his backe with oyle wine and Nitre made warme and mingled together But the best cure according to our English practise is first to wash all the yard with white wine warmed and then annoynt it with oyle of roses and hony mixt together and so put it vp into the sheath with a little bolster of canuase keep it from falling downe and dresse him thus once in foure and twenty howres vntill he be recouered and in any case let his backe be kept as warme as is possible both with cloth and a charge or plaister made of Bolearmonicke egges wheat-flower Sanguis Draconis Turpentine and vinegar or else lay next his backe a wet sacke or wet hay and a dry cloth ouer it and that will keepe his backe exceeding warme CHAP. 83. Of diseases incident to Mares and first of the barrennesse of the wombe THe onely disease incident to the wombe of a Mare as farre fourth as our Farriers are experienced is barrennesse which may proceed from diuers causes as through the vntemperatnesse of the matrix being either two hot and fierie or two cold and moist or too dry or else too shorte or too narrow or hauing the necke thereof turned awry or by meanes of some obstruction or stopping in the matrixe or in that the Mare is too fat or too leane and diuers other such like causes Now the cure thereof according to the old Farriers is to take a good handfull of leeks and stampe them in a morter with foure or fiue spoâ—nefull of wine then put thereunto twelue flies called Cantharides then straine them altogether with a sufficient quantity of water to serue the Mare therewith two daies together by powring the same into her nature with a glister-pipe made for the purpose and at the end of three daies next following offer the horse vnto her that should couer her and after she is couered wash her nature twice together with cold water There be others which vse to take of Nitrum of sparrowes dung and of Turpentine of each like quantity well wrought together and made like a suppositary and put that into her nature and it will cause her both to desire the horse and also to conceiue There be some of opinion that it is good to put a nettle into the horses mouth that should couer her Of all which let onely experience be your warrantise CHAP. 84. Of the pestilent Consumption in Mares THere is a certaine pestilent consumption incident to mares when they are with foale proceeding from cold fleame gathered by raw foggy food in the winter season which descending from the kidneyes doth oppresse the matrixe and makes the mare consume pine away so that if she be not holpen she will want strength to foale her foale The signes are a sudden leannesse and a drooping of spirit with much dislike of meate and a continuall desire to be layed The cure is to powre into her nosthrels three pints of fish brine called Garume three or foure mornings together and if the griefe be very great then to take fiue pints and it will make her vent all fleame at her nosthrels CHAP. 85. Of the rage of Loue in Mares IT is reported by some of our English Farriers that mares being proudly high kept will at the spring of the yeare when their bloud begins to waxe warme if they chance when they go to the water to see their own shadowes therin that presently they will fall into an extreme loue therewith and from that loue into such a hot rage that they will forget either to eate or drinke and neuer cease running about the pasture gazing strangely and looking oft both about and behinde them The cure of this folly is presently to leade the mare to the water againe and there to let her see herselfe as before and that second sight will vtrerly extinguish the memory of the first and to take away her folly CHAP. 86. Of Mares which cast their Foales THe occasions why Mares cast their Foales that is to foale them either before their times or dead are very many as straines stroakes intemperate ridings rushings hard wintring or too great fatnesse and such like Now you shall vnderstand that this aborsment or vntimely casting of a foale is most dangerous to the life of the mare for nature being as it were detained from her true and perfect custome which is the preseruation of health cannot chuse but giue way to the contrary which is death and mortality and the body and pores being set open to the aire before it be able to defend the cold cannot chuse but be suffocated with vnwholesome vapours If therefore you haue a mare at any time which doth cast her foale and withall falleth sicke vpon the same you shall presently take her into the house and set her vp very warme then giue her two spoonful of the powder Dyapente well brewd in a pint of strong sacke and feede her with sweete hay and warme mashes for at least a weeke after CHAP. 87. Of Mares that are hard of foaling If it happen by any mischance or otherwise that the passages or other conduites which leade from the matrix be so straitned that the mare cannot foale and so be in danger of her life then it shall be good that you helpe her by holding and stopping her nosthrels with your hand in a gentle manner that her breath may not haue passage and she will foale with a great deale more ease and much sooner and sure the paine is nothing because a mare alwaies foaleth standing Now if at any time when your mare hath foaled she cannot auoyd her secundine which is the skinne wherein the foale is wrapped in that naturall maner as she ought you shall then take a good handfull or two of fennell and boyle it in water then take halfe a pint of that and another halfe pint of old wine and put thereto a fourth part of oyle and mingle them altogether ouer the fire and being but luke-warme powre it into the mares nosthrels and hold her nosthrels close with your hand to keep it in a prety while after and no question but she will voyd her secundine presently CHAP. 88. Of making a Mare to cast her Foale IF at any time you would haue your mare to cast her foale as hauing present occasion to vse her or in that the foale is not worthily inought begot you shall take a pottle of new milke and two handfuls of sauin chopt and bruised and putting them together boyle them till one halfe bee consumed then straine it very hard and giue it the mare luke warme to drinke then presently gallop her a good pace then set her vp do thus two mornings and before the third she will haue cast her foale Other vse with their hand to kill the foale in the mares belly but it is dangerous and the former medicine is more sufficient And thus much of the infirmities of mares Now let vs returne againe to horses and
altogether and giue him euery morning and euening a pint for a weeke together If to the boxe leaues you adde oates and bettony it is not amisse so you keep the horse warme Others vse to giue a horse a pint of swines bloud warme Others vse to boyle in a gallon of water one pound of Fenugreeke then straining it giue the water morning and euening by a pint at a time to drinke then drying the Fenugreeke giue it the horse with his prouender Others vse for all maner of coughes to take a quarterne of white currants and as much clarified hony two ounces of sweet marioram with old fresh grease and a head of garlicke melt that which is to be molten and punne that which is to be beaten mixe them together and giue the horse better then a pint thereof three mornings together Others vse to giue a horse the guts of a young pullet dipt in hony and being warme and certainly there is not any of these medicines but are most soueraigne and well approued Now whereas some Farriers vse to thrust downe the throat of the horse a willow wand rolled about with a linnen cloath and annoynted all ouer with hony I for my part do not like it for it both torments the horse more then there is occasion and doth but onely go about to take away that which is gone in the struggling before the medicine can be vsed for it is onely for a cough which cometh by a feather or some such like matter CHAP. 43. Of the inward and wet Cough TOuching all inward coughs which are gotten and ingendred by colds and rheumes of long continuance being not onely dangerous but sometimes mortall you shall vnderstand that they are diuided into two kindes the one wet the other dry the wet cough proceedeth from cold causes taken after great heats which heat dissoluing humours those humors being againe congealed do presently cause obstructions and stoppings of the lungs Now the signes to know this wet cough is the horse will euer after his coughing cast out either water or matter out of his nosthrels or champe and chaw with his teeth the thicke matter which he casteth out of his throate as you shall easily perceiue if you heedfully note him he will also cough often without intermission and when he cougheth he will not much bow downe his head nor abstaine from his meate and when he drinketh you shall see some of his water to issue out of his nosthrels The cure is first to keepe him exceeding warme then for as much as it proceedeth of cold causes you shall giue him hot drinkes and spices as sacke or strong ale brewd with cinamon ginger cloues treacle Long pepper and either swines grease sallet oyle or sweete butter for you shall know that all cold causes are cured with medicines that open and warme and the hot with such as cleanse and coole Some vse to take a pretty quantity of Beniamine and the yolke of an egge which being well mixt together and put into an egge shell cast all downe into the horses throat and then moderatly ride him vp and downe for more then a quarter of an howre and do this three or foure mornings together Others vse to keepe him warme and then to giue him this drinke Take of barley one pecke and boyle it in two or three gallons of running water till the barley burst together with bruised licoras anise seeds and of raisins of each a pound then straine it and to that liquor put of hony a pint and a quarterne of sugarcandy and keepe it close in a pot to serue the horse therewith foure seuerall mornings and cast not away the barley nor the rest of the strainings but make it hot euery day to perfume the horse withall in a close bagge if he eate of it it is so much the better and after this you shall giue the horse some moderate exercise and for his dyet let him drinke no cold water till his cough abate and as it lessoneth so let his water be the lesse warmed Now for mine own part though all these receits be exceeding good and very well approued yet for mine owne part in this case thus hath bene my practise If I found either by the heauinesse of the horses head or by the ratling of his nosthrels that the cough proceeded most from the stopping of his head I would only giue him foure or fiue mornings together three or foure good round pils of butter and garlicke well knoden together in the morning fasting and then ride him moderately an howre after but if I found that the sicknesse remained in the chest or brest of the horse then I would giue him twice in foure dayes a pint of sacke halfe a pint of sallet oyle and two ounces of sugarcandy wel brewd together and made luke warme and then ride him halfe an howre after and set him vp warme suffering him to drinke no cold water till his cough began to abate or leaue him CHAP. 44. Of the dry Cough THis disease which we cal the dry cough is a grosse and tough humour cleauing hard to the hollow places of the lungs which stoppeth the winde-pipes so that the horse can hardly draw his breath It doth proceede by ill gouernment from the rheume which distilling from the head falleth downe to the breast and there inforceth the horse to striue to cast it out The especiall signes to know it is by eating hot meates as bread that is spiced straw dry hay or such like his extremity of coughing will encrease by eating cold and moyst meates as grasse forrage graines and such like it will abate and be the lesse he cougheth seldome yet when he cougheth he cougheth violently long time together and dryly with a hollow sound from his chest he also boweth his head downe to the ground and forsaketh his meate whilest he cougheth yet neuer casteth forth any thing either at his mouth or nosthrels This cough is most dangerous and not being taken in time is incurable for it will grow to the pursicke or broken winded altogether The cure according to the opinion of the ancientest Farriers is that for as much as it proceedeth from hot humours therefore you shall perfume his head with cold simples as Camomill Mellilot Licoras dryed red Roses and Camphire boyled in water and the fume made to passe vp into his mouth and nosthrels Others vse to take a close earthen pot to put therin three pints of the strongest vinegar and foure egges shels all vnbroken and 4. heades of garlicke cleane pild bruised set the pot-being very close couered in a warme dunghill or a horse mixion there let it stand foure and twenty howres then take it forth and open it and take out the egges which will be as soft as silke and lay them by vntill you haue strained the vinegar and garlicke through a linnen cloath then put to that liquor a quarterne of hony and halfe a quarterne
