it be a melancholy humor and abounding over-much it waxeth every day thicker and thicker causing obstruction not only in the veins arteries which is to be perceived by heaviness and grief on the left side but also in the Spleen it self whereas by vertue of the heat it is hardned every day more and more and so by little and little waxeth to a hard knob which doth not only occupy all the substance of the Spleen but also many times all the left side of the womb and thereby maketh the evill accidents or griefs before recited much more than they were Now as touching the inflamation of the Spleen which chanceth very seldom for so much as every inflamation proceedeth of pure bloud which seldom entereth into the Spleen I shall not need to make many words but refer you over to the Chapter of the Liver for in such case they differ not but proceeding of like cause have also like signes and do require like cure The old Writers say that Horses be often grieved with grief in the Spleen and specially in Summer season with greedy eating of sweet green meats aâ—d they call those Horses Lâ—enoâ—os that is to say Spleenetick The signes whereof say they are these hard swelling on the left side short breath often groning and greedy appetite to meat The remedy whereof according to Absyrtus is to make a Horse to sweat once a day during a certain time by riding him or otherwise travelling him and to pour into his left nostril every day the juyce of Mirabolans mingled with Wine and Water amounting in all to the quantity of a pinte But me thinks it would do him more good if he drank it as Hierocles would have him to do Eumelius praiseth this drink Take of Cummin seed and of Honey of each six ounces and of Laserpitium as much as a Bean of Vinegar a pinte and put all these into three quarts of water and let it stand so all night and the next morning give the Horse thereof to drink being kept over night fasting Theomnestus praiseth the decoction of Capers especially if the bark of the root thereof may be gotten sodden in water to a syrup Or else make him a drink of Garlick Nitrum Hore-hound and Wormwood sodden in harsh Wine and he would have the left side to be bathed in warm water and to be hard rubbed And if all this will not help then to give him the fire which Absyrtus doth not allow saying the Spleen lyeth so as it cannot easily be fired to do him any good But for so much as the Liver and Spleen are members much occupied in the ingendring and separating of humors many evill accidents and griefs do take their first beginning of them as the Jaundise called in a Horse the yellows driness of body and Consumption of the flesh without any apparent cause why which the Physitians call Atrophia also evill habit of the body called of them Cachexid and the Dropsie But first we will speak of the Jaundise or Yellows Of the Yellows THe Physitians in a mans body do make two kindes of Jaundise that is to say the Yellow proceeding of choler dispersed throughout the whole body and dying the skin yellow and the Black proceeding of melancholy dispersed likewise throughout the whole body and making all the skin black And as the yellow Jaundise cometh for the most part either by obstruction or stopping of the conduits belonging to the bladder of the gall which as I said before is the receptacle of choler or by some inflamation of the Liver whereby the bloud is converted into choler and so spreadeth throughout the body even so the black Jaundise cometh by mean of some obstruction in the Liver-vein that goeth to the Spleen not suffering the Spleen to do his office in receiving the dregs of the â—loud from the Liver wherein they abound too much or else for that the Spleen is already too full of dregs and so sheddeth them back again into the veins But as for the Black Jaundise they have not been observed to be in Horses as in Men by any of our â—arriers in these days that I can learn And yet the old Writers of Horse-leech-craft do seem to make two kindes of Jaundise called of them Cholera that is to say the dry choler and also the moist choler The signes of the dry choler as absyrtus saith is great heat in the body and costiyeness of the belly whereof it is said to be dry Moreover the Horse will not covet to ly down because he is so pained in his body and his mouth will be hot and dry It cometh as he saith by obstruction of the conduit whereby the choler should resort into the bladder of the gall and by obstruction also of the urine vessels so as he cannot stale The cure according to his experience is to give him a Glyster made of Oyl Water and Nitrum and to give him no provender before that you have raked his fundament and to pour the decoction of Mallows mingled with sweet Wine into his nostrils and let his meat be grass or else sweet Hay sprinkled with Nitre and Water and he must rest from labour and be often rubbed Hierocles would have him to drink the decoction of wilde Coleworts sodden in Wine Again of the moist choler of Jaundise these are the signes The Horses eyes will look yellow and his nostrils will open wide his ears and his flancks will sweat and his stale will be yellow and cholerick and he will grone when he lyeth down which disease the said Absyrtus was wont to heal as he saith by giving the Horse a drink made of Thyme and Cumin of each like quantity stampt together and mingled with Wine Honey and Water and also by letting him bloud in the pasterns This last disease seemeth to differ nothing at all from that which our Farriers call the Yellows The signes whereof according to Martin be these The Horse will be faint and sweat as he standeth in the stable and forsake his meat and his eyes and the inside of his lips and all his mouth within will be yellow The cure whereof according to him is in this sort Let him bloud in the neck-vein a good quantity and then give him this drink Take of white Wine of Ale a quart and put thereunto of Saffron Turmerick of each half an ounce and the juyce that is wrung out of a handful of Celandine and being luke-warm give it the Horse to drink and keep him warm the space of three or four days giving him warm water with a little Bran in it Of the Yellows THe Yellows is a general disease in Horses and differ nothing from the yellow Jaundise in men It is mortal and many Horses die thereof the signes to know it is thus pull down the lids of the Horses eyes and the white of the eye will be yellow the inside of his lips will be yellow and gums the cure followeth First let him bloud
one day called by the Greek name Ephemera or else by the Latin name Diaria chanceth many times through the rashness and small discretion of the keeper or some other that letteth not to ride a Horse unmeasurably either before or after watering whereby the Horse afterward in the stable entreth into an extream heat and so falleth into his Fever which you shall know partly by his waterish and bloud-shotten eyes and partly by his short violent and hot breathing and panting Moreover he will forsake his meat and his legs will wax stiffe and feeble The cure Let him have rest all the next day following and be comforted with warm meat then let him be walked up and down fair and softly and so by little and little brought again to his former estate Of the Fever continual THe Fever continual is that which continueth without intermission and is called in Italian by the Latin name Febris continua which springeth of some inflamation or extream heat bred in the principal members or inward parts about the heart which is known in this sort The Horse doth not take his accustomed rest whereby his flesh doth fall away every day more and more and sometime there doth appear hot inflamations in his flanks and above his withers The cure Purge his head by squirting into his Nostrils Mans urine or the Water of an Ox that hath been rested a certain time to the intent such water may be the stronger and then give him the drink written in the next Chapter Of the Fever taken in the Autumn that is to say at the fall of the leaf IF a Horse chance to get a Fever at the fall of the leaf cause him immediately to be let bloud in the neck vein and also in the third furrow of the roof of his mouth and then give him this drink Take of Jermander four ounces of Gum-dragant and of dryed Roses of each one ounce beat them all into fine powder and put them into a quart of Ale adding thereunto of Oil-olive four ounces and of Hony as much and give it the Horse lukewarm Of the Fever in Summer season A Fever taken in Summer season is much worse then in any other time and especially if it be taken in the Dog days for then the accidents be more furious The signes be these his arteries will beat evidently and he will shed his seed when he staleth and his going will be unorderly The cure Let him bloud in a vein that he hath in his hinder hanch about four fingers beneath the fundament or if you cannot finde that vein let him bloud in the neck vein toward the withers and if it be needful you may also give him this drink Take the juyce of a handful of Parslein mingled with Gum-dragant with Ensens and a few Damask roses beaten all into fine powder and then put thereunto a sufficient quantity of Ale made sweet with Hony Of the Fever in Winter FOr the Fever in Winter it shall be good to take the powder of the drugs last mentioned and with a quill or reed to blow it up into his left nostril to make him to neese It shall be good also to let him bloud in the neck vein and in the palat of the mouth and then give him one of these drinks here following Take of Ireos six ounces of round Pepper one ounce of Bay berries and of the seed of Smallage of each one ounce and let him drink them with sodden Wine Or else take a pinte of good Milk and put therein of Oile four ounces of Saffron one scruple of Myrrhe two scruples of the seed of Smallage a spoonful and make him drink that or make him this drink Take of Aristoloch otherwise called round Hartwort one ounce of Gentian of Hysop of Worm-wood of Sothernwood of each one ounce of dry fat figs six ounces of the seed of Smallage three ounces of Rue a handful boil them all in a clean Vessel with River Water untill the third part be consumed and when you see it look black and thick take it from the fire strain it and give the Horse to drink thereof lukewarm As touching his diet let his water be alwayes lukewarm wherein would be put a little Wheat meal and remember to give him no meat so long as his fit continueth And because in all Agues it is good to quicken the natural heat of the Horse by rubbing and fretting his body it shall not be amisse in some fair day to use this Friction called of the ancient writers Apotorapie which is made in this sort Take of Damaske Roses one pound of old Oil a pinte of strong Vinegar a pinte and a half of Mints and Rue beaten into powder of each one ounce and a half together with one old dry Nut beat them and mingle them together then being strained and made lukewarm rub and chafe all the Horses body therewith against the hair untill he beginneth to sweat then set him up in the warmest place of the stable and cover him well Of the Fever which cometh of raw Digestion or of Repletion YOu shall know if the Fever proceedeth of any such cause by these signes here following The Horse will blow at the nose more then he is accustomed to do seemeth to fetch his winde only at his nose and his breath will be short hot and dry you shall see his flanks walk and his back to beat The cure Cause him to be let bloud abundantly in the head and palat of his month and by squirting warm Vinegar in the morning into his nostrils force him to neese and if he be costive let his fundament be raked or else give him a Glyster to ease the pain in his head And as touching his diet give him but litttle provender or hay neither let him drink much nor often but betwixt times But in any wise let him be well rubbed and chafed and that a good while together and if you use the Friction declared in the last Chapter before in such sort as there is said it shall do him very much good Of the Fever accidental coming of some Vlcer in the mouth or throat THe Horse not being well kept and governed after that he hath been let bloud in the upper parts yea and also besides that of his own nature is subject unto the distillation in his throat or parts thereabout the painful swelling or Ulcer whereof causeth the Horse to fall into a grievous Ague Whereof besides the former remedies apt to purge humors it shall be necessary also to let him bloud in the vein of the head and in the palat of his mouth and to be short in all those places where the disease causeth most grief And if the Horse be so sore pained as he cannot swallow down his meat it shall be good to give him lukewarm water mingled with Barley meal or Wheat meal and beside that to make him swallow down seven sops sopped in Wine one after another at one
hath any Pearl growing in his eye or thin film covering the ball of his eye then Russius would have you take of Pumice stone of Tarturam and of sal Gemmâ— of each like weight and being beaten into very fine powder to blow a little of that in his eye continuing so to do every day once or twice untill he be whole Martin saith that he always used to blow a little Sandivoir into the eye once a day which simple he affirmeth to be of such force as it will break any Pearl or Web in short space and make the eye very clear and fair Russius amongst a number of other medicines praiseth most of all the powder of a black flint stone Of the Pin and Web and other dimness FOr to cure the Pin Web Pearl Film or other dimness use this means following Take of Sandivoir the powder of burnt Allum and the powder of black Flint-stone of each like quantity and once a day blow a little thereof into the Horses eye and it will wear away such imperfect matter and make the eye clear Of the Haw called of the Italians Ilunghia de gli occhi THis is a gristle covering sometime more then one half of the eye It proceedeth of gross and tough humors descending out of the head which Haw as Martin saith would be cut away in this sort First pull both the eye-lids open with two several threds stirched with a needle to either of the lids Then catch hold of the Haw with another needle and thred and pull it out so far as you may cut it round the bredth of a penny and leave the black behinde For by cutting away too much of the fat and black of the eye the Horse many times becometh blear-eyed And the Haw being clean taken away squirt a little white Wine or Beer into his eye Another of the Haw A Haw is a gross gristle growing under the eye of a Horse and covering more then one half of his sight which if he be suffered will in short time perish the eye the cure is thus Lay your thumb under his eye in the very hollow then with your finger pull down the lid and with a sharp needle and thred take hold of the Haw and plucking it out with a sharp knife cut it away the compass of a penny or more that done wash the eye with a little Beer Of Lunatich Eyes VEgetius writeth De oculo Lunatico but he sheweth neither cause nor signes thereof but only saith that the old men tearmed it so because it maketh the eye sometime to look as though it were covered with white and sometime clear Martin saith that the Horse that hath this disease is blinde at certain times of the Moon insomuch that he seeth almost nothing at all during that time and then his eyes will look yellowish yea and somewhat reddish which disease according to Martin is to be cured in this fort First use the platster mentioned before in the chapter of Waterish or Weeping eyes in such order as is there prescribed and then with a sharp knife make two slits on both sides of his head an inch long somewhat towards the nose a handful beneath the eyes not touching the vein and with a cornet loosen the skin upward the breadth of a groat and thrust therein a round peece of leather as broad as a two penny peece with a hole in the midst to keep the hole open and look to it once a day that the matter may not be stopped but continually run the space of ten days then take the leather out and healthe wound with a little flax dipt in the salve here following Take of Turpentine of Honey of Wax of each like quantity and boyl them together which being a little warmed will be liquid to serve your purpose and take not away the plaisters from the temples untill they fall away of themselves which being fallen then with a small hot drawing Iron make a star in the midst of each temple 〈…〉 where the plaister did ly Which star would have â—hole in the midst made with the button end of your drawing Iron Another of Lunatick or Moon-eyes OF these Lunatick eyes I have known divers they are blinde at certain times of the Moon they are very red fiery and full of film they come with over-riding and extraordinary heat and fury the cure of them is thus Lay upon the Temples of his head a plaister of Bitch Rozen and Mastick molten together very exceeding hot then with a little round Iron made for the purpose burn three or four holes an inch or more underneath his eyes and anoint those holes every day with Hogs grease then put it in his eyes every day with a little Honey and in short time he will recover his sight Of the Canker in the Eye THis cometh of a ranck and corrupt bloud descending from the head into the eye The signes You shall see red pimples some small and some great both within and without upon the eye-lids and all the eye will look red and be full of corrupt matter The cure according to Martin is thus First let him bloud on that side the neck that the eye is grieved the quantity of a pottle Then take of Roch Allum of green Copperas of each half a pound of white Copperas one ounce and boil them in three pintes of running water untill the half be consumed then take it from the fire and once a day wash his eye with this water being made luke-warm with a fine linnen cloth and cleanse the eye therewith so oft as it may look raw continuing thus to do every day untill it be whole Of diseases incident to the Ears and Poll of the head and first of aâ— Impostume in the Ear. IMpostumes breed either by reason of some blow or bruising or else of evill humors congealed in the ear by some extream cold the signes be apparent by the burning and painful swelling of the ear and part thereabout The cure according to Martin is in this sort First ripe the Impostume with this plaister Take of Linseed beaten into powder of Wheat flowre of each half a pinte of Honey a pinte of Hogs grease or Barrows grease one pound Warm all these things together in an earthen pot and stir them continually with a flat stick or slice untill they be throughly mingled and incorporated together and then spread some of this plaister being warm upon a peece of linnen cloth or soft white leather so broad as the swelling and no more and lay it warm unto it and so let it remain one whole day and then renew it with fresh Ointment continuing so to do untill it break then lance the sore so that it may have passage downward and tent it to the bottom with a tent of flax dipt in this Ointment Take of Mel Rosatum of Oyl Olive and Turpentine of each two ounces and mingle them together and make him a
