joyneth and seasoneth the same so is Rennet to Cheese and therefore both of them have the same qualities of dissolving and binding Galen affirmeth that he cured one of Gowty tumours and swellings by applying thereunto old and strong putrified Cheese beaten in a morter and mixed with the salted fat or leg of a Swine If a Man sick of the Bloudy flux drink thereof in a reer Egge two scruples for two dayes together fasting it will procure him remedy For pacifying the Colick drink the Rennet of a Hare the same mingled with Goose grease stayeth the incontinencie of Urine it also retaineth womens flowers If it be drunk with Vinegar it helpeth the seconds and being applyed with Saffron and the juyce of Leeks driveth a dead childe ouâ— of the womb If it be drunk three or four dayes together after childe-birth it causeth barrenness There are saith Pliny a kind of Wormes which being bound to Women before the Sun rising in a Harts skin cause them that they cannot conceive this power is called Asocion Masarius saith that if a Woman drink this Rennet to her meat before she conceive with childe she should be delivered of a Male child and such is the foolish opinion of them which affirm at this day that if men eat parsly or white buds of black ivie it maketh them unable to carnall copulation The Rennet of a Hare easeth and disperseth all tumors and swellings in Womens brests the Lights of a Hare powdred with salt with Frankincense and white wine helpeth him that is vexed with the Falling sickness if he receive it thirty dayes together Sextus ascribeth the same remedy to the Hart and Pliny commendeth the Lights to heal the pain in the eyes Being drunk in powder it cureth the secrets If the heels be troubled with Kibes they are healed with the fat of Bears but if they be wrâ—ng with a cold they are healed with the dust of a Hares hair or the powder of the Lights Likewise when the foot is hurt with stâ—ait shooes it hath the same operation The ancient Magâ— took the skin of an Oxe in powder with the Urine of Boyes and sprinkled it on the 〈◊〉 of their feet binding the heart of a Hare to the hands of him that hath a Quartan Ague and some cure it by hanging the heart of a young Hare or Leveret to the neck or arme in the beginning of the fit of him that is so visited The heart of a Hare dried mixed with Frankineense or Manna 〈…〉 white wine drunk thirty dayes together cureth the Falling sickness For the pain in the belly take the same medicine and drunk with warm water mingled with Samia cureth the fluxes of women also if a man that hath the flux eat the Liver of a Hare dipped in sharp Vinegar it helpeth him if he be Liver sick or if one have the Falling sickness eat the quantity of an ounce thereof and it helpeth him The Gall of a Hare the Heart Lungs Lights and Liver of a Weasel mixed together three drams one dram of Castoreum four drams of Myrrha a dram of Vinegar and Hony beat together cureth him that hath a swimming or dizziness in his brain The gall newly taken forth mingled with a like portion of hony and warm in the skin of an onion and so put into the ear giveth remedy to him that can hear nothing If he that is sick in the milt that is if it be over hard swallow down the milt of a Hare not touching it with his teeth or seeing it with his eyes it cureth him The belly of a Hare with the intrails tosted and burned in a frying-pan mixed with Oil and anointed upon the head restoreth decayed hairs The reins of a Hare inveterated and drunk in Wine expelleth the stone and being sod cut and dryed in the Sun helpeth the pain in the reins if it be swallowed down and not touched with the teeth The reins of a Hare and of a Moor-hen cureth them that are poisoned by Spiders the stones of a Hare roasted and drunk in Wine stayeth the incontinency of Urine In the pain of the loins and of the hip bones they have the same operation The secrets and stones of Hares are given to Men and Women to make them apâ—er to copulation and conception but this opinion hath no other ground beside the foecundity of the beast that beareth them They which carry about with them the ankle bone of a Hare shall never be pained in the belly as Pliny saith So likewise Sextus and Marcellus Take the ankle bone out of a live Hare and hairs from her belly therewithal make a threed and bind the said bone to him that hath the Colick and it shall ease him The said bone also beaten to powder is reckoned among the chief remedies against the stone When Women have hard travel put it into Cretick-wine with the liquor of Penyroyal and it procureth speedy delivery being bound to the benummed joynts of a mans leg bringeth great ease so also do the feet being bruised and drunk in warm Wine relieve the arteries and shortness of breath and some belive that by the foot of a Hare cut off alive the Gout is eased The fime of a Hare cureth scorched members and whereas it was no small honour to Virgins in ancient time to have their brests continually stand out every one was prescribed to drink in Wine or such other things nine grains of Hares dung the same drunk in Wine in the evening stayeth Coughing in the night in a potion of warm wine it is given to them that have the Bloudy flux likewise if a man be sick of the Colick and drink three pieles thereof in sweet Wine it procureth him much ease being decocted with hony and eaten every day the quantity of a Bean in desperate cases mendeth Ruptures in the bowels Asclepiades in his medicine whereby he procured fruitfulness to Noble Women he gave them four drams of Myrrha two drams of Flower-deluce two of Hares dung confected with Collyrial water so put up into their bellies after ceasing of the flowers before they lay with their Husbands Albertus and Raphael prescribe this medicine to help a woman that wanteth milk in her brests Crystal white Mustard-seed and Hares dung put into broath made with Fennel Of the HEDGE-HOG FOrasmuch as there be two sorts of Hedge-hogs one of the Sea and another of the Land our purpose in this place is only to discourse of the Land Hedge-hog the Hebrews call him Kipod which in the 14. of Isa and Zepha 2. is so translated by the Septuagints although that some of the Hebrews would have it to signifie a ravening bird but seeing that I find the word Kapaz in most Hebrew dictionaries to signifie Claudere and Contrahere and that is most proper to shut up and draw together I do rather believe that the proper meaning thereof is a Hedge-hog because this beast so draweth it self together when it
have set down for the benefit of the Reader and first I will begin with Dioscorides Inward Medicines out of Dioscorides Take of the seeds of Southern-wood Anise Dill the wilde Cicer of the fruit of the Cedar tree Plantain and Trifoly of each a like quantity beat them to powder by themselves before you do mix them The dose is two drams to be taken in Wine Likewise one dram of the seeds of Tamarisk drunk in Wine is very effectual Some use decoction of Chamaepitys and the green Nuts of the Cypress tree in Wine There be some which praise the tree of Cray-fishes to be taken with ashes milk and Smallage seed and this medicine experience hath approved and confirmed for the ceasing of all pains Lye made of Fig-leaves is drunk with good successe against all bitings of Spiders It is good also to take the fruit of the Turpentine tree Bay-berries leaves of the balm and the seeds of all sorts of Carrots or to drink the juyce of Mirtle-berries of the Berries of Ivy or Mulberries the juyce of Colewort leaves and of Clives or Goose-grease with Wine or Vinegar A dram of the leaves of Been-trifoly drunk in Wine the decoction of a Sparagus juyce of Sen-green or any opening juyce is good for the same Some use with very good successe the leaves of the herb called Balm with Nitre and Mallows boyled both leaf and root and so taken often in a potion The leaves of the herb called Phalangium with his flowers and seeds The seeds of Nigella also serve to the same end Medicines out of Galen Take of Aristolochia of Opium of either alike much four drams of the roots of Pellitory of Spain three drams Make thereof Trochisces to the quantity of a Bean. The dose is two Trochisces with three ounces of pure Wine The ashes of a Rams hoof tempered with Honey and drunk with Wine Remedies of Diophantes against the bitings of Phalangies Take of Astrologe or Hartwort four drams of Pellitory of Spain as much Pepper two drams Opium one dram make thereof Trochisces to the quantity of a Bean and take two of them in a good draught of pure Wine Another more excellent Take of the seeds of wilde Rue Rocket-seed Styrax Sulphur vivum of either alike much six drams of Castoreum two drams commix them to make Trochisces as before with the bloud of a Crevish The Dose is one scruple and a half in Wine Another Take of Myrrhe Castoreum and Styrax of either one dram Opium two drams of Galbanum three drams Smallage-seeds and Anise-seeds of either alike two ounces and a half Pepper thirty grains make them up with Wine so much as is sufficient Another Take of Myrrhe five ounces of Spikenard six drams of the flower of Juncus rotundus two drams and a half Cassia four drams Cinamon three drams white Pepper one dram and a half Frankincense one dram and half a scruple Costus one dram make them up with Attick Honey The dose is the quantity of a Hasel nut to be taken either in Mulse or water Remedies out of Apollodorus Take of wilde Cummin two ounces and a half the bloud of a Sea Tortoise four drams the rennet of a Fawn or Hare three drams the bloud of a Kid four drams make them up with the best Wine and reserve it to your use The dose is the quantity of an Olive in a draught of the best and purest Wine Another Take of the seeds of Trifolium Bituminosum of round Astrologe the seeds of wilde Rew the seeds of Ervum dryed in the Sun of each alike six drams work them with Wine and make Trochisces thereof every one of them weighing four drams The dose is one Trochisce Read more in Galen in his second Book De Antid where any man may find many for the same purpose which he had gathered and selected from divers Authors Out of Aetius and Paulus Aegineta Take of Sulphur Vivum and of Galbanum of either four drams of bitter Almonds excorticated one dram of the Gum called Benzoin four drams temper them in Wine and after their maceration work them up with some Honey to be taken nwardly Being thus prepared it may likewise be applyed outwardly Another Take of Ameos two drams roots of Flowre-de-luce one dram or else of Saint Johns wort or Trisolium Bituminosum drink them out of Wine Or take of Anise-seeds wilde Carrets Cummin Nigella Romana Pepper and Agarick of either one dram and drink them Or take the leaves of the Cypress tree or the Nuts beaten in Wine and three quarters of a pinte of the best Oyl and give it to drink And to this end they do prescribe Bay-berries Scorpion-grasse wilde Thyme Calamint Chamepitys either to be taken by themselves alone or with Rew and Pepper Asclepiades used these that follow Take of the seeds of Angelica and Calamint of either alike much and powned together to be taken in six ounces of Wine oftentimes in a day Another Take of Benzoin the seeds of the wilde Carret of dry Mints and Spikenard a little quantity temper them up with Vinegar The dose is one dram with pure water and Vinegar mixed together about five or six ounces Another more excellent Take Garlick and eat it and a bath made of the same with Wine and likewise all those medicines which do heal the bitings of Vipers are notable in these cases Paulus Aegineta commendeth all these very highly and so doth he the seeds of Agnus Castus or the leaves of the white Popler Out of Nicander Take of the purest Turpentine that distilleth out of the Pine-tree and eat or drink it for this is a very effectual medicine which as Bellonius reporteth he hath found to be true by experience Out of Avicenna The fruit of the Myrtle tree Doronicum Mastick Assa Faetida Dedder With-winde and his root the Nut of India and white Bdellium drunk with Wine Take of the roots of Aristolochy roots of Floure-de-luce of Spike Pellitory of Spain the seeds of wilde Carrot black Hellebore Cummin the roots of the true Daffadil of the fruit of the Carob-tree the leaves of Dates tops of Pomgranates Cinamon of the juyce of Rue Cray-fishes Styrax Opium and Carpobalsamum of either alike one ounce all these being powdered make thereof Trochisces the weight of one dram or four scruples which is their dose Take also in Wine the decoction of the seeds of Trifolium Bituminosum Cypresse-nuts and the seeds of Smallage Besides let him drink the grains or fruit of the Pine-tree Cumin of Aethiopia the leaves and rinde of the Palne-tree the seeds of Siler Montanum black and wilde Cicers the seeds of Nigella Southern-wood and Dill Astrologe or Hartwort the fruit of the Tamarisk-tree for all these are very effectuall to cure the hurts that come by biting of any venomous Spider The juice also of wilde Lettice and House-leek is excellent The decoction of Cypresse-nuts being boyled especially with Cynamon the broth of Crai-fishes and of Goose-flesh and likewise the
decoction of the roots of Asparagus in wine and water Another Take of Astrologe and Cumin of each three drams to be drunk in warm water an excellent and approved Antidote Take of the seeds of Git or Nigella ten drams Cumin-seed Daucus-seed or wilde Carret of either five drams Spikenard Bay-berries round Aristolochie Carpobalsamum Cinamon roots of Gentian seeds of the Mountain Siler and Smallage of every one alike two drams make a Confection with Honey The dose is the quantity of a Nut with old Wine A confection of Assa Take of Assa fetda Myrrhe and leaves of Rue of every one alike quantity temper them together with Honey The common dose is one dram or two at the most in Wine Certain other selected Medicines out of Absyrtus Albucasis Lullus Rhazes and Ponzettus Take of white Pepper thirty grains drink it often in a draught of old Wine Give also the herb Thyme in Wine Absyrtus Let him drink after it a spoonfull of Wine distilled with Balm Lullus Take of drie Rue of Costus Horsemint Pellitory of Spain Cardamomum of each alike of Assa faetida a fourth part Honey so much as is sufficient commixe them The dose is the quantity of a Hasel-nut in drink Albucasis The brain of a Hen drunk with a little Pepper out of sweet Wine or Vinegar and water mixed together A notable Treacle or Antidote against the bitings of Phalangies or venemous Spiders Take of Tartarum six drams of yellow Sulphur eight drams Rue-seeds three drams Castoreum and Rocket-seed of either two drams with the bloud of a Sea-tortoise make an Opiate The dose is two drams to be taken in Wine Another Take of Pellitory of Spain and the root of the round Aristolochie of each one part of white Pepper half a part Horehound four parts temper them up with Honey the dose that is to be given is one dram Another Take of the roots of Capers the roots of long Aristolochie or Hartwort Bay-berries roots of Gentian of each a like quantity to be taken in Wine or let him drink Diassa with sweet strong Wine Cumin and the seeds of Agnus Castus Another Take of the seeds of Nigella ten drams of Daucus and Cumin-seeds of each alike five drams seeds of wilde Rue and Cypresse-nuts of either three drams Spikenard Bay-berries round Astrologe Carpobalsamum Cynamon the root of Gentian seeds of Trifolium Bituminosum and of Smallage-seed of either two drams make a Confection with Honey so much as is sufficient Give the quantity of a Nut with old Wine Rhazes Out of Plny Celsus and Scaliger It is good to give five Pismires to them that are bitten of any Phalangium or the seeds of Nigella Romana one dram or Mulberries with Hypocistis and Honey There is a secret vertue and hidden quality in the root of Parsley and of wilde Rue peculiarly against those hurts that Spiders infect by their venome The bloud of a Land-tortoyse the juice of Origanum the root of Behen Album Vervain Cinquefoil all the sorts of Sengreen Cypresse-roots the Ivy of Ivy-roots being taken with some sweet Wine or water and Vinegar mixed and boyled together are very Speciall in this grief Likewise two drams of Castoreum to provoke vomiting being relented in some mulse Apollodorus one of the Disciples of Democritus saith there is an herb called Crocides which if any Phalangium or other poysonous Spider do but touch presently they fall down dead and their poyson is so dulled and weakned as it can do no hurt The leaves of the Bul-rush or Mat-rush which are next to the root being eaten are found to give much help Pliny Take of Myrrhe of Vna Taminea which is the berry of the herb called Ampelos Agria being a kinde of Bryony which windeth it self about trees and hedges like a vine of some called our Ladies seal of either alike and drink them in three quarters of a pinte of sod Wine Item the roots of Radish or of Darnell taken in Wine is very effectuall Celsus But the excellentest Antidote of all other is that which Scaliger describeth whom for his singular learning and deep conceit I may tearm Nostri orbis et seculi ornamentum The form whereof in this place I will prescribe you Take of the true and round Aristolochia and of the best Mithridate â—of either one ounce Terra Sigillata half an ounce of those Flies which are found to live in the flower of the herb called Napellus in number eighteen juice of Citrons so much as is sufficient mixe them all together For against this mischief of Spiders or against any other shrewd turns grievances or bitings of any Serpents whatsoever Art as yet never found out so effectuall a remedy or so notable an Alexipharmacall Thus far Scaliger The juice of Apples being drunk and Endive are the proper Bezoar against the venom of a Phalangie Petrus de Albano Thus much of inward Now will I proceed to generall outward medicaments and applications Five Spiders putrefied in common Oyl and applyed outwardly to the affected place are very good Ashes made of the dung of draught beasts tempered with Vinegar and used as an oyntment or in stead of Vinegar water and Vinegar boyled together and applyed as before are proved to be singular Take of Vinegar three pintes and a half Sulphur vivum two ounces mixe them and foment bath or soke the wounded part with a Spunge dipped in the liquor or if the pain be a little asswaged with the fomentation then wash the place with a good quantity of Sea-water Some hold opinion that Achates which is a precious stone wherein are represented divers forms whereof some have the nine masts some of Venus c. will heal all bitings of Phalangies and for this cause being brought out of India it is held at a very deer rate in this Countrey Pliny Ashes made of fig-tree-leaves adding to them some salt and wine The roots of the wilde Panax being beaten to powder Aristolochie and Barley-meal kneaded together and wrought up with Vinegar Water with Honey and salt applyed outwardly for a fomentation The decoction of the hearb Balm oâ— the leaves of it being brought to the form of a Pultesse and applyed but we must not forget to use warm bathes and sometimes to the place agrieved Pliny Cut the veins that appear under the tongue rubbing and chafing the swelled places with salt and good store of Vinegar then cause the patient to sweat carefully and warily for fear of cold Vigetius Theophrastus saith that practitioners do highly commend the root of Panax Chironia Moysten the wound with Oyl Garlick bruised Knot-grasse or Barley-meal and Bay-leaves with Wine or with the dregs or Lees of wine or wilde Rue applyed in manner of a Cataplasm to the wounded place Nonus Take of Sulphur Vivum Galbanum of each alike four drams and a half of Euforbium half a dram Hasel-nuts excorticated two drams dissolve them and with wine make towards the curation Flies beaten to powder and applyed upon
being taken from it and the little skins appearing therein cleansed away and so it hath among many other these operations following Drunk with Vinegar it is good against all venom of Serpents and against the Chameleon but with this difference against the Scorpion with wine against Spiders with sweet water against the Lizzards with Myrtite against Dipsas and Cerastes with Oponax or wine made of Rew and against other-Serpents with wine simply Take of every one two drams for a cold take it a scruple and a half in four cups of wine used with Ladanum it cureth the Fistulaes and Ulcers provoking sneezing by smelling to it procureth sleep they being anointed with it Maiden-weed and Conserve of Roses and being drunk in water helpeth Phrensie and with the Roses and Maiden-weed aforesaid easeth head-ach being laid to the head like a plaister it cureth all cold and windy affections therein or if one draw in the smoak of it perfumed though the pain be from the mothers womb and given in three cups of sweet Vinegar fasting it helpeth the Falling sickness but if the person have often fits the same given in a Glyster giveth great ease Then must the quantity be two drams of Castoreum one sextary of honey and oil and the like quantity of water but in the fit it helpeth with Vinegar by smelling to it It helpeth the Palsie taken in Rew or wine sod in Rew so also all heart trembling ach in the stomach and quaking of the sinews It being infused into them that lie in Lethargies with Vinegar and Conserve of Roses doth presently awake them for it strengthneth the brain and moveth sternutation It helpeth oblivion coming by reason of sickness the party being first purged with Hiera Ruffi Castoreum with oil bound to the hinder part of the head and afterward a dram drunk with M 〈…〉 rate also taken with oil cureth all Convulsion proceeding of cold humors if the Convulsion be full and perfect and not temporal or in some particular member which may come to passe in any sickness The same mixed with hony helpeth the clearness of the eyes and their inflamations likewise used with the juice of Popy and infused to the ears or mixed with hony helpeth all pains in them With the seed of Hemlocks beaten in Vinegar it sharneth the sense of hearing if the cause be cold and it cureth toothach infused into that ear with oil on which side the pain resteth for Hippocrates sent unto the wife of Aspasius complaining of the pain in her cheek and teeth a little Castoreum with Pepper advising her to hold it in her mouth betwixt her teeth A perfume of it drawn up into the head and stomach easeth the pains of the lights and intrails and given to them that sigh much with sweet Vinegar fasting it recovereth them It easeth the Cough and distillations of rhume from the head to the stomach taken with the juyce of black Popy It is preservative against inflamations and pains in the guts or belly although the belly be swoln with cold windy humors being drunk with Vinegar or Oyxycrate it easeth the Colick being given with Annis beaten small and two spoonfuls of sweet water and it is found by experiment that when a horse cannot make water let him be covered over with his cloth and then put underneath him a fire of coals wherein make a perfume with that Castoreum till the Horses belly and cods smell thereof then taking away the coals walk the horse up and down covered and he will presently stale To soften the belly they use Castoreum with sweet water two drams and if it be not forcible enough they take the root of a set Cucumber one dram and the some of Salt Peter two drams It is also used with the juice of Withy and decoction of Vinegar applyed to the reins and genital parts like a plaister against the Gonorrhaean passion It will stir up a womans monethly courses and cause an easie travail two drams being drunk in water with Penny-royal And if a Woman with childe go over a Beaver she will suffer abortment and Hippocrates affirmeth that a perfume made with Castoreum Asses dung and Swines grease openeth a closed womb There is an Antidote called Diacostu made of this Castoreum good against the Megrim Falling sickness Apoplexies Palsies and weakness of lims as may be seen in Myrepsus against the impotency of the tongue trembling of the members and other such infirmities These vertues of a Beaver thus described I will conclude this discourse with a History of a strange beast like unto this related by Dunranus Campus-bellus a noble Knight who affirmed that there are in Arcadia seaven great lakes some 30 miles compass and some lesse whereof one is called Garloil out of which in Anno 1510 about the midst of Summer in a morning came a beast about the bigness of a water Dog having feet like a Goose who with his tail easily threw down small trees and presently with a swift pace he made after some men that he saw and with three strokes he likewise overthrew three of them the residue climbing up into trees escaped and the beast without any long tarrying returned back again into the water which beast hath at other times been seen and it is observed that this appearance of the Monster did give warning of some strange evils upon the Land which story is recorded by Hector Boethius Of the BISON. This Bison is called Taurus Paeonicus the Paeonian Bull whereof I finde two kinds one of greater and another of lesser size called the Scotian or Calydonian Bison whereof you shall see the picture and qualities at the foot of this History The greater is as big as any Bull or Oxe being maned about the neck and back like a Lion and hath hair hanging down under his chin or neather lip like a large beard and a rising or little ridge down along his face beginning at the height of his head and continuing to his nose very hairy his horns great and very sharp yet turning up towards his back and at the points hooked like the wilde Goats of the Alpes but much greater they are black of colour and with them through the admirable strength of his neck can he tosse into the air a horse and horseman both together They are as big as the Dextarii which are the greatest Stallions of Italy Their face looketh downward and they have a strange strength in their tongue for by licking they grate like a file any indifferent hard substance but especially they can therewith draw unto them any man or beast of inferior condition whom by licking they wound to death Their hair is red yellow or black their eyes very great and terrible they smell like a Moschus or Musk-cat and their mane reacheth over their shoulders shaking it irefully when he brayeth their face or forehead very broad especially betwixt their horns for Sigismond King of Polonia having kild one
cloth and then put thereunto of Sugar one pound of Cinamon two ounces of Conserve of Roses of Barberries of Cherries of each two ounces and mingle them together and give the Horse every day in the morning a quart thereof luke warm untill all be spent and after every time he drinketh let him be walked up and down in the stable or else abroad if the weather be warm and not windy and let him neither eat nor drink in two hours after and let him drink no cold water but luke-warm the space of fifteen days and let him be fed by little and little with such meat as the Horse hath most appetite unto But if the Horse he nesh and tender and so wax lean without any apparent grief or disease then the old Writers would have him to be fed now and then with parched Wheat and also to drink Wine with his water and eat continually Wheat-bran mingled with his provender untill he wax strong and he must be often dressed and trimmed and ly soft without the which things his meat will do him but little good And his meat must be fine and clean and given often and by little at once Russius saith that if a Horse eating his meat with good appetite doth not for all that prosper but is still lean then it is good to give him Sage Savin Bay-berries Earth-nuts and Boares-grease to drink with Wine or to give him the intrails of a Barbel or Tench with white Wine He saith also that sodden Beans mingled with Bran and Salt will make a lean Horse fat in very short space Of grief in the Breast LAurentius Russius writeth of a disease called in Italian Gravezza di petto which hath not been in experience amongst our Farriers that I can learn It comes as Russius saith of the superfluity of bloud or other humors dissolved by some extream heat and resorting down the breast paining the Horse so as he cannot well go The cure whereof according to Russius is thus Let him bloud on both sides of the breast in the accustomed veins and rowel him under the breast and twice a day turn the rowels with your hand to move the humors that they may issue forth and let him go so roweled the space of fifteen days Of the pain in the Heart called Anticor that is to say contrary to the Heart THis proceedeth of abundance of ranck bloud bred with good feeding and over much rest which bloud resorting to the inward parts doth suffocate the heart and many times causeth swellings to appear before the brest which will grow upward to the neck and then it killeth the Horse The signes The Horse will hang down his head in the manger for saking his meat and is not able to lift up his head The cure according to Martin is thus Let him bloud on both sides abundantly in the plat veins and then give him this drink Take a quart of Malmsie and put thereunto half a quartern of Sugar and two ounces of Cinamon and give it him luke-warm then keep him warm in the stable stuffing him well about the stomach that the wind offend him no manner of way and give him warm water with mault always to drink and give him such meat as he will eat And if the swelling do appear then besides letting him bloud strike the swelling in divers places with your fleam that the corruption may go forth and anoint the place with warm Hogs grease and that will either make it to wear away or else to grow to a head if it be covered and kept warm Of tired Horses BEcause we are in hand here with the vital parts and that when the Horses be tired with over-much labour their vital spirits wax feeble I think it best to speak of them even here not with long discoursing as Vegetius useth but briefly to shew you how to refresh the poor Horse having need thereof which is done chiefly by giving him rest warmth and good feeding as with warm mashes and plenty of provender And to quicken his spirits it shall be gâ—od to pour a little Oyl and Vinegar into his nostrils and to give him the drink of Sheeps heads recited before in the Chapter of Consumption of the flesh yea and also to bath his legs with this bath Take of Mallows of Sage of each two or three handfuls and of a Rose-cake boil these things together and being boyled then put unto it a good quantity of Butter or of Sallet-oyl Or else make him this charge Take of Bole Armony and of Wheat-flowre of each half a pound and a little Rozen beaten into powder and a quart of strong Vinegar and mingle them together and cover all his legs therewith and if it be Summer turn him to grass Of the diseased parts under the Midriff and first of the Stomach THe old Authors make mention of many diâ—eases incident to a Horses stomach as loathing of meat spewing up his drink surfeting of provender the hungry evil and such like which few of our Farriers have observed and therefore I will briefly speak of as many as I think necessary to be known and first of the loathing of meat Of the loathing of Meat A Horse may loath his meat through the intemperature of his stomach as for that it is too hot or too cold If his stomach be too hot then most commonly it will either inflame his mouth and make it to break out in blisters yea and perhaps cause some Cancker to breed there The cure of all which things hath been taught before But if he forsake his meat only for very heat which you shall perceive by the hotness of his breath and mouth then cool his stomach by giving him cold water mingled with a little Vinegar and Oyl to drink or else give him this drink Take of Milk and of Wine of each one pinte and put thereunto three ounces of Mel Rosatum and wash all his mouth with Vinegar and Salt If his stomach be too cold then his hair will stare and stand right up which Absyrtus and others were wont to cure by giving the Horse good Wine and Oyl to drink and some would seethe in Wine Rew or Sage some would adde thereunto white Pepper and Myrrhe some would give him Onyons and Rocket-seed to drink with Wine Again there be other some which prescribe the bloud of a young Sow with old Wine Absyrtus would have the Horse to eat the green blades of Wheat if the time of the year will serve for it Columella saith that if a Horse or any other Beast do loath his meat it is good to give him Wine and the seed of Gith or else Wine and stampt Garlick Of casting out his Drink VEgetius saith that the Horse may have such a Palsie proceeding of cold in his stomach as he is not able to keep his drink but many times to cast it out again at his mouth The remedy whereof is to let him bloud in the neck and to
garment made of Lambs skins is accounted very good for the corroborating and strengthning of young men The skins of Lambs are more hot then Kids skins and are more profitable for the confirming of the back and the reins The little bone which is in the right side of a Toad being bound in a young lambs skin being hot doth heal both Quattain and all other Fevers being applyed thereunto The dust of Lambs bones is very much and rightly used for Ulcers which have no chops or stars in them The dust of small Cattles dung being mingled with Nitre but especially of Lambs hath in them great force to heal Cankers the dust of Lambs bones is very much commended for the healing and making of green wounds sound and solid which thing by the Saracens is much verified in regard that at all times they go to war they never forget to take of the same along with them The Lungs of Lambs do very effectually cure those whose feet are wrung or pinched by their shoo-soles The Lungs of Lambs or Rams being burned and the dust thereof mingled with Oyl is very profitable for the curing of kibes or ulcers being applyed thereunto It hath the same virtue being raw and bound upon the sore The runnet of a Lamb is of very great force against all other evil medicines The runnets of small Cattle but especially of a Lamb is very effectual against all kinds of poyson The runnets of a Kid a Lamb and a hind-calf are conveniently taken against Wolf-bane drunk in wine The runnet of a Hare a Kid or a Lamb taken in wine to the weight of a dram is very effectual against the Fork-fish and cureth the bites or strokes of all Sea-fishes The runnet of a Lamb drunk in wine is an excellent cure for the bitings of a Shrew The runnet of a Lamb drunk in water is accounted for a safegard to young children who are vexed with thick and concrete milk or if the default shall happen by curded milk it will be soon remedyed by a Lambs runnet given in Vinegar A Lambs runnet hid or powred into water doth speedily colubit the bleeding of the nose when nothing else can stay it The gall of small Cattle but especially of a Lamb being mixed with hony are thought to be very medicinable for the curing of the Falling sickness The places which are infected by Cankers being anointed over with the gall of a Lamb are very speedily and effectually healed There is also by the Magitians delivered unto 〈◊〉 speedy means for the curing of the milt which is this to take a Lamb new born and instantly to pluck him in pieces with ones hands and when the milt iâ— pulled out to put it hot upon the milt of the party so grieved and bind it on fast with swadlinâ— and continually to say I make a remedy for the milt then in the last day the same being taken from his body to put it to the Wall of the bed wherein the diseased party is wont to lie it being first daubed with durt that it might the better stick and to 〈◊〉 the durt with seven and twenty marks saying at every mark I make a remedy for the milt this remedy being done three times it will heal the diseased party although he be very weak and full of danger But this is the opinion of the Magitians which I hâ—â—e set down that they should rather see their folly then believe knowing them to be meer fopperies For making the wool to grow slower the gelders of Cattle anoint the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which cometh from the stones of gelded Lambs which being anointed doth profit very much for hairs being pulled away as also against poison The dung of Lambs before they have 〈…〉 any grasse being dryed in the shadow and rubbed to powder and applyed in the manner of a plaister doth heal and ease all kinds of pain in the chaps or jawes And thus much for the medicines of the Sheep Of the STREPSICEROS THere is in Crete neer the Mountain Ida a kinde of Sheep called by the Shepherds Strepsiceros which is not different from the vulgar Sheep except only in the horne for they bend not like other but stand straight and upright like the Vnicorn and besides are circled about with certain round speers like a Goats horn This liveth in flocks and we have here besides the figure of the beast expressed a double form of their horns and fore part of their head the figure of a Harpe being fastned to one of them as it was presently drawn The description whereof was taken by Doctor Cay of England in these words following The horns of this Strepsiceros are so lively expressed by Pliny and so fitly sitted to bear Harps that they seem not to aske any further narration of words I will therefore only add this they are hollow within and long about two Roman feet and three palms if you measure them as they are straight but if you take their scantling and length as they crook a little then are they about three foot long they are in breadth where they joyn to the head three Roman fingers and a half and their whole compass in that place is about two Roman palms and a half In the top they are smooth and black but at the root they are more dusky and rugged growing lesser and lesser to a sharp point They with the dryed face did weigh seven pounds and three ounces and the face which remaineth is joyned to the horns and likewise the hair of the neck and face It is said that this Beast is as great as a Hart having a red hair like a Hart. Unto this I may add another horn which is to be seen in the Castle of the L. William Wernhere Count of Cimbria being black hollow and of the length of ones arme and as thick as a great staffe and it was said that the beast beareth two of them which are to be seen among the rare monuments of Ferdinandus the Emperor Of the SQVIRREL THe name of this Beast is by the Grecians called Sciuros and it was given them from the fashion and proportion of their tail which covereth almost the whole body for that which is fabulously said of the Sciapodes to have feet that cover their whole body is more truly verified of a Squirrels tail for in the day time being out of her nest she hideth her self there under both from sun and rain The first Author that ever wrote of this Beast was Oppianus who lived in the days of Antonium Caesar and the Latins have no proper or native name for it but borrow from the Grecians although some of the latter writers call it Pirolus and Spiurus I think they would say Sciurus for so it is vulgarly termed in Latin some also call it Sculurus a currendo because of his nimble running upon boughs But all the Nations of the world derive their several denominations from the Grecians as the English
draweth out the poyson of Wasps The leaves of Marsh-mallows as Aetius saith being bruised and applyed do perform the same The juyce of Rue or Balm about the quantity of two or three ounces drunk with Wine and the leaves being chewed and laid on with Honey and Salt or with Vinegar and Pitch do help much Water-cresses Rosemary with Barley meal and water with Vinegar sod together the juyce of by leaves Marigolds the bloud of an Owl all these are very effectual against the stingings of Wasps as Pliny lib. 31. cap. 9. telleth us the buds of the wilde Palm-tree Endive with the root and wilde Thyme being applyed plaister-wise do help the stinging of Wasps After the venom is drawn out by sucking the place affected must be put into hot water the space of an hour and then suddenly they must be thrust into Vinegar and Brine and forthwith the pain will be asswaged the tumor cease and the malice of the venomous humor clean extinguished Rhazes saith that the leaves of Night-shade or of Sengreen do very much good in this case And in like sort Bole Armony with Vinegar and Camphire and Nuts beaten with a little Vinegar and Castoreum Also take the Combe with Honey applying to the place and hold the grieved place neer the fire immediately and laying under them a few ashes binde them hard and forthwith the pain will be swaged Serapio saith that Savory or Cresses applyed and the seed thereof taken in drink and the juyce of the lesser Centory mixt with Wine are very meet to be used in these griefs he also commendeth for the same purpose the leaves of Basil the herb called Mercury and Mandrakes with Vinegar Ardoynus is of opinion that if you take a little round ball of Snow and put it into the fundament the pain will cease especially that which proceedeth by Wasps Let the place be anointed with Vinegar and Camphire or often fomented and bathed with Snow-water Take of Opium of the seed of Henbane and Camphire of each alike much and incorporate them with Rose-water or the juyce of Willows and lay it upon the wounded place applying on the top a linnen cloth first throughly wetted in wine Johannes Mesue who of some is called Evangelista medicorum prescribed this receipt of the juyce of Sisimbrium two drams and a half and with the juyce of Tartcitrons make a potion The juyce also of Spina Arabica and of Marjoram are nothing inferiour to these forementioned Aaron would in this grief have water Lintels called by some Ducks meat to be stamped with Vinegar and after to be applyed Constantine assureth us that Alcama tempered with Barley meal and Vinegar and so bound to the place as also Nuts leaves of Wall-nuts and Bleets are very profitable in this passion Item apply very warm to the wound a Spiders web bruised with a white Onion and sufficient Salt and Vinegar will perfectly cure it Guil. Placentinus will warrant that a plate of cold Iron laid upon the wound or Lead steeped in Vinegar will do the deed Gordonius counsel is to rub the place with Sage and Vinegar and afterwards to foment it with water and Vinegar sod together Varignana would have us to apply Chalk in powder and inwardly to take the seeds of Mallows boiled in Wine Water and a little Vinegar Matthiolus much commendeth Sperage being beaten and wrought up with Honey to anoint the place Likewise flies beaten and anointed on the place winter Savory Water-cresses with Oyl of Momerdica give most speedy help Arnoldus Villanovanus assureth us that any fresh earth especially Fullers earth is very available and the herb called Poley used as an Unguent or else Goats milk And Marcellus Empirious is not behinde his commendations for the use of Bullocks dung to be applyed as a poultesse to the stinged part These and many others may any Man ascribe that hath had but an easie tast of the infinity of Physicks speculation for the store-house of Nature and truly learned Physitians which way soever you turn you will minister and give sufficient store of alexiterial medicines for the expulsing of this grief In conclusion one and the self same medicament will serve indifferently for the curation of Wasps and Bees saving that when we are stung with Wasps more forcible remedies are required and for the hurts that Bees do us then weaker and gentler are sufficient In the hundreth and nintieth year before the birth of our blessed Saviour an infinite multitude of Waspes came flying into the Market place at Capua as Julius witnesseth and lighted on the Temple of Mars all which when with great regard and diligence they were gathered together and solemnly burnt yet for all that they presignified the coming of an enemy and did as it were fore-tell the burning of the City which shortly after came to passe And thus much for the History of the Wasp of HORNETS A Hornet is called of the Hebrews Tsirbah Of the Arabians Zabar and Zambor Of the Germans Ein hornauss Horlitz Froisin Ofertzwuble Of the Flemings Horsele Of the Frenchmen Trellons Fonlons Of the Italians Calauron Crabrone Scaraffon and Galanron Of the Spaniards Tabarros ò Moscardos Of the Illyrians Irssen Of the Sclavonians Sierszen Of us Englishmen Hornets and great Wasps The Grecians call them Anthrénas and Anthrenoùs because with their sting they raise an Anthrar or Carbuncle with a vehement inflamation of the whole part about it The Latines call them Crabrones peradventure of Crabra a Town so named in the Territory of Tusculanum where there is great plenty of them or it may be they are tearmed Crambrones of Caballus a Horse of whom they are first engendered according to that of Ovid 15. Metamorphos Pressus humo bellator equus Crabronis origo est That is to say When War-horse dead upon the Earth lies Then doth his flesh breed Hornet flies Albertus tearmeth a Hornet Apis citrina that is a yellow or Orange coloured Bee Cardan laboureth much to prove that dead Mules are their first beginners Plutarch is of opinion that they first proceed from the flesh of dead Horses as Bees do out of a Bulls belly and I think that they have their breeding from the harder more firm and solid parts of the flesh of Horses as Wasps do from the more tender or soft Hornets are twice so great as the common Wasps in shape and proportion of body much resembling one another They have four wings the inward not being half so large as the outward being all joyned to their shoulders which are of a dark brownish and of a Chestnut-like colour these wings are the cause of their swift flight they have also six feet of the same colour and hew that their breast and shoulders are of There is somewhat long of the colour of Saffron their eyes and looks are hanging or bending downwards crooked and made like a half Moon from which grow forth two peaks like
Wasps Thus the most soft and supple heâ—b becomes a remedy against the most warlike and injurious creature with whose juice and a little oyl mingled with it and the part anointed doth either mitigate the rage of the Wasp or doth not suffer the sting to enter Plin. l. 22. c. 179. So Avicen the Wasp saith he will not come near any man that is anointed with oyl and the juice of Mallowes for as a soft answer appeaseth wrath and as the Greeks use to say 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. A milde reply is the best allay to anger so also in physicks we see those things that are most stiffe and unyeelding to be resisted and beaten off with the most soft things as the Iron with featheâ—s the Adamant with bloud the sting of Wasps Hornets Bees with oyl and the juice of Mallowes What is more soft than the Silk-worm which yet Aetius affirmeth being beaten together with oyl and the party anointed with it is a preservative against the stinging of Wasps the same doth the Locust and the herb Balm beaten together with oyl if the Greeks may be credited The stone Garatides if it be the true although dawbed over with honey and born about doth fray away all Flyes and Wasps whatsoever as Sylvaticus out of Albertus doth conjecture The like virtue doth Matthiolus ascribe superstitiously and too confidently to the Iron that hath the figure of the shell-fish Strombus graven in it The symptomes that follow upon the stinging of Wasps are said to be these they suffer all alike as those that are stung with Bees to wit smart redness swelling but the pain is more grievous and of longer continuance especially if they chance to be stung by the citron coloured greater Wasps in a sinewy and tender place for then followes the cramp weakness of knees swouning and sometimes death Physicians have found out many remedies against the stingings of Wasps we shall first speak of those we have tryed and which may challenge your acceptance being confirmed by long experience We finde that Wasps applyed to the wound they made do exceedingly help it being perswaded to use them by Gilbert an English man It may be that not the Scorpion only hath this vertue but the greatest part of Insects have it also if we should make trial diligently But if any man be stung by venomed Wasps which is easily known by the wound of the part by raving and swouning and coldness of the extreme parts then give antidotes against venome and open the place with a knife or rather lay on a caustick when it is laid open and dilated suck it forcibly and taking some of the earth of the Wasps nest make a plaister with vinegar and lay it on the sore Also a Cataplasm made of Mallowes Willows and Wasps combs helps wonderfully as we proved by the cornsel of Halyabbas The North English men make a good plaister against the stinging of Wasps of the earth of furnaces vinegar and flyes heads it is worth its weight in gold Rub the place with juice of Citrals and let the patient drink Marjoram-seed 2 drams or take juice of Marjoram 2 ounces bole Armoniack 2 drams with juice of sowre Grapes what may suffice make a plaister Another anoint the place with the juice of Purslain or Beets or with sweet Wine and oyl of Roses or Cowes bloud also with seeds of wilde Cucumers bruised with Wine Galen Barley meal with Vinegar is good milk of the Fig-tree dropt into the wound Brine or sea-water to foment the wound give in drink 2 drams of the tender leaves of the Bay-tree in sharp Wine which also will do much good in a fomentation Also drink the decoction of Marsh-mallowes with Posca apply Salt and Calves fat Mallowes with Posca is a principal remedy Dioscorid l. 2. c. 42. Aetius joyns an earth named Cimolia to these and Clay and Oxe-dung and Sesamum and many other things with Posca Oyl of Bayes drawes out the poyson of the sting of a Wasp Leaves of Marsh-mallowes bruised and rubbed on cure the venome of Wasps Drink a little measure of the juice of Rue or of Balm with Wine and the leaves eaten and applyed with Salt and Honey or boyled with Vinegar and Pitch are very good Water-mints Rosemary with Barley-meal and Posca juice of Ivy-leaves Golden flower and Owles bloud are excellent against the stingings of Wasps Pliny l. 32. c. 9. Galen praiseth Water-mints and the seed of it drank and Centaury if at the same time you lay on Oxe dung for a plaister Lib. de simplicib ad Paternianâ—m lib. de Centaur ad Papiam A branch of the wilde Palm-tree Endive root and all wilde Betony laid on for a plaister profit very much Also drink wilde Betony 2 drams with Oxymel First suck out the poyson then hold the part hurt in hot water for an hour then sâ—eep it suddenly in Vinegar and fish Pickle so the pain is presently gone and the swelling sinks away and the venome is pacified One half dram of Marjoram seed applied stils the pain or 3 pugils of dry Coriander seed or cool juice drank Avicenna Leaves of Nightshade or Houseleek laid on are good Also bole Armoniack with Camphire and Vinegar Nuts bruised with a little Vinegar and Castoreum apply a honey comb and presently hold the part affected to the fire or put hot ashes under it and the pain will cease forthwith It is good to lay on green Coriander or oyl and ashes mingled Rhasis Savorey or Water-mints applied and the seed of them drank or the juice of the lesser-Centory drank in Wine is excellent So are the leaves of river Basil Mercury Mandragoro with Vinegar Serapio A snow ball put to the fundament takes off all pain chiefly if it proceed from a Wasps stinging foment the part with Camphire Vinegar or oftentimes with snow-water Take Opium Henbane-seed Camphire of each alike mix them with Rosewater or juice of Willowes and apply it lay over it a cloth wet in Wine Ardoynus Take juice of wilde Mints Aurei 2. with juice of sowre Lemmons make a julep Also the juice of the Arabian Thorn and of Marjoram help much Mesue Water-lintels with Vinegar anointed Aaron Rub the part well with the finest leaves of Xyloâ—araster that is sweet Cods of Pliny and the pain presently ceaseth The juice of Lettice doth the same or the juice of Dandelion drank The Mud in the bottom of a vessel where water hath stood long applyed with Vinegar cures the Wasps stinging Simeon Foment the part with snow-Snow-water till it be stupefied Joâ—â—nitius Any new earth especially Cimolia is good Poly smeered on as also Goats milk cures Wasps wounds Arnoldus Alcanna with Barley meal and Vinegar bound to the part Nuts the leaves of Walnuts Blites are very good also lay on hot to the wound a Spiders web beaten with a white Onion and Vinegar it cures Constantinus Rub the place with Sage and Vinegar and after with Posca Guil.
