberries and milk by basinsful.