to come of some grosse and tough humor cleaving hard to the hollow places of the Lungs which stoppeth the winde-pipes so as the Horse cannot easily draw his breath and if it continue it will either grow to the Pursick or else break his winde altogether The signs be these He will cough both often drily and also vehemently without voiding at the nose or mouth The cure according to Martin is in this sort Take a close earthen pot and put therein three pintes of strong Vinegar and four Eggs shels and all unbroken and four Garlick heads clean pilled and bruised and set the pot being very close covered in some warm dunghil and there let it stand a whole night and the next morning with your hand take out the Egges which will be so soft as silk and lay them by untill you have strained the Garlick and Vinegar through a fair cloth then put to that liquor a quartern of Hony and half a quartern of Sugarcandy and two ounces of Licoras and two ounces of Anise seeds beaten all into fine powder And then the Horse having fasted all the night before in the morning betwixt seven and eight of the clock open his mouth with a cord and whorle therein one of the Egges so as he may swallow it down and then immediately powre in after a hornefull of the aforesaid drink being first made lukewarm and cast in another Egge with another hornful of drink and so continue to do untill he hath swallowed up all the Egges and drunk up all the drink and then bridle him and cover him with warmer clothes then he had before and bring him into the stable and there let him stand on the bit at the bate rack well littered up to the belly the space of two hours Then unbit him and if it be in Winter offer him a handfull of Wheaten straw if in Summer give him grasse and let him eat no hay unless it be very well dusted and sprinkled with water and give him not much thereof And therefore you shall need to give him the more provender which also must be well cleansed of all filth and dust and give him no water the space of nine dayes And if you perceive that the Cough doth not wear away then if it be in Winter purge him with these pils Take of Lard two pound laid in water two hours then take nothing but the clean fat thereof and stamp it in a morter and thereto put of Licoras of Anise seeds of Fenegreek of each beaten into powder three ounces of Aloes in powder two ounces of Agarick one ounce Knead these together like paste and make thereof six bals as big as an Egge Then the Horse having fasted over night give him the next morning these pils one after another anointed with Hony and Oyl mingled together in a platter and to the intent he may swallow them down whether he will or not when you have opened his mouth catch hold of his tongue and hold it fast while you whirle in one of the pils that done thrust it into his throat with 〈◊〉 rolling-pin and then let his tongue go untill he hath swallowed it down then give him 〈…〉 all the rest of the pils and let him stand on the bit warm clothed and littered the space of three hours at the least and after that give him a little wet hay and warm water with a little ground mault in it to drink and let him drink 〈◊〉 other but warm water the space of a week And now and then in a fair sunny day it shall be good to trot him one hour abroad to breath him Of the Fretized broken and rotten Lungs THis proceedeth as Absyrtus and Theomnestus saith either of an extreme Cough or of vehement running or leaping or of over greedy drinking after great thirst for the Lungs be inclosed in a very thin film or skin and therefore easie to be broken which if it be not cured in time doth grow to Apostumation and to corruption oppressing all the Lungs which of old Authors is called Vomicâ— and Suppuratio But Theomnestus saith that broken Lungs and rotten Lungs be two divers diseases and have divers signes and divers cures The signes of broken Lungs be these the Horse draweth his wind short and by little at once he will turn his head often toward the place grieved and groaneth in his breathing he is afraid to cough and yet cougheth as though he had eaten small bones The same Theomnestus healed a friends Horse of his whose Lungs were st 〈…〉 or rather broken as he saith by continual eating of Salt with this manner of cure here following Let the Horse have quiet and rest and then let him bloud in the hanches where the veins appear most and give him to drink the space of seven dayes Barley or rather Oates sodden in Goats milk oâ— if you can get no milk boil it in water and put therein some thick collops of Lard and of 〈…〉 and let him drink that and let his common drink in Winter season â—e the decoction of Wheat meal and in the Summer time the decoction of Barley and this as he saith will bind his â—â—ngs again together Vegetius utterly disalloweth letting of bloud in any such disease as this is and all manner of sharp medicines for fear of provoking the Cough by means whereof the broken places can never heal perfectly And therefore neither his medicines nor meat would be harsh but smooth gentle and cooling The best medicine that may be given him at all times is this Take of F 〈…〉 k and of Linseed of each half a pound of Gum dragant of Mastick of Myrrhe of Sugar of Fitch flowre of each one ounce Let all these things be beaten into fine powder and then 〈◊〉 oâ—â— whole night in a sufficient quantity of warm water and the next day give him a quart of this luke-warm putting thereunto two or three ounces of Oyl of Roses continuing so to do many dayes together and if the disease be new this will heal him yea and it will ease him very much although the disease be old which is thought uncurable And in Winter season so long as he standeth in the stable let him drink no cold water and let his meat be clean without dust but in Summer season it were best to let him run to grasse for so long as he eateth grasse a man shall scantly perceive this disease Thus much of broken lungs Of putrified and rotten lungs THe signes to know whether a Horses lungs be putrified or rotten according to Theomnestus are these The Horse will eat and drink greedilyeâ— then he was wont to do he shall be oftner vexed with a Cough and in coughing he will cast little lumps of matter out of his mouth The cure whereof according to Theomnestus is thus Give him to drink every morning the space of seven dayes the juyce of Purslain mingled with Oil of Roses and add thereunto a little Tragagantum that
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
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-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
the tree corrupting as also under rocks growing from moisture putrefying Then they copulate and after copulation they lay eggs whence comes a worm that are white shining like to small pearls they are many and heaped up in the same place as we observed in the year 1583. they live on warm moisture and pass the winter in the chink or wals or secret places of houses From the eggs first somewhat hard Worms are thrust out which for some time stick almost unmovable and are white at length like their parents they suck the dew and moisture They are found also in hot and dry Countreys but where they regain by the dew of the night and vapours what moysture was consumed in the day Galen describes a Chislep thus It is a house-bred living creature with many feet bred under watry vessels and dunghils and if you touch it with your fingers it rols it self up It is clear that Aristotle knew it because he compares a Sea-louse unto it when his tail is taken off Chisleps attenuate open and discuss as Galen hath taught us out of Asclepias They seem contemptible to the sight but they are excellent for diseases of the eyes Also inwardly for they are free from all poyson they are of great use for being bruised and drank in Wine they help difficulty of making water Dioscorides To which Medicament he adds this Take saith he 2 or 3 Chisleps boyl them in a little fish pickle drink of the pickle with water in two smal cups of an ounce and half apiece Pliny useth them for the Stone and difficulty of urine thus Take Mice and Pigeons dung of each half a dram two Hog-lice or Chisleps bruised drink it and the pain will cease and you shall void either the Stone or much smal sand We finde in Gesners papers that Marianus Barolitanus affirms the same Galen gives them drink in sweet Wine and so he cured many of the Kings Evill Asclepias most successefully used this kinde of remedy against the Asthma and short windedness Take Elaterium four grains three Hog-lice from a dung-hil well bruised and drink it with an ounce and half of water Gal. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Asclepias also building on the authority of the ancient Physicians much commends live Hog-lice burnt in the fire and taken to a spoonful for by their property they cure Asthma Hollerius and Johannes Agricola make good this opinion by their practise Some do torrifie in a dish a smal quantity of them into most white Ashes and then give them with Honey Pliny saith they cure short breaths 21 being bruised with Athenian Honey and with little hot water drank through a reed that the teeth and mouth may not grow black Aetius for the same infirmity gives five or six with Hydromel And Marcellus the Emperick reports ch 35. that 21 Hog-lice stamped with the best Honey and drank with water will cure short windedness pursiveness and such as are almost choked and the Leprosie also beyond belief Pliny writes that they are good in drink for Consumptions who farther maintains that a penny weight of them given in three ounces of Wine to drink will cure the pains of the loyns and hips Alexis of Piemont subscribes to this but Caelius Aurelianus dislikes this and the like remedies from Insects being so perswaded from the unusualness of such remedies rather than from any hurt or inconvenience that proceeds from them Experience confirms that many fresh Hog-lice well bruised and drank with Wine Ale Beer or any convenient liquor or applyed but outwardly can cure almost all diseases of the eyes that arise from any thing growing in them or growing to them except the Cataract which we observed in the former Chapter out of the Breviary of Arnoldus For a Quinsey saith Galen 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they must be licked with Honey and the outside of the throat must be anointed with the same Hog-lice boyled with oyl of Roses and heated in a Pomegranate shell and poured into the ears that are pained do cure them Dioscorides Gal. lib. sec loc Eupor commanded to boyl 2 3 or 4 in oyl and to press out the oyl and drop it into the ears of those were deaf or had pains or tinklings in their ears Oyl of Chisleps dropped into that ear is next an aking tooth takes away the pain certainly that ariseth from a hot cause Aetius 24. 27. Some mingle them with some convenient unguent and drop them into the ears Severus saith Galen poured them into ulcerated ears with good successe Faventinus ptescribes 21 Chisleps boyled in sowr Oyl for pains of the ears proceeding from cold in which he shews that they must be anointed about the ears and a little must be dropped in Cardan justifies the same remedy by experience For Wens Pliny takes a fourth part of Rosin or Turpentine to the dunghil Chislep by which Medicament saith he swellings under the ears Kings-evils and all such tumors are cured Marcellus Empericus hath the same and Avicenna 2. 2. cap. 729. and from the authority of others he adds that Chisleps taken in drink cure the Cramp and Alcuzes which we have never known any to have said besides If you often apply Oyl or Butter of Hog-lice to a pained head you shall cure the pain Gal. Eupor 2. 91. and Absyrtus de quadrup Bruised they cure the Tonsils and the diseases of the chops Dioscor A live Chislep laid to a whitloaf cures it and it takes away swellings if it be laid on with a third part of Rosin or Turpentine Pliny Take Unguent populeon j. ounce Oyl of Roses wherein Hog-lice have been boyled j. ounce and half Saffron iv grains mingle them and make an unguent that is a most noble cure for the Hemorrhoids that swell and are painful Others saith Alexander Benedictus boyl these Chisleps with Fat or Butter then they put to it the yolk of an Egg and with this they asswage that cruel pain Pliny saith they cure all hardness of wounds and Cancers and Worms in Ulcers being mingled with Turpentine And to conceal nothing from you I thought fit to add that Pennius himself lying sick of the Asthma used for a long time Hog-lice steeped in Wine but having done it alwaies to no effect by my advice at last he did twice or thrice take in the smoke of Brimstone through a tunnel and he grew perfectly well from that horrid symptome Take oyl of Violets iij. ounces wherein let four Chisleps boyl till a third part be consumed it restrains a salt humour being outwardly anointed An incertain Author Hens water Lizards land Frogs and Serpents feed on Chisleps as Theophrastus writes Ambrose Paraeus a Chirurgeon of Paris relates that one vomited a small living creature like to a Chislep and such a like thing Solerius hath written concerning a certain woman upon the second Book of Aetius CHAP. X. Of Land Scorpions Take off the claws of Crabs that use the shore And from their bodies with earth
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-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
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
winds from blowing upon his Navy so as they could not stir out of harbour hereupon they went to the Oracle where answer was given that the goddess was to be pacified with some one of Agamemnons blood therefore Vlysses was sent away to fetch Iphigenia the daughter of Agamemnon from her mother Clitemnestra under pretence to be marryed to Achilles but when she was ready to be sacrificed the goddess took pity on her and accepted a Bull in her stead which ought not to be thought incredible seeing that in holy Scripture a Ram was substituted in the place of Isaac They were wont also to sacrifice a Bull to Neptune and to all the Rivers because of that affinity which they held a Bull hath with all waters and to Apollo according to this Virgilian verse Taurum Neptuno Taurum tibi pulcher Apollo But unto Jupiter it was unaccustomed to be offered perhaps because he had often shewed himself in that likeness to ravish and deflour women There be certain Proverbs of a Bull which are not altogether impertinent in this place First it is commonly said that he may bear a Bull that hath born a Calf whereby is meant that he may be more subject to filthiness in age which was so in youth Quartilla was a woman of most vile reputation for uncleanness because she said that when she was little she lay with little ones like her self and when she grew bigger she applyed her self to the pleasure of elder men growing in filthiness as she had increased in years Likewise they were wont to say of an absurd or impossible thing that if a Bull could reach his head over Taygetus he might drink of the river Eurota and the beginning of this proverb was taken of an Apothegme of Geradas when his Hoast upon a time did ask him what punishment the Lacedemonians had appointed for adulterers he answered there was no adulterers in Lacedemon and therefore the punishment and question were frivolous His Hoast replyed But if there should be an adulterer there what punishment would they appoint for him Marry said Geradas he should pay such a Bull as would reach over Taygetus to drink of the water Eurota whereat the host laughed demanding where such a Bull could be found then said Geradas and where can you finde an adulterer in Lacedemon so putting off one absurdity with another And thus much of the natures and properties of a Bull in general In the next place before this beast be turned into the Woods we will describe his medicinal vertues and so let him loose The powder of a Bulls horn drunk in water stayeth a flux of blood and the loosness of the belly Sextus and Esculapius say that if a Bulls horn be burned in a place where Serpents abide it driveth them away The blood of Bulls mingled with Barley flower driveth away hardness in the flesh and being dryed cureth Aposthumes in every part of the body It taketh away spots in the face and killeth Serpents It is commended warm against the Gout especially in Horses It is not good for to drink because it is easily congealed except the little veins be taken out It is accounted among the chiefest poysons and therefore it is thought by Plutarch that Hannibal poysoned himself by drinking Bulls blood being thereunto perswaded by his servant for so dyed Themistocles and Psamm 〈…〉 us King of Egypt taken by Cambyss was constrained to drink the blood of a Bull whereupon immediately he gave up the ghost For remedy hereof it is good to beware of vomiting because the blood congealed in the stomach into lumps stoppeth the throat wherefore all those things which dissolve milk in the stomach are also medicinable against the blood of Bulls In these cases let the party be first of all purged by Glâ—ster or otherwise and then anoynt the stomach and belly with Barly meal and sweet Water laying it unto them like a plaister likewise Lupines Oxymel and Nitre are soveraign in this as all Physitians know The dry leaves of Neppe and Calamach is profitable against this Malady so also are ashes made of the lees of Wine burned The fat of a Bull is profitable to many things First therefore it must he plucked out warm from the reins of a Bull and washed in a River or Brook of running Water pulling out the skins and tunicles then melt it in a new earthen pot having cast among it a little salt then set it in fair cold Water and when it beginneth to congeal rub it up and down in the hands wringing out the water and letting it soke in again untill it appear well washed then boyl it in a pot with a little sweet Wine and being sodden let it stand all night if in the morning it savour strong then pour in more Wine seeche it again untill that savour cease and so all the poyson be removed and beware of Salt in it especially if it be to be used in diseases whereunto Salt is an enemy but being thus used it looketh very white after the same manner may be used the fat of Lions Leopards Panthers Camels Boars and Horses The sat kall about the guts melted in a frying pan and anoynted upon the genitals and breast helpeth the Dysenterie The marrow of a Bul beaten and drunk cureth the pain in the smal of the belly and Rosis saith that if it be melted at a fire and mingled with one fourth part of Myrrhe and Oyl of Bays and the hands and feet be therewith anointed and rubbed morning and evening it helpeth the contractions of the Nerves and Sinews The fat of a Dormouse of a Hen and the marrow of a Bull melted together and poured warm into the ears easeth their pain very much and if the liver of a Bull be broyled on a soft fire and put into ones mouth that hath the Tooth-ach the pain will go away so soon as ever the teeth touch it The gall of a Bull is sharper then an Oxes and it is mingled with Hony for a Wound-plaister and in all outward remedies against poyson It hath also a quality to gnaw the deadness or corruption out of Wounds and with the juyce of Leeks and the Milk of women it is applyed against the Swine-pox and Fistulaes but the gall alone rubbed upon the biting of an Ape cureth that Malady Likewise the Ulcers in the head both of men women and children And if the wool of an Hare be burned to ashes and mingled with oyl of Myrtles Bulls gall and beaten Alome and so warmed and anoynted upon the head it stayeth the falling away of the hair of head With the gall of a Bull and the white of an Egge they make an Eye-salve and so anoynt therewith dissolved in water four days together but it is thought to be better with Hony and Balsam and instilled with sweet new Wine into the Ears it helpeth away the pains of them especially running-mattry Ears with Womans or Goats milk It being
holy Demusaris which foolish people have thought as it were bv a witchcraft to cure the evils of their Cattel But to let passe these and such like trifles let us follow a more perfect description and rule to cure all manner of diseases in this Cattel whose safegard and health next to a mans is to be preferred above all other and first of all the means whereby their sickness is discovered may be considered as all Lassitude or wearisomeness through overmuch labour which appeareth by forbearing their meat or eating after another fashion then they are wont or by their often lying down or else by holding out their tongue all which and many more signes of their diseases are manifest to them that have observed them in the time of their health and on the other side it is manifest that the health of an Ox may be known by his agility life and stirring when they are lightly touched or pricked starting and holding their ears upright fulness of their belly and many other wayes There be also herbs which increase in Cattel divers diseases as herbs bedewed with Hony bringeth the Murrain the juyce of black Chamaeleon killeth young Kie like the Chine black Hellebore Aconitum or Wolf-bane which is that grasse in Cilicia which inflameth Oxen herb Henry and others It is also reported by Aristotle that in a piece of Thracia not far from that City which is called the City of Media there is a place almost thirty furlongs in length where naturally groweth a kind of Barley which is good for men but pernicious for beasts The like may be said of Aegolothros Orobanche and Aestur but I will hasten to the particular description of their diseases In the first place is the Malis or Glaunders already spoken of in the story of the Asse which may be known by these signes the Oxes hair will be rough and hard his eyes and neck hang down matter running out of the nose his pace heavy chewing his cud little his backbone sharp and his meat loathsome unto him for remedy hereof take Sea-onions or Garlick Lupines or Cipres or else the foam of oil And if a beast eat Hogs dung they presently fall sick of the Pestilence which infecteth the herbs and grasse they breath on the waters whereof they drink and the stals and lodgings wherein they lie The humors which annoy the body of Oxen are many the first is a moist one called Malis issuing at the nose the second a dry one when nothing appeareth outwardly only the beast forsaketh his meat the third an articular when the fore or hinder legs of the beast halt and yet the hoofs appear sound the fourth is Farciminous wherein the whole body breaketh forth into mattry bunches and biles and appear healed till they break forth in other places the fifth Subtercutaneus when under the skin there runneth a humour that breaketh forth in many places of the body the sixth a Subrenal when the hinder legs halt by reason of some pain in the loins the seventh a Maungie or Leprosie and lastly a madness or Phrensie all which are contagious and if once they enter into a herd they will infect every beast if they be not separated from the sick and speedy remedy obtained The remedies against the last seven are thus described by Columella First take Oxipanum and sea-holy roots mingled with Fennel-seed and meal of beaten wheat