The Dose is one dram and half or two drams with wine Another of the same Take Birthwort round and long each one aureus Cumin-seed three drams Assa faetida Caraway Rue-seed each two drams Castoreum four drams make it up with Honey The Dose is two drams with the hot decoction of Gentian root or Birthwort and wine he gave also two drams of Assa faetida and sometimes three drams Wood Laurell with Vinegar A Medicament of Andro a Greek Philosopher Take Rue-seed live Brimstone of each six aurei Castoreum one aureus Assa faetida one aureus and half Pellitory of Spain liquid Storax of each one aureus make it up with Honey The Dose is half an ounce with Vinegar of the best wine Another excellent remedy Take Rue-seed one aureus Castoreum half so much Birthwort round and long of each two aurei roots of Gentian Assa faetida of each eight drams or eight aurei make it up with Honey The Dose is one dram and half with pure wine The Electuary of Zeno or Diaruta Take Assa faetida bitter Costus and sweet each five aurei round Birthwort Agarick each two aurei Castoreum Cinamon Aloes each three drams roots of Orris Sarcocolla each one dram and half long Birthwort Gentian each six drams make it up with Honey The Dose is three drams He commends also the great Theriac of Andromachus Esdras Mithridate and the Theriac diatesseron The description of it is this Take Gentian Bay-berries long Birth-wort Myrrhe each alike make it up with clarified Honey The Dose is one aureus with hot water Another against the bitings of Scorpions Take seed of wilde Rue Aethiopian Cumin seed of Trifolie Minianth each alike with Vinegar what may suffice make a Confection The Dose is one aureus Another Take Garlick Nuts of each one part Rue leaves dried Assa faetida Myrrhe of each half as much make it up with milk The Dose is three drams Another Take Castoreum white Pepper Myrrhe Opium of each alike make Troches The Dose is three oboli with four ounces of wine Another Take Opoponax Myrrhe Galbanum Castoreum white Pepper each alike make them up with liquid Storax and Honey Another Take roots of Coloquintida of Capers Worm-wood long Birthwort wilde Succory each alike Give children one scruple men one dram it is of wonderfull vertue in this disease Another Take green grassewort juice with Cows milk boyl it like to an Electuary The Dose is two aurei they say this helps much Another Take Opium seeds of white Hen-bane make it up with Honey and mingle it with hotter things to temper it If any man will have more from Avicenna he shall finde it Can. 4. Fen. 6. Tract 3. Externall remedies out of Rhasis The hot Oyl of Anacardi standing in the shell of an Egge rubbed in let the wounded part be first bound then let it loose and anoynt it with Jesamin Oyl The third day open a vein but after meat and sleep Also anoynt the place with Castoreum Melanacardinum and Garlick laying on a plate of lead anoynted with Quick-silver Sagapenum applyed outwardly heats the wound and a Weasels flesh laid over it Rub the place with a Topaz and it will be cured The wound is bettered by rubbing a Flie upon it It may be cured with water from Radish-leaves and Oyl of Mustard-seed and Marjoram Serapio writes that boyled Butter doth good Internals of Rhasis Sweat must be procured any way by external and internal means Take Nuts and Garlick cleansed of each alike bruise them The Dose is one ounce and an hour after let him drink wine Others adde to this a like quantity of dryed Rue Myrrhe and Assa The Dose is three drams with pure wine Another Take Nigella seed one part Assa three parts the Dose is one Trochis with one ounce of wine Another Let him drink strong Wine till he be almost drunk and in the morning open a vein Another Take roots of Coloquintida bark of roots of Capers Worm-wood long Birthwort Endive-seed of each alike make a powder The Dose is one dram for children one scruple Another Theriac against the stingings of Scorpions Take round Birthwort roots of Gentian Bay-berries roots of Capers Coloquintida Worm-wood Swallow-wort white Briony each alike make it up with Honey Another Take Myrrhe Opoponax Smallage each one dram and half white Briony long Birthwort Pellitory of Spain each six drams seeds of Rue Gith Trifoly each three drams Gum Arabick what may suffice with Vinegar make Trochis The Dose is one dram to one dram and half Another Take Cloves of Garlick cleansed five drams Nuts ten drams Assa one dram incorporate them well The Dose is two drams Another Take Gentian Birth-wort Myrrhe bitter Costus Rue Castoreum wilde Mints dried Pellitory of Spain Pepper Gith-seed Assa faetida each alike make them up with Honey The Dose is one aureus with wine Also the powder of Eringo root is good with hot water and the powder of Dodder Also one aureus of Napellus with water Ivy and Polium with water are very profitable If a fever come upon it open a vein Asses drie dung drank with wine is very helpfull Thus much from Rhasis External remedies from Albucasis Anoynt the place with Oyl of Ben. for many dayes or Oyl of Jasmin grinde Euphorbium with it and Castoreum or else Castoreum and Garlick ground together with old Oyl for a plaister A Frog cut and laid on is very good Take old Oyl one pound Wax four ounces Euphorbium one ounce melt it in the Oyl and anoynt the place with it Internals from Albucasis Let him drink hot milk from the Cow with wine or Honey Cinquefoil-seed and lees of wine are Theriac in this disease as also Rocket-seed Hiera Anacardina against the stings of Scorpions Take Pellitory of Spain Gith-seed bitter Costus black Pepper Acorns of each ten ounces leaves of Rue Assa faetida roots of Genrian long Birthwort Bay-berries Castoreum Cassia lignea Mustard Melanacardium of each five drams make up the powders with Oyl of Nuts and with juice of Radish-root make it compleat The Dose is one dram daily it causeth sweat The brains of a hen in drink is very usefull Haly Abbas brings nothing that is new but only takes other mens prescriptions Concerning some Seals amongst the hundred sayings of Ptolemy and some fashions for Charms both he and Kiranides make mention but a Christian beleeves it not nor are they worthy to be recorded by him Joannitius mightily commends a Plaister with Garlick and Butter or to anoynt the place with Oyl of Peter or pure juice of Leeks He prescribes to give inwardly of the pith of the greater Spurge four scruples with warm water Rabby Moyses prescribes one Sextula of Frankincense with Wine sufficient Also he exhibits Pigeons dung dried and finely powdered with Butter and Honey The Dose is two Sextulas Guil. de Placentia bids men give drie or green Marjoram inwardly to drink it with mans Urine and to apply it outwardly
Nitre and oyl of Violets and let the patient take this Theriack Take Opopanax Myrrhe Galbanum Castoreum white Pepper of each alike make it up with liquid Storax and Honey The Dose is the quantity of a Jujube the part must be fumed with a piece of a milstone heat and sprinkled with Vinegar Also foment it with water of wilde Lettice The usual Theriack Take the rind of the root of Cappaâ—is root of Coloquintida Wormwood round Birthwort Hepatica wilde Dandelion dried each alike make a Powder the Dose â—s two drams also sowre Apples must be eaten For pain in the belly Let him drink oyl of Roses with Barley water Citrals Gourds also give sowre Milk For trembling of the heart Let him take juice of Endive or syrup of Vinegar or syrup of Apples with troches of Camphire or sowre Milk the same way If the wound be afflicted with great pain Lay on a Cataplasm of Bole and Vinegar for a defensative and for a sharp remedy lay on Euphorbium or Castoreum Poly root drank with water and a Rams flesh burnt is profitable Theriack called Hascarina first invented in the Province of Hascarum Take leaves of red Roses iv drams Spodium ij drams Citron Sanders ij drams and half Saffron j. dram Licorice ij drams seeds of Citrals Melons Cucumers Gourds Gum tragant Spike e 〈…〉 j. dram Lignum Aloes Cardamon Amylum Camphir each j. dram most white Sugar Manna each iij. drams with the mucilage of Fleawort and rose-Rose-water what may suffice make it up The people of Hascarum was wont to draw bloud from the sick saith holy Abbas almost till they fainted then they gave sweet milk to drink and water distilled from sowre Apples Also they gave sowre Milk in great quantity Thus the Arabians speak of this pestilent kinde of Scorpions that Nicander and all the Greeks were ignorant of and that was too common in the Countrey of Hascarum Now we will speak of Spiders CHAP. XI Of the Name of Spiders and their Differences THE Latine name Araneus or Aranea is in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from the slender feet it hath or from its high gate fom the cobwebs it spins Others call him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Muscatricem Kiramides 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hesychius 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Hebrews Acabitha Acbar Acabish Semamith in Arabick Sibth and Phihit Aldebahi and Aldebani as it is called by Bellunensis the Germans call it Spinn and Banker the English Attercop Spider Spinner the Brabants Spini and French Araigne Italian Ragno Ragna the Spanish Arana or Taranna the Sclavonians Spawauck the Polonians Paiack the Barbarians Koatan Kersenati Isidore l. 12. c. 12. saith it is called Aranea because it is bred and nourished by the air a twofold error for if they live by the air wherefore are they so careful to weave nets and catch Flies and if they were bred of the air wherefore do they copulate wherefore do they thrust forth little worms and eggs but we will pardon the elegant Etymologer because who makes a custome to play thus with words There are many of these kindes and all of them have three joynts in their legs A little head and body small With slender feet and very tall Belly great and from thence come all The webs it spins Now Spiders are venomous or harmless of harmless some are tame or house-spiders those are the biggest of all others live in the open air and from their greediness are called hunters or wolves the smaller kindes of these do not weave but the greater sort begins his web very sharp and small by the hedges or upon the ground having a little hole to creep into and laying the beginnings of his webs within observing whilest something shakes the web then he runs to catch it The venomous Spiders called Phalangia are so venomous that the place they wound will presently swell These are of two kindes for some are less some greater the less are various violent sharp salacious and going as it were rebounding which as we read are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Fleas or Apes others are called Oribates which are found especially on trees in mountains they are called Hypodromi because they live under leaves Gesnerus It is a hairy creature and breeds in the greater trees The belly of it is moderately with incisions that the cutting may seem to be marked by thred Aelianus CHAP. XII Of Spiders that are hurtful or Phalangia Grievous symptomes follow the bitings of Pismire Phalangium for there followes a mighty swelling on the part bitten the knees grow weak the heart trembles the forces fail and oft-times death succeeds Nicander saith that the sick sleep so deeply that they are alwaies asleep at last and are in the same condition as those are that are stung by the Viper Histories relate that Cleopatra set one to her breast that she might escape Augustus without pain nor is the wound deadly unless it be wholly neglected Rhagium makes very small wound and that cannot be seen after it hath bitten the lower parts of the eyes as also of the cheeks wax red then horror and fainting seize on the loyns and weakness on the knees the whole body is very cold hath no heat and the nerves suffer convulsion from the malignity of the venome The parts serving for generation are so debilitated that they can harly retain their seed they make water like to Spiders webs and they feel pain as those do are stung with a Scorpion From the sting of Asterion men seem wholly without strength their knees fail them shivering and sleep invade the patient The blew Spider is worst of all causing darkness and vomitings like Spiders webs then fainting weakness of the knees Coma and death Dysderi or Wasp-like Phalangium causeth the same symptomes with the blew but milder and with a slow venome brings on putrefaction Where the Tetragraphii bite the place is whitish and there is a vehement and continual pain in it the part it self growes small as far as the joynts Lastly the whole body findes no profit by its nourishment and after health recovered men are troubled with immoderate watchings Aetius Nicander denies directly that the ash-coloured Tetragnathon can poyson one by biting him The Cantharis like or pulse Phalangium raiseth wheals which the Greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the minde is troubled the eyes are wrested aside the tongue stammers and fails speaking things improperly the heart is as it were moved with fury and flies up and down The Vetch kinde produceth the same mischiefs and cause Horses that devour them and cattel to be very thirsty and to burst in the middle Cranocalaptes saith Pliny if it bite any one death followes shortly after But Aetius and Nicander affirm the contrary and that the wound thereof is cured without any trouble almost at all Head-ache cold vertigo restlesness tossings and pricking pains of the belly follow but they are all asswaged saith Nicander by fit remedies
is good as also a Bath and Wine and such things as help against Vipers stingings Paulus repeats the same remedies and Theban Cumin or seed of Agnus Castus or leaves of the white Poplar-tree drank in Beer are very effectual Out of Nicander Rosin of the Turpentine tree Pine or Pitch-tree drank or swallowed is exceeding good which Gesner and Bellonius say they learned by experience to be true Out of Avicenna The Myrtle-tree and the fruit of it Doronicum Mastick Assa foetida Dodder and its root the Indian Hazel-nut which is Theriac for this disease white Bdâ—llium all of these drank with Wine Take roots of Birthwort Flower-de-luce Spike Celtica Pellitory of Spain Daucus black Hellebore Cumin root of Daffodil leaves of Winter Wheat leaves of Dogs-tooth Pomegranate tops Hares Rennet Cinamon juice of River-crabs Storax Opium Carpobalsamum of each one ounce beat all to powder and make Troches the weight of one aureus which is the Dose of them Also give in Wine the decoction of the leaves of bituminous Trifoly of the Cyprus Nut Smallage-seed Moreover give to drink Pine kernels Aethiopian Cumin leaves and rinde of the Plane-tree seeds of Siler Montanum black wilde Chiches seed of Nigella Southern-wood Dill Birthwort fruit of the Tamarisk for all these are very good Also the juice of wilde Lettice and House-leek are commended The decoction of Cyprus Nuts especially with Cinamon and River-crabs juice and juice of a Goose Also the decoction of Sparagus with Wine and water Another Take Birthwort Cumin each three drams with hot water An approved Theriac Take Nigella seed ten drams Daucus Cumin each five drams Cyprus roots and Nuts each three drams Spipenard Bay-berries round Birthwort Carpobalsamum Cinamon Gentian seeds of Siler Montanum and of Smallage each two drams make a Confection with Honey the Dose is the quantity of a Nut with old Wine Confection of Assa Take Assa foetida Myrrhe Rue-leaves each alike make it up with Honey the Dose is one or two drams with Wine Out of Absyrtus Lullus Albucasis Rhasis Ponzettus Take white Pepper thirty grains with a draught of old Wine take it often Also Thyme is given in Wine Abâ—yrtus Drink upon it one spoonfull of Wine distilled with Balm Lullus Take dry Rue Costus wilde Mints Pellitoty of Spain Cardamum each alike Assa foetida one fourth part Honey what may suffice mingle all and make it up the Dose is the weight of an Hazel-nut in drink Albucasis A Hens brain drank with a little Pepper in sweet Wine or Posca The decoction of Cyprus-nuts with Wine A Theriac against the bitings of Phalangia Take Tartar six drams yellow Brimstone eight drams Rue-seed three drams Castoreum Rocket-seed each two drams with the bloud of the Sea-tortoise make an Opiate the dose is one dram with Wine Another Take Pellitory of Spain round Birthwort each one part white Pepper half a part Horehound four parts make it up with Honey the Dose is one dram Another Roots of Capers long Birthwort Bay-berries Gentian root each alike drink it with Wine Or drink Diassa with strong Wine and Cumin and Agnus Castus seed Another Take Nigella seed ten drams Daucus Cumin each five drams wilde Rue-seed Cyprus Nuts each three drams Indian Spike Bay-berries round Birthwort Carpobalsamum Cinamon Gentian root seed of bituminous Trifoly Smallage-seed each two drams make a Confection with Honey the Dose is the quantity of a Nut with old Wine Rhasis Out of Pliny Celsus Scaliger It is good for those that are bitten by the Phalangium to drink five Pismires or one dram of the Roman Nigella seed or black berries with Hypocistis and Honey Also Marish Smallage and wilde Rue are peculiar against the bitings of the Phalangia Also the bloud of the Land Tortoise is good juice of Origanum the root of Polymonia Vervain Cinquefoil the seed of Garden Onyons all the kindes of Housleek roots of Cyprus Turnsole with three grains of juice of Ivy-root in Wine or Posca also Castoreum two drams in Mulsum to cause vomit or in juice of Rue to stop it Also Agnus Castus seed two drams Apollodorus that followed Democrates calls a kinde of herb Crocides by the touch whereof Phalangia die and their force is abated the Mat-rush-leaves next the root eaten do profit Pliny Take wilde Vine-berries Myrrhe each alike drink them out of one Hemina of sod Wine Also the seed of Radish or root of Darnel must be drank with Wine * Celsus But amongst many other remedies that are proved one Antidote is due to Scaliger who was the ornament of our world and age the form of it is this Take true round Birthwort Mithridate each two ounces Terra Sigillata half an ounce Flies living in the flowrs of Napellus 22. Citron juice what may serve turn mingle them For saith he against this venome or any other bitings of Serpents Art hath scarce yet found out so effectuall a remedy Scaliger Juice of Apples drank or of Endive are the Bezar against the bitings of the Phalangium Petrus de Albano These are the most approved outward remedies Five Spiders putrefied in Oyl and laid on Asses or Horse dung anoynted on with Vinegar or Posca Take Vinegar three sextarii Brimstone a sixth part mingle them foment the place with a sponge or a bath the pain being a little abated wash the place with much sea-sea-water some think that the stone Agates will cure all bitings of the Phalangia and for that reason it is brought out of India and sold dear Pliny Fig-tree ashes with Salt and Wine the root of the wilde Panace bruised Birthwort and Barley-meal impasted with Vinegar water and Honey and Salt for a fomentation Decoction of Balm or the leaves of it made into a Pultis and applyed we must constantly use hot Baths Pliny Open the veins of the tongue and rub the places swolne with much Salt and Vinegar then provoke sweat diligently and warily Vigetius The practicall men mightily commend the root of Panax Chironia Theophrastus Anoynt the wound with Oyl Garlick bruised or Onyons or Knot-grasse or Barley-meal with Bay-leaves and Wine or Wine Lees or wilde Rue lay it onwith Vinegar for a Cataplasme Nonus Take live Brimstone Galbanum each four Denarii Lybian juice and Euphorbium each alike Hazel-nuts pild each two drams dissolve them in Wine and with wine make a Cataplasme also inwardly it helps much Flies bruised and laid on the part affected Also a Barbel heals the bites of a venemous Spider if it be cut raw and applyed to it Galen Anoynt all the body with a most liquid Oyntment with wax Foment the part affected with Oyl wherein bituminous Trifoly hath been soked or with a Sponge and hot Vinegar very often Make also a Cataplasme of these that follow namely with Onyons bloudwort Solomons seal Leeks Bran boyled in Vinegar Barley-meal and Bay-leaves boyled in Honey and Wine Make them also with Rue Goats dung with Wine Cyprus Marjoram and wilde Rue with Vinegar Asclepias his Plaister
great Turnfoil drank with its seed adding thereunto Nitre Hysop Cresses and water will cast them forth The root of female Fern 3 drams drank in Wine will force out the round and broad Worms of the belly as Ruellius and Marcellus who interpreted Dioscorides do both assert But Galen saith that it kils not round Worms but Ascarides and broad Worms for so he writes lib. Therapeut method cap. 14. But Wormwood can destroy round Worms broad Worms require more strong helps as Fern is and so doth that Worm the Greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Theophrastus was of this opinion who writes that female Fern mingled with Honey is good against broad Worms of the belly if it be mingled with Honey and for Ascarides in sweet Wine For so he sets it down Female Fern is good against broad Worms and small ones against broad ones mingled with Honey but against small ones in sweet Wine It is certain that Ascarides both are and are called small Worms Moreover Galen lib de simpl Medic. facult 8. ascribes the same vertue to the female Fern that the male hath Now Pliny writes that the female will kill only broad Worms and not round Pli 〈…〉 lib. hist 27. c. 9. And again that both that is both male and female will drive forth Worms of the belly broad Worms with Honey the rest with sweet Wine drank for three daies and he excludes neither round Worms nor Ascarides But Galen in one place excludes both round Worms and Ascarides and in another place he writes that it will destroy Ascarides with broad Worms What now shall we say where Authors are of so many different opinions shall we say that female Fern will kill all Worms in the belly For Galen ascribes the same virtue to it he doth to the male but that especially it kils broad Worms and in the next place Ascarides which being at the bottome of the belly require a stronger remedy as Fern is that the force of it may come so far But since it can drive forth broad Worms and Ascarides that are more seldome and the one is in the guts the other farthest from the stomach it will far sooner destroy round Worms that lie in the upper guts Galen therefore will not fight with himself in this for it sufficeth if it will kill broad VVorms and if it can destroy them it can more easily destroy Ascarides and easiest of all round VVorms But Pliny as who best of all knew that saith it will drive out the rest also that is both round VVorms and Ascarides But that he saith so is manifest out of Paulus lib. c. 58. who in his method of curing round and broad VVorms mentions Fern which yet all men agree is most properly used to drive forth broad VVorms Avicenn 16 Tertii tract 5. c. 4. shewes this most clearly in these words The medicins that kill Ascarides are stronger than those that kill long Worms and those things that kill long Worms and Ascarides will also kill broad Worms Gith or Nigella not only eaten but laid in a plaister to the belly or anointed on the navil with water brings them forth In which place we must note Marcellus who saith it will drive forth broad VVorms and not round but Ruellius interprets this by the contrary Iâ— Marcellus have done right I leave other men to judge this is certain that Galen is of Ruellius minde who hath written only that it will kill VVorms and as I said before it is taken generally for round VVorms Paulus and Aetius agree with Ruellius who in their curative method for round VVorms often speak of Gith but never for broad VVorms Wormwood called Santonicum of it self or boyled with Rice adding Honey to it will kill Worms The seeds of Nettles bruised or of Coleworts or Cummin with water or Mints with it or Hysop with Honey and water or Cresses-seed bruised with Vinegar kils them Celsus l. 4. c. 17. Oribasius lib. ad Ennâ—pium filium hath written that Calamint Cardamom Lupins and the powder of them in drink or with Honey by way of Electuary or given in Posca to drink are sufficient to kill round Worms Also the leaves and buds of the Peach-tree bruised and laid upon the belly can do as much also Mints in drink and Sorrel Purslain boyl'd the juyce of Succory or the decoction of Sebestens or the Sebestens themselves boyl'd and eaten are very good Also the ashes of burnt Harts-horn is thought very effectual for this use especially of that which growes on the right side of the Stags head It is burnt thus Break the Harts-horn and put it into a new earthen Crucible and lute it well put it into the furnace and let it burn till it be white Scribonius Largus c. 141. gives it thus Harts-horn saith he raspt with a workmans rasp with water of Sebestens boyled give 4 or 5 spoonfuls of it which were soked the day before in 3 cyathi then bruise and give it adding the water to it An Oxe shank burnt and drank with Milk drives out round Worms saith Galen Costus with water drives forth broad Worms of the belly Galen de com Ther. ad Pis Cardamom Garlick eaten The leaves of female Fern taken with Honey in a Lohock But the root of the male 3 drams with honey-Honey-water drank will drive them forth but better if it be given with so many oboli of Scammony or black Hellebore Also the root of white Chamaeleon drank a sawcer full for which use it is drank with sharp Wine and the decoction of Origanum Walnuts eaten largely the pill of the Mulberry-root boyled in water and drank besides that it loosneth the belly it will force out broad Worms also the decoction of Pomgranate roots drives them out and kils them The decoction of Pomgranate pils can do as much The root of wilde Bugloss a sawcer sull with Hysop and Cardamom drank doth the like Ruellius the Interpreter of Dioscorides seems to have followed Paulus who say that with Hysop and Cardamom but Marcellus saith with Hysop and Cresses drank it will drive forth broad Worms what was said before of Turnsoil Marcellus seems here to follow Galen lib. 6. de simp fac who writes that a sawcer full of it is good drank with Hysop and Cresses But the juyce of Cedar kils Ascarides and so doth Calamint the juyce of it being drank or given in a Clyster The decoction of Wormwood mingled with oyl and given Clyster-wise and the decoction of the lesser Centory given with Salt-peter and Honey hath the same force or the decoction of the wilde Gourd of wilde Saffron if the right intestine were first emptied with sharp pickle The root of female Fern drank for three daies in 3 drams of Wine drives forth Ascarides Also old Hogs grease put into the Anus is excellent good Both Paulus and Aetius testifie that Feavers commonly accompany round Worms and we found it true by daily experience When therefore there is a Feaver sometimes we
Gallia called Moschata Cloves sweet Cane Nutmeg Galanga Carway-seed of each twelve penny weight Hippocystis Acacia Sumach of each four penny weight oyl of Myrrhe juyce of Mints and Wax what sufficeth make a plaister If there be no Feaver the navil and thighs are to be anointed with Honey in a hot affect with Milk and then a little Aloes is strewed on for it wonderfully kils Worms also the nostrils are profitably anointed with Theriac and Vinegar A Cerate against Worms out of Paulus Take Aloes VVormwood Lupin-meal Seriphium Gith of each six scruples VVax an ounce and half oyl of Camomel what may suffice make them up being bruised dry with Buls gall Another out of Aetius Lupin-meal VVormwood in powder Barley in fine powder of each seven penny weight Buls gall eight penny weight rasping of Harts-horn four penny weight VVax twenty six penny weight weak oyl twelve penny weight Another approved Take Aloes half an ounce Saffron two oboli juyce of Pomecitrons as many drams mingle them with sweet white VVine and apply them to the heart Another approved Take Buls gall 30 penny weight choise Frankincense 128 penny weight strong-Strong-water 2 heminae distil all these chymically and in a glass vessel covered with VVax keep what comes forth and use it when occasion is Another very excellent that kils and casts forth the Worms Take VVormwood Gentian Centory the less bark of the roots of Mulberies Bay-berries witâ— the kernels taken forth bark of the roots of the Pomgranate-tree Ash-root pils of each 16 penny weight Marjoram 14 penny weight Southernwood Aloes Myrrhe Agarick of each 12 penny weight Dittany of Crete Germander Savin of each 8 penny weight Poly-mountain Grass-roots each 10 penny weight Staechas Chamaedrys Chamaepity Pomecitron-seed each 6 penny weight ashes of Harts-horn Santonicum 4 penny weight Coloquintida-seed 2 penny weight Buls gall 24 penny weight the sharpest Vinegar 1 hemina and 3 cyathi a gallon of bitter oyl of unripe Olives and 6 heminae let the dry things be beaten into most fine powder and mingle them ten daies together on the eleventh day let them boyl in a double vessel until the Vinegar be consumed when these are cold add one hemina of oyl of Bayes bitter Almonds and Peach-kernels of each beaten 24 penny weight all these as the former must be put into a glass vessel and be distilled Another most excellent and sure Take Peach-kernels Garlick Earth-worms washed in Vinegar of each 24 penny weight Gentian Dittany of Crete Grass-roots and Piony pils of Mulberry roots pilled of each 52 penny weight Saffron sweet Cane Cloves Aloes Calbanes Coloquintida Ginger Nutmegs Cassia long Pepper Frankincense fruit of Balsome red Coral of each 8 penny weight the best Theriack 12 penny weight Mints Wormwood Centory the Less Peach-tree leaves headed Leeks Penniroyal Calamints Plantain Rue black Horehound Bay-leaves Sage Marjoram Betony Scordium Orange-pils and bark of Mulberry roots of each 16 penny weight seeds of wilde Smallage Purslain Radish Coleworts Santonicum Plantain headed Leeks sea Mosse garden Smallage that is Parsly each 12 penny weight the sharpest Vinegar juyce of Quinces of each one hemina oyl of Mastick Spike liquid Bitumen they call it Petroleum oyl of Bayes of each 16 penny weight the oldest Oyl or oyl omphacine 8 heminae beat the dry things to powder and mingle them and in a glased vessel set them under Horse-dung for a moneth then boyl them in a double vessel to thirds strain them when they are cold and straining them out forcibly keep in a glass what comes forth for your use But employ it thus first anoint the temples then the nostrils next that the spondyls of the neck four of them next the throat then anoint the pulses of the arms next to that the stomach I mean by the stomach the mouth of the ventricle taking the word stomach improperly for properly it signifies the throat wherein I must not passe over the error of our new Physicians who in affects of the mouth of the stomach lay their remedies upon the back over against it which is both contrary to Galen and also to reason 3. 10. de mâ—rb cur libro yet I believe Thomas Linacer did not rightly interpret that place if I be not mistaken who was indeed otherwise a very learned man and most skilful in the interpretation of Authors but it may be that Greek Book was faulty or for some other reason Also it seems agreeing to reason that for affects of the mouth of the stomach the remedies should be applied before immediately under that round gristle which they call the shield or sword-fashion gristle for at this place the mouth of the stomach best receives the force of Cataplasms and Cerats forasmuch as there are no bones to keep it off but the properly called stomach that is the throat is fenced with most strong bones as under a fence for it hath the brest bones before and the back behinde But this is spoken by the by Now between the wetting of one place and of another we must stay so long as a man might walk about 40 paces and when these places are wet we must use more distance of time when we anoint the reins and the navil And these three remedies are so certain that unless a childe be ready to die he will recover from the point of death only by anointing these parts That which is called the broad Worm abounds in those that have no Feaver and breeds in long during diseases The method to cure these is the same as for round Worms For bitter and sharp potions are most in use and to eat Garlick or Calamint Dittany or Penniroyal we must eat Garlick largely for three daies and old soft Cheese Next let a man eat of Macedonian Fern dried and powdred and sifted 8 penny weight with as much Honey as he please after four hours give the patient Aloes and Scammony of each one half dram in honey-Honey-water 4 cyathi when he begins to rise to stool set hot water under Also give water to drink in which Lupins or the bark of Mulberry-tree is boyled or to which there is added a sawcer full of Pepper or bruised Hysop and a little Scammony or else after the eating of Garlick we speak of let him vomit and the next day let him gather as many Pomgranate roots as he can hold in his hand and bruise them and boyl them in 3 sextarii of water to a third part remaining let him put a little Nitre to this and drink it fasting three hours then past let him take two Potions either of water or salt pickle added to it Then pour forth the hot water into a bason as I said also give Earth-worms to drink for they are exceeding good But the juyce of mouse-ear is proper for them drank two cyathi with one cyathus of Ale for it quickly drives forth the broad Worms But this remedy following must first be drank nor is it thought unfit for
and the gall is profitable for many things but especially being turned into a glew it helpeth the falling evill The genitals of a Beaver are called by the Physitians Castoreum and therefore we will in this discourse use that word for expressing the nature qualities remedies and miraculous operation thereof wherefore they must be very warily and skilfully taken forth for there is in a little skin compassing them about a certain sweet humor called Humor Melleus and with that they must be cut out the utter skin being cut asunder to make the more easie entrance and the Apothecaries use to take all the fat about them which they put into the oil of the Castoreum and sell it unto fisher-men to make bait for fishes The females have stones or Castoreum as well as the males but very small ones Now you must take great heed to the choise of your Beaver and then to the stones which must grow from one root conjoyned otherwise they are not precious and the beast must neither be a young one nor one very old but in the mean betwixt both being in vigor and perfection of strength The Beavers of Spain yeeld not such virtuous Castoreum as they of Pontus and therefore if it be possible take a Pontique Beaver next one of Gallatia and lastly of Africk Some do corrupt them putting into their skin Gum and Ammoniack with blood other take the reins of the beast and so make the Castoreum very big which in it self is but small This beast hath two bladders which I remember not are in any other living creature and you must beware that none of these be joyned to the Castoreum You may know if it be mingled with Ammoniack by the tast for although the colour be like yet is the savour different Platearius sheweth that some adulterate Castoreum by taking off his skin or some cod newly taken forth of another beast filling it with bloud sinews and the powder of Castoreum that so it may not want his strong smell or favour other fill it with earth and bloud other with bloud rosen gum sinews and pepper to make it tast sharp but this is a falsification discernible and of this sort is the Castoreum which is sold in Venice as Brasovala affirmeth and the most of them sold at this day are bigger then the true Castoreum for the just weight of the right stones is not above twelve ounces and a half one of them being bigger then the other being six fingers breadth long and four in breadth Now the substance contained in the bag is yellowish solid like wax and sticking like glew not sharp and cracking betwixt the teeth as the counterfeit is These stones are of a strong and stinking savour such as is not in any other but not rotten and sharp as Grammarians affirm yer I have smelled of it dryed which was not unpleasant and things once seasoned with the savour thereof will ever tast of it although they have not touched it but lie covered with it in the same box or pot and therefore the Castoreum of Persia is counterfeit which hath no such smell for if a man smell to the right Castoreum it will draw bloud out of his nose After it is taken forth from the beast it must be hung up in some place to be dryed in the shadow and when it is dry it is soft and white it will continue it strength six years and some say seven the Persians affirm that their Castoreum will hold his virtue ten years which is as false as the matter they speak of is counterfeit Archigenes wrote a whole book of the virtue of this Castoreum whereunto they may resort that require an exact and full declaration of all his medicinal operations it shall only be our purpose to touch some general heads and not to enter into a particular discovery thereof Being so dryed as is declared it must be warily used for it falleth out herein as in other medicinal subjects that ignorance turneth a curing herb or substance into a venemous and destructive quality therefore we will first of all set down the dangers to be avoided and afterward some particular cures that come by the right use of it Therefore it must be understood that there is poyson in it not naturally but by accident as may be in any other good and wholesome matter and that especially in the smell or savour thereof whereunto if a woman with childe do smell it will kill the childe unborn and cause abortment for a womans womb is like a creature nourished with good favours and destroyed with evill therefore burning of feathers shoo-soles woollen clothes pitch Galbanum gum onions and garlick is noysom to them It may be corrupted not only as is before declared but also if it be shut up close without vent into pure aire when it is hanged up to be dryed or if the bag be kept moist so that it cannot dry and it is true as Avicen saith that if it be used being so corrupted it killeth within a dayes space driving one into madness making the sick person continually to hold forth his tongue and infecting him with a Fever by inflaming the body loosing the continuity of the parts through sharp vapors arising from the stomach and for a proof that it will inflame if you take a little of it mingled with oil and rub upon any part of the body or upon your nail you shall feel it But there is also a remedy for it being corrupted namely Asses milk mingled with some sharp syrup of Citron or if need require drink a dram of Philons Antidote at the most or take butter and sweet water which will cause vomit and vomit therewith so long as you feel the savour of the stone and afterward take syrup of Limmons or Citrons and some affirm upon experience that two penny weight of Coriander-seed scorched in the fire is a present remedy for this evill And it is most strange that seeing it is in greatest strength when the favour is hottest which is very displeasing to a mans nature in outward appearance yet doth it never harm a man taken inwardly being pure and rightly compounded if the person be without a Fever for in that case only it doth hurt inwardly otherwise apply it to a moist body lacking refrigeration or to a cold body wanting excalfaction or to a cold and moist body you shall perceive an evident commodity thereby if there be no Fever and yet it hath profited many where the Fever hath not been over hot as in Extasies and Lethargies ministred with white Pepper and Melicrate and with Rose cakes laid to the neck or head The same virtues it hath being outwardly applyed and mingled with oil if the bodies be in any heat and purely without oil if the body be cold for in heating it holdeth the third degree and in drying the second The manner how it is to be administred is in drink for the most part the sweet liquor
mouth if then you perceive no amendment then seethe some Laurel and therewith heat his back and afterward with oil and wine scarifie him all over plucking his skin up from the ribs and this must be done in the sunshine or else in a very warm place For the scabs take the juice of Garlick and rub the beast all over and with this medicine may the biting of a Wolf or a mad Dog be cured although other affirm that the hoof of any beast with Brimstone Oil Water and Vinegar is a more present remedy but there is no better thing then Butter and stale Urine When they are vexed with wormes poure cold water upon them afterward anoint them with the juice of onions mingled with Salt If an Ox be wrinched and strained in his sinews in travel or labour by stumping on any root or hard sharp thing then let the contrary foot or leg be let bloud if the sinews swell If his neck swell let him bloud or if his neck be windiug or weak as if it were broken then let him bloud in that ear to which side the head bendeth When their necks be bald grinde two tile together a new one and an old and when the yoak is taken off cast the powder upon their necks and afterward oil and so with a little rest the hair will come again When an Ox hangeth down his ears and eateth not his meat he is troubled with a Cephalalgie that is a pain in his head for which seethe Thyme in Wine with Salt and Garlick and therewith rub his tongue a good space also raw Barly steeped in Wine helpeth this disease Sometime an Ox is troubled with madness for which men burn them betwixt the horns in the forehead till they bleed sometime there is a Flie which biting them continually driveth them into madness for which they are wont to cast Brimstone and bay sprigs sod in water in the Pastures where they feed but I know not what good can come thereby When Oxen are troubled with fleam put a sprig of black Hellebore through their ears wherein let it remain till the next day at the same hour All the evils of the eyes are for the most part cured by infusion of Hony and some mingle therewith Ammoniack Salt and Boetick When the palat or roof of their mouth is so swelled that the beast forsaketh meat and bendeth on the one side let his mouth be paired with a sharpe instrument or else burned or abated some other way giving them green and soft meat till the tender sore be cured but when the cheeks swell for remedy whereof they sell them away to the Butcher for slaughter it falleth out very often that there grow certain bunches on their tongues which make them forsake their meat and for this thing they cut the tongue and afterward rub the wound with Garlick and Salt till all the fleamy matter issue forth When their veins in their cheeks and chaps swell out into ulcers they soften and wash them with Vinegar and Lees till they be cured When they are liver-sick they give them Rubarbe Mushroms and Gentian mingled together For the Cough and short breath they give them twigs of Vines or Juniper mingled with Salt and some use Betony There is a certain herb called Aâ—plenon or Citteraeh which consumeth the milts of Oxen found by this occasion in Crete there is a River called Protereus running betwixt the two Cities Gnoson and Gortina on both sides thereof there were herds of Cattel but those which fed neer to Gortina had no Spleen and the other which feed neer to Gnoson were full of Spleen when the Physitians endevoured to find out the true cause hereof they sound an herb growing on the coast of Gortina which diminished their Spleen and for that cause called it Asplenon But now to come to the diseases of their breast and stomach and first of all to begin with the Cough which if it be new may be cured by a pinte of Barley meal with a raw Egge and half a pinte of sod wine and if the Cough be old take two pounds of beaten Hysop sod in three pints of water beaten Lentils or the roots of Onions washed and baked with Wheat meal given fasting do drive away the oldest Cough For shortness of breath their Neat-herds hang about their neck Deaths-herb and Harts-wort but if their Livers or Lungs be corrupted which appeareth by a long Cough and leaness take the root of Hasell and put it through the Oxes ear then a like or equall quantity of the juyce of Onions and oil mingled and put into a pinte of Wine let it be given to the beast many dayes together If the Ox be troubled with crudity or a raw evill stomach you shall know by these signes he will often belch his belly will rumble he will forbear his meat hanging down his eyes and neither chew the cud or lick himself with his tongue for remedy whereof take two quarts of warm water thirty stalkes of Boleworts seethe them together till they be soft and then give them to the beast with Vinegar But if the crudity cause his belly to stand out and swell then pull his tail downward with all the force that you can and binde thereunto Mother-wort mingled with salt or else give them a Glyster or anoint a Womans hand with oil and let her draw out the dung from the fundament and afterward cut a vein in his tail with a sharp knife When they be distempered with choler burn their legs to the hoofs with a hot Iron and afterward let them rest upon clean and soft straw when their guts or intrails are pained they are eased with the sight of a Duck or a Drake But when the small guts are infected take fifteen Cypres Apples and so many Gauls mingle and beat them with their weight of old Cheese in four pints of the sharpest wine you can get and so divide it into four parts giving to the beast every day one quantity The excrements of the belly do deprive the body of all strength and power to labour wherefore when they are troubled with it they must rest and drink nothing for three daies together and the first day let them forbear meat the second day give them the tops of wilde Olives or in defect thereof Canes or Reeds the stalks of Lentrske and Myrtill and a third day a little water and unto this some add dryed Grapes in six pintes of sharp wine given every day in like quantity When their hinder parts are lame through congealed bloud in them whereof there is no outward appearance take a bunch of Nettles with their roots and put it into their mouths by rubbing whereof the condensate bloud will remove away When Oxen come first of all after Winter to grasse they fall grasse-sick and pisse bloud for which they seethe together in water Barly Bread and Lard and so give them all together in a drink to the beast some praise the
Ptisick or short breath made into pils with Honey The powder of a Cowes horn mixed with Vinegar helpeth the morphew being washed or anointed therewith The same infused into the Nostrils stayeth the bleeding likewise mingled with warm water and Vinegar given to a Splenitick man for three daies together it wonderfully worketh upon that passion powder of the hoof of an Ox with water put upon the Kings evill helpeth it and with Water and Honey it helpeth the apostemes and swelling of the body and the same burned and put into drink and given to a Woman that lacketh Milk it encreafeth milk and strengtheneth her very much Other take the tongue of a Cow which they dry so long till it may be beaten into powder and so give it to a woman in white wine or broath The dust of the heel of an Ox or ancle bone taken in wine and put to the gums or teeth do fasten them and remove the ach away The ribs of Oxen beaten to powder do stay the flux of bloud and restrain the aboundance of monthly courses in women The ancle of a white Cow laid forty daies and nights into wine and rubbed on the face with white Linet taketh spots and maketh the skin look very clear Where a man biteth any other living creature seethe the flesh of an Ox or a Calf and after five daies lay it to the sore and it shall work the ease thereof The flesh being warm layed to the swellings of the body easeth them so also do the warm bloud and gall of the same beast The broath of beef healeth the loosness of the belly coming by reason of choler and the broath of Cowes flesh or the marrow of a Cow healeth the ulcers and chinks of the mouth The skin of a Ox especially the leather thereof warm in a shooe burned and applyed to pimples in the body or face cureth them The skin of the feet and nose of an Ox or Sheep sod over a soft and gentle fire untill there arise a certain scum like to glew from it and afterward dried in the cold windie air and drunk helpeth or at least easeth burstness very much The marrow of an Ox or the sewet helpeth the strains of sinews if they be anointed therewith If one make a small candle of Paper and Cowes marrow setting the same on fire under his browes or eye-lids which are bald without hair and often anointing the place he shall have very decent and comely hair grow thereupon Likewise the sewet of Oxen helpeth against all outward poison so in all Leprosies Botches and Scurviness of the skin the same mingled with Goose grease and poured into the eares helpeth the deafness of them It is also good against the inflamation of the ears the stupidity and dulness of the teeth the running of the eyes the ulcers and rimes of the mouth and stifness of the neck If ones bloud be liquid and apt to run forth of the body it may be well thickned and retained by drinking Ox bloud mingled with Vinegar and the bloud of a Cow poured into a wound that bleedeth stayeth the bloud Likewise the bloud of Oxen cureth the scabs in Dogs Concerning their Milk volumes may be written of the several and manifold virtues thereof for the Arcadians refused all medicine only in the Spring time when their beasts did eat grasse they drank Cowes milk being perswaded that the virtue and vigour of all good herbs and fruits were received and digested into that liquor for they gave it medicinally to them which were sick of the Ptisick of Consumption of an old Cough of the Consumption of the reins of the hardness of the belly and of all manner of poisons which burn inwardly which is also the opinion of all the Greek Physitians and the shell of a Walnut sod in Cow-milk and said to the place where a Serpent hath bitteh it cureth it and stayeth the poison The same being new and warm Gargarized into the throat helpeth the soreness of the kernels and all pain in the Arteries and swelling in the throat and stomach and if any man be in danger of a short breath let him take dayly soft pitch with the hearb Mummie and Harts suet clarified in a Cup of new Milk and ithath been proved very profitable Where the pains of the stomach come by sadness Melancholy or desperation drink Cow-milk Womans milk or Asses milk wherein a flint stone hath been sodden When one is troubled with a desire of going often to the stool and can egest nothing let him drink Cow-milk and Asses-milk sod together the same also heated with gads of Iron or steel and mingled with one fourth part of water helpeth the Bloudy flux mingled with a little Hony and a Buls gall with Cummin and gourds layed to the Navel and some affirm that Cow-milk doth help conception if a woman be troubled with the whiteflux so that her womb be indangered let her drink a purgation for her upper parts and afterward Asses milk last of all let her drink Cow-milk and new wine for forty daies together if need be so mingled that the wine appear not in the milk and it shall stay the flux But in the use of milk the rule of Hippocrates must be continually observed that it be not used with any sharp or tartd liquor for then it curdleth in the stomach and turneth into corruption The whay of Cow-milk mingled with Hony and Salt as much as the tast will permit and drunk looseneth the hardness of the belly The marrow of a Cow mingled with a little meal and with new cheese wonderfully stayeth the Bloudyflux It is affirmed that there is in the head of an Ox a certain little stone which only in the fear of death he casteth out at his mouth if this stone be taken from them suddenly by cutting the head it doth make children to breed teeth easily being soon tyed about them If a man or woman drink of the same water whereof an Ox drunk a little before it will ease the headach and in the second venter of a Cow there is a round black Tophus found being of no weight which is accounted very profible to Women in hard travails of child-birth The Liver of an Ox or Cow dryed and drunk in powder cureth the flux of boud The gall of a Cow is more forcible in operation then all other beasts gals whatsoever The gall of an Ox mixed with Hony draweth out any thorn or point of a needle or other Iron thing out of the flesh where it sticketh Likewise it being mingled with Alome and Myrrhe as thick as hony it cureth those evils which creep and annoy the privie parts laying upon it afterward Beets sod in wine It will not suffer the Kings evill to grow or spread it self if it be laid upon it at the beginning The hands washed in an Oxes gall and water are made white how black soever they were before time and if purblind eyes be anointed with
