together and hasten his death XXV Faintness Against the faintness and pain of the heart it is good to keep the horse very warm and to give him this potion Take Herb Mercury a pound Gum-Dragon 4 ounces Myrrh 2 ounces Bruised Melilot 1 ounce Saffron half an ounce Fine Frankincense a convenient quantity all together pounded and mixt to a powder Which you are to keep for use and at each time take Oil of Roses two Cruises Water half a pint of the aforesaid powder two good spoonfulls Honey two spoonfulls for a potion This potion must be used for some dayes untill the horse beginneth to mend XXVI Over heated You must give to the horse that is heated in the winter through an horn the following potion Take Red-wine half a pint Oil three ounces But in the Summer Take Red wine half a pint Oil two ounces for a potion XXVII The Ague You may know amongst other tokens that a horse hath the ague when he can not make water his Ears Cold hanging and stinking The Ague of an horse is cured by letting him bleed on the vein which is found in the calf or thick part of the leg 4 fingers or thereabouts under the buttocks or else you may let him blood on the vein of the neck and if you observe that a potion is necessary then you must squeeze juice out of an handfull of Purslain and mix it with Gum-Dragon fine Frankincense and some few Damask-roses which give him to drink with a little Metheglin or honey-Honey-water XXVIII Venemous Creatures swallowed down In case the horse in eating Hay or grass hath swallowed down any venemous beast as a Spider a certain kind of Lizard Earth Spider Snale or Dirt-Grubber Buprestis then you must make him run until he sweats next you must bleed him on the Palat and let him swallow down the blood You must give him to eat boiled Beans XXIX Lost Appetite or Stomach If he hath lost his Stomach wash his mouth with Vinegar and Salt and give him no Forrage nor Oats Hay Chaff or Straw but what is good XXX Hen-Dung Swallowed If the horse hath accidently swallowed down the dung of an Hen which brings Gripings of the Guts then you are to use this following Medicine Take Dried Ladys-Mark 2 ounces Honey and Wine a convenient quantity for a potion Give him this to drink and then lead him backwards and forwards untill his belly beginneth to make a noise and rumble and then he is clear from his Malady XXXI Cholick or Griping in the Guts Against the Cholick or griping in the guts Take Black Pepper two ounces The Juice and the Root of Jews-Ear Parsley Fenicle Marjoram of each an ounce Sage half an ounce Live-Honey about 2 quarts Boil it scum it well and make it of the bigness of an Haslenut to little cakes Which you must give the horse to drink with good wine about half a pint And on that day when he hath the Cholick then take Fennil-seed three or four spoonsfull and with a convenient quantity of wine you shall presently give it to the horse to drink and then cover him and make him sweat well XXXII Pain in the Belly Against the Griping or pain in the Belly you shall take tame or wild Rhue-seed pound it very small and with warm Wine make a potion thereof you may also put therein Cumin and Fennil-seed of each alike quantity next keep the horse warm and well covered in a close place but before you give him this potion you must mount upon him and ride him to and fro rather along high places than upon eaven ground And when he is in the Stable again then cover him with a good woollen cloth if he grows cold again then you must anoint his fundament with Oil until it is heated and breaks wind Farther it would do well also to put a Rod which is thick enough and half a foot long into his fundament well anointed with common Oil and made fast to the trunk of the fundament that it cannot go out and then mount upon the horse and ride him to and fro You must also give him to eat that which is of a warm nature and let him drink Water boiled with Cumin and fennil-Fennil-seed of each a like quantity adding thereunto Wheaten-meal a sufficient quantity and in a close place keep him warm and well covered XXXIII Obstruction or Oppilation The Obstruction or Oppilation is cured by potions and clysters the potion must be thus give him daily powder of wild Rhue with the seed soaked in good Red Wine Or Take anise-Anise-seed and the Juice of Poppeys and Flower-de-luce Root a convenient quantity This all together being well pounded and beaten small you must add some Sugar-candy Red-Wine half an ounce Oil of Olives of each three ounces for a potion This you must give him at three times for three daies one after another Or a Glister made after this manner Take Marsh-Mallows and Cashe 2 ounces Juice of flower-de-luce a convenient quantity adding thereunto Oil of Bay-Berries Wine and Rhue of each 3 ounces Pigeon-Dung Salt-petre of each an ounce for a Clyster After the Clyster is applied you must lead the Beast gently to and fro Some Horse-Coursers have found this following receipt to be good in this Distemper Take Honey nine spoonfulls Pepper-Corns nine Hares-Dung a sufficient quantity adding thereunto a Decoctum of Fitches or Red-Colworts as much as is requisite for a portion XXXIV Falling of the Fundament If the Fundament be faln take fine bruised Salt spread it upon the hinder-gut and put it between the Rupture next take a piece of Bacon and put it therein in the form of a stick pell and lay thereupon Mask or Mallows until it is healed XXXV Worms Against the Worms give the horse to drink Water in which Rye has been boiled or with some Brimstone amongst Bread or burnt Ashes of the wood of Olive-tree Or take powder of dry Wormwood with the seed raw Lupinum of each an equal quantity being all together mingled in white Wine for a potion For to give it to the horse at three several times After these three daies you must make a Clister of these following things Take of Wormwood and Rhue a convenient quantity Adding thereunto two Ox-Galls straining them Alloes one ounce For a Clister XXXVI Flux or Looseness of the Belly Against the Flux or Looseness of the Belly there a is very good certain potion made of powder of Gall-nuts with white Wine and Starch mingled together Or in case that the Looseness is occasioned by Cold then give the horse to eat sops soaked in Red-wine and rose-Rose-water Farther anoint his Loins and Belly with claret-Claret-wine Oil and a little Salt mixt XXXVII Bloody-Flux Against the Bloody-Flux which is occasioned by the Forrage let the horse bleed on the vein of the shoulder next make a Decoction of Wheat with unsalted Grease and powder of dry Granado's skales strain it and make a potion thereof and give the horse
thereof to drink every morning and let him not work all the time Likewise you must make a Plaister to lay upon the back on the Loins of a Thousand-knot an herb so called Bolus and the Blood of the sick Beast with strong Vinegar or course Claret mixt therewith XXXVIII Jaundise In the Jaundise this following potion is a special Remedy Take Tares and the seed of Ladies-mark one pound Let it boil together with Hops and good Honey a sufficient quantity well stirred and mingled together for a potion Give him of this to drink for eight daies together every day half a pint XXXIX Stoppage of Vrine In case the horse cannot make water which appears by the swelling of the Bladder and round about the Yard then you must give him to drink a Pottage made of these following Ingredients Take one pint of white-White-wine The White of ten Eggs mixt with Pushed Garlick a convenient quantity Or the Juice of red Cabbage or Coleworts mingled with White-wine In the mean time you are to withhold from him all Oats and Barley and to feed him with Hay only and such herbs as are convenient according to the season of the year if you can get them Farther it will be good to put into the sheat through which the Piss passeth a remedy or Physick made of Honey that is boiled with Sugar or a living Fly Louse or Wood-louse or a little piece of Frankincense and to lay upon the 〈…〉 and reins Oil mingled with Wine or to annoint the Yard with pounded Wormwood boiled in Vinegar and also to pour a pail of cold water upon his Stones These means are good when the Piss has burnt the aforesaid parts XL. Difficulty in making Water Against difficulty in making of water it is an approved Remedy to take five or nine Spanish-Flyes that are whole wraping them up in a Linnen Cloth which you must bind fast on the thighs of the horse and happen what will you must let it lye thereupon a long while for that promotes the Urin but you must have a care that you do not give it to the horse to drink when it is beaten to powder nor in Clysters It is good also to rub his Stones with a Decoction of an herb called Cresses or Nose-smart Pellitory of the wall and Garlick XLI Strangury Against the Strangury or difficulty in making water look before Sect. 39. of the inability of making water XLII Wolf or over growing of the Flesh Against the She-wolf the growing and over-growing of the Flesh which grows under the belly of the horse you are to cut the place and to prick it with a Lancet and next to anoint it in the morning and at night with an ointment of white Mallows Dialthea XLIII Rupture prevented Against Bursteness or Rupture Farriers say that there is not any better remedy than this following Take Ashes of Vine-branches or Olives seven ounces Oil of Olives Honey The Juice of Plantain of each three ounces Fresh Butter Rhue of each one ounce Onion bruised or pounded with white Wine or Decoction of Cicero a convenient quantity mingled Which will serve to give the horse at three divers times on three several daies together XLIV Rupture cured If the horse is burst or broken by being over-laden and too much burdened then lay upon his Loins a Plaister which is made of these following Ingredients Take Pitch Powder of Bolus Sanguis Draconis Mastick fine Frankincense of each an ounce for a Plaister You must lay the plaister hot upon the sore part and let it lie thereupon until it falleth it self when you touch it for then the horse is well again XLV Biting of the Spider-mouse The Spider-mouse Mus Francus oftentimes by his biting kills an horse It is a Creature as big in body as a mouse of Colour like a little weasel of a long back and of a short tail it takes especially hold of the Stones and makes four small wounds Thus to cure the venemous biting you must immediately pour into the nostrils of the horse bruised or pounded laurell or Bay-leaf with water and lay upon the biting or wounded place pounded cumin and garlick but if it swelleth then you must foment the piace with pickle or with a Decoction of Myrrh and spread thereupon powder of burnt barley or shells of Pomgranat Look also in the 23 chapter of the Ox or Cow XLVI Swoln Codds Against the swelling of the