rath-ripe put them in spring water warmed with hony nine spoonfuls at a time and with that medicine anoint the breast of the beast then take the bloud of a Sea-snail and for want thereof a common Snail and put it into wine and give the beast in at his nose and it hath been approved to work effectually It is not good at any time to stir up Oxen to running for chasing will either move them to looseness of the belly or drive them into a Feaver now the signes of a Feaver are these an immoderate heat over the whole body especially about the mouth tongue and eares tears falling out of the eyes hollowness of their eyes a heavy and stooping drowzie head matter running out of his nose a hot and difficult breath and sometime sighing and violent beating of his veins and loathing of meat for remedy whereof let the beast fast one whole day then let him be let bloud under the tail fasting and afterward make him a drink of bole-wort stalkes sod with oil and liquor of fish sauce and so let him drink it for five daies together before he eat meat afterward let him eat the tops of Lentils and young small Vine branches then keep his nose and mouth clean with a spunge and give him cold water to drink three times a day for the best means of recovery are cold meats and drinks neither must the beast be turned out of doors till he be recovered When an Ox is sick of a cold give him black wine and it will presently help him If an Ox in his meat tast of hens dung his belly will presently be tormented and swell unto death if remedy be not given for this malady take three ounces of parsley seed a pinte and a half of Cummin two pounds of honey beat these together and put it down his throat warme then drive the beast up and down as long as he can stand then let as many as can stand about him rub his belly untill the medicine work to purgation and Vegetius addeth that the ashes of Elme wood well sod in oil and put down the beasts throat cureth the inflamation of hen-dung If at any time it happen that an Ox get into his mouth and throat a horse-leech which at the first will take fast hold and suck the place she holds be it mouth or throat til she have kild the beast if you cannot take hold on her with the hand then put into the Oxes throat a Cane or little hollow pipe even to the place where the Leech sucketh and into that pipe put warm oil which as soon as the Leech feeleth she presently leaveth hold It fortuneth sometimes that an Ox is stung or bitten with a Serpent Adder Viper or other such venomous beast for that wound take sharp Trifoly which groweth in rockie places strain out the juice and beat it with salt then scarifie the wound with that ointment till it be wrought in If a field-mouse bite an Ox so as the dint of her teeth appear then take a little Cumin or soft Pitch and with that make a plaister for the wound or if you can get another field-mouse put her into oil and there let it remain till the members of it be almost rotten then bruise it and lay it to the sore and the same body shall cure whose nature gave the wound Oxen are also much troubled with a disease called the Hide-bonnd for remedy wereof when the beast is taken faom his work and panteth then let him be sprinkled over with wine and put pieces of fat into his
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
given this beast in Greek and Latin bv sundry authors do demonstratively shew the manifold conditions of this beast as that it is called a Plower Wilde an earth-tiller brazen-footed by reason of his hard hoofs Cerebrous more brain then wit horned stubborn horn-stiking hard rough untamed devourer of grasse yoak-bearer fearful overtamed drudges wry-faced flow and ill favoured with many other such notes of their nature ordination and condition There remain yet of this discourse of Oxen two other necessary Tractates the one natural and the other moral That which is natural contains the several uses of their particular parts and first for their flesh which is held singular for nourishment for which cause after their labour which bringeth leanness they use to put them by for sagination or as it is said in English for feeding which in all countries hath a several manner or custom Sotion affirmeth that if you give your Cattel when they come fresh from their pasture Cabbage leaves beaten small with some sharp Vinegar poured among them and afterward chaffe winowed in a sieve and mingled with Bran for five daies together it will much fatten and encrease their flesh and the sixth day ground Barly encreasing the quantity by little and little for six daies together Now the best time to feed them in the Winter is about the Cock crowing and afterward in the morning twilight and soon after that let them drink in the Summer let them have their first meat in the morning and their second service at noon and then drink after that second meat or eating and their third meat before evening again and so let them drink the second time It is also to be observed that their water in Winter time be warmed and in the Summer time colder And while they feed you must often wash the roof and sides of her mouth for therein will grow certain Wormes which will annoy the beast and hinder his eating and after the washing rub his tongue well with salt If therefore they be carefully regarded they will grow very fat especially if they be not over aged or very young at the time of their feeding for by reason of age their teeth grow loose and fall out and in youth they cannot exceed in fatness because of their growth above all Heifers and barren Kie will exceed in fatness for Varro affirmeth that he saw a field Mouse bring forth young ones in the fat of a Cow having eaten into her body she being alive the self same thing is reported of a Sow in Arcadia Kie will also grow fat when they are with Calf especially in the middest of that time The Turks use in their greatest feasts and Mariages to roast or seethe an Ox whole putting in the Oxes belly a whole Sow and in the Sowes belly a Goose and in the Goofes belly an Egge to note forth their plenty in great and small things but the best flesh is of a young Ox and the worst of an old one for it begetteth an ill juyce or concoction especially if they which eat it be troubled with a Cough or rheumy fleam or if the party be in a Consumption or for a woman that hath ulcers in her belly the tongue of an Ox or Cow salted and slit asunder is accounted a very delicate dish which the Priests of Mercury said did belong to them because they were the servants of speach and howsoever in all sacrifices the beasts tongue was refused as a profane member yet these Priests made choise thereof under colour of sacrifice to feed their dainty stomachs The horns of Oxen by art of man are made very flexible and straight whereof are made Combes hafts for knives and the ancients have used them for cups to drink in and for this cause was Bacchus painted with horns and Crater was taken for a cup which is derived of Kera a horn In like manner the first Trumpets were made of horns as Virgil alludeth unto this sentence Rauco strepuerunt corâ—ua cantu and now adaies it is become familiar for the cariage of Gunpowder in war It is reported by some husbandmen that if seed be cast into the earth out of an Oxes horn called in old time Cerasbola by reason of a certain coldness it will never spring up well out of the earth at the least not so well as when it is sowed with the hand of man Their skin is used for shooes Garments and Gum because of a spongy matter therein contained also to make Gunpowder and it is used in navigation when a shot hath pierced the sides of the ship presently they clapa raw Ox hide to the mouth of the breach which instantly keepeth the Water from entring in likewise they were wont to make bucklers or shieldes or hides of Oxen and Bugils and the seven-folded or doubled shield of Ajax was nothing else but a shield made of an Ox hide so many times layed one piece upon another which caused Homer to call it Sacos heptabreton Of the teeth of Oxen I know no other use but scraping and making paper smooth with them their gall being sprinkled among seed which is to be sowen maketh it come up quickly and killeth field-mise that tast of it and it is the bane or poison of those creatures so that they will not come neer to it no not in bread if they discern it and birds if they eat corn touched with an Oxes gall put into hot water first of all and the lees of wine they wax thereby astonished likewise Emmets will not come upon those places where there remaineth any savour of this gall and for this cause they anoint herewith the roots of trees The dung of Oxen is beneficial to Bees if the hive be anointed therewith for it killeth Spiders Gnats and drone-bees and if good heed be not taken it will work the like effect upon the Bees themselves for this cause they use to smother or burn this kind of dung under the mouthes of the Hives in the spring time which so displayeth and disperseth all the little enemy-bees in Bee-hives that they never breed again There is a proverb of the stable of Augea which Augea was so rich in Cattel ahat he defiled the Countrey with their dung whereupon that proverb grew when Hercules came unto him he promised him a part of his Countrey to purge that stable which was not cleansed by the yearly labour of 3000 Oxen but Hercules undertaking the labour turned a River upon it and so cleansed all When Augea saw that his stable was purged by art and not by labour he denied the reward and because Phyleus his eldest Son reproved him for not regarding a man so well deserving he cast him out of his family for ever The manifold use of the members of Oxen and Kie in medicine now remaineth to be briefly touched The horn beaten into powder cureth the Cough especially the tips or point of the horn which is also received against 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
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-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
thin as water rumbling in the belly by reason of crudity redness of the whole body distention of nerves heaviness of minde love of darkness and such like Yet doth not this operation appear presently upon the hurt but sometimes at nine days sometimes at forty days sometimes at half a year or a year or seven or twelve year as hath been already said For the cure of these Dogs and first of all for the preventing of madness there are sundry invented observations First it is good to shut them up and make them to fast for one day then purge them with Hellebor and being purged nourish them with bread of Barley-meal Other take them when they be young whelps and take out of their tongue a certain little worm which the Graecians call Lytta after which time they never grow mad or fall to vomiting as Gracius noted in these verses Namque subit nodis qua lingua tenacibus haeret Vermiculum dixere mala atque incondita pestis c. Iam teneris elementa mali causasque recidunt But immediately it being taken forth they rub the tongue with Salt and Oyl Columella teacheth that Shepheards of his time took their Dogs tails and pulled out a certain nerve or sinew which cometh from the Articles of the Back-bone into their tails whereby they not only kept the tail from growing deformed and over-long but also constantly believed that their Dogs could never afterward fall mad whereunto Pliny agreeth calling it a castration or gelding of the tail adding that it must be done before the Dog be forty days old Some again say that if a Dog taste of a Womans milk which she giveth by the birth of a Boy he will never fall mad Nemesian ascribeth the cure hereof to Castoreum dryed and put into milk but this is to be understood of them that are already mad whose elegant verses of the cause beginning and cure of a mad Dog I have thought good here to express Exhalat seu terra sinus seu noxius aer Causa mali seu cum gelidus non sufficit humor Torrida per venas concrescunt semina flammae Whatsoever it be he thus warranteth the cure Tunc virosa tibi sumes multumque domabis Castorea adtritu silicis lentescere coges Ex ebore huc trito pulvis lectove feratur Admiscensque diu facies concrescere utrumque Mox lactis liquidos sensim superadde fluores Vt non cunctantes hanstus infundere eorm Inserto possis furiasque repellere tristes Armetia a King of Valenâ—ia prescribeth this form for the cure of this evill let the Dog be put into the water so as the hinder-legs do only touch the ground and his fore-legs be tyed up like hands over his head and then being taken again out of the water let his hair be shaved off that he may be pieled untill he bleed then anoint him with Oyl of Beets and if this do not cure him within seven days then let him be knocked on the head or hanged out of the way When a young male Dog suffereth madness shut him up with a Bitch or if a young Bitch be also oppressed shut her up with a Dog and the one of them will cure the madness of the other But the better part of this labor is more needful to be employed about the curing of men or other creatures which are bitten by Dogs then in curing or preventing that natural infirmity Wherefore it is to be remembred that all other poysoned wounds are cured by incision and circumcising of the flesh and by drawing plaisters which extract the venom out of the flesh and comfort nature and by Cupping-glasses or burning Irons as Coelius affirmeth upon occasion of the miraculous fiction of the Temple door Key of S. Bellious neer Rhodigium for it was believed that if a mad man could hold that Key in his hand red hot he should be delivered from his fits for ever There was such another charm or incantation among the Apuleians made in form of a prayer against all bitings of mad Dogs and other poysons unto an obscure Saint called Vithus which was to be said three Saterdays in the evening nine times together which I have here set down for no other cause but to shew their extream folly Aime Vithe pellicane Oram qui tenes Appulam Littusque Polygnanicum Qui morsus rabidos levas Irasque canum mitigas Tu sancte rabiem asperam Rictusque canis luridos Tu saevom prohibe luem I procul hinc rabies procul hinc furor omnis abeste But to come to the cure of such as have been bitten by mad Dogs First I will set down some compound medicines to be outwardly applyed to the body Secondly some simple or uncompounded medicines In the third place such compounded and uncompounded potions as are co be taken inwardly against this poyson For the outward compound remedies a plaister made of Opponax and Pitch is much commended which Menippus used taking a pound of Pitch of Brutias and four ounces of Opponax as Aetius and Actuarius do prescribe adding withall that the Opponax must be dissolved in Vinegar and afterward the Pitch and that Vinegar must be boyled together and when the Vinegar is consumed then put in the Opponax and of both together make like taynters or splints and thrust them into the wound so let them remain many days together and in the mean time drink an Antidore of Sea-crabs and Vinegar for Vinegar is alway pretious in this confection Other use Basilica Onyons Rue Salt rust of Iron White bread seeds of Horehound and Triacle but the other plaister is most forcible to be applyed outwardly above all medicines in the world For the simple and uncompounded medicines to be taken against this sore are many As Goose-grease Garlike the root of wilde Roses drunk bitter Almonds leaves of Chickweed or Pimpernel the old skin of a Snake pounded with a male-Sea-crab Betony Cabbage leaves or stalks with Parsneps and Vinegar Lime and Sewet powder of Sea-crabs with Hony powder of the shels of Sea-crabs the hairs of a Dog laid upon the wound the head of the Dog which did bite mixed with a little Euphorbium the hair of a Man with Vinegar dung of Goats with Wine Walnuts with Hony and Salt powder of Fig-tree in a Sear-cloth Fitches in Wine Euphorbium warm Horse-dung raw Beans chewed in the mouth Fig-tree-leaves green Figs with Vinegar fennel stalks Gentiana dung of Pullen the liver of a Buck-Goat young Swallows burned to powder also their dung the urine of a Man an Hyaenaâ— skin Flower-deluce with Honey a Sea-hearb called Kakille Silphum with Salt the flesh and shels of Snayls Leek-seeds with Salt Mints the tail of a Field-mouse cut off from her alive and she suffered to live roots of Burs with Salt of the Sea-Plantain the tongue of a Ram with Salt the flesh of all Sea-fishes the fat of a Sea-calf and Vervine beside many other superstitious
Amulets which are used to be bound to the arms necks and breasts as the Canine-tooth bound up in a leaf and tyed to the arm a Worm bred in the dung of Dogs hanged about the neck the root of Gentian in an Hyaenaes skin or young Wolfs skin and such like whereof I know no reason beside the opinion of men The inward compound potions or remedies against the bitings of Dogs may be such as these Take Sea-crabs and burn them with twigs of white Vines and save their ashes then put to them the powder of Gentian root well cleansed and small beaten and as oft as need requireth take two spoonfuls of the first and one of the second and put them into a cup of pure and unmixed Wine and so drink it for four days together being well beaten and stirred so as the Wine be as thick as a Cawdle and there is nothing more forcible then Sea-crabs Hiera Diascincum powder of Walnuts in warm rain Water Triacle Castoreum Pills Spurge-seed and a decoction of Indian thorn with Vervine given in water These may serve for several compound inward remedies against these poysons and now sollow the simple First eating of Garlike in our meat drinking of Wormwood Rams flesh burned and put into Wine so drunk There is an Herb called Alysson by reason of the power it hath against this evill which being bruised and drunk cureth it The liver of a Boar dryed and drunk in Wine hath the same operation Jews lime drunk in water Leeks and Onyons in meat Dogs bloud the head the vein under the tongue commonly supposed to be a worm and the liver of the Dog which hath done the hurt are also prescribed for a remedy of this evill but especially the liver or rennet of a young Puppey the rinde of a wilde Fig-tree a dram of Castoreum with Oyl of Roses Centaury or Chamaeleon the root of a wilde Rose called Cynorrhodon and Cynosbaton Ellebor the brain of a Hen drunk in some liquor Sorrel Honey Mints and Plantaine but Pimpinella Germanica is given to all Cattel which are bitten by a mad Dog Besides many other such like which for brevity sake I omit concluding against all superstitious curing by Inchantments or supposed Miracles such as is in a certain Church of S. Lambert in a City of Picardy where the Mass Priests when a man is brought unto them having this evill they cut a cross in his forehead and lay upon the wound a piece of S. Lamberts stole burning which they say though falsly is reserved to this day without diminution then do they sow up the wound again and say another plaister upon it prescribing him a dyet which is to drink water and to eat hard Egs but if the party amend not within forty days they binde him hand and foot in his bed and saying another bed upon him there strangle him as they think without all sin and for preventing of much harm that may come by his life if he should bite another This story is related by Alysius and it is worth the noting how murther accompanieth superstitious humane inventions and the vain presumptuous confidence of Cross-worshippers and thus much of the madness of Dogs and the cure thereof in men and beasts In the next place the conclusion of this tedious discourse followeth which is the natural medicines arising out of the bodies of Dogs and so we will tye them up for this time Whereas the inward parts of men are troubled with many evils it is delivered for truth that if little Melitaean Dogs or young sucking Puppies be laid to the breast of a childe or man that hath infectious passions or pains in his entrails the pain will depart from the man into the beast for which cause they burned them when they were dead Serenus doth express this very elegantly saying Quin etiam catulum lactentem apponere membris Convenit omne malum transcurrere fertur in illum Cui tamen extincto munus debetur humandi Humanos quia contactus mala tanta sequuntur Et junctum vitium ducit de conjuge conjux If a Whelp be cut asunder alive and laid upon the head of a mad melancholike woman it shall cure her and it hath the same power against the Spleen If a woman grow barren after she hath born children let her eat young Whelp-flesh and Polypus fish sod in Wine and drink the broath and she shall have ease of all infirmities in her stomach and womb Water distilled out of Whelps causeth that pieled or shaven places shall never have more hair grow upon them With the fat of whelps bowelled and sod till the flesh come from the bones and then taken and put into another Vessel and the weak resolute or paralytike members being therewith anointed they are much eased if not recovered Alysius saith he made experience of Puppies sod alive in Oyl whereby he cured his Gowty legd Horses and therefore it cannot chuse but be much more profitable for a man The skin of a Dog held with the five fingers stayeth Distillations it hath the same operation in gloves and stockins and it will also ease both Ach in the belly head and feet and therefore it is used to be worn in the shoes against the Gowt The flesh of mad Dogs is salted and given in meat to them which are bitten by mad Dogs for a singular remedy The bloud is commended against all intoxicating poysons and pains in the small guts and it cureth scabs The fat is used against deafness of the ears the Gowt Nits in the head and incontinency of urine given with Alum A plaister made of the Marrow of a Dog and old Wine is good against the falling of the fundament The hair of a black Dog easeth the Falling sickness the Brains of a Dog in Lint and Wool laid to a mans broken bones for fourteen days together doth consolidate and joyn them together again which thing caused Serenus to make these excellent verses Infandum dictu cunctis procul absit amicis Sed fortuna potens omen convertat in hostes Vis indigna novo si parserit ossa fragore Conveniet cerebrum blandi Canis addere fractis Lintea deinde super que inductu nectere lanas Saepius succos conspergere pinguis olivi Bis septem credunt revale scere cuncta diebus The brain-pan or skull of a Dog clove asunder is applyed to heal the pain in the eyes that is if the right eye be grieved thereunto apply the right side of the skull if the left eye the left side The vertues of a Dogs head made into powder are both many and unspeakable by it is the biting of mad Dogs cured it cureth spots and bunches in the head and a plaister thereof made with Oyl of Roses healeth the running in the head it cureth also all tumors in privy parts and in the fear the chippings in the fingers and many other diseases The powder of the teeth of Dogs