because the Splenetick can do none of all these but of this more afterward The voice of a Dog is by the learned interpreted a railing and angry speech whereof cometh Canina facundia among Authors for railing eloquence It is the nature of a Dog when he maketh water to hold up his leg if he be above six moneths old or have been at procreation the females do it for the most part sitting yet some of the generous spirits do also hold up the legs They ever smell to the hinder parts of one another peradventure thereby they discern their kind and disposition of each other in their own natures After they have run a course they relieve themselves by tumbling and rowling to and fro when they lie down they turn round in a circle two or three times together which they do for no other cause but that they may the more commondiously lie round and from the winde They sleep as doth a man and therein dream very often as may appear by their often barking in their sleep but it must be diligently regarded of them that love to keep Dogs that they permit them not to sleep much especially after their meat when they are young for as they are very hot so in their sleep doth their heat draw much pain into their stomach and ventricle The time of their copulation is for the most part at a year old yet the females will lust after it at eight moneths old howbeit they are not to be suffered because it weakeneth their bodies and dulleth in them all generosity therefore after one year they may safely be suffered to come together and not before Neither is it material whether in Summer or Winter but it is best in the beginning of the Spring but with this caution that Whelpes of a litter or of one and the same Bitch be never suffered to couple for nature rejoyceth more in variety For then they grow salt and begin to be proud yet in ancient time for the more ennobling of their race of Dogs they did not suffer them to engender till the Male were four year old and the female three for then would the Whelpes prove more strong and lively By hunting labour and travel the males are made more fit for generation and they prove best which have their sires of equal age They are not suffered to engender all their life long but untill ten and twelve year old or rather eight in the male and six in the female Yet there have been found which in one and other sex have continued in procreation till they were twenty year old but this exceeded all natural reason When they begin to be proud if you give them leaven mingled with milk and salt they will not stray and range abroad At the time of their copulation they cleave together for a certain space as if their hinder parts were glewed and so they are filled at one time They bear their young the fifth part of the year that is about two moneths and odd dayes but this reckoning is not general for some kinds bear their young three moneths and some more They bring forth many at a time sometime five seven nine or twelve for so many cels hath the female in her womb Albertus relateth that he saw a Bitch of the Mastive kind which brought forth at three litters fifty Whelpes that is nineteen at the first eighteen at the second and thirteen at the third but some-time she bringeth forth but one which is a good argument to prove that she is filled at the first liming They are purged of their menstruous fluxes seven or fourteen daies before they grow proud and again at their time of littering at other times they suffer none The first they cast forth of their wombe is commonly a male which resembleth the father the other males and females as it happeneth but it is accounted a prodigious thing to litter all males or all females wherein nature yeeldeth an excellent argument of divine providence for the first born of all kinds hath more resemblance of the father then of the mother They are also whelped blind and so remain for nine or ten dayes because through their multitude they cannot be perfected in the dams belly which doth not happen to beasts which bear single as Sheep and Goats They use to carry them up and down in their mouths till they be seven dayes old but not afterward they have milk about five dayes before their littering It is not good to preserve the first or second litter but the third and after they have littered it is good to give the Bitch Whay and Barly bread for that will comfort her and encrease her milk and in some places they take Goats milk and seethe in it broken bones of meat whereby they conceive that the Dam and Whelpes are much bettered for that nutriment there is not any great regard of the nourishment of Dogs for they will eat much and that often and divers things except Dogs flesh for that cannot be so dressed and prepared by the art of man but they finde it out by their nose and avoid it It is good to let the Whelpes suck two moneths before they be weaned and that of their own dam for it is not so good for them to suck another and in the mean time exercise them to meat as Milk Whay Bread and flesh also from the Spring untill the Sun entreth Cancer at which time it is good to let them grow lean according to the Verses of Nemesian Consuetam minuisse saginam Profuerit tenuesque magis retinere cibatus Ne gravis articulos depravet pondere molles Nam tum membrorum nexas nodosque relaxant And afterward when they are sixe moneths old amend their idiet again that they may grow strong Tunc rursus miscere sero Corealia done Conveniet fortemque dari de frugibus escam They will not eat Buck-mast wherewithal Hogs grow fat for that breedeth in them the pain of the head By eating the excrements of men they incur many diseases they are mad drunk by the herb Oenutta as Crowes bee they cannot endure Wine but bread sopped in wine they devoure dryed flesh and bread in Milk is their safest food if Cummin be now and then mixed in their bread they are not much troubled with winde in their bellies If you put a little Oil in their Water to drink or lap they will prove more able and swift to run If he refuse and loath his meat take a little hot bread and give it him before meat or dip brown bread in Vinegar and so presse and squeese the liquor thereof into his nose and it will ease him There is much ado to chuse a Whelpe under the Dam that will prove the best in the litter Some observe that which seeth last and take that for the best other remove the Whelpes from the kennel and lay them
are like to Onions have power in them to purge the belly of Dogs Other give them Goats-milk or Salt beaten small or Sea-crabs beaten small and put into water or Staves-acre and immediately after his purgation sweet Milk If your Dog be obstracted and stopped in the belly which may be discerned by his trembling sighing and removing from place to place give unto him Oaten meal and water to eat mingled together and made as thick as a Pultess or leavened Oaten bread and sometime a little Whay to drink The Ancients have observed that Dogs are most annoyed with three diseases the swelling of the throat the Gowt and madness but the later Writers have observed many noysome infirmities in them First they are oftentimes wounded by the teeth of each other and also of wilde Beasts for cure whereof Blondus out of Maximus writeth these remedies following First let the sinews fibres or gristles of the wound be laid together then sow up the lips or upper skin of the wound with a needle and thred and take of the hairs of the Dog which made the wound and lay thereupon untill the bleeding be stanched and so leave it to the Dog to be licked for nature hath so framed the Dogs tongue that thereby in short space he cureth deep wounds And if he cannot touch the sore with his tongue then doth he wet his foot in his mouth and so oftentimes put it upon the maim or if neither of these can be performed by the Beast himself then cure it by casting upon it the ashes of a Dogs head or burned salt mingled with liquid pitch poured thereupon When a Dog returning from hunting is hurt about the snowt by the venemous teeth of some wilde Beast I have seen it cured by making incision about the wound whereby the poysoned bloud is evacuated and afterward the sore was anoynted with Oyl of Saint Johns-wort Wood-worms cure a Dog bitten by Serpents When he is troubled with Ulcers or rindes in his skin pieces of Pot-sheards beaten to powder and mingled with Vinegar and Turpentine with the sat of a Goose or else Water-wort with new Lard applyed to the sore easeth the same and if it swell anoynt it with Butter For the drawing forth of a thorn or splinter out of a Dogs foot take Colts-foot and Lard or the powder thereof burned in a new earthen pot and either of these applyed to the foot draweth forth the Thorn and cureth the sore for by Dioscorides it is said to have force to extract any point of a Spear out of the body of a man For the Worms which breed in the Ulcers of their heels take Vnguentum Egyptiacum and the juyce of peach-leaves There are some very skilful Hunters which affirm that if you hang about the Dogs neck sticks of Citrine as the wood dryeth so will the Worms come forth and dy Again for this evill they wash the wounds with water then rub it with Pitch Thyme and the dung of an Oxe in Vinegar afterward they apply unto it the powder of Ellebor When a Dog is troubled with the Mangie Itch or Ring-worms first let him blood in his fore-legs in the greatest vein afterward make an Ointment of Quick-silver Brimstone Nettle-seed and twice so much old Sewet or Butter and therewithall anoint him putting thereunto if you please decoction of Hops and Salt water Some do wash Mangy Dogs in the Sea-water and there is a Cave in Sicily saith Gratius that hath this force against the scabs of Dogs if they be brought thither and set in the running water which seemeth to be as thick as Oyl Flegm or melancholy doth often engender these evils and so after one Dog is infected all the residue that accompany or lodge with him are likewise poysoned for the avoiding thereof you must give them Fumitory Sorrel and Whay sod together it is good also to wash them in the Sea or in smiths-Smiths-water or in the decoction aforesaid For the taking away of Warts from the feet of Dogs or other members first rub and friccase the Wart violently and afterward anoint it with Salt Oyl Vinegar and the powder of the rinde of a Gourd or else lay unto it Aloes beaten with Mustard-seed to eat it off and afterward lay unto it the little scories or iron chips which fly off from the Smiths hot iron while he beateth it mingled with Vinegar and it shall perfectly remove them Against Tikes Lyce and Fleas anoint the Dogs with bitter Almonds Staves-acre or roots of Maple or Cipers or froth of Oyl if it be old and anoint also their ears with Salt-water and bitter Almonds then shall not the flies in the Summer time enter into them If Bees or Wasps or such Beasts sting a Dog lay to the sore burned Rue with Water and if a greater Fly as the Horner let the Water be warmed A Dog shall be never infected with the Plague if you put into his mouth in the time of any common Pestilence the powder of a Storks craw or Ventricle or any part thereof with Water which thing ought to be regarded for no creature is so soon infected with the Plague as is a Dog and a Mule and therefore they must either at the beginning receive medicine or else be removed out of the air according to the advice of Gratius Sed varii ritus nec in omnibus una potestas Disce vices quae tutela est proxima tenta Wolf-wort and Apocynon whose leaves are like the leaves of Ivie and smell strongly will kill all Beasts which are littered blinde as Wolves Foxes Bears and Dogs if they eat thereof So likewise will the root of Chamaeleon and Mezereon in Water and Oyl it killeth Mice Swine and Dogs Ellebor and Squilla and Faba Lupina have the same operation There is a Gourd called Zinziber of the Water because the taste thereof is like to Ginger the Flower Fruit and Leaf thereof killeth Asses Mules Dogs and many other four-footed Beasts The Nuts Vomicae are poyson to Dogs except their ear be cut presently and made to bleed It will cause them to leap strangely up and down and kill him within two hours after the tasting if it be not prevented by the former remedy Theophrastus Chrysippus affirmeth that the water wherein Sperage hath been sod given to Dogs killeth them the fume of Silver or Lead hath the same operation If a Dog grow lean and not through want of meat it is good to fill him twice or thrice with Butter and if that do not recover him then it is a sign that the worm under his tongue annoyeth him which must be presently pulled out by some Naul or Needle and if that satisfie not he cannot live but will in short time perish And it is to be noted that Oaten bread leavened will make a sluggish Dog to become lusty agile and full of spirit Dogs are also many times bewitched by the only
sight of Inchanters even as Infants Lambs and other creatures according to Virgils verse Nescio quis teneros oculus mihi fascinat agnos For the bewitching spirit entereth by the eye into the heart of the party bewitched for remedy whereof they hang about the neck a chain of Corral as for holy Herbs I hold them unprofitable To cure the watry eyes of Dogs take warm water and first wash them therewith and then make a plaister of meal and the white of an Egge and so lay it thereunto By reason of that saying Eccles 20. cap. Bribes and gifts blinde the eyes of Iudges even as a dumb Dog turneth away Correction Some have delivered that green Crow-foot forced into the mouth of a Dog maketh him dumb and not able to bark When a Dog becometh deaf the Oyl of Roses with new pressed Wine infused into his ears cureth him and for the Worms in the ears make a plaister of a beaten Spunge and the white of an Egge and that shall cure it The third kinde of Quinancy called Synanche killeth Dogs because it bloweth up their chaps and includeth their breath The Cough is very noysome to Dogs wherefore their keepers must infuse into their Nostrils two cups of Wine with bruised sweet Almonds but Tardinus for this disease prescribed great Parsley sod with Oyl Honey and Wine and so given to the Dog For the shortness of the breath bore him through the ear and if there be any help that will prevail If a bone stick in the mouth of a Dog hold up his head backward and pour Ale into his mouth untill he cough and so shall he be eased When a Dog hath surfeited and falleth to loath his meat he eateth the herb Canaria and is relieved both against his furfeit and also the bitings of Serpents For the Worms in the belly he eateth Wheat in the stalk The Gowt maketh the Dogs legs grow crooked and it is never so cured but that after a course or two they grow lame again When his skin flyeth from his nails take meal and water and binde them thereunto for a remedy and these are for the most part those diseases wherewithall Dogs are infected and the other are either cured by heat or by eating of grass and so for this part I conclude both the sickness and cure of Dogs with the saying of Gratius Mille tenent pestes curaque potentia major Concerning the madness of Dogs and their venemous bitings we are now to speak and first of all no reasonable man ought to doubt why the teeth of a mad Dog should do more harm then of a sound and healthy one because in rage and anger the teeth of every Beast and creature receive venome and poyson from the head as it is well observed by Aegineta and so at that time fastning their teeth they do more harm then at other times Against the simple biting of a Dog it is sufficient but to use the urine of a Dog for there is not much venome in those wounds and the urine also will draw out the prickles of a Hedge-hog because such wounds have in them but little poyson Also as Aetius prescribeth it is very soveraign in such wounds first of all to cover and rub the sore with the palm of ones hand and then pour into it Vinegar and Nitre so as it may descend to the bottom of the wound and afterward lay unto it a new spunge wetted in the same Vinegar and Nitre and let it be so continued for the space of three days and by the working thereof it shall be whole Also it is generally to be observed in all the bitings of men by Dogs that first of all it is requisite that the wound be well rubbed over by the palm of the hand with Vinegar then pour into the wounds Vinegar mixed with water or with Nitre laying also a spunge thereupon and so binde it upon the place having first wetted the cloaths wherewithall you binde it with the said Vinegar mixed so let it remain bound up three days together and afterward follow the common course of curing as in every vulgar wounds or else lay thereunto Pellitory of the Wall mingled and beaten with Salt changing it every day untill the crust or upper skin fall away It is also good sometimes the holes being small to wet Lint in Vinegar and to purge the wound with powder of Anise-seed or Cumin laying the Lint upon the Anise sor two or three days The same being thus purged take a medicine of the equall parts of Hony Turpentine Butter Goose-grease Marrow of a Hart or Calf melted betwixt the teeth of a man and lay it thereunto for it also cureth the bitings of men but if the sore be inflamed then lay unto it Lentils sod with the parings of Apples and dryed or the crums of bread with the juyce of Beets and a little Oyl of Roses made like a plaister Divers Authors have also prescribed these outward medicines against the bitings of Dogs in general namely Vinegar spunged the Lees of Vinegar with Nigella Romana Venus Hair Alabaster Brine with Lint Garlick mixed with Honey and taken into the body Lees of Wine Almonds both sweet and bitter mingled with Honey dryed Anise-seeds burned the leaves of black Hore-hound or Archangel beaten with Salt Scallions with Honey and Pepper of the case the juyce of Onyons with Rue and Honey or raw Onyons with Hony and Vinegar but sod ones with Honey and Wine if they be green let them ly to the wound three days the ashes of Vine-trees with Oyl ashes of a Fig-tree with a Sear-cloth beside infinite other elaborate medicines drawn from Trees Fruits Fields Gardens and all other creatures as if Nature had only stroven to provide sundry ready cures for this evill above all other Leaving therefore the simple bitings of Dogs let us proceed to the madness of Dogs and their bitings wherein the greater danger must be considered with greater circumspection of remedies First therefore the Ancients have derived Rabiem of Raviem madness of the hoarsness of voyce because a Dog at that time hath no perfect voyce But it is more probable that Rabies cometh of Rapiendo because when a Dog beginneth to be oppressed herewith he biteth snatcheth runneth to and fro and is carryed from home and Master to his own perdition this by the Graecians is called Lytta and Cynolessos By this evill not only Dogs perish but all other creatures except a Goose bitten by them and a man doth not escape without great perill For Albertus relateth a story of a man whose arm was bitten by a mad Dog and after twelve years the sore brake forth again and he dyed within two days and the reason hereof was as in all likelihood that of Coelius that when one and the same nature infecteth each other as Dogs do Dogs and men do men then by reason of their similitude and natural sympathy they receive the consuming poyson with
have wearyed him and broken his untameable nature Then doth the rider leap upon the wearyed and tyred Elephant and with a sharp pointed Sickle doth govern him after the tame one and so in short space he groweth gentle And some of them when the rider alighteth from their backs grow wilde and fierce again for which cause they binde their forelegs with strong bands and by this means they take both great and small old and young ones but as the old ones are more wilde and obstinate and so difficult to be taken so the younger keep so much with the elder that a like impossibility or difficulty interposeth itself from apprehending them In the Caspian lake there are certain fishes called Oxyrineh out of whom is made such a firme glew that it will not be dissolved in ten dayes after it hath taken hold for which cause they use it in the taking of Elephants There are in the Island Zeira many Elephants whom they take on this manner In the Mountains they make certain doysters in the earth having two great trees standing at the mouth of the cloysters and in those trees they hangup a great parcul 〈…〉 gate within that cloyster they place a tame female Elephant at the time of their usual copulation the wilde Elephants do speedily wind her and make to her and so at the last having found the way betwixt the two trees enter into her sometime twenty and sometime thirty at a time then are there two men in the said trees which cut the rope whereby the gate hangeth so it falleth down and includeth the Elephants where they suffer them alone for six or seven dayes without meat whereby they are so infeebled and famished that they are not able to stand upon their legs Then two or three strong men enter in among them and with great slaves and clubs belabour and â—udgel them till by that means they grow tame and gentle and although an Elephant be a monstrous great beast and very subtil yet by these and such like means do the inhabitants of India and Ethiopia take many of them with a very small labour to their great advantage Against these sleights of men may be oposed the subtil and cautelous evasions of the beast avoiding all the footsteps of men if they smell them upon any herb or leaf and for their fight with the Hunters they observe this order First of all they set them foremost which have the least teeth that so they may not be afraid of combate and when they are weary by breaking down of trees they escape and flie away But for their hunting they know that they are not hunted in India for no other cause then for their teeth and therefore to discourage the Hunters they set them which have the worst teeth before and reserve the strongest for the second encounter for their wisdom or natural discretion is herein to be admired that they will so dispose themselves in all their battails when they are in chase that ever they fight by course and inclose the youngest from perill so that lying under the belly of their Dams they can scarce be seen and when one of them flyeth they all flie away to their usual resting places striving which of them shall go foremost And if at any time they come to a wide and deep Ditch which they cannot passe over without a bridge then one of them descendeth and goeth down into the Ditch and standeth transverse or crosse the same by his great body filling up the empty parts and the residue passe over upon his back as upon a bridge Afterward when they are all over they tarry and help their fellow out of the Ditch or Trench again by this sleight or devise one of them putteth down to him his leg and the other in the Ditch windeth his trunck about the same the residue standers by cast in bundles of sprigs with their mouthes which the Elephant warily and speedily putteth under his feet and so raiseth himself out of the Trench again and departeth with his fellowes But if they fall in and cannot finde any help or means to come forth they lay aside their natural wilde disposition and are contented to take meat and drink at the hands of men whose presence before they abhorred and being delivered they think no more upon their former condition but in forgetfulness thereof remain obedient to their deliverers Being thus taken as it hath been said it is also expedient to express by what art and means they are cicurattd and tamed First of all therefore when they are taken they are fastened to some Tree or Pillar in the earth so as they can neither kick backward nor leap forward and there hunger thirst and famine like two most strong and forcible Riders abate their natural wildeness strength fear and hatred of men Afterward when their keepers perceive by their dejection of minde that they begin to be mollified and altered then they give unto them meat out of their hands upon whom the beast doth cast a far more favorable and cheerful eye considering their own bondage and so at the last necessity frameth them unto a contented and tractable course and inclination But the Indians by great labour and industry take their young Calves at their watering places and so lead them away inticing them by many allurements of meat to love and obey them so as they grow to understand the Indian language but the elder Indian Elephants do very hardly and seldom grow tame because of their remembrance of their former liberty by any bands and oppression nevertheless by instrumental musick joyned with some of their Countrey songs and ditties they abate their fierceness and bring down their high untractable stomachs so as without all bands they remain quiet peaceable and obedient taking their meat which is layed before them Pliny and Solinus prescribe the juyce of Barly to be given to them for their mitification whereunto also agreeth Dioscorides calling that kind of drink Zythus and the reason hereof is because of the tart sharpness in Barly water if it stand a little while and therefore also they prescribe Vinegar and ashes to rub the beasts mouth for it hath power in it to pierce stones all sharp things penetrate deep into his flesh and alter his nature the invention whereof is attributed to Democritus Being thus tamed they grow into civill and familiar uses for Caesar ascended into the Capitol betwixt four hundred Elephants carrying at either side burning Torches and Heliogabalus brought four Waggons drawn with Elephants in Vaticanum and men commonly ride upon them for Apâ—llonius saw neer the River Indus a Boy of thirteen year old riding alone upon an Elephant spurring and pricking him as freely as any man will do a lean horse They are taught to bend one of their hinder legs to take up the Rider who also must receive help from some other present standers by or else it is
time some use at the second time to dip such sops in sweet Sallet Oil. Thus far Vâ—getius Of the Pestilent Ague IT seemeth by Laurentius Russius that Horses be also subject to a Pestilent Fever which almost incurable is called of him Infirmitas Epidemialis that is to say a Contagious and pestiferous disease whereof there dyed in one year in Rome above a thousand Horses which as I take it came by some corruption of the air whereunto Rome in the chief of Summer is much subject or else corrupt humours in the body ingendered by unkind food by reason perhaps that the City was then pesteted with more Horse-men then there could be conveniently harbored or fed Laurentius himself rendreth no cause thereof but only sheweth signes how to know it which be these The Horse holdeth down his head eateth little or nothing his eyes waterish and his flanks do continually beat The Cure First give him this Glyster Take of the pulp of Coloquintida one ounce of Dragantum one ounce and a fals of Ceutaury and Wormwood of each one handful of Castore 〈…〉 half an ounce boil them in Water then being strained dissolve therein of Gerologundinum six ounces of Salt an ounce and a half and half a pound of Oil-olive and minister it lukewarm with a horn or pipe made of purpose Make also this Plaister for his head Take of Squilla five ounces of Elder of Castoreum of Mustard seed and of Eusorbium of each two ounces dissolve the same in the juice of Daffodil and of Sage and lay it to the Temples of his head next unto his eares or else give him any of these three drinks following Take of the best Triacle two or three ounces and distemper it in good Wine and give it him with a horn or else let him drink every morning the space of three dayes one pound or two of the juyce of Elder roots or else give him every morning to eat a good quantity of Venus hair called of the Latins Capillus Veneris newly and fresh gathered but if it be old then boil it in Water and give him the decoction thereof to drink with a horn Martins opinion and experience touching a Horses Fever THough Martin have not seen so many several kinds of Fevers to chance to Horses yet he confesseth that a Horse will have a Fever and saith that you shall know it by these signes For after the Horse hath been sick two or three dayes if you look upon his tongue you shall see it almost raw and scalt with the heat that comes out of his body and he will shake and trembles reel and stagger when his fit cometh which fit will keep his due hours both of coming and also 〈◊〉 continuance unlesse you prevent it by putting the Horse into a heat which would be done so soon as you see him begin to tremble either by riding him or tying up his legs and by chasing him up and down in the stable untill he leave shaking and then let him be kept warm and stand on the bit the space of two houres that done you may give him some hay by a little at once and give him warm water with a little ground malt twice a day the space of three or four dayes and once a day wash his tongue with Alomwater Vinegar Sage But if you see that all this prevaile not then purge him with this drink after that he hath fasted all one night Take of Aloes one ounce of Agarick half an ounce of Licoras and Annis seeds of each a dram beaten to powder and let him drink it with a quart of white wine likewarme and made sweet with a little hony in the morning fasting and let him be chafed a little after it and be kept warm and suffered to stand on the bit meatlesse two or three hours after and he shall recover his health again quickly Of sickness in general and the Fever IN general sickness is an opposite foe to nature warring against the agents of the body and mind seeking to confound those actions which uphold and maintain the bodies strength and livelyhood Who coveteth to have larger definition of sickness let him read Vegetius Rusius or excellent Master Blundevile who in that hath been admirably well-deserving painful For mine one part my intent is to write nothing more then mine own experience and what I have approved in Horses diseases most availeable and first of the Fever or Ague in a Horse though it be a disease seldom or not at all noted by our Mechanical Horse Farriars who cure many times what they know not and kill where they might cure knew they the cause yet I have my self seen of late both by the demonstrate opinions of others better learned and by the effects of the disease some two Horses which I dare avouch were mightily tormented with a Fever though divers Leeches had thereof given divers opinions one saying it was the Bots by reason of his immoderate languishment another affirmed him to be bewitched by reason of great shaking heaviness and sweating but I have found it and approved it to be a Fever both in effect nature and quality the cure whereof is thus for the original cause of a Fever is surfet breeding putrifaction in the bloud then when his shaking beginneth take three new laid Egges break them in a dish and beat them together then mix thereto five or six spoonfuls of excellent good Aquavitae and give it him in a horn then bridle him and in some Close or Court chafe him till his shaking cease and he begin to sweat then set him up and cloath him warm And during the time of his sickness give him no water to drink but before he drink it boil therein Mallowes Sorrel Purslain of each two or three handfuls As for his food let it be sodden Barly and now and then a little Rie in the sheaf to clense and purge him chiefly if he be dry inwardly and grow costive This I have proved uneffectless for this disease and also much availeable for any other inward sickness proceeding either of raw digestion too extream riding or other surfet Divers have written diversly of divers Agues and I could prescribe receipts for them but since I have not been experimented in them all I mean to omit them intending not to exceed mine own knowledge in any thing Of the Pestilence THe Pestilence is a contagious disease proceeding as Pelaganius saith sometime of overmuch labour heat cold hunger and sometime of sudden running after long rest or of the retention or holding of stale or urine or of drinking cold water whiles the Horse is hot and sweating for all these things do breed corrupt humors in the Horses body whereof the Pestilence doth chiefly proceed or else of the corruption of the air poisoning the breath whereby the Beasts should live which also happeneth sometime of the corruption of evill vapors and exhalations that spring out of the earth and
the use of his whole hand to the great grief of all his friends and also of all the Muses which were wont to be much delighted with such passing sweet musick as that his fine quavering hand could sometime make upon divers Instruments but especially upon the Virginals This Horse I say though he could eat his meat drink his drink and sleep yet if he were never so little offended he would take on like a spirit and both bite and strike at any man that came nigh him yea and would bite himself by the shoulders most terribly pulling away lumps of flesh so broad as a mans hand and whensoever he was ridden he was fain to be musled with a muslel of iron made of purpose to keep him from biting either of his Rider or of himself which no doubt proceeded of some kinde of frenzy or madness whereunto the Horse was subject by means that hot bloud as I take it abounded over-much in him But now as touching the causes signes and cure of Horses madness you shall hear the opinion of old Writers for Martin never took such cure in hand Absyrtus and the other Authors before mentioned say that the madness of a Horse cometh either by means of some extream heat taken by travelling or long standing in the hot Sun or else by eating over many fitches or by some hot bloud resorting to the panicles of the brain or through abundance of choler remaining in the veins or else by drinking of some very unwholesome water The signes be these he will bite the manger and his own body and run upon every man that comes nigh him he will continually shake his ears and stare with his eyes and some at the mouth and also as Hippocrates saith he will forsake his meat and pine himself with hunger The cure Cause him to be let bloud in his legs abundantly which is done as I take it to divert the bloud from his head Notwithstanding it were not amiss to let him bloud in the neck and brest veins Then give him this drink take the roots of wilde Cowcumber and boil it in harsh red Wine and put thereunto a little Nitre and give it him with a horn luke-warm or if you can get no Cowcumber then take Rue and Mints and boil them in the Wine it were not amiss also to add thereunto a handful of black Elleborus for that is a very good herb against madness Eumelius saith that if you give him mans dung in Wine to drink three mornings together it will heal him also to take of black Elleborus two or three handfuls and boil it in a sufficient quantity of strong Vinegar and therewith rub and chafe both his head and all his body once or twice a day for the oftner his head is rubbed the better and often exercise is very profitable to all his body Some again would have the skin of his body to be pierced in divers places with an hot iron to let out the evill humors but if none of all this will prevail then the last remedy is to geld him of both his stones or else of one at the least for either that will heal him or else nothing As touching the diet and usage of a mad Horse the Authors do not agree for some would have him kept in a close dark and quiet house void from all noise which as Absyrtus saith will either make him madder or else kill him out of hand His diet would be thin that is to say without any provender and that day that he is let bloud and receiveth his drink they would have him fast untill even and then to have a warm mash of Barley meal yea me thinks it were not amiss to feed him only with warm mashes and hay and that by a little at once untill he be somewhat recovered Another of the Head-ach THe Head-ach as most are opinionated proceedeth of cold and raw digestion the cure is Take a Goose feather anointed with Oyl-de-bay and thrust it up into the Horses nostrils to make him neese then take a wreath of Pease-straw or wet hay and putting fire thereunto hold it under the Horses nose so as the smoke may ascend up into his head then being thus perfumed take a knife and prick him in the palat of the mouth so that he may lick up and chaw his own bloud which done have great care in keeping his head warm and doubt not his recovery Of the Sleeping-evil THis is a disease forcing the Beast continually to sleep whether he will or not taking his memory and appetite clean away and therefore is called of the Physitians Lethargus it proceedeth of abundance of flegm moistning the brain overmuch It is easie to know it by the continual sleeping of the Horse The cure of this disease according to Pelagonius Vegetius and others is in this sort Let him bloud in the neck and then give him this drink Take of Camomile and Mother-wort of each two or three handfuls and boil them in a sufficient quantity of water and put thereunto a little Wheat-bran Salt and Vinegar and let him drink a pinte of that every day the space of three or four days together It is good also to perfume and chafe his head with Thyme and Pennyroyal sodden together in Vinegar or with Brimstone and feathers burned upon a chafingdish of coals under his nose and to provoke him to neese by blowing Pepper and Pyrethre beaten to powder up into his nostrils yea and to anoint the palate of his mouth with Honey and Mustard mingled together and in his drink which would be always warm water to put Parsley seed and Fennel seed to provoke urine His legs also would be bathed and his hoofs filled with Wheat-bran Salt and Vinegar sodden together and laid to so hot as he may endure it and in any case suffer him not to sleep but keep him waking and stirring by continual crying unto him or pricking him with some sharp thing that cannot pass through the skin or else by beating him with a whip and this doing he shall recover Another of the Sleeping-evill THe Sleeping-evill in a Horse differeth nothing from that which the Physitians call the Lethargy in men for it provoketh the Horse to sleep continually without desisting robbing his memory and appetite of their qualities the knowledge thereof is easily known by his drowsiness and the cure in this sort Let one stand by him and either with fearful noise or stripes perforce keep him waking then let him bloud under the eyes and in the neck and then take a leaf or two of the best Tobacco which being dryed and beaten to powder with a quill blow it up into his nostrils and give him to drink Vinegar Salt and Mustard mingled well together to which if you put a little Honey it shall not be amiss and also when he drinketh any water put thereto either Fennel-seeds Aniseeds or Pepper Of a Horse that is taken A Horse is said to
Take of Parsley two handfuls of Coriander one handful stamp them and strain them with a quart of white Wine and dissolve therein one ounce of Cake-sope and give it luke-warm unto the Horse to drink and keep him as warm as may be and let him drink no cold water for the space of five or six days and when you would have him to stale let it be either upon plenty of straw or upon some green plot or else in a Sheeps cot the savour whereof will greatly provoke him to stale as hath been aforesaid Of Pissing Bloâ—d PElogonius saith that if a Horse be over-much laboured or over-charged with heavy burthen or over fat he will many times piss bloud and the rather as I think for that some vein is broken within the Horses body and then cleer bloud will come forth many times as the Physitians say without any piss at all But if the bloud be perfectly mingled together with his stale then it is a signe that it cometh from the Kidnies having some stone therein which through vehement labour doth freâ— the kidnies and veins thereof and so cause them to bleed through which while the urine passeth most needs be infected and dyed with the bloud It may come also by some stripe or from the muscle that incloseth the neck of the bladder The cure according to Pelagonius Absyrtus Hierocles and the rest is thus Let the Horse bloud in the palate of the mouth to convert the bloud the contrary way then take of Tragagant that hath been steeped in Wine half an ounce and of Poppy seed one dram and one scruple and of â—tirax as much and twelve Pine-apple-kernels let all these things be beaten and mingled well together and give the Horse thereof every morning the space of seven days the quantity of a Hasel-nut distempered in a quart of Wine me thinks that the quantity of a Wal-nut were too little for so much Wine Some write that it is good to make him a drink with the root of the herb Aâ—phodelus which some call Daffadil mingled with Wheat-flowre and Sâ—mach sodden long in water and so to be given the Horse with some Wine added thereunto or make him a drink of Goats milk and Oyl straining thereunto a little Fromenty Anatolius saith that it is good to give the Horse three days together sodden Beans clean pilled whereunto would be added some Deers Sewet and a little Wine Of the Colt Evil. THis name Colt Evil in my judgement doth properly signifie that disease which the Physitians call Pâ—iapismus which is a continual standing together with an unnatural swelling of the yard proceeding of some winde filling the arteries and hollow sinew or pipe of the yard or else through the abundance of seed which do chance oftentimes to man and I think some-time to stoned Horses Notwithstanding Martin saith that the Colt Evil is a swelling of the sheath of the yard and part of the belly thereabout caused of corrupt seed coming out of the yard and remaining within the sheath where it putrifieth And Geldings most commonly are subject to this disease not being able for lack of natural heat to expel their â—eed any further For Horses as Martin saith are seldom troubled with this disease because of their heat unless it be when they have been over travelled or otherwise weakened The cure according to him is thus Wash the sheath clean within with luke-warm Vinegar then draw out his yard and wash that also that done ride him into some running stream up to the belly tossing him therein to and fro to allay the heat of the members and use him thus two or three days and he shall be whole Another of the Colt Evil. THe Colt Evil is a disease that cometh to stoned Horses through ranâ—kness of nature and want of vent it appeareth in his cod and sheath which will swell exceedingly the cure is nothing for if you will but every day twice or thrice drive him to the mid-side in some Pond oâ— running River the swelling will fall and the Horse will do well If the Horse be of years and troubled with this grief if you put him to a Mare it is not amiss for standing still in a stable without exercise is a great occasion of this disease Of the mattering of the Yard IT cometh at covering time when the Horse and Marâ— both are over-hot and so perhaps 〈◊〉 themselves The cure according to Martin is thus Take a pinte of white Wine and boil therein a quartern of roch Allum and squirt thereof into his Yard three or four squiâ—efuls one after another and thrust the squirt so far as the liquor may pierce to the bottom â—o scour away the bloudy matter continuing thus to do once a day untill he be whole Of the shedding of Seed THis disease is called of the Physitians Goâ—â—rrhea which may come sometime through 〈◊〉 dance and ranckness of seed and sometime by the weakness of the stones and seed vessels not able to retain the seed untill it be digested and thickned Vegetius saith that this disease will make the Horse very faint and weak and especially in Summer season For cure whereof the said Vegetius would have the Horse to be ridden into some cold water even up to the belly so as his stones may be covered in water and then his fundament being first bathed with warm water and Oyl he would have you to thrust in your hand and arm even to the very bladder and softly to rub and claw the same and the parts thereabouts which be the seed vessels that done to cover him warm that he take no cold and every day he would have you to give the Horse Hogs dung to drink with red Wine untill he be whole I for my part if I thought it came of weakness as is aforesaid which I would judge by the waterishness of the seed and unlustiness of the Horse would give him red Wine to drink and put therein a little Acatium the juyce of Plantain and a little Mastick and bath his back with red Wine and Oyl of Roses mingled together Of the Falling of the Yard IT cometh as I take it through the weakness of the member by means of some resolution in the muscles and sinews serving the same caused at the first perhaps by some great strain or stripe on the back It may come also by weariness and tiring For remedy whereof Absyrtus was wont to wash the yard with salt water from the Sea if it may be gotten and if not with water and salt and if that prevailed not he would all to prick the outmost skin of the yard with a sharp needle but not deep and then wash all the pricks with strong Vinegar and that did make the Horse as he saith to draw up his yard again immediately yea and this also will remedy the falling out of the fundament Pelagoâ—ius would have you to put into the pipe of his yard Honey and Salt boyled together