Cods make a Poltis of strong white wine vinegar and Salt anoint there-with the Stones twice a day XLVII Warts in the feet Against the hard Knobs or Warts on the feet by much going lay thereupon green Cabbage or Coleworts with old grease or suet of hoggs and mount on the horse ride him gently and the physick will penetrate and heal the part affected LXVIII Chaps in the Feet The Chaps in the feet are cured by burning the same with a round hot iron at the ends for this burning hinders the Chap from growing bigger Next you must anoint them with Bacon washed in divers waters or with Oil of Bay-berries mixt with Vinegar Mastick Frankincense and the yoalk of an Egg. XLIX Of old Swellings Against hard and old Swellings make an Ointment of these things following Take Rosin and Wax of each a pound Ammoniack and black Pitch of each half a pound Galbanum two ounces of common Oil a sufficient quantity which being mingled altogether make it to a Searcloth and lay it on the part grieved L. Bruised Back When the horse is hurt on the back by the Saddle or otherwise open it first and lay thereupon for three daies together tow or Flax dipped in the white of Eggs but if the pace is swoln and hardned then you may cure it with Colewort Pellitory Wormwood Bear-foot or Southernwood bruised and boiled together with fresh or unsalted Grease and laid upon the wounded place LI. Galled-Back Against a Galled Back Take two Onions boil them in water for a Decoction This you are to put as hot as the horse can suffer it upon the sore part and all the swelling will go away in one night Or otherwise Take beaten Salt mingled with Vinegar and yoalks of Eggs and therewith anoint it or wash the place with white Wine Vinegar and lay thereupon fine Lime mingled with Honey continuing these remedies so long till the flesh is grown again and the bones are covered therewith again that the hair may grow again bruise burnt shells of Hasle-nuts and mingle them with Oil and anoint the place therewith LII Biting of Flyes To preserve horses in hot weather from the biting of the Flyes you must rub their hair with the juice of Courd-blisters LIII To drive away the Flyes You may also drive away the Flyes from the ulceration if you lay thereupon Pitch and Oil or Grease mingled and melted together and spread thereupon Pease-flower LIV. Stiffness in the Joints When a horse hath either strained or stiffened his joynts he may be cured with the same remedy
Custom of the Countrey yet the best and most substantial Feeding is of dry Pease and Beans though its common in many inclosed Countreys to Feed a Swine exceeding full with Whay and many practise that way only giving them a Bushel of Pease or Beans to harâ—…en the Fat In some Countreys they â—…eed after other manner which for breviâ—…y sake I shall omit knowing that the Ingenious Country-man knoweth what way is best for is ends in that matter Sickness in Swine 1. THey are also subject to many Distempers and you may know that the Hog is sick when he lets hang his Ears and that he is duller and heavier than he is wont to be having little or no Stomack to his Meat but the certain way if none of these Symptoms appear is to draw out of his back a handfull of Bristles against the growth of the Hair and in case that the Root of the Bristles be white and clean then the Hog is sound and in good health but if that they are bloody or spotted then he his sick 1. Head-ach or Sleepy-Evil For the Head-ach or Sleepy-evil you shall let the Swine blood under the Tongue and give him Lettice Leaves to eat or give them Water wherein Stone Cropel is steeped 2. The Pox in Swine The Pox is cured by giving him Mithridate in Metheglin or by drinking the warm Blood of a Lamb or give him Common Oyl with Pepper 3. Eating of Yarro In case the Swine hath eaten mad Chervile Millfoile or Yarro called in Latin Cheliophilon then give him to drink a good quantity of Water wherein Wild Cowcombers are boyled leting it stand before you give it him till 't is but luke-warm and that will vomit him 4. Diseases in the Eyes Are Cured with the Juice of Bittany or Horse Leeke or the Blades of Sallendine beaten in a Morter and laid upon the Eyes mixt with Wine or the Powder of Sepia blown into the eyes or dry the Yolk of an Egg to powder and blow it into the Eyes 5. Ague or Feaver Against the Ague let the Hog blood in the Tail 6. Measles prevented The Hog is especially subject to Measles it proceeds from Gluttony and over-eating now there is three especial signs of Measles viz. If you be-behold under his tongue small black Blisters or that he cannot stand on his hinder legs or that his Bristles be bloody as aforesaid this distemper is prevented by carefulness in the feeding and that they go into the Field in the open Air. 7. Rheum or Catarrhe Rheum or Catarrhe are cured by Bons Brimstone in a Fire-shovel and letting the smoke up the Nose or rub the Swines Mouth with Garlick bruised with Salt or bruised Laurel Leaves 8. To prevent Vomiting You shall let him stand fasting set up in some obscure place one day and night that he may consume the superfluous Moisture and recover again to his former Appetite Some have prescribed Medicines but the most experienc'd thing this way is the best 9. Measles Cured Let the Hogs that are Measled oftentimes wallow in a Bath in Sea-water and for lack of Sea-water let the Owner make a Bath of Water well boiled and salted and put it into a convenient place where the Hog may wallow therein and mingle with his meat bruised Garlick and give him the Rhine of Grapes or Goosberries or give him Roles of Leaven with his Meat 10. Plague or Disease in the Milt Swine are much inclined to the Plague and swelling of the Milt which very often seizeth such unclean Bodies because they eat foul and unclean Meats The best Cure for this Malady is to give them Honey Combs and whatever proceeds from Bees 11. Swelling of the Neck Against Rheum or Swellings in the Neck the best Remedy is to let the Swine blood under the Tongue 12. Aposthume or Swelling in the Throat Against Aposthumes or Swelling of the Throat mix the fine Flower of Wheat with Salt and rub the Sore therewith 13. Imposthumes in the Body See the 12 Chap. of the Swine 14. Diseases of the Gall. The over-flowing of the Gall in many times a Disease that befalls Swine the best Remedy is to give them Saffron mixt with Metheglin or Honey and White Wine let the Swine drink half a pint 15. To kill Lice or Ticks Take Linseed Oyl and Salt mix them together and rub the Swine all over therewith and it will free him from Vermin 16. To prevent Thirst Swine are subject to a Thirst whereof some have died which most frequently happen in the Dog-days the best that you can do for them is to drive them to some sweet River where they may lie down and bathe themselves 17. A great Cough or Cold. The Cough in Swine is cured by giving them Colts-foot and Lingwort boiled in Metheglin or take half a pound of Honey and a quarter of a pound of Liquorish boil them in a gallon of Water till half be consumed and let the Swine drink it luke-warm or give the Swine Gum Dragon and sweet Oyl 18. Belly-ach The Belly-ach is cured by giving the Swine Black Pepper boiled in Meâ—…heglin or take three spoonfuls of fennile-Fennile-seed mixt with White Wine and give it the sick Swine letting him swill 19. Lameness If the Swine be Lame so that it be ulcerated then drop into Wine Turpentine and Oyl very hot or take Honey and fresh Grease and spread them on a Plaister of Leather and lay it on the Wound 21. Flux For the Flux or Looseness in Swine give them to drink Vinegar and Milk mixed together and give them to eat Gall Nuts pounded and mixed with Starch and Wine Vinegar 22. Broken Legs or Joynts To cure Broken Legs or Joynts annoint the place with Sheep-suet and bind up the Broken Legs or Joynts with Straw or annoint it with the following Ointment sweet Butter Oyl Turpentine of each an ounce mix them to an Ointment An Alphabetical TABLE of the Diseases in Horses and their Cure A AGue of a Horse 15 Head-ach 17 Aposthumes 33 Tooth-ach 23 Ague 35 B Belly-ach 38 Bloody Flux 43 Biting of the Spider Mouse 47 Bruised Back 49 Back galled 50 Biting of Flies 51 Broken Loins 51 Biting of a Mad Dog 58 Biting of a Water-snake 59 C. Colts of what Colour you will 9 Coldness or Chilness 18 Catarrhe 19 Canker 23 Cough 32 Chollick 37 Chaps in the Feet 49 Chaps between the Joynts and Legs 56 D Difference in Breeding Mares and Stone-Horses 6 Difficulty in making Water E Pain in the Eyes 21 Web in the Eyes 20 Watering Eyes 21 Pin in the Eyes 20 Wounded Eyes 22 Eye Scars 22 F Feaver 24 Faintness 34 Fundament fallen 41 Flux 42 Flies droven away 51 Fashions 46 Fistula's 60 Fidge 60 Hound-red 61 G Glanders 19 Griping of the Guts 37 H Over-heated 35 Hen Dung swallowed 37 I Jaundice 43 K Knees swollen 55 Knees wounded 55 Knees over-grown 55 Kibe Heels 63 L Lean Horse made Fat Disease in the Lungs 28 Looseness 42 Leprosie 56 Lame 63 M To manage a Horse 4 Head-strong 4 When a Mare hath a desire to go to Horse 8 Marks of a good Colt 11 Madness 11 Mad Love 18 Mangy 52 Mallender 57 N Distemper in the Neck 27 Galled Neck 28 Crick in the Neck 28 O Ordering of Horses 1 Over-heated 1 Ordering a Mare that hath a Fole 11 Obstructions 39 Opilations 39 Old Swellings 49 Over-growing of the Hooff 60 Over-stepping 64 P Want of Pallat 24 Pricked in Shooing 61 R Rheum 19 Running of the Nose 19 Rupture prevented 46 Rupture cured 47 Ring Bone 59 S Staggers 17 Swelling of the Throat 26 Squincy 26 Struma 27 Strangling 27 Stomach lost 36 Stoppage of Vrine 44 Strangury 45 Swelling of the Cods 48 Swelling of the Flanks 41 Scabby 52 Sinew-struck 53 String-halt 57 Spavin 58 Sirachis T The time that a Mare may be covered 7 8 10 V Vlcer 33 A Venemous Creature swallowed 36 U A flying Worm 22 Waxen Kernils 27 Wind short 29 Worms 41 Woolfe 46 Warts on the Feet 48 Woolfe or Boil on the Foot 63 Y The Yalloes 43 Reader I Have only given you an Alphabetical Table of the Diseases in that part which treats of Horses and the other part which treats of Cows Sheep and Hogs hath a compleat Table fore-going the particular Medicines ERRATA PAge 16 line 10. r. much feeding p. 31 l. 10 r. Aristolochia p. 92 l. 4 r. Barefoot p. 101 l. 15 r. Popes c. General ordering of Horses Over-heated The Carter ought to be skilled in making Saddles c. The Stable to be kept clean How to manage a Horse Head-strong Gelding Difference in the manner of breeding Mares and Stone-horses The Cow when to be covered The Gelding of a Calf Marks of a Cow Of the Oxe