eyes cureth all evils in them and they presently like reasonable men acknowledge the benefit of the medicine The medicinal vertues in this Beast are by Authors observed to be these The bloud of an Elepbant and the ashes of a Weasil cure the great Leprosie and the same bloud is profitable against all Rhumatick fluxes and the Sciatica The flesh dryed and cold or heavy fat and cold is abominable for if it be sod and steeped in Vinegar with Fennel-seed and given to a Woman with childe it maketh her presently suffer abortment But if a man taste thereof salted and steeped with the seed aforesaid it cureth an old cough The fat is a good Antidote either by Ointment or Perfume it cureth also the pain in the head The Ivory or tooth is cold and dry in the first degree and the whole substance thereof corroborateth the heart and helpeth conception it is often adulterated by Fishes and Dogs bones burnt and by white Marble There is a Spodium made of Ivory in this manner Take a pound of Ivory cut into pieces and put into a raw new earthen pot covering and glewing the cover with lome round about and so let it burn till the pot be throughly hardned afterward take off the pot and beat your Ivory into small powder and being so beaten sift it then put it into a glass and pour upon it two pound of distilled rose-Rose-water and let it dry Thirdly beat it unto powder again and sift it the second time and put into it again so much rose-Rose-water as at the first then let it dry and put thereunto as much Camphire as will ly upon three or four single Groats and work it all together upon a Marble stone into little Cakes and so lay them up where the air may not corrut 〈…〉 them The vertue hereof is very pretious against spitting of bloud the Bloudy-flix and also it is 〈◊〉 for refrigeration without danger of binding oâ— astriction After a man is delivered from the 〈◊〉 Pestilence or sudden forgetfulness let him be purged and take the powder of Ivory and Hiera 〈◊〉 drunk out of sweet water This powder with Hony-Attick taketh away the spots in the face the same with wilde Mints drunk with water resisteth and avoideth the Leprosie at the beginning The powder of Ivory burnt and drunk with Coatsbloud doth wonderfull cure all the pains and expell the little stones in the reins and bladder Combes made of Ivory are most wholesome the touching of the trunk cureth the Headach The Liver is profitable against 〈…〉 evill the same vertue hath the gall if he have any against the Falling evill The fâ—â—e by anointing cureth a lowfie 〈◊〉 and taketh away that power which breedeth these vermine th 〈…〉 me perfâ—med easeth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a 〈…〉 and driveth 〈◊〉 or marshflies out of a 〈…〉 ouse Of the ELK AS the Elphant last handled could not live in any Countrey of the world but in the hot Eastern and Southern Regions so the 〈…〉 the contrary is most impatient of all heat and keepeth not but in the Northern and cold Co 〈…〉 for Polonia and the Countreys under that Climate will not preserve an Elk alive as it hath been often â—ryed by experience for which cause they are not found but in the colder Northern Regi 〈…〉 Prussia Hung 〈◊〉 and Illyria is the Wood Hercynia and among the Borussian-Scy 〈…〉 〈◊〉 most plentiful in S 〈…〉 whi 〈…〉 nias calleth the Celtes for all the Ancients called the Kingdoms of Germany and the North Celtarum Regiones Countreys inhabited by the Celts The Figure of the ELK with Horns This Beast is called in Greek Alke and in Latine Alces or Alce which was a name of one of Actaeons Dogs in Ovid the Turks Valachians the Hungarians Iajus the Illyrians and Polonians Los in the singular and plurally Lossie for many Elks. Albertus Magnus calleth it Alches and Aloy and afterward Equicervus a Horse-Hart The Germans Elch Ellend and Elent by a Metathesis of Alke or Alce and for my part I take it to be the same Beast which Pliny calleth Machlis for there is nothing attributed to an Elk which also doth not belong to Machlis The ELK without Horns I finde not any unreconcileable difference among Authors concerning this Beast except in Caesar lib. 6. of his Commentaries who by the relation of other not by his own sight writeth that there are Elks in the Hercynian Wood like unto Goats in their spotted skins who have no horns nor joints in their legs to bend withall but sleep by leaning unto trees like Elephants because when they are down on the ground they can never rise again But the truth is that they are like to Roes or Harts because Goats have no spotted skins but Deer have and there may easily be a slip from Caprea a Roe to Capra a Goat and Caesar himself confesseth that the similitude is in their spotted skins which are not competible in Goats but in Roes And whereas he writeth that they have no Horns the error of this relator may be this that either he had only seen a young one before the horns came forth or else an old one that had lately lost his horns and by this I suppose that the authority of Caesar is sufficiently answered so as we may proceed to the description of this Beast collected out of the ancient Writers Pausanias Vapiscus Caesar and Solinus Pliny and the later Writers consenting with them in all things excepting Caesar in the two things aforesaid Albertus Magnus Mathaeus Michuanus Seb Munster Erasmus Stella Iohannes Bonarus Baron of Balizce a Polonian Johannes Kentmannus Jo. Pontanus Antonius Schnebergerus Christophorus Wirsungus and that most worthy learned man Georgius Joachimus of Rhaetia and Baoron Sigismund Pausanias snpposeth it to be a Beast betwixt a Hart and a Camel and Albertus betwixt a Hart and a Horse who therefore as it hath been said calleth it Equi-cervus a Horse-Hart but I rather by the horns afterward described and by the foot which Bonarus had do take and hold it to be as big every way as two Harts and greater then a Horse because of the labour and qualities attributed thereunto whereunto also agreeth Albertus In Swedia and Riga they are tamed and put into Coaches or Charriots to draw men through great snows and upon the ice in the Winter time they also are most swift and will run more miles in one day then a Horse can at three They were wont to be presents for Princes because of their singular strength and swiftness for which cause Alciatus relateth in an emblem the answer of Alexander to one that asked him a question about celerity whether haste doth not alway make waste which Alexander denyed by the example of the Elk in these Verses Alciatae gentis insignia sustinet Alce Vnguibus meeden fert anaballomenos Constat Alexandrum sic respondisse roganti Qui tot obivisset tempore gesta brevi
the humour flowing out at their Childrens noses may never hurt them burn a vein in the crown of the head with Wool when they are four year old and thereby they conceive that they are kept and conserved in perpetuall good health and if when they burnt their children they fell into a Cramp they eased them presently by casting upon them the urine of Goats When a Man is thick of hearing mingle together the Gall of an Ox and the Urine of a Goat and infused into the ears although there be in them a very mattery substance Galen prescribeth this portion to evacuate that Water which lyeth betwixt the skin by Urine if one drink Hysope water and the Urine of a Goat Likewise it helpeth the Dropsie and the dust of an Elephants tooth drunk in this Goats Urine it dissolveth the stone in the reins and bladder without all fearful peril and danger The medicines arising out of the female Goat are these We finde that the female Goat and the land toad being sodden together are cures of singular worth for the diseases of all living four-footed beasts The Magi or wisemen say that the right eye of a green living Lizard being taken out and his head forthwith struck off and put in a Goats skin is of a great force against quartan Agues The ashes of a Goats hide besmeared over with Oil taketh away the spots in the face The same ashes made of a Goats hide recovereth the blisters and gals of the feet The shaving of the Goats skin being rubbed with Pumice stone and mixed with Vinegar is an excellent approved good remedy for the Smalpox If a Woman bleed overmuch at the nose let her breasts be bound with a thong made of a Goats skin The same being sodden with the hair on it the juyce being soked up stayeth the belly It is not good for those that have the falling sickness to sleep or lie in a Goats skin if at any time the passion moveth them to it yet it is hurtful for their head by reason of the rank smell and not for any other particular private cause Goats hairs being burnt do appease all issues of bloud which being mixed with Vinegar they are good to stanch the bleeding at nose and you may blow in their nostrils Goats hairs burnt and whole and also Myrrhe mixed with Goats hairs so burnt The same also burned and mingled with Pitch and Vinegar helpeth the bleeding at nose and being put in the nose they stir up lethargies The favour of the Goats horn or of the hair doth the like Goats dung in sweet water doth expell the stone in the body so doth the ashes of Goats hair in like manner which being burned and bruised and given in a medicine they do mightily help and recover the Strangury It is also reported that Goats horn and the hair being burnt will drive away Serpents and their ashes soked or anointed is very good against strokes or stinging of Serpents To stay the Flux in the belly take the hairs that grow behind on the Goats sitting place and burn them which being tempered with beaten Barley and Oil must be perfumed under a mans seat Goats flesh being rosted by the fire where dead men are burnt is good for those that have the Falling-sickness The same is a good remedy against the falling sickness It is good for such to abstain from Hogs flesh Beef or Goats flesh They that drink Goats bloud wax pale presently on it which is excellent to get out spots of any thing it is also good against those that are intoxicate with poison and therefore must be drunk with wine and being sod with marrow it is good against the same disease so is the male Goats bloud The root of Cinkefoyle drunk in wine helpeth ill humors Goats bloud also either of the male or female asswageth the inwards and the flowings or laskes of the belly it is good for those that have the Dropsie being tempered with Hony and also sodden with marrow Some use it against the Bloudy flux and pain of the belly being also sodden with marrow it is good against the same disease If you mix Goats bloud with Chisel steept in broath and a little Rosin put into it whereof make a plaister and lay it to the belly or other parts and it recovereth any pain thereabouts The fat of a male Goat is more faster and therefore good for those that have the Bloudy flux The substance of a Goat is fat yet is not the fat of a Goat so moist as a Swines but for bitings and those that are grieved in their belly Goats fat is better then Swines not because it hath more operation in it to expell the grief but by reason it is thick whereas the Swines grease will run about like oil neither is the fat of Kids so warm and dry as female Goats neither the male Goats so fat as the gelded Goats in Latin called Hireus also female Goats fat is more binding then the Tallow of Oxen but the males fat is good against Scorpions made in a perfume It is also good for those that are poisoned with French green flies called Cantharides Being tempered with Wax it taketh away the stinging of Serpents it helpeth any biting or wound If a Womans breast grieve her after her delivery of childe let her seethe husked Barley and Scallions and the fat of a male Goat whereof let her drink a little Against the ache of the eyes take Goats fat and Sheeps together with a little warm water Almost every grief of the body if it be no wound will be more easily recovered by plaisters but if the grief be as it were grounded or an old grief let it be burned and upon the place so scorched put Butter or the fat of a male Goat it will also recover and heal kibes and Chilblanes It helpeth the Kings evill so doth the fat of the female Goats help the same disease The males fat mixed with Arsenicke taketh away the roughness of the nails it also healeth the nails of the Leprosie without any pain it expelleth the Cantharidans being applyed with the juyce of the Grape that groweth on a wilde Vine This Goats fat is profitable to help any about the straightness of their mouths or lips being tempered with wax it allayeth Sores and Blisters and with Pitch and Brimstone it healeth them and being applyed with Hony and the juice of a Brambel it cureth the swellings arising in the hands or fingers especially in curing of Fellons The fat of a Bull well salted or if it be in an ach or grief dipt in oil without Salt and so after the same manner is the male Goats fat used which being tempered with Roses taketh away the wheales or blisters that rise in the night being also dropped into the ears of one that is deaf it recovereth him It helpeth the Falling sickness putting thereto as
much of the gall of Buls just of the same weight and seethe it together and then lay it in the skin of the gall that it touch not the ground and drink it out of the water It is also good against the stinging of Scorpions being applied with Butter and the meal of Zea warmed and washed with red Wine The broath that is confected of Goats fat sodden is excellent for those that are troubled with the Ptisick to sup now and then a few also it helpeth the Cough being tempered with new sweet wine that an ounce may be put in a goblet and so mixed with a branch of Rue It being also sodden with husked Barley easeth those that have fretting in the guts The same also sodden with Barley flowre and Wine made of Pomgranates and Cheese let it be given to those that are troubled with the Bloudy flux and let them take it with the juice of husked Barly Rasis also saith that the fat of a fierce Lion is of such singular account that if a Glyster be made of it with the water of Barly sod either with the water of tosted meal and boyled Sunach and so dissolved with Wax it is a most pretious remedy for the swelling of the inwards But Goats fat doth much help the griefs of the inward parts that nothing cometh forth but cold water The fat of the Buck Goat many use being sod with bread and ashes against the Bloudy flux and also the She Goats fat being taken out of her back alone being a little cold and then supped up Other allow the fat to be sodden with Barly flower Cinnamon Annise and Vinegar mixed together The same fat taken so out of the back mixed with Barly Bran and Cinnamon Annise and Vinegar of each of them alike and seethe thereof and being strained give it the patient that is diseased with the Bloudy flux and it shall most speedily help him The same also mixed with Pellitory and Cyprian Wax may be laid to the Gowt Also sodden with Goats dung and Saffron and layed on the Gowt it asswageth the grief The marrow of the female Goat in the fourth place next after the marrow of the Hart the Calf and the Bull is commended of Dioscorides but the last of all is the Sheeps fat The Harts is most renowned of all next the Calves then the Buck Goats and last of all the female Goats To help the grief of the eye take the marrow of Goats and anoint your eyes and it will cure them Goats bloud sod with marrow may be taken against all toxical poison Pliny saith that their dung being anointed with Hony is good for the watering or dropping of the eys and their marrow against aches The bloud of Goats their marrow and their Liver is very good to ease the belly Goats bloud sodden with the marrow helpeth the Bloudy flux and those that have the Dropsie and I think that the Bucks is more effectual and of greater operation so it be eaten with Mastick Also the Goats marrow is good for the eyes of Horses The right horn of a Goat is of some held to be of more effect then the other which I rather hold to be superstitious whatsoever other reason or secret quality the Horn may afford for the bitings of Serpents take Goats horn and burn the hairs of them and the ashes of them soked in water and Goats milk with the horn and wilde Marjoram and three cups of Wine put together and being drunk against the stinging of an adder expelleth the poison The ashes of Goats horn being all anointed with Oil tempered with Mirtle stayeth the sweating of the body Harts horn and Goats being burned and if it be requisite is good to wash the teeth withal and it will make them look white and the gums soft It is also good against the Bloudy flux and watering of the eyes in regard they are most usual yet they neither asswage the griefes nor consume them which are of a cold and dry nature Harts horn being burnt as also a Goats horn taketh away bitings Goats dung or the horn being burnt to ashes and dipped in Vinegar stoppeth the bloud The corrupt bloud that cometh out of a Buck Goat is more effectual and of a better operation and the ashes of a Goats horn or dung soked in Wine or Vinegar and anoint the Nostrils stayeth bleeding at the Nose Goats horn being burned at the end and the pieces or scorchings that arise thereof must be shaken into a new vessel untill the horn be quite consumed then beat and bruise them with Vinegar made of Sea onions and anoint the evill called Saint Anthonies fire and it is of a miraculous operation It will make one sleep that is troubled with the weakness of his head and watching if it be laid under their pillow It being mixed with Bran and Oil of Mirtle it keepeth the hairs fast that are falling off the head The savour of the horn burned descrieth the Falling sickness so doth the smell of the intrails of a Goat or the Liver eaten likewise it raiseth up a Lethargick man They use also the horns of Harts and Goats to make white the teeth and to fasten the gums The same shorn or shaven into mixt hony represseth the flux of the belly In the pain of the belly perfume the shavings of the same mingled with Oil and burned Barly the same perfume is good to be laid upon the Ulcers of Horses The hoofs of Goats are prescribed by Palladius to be burned for the driving away of Serpents and the dust of them put into Vinegar cureth the Alopecias The dust of their hoofs is good to rub the teeth withall also to drive away the swellings in the disease called St. Anthonies fire burn the foot of the Goat with the horn and reserve the dust thereof in a box and when you will use it wet the place first with Wine and afterwards cast on the powder The juice of a Goats head sod with hair is commended for burstness in the belly and the ancient Magicians gave the brain of the Goats to little infants against the Falling sickness but pressed through a gold Ring the same cureth Carbunkles in the belly being taken with Hony If the body or head be rubbed with that water or meat which falleth out of the mouth of a Goat mingled with Hony and Salt they kill all kinde of Lice and the same thing giveth remedy to the pain of the belly but if it be taken overmuch it purgeth The broth of the entrails to be gargarized in the mouth cureth the exulceration of the tongue and arteries The Liver of the female Goat sod and eaten is given against the Falling evill and taketh from them Convulsion and with the liquor thereof after it is sod it is good to anoint the purblind eyes also it is good to hold the eyes open over it while it seetheth