and made liquid or else a quick flie or a grain of Frankincense or a clove of Garlick clean pilled and somewhat bruised and also to pour on his back Oyl Wine Nitre made warm and mingled together But Martins experience is in this sort First wash the yard with warm white Wine and then anoint it with Oyl of Roses and Honey mingled together and put it up into the sheath and make him a Cod-piece of Canvas to keep it still up and dress it thus every day once until it be whole And in any case let his back be kept warm either with a double cloth or else with a charge made of Bole Armony Egges Wheat-flowre Sanguis Draconis Turpentine and Vinegar or else lay on a wet sack which being covered with another dry cloth will keep his back very warm Of the swelling of the Cod and Stones Aâ—syrtus saith that the inflamation and swelling of the cod and stones cometh by means of some wound or by the stinging of some Serpent or by fighting one Horse with another For rememedy whereof he was wont to hathe the cod with water wherein hath been sodden the roots of wilde Cowcumber and Salt and then to anoint it with an Ointment 〈…〉 de of Gerusa Oyl Goats grease and the white of an Egge Some again would have the cod to be bathed in warm Water Nitrum and Vinegar together and also to be anointed with an Ointment made of Chalk or of Potters earth Oxe dung Cumin Water and Vinegar or else to be anointed with the juyce of the herb Solanâ—m called of some Night-shade or with the juyce of Hemlock growing on dunghils yea and also to be let bloud in the flanks But Martin saith that the swelling of the cods cometh for the most part after some sickness or surfeting with cold and then it is a signe of amendment The cure according to his experience is in this sort First let him bloud on both sides the flank veins Then take of Oyl of Roses of Vinegar of each half a pinte and half a quartern of Bole Armony beaten to powder Mingle them together in a cruse and being luke-warm anoint the cods therewith with two or three feathers bound together and the next day ride him into the water so as his cods may be within the water giving him two or three turns therein and so return fair and softly to the stable and when he is dry anoint him again as before continuing thus to do every day once until they be whole The said Martin saith also the cods may be swollen by means of some hurt or evill humors resorting into the cod and then he would have you cover the cods with a charge made of Bole Armony and Vinegar wrought together renewing it every day once untill the swelling go away or that it break of it self and if it break then tent it with Mel Rosatum and make him a breech of Canvas to keep it in renewing the tent every day once untill it be whole Of incording and 〈…〉 g. THis term Incording is borrowed of the 〈…〉 say as Bursten and might 〈…〉 his â—uts falleth down into the 〈…〉 The Italians as I take it did call it 〈◊〉 because the â—ut follows the string of the stone called of them 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 whereof 〈◊〉 ‑ 〈◊〉 seems to be derived with some reason According to which reason we should call it rather Instringed then Incorded for Corde doth signifie a string or Word Notwithstanding sith that Incording is already received in the stable I for my part am very well content therewith minding not to contend against it But now you have to â—oâ—e that either Man or Beast may be Bursten diversty and according to the names of the pants grieved the Physitians do give it diâ—ers names for you shall understand that next unto the thick outward skin of the belly there is also another inward thin skin covering all the muscles the Caul and the guts of the belly called of the Anatomists Peritoneum which skin cometh from both parts and sides of the back and is fastened to the Midriffe above and also to the bottom of the belly beneath to keep in all the contents of the neather belly And therefore if the skin be broken or over sore strained or stretched then either some part of the caul or guts slippeth down sometime into the cod sometime not so far Iâ— the guts slip down into the cod then it is called of the Physitians by the Greek name 〈◊〉 that is to say Gut-bursten But if the caul falldown into the cod then it is called of the Physitians 〈…〉 le that is to say Caul-bursten But either of the diseases is most properly incident to the male kinde for the female kinde hath no cod Notwithstanding they may be so bursten as either gut or cauâ— may fall down into their natures hanging there like a bag but if it fell not down so â—low but remaineth above nigh unto the privy members or flanks which place is called of the Latins Inguen then of that place the Bursting is called of the Physitians B 〈…〉 câ—le whereunto I know not what English name to give unlesse I should call it flank bursten Moreover the cod or flank may be sometimes swollen by means of some waterish humour gathered together in the same which is called of the Physitians Hydrocele that is to say Water-bursten and sometimes the cod may be swollen by means of some hard peece of fâ—esh cleaving the thin skins or panicles of the stones and then it is called of the Physitians S 〈…〉 that is to say Flesh-bursten But forasmuch as none of mine Authors Marâ—iâ— nor any other Farrier in these dayes that I know have intermedled with any kind of Bursting but only with that wherein the gut falleth down into the cod leaving all the rest apart I will only 〈◊〉 of this and that according to Martins experience which I assure you differeth not much from the precepts of the old writers But first you shall understand that the Gut-bursten and Flank-bursten doth proceed both of one cause that is to say by means that the skin called before Petitoneum is either fore strained or else broken â—ither by some stripe of another Horse or else by some strain in leaping over a hedge ditch or pale or otherwise yea and many times in passing a career through the carelesness of the Rider stopping the Horse suddenly without giving warning whereby the Horse is forced to cast his hinder legs abroad and so straineth or bursteth the skin aforesaid by means whereof the gut falleth down into the cod The signs be these The Horse will forsake his meat and stand shoâ—ing and leaâ—ing alwayes on that side that he is hurt and on that side if you search with your hand betwixt the stone and the thigh upward to the body and somewhat above the stone you shall find the gut it self big and hard in the feeling whereas on the other side you shall
as Martin saith is cured thus Take a round hot iron somewhat sharp at the end like a good big bodkin and let it be somewhat bending at the point then holing the sore with your left hand pulling it somewhat from the sinews pierce it with the iron being first made red-hot thrusting it beneath in the bottom and so upward into the belly to the intent that the same jelly may issue downward out at the hole and having thrust out all the jelly tent the hole with a tent of Flaâ— dipt in Turpentine and Hogs grease molten together and also anoint the outside with Hogs grease made warm renewing it every day once until the hole be ready to shut up making the tent every day lesser and lesser to the intent it may heal up Of the Curb THis is a long swelling beneath the Elbow of the hough in the great sinew behind and causeth the Horse to halt after that he hath been a while laboured and thereby somewhat heated For the more the sinew is strained the greater grief which again by his rest is eased This cometh by bearing some great weight when the Horse is young or else by some 〈◊〉 or wrinch whereby the tender sinews are grieved or rather bowed as Russius saith whereof it is called in Italian Curba 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is to say of bowing for anguish whereof it doth swell which swelling is apparent to the eye and maketh the leg to shew bigger then the 〈◊〉 The cure according to Martin is thus Take of Wine-lees a pinte a porringer full of Wheat flowre of Cumin half an ounce and stir them well together and being made warm charge the sore three or four dayes and when the smelling is almost gone then draw it with a hot iron and cover the burning with Pitch and Rosen molten together and lay it on good and warm and clap thereon some flocks of his own colour or so nigh as may be gotten and remove them not until they fall away of themselves And for the space of nine dayes let the Horse rest and come in no wet Another of the Curb A Curb is a sorance that maketh a Horse to halt much and it appears upon his hinder legs straight behind upon the cumbrel place and a little beneath the Spaven and it will be swoln as big as half a Walout The cure followeth Take a small cord and bind his legs hard above it and beneath it then beat it and rub it with a heavy stick till it grow soft then with a fleam strike it in three or four places and with your thumbs crush out the filthy bruised matter then loose the cord and anoint it with Butter uutil it be whole Of the Pains THis is a kind of Scab called in Italian Crappe which is full of fretting matterish water and it breedeth in the pasterns for lack of clean keeping and good rubbing after the Horse hath been journyed by means whereof the sand and dirt remaineth in the hair fretteth the skin and flesh and so breedeth a Scab And therefore those Horses that have long hair and are rough about the feet are soonest troubled with this disease if they be not the cleanlier kept The signes be these His legs will be swollen and hot and water will issue out of the Scab which water is hot and fretting as it will scald off the hair and breed Scabs so far as it goeth The cure according to Martin is thus First wash well all the pasterns with Beer and Butter warmed together and his legs being somewhat dryed with a cloth clip away all the hair saying the sâ—wter locks Then take of Turpentine of Hogs grease of Hony of each like quantity mingle them together in a pot and put thereto a little Bole-armony the yolks of two Egges and as much Wheat flowre as will thicken the things aforesaid and make it plaister like and for that cause it had need to be very well wrought and stirred together Then with a slice strike some of the plaister upon such a piece of linnen cloth as will serve to go round about the pastern and bind it fast on with a roller renewing it once a day until it be whole and let not the Horse be travelled nor stand wet Another of the Pains PAins is a sorance that cometh of hot ill humors of ill keeping it appeareth in the Fetlocks and will swell in the Winter time and will send forth a sharp water the hair will stare and the cure is thus Wash them every day twice or thrice with gunpowder and Vinegar and they will be whole in one week at the most Of Mules or Kibed heels called of the Italians Mule THis is a kind of Scab breeding behind somewhat above the neather joynt growing overthwart the fewter lock which cometh most commonly for being bred in cold ground or else for lack of good dressing after that he hath been laboured in foul mire and dirty wayes which durt lying still in his legs fretteth the skin and maketh scabby rifts which are soon bred but not so soon gotten away The anguish whereof maketh his legs somewhat to swell and specially in Winter and Spring time and then the Horse goeth very stifly and with great pain The sorance is apparent to the eye and is cured according to Martin in this sort Take a piece of linnen cloth and with the salve recited in the last Chapter make such a plaister as may cover all the sore place and bind it fast on that it may not fall off renewing it every day once until the sore leave running and beginneth to waâ— dry then wash it every day once with strong water until it be clean dryed up but if this 〈◊〉 be but in breeding and there is no raw flesh then it shall suffice to anoint it with Sope two or three dayes and at the three dayes end to wash them with a little Beef broath or dish water Of Frettishing FRettishing is a sorance that cometh of riding a Horse till he sweat and then to set him up without litter where he taketh suddenly cold in his feet and chiefly before it appears under the heel in the heart of the foot for it will grow dun and wax white and crumbly like a 〈◊〉 and also in time it will show by the wrinkles on his hoof and the hoof will grow thick and 〈◊〉 he will not be able to tread on stones or hard ground nor well to travel but stumblâ— and fall The cure is 〈◊〉 Take and pare his feet so thin as may be then lost two or three Egges in the Embers very hard 〈◊〉 being extreme hot taken out of five trush them in his foot and then clap a piece of Leather there 〈◊〉 and splint it that the Egges may not fall out and so let him run and he will be sound Of sorances or griefs that be common to all Fore-feet HItherto we have declared unto you the causes signes and cure of all such
to drink Absyrtus would have you to give him white Pepper Rhue and Thyme to drink with the Wine Of drinking of Horse-leaches IF a Horse chance to drink Horse-leaches they will continually suck his bloud and kill him The remedy according to Absyrtus is to pour Oyl into the Horses mouth which will make them to fall away and kill them Of swallowing down Hens dung IF a Horse swallow down Hens dung in his Hay it will fret his guts and make him to avoid filthy matter at the fundament For remedy whereof Absyrtus would have you to give him drink made of Smallage-seed Wine and Hony and to walk him throughly upon it that he may empty his belly Of Lice and how to kill them THey be like Geese Lice but somewhat bigger they will breed most about the ears neck and tail and over all the body They come of poverty and the Horse will be alwayes rubbing and scratching and will eat his meat and not prosper withal and with rubbing he will break all his mane and tail The cure according to Martin is thus Anoint the place with Sope and Quicksilver well mingled together and to a pound of Sope put half an ounce of Quicksilver Of Lousiness THere be Horses that will be Lousie and it cometh of poverty cold and ill keeping and it is oftnest amongst young Horses and most men take little heed unto it and yet they will die thereon The cure is to wash them three mornings together in Stau-aker and warm water How to save Horses from the stinging of flies in Summer ANoint the Horses coat with Oyle and Bay-beries mingled together or tie to the headstal of his collar a sponge dipt in strong Vinegar or sprinkle the stable with water wherein Herb-grace hath been laid in steep or perfume the stable with Ivie or with Calamint or with Gith burned in a pan of coles Of bones being broken out of joynt FEw or none of our Farriers do intermeddle with any such griefs but do refer it over to the Bonesetter whose practised hand I must needs confesse to be needful in such business Notwithstanding for that it belongeth to the Farriers art and also for that the old writers do make some mention thereof I thought good not to passe it over altogether with silence Albeit they speak only of fractures in the legs beneath the knee For they make little mention or none of bones above the knee taking them to be incurable unlesse it be a rib or such like If a bone then be broken in the leg it is easie to perceive by feeling the roughness and inequality of the place grieved one part being higher then another The cure whereof according to Absyrtus and Hierocles is in this sort First put the bone again into his right place that done wrap it about with unwash't wool binding it fast to the leg with a small linnen roller soaked before in Oyl and Vinegar mingled together And let that roller be laid on as even as is possible and upon that again lay more wool dipt in Oyl and Vinegar and then splent it with three splents binding them fast at both ends with a thong and let the Horses leg be kept straight and right out the space of forty days and let not the bonds be loosened above three times in twenty days unless it shrink and so require to be new drest and bound again But fail not every day once to pour on the sore place through the splents Oyl and Vinegar mingled together And at the forty dayes end if you perceive that the broken place be â—owdered together again with some hard knob or gristle then loosen the bonds so as the Horse may go fair and softly using from that time forth to anoint the place with some soft grease or Ointment Of broken bones I Have not for mine own part had any great experience in broken bones of a Horse because it chanceth seldom and when it doth chance what through the Horses brutish unruliness and the immoderate manner of the act it is almost held incurable yet for the little experience I have I have not found for this purpose any thing so soverain or absolute good as Oyl of Mandrag which applyed conglutinateth and bindeth together any thing especially bones being either shivered or broken Of bones out of joynt IF a Horses knee or shoulder be clean out of joynt and no bone broken Martin saith the readiest way is to bind all the four legs together in such sort as hath been taught before in the Chapter of Incording and then to hoise the Horse somewhat from the ground with his heels upward so shall the weight and poise of his body cause the joynt to shoot in again into the right place for by this means he pleasured not long since a friend and neighbour of his who going with his Cart from S. Albons towards his own house his Thiller fell and put his shoulder clean out of joynt so as he was neither able to rise nor being holpen up could stand on his legs to which mischance Martin being called made no more ado but taking his friends Cart-rope bound the Horses legs all four together and with a lever being staid upon the Cart wheel they putting their shoulders to the other end hoised up the Horse clean from the ground the poise of whose body made the bone to return into his right place with such a loud knack or crack as it might be heard a great way off and the Horse immediately had the use of his leg so as he drew in the Cart and went also safe home without complaining thereof ever after Certain receipts of Plaisters very good for broken bones taken out of the old Authors writing of Horse-leach craft TAke of Spuma argenti of Vinegar of each one pound of Sallet Oyl half a pound of Ammoniacum and Turpentine of each three ounces of Wax of Rosin of each two ounces of Bitumen of Pitch of Verdigrease of each half a pound Boyl the Vinegar Oyl and Spuma argenti together until it wax thick then put thereunto the Pitch which being molten take the pot from the fire and put in the Bitumen without stirring it at all and that being also molten then put in all the rest and set the pot again to the fire and let them boyl all together until they be all united in one that done strain it and make it in a plaister form and this is called Hierocles Plaister Another receit for broken bones TAke of liquid Pitch one pound of Wax two ounces of the purest and finest part of Frankincense one ounce of Ammoniacum four ounces of dry Roses and of Galbanum of each one ounce of Vinegar two pintes Boyl first the Vinegar and Pitch together then put in the Ammoniacum dissolved first in Vinegar and after that all the rest of the aforesaid drugs and after they have boyled together and be united in one strain it and make it plaisterwise and this is
doth very effectually heal them A Moul being bruised into small pieces and applyed unto the bites of a Shrew in the form of a plaister is a very excellent remedy for the curing of them Pitch and Trifoly being baked and rubbed very hot upon the bites of a Shrew is accounted a very medicinable cure but it is requisite that this fomentation be given unto none but such as are of a strong and powerful body and are also able to endure pain The liquor of the Herb called Southern-wood being given in Wine to drink doth very much profit those which are troubled and painted in their limbs with the bites of Shrews Wormwood being used in the like manner will cure those which are bitten by a Shrew The genital of a Lamb or Kid being mingled with four drams of the Herb called Aristolochia or Hart-wort and six drams of the sweetest Myrrh is very good and medicinable for curing of those which are bitten or stung with Shrews Scorpions and such like venemous Beasts The leaves of Coleworts being dryed mingled with flower and tempered together until they come into the form of a plaister will very much help against the venemous bites of the Shrew The seeds of Coleworts and the leaves of the same herb being mingled with Vinegar and the herb called Assa foetida beat or pounded together do very well and speedily cure the bites of the Shrews as also of a ravenous Dog if the same in due time be applyed thereunto The liquor also of the leaves of Coleworts being given in any kinde of drink is good and wholesome for the curing of the aforesaid bites or wounds The Nuts of a young Cypres tree being mixed with a certain syrup or potion made of Hony Water and Vinegar and afterwards drunk doth very speedily procure ease and help for those which are bitten by a Shrew The root of a white or black Thistle being beaten or bruised and given in drink doth very effectually help or cure those which are bitten by a Shrew The like vertue hath the herb called Rocket in it and also the seed thereof being given in any kinde of drink The gum or liquor which proceedeth from a kinde of Ferula being given in Wine to drink doth very much help and cure those which are bitten by a Shrew The same vertue also in it hath the root of the herb called Gentian or Bitterwort being given in Wine to drink One or two drams of the youngest or tendrest leaves of the Laurel tree being beaten small and given in Wine to drink doth speedily cure the sores or wounds which are bitten by a Shrew the same being also used in the said manner and given in some certain portion unto Horses to drink doth quickly help and heel them But there are some which before all other medicines do commend this for the best and chiefest that is to take the juyce which proceedeth from the leaves of the Lawrel tree and the leaves themselves being moist and new growing and to boil them in Wine and being once cooled to give it to any which is bitten by a Shrew and this will in very short space altogether help them A young Weesil being given in Wine to drink is accounted very medicinable for those which are bitten by a Shrew or stung by a Scorpion or any other venemous creature The herb called Baltsamint or Costmary the herb called Bartram or wilde Pellito the herb called Betony the herb called Water-mint or Water cresses the sweet and delicious gum called Storax as also the herb called Vervin being each of them severally by themselves either given in Wine to drink or applyed in the manner of a plaister or anointed upon the bites or wounds which come by the venemous teeth of a Shrew will very effectually cure the pain thereof The biting of a field Mouse or Shrew is very troublesome or grievous to all labouring Beasts for instantly after her bitings there do little red Pimples arise and there is most danger of death in those Beasts which she biteth when she is great with young for the afore-said pimples will then presently break after which the Beast so bitten will instantly die The Shrew doth also kill some labouring Beasts with poyson as chiefly Horses and Mules but especially and for the most part Mares which are great with young There are some which do affirm that if Horses or any other labouring creature do feed in that pasture or grass in which a Shrew shall put forth her venome or poyson in they will presently die In what place soever a Shrew shall bite in any creature it will be compassed with an exceeding hard swelling the Beast also being so bitten doth express his grief or sorrow with much pain and straining his body doth likewise swell all over his eyes do in a manner weep the swelling in his body doth sq 〈…〉 e out matter or filthy putrifaction he voideth poyson out of his belly and doth vo 〈…〉 it all su 〈…〉 nce up assoon as ever he receiveth it If an Ass being great with young be bitten by this Beast it is a very great chance if she scape death But if the Shrew do bite any Beast when she is great with young it is known by these signes or marks there will certain red pimples compass the sore round about and also spread themselves over all the body of the bitten Beast and will in short space destroy him except there be procured some present remedy The Normans in France do suppose the Shrew to be a Beast so full of venom and poyson that if he shall but pass over either an Ox or a Horse lying down along upon the ground it will bring such a dangerous disease upon them that the Beast over which she shall pass shall be lame about the loins or shall seem as if he were immoveable and that he can be cured by no other means but by the same Shrew who either of his own accord or by compulsion must pass over the contrary side of the Beast and that then he will be cured which thing I do hold to be very vain and not to be believed For the curing of Beasts which are bitten by a Shrew thou shalt boil the seed of Parsly together with Wine and Oyl and thou shalt cut the place which swelleth with a Pen-knife by which the poyson may issue forth and the wound being pointingly pulled or torn may wax raw if by these the inflammation do wax more servent and hot thou shalt eat the sore with Iron instruments burning with fire taking away some part of that which is whole and sound then shalt thou renew the wound with the Iron instruments being governed rightly by which the corruption may issue forth but if that part do chance to swell by the exculceration thou shalt sprinkle Barley being burned and dryed therein but before you do this it is meet
to joyn the old fat There is also another excellent medicine for the curing of the Shrew which Startonicus himself doth much commend which is this To lance or scarifie the wound assoon as it is bitten but especially if it be compassed with an inflammation afterwards to sprinkle Salt and Vinegar upon it then to encourage or provoke the Beast the next day following by some sweet water or liquor to run or go some little journey first having anointed the sore with Fullers-earth being beaten small and mixed with Vinegar and then daily to nourish or bathe it with water which cometh from bathes where some have washed themselves and this in very short time being so used will very well and altogether cure the Beast Against the biting of a Shrew Garlick is accounted for an excellent remedy being mingled with Nitre but if there shall be no Nitre to be had mix it with Salt and Cumin then to dry and beat them al together into powder and with the same to rub the places which are infected with the biting but if the venemous wounds do chance to break then to take Barly being scorched or burned and pound it into small powder and steep it in Vinegar and afterwards to sprinkle it into the wound This medicine Pelagon affirmeth will only heal the bites of a Shrew and that the grief of the sore by the use of any other medicines doth rather encrease then decrease The flowre which is made of red Wheat the herb called Dill the liquor or Rozen which runneth out of the great Cedar and two pound of the best Wine being mingled all together given in a potion and poured down the throat of any labouring Beast which is bitten by a Shrew will presently ease and cure him of his pain There is also another potion for the curing of the bites of this Beast which is this To take cloves of Garlick being bruised small Salt Cumin and Wine of each the like quantity these being given to any Beast to drink doth presently cure him as also any man being anointed upon the wound but not given to drink The herb called Nard or Pepper-wort being beaten to the quantity of two ounces and a half and mingled with some sweet smelling Wine will presently help any Beast which is bitten by the Shrew being poured through his Nose and his sore being at that instant time anointed with Dogs dung the same is also very medicinable or wholesome for men which are troubled with the said biting The bites of a Shrew being pricked with an Aul and anointed with dust which is found in the furrows of Carts under the marks or signes of the Wheel being mingled with sharp Vinegar doth presently asswage the pain and heal the sore The earth of the track of a Cart also mingled with stale or urine being applyed unto the bites of a Shrew will very speedily cure them either upon Men or Beasts A Shrew being new killed and rubbed over with Salt applyed unto the wounds which she shall bite in any Beasts will instantly cure them This vertue also hath the gall of a Rere-mouse or Bat being mixed with Vinegar There is a very good remedy against the bitings of Shrews or to preserve Cattle from them which is this to compass the hole wherein she lyeth round about and get her out alive and keep her so till she dye and wax stiffe then hang her about the neck of the Beast which you would preserve and there will not any Shrew come near them and this is accounted to be most certain And thus much shall suffice concerning the bitings of the Shrews and of the cures thereof Of Wilde FIELD-MICE THis wilde Mouse called by the Latines Mus agrestis Mus Sylvestris Sylvaticus Subterraneus and some say Nitedula although I rather take that word to signifie a Glare-worm It is called also Exiguus Mus and Rustious The Graecians call it Myss Arourayos the Germans Field-mouse and Erd-mouse that is a Mouse of the Earth and Nuelmus Nualmuss Schorrmuss Schoermowss Stissâ—â—ss and Luckmuss by reason of her digging in the earth like a Mole The French call it Muâ—â—on There is of these Mice two kindes a greater and a lesser The picture of the greater we have described here for bearing the lesser because in all parts it resembleth this except in the quantity This greater kinde is not much lesser then a Rat having a long broad tail like it The ears of it are round the head round and great and the showt or chaps do not stand out long They are of two colours in both kindes some red and some black They have a beard betwixt their mouth and their eyes and the lesser Mice have a short tail A Physitian taking occasion of the writings of Bassianus Landus to dissect one of these Mice found it to be true which he saith that their maw and guts lie all straight and upright We have shewed already that all kinde of Mice are generated out of the earth although also they suffer copulation And in Egypt it is very common about Thebais and the places where Nilus overfloweth that in the decrease and falling away of the Waters the Sun engendereth many Mice upon the slime of the earth so that it is ordinary to see at one time their fore-parts to have life flesh and motion and the hinder-parts deformed and nothing but earth And about this matter there is some disputation among the Authors for there be Philosophers which affirm that every creature as well perfect as unperfect may be made both by seed and of putrified matter and from hence came the opinion in the Poets of the sons and daughters of the earth and so they say that things grow by generation in infinitam Some say that perfect creatures cannot be generated in that manner but the imperfect ones such as Mice are may be ingendered by seed and putrified matter and afterwards beget more of his one kinde But Aristotle confesseth the first generation and denyeth the second and saith although they do generate by copulation yet it is not Idem sed animal specie diversum à quo nihil amplius gigni possit And therefore Jeronimus Gabucinus endeth this controversie saying Mures ex putredine nati generant quidem ipsi sed quod ex eis generatur nec Mus est nec soemina nec amplius generat that is Mice engendered of putrified matter do also engender but that which is begotten of them is neither male nor female neither can it engender any more that it may not proceed in infinitum like a Mouse engendered by copulation But concerning the beginning of these wilde Field-mice and their encrease Aristotle speaketh in this manner We have received saith he the wonderful generation of wilde Field-mice abounding in every place and especally in corn-fields which by their multitude do instantly eat up and devour a great deal of grain insomuch as it hath been seen that divers
seeing the Emperor was delighted with the Beasts of Marius and would now and then make mention of the Mule at length it came to a common jest to call a double diligent servant Mulus Mari 〈…〉 s. The Italians do commonly call those men Mules which are base born and not by lawful marriage Concerning the disposition of Mules it is well observed by Aristotle that Mules are always tame and if at any time they be more wilde they abate their untameable 〈…〉 re by drinking of Wine because by the operation of the Wine their heels and hard parts do resolve and grow soft by the same reason that Ape◠by drinking of Wine Mose their nails and men accustomed to drunkenness fall into palsies for there is such a dispersing and discussing nature in Wine that it dissolveth all nerves and hard things in the bodies of Beasts even as water dissolveth hard fruits and Pease and Vinegar maketh lead as soft as an Egge that it may be drawn through a Ring and such is the nature of Mules that after they have drunk Wine they feel themselves disarmed and therefore give over to resist because by kicking backwards they receive more harm then they give and thus the guiltiness of their own weakness maketh them gentle against their wills for otherwise they hate mankinde and are nothing so tractable as Horses For Varro saith that they have so much confidence in their heels that by them alone they kill Wolves when they come among them Mules were wont to be used for plowing and for carrying both of men and burthens but now in most parts of Europe Judges and great Princes ride upon them until they be old and then they sell them to the poor men who turn them into the Mountains where they suffer them to run wilde till their hoofs be hardned for long travails and then they take them up again They have been also accustomed to ploughing according to these verses Quantum mularum sulcus praecedit in arvo Tantum is praecurrit For the Mules did plough more speedily and come to the lands end more quickly then either the Ox or Horse And Martiall saith that they were used in Carts to draw Timber according to these verses Vixque datur longas Mulorum vincere mandras Quaeque trahi multo marmora fune vides They were also used in race at the games of Olympus as we have already shewed in the story of the Horse but that custom dyed quickly because that the Arcadians could not endure Mules The price of Mules was great for Crispine saith Juvenul gave six thousand pieces of mony for a Mule and yet he saith it was not well worth six pound the verses of Juvenal are these Crispinus Mulum sex millibus emit Aequantem sane paribus sestertia libris Vt perhihent qui de magnis majora loquuntur The Cappadocians payed to the Persians every year besides Silver and Gold fifteen hundred Horses two thousand Mules and fifty thousand Sheep but the Medians payed twice so much The dwarfish Mules called Ginni were also much set by not for use but only for delight as dwarfs are kept in Noblemens houses When Pysistratus the son of Hippocrates first of all affected Tyranny at Athens and laboured to get the government to himself as he came out of his Countrey being drawn with a Chariot by Mules he wounded himself and his Mules very grievously and so drave them into the Market place shewing his wounded body and Beasts unto the Athenians telling them that so he was wounded by his enemies and that he escaped death very narrowly but if it pleased them to grant him a gard of souldiers to defend his body he would take revenge upon their and his enemies whereunto they yeelded and he having gotten a Band of Souldiers under that pretence presently took upon him the government and Soveraignty To conclude this story of Mules I do read in Aelianus that Serpents do love to feed on the flesh of dead Mules and two things are very eminent in the nature of Mules one of their understanding and the other of their friendship Concerning the first Plutarch relateth this story of a Mule that was accustomed to carry Salt who upon a season going through a water fell down underneath his burden so that the Salt took wet afterwards the Beast perceived how by that means his extream load melted away and so became lighter and lighter afterward the Mule grew to this custom that whensoever he came loaded with Salt over that water he fell down in it for the easing of his carriage his Master perceiving his craft on a day he loaded him with Wool and Spunges and so the Beast coming over the water fell down as he was wont to do with his Salt and coming out of the water he felt his load to grow heavier then it was wont to do in stead of lessening whereat the Beast much mused and therefore never afterward durst lie down in the water for fear of the like increase of his load The other observation of their love and friendship ariseth from the Proverb Mutuum Muli scabunt that is Mules scratch one another and help one another in their extremity from whence cometh our proverb O 〈…〉 good turn asketh another and the Latine proverb Senes mutuum fricant old men rub one another which did arise upon this occasion as Adrian the Emperour so passed a long on a day by a bath he saw an old Souldier in the bath rubbing himself upon a Marble stone for want of a man to help him whereupon in pity of his case he gave him maintenance for himself and a man afterwards other old Souldiers seeing how well their fellow had sped went likewise into the bath before the Emperors eyes and rubbed themselves upon the Marble thinking to get as much favour and liberty as their fellow had gotten but the Emperor seeing them and perceiving their fetches bid them rub one another and thereupon came that proverb And thus much fot the natural discourse of Mules now followeth the medicinal The Medicines of the Mule The dust wherein a Mule shall turn or rowl himself being gathered up and spread or sprinkled upon the body of any one who is ardently and fervently in love will presently asswage and quench his inflaming desire A man or woman being poysoned and put into the belly of a Mule or Camel which is new killed will presently expel away the force of the venom or poyson and will confirm and make strong their decayed spirits and all the rest of their members For as much as the very heat of those Beasts is an Antidote or preservative against poyson The skin or hide of a Mule being put unto places in any ones body which are burned with fire doth presently heal and cure the same it doth also heal sores and grievous ulcers which are not come unto Impostumes The same is an excellent remedy for those whose feet are worn
made of Hony Water and Vinegar to the value or quantity of three cruces or cups full is commended for an excellent cure and medicine for those which are troubled and grieved with that pestiferous and deadly disease called the Falling-sickness otherwise Saint Johns Evil. There is an excellent remedy for those which are troubled in the voiding of their water which is this To take the Ring-worms or Tetters which do grow upon both the legs of a Mule above their knees and which do stick thereupon in the manner of a dryed thick skin and to burn or parch them and afterwards to put or place them upon him which is troubled with the Strangury or cannot void his water but by drops-meal so that there be great care had to cover close with cloven or clefted cloaths or garments the suffumigation thereof lest that the smell or fume do fade and void away and this being so used will be very effectual for the curing and driving away of the aforesaid disease The hairs of a Mule and an Ass being mingled together and dryed and put into some certain perfume and so given to any one to drink which is troubled with the Falling-sickness will presently expel and drive it quite away In the place or part of mans body wherein a male or female Mule shall bite Ponzettus affirmeth there will presently arise and grow small pushes or little blisters which are always full of red and pale humors and filthy corruption which can almost be healed and cured by no salve potion or medicine by any means applyed thereunto There are some also which do suppose the biting of Mules to be poyson for truly there doth not only follow those aforesaid pushes and biles but also an extream and almost indurable inflammation and burning through all the parts of the body which doth greatly distemperate and vex the same But it is affirmed by others that the biting of Mules is to be cured after the same manner as the biting of a Cat which is thus First to wash and clarifie the wound or bitings where the corruption is with Vinegar mingled with Oyl of Roses and then to take Peny-royal or the herb called Neppe and boil it and stroke or rub the wound very softly with it and it will in time wholly cure it And thus much shall suffice at this time concerning the cures and medicines of Mules Of the Neades Neides or Naides HEraclides Coelius Volaterranus and Euphorion do all write that once the Isle of Sa 〈…〉 was a Desert place and that there were in it certain Beasts called Neades whose voyce was so terrible that they shook the earth therewith and from those strange and great voyces came the vulgar Greek proverb Meizoon mia toon Neaedbon maius una Neadum That is One of the Neades was a great wonder for it was used in ostentation to shew that there was nothing in the whole world comparable to their vast and huge quantity Of the parts of these Beasts there is no memory but only in Suidas and Aelianus who affirm that their bones were to be seen in their days And this title I thought good to insert into this History leaving the Reader to consider whether he will take them for Elephants or for any other greater Beast for my opinion if it be desired I think them rather if there ever were any such that they were Elephants of greater stature then ever since were seen and not any generation of Beasts now lost and utterly perished Of the OUNCE the description whereof was taken by Doctor Cay in England THere is in Italy a Beast called Alph 〈…〉 which many in Italy France and Germany 〈◊〉 〈…〉 a and some Vnzia from whence Albertus and Isidorus make the 〈…〉 ine word V 〈…〉 and I take it to be the same Beast which is called L 〈…〉 um and for the description of it I can follow no better Author then Doctor Cay who describeth it in this fashion The Ounce saith he is a most cruel Beast of the quantity of a village or mastiffe Dog having his face and ears like to a Lions his body tail feet and nails like a Cats of a very terrible Aspect his teeth so strong and sharp that he can even cut Wood in sunder with them he hath also in his nails so great strength that he only fighteth with them and useth them for his greatest defence The colour of the upper parts of his body being like whitish Oak the lower being of the colour of ashes being every where mixed with a black and frequent spot but the tail more black then the rest of his body and as it were obscured with a greater spot then the residue His ears within are pale without any blackness without black without any paleness if you do but take away one dark and yellow spot in the midst thereof which is made of a double skin rising meeting in the top of the ear that is to say that which ariseth from the outward part of the jaw on the one side and cometh from the upper part of the head on the other side and the same may be easily seen and separated in the head being dryed The rest of the head is spotted all over with a most frequent and black spot as the rest of the body except in that part which is betwixt the nose and the eyes wherein there are none unless only two and they very small even as all the rest are lesser then the rest in the extream and lowest parts the spots which are in the upper parts of the thighs and in the tail are blacker and more singular but framed in the sides with such an order as if all the spots should seem to be made of four There is no order in the spots except in the upper lip where there are five rows or orders In the first and uppermost two which are severed in the second six being joyned in that manner as if they should seem to be in one line These two orders are free and not mingled amongst themselves In the the third order there are eight joyned together but with the fourth where it endeth they are mixed together The fourth and fifth in their beginning which they have to the nose being separated with a very little difference do forthwith joyn themselves and run together through all the upper lip and do not make a spot through all the same but a broad line In the Beast being dead the spots do so stand as I suppose for the contraction of the skin In the Beast being alive those spots do seem separated every one in their own orders In the very middle between the lower lip although they do keep the quantity do not observe the order The nose is blackish a line being softly led through the length and only through the top of the outside thereof The eyes are gray the former teeth are only six not very unlike to mens teeth except those which are
overcome the water he prescribeth a mean how to know it namely the equal and just temperament thereof for saith he if it will bear up an Egge then it is well tempered so that the Egg will swim and not sink which you shall find by addition of equal and just quantity of water and Salt that is two pintes of water a pinte of Salt and so less to less and more to more But if there be any bunch or great scab which covereth any part of the skin then open the scab and bunch and pour into it liquid pitch and scorched salt and thus much for the disease of the scabs Of the Holyfire which the Shepheards call the Pox or the Blisters or Saint Anthonies fire THis evill is uncurable for it neither admitteth medicine nor resecation by knife and therefore whensoever a Beast is infected therewith it ought presently to be separated from the residue of the flock for there is nothing that spreadeth it self more speedily whensoever you adventure to apply any thing unto it it presently waxeth angry and perplexeth the whole body except it be the milk of Goats and yet my Author speaketh thus of it Quod infusum tantum velet ut blandiatur igneam saevitiam differens magis occisionem gregis quam prohibens That is It seemeth to close with raging fire as it were to flatter it a little rather deferring the death of the Beast then doing away the disease It is therefore prescribed by the most memorable Author of all the Egyptians that men do oftentimes look upon the backs of their Sheep to see the beginning of this sickness and when they finde a Sheep affected herewith they dig a ditch or hole fit for him at the entering in of the Sheep-coat or stable wherein they put the Sheep alive with his face upward and back downward and cause all the residue of the flock to come and piss upon him by which action it hath been often found as Columella writeth that this evill hath been driven away and by no other means Of the Warts and Cratches of Sheep THis disease called by the vulgar shepheards the Hedghog and it doth annoy the Sheep two manner of ways First when some gauling or matter ariseth upon the paring of the hoof or else a bunch arise in the same place having hair growing in the middle like the hair of a Dog and under that a little worm the worm is best drawn out with a knife by cutting the top of the wound wherein must be used great wariness and circumspectâ—ion because if the worm be cut asunder in the wound there issueth out of her such a venemous pustulate matter that poysoneth the wound and then there is no remedy but the foot must be cut off But the wound being opened and the worm taken out alive presently with a Wax-candle you must melt into it hot burning sewet and if there be no bunch but only scabs take Allum liquid Pitch Brimstone and Vinegar mingled all together and apply it unto the wound or else take a young Pomgranate before the grains grow in it and bake it with Allum casting upon it Vinegar sharp Wine and the rust of Iron fryed all together Of the Falling-sickness IT cometh to passe sometimes that Sheep are infected with the Falling-sickness but the cure hereof can never be known nor yet the sickness well till the beast be dead and then as Hippocrates writeth by opening of the brain it will evidently appear by the over great moistness thereof Of the pains in the Eyes IT is reported by Theophrastus and Pliny that for clouds and other pains in the Eye of a Sheep horned-poppy and Chamaelia are very wholsome Of Phlegme in Sheep FOr the Remedy of this Disease take Penyroyal Marjoram or wilde Nep made up together in wool and thrust into the Nose of the Sheep there turned round untill the Beast begin to neeze also a stalk of black Hellebor boared through the ear of the Sheep and there tyed fast for the space of four and twenty hours and then taken out at the same time of the day that it was put in by Pliny and Columella is affirmed to be an excellent remedy against the Phlegm Of the swelling in the Jaws THere is sometimes an inflammation or swelling in the Jaws of Sheep which the Latins call Tonsillae coming by reason of a great flux of humors from the head unto that place which may be cured two manner of wayes first by incision or opening the skin where the bunch lyeth whereby all the watery tumors are evacuated and the Beast cured or else if through the coldnesse of the weather or some other accident you list not to cut the skin then annoint it with liquid Pitch prepared in such manner as is before expressed for the Scabs by operation whereof it will be dissolved and dispersed When this evill ariseth in the begining of the Spring many times it is cured without all remedy because the Beast for the greediness of the sweet grasse stoopeth down her head and stretcheth her neck by which the straining and sorenesse of her jawes and throat departeth and this sicknesse in a sheep is like the Kings-evill in a man There be some that cure it by putting salt among the meat of these Beasts or by Juniper berries and Harts-tongue leaves beaten to powder For the Cough and pain in the Lungs SHepherds for these diseases do take the powder of the root of Foal-foot and mingle it with Salt so give it unto the Sheep to lick whereby they are perswaded that the Lungs of the Beast are much comforted and strengthned and furthermore against the Cough they take blanched Almonds and beat them to powder and so tempering in them two or three cups of Wine do infuse it in at the Sheeps Nostrils and likewise Vervine which is called a kinde of Germander but falsely because it hath no good smell is given by shepherds at this day unto their Sheep against the Cough Of sighing and shortness of breath FOr Sheep that are affected with much sighing they use to bore a hole with an Iron through their ears and remove the Sheep out of the place where they feed to some other place and if it come from the sickness of the Lungs then the herb called Lungwort or Creswort is the most present remedy in the World If the root thereof be drunk in water or a piece thereof tyed under the Sheeps tongue or as Celsus saith give unto it as much Vinegar as the Beast can endue or half a point of a Mans stale urine warmed at the fire and infused into the Nostril with a little horn this also is a remedy against Flegm in the Summer time Of the loathing of Sheep and encreasing of their stomach IF at any time the Sheep forsake his meat then take his tail and pull off from it all the Wool afterwards bind it as hard as ever you can and so he will fall hard to his meat again and