The signs of his having a pain in the head you may observe by the water which drops from him by the slack hanging of his Ears and that his neck and head is heavy and hanging downwards II. Mad or Raging Love It falls out sometimes that the Mares are vexed with a kind of Madness viz. when they see their shape in beholding themselves in the water and grow so amorous thereof that they forget to eat and to drink and dry up with inward heat The marks of this Madness are that they run along the Roads as if they were pricked with Spurs often looking about as if they did desire and seek something They recover of this Sickness being led again to the water for when they behold therein how ill-favoured they be they forget the first shape which they did behold in the water III. Coldness or Chilness in the Head A Horse which has got a Cold or Chilness is cured by drinking the warm blood of a Pigg boyl'd with Wine or Mastick and Wine-root boiled with Honey or common Oil with Pepper He gets this Distemper when he is put in a cold place being hot and sweating insomuch that the sinews shrink and the skin groweth hard therefore you are to place such a Horse in a very hot place well covered with a warm coverture which reacheth to the ground and you are to lay under his belly seven or eight great hot stones and to quench them oftentimes with warm water and this heat will cause him to sweat and cure the Distemper or Glanders c. IV. Rheume Catharre Glanders or Running of the Nose Against the Rheume or Catharre c. take Operment and Brimstone beaten together throw them upon burning coals and let the smoak enter into the nostrils of the horse to the end that the stiff humours which are in the brains may dissolve and distill down V. Pin in the Eye The Pin in the Eye you must lift up with an Ivory-Needle and then cut it clear off with a pair of small Cissars or take Powder of a green Agedeste or Rats-bane and lay it upon the Eye that it may eat the Nail VI. Webb in the Eye Against the Webb in the Eye or Running Eyes the best Remedy is an eye-Eye-water made of the Juice of Bittony pounded in a wooden Mortar or the Juice of Housleek or the blade of the herb Celendine pounded in a Mortar and laid thereupon with cold Water or rather with Wine after you have let the horse blood in the vein of the Eye affected These means you must continue to use many daies in the morning and at night You may also blow into the Eye through a Quill the powder of the grate of the Fish called Sepia or whole seed of the herb Rocket or lay thereupon the Ear of a little Lamb until it hath by its vertue taken away the flesh and cleansed it or the powder of the yolk of an Egg and Salt burnt together and put into the Eye or the powder of Sal-Armoniack Myrrh Saffron and scraping of the grates of Sepia VI. Watring of the Eyes Watering Eyes are cured by a Medicine made of Frankincense Myrrh Starch and White-honey or with a head lace made of Frankincense and Mastick bruised small and rubb'd with the white of an Egg and laid upon the forehead which being left thereupon a considerable time the Eyes will weep no more Then you must take off the band or head-lace with warm Water and Oil beaten together VIII Pain in the Eye All pains of the Eys are healed if you chafe or anoint them with the Juice of Lambs-tongue and Honey mixt together IX Sore or Wounded Eyes Sore or Wounded Eyes are healed by laying upon them a Poultess of the crum of Bread moistened in fresh Water or roasted or of boyled Bread soaked in white-White-wine But in case this will not help then you must open the head or chief vein X. Eye-Scarrs or Wounds The Scarrs or Wounds of the Eyes are healed with Fasting-spittle and Salt if often anointed therewith or by bruised grates of Sepia and melted Salt or by bruised seed of wild Parsnips being spread over the Eyes in a Linnen Cloth XI Flying Worm Against the Flying-Worm or Worms in the Nose you are to open the vein in the temples of the head make a deep hole under the throat with an hot Iron put a Tent therein and lay Flax therupon which is made wet in the white of Eggs and let him thus stand resting in the Stable for three daies XII Tooth-Ach The Colt hath many times pains in his Teeth and Gums when he begins first to get Teeth and then you must soak in strong Vinegar the best Chalk that you can get and rub the cheeks therewith outwardly and especially in that place where he feels the pain XIII Canker or little Bubbles or Swellings of the Tongue The Canker in the Mouth or under the Tongue which hinders the horse from eating because the Tongue is swollen may be cured by causing him to eat Pease and Beans or the husks or shells of the same for by the eating of them the Botch or Swelling goes away But in case this Distemper cometh again then it must be drawn out of the hollowness of the Palat and then be cut off dextrously with a pair of Cissars near to the Palat. XIV Falling or want of the Palat. Against the Falling of the Palat of the Mouth take the flesh away with a thin little Iron so far that the humours may run out by degrees next rub and cleanse the Palat with Syrop of Roses mixt with the Juice of Lemon and toasted Cheese XV. Fever The horse gets a Fever generally when he is suddenly watered after he hath wrought very hard which is almost like to the swelling in the Neck or the King's-Evil for the same happens as well to Beasts as to Men by the great coldness of the Water when the Throat is enflamed or heated whereby the horse loses his Stomach and Rest and his Ears become cold Then you may immediately find remedy against this in this manner Lay the Ear between the Neck and the Chine of the horse and cut open the hardness which is like a white Sinew the length-waies with a Lancet take this white flesh off and put therein a Linnen cloth which is made wet in the White of Eggs and cover the horse immediately with a horse-cloth leading him backward and forward till his Ears grow warm again and give him a potion made of Water Salt and Flower After he hath eaten some good Hay let him rest three daies to foment the place with things belonging thereto for to stir the humours and afterwards lay thereupon a Poultess of these things following Bird lime three ounces Barley-flower a convenient quantity being boiled together so long in Red Wine to the grosness or consistency of a Poultess And when the matter or filth is gathered together and is ready to break out then you must prick it and
when the matter is run out put into the hollowness the lint or scrapings of Linnen made wet in Water Oil and Salt This Sickness must be cured immediately for if it continue long then there is not any hope of recovery XVI Squinacy Or Swelling in the Throat The Swelling in the Throat or Squinacy otherwise pain in the Throat and swelling of the Tongue requires first letting of blood on the vein under the Tongue or of the Palat and next a fomenting of the whole Mouth and Tongue with warm Water next an anointment of the Gall of a Bull or of Salt and Wine-Stone pounded in Wine-Vinegar The potion you must make in manner following Take Anniseeds one ounce Old Oil two pound red-Red-Wine half a pint Fat Figgs of each nine Let it be all together soaked well and make a Decoction thereof into which you must put rubbed Saltpetre and Salt a convenient quantity strain it and make it a potion Which you are to pour into the Throat of the horse twice a day to wit in the morning and at night about a pint Next you must give him to eat green Barley or Barley-flower with which you must mingle Salt-petre if you let the horse bleed it must be done in the Palat of the mouth XVII Waxen Kernels Struma Choaking or Strangling The Waxen Kernel Struma or Choaking which is engendred under the throat of the horse and falls down from a cold brain you are to prick him under the throat next to cover his head with a linnen cloth and to rub often with sweet-butter the whole throat especially the place where the swellings lye XVIII Distemper of the Neck Against the Distemper of the Neck pierce the flesh in five places on both sides of the throat with an hot Iron as sharp as an Awl put into each hole an Hoggs-bristle and let the same stick therein for a whole fortnight XIX Galled Neck When the Neck or the Back is galled by the pressing of the Saddle then you ought to lay upon the wound the leaves of black Brionia XX. Crick in the Neck Against the Crick in the Neck wash the place with luke-warm Wine next lay some Tow of Flax dipt in the White of an Egg. XXI Distemper of the Lungs Against the Distemper of the Lungs take a Snake cut off the head and taile the rest cut into small pieces and roast it on a spit gather together the fat or grease that drops from the same and use it against the Distemper XXII Pursiness or Short windness The Pursie or Short-winded horse ro wit which cannot well take his breath and though he is spurred and struck he will not go on but coughs very much drawing his breath painfully Nay in eating also he doth not cease from coughing This Distemper is very hard to be cured It is true as long as the Distemper is new and occasioned by dust of a dust-raising wind or by eating any uncleanness in his forrage there is some remedy against this Distemper to wit the letting of Blood on the Shoulders and by chafing or anointing the horse on the breast and the back with the warm blood of the Beast mingled with Wine and Oil of Elephant when you have continued that five daies together then the five following daies you must let him fetch through the Nostrils Lye mingled with Oil Next give him to drink this potion which is made out of the following kinds Take Roast Mustard-seed Living Brimstone Paradise-corn of each a like convenient quantity being pounded small and boiled together in Metheglin to a Decoction Or make a thick Composition thereof and of that you must cause him every day to take as much as the bigness of a Walnut with thick Red-wine which is very good and excellent or make a potion of the following things Take Galingal Ginger Clove or July-flowers Cummin Fennil Eggs. Saffron a little mingled with Wine of all take a convenient quantity for a potion And pour it into the mouth of the horse holding his head up high that he may swallow it down the more easily without permitting him to let his head fall down at least for the space of a good half hour to the end that the potion may run through all his guts Next give him green grass or reed or willow leaves to eat to qualify the heat of the potion but the horse must in the mean time eat nothing half a day before or afterwards Next lead the horse gently backwards and forwards with the halter or mount upon him and ride him gently to the end that he may not vomit up the potion This is a means to heal a horse that is pursy and short-winded if the distemper is not too old but if it be an old evil then you may help it with brand-marks and by cutting up the nostrills for the heat of the fire will hinder this shortness of breath and cause the breath the better to enter in