mashes and store of prouender or else he will be the worse whilest he liueth Now if it be so that your horse tire in such a place as the necessity of your occasions are to be preferred before the value of your horse and that you must seeke vnnaturall meanes to controlle nature In this case you shall take where the powder of glasse before spoken of cannot be had three or foure round pibble stones and put them into one of his eares and then knit the eare that the stones fall not out and the noyse of those stones will make the horse go after he is vtterly tyred but if that faile you shal with a knife make a hole in the flappe of the horses eare and thrust a long rough sticke full of nickes through the same and euer as the horse slackes his pace so saw and fret the sticke vp and downe in the hole and be sure whilest he hath any liâ—e he will not leaue going Many other torments there are which be needlesse to rehearse onely this is my most generall aduice if at any time you tire your horse to take of old vrine a quart of salt peter three ounces boile them well together and bathe all the horses foure legges in the same and without question it will bring to the sinewes their naturall strength and nimblenesse and for other defects warme and good keeping will cure them And although some of our Northerne Farriers do hold that oaten dough will preuent tiring yet I haue not approued it so because I neuer could gâ—t any horse that would eate it the dough would so sticke and clambe in the horses mouth therefore I hold the cures already recited to be fully sufficient CHAP. 55. Of the diseases of the stomacke and first of the loathing of meate THis disease of the loathing of meate is taken two wayes the one a forsaking of meate as when a horses mouth either through the inflammation of his stomacke doth break out into blisters or such like venemous sores or when he hath the lampas gigges woolfes teeth and such like The cure of all which you shall readily find in the second part of this booke which treateth of surgery the other a dislike of his meate through the intemperature of his stomacke being either too hot as proceeding either from ranknesse of bloud or extremity of trauell as you may perceiue by dayly experience when a horse is set vp in the stable very hot and meate instantly giuen him it is all thing to nothing but he wil loath and refuse it Hence it comes that I did euer hate the noone-tide bayting of horses because mens iourneys commonly crauing haste the horse cannot take such an naturall cooling as he ought before his meate and thereby breeds much sicknesse disease for meate giuen presently after trauell when a horse is hot is the mother of all infirmity or else it proceedeth from the intemperature of the stomacke being too cold as being caused by some naturall defect Now if it proceede from heate onely which you shall know either by his sudden loathing of his meate or the extreme heate of his mouth and breath then to coole his stomacke againe you shall either wash his tongue with vinegar or giue him to drinke cold water mingled with oyle and vinegar There be other Farriers which vse to giue this drinke take of milke and wine of each one pint put therunto of Mel Rosatum 3. ounces and hauing washed his mouth with vinegar salt giue him the drink luke warme with a horne But if the loathing of his meate proceede from the coldnesse of his stomacke which onely is knowne by the standing vp and staring of his haire then by the opinion of the ancient Farriers you shall giue him wine oyle mixt together diuers mornings to drinke but others of our late Farriers giue wine oyle rue and sage boyled together by a quart at a time to drinke Others to the former compounds will adde white pepper Myrre Others vse to giue the horse onions pild and chopt and Rocket seede bruised and boyled in wine Others vse to mixe wine with the bloud of a sow pigge Now to conclude for the generall forsaking or loathing of meate proceeding either from hot or cold causes in the stomacke there is nothing better then the greene blades of corne especially wheate being giuen in a good quantity and that the time of the yeare serue for the gathering thereof Others in stead thereof will giue the horse sweet wine and the seedes of Gith mixt together or else sweet wine and garlike well pild and stampt being a long time brewd together CHAP. 56. Of the casting out of a Horses drinke THe ancient Farriers especially the Italians constantly do affirme that a horse may haue such a paulsey proceeding from the coldnesse of his stomacke and may make him vnable to retaine and keepe his drinke but that many times he will vomit and cast it vp againe for mine owne part from those causes I haue not seene such effects yet from other causes as from cold in the head where the rheume binding about the roots and kirnels of the tongue hath as it were strangled and made straight the passages to the stomacke there I haue many times seene a horse cast his water that he drunke in very abundant sort backe againe through his nosthrels sometimes striue with great earnestnesse to drinke but could not at all The signes of both from which cause foeuer it proceede is onely the casting vp of his drinke or water and the cure thereof is onely to giue him cordiall and warme drinkes as is malmsey cinamon anise seedes and cloues well brewd and mixt together and to annoynt his breast and vnder his shoulders with either the oyle of Cypresse oyle of Spike or the oyle of pepper and to purge his head with fumes or pilles such as will force him to neese of which you may see store in a chapter following for such fumigation ioyning with these hot oyles will soone dissolue the tumors CHAP. 57. Of surfaiting with glut of prouender THere is not any disease more easily procured nor more dangerous to the life of a horse then this surfaite which is taken by the glut of prouender it cometh most commonly by keeping the horse extreme sharpe or hungry as either by long trauell or long standing empty then in his height of greedinesse giuing him such superabundance of meate that his stomacke wanting strength to disgest it all the whole body is driuen into an infinite great paine and extremity The signes are great weaknesse and feeblenesse in the horses limbes so that he can hardly stand but lyeth downe oft and being downe walloweth and tumbleth vp and downe as if he had the bots The cure thereof according to the ordinary practise of our common Farriers is to take a halfe peny worth of blacke sope and a quart of new milke and as much sweete butter as sope and hauing on
and for the most part it followeth some extreme great emptinesse or want of foode the beast being euen at the pinch and ready to bee chappe-falne There bee some Farriers which suppose that it proceedeth from some extreame cold outwardly taken by trauelling in cold and barraine places as in the frost and snow where the outward cold maketh the stomacke cold whereby all the inward powers are weakned The signes are onely an alteration or change in the horses feeding hauing lost all temperance and snatching and chopping at his meate as if he would deuoure the manger The cure according to the opinion of some Farriers is first to comfort his stomacke by giuing him great slices of white bread toasted at the fire and steeped in muskadine or else bread vntoasted steeped in wine then to let him drink wheat flowre and wine brewed together There be others which vse to knead stiffe cakes of wheate flowre and wine and to feede the horse therewith Others vse to make him bread of pine-tree nuts and wine knoden together or else common earth and wine mingled together but for mine owne part I hold nothing better then moderately feeding the horse many times in the day with wholesome beane bread well baked or oates well dryed and sifted CHAP. 60. Of the diseases of the Liuer in generall and first of the inflammation thereof THere is no question but the liuer of a horse is subiect to as many diseases as either the liuer of a man or any other creature onely through the ignorance of our common Farriers who make all inward diseases one sicknesse the true ground and causes not being looked into the infirmity is let passe and many times poysoned with false potions but truth it is that the liuer sometimes by the intemperatenesse thereof as being either too hot or too cold too moist or too dry or sometimes by meanes of euill humors as choler or fleame ouerflowing in the same heate ingendring choler and coldnesse fleame the liuer is subiect to many sicknesses and is diuersly payned as by inflammation apostumation or vlcer or by obstructions stoppings or hard knobs or lastly by the consumption of the whole substance thereof The signes to know if the disease proceede from hot causes is leannesse of body the loathing of meate voyding dung of a strong sent great thirst and loosnesse of belly The signes to know if the disease proceed from cold causes is good state of body appetite to meate dung not stincking no thirst and the belly neither loose nor costiue Now to proceede to the particular diseases of the liuer and first of the inflammation you shall vnderstand that it cometh by meanes that the bloud through the abundance thinnesse boyling heate of sharpnesse thereof or through the violence of some outward cause breaketh out of the veines floweth into the body or substance of the liuer and so being dispossest of his proper vessels doth immediately putrifie is inflamed corrupting so much of the fleshly substance of the liuer as is either touched or imbrewed with the same whence it cometh that for the most part the hollow side of the liuer is first consumed yet sometimes the full side also this inflammation by a naturall heate is sometimes turned to putrifaction then it is called an apostumation which when either by the strength of nature or art it doth breake and runne then it is called an vlcer or filthy sore Now the signes of an inflammation on the hollow side of the liuer which is least hurtfull is loathing of meate great thirst loosnesse of belly and a continuall vnwillingnesse to lye on the left side but if the inflammation be on the full side of the liuer then the signes be short breathing a dry cough much paine when you handle the horse about the wind-pipe and an vnwillingnesse to lye on the right side The signes of apostumation is great heate long fetching of breath and a continuall looking to his side The signes of vlceration is continuall coldnesse staring vp of the haire and much feeblenesse faintting because the filthy matter casting euill vapours abroad doth many times corrupt the heart and occasion death Now for the cure of these inflammations some Farriers vse to take a quart of ale an ounce of myrre and an ounce of Frankinsence and brewing them well together giue it the horse diuers mornings to drinke Others vse to take three ounces of the seedes of smallage and three ounces of Hysop and as much Sutherwort and boyle them wel in oyle and wine mingled together and giue it the horse to drinke keepe the horse warme and let him neither drinke cold water nor eate dry dusty hay CHAP. 61. Of Obstructions stoppings or hard knobs on the Liuer THese obstructions or stoppings of a horses liuer do come most commonly by trauelling or labouring on a full stomacke whereby the meate not being perfectly disgested breedeth grosse and tough humours which humours by the extremity of trauell are violently driuen into the small veines through which the liuer ought to receiue good nutriment and so by that meanes breedeth obstructions stoppings Now from these obstructions when they haue continued any long time especially if the humours be cholericke breedeth many times hard knobs on the liuer which knobbes maketh the horse continually lye on his right side and neuer on the left because if he should lye on the left side the waight of the knob would oppresse the stomacke and euen sicken all the vitall parts in him The signes of these obstructions or stoppings are heauinesse of countenance distention or swelling great dulnesse and sloth in the horse when he beginneth his trauell and a continuall looking backe to his short ribbes where remaineth his greatest paine and torment Now the cure thereof is to seeth continually in the water which hee drinketh Agrimony Fumitory Camomill VVormewood Licoras Anise seedes Smallage Persley Spickenard Gentian Succory Endyue and Lupyns the vertues whereof are most comfortable to the liuer But for as much as the most part of our English Farriers are very simple Smithes whose capacities are vnable to diue into these seuerall distinctions and that this worke or maister peece is intended for the weakest braine whatsoeuer you shall vnderstand that there bee certaine generall signes to know when the liuer of a horse is grieued with any griefe of what nature or condition soeuer it be and so likewise generall receipts to cure all the grieues without distinguishing or knowing their natures you shall know then if a horse haue any griefe or paine in his liuer by these signes First by a loathing of his meate next by the wasting of his flesh drynesse of his mouth and roughnesse of his tongue and great swelling thereof and refusing to lye on the side grieued and lastly a continuall looking backeward Now the generall cures for the sicknesse of the liuer is according to the opinion of the ancient Farriers to giue the horse aloes dissolued in sweet