the doors be sealed up and that a verse be spoken thrice nine times The milt of a Sheep being parched and beaten in wine and afterward taken in drink doth resist all the obstructions or stopping of the small guts The same being used in the like manner is very medicinable for the wringing of the guts The dust of the uppermost of a Sheeps thigh doth very commonly heal the looseness of the joints but more effectually if it be mixed with wax The same medicine is made by the dust of Sheeps jawes a Harts horn and wax mollified or asswaged by oil of Roses The upper parts of the thighs of Sheep decocted with Hemp-seed do refresh those which are troubled with the bloudy flux the water whereof being taken to drink For the curing of a Horse waxing hot with weariness and longitude of the way mingle Goats or Sheeps sewet with Coriander and old dill the Coriander being new gathered and diligently pounded in the juice of Barley and so give it throughly strained for three dayes together The huckle-bone of a Sheep being burned and beaten into small dust is very much used for the making of the teeth white and healing all other pains or aches therein The bladder of a Goat or Sheep being burned and given in a potion to drink made of Vinegar and mingled with water doth very much avail and help those which cannot hold their water in their sleep The skins which cometh from the Sheep at the time of their young doth very much help very many enormities in women as we have before rehearsed in the medicines arising from Goats The milk of Sheep being hot is of force against all poysons except in those which shall drink a venemous fly called a Wag-leg and Libbards bane Oatmeal also doth cure a long lingring disease a pinte of it being sodden in three cups of water until all the water be boyled away but afterwards you must put thereunto a pinte of Sheeps milk or Goats and also Hony every day together Some men do command to take one dram of Swallows dung in three cups full of Goats milk or Sheeps milk before the coming of the quartern Ague Goats milk or Sheeps milk being taken when it is newly milked from them and gargarized in the mouth is very effectual against the pains and swellings of the Almonds Take a pinte of Sheeps milk and a handful of sisted Aniseeds and let them seethe together and when it is somewhat cold let it be drunk and it is very good to loosen the belly Medicines being made of Goats milk and Sheeps milk and so being drunk is very good for the shortness of breath A hot burning gravel stone being decocted in Sheeps milk and so given to one that hath the Bloudy flix is very profitable to him Goats milk or Sheeps milk given alone luke-warm or sodden with Butter is very profitable to those that are brought very weak with the passions of the stone and fretting of the guts To wash ones face with Sheeps milk and Goats milk is very good to make it fair and smooth Evenings milk of Sheep that is the last milk that they give that day is very good to loosen the belly and to purge choler The hairs of the head of a Dog burned into ashes or the gut of the privy place sodden in Oyl is a very good and soveraign remedy for the looseness of the flesh about the nails and for swelling of flesh over them being anointed with Butter made of Sheeps milk and Hony An Oyl sodden in Hony and Butter made of Sheeps milk and Hony melted therein is very profitable to cure ulcers Old Cheese made of Sheeps milk is very good to strengthen those which have been troubled and made weak with the Bloudy flix Again old Cheese made of Sheeps milk taken in meat or scraped upon it and being drunk with Wine doth ease the passion of the Stone There was a certain Physitian being skilful in making medicines dwelling in Asia by Hellespont which did use the dung of a Sheep washed and made clean in Vinegar for to take away Warts and knots rising on the flesh like Warts and kernels and hard swellings in the flesh Also he did bring Ulcers to cicatrising with that medicine which were blasted or scalded round about but he did mingle it with an emplaister made of Wax Rosin and Pitch The dung of Sheep also doth cure pushes rising in the night and burnings or scaldings with fire being smeared over with Vinegar without the commixture of any other things The dung of Sheep being mixed with Hony doth take away small bumps rising in the flesh and also doth diminish proud flesh and also it doth cure a disease called an emmot as Rasis and Albertus say The dung that is new come from the Sheep being first worked in thy hands and applyed after the manner of an emplaister doth eat away any great warts growing in any part of thy body The dung of a Sheep being applyed to thy feet doth consume or waste away the hard flesh that groweth thereon Sheeps dung doth also cure all kinde of swellings that are ready to go into Carbuncles It is also good being sodden in Oyl and applyed after the manner of an emplaister for all new wounds made with a sword as Galen saith Aut si conclusum servavit tibia vulnus Stercus ovis placidae junges adipesque vetustos Pandere quae poterant hulcus patuloque mederi The dung of Sheep and Oxen being burned to powder and smeared with Vinegar is very good against the bitings and venemousness of Spiders And again it is very effectual being new come from them and sodden in Wine against the stingings of Serpents Sheeps dung being mixed with Hony and applyed to Horses whose hoofs are broken is very effectual The dung of Oxen and Sheep being burned to powder and intermixed therewith is very effectual against Cankers and also the bones of the Lambs thighes being burned into ashes is very profitable to be applyed to those ulcers which cannot be brought to cicatrise Also Sheeps dung being made hot in a Gally pot and kneaded with thy hands and afterwards applyed doth presently cease the swellings of wounds and doth purge and cure Fistuals and also diseases in the eyes The Oyl of Cypress and Hony is very effectual against Alopecia that is the falling off of the hair An emplaister made of Sheeps dung and the fat of a Goose and a Hen is very effectual against hair rising in the root of the ear as Rasis and Albertus say Sheeps dung being applyed hot is very effectual against the swellings of womens paps or dugs Sheeps dung being put into the decoction of Wood-bine or Hony and water and so drunk is very profitable against the Yellow-jaunders If the Spleen be outwardly anointed with Sheeps dung and Vinegar it doth lessen the rising of it The dung of Oxen and Sheep which is very moist
doth ease all manner of Gouts The thin or outmost skin which is taken from the privy part of Sheep is very profitable against the disease called the flowers in Women The dung also hath the same operation The Urine of Sheep is very profitable against the Hydropsie being mixed with Hony But Rasis saith otherwise which is that the dung being drunk with Hony is available against the Dropsie To take the weight of a penny of Ox dung and Sheeps dung and a grain of Myrrh and two ounces and a half of Wine doth stay or resist the coming of the Kings evill The filth which is taken out of the ears of these beasts is said to be very effectual against the flowers It doth make a barren woman to conceive with child also as Serenus saith in these Verses Pendentem spumam molli deducet ab ore Aut ovis instabulis fractas cum ruminat herbas Atque illam memini misto potare falerno The sweat of a Horse being made warm and mixed with Vinegar is very convenient against the Falling sickness and is used against venemous bitings And also the sweat of Sheep is very much profitable unto it If the hoof or anckle-bone of an Ox chance to be cut with a Plough-share Pitch and fat with Sulphur is very good but you must roul round about the wound Wool Unwashed Wool doth very much profit those that are frenzie being applyed with a fume that stoppeth humors from coming down from the head Unwashed Wool being bound upon the forehead is very good for the waterish humor that floweth out of the eyes Unwashed Wool being heated in Vinegar and pressed into the ear and afterwards the top of the ear being stopped with that Wool will by little and little ease the pains in the ears Unwashed Wool dipped in Oyl of Roses and put into the Nostrils doth stay bleeding at the Nose Unwashed Wool being plucked from the privy parts of Sheep and moistned in Oyl of Roses is very good to stop the fluxes of bloud in any part of mans body Unwashed Wool being tyed on the outside of the knuckles or joynts doth stop the bloud or humors from running to and fro It is also said to be very good being dipped in Hony and so rubbed upon the teeth or gums for to make one breath or gaspe easier Unwashed Wool being smeard over with Hony and rubbed upon the teeth doth make them look white presently after Unwashed Wool with a little salt put to it and tyed close in a linnen cloth and so scorched and beaten to powder is very good to keep the teeth from pain being rubbed upon them Unwashed Wool being mixed with Niter Brimstone Oyl Vinegar and with Tar being applyed twice a day doth ease all pains of the knuckles and anckles Sheeps dung and other things with unwashed Wool is very effectuall against the stone in the bladder as it is spoken above in the cure and remedies of Sheeps dung Unwasht Wool doth cure all the diseases in the privy parts of men or women being applyed thereunto The black Wool of Sheep is very profitable for all swellings in the stones or cods of men The gall of Buls put upon unwashed Wool is very profitable for the flowers of women Unwashed Wool being applyed unto those parts that are dead doth very much good unto them White fleeces of Wool being either applyed alone or with Brimstone is very good for hidden pains and griefs Fleeces of Wool given in a fume with Brimstone is very good for the remedy of the Kings evill Wool being dyed of a purple colour and so applyed is very good against the pains of the ears There are moreover very many remedies made against diseases by unshorn Wool besides the expelling of cold being taken in Oyl Wine or Vinegar for as much as the same being applyed to the members which are out of joynt or to any pains in the Nerves doth very speedily and tenderly heal the same Sheeps Wool being mixed with Herbgrace and Sheeps grease is very much applyed unto those which are bruised or have hard swellings in any parts of their body Unwashed Wool being often put into the sores which are bitten by mad Dogs doth perfectly cure them in seven dayes Sheeps wool in cold water doth bring remedy unto those whose skin is loose about the Nailes The same being steeped in hot Oyl may be well applyed unto moist or running sores but mingled with Hony is very medicinable for old sores or festers and steeped in Wine Oyl Vinegar or cold water doth heal any new wound which seemeth to bring the wounded party in danger of death Dioscorides doth also affirm that Sheeps wool being unwashed is â—urâ—ble for all kinds of wounds whatsoever The same is very much applyed unto those whose bones are bruised or broken if it be mixed with the brains of a wanton Dog and bound hard upon the grieved place in a linnen cloth The Carthaginian Shepherds do use the unwashed Wool of Lambs of the age of four years for the curing of the Temples or the crown of the head If the plough share chance to hurt the huckle-bone or hoof of an Ox take hard Pitch and Bacon grease mingled with Brimstone and nowled in unwashed Wool and mark the wounded place with all these together with a fiery hot iron and it will bring present help and remedy Unwashed Wool being taken in some certain perfume doth cure those which are Frantick and restore them to their former wits Spleen-wort being boyled in Hony and mixed with unwashed Wool which was steeped in Oyl or Wine is very good for the aforenamed disease being bound about the forepart of the head in a broad linnen cloth Sheeps wool being also applyed in the same manner is an excellent cure for those which are troubled with a certain watery rheum running in the eyes as also the ach in the fore part of the head Unwashed wool-boyled in Vinegar and applyed unto the eares doth expell all filth or moisture therein and the issue thereof being afterwards stopped with the same kind of wool is very speedily cured Sheeps wool is also very good and effectual for the curing the pains of the ears which are but new coming upon them Unwashed wooll being mixed with Oyl of Roses and put into the Nostrils of any man the ears being stopped close with the same kind of wool will stay the issuing of the bloud at the Nose how fluent soever it be The same being also steeped in Oyl and put in the Nose doth restrain the bleeding thereof Wool being plucked or wrested from the back of Sheep and kept unwashed doth cohibite the aboundance of bloud being steeped in pure liquid Oyl of Roses The same being taken from the back of a Ram. doth stay over much bleeding at the Nose the joynts of the fingers being bound as hard as possible can be suffered Unwashed wool steeped in Hony and rubbed
is thought that it will restore the hair that is wanting and fallen off but Marcellus prescribeth it in this manner You must take Oesypus or sweat of Sheep from under the wool of their shoulders and adding unto it a like quantity of Myrrh beat them together in a morter and with a warm cloth anoint the bare places If there be any bruise in the eyes then you must anoint them first with Goose grease and the bloud of a Mallard and afterward with the sweat of a Sheep and the same cureth all Ulcers in the mouth ears and genitals with Goose-grease This is also mixed with a Sear-cloth and laid against the Phthisis as Aetius writeth with a moist cloth against the Plurisie also a Plaister made hereof with Goose grease Butter Allum and the brain of a Goose is very profitable against the pains in the reins and all other infirmities of the back and for the same cause it is applyed to women for it provoketh their monthly courses and also causeth an easie deliverance in childe-birth it healeth the Ulcers in the secret and privy parts of men and women and all inflamation in the seat especially being mixed with butter Goose grease and Melilot and some add thereunto the oar of Brasse and Roses If there be a Carbuncle in the privy parts take this Oesypus with Hony and the froath of lead also white lead womens milk and this Sheeps sewet cureth the Gowt at the least marvallously asswageth the pain thereof and some Physitians for this evill take Grease Goose grease and the fat of Buls added to Oesypus also unwashed wool with the gall of a Bull laid to a womans secrets helpeth her monthly purgation and Olimpias added thereunto Nitre The dung which cleaveth to Sheeps tails made into small bals and so dryed afterward beat into powder and rubbed upon the teeth although they be loose falling out or overgrown with flesh yet Pliny saith they will be recovered by that fricassing If he which is sick of a Dropsie drink this sweat or Oesypus in wine with Myrrh of the quantity of a Hasel nut Goose grease and Mirtle oyl it will give him great ease and the same virtue is ascribed to the sweat of an Ewes udder which is and hath been said of all the former Oesypus The medicines of the Ram. Even as the skins of other Sheeps newly plucked from their backs and applyed warm do take away the ach swelling and pains of stripes and blowes from bodies so also have the skins of Rams the same property Arnoldus commendeth a plaister made of a Rams skin for burstning and falling down of the guts and this is found ready prepared in many Apothecaries shops and the happy success thereof is much commended by Alysius If a man take the stones of a fighting cock and anoint them with Goose grease and so wear them in a piece of a Rams skin it is certain that it will cohibite and restrain the rage of venereal lust and a woman wearing about her the right stone of a dunghil cock in a Rams skin shall not suffer abortment The washed fleece of a Ram wet in cold Oyl putryfieth the inflamation of the secrets and likewise the black wool of a Ram wet in water and then in oyl and so put to the sick places keepeth the fundament from falling and also asswageth the pain Also the wool of a fighting Ram taken from betwixt his horns and perfumed into a smoke easeth the pain and some take the powder thereof in Vinegar for that Malady They say that Lais and Salpâ— cure the bitings of mad Dogs and also Tertian and Quartan Agues with the menstruous purgation taken in a piece of Rams wool and included in a bracelet of silver Also they write that a woman shall have an easie travail if she wear in the wool of a Ram seed of wilde Cucumber about her loins not knowing thereof so as it be presently after the delivery cast out of doors Also Marcelius saith that if one take the wool from a Rams fore-head and burn in the cover of a new pot and afterward beat it to powder in a morter and so put it into Venegar and therewithal the forehead being anointed it easeth the head-ach Also the dust of Rams wool mixed with water cureth the pain in the yard The matter of the Liver sod hath the same operation and Sextus writeth that if the wool be taken from the head ribs and cods and also worn by him that hath a Tertian Ague it perfectly cureth him and if a mans fingers ends and toes he tyed with the unwashed wool of a Ram it will stanch the bleeding at any part especially the Nose Also if you burn the greasie wool of a very fat Ram and in water wash the same it will help all evils in the yard of man if it be rubbed therewithal The broath of the rump of a Ram is commended against blisters The flesh of a Ram being burnt and anointed upon the body of any leaprous person or any whose body is troubled with Ring-worms or itches is very effectual to cure them The same force hath it against the bites of Scorpions and stingings of Serpents and Algerarat it also being taken in wine is good for the bitings of mad dogs and healeth the white skins in the eyes The fat of a Sheep or Weather hath the same in it as Pork grease and cureth the suffocation of the womb and al other diseases incident unto the secret parts and also helpeth places in the body being burnt by fire The fat of a Ram being mingled with red Arsenick and anointed upon any scall or scab the same being afterward pared or scraped doth perfectly heal it It doth also being mixed with Allum help those which are troubled with Kibes or Chilblanes in their heels The sewet of a Ram mingled with the powder of a pumice stone and salt of each a like quantity is said to heal fellons and inflamations in the body The Lungs of smal Cattle but especially of a Ram doth restore chaps or scars in the body to their right colour The same vertue hath the fat of a Ram being mingled with Nitre The gall of a Ram mingled with his own sewet is very good and profitable for those to use who are troubled with the Gowt or swelling in the joynts The horn of a Ram being burned and the dust of the same mixed with oyl and so pounded together being often anointed upon a shaven head doth cause the hair to frisle and curl A comb being made of the left horn of a Ram and combed upon the head doth take away all pain upon the left part thereof if likewise there be pain in the right side of the head the right horn of a Ram doth cure it For the curing of the losse of ones wits springing from the imperfection of the brain take the head of a Ram never given to venery being chopped off at one blow the horns being
teeth Also the bones next to the ribs of Bacon being burned are very good to fasten the teeth The bones that are taken from the hoofs of hogs and burned to powder are used to clense the teeth and it is very good also to fasten the teeth The ashes which are made of a Harts horne or of the hoof of a Hog are very good to clense or rub the teeth The bones which are taken from the hoof of a hog burned and beaten to powder and â—ifted and a little Spicknard added thereto doth make the teeth very white by often rubbing them therewith The ashes of the hoofs of a Boar or Sow put in drink doth stay the incontinency of Urine and also the Bloudy flux Take as much Mercurial sodden as ones hand can hold sod in two pintes of Water unto one pinte and drink the same with Hony and Salt and the powder of a Hogs hoof and it shall loose the belly The milk of a Sow drunk with sweet Wine helpeth women in travell and the same being drunk alone restoreth milk in Womens brests it is also good against the Bloudy flux and Tissick The stones of Swine beaten to powder and drunk in Swines milk are good against the Falling sickness The wise men were wont to prescribe the left foot or leg of a Camaelion to be bound unto the feet against the Gowt There are also many uses of the dung of Swine and first of all it being mixed with Vinegar is good against the bitings of venemous beasts and Aetius maketh an Emplaister thereof against the biting of a Crocodile It is to be applyed single against the stinging of Scorpions and also the biting of any other reptile creature If a Serpent bite an Oxe or a Horse oâ— any other Four-footed Beast take the stalk of Nigella and beat it into a pinte of old wine so as all the juyce may go out thereof then infuse it into the Nostrils of the Beast and lay Swines dung to the sore so also it may be applyed unto men whereunto some do add Hony Attick and the Urine of a man and so it is to be applyed warm it being also warmed in a shell and dryed to powder mixed with Oyl and layed to the body easeth outward pains Iâ— it likewise profitable against burnings itch scabs and blisters and trembling of the body according to these Verses of Serenus Stercoris ex porco cinerem confundito lymphis Sic pavidum corpus dextra pascente foveto This is also commended against hard bunches in the body hardness of the skin clifts and chinks in the flesh freckles lice and nits and also the breaking of the sinews Si cui forte lapis teneros violaverit artus Non pudeat luteae sterâ—us producere porcae It is also good to stay bleedings at the Nose if it be layed to the Nostrils warm and to stay the bleedings of Beasts if it be given them in Wine the same being mixed and covered with Hony is anointed upon Horses for the Qâ—insie or swellings of the throat If the breasts of a Woman do swell after her delivery of childe it is good to anoint them with water and the dung of Hogs also the powder thereof mixed with Oyl is profitable for the secrets of men and women If a man have received any hurt by bruises so as his bloud stayeth in his body or suffer Convulsion of the Nerves through Cramps those evils are cured by the dung of a Boar gathered in the Spring time dryed and sod in Vinegar and some of the later Physitians prescribe it to be drunk in Water and they say that Nero the Emperor was wont to use that medicine when he would try the strength of his body in a running Chariot also the powder of the same being drunk in Vinegar is profitable for the Rupture and inward bruises and warmed in Wine against all manner of fluxes and Tisicks For the pains of the Loins and all other things which need mollifying rub them first of all with Deers grease and then sprinkle them with old Wine mixed with the powder of Swines dung The Urine of a Swine is also good against all bunches and Apostemations being layed to in wool The urine of a Boar Pig dryed in the smoak and drunk with sweet Wine the quantity of a Bean is profitable against the Falling evill against the whiteness of the eyes and the stone in the reins and bladder And thus much of the Swine in general Of the Wilde BOAR. THis Beast is termed by no other name then the common Swine among the Hebrews namely Chasir as you may see in Psal 80. where the Prophet speaketh of Chasir de sylva that is the Boar out of the wood The Grecians call him Capros and Syagros and Clunis although some take Cluâ—is for a Boar of an exceeding great stature Aristophone saith that there are some of this kinde which are called Monit which word by St. Cyril upon the Prophet Hosea is interpreted a wilde Asse but I rather incline to their opinion which say that Chlunis Monios and Chauliodon are Poetical words for cruell Boars Aristotle is of opinion these Boars being gelt when they are young grow greater and more fierce whereunto Homer also yeeldeth as he is thus translated Nutriit exetum sylvis horrentibus aprum Instar non bruti sed dorsi montis opaci But this is to be understood of such Boars as by accident geld themselves by rubbing upon any tree The French call this Beast Sanglier and Porc Sanglier the Italiane Cinghiale and Cinghiare and Porco The Spaniards Puerco Sylvestre and Pueoco montes and Javali the Germans Wild Schwein the Illyrians Weprz and the Latins Aper for Porcus signifieth the tame Swine and Aper the wilde The reason of this Latin name Aper is derived from Asper because he liveth among the sharp thorns and woods but I rather think that Aper is derived from Capros the Greek word or else Aper a feritate from fierceness and wildeness by changing one letter into another The Epithets of this Beast are many both in Greek and Latin such as these are sharp wilde Arcadian Atalantean troubler bloudy toothered hard Erymanthean cruell outragious fierce strong gnashing lightning yellow raging Acorn-gatherer quick rough rough-haired horrible Maenalian Mysian Meleagrean threatning woodwanderer cruel Sabelican bristle-bearer foaming strict filthy Tegean Thuscan fearful wry-faced truculent devourer violent Vmbrian wound-maker impetuous mountain-liver armed on both sides and such like But of these Epithets there are only three Erymanthean Calydonian and Mysian which do offer unto us peculiar stories according as we finde them in the Poets which we will prefix by way of moral discourse before we enter into the natural story of this beast First of all Erymanthus was a hill of Arcadia wherein was a wilde Boar that continually did descend down and depopulate their Corn-fields Hercules coming that way and hearing of that mischief did kill the said Boar and carryed him upon his back
properly live upon winter fruits as Acorns so he is the fitter emblem for Winter that is a devourer of the Suns heat and warmth both which fall away by death from all living creatures When Teuthras a King of Mysia went to hunt in the mountain Thrasillus he started a huge great Boar which he and his guard followed and hunted unto the Temple of Diana Orthosiâ— whereinto the Boar entred for sanctuary The poor beast seeing the Hunters at hand cryed out with the voice of a man Parce ô rex peâ—udi Deae O King spare Dianaes Boar But the king being nothing at all moved therewith slew him in the Temple which wickednesse the Goddess could not endure and therefore first of all she restored the Boar to life and afterwards afflicted the King with madnesse who was therefore driven into the Mountains and there lived like a beast When Lysippe his mother knew hereof she went to him into the Woods and carryed Cyranius the Prophet who instructed him to pacifie the Gods by a sacrifice of Oxen which when it was performed the King recovered again his right minde and so his mother in remembrance thereof built there a Chappell to Diana and set thereupon the picture of a Boar in Gold with a mans mouth There was also a custome in ancient time for champions and their fathers brethren and kindred to swear by a Boar cut in pieces And thus much for the naturall and morall story of the Boar which I will conclude with those verses of Horace describing the prodigious habitation of Boars in the waters and Dolphins in the Woods as if one had changed with another Delphinum silvis appingiâ— fluctibus aprum Qui variare cupit rem prodigialiter unam The Medicines of the wilde Swine There are declared a M. things concerning the remedies of Goats but a larger and more ample power shal be shewn of a wilde beast of the same kinde Also the same regard shall be had concerning the remedies of a tame Sow and a wilde Boar yea of all other tame and wilde beasts that is that the same or things like to either of them may be ended differing only according to more or lesse because the same parts of wilde beasts living are lesse moist and cold then those that are tame That which we repeat here concerning the common remedies of a Boar and Sow tamed in some of the parts of them to wit the blood the brain the cheek-bone the lungs or lights the liver the gall the ankle bone the hoof the dung and urine is not in the Sow repeated before The brains of a Boar taken with blood is very much commended against the bitings of Serpents Again the brains and blood of a Boar doth help those that fear the coming of Carbuncles The lard and fat of a Boar being sodden and bound fast together doth with a wonderfull celerity make firm those bones that are broken The fat of a Boar mingled with Hony and Rozin is very much commended against the bitings of Serpents The fat of a wilde Boar mingled with the fat of the lungs or lights doth very much profit those which have their feet broken or bruised by any mischance The fat of a Boar being mixed with Oyl of Roses is very good for those that are troubâ—nd with blisters or pushes it being anointed thereupon The brains of a Boar is very profitable for Carbuncles and the pains of a mans yard The brains of a Boar being bruised very small in Hony and put thereto doth wonderfully make it sound The brains of a Boar sodden and drunk in wine doth ease all the pains and griefs There are more things spoken concerning the remedies of the brain in the medicines of the Sow The ashes of the cheek-bone of a Boar doth cure those ulcers which do encrease bigger by little and little Also the same thing doth make firm those bones that are broken The lungs or lights of a Boar mixed with hony and put upon the feet after the manner of a mollifying emplaister they shall be freed from all exulcerations Dioscorides also doth commend the lungs or lights of Sowes Lambs and Bears The liver of a Boar being new killed and scorched by a fire and beaten to powder and so being taken in wine is an especiall remedy against the bitings of Serpents and Dogs The liver of a Boar being old and drunken in wine with Rue is very much commended against the bitings of Serpents The Fibres of the liver of a Boar and those especially which are neerest to the entrance of the gall and liver being taken in Vinegar or rather wine is much profitable against the bitings of Serpents The liver of a Boar is good to revive those whose spirits are drowsie The liver of a Boar doth much profit being stopped in the ears for those that are troubled with Apostumes or any running sores therein The liver of a Boar being new killed and drunken in wine is very effectuall against the loosenesse of the belly There are certain little stones in the liver of a Boar as there is in a common or vulgar Sow or at leastwise like unto little stones and they are also white which being sodden and taken in wine are very eâ—â—ectuall against the disease of the Stone Thou shalt read many more things concerning the remedies of the liver of a Boar in the medicines of the Sow The gall of a Boar is very much commended for Wennes or swellings in the neck The gall of a Boar being mingled with Rosin and Wax doth cure those ulcers which do encrease bigger and bigger The gall of a Boar and Lambs milk being mingled together and dropped in the ears is very profitable for all pains therein The body of a man being anointed with the gall of a Boar doth stirre him up to carnal copulation The gall of a Boar being mingled with sewet and applyed upon every joynt of the body doth immediately cure all pains of the Gowt We have declared also many things in the medicines of the Sow concerning the remedies of the gall of a Boar. The stones of a Boar being eaten is very good against the Falling sicknesse or the stones of a Boar being taken in Mares milk or water is also very effectual against the same disease The hoofs of a Boar being burned to ashes and sprinkled upon drink and so taken doth very much help those that cannot easily make water The hooves of a Boar being burned and beaten to powder and given in drink is very effectual against the stopping of urine The hooves of a Boar or Sow being burned and given to drink in wine is very much commended for those that cannot hold their urine in their sleep The dung of a Sow which liveth in the Woods being dryed and drunk in water and wine doth stay the voiding of blood and doth ease also old pains of the sides And again being taken in Vinegar it doth stay all ruptures and convulsions and also being mingled with the syrup
of Roses it doth remedy or help those places which are out of joynt The dung of a Boar being new made and hot is a speciall remedy against the flux of blood which issueth forth of the Nostrils The dung of a Boar being mingled in wine and applyed after the form of an emplaister do presently draw away and make sound any thing which cleaveth to the body It being also bruised and sodden with hony and afterwards kneaded like Dough and so applyed to the joynts doth ease all pains that arise therein An emplaister made of the dung of a Boar is very profitable against all venemous bitings for it draweth forth the poyson All other ulcers are filled up and cleansed with the dung of a Boar except those which arise in the thighes The dung of a Boar dried and beaten to powder and sprinkled upon drink doth cure all pains of the sides Again it being dried and beaten to powder and administred in wine doth not only cure the pain in the Spleen but also the pain in the kidneys The dung of a Boar being burned to the ashes and given to drink in wine doth ease all pains in the knees and legs The dung of a Boar nâ—w made and anoynted upon those places that are out of joynt is very profitable for them The dung of a field-boar mixed with brimstone and taken in wine and strained Pitch is very commendable for pains in the hips The dung of a Boar being mingled with wine and afterwards strained and given to drink about the measure of two little cup-fuls at a time doth speedily help those which are troubled with the Sciatica It also being sodden in Vinegar and Hony doth mitigate all pains that rise in the feet or ankles The dung of a Boar burned to ashes and sprinkled upon wine luke-warm and so given to drink doth help all those that are troubled with the bloody-flix The rest of the remedies which concern the dung of a Boar thou shalt find in the medicines of the Sow The urine of a Boar mingled with Hony and water and so taken is a speciall remedy for those that are troubled with the Falling sicknesse Again the urine of a Boar being taken in sweet Vinegar doth drive out those things which are dryed in the bladder The urine of a Boar being kept in a glasse doth cure all diseases and pains in the ears but it is especially profitable for those which cannot hear The urine of a Boar being kept in a glasse and made luke-warm and dropped into the ears is a speciall remedy for all Apostumes that are therein The urine of a Boar which is kept long is far more profitable if so be that it be kept in a vessel of glasse Again the urine of a Boar being dryed in smoak and moistened with Hony and so powred into the ears doth cure the deafnesse of the ears The urine of a Boar and Oyl of Cypresse each of them being equally mingled and made luke-warm is also good for the same disease The urine of a wilde Boar also is of the same force and vertue The bladder of a wilde Boar doth stay the incontinency of the urine if it be eaten rosted or boyled The blather of a Goat being burâ—ed to powder and given to drink in water and wine is very good and profitable for those which cannot make water easily The urine of a Boar being drunken doth help those that are troubled with the stone in the bladder but it is more effectuall if it be first of all mingled with the dung The Bladder of a Boar moistened with the urine and hung up untill the waterish humor cometh forth and then boyled and given to those which are trueulent with the Strangury is very profitable and good for them The Bladder of a Boar being dried and given in drink is very profitable for those which are troubled with pains in the bladder and wringings of the guts The urine of a tame Boar hung up in the smoak in the bladder of a Sow and mixed with drink is very profitable for those that are troubled with the Strangury The urine of a Boar or at least wise the bladder being given in drink hath cured those which have been troubled with the Hydropsy as some do say The urine of a Boar being taken in drink is very good for those that are troubled with the Stone Now forasmuch also as Hunters are hurt by some I thought it good to set down what remedies is fit for them Therefore the wounds made of them are dangerous because they are not only deep but also large and great and it is also impossible to bring them to a glutination with medicines for the lips of the wounds which is made by contusion are cut off and burned They use a mutuall gnashing and striking of their teeth together as it were against a wheâ—stone to take revenge upon those which pursue and follow them Therefore they cause a certain scab to grow upon the lips of the wound wherefore it is meet to use a suppurative and not a glutinative manner of cure in them It is meet to use in running and moist ulcers not hot things but cold both in Winter and Summer For it is an easie matter for a Boar to hurt a Horse in the inside of his knee in the time of his hunting which doth breed to a waterish ulcer and there doth also follow a swelling To this cold things are to be applyed and it is to be cured by anointing it with a medicine which is called Diachalcanthes or the head of a Dog being burned about the tongue and beaten into powder and so to be applyed after the manner of a Cataplasme And thus much concerning the medicines of the Boar. Of the TATUS or Guinean Beast THis is a four-footed strange Beast which Bellonius saith he found in Turchia among the Mountebanks and Apothecaries It is brought for the most part out of the new-found world and out of Guinea and therefore may be safely conveyed into these parts because it is naturally covered with a hard shell divided and interlined like the fins of fishes outwardly seeming buckled to the back like Coat-armor within which the beast draweth up his body as a Hedge-hog doth within his prickled skin and therefore I take it to be a Brasilian Hedge-hog It is not much greater then a little Pig and by the snout ears legs and feet thereof it seemeth to be of that kind saving that the snout is a little broader and shorter then a Pigs and the tail very long like a Lizards or Rats and the same covered all over with a crust or shell The gaping of the mouth is wider then a Swines and one of these being brougâ—t into France did live upon the eating of seeds and fruits of the Gardens but it appeareth by that picture or rather the skin stuffed which Adrianus Marcellus the Apothecary of Vlmes sent unto Gesner from whence this picture here expressed was
Flower-deluces doth help and heal all sores or impostumes proceeding from the head to the ears being applyed thereunto A VVeasel being beaten to powder mingled with wax and in the manner of a sear-cloth applyed unto the shoulders doth expell all pains aches or griefs therein whatsoever it doth also purge or cleanse sores very effectually according to these Verses of Serenus following Obscoenos si pone locos nova vulnerae carpant Horrentum mansa curantur froride ruborum Et si jam veteri succedit fistula morbo Mustelae cinere immisso purgabitur ulcus Sanguine cum ricini quem bos gestaverit ante A VVeasel being burned in an earthen pot is very medicinable for the curing of the gout The powder thereof being mingled with Vinegar and in that manner thereunto applyed The dust of a living VVeasel burnt mingled with wax rose-Rose-water and anoynted with a Feather upon gouty legs cureth the same disease The brain of a VVeasel being kept very long and throughly dried afterwards mingled with Vinegar and so drunk doth very effectually cure the falling sicknesse The brains of a Camel mingled with the brains of a VVeasel being both well dryed and drunk in Vinegar speedily helpeth those which are troubled with the disease called the Foul evill If a horse shall fall into a suddain disease being for the most part termed dangerous which our Countrey-men call Raech concerning which I have spoken in the Horse he is cured by some Horse-coursers by a small quantity of a VVeasels skin being about the bignesse of aforesaid golden Crown which is given to him inwardly whether in a potion by some horn or cut small and mingled with chaffe I know not Some do give to the Horses troubled with the aforesaid disease the tail of a white VVeasel being half black and half white cut exceeding small in their chaffe or provender If a Serpent or any other venemous creature shall sting or bite an Oxe let the wounded place be stroked or smoothed with the skin of a VVeasel and it shall in short time be perfectly cured The same they do in a manner command to be done to Horses which are so stung or bitten rubbing the wound with a Weasels skin untill it wax hot ministring in the mean time some certain Antidote within the Horses body There are some also which are of opinion that the skin being in the said manner applyed is of no efficacy but that the whole beast being cut and applyed while it is hot will rather profit which both in a Shrew as also in many other creatures is manifest The bloud of a Weasel being anoynted upon any impostume arising behinde the ear doth instantly cause the swelling to cease or being broken doth speedily heal the sore The same also being anoynted upon any impostumes in the head either whole or broken doth very effectually cure them The bloud of a Weasel being anoynted upon wens or bunches of flesh in any part of the body doth instantly expell them The same doth also help those which are troubled with the Falling sicknesse which disease is also cured by the whole body of a VVeasel either burnt or embowelled with salt The head and feet of a VVeasel being cast away and the body taken in any kinde of drink doth perfectly heal those which are troubled with that pestiferous disease called S. Johns evil The bloud of the same same beast is an excellent remedy for the expelling of the foul evil The bloud of a Weasel being anoynted upon broken or exulcerated bunches in the flesh doth not only mitigate the pain but also heal the wounds The bloud of a Weasel being anoynted upon the jawes doth heal all pains or sores therein whatsoever The powder and bloud of a Weasel being both mingled together and anoynted upon the body of any leprous man doth in short time drive away all scabs or scurfs thereon The bloud of a VVeasel being anointed with a Plantain upon the legs or feet of any one that is troubled with the gout doth very speedily mitigate or asswage the pain thereof The same being anoynted upon the nervs or sinewes which are shrunk together doth easily mollifie them again and loosen the grievous pain either in the joynts or articles The liver of a VVeasel mingled with his own brains being both well dryed and taken in any kinde of drink doth very much profit those which are troubled with the disease called S. Johns evil The liver of a VVeasel being throughly dryed and afterwards taken in water to drink doth heal the disease called the Foul evil taking hold of sense and minde together but there must great care be had that this medicine be ministred unto the sick party even when the disease is coming on him The gall of a Hare being mingled with the liver of a VVeasel to the quantity of three drams one dram of Oyl of Beavers stones four drams of Myrrhe with one dram of Vinegar and drunk in hony or bastard wine doth heal those which are troubled with a dizzinesse or certain swimming in the head The liver of a Weasel is reported to be very good and medicinable for the curing of the Lethargy or Dropsie evil The liver of a Weasel being bound to the left foot of a woman doth altogether hinder her from conception The gall of a Weasel is a very excellent and effectuall remedy against the venom or poyson of Asps being taken in any kinde of drink The yard of a Weasel Hart or Doe being dried and beaten to powder and taken in wine or any other drink is an excellent medicine for the curing of the bites or stings of Serpents The yard of a Weasel or Ferret is commended for a very excellent remedy against the strangury or disease called the Colick and stone The stones of a male Weasel or the secret parts of a female Weasel is reported by some to be very medicinable for the curing of the Falling sicknesse The stones of a Weasel being bound unto any part of a woman while she is in travail of childe birth doth altogether hinder her from her delivery By the left stone of a Weasel being bound in a piece of a Mules hide there is a certain medicine made which being drunk by any woman not being with childe causeth barrennesse as also by women being with childe hard and grievous pain in delivery The efficacy or force in them have the stones of a Weasel being cut off in the change of the Moon and he suffered to go away alive being tied upon any part of a woman in the hide of a Mule The heel of a living Weasel being taken away and bound unto a woman doth make her that she shall not conceive so long as she shall so bear it The powder of a Dogs head dried being put into any broken or exulcerated sores doth eat away all the corruption or dead flesh encreasing therein The same vertue hath the powder of Weasels dung being used
and was freely discharged because he therewith healed the daughter of the Emperour Marcus for being forely wounded by a Serpent in her breast and all other Physitians despairing of help yet with this she was recovered It is also good for all new and old Ulcers and for such as are either bitten by any kinde of venomous creeping Worms and Serpents Take of Squamma eris which is the scales and offal of Brass blown from it in melting of Ammoniacum Aloes hepatica Verdigrease of Aeâ— ustum of Frankincense Sal ammoniacum Aristolochia rotunda of every one half an ounce Turnep-seeds three scruples of the root of Dragon-wort half an ounce seeds of Mugwort nine scruples pure Wax five pound of Colophenia one pound old Oyl three ounces sharp Vinegar half a spoonful Mustard-seed three scruples Spodium nine scruples Stone-allum and Opopanax of either half an ounce Infuse the metalline ingredients for three days space in Vinegar and beat and powder them together melting those that are to be melted then sprinkle on those that are dry and all of them being throughly wrought and made up according to the form of an Emplaister use them where necessity requireth Antonius Fumanellus a late Physitian prescribeth an experimented and as he calleth it a divine Oyl against any poyson taken into the body or the biting of any venomous Beasts and Serpents whether it be received inwardly by drinking it down or anointed outwardly upon the body and this is it that followeth Take of Oyl of Olives one pound the flowers and the leaves of the herb called S. Johnswort bruised boyl them for the space of three hours and strain them then boyl again other fresh flowers and leaves of the same herb and strain them hard and do so again the third time then add to them of the roots of Gentian and Tormentil of either one ounce boyl and strain them as you did before and reserve this Oyl for your use Andreas Matthiolus in his Commentaries upon Dioscorides doth exceedingly commend Oyl of Scorpions because being anointed upon the pulses outwardly it is as he affirmeth a singular remedy not only against any poyson taken inwardly into the body by the mouth but for the bitings and stingings of any venomous creature whatsoever The way to prepare and make it he describeth at large in his Preface upon the sixt Book of Dioscorides which I think needless here to describe to avoid tediousness therefore if any one be desirous to know the composition of it let him read Matthiolus in the place before cited Unquenched Lime mixed with Hony and Oyl and applyed to the place the thickness of a cerote is good against the wounds that come by any venomous Beasts biting Now I think it meet to set down those simple medicaments which are outwardly to be applyed either by laying on or by anointing against the sting and venomous biting of Serpents It is best first to foment the sore place with hot Vinegar wherein Catamint hath been boyled and in stead of Vinegar one may take Salt-water or Southernwood Maidenhair and Garlick either in drink meat or to be used as an Ointment The root of Aram and Astrologe and the leaves of the true Daffadil and Oyl of Balm is most effectual also Bdellium and the root either of the white or black Beet is good against the bitings of Serpents Betony Coleworts especially the wilde Coleworts Calamint the leaves of the wilde Fig-tree Centory Onions Germander Chamaeleon the herb called Fleabane wilde Carrets Rocket Heath Fennil Figs Winter Cherries Enula Campana Barly-meal the Day-lilly Hysop the Flower-deluceroot Horehound Balm Water-cresses Basil Origan Plantine Leeks Turneps Madder Râ—e Verven Mustard-seed Scabious and Saint Johnswort all these plants are greatly praised amongst the Writers of Physick for the mischiefs abovesaid Pliny is of opinion that the bowels or entrails of Serpents themselves being applyed will surely cure the wounds of all other Serpents although they seem incurable A live Serpent being caught if it be bruised beaten and stamped in water and the hurt place fomented therewith will assuredly help and do much ease Quae nocuit Serpens fertur caput illius aptè Vulneribus jungi sanat quae sauciat ipsa Vt Larissea curatus Telephus hosta Qu Serenus Which may be thus thus Englished What Serpent hurteth Men say by long experience His head applyed doth cure for where the wound The help is also made as in Telephus sense Harm'd by Larissus spear by it was cured found And Guil. Varignana saith divide or cut a Serpent and lay it upon the place and it will mitigate the anguish and pain The seed of Thraspi and of Tithimal which is a kinde of spurge is greatly used for this Aut Tithimallus atrox vulnus quae tuta perungat Some besides these do put the root of black Hellebore into the wound because it draweth out the poyson as I by mine own experience can testifie saith Matthiolus There be also sundry Antidotes and Preservatives which are taken inwardly that are very effectual against the bitings of Serpents and venomous beasts as namely that which is called Theriaca Andromachi or Mithridate and the like compositions Galen in his Book De Theriaca ad Pisonem preferreth Theriaca Andromachi before all other medicines either simple or compound for virulent wounds because it performeth that effect for which it is ministred For it was never as yet heard that ever any one perished of any venomous hurt or biting who without any delay forthwith drank this medicine and if any man had taken it before he received any such dangerous hurt if he were set upon and assailed by any poysonous creature it hath not lightly been heard that he hath dyed of the same There be many Antidotes described by the Ancients which they set down to be admirable for thesepassions As for example that which Avicen tearmeth Theriaca mirabilis whose composition is as followeth Take of Opium and of Myrrhe of either of them a dram Pepper one dram and a half the root of Aristolochia longa and rotunda of each of them three drams Wine two drams make them up with Hony and Rocket water so much as is sufficient for an Electuary the quantity to give is four scruples relented in some fit and convenient decoction King Antiochus surnamed Magnus had a kinde of Theriaca which he used against all poysons which is described of Pliny in his 20. Book and last chapter in this wise Take of wilde Thyme Opopanax and the herb called Gromel of each a like much two drams Trifolie one dram of the seeds of Dill Fennil Smallage Anise and Ameos of every one alike six drams of the meal of Orobus twelve drams all these being powned and finely searsed must with Wine a sufficient quantity be made into Trochisces whereof every one must weigh one dram give thereof one dram at a time in a draught of Wine There is another Antidote and preservative against any poyson described by Paulus Aegineta much like