let it be wholesome clean fresh and sweet without dust gravel mustiness or evill smell In the morning give them Barly or provender a little at a time in distinct or several portions twice or thrice one after another so as he may chew and eke digest it throughly otherwise if he raven it in as he will do having much at a time he rendreth it in his dung whole and not digested About three hours after he hath eaten his provender give him a little of hay and three hours after that his dinners allowance of grain as in the morning and afterwards about two or three a clock hay again and then some drink last of all give him his allowance of provender for supper with a bottle or two of hay which ought to be more plentiful then the former servings and yet these rules are not to be understood as though they might not be altered for the times prefixed may be prevented if occasion require Their best provender is Oats and Barley yet Barly ingendreth the thinner and better bloud and therefore it is to be preferred only the measure of the provender is left to the discretion of the Horse-keeper and there is no meat more wholesome for a Horse then Barly and Chaffe because it will make him full of life and also able to indure labour yet not over fat In England in many places they give their Horses bread made of Fitches Beans and Pease When one is to make a journey on horse-back let him not give his Horse too much provender the noon before but so much the more hay and bread steeped in wine and also let him serve him sooner at night then ordinary that so the beast may take the more rest There be which refuse to give Horses wet provender or steeped bread because they conceive that it will breed in them loathsomeness of meat but the truth is a reasonable Horse-keeper preventeth that mischief and besides the meat of a Horse is altogether so dry that the beast himself is indangered to be sick of that disease and therefore it is as safe to give him moistened food sometimes as well as to give him bread mingled with salt When a Horse is weary or sweateth let him not drink nor eat provender but after he is walked a little while give him hay first of all covering him with a large cloth and remember that hay is not to be cast before a Horse as it is out of the reek but first of all it must be pulled and shaken betwixt the hands for the avoiding of dust and other filth Restrain the Horse as much as you may from eating the litter under his feet for even the best meat so defiled is unwholesome It is also good sometimes to suffer him to pick up his meat on the ground betwixt his forelegs that will make his neck to grow thinner leaner and more comely Let his neck be fast bound in the stable with a Leathern collar and binde with a manicle his fore-leg to the hinder-leg on the contrary side and so shall his be preserved in more health because they cannot move out of their place but with difficulty Concerning the drink of Horses something more is to be added in this place and namely brackish and troubled water such as runneth softly as in great ponds is fittest for Horses because that water being hot and thick nourisheth better but the swift Water is colder and therefore more unwholesome but in hot times as in Summer the sweet and clearer water is more convenient if custome be not against it And because a Horse except he drink freely can never be fat let his mouth oftentimes be washed within with Salt and Wine and that will make him eat and drink more liberally and yet the running water is more wholesome for Horses because whatsoever is moveably fluent is lesse subject to poison then that which standeth still but if a Horse sweat or be weary it is not safe to let him drink any thing except he first stale for in such cases followeth distention And it is better to turn or lead forth your Horse to water then to bring it unto them And if at any time necessity cause this to be done then let the Water be very clear and fresh His stable or lodging ought to be ordered as neither it offend him by cold in Winter nor yet through heat in Summer for both these extremities are pernicious and therefore when the weather is extream cold then must the Horses back and belly be covered with a cloth and when on the contrary it exceedeth in heat then must his litter be taken away Also in heat he must be covered with linnen to avoid flies and in cold with woollen to help nature likewise it is good toward night to pick cleanse and open his hoofs with some artificial instrument and to thrust into the hollow Cow-dung or in defect thereof Horse-dung with a little straw that so he may not shake it out again but this is not good to be done every day but rather every second day and it is good to mingle therewith sewet or grease or else a new laid Egge with warm ashes In ancient time they used not to shooe their Horses with iron untill the dayes of Catulius who remembreth this custome saying Ferream ut soleam tenaci in voragine mula So that it seemeth that this devise was first of all invented for Mules The Horse-shooes ought to be round like his feet and not heavie lest the Horses nimbleness be thereby hindered and great care must be had in nailing or setting them on lest the tender and fleshie part of the foot be thereby pierced Another charge of a Horse-keeper is to keep his Horses lips soft tender and gentle so as he may more sensibly feel his bit and for this cause let him often rub them with his hands and warm water and if need require with oil also and in handling of a Horse this must be observed for a general rule That neither he come to the Horse right before his face nor behind his tail because both these are dangerous to the rider lest by his heels or mouth he harme him but on his side he may safely set upon him or handle his Horse and when he leadeth him he must likewise go on his side Likewise good and painful dressing of Horses is no small means to retain him in sound and perfect health and therefore he must often be touched with the Curry-comb and afterward with a handful of straw so as the hand may follow the stroke to lay the hair smooth and their fashion was in old time to brush over their Horses with a little linnen instrument made like a sword whereby they excusse all dust from the beast and herein it is wisdom to begin at the head and mane and so to descend to other parts and to touch the Horses back gently he may wash the head and mane because it being so bony
it is dangerous lest the comb offend and grieve the beast except it be layed on very tenderly but it is not good to wash the legs because dayly washing loftneth the hoof by sliding down of the water and therefore it is sufficient only to stroke them down with his hands The neather part also of the belly is not to be kept over clean for the more it is cleansed with water the more is the Horse pained therein when a Horse is dressed it is good to bring him out of the stable that so in the open air he may be tyed in a longer halter and seem to be at liberty whereby he shall be brought to more cleanness and tractable gentleness standing upon some smooth stones till all the dust and loose hairs both by the Comb and Brush be driven away and in the mean time the stable be emptied and this is to be performed before the Horses watering You must also regard the skin wherein the Horses yard runneth be kept clean for if it be stopped it hindereth urine and maketh the Horse sick and when your Horse is in dressing let him have before him no manner of meat either of hay or provender Let them be led to the Water twice a day and wash therein both legs and belly except in the Winter time wherein it is not safe to wet the Beast so often and if there be in them any appearance of sickness and infirmity or if you have any purpose to give unto them any kind of medicine then must you altogether forbear to water them Some use to wash their Horses legs with warm wine-lees to refresh their joints and sinews after hard journies which custome seemeth very allowable other use in stead thereof warme dish-water out of the kitchin and the backes they wash with cold water and salt Underneath their tails and near their yards you shall find them in the Summer time to be much annoyed with flies and therefore it is a needful part of the Horse-keepers watchfulness to look in those places and drive them away for so his charge will take the better rest And evermore there must be nourished a mutual benevolence betwixt the Horse and Horse-keeper so as the Beast may delight in the presence and person of his attendant and for this cause he may be kept from hunger wet litter cold in the Winter and flies in the Summer and furthermore a diligent caution must be had that the Beast be not provoked through overmuch severity for if the Horse by his keepers violence be often driven to his rack and manger to avoid stripes either he hurteth his shoulders or legs by his own weight or force or else groweth into a trembling at the presence of a man and so never yeeldeth any loving obedience or else falleth into some furious and unreclaimable evill qualities The Master therefore ought often to enter into his stable and take a view of his Horses usage whereby the Beast will quickly take notice of him especially if he have but one for it is a great folly and piece of ill husbandry to trust Servants and not to oversee them Cato was wont to say Frons occipitio prior that is as the forehead is before the nape of the neck meaning thereby that nature hath set him highest and formost which should not hide himself but take his place upon him and discharge it for it is not safe or any part of wisdome to see by another mans eyes or work altogether by Deputies Men must also be affraid of lending their Horses for the Germans have a pretty proverb that they will not trust their wives at great feasts out of their sight for commonly they learn some evill fashion or other more then they had before and so much more Horses after lending return home again to their Masters with alteration of strength and quality Of adorning and furnishing Horses I Cannot approve them that cut off their Horses tail or foretop one received beginning from an ignorant perswasion of increasing the strength of the Horses back and the other from an imagined comliness by trimming it with ribben or some devised knot or that it hindred the Horses sight In the first the Beast is wronged and deprived of his help against the flies and decency of his hinder parts and in the second nature accused for not adorning the Horses forehead with more gaudy and variable coloured hairs and providing a bunch of hair to weaken his eyes but neither of these are tolerable for a wise man once to imagine and therefore I will not spend any more time to confute this vain adorning of Horses Let the horse-keeper take heed that he harm not the Beast when he putteth on his Bridle for a little negligence quickly bringeth a great offence by touching wringing and oppressing any tender part in the Horses head or mouth He must alway put on his Bridle on the left side and if the Horse of his own accord do not open his mouth to the bit then must he gently open his mouth with one finger and so put it upon him and if by that means he open not his mouth then presse or wring his lip upon his great canine tooth which thing causeth any Horse to open his mouth Also it must be regarded that the Horse in leading be not drawn after you for so will he be made hard headed unwilling to follow Again his Cheeks must not be pinched by the Bridle left the skin grow senseless and also it must not hang long or loose in his mouth for so he will be alway biting his bit and give lesse obedience to his Rider Camerarius writeth that he hath seen some put Salt upon their bits whereof the Horse licking or tasting became more willing to take it into his mouth and for the better performance hereof it is necessary to observe by often triall what kind or fashioned bit best beseemeth and fitteth the Horses mouth and finding it keep him thereunto continually and when it is put on neither wring his Cheeks or let him rowl it betwixt his teeth The Saddle also must be so fastened to his back as that it may not turn or rowl upon the same wherefore he which layeth it thereupon must come on the left side and gently without violence or noise set it upon the Beast so that neither girths peytril sturrops trappings or crupyard fall betwixt the Back and Saddle neither covering therewith the Horses wither nor yet touching his hips or loins First of all let the peytrill on the breast be buckled then the girths in order neer the forelegs not upon the belly for upon the belly they will be sliding off and that is against the rules of riding for Bene equitant qui bene cingunt that is to say they ride well which bind fast and this ought to be done in an open place where both the Rider and the Horse may have more liberty wherewithal a generous and great stomached
Beast is much delighted neither must he be tyed or drawn too hard till the Rider be seated Look also often to the girths that they wring not the sides or pull off the skin Of Riding and sitting on Horseback WHen you are to get up and mount on Horseback take hold on the lower part of the Bridle neer the Bit with the left hand with such a distance as may both keep him from rising nor give him offence if you take advantage to get into the Saddle and with the right hand take the rains on the top of the shoulders and the mane and so hold them as you give no check to the Horses mouth in mounting there are other rules for this among Riders wherewithal I will not meddle only it is good to use your Horse to backing both sadled and bare as well from the plain ground as from blocks and risings invented for the ease of man Therefore before you go to Horseback first stroke your Horse and make much of him with gentle words or other convenient sound which the Horse understandeth and so will he stand more willingly till you be on his back for this thing there is in Plutarch an excellent story of Alexander the great when Bucephalus was first of all presented to his Father King Philip by a Thessalian called Philonix For when the King was perswaded to go forth into the field to try the qualities of this beast which was so highly commended for rare parts and valued at such a price as none but a King might yeeld for him then the Horse began to snort and kick and to admit no man to come unto him within the length of the rains but kept aloft like a wilde and untamed Horse yeelding no obedience to voice or other signes of the Riders whereat the King fell exceeding angry and bid them lead away the unruly and untamed Horse Alexander being present complained of the ignorance and fearfulness of the Riders and that they were the cause why such a generous and gallant beast was no better manned At the hearing whereof King Philip smiled and yet so carryed himself as though he had not heard the words of his Son untill Alexander repeated his saying the second time whereunto his Father replyed What sir Boy will you make your self more skilfull then these old cunning Riders will you lay on them an imputation of fear and ignorance Yes said Alexander I will adventure to handle this Horse better then any other Yea but said Philip what punishment then wilt thou undergo if thou fail and perform not what thou hast said What punishment said Alexander why I will give them the price of the Horse Whereat the King laughed and struck up the wager and so had Alexander the rains of the Horse delivered to him who presently turned him about against the Sun-rising that so he might not be terrified with the shadow of the beholders and so led him up and down softly two or three turns and at last wan the Horse to hand which he gently stroked and applauded and when he had gotten perfect intelligence and understanding of the Horses stomach he cast off his cloak and addressed himself to mount on his back so holding the rains and bearing his hand and whole body as he did not check or pinch the Horses mouth so he inclined him first of all to â—ay away his stirred and angry minde and afterward paced him to and fro gently which the Horse endured At last he put Spurs unto him and made him run leap carreer and curvet to the terrour at the first of all the beholders and afterward to the singular admiration and praise of himself which caused the company or train to applaude this fact and forced the old man his Father to send forth tears for joy and when Alexander descended from his Horse he could not contain himself but he must needs go kisse and embrace such a Son whereby it is manifest that when a Man is to ride on a generous spirited Horse he shall bend him to endure the burthen by gentleness and familiarity so as the Beast may still know and love his Rider Likewise when the Master mounteth it is requisite that the servant be on the other side of the Horse to hold the stirrop for so shall he get up more surely and set himself more softly Some Horses are taught to bend their knees to take up their aged and sick Masters that so they may be the lesse offended in ascending to their backs and this custom saith Pollux did first of all begin among the Persians The ancient Germans were so singularly exercised in Horsemanship that standing upon the ground and holding a Spear or Lance in their hands they mounted without other stirrop or vantage upon their Horses backs and not only when they were ordinary attired in common garments but then also when they were armed though Julius Caesar take from them all glory of Chivalry yet now adayes the invention of Saddles with stirrops is most easie both for Horse and Horsemen being then better the Pelethronian invention time When the Rider is in his Saddle and is well seated he must not sit as in a Chair or Chariot bended together but rather keep his body upright only bowing outward his knees for so shall he be better able to defend himself or offend his adversary for he must rather seem to stand then to sit on horseback The Rider or Master of Horses must spare his Horse in the heat of Summer about Dog-dayes and in the cold of Winter and never at any time to Ride past the twylight of the evening The Horse being empty is more prone to make water then being full and therefore must not be hindered in that desire and alway after his staling ride him not too fast untill his nerves which were extended to let forth the Urine be contracted setled and drawn together again If in the Winter time a Horse be to passe over a foord of water which will ascend up above his belly let him stale first lest he fall into the Strangury and also be a little eased of his load There is no beast that rejoyceth more in celerity and swiftness then a Horse because so soon as he is turned out of hand he instantly runneth away speedily and doth walke softly as at other times and this is a pleasure to them except when they are provoked above their desires and the counsell of Xenophon when you are to Ride fast or for a wager is this bend the upper part of the body forward stretching out the hand which carryeth the rains now drawing it in and then letting it at length again and therefore it is good in such cases to use short rains and if the Horse in his course stretch forth the rains of his own accord then is it a sign of an unskilful Rider or of a weak and tireable Horse Add not Spurs but in great necessity but guide and provoke him with