whether his griefe be in the inner quarter or the outward quarter also he may halt vpon his quarters by the pricking of a naile then you shal with a paire of pinsonsâ—â—ip the head of euery naile and his hooue together and where he complaineth there draw the naile and if the naile sincke then there is his paine If he halt in the toe which is seldome or neuer seeme then he will tread altogether vpon his heele if his griefe be in the sole of his foote as by the treading vpon some naile or stubbe or by surbaiting or such like then he will halte all after one sort vpon any ground vnlesse it be vpon the stones and then he will halte the most Now to be sure in what parte of the foote the griefe is it shall be good first to make him goe vpon the plaine ground and then vpon a hard stony ground and after vpon a bancky ground and by taking carefull notes and carefully handling him you shall easily seee of what member he halteth CHAP. 54. Of halting behind and where the griefe is IF a horse halte behind his griefe of necessity must either be in his hippe of some called the huckle bone or in the stifle in the hough in the hamme in the legge in the neather ioint in the pastorne or in the foote If he halte in the hip of any new hurt the horse wil goe side-long and not follow so well with that legge as with the other neither will he be able to turne vpon that side without much fauouring of his legge but if it be any old hurte then the sore hippe will shrinke and be lower then the other and it is best seene when he goeth vp a hill or vpon the edge of some bancke so as the worst legge may goe on the higher side for then he will halte so much the more because it is painefull vnto him to goe so vneuenly wrinching his legge if the griefe be in the stiflle then the horse in his going will cast the stiflle ioint outward and the bone on the inside will be farre bigger then the other neither can he any more then touch the ground with his toe if his griefe be in the hough then it is by meanes of some spauen which is apparant both to be seene and felt or else of some straine or blow and then the swelling will appeare and the like is to be said of the hamme wherein may be seene the sellander or such like apparant sorrance causing the horse to halte if the griefe be either in the legge pastorne or foote you shall find it by such signes as haue bene taught you in the former chapter CHAP. 55. How to know if a Horse haue any hidden griefe in him that may make him to halte when he commeth to trauel and whence it proceeds NOw for as much as there be some horses which through long rest running at grasse will weare out the worst of their grieues so that when they come to be but gently ridden they will couer their halting and through a naturall awe they beare vnto the man will whilst he is on their backes goe as if they were as sound as might be yet be truly of themselues very vnperfect in this case both to keepe your selfe from cosening and to discouer the most hidden infirmitie you shall first take the horse out of the stable in a long string and causing one to runne him in his hand at the length of the halter marke how he sets downe his legges for if any be imperfect then that he will fauour but if at first he goe vpright and fauour no leg then take his backe and ride him a while roundly vp and downe a rode then light from his backe and let him stand still an howre then as before let him be run in a mans hand at the halters length without any man on his backe and beleeue it as a most certaine rule if he haue the least griefe that may be he wil then shew it and fauour that limbe which is pained for by this rule only are many bad horse-coursers discouered Now to know whereof these griefes proceed you shall vnderstand that if the griefe proceede of a hot cause then the horse halteth most when he trauelleth or is chaft But if it proceed from cold causes then he halteth most when he is cold and least when he is hot and much trauellled CHAP. 56. Of the griefe and pinching in the shoulder THe griefe or pinching of the shoulder commeth either by labouring and straming the horse too young or by the cariage of too great burthens It is to be knowne by the narrownesse of the breast and by the consumption of the flesh of the shoulders in so much that the sore parte of the shoulder bone will sticke out and be much higher then the flesh if it be of any long continuance he will be very hollow vpon the bysket towards the fore-boothes and he will goe wider beneath at the feete then at the knees The cure thereof according to the opinion of some Farriers is to make a slit of an inch long with a sharpe knife vpon both sides an inch vnder the shoulder bone and blowing the skinne well from the flesh with a swans quill both of the one and the other shoulder euen vp to the toppe of the withers and stroaking the wind vp equally with your hand into both the shoulders and then when they are full sticke the windy places with a hasell sticke ouer all the shoulder then loosening the skinne from the flesh againe rowel both the slits either with tampins of horse haire or with round peeces of vpper leather of an old shoe with an hole in the midst for the matter to issue foorth at and let the tampins be at least two handfuls longin the skinne and the round rowell at least three inches broad and beeing so put as they may lie plaine and flat within the cut then once a day you shall turne the rowels in the skinne thrust out the matter but if the hole grow so straight that the matter cannot easily come out with a sharpe knife you shall enlarge it then put a paire of pasterns on his forelegs and so let him stand fifteene daies at the end whereof walke him abroad and try how he goeth and if he do not goe to your liking then continue him in the same manner other fifteene daies and he will goe sound But our best Farriers vse after they haue rowelled the horse as is aforesaid then to lay this charge or plaister all ouer his withers shoulders and breast Take of pitch of rozen of each a pound of tarre halfe a pint boile all these together in a pot when it is somwhat cooled take a sticke with a woollen cloath bound to the end of it and dippe it into the charge and couer or daube all the shoulders therewith that done clap floxe of the collor of the horse or as neare
also it is very good for the abating of the wind-gall for making the medicine to work the better to let the horse stand in a cold running streame an howre morning and euening The scum of the foure salts sod in mans vrine and layd to the wind-gall will take it away There bee others which take a pottle of vinegar a pound of orpiment a quarter of a pound of gâ—lâ—es and as much of the hearbe molleyne stampt small mingle these well together and put them into a pot then euery day therewith bathe the wind-gal and in three weekes it will dry them cleane vp it will also take away a curbe or a spauen or a ring-bone if you take them at the first breeding Other Farriers take of Ciuill oyle and brimstone of each like quantity and seeth them in mans vrine and stirre them well together after put in the quantity of a wall-nut of sope to keepe the haire from scalding off then bathe the wind-gall with this hot thrice together rubbing it well inâ— then annoynt it aboue with nerue-oyle oyle de-bay and make it by holding to it a hot barre of Iron or a hot-fire pan to sinke into the flesh and in three dayes it will dry vp any wind-gall Now for mine owne part the best medicine I haue found in my practise for this sorrance and the easiest is with a fine lancet to open the wind-gall making the hole no bigger then that the ielly may come forth then hauing thrust it cleane forth lap a wollen wet cloath vpon it and with a taylors hot pressing Iron rubbe vpon the cloath till you haue made the cloath sucke in all the moysture from the wind-gall and that the wind-gall is dry then take of pitch of rosen and of masticke of each like quantity and being very hot daube it all ouer the wind-gall then clappe good store of floxe of the colour of the horse vpon it and so let the horse rest or runne at grasse till the plaister fall off by it owne accord and be sure the wind-gall will be gone Now I am to giue you this for a rule that by no meanes you vse to a wind-gall either arsnike or resagall for commonly then the wind-gall will come againe neither must you burne much nor make any great incision for any of these will turne the soft substance of the wind-gall to hardnesse and then the horse will be lame without cure CHAP. 81. Of a Straine in the Pastorne ioynt or Fet locke A Horse may be strained in the fetlocke or pastorne ioynt either by some wrinch in the stable when the plaunchers are broken vnder him or by treading awry vpon some stone or vpon some cart-rout as he trauelleth by the way The signes whereof be these the ioynt will be swolne and soare and the horse will halt and the cure according to the old Farriers is take a quart of stale vrine and seeth it till the foame arise then straine it and put thereto a handfull of tansey and an handfull of mallowes and a saucerfull of hony and a quarter of a pound of sheepes suet then set it on the fire and seeth them all together till the hearbes be sodden soft and then being very hot lay this pultus to the ioynt and couer it ouer with a blew cloath and in 3. tmes dressing it will helpe the straine Other Farriers take of Dialthea halfe a pound and as much of nerue-oyle mingle them together and annoynt the soare place ther with chafing it wel with both your hands that the oyntment may enter in continuing so to do euery day once vntill the ointment be all spent and let the horse rest but if this will not preuaile then they will vse Cantharides as in case of the splent but I do not hold that cure conuenient because it will make a double griefe Therefore I had rather you should take pompillion nerue-oyle and blacke sope of each a like and heate them hot on the fire and then annoynt the soare place therewith and it will make the horse sound CHAP. 82. To remedy any manner of halting that commeth by straine stroke or any other accident NOw forasmuch as halting is such a generall sorrance amongst horses that not any man that is maister of a horse but euen in his smallest trauell is at one time or other vexed with the same I will heere before I do proceed any further set you downe certaine generall receipts selected and culd out of the priuate practise experiments of the best Farriers in Christendome of which I may giue the bolder testimony because I haue made practise of their vertues If then your horse haue taken any halt either by stiffenesse of sinewes straine wrinch stroke or any other accident if the griefe bee in his legge you shall take smallage oxe eye and sheepes suet of each like quantity chop them all together and boyle it in mans vrine and bathe all the legge therewith then with hay-ropes wet in cold water rolle vp his legge and he will be able to trauell the next day or if you seeth a pound of blacke sope in a quart of strong ale till it looke like tarre and anoynt the legge therewith and it will supple his sinewes bring them to their true course If you wash his limbs in the grounds of beere or ale made warme and then rope them vp in hay-ropes wet in the same it will recouer a straine If you take of the flowre of linseed of turpentine and of life hony of each a like and boyle them with white wine vntill they be thicke like vnto an oyntment then spread it on a cloath and lay it to the griefe and it will take away any atche or paine in the sinews likewise a plaister of wine lees and wheate flowre or a plaister of blacke sope and boares grease will doe the like If you mixe nerue-oyle oyle de bay and aqua-vitae together and warme it and chafe it in and vpon and about any straine it will take the anguish quite away If the griefe be in the shoulder or the hinder legge then burne him vpon the very ioynt by taking vp the skinne with a paire of pinsons and thrust the skinne through with a hot iron ouerthwart and if this cure him not then his paine is betwixt the thinne skinne and the bone which must then be rowelled If the griefe be in the shoulder or in the hippe or else where then let him bloud and sauing the bloud mixe therewith the powder of frankinsence and annoynt the horse with the same If the griefe be only in the sinews then take the plaister cald Sologliatium made of gum-dragant new waxe pitch and turpentine mixt together or else take the yelkes of two egges an ounce of frankinsence and a little branne and beate them well together and lay it to the paine If the griefe do proceed from a hot cause then let the horse bloud with that bloud mixe vinegar oyle anoynt him chafe it well in But if it proceed from a cold cause then