and to issue through the nostrills give him also often times grapes to eat and sweet wine to drink Moreover there is another excellent remedy to wit a potion made of Agaricus and Fenugreek soaked in red wine or the blood of a little dog which is not above ten dayes old the same being given the horse to drink or the root of wild Cucumbers and Gall Nuts pounded with honey-Honey-water and making a potion thereof XXIII Cough The Cough is occasioned by many reasons sometimes it proceeds from the lungs and other parts of the body therabouts and sometimes out of other inward and most low members which have the operations there is not any thing better against this distemper then the snipping or cutting of the nostrills of the beast And in case that he doeth not mend then you ought to pour into his throat a good draught of this following potion Take Fenigreek and Flax-seed of each a measure Gum-Dragon Frankincense Myrrha Sugar The Bran of small Pease or Fitches of each an ounce being all together bruised small and sifted Lay it a soaking a whole night in warm water And the next day you must give the horse to drink thereof according as has been said this you must continue adding thereunto Oil of Roses until he is well recovered some lay five whole Eggs a mollifying for a whole night in strong Vineger and the next morning when they observe that the shell is become soft they cause the horse to swallow it down Farther you ought never to bleed the beast in any place whatsoever but you must at the same time continue to give him Gum Dragon with sweet Oil. XXIV Vlcers or Aposthumes of the Breast The Ulcers or Aposthumes of the breast cause horses to die immediately therefore as soon as the waxing Kernell of the breast swells up you must draw out the swelling without ceasing but in case a vein breaketh thereby then you are to tie both ends together with a Silk thred for the greater the swelling grows the more matter or filth it will gather
know by his great Disquiet or want of Rest trembling over the whole Body through the great Heat in the midst of his Fore-head and about the root of his Horns and by his Ears also by his hot Mouth and his excessive Sweat by his little eating and licking and drawing of a dry Tongue by the heaviness or melancholly of the Head cunning and half-shut Eyes his Mouth very moist and full of Slabber long fetching of Breath nevertheless with great pain and often turning On the first day that you are aware of the Sickness let him fast the whole day the next day you shall let him bleed a little under his Tail five days afterwards you must nourish him with a Decoctum made of Burs Oyl and Pickle You must proffer him 〈◊〉 ways before all other green or moist Food viz. small tops of Lettice and other young Sprouts which you know will please the Beast VVash him also three times a day in the Mouth with a Sponge that is made wet in Vinegar next you shall give him three times very cold Water to drink and let him not seed in the pasture till the Ague hath left him 46. Beating of the Heart In case he is troubled with Beating of the Heart and a desire to vomit then rub him in the Mouth with Garlick or bruised Leeks and let him also swallow them down either alone or with a pint of Wine especially against the Griping in the Guts Chollick and rumbling of the Belly according as we shall shew in its due place Sect. 52. In case he has lost his Stomach you must give him raw Eggs beaten with Honey and Salt mingled with his Fodder or give him in his drink Andoren bruised small with Oyl and Wine or bruise the Leaves of Parsley ..... Sage and Rue and give him this to drink with White Wine 47. Stomach Lost For to excite him to a Stomach when he has lost his Taste by great weariness and heat rub his Tongue and the Pallate of his Mouth with Vinegar and Salt 48. Horse-leech swallowed down In case he has swallowed down an Horse-leech in drinking which hangs yet in his Throat then let him lie down and pour into his Mouth warm Oyl but if it is sunk down in his Stomach then give him some Vinegar through a Horn. 49. Venemous Grubs swallowed If the Oxen Kine or Horses feeding in the Pasture have swallowed down little Grubs which lie under the Herbs and are called by the Latins Buprestis of which they sometimes swell up burst and die then the Oxe-keeper must let them presently drink Cows-milk or a Decoctum of dry Figs or of Dates boiled in Wine and give them sharp and strong Clisters 50. Swelling and puffing up The Oxen swell and blow up when they have eaten too much Grass especially when the Dew lies thereupon then you must take a Horn which is bored through both sides annoint it with common Oyl and put it three or four fingers deep into his Fundament and next lead him backwards and forwards until he farteth leaving the Horn in his Fundament and rub his Belly with a flat piece of Wood. 51. Pain of the Belly Against Pain of the Belly give them Tracle or Mithridate to be drunk in Wine and the next day after let him blood under the Tongue and Nostrils or give him a Decoctum of Camomil and Rue pounded small letting them stand and rest at least for the space of seven or eight days or take Turpentine four Ounces mingled with a little Salt which is an excellent Remedy in this Sickness letting the Beast swallow it down in the form of a Bolus Pills or Potions 52. Cholick Against the Griping or stinging of the Guts Collick and rumbling of the Belly which is known when he sighs and stretcheth his Neck Legs or Belly or that he lieth down and rises often again and cannot stay in one place this evil is occasioned by weariness more in the Lent than in any other season in this Sickness you must let him walk being covered with a Wollen Cloth and rub him in the Mouth with Garlick or bruised Onion and let him swallow down the same either with a pint of Wine or alone some add thereunto Oyl of Mace and give him Allum and Red Cabidge being soaked in Wine with Mirrh and take away the Flesh round about the Claws of the Feet and prick him in the Tail that he bleedeth 53. Opilation or Obstruction In case he is opilated or obstructed then to open him the Belly and the hinder parts which are obstructed you must give him to drink in the morning two ounces of powdered Alloes with luke-warm Water or take Hiera two ounces Alloes one ounce mingled Or else you may as a very excellent Remedy give the sick Beast many times the remainder of Olives out of which the Oyl is press'd 54. Looseness of Bloody-Flux Against the Looseness which he gets by the eating of some Herbs or other like things which are hard to digest you must keep him at first two or three days from Grass and in the mean time lay before him the Blisters of Wild-Olive-trees Horse-tail Way-hroad or Plantain and sometimes the Berries of Night-shade in the mean time you must not give him much to drink and for the most part no drink at all keeping him some days from Eating any other thing but the Leaves of Young Orega and Pursly and let him not drink more than three Bowls of Water a day wherein young Sprouts of Laurel Leaves have been soaked But if a greater Looseness seizes upon him even to the Bloody-Flux then keep him four or five days without Meat and Drink and give him Raison-Kernels soaked in red Wine or Gall-nuts and Mirtle-berries soaked with old Cheese in thick Wine But the most excellent Remedy is to burn him in the midst of his Fore-head 55. Spoil'd Arse-gut If the Arse Gut be spoiled take three ounces of Turpentine and let it be put into his Fundament by a little Boy who has a thin and long Arm and let him be well cleansed within This you must continue five or six days Hogs-suet is also good instead of Turpentine for to annoint or to smear him therewith 56. Paia of the Loins Against the Pain of the Loins which many times troubles the Oxen make this following Pap Take Flower of Cole-worts-seed of each three handfuls bruise it together and mingle it with cold Water to a Pap and then put it upon the place where the Pain is You may also take Cypress Blisters without Stalks three handfuls and proceed therewith as before adding thereto in the bruising of it strong Vinegar or if there is any hardness by take Rosin or that which is harder Grecian Pitch Colophoniae three ounces let it melt by the heat of the Fire and when it is well hot then add thereto Barley of Meal a convenient quantity let it boil together to a Poltis and lay it well warm upon the Rump unto the Reins or
spit 70. Kibe on the Heel If he gets a Kibe on the Heel by great Cold and by having wrouâ—… in such places as are full of Snow or Frozen and sometimes after the Thawing also and because that the Joynts of the Foot have not been well wash'd over-night with Piss and bound up with Dung then the Heel gets an Ulcer and seems as it would go off and leave its place and then there follows an Inflamation which after the Ulcer very much troubles the Oxe in going forth Now you must chop small that part with little Lancets and kindle a small Fire of Fewel upon the chopt part and put thereupon a soft Rose-salve or a defensive of Water Vinegar being bound up and tied about with Straw When the Crust or the bad Flesh is fallen out then you must stew the place warm with Vinegar and Piss and lay thereupon a Pap or Plaister of Melilot or cold Hogs-suet 71. Swollen Foot If his Foot is swollen then make a Pap of Elder Blisters and Hogs grease mixt together and boiled 72. Crumpled or stiffned Foot If his Foot is crumpled or stiffned then take the Roots of white Poppeys Mallows together one pound boil them in water as much as is enough pound them and strain them through a Sive add to this Hogs-Grease half a pound and strong Wine three Bowls Let it boil again until the Grease is melted adding thereto flax-Flax-seed four ounces well broken and pounded and let it boyl at last until the Wine is sodden away to a Pap and put the one half part of this Pap upon the Foot and let it lie thereupon for three days and then the remainder also three days together 73. Wrinched Foot If he has wrinched the Foot then boil Honey and Hogs-grease in White Wine lay this Plaister upon the Foot and let it lie thereupon for three days 74. Wounded Foot In case he has wounded his Foot by a Thorn Glass or Nail or any such other sharp thing then cut the Claw off from the Foot as near the Wound as it is possible let drop therein very hot Turpentine and Oyl and then plaister the whole Foot with Honey and fresh Grease melted together 75. Claw of the Foot wounded If the Claw of the Foot is wounded by a Stone or Iron then cut it to the deepest part of the Wound with the Cissers of a Farrier and let drop therein very hot a Salve of old Hogs-grease and Bucks-rue being melted together and put thereinto Tents of Tow of Flax. 76. Claw of the Foot scaled or broke If