be then it is not well Secondly sickness is known by alteration of the quality as if it be too hot or too cold too moist or too dry Thirdly when the action of any member is hurt or letted as when the eye-sight is not perfect it is a manifest sign that the eye is evill affected or sick Likewise when there breedeth no good bloud in the body it is an evident token that the Liver is not well Fourthly sickness is known by the excrements that come from the Beast as by dung or stale for if his dung be too strong of sent full of whole Cornâ— or of Wormes too hard or too soft or evill coloured it is a token that he is not well in his body so likewise if his stale be too thick or too thin too white or too red it betokeneth some surfet raw digestion or else some grief in his reins bladder or stones But Vegetius saith that it is best known whether a Horse be sick or not or toward sickness by these signes here following for if he be more slow and heavie in his trotting or gallopping harder of Spur then he was wont to be or spreadeth his litter abroad with his feet often tumbling in the night season fetching his breath short and violently loud snuffling in the Nose and casting out vapors at his Nostrils or lyeth down immediately after his provender or maketh long draughts in his drinking or in the night season is now down and now on foot or if in the next morning he be very hot in his pasterns or betwixt his ears or that his ears hang more then they are wont to do again if his eye sight be dim and his eyes hollow in his head his hairs standing right up and his flanks hollow and empty whensoever two or three of these signes do concur together then it is to be thought saith Vegetius that the Horse is not well and therefore he would have him immediately to be separated from his companions that be whole and to be placed by himself untill his disease be perfectly known and cured and especially if it be any contagious disease I have seen divers Farriars here in England to use that for the trial of a Horses sickness which I never read in any Author that is to feel his stones whether they be hot or cold and tosmell at his nostrils and so by the savour thereof to judge what sickness the Horse hath Truly I think that no evill way if they can discern with their sense of smelling the diversity of savours that cometh out of his Nostrils and then aptly apply the same to the humours whereof such savours be bred and so orderly to seek out the originall cause of his sickness But I fear me that more Farriars smell without judgement then with such judgement and no marvell why sith that few or none be learned or have been brought up with skilful Masters But from henceforth I trust that my travail will cause such Farriars as can read and have some understanding already to be more diligent in seeking after knowledge then they have been heretofore whereby they shall be the better able to serve their Countrey and also to profit themselves with good fame whereas now for lack of knowledge they incur much slander Of the Fever and divers kinds thereof in a Horse I Think it will seem strange unto some to hear that a Horse should have an Ague or Fever but it was not strange unto the men of old time as to Absyrtus Hierocles Xenophon Vegetius and such like old Souldiers throughly experimented in Horses griefs A Fever according to the learned Physitians is an unnatural and immoderate heat which proceeding first from the heart spreadeth it self throughout all the arteries and veins of the body and so letteth the actions thereof Of Fevers there be three general kinds whereof the first is that which breedeth in the spirits being inflamed or heated more then their nature requireth The second breedeth in the humors being also distempered by heat The third in the firm parts of the body being continually hot What spirits and humors be hath been told you before in the keepers Office Of these three general kinds do spring many other special kinds as Quotidians Tertians Quartans Fevers Hectick and very many others whereunto mans body is subject whereof none of my Authors do treat unless Vegetius who speaketh somewhat of a Fever Quotidian of a Fever continual and also of a Fever accidental He speaketh also of Summer Autumn and Winter Fevers without making any great difference betwixt them more then that one is worse then another by reason of the time and season of the year so that in effect all is but one Fever Wherefore according unto Absyrtus opinion I will briefly shew you first the causes whereof it proceeds and then the signes how to know it and finally how to cure the same The Fever chanceth sometime by surfetting of extreme labour or exercise as of too much travelling and especially in hot weather of too swift gallopping and running and sometime by extreme heat of the Sun and also by extreme cold of the aire and sometime it breedeth of crudity or raw digestion which many times happeneth by over greedy eating of sweet green corn or of such provender as was not thoroughly dryed or cleansed for after such greedy eating and specially such meat never followeth perfect digestion The signes to know a Fever be these The Horse doth continually hold down his head and is not able to lift it up his eyes are even blown so as he cannot easily open them yea and many times they be watering the flesh of his lips and of all his body is lush and feeble his stones hang low his body is hot and his breath is very hot and strong he standeth weakly on his legs and in his going draweth them lasiely after him yea he cannot go but very softly and that staggering here and there he will lie down on his side and is not able to turn himself or to wallow he forsaketh his meat both hay and provender and is desirous of nothing but of drink which as Absyrtus saith is an assured token of a Fever he also sleepeth but little The cure and diet Let him bloud in the face and temples and also in the palat of his mouth and the first day give him no meat but only warm drink and that by little and little Afterward give him continually grasse or else very sweet hay wet in water and let him be kept warm and sometime walke him up and down fair and softly in a temperate air and then let him rest and when you see that he begins to amend give him by little and little at once Barley fair sifted and well sodden and also mundified that is to say the huske pulled away like as when you blanch Almonds Of divers sorts of Fevers according to Vegetius and first of that which continueth but one day THe Fever of
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
be taken when he is deprived of his feeling and moving so as he is able to stir no manner of way but remaineth in such state and form as he was taken in which disease is called of the Physitians by the Greek name Catalepsis and in Latine Deprehensio or Congelatio and of Vegetius Sideratio which also calleth those Beasts that have this disease Jumenta sideratitia The Physitians say that it cometh of abundance of phlegm and choler mixt together or else of melancholy bloud which is a cold dry humor oppressing the hinder parts of the brain But Vegetius saith that it comes of some extream outward cold striking suddenly into the empty veins or some extream heat or raw digestion or else of some great hunger caused by long fasting It is easie to know by the description before mentioned As touching the cure Vegetius saith that if it come of cold then it is good to give him to drink one ounce of Laserpitium with Wine and Oyl mixt together and made luke-warm if of heat then to give it him with Water and Honey if of crudity then to heal him by fasting if of hunger then by feeding him well with Pease But Martin saith that this disease is called of the French men Surprins and it cometh as he saith most chiefly of cold taken after heat and he wisheth a Horse that is thus taken to be cured in this sort First to be let bloud on both sides of the breast and then to be put in a heat either by continual stirring and molesting him or else if he will stir by no means then to bury him all save the head in a warm dunghill and there to let him ly untill his limbs have some feeling And before you so bury him it shall be good to give him this drink Take of Malmsie three pintes and put thereunto a quartern of Sugar and some Cinamon and Cloves and let him drink it good and warm and untill he be perfectly whole let him be kept warm and often exercised and walked up and down in the stable and thinly dieted and drink nothing but warm water wherein if you put some Fennel and Parsley seed to provoke him to urine it shall be the better And if he cannot dung let him be raked and have a Glyster made of the broth of Mallows and fresh Butter Another of a Horse that is taken A Horse which is bereft of his feeling moving or stirring is said to be taken and in sooth so he is in that he is arrested by so villainous a disease yet some Farryers not well understanding the ground of the disease conster the word taken to be stricken by some Planet or evill spirit which is false for it proceedeth of too great abundance of phlegm and choler symbolized together the cure is thus Let him bloud in his spur veins and his breast veins and then by foulding him in abundant number of cloaths drive him into an extream sweat during which time of his sweating let one chafe his legs with Oyl-de-bay then after he hath sweat the space of two hours abate his clothes moderately and throughly after he is dry anoint him all over with Oyl Petrolium and in twice or thrice dressing him he will be found Of the Staggers THis is a dizziness of the head called in Latine Vertigo and of the Italians as I remember Capistura It cometh of some corrupt bloud or gross and tough humors oppressing the brain from whence proceedeth a vaporous spirit dissolved by a weak heat which troubleth all the head The signes be these dimness of sight the reeling and staggering of the Horse who for very pain will thrust his head against the walls and forsake his meat The cure according to Martin is thus Let him bloud in the temple veins and then with a knife make an hole an inch long over-thwart his fore-head hard underneath his fore-top and raise the skin with a Cornet thrusting it upward towards the head-stale a good handful and then put in a tent dipt in Turpentine and Hogs grease molten together renewing the tent every day once untill it be whole and do the like upon the ridge of the rump but me thinks it were better to do the like in the powl of his head or nape of his neck for so should the evill humors have both ways the easier and speedier passage and as touching his diet let him have continually warm drink and mashes and once a day be walked up and down fair and softly to exercise his body Of the Staggers THe Staggers is a dizy disease breeding frenzy in a Horse which if it be not instantly helped is mortal the cure is thus Let him bloud in the temple veins and then apply to his temples cloth wet in the juyce of Garlike and Aqua vitae mixt together if you crush Garlike and put it in his ears it is excellent or if you slit his fore-head and loosening the skin from the bone taint is with Turpentine and Sallet-oyl it will undoubtedly help him Of the Failing-evil THis is a kinde of Convulsion or Cramp called of the Latines by the Greek name Epilepsia in Italian Il morbo caduco depriving the Beast at certain times and for a certain space of the use of feeling hearing and seeing and of all the other senses And although it be a disease hath been seldom seen to chance unto Horses of this Countrey yet it appeareth by Absyrtus and also by Vegetius and divers others that Horses he subject thereunto For Absyrtus writing to his friend Tiberius Claudius saith that unto Horses chanceth many times the Falling-sickness The signs whereof are these The Horse will fall down suddenly partly through the resolution of his members and partly through distension of his sinews and all his body will quiver and quake and sometime he will some at the mouth Vegetius again writeth in this sort By a certain course of the Moon Horses and other beasts many times do fall and dy for a time as well as men The signes whereof are these Being fallen their bodies will quiver and quake and their mouths will some and when a man would think that they would dy out of hand they rise suddenly up and fall to their meat And by feeling the gristle of their nostrils with your finger you shall know whether they will fall often or not for the more cold the gristle be the oftner and the less cold it be the seldomer they will fall The cure Let him bloud abundantly in the neck veins and within five days after let him bloud again in the temple veins and let him stand in a warm and dark stable and anoint all his body with comfortable Ointments and his head and ears with Oyl of Bay and liquid Pitch or Tar mingled together And also put some thereof into his ears and then make a Biggen for him of some sort warm skin as of a Sheeps skin or else of Canvas stuffed underneath
if every day with hard ropes of hay or straw you rub and chafe that part exceedingly and apply there to a little quantity of the Oyl of Pepper If the Convulsion be accidental proceeding of some hurt whereby the sinew is wounded or prickt then shall you incontinently take up the sinew so wounded searching the wound with great discretion and cut it clean in sunder then shall you endeavour to heal up the same with unguents plaisters and balms as shall be hereafter mentioned in the chapters of wounds and ulcers of what kinde or nature soever Of the Cold in the Head ACcording as the cold which the Horse hath taken is new or old great or small and also according as humors do abound in his head and as such humors be thick or thin so is the disease more or less dangerous For if the Horse casteth little or no matter out of his nose or hath no very great cough but only heavy in his head and perhaps lightly cougheth now and then it is a sign that he is stopped in the head which we were wont to call the pose But if his head be full of humors congealed by some extream cold taken of long time past and that he casteth foul filthy matter out at the nose and cougheth grievously then it is a sign that he hath either the Glaunders or the Strangullion mourning of the chein or Consumption of the Lungs For all such diseases do breed for the most part of the rheume or distillation that cometh from the head Of the cures thereof we leave to speak until we come to talk of the diseases in the throat minding here to shew you how to heal the pose or cold before mentioned Martin saith it is good to purge his head by perfuming him with Frankincense and also to provoke him to neeze by thrusting two Gouse feathers dipt in Oyl-de-bay up into his nostrils and then to trot him up and down half an hour for these feathers will make him to cast immediately at the nose Lautentius Russius would have him to be perfumed with Wheat Pennyroyal and Sage sodden well together and put into a bag so hot as may be which bag would be so close fastened to his head that all the savour thereof may ascend up into his nostrils and his head also would be covered and kept warm and to provoke him to neeze he would have you to binde a soft clout anointed with Sope or else with Butter and Oyl-de-bay unto a stick and to thrust that up and down into his nostrils so high as you may conveniently go and let him be kept warm and drink no cold water Yea it shall be good for three or four days to boil in his water a little Fenigreek Wheat meal and a few Anise-seeds And every day after that you have purged his head by perfuming him or by making him to neeze cause him to be trotted up and down either in the warm Sun or else in the house half an hour which would be done before you water him and give him his provender Of the Cold in the Head THe pose or cold in a Horse is the most general disease that hapneth and is the easiest perceived both by stopping ratling in the nose and coughing the cure thereof is in this sort If it be but newly taken by some-careless regard and immediately perceived you shall need no other remedy but to keep him warm every morning and evening after his water to ride him forth and to trot him up and down very fast till his cold break and then gently to gallop him a little which moderate exercise with warm keeping will quickly recover him again but if the cold hath had long residence in him and still encreaseth then you shall give him this drink three days together Take of strong Ale one quart of the best Treakle six penny-worth of long Pepper and grains of each as much beaten to powder of the juyce of Garleek two spoonfuls boyl all these together and give it the Horse to drink so warm as he may suffer it and then trot him up and down by the space of an hour or more and keep him warm giving him to drink no cold water Of the diseases of the Eyes HOrses eyes be subject to divers griefs as to be waterish or bloud-shotten to be dim of sight to have the Pin and Web and the Haw whereof some comes of inward causes as of humors resorting to the eyes and some of outward as of cold heat or stripe Of Weeping or Watering Eyes THis as Laurentius Russius saith may come sometime by confluence of humors and some-time by some stripe whose cure I leave to recite because it doth not differ from Martins experience here following Take of Pitch Rosen and Mastick a like quantity melt them together Then with a little stick having a clout bound to the end thereof and dipt therein anoint the temple veins on both sides a handful above the eyes as broad as a Testern and then clap unto it immediately a few flocks of like colour to the Horse holding them close to his head with your hand untill they stick fast unto his head then let him bloud on both sides if both sides be infected a handful under the eyes Russius also thinketh it good to wash his eyes once a day with pure pure white wine and then to blow therein a little of Tartarum and of Pumice stone beaten into fine powder Of Watering Eyes WAtering eyes come most commonly in some stripe or blow and the cure is thus Lay unto his temples a plaister of Turpentine and Pitch molten together then wash his eyes with white Wine and afterward blow the powder of burnt Allum into the same Of Bloud-shotten Eyes also for a blow or itching and rubbing in the Eyes MArtin never used any other medicine then this water here following wherewith he did always heal the foresaid griefs Take of pure Rose water of Malmsie of Fennel water of each three spoonfuls of Tutia as much as you can easily take with your thumb and finger of Cloves a dozen beaten into fine powder mingle them together and being luke-warm or cold if you will wash the inward part of the eye with a feather dipt therein twice a day untill he be whole Russius saith that to bloud-shotten eyes it is good to lay the white of an Egge or to wash them with the juyce of Celidony Another of Bloud-shotten Eyes or any other sore Eye coming of rheume or other humor FOr any sore eye make this water Take of the water of Eye-bright of Rose water and Malmsey of each three spoonfuls of Cloves six or seven beaten to fine powder of the juyce of Houseleek two spoonfuls mix all these together and wash the Horses eyes therewith once a day and it will recover him Of dimness of sight and also for the Pin and Web or any other spot in the Eye IF the Horse be dim of sight or
biggen of Canvas to close in the sore so as the tent with the Ointment may abide within renewing the tent once a day untill it be whole But if the Horse have pain in his ears without any great swelling or Impostumation then thrust in a little black Wooll dipt in Oyl of Camomile and that wilâ— heal it Of the Poll evill THis is a disease like a Fistula growing betwixt the ears and the poll or nape of the neck and proceedeth of evill humors gathered together in that place or else of some blow or bruise for that is the weakest and tenderest part of all the head and therefore soonest offended which rude Carters do little consider whilest in their fury they beat their Horses upon that place of the head with their whip-stocks and therefore no Horse is more subject to this disease then the Cart-horse and this disease cometh most in Winter season The signes You shall perceive it by the swelling of the place which by continuance of time will break it self rotting more inward then outward and therefore is more perillous if it be not cured in time and the sooner it be taken in hand the better The cure according to Martin is thus If it be not broken ripe it with a plaister of Hogs grease laid unto it so hot as may be and make a biggen for the Poll of his head to keep it from cold which biggen would have two holes open so as his â—ars may stand out and renew the plaister every day once untill it break keeping the sore place as warm as may be And if you see that it will not break so soon as you would have it then there as it is softest and most meetest to be opened take a round hot Iron as big as your little finger and sharp at the point and two inches beneath that soft place thrust it in a good deepness upward so as the point of the Iron may come out at the ripest place to the intent that the matter may descend downward and come at the neather hole which would be always kept open and therefore tent it with a tent of flax dipt in Hogs grease and lay a plaister of Hogs grease also upon the same renewing it every day once the space of four days which is done chiefly to kill the heat of the fire Then at the four days end take of Turpentine half a pound clean washed in nine sundry waters and after that throughly dryed by thrusting out the water with a slice on the dishes side then put thereunto two yolks of Egges and a little Saffron and mingle them well together that done search the depth of the hole with a whole quill and make a tent of a piece of spunge so long as it may reach the bottom and so big as it may fill the wound and anoint the tent with the aforesaid Ointment and thrust it into the wound either with that quill or else by winding it up with your finger and thumb by little and little untill you have thrust it home and lay on the plaister of Hogs grease made luke-warm renuing it every day once or twice untill it be whole But if the swelling cease then you need not to use the plaister but only to tent it and as the matter decreaseth so make your tent every day lesser and lesser untill the wound be perfectly whole Of the Vives THe Vives be certain kernels growing under the Horses ear proceeding of some rank or corrupt bloud resorting to the place which within are full of little white grains like white salt kernels The Italians call them Vivole which if they be suffered to grow Laurentius Russius saith that they will grievously pain the Horse in his throat so as he shall not be able to swallow his meat nor to breath They be easie to know for they may be felt and also seen The cure according unto Martin is in this sort First draw them down in the midst with a hot iron from the root of the ear so far as the tip of the ear will reach being puld down and under the root again draw two strikes on each side like a broad arrow head then in the midst of the first line lance them with a lancet and taking hold of the kernels with a pair of pinsons pull them so far forward as you may cut the kernels out without hurting the vein that done fill the hole with white Salt But Hierocles would have them to be cured in this sort Take a piece of Spunge sowsed well in strong Vinegar and binde that to the sore renewing it twice a day untill it hath rotted the kernels that done lance the neathermost part where the matter lyeth and let it out and then fill it up with Salt finely brayed and the next day wash all the filth away with warm water and anoint the place with Honey and Fitchflowre mingled together But beware you touch none of the kernels with your bare finger for fear of venoming the place which is very apt for a Fistula to breed in Another of the Vives THe Vives be certain kernels growing under the Horses ear which come of corrupt bloud the cure is diversly spoke and written of but this is the best mean which I have tryed that if you finde the kernels to enflame and grieve the Horse take a handful of Sorrel and lay it in a Bur-dock leaf and rost it in the hot embers like a Warden then being taken out of the fire apply it so hot as may be to the fore part suffering it to ly thereunto the space of a day and a night and then renew it till such time that it ripen and break the sore which it will in short space do When it is broken and the vilde matter taken away you shall heal up the sore place with the yolk of an Egge half a spoonful of Honey and as much Wheat-flowre as will serve to make it thick plaister-wise which being bound thereunto will in three or four days heal the same Of the Cankerous Ulcer in the Nose THis disease is a fretting humor eating and consuming the flesh and making it all raw within and not being holpen in time will eat through the gristle of the nose It cometh of corrupt bloud or else of sharp humors ingendered by means of some extream cold The signes be these He will bleed at the nose and all the flesh within will be raw and filthy stinking savours and matter will come out at the nose The cure according to Martin is thus Take of green Copperas of Allum of each one pound of white Copperas one quartern and boil these in a pottle of running water untill a pinte be consumed then take it off and put thereunto half a pinte of Honey then cause his head to be holden up with a drinking staffe and â—quirt into his nostrils with a squirt of brass or rather of Elder some of this water being luke-warm three or four times one after