the swelling bee goe Other Farriers vse first to pricke the swelling with a fleame then take of wine lees a pinte as much wheate flowre as will thicken it and an ounce of comen boyle them together and lay this somewhat warme vnto it renewing it euery day once vntill the swelling either depart or else come to a head which if it doe not then launce it and heale it according to a wound Other Farriers take of rosen of turpentine and of hony of each halfe a pound dissolue them at the fire then straine them and adde of myrrhe Sarcocoll and the flowre of fenegreeke and of lin-seed oyle of each an ounce incorporate them altogether then make it thicke like a salue with the meale of lupins and lay it to the swelling and it will asswage it Other Farriers take of Galbanum and of Ceruse of each an ounce of oyle two ounces and of waxe three ounces mixe them together ouer a soft fire and when they are brought to a salue then lay it vnto the swelling and it will asswage If you take onely rotten litter or hay boyld in strong vrine and apply it dayly vnto any swelling it will take it away Now if the swelling be vpon the legs and come by any straine then you shall take of nerue-oyle one pound of blacke sope one pound of boaâ—s grease halfe a pound melt and boyle them al well together then straine it and let it coole then when occasion serueth annoynt and chafe your horses legs therewith holding a hote yron neare thereunto to make the oyntment enter in the better then rope vp his legges and keepe them cleane from dust or dirt but if the swelling be vpon any part of the backe or body then take of hony and tallow of each a like and boyle them together then spread it on a cloth and lay it on the swolne place and let it there sticke till it fall away of it selfe Now if the swelling proceede from any windy cause and so appeare onely in the horses belly then you shall take a sharpe pointed knife or bodkin arme it so with some stay that it go not to deepe for piercing his guts then strike him therewith through the skinne into his body before the hollow place of his haunch bone halfe a foote beneath the backe bone and the winde will come out thereat then if you put a hollow quill therin or some feather to keepe it open a while the winde will auoyd the better then heale it vp againe It is also very good to rake the horse and to annoynt all his belly with the oyle of sauen and to ride him vp downe a little but if the swelling be vnder the horses iawes or about any part of his head then you shall take his owne dung hot as soone as hee makes it and with a cloath binde it fast thereto renewing it twice a day till the swelling be gone CHAP. 122. Of Impostumes and first how to ripen them IMpostumes are a gathering or knitting together of many most corrupt humors in any part or member of the body making that part to swell extremely growing into such violent inflaÌ„mation that in the end they rot breake out into foule mattery and running soares they commonly proceed either from corruption of foode or corruption of bloud they are at the first appearance very hard very soare which hardnesse is the principall signe that they will rot And of these impostumes some be hot impostumes and some be cold yet forasmuch as euery impostume must first be ripened and brought to matter before it can bee healed we will first speake of the ripening of them If therefore you will ripen an impostume according to the opinion of the ancient Farriers you shall take of Sanguis draconis of gum Arabicke of new waxe of mastick of pitch of Greece of incense of turpeÌ„tine of each a like quaÌ„tity melting theÌ„ together straining them make a plaister thereof lay it to the impostume without remouing it and it will both ripen breake and heale any impostume Other Farriers take swines grease red waxe and the flowre of Euforbium and mixing them on the fire well together lay it to the impostume and it will do the like Other Farriers take of hony and of wheat meale of each a like quantity and either boyle it in the decoction of mallows or else mixe it with the yelke of an egge and it will ripen breake and heale yet it must bee renewed once a day Other Farriers take barley meale and boyle it with wine and pidgions dung and so lay it to the impostume plaister-wise and it will ripen exceedingly Other Farriers take a handfull or two of sorrell and lapping it in a docke leafe roast it in the hot embers as you would roast a warden and then lay it to the impostume as hot as may be renewing it once a day and it will ripen breake and heale A plaister of shooe-makers waxe will doe the like also Other Farriers take mallow roots and lilly rootes then bruise them and put thereto hogges grease linseed meale and plaisterwise lay it to the impostume and it will ripen it breake it and heale it perfectly Chap. 123. Of cold Impostumes IF the impostume do proceed from any cold causes as those which rise after cold taking or when a horse is at grasse in the winter season then you shall take the hearbe balme and stampe it and hogges grease well together and so plaister-wise apply it to the soare it will heale it or else when the impostume is ripe open it in the lowest part with a hot Iron then wash it with warme vrine after that annoynt it with tarre oyle well mixed together and if you make your incision in the manner of a halfe moone it is the better Other Farriers take white mints seeth them in wine oyle ale and butter and so lay it to hot and it will heale it Other Farriers take cuckoo-spit and stamp it with old grease and so apply it and it will heale it Other Farriers take a handfull of rew and stampe it well with the yelke of an egge and hony and then apply it plaister-wise and it will heale any cold impostume CHAP. 124. Of hot Impostumes IF the impostume proceed from any hot causes as from the extremity of trauell the parching of the Sun or the inflammation of the bloud then according to the opinion of the ancient Farriers you shall take liuer-wort and stampe it and mixe it with the grounds of ale hogs grease and bruised mallowes and then apply it to the soare and it will ripen breake and heale it but if you would not haue the swelling to breake then take the grounds of ale or beere and hauing boyled mallowes therein bathe the soare place therewith and it will driue the swelling away Other Farriers take either lettis seede or poppy seede and mixe it with the oyle of redde roses and lay
from cholickes or such like paines Dialtea or Dialthea is an oyntment made of holy-hoxe or sea-mallowes it warmeth and moysteneth Dragonwort is hot and dry and bindeth much E Ebuli which we call Elder is hot dry in the third degree it drieth and driueth out water and expelleth choler and thin fleame see Sambucus Edera terrestris which we cal ground luy see Hedera Elaterium see Cucumeri Elleboro which we call neesing powder of it are two kinds the white and blacke it is hote and dry in the third degree Eruca which we call rocket and of which the wild is the best the seeds thereof are hot and dry and expelleth vrine wormes and water Esula which is an hearbe like spurge is hote in the fourth degree and dryeth and cleanseth exceedingly and of some is called wolfes milke Eusorbium is a gum that is hot in the fourth degree it drieth purgeth cleanseth and exulcerateth much Exerusion which is that which we call Oxicration is a certaine composition or mixture made of Aceto and water and is good to allay swellings and tumors F Faha which we call a beane is cold and dry and it cleanseth and dissolueth Farina which we call bran is hot and dry in the first degree and dissolueth very much Fearne is dry and binding but the roote is hote and cleansing and killeth wormes Felle which we call gall is hot and dry it cleanseth and mundifieth Ferugo which we call the rust of iron is hot and dry in the second degree it comforteth and restraineth euill humors Fici aridi which we call dry â—igges are hot and dry in the second degree they ripen tumors soften and consume hardnesse and are good for pursicknesse coughes and diseases of the lungs Filomontano which we call a dodder being a thing that cleaueth to hearbes winding about them like threeds it openeth the liuer and milt and purgeth all fleame and choler Filonio is a composition which will astonish or benumbe any part or member Fennel is hot in the third and dry in the first degree it doth dissolue all manner of grosse humours and is good for the liuer or lungs Foligine which we call foot is hot dry and it dryeth maruellously and so doth all soots whatsoeuer G Gallanga which we cal Galingale is hote dry in the third degree it easeth the stomacke of all grieues which proceed from cold causes it strengtheneth the braine and comforteth the senses Galbanum is hote in the third degree and dry in the second it softeneth stoppeth and draweth away euil humors and is good against colds Galla which we call gals or a light fruit of okes are hot and piercing Garifilata which we call hearbe bennet is hote and dry in the second degree Garofoli which we call cloues is hot and dry in the 3. degree are very comfortable for inward sicknesse Genger is hot and is excellent to preserue heate in the inward parts Ginista or Ginestra which we call broome is hote and dry in the third degree it killeth worms and scoureth much Gentian especially the root is hot in the third dry in the second degree it doth extenuate purge and cleanse all euill humors and is good for the liuer and stomacke and for wounds and soares Giglio which we call lillies softeneth sinewes and are good for wounds and soares Giniper is hot and dry in the third degree Gramen which is any manner of graine or pulse is cold and dry except wheate and that is temperatly hot and moyst they do incarnate and mundifie Grasso which is any manner of fat is hot and moist and doth ripen and soften H Harundiniâ— cortex which we call cane reed is hot dry in the third degree Hedera which we cal Iuy is a great drawer opener Helxine which we call pellitory of the wall cleanseth and bindeth and is good for any old cough or for any inflammations Hyssopo which we call hyssope there is both wilde and that of the garden but the garden is the best it is hote and dry in the third degree it cleanseth and warmeth and is good for inflammations of the lungs old coughs poses rheumes and short winde Hordeo which we call barly is cold and dry in the first degree and it mundifieth and cooleth I Incenso which we call Frankinsence it dryeth and incarnateth see Olibanum Ipericon which we call Saint Iohns wort expelleth moisture and healeth burnings Ireos Florentina which we call Flower de luce especially the roote it warmeth ripeneth and cleanseth and is good for the cough and is hote and dry in the third degree Iride Illyrica see Helpine Iris is a roote that is hote and dry it cleanseth and ripeneth and is good against colds purgeth vlcers Iasquiani which wee call henbane is cold in the fourth degree it astonieth and benumbeth L Ligustum which wee call louage is hote and dry in the third degree it expelleth winde especially the seed and roote Lapathum which wee cal a docke is cold and moist and it mollifieth Lauri which we call laurell or bayes are hote and dry and they cleanse and mundifie Lentisco is a gumme that is like maslicke it is dry in the second degree and moderately bindeth it is bitter in tast and euer greene Linosa which we call slaxe or line the seed thereof is hote and dry it ripeneth and mollifieth tumors Lee is hote and dry in the fourth degree it is very adustiue cleansing and piercing Lithargirio of which there are two kinds the one of the colour of gold the other of siluer it is very dry it bindeth softeneth incarnateth cooleth and closeth vp and of these two that which is like gold is the best Lolium which wee call cockle is hote and dry in the third degree and dissolueth much Lâ—mache which we call house-snailes without shels doe conglutinate very much M Malâ—a is cold and moist it stoppeth softneth and mitigateth paine Maluaniscus is very dry it softeneth looseneth and incarnatâ—th Mace is dry in the third degree without heate and onely bindeth Manna is of equall temper hote and dry it openeth it mollifieth and incarnateth Mariaton or Martiaton is a hote vnguent against all cold humors it helpeth the griefe of sinewes purgeth cold watry matters and ripens tumors Marrobio which we call horehound of which there are two kinds the white and blacke but the white is the better it is hote in the second and dry in the third degree it helpeth obstructions in the liuer openeth and purgeth and is good against colds or for soares Masticke is hote in the first and dry in the second degree It draweth and dryeth bindeth and sofineth and is good against old cold Medulla which we call marrow of what kind soeuer is cold moist mollifieth vlcers now the best marrow is that of the hart or old stagge the next that of a calle the next that of a sheepe and the last that of a goate Mel which wee call hony