the Claw of his Foot is scaled or broken then take Honey Turpentine New Wax of each one ounce to a Salve and put that round about the Claw for fifteen days together which time being expired add to the former Salve these following Ingredients Take Alloe Hepaticum Honey of Roses Buck Allum of each half an ounce to an Oinment and cover with this the whole Foot after that you have fomented it with Wine with which Honey has been mingled 77. Loose Claw If the Claw of his Foot becomes loose then you must at first cure it with the aforesaid Salve against Scaled Claws Sect. 76. until it groweth something fast next you must stew the whole Foot five or six days every day three times with the following Ingredients Take Honey unquenched Lime of each seven ounces Vinegar or Wine a convenient quantity 78. Foot-claw fallen off If his Foot-claw is fallen of then make a Salve of this following Take Honey Turpentine New Wax of each one Ounce and annoint therewith the Nail of the Foot fifteen days next wash it with luke-warm Wine which has been boiled with Honey and put a Plaister thereupon made of these following things Take Alloes Allum bruised Honey of Roses of each half an ounce to a Plaister There is also one Distemper more which is incident to Oxen c. not taken notice of in the Table or Cut or Portraicture of a Cow which is called The Hip-gout take Cow-dung laid under Ashes in Cabbidge or Vine-leaves and made hot and it will drive away the pain of the Hip-gout being laid upon it in the form of a Plaister If this be roasted in Vinegar it brings the bad Sores about the Chin and Throat to Distillation and being fryed with Cammomile flowers Melilots and black Briers in a Pan it drives away the Swelling of the Privities The Country mans Guide shewing the severall places in the body of a sheepe where diseases vsually happen The TABLE 1. HEad-ach 2. Giddiness 3. Loss of Cud. 4. Diseases in the Eyes 5. Ague in Lambs 6. Ague in Sheep 7. Rheum and Catarrhe 8. Diseases of the Teeth 9. Aposthumes or Vlcers 10. Boils 11. Boils or Scabs under the Chin of Lambs 12. Pursiness or short-winded 13. Rot or Plague 14. St. Anthony's Fire 15. Scab or Itch. 16. Diseases in the Lungs 17. Cough 18. Swallowing of a Venemous Creature 19. Swelling of the Belly 20. Lame in the Clawes 21. Maggots Lice or Ticks 22. Broken or bruised Joynts Introduction I Shall not particularize the many advantages which arise trom Sheep as the Wooll Flesh Pelt Dung and many others therefore in the first place the Country-man ought to get a good Breeder and to buy Sheep for his store that may be in all particulars answerable to his Business which I need not here relate Marks of a good Yew The best Yews have generally a great Body a long Neck long Wooll oright and shining like Silk having a great Belly and covered with Wooll and having great Paps great Eyes with long Legs and a long Tail Marks of a good Ram. The best sort of Rams are high and long of Body great Belly well covered with Wooll long and thick Tail the Fore-head broad and thick with Hair the Eyes black covered round about with much Wooll great Cods broad Loins great Ears covered with Wooll the whole Fleece of one Colour well Horned the Tongue and the Pallate all White for if the Tongue or undermost part of the Tongue should be black or speckled notwithstanding his Body is all White yet the Colour of the Lambs which he produces will be Speckled Gray or Black and therefore less esteemed for profit It is better that the Ram hath Horns than not for the Ram that hath no Horns is as a Man disarmed and is not so valiant to fight nor so hot after the Yew When a Yew ought to be covered The Yew ought to be covered when she is two years old and she will bring forth good Lambs until she is seven but a Yew that is covered before she is two years old bringeth forth weak Fruit but if it happen that a Yew is with Lamb before she be two years then you ought to sell the Lamb and the most convenient time to dispose of it is in the Month of October that the Yew which bears five months may bring forth her Lamb in the Spring or Lent at which time she will find
Grass sufficient to nouris her Lambs Salt Water to drink Farther you must give the Yews some few days before they be covered by the Ram Salt Water to drink and they will the better keep their Seed and the Ram shall grow the more fiery and vehement The way to have such Lambs as you please If you would have your Yews bring forth Ram-Lambs then you must put the Ram to the Yew in dry Weather and observe to drive the Yew towards the blowing of the North Wind that when they are feeding toward the North they may take Ram but if you will have Yew-Lambs then you must let them feed towards the South Wind and let them be covered To know what coloured Lambs a Yew will bring forth When the Yew is big in case her Tongue is black it s a sign that she will bring forth a black Lamb and if her Tongue be white she will bring forth a white Lamb but if the Tongue be speckled then she will bring forth a speckled Lamb. Of Sickness in Sheep The Sheep are inclined to many Distempers as Scabs or Scurveyness Cough and the Red Water which proceed from an exceeding Pain in the Head and also the Plague The three last Distempers are incurable insomuch as if any Sheep be sick with either of the said three Distempers 〈◊〉 occasions infections in the rest thereof many of them die all such scknesses are occasioned by eating of bad Herbs or by drinking of bad Water or standing Puddles or Pools in the Fields or because the places which they feed on are wet and moist by frequent Showers and bad Weather by which means they undoubtedly fall sick in six weeks time Here follows an account of all the Distempers incident to Sheep 1. The Head-ach If your Sheep are troubled with the Head-ach and Staggers which is occasioned by Surfeits the best Remedy is to take Asafettida and dissolve it in a spoonful of White Wine or bruise the Juice out of Sage and give it to the Sheep 2. Giddiness Giddiness in the Head befalls Sheep most commonly in the Dog-days insomuch as it makes them turn about and leap and in case you touch their Fore-head or Feet you will find that they burn exceedingly Against this Sickness you must let them blood in the middle of the Nose with a piece of Horn made sharp for that purpose thrust up as high as you can possible which will cause the Sheep presently to fall into a sound and immediately they will come again to themselves This being applied they will either be immediately well of this Distemper or die very speedily yet more do recover than die Some Shepherds have tried the letting of Blood in the Temples of the Head losing their Blood by little and little which hath proved very successful afterward giving them a spoonful of Brandy mixt with Mithridate 3. Loss of Cud. Take Leaven and Salt and mix them with Clay and the Piss of a lusty young Man and let him swallow it and that will recover him 4. Diseases in the Eyes Make an Eye-water of Eve Eye-bright and Horse-leech and wash their Eyes therewith or beat Wormwood with the Milk of a Yew and mix it with Rose-water 5. Ague in Lambs If a young Lamb have an Ague or other Sickness then you must give it to drink the Milk of its Dam mingled with as much water 6. Ague in Sheep When Sheep have an Ague you must blood them on the Heels between the two Claws of the Feet or on the Ear and keep them a good while from Water the best remedy for to cure them of the Ague is to boil in Spring Water and Wine the Stomach of a Ram and give the distempered Sheep the Broth to drink 7. Rheum or Catarrhe The Sheep gets Humours and Rheums in the Dog days by the great Heat of the Sun for prevention of which the Shepherd in such hot seasons ought to drive his Flock in the Fore-noon towards the West and in the Afternoon towards the East for it is a great matter that the Heads of the Sheep as they 'r feeding be turned against the Sun which in the beginning of the Dog-days is often times the cause of this Distemper 8. Diseases in the Teeth For Diseases in the Teeth let the Sheep blood in the Gum or Vein of the upper Lip and rub his Teeth with old Leaven and Sage 9. Aposthumes or Vlcers In case the Sheep hath any Mattering Aposthume or Ulcer then you must prick it with a Lance and put into the Wound Salt burnt in a Fire-shovel rubbed small and mingled with melted Pitch 10. Boils You may cure Boils with Allum Sulphur Vinegar and Brimstone mixt together or with burnt Gall-nuts being mixt with Wine and laid upon the Sore 11. Boils or Scabs under the Skin of Lambs The Lamb many times gets Scabs under the Chin by eating of Herbs when the Dew lies upon them the Remedy against which is to take Hysop and Salt of each an ounce well bruised together and with this you must annoint the Pallate of the Mouth and Tongue then wash the Boil with Vinegar and afterwards chafe it with Tar and Grease 12. Pursiness or short-winded The Rheum or Catarrhe of the Sheep as well as of the Horse sticks so fast to the Lungs that it cannot be removed with Bleeding nor with a Potion and if this Sickness continue the best Remedy is that the Sheep be kept without Food for a day or two likewise it is convenient that whatever Hay or Fodder hath been eaten among the Sheep while one that hath been sick hath been amongst them the Oughts thereof be taken clean away for such Sheep get the same sickness by eating after them that are sick Some say that for this sickness it is good to hang about the Neck of the Sheep a living Toad put in a little bag of Linnen and to let it hang nine days Others say that it is good to bruise Lock and Noble Sage together and make a Potion thereof with very strong Vinegar Others pour in their Mouths a spoonful of Brandy with Mithridate but there is but little help for this Distemper for they often die after several Medicines have been given to them because the Lungs are quite dried up with a continual Coughing There is no better Remedy against this Distemper than for to throw them upon their Backs in a stinking unclean Gutter 13. Rot or Plague Against the Plague there is no other Remedy for Beast than for Man but for to keep them from this Distemper the best way is often to give them Melilot Scitisers Wild Polly or Wild Balsom But to prevent the Rot in those Sheep that are not tainted by that Infection you must give them Salt mingled with Brimstone in a Fire-shovel which will purge them and preserve them from this Contagion 14. St. Anthony 's Fire The Fire of St. Anthony is by the Shepherd called Wild-fire very difficult to cure and there is no other