awry as I have seen divers my self then I think it not good that the Horse be drawn with a hot iron on both sides of the neck but only on the contrary side As for example if he bend his head toward the right side then to draw him as is aforesaid only on the left side and to use the rest of the cure as is abovesaid and if need be you may splent him also with handsome staves meet for the purpose to make his neck stand right Of Wens in the neck A Wen is a certain kirnell like a tumor of swelling the inside whereof is hard like a gristle and spongious like a skin full of wrets Of Wens some be great and some be small Again some be very painful and some not painful at all The Physitians say that they proceed of grosse and vicious humors but Vegetius saith that they chance to a Horse by taking cold or by drinking of waters that be extreme cold The cure according to Martin is thus Take of Mallowes Sage and red Nettles of each one handful boil them in running water and put thereunto a little Butter and Honey and when the Herbs be soft take them out and all to bruise them and put thereunto of oil of Bay two ounces and two ounces of Hogs grease and warm them together over the fire mingling them well together that done plaister it upon a piece of leather so big as the Wen and lay it to so hot as the Horse may endure it renewing it every day in such sort the space of eight days and if you perceive that it will come to no head then lance it from the midst of the Wen downward so deep as the matter in the bottom may be discovered and let out that done heal it up with this Salve Take of Turpentine a quarter and wash it nine times in fair new water then put thereunto the yolk of an Egge and a little English Saffron beaten into powder and make a tent or rowle of Flax and dip it in that ointment and lay it unto the sore renewing the same every day once untill it be whole Of swelling in the neck after blood-letting THis may come of the fleam being rusty and so causing the vein to rankle or else by means of some cold wind striking suddainly into the hole The cure according to Martin is thus First anoint it with oil of Camomile warmed and then lay upon it a little hay wet in cold water and bind it about with a cloth renewing it every day the space of five dayes to see whether it will grow to a head or else vanish away If it grow to a head then give it a slit with a lancer and open it with a Cornet that the matter may come out Then heal it up by tenting it with Flax dipt in Turpentine and Hogs grease molten together dressing it so once a day untill it be whole How to 〈◊〉 bloud IF a Horse be let bloud when the signe is in the neck the 〈◊〉 perhaps will not leave bleeding so soon as a man would have it which if any such thing chauce then Russius saith it is good to binde thereunto a lettle new Horse dung tempered with chalke and strong Vinegar and not to remove it from thence the space of three dayes or else to lay thereunto burnt silk felt or cloth for all such things will staunch bloud Of the falling of the Crest THis cometh for the most part of poverty and specially when a fat Horse falleth away suddainly The cure according to Martin is thus Draw his Crest the deepness a straw on the contrary side with a hot iron the edge of which iron would be half an inch broad and make your beginning and ending somewhat beyond the fall so as the first draught may go all the way hard upon the edge of the mane even underneath the roots of the same bearing your hand right downward into the neckward then answer that with another draught beneath and so far distant from the first as the fall is broad compassing as it were all the fall but still on the contrary side and betwixt those two draughts right in the midst draw a third draught then with a button iron of an◠inch about burn at each end a hole and also in the spaces betwixt the draughts make divers holes distant three fingers broad one from another that done to slake the fire anoint it every day once for the space of nine dayes with a feather dipt in fresh Butter moulten Then take Mallows and Sage of each one a handful boil them well in running water and wash the burning away untill it be raw flesh then dry it up with this powder Take of Hony half a pinte and so much unfleck't lime as will make that Hony thick like paste then hold it in a fire-pan over the fire untill it be baked so hard as it may be made in powder and sprinkle that upon the sore places Of the falling of the Crest THe falling of the Crest is occasioned most commonly through poverty yet sometimes I have seen it chance thorugh the ill proportion of the Crest which being high thick and heavy the neck thin and weak underneath is not able to support or sustain it up however it be there is remedy for both if it proceed of poverty first try by good keeping to get it up again but if it will not rise or that the original of the disease be in the ill fashion of the Crest then let this be the cure First with your hand raise up the Crest as you would have it stand or rather more to that side from which it declineth then take up the skin between your fingers on that side from which the Crest swarveth and with a sharp knife cut away the breadth of very near an inch and the length of four inches which done stitch up the skin together again with three or four stitches and by means of strings weights or other devises keep the Crest perforce on that side applying thereunto a plaister of Deers sewet and Turpentine boiled together till the sore be healed and at the self same instant that by this manner of insition you draw together and straiten the skin on that side you shall in this sort give liberty to the other side whereby the Crest may the easier attain to his place Take a hot iron made in fashion of a knife the edge being a quarter of an inch broad and therewith from the upper part of his Crest unto the neather part of the same extending towards his shoulder draw three lines in this forme and the same anoint dayly with fresh Butter untill such time as it be perfectly whole By this manner of cure you may make any lave-ear'd Horse to be as prick-ear'd and comely as any other Horse whatsoever Of the manginess of the Mane THe manginess proceedeth of rankness of bloud or of poverty of lowsiness or else of rubbing where a
in a tub of cold water and then well and hard wrung and over that cast another cloth and gird it fast with a surcingle stuffing him well about the back with fresh straw continuing thus to do every day once the space of a week during which time give him no cold water but lukewarm and put therein a little ground Mault The wet sack will cause the back to gather heat it self and the skin to loosen from the flesh and if you will bestow more cost you may anoint all his body with Wine and oil mingled together according to the opinion of the old writers which no doubt is a very comfortable thing and must needs supple the skin and loosen it from the flesh Of the diseases in the throate and lungs and why the griefs of the shoulders and hips be not mentioned before amongst the griefs of the withers and back SOme perhaps would look here that for so much as I have declared the diseases of the neck withers and back that I should also follow on now with the griefs of the shoulders and hips But sith that such griefs for the most part doe cause a Horse to halt and that it requireth some skill to know when a Horse halteth whether the fault be in his shoulder hip leg joint or foot I think it is not good to separate those parts asunder specially sith nature hath joyned them together that is to say the shoulders to the forelegs and the hips to the hinder legs And therefore according to natures order I will treat of them in their proper place that is to say after that I have shewed all the diseases that be in the inward Horses body not only above the midriffe as the diseases of the throat lungs breast and heart but also under the midriffe as those of the stomach liver guts and of all the rest And first as touching the diseases of the throat the Glaunders and Strangullion to all Horses is most common Of the Glanders and Strangullion so called according to the Italian name Stranguillion MOst Farriars do take the Glanders and Strangullion to be all one disease but it is not so for the Glanders is that which the Physitians call Tonsillae and the Strangullion is that which they call in Latine Angina in Greek Gynanch and we commonly call it in English the Squinaâ—cy or Quinsie Tonsillae is interpreted by them to be the inflamations of the kirnels called in Latine Glandes the Italian Glandulae which lie on both sides of the throat underneath the root of the tongue nigh unto the swallowing place of which word Glandes or Glandulae I think we borrow this name Glanders for when the Horse is troubled with this disease he hath great kirnels underneath his jawes easie to be seen or felt paining him so as he can not easily swallow down his meat which cometh first of cold distillations out of the head But if such kirnels be not inflamed they will perhaps go away of themselves or else by laying a little hot horse-dung and straw unto them the warmth thereof will dissolve them and make them to vanish away But if they be inflamed they will not go away but encrease and wax greater and greater and be more painful every day then other and cause the Horse to cast continually filthy matter at his Nose The cure whereof according to Martin is this First ripe the kernels with this plaister Take of bran two handfuls or as much as will thicken a quart of Wine or Ale then put thereunto half a pound of Hogs grease and boyl them together and lay it hot to the sore with a cloth renewing it every day until it be ready to break then lance it and let out all the matter and tent it with a tent of Flax dipt in this salve Take of Turpentine of Hogs grease of each like quantity and a little wax and melt them together and renew the tent every day until it be whole Laurentius Russius saith that this disease is very common to Colts because in them doth abound fluxible moisture apt to be dissolved with every little heat and to turn to putrifaction and therefore if the Horse be not over young he would have you first to let him bloud in the neck vein and then to lay unto the same sore a ripening plaister made of Mallowes Linseeds Rew Wormwood ground Ivy Oyl of Bayes and Dialthea and to anoint his throat also and all the sore place with fresh Butter and the sore being ripe to lance it or else to rowel it that the matter may come forth But if the kernels will not decrease then pull them away by the roots and dry up the Ulcerous place with an ointment made of unsleck't Lime Pepper Brimstone Nitrum and Oyl Olive It shall be also good to purge his head by perfuming him every day once in such sort as hath been before declared And let the Horse be kept warm about the head and stand in a warm stable and let him drink no cold water but if you see that after you have taken away the kernels the Horse doth not for all that leave casting filthy matter at the Nose then it is to be feared that he hath some spice of the mourning of the Chine for both diseases proceed of one cause and therefore I think good to speak of it here presently But first I will set down a drink which I have seen proved upon a Horse that I thought could never have been recovered of the same disease and yet it did recover him in very short space so as he travelled immediately after many miles without the help of any other medicine A drink for the Strangullion or Glanders TAke of warm milk as it cometh from the Cow a quart or in stead thereof a quart of new Beer or Ale warmed and put thereunto of moulten Butter the quantity of an Egge and then take one head of Garlick first clean pilled and then stamped small which you must put into the milk or drink being made lukewarm and give it the Horse with a horn and immediately after the drink be given catch hold of his tongue with your hand and having broken two raw Egges either upon his foreteeth or against the staffe wherewith his head is holden up cast those broken Egges shels and all into his throat making him to swallow down the same that done ride him up and down till he begin to sweat then set him up covered warm with an old coverlet and straw not suffering him to eat nor drink for the space of two or three hours after and let his drink for the space of two or three dayes be somewhat warm whereunto it is good to put a handâ—ul or two of â—ran or ground Malt and in giving the said drink it shall not be amisse to powre some thereof into either Nostril Of the mourning of the Chine THis word Mourning of the Chine is a corrupt name borrowed of the French tongue wherein
it is called Morte deschien that is to say the death of the back Because many do hold this opinion that this disease doth consume the marrow of the back for remedy whereof they use strange kinds of cures For some taking it to be a rheume go about to stop it by laying astrictive or binding charges to the nape of the neck Some again do twine out the pith of the back with a long wire thrust up into the Horses head and so into his neck and back with what reason I know not Well I know that few Horses do recover that have this disease Some again think that the Lungs of the Horse be rotten and that the Horse doth cast them out at his Nose But Martin saith that he hath cut up divers Horses which have been judged to have dyed of the mourning of the Chine but he could finde never either Back or Lungs to be perished but only the Liver and most commonly that side of the Liver which answereth the Nostril whereat he casteth whereof we will talk in his proper place when we come to speak of the diseases in the Liver The Italians do call this disease Ciamorro the old Authors do call it the moist malady whereof Theomnestus maketh two differences For in the one the matter which he doth cast at the Nose is white and doth not smell at all and in the other that which he casteth is filthy and stinking corruption They proceed both of cold humors congealed in the head but more abounding in the one then in the other by reason perhaps that the Horse was not cured in time for of cold first cometh the Pose and the Cough then the Glanders and last of all the Mourning of the Chine When the Horse casteth matter at the Nose that is not stinking he may easily be cured by such remedies as have been before declared in the Chapter of the Pose but if the matter be very filthy and stinking then it is very hard to cure Notwithstanding it shall not grieve me to write unto you here the experience of Theomnestus and of Laurentius Russius Theomnestus cure is thus Take of Water and Hony called of the Physitians Hydromel a quart and put thereunto three ounces of Oyl and powre that into his Nostril every morning the space of three dayes and if that do not profit him then let him drink every day or once in two dayes a quart of old Wine mingled with some of the medicine or rather the precious meat called of the old writers Tetrapharmacum and that will restore him to his former estate Laurentius Russius saith that of all diseases there is none more perillous nor more to be suspected then the rheume which cometh of cold for Horses have large Conduites and are full of moisture and therefore if cold once enter it findeth matter enough to work on to breed continual distillation as well outwardly at the Nose as inwardly descending down to the vitall part in such sort as it doth not suffocate the same The signes according to the said Russius be these the Horse doth cast matter continually at the Nose sometime thin and sometime thick his Nostrils Ears and all his outward parts will be cold to the feeling his eyes head and all his body heavy and he will cough and have small appetite to his meat and lesse to his drink and sometime he will tremble and shake His cure is in this sort Purge his head partly by perfuming him partly by making him to neeze in such sort as hath been before taught in the Chapter of the Pose which wayes of perfuming and purging his head as they be good so doth Russius praise these two here following to be most excellent the first is this Take of the stalks of Vitis alba otherwise called Brionie or wilde Vine two or three good handfuls and being bruised put them into a linnen bag and fasten the bag to the Horses head so as he may receive the sent up into his Nostrils without touching the hearb with his mouth and this will cause the humors to run down abundantly The second medicine Take of Euforbium beaten into fine powder three ounces of the juice of Betes one pound of Swines bloud half a pound boyl all these together until they be throughly mingled together and liquid like an ointment and then take it from the fire and put thereunto one ounce more of Euforbium and mingle them again throughly together and preserve the same in a box to use at needful times in this sort Make two stiffe long rols or tampins of linnen clouts or such like stuffe sharp pointed like Sugar loaves which tampins are called of the Physicians in Latin Pessi and being anointed with the ointment aforesaid thrust them up into the Horses Nostrils and let them abide therein a pretty while then pull them out and you shall see such abundance of matter come forth at his Nose as is marvellous to behold Russius also praiseth very much this medicine here following Take as much of the middle bark of an Elder tree growing on the water side as will fill a new earthen pot of a mean size putting thereunto as much clear water as a pot will hold and let it boyl until one half be consumed and then to be filled up again with fresh water continuing so to do three times one after another and at the last time that the one half is consumed take it from the fire and strain it through a linnen cloth Then take two parts of that decoction and one part of Hogs grease or Butter and being warmed again together give the Horse to drink thereof one hornful and powre another hornful into his Nostril that casteth and whensoever you give him this medicine let the Horse be empty and fasting and keep him without meat also two or three hours after for this is a very good drink for any sickness that cometh of cold Moreover open the skin of his forehead and of his temples and also of his tail with a sharp hot iron that the corrupt humors may issue outward That done take hot brickes or else a pan of fresh burning coles and hold it nigh unto his belly and flanks to the intent that they may be throughly warmed and being so warmed anoint them all over with Oyl-de-bay or Dialthea to defend his body from the cold and let his head be well covered and all his belly kept warm Yea and it were good to bathe his head sometime as Russius saith with a bath made of Rew Wormwood Sage Juâ—iper Bay leaves and Hysop And let his drink be warm water mingled with Wheat meal yea and to make it the more comfortable it were good as Russius saith to put thereunto some Cinamon Ginger Galingale and such hot pieces And his meat in Winter season would be no other but sodden Corn or warm Mashes made of ground Malt and Wheat bran in Summer season if he went to grasse I think it would do him