is hote and dry in the second degree it cleanseth the stomacke and entrails stoppeth humors and incarnateth wounds Melissa which we call balme is hote in the second dry in the first degree it cleanseth conglutinateth Mentha which we call Mints is hot in the third and dry in the second degree of which the wilde minte is best it killeth wormes it bindeth it dissolueth and is good for the stomacke or a cold liuer Minio which we cal redde lead is cold and dry and good against swellings Mirre or Mirrha is a soueraigne gum it is hote dry in the second degree it conglutinateth bindeth and cleanseth wounds is good against al colds killeth wormes and helpeth the pursicke for though it doth cleanse much yet it doth not exasperate the arteries also it doth incarnate Morcosita or Marcasita is hot and dry it comforteth bindeth and melteth humors Mertilla is the fruite of the mirtil tree it is dry in the third degre it doth bind good loosen euil humors Morcas which we call the mulbery the vnripe is cold and dry in the second degree the barke but chiefly the roote is hote and dry in the third degree it doth cleanse purge and bind the roote thereof killeth wormes and the gumme thereof doth loosen and the iuice of the berry doth heale cankers or soare mouths N Narcissi radix which we call the roote of white Daffadill â—â— or else prim-rose pearlesse is dry it cleanseth and draweth and healeth wounds Nardiradix which wee call setwal is hot in the first and dry in the second degree it bindeth and Spico Nardo prouoketh vrine Nasturtio is hote and dry in the fourth degree it burneth it draweth and melteth and killeth wormes see Agrecum which wee call cresles Nigilla which we call git is hote and dry in the third degree it stayeth wind killeth wormes and looseneth yet to giue too great a quantity is dangerous Nitro is of the same nature that salte-peter is and it mundifieth exceedingly O Olibanum is a gumme it is hote and dry in the second degree it warmeth bindeth closeth woundes and incarnateth Oyle of Oliues is of a very temperate nature and changeth his qualities according to the nature of the simples which are mixt with him Opium is cold and dry in the fourth degree and is a liquor made of poppy dried and mixt with saffron it doth astonish and prouoke sleede Opoponax is a gumme that is hote in the third and dry in the second degree it softeneth and stayeth humors is good against all colds see Papauer Galbanum Bdelium and Sagapenum Orpimento is a kind of mettall of which the artificial is called Arsnick is hote in the third degree and dry in the second it bindeth corrodeth burneth and fretteth and is a corrosiue Origono which wee call wilde marioram or penyrial is hote and dry in the third degree it taketh away stoppings and is good for coughes Orobus which we call fitches are hote in the first dry in the second degree they do open cleanse Orzo which we call barley is cold and drye in the first degree it ripeneth and cleanseth Ortica which we call nettles are hote and dry they are biting wholesome for the lungs or for soares Oria which we call egges the white is cold and the yolke is hot and doth incarnate P Panacea is that hearbe whose fruite wee call Opoponax Panico is a graine which wee call panicke it is cold and dry and bindeth Papauer which we call poppy the seeds thereof are white and hote in the fourth degree see Opium Pastinache which we call parsnips are hot and doe prouoke vrine Pece which we call pitch is hot dry in the second degree it draweth drieth and ripeneth Pece liquida which we call tarre is hote and dry in the second degree is good against colds or euill humors gathered together in the breast and draweth wounds Pece Rasina which we cal rosen or pitch of Greece it draweth healeth and incarnateth Pece Rasina liquida which we call turpentine it doth draw skinne incarnate and conglutinate things together Pepper is hote and dry in the fourth degree it is both attractiue and mundificatiue and good for all diseases of the breast or lungs Peaches are cold and moyst in the second degree they binde and stirre vp wormes Petasites which we call butter burre is drye in the third degree Petrolium is a certaine oyle made of salt-peter and Bitumen it is hot and dry in the second degree it healeth wounds and comforteth weake members Petrosellium which we cal parsley or stone parsley is especially his seed hot and dry in the third degree it staies winde openeth and prouoketh vrine Phylonium of which there are two kinds Phylonium Romanum Phylonium Persicum are excellent compositions and most comfortable after the losse of bloud Poligono which we call knot-grasse is cold in the second degree and keepeth backe humors Plantago which we call plantaine is cold and dry in the third degree it comforteth dryeth bindeth and incarnateth wounds Porrl which we call leekes scallions or onyons are hot dry and do extenuate obstructions and raise vp and loosen all euill humors in the body Puere or porrum is hot in the second degree and is good for all cold waterish stomackes Pulegum which we call penyryall is hot and dry in the third degree it doth vehemently dry vp moisture warmeth ripeneth and is good for the lungs see Origono Punicum Malum which we cal pomegranate is cold dry it bindeth prouoketh vrine is good for the stomacke R Rasano or Raphanus which we call radish is hot in the third and dry in the second degree they comfort and are good for old colds but especially they prouoke vrine Resina which we call rosen is hot and dry in the second degree it stoppeth softeneth cleanseth draweth and purgeth wounds and is good against cold causes Resalgar See Risigallo Regoritio or Rigolitio which we call licoras is temperatâ— in heate moisteneth ripeneth and is good for heate in the stomacke or liuer and profitable against wounds Risigallo is a composition of Sulpure orpiment and vnsleckt lime and is a most strong corrosiue Rosaeflos which we call rose leaues or rose cakes are dry and binding Rubea which we call madder is dry it comforteth and incarnateth the root thereof prouoketh vrine is good for the yellowes Ruberb or Rubarb is hote and dry in the second degree it purgeth choler and fleame and putteth away stoppings Ruta which we call rue or hearbe of grace is hote and dry in the third degree but the wild rue in the fourth degree and therefore exulcerateth the garden rue disgesteth and mightily comforteth all inflammations it ripeneth and dryeth and expelleth winde S Sauina which we call Sauine is hot and dry in the third degree it openeth dissolueth and dryeth mightily and is most soueraigne against wormes Sacaro is hot and moyst and comfortable Sagapenum See Serapino Sagina or Saggina or Sorgo of some called panicum Indicum is onely hote and dry Sale which we call salt is hot and dry in the second dregree and it cleanseth Salamora which we call brine or water and salt is of the same nature that salt is Salâ—armoniacke is hot and dry in the fourth degree it cleanseth Salee which we call sallowes or willow it bindeth and drieth vehemently Salgemma is a kinde of salt which is hote and dry it cleanseth and mundifieth Saluitro some vse for this salt-peter it is hot dry euaporateth it comforteth sinewes and taketh away tiring or wearinesse Saluia which we call sage is hot and dry in the second degree it cleanseth and bindeth is good for wounds or exulceration of the lungs Sambucus which we call Elder tree or wal-wort that is like Elder tree is hot in the second degree and dry in the first it dryeth disgesteth and conglutinateth Sandolo which we call saunders are cold and drye in the second degree and driue backe humors Sandolo Rosso or Sandolo Bianca which wee call red sand or whitesand are hote and dry and bring on skin Sanguis draconis see Cinaber yet some take it for the red docke or red patience but it is not so Sapone which we call sope is hot it draweth mollifieth drieth and purgeth Sassifragia which we call saxifrage is hote and dry and binding Scabioso which we call scallions is hot and dry in the second degree they do regenerate and are good for scabs for the lungs or for soarenesse in the breast Seamonium which is the iuice of a roote is hote in the third degree it disgesteth and purgeth choler but must neuer be giuen inwardly vnlesse it be corrected Scariola which we call endiue is cold and dry and binding Scarcocolla is a gumme of the kind of Euforbium it is hote and dry in the second degree it cleanseth incarnateth and comforteth wounds Sea onion is hote in the second and dry in the first degree it ripeneth and expelleth humors it hindereth putrifaction and preserueth health Semola which we call young coleworts are hot and dry in the first degree Semperuine which we call housleeke and some call stonecrop is cold in the third and dry in the second degree it is good for burnings or frettings or for inflammations of vlcers it driueth backe humors cooleth and bindeth Seua dolce is hote in the second and dry in the first degree it cleanseth and openeth Serapino is a gum of Ferula it is hote in the third and dry in the second degree it mollifieth looseneth and is good for colds Serpillo which we call wilde running Bettonie or Time smelling like marioram is hot dry in the third degree Sinapi which wee call mustard is hote and dry in the fourth degree it draweth and resolueth and is good for scurfes or wild scabbes Solatro which wee call night shade is cold in the third degree Sulphure viue which we call brimstone is hote and dry in the third degree it draweth disperseth humors
and his colour is either a bright sorrell a cole blacke without any white or an yron gray vnchangeable that is such a gray as neither will euer turne to a daple gray to a white or to a flea-bitten and these horses are of nature light hot fiery and seldome of any great strength these horses are much subiect to pestilent feuers yellowes and inflammations of the liuer Therefore euery Farrier shall be carefull in the composing of any medicine for such a horse to purge choler yet very moderately and not with any extraordinary strength in the potion or drench because the horse being in his best strength not reputed strong should you apply any violent thing to him that little strength being abated there were great danger in the confounding of the whole body If the horse participate more of the aire then of the other elements then is he of a sanguine complexion and his colour is either bright bay or darke bay which hath neither skouling countenance mealy nose nor white flanke or a white flea-bitten white lyard like siluer or a blacke with white starre white rache or white foote these horses are of nature pleasant nimble free and of a good strength The diseases to them most incident is consumption of the liuer leprosie glanders or any disease that is infectious They are of a good strong constitution and may endure strength in their medicines especially any thing that cooleth the bloud If the horse participate more of the water then of the other elements then is he of a flegmaticke complexion and his colour is either a milke white a yellow dun a kiteglewd or a pyedball in whom there is an equall mixture of colours that is as much white as of the other color otherwise if the bay the blacke or the dunne exceed the white he is sayd to be of that complexion of which the color is greatest These horses are of nature slow dull and apt to leese flesh the diseases which are most incident vnto them is colds head-atch rheumes staggers and such like They are able to endure the reasonable strength of any medicine because the abundance of fleame which is in them sufficeth both nature and the potion to worke vpon all cold simples are to them exceeding hurtfull so are also they which are violently hot in the third degree the first because it bindeth too soone the latter because it disperseth too suddenly therefore simples of a moderate meane are the best If the horse participate more of the earth then of the other elements then is he of a melancholy complexion and his colour is mouse dunne russet chesnut a sky gray darke bay with mayly nose redde or white slanke or a reddish bay hauing long white haire like goates haire growing on his legges These horses are of nature heauy and saint hearted the diseases to them most incident is inflammations in the Spleene Frenzie Dropsie and such like They are commonly of better strength then they will suffer to appeare by their actions and are able to endure the strength of any reasonable medicine all cicatrizing and dry simples are hurtfull vnto them the cold and moist are the most profitable Hauing thus shewed you these foure complexions Cholerike Sanguine Flegmatike and Melancholy together with their qualities and strengths you shall vnderstand now that amongst Farriers there is another complexion or fift constitution which is called the composition or mixture of complexions that is whensoeuer a horse doth participate of all the foure elements equally and in due proportion none being greater or lesse then another and this complexion of all other is the best and and most perfect and the horse which is of this complexion is euer of one of these colours that is to say either a faire browne bay dapled or not dapled a daple gray a blacke full of siluer haires or a faire roane redde or blacke And those horses are of nature most excellent most temperate strongest gentlest and most healthfull though they may haue any disease yet are they naturally inclined to no disease but what infirmity soeuer falleth vnto them is meerely accidentall and not through any ouerflow of naturall distemperature All medicines must be compounded for them according to the nature of the sicknesse and the time of their languishment for if their sicknesse be young and new bred then are they able to receiue any well composed receipt but if it be old the inward powers and faculties feebled then you must bee carefull to helpe nature by adding to euery medicine of what nature soeuer some simple of comfort that as euill humours be clensed so strength may still be repayred maintained And thus much for complexions CHAP. 11. Of inward sicknesse the causes and seuerall kindes thereof SIth I haue already passed ouer al those things which haue a naturall and perfect working in a horses body and do maintaine vphold and preserue the same in good state and health except accidentally they be encountred and crossed by some excesse or in dyet or in exercise it shall now be meete that we begin to speake of the things which be contrary and against nature which are all those things whereby at any time the healthfull estate of the horses body is any way impeached and they be three in number that is the causes the sicknesse and the accidents which follow euery sicknesse Now the causes of sicknesse are all vnnaturall affects and euill dispositions which going before do as it were by violence bring sicknesse after them and of these causes there be two sorts some internall some externall the internall be those which breede within the body of the horse as euill humours euill obstructions and euill iuice Externall are they which communicate with the outward parts of the body as heate cold wounds and such like of which I shall speake more in the second booke and for so much as I intend at the beginning of euery particular disease to shew the cause of that disease I will at this time speake no more of that subiect Now for sicknesse it selfe which is any thing that is contrary to nature it is diuided into three generall kindes the first an euill temperature the second an euil state or composition and the third a loosening or diuiding of an vnity Now of these two latter I intend not to speake in this place because they appertaine to surgery which I reserue for the second booke but for the first kinde which is an euill temperature it is taken two fold that is either simple or compound simple when one quality onely doth abound or exceede as to be too moist or too dry compound when mo qualities then one do grow into excesse as for a horse to be too hot and too dry or too cold and too moist Againe sicknesses are sayd some to belong as consumptions glanders and such like which linger and weare a horse away by small degrees Some short as the staggers yellowes anticor and such like which