unto this which is thus Take of Bryony Opopanax of the root of Iris Illirica and of the root of Rosemary and of Ginger of each of these three drams of Aristolochia five drams of the best Turpentine of wilde Rue of each three drams of the meal of Orobus two drams make them into Trochisces with Wine every one weighing one scruple and a half or two scruples to be given in Wine Galen in his second Book De antidotis chapter 49. discourseth of a certain Theriacal medicament called Zopyria antidotus so taking the name of one Zopyrus which was notable against all poysons and bitings of venomous creeping creatures This Zopyrus in his Letters written unto Mithridates sollicited him very much that he would make some experiment of his Antidote which as he put him in minde he might easily do by causing any one that was already condemned to die to drink down some poyson aforehand and then to take the Antidote or else to receive the Antidote and after that to drink some poyson And put him in remembrance to try it also in those that were wounded any manner of way by Serpents or those that were hurt by Arrows or Darts anointed or poysoned by any destroying venom So all things being dispatched according to his praemonition the Man notwithstanding the strength of the poyson was preserved safe and sound by this alexipharmatical medicine of Zopyrus Matthiolus in his Preface upon the sixth Book of Dioscorides entreating of Antidotes and preservatives from poyson saith that at length after long study and travail he had found out an Antidote whose vertue was wonderful and worthy admiration and it is a certain quintessence extracted from many simples which he setteth down in the same place He saith it is of such force and efficacie that the quantity of four drams being taken either by it self or with the like quantity of some sweet senting Wine or else with some distilled water which hath some natural property to strengthen the heart if that any person hath either been wounded or strucken of any venomous living thing and that the patients life be therewith in danger so that he hath lost the use of his tongue seeing and for the most part all his other senses yet for all that by taking this his Quintessence it will recover and raise him as it were out of a dead sleep from sickness to health to the great astonishment and admiration of the standers by They that desire to know the composition of this rare preservative let them read it in the Author himself for it is too long and tedious to describe it at this time There be besides these compounds many simple medicines which being taken inwardly do perform the same effect as namely the Thistle whereupon Serenus hath these verses following Carduus nondum doctis fullonibus aptus Ex illo radix tepido potatur in amni That is to say The root of Teasil young for Fullers yet unfit Drunk in warm water venom out doth spit That Thistle which Qu. Serenus here understandeth is properly that plant which of the Greeks is called Scolymos Yet it is taken sometimes for other prickly plants of the same kinde as for both the Chamaeleons Dipsacos or Labrum Veneris Spina alba Eryngium and some other But Dioscorides attributeth the chiefest vertue against poysons to the Thistle called Chamaeleon albus and to the Sea-thistle called Eryngium marinum which some call Sea-hul or Hulver for in his third book and ninth chapter entreating of Chamaeleon albus he saith thus The root of it taken with Wine inwardly is as good as Treacle against any venom and in the 21 chapter of the same Book Eryngium is saith he taken to good purpose with some Wine against the biting of venomous creatures or any poyson inwardly taken And the same Serenus adscribeth to the same vertue to the Harts curd or rennet as followeth Cervino ex soetu commixta coagula viâ—o Sumantur quaeres membris agit atra venena In English thus Wine mixt with Rennet taken from a Hart So drunk doth venom from the members part He meaneth a young Hart being killed in the Dams belly as Pliny affirmeth also the same in his 8. Book and 30. chapter in these words The chiefest remedy against the biting of Serpents is made of the Coagulum of a Fawn kill'd and cut out of the belly of his Dam. Coagulum is nothing else but that part in the belly which is used to thicken the Milk Proderit caulem cum vino haurire sambuci Qu. Serenus Which may be Englished thus In drink the powder of an Elder-stalk Gainst poison profiteth as some men talk That vertue which Serenus here giveth to the stalk of Dwarf Elder for that is meant in this place the same effect Dioscorides attributeth to the root in his fourth Book and Pliny to the leaves The herb called Betony is excellent against these foresaid affects and by good reason for the greatest part of poysons do kill through their excess of coldness and therefore to overcome and resist them such means are necessary by which natural and lively heat is stirred up and quickned and so the poyson hindred from growing thick together and from coagulation Again all men do agree that those medicines are profitable which do extenuate as all those do which have a property to provoke urine and Betony is of this quality and therefore being taken with Wine it must needs do good in venomous bitings and that not only in the bitings of Men and Apes but in Serpents also Radish also hath the same quality being taken with Vinegar and Water boiled together 〈◊〉 else outwardly applyed as Serenus affirmeth Sive homo seu similis turpissima bestia nobis Vulnera dente dedit virus simul intulit atrum Vetonicam ex duro prodest assumere Baccho Nec non raphani cortex decocta medetur Si trita admorâ—is fuerit circumlita membris In English thus If Man or Ape a filthy beast most like to us By biting wound and therein poyson thrust Then Betony in hard Wine steeped long Or rinde of Radish sod as soft as pap Do heal applyed to the members stâ—â—g There be certain herbs and simples as wilde Lettice Vervin the root called Rhubarb Agarick Oyl of Oliander and the leaves of the same the seeds of Peony with a great number a little before described that being taken either inwardly or outwardly in juyce or powder do cure poyson yea though it be received by hurt from envenomed arrows shafts or other warlike engines and weapons for the Arabians Indians the Galls now tearmed French-men and Scythians were wont to poyson their arrows as Paulus Orosius in his third Book testifieth of the Indians where he writeth how Alexander the Great in his conquering and winning of a certain City under the government of King Ambira lost the greatest part there of his whole Army with envenomed darts and quarrels And Celsus in his fifth Book saith that
from them some gummy and clammy matter their Dukes and Princes being at home not standing still but setling themselves to their businesse or trade and helping to hatch up their young they are suddenly choked with the fume of Brimstone Garlick the branches of Coleworts or other pot-herbs or else by breaking down and overthrowing their combes they dye through famine When you are minded to defend the Bees from the invasion and spoil of Wasps you must set a pot with some pieces of flesh in it neer the Hive and when the Wasps in hope of some prey are entered suddenly clap over the cover and so destroy them or else by pouring in some hot water at the top you may scald them all to death in the pot In like sort some do gently breath upon Raisins Fruits Sugar Honey Oyl by which either the Wasps are chased away or by tasting the Oyl do die And again some do mix corrosives with Honey as for example Sublimate Vitriol Auripigmentum c. that they by taking this venomous or poyson infected drink may suffer condign punishment for their intemperate and insatiable gluttony Of the stinging of Wasps there do proceed divers and sundry accidents passions and effects as pain disquieting vexation swelling rednesse heat sweatings disposition or will to vomit loathing and abhorring of all things exceeding thirstinesse and now and then fainting or swounding especially when after the manner of venomous creatures they have infected their stings either by tasting the flesh of some Serpents or by gathering their food from venomous plants I will now set before your eyes and ears one late and memorable example of the danger that is in Wasps of one Allens wife dwelling not many years since at Lowick in Northamptonshire which poor woman resorting after her usual manner in the heat of the Summer to Drayton the Lord Mordams house being extreamly thirsty and impatient of delay finding by chance a black Jack or Tankard on the Table in the Hall she very inconsiderately and rashly set it to her mouth never suspecting or looking what might be in it and suddenly a Wasp in her greedinesse passed down with the drink and stinging her there immediately came a great tumor in her throat with a rednesse puffing and swelling of all the parts adjacent so that her breath being intercepted the miserable wretch whirling herself twice or thrice round as though she had had some Virtiginy in her brath presently fell down and dyed And this is known for a truth not only to me but to most of the Inhabitants thereabouts being as yet fresh in their memories and therefore their authorities as I take it is unreproveable Now for fear lest I should lose my self in this troublesome and vast Ocean of Natures admirable fabricature I will now discourse of such medicinal means as will defend from their furious malice The vertue of Mallows and of Althea called Marsh-mallow is notable against the prickings of Wasps For the softest and most emollient herb is applyed as a contrary to a warlike and hurtful creature whose juyce being anointed with Oyl either abateth the rage of Wasps or so blunteth and dulleth their sting that the pain is not very sharp or biting Pliny lib. 21. copit 171. And of the same minde is Avicen Wasps saith he will not come near any Man if he be anointed with Oyl and the juyce of Mallows For as a soft answer doth frangere iram and as the Grecians have a saying Edus Megiston estin orges pharmakon logos So also in natural Philosophy we see that hard things are quailed and their edge even taken off with soft and suppling as Iron with a fine small and soft feather the Adamant stone with bloud and the sting of Wasps Hornets and Bees with Oyl and Mallows What is softer then a Caterpiller and yet if Aetius credit be of sufficience the same being beaten with Oyl and anointed upon any part preserveth the same from the wounds and stings of Wasps And of the same vertue is the herb called Balm being stamped and mixed with Oyl The same symptomes or accidents do follow the stinging of Wasps as of Bees but far more painful and of longer continuance to wit rednesse and intolerable pain and Apostumes And if any be strucken of the Orange or yellow coloured Wasps especially in a sinewy or some sensible part there will follow a Convulsion weaknesse of the knees swounding yea and sometimes death as before I have touched Against the stinging of Wasps divers medicines are prescribed by Physitians but I will speak of such only as I have made proof of and such as are confirmed by long experience Gilbert the Englishman saith that Wasps being bruised and applyed to the place affected do cure their own wounds very strangely The same vertue peradventure not only the Scorpion but the greater part of Insects have if any one would make any diligent trial thereof If a man be stinged of any venomous Wasps which is easily known by the blewnesse of the place madnesse raving and fainting of the party and coldnesse of the hands and feet after you have given him inwardly some Alexipharmacal medicine the place agrieved must be lanched or rather opened with a Cautery so being thus enlarged and opened the venom must be well sucked out and the paring or shaving of that earth wherein the Wasps build their nests must be wrought and kneaded with Vinegar and so applyed like a Cataplasm A plaister also made of Willow-leaves Mallows and the combe of Wasps is very medicinable for the same as by the counsel of Haly Abbas I have experimented The English Northern men do prepare most excellent emplaister worth gold against all stings of Wasps only of that earth whereof their Ovens are made having Vinegar and the heads of Flyes commixed therewith Let the place be very well rubbed with the juyce of Citrals and withall let the party that is pained drink of the seed of Marjoram beaten to powder the quantity of two drams or thus Take of the juyce of Marjoram two ounces of Bole Armony two drams with the juyce of unripe Grapes so much as is sufficient make an emplaister Another Anoint the place with the juyce of Purcelane Beets or sweet Wine and Oyl of Roses or with Cows bloud or with the seeds of the Spirting or wilde Cucumber called Noliâ—me tangere beaten with some Wine Thus far Galen Barley Meal wrought up with Vinegar and the Milk or juyce of a Fig-tree Brine or Sea-water are excellent for these griess as Dioscorides lib. 8 cap. 20. writeth if the wound be often fomented bathed or soaked with any of them To drink give two drams of the young and tender leaves of Bays with harsh Wine and if the part affected be only anointed with any of these they are much available In like sort the decoction of Marsh-mallows drunk with Vinegar and water are much commended and outwardly salt with Calves fat Oyl of Bays
nature spared the man that had but so cunningly carryed it And this is a wonderful work of Almighty GOD that so ordereth his actions in the nature of this Beast that he beguileth the cruel nature of the living by the tast and savour of the dead howbeit some think that the water Crocodile is daunted with the savour of the fat from the land Crocodile and the land Crocodile by the water again And some again say that all venomous Beasts run away from the savour of the fat thereof and therefore no marvail if it also be afraid being venomous as well as any other Wherefore the saying of Firmus was not to be attributed to any indulgence of the Crocodile toward their own kinde but rather to a deadly antipathy reflecting themselves upon themselves though not in shape and figure as the Cockatrice yet in sense savour and rancknesse of their pestiferous humor The use of Crocodiles taken is for their skin flesh caul and medicine arising out of it Their skin as it is exceeding hard upon their backs while they are alive so is it also when they are dead for with that the common people make them better armour then coats of Mail against Darts Spear or Shield as is well known in all Egypt at this day For the flesh of Crocodiles it is also eaten among those people that do not worship it as namely the people about Elephantina Apollinopolis Notwithstanding by the Law of God Levit. 11. it is accounted an unclean Beast yet the tast thereof being found pleasant and the relish good without respect of GOD or health the common people make use thereof The medicines arising out of it are also many The first place belongeth to the caul which hath moe benefits or vertues in it then can be expressed The bloud of a Crocodile is held profitable for many things and among other it is thought to cure the bitings of any Serpent Also by anointing the eyes it cureth both the dregs or spots of bloud in them and also restoreth soundnesse and clearnesse to the sight taking away all dulnesse or deadnesse from the eyes And it is said that if a man take the liquor which cometh from a piece of a Crocodile fryed and anoint there withall his wound or harmed part that then he shall be presently rid of all pain and torment The skin both of the land and water Crocodile dryed into powder and the same powder with Vinegar or Oyl laid upon a part or member of the body to be seared cut off or lanced taketh away all sense and feeling of pain from the instrument in the action All the Egyptians do with the fat or sewet of a Crocodile anoint all them that be sick of Feaversâ— for it hath the same operation which the fat of a Sea-dog or Dog-fish hath and if those parts o men and beasts which are hurt or wounded with Crocodiles teeth be anointed with this fat it also cureth them Being concocted with water and Vinegar and so rowled up and down in the mouth it cureth the tooth-ach and also it is outwardly applyed against the biting of Flies Spiders Worms and such like for this cause as also because it is thought to cure Wens bunches in the flesh and old wounds It is sold dear and held pretious in Alcair Scaliger writeth that it cureth the Gangren The canine teeth which are hollow filled with Frankincense and tyed to a man or woman which hath the Tooth-ach cureth them if the party know not of the carrying them about And so they write that if the little stones which are in their belly be taken forth and so used they work the same effect against Feavers The dung is profitable against the falling off of the hair and many such other things The biting of a Crocodile is very sharp deep and deadly so that wheresoever he layeth his teeth seldom or never followeth any cure But yet the counsel of Physitians is that so soon as the patient is wounded he must be brought into a close chamber where are no windows and there be kept without change of air or admission of light for the poyson of the Crocodile worketh by cold air and light and therefore by the want of both is to be cured But for remedy if any be they prescribe the same which is given for the cure of the biting of a mad Dog or as Avicen the biting of a Dog not mad But most proper is the dung of a man the Fish Garum and Mysy pounded together and so applyed or else the broth of salt sod flesh and such other things as are vulgarly known to every Physitian and therefore seeing we live in a countrey far from the annoyance of this Serpent I shall not need to blot any paper to expresse the cure of this poyson The Crocodile of Nilus only liveth on land and water all other are contented with one element the picture of the Crocodile was wont to be stamped upon coin and the skin hanged up in many famous Cities of the world for the admiration of the people and there is one at this day at Paris in France Of the Arabian or Egyptian LAND CROCODILE THe figure of this Crocodile sheweth evidently the difference betwixt him and the other of Nilus and beside it is neither so tall or long as is the other the which proportioned Beast is only particular to Egypt and Arabia and some because of his scaly head legs articles and claws have observed another difference in it from the former yet in his nature manner of living and preying upon other cattel it differeth not from that of the water The tail of this Crocodile is very sharp and standeth up like the edges of wedges in bunches above the ground wherewithal when he hath mounted himself up upon the back of a Beast he beateth and striketh the beast most cruelly to make him go with his Rider to the place of his most fit execution free from all rescue of his Heard-man or Pastor or annoyance of passengers where in most cruel and savage manner he teareth the limbs and parts one from another till he be devoured The Apothecaries of Italy have this Beast in their shops to be seen and they call it Caudiverbera that is a Tail-bearer for the reason aforesaid And thus there being nothing in this Beasts nature different from the former besides his figure and that which I have already expressed I will not trouble the Reader with any more Narration about it Of the LAND CROCODILE of Bresilia THe figure and proportion of this Serpent was altogether unknown in this part of the world till of late our discoverers and Navigators brought one of them out of Bresilia The length of it is about a fathom and the breadth as much as ten fingers broad the fore-legs have ten claws five upon a foot the hinder-legs eight and both before and behinde they are of equal length
of the poyson of Frogs First therefore the poyson of the Frog causeth swelling in the body depelleth the colour bringeth difficulty of breathing maketh the breath strong and an involuntary profusion of seed with a general dulnesse and restinesse of body for remedy whereof let the party be inforced to vomit by drinking sweet Wine and two drams of the powder of the root of Reeds or Cypresse Also he must be inforced to walking and running besides daily washing But if a Fever follow the poyson or burning in the extremities let the vomit be of water and Oyl or Wine and Pitch or let him drink the bloud of a Sea-tortoise mixed with Cummine and the rennet of a Hare or else sweat in a Furnace or Hot-house a long time besides many other such like remedies which every Physitian both by experience and reading is able to minister in cases of necessity and therefore I will spare my further pains from expressing them in this place and passe on to the medicinal vertues of the Toad and so conclude this history We have shewed already that the Toad is a cold creature and therefore the same sod in water and the body anointed therewith causeth hair to fall off from the members so anointed There is a medicine much commended against the Gowt which is this Take six pound of the roots of wilde Cucumber six pound of sweet Oyl of the marrow of Harts Turpentine and Wax of either six ounces and six Toads alive the which Toads must be bored through the foot and hanged by a thred in the Oyl until they grow yellow then take them out of the Oyl by the threds and put into the said Oyl the sliced root of a Cucumber and there let it seethe until al the vertue be left in the Oyl Afterwards melt the Wax and Turpentine and then put them all together in a glasse so use them morning and evening against the Gowt Sciatica and pains of the sinews and it hath been seen that they which have lyen long sick have been cured thereof and grown perfectly well and able to walk Some have added unto this medicine Oyl of Saffron Opobalsamum bloud of Tortoises Oyl of Sabine Swines grease Quicksilver and Oyl of Bays For the scabs of Horses they take a Toad killed in wine and water and so sod in a brazen vessel and afterwards anoint the Horse with the liquor thereof It is also said that Toads dryed in smoak or any piece of them carryed about one in a linnen cloth do stay the bleeding at the nose And this Frederick the Duke of Saxony was wont to practise in this manner he had ever a Toad pierced through with a piece of wood which Toad was dryed in the smoak or shadow this he rowled in a linnen cloth and when he came to a man bleeding at the nose he caused him to hold it fast in his hand until it waxed hot and then would the bloud be stayed Whereof the Physitians could never give any reason except horror and fear constrained the bloud to run into his proper place through fear of a Beast so contrary to humane nature The powder also of a Toad is said to have the same vertue according to this verse Buffo ustus sistit naturae dote cruorem In English thus A Toad that is burned to ashes and dust Stays bleeding by gift of Nature just The skin of a Toad and shell of a Tortoyse either burned or dryed to powder cureth the Fistulaes Some add hereunto the root of Laurel and Hen-dung Salt and Oyl of Mallows The eyes of the Toad are received in Ointment against the Worms of the belly And thus much shall suffice to have spoken of the history of the Toad and Frogs Of the GREEN SERPENTS IN Valois there are certain Green-serpents which of their color are called Grunling and I take them to be the same which Hesychius called Sauritae and Pliny by a kinde of excellency Snakes of whom we shall speak afterwards for I have no more to say of them at this present but that they are very venomous And it may be that of these came the common proverb Latet Anguis sub herba under the green herb lyeth the Green-snake for it is a friendly admonition unto us to beware of a falshood covered with a truth like unto it Of the HAEMORRHE THis Serpent hath such a name given unto it as the effect of his biting worketh in the bodies of men for it is called in Latine Haemorrbous to signifie unto us the male and Haemorrbois to signifie the female both of them being derived from the Greek word Aima which signifieth bloud and Reo which signifieth to flow because whomsoever it biteth it maketh in a continual bleeding sweat with extremity of pain until it die It is also called Affodius and Afudius Sabrine and Halsordius or Alsordius which are but corrupted barbarous names from the true and first word Haemâ—rrbous It is doubtful whether this be to be ascribed to the Asps or to the Vipers for Isidorus saith it is a kinde Asp and Aelianus a kinde of Viper They are of a sandy colour and in length not past one foot or three handfuls whose tail is very sharp or small their eyes are of a flery-flaming colour their head small but hath upon it the appearance of horns When they goe they go straight and slowly as it were halting and wearily whose pace is thus described by Nicander Et instar Ipsius obliquae sua parvula terga Cerastae Claudicat ex medio videas appellere dorso Paroum navigium terit imam lubrica terram Alvus haud alio tacitè trahit ilia 〈…〉 tu Ac per Arundineum si transeat illa grabatum In English thus And like the Horned-serpent so trails this elf on land As though on back a little boat it drave His sliding belly makes paths be seen in sand As when by bed of Reeds she goes her life to save The scales of this Serpent are rough and sharp for which cause they make a noyse when they goe on the earth the female resteth her self upon her lower part neer her tayl creeping altogether upon her belly and never holdeth up her head but the male when he goeth holdeth up his head their bodies are all set over with black spots and themselves are thus paraphrstically described by Nicander Vnum longa pedem totoque gracillima tractu Ignea quandoque est quandoque est candida forma Constrictumque satis collum et tenuissima cauda Bina super gelidos oculos frons cornua profert Splendentem quadam radiorum albentia luce Silvestres ut apes populatricesque Locustae Insuper horribile ac asprum caput hortet Which may be Englished in this manner following On foot in length and slender all along Sometime of fiery hue sometime milk-white it is The neck bound in and tayl most thin and strong Whose fore-head hath two horns above cold eyes Which in their light resemble shining beams Like
showres and very much rain a thing fatall to Islands do yeeld such extraordinary pure honey that it hath not the least mixture of venome and doth last a long time before it be corrupted or putrified that we do not speak of its excellent whiteness hardness sweetness hanging well together viscosity and ponderousness and other principal signs of the goodness of it But let us leave off to commend our own Countrey wherein good is to be found and set forth those Countreys which are infamous for the badness of it For the extreme bitterness the Cholchian honey and next the Corsican and in some places the Hungarian and the Sardinian hath an ill name For in Sardinia Wormwood in Corsica Rose-lawrel in Colâ—his the venomous Yew and all of them in Hungary Also the honey is venomous in Heraclea of Pontus and in the flowers of Goats-bane fading with the wetness of the spring for then the flowers contract that hurtfull venome which doth presently infect the honey-dew that falls upon them There is also another kinde of pernicious honey made which from the madness that it causeth is termed Mad-honey which Pliny conceiveth to be contracted from the flower of a certain shrub very frequently growing there in the woods Dioscorides and Aetius do not amiss impute this poyson to be caused of great plenty of the venomous herb called Libbardsbane or Wolf-wort which groweth there in that it is cured with the very same remedies as the venome of that herb is In Carina Persis Mauritania and Getulia bordering to Massesulia either by reason of vapours of the earth or by reason of the virulent and poysonous juice of the plants poysoned honey-combs are produced but are descried by their duskie or blackish colour In Trapezuntum in the Countrey of Pontus Pliny reports of a certain honey that is gathered of the flowers of the Box-tree which as it doth make those that are well sick with the noysome smell of it so those that are not well it restores to health On the trees of the Heptocometanes a people near unto Cholchis there growes a kinde of infectious honey The which poyson being drank makes men stupid and out of their wits This was sent by the enemy to the three Legions of Pompey with a token for the desire of peace they drinking very freely of it were put both besides their wits and their lives too as Strabo saith Ovid makes mention of the Corsick honey very infamous being extracted from the flower of Hemlock speaking thus I think it 's Corsick Honey and the Bee From the cold Hemlocks flowers gathered thee But yet it may seem to be not so much for Dame Natureâ— honour that she should bring forth a thing so desired of all men as honey is and so ordinarily to temper it with poyson Nay but in so doing she did not amiss so to permit it to be that thereby she might make men more cautious and lesse greedy and to excite them not only to use that which should be wholesome but to seek out for Antidotes against the unwholsomeness of it And for that cause she hath hedged the Rose about with prickles given the Bees a sting hath infected the Sage with Toad-spittle mixed poyson and that very deadly too with Honey Sugar and Manna The signs of poysoned honey are these it staines the honey-comb with a kinde of Lead-colour doth not become thick it looks of a bright shining glistering hew sharp or bitter in taste and hath a strange and 〈…〉 th smell it is far more ponderous then the other as soon as it is taken it causeth neâ—sing and a loosness of the belly accompanied with excess of sweating They which have drunk it dâ— tumble themselves up and down upon the cold earth very desirous of refrigeration The 〈◊〉 poy 〈…〉 honey hath the same symptomes with the poyson of Wolfâ—â—ane and hath the same way of cure Galen reports that two Physicians in Rome tasted but a very small quantity of poysoned honey and fell down dead in the open Market-place Against madness from eating honey Dioscorides prescribes Rue to be eaten and salt fish and honey and water to be drank but being taken they must be vomited up again and he prescribes the same remedie against this disease as he doth against Wolfs-bane and Rose-lawrel and Pliny agrees with him also he adds one singular antidote to eat a fish called a Gilt-head which also wonderfully corrects the loathing of good honey Gulielmus Placontia bids to cause vomit abundantly with syrup of Violets acetosus simplex and warm water eating salt fish before vo-miting Afterwards he gives Theriac with hot vinegar Christophanus de honest is perswades vo-miting and to set cold water under the nosthrils with the flowers of Violets Water-lillies and Fleawort But his Bezoar stone are Quince kernels bruised and given with hot water as Sanctus Ardoinas relates Avicenna hath prescribed nothing worth speaking of but what he had from others for I understand not what he means by his Aumeli But what if I a youth and an English man after so many grave and experienced Physicians should asseâ—t this for a certain Antidote viz. to take nothing down but the Bees themselves The likelyhood of the conjecture doth perswade and reason it self doth somewhat seem to favour it For unless that Dame Nature had given to these Bees a very marvellous power against poysoned honey as amongst men to the Psilli against Serpents to Storks and Peacocks amongst the Birds without all doubt with gathering of it swallowing of it and for some time keeping of it in their bodies yea concocting of it there they would be grievously pained and the poyson running and dispersing it self through all the parts would kill them Now the Terrestrial honey although it be not alwaies poysonous yet by reason of the blackness and clamminess of it 't is not much to be commended also it is often found to be subject to be infected by the venomous breath of Serpents Toads red Toads and therefore is carefully to be avoided Now let us come to the Qualities of Honey whereof some are first or primary others derived from them some formal some specifical which we deservedly call Energetical or operative In respect of the first Crasis or temper Honey is thought to be hot and dry in the second degree for which cause Galen did forbid those that are in Hectick Feavers and in all Feavers young men or those that have the yellow Jaundies to use it whereas in cold distempers he doth very much commend it and did prescribe it to those that were troubled with a raw and watry stomach whom if you gently anoint therewith it doth very much nourish and causeth a good colour and constitution of body If you desire to know the second qualities of honey viz. the smelling tasting visible tactile the best honey ought not to have the eminent quality of any herb or other thing whatsoever and therefore the honey that doth strongly smell of
Attick Honey Butter oyl of Roses and as much warm water Marcellus Empyricus used to infuse into the ear that was pained The same also very much commends honey mingled or kneaded with the ordure of a young Infant to cure the dulness of the sight and the white spots in the eye Vegetius by this means cures the watery eyes and dropping of the eyes caused by rheume or distillation First of all a little below the eye he drawes bloud and anoints them with the purest honey till it be whole But yet care must be had as Columella very well hints that as often as the eyes are anointed with honey they be besmeared round about with melted pitch and oyl lest the Wasps and Bees infest and hurt them Hear also what Marcellus saith touching the clearing up of the eyes and he prescribes this The honey pure and neat wherein the Bees are dead let that drop into the eyes or honey mixt with the ashes of the heads of Bees makes the eyes very clear And again mingle Attick honey with the first ordure the Infant makes together with the milk of the Nurse and with that anoint the eyes that are so dull what ever the cause of it be but first of all you must binde the patient to a form or ladder for otherwise such is the strength of the medicine that he will not be able to endure it Which is such a present remedy that in three daies it will fully restore the sight and take away every blemish of the eye The Gall of a Vulture mingled with the juice of Horehound twice as much in weight as the gall is and two parts of honey cures the suffusion of the eyes Gal. in Euporist Otherwhere he mingles one part of the gall of the Sea-Tortoise and four times as much honey and anoints the eyes with it Serenus prescribes such a receipt to cause one to be quick sighted Mingle Hyblâ—an honey with the gall Of Goats 't is good to make one see withall Give Infants butter and honey for nothing is better for their breeding teeth and for sore mouths Galen bids us rub their gums with nothing but honey For it wonderfully helps to their breeding of teeth preserving cleansing and beautifying of them Also against the pain of the jawes If with Arabian honey you joyn field-poppy it 〈◊〉 it And sometimes pure honey is mingled with clear water and this as Serenus and Pliny testifie doth notably cure the driness of the tongue in Feavers the Quinsie and the diseases of the Uvula Throat Jawes of the Tonsils against difficulty of breathing and to cause one to expectorate either by it self or mingled with other things it is highly commended by Hippocrates And for the convulsion of the laps of the lungs which useth to be a deadly disease the drinking of cold water and of that wherein a honey-comb is steeped is very effectual Also if the stomack be not hot cholerick bitter nauseating or feaverish it makes it strong and vigorous and nourisheth it much not suffering milk to curdle in it it cleanseth the reins boyled with water and butter it is good against the stone Avicenna It easeth the pain of the spleen but it must be outwardly applyed with the dead Bees for taken inwardly it hurts both the liver and the spleen saith Galen When it is raw it looseneth the belly but boyled with the Bees or with new cheese it bindes the belly so much that Galen holds it to be a secret against the Dysentery and colick passions so doth Celsus also and Pliny Hippocrates mingled honey with all Medicaments that were to soften the belly Honey mingled with rosin is a cure for the cold Testicles as Pliny saith who also affirms that the ashes of Oxe-leather mingled with honey cures all running sores and botches Nitre with honey and Cowes milk cures ulcers of the face and the froth of honey with oyl of Walnuts amends the burning of the skin it is excellent for old people and such as have cold stomachs and being boyled it discusses wind and moves urine mightily Galen Hollerius reckoneth honey amongst Diaphoreticks because it openeth and maketh the passages clear Galen placeth it amongst Diureticks It layeth down its acrimony by being mingled with water or being boyled and therefore Galen prescribes boyled honey to close up ulcers that are hollow Salt with meal and honey takes away the pain of a joynt that is dislocated discusses the swelling and makes it more apt to be reduced I might here set down the plaister of Aetius and Aegineta called Diamelleum the Tapsimel of Arden and all syrups that were anciently made of honey In whose place the Neotericks have put sugar but I know not by what reason For if honey of Athens or some as good be at hand and doth not want its due preparation do not use sugar that is earthly reedy and so full of dregs not comparable either for use original or any way whatsoever with this heavenly dew honey But to let this pass let us reckon up the kinds of drinks and meats made of honey Six kindes of honey-drink the Ancients made principally Honey and water honey and wine honey and vinegar the washing of the combs juice of some grapes and honey sea-water and honey The first is called by Pollux and Nicander Hydromel or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Galen Pliny Aegineta and Dioscorides have set down the making of it Hydromel of Galen Take sweet pure clean fountain water 8. pounds the best honey 1. pound boyle them at a soft fire in an earthen vessel take off the skim a top oft times and boyl it to its thickness If it must be drunk presently it must be made thin as water if it must be setup to keep boyl it longer till it be thick as a julep if it be kept long it pierceth deeper into the parts far off and is sooner converted into choler Also boyling acquires to it many more faculties for being little boyled it inflates more it purges more and nourisheth lesse Longer boyled sit dissipates wind nourisheth more and purges lesse It is spiced at pleasure with Ginger Saffron Gallia Moschata Lignum aloes c. It is made also another way of honey 1. pound water 8. pound leaven 3. ovnces put all in a wooden vessel leaving three or four fingers empty that it may work the better when it hath done working stop the vessel and let it be well hoopt and after three months it will be fit to drink Hydromel of Pliny Take of pure rain-water that hath been kept five years 12 pound boyl it to thirds add to it a third part of old honey and in the dog-daies set it in the sun for 40 daies and letting it so stand on the tenth day stop the vessel this is called Hydromel that with age will taste like wine made no where better than in Phrygia It was given to sick people that desired wine but now it hath been forbidden many years Hydromel of Aegineta Take the
All these as also all made Wines are condemned by Themison a chief writer Galen prepares it thus Let the best honey be clarified and add so much wine-vinegar to it that it may please the sick mans palate boyl them till they are well mingled and when you will use it mingle as much water as you please it is boyled enough when it sends forth no more scum Some there are perhaps that deliver these compositions somewhat otherwise and Dioscorides he differs from Misues and Nicolaus from them both In Misue you shall finde ten several sorts of it in Nicolaus I have seen seventeen some simple some compound with Squills Thyme Flower de luce and other herbs and roots Also Gesner brought in an Oxymel with Hellebore which he commends not a little in his Greek Epistle to Adolphus Otto To make thin thick and clammy humours and to root them out but especially to make way for insensible transpiration that is to draw forth from the center to the superficies of the body But you shall finde every where scattered in the Book of his Epistles what force it hath against Melancholy Cacheria Dropsies Epilepsies and Feavers where also you have the Oxymels made with Hellebore the great and the small 4. Apomeli of Philagrius in Aegineta Take white combs full of honey 1 pound fountain-water 3 pound and half break the combs and press out the honey boyl this water and honey together untill the froth of it and that which as it were the waxy part swim a top and be by degrees taken off when it is cool put it into a vessel It cools lightly as Galen saith wherefore in Phlegmone and weariness in a Feaver it is very good Avicenna his syrup of Honey seems to be the same with this In Nicolaus you shal finde three kinds of Apomeli and in Aetius Oribasius Actuarius yet more for they are changed according to the nature of the disease and the sick patient that is the reason that we had rather only touch upon them then to describe them at large It is drunk all the summer to cool the body at which time any man may drink of it especially when it growes sowrish it is held to be of a middle nature between a Mulsum and an Oxymel Galen It is also useful to expectorate with to move urine to purge the belly and to â—ut thick humours Aegineta Ruelius 5. Omphacomeli which Grapoldus did not well translate Bitter honey it is made of the juice of unripe grapes 3 saxtarii and 1 sextarius of honey boyled together or set a sunning for 40 daies when it hath done working put it in a veslel and stop it close and keep it for your uâ—e The same way almost is Melomeli of Quinces made Rhodomeli of roses honey of Myrtils Rhoites Rhodostacte c. you may finde their descriptions and use in Aetius 6. Thalassiomeli is made of equal parts of sea-water rain-water and honey purified and set in the sun in a pitched vessel in the Dog-daies some to two parts of sea-water add one part of honey and so tun it up They both purge but this hath far the less Gorraeus It is pleasant in taste and smell it purgeth gently without troubling the stomach at all Pliny And thus much of Honied drinks It would be too long for me and tedious to the Reader should I set down all kinde of Meats which the Athenians provided with honey and other ingredients therefore it shall not be needfull to rehearse them and it may be it is impossible for divers Nations did variously mingle honey with other things as with milk meat flour wheat cheese and with Sesama whence are these meats made of honey called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Juncates or honeymeats and wafers they have divers names as the thing is made Athenaeus They sacrificed to Ceres this bread of felicity as the Scholiast upon Nicander sheweth we call it honey-bread Also the Scripture teacheth that the nations offered wafers made with honey to the Sun and Moon and to the Queen of heaven wherefore Moses forbad the Israelites to offer honey in their offerings unto God Leviticus the 2. But it may be that was rather forbid the Jewes because honey hath a power of fermenting Also they made it with suet fresh cheese oyl and raisins also to cause sleep the Ancients made a kinde of meat of honey and poppy-seed very pleasant which they called Cocetum as Festus reports Also Ambrosia which was held to be the meat of the gods had that exceeding sweetness whereby it was thought to be so healthful from honey to make men immortal of which Athenaeus and Bellonius write at large But the Indians have the best and the most wholsome juncates who were held to be Barbarians but the truth is they may for their wit be compared with any in Europe and for what I can see to be preferred before them But before honey be used it must be clarified which is thus performed Take honey and fountain water distilled of each 2 pound or as much as you please boyl them and skim off all that swims a top till all the water be consumed Then clarifie it with 12 whites of Eggs. Abynzoar But if you make it hard pure and fast together mingle half a pound of the best wine to one pound of honey thus clarified boyl them skimming them till they grow hard put it in a vial and set it in boyling water and it will grow clear and stony like sugar-candy If honey be but mean it will grow better by boyling whether honey be sophisticate or pure you shall know by bâ—rning it for what is not sophisticate will burn purely The Author of the Geoponicon But if you would separate the quintessence of honey oyl salt water vinegar see Isaac Belga the treasure of Euonymus and other Chymists we will not venture into this ocean being already plunged in the harbour Now I shall shew you its first inventers Saturn was the first inventer of honey as Macrobius and they of Cyrene boast Caliâ—s and Pliny say that Aristaeus first invented honey-works But Diodorus Siculus writes that the Curetes of Crete first found out the use and way of honey Some ascribe this to the Thessalians Others to Melissus the most ancient King of the Greeks Some to Bacchus as Ovid testifieth The Greeks feign that a Nymph called Melissa first found out honey and the use of it and thence she had her Name given her from Bees Who found it or when it is not much matter It is a heavenly gift and very profitable for men if they use it well and warily CHAP. VI. Concerning Wax Bee-glew dregs of Wax Pissoceros Bees-bread and of their Nature and Use WAx in Hebrew Donagh in Arabick Mum Examacha Zamache Aberan in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in High Duch Wachs in English Wax in Brabant Wass in French Cire in Italian Cera in Spanish Cicrai it is either natural
wind creeps between the skin and flesh which hapneth no doubt by the flux of humours melted by the poison and the vapours elevated upwards The lips are of a strong colour to wit of a dead violet In the mouth there is the like poysonous taste the stomach belly and guts do ake extremely the urine is stopt the body is ill all over as also the head and brain are sensible of it A remedy of this is Salt-peter taken in Wine and Oxe gall Useful to that purpose is womans milk suckt out abundantly and in defect cowes goats or sheeps milk Womans urine drank and vomited up again but before a vomit they ought not be given because by that means the Feaver would be more sharp Dioscor First of all therefore of good store of Wine sodden or with oyl of Myttle Bacon lard or fat Pork broth or with good store oyl of Olive or boyled Wine a Vomit is to be made New Wine drank freely is held to be a special remedy against the Buprestis Galen and Ardoynus Pliny commends Nitre with water or Laserwort Asa dulcis Wine and Honey or Bezoin dissolved in warm water or take red Nitre 4. drams and in warm water or Posca cause Vomit After vomit there must be means used for purgation afterwards use dry Figs as Galen prescribeth or a decoction of them in old generose Wine when the fit begins to bate The Thebane date is prescribed to eat alone or bruised in sweet Wine or womans Milk all kinde of Pears and oyl of blossomes of Apples are much commended for this use Nicander commends wood-pears for that I think he means by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and especially Myrtle berries following the authority of Dioscorides For that they do refrigerate and bind and by that means do asâ—wage the hot nature of the Buprestis and help the weakness of the stomach But heed must be taken they be not eaten while the body is yet swoln lest the disease be increased by the poyson being kept in Some with good reason give 31. berries of bladder Nightshade and with Almonds the make Almond-milk together with the decoction of Lettice Violets Borage Bugloss garden Nightshade Plantain Raisins and the great cold Seeds Aetius gives the root of Scorpion grass in sweet Wine to drink Many extoll the wings and feet of the Cantharides for an Antidote against the Buprestis but either it hath an opposite quality by antipathy which makes good that opinion or else we may suspect it to be false If an Horse or an Oxe eat one of these flies presently he swels growes mad and shortly after bursteth and dieth So Aelian 6. de Anim. c. 35. and Hierocles a Greek writer witnesseth it He bids to binde the horses head and to open the veins about his nostrils that the bloud may run forth of his mouth and to rub it with Coleworts and give him Fish-pickle and Oyl and Vegetius likewise almost in the same words If a Horse or an Oxe eat a Buprestis with the grass his belly will instantly swell he is inflated all over he refuseth his meat and he often and by little and little sends forth his dung To cure this Absyrtus and Vigetius prescribe one and the same remedy presently get upon the Horse and cause him to gallop as fast as he is able afterwards let him bloud a little in the roof of his mouth and let him swallow the bloud as it runs forth chewing it in his mouth then keep him continually walking let his diet be wheat steeped in sweet Wine with Leeks given him with a horn in Wine warm well beaten with Raisins Some as Praxanus taught them pour Oyl into the nostrils of the Oxe l. 17. c. 17. To Goats that are swoln with the Buprestis apply Bacon-lard or pour the fat broth of it down their throat saith the same Author The Cynoprestis seems to be the same with the Buprestis for that works the same effects in Dogs as this doth in Cattel or if it be a different sort of creature from this I confess ingenuously I have not met with it CHAP. XX. Of the Cantharides or Spanish Fly I Know not what the reason was that the Cantharides above the rest so well known of so great use in Physick were omitted by Pennius and Gesner Which task notwithstanding I shal willingly undertake and thus I begin their History The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greek is the same in Latine in French it is Cantaride in Italian Catarella in Spanish Cubillo in the German Tongue Grune Kefer Goldkefer in Low Dutch Spaensche Vlieghe in English Cantharides or Spanish Fly Of the Cantharides two sorts have come to our knowledge the one greater the other lesse Of the greater sort there are some thick and long taken in wheat and fat likewise as the Blats are drawn with variety of golden lines which in the wings run athwart and those are accounted of the best use in Physick Others are lesse and lean hairy called the innermost not so fit for medicine Of the greater sort also not all are of a glittering green but some of them of a sad red but all of them of an inexpressible splendor and very pleasant to the eye Their virtue consists in burning the body causing a crust or as Dioscorides will have it to corrode cause exulceration and provoke heat and for that reason are used mingled with medicines that are to heat the Lepry Tettars and Cancerous sores And in being mixt with Cecots or fit plaisters they do cure deformities of the nails causing them to fall off They are used in medicines for Corns on the feet or hands Some anoint the places where the hair 〈◊〉 off with Cantharides bruised and liquid Pitch the skin being prepared with Nitre they are good for Cauteries but care must be had that they do not ulcerate so deep then some command to annoint those ulcers made with the heads of with the gall or dung of Mice mixt with Helleboâ—e and Pepper Cantharides mixt with quick Lime cure Botches as if you should cut them off with a razour Some use to cast a little of them into Medicaments to provoke urine But there is a great question of it because they are poyson drank in respect of the bladder that they afflict with perpetual tomentâ— But these is no question but in oyntment they may do good with the juyce of wilde Vine or with Sheeps or Goats suet Some of my Masters put only their wings and their feet into Medicaments that provoke urine We saith Galen are wont to cast in the Cantharides whole and we judge those to be the best that are found in wheat and have a yellow girdle running athwart their wings to adorn them L. 3. l. 11. desimpl fac also put under they mightily provoke the terms and put to medicaments for the Dropsie they are a very good antidote against it as not only Hippocrates and Dioscorides but Galen Avicenna Rhasis