THE Country-Man's GUIDE OR Plain Directions FOR Ordering Curing Breeding Choice Use And Feeding Of Horses Cows Sheep Hoggs c. Adorn'd with Sculptures shewing the proper places in the Bodies of the said several Beasts where the said Distempers do usually happen Published for the Publick Good by W.W. LONDON Printed for S. Lee Stationer over against the Post-Office in Lombard-street 1679. THE PREFACE TO THE READER HAving been importuned by divers of my Country-friends to publish the ensuing Rules and Directions for the better ordering and curing of most sorts of Cattle of their Distempers and Maladies that so the whole Kingdom might receive a general Benefit thereby I have at length taken upon me so to do though not with a little Regret as being very sensible how ill Entertainment this small Manual may receive from the hands of some particular persons who I doubt not will not spare spending their censorious Judgments concerning it to the depression of it as much as in them lyes But in regard it is not likely any may do so without being obliged thereto by their own private Interest and Advantage and never any thing comprehending the whole of this having been before published at so small a price I shall not therefore wholly wave this my good design to my Country seeing there is no other reason for it than that this little Book may be prejudicial to the Monopoly that some Horse-Doctors have contracted to themselves but proceed as chearfully as I can therein for the best advantage to my Country-men The Book consists of divers Choice Observations and Experiences of divers skilful English men The whole is made very easie to the apprehension of the Reader by the Table preceding the Book wherein every Disease is figured and answers the Figures in the Cuts placed against the Table And is further illustrated and found out by the Alphabetical Table at the end of this Book That this small Endeavour therefore may answer the Design it was intended for is the only Desire of The Readers Hearty Well-wisher W.W. The Country mans directory shewing the severall places in the body of a Horse where the seaverall diseases vsuall happâ—… A Table of several Diseases incident to Horses with a Relation to the Printed Cut or Portraiture of a Horse in the First Page of this Book 1 THE Head-Ach Staggers or Madness 2 Mad or Raging Love 3 Coldness or Chilness in the Head 4 Rhume Catarh Glanders or Running of the Nose 5 Pin in the Eye 6 Web in the Eye 7 Watring of the Eyes 8 Pain in the Eye 9 Sore or Wounded Eyes 10 Eye-Scars 11 Worms in the Nose 12 Tooth-Ach 13 Canker in the Mouth or Tongue 14 Want of Palat. 15 Fever or Plague 16 Squinacy or Swelling in the Throat 17 Waxing-Kernel Struma Choaking or the Strangles 18 Distemper of the Neck 19 Galled Neck 20 Crick in the Neck 21 Distempers of the Lungs 22 Short-windedness or Pursiveness 23 Cough 24 Ulcers or Aposthumes of the Breast 25 Faintness 26 Over-heated 27 Ague 28 Venemous Creatures swallowed 29 Stomach or Appetite lost 30 Henn-dung swallowed 31 Cholick or Griping in the Gutts 32 Belly-Ach 33 Obstruction in the Arse-Gutt 34 Falling of the Fundament 35 Worms 36 Flux or Looseness of the Belly 37 Bloody-Flux 38 The Yellow-Jaundise 39 Stopping of Urine 40 Difficulty in making Water 41 Strangury 42 Wolf or over-growing of the Flesh 43 Rupture prevented 44 Rupture cured 45 Biting of the Spider-Mouse 46 Swelling of the Codds 47 Warts 48 Chaps in the Feet 49 Old Wounds or Swelling in the Back 50 Bruised-Back 51 Galled-Back 52 Biting of Flyes 53 To drive away the Flyes 54 Stiffness in the Joynts 55 Broken-Loyns 56 Swelling of the Flanks 57 Scabby or Mangy 58 Wrecking of the Sinews 59 Swelling of the Knees 60 Knees cleft and broken 61 Over-growing of the Knee-pan 62 Farcions Farcy or Leprosy of the Legs or elsewhere 63 Chops between the Joynts and Legs 64 String-hall 65 Mallender 66 Spavin 67 Biting of a Mad-Dog 68 Biting of Water-Snakes 69 Ring-bone 70 Fistula 71 Over-growing of the Hoof. 72 Figg 73 Foundred 74 Prickt with a Nail 75 Limping oe Halting 76 The Shee-Wolf or Boyls and Knobs on the Foot 77 Scratches 78 Over-reaching INTRODUCTION OR General Instructions FOR THE Breeding Ordering or Managing of Horses c. I Shall begin with the Horse in the first place as being a Creature useful for Peasants serviceable for Princes Noblemen Prelates and in general to all states and conditions of men In a word as being such a Beast as hath not its like considering its Beauty Courage Use Convenience and Advantage The patient Carter that loves his Beasts seldom or never strikes them but uses them so to the sound of his Whip that they are ruled by his Voice and Call Nor doth he force them to draw or labour beyond their ability In the morning he currieth them cheerfully and in the Summer sometimes in the afternoon He watereth them not but in due time after they have rested In the Summer he often washes their feet with cold water and sometimes with wine or the Lees of wine to strengthen them and also with Piss when they are weary and tired with labour and at night carefully stops their feet with dung And in case they be over-heated or have no stomach to eat then he washes their mouth with Vinegar and Salt and gives them neither Hay nor Fodder Oats nor Straw but what is pure and clean Nor doth he permit them to be unshod or unnailed He taketh care also that the Harness Saddles Collers Bridles or any other necessary implement be not broken torn or spoiled He ought also to be skilful in sewing with wax-thread and to stuff the Pannels and Saddles with Flocks In short he ought to understand the Art of the Harness-maker Sadler and of the Farrier and in order thereunto he must alwaies have about him his Knapsack or Budget and the Waggoner ought to have some convenient place or Box in his Cart or Waggon wherein he may put his Instruments and Iron-work to make the Horses necessaries for their shooing He must also carefully observe what is wanting or what is out of order as if any any of his Horses limpeth he must observe which foot is affected and where the pain lyes and sometimes he stops the foot pained with dung He must also well observe when the Beasts get new Hoofs and in the Lent let the horn grow out And if they have a hot mouth insomuch that they cough then he must cover them And if they have got the Rheum or Catharrine labouring occasioned by Rain and bad weather then he causes them to eat Fenigreek or Annise mixt with their food And when they begin to grow old and to change apparently he will consider the love which the Horses bear one to another and accordingly he will place them in the stable which every morning in the Summer ought to be made clean so
place before the eye of the Mare or throw over the Mare a Coverture of such colour as you desire when she is covered by the Horse The Quality of a Mare to be covered The Mare which you desire may have a good generation of Colts must not be under two years old nor above ten or twelve years considering that being of a colder temper than the Horse she is also weaker she ought also to be handsome of body and pleasant to behold The rump and the back broad well fed and such an one as hath not laboured long Mares that are full not to be put to labour when she is Big she must be fed and not put to labour nor be left in the cold but in the Stable while it rains to the end she may go her full time without danger How to order a Mare that hath Cast In case the Mare casts her Colt before the time then you must pound Oak-fern and give it her to drink mingled with lukewarm water through a horn but if she hath cast well you may touch the Colt with your hand gently but a small pressure or blow will hurt bruise it As soon as she hath foaled in the Stable you must comfort her with a potion of lukewarm water mixt with Salt and Flower giving it to her in the evening and morning at least for the space of three daies Next you must give her good Hay and Grain sufficient and keep her clean with strowing that she may afterwards rest at Leisure For this Entertainment affords Flesh to the Colts and makes them strong Marks of a good Colt A good Colt Horse or Stone-horse is known by big bones a good shape a little head and so dry or lean that he hath scarce any thing but skin and bones that hath little sharp and streight Ears great swelling black and clean Eyes very large Nostrils thin and lean cheeks the mouth split alike on both sides the Neck somewhat long and arch-like thin about the head a short broad back the Main curled thick and long hanging down on the right side a broad Breast standing out before and full of Muscles great Shoulders round in the Sides double Back close tite Belly the Stones eaven and small broad and sunk or depressed members a long Tail with thick and curled Hair bigg-boned leggs which are also dry lean and not loaden with flesh but long and streight round and little knees not turn'd inwards rough and round buttocks big and long thighs full of brawns and muscles black hoof hollow round and somewhat rais'd towards the knuckles and of a small Crown In a word such an one as is joyful quick pleasant and neither vicious nor sick for such are obedient and proper for labour such as is not stubborn affrighted greedy nor lazy in eating that does not dung much nor lye down in the water Moreover that your Horse be of a Bay-colour dark-red dapple-gray or pale-colour which is the best token of a strong or stout Horse And finally to speak of the virtue and handsomeness of a Horse he ought to have the Eyes Ligaments and Limbs of an Oxe the strength and feet of a Mule the hoofs and thighs of an Ass the throat and neck of a Wolf the ears and tail of a Fox the breast and main of a woman the courage of a Lion the sight and agility of a Serpent the pace of a Cat the swiftness of a Hare the sâ—…p or tread high the trotting from the gallop easie and pleasant light 〈◊〉 running quick and nimble in leaping and docible at the hand The Age of a Horse The Country-man ought also to have skill in knowing the Age of the Horse that he may let him work according to his strength The Age of the Horse is discerned by his feet and hoofs but most especially by his Teeth The Teeth of the Horse The Horse hath commonly eight and twenty Teeth although Aristotle speaks of thirty he begins to get Teeth the first three months and at the end of the year he has above and below on each side six Teeth After thirty months two alter above and two below and within three years and an half he gets on each side four Teeth more When he is four years old the Dogg teeth fall out and in their places come other Teeth Before the sixth year the great Cheek-teeth or Eye-teeth fall out and within the sixth year others grow in their room The same sixth year he hath all his Teeth which are altogether made hollow but after that time you cannot easily discern how old the Horse is In or about the Twelfth year you may perceive a strange vnusuall blackness in the teeth and observe that the older an Horse