griefe is in his forelegges but if he go onely weake behinde then is the griefe in his hinder legges onely If a horse desire extraordinarily to lye downe on his right side it is a signe of heate in the liuer If on the left side then of a diseased spleene if he be oft vp and downe finding no rest then it is a signe of bottes wormes chollicke or griping in the belly if when he is downe he spreade himselfe abroad it shewes the dropsie if he groane when he is downe it shewes either a sicke spleene moist yellowes chollicke bots or filme broken if he be not able to rise when he is downe then either mortall weaknesse foundring in the body or legges To be troubled with much wind is a signe either of griefe in the spleene or losse of much bloud If a horse forsake his meate it is a signe either of a feuer head-ache strangle staggers consumption or dry malady anticor foundring in the body a hot and consumed liuer moyst yellowes cholicke or the wormes but if when he forsaketh his prouender he doth as it were chauell or chaw a little hay and in his chawing doth make a certaine sharp noyse in his mouth and if his tongue could not well part from the roofe without a kinde of chanking it is then a certaine signe that the horse is troubled with the falling of the palate of the mouth a disease which only commeth by ouer much trauell or too sore a burthen If a horse desire to eate much and drinke little it is a signe of a cold liuer but if he desire to drinke much and eate little it is then a signe either of a feuer rotten lungs heate in the stomacke heate in the liuer or the dry yellowes If a horse both eate and drinke with an extraordinary greedinesse it is a signe of rotten lungs or a diseased spleene Lazie and heauy going contrary to true nature is a signe either of a feuer sicke spleene yellowes or else obstructions of the liuer If a horse strike with his foote at his belly it is a signe of the chollike but if when he striketh he fiske with his taile also then is it either bots or rough wormes If a horse be scabby and vlcerous all ouer his body or but about his necke it is a signe of the mangie if it be an vlcer full of knots creeping alongst a veine it is the farcy if spreading abroad onely in one place it is a canker if the vlcer be hollow and crooked it is a fistula but if it be a spongie wart full of bloud it is then an Anburie If a horses tongue hang out and be swolne it is a signe of the strangle To conclude if a horse in health beate short thicke fast in the flanke it is a signe of sicknesse in the lungs lights which we call broken winded with a world of other such like signes and tokens as shall be more amply declared in euery particular chapter CHAP. 13. Generall obseruations in the Physicking of Horses AFter you can by these signes and characters iudge and approue either the health or sicknesse of a horse it is then necessary that you learne some generall rules and obseruations which belong to the physicking of a horse lest that either by your rashnesse vnskilfulnesse or vncleanlinesse in what you go about to do you commit errours more grosse then the medicine you administer hath power to do good Know then first that whensoeuer you go about to giue your horse any inward potion or drench you must first take very carefull heede that your drinke be no more then milke warme for there is nothing more mortall to a horse then the scalding of his stomacke Next you must be very carefull that you giue the drench easily and gently lest in making too much haste the drinke passe into his weasand or winde-pipe and so force him to an extreme coughing and almost suffocate him which if it do you must then let his head loose and walke him vp and downe till the passion be past Lastly you shall obserue in giuing a drench to draw out the horses tongue before you put in the horne and then presently let it loose againe for that will compell him to swallow whether he will or no. And this is principally to be vsed when you giue your horse pils as butter and garlike bulter and Saunders or butter and sauen Also euery drench will worke the better the longer you keepe the sicke horse fasting both before and after his medicine wherein is likewise to be obserued that moderate exercise as gently walking or trotting vp and downe according to the horses strength after his drench is receiued is most wholesome and maketh the medicine worke a great deale the better You shall likewise obserue if your horses sicknesse be a feuer to mixe alwayes your simples either with warme water with hony or with oyle but if the disease be coughes rheumes or any thing that proceedeth of cold causes then you shall mixe your simples with good ale or wine and if your horse be brought low weake with sicknesse then you shall mixe your simples with milke or egges You shall also obserue that in bloud letting you must take but halfe so much from a yong colt as from an old horse and but the fourth part from a yearling foale also in letting bloud you must carefully regard the age and strength of your horse taking more or lesse according to his ability of body Lastly letting of bloud is either to diuert sicknesse and preserue health or to refresh and coole the spirits or to diminish bloud or else to purge grosse and badde humours Obserue before you let your horse bloud first moderately to chafe or exercise him then let him take rest a day before his letting bloud and three dayes after not forgetting that Aprill and October are the two principall seasons of the yeare for that purpose except vrgent occsion be ministred Obserue whensoeuer you rake your horse with your hand which is to draw his ordure out of his fundament when hee cannot dung that then first you annoynt all your hand with sallet oyle the like you must euer do when you put vp any suppositary but when you administer any glister you shall then but annoynt the glister pipe onely Many other obseruations there are which be more particular and those you shall finde annexed to the seuerall cure of euery disease Thus much then of these generall obseruations CHAP. 14. Of the vrine and excrements of an horse AFter you haue made your memory acquainted with the signes and obseruations before specified and so in the end finde a horse which by the demonstration of some of these signes appeareth most certainly to be sicke and diseased my aduice is then if conueniently you may and that the violence of the sicknesse do not vrge the contrary that before you administer any thing vnto him in any case you see his vrine from which vrine you
Now for the cure you shall cause him to be let bloud in all the lower parts of his body to draw the bloud from his head as namely on the shackell veines the spurre veines the plat veines and the thigh veines and you shall let him bloud aboundantly then giue him this drinke Take the roote of wild cowcumber or where that cannot be gotten take a handfull of rue and mints and a handfull of blacke elleborus and boyle them in strong red wine and giue it luke warme to the horse in a horne Some vse to giue mans dung with wine three mornings together and also to rubbe his body ouer with a friction at least twice a day and not to faile to giue him moderate exercise Other vse to pierce the skinne of his head with a hot yron to let out the ill humours Others as the most certaine of all medicines vse to geld him of both or one stone at the least but I like it not for mine owne part the cure I haue euer vsed for this griefe was either to make him swallow down hard hens dung or else to giue him to drinke the root of Virgapastoris stâ—mpt in water and for his ordering during the cure I would haue his stable quyet but not close and his foode onely warme mashes of malt and water yet but a very little at one time for the thinnest dyet is best CHAP. 31. Of the Sleeping euill or Lethargie in horses THe sleeping euill is an infirmity which maketh a horse to sleepe continually depriuing him thereby both of memory appetite and all alacrity of spirit It is most incident to white and dunne horse because it proceedeth only from flegme cold grosse which moysturing the braine too much causeth heauinesse and sleepe There needes no other signe more then his sleeping onely The cure is to keepe him waking whether he will or no with great noises and affrights then let him bloud in the necke and the palate of the mouth and giue him to drinke water luke warme wherein hath bene boyled camomill mother woort wheate branne salt and vinegar you shall also persume his head and make him neese and annoynt the palate of his mouth with hony and mustard mixt together it shall not be amisse if with the ordinary water which he drinketh you mixe either parsley seede or fennell seede for that will prouoke vrine you shall also bath his legges and stop his houes with bran salt and vinegar boyled together and applyed as hot as may be and his stable would be lightsome and full of noyse CHAP. 32. Of a Horse that is taken or of shrow running THose horses are supposed by Farriers to be taken or as some call it planet strooke which are depriued of feeling or of mouing not being able to stirre any member but remaineth in the same forme as he was at his time of taking Some hold it proceedeth from choler and fleame when they are superaboundantly mixt together or of melancholy bloud which being a cold dry humour doth oppresse and sicken the hinder part of the braine Other ancient Farriers hold it cometh of some extreme cold or extreme heate or raw disgestion striking into the empty veins suddainly or else of extreme hunger caused by long fasting The signes thereof are numbnesse and want of motion before spoken of as for the cure it is diuers for first you must note whether it come of cold or heate if it come of cold you shall know it by the stuffing and poze in the head which euer is ioyned with the disease if of heate by the hotnesse of his breath and cleare fetching of his winde Now if it proceed from cold you shall giue him to drinke one ounce of Lacerpitium mixt with sallet oyle and muskadine luke warme if it proceede of heate you shall giue one ounce of Lacerpitium with water and hony luke warme but if it proceede of crudity or raw disgestion then you shall helpe him by fasting and if it proceede of fasting then you shall heale him by feeding him often with good meate as with wholesome bread and dry oates yet but a little at a time that he may euer eate with a good stomacke Now for the French Farriers as Monsieur Horace and the rest who call this disease Surprius they hold it cometh onely from cold causes following hot accidents and they vse for their cure to let him bloud on the breast veines and then put him into a sweate either by exercise or multiplicity of clothes but many clothes is better because the horse is not capable of labour and sometimes they will bury him all saue the head in an old dunghill till throuh the heate thereof his limbs receiue such feeling that he begins to struggle out of the same All which cures are not much amisse yet in mine opinion this is the best easiest and surest way First to let him bloud in the necke and breast then to annoynt all his body with oyle Petrolium then giue him this drinke Take of malmsey three pints and mixe it with a quarterne of sugar cynamon and cloues and let him drinke it luke warme then take old rotten wet litter and for want thereof wet hay and with clothes sursingles and cords swaddle al his whole body ouer with the same of a good thicknesse and renew it once in three daies till he be whole let his stable be warme his exercise moderate and if he grow costiue let him first be raked and after giue him either a glister or a suppositary according to his strength There is also another kinde of taking and that is when a horse is planet strooke or stricken with thunder but it is vtterly vncurable and therefore I will omit to speake further of it The last kinde of taking is when a horse is shrow runne that when a horse lieth sleeping there is a certain venemous field mouse called a shrow whose head is extraordinary long like a swines head and her feete shorter of the one side then the other This mouse if she happen to runne ouer any of the limbes of the horse presently the horse leeseth the vse of that limbe she ranne ouer and if she runne ouer his body he commonly leeseth the vse of his hinder loynes and these accidents hauing bene often found vnexpected common Farriers haue held the horse to be taken or planet strooke As for the cure thereof the best is to seeke out a bryer which groweth at both ends and take the horse or beast that is thus vexed and draw him vnder the same and it is a present remedy For mine owne part I haue heard much both of the infirmity and of the cure but I haue had no experience of it but only in one yong foale which being suddainly lame was as suddainly helped to my much contentment CHAP. 33. Of the Staggers THe staggers is a dizzy madnesse of the braine proceeding from corrupt bloud or grosse tough and heauy humours which oppresse and make sicke the