the 〈◊〉 of a King 〈…〉 being added to it for it signified 〈…〉 ght and just administration of things But he saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 their Images that wanted hands those represented â—udges who ought to be free from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 amongst these there was oâ—◠〈◊〉 that 〈◊〉 his eyes which represented the chief Judge because he ought to be 〈◊〉 all 〈◊〉 and to look 〈◊〉 business and to hear of 〈◊〉 〈…〉 mans person It was 〈…〉 as the proverb is 〈…〉 〈◊〉 a Seal amongst the sacred Images And what did 〈◊〉 wise The old 〈◊〉 intimate to us thereby 〈…〉 but 〈◊〉 and invinâ—ible Captain 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith as much that no man may suppose 〈◊〉 I 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 yoâ—â— common Th 〈…〉 use â—o 〈◊〉 â—â—legories But some 〈◊〉 follow may say what hath a 〈◊〉 to be compared with 〈◊〉 Commander in an Army Truly they agre◠〈◊〉 many things First you see the 〈◊〉 all in 〈◊〉 and there is 〈…〉 of its body but is guarded with plates and hardness 〈…〉 〈◊〉 said to be 〈◊〉 arm 〈…〉 in compleat armour and â—enced 〈…〉 his warlike march with a horrid and terrible humming what is there 〈…〉 sounding of 〈◊〉 whâ—◠〈…〉 of 〈…〉 〈◊〉 that Kings now so much â—â—light in the 〈◊〉 could 〈…〉 the 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 Asle 〈…〉 Asse was held abominable amongst 〈…〉 〈…〉 drivinâ—◠〈◊〉 burden its i 〈…〉 ible 〈…〉 age and 〈…〉 of life 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 say 〈◊〉 â—o females amongst 〈◊〉 but they 〈◊〉 all 〈◊〉 What can 〈◊〉 bes 〈…〉 no◠〈◊〉 his camp 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 allow others to have them 〈…〉 this is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 that in those 〈…〉 oâ— they exclude their young 〈…〉 bring 〈◊〉 up and they 〈◊〉 other place to breed in thâ—â— they have to 〈…〉 is not 〈…〉 war can better do it who know how to 〈…〉 their 〈◊〉 or on â—he bare 〈…〉 that 〈…〉 the Beetle have a face like a Cat a creature familiar with us and more useful 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is desired for its self yet in that respect the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it and prefer it before all other Insects by many degrees 〈◊〉 Lastly iâ— a horse 〈◊〉 beautiful in his kindes and a dog in his why should not the Beetle be so in its kinde unless we measure tha◠〈◊〉 of all things by our own that what is not like in must be held to be ugly No man oâ— a found minde will finde fault with the colour of it for it sets forth some jewels and in special the Diamond that is the chiefest 〈◊〉 Lastly no man will think the Bettle at all despicable who shall consider with himself that Magicians and Physitians â—etch remedies from this 〈◊〉 for the greatest diseases for they are not only carried in mens purses but also hang'd about their necks and ofttimes 〈◊〉 up 〈◊〉 gold against all childrens diseases What will you say if in the most effectual and incredible remedies almost for Pliny is the Author of it it hath equal force with 〈◊〉 for that terrible Beetle 〈◊〉 on an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a present remedy against all 〈◊〉 and no leâ—s effectual than that Mâ—ly which 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 gave Vlyssâ—â— Nor is it good only against these but it is also very useful if any 〈◊〉 be about to go before the King upon any occasion â—o so that such a ring ought especially to be worn by them that intend to beg of Noblemen some jolly preferment or some rich Province It keeps away likewise the head 〈◊〉 which truly is no small mischief especially to great drinkers Who them can despise the Beetle whose very image engraven upon stones hath so great vertue The mentioning of precious stones puts me in minds of adding this also that if the Eagle delight in the precious stone of her name the 〈◊〉 the Beetle comes not behinde her in it a share of the same honour for the stone Ca 〈…〉 rias also â—owes its name to it wonderfully resembling the whole 〈◊〉 of the creature so that one would say it is not the shape represented but a living and true beetle inclosed in the stone Moreover this iâ—pure and filthy creature 〈◊〉 boyled with worms in oyl of Roses doth very well cuâ—â— the pains of the eats Pliâ— A 〈…〉 prescribes the Beetles called Pilularii being stamped alone to be boyled without 〈◊〉 which the Author of the Book ad 〈◊〉 approves also 〈◊〉 1â— Sylvaticâ—â— chap. 94. writer thus out of 〈◊〉 The Dung 〈◊〉 help the pains of the womb they provoke urine and monethly termes they procure Abortion with 〈◊〉 they are good to heal the Haemorrhoids and they help 〈…〉 which comes of venomes infused by living creatures and the oyl in which they are 〈◊〉 takes away the pains of the ears The later writers commend thâ—se Beetles 〈◊〉 among the remedies for the Stone especially Alex 〈…〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 makes for the 〈◊〉 the Stone thâ—â— kinde of powder which is no ordinary oneâ— Burn the Dung-beetle or any other after the same manner as you do Grashâ—ppeâ—â— or Scorpions Take of the 〈◊〉 of 〈…〉 of 〈◊〉 j. dram of Pigeons dung j. dram and a half let them be 〈◊〉 and a powder made of them The Dose 〈◊〉 j. dram with water of the 〈◊〉 of 〈…〉 For 〈…〉 this ointment is very much commended Take of oyntment 〈◊〉 j. ounce of oyl of Roses in which 〈◊〉 Beetles and as many 〈◊〉 have boyled a good while j. ounce and half of 〈…〉 them incorporate and be made into an oyntment 〈◊〉 〈…〉 reports that he had gotten of his master 〈…〉 against the Convulsion made of Beetles after this manner Take of Pepper 〈◊〉 Pellitory of Spain each alike of Beetles to the weight of all the rest 〈◊〉 them all being brought to a powder and mixt together in a bath with juyce of 〈…〉 much as 〈…〉 〈…〉 of an oyntment with which let the 〈◊〉 of the 〈…〉 templeâ— with 〈…〉 back-bone be anointed Moreover 〈…〉 awakening of such as are troubled with the Dead sleep and 〈…〉 rides 〈…〉 have done 〈◊〉 good two or three Dung 〈…〉 put up 〈…〉 half a 〈…〉 to be made fast about the â—â—pe of the 〈…〉 well 〈…〉 the muscles of the fore 〈…〉 of the arms on every 〈◊〉 one 〈…〉 〈◊〉 because this doth wonderfully 〈◊〉 up 〈◊〉 as are 〈…〉 〈◊〉 saith 〈◊〉 awakend done that had been held with a 〈◊〉 for 〈…〉 with this remedy having tried all others in vain and 〈◊〉 him afterward with 〈…〉 the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉 blister it The Dung 〈◊〉 are best for this purpose 〈…〉 which 〈…〉 be found under stones and then they which are found in a 〈◊〉 The 〈…〉 of using iâ— which 〈…〉 〈…〉 testifie they have 〈◊〉 confirm 〈…〉 by many 〈◊〉 Yet the 〈◊〉 will 〈…〉 credit when foolishly rather than truly they report and 〈…〉 〈…〉 that is adorned with golden 〈◊〉 â—ut 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 water with 〈…〉 tempestâ— Pli◠〈…〉 I say 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 Eagle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the 〈…〉 by 〈◊〉 in whose nests Beeth 〈…〉 which our 〈◊〉 first 〈…〉 〈◊〉 that they serve for this use also to feed 〈◊〉 Nay 〈…〉 living 〈◊〉 especially 〈◊〉 that
terrible smell I confess ingenuously that I never yet saw it nor know whether it be so by a contrariety in our land or climate Concerning the field Whurl we read thus in Theophrastus as Gaza hath interpreted of small wilde creatures that are bred outwardly that is not in the roots but without them none of them will feed on roots except the Whurl and that leaves none untouched for it is the proper nature of this Insect George Agricola a most learned Philosopher writes thus of Whurls that feed on roots The Whurlworm is found under the earth wrapt up near the roots which truly I could never observe and hence it hath its name Sphondyle from a little wherve or whirl It is so long and thick as ones little finger a red head the rest of the body white but that it is black above where it swels when it is full This plague of Orchards which wants not feet for it hath six feet and doth not creep eats up the pils about the roots of young trees nor doth it at all forbear the roots of wilde Cucumers black Chameleon Centaury hogs Fennel Birthwort Briony which no other Insect whatsoever will touch This Whurl without all doubt is the Insect that Malleolus in his Book of his filthy Exorcisms brings in these words There is saith he a certain worm which the Germans call Engar or Ingar it liveth under the earth is so long as ones middle finger of a white colour a black head six feet which by turning about furrowing and turning up the earth and eating the roots maketh plants barren The third year after its generation it breaks forth like flying Pismires which like their predecessors stick about trees and consume the fruit Then they call it Lawbkaefer In the Diocess of Mentz there were such multitudes of them that all remedies were attempted in vain only they were driven away by charms for so Malleolus reports Cordus also speaks of them Spondyles are worms under ground the Germans call them Engar or Ingar called so from the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 CHAP. VII Of a Catterpiller called Staphylinus GAza translates Staphylinos a Parsnip either by sleepy carelesness or rather ignorance but as it appears in the short expositions of Nicander the ancient Physicians knew it not sufficiently For the Scholiast writes that Staphylinus is a little creature like a Whurl others say it is like the Spanish Fly Hippocrates speaks once of it but describes it not Aristotle treating of the diseases of Horses cals it an incurable disease if a horse swallow a Staphylinus that is like to a Whurl But Absyrtus writes thus A Staphylinus is like to a Whurl that is about houses but is greater it is bred every where in the fields and goes holding up the tail Whence I perceive it were no hard matter to know a Staphylinus if the home bred Whurls were not unknown to us But that I may do my part and satisfie my Reader I will produce two Insects with their figures which I cannot tell whether they may be called Staphylini or not But that they are not far different from them is more than a conjecture The first as you see is all shining black not much unlike to Beetles but the body is more slender and longer The whole body is two fingers square or somewhat less in length the tail is with two forks which whilest it flies away for it will fly away and run very swiftly it lifts up as it were in its own defence and thrusts out like two short stings very white but we never saw it sting or strike with them and the stings are too small and soft to enter when he puts out these stings in anger it pours forth with them a white and thick substance but softer than a moist ointment It lives most under ground yet it is often seen amongst corn above the earth But I cannot say that it is like to the Whurl that Aristotle or Absyrtus speaks of The countrey people in Kent hold this to be a venomous creature and that Oxen are swollen by this poyson as they are with eating Long-legs It appears indeed that this Staphylinus is a venomous creature not only from their report but by the authority of Aristotle and Nicander I received the second kinde of Staphylinus a Worm of a wonderful form from a Nobleman Edmund Knivet exactly deciphered with his own hand and they are very common in Norfolk in England He hath a small head of a dark colour from red almost round the mouth is small and forked Next the head it hath three feet on each side the two former of them are short like to Catterpillers the other four are almost of a bloudy colour four times as long In the middle of the body under the belly it hath eight feet that are blunt as also a Catterpiller hath The tail is bunchy and forked with two hairs We learn hence that both these kindes are naturally venomous because two horses eating hay and swallowing them down were swoln all their bodies over and died by them In which disease it will not be useless to know Absyrtus his remedy that in the like case we may have it ready and cure our horses For if a Horse eat a Staphylinus whilest he feeds on hay or eats he presently casts him out again by reason of the sharpness of the spirits of it and as it were Vipers bloud But presently he swels exceedingly first therefore foment the swellings largely washing and rubbing them with salt water very hot then take vinegar Lees and put into them fine linnen cut and boyl this with water and anoint him all over but when he takes his physick let him remain in a hot house and a soft stall covered well with cloathes and let a good fire be kept continually by him Anoint him abundantly in the morning then the third day wash him well with hot water and dry up his sweat then rub him in a close place and having rubbed him anoint him with Nitre And fear not though his lips and eyes swel for it useth so to fall out for the Horse will certainly recover suddenly by this means and be as well as he was before But whether these be the same with Staphylinus of Cordus or the Coursilles in France let indifferent men judge They are found in Orchards sometimes so long as ones little finger and they make hillocks like to Moles and there they sleep They chiefly do mischief to Thyme and Elder yet not so but they hurt other plants and herbs also If there be any that know any thing more certainly concerning Staphylinus they are to be desired for Physick and Philosophy sake that they will not refuse to add their talent So at last the natural History of Insects shall be enriched by their labour and shall repay them not only great thanks but also their part in a large increase CHAP. VIII Concerning the Scolopendrae and Juli. THE Scolopendrae and Juli and Cheeselips
and an Asses hoof dtives away Scorpions Rhasis Take Scorax Arsenick Sheeps-dung fat of the caul of Sheep equal parts dissolve them in Wine and make a fume by the holes of Scorpions If a Radish cut be put into their holes they will not come forth A Scorpion burnt is good the liver of an Asse Sandaracha with Butter or Goats suet to make a fume Varignana and Diophanes in Geopon Rhasis commends the root of Elecampane carried about one Macer writes of Monsteek thus Men say that Housleek hath so soveraign a might Who carries but that no Scorpion can him bite If a man anoynt his hand with an herb called Paris or with the juice of the root he may safely take a Scorpion in his hand Flaminius Grapes preserve men from the stingings of Scorpions as also Filberds carried in their Purses Aetius Also the seed of wilde Docks either drives them away or their stinging is not mortall Dioscorid Who also saith from the Africans that Basil will do the like Larks spur and wilde Campions also makes them stupid and astonished The same Author And saith he they report as long as any man hold Carduus in his hand a Scorpion will not bite him or if he do it will not hurt him The seed of Wood-sorrell drank preserves one from Scorpions Avicenna If you lay Solomons Seal under you it keeps off Scorpions Isidorus And Pliny learned from the Inhabitants of Africa that he that carries Radish-root or Turnsole or a dried beast like a Lizard about him Scorpions will not hurt him So Dittany in smoke or wilde Mints or Oyl of Scorpions anoynted about their holes will keep them from coming into the Chambers Rhasis But these things will kill them laid upon them Radish-root chewed broad leav'd Basil that growes by the water side Mallowes leaves black Hellebore but the white will quicken them when they are dying if Pliny may be believed Scorpions grasse Rose-root Basil with a red flower the spittle of a cholerick man fasting Rhasis Pliny Avicenna Democritus in Geopon To cure the sting and wound Guilielmus de Placentia prescribes this in general namely to give and apply inwardly and outwardly presently good Theriac then the part affected must be cut and an actuall Cautery set to it and the poyson drawn forth with Cupping-glasses Galen bids binde the part above and to cut off the parts affected Gal. 5. de loc aff c. 3. But since that is a very hard and cruel remedy for the patient I thought fit to write from the Antients what remedies are cures for this wound You shall first know the stinging of a Scorpion thus The place is presently red and inflamed and by turns as in an intermitting Ague waxing cold and the sick is sometimes better sometimes worse He sweats all over his hairs stare upright his whole body waxeth pale his secrets swell he breaks winde backwards his eyes run with clammy tears and filth his joynts grow hard and he hath the falling of the Tuel he fomes at mouth he is drawn backwards by convulsions and troubled with the Hickop and sometimes great vomiting he is quickly weary of labour he is vexed and troubled with sense of horror the outward parts of his body are cold a pricking pain runs over all his skin sometimes he thinks that hail falls upon him for Galen asking one that was stung with a Scorpion what he felt 3. de loc aff c. 7. he said he seemed all covered over and almost frozen with hail Aetius addes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or warts of the fundament like Ants after these fainting then swounding and finally death Aetius writes that if the lower parts be stung the groins swell presently if the upper parts then the Arm-pits The wound being now known and viewed and opened by section and the generall cure we speak of applyed whereof Authors are plentifull Galen amongst outward remedies reckons Balsamum true Worm-wood or the juice of black Mirtle-berries anoynted Also he diversly commends the spittle of one that is fasting and useth it as a Charm lib. 10. Simpl. And he bids give inwardly the Balsam with Womans milke the Saphire stone in Powder Assa faetida Scordium Centaury the lesse Rue Castoreum Out of Cassion the Phisician he commends this Take Assa faetida Galbanum each alike make it up with the decoction of Scordium and round Birthwort The Dose is the bignesse of a small Nut with hot water Out of Andromachus he commends this lib. de Theriac Take Theriac two drams Wine four ounces mingle and drink them Dioscorides outward remedies applyed Cyprus bruised and laid on Amomum used with Basil The Milk of the Fig-tree or the juice of Sage dropt in the Scorpion it self bruised Sow-thistle beaten Succory Hawk-wood Balm Bush-flower Mull-berries Larks-heels The flesh of a Fish called Smaris The Barbel Fish cut in two A Fish called Lacerta salted and cut in pieces House Mice cut asunder Internal remedies from Dioscorides Cardamonum Juice of Myrtles Bay-berries Horse or Ass dung Seed of Campions Mullens Chamaepitys Scorpion-grasse Turnsole Calamint Trifoly Scordium Lotus rustica applyed Basil with Barley-flour Wheat-meal with Vinegar and Wine Marjoram with Vinegar and Salt Assa dissolved in Wine sea-Sea-water Quick Brimstone with Rosin and Turpentine Salt with Linseed Galbanum made for a Plaister Other External remedies out of Avicenna Marjoram laid on with Vinegar Root of Coloquintida bruised Reed roots bruised The Shell of an Indian small Nut. Rams flesh burnt Mummie four grains with Butter Cows milk Decoction of Ameos Bran plaister-wise Wine new boyled Bark of Frankincense The white Thistle White Thorn Pine kernels Dates Figs. Mountain Poly. Anacardi Ashes of Kaly Wheat Bran boyled with Pigeons dung Salt of Urine Oyl of Wormwood Decoction of Nettles or Chamomile But white Naptha is the principal remedy laid on hot It is also good to suck out the venome with ones mouth unlesse it be first ulcerated and then to apply such things as inflame as Pellitory of Spain and Garlick Seed of sowr Dock The herb Phalangium Daffadil seed and flowers drank in Wine and also Bramble flowers so taken Parsnip-seed Turnsole Cypress boughs Rue Origanum Loveage with black leaves The juice of Dog-fennel Sow-thistle drank The Decoction of Gentian-root The bark of Birthwort Penniroyall A broiled Scorpion eaten River-crabs raw and bruised and drank with Asses milk Mans urine drank Internals of the same Author Juice of Worm-wood with Vinegar Doronicum Cinamon Myrrhe Wilde Saffron-leaves and fruit Citron-seed Mummie Galbanum Roots of Coloquintida and Gentian The Indian small Nut eaten and the Theriac of it The root of Squills eaten is admirable against the bitings of Scorpions Locusts broiled and eaten Juice of Onions and of Worm-wood Juice of the lesser Centaury Also new boyled Wine helps much The Antidote of Anderam otherwise Braz the King of Sicily Take Castoreum one dram Scordium two drams Costmary one dram and half Assa faetida three drams and half make it up with Honey
Constantinus 4. Pantechn lib. commends Hens dung or the heart applyed outwardly and Pimpernel inwardly taken with Wine and powder of Gentian Cinamon Centaury Averrhois extolls Bezar stone above all the Dose is the fourth part of an aureus Aristotles 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 describes a kinde of Locust that is an Antidote against the Scorpion which eaten presently cures the stingings of Scorpions Serapio affirms the root of the male Coloquintida bruised and laid to the wound that it will take away the pain He commends inwardly Wormwood Lettice-seed with Garlick Mummy two grains with the decoction of Sampire and leaves of Laserwort Oribasius approves of the Lilly roots and leaves bruised and applyed as also a Plaister of Vervain and it is thus made Take Vervain three ounces Rosin six ounces Wax Pitch of each two ounces and half Oyl half an ounce make a Plaister Inwardly he commends the ashes of River-crabs with Goats milk or juice of Agrimony two ounces with a draught of Wine or the root of Dragons bruised with wine Aetius commends water Calamints and Nip which some think to be so called because it is an Antidote against Nepas that is Scorpions He saith Garden-snails bruised and laid on draws forth the venome he commends also upright and green Vervain if it be laid on for a Cataplasm Also Sheeps dung laid on with Wine He makes also this Plaister Take wilde Rue bruised with Vinegar one dram Wax one dram Pine Rosin three ounces make a Plaister it is admirable against the stingings of Scorpions Inwardly he writes that Garden Parsnips cure beyond expectation be it eaten green or dried and drank with Wine Take Castoreum Lazerwort Pepper of each four drams bitter Costus Spikenard Saffron juice of Centaury the lesse of each two drams clarified Honey what may suffice mingle them The Dose is the quantity of a Hazel-nut with Wine and water it drives the Scorpions venome from any part as Aetius proved on himself Aegineta gives quick Brimstone bruised with a River-crab to drink in Wine Nonus bids lay on Litharge or Silver presently upon the place stung and he commends Brimstone if it be taken the quantity of an Aegyptian bean with eight grains of Pepper in Wine Anatolius commends this to sprinkle Crows dung upon the stinging of the Scorpion Silvaticus out of Haly commends a Want or the greater house Mouse laid on and out of Serapio Pewter powdered and drank Orpheus commends Coral in drink and the stone called Scorpiodes laid on with a Garlik-head Octavius Areteus Horatinus Zoroastres Florentinus Apuleius Democritus and other Authors of the Geoponica adde but a few things to the Medicaments of the Antients besides some old wives fables and inchanted prints that are hatefull to God and man Pliny tells such a fiction but no man can tell with what reason or credit If saith he one that is stung with a Scorpion get up upon an Asse with his face toward his tail he shall do well but the Asse will suffer Myrepsus extolls the herb Flower-de-luce well bruised and then drank with Wine or Vinegar Quintus Serenus writes thus and adviseth These are small things but yet their wounds are great And in pure bodies â—urking do most harm For when our senses inward do retreat And men are fast asleep they need some charm The Spider and the cruel Scorpion Are wont to sting witnesse great Orion Slayn by a Scorpion for poysons small Have mighty force and therefore presently Lay on a Scorpion bruised to recall The venome or Sea-water to apply Is held full good such vertue is in brine And 't is approv'd to drink your fill of Wine Pliny amongst outward means addeth these Mustard-seed bruised Pimpernel roots of Chamaeleon Sea-weeds wilde Onions Hares rennet Tortoyse-gall ashes of Hens dung Colts-foot and Mullen-leaves It is exceeding good to purge the body within very well with the seed of wilde Cucumber and Elaterium and then to drink the juice of Lettice and to drink the dried leaves and stalks in Vinegar Ammi drank with Linseed In Wine The seed of Hyacinth with Southern-wood Wilde Cumin Seeds of Trifoly and Rocket The third kinde of Canila Four oboli of Agarick Fennel-seed The juice of Jelly-flowrs and Plantain Root of Cyprus The Ashes of River Frogs Great Saffron Chamaipythe Cresses The herb Nodia Yellow Camomil Seed of white Thorn The tender stalks of green Figs. Flame-coloured Campions Bay-berries  Arnoldus Villanovanus hath these Herb Trinity cures the wounds of Scorpions and kills the Scorpions themselves Let the sick drink one spoonfull of the juice of the root of Dwarf-elder with Wine and it is an infallible remedy Take of the roots of Cappars Coloquintida Worm-wood long Aristolochia Gentian Bay-berrles Yellow Ben. White Briony of each alike make it up with Honey The Dose is the quantity of a Nut with Wine Another Take seeds of wilde Rue Cumin Garlick Hazel-nuts of each one dram leaves of dryed Rue one grain and half Myrrhe Frankincense each one grain white Pepper Opium each three drams Opoponâ—x Galbanum of each half a dram make it up with Honey The Dose is the magnitude of a Bran with Wine John Arden an English man he was in his time the most skilfull Chirurgeon in England after his long practise in England and France he affirms he could finde nothing more safe against the sting of the scorpion then to draw forth two or three drops of bloud hard by the wound and presently to anoint the wound with the same bloud Celsus saith that those Physicians did some such thing who were wont to keep the bloud they drew forth of the arms of those that were stung And this shall suffice for remedies against the stingings of Scorpions If any man chance to be bit by Rhasis Scorpion which we called Bunch't-back the first day a smal pain is perceived but the second straightness heaviness and sadness is seized on the sick the colour of the body is divers almost every hour and changing from green yellow white and red whence it may appear that all the humours are infected the place burns by the confluence of pain and humour swounding followes and trembling of the heart an acute Feaver and swelling of the tongue by reason of humours melted and corrupting in the brain and falling down on the roots and muscles of the tongue sometimes also the urine is bloudy by reason of the acrimony of the venomous matter and green choler is cast forth by vomit also the guts are tormented with a sharp and vehement pain Almost all symptomes fall upon the nerves that can happen to them Rhasis bids cure all these things this way First incision being made on the place and cupping glasses applyed burn it with a strong actual cautery then anoint the wound with the juice of wilde Endive or with oyl of Roses Barley water juice of Apples and with all cold things If the belly be not soluble make it so with a gentle Clyster and the juice of Blites
no pains doth bestir himself with all his might sometimes when he is tired with too much labour he flies away and breathes himself and having recovered breath he goes to seek for the Phalangium again and striking him often with his sting at last he kils him when he hath killed him he carries him into his own habitation on high and there it renewes its kinde by sitting upon them Those whom the Tarantula strikes are helped by violent and constant motion but Celsus on the other side commands those that are stricken by the other kindes of Phalangia to be quiet and to move but little But musick and singing are the true Antidote of it Christophorus de honestis bids presently exhibit Theriaca Andromachi Also he gives Butter and Honey and Saffron root with Wine The Bezar of it are the green grains of the Mastick tree Ponzettus lib. de venen perswades to give ten grains of Mastick with Milk or juice of the leaves of Mulberies j. ounce and half In the augmentation he cureth it with Agarick of white Briony after sweating much they must be refreshed with cold and moist things as with Poppy-water Merula saith they are cured with singing dancing leaping and colours I will not contend for the first three but I cannot see how they can be cured with colours especially when as they that are stung are blinde or see very little He saith also that inhabitants and citizens are hurt by them but strangers are safe and out of danger which no man of a smal belief or not very great faith can believe Dioscorides appoints a general cure First scarifying must be repeated and cupping glasses set on with a great fire Absyrtus counsels to fume the part stricken with the shels of Hens eggs first steeped in Vinegar and burned with Harts-horn or Galbanum Then you must use scarification and draw fouth the bloud by sucking or cupping glasses Or which is safest burn the place affected with an actual Cautery unless it were full of nerves for then it is best to set a Cautery on the neighbouring parts Then sweat must be provoked with clothes laid on or rather by gentle and long walking Lastly to perfect the cure you must prove by external and internal Medicaments such as we here set down and the most commendable and most noted we mark with an Asterisk Internal remedies out of Dioscorides Take seeds of Southernwood Anniseed Cummin seed Dill round Birthwort wilde Cicers Cedar fruit Plantain Trifoly seed of Minianthes each alike bruise them severally the Dose of them severally is ij drams in Wine but if you joyn many of them together drink iij. drams or iv with Wine also j. dram of the fruit of Tamarisk is effectual with Wine Chamepithy and the decoction of green Cyprus nuts with Wine Some prove of the juice of River-crabs with Asses milk and Smallage-seed and they promise it shall presently take away all pains Also a Ly of the Fig-tree is drank against the bitings of the Phalangia also it is good to dtink the fruit of the Turpentine tree Bav-berries Balm-leaves the seeds of all the wilde Carrots and of Coriander the juice of Myrtle-berries Ivy Mulberry Cabbage and Cliver-leaves with Wine or Vinegar one dram of the leaves of Bean Trifoly drank with Wine Decoction of Sparagus root juice of Housleek juice of Clivers with Wine He also commends a Snail bruised raw and drank with Asses milk * Also Balm-leaves with Nitre and Mallowes boyled with the roots drank often The leaves flowers and seeds of the herb Phalangium and the seed of Gith the Decoction of Asparagus Mock Chervil and the juice of Mullberries Out of Galen Take Birthworth Opium of each four aurei roots of Pellitory of Spain three aurei make Trochis as big as a Bean the Dose is two Trochis with three ounces of pure Wine The ashes of a Rams hoof drank with Wine and Honey The remedies of Diophantis against the bitings of the Phalangia Take Birthwort four drams Pellitory as much Pepper two drams Opium one dram make little Cakes as big as Beans take two with two Cyathi of the best Wine Another that is better Take seeds of wilde Rue Rocket-seed Pellitory Storax quick Brimstone each six drams Castoreum two drams mingle them make Trochis as before with Snails bloud the Dose is three oboli in Wine Another Take Myrrhe Castoreum Storax each one dram Opium two drams Galbanum three drams Anniseed and Smallage of each one acetabulum Pepper thirty grains make it up with Wine Another Take Myrrhe five drams Spike of Syria six drams flowers of the round Cane two drams and half Cassia four drams Cinamon three drams white Pepper one dram and half Frankincense one dram and one obolus Costus one dram make it up with Athenian Honey the Dose is the quantity of a Hazel-nut with water or with Honey and water Apollodorus * remedies Take wilde Cumin one acetabulum bloud of a Sea-tortoise four drams rennet of a Hinde or Hare three drams Kids bloud four drams make them up with the best Wine and lay them up the Dose is the quantity of an Olive in half a Cyathus of Wine Another Take seed of bituminous Trifoly round Birth-wort seeds of wilde Rue Tare-seed dried in the Sun each six drams drink them in Wine and make Cakes four drams weight the Dose is one Cake Gal. 2. de Antid where he hath collected many remedies from Authors Out of Aetius and Aegineta Take quick Brimstone Galbanum each four drams bitter Almonds blancht juice of Laserwort two drams of Assa four drams mingle them with Wine and Honey and drink them also lay them on thus Another Take Ameos two drams Flower-de-luce one dram or of St Johns wort or bituminous Trifoly drink them in Wine Or take Anniseed wilde Carriotseed Cumin-seed Gith Pepper Agarick each one dram drink it Or take leaves of Cyprus-tree or the Nuts bruised in Wine and Oyl one Hemina and drink it For this end he prescribes Bay-berries the herb Scorpions grasse Serpolet Laserwort Calaminth Chamaepitha by themselves or with Rue and Pepper Another A bunch of Mints boyled in fresh Posca let the sick drink two Cyathi Also Germander Chamaepithy white Thorn and Peniroyall in decoction are good Also a Ly and juice of Ivy with Vinegar Asclepiades used these Take seed of Sphondylium dried Calamint each alike bruise them and drink often in a day two Cyathi of Wine with them Another Take juice of Laserwort Daucus-seed dried Mints Spikenard each alike make it up with Vinegar the Dose is one dram take it with Posca and Wine four Cyathi and presently go into a hot Bath when Laserwort is wanting take the double portion of pure Assa One that is better * Take of Cenchryus seeds of wilde Rue Pepper Myrrhe wilde Vine of each one dram and half Cyprus root one dram make a Confection the Dose is one dram with four Cyathi of Wine and one Cyathus of Honey Also the eating of Garlick
admirable water to quench that fire and most effectual against it as Gesner received it from a friend Take fountain water one pound honey three spoonfuls shake them in a can and set them in an Emmets hill so that Pismires may easily fall into it when you find that so many are fallen in as will thicken the water shake the Can and as you use to do in making Rose-water so distill them The dose is half a spoonfull or more as the Patient can endure it by reason of his force more or lesse it will wonderfully provoke vomiting and will also evacuate the matter of the disease by Urine Pliny is the Authour from the old sayes that a Quotidian Tertian Quartan and all intermitting Fevers will be cured if the sick cause the parings of his nails to be cast before the entring of the Ant hill and if he catch the first of them that layes hold of them and bind him up and tie him about his neck Art thou troubled with pains in thy ears go to fill a glasse with Emmets and Emmets eggs and stop it well and bake it in an Oven with the bread till it be as hot as the bread that begins to heat then shall you find a water that is very usefull to cure the pains in the ears if it be dayly dropped in Is there a cloud before the sight 〈◊〉 presse out the juyce of the red Emmets and drop it in it doth corrode with some pain and wholly extirpate it Erotus Trotula Theophrastus Emmets egges beaten and put into the ears remove all deafness quickly Marcellus Some bruise them and press out the watry substance and drop it in Some infuse them in a glasse vessell in Oyl and boyl that on the fire and powre that into the ears If Urine be retained and cause the Dropsie drink twenty Pismires and so many egges with them in white wine and they shall help you Also their egges distilled do much when Urine is stopped Leo Faventinus A Maid that cares for her beauty and would make the circles of her eye-lids black Emmets egges bruised with Flies will perform that and give them their desire Some again either through age or disease to use the Poets phrase are beaten in their property and have lost their generative power that they cannot do the office of a husband if they would Some Authours commend to these oyl of Sesamum with Emmets egges bruised and set in the sun if the yard and testicles were anointed with it To this oyl some add Euphorbium one scruple Pepper Rew seed of each one dram Mustard seed half a dram and again they set it in the sun Rasis Arnoldus in this case commends black Ants macerated with oyl of Elder Nicolaus mingleth it with roots of Satyrium and others do give the distilled water thereof to those that are fasting Gesner in Euonymus describes a water conducing thereunto Take saith he a pot besmeered within side with honey and half full of Ants then add long Pepper Nutmegs Cardamon Pellitory of Spain each one pugil Butter what may suffice and digest them fourteen dayes in horse dung then distill them in a Bath and give a little duly to be drank fasting Others saith Merula add Comfery to oyl of Pismires others Borax or root of Masterwort with Wine when the impotent man goes to bed and thus they affirm that men may be cured of feeblenesse and women of barrenness But I wonder at the force of Pismires in this case for Brunfelsius writes that but four Ants taken in drink will make a man unfit for venery and abate all his courage thereunto yet he will maintain that Emmets with common salt and egges and old hogs grease wrapt in a cloth and laid on will cure the pain of the Hip-gowt Marcellus saith that if they be applyed with a little salt they are a present remedy for a Tetter Also as Serenus relates they are good against scabs and itch from an inflamation of bloud The dust in Emmets hils doth deep ly Being mingled with oyl will help it by and by Also Arnoldus reckons Emmets egges amongst such things as take off hair and commends water distilled from them against Noli me tangere and all corroding Ulcers Albertus thinks that drank with Wine they do powerfully dissipate winde Reckon how many Warts you have and take so many Ants and bind them up in a thin cloth with a Snail and bring all to ashes and mingle it with Vinegar Take off the head of a small Ant and bruise the body between your fingers and anoint with it any impostumated tumour and it will presently sink down Nonus Also God that I may omit nothing by the biting of Ants called Solipugae it is a kind of venomous Ant drove the Cynamolgi a slothful and idle people of Aethiopia from their habitations and destroyed them quite Pliny Some think they should be called Solifugae but Cicero cals them Solipugas I have a few things to speak from Authors as from Anthologius Apthonius Natalis Comes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Moichea a witty Book of the same argument And Aratus Herodotus Strabo Aristophanes Rasis Aggregator Beroldus Ryffius Zetzes Arnobius have by the by run over the natures of them and their polite life But because they add but little to what hath been said I would no longer play the Pismire lest seeming to be eloquent I might grow impertinent and searching every creek too narrowly I should make more gaps God grant that we whom God hath commanded to learn of Ants when we are idle and mind nothing but our bellies may by his good guiding learn of them and he instructing us we may perform our duty It is a small creature and contemptible for its magnitude yet we must know that goodness is not in greatness but what is good is to be accounted great I have said CHAP. XVII Of the Gloworm and the female Melo and of Anthremus and the field Chislep OFt-times those that are of a great faction and of noble descent will scorn to marry with one of a common family Yet the Poets write that Jupiter did not disdain to imbrace ordinary women and the Cicindela or Gloworm and the oyl Beetle or Meloe though they are of the winged order are not ashamed to couple with others that want wings And for as much as these females are endowed with the same force and dignity by nature which is seen in males I know not why they should refuse or be weary of their chance and of their females when as if their wings be taken off they agree in the same endowments of their minds and bodies We spake abundantly in the first Book concerning their form figure manners virtues use when we speak of their males that have wings and though this Treaty is allotted for Insects without wings yet I would not artificially separate the females from their males whereas naturall love hath from the beginning united them together From the similitude this Insect
Squills Rue Worm-wood hard by to make a menstruous woman passe over the place often to smear the pruning knifes with Oyl of Cantharides and to avoid lean and dry ground By these remedies Oranges Peaches Pomegranates Quinces Pears Apples Olives and Okes and other trees are kept sound a long time and almost free from Worms Ashes laid to fig-trees drive away Worms for it hath the force of salt though not so strong The seeds of Fig-trees or kernels will not be eaten by Worms if a slip of the Mastick tree or Turpentine tree be set by them As for Vines Aetius bids us to sprinkle Sea-cole with water and cast upon the place in the Spring-time and then to smear the roots of the Vines that begin to bud For if you smear the pruning knife with Goats suet or Frogs bloud or do but anoynt the Whet-stone with it worms will not breed there Africanus saith that the tears of the Vine mingled with the ashes of the Vine-stalks and put on the root with Wine it will do as much Lastly they are killed with a â—ume of Oxe-dung Harts-horn Goats-clawes Lilly-roots shavings of Ivory womens hair The herb Pionie or Thorow-wax planted where Vines grow drive away worms Some there are that boyl Assa foetida and Lazerwort in Oyl and anoynt the stocks of Vines with it beginning at the root or with Garlick bruised The seeds that must be sowed should be kept in a Tortoise-shell or Mints are to be sowed amongst Pot-herbs but chiefly Tares The bruised leaves of the Cypresse-tree mingled with them will avail much Aggregator And Palladius saith that all seeds will be free from worms if a little before you sow them you soke them in the juice of wilde Cucumbers Pliny bids to prepare seeds of Lupins before you sow them in the smoke or some hot place because in a moyst place the worms will eat up the middle of it and make it barren Varro saith that worms will never touch Onyons that are set with salt and Vinegar Moreover the seeds of all pot-herbs wet with the juice of Housleek will admit of no worms Against Weevils that are a certain plague to Corn it is good to dawb the walls with lime and hair both within and without Others do for two dayes steep the fruit and leaves of wilde Cucumbers in lime water and with sand they mould it up like plaister and with that they plaister the insides of their Granaries though Pliny writes that Quick-lime is a very great enemy to Corn. Some put beasts pisse to the lime some worm-wood juice of great Housleek and hops others powr on the ground Oyl-lees Herring pickle and the decoction of Flea-bane Strabo mingles Marle Others report that often fanning of wheat keeps it safe from weevils but Columella denies this to be true Cato lib. de re rustica commends Clay mingled with Oyl-lees and he would have the Granary to be fenced with that Varro useth it almost the very same way but he commends Clay with Oyl-lees Maple tree and Corn mingled together Our English men do deceive and destroy them divers wayes Some in the middle of the heap of Corn do so place brasse Vessels half full of hot water that the Corn may lie almost up to the mouth brims of the Vessels for thus they think the weevils are taken or destroyed Some shut up an Ant-hill and Ants together in a bag and after that they powr it forth in a corner of the granary thus in ten daies will the Ants destroy all the Weevils and when they are killed they take them and carry them forth that are going back to their former house Also they use to put into that place young Chickens that will soon eat 〈◊〉 all the weevils Some sprinkle on salt water where Garlick hath been inâ—â—â—ed or Hops Elder-leaves worm-wood Rue Nigella seed wilde Mints Walnut leaves Savoury Lavender Southern-wood Flea-wâ—â—t Bean Trifoly boyld in Vinegar of Squills They are much delighted with Navew seeds for the sweetnesse of them that they will leave the Corn for that and eat till they swell and break in sunder Though some may think these things too much and beside my purpose yet Hippocrates proves that they are fit for Philosophers and Physitians Epistola ad Cratevam not only to know the art to describe gather lay up and use Simples but also in preserving them and preparing them and to purge them from inbred or inflicted venome and from putrefaction and worms CHAP. XXII Of the six footed Worms of living Creatures and first of Lice in men The Hebrewes call a Lowse Kiâ—im and Chinnam the Greeks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Italians Pidocchio the Spaniards Piecio the French Pou the Germans Luss the English Lowse The Latines call it Pes as we read in Plautus in Curcul Wherefore you are a kinde of Lions and like Flies Gnats Lice and Fleas you trouble all mens and are hated by all but never do any good And Livy to Gladiolus Are they Fleas Wood-lice or Lice Answer me And Lucilius when he sees me he scratcheth his head and picks Lice Festus Where still a Lowse is called Pes. It is a beastly Creature and known better in Innes and Armies then it is wellcome The profit it bringeth Achilles sheweth Iliad 1. in these words I make no more of him then I doe of 〈◊〉 Lowse as we have an English Proverb of a poor man He is not worth a Lowse The Lice that trouble men are either tame or wilde ones those the English call Lice and these Crab-lice the North English call them Pert-lice that is a petulant Lowse comprehending both kindes it is a certain sign of misery and is sometimes the inevitable scourge of God The tame ones that breed of corrupt bloud are lesse and reddish from Fleame white from melancholy and adust humours black and from mixt humours they are of divers colours as Petrus Gregorius noted l. 33. If you rub them gently between your fingers you shall see them four-square and something harder than Fleas whence in the dark when you take them you may easily finde the difference They that breed in the head are bigger longer blacker and swifter those that breed in the body are fatter bigger bellies slower darkish white and marked with blackish streaks Some constantly affirm that in May they have seen Lice with wings and that the Locust-eaters of Lybia when they have fed too plentifully of them after they come to be forty years old will die with these Lice as Diodorus Siculus saith confidently 4. Antiquitat Agatharcides speaks of these Lice but he saith they are like to Ticks They chiefly fasten on the chin eye-browes and the privities full of hair the groin and the arm-pits their body is more compact their nib is sharper they bite more and tickle lesse For Tykes will sometime enter deep into the skin with their nose that you can hardly pull them out but with the losse of their