is the longer his teeth grow except sometimes when by overhard scrawnching or biting they shorten more and more In the tenth year the Temples of the head begin to sink and grow hollow sometimes rhe Eye-brows also grow gray and then the Horse shews in his fore-head a sad and sorrowfull Countenance hangs down his head is heavy has pale Eyes and gray haire in many other places and this happens ordinarily to those of a Bay Colour and Chesnut Brown and such as come neerest to black The speckled becomes white the white turnes to dapple-gray and sometimes a brownish colour He has also many wrincles on the upper Lipp according to the number of which vsually the years of the Horses age are counted The Curing of Diseases in Horses Further it concerns the Country man to be carefull of the Health of his Horses which may live at least till Twenty years of age and do good service all the while If he findes them in good health though lean he is to give them kiln dried Wheat or twice as much bruised or pounded Barley He ought to rub them well over every day in regard it does them much more good to be often rubbed and handled then to eat much Lean-Horse Besides a lean Horse may be made fat with little Kidney-Beans boiled mingled with Oats But if the Horse be so weak that he cannot swallow it down then you must strengthen and comfort him with a good deal of the yolk of Eggs and sugar which he must swallow downe Besides which Luke-warm water mingled with salt and Flower of Barley being given to the Horse in the morning and at night is an excellent thing to make him very fatt Likewise it is very good to give the Horse fower times a day a little Panick or Rice mingled with Bean-Flower and salt that he may not vomit up again which he takes THE Country-Man's GUIDE I. Head-ach Staggers and Madness THE great Head-ach and Madness of a Horse is cured by continual rubing of Ladies-mark Semel a kind of Bread so called Lettuce-blades cut small and fresh Straw mingled with it You must also let him bleed out of the vein of the brains or the temples or of both and put him in a dark and low Stable
For at this time generally she desires the Bull most which you may observe when the Claws of her Feet are swollen and also by her continual Lowing If the Cow is covered about this time she will cast her Câ—… about ten Moneths afterwards aboâ—… which time the new Grass will coming forth which will renew hâ—… Milk and tend to the better nourishing of the Calf That the Cow maâ—… the better conceive you must leaâ—… her lean to the Bull though on thâ—… contrary the Bull ought at the samâ—… time to be fat and well knuckled oâ—… full of joynts The Bull also ought tâ—… be rather long than tall of red Hairâ—… broad Shoulders thick Bones small Body yet round broad Breast short Head broad Forehead black Eyes short Horns long and rough Tail In case the Cow will not admit the Bull or that the Bull desires her not you may create them an appetite by holding before their Nostrils burnt Harts-tail or by using another mixture which we shall take notice of in chap. 28. concerning the Horse During the time that the Cow is full you must keep her from leaping over Ditches and from running through Hedges or Bushes of Thorns or Bryers Besides you must keep her a while in the Cow-house before she casts with good Fodder without milking her at any time for the Milk which she then gives is not good but becomes as hard as a Stone You must take special care to give her very clear Water which she loves as much as a Horse loves muddy thick Water for you must observe by the way that â—…tis a token of a good Horse when he stirs the Water with his Fore-foot before he drinks Of the Calf NOw concerning the young Calf You must leave it by the Cow after she has cast with a good strewing of fresh Straw renewing it often for five or six days together at which time you may remove the Calf to another place and carry it to the Cow from time to time to suck But if you find that the Calf will not suck but bubbles with the Teat not being able to draw Milk you must look under the Tongue and if you find there a whitish fleshly substance growing over the Tongue much like to the Pip you must cut it off without wounding the Tongue with small well cutting Cissers and wash the place with Water and Salt and well bruised Garlick broken which always prevents the Death of the Calf without which remedy the Calf often dies of this Distemper You ought also to be very careful in driving away the Lice which trouble the Calf and hinder his growth as doth the Scabs which is occasioned thereby which may be easily discerned when the Skin wrinkles These two Distempers are cured by annointing the Calf with Butter and will wholly be prevented if you rub the Calf twice a day with a handful of Straw and do not suffer his Piss to lie under him And you must be sure to keep him with fresh Strewing keeping his Dung from him When to geld a Calf THe Calf must be gelt in the morning before he goes into the field and before he is two years old and not later for this is the best time for his growing large When the Calf is gelt you must give him Hay chopt or cut small mingled with Bread until he gets his former appetite You ought not to geld him in the extremity of hot or cold weather or in the decrease of the Moon Marks of a good Cow AS for the Cow she ought to be of a middle size viz. long of bigness broad rump black Hair or speckled or with white and black spots the Winde-pipe great and hanging down of a great Belly broad Forehead black and great Eyes the Horns not short nor thin but even and black rough Ears hollow Cheek-bone great Mouth open and dropping Nostrils hanging down Lips long thick Neck broad Shoulders with a long Tail to her Heels small short and even Claws on the Feet broad Breast great and long Teats Concerning the Oxe THe Oxe Is inclined to as many Distempers as the Horse and to preserve him from the most common Distempers the Ancients did purge him at the end of each season of the year for three days together some with Lupin and Berries of Cyprus pounded together and soaked one night under the blew Heaven in Spring-water Others with Drugs according to the custom and diversity of the Countries You may understand that he is Sick when he eats nothing although he hath much fine Fodder lying before him There is nothing better thus to cleanse the most inward parts and to purge him than to let him often eat the remainder of Olives out of which the Oyl has been prest All kind of Sicknesses Assoon then as you see the Oxe to be Sick of what sickness soever it be then you must give him the following Purge made of Sea-onion Rhamnus and Common Salt boiled in Water and make it luke-warm with the same Water But you must neither give him to eat nor to drink before this Purge hath done its oporation But to preserve him the whole year along from Sickness you must give him in the beginning of the Spring of the Summer Harvest and the Winter a potion made of Leaves of Capers and Cypess soaked in Water and let it stand one night a soaking in a pot and continue this for three mornings All sorts of Pain Against all outward pain wheresoever it be in the Body which disables the Beast from going or acting with ease you must foment the place and lay thereupon a Poltis of Cammomlie Flax-seed and the Hetb Melilot 1. Wearied Horns If the Horns of the Oxe are wearied by drawing then to comfort them is by force to make the Horn fast in its place and next annoint it as also the uppermost parts of the Head for five or six days together with an Ointment of bruised Cumin Turpentine Honey and Bolus Armenius being all together mingled and boiled Next you must wash the Horn with a Decoctum of Wine wherein a good deal of Sage and Lavender has been boiled 2. Scaled Horns Or 3. Split Horns In case the Horn is scaled then you must foment it first with Vinegar Salt and Oyl mixt together and next lay thereupon old melted Hogs Grease or Suet and new Pitch or annoit him with this on the wounded place for five or six days and then the Horn will grow soft and the Clefts will go away 4. Broken Horn. In case his Horn is broken then take Turpentine 6 Ounces Gum Arabick one Ounce boil this to an Ointment and rub with this the Horn round about for ten or twelve days together which time being expired bruise Common Bolus mingled with the White of Eggs and spread it upon the Tow or Flax and lay it upon the wounded place and let it lie thereupon for three days together Thus when the Tow begins to dry then take it off and spread in
the place bruised Sage and the Horn will be healed 5. Hair standing upright When the Hair of the Oxe or Cow stands upright over the whole Body and he is not so merry as he uses to be but of a sad look his Neck hanging downwards his Mouth foamy having a heavy gate the Back-bone and also the whole Back stiff eating without Stomach and chewing but little This Sickness may be cured in the beginning but being inveterate it can in no wise or at least very seldom be helped For which cure take Sea-Onion or Wild-Onion and cut small Roots of Mellons bruised of each three Ounces course Salt three handfuls let it be soaked in a pot of strong Wine or in Vinegar to a potion Of this you may give the Oxe or Cow every day half a pint 6. Lice or Ticks Against Lice or Ticks you must use a Decoctum of wild Olives and Salt and take away the little Blisters which he has under his Tongue 7. The Scab Itch or Mange The Scab Itch or Mange is cured with Common Oyl and Oyl of Olives mingled together or take Oxe-Gall the Powder of living Brimstone Myrrhe Oyl and Vinegar with some Plum-Allum being rub'd small and mingled together Or chafe him with his Piss with old Salt-butter with Turpentine or with White Rozen melted in White Wine 8. Eating Sore in the Neck Against an Eating Sore or Scab rub him with bruised Garlick with Powder of Brimstone and Vinegar with broken Gall-nuts or with White Andoren mixt with Soot 9. Aposthumes or Sores In case he hath Aposthumes or Sores then you must annoint them with brused Mallow in White Wine also upon the Sore parts unless there be great reason to the contrary It is likewise very good to lay small bruised Powder of Gall-nuts likewise the Juice of Andoren is very good in this case being mixt with the Soot of an Oven 10. Boils or Mattering Vlcers Boils or Ulcers are made ripe with Leaven Lilly-root with Sea-Onion and Vinegar letting him blood and cleansing him with his warm Piss putting therein Wicks dipt in Tar all which spread upon a Linnen Cloth which has lain in the Grease of Goats or of Oxen and lay it to the part affected 11. Hide-bound on the Legs If the Skin sticks to the Bones then you must foment it either with Wine alone or such as is mixt with Oyl 12. Hide-bound on the Ribs In case