according to the opinion of ancient Farriers from a continuall crudity oâ— raw disgestion of the stomacke from whence grosse vapours ascending vp into the head doe not onely oppresse the braine but all the sensitiue parts also Now for my part I rather hold it an infirmity of the stomacke and inward bowels which being cloyed with much glut and fat doth in the night season so hinder the spirits and powers from doing their naturall office that the beast hauing as it were his breath strangled doth with an vnnaturall struggling in his sleepe put his body into an extreme sweat and with that passion is brought to much faintnesse of which I haue had much and continuall experiâ—nce onely in horses exceeding fat and newly taken from the grasse but especially from such horses as are either fatted vpon eddish grasse which in some countries is called after-maths or such as are taken vp fat in the winter season The signes to know this disease is that in the morning when you come early to your horse you shall finde him all of a great sweate and his body something panting or perhaps you shall but only find him sweat in his flankes vpon his necke and at the rootes of his eares either of both are signes of this sicknesse especially if at night when you litter him you finde that he is dry of his body and giueth no outward signe of inward sicknesse Now there be some that will obiect against me and say that this infirmity is not the night-mare but an ordinary infirmity ingendred by superfluity of cold grosse and vnwholesome food got in the winter season which nature through the helpe of warme clothes and a warme house expels in this manner in the night season To this obiection I answer that if they do disallow this sicknesse to be the night-mare that then without all contradiction there is no such disease as the night-mare at all and that it is but only a name without any substance or consequence but forasmuch as this sicknesse is not onely very vsuall but also carrieth with it all the effects and attributes ascribed vnto the night-mare and that it is as yet a disease vnnamed I do not think I can giue it a more proper terme then to call it the night-mare The cure whereof is euery morning and euening both before and after his water to giue the horse some moderate exercise as to make him go at least a mile and more for his water and after he is watered to gallop him gently on the hand a good space then when he is brought into the house and well rubbed to giue him his prouender being oates and to mixe therewith a handfull or better of hempseede onely in this cure you must be carefull that your exercise do not enforce him to sweate nor shall you haue need to vse it longer then you finde that he sweateth much in the night season This exercise and medicine will not onely cure this infirmity but also any cold that is newly gotten whatsoeuer CHAP. 36. Of the Apoplexie or Palsey THese palseyes or apoplexies which happen vnto horses are of two sorts the one generall the other particular The generall palsey is when a horse is depriued of all sense and mouing generally ouer his whole body which is seldome or neuer found out by our Farriers because the mortality and suddainnesse of death which pursues the disease takes from them all notes obseruations of the infirmity and indeed for the generall palsey there is no cure and therefore there needs no description of signe or cure For the particular palsey that is when a horse is depriued but of some part or member of his body and most commonly it is but the necke onely as both my selfe and others haue found by dayly experience The disease procedeth from foulnesse of foode or from fenne feeding which breedeth grosse cold and tough humours which ioyning with crudities and raw disgestions oppresse the braine violently altogether it also cometh many times by meanes of some blow or wound giuen vpon the temples of the head The signes to know the disease are the gathering together of his body going crookedly and not straight forward but seldome and holding his necke awry without motion yet neuer forsaking his prouender or meate but eating it with greedinesse and much slauering The cure is to let him bloud on his necke veine and temple veine on the contrary side to that way he wryeth then annoynt all his necke ouer with the oyle Petroleum and with wet hay ropes swaddle all his necke ouer euen from his breast to his eares but hauing before splented his necke straight with splents of wood made strong smooth flat for the purpose then for 3 mornings together giue him a pint of old muskadine with two spoonefull of this powder to drinke Take of Opoponax two ounces of Storax three ounces of Gentian three ounces of Manna Suâ—carie three ounces of Mirre one scruple and of long pepper two scruples beate all these into fine powder Now there be some Farriers which for this disease vse to draw the horses necke on the contrary side with a hot yron euen from the necke to the shoulder and on the temple of his head of that side also a long strike and on the other a little starre in this maner and from his reines to his midde backe small lines in this maner But I that know this sicknesse proceedeth from the braine and sinewes cannot conceiue how any helpe should come from burning of the skinne because it is the sinewes themselues and not the skinne that is drawne vp and straightned and therefore I would wish euery Farrier to forbeare this tormenting vnlesse he apparantly see that the skinne it selfe through dislike and weaknesse is shrunke also and then the cure is not amisse CHAP. 37. Of the generall Crampe or conuulsion of sinewes THese generall crampes or conuulsions of sinewes are most forcible contractions or drawings together of the sinewes and muscles and they happen sometimes generally into many parts of the body somtimes particularly as but into one member and no more when they are generally diperst in horses they proceede commonly from some wound wherein a sinew is halfe cut and no more and so there runneth a generall contraction ouer the whole body by degrees When they are particular as but in one member then they proceede either from cold windy causes or from the want of bloud For the generall contraction which cometh by a wound you shall reade the cure thereof in the booke of Surgery following where the sinew being cut in two peeces the contraction ceasseth For the particular where but one member is grieeued you shall know it by these signes the member will be starke and stiffe insomuch that neither the beast nor any man will be able to bow it the sinewes will be hard like stickes and the horse being downe is not able to rise during the time of the contraction he will also halt
ounce and a halfe of aloes likewise in powder one ounce of Agaricke halfe an ounce knead all these together like paste and make thereof foure or fiue balles and giue it to the horse This last recited pill is singular good for the dry cough and all the other pils are most soueraigne for all infirmities of the head which grow either from fleame melancholy or any other cold or moist cause whatsoever Now for purgations which are the strongest cleansers of the body they be these Take two ounces of Myrre and mixe it with a pint of wine and it wil purge all sicknesse which proceedeth of choler the signes whereof are his belly will swell be very hot and he can neither dung nor breake winde Take a pint of wine and beate a raw egge therein and adde to it a quarter of an ounce of brimstone halfe an ounce of Myrre beaten to powder and giue it the horse luke warme and it will purge all inward diseases proceeding of melancholy Two spoonefull of the powder Diapente giuen with halfe a pint of swines grease purgeth all diseases proceeding of fleame Take as much blacke sope as a wal-nut a quart of new milke and a quarter of a pint of sallet oyle and giue it the horse luke warme and it purgeth all cold infirmities Take the guts of a Tench or Barbell being cut into little small peeces and giue it the horse in a quart of white wine and it will purge the horse from all costiuenesse or paine in the guts Rye being boyled so that it burst not then dryed againe and giuen the horse in stead of prouender purgeth and killeth all manner of wormes Take of radish rootes one ounce of the roote called Panax and of Scamony of each halfe an ounce beate all these together and boyle them in a quart of hony then giue the horse two spoonefull of this in a quart of ale luke warme to drinke and it will purge all grosse humours from whence proceedeth either the falling euill or any disease of the braine Take and boyle Elicampanam roots in milke till they be so soft that you may bruise them to pappe and then adding thereto halfe a pint of sallet oyle giue it the horse to drinke luke warme and this will purge and cleanse any glaunders Take of sweete sope a quarter of a pound and make it into three balles and giue them to the horse it wil purge all euill humors whatsoeuer both violently and most aboundantly CHAP. 94. Of Neesing or Fumigation and the vse thereof THere is also another maner of purging of a horse and especially his head and that is by forcing him to neese or snurt violently at his nose casting forth all filthy and grosse matter which otherwise would offend and oppresse the braine and this neesing is wrought sometimes by fumes or smoakes sometimes by powders and sometimes by oyles the sharpnesse of which tickling the tender and quicke parts of the head do compell this snurting and neesing surely there is no purgation more wholesome for as it cleanseth and separateth grosse matter so it comforteth and maketh strong the braine Now to come vnto the particular medicines which do procure this neesing they be these Squirt into an horses nosthrels either mans vrine which is old or the vrine of an oxe which hath had much rest and it will force a horse to neese and is most wholesome for any quotidian feuer Take the powder of gumdragant Ensens and damaske roses well mixt together and blow it with a quill into the horses nosthrels and it is good either against the feuer in sommer or winter Take warme vinegar and squirt it into his nosthrels it is comfortable against the feuer which cometh by raw disgestion Take of garlick stalkes a handfull being broke into little peeces and a good quantity of frankinsence and being put vpon a chasing dish and coles hold the chasing dish vnder the horses nosthrels so that the fume may ascend vp into his head and this is most excellent against the head-ache Take feathers and brimstone burne them on a chafing dish and coales vnder the horses nose or blow pepper and Perithre beaten to powder vp into his nosthrels either of both these are most excellent against the sleeping euill Take the powder of motherwort and blow it vp into a horses nostrels and it is good against the falling euill Take two goose feathers annoynted ouer with oyle de bay and thrust them vp and downe in the horses nosthrels or else to take sage penyriall and wheate long sodden together and put into a bagge as hot as may be which bagge would be so close fastned to the horses head that all the smoake and sauour thereof may ascend vp into his nosthrels or take a clout annoynted with sope or oyle de bay and rub it vp and downe his nosthrels as high as may be Any of all these or all these together are most excellent against any cold poze or other obstruction in the head Take orpiment and sulphure and burn them on the coales and hold it vnder the horses nose or take oyle de bay Euforbium and white Ellebore and annointing two feathers therewith thrust them vp into the horses nosthrels both these are good against the glaunders Take of the stalkes of bryony or wilde vine two handfuls and bruise them betwixt two stones and being so bruised put them into a linnen bagge and fasten the bagge so to the horses head that the sent may go vp into his nosthrels without touching the hearbe with his mouth and this is excellent against the mourning of the chine or any inward cough Take of rosemary of narde and of sage dryed and beaten into fine powder or each like waight and with a quill blow them vp into the horses nosthrels or take the powder of white pepper or of Sal-niter or of Iris Ilirica or blacke Eleboris and blow them with a quill vp into the horses nosthrels or take linnen cloth dipt in the dregs of oyle setting it on fire then suddenly put it out againe and let the smoake ascend vp into the horses nosthrels or squirt into his nosthrels Aristolochia mixt with wine or Salâ—niter mixt with water or salt and roâ—he allum mixt with wine or take ground Iuy beaten small and thrust vp into his nose or bay-berry beaten small and burnt on the coales vnder the horses nose or a coale of fire put into a lump of wet hay making a smoothering smoke and held vnder the horses nose Any of all these are most excellent against any disease of the head especially staggers colds glaunders strangle and such like CHAP. 95. Of Frictions or Bathes and of their seuerall vses FRictions or Bathes are a certaine rubbing annointing or bathing of a horses body all ouer especially against the haire because the medicine may sinke in so much the better with comfortable and soueraigne vnguents whose vertues do loosen the skinne cheare vp the inward spirits and