Vespucius testifieth of the Isle of St. Thomas that the Blackmoors there are full of Lice but the white men are free of that trouble As for dressing the body all Ireland is noted for this that it swarms almost with Lice But that this proceeds from the beastliness of the people and want of cleanly women to wash them is manifest because the English that are more careful to dress themselves changing washing their shirts often having inhabited so long in Ireland have escaped that plague Hence it is that Armies and Prisons are so full of Lice the sweat being corrupted by wearing alwaies the same cloathes and from thence ariseth matter for their original by the mediation of heaâ— So those that keep no diet but delight in eating and filthines and feed on Vipers Radishes Basil Figs Lignum Aloes Garden Smallage and Dates too much their bodies will from putrefaction of humours breed Lice between their skin as Diodorus in Empiricus Simon Sethi Aetius and Pliny affirm But Dioscorides saith it is exceeding false that Lice will grow from eating Vipers Sheeps-wool that a Wolf hath killed will breed Lice if a garment made thereof be wet with sweat which grant that it be an invention of Aristotle and Pliny yet experience teacheth us that cloathes smeered with Horses grease will breed Lice presently Aelian saith that he will be full of Lice who is anointed with oyl wherein a Stâ—llio is drowned Against this terrible disease which the Greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 many have invented divers remedies The Irish and Iseland people who are frequently troubled with Lice and such as will fly as they say in Summer anoint their shirts with Saffron and to very good purpose to drive away the Lice but after six moneths they wash their shirts again putting fresh Saffron into the Lye But Antigonus in Synag Histor Paradox so soon as little pushes or wheels appear upon the body bids us prick them and take forth the Lice but if they be left unprickt that general lowsie disease will come whereby they say that Alcmaeon Physicus and Pherecides Syrus were destroyed The general Cure of the lowsie Disease Amatus Lusitanus cured that good Venetian at Ancona of whom I spake before who was sâ—ck of a general lowsie disease First by opening a vein and then purging him for so he drove forth the corrupt humours that fomented the disease not at once but twice or thrice Afterwards by applying Topical remedies in a short time he grew free of this plague Topical Medicaments were made thus Take bitter Lupins iij. pugils seeds of Staves-acre ij pugils in the sharpest Vinegar what is sufficient boyl them and with that Vinegar wash the body from head to feed then wipe and dry it and anoint it with this oyntment following Take Staves-acre two parts Sandaracha of the Greeks one part the finest Nitre half a part mingle them all with the sharpest Vinegar and oyl of Radishes and pound them together very exactly and with these make an oyntment with which Amatus soon attained his purpose that the sick fell no more into the same foul disease Amat Lusitan cent 3. curat 58. Herod as Josephus and Aegesippus testifie when he had got this disease by his great pride and he was so smitten from God he went to the Baths beyond Jordan and the Bituminous Lake that were very good to cure this disease but at that time they were of no force when God was pleased to punish a proud Prince with a contemptible creature If the body be lowsie all over it shewes a general Cacochymia wherefore it is best in my opinion first to open a vein and then to give a Purge as the humour requires and so to proceed to specificals and such as agree with the place affected Dioscorides prescribes such kindes of internal remedies Take Garlick with the decoction of Origanum drink this three daies Another Let the sick drink Coriander bruised with Origanum and anoint himself outwardly with Honey He commends also alum-Alum-water and the Decoction of Betes juice of Ivy and the gum of it with Honey liquid Pitch Alum Synopex smeered on with Vinegar Nitre with Samian Earth and Oyl Other outward Remedies that kill Lice out of Pliny Seeds of Staves-acre beaten without the hulls will free the body from Lice but better if you mingle them with the Sandaracha of the Greeks Mustard-seed Garlick with Vinegar and Nitre are good for the same Oyl of Radish doth cure the lowsie disease contracted for a long time Siler Mountain-seed beaten with Oyl Hysop mingled with Oyl Tar sweet Gums the juice of the wilde Vine and Staves-acre boyl'd in Vinegar will free garments from them So black Hellebore with Oyl or Milk anointed on is very good Internal Remedies out of Pliny A Snakes cast skin powdred and drank for three daies will keep the body free from Lice Mustard-seed or seed of Tamarisk drank are good so is water of Radish-leaves and the juyce of Privet-berries Plantain Garlick the juyce of wilde Cucumer and Tar. Nonus commends the root of the sharp Dock bruised with Oyl and anointed first washing the body with the decoction of Lupins and he prescribes a remedy of Sandaracha of the Greeks Nitre and Staves-acre Oribasius approves the juyce of Pellitory long rubbed on or Nitre with the wilde Vine in a Bath Rhasis prefers the leaves of Barberies gum of Ivie great Knot-grass and Sea-water Avicenna commends Quicksilver with oyl of Roses and wilde Staves-acre with Arsenick Haly Abbas bids us purge the body and then to eat meat of good juyce to wash away the filth and to change our clothes often then he prescribes Quicksilver bruised with Staves-acre-seed and oyl of wilde Saffron and with that to anoint the body morning and evening after bathing He farther commands us to use these Remedies Take long Birthwort bruise it with Pine-leaves and Quicksilver and with oyl of Lupins what may serve turn make an Unguent Anoint the body with that at night and in the morning wash it with hot water after that with a decoction of Alum Wormwood Santonicum or Mugwoâ—t rub it away Another Take round and long Birthwort red Arsenick that is the Greeks Sandaracha and with oyl of Ben. make an unguent with this anoint the body in the evening and in the moâ—ning rub the body with Bran and Barley-meal Another Take biter Costus Cardamomum Buls gall bray them with the Oyl of Pistaches anoint the body with it and in the morning wash it with the water of a decoction of clear Bran or of Barley Constantinus used Quicksilver with ashes Litharge Vinegar and Oyl mingled together for hot complexions but for cold he used Pine-tree juyce Sea-water Staves-acre Nitre Arsenick and oyl of wilde Saffron Johannes de Rupescissâ mingled Quicksilver with Aqua vitae and the powder of wilde Staves-acre with that he provides a girdle which worn about the bare loyns will kill the Lice Serenus Abinzoar Amatus Lusitanus Matthiolus
are long Worms almost like those round ones that are bred in mens bellies half a foot long and stretched out a foot long they are of a weak flesh-colour and for the most part they have a ring or else a collar about their neck that is thick wherein there is a little bloud contained they have no eyes for no Worms have any They first breed of putrefied earth they are afterwards fed by the same and lastly they are resolved to earth again Those that you see wreathing little hils at the brink of their holes as I suppose those heaps are their excrements for in them we finde nothing but earth the nutrimental juice whereof being spent they cast forth the rest as unprofitable matter at their doors and they are fenced by it against the rain falling in At night chiefly when it is rainy weather they willingly copulate and stick fast till morning They are not wrapt together in copulation like Serpents but they stick fast together by their sides sending forth a frothy kinde of spittle when they copulate when they are in conjunction they keep the middle of their bodies that is the hinder half in their holes and they are never so fast glewed together but with the least motion of the earth they can easily part in rainy weather they are whiter unless it be when they copulate for then especially they are red Gesner saith in the middle of April he dissected a female Earth-worm that was very thick within the flesh through the whole body a receptacle descends that is ringed covered with a thin membrane when he dissected it it stank filthily in this is the earth contained that they take in but above this receptacle there lie white eggs very many heaped together next the mouth The lesser Worms for clearet description sake I will with George Agricola call Ascarides they are frequently found in dung-hils and under heaps of stones some of them are red ones they call them Duggs and fâ—shers much de 〈…〉 e them some are wan-coloured others have yellow tails and are so called some also are with collars and are fat others without collars and slender which I take to be the males These are bred chiefly in Autumn by reason of no plenty of moisture as Aristotle seems to affirm Both kindes live long in water but at last they die for want of food They move from place to place with a certain drawing and pulsation for the Philosopher saith they do not pâ—operly tumble along The great ones live in the bowels of the earth especially in the open air and where men oft-times resort In the morning when they withdraw themselves into their holes when the air is clear they sence them with earth cast up but in rainy weather they slop them by drawing in some stalk they feed frequently on earth but most greedily on a piece of white bread unleavened as I learned from our Turner a very credible man and have oft-times seen it Many of them dye if the Winter be too cold or the Summer too hot Moreover they are taken by Fishermen and driven forth of their holes either by digging and shaking the earth or by pouring in some liquor of strong juice as of Walnut leaves Hemp or strong Lye It is good also in tempestuous and dark nights to go into gardens silently which they miserably hurt and to creep upon them when they couple by the help of fire carried in a horn for so in one night thousands of them may be intercepted and killed Uses of this despicable creature are observed to be many and Nature scarce affords any simple that she hath bestowed more vertues on against diseases For Earth-worms soften glew together ease pain and by their earthly and watry moisture together they duly temper the part affected Powder of Earth-worms is thus prepared Wrap up great Earth-worms for some time in earth-moss that so they may free themselves of that glutinous matter that sticks on their outward parts then press their hinder parts next the tail that they may cast forth their excrements and be cleansed Then cast them into a vessel of white Wine and a little Salt and gently pressing them with your fingers cast away that first Wine pour on more and after the Worms are washed take some part of this away also for it must not all be cast away as some would have it till it be perfectly clear for so that glutinous clammy quality would be lost with it Thus prepared they must be gently dried in a furnace till they will crumble into dust when you touch them Then the powder being beaten and searced it will smell like Runnet or Cheese must be kept something far from the fâ—re in a glass vessel Otherwise iâ— is best to kill the Worms cut in pieces in Wine and Salt and when they are dead to take them out and to cleanse them This powder with the juice of Marigolds will cure the Epilepsie with Mead the Dropsie with white Wine and Myrrhe of the Troglodytes the Jaundies with boyled Wine Hydromel or Wine the Stone the Ulcers of the reins and bladder you may give a dram weight In three cyathi of water they will break inward Impostumes and bring them forth if seven or nine of them be brought into powder They stay also the Dyarrhoea help Barrenness bring forth the Secondine that staies behinde ease the pains of the Hip-gowt open the Liver cure Tertian Agues kill and drive out all Belly-worms given in liquors or decoctions that are proper for it Also the decoction of Earth-worms dâ—ank with the juice of Knot-grass or Comfrey is good against continual pisâ—ing especially if it be also cast in by a Clyster Also a Clyster of their decoction easeth the Emrods wonderfully Some where they suspect clotted bloud give the decoction of Earth-worms to drink with great success For the diseases of the Ears almost past cure boyl them in Goose-grease and pour that in Boyled in oyl for the Tooth-ache and poured into the ear on that side the pain is as Pliny saith they give ease or if you drop them into the contrary ear as Dioscorides saith Thus far for Earth-worms given inwardly from experience and testimony of Dioscorides Galen Aetius Aegineta Myrepsus Pliny Vularis Also outwardly applied and bruised they joyn wounds and nerves cut in funder and heal them in seven daies wherefore Democritus would have them kept in Honey Their ashes with old oyl cleanseth corrupt Ulcers and as Pliny writes consumes the hard edges of them if it be mingled with liquid Pitch and Simblick Honey Dioscorides saith Sicilian Honey is called Simblick A certain Chirurgion now in England of good note makes a liniment of Earth-worms and Honey wherewith he anoints the tent and sprinkles it with fine powdred Allum and puts it into a Fistula and so brings forth the core eaten out with no pain and heals the wound Also their ashes drawes forth things that stick within and laid on with oyl of
Roses cures Kibe-heels Marcellus Serenus saith that when the nerves are cut in sunder it is good to lay on Earth-worms bruised with Hogs-grease that is old and rank Marcellus Empiricus adds Groundsel to the Hogs-grease and Earth-worms with the tender tops of Box with Frankincense and this he laies on the nerves cut or pain'd Pliny saith that the ashes of these and of a wilde Mouse laid on for a plaister with oyl of Roses is excellent for broken bones For the great pains of Horses in their nerves or joynts to help them Russius Absyrtus Didymus collect a great number of Earth-worms whence Cardan gathers that they will ease all pains Mundella affirms that contraction of the nerves will be cured if you anoint them with oyl of Camomil that is well replenished with Worms Marcellus saith that the same is done with Honey and Worms as before Aetius saith without doubt they are an excellent remedy for the Gowt boyled in oyl and a little wax so saith Marcellus but he sometimes mingles Honey with them Vigo for pains in the joynts makes a plaister of these and Frogs to which he adds Vipets-grease For pains of the joynts Take ashes of Worms iij. ounces oyl of Roses or Foxes what may suffice mingle them to an ointment Another that is singular Take the marrow of a Calfs leg compleat and old oyl of Roses iij. ounces Earth-worms cleansed with Wine and Salt ij ounces let them boyl in Balneo to the consistence of a Mucilage with this anoint the neck shoulders and the places where the pain is for it gives great help Pliny Marcellus anoints them with Honey and then he laies on the Mucilage prepared When any part is wasted and receives no nutriment cleansed Worms must be put into a glass very well luted that nothing may breathe forth and so set in a warm oven or in Balneo and they will then resolve into a clammy moisture an admirable remedy and approved for the Palsie of the limbs Take the ashes of tender Earth-worms iij. pounds Ginger Galanga of each iij. ounces with clarified Honey incorporate them for an Unguent with this for three nights together anoint the Patient binding his arms forcibly over his belly or stomach then cover him warm and let him beware of cold Jacobus de parma To drive away hoary hairs women use these ashes mingled with oyl whilest they comb their head as Pliny saith to whom Serenus subscribes in these verses Earth-worms and oyl of Olives free from cares They will preserve a man from hoary hairs We said before how they cure the Tooth-ache But further the powder of them rubb'd on will preserve the sound teeth and being injected will make rotten teeth though it be a grinder to fall forth especially if the tooth be first scarified and fill'd with powder well sprinkled on it Aetius Gal. 5. sec loc bids us do almost the same out of Archigenes Also they are good with the root of Mulberries boyled in Vinegar of Squils to wash the teeth For purulent Ears poured in with oyl they help much as Galen thinks and cure their inflamations being boyled with oyl of Roses Aetius If that your hearing fail an old disease Is cur'd with Earth-worms boyled with Ducks grease Serenus Myrepsus bruiseth Worms with some small quantity of the earth from whence they were taken and works them together and anoints that upon ears that are bruised Marcellus bruiseth them with oyl of Roses Celsus with oyl of Olives Faventinus for pains of the ears anointeth the outward parts with oyl of Earth-worms and also pours it into the inward parts Marcellus bids to bruise Leeks not planted but sowed odd in number and as many Worms together and boyl these in the best Oyl to thirds and he saith that this oyl put into the ears is very good for their greatest pains and deafness Abinzoar cures clefts of the hands and feet with oyl of Earth-worms For an old pain of the head they are held very excellent bruised with Vinegar Frankincense and Castoreum Galen for the same prepares in his Euporists such a Remedy Take xv Earth-worms as many grains of Pepper Vinegar what is sufficient mingle them smeer them on Another Take Earth-worms Mouse-dung white Pepper Myrrhe each half an ounce bruise and mingle them with Vinegar and anoint that part of the head that the pain lies on Myrepsus will have the Worms to be odd and to be taken only with the left hand and so superstitiously anointed If thou wouldst try saith Marcellus whether a swelling in thy neck be the Kings-evill lay a live Worm upon each swelling if it be a scrophulous tumour each Worm will turn to earth if not he will be alive and receive no hurt so saith Pliny also Earth-worms are a part of that noble Plaister of Arnoldus 2 Breviarii of a Rams skin or the bloud of a man that is red against the Rupture and Hollerius commends it to cure Enterocele and Epiplocele They also diminish the Stone both taken inwardly as also anointed on the share somewhat thick Gal. What concerns womens diseases bound to the neck they retain the birth but contrarily applied to the hips they draw the birth out and the secundine for they draw mightily wheresoever they are applied living Plin. Inflamations of the breasts Earth-worms alone laid on will cure for they concoct open draw forth and heal Alex. Benedict So Myrepsus makes a plaister of them bruised Lay on Earth-worms with Quinces or with dried Barley flour upon Breasts hardned or inflamed Aetius But if after delivery womens breasts swell and to use the words of Serenus If the swoln breasts do feel great pain Smeer them with Earth-worms 't will help them amain For they will concoct the Impostumes and suppurations of the breasts and after concoction will heal them and void out the matter For the Shingles the Indians saith Carolus Clusius make an unguent thus Take Earth-worms and feed them some time with leaves fine flour or flour and milk and when they are grown fat boyl them in an earthen vessel alwaies scumming them when they are strained boyl them again to the consistence almost of a plaister which well prepared will be almost of a yellow colour dissolve some part of this in distilled water of Roses and wash the part affected with it twice a day A most excellent remedy saith Clusius and proved by very long experience Pliny saith they will do the same in Vinegar who together with Aetius and Myrepsus affirms that Worms bruised and laid on the place a Scorpion hath stung are an admirable remedy for they presently ease the pain and correct the malignity of the tumour Oâ—l of Earth-worms is known by all to be good against divers infirmities and the Ancients made it thus Take Earth worms half a pound Oyl of Roses Omphacine two pound the best white wine two ounces let them boyl in balneo till the wine be consumed This cures the nerves relaxed contracted astonished cut in sunder or cooled
Worms by their sharpnesse or bring them forth by their bitternesse or they allure them to come forth or else they are known to be good to bring them forth by the loosenesse that followes They are brought forth 't is likely at once by such supping means as make the passages slippery or by some effectual quality that is namelesse There are some cool remedies that effectually drive forth Worms and some by a hidden quality as shavings of Harts-horn But those things are best that kill the Worms for so long as they are alive they are an occasion of mischief And they are hardly driven forth when they are killed wherefore they must be drawn forth by Clysters otherwise they send a filthy virulent vapour to the brain and likewise inflame the body and hurt the appetite and concoction But because Worms happen most to children who are hard to be dealt withall I thought it not fit to conceal that wonderful way that Paulus mentions whereby Aloes and certain broths are given to them by way of suppings A certain Cooks Instrument or spoon that is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is put into their mouths as they lie upon their backs and by a â—little Clyster with a strong Pipe Aloes is forced down their throats holding their mouths wide open as far as it is possible Pollux makes mention of this but doth not tell us what it is But whatsoever Zomerysis is we understand two things by it that it is made descending that thereby the bitternesse of the Aloes is not tasted But by that other Instrument that Paulus calls Clysteridion it is forced in by violence But force and nature concurring the motion is most swift the heavy matter running downwards and is violently driven in by it Paulus also describes another Instrument whereby moyst things are injected into the fundament it hath many holes quite through it and these from the matrix are called Metrenchitae But Aetius speaks clearer thus To which purpose you must provide a horn Pipe that is full of holes through it large at the bottome and convenient for the largenesse of the place which being thrust in beyond the Sphincter of the Anus we fill with juice of Cedar so that the liquor may flie forth every way But forasmuch as these Instruments are unknown to us when remedies are given either to kill or drive forth Worms stop the childes nostrils and then wash its mouth with some sweet or sharp thing and when he hath drank down the medicament to kill the Worms his stomach must be fomented with Acacia or Hypocistis with wine Those things that kill Worms are best given in sweet milk or honey or Oxymel or syrup called Acetosus Some first satisfie the children first with three dayes drinking of them and then they give the physick afterwards Also they give Clysters of the same sweet things that they may entice those Creatures to the lower parts If the belly scowre it is of necessity that the Worms must be killed at last for the motion of the belly will cast them forth But when the appetite is hurt and the belly loose the Worms must be killed with bitter things only that are somewhat astringent as with Wormwood amongst hot things or Southernwood and Worm-seed Or amongst cold things with Pomegranate pills Acacia juice of Plantain Purslane and such like Of hot things the seed of Cresses drives forth all belly-worms bruised and drank in wine or Vinegar yet more effectually if wilde Mints be added yet it troubles the belly The meal of Lupins licked with honey or drank in Posca and outwardly applyed to the navel with Bulls gall drives them forth The same also being infused and eaten with their bitternesse wil do the like Also their decoction can do as much being drank with Rue and Pepper Sea Worm-wood boyled by it self or with Rice adding Honey to it kils Worms in the guts and it wil do it better with Worm-wood Southernwood doth the same by its bitternesse Cardamomum kils them Also the decoction of Hysop drank or the herb it self licked up with Honey So Calaminth kills Ascarides and other VVorms if it be drank with salt and honey or if it be eaten raw or boyled or the juice of it given in a Clyster or drank Also the decoction of Thyme or Rue boyled and drank with Oyl forceth them out Also wine of Cedar and the liquor of Cedar it self Unripe oyl of Olives if it be drank plentifully for it is pressed out unripe for children Juice of Oenanth hath the same operation as oyl of unripe Olives But the best thing against VVorms are sweet Apples called St. Johns Apples for they loosen the belly and drive out the VVorms which by what faculty they can do it being they are sweet and of a honey taste from whence they borrow their name and since so they should rather feed VVorms is perhaps because by this meat the belly is made loose and the VVorms follow and the VVorms that otherwise would stay within by the force of the excrements as Fishes in a torrent are carried away when in Summer great rains fall and so are they carried downward For Dioscorides lib. 1. cap. de Melimela saith that those Apples make the belly soluble Also the seed of Coleworts especially that which growes in Egypt drank drives forth VVorms namely because the temper of it is drier and more wilde The same is done by Oyl of Falma Christi drank Myrrhe also by its bitternesse both kills and drives them forth The decoction of Elecampane Squils taken with Vinegar and Honey but the Squils must be first rosted or otherwise it is held to be most pernicious to the entrails Also they use to give against all VVorms the decoction of the root of Capers in honey and vinegar And Dioscorides lib. 4. cap. 1. writes that the herb called small Turn-foil drank with the seed adding thereto Nitre Hysop Cresses and water wil force out all sorts of VVorms long and flat But Paulus unless there be an error in the Press reckons Cardamomum for Cresses lib 7. c. 1. Rocket-seed in wine wil drive out all living Creatures bred in the body Also seven or five Earth-worms drank with sweet wine wil drive out all kinde of VVorms Bitter Almonds and the Oyl is good Agarick with Honey but it purgeth with trouble for it is hurtful to the stomach by making it slippery and loose Storax swallowed with Rosin of Turpentine Aloes drank in cold water or milk the same drank in a decoction mingled with Honey brings them forth without trouble The seed of Tithymal or the juice of it about five drops mingled with Figs or Dates The leaves of Agnus Castus Polypode Chamepythe Centaury the lesse bruised and drank with Vinegar Also one peny weight of the root of the same drank in three Cyathi of wine doth help Horehound with Wormwood and Lupins boyled in water and Honey of each alike and with wine applyed twice or thrice kills all
Sumach Purslain seed and flowers of wilde Pomgranates strain the decoction and make up all with Sugar or the purest Honey of Athens Another Take Southernwood Calamint eight penny weight Horse mints Elecampane-root fresh six penny weight boyl them in water to a third part this decoction is given with syrup of Wormwood or Oxymel of Squils Also Worm-wood-wine is much commended for these uses but it is made divers waies for some let down Celtick nard 40 drams bound in a linnen clout into a measure of new Wine and after 40 daies they strain it Others cast a pound of Wormwood into 20 sextarii of sweet Wine and a sixth part of Pitch Rosin and after ten daies they strain it and lay it up for use A syrup against Worms with a Feaver and the symptomes Take sixteen penny weight of Grass-roots Purslain-seed sowr Dock of each eight penny weight ten sebestens boyl all to thirds to these add the juyce of Pomegranates and Oranges or sowr Wine of each one and half cyathus in weight as much of juyce of garden Succory the best Sugar what may suffice boyl them to a syrup you may give Infants half an ounce and young children one ounce without danger A Julep that shall help those are affected with Worms Take Dittany of Crete Gentian Zedoary Arabian Costus one penny weight seeds of Coleworts Dill Wormwood Purslain of each alike as much water of Mints Wormwood Grass of each half a hemina weight boyl them to thirds and strain them to these add of the best Sugar twenty penny weight But in a Feaver you may give the decoction in water or Grass-roots Wheat Barley of each fifteen penny weight to a large quantity to drink Another most effectual and very sweet Distilled water of Sorrel Roses Grass garden Endive Bugloss juyce of Pomgranates of each oâ—e hemina weight seeds of Purslain Orach Sumach Citrons of each three penny weight Coriander-seed Myrtle-berries wilde Smallage of each two penny weight seeds of sowr Dock Coleworts Cummin of each the same weight red Roses Tormentil Barberies of each two penny weight so much weight of Balaustia five penny weight of the ashes of burnt Harts-horn white Dittany of Crete eight penny weight the shels of Mulberry-roots barked Fern-roots of each two penny weight ten Sebestens one penny weight of red Coral white Sugar what may suffice make a Julep But the most present remedy of all is that the Apothecaries call commonly Diaturpethum but chiefly with Rhubarb three drams of it being swallowed down which being it is proved by long experience so it hath also great reason for it that it should be preferred before all other remedies For children enticed by the sweetness of the Antidote will take it down willingly and the Rhubarb kils the Worms and the parts are strengthned by it The Turpeth drives them from their nests and the rest of the ingredients do not only make it pleasant but harmless so that it is most sweet harmless and strong all at once it is made thus Take white Sanders and red Violets Ginger of each two penny weight Anniseed Cinnamon Saffron Mastick of Chius each one penny weight Myrthita which the Apothecaries call Turpeth eight penny weight Rhubarb ten penny weight Scammony as it is usually prepared four penny weight the purest Sugar 190 penny weight make up all with that and make Troches as the Greeks call them from the form each three drams weight where you have need of them give one for this disease Another Antidote Take Rhubarb Saffron Scammony Wormseed Dittany of Crete each two penny weight the best Sugar eighty penny weight make them up with grass-Grass-water and make Troches one penny weight of this is given to Infants without danger being dissolved in Grass-water The powder I use is good and a powder thus prepared Take Rhubarb Agarick Germander of each two penny weight Sea-moss four penny weight Wormseed and Purslain-seed of each two penny weight unwashed Aloes six penny weight give a scruple of this or two oboli in Wine to children safely Sometimes all these are bruised and sifted and made into pils with the juyce of Wormwood or Mints and three of them are swallowed down Another for the same by another Author Take Harts-horn burnt the less Centory Mints Penniroyal Water-mints Worm-wood Santonicum Germander Lupins of each four penny weight bring all to very fine powder and give it with Milk Vinegar or Oxymel or any way Another of the new Writers that is approved Take Rhubarb Coriander-seed Basil-seed Plantain Pomgranate pils Carway-seeds Sumach of each two penny weight Carduus Benedictus seed shavings of Harts-horn and of Ivory of each eight penny weight the bark of the roots of Mulberries pill'd Colewort-seeds Citron Apple-seeds bark of Willowes of each six penny weight Purslain-seed Dittany of Crete four penny weight of each Pearls red Coral of each two penny weight dry them and bring them to fine powder one or two drams of this with Wine in winter and where there is no Feaver or with Oxycrate in summer or to those that are in a Feaver is safely given An Antidote that kils Worms diminisheth a Feaver and helps against pains of the heart Take Wormseed Sea-moss seed of wilde Smallage Harts-horn burnt white of each alike infuse them all three daies in Vinegar wherein let these things first boyl Purslain-seed Sorrel-seed Sumach Coriander Colewort-seed and a little Myrrhe then dry them and add to them Orange-seeds two parts Citron-seeds one part make them up with Sugar dissolved in the Wine of Pomgranates and make morsels to which you may add some little Cinamon and Musk. But because it hath been seen oft-times that Medicaments outwardly applied have done much good against Worms it is but reasonable that I should set down the manner of them For by these we not only defend our bodies but also we kill the Worms and drive them out dead wherefore this may suffice that hath Lupin-meal less Centory leaves of Peach-tree and Horehound bruise them with Posca and lay them to the belly Another tryed by our newer Physitians Take the less Centory boyled in the oyl of Peach-kernels anoint the Navil with this and it will drive forth the Worms Another Tost Barly-bread and infuse it in Vinegar then press it out and infuse it again in the juyce of Peach-leaves lay it on warm to the belly with a linnen clout Others mingle Lupine meal Southernwood and Buls gall Again Take Lupine-meal Centory the less of each four penny weight Aloes Buls gall of each 4 oboli make them up with juice of Wormwood and laid to children very young Another Take Wormwood Gith ashes of Harts-horn of each a like quantity mingle them with Honey and anoint them Another good for the stomach that kils Worms and is good against the belly flux Take Wormwood Mints Roses Santonicum Lupin-meal of each eight penny weight tosted bread infused in the sharpest vinegar four penny weight Buls gall sixteen penny-weight Mountain-nard Water-flag
know nothing concerning the use of these creatures but I seriously exhort posterity to search out the use of them CHAP. XXXIX Of the Flea or Asellus and the Scolopendra found in the Sea The Sea Scolopendra sometimes is of a grey colour and sometimes you shall see others that are more red These are longer and leaner that is shorter and thicker I saw both kindes in the year 1578. in coves of Oysters For they are not found in the deep sea as Gesner supposeth but in the muddy standing waters where the Oysters are fatted there they lye hid are bred and do live Numenius warned Fisher-men concerning these when he said See therefore that you let not ingender The stupid Julii or deadly Scolopender They are as Aristotle writes lesse than the land Scolopendras but not differing in their form Nonus the Physitian makes of these a remedy to hinder hair from growing or a depilatory and highly commends it in his 34. Chapter Take Frankincense Vitriol of each two ounces sea Scolopenders three ounces grinde them all well and mingle them with the powder of Quick-lime then pull out the hairs first and anoynt the places with that CHAP. XL. Of Water Insects without feet and first of Oripes NO Philosopher that understands as he should will deny but that snow is water turned to froth by long subliming in the air In this Worms are bred which the Greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Aristotle writ something concerning these which History I will briefly touch In snow there are bred hairy Worms very sluggish and that move slowly wherefore I reckon them amongst Worms without feet so soon as they are taken out of the snow they die as the Worms bred in the fire doe being taken from thence with snow that is old and begins to look red they become red also but those that are found in new snow are white It is saith he a certain thing that snow can no more corrupt than fire can And indeed they cannot corrupt yet in both of them are living Creatures bred and they are nourished in both I cannot in any wise consent to Eustathius the Scholiast upon Homer who affirms that snow growes red from Minium because those places are of a Cinnaberous quality whence he conceives that from the vapours rising from Cinnaber the snow becomes red I will not deny but that it is so in some places But whether the Interpreter be pleased or not we must needs grant that in some places the snow grows red where no Cinnaber is Strabo makes mention of such places in these words In Charzena and the Countrey of Cambicium and in places neer to the mountains of Caucasus some little beasts are bred in the deep snow which Apollonides calls 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Theophanes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is Mountain little hairy Worms like unto the greater Teredines I think their generation as admirable as of the fire Worms yet living Creatures are more easily bred in snow than in fire because in snow there is much air earth and spirit all which the fire consumes abundantly And if the heat of the Sun happen to be with these I shall use Scaligers words they make dung that smells the sweetest of all ordure Also they are bred in abundance in Carinthia as Joach Vadianus reports But Strabo in his Comment upon Pompon Mel. addes a thing that is admirable saying that these Worms are full of excellent water which Travailers take by breaking the bladder or coat it is in and they drink this pressing it forth gently For it is very wholsome and seasonable when the fountains are troubled as it falls out often in great snowes CHAP. XLI Of Horsleeches A Blood-sucker or Horsleech in Latin Hirudo in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Hebrew Halukab in French Sangsue in Italian Sansuga in Spanish Sanguisuella in High-Dutch Ein agel so das blut sauget in English a Horsleech These are water Worms that thirst exceedingly after the bloud of living Creatures and they will fill themselves with it sometimes till they burst and die Some of them are without any passage through their belly some are open behinde we give you the pictures of them here Europe hath scarce any open behinde but in America and India they are common Those that are not open behinde are obvious to every man and when they are filled with bloud their skin seems checquer'd with fibres Some of them are of divers colours some green black brown yet not venomous only the bright bay and Chesnut colours that are like to pills of trees They breed chiefly in standing pools where Cattel are wont to be watred for from their feet earth and foulnesse are washed and fall to the bottome to say nothing of the sediment of their dung out of which that want not vital heat living Creatures are bred Once bred they most greedily thirst after bloud and therefore they lie in wait in the very entrance of the pools that they may light upon Horses Oxen Elephants c. so soon as they come to drink for thirst of cold water Pliny writes that they are so troublesome to the Elephant that the beast is by their tickling and sucking in his snout almost mad which doth manifestly shew the wonderful power of Insects For what is there greater then an Elephant and what is there more contemptible than a Horsleech Yet the greatnesse and wit of the Elephant must give way and yeeld to this Worm They feed most on bloud of beasts and watry bloudy matter yet when they want sustenance they still themselves with the filth that riseth from the water Pliny saith they vanish in the Spring l. 9. c. 51. but we see that season to be most fit for the breeding of them And indeed I can see no reason that when they have overcome the Winters cold they should not be able to stand out the Springs mildeness And this we all know that Horsleeches will die in the Winter unlesse they be carefully preserved in warm water and fed with bloud very plentifully If any man swallow a Horsleech some perswade us to drink pickle others snow-water But Asclepiades bids us first to wash the mouth and to put a soft Sponge wet in cold water into the mouth that the Horsleech sticking to the Sponge may be drawn forth After this he prescribes the juice of Duck-weed and to cover the neck with cooling plaisters But Apollonius whose surname was Mus gave the sharpest Vinegar with pickle to drink but those that gave snow did first warm it and used it being dissolved and they did use meat and drink at fit times to make the belly soluble that they might drive forth the Horsleech for they report that so they will oft-times come forth with the excrements Gal. l. 2 de Antidotis In the dayes of Pliny wicked men did privily give Horsleeches to their enemies to do them mischief but Rue with Vinegar or only Butter as against all venoms that did
against the stifness of the Neck Mingled with Quicksilver and Brimstone it is soverain against the itch and scabs This Lard being sod with the fat and applyed to the body doth mightily expell corruptions that cleave to the skin The fat of Swine with Butter and Oyl of Roses is instilled into the broken skins of the brain for the cure of them Likewise Buglosse plucked up by the root and the roots cut off and curiously washed beaten and pounded into a Ball and mixed with Swines grease is good to be laid to any incurable wound It is also profitable for the wounded Nerves of the body beaten together with Wormes of the earth according to these Verses of Serenus Terrae lumbricos indere â—riâ—os Queâ— vetus ranis sâ—ciari axungia debet When bones are broken if they be anointed with the sod grease of Swine and so bound up fast together after they be well set and closed grow wonderful fast sure and solid again Serenus writeth thus of it Si cui forte lapis teneros violaverit artus Necte adipes vetulos tritam chamaeâ—â—sson By the fat he meaneth the fat of Swine because presently after he maketh mention of the dung of Swine to be good for the same cure Being mingled with Pitch it scattereth all bunches and fellons The hardness of the brests Ruptures Convulsions and Cramps and with white Hellibor it closeth up clifts and chinks in the flesh and maketh the hard skin to be soft again It is very profitable against inflamations of Ulcers especially the fat of the Boar Pig mixed with liquid gum Women do also use the fat of a Sow that never bore Pig to cleare their skin and to mix it with Pitch and one third part of Asses grease against the scabs The same mixed with white Lead and the spume of silver maketh the scars of the body to be of the same colour with the residue and with Sulphur it taketh away the spots in the Nails mingled with the powder of Acorns if the grease be salt it softneth the hardness of the flesh Rue mixed with Swines sewet or Buls grease taketh away spots and freckles out of the face and it is also profitable against the Kings evill being mixed with the powder of a Sea Oyster shell and being anointed in a Bath it taketh away the itch and blisters Featherfew and stale Swines grease is also prescribed against the Kings evill This same alone or with Snow easeth the pain of burnings in the flesh and when there is an Ulcer by reason of the burning mix it with toasted Barly and the white of an Egge according to these Verses Combustis igni Hordea vel fruges atque ovi candida junges Adsit adeps porcae mira est nam forma medelae Junge chelidonias ac sic line vulnera succis Quodque recens ussit glacies axungia simplex Mulcet ex facili grata est medicamine cura Fresh grease is very profitable for those members that are surboted or riven of their skin and likewise to anoint them that are weary with long journies The ashes of womens hair burned in a shell and mingled with the fat of Swine are said to ease the pain of St. Antonies fire and to stanch bloud and to cure Ring-worms The gall of a Swine or of a Boar and the Lights with the fat filleth up the Kibes and the stalks of Cabiges with the roots burned and mingled with Swines grease being applyed to the sides do cure the dayly pains thereof And thus far of the use of this grease for the bodies of men Now also it followeth in a word to touch the use thereof for the bodies of Beasts When the horns of Oxen or Kine are broken they take a little Lint Salt Vinegar and Oyl and lay them upon the broken horn powring in the liquid and binding the rest close on the outside and this they renew three dayes together the fourth day they take the like quantity of Swines grease and liquid Pitch and with a smooth rind or bark of pine they bind it to close and so it is fastened again When the hoof or anckles of an Ox are hurt with the plough share then take hard Pitch Swines grease and Sulphur roul them up all together in unwashed wool and with hot burning Iron melt them upon the wound or horn The ears of Dogs in the Summer time are exulcerated by flies into the which sores it is good to instill liquid Pitch sod with Swines grease and this medicine also is good to deliver Beasts from the tickes for they fall off as many as touch it When Lambs or Kids are troubled with the Sheep pox some use to anoint them with Swines grease and the rust of Iron that is two parts of Swines grease and one part of rust and so warm them together Also for the scabs upon â—orses heels that are called the scratches which come for the most part in the Winter time they cure them on this manner They take the fat of Swine and melt it on the fire and pour it into cold water which afterwards they take it out and beat it well together at last they mingle it with Brimstone beaten small and so anoint the place therewith three days together and the third day they open the scabs and so continue anointing till it be cured When a Horse cannot hold his Neck right it is good to anoint him with Oyl Wine Hony and Hogs-grease the manner of some Leeches is when they have made a suppuration by Oxen in burning they first of all wash it with stale Urine and afterwards mingle an equal quantity of Pitch and Hogs grease together wherewithal they anoint and cure the sore Sometime the bloud of Oxen falleth down into their feet wherein it congealeth and breaketh forth into scabs then must the place first of all be scraped with a knife and the scabs cut away afterwards with cloaths wet in Vinegar Salt and Oyl moistened and pressed hard and last of all by an equall quantity of Hogs grease and Goats sewet sod both together it will be cured by laying it unto it And thus much for the remedies of Swines grease towards Beasts The huskes of Beans being beaten small to powder and mixed with Swines grease is very profitable against the pain of the hips and the nerves Some Physitians take the grease of Swine the fat of Geese the sewet of Buls and the Oesypus or sweat of Sheep and anoint therewithal Gowty legs but if the pain remove not then do they add unto it Wax Mirtle Gum and Pitch and some use it mixed with old Oyl with the stone Sacophagys Cinck-foyl beaten in Wine with Lime or ashes This Swines grease beaten in water with Cumin is prescribed by Simeon Lethi against the Gowt It remedieth the falling of the hair and the pain in the heads of Women mingled with one fourth part of gals and the like virtue it hath with wilde Roses Lingulaca and Hippocampinus with Nitre
and Vinegar When the corners of ones eyes are troubled with Worms by anointing them with the fat of a Sow with Pig beating them together both within and without you shall draw all the Wormes out of his eyes When one hath pain in his ears whereby matter issueth forth let him beat the oldest Lard he can in a Morter and rake the juyce thereof in fine wool then let him put that wool into his ear making it to work through warm water and then infuse a little more of the juyce of that Lard and so shall he work a great cure in short time And generally the fat of Geese Hens Swine and Foxes are prepared for all the pains in the ears If there arise any bunch in the neck or throat seethe Lard and Wine together and so by gargarising that Liquor it shall be dispersed according to the Verses of Serenus In rigorâ— Cervicis geminus mulcebitur unguine poples Hinc longam pariter nervos medicina sequetur And it is no marvel that the vertue of this should go from the knees to the Nerves seeing that Pliny affirmeth that from the anointing of the knees the savour goeth into the stomach there is so great affinity or operation of Rue upon the stones that in antient time they were wont to cure burstness by anointing the Cods with wilde Rue and Swines grease Also this Grease with rust of Iron is good against all the imperfections in the seat Butter Goose grease and Hogs grease are indifferently used for this infirmity Also this is used to keep Women from abortments that are subject thereunto being applyed like an eye salve In the diseases of the Matrix especially Ulcers they first of all dip Spunges or Wool in warm water and so cleanse the places infected and afterwards cure it with Rozen and Swines grease mingled together and often using it in the day and night by way of Oyntment but if the exulceration be vehement after the washing they put Hony unto the former confection and some make a perfume with Goats Horn Gals Swines grease and Gum of Cedars And. Fernerius saith that Lard cut small and beat in a Morter of stone like paste in a Limbeck of Glasse rendereth a white water which maketh the hair yellow and also the face comely If a man be poysoned with Hemlock he cannot avoid it better then by drinking Salt Wine and fresh Grease A decoction hereof is good against the poyson of Bouprestis and against Quicksilver The sewet of a Sow fed with green Herbs is profitable to them that are sick of a consumption of the Lungs according to this Verse of Serenus Proderit veteris sevi pila sumpta suilli This may also be given them in Wine either raw or decocted or else in pils to be swallowed down whole if it be not salted and the fift day after they prescribe them to drink out of an Egge-shell Liquid Pitch binding their sides breast and shoulder bones very hard It is also used for an old Cough after it is decocted the weight of a Groat being put into three cups of Wine with some Hony It is given also to them that have the flux especially old Lard Hony and Wine being beaten together till they be all as thick as hony whereof the quantity of a Hasil-nut is to be drunk out of Water Also morsels of Swines grease Butter and Hony being put down into a Horse throat cureth him of an old Cough and finally a piece of this Grease being old moistened in old Wine is profitable to a Horse that hath been overheated in his journey When Calves be troubled with belly Wormes take one part of Swines greasex and mingle it with three parts of Hysop afterwards thrust it down into the throats of the Calves and it shall expell the Wormes When the tongue and chaps wax black by a peculiar sickness of the mouth which the Physitians call Morbus Epidemius it is most wholesome to rub the tongue with the inner side of the rines of Bacon and so draw out an extreme heat and it is said if a man be deeply infected whose tongue is thus rubbed the said Bacon rine being eaten by any Dog will procure his death The fat of Wolves and the marrow of Swine is good to anoint blear-eyes withal By swallowing down the marrow of Swine the appetite to carnal copulation is encreased The ashes or powder of Hogs bristles which are taken out of Plaisterers Pencils wherewithal they rub wals and mixed with Swines grease doth ease the pain of burnings and also stayeth the bleeding of wounds and the falling down of the seat being first of all washed in Wine and dryed Pitch mingled therewithal The powder of the cheek-bones of Swine is a most present remedy for broken bones and also for ulcers in the legs and shins The fat of a Boar is commended against Serpents and so also is the liver of a Bore Pig when the Fibres are taken from it if the weight of two pence be drunk in wine The brain of a Sow toasted at the fire and laid to a Carbuncle either disperseth or emptieth it Likewise the bloud and brains of a Boar or a Sow or Boar Pig being mixed with Hony doth cure the Carbuncles in the yard and the brains alone openeth the gums of children to let out their teeth as Serenus writeth Aut teneris cerebrum gingivis illine poroi There are naturally in the head of a Hog two little bones that have holes in them one in the right part and another in the left Now if it happen that a man finde these bones by chance either one or both of them let him lay them up safe and whensoever he is troubled with the Head-ach let him use them hanging them about his neck by a silken threed that is to say if the head ach on the right side let him hang the right bone and if on the left the left bone These things I report upon the credit of Marcellus Galen also writeth that if the pole of the Swines ear be hanged about ones neck it will preserve him from all Cough afterwards They were wont as Dioscorides writeth to seethe a Gudgen in a Swines belly by the eating whereof they stayed the falling down of the seat If a man eat the lungs of a Boar and a sow sodden and fasting they will preserve him from drunkenness all that day and likewise the said lungs doth keep the soles of the feet from inflamation which are caused by straight shooes It also healeth the piles clifts and breaking of the skin and kibes of the feet by laying to it a Boars gall and a Swines lungs If a Man drink the Liver of a Sow in Wine it saveth his life from the bitings of venemous beasts Also the liver of a Boar burned with Juniper-wood cureth all the faults in the secrets and drunk in Wine without Salt after it is sod stayeth the looseness of the belly The gall of Swine is not very vehement