he is too lean that the Skin seems to cleave to the Ribs then foment his Hide against the grain of the Hair with Wine and Oyl in a warm place or in the Sun next annoint him with the Dregs of Wine and Hogs Suet being mixt together into an Ointment 13. Bewitched The Oxe and Cow is often bewitched as well as the Horse the signs of this are that he is melancholly grows dry and lean therefore you shall give him in through the Nostrils Jews Gum Brimstone Juniper-berries being all together soaked and broken in warm Water 14. Head-ach Against Head-ach bruise Garlick in Wine and let him draw that up through the Nostrils next foment the whole Head with a decoctum of Laurel Lavender Mariblam or Margelins Nuts and Rue Blisters sodden in Wine 15. Humour or Rheum When he contracts any Humour or Rheum because of superfluity of Flegm or Snot which is apparent when his Eyes run and that he has no Stomach and lets his Ears hang down then wash his Mouth with Rhue bruised in White Wine or rub his Mouth with Garlick and small beaten Salt and wash it next with Wine Some cleanse these Flegms with bruised Laurel-leaves and the Rinds of Granat-Apples others put into his Nostrils Myrrhe and Wine 16. Swollen Eyes Against swollen Eyes put upon them a Plaister of Wheaten-meal mixt with Honey or Honey-water But if they are swollen with Humour or Rheume then let him blood under the Tongue and pour into him well cleansed Juice of Ladies Mark Sage and Savin or against bad swollen Eyes make an Eye-water of bruised Wheat mingled with Honey-water 17. Weeping Eyes Against Weeping Eyes and Moistness that drops upon his Cheeks take Pap of Wheaten-meal and make thereof a Plaister for to lay upon the Eyes Against this Distemper also Wild Parsnips being bruised with Stalk and Root together and mixt with Honey for to annoint the Eyes therewith is very effectual 18. Running Eyes Against Running Eyes blow into them fine bruised Copperas or Vitriol and Thutia 19. Sharp Tears Against Sharp Tears Epiphorae of the Eyes that is that the Oxe hath but his half Sight whether it be in one or in both Eyes you must let him blood under the Eyes and the Sight will be bettered but you must continually drop Honey into his Eyes until he is perfectly cured 20. Mattering Eyes Against Eyes that Matter like a Wound which happeneth by continual Humour which fall down from the Brains take Saffron and fine Frankincense of each two ounces Myrrhe one ounce break it in Rain Water and mingle it to an Eye-water 21. Dark and Cloudy Eyes In case he hath a Dark and Cloudy Eye then blow into it fine Powder of Cinnamon Sugar-candy and of dried Bones 22. Shales or Nail of the Eyes Against the Shales or Nail of the Eyes you must make him an Eye-Water of Stone-salt Sal Armoniack soaked in Honey or annoint also the Eyes with a mixture of Oyl of Olives and Pitch being well incorporated to prevent the danger of Flies which are apt to come about the Honey 23. Spots or Webs in the Eyes Against Spots or Webs in the Eyes which is nothing but a superfluity which through great Cold or long continuance grows upon the Eyes in which there is a Humour which is called Waterish upon which swimmeth one which is somewhat Glassie To cure this Distemper take Ardtvel and pound it long in a Woodden Mortar and annoint the Eyes with the Juice which comes out from it But if you cannot get that then take the Leaves and Berries of Straw-berries and make thereof Juice as before Continue with one of these Remedies in the Morning and at the Evening for many days together then the Spots shall decrease and go away And observe that you do instead of Water take Wine thereto it would be better and more convenient 24. White on the Eyes Against the White on the Eyes put a Plaister thereupon of Chrystal Salt Sal Gemmae and Mastick pounded small and mixt on the Eyes together with Honey continuing the same often times 25. Warts upon the Eye-lids In case he hath Warts upon the Eye-lids then foment the place with the Gall of any Beast whatsoever or which is better cut the Warts off with a pair of Cissers or take them off with a Thread tied on stiff next annoint the place with Alloes Vinegar and Gall boiled together 26. Swollen Pallate or Falling of the Pallate If the Pallate is swollen then you must open it immediately with a Lancet or red-hot Iron to the end that the corrupted Blood
Remedy to use in this Distemper than to bathe the Sheep with She-Goats-milk but my Advice is to separate the first Sheep that hath this Distemper from the Flock that the rest be not infected 15. Scab or Itch. Against Scabbiness or Scurveyness in Sheep you must make a Salve of these following Ingredients Take Brimstone Cyprus Roots of each three ounces which you must incorporate with Camphire and White Rosin Wax a convenient quantity after that you have annointed the scabby or scurvey Sheep three nights one after another then wash it with Lie sea-Sea-water or Pickel and the Sheep will be well 16. Diseases in the Lungs If your Sheep be distempered in the Lungs you must give him Colts-foot Sage and Pursland mixed with Metheglin or a spoonful or two of Mithridate in White Wine or a head of Garlick mixt with Vinegar 17. Cough Against the Cough you must give the Sheep to drink in the morning out of a little Horn Oyl of sweet Almonds mixt with White VVine being made luke-warm also let the Sheep eat the Herb Colts-foot if the Cough come in the spring but if it be in any other season then you may give him some bruised Fenugrick with some Cummin-seed 18. Swallowing of a Venemous Creature In case the Sheep swallow down an Horse-leech or any other Venemous Creature you must pour into his Throat strong Vinegar warm'd or Oyl 19. Swelling of the Belly There is an Herb which is called a Thousand Buttons and the Herb Centory is very unwholesome for Sheep whereof if they eat the whole Belly swells up voiding a thick and stinking humour then the best Remedy is to let them blood presently under the Tail near the Buttock or on the Vein of the uppermost Lip 20. Lame in the Claws In case the Sheep becomes Lame because its Claws are grown weak by having stood too long in his own Dung and that it can't go then you must cut off the end of the Nail affected or Claw of the Foot affected and lay thereupon unslacked Lime with a Cloth leaving it but one day thereupon and the next day lay Spanish Green thereupon laying it on by turns until the Claw be healed 21. Maggots Lice or Ticks The same Remedy is good also for a Sheep that hath Maggots Lice or Ticks as for a Sheep that hath the Scab or Itch as you will find in the 15th Receipt for Sheep 22. Broken or Bruised Joynts For Broken or Bruised Joynts give the Sheep a Drink made of Bettony Mugwort and Multowes of each a spoonful of the Juice and annoint the Wound with black Sope or mix Bird-lime with Tallow and lay a hot Plaister on the Wound The Country-mans Guid containing the Direction for the Breed Ordering and Curing of all Distempers in Swine 1. HEad-ach or Sleepy-evil 2. The Pox in Swine 3. Eating of Yarro 4. Diseases in the Eyes 5. Ague or Feaver 6. Measles prevented 7. Rheum or Catarrhe 8. To prevent Vomiting 9. Measles Cured 10. Plague or Diseases in the Milt 11. Swelling in the Neck or Throat 12. Aposthumes or Swellings in the Throat 13. Imposthumes in the Body 14. Diseases in the Gall. 15. To kill Lice or Ticks 16. Thirst prevented 17. To prevent Greediness 18. For a great Cough or Cold. 19. Belly-Ach 20. Lameness in the Foot 21. Flux in Swine 22. Broken Legs or Joynts â—…e Country mans Guide shewing the severall places in the body of a Hog where diseases vsually happen Introduction HAving before treated of the more Tamer sort of Cattle I shall now likewise treat of Swine as being the most unruly and the most hurtful in his kind of any common Beast but nevertheless very much desired because it yieldeth sweet Flesh whilst they are young and for his Bacon when salted as being the most serviceable and not to omit the advantage of the Hide Bristles and Grease Therefore it is requisite in all those places where there is a great number of Swine kept that there is a Man allowed for no other Imployment then to keep the Swine and carefully to preserve them from danger that may befall them or that they may not injure the Corn-fields in which they are kept and to take care of the weaned Piggs The Husbandman must take care for such Food that is convenient for Swine as Acrons Nuts Haws and all such as the Swine usually eat 'T is good that you provide entertainment against the Hogs come out of the Field at the usual time for by so doing you shall make them return to their Owner without running astray which certainly you may do by a due providing of Meat for them at a set time Marks of a good Bore The Bore is esteemed the best that is short and broad his Mouth drawing upwards and long having a broad and thick Breast broad Shoulders short and great Thighs white of Colour and in a word the broadest and most four square and of a full Body having thick Bristles on his Back is the best Bore Marks of a good Sow The best Sows are such as are longest of Body with a hanging Belly of broad Buttocks and long Ribs of a little Head and short Legs white Hair The time of a Sow being covered Let not the Sow be covered before she is above one year old and the Bore that covereth her must be three or four years old but after the fifth year you must geld him for to feed him for Brawn or Bacon The best time to cover a Sow is from the Increase until the Full Moon after the Full Moon it is not good The best time in the year is to let the Sow take the Bore at Candlemass that the Piggs may be strong in the Harvest time The Winter Piggs are more hard to bring up and not so natural as the others that are Pigg'd in Summer A Sow may rear Eighteen Piggs if she hath so many Paps The best time to Geld Pigs and to Splay the Sow THe best time to geld is when they are a Year old and not older when the Moon is in the Decrease in the beginning of Spring or in the Fall of the Leaf when its moderate Weather in case you cut them when they are little I confess that the Bacon will be the sweeter but they will not make so large Swine therefore you may use your discretion to cut them from Four to Six Month 's or to a Year To make a Hog Fat THe Hogs that you intend to Fatten for Bacon ought always to be set up in a particular Stye and the darker the Stye is the better provided there be but so much light as to see to give them meat there needs not so much care of them as other Swine but that their Stye be made clean and that they have food at all times lying before them in their Troughs They are not to be brought from one place to another though they have no Motion and not able to move themselves Their is divers manner of Food according to the