spread a liuely heate and feeling ouer the whole body and of frictions both according to the opinion of the old Farriers also all the best of this present age these are the most soueraigne Take of damaske roses one pound of old oyle a pint of strong vinegar a pint and an halfe of mints and rew beaten into powder of each one ounce and a halfe together with one old dry nut beate them and mingle them well together then being strained and made luke warme if it be in the sommertime and that the Sunne shine hot take the horse abroad but if otherwise keepe him in the stable and heating a barre of yron exceeding hot hold it ouer and on each side the horse and with the oyntment rubbe and chafe the horse all ouer against the haire vntill the horse beginne to sweate then cloathe the horse very warme and let him stand This friction is excellent against all winter feuers or any inward sicknesse that cometh of cold Take of blacke Elleborus two or three handfuls and boyle it in a sufficient quantity of strong vinegar and with that rubbe and chafe all the horses head and body quite ouer once or twice a day and it is most excellent against frenzy madnesse or any drynesse or scallynesse of the skinne Take oyle de bay or Dialthea and annoynt all the horses body all ouer therewith holding a panne of coales or a hot panne of coales neare the oyntment to make it sinke in or else make him a bathe of running water wherein is boyled rew wormewood sage Iuniper bay leaues and hyssope and bathe all his body therewith either of these are most soueraigne for the mourning of the chine or any disease of the liuer lungs or spleene Take wine and oyle and hauing mixt them together chafe and rubbe the horses body therewith and it is most soueraigne for any inward sicknesse especially of the liuer To bathe a horse in salt water is very wholesome both for the horses skinne and also for any disease of the stomacke Lastly take of mallowes of sage of each two or three handfuls and a rose cake boyle them together in water then being boyled till the water be all consumed then adde a good quantity of butter or â—allet oyle and mixing them together bathe all the horses foure legges therewith and all the parts of his body also and there is nothing more soueraigne for a horse that hath bene tyred or ouer-trauelled To let bloud and with that bloud and oyle and vinegar presently to annoynt his body helpeth most sorts of infirmities CHAP. 96. Generall Drenches or Medicines for all the inward diseases or surfaits in Horses THere is no medicine more soueraigne for all diseases which breede in a horses body then to take two spoonefull of the powder called Diapente and brew it with a pint either of sacke or muskadine and so giue it the horse to drinke fasting in a morning and do this at least three mornings together especially when the horse beginneth first to droope The next to this is to take of selladine two handfuls both root and leaues choppe them and bruise them then take of rew as much of redde sage and of mints as much and of aloes halfe an ounce boyle these in a pottle of beare or ale till the one halfe be consumed and then giue it the horse luke warme to drinke 〈◊〉 foure ounces of Diapente and mixe it with foure ounces of clarified hony and keepe it in a close glasse and giue halfe an ounce thereof with a pint of sweete wine to the horse to drinke and it is an excellent drench Take of licoras an ounce of anise seedes of comin seedes of each halfe an ounce of Elicampanam rootes as much of turmericke and bayes of each a quarter of an ounce of long pepper and fenugreeke of each two drammes beate these small and searse them and put fiue spoonefull thereof into a quart of ale warmed with a little butter or oyle it is very soueraigne for any disease coming of cold causes Take a quart of good ale or wine a raw egge beaten mingled with twelue scruples of quicke sulphure and foure scruples of Myrre made into powder and giue it the horse to drinke it is a good drench The powder of brimstome mixt with sweete wine is a good drench also The roote of the sea onion the rootes of popler called in Greeke Rhammos mingled with common salt giuen in water keepeth the horse long in health Take fiue pound of fenegreeke and bruise it seeth it in water till it waxe thicke adde a pound of sweete butter an ounce of linseede oyle and as much of the oyle of nuts mingle them well together and giue it the horse in three or foure dayes to drinke by a pretty quantity at a time Selladine simply of it selfe or rew simply of it selfe boyled in beere or ale and as much brimstone as a wal-nut is an excellent drench for any long taken surfaite Garlicke and housleeke beaten together in a mortar and then boyled in beere or ale from a pottle to a quart then mixt with licoras anise seedes and sugarcandy and a pretty quantity of oyle is an excellent drench for any inward sicknesse which doth proceede from hot causes as is the Frenzy the Anticor and such like And thus much of generall drenches and their vses CHAP. 97. How to make the powder called Diapente THis word Diapente is as much as to say a composition of fiue simples for the receipt is thus compounded Take of Genâ—ian of Aristolochia of Bay berries of Myrre and of the shauings of Iuory of each like quantity beate them into very fine powder and then searce it This powder is praised to be a soueraigne preseruatiue or medicine against all inward diseases and therefore I would wish euery Farrier and all such as are the maisters of good horses neuer to be without it CHAP. 98. A most famous Receipt which is both a singular Drench and a singular Oyntment TAke of Euforbium halfe an ounce of Castoreum one ounce of Adarces halfe a quarter of a pound of Bdelium halfe an ounce and halfe a quarter of pepper a quarter of a pound Foxe-greace halfe an ounce Opoponax one ounce Lacerpitium three quarters of an ounce Amoniacum halfe a quarter of a pound pidgions dung as much Galbanum halfe an ounce Nitrum one ounce one quarter Spuma nitri three quarters of an ounce Ladanum a quarter of a pound Perethrum bay berries of each three quarters of an ounce Cardanun two ounces seede of rew halfe a quarter of a pound seede of Agnus Castus one ounce parsley halfe an ounce dryed rootes of Trees or flower-deluce one ounce one quarter hyssop Carpobalsamum a quarter of a pound oyle of flower-deluce a quarter of a pound and halfe a quarter oyle de bay as much oyle of Spikenard three quarters of a pound Oleum Cyprinum three quarters of a pound and halfe a quarter
then hauing a mallet in your right hand strike vpon the head of the toole a good stroake wherewith you may loosen the tooth and make it bend inward then straining the midst of your toole vppon the horses neather iaw wrinch the tooth outward with the inside or hollow side of the toole and thrust it cleane out of his head which done serue the other woolfes tooth on the other side in like manner and then fill vp the empty holes with salt finely brayed Other Farriers vse and I haue in mine experience found it the better practise only when the horse is eirher tyed vp or cast and his mouth opened to take a very sharp file and to file the woolfes teeth so smooth as is possible and then wash his mouth with a little allome water Now if the vpper iaw teeth ouerhang the neather iaw teeth so cut the inside of the mouth as is aforesaid then you shall take your former toole or gouge and with your mallet strike and pare all those teeth shorter by little and little degrees running alongst them euen from the first vnto the last turning the hollow side of your toole towards the teeth by which meanes you shall not cut the insides of the horses cheekes then with your file file them all smooth without any raggednes and then wash the horses mouth with vinegar salt Lastly if the paine do proceede from the loosnesse of his teeth then the cure is according to the opinion of the ancient Farriers first to cast the horse and pricke all his gummes ouer with a lancet making them bleede well then rubbe them all ouer with sage and salt and it will fasten them againe Others vse to let the horse bloud in the veine vnder his taile next the rumpe and then to rubbe all his gums with sage and to giue him in his prouender the tender croppes of blacke bryars or else wash all his mouth with hony sage and salt beaten together and by no meanes let the horse eate any moist meate for cold moist and marrish feeding in the winter onely breedeth this disease of loosnesse in the teeth and it is of all other most proper to the Sorrell horses CHAP. 33. Of diseases in the Necke and VVithers and first of the Cricke in the necke THe Cricke in the necke of a horse is when he cannot turne his necke any way but holdes it still right forth in so much that he cannot bow downe his head to take vp his meate from the ground but with exceeding great paine and surely it is a kinde of convultion of sinewes which proceedeth from cold causes of which we haue spoken very sufficiently before it also proceedeth sometimes from ouerheauy burthens that be laid vpon a horses shoulders or by ouer-much drying vp of the sinewes of the necke The cure whereof according to the opinion of the ancient Farriers is first to thrust a sharp hot Iron through the flesh of the necke in fiue seueral places euery one distant from the otther three inches but in any case beware of touching any sinew then rowell all the aforesaid places either with horse haire flaxe or hempe for the space of fifteene daies and annoint the rowels with hogs grease and the necke will soone be restored Others vse if the cricke causeth the horse to hold his head straight forward which sheweth that both sides are equally perplexed to take a hot drawing Iron draw the horse from the root of the eare on both sides the necke through the midst of the same euen downe the breast a straw deepe so as both ends may meete on the breast then make a hole through the skin of the forehead hard vnder the foretop thrust in a cornet vpward betwixt the skin and the flesh a handfull deepe then either put in a goose feather doubled in the midst and annointed with hogs grease or else a rowell of either horne or leather with a hole in the midst any of which will keep the hole open to the intent the matter may issue forth and this you shall keepe open the space of ten daies but euery day during that time the hole must be◠cleansed once and the feather or rowell also cleansed and fresh annointed and put in againe and once a day let him stand vpon the bit an houre or two or else be ridden abroade two or three miles by such an one as will beare the horses head and make him bring it in but if the cricke be such that it maketh the horse to hold his head awry vpon the one side which sheweth that but one side of the neeke is troubled then you shall not drawe the horse with an hote Iron on both the sides of the necke but onely on the contrary side as thus If hee bend his head towardes the right side then to drawe him as is aforesaid onely on the left side and to vse the rest of the cure as is abouesaid and if necessity do require you may splent the horses necke also straight strong with splents of wood I haue cured this cricke in the neck only by bathing the horses neck in the oile of peeter very hot and then rolling it all vp in wet hay or rotten litter and keeping the horse exceeding warme without vsing any burning wounding or other violence CHAP. 34. Of Wennes in the necke A Wenne is a certaine bunch or kirnell vpon the skinne like a tumor or swelling the inside whereof is sometimes hard like a gristell and spongious like a skinne full of soft warts and sometimes yellow like vnto rusted bacon with some white graines among Now of wennes some are great and some be small also some are very painfull and some not painfull at all They proceede as some imagine of naughty grosse flegmaticke humours binding together in some sicke part of the body And others say they proceed from taking of cold or from drinking of waters that be most extreme cold but I say that albeit they may proceed from these causes yet most generally they proceed frō some pinching bruising biting ripping or galling either of girthes halter coller or any other thing whatsoeuer The cure thereof is this take of mallowes sage and redde nettles of each one handfull boile them in running water and put thereunto a little butter and hony and when the hearbes be soft take them out and all to bruise them and put thereunto of oyle de bay two ounces and of hogges grease two ounces and warme them together ouer the fire mixing them well together that done plaister it vpon a peece of leather so bigge as the wenne and lay it to so hot as the horse can endure it renewing it euery day in such sort the space of eight dayes and if you perceiue it will come to no head then lance it from the midst of the wenne downeward so deep that the matter in the bottome may be discouered let out which done heale it vp with this salue Take of Turpentine a quarterne