most good so that he go in a dry warm ground for by feeding alwayes downward he shall purge his head the better as Russius saith Thus much of the Glanders and mourning of the Chine Now we will speak somewhat of the Strangullion according to the opinion of the Authors though not to the satisfaction perhaps of our English Farriars Of the Strangullion or Squinancy THe Strangullion called of the Latines Anginae according to the Physitians is an inflamation of the inward parts of the throat and as I said before is called of the Greeks Cynanche which is as much to say in English as Strangling whereof this name Strangullion as I think is derived for this disease doth strangle every Man or Beast and therefore is numbred amongst the perillous and sharp diseases called of the Latines Morbi acuti of which strangling the Physiâ—ians in Mans body make four differences The first and worst is when no part within the mouth nor without appeareth manifestly to be inflamed and yet the patient is in great peril of strangling The second is when the inward parts of the throat only be inflamed The third is when the inward and outward parts of the throat be both inflamed The fourth is when the muscles of the neck are inflamed or the inward joynts thereof so loosened as they straiten thereby both the throat or wesand or wind-pipe for short breath is incident to all the four kinds before recited and they proceed all of one cause that is to say of some cholerick or bloudy fluxion which comes out of the branches of the throat veins into those parts and there breedeth some hot inflamation But now to prove that a Horse is subject to this disease you shall hear what Absyrtus Hierocles Vegetius and others do say Absyrtus writing to his friend a certain Farriar or Horse-leach called Aâ—storicus speaketh in this manner When a Horse hath the Strangullion it quickly killeth him the signes whereof be these His temples will be hollow his tongue will swell and hang out of his mouth his eyes also will be swollen and the passage of his throat stopt so as he can neither eat nor drink All these signes be also confirmed by Hiâ—rocles Moreover Vegetius rendereth the cause of this disease affirming that it proceedeth of aboundance of subtle bloud which after long travel will inflame the inward or outward muscles of the throat or wesand or such affluence of bloud may come by use of hot meate after great travel being so alterative as they cause those parts to swell in such sort as the Horse can neither eat nor drink nor draw his breath The cure according to Vegeâ—ius is in this sort First bathe his mouth and tongue in hot water and then anoint it with the gall of a Bull that done give him this drink Take of old Oyl two pound of old Wine a quart nine Figs and nine Leeks heads well stamped and brayed together And after you have boiled these a while before you strain them put thereunto a little Nitrum Alexandrinum and give him a quart of this every morning and evening Absyrtus and Hierocles would have you to let him bloud in the palace of his mouth and also to powre Wine and Oyl into his Nostrils and also give him to drink this decoction of Figs and Nitrum sodden together or else to anoint his throat within with Nitre Oil and Hony or else with Hony and Hogs dung mingled together which differeth not much from Galên his medicine to be given unto man For he saith that Hony mingled with the powder of Hogs dung that is white and swallowed down doth remedy the Squinancy presently Absyrtus also praiseth the ointment made of Bdellium and when the inflamation beginneth somewhat to decrease he saith it is good to purge the Horse by giving him wilde Cucumber and Nitre to drink Let his meat be grasse if it may be gotten or else wet hay and sprinkled with Nitre Let his drink also be lukewarm water with some Barley meal in it Of the Cough OF Coughs some be outward and some be inward Those be outward which do come of outward causes as by eating a feather or by eating dusty or sharp straw and such like things which tickling his throat causeth him to cough you shall perceive it by wagging and wrying his head in his coughing and by stamping sometime with his foot labouring to get out the thing that grieveth him and cannot The cure according to Martin is thus Take a Willow wand rolled throughout with a fine linnen clout and then anoint it all over with Hony and thrust it down his throat drawing your hand to and fro to the intent it may either drive down the thing that grieveth him or else bring it up and do this twice or thrice anointing every time the stick with fresh Hony Of the inward and wet Cough OF inward Coughs some be wet and some be dry The wet Cough is that cometh of cold taken after some great heat given to the Horse dissolving humors which being afterward congealed do cause obstruction and stopping in the Lungs And I call it the wet Cough because the Horse in his coughing will void moist matter at his mouth after that it is once broken The signes be these The Horse will be heavie and his eyes will run with water and he will forsake his meat and when he cougheth he thrusteth out his head and reacheth with great pain at the first as though he had a dry Cough untill the fleam be broken and then he will cough more hollow which is a signe of amendment And therefore according to Martins experience to the intent the fleam may break the sooner it shall be necessary to keep him warm by clothing him with a double cloth and by littering him up to the belly with fresh straw and then to give him this drink Take of Barley one peck and boyl it in two or three gallons of fair water untill the Barley begin to burst and boyl therewith of bruised Licoras of Anise seeds or Raisins of each one pound then strain it and to that liquor put of Hony a pinte and a quartern of Sugarcandy and keep it close in a pot to serve the Horse therewith four several mornings and cast not away the sodden Barley with the rest of the strainings but make it hot every day to perfume the Horse withal being put in a bag and â—ied to his head and if the Horse will eat of it it shall do him the more good And this perfuming in Winter season would be used about ten of the clock in the morning when the Sun is of some height to the intent the Horse may be walked abroad if the Sun shine to exercise him moderately And untill his Cough wear away fail not to give him warm water with a little ground Mault And as his Cough breaketh more and more so let his 〈◊〉 every day be lesse warmed then other Of the dry Cough THis seemeth
hath been layed before in steep in Goats milk or else in Barley or Oaten milk strained out of the Corn. When the Apostume is broken then a very strong vile and evill â—avour will come out of his Nostrils for remedy whereof it shall be good to give him the space oâ— seven dayes this drink here following Take of the root called Costus two ounces and of Gasia or else of Cinnamon three ounces into fine powder and a few Raisins and give it him to drink with wine But Vegetius would have him to be cured in this sort and with lesse cost I assure you Take of Frankincense and Aristoloch of each two ounces beaten into fine powder and give him that with wine or else take of unburnt Brimstone two ounces and of Aristoloch one ounce and a half beaten into powder and give him that with wine And he would have you also to draw his beast with a hot iron to the intent the humors may issue forth outwardly Of shortness of breath A Horse may have shortness of breath by hasty running after drinking or upon a full stomach or by the descending of humors unto his throat or lungs after some extreme heat dissolving the said humors which so long as there is nothing broken may in the beginning be easily holpen The signes be these The Horse will continually pant and fetch his breath short which will come very hot out at his nose and in his breathing he will â—quise in the nose and his flanks will beat thick yea and some cannot fetch their breath unlesse they hold their necks right out and straight which disease is called of the old writers by the Greek name Orthopnoea The cure Let him bloud in the neck and give him this drink Take of Wine and Oil of each a pinte of Frankincense half an ounce and of the juice of Horehound half a pinte It is good also to powre into his throat Hony Butter and Hogs grease moulten together and made lukewarm Tiberius saith it is good to give him whole Egges shels and all steeped and made soft in Vinegar that is to say the first day three the second day five and the third day seven and to powre Wine and oil into his nostrils I for my part would take nothing but Annis seeds Licoras and Sugarcandy beaten all into fine powder give him that to drink with Wine and Oil mingled together Of the Pursick THis is a shortness of breath and the Horse that is so diseased is called of the Italians Cavallo pulsivo or Bolso which I think is derived of the Latin word Vulsus by changing V. into B. and I think differeth not much from him that hath broken lungs called of Vegetius and other old writers Vulsus for such shortness of breath comes either of the same causes or else much like as aboundance of grosse humors cleaving hard to the hollow places of the Lungs and stopping the windepipes And the winde being kept in doth resort downward as Russius saith into the Horses guts and so causeth his flanks to beat continually without order that is to say more swiftly and higher up to the back then the flanks of any Horse that is sound of winde And if the disease be old it is seldom or never cured and though I finde many medicines prescribed by divers Authors few or none do content me unless it be that of Vegetius recited before in the Chapter of broken Lungs And if that prevaileth not then I think it were not amisse according to Russius to purge him with this drink here following Take of Maiden hair of Ireos of Aâ—h of Licoras of Fenigreek of Raisins of each half an ounce of Cardanum of Pepper of Bitter Almonds of Baurach of each two ounces of Nettle seed and of Aristoloch of each three ounces boil them all together in a sufficient quantity of water and in that decoction dissolve half an ounce of Agarick and two ounces of Coloquintida together with two pound of Hony and give him of this a pinte or a quart at divers times and if it be too thick make it thinner by putting thereunto water wherein Licoras hath been sodden and if need be you may also draw both his flanks crosse-wise with a hot iron to restrain the beating of them and also slit his Nostrils to give him more air And if it be in Summer turn him to grasse if in Winter let him be kept warm and give him now and then a little sodden whâ—at Russius would have it to be given him three dayes together and also new sweet wine to drink oâ—â—lse other good wine mingled with Licoras water Of a Consumption A Consumption is no other thing but an exulceration of the lungs proceeding of some fretting or gnawing humor descending out of the head into the lungs And I take it to be that disease which the old Writers are wont to call the dry Malady which perhaps some would rather interpret to be the mourning of the chine with whom I intend not to strive But thus much I must needs say that every Horse having the mourning of the Chine doth continually cast at the nose but in the dry Malady it is contrary For all the Authors that write thereof affirm that the Horse avoideth nothing at the nose And the signes to know the dry Malady according to their doctrine be these His flesh doth clean consume away his belly is gaunt and the skin thereof so hard stretched or rather shrunk up as if you strike on him with your hand it will sound like a Taber and he will be hollow backt and forsake his meat and though he eateth iâ— as Absyrtus saith yet he doth not digest it nor prospereth not withal he would cough and cannot but hickingly as though he had eaten small bones And this disease is judged of all the Authors to be incurable Notwithstanding they say that it is good to purge his head with such perfumes as have been shewed you before in the Chapter of the Glanders and also to give him always Coleworts chopt small with his provender Some would have him to drink the warm bloud of sucking Pigs new slain and some the juyce of Leeks with Oyl and Wine mingled together Others praise Wine and Frankincense some Oyl and Rue some would have his body to be purged and set to grass Of the Consumption of the Flesh and how to make a lean Horse fat MArtin â—aith that if a Horse take a great cold after a heat it will cause his flesh to wast and his skin to wax hard and dry and to cleave fast to his sides and he shall have no appetite unto his meat and the fillets of his back will fall away and all the flesh of his buttocks and of his shoulders will be consumed The cure whereof is thus Take two Sheeps heads unflead boyl them in three gallons of Ale or fair running water until the flesh be consumed from the bones that done strain it through a fine
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
give him Cordial drinks that is to say made of hot and comfortable Spices and also to anoint all his breast and under his shoulders with hot Oyls and to purge his head by blowing up into his nostrils powders that provoke neezing such as have been taught you before Of Surfeting with glut of Provender THe glut of provender or other meat not digested doth cause a Horse to have great pain in his body so as he is not able to stand on his feet but lyeth down and waltereth as though he had the Bots. The cure whereof according to Martins experience is in this sort Let him bloud in the neck then trot him up and down for the space of an hour and if he cannot stale draw out his vard and wash it with a little white Wine luke-warm and thrust into his yard either a bruised clove of Garlick or else a little oyl of Camomile with a wax Candle If he cannot dung then rake his fundament and give him this Glyster Take of Mallows two or three handfuls and boil them in a pottle of fair running water and when the Mallows be sodden then strain it and put thereunto a quart of fresh Butter and half a pinte of Oyl Olive and having received this Glyster lead him up and down untill he hath emptyed his belly then set him up and keep him hungry the space of three or four days and the Hay that he eateth let it be sprinkled with water and let him drink water wherein should be put a little Bran and when he hath drunk give him the Bran to eat and give him little or no provender at all for the space of eight or ten days Of another kinde of Surfeting with meat or drink called of us Foundering in the body THis disease is â—alled of the old Writers in Greek Crithiasis in Latine Hordeatio it cometh as they say by eating of much provender suddenly after labour whilest the Horse is hot and panting whereby his meat not being digested breedeth evill humors which by little and little do spread throughout his members and at length do oppress all his body and do clean take away his strength and make him in such a case as he can neither go nor bow his joynts nor being laid he is not able to rise again neither can he stale but with great pain It may come also as they say of drinking too much in travelling by the way when the Horse is hot but then it is not so dangerous as when it cometh of eating too much But howsoever it cometh they say all that the humors will immediately resort down into the Horses legs and feet and make him to cast his hoofs and therefore I must needs judge it to be no other thing but a plain foundering which word foundering is borrowed as I take it of the French word Fundu that is to say molten For foundering is a melting or dissolution of humors which the Italians call Infusione Martin maketh divers kindes of foundering as the foundering of the body which the French men call most commonly Morâ—undu and foundering in the legs and feet also foundering before and behinde which some Authors do deny as Magister Maurus and Laurentius Russius affirming that there are fewer humors behinde then before and that they cannot easily be dissolved or molten being so far distant from the heart and the other vital parts Whereunto a man might answer that the natural heat of the heart doth not cause dissolution of humors but some unnatural and accidental heat spred throughout all the members which is dayly proved by good experience For we see Horses foundered not only before or behinde but also of all four legs at once which most commonly chanceth either by taking cold suddenly after a great heat as by standing still upon some cold pavement or abroad in the cold winde or else perhaps the Horse travelling by the way and being in a sweat was suffered to stand in some cold water whilest he did drink which was worse then his drinking for in the mean time the cold entering at his feet ascended upward and congealed the humors which the heat before had dissolved and thereby when he cometh once to rest he waxeth stiffe and lame of his legs But leaving to speak of foundering in the legs as well before as behinde untill we come to the griefs in the legs and feet we intend to talk here only of foundering in the body according to Martins experience The signes to know if a Horse be foundered in the body be these His hair will stare and he will be chill and shrug for cold and forsake his meat hanging down his head and quiver after cold water and after two or three days he will begin to cough The cure according to Martin is thus First scour his belly with the Glyster last mentioned and then give him a comfortable drink made in this sort Take of Malmsie a quart of Sugar half a quartern of Honey half a quartern of Cinnamon half an ounce of Licoras and Anise seeds of each two spoonfuls beaten into fine powder which being put into the Malmsie warm them together at the fire so as the Honey may be molten and then give it him luke-warm that done walk him up and down in the warm stable the space of half an hour and then let him stand on the bit two or three hours without meat but let him be warm covered and well littered and give him Hay sprinkled with a little water and clean sifted provender by a little at once and let his water be warmed with a little ground Malt therein And if you see him somewhat cheered then let him bloud in the neck and also perfume him once a day with a little Frankincense and use to walk him abroad when the weather is fair and not windy or else in the house if the weather be foul and by thus using him you shall quickly recover him Of the Hungry Evill THis is a very great desire to eat following some great emptiness or lack of meat and it is called of the old Authors by the Greek name Bulimos which is as much to say as a great hunger proceeding as the Physitians say at the first of some extream outward cold taken by long travelling in cold barren places and especially where Snow aboundeth which outward cold causeth the stomach to be cold and the inward powers to be feeble The cure according to Absyrtus and Hierocles is in the beginning to comfort the Horses stomach by giving him Bread sopt in Wine And if you be in a place of rest to give him Wheat-flowre and Wine to drink or to make him Cakes or Bals of Flowre and Wine kneaded together and to feed him with that or with Wine and Nuts of Pine trees Hierocles saith if any such thing chance by the way whereas no flowre is to be had then it shall be best to give him Wine and earth wrought together either to drink or else
the liver for any manner of diseases Simples that mollifie and disperse be these Linseed Fenigreek Camomile Anise seeds Melliot and such like things Simples astringent be these Red Rose leaves Bramble leaves Wormwood Plantain Myrrhe Mastick Stirax and such like Apostumes are to be ripened and voided Ulcers must be cleansed and scowred downward either by the belly or by urine and therefore the use of such simples as provoke urine in such case is necessary The old Writers of Horse-leech-craft do say that when a Horse is grieved in his liver he will forsake his meat and his body will waste his mouth will be dry his tongue rough and harsh yea and it will smell and he will refuse to ly on that side where his grief is The cure whereof according to Absyrtus is in this sort Let him drink stampt Ireos with Wine allayed with water He praiseth also an herb much like unto Calamint called of Pliny Polymoria or let him drink Savory with Wine and Oyl I think that Agrimony or Liver-wort is as good as the best of them Absyrtus would have his body to be chafed with Wine and Oyl mixt together and to be well littered that he may ly soft ' and his provender that should be given him to be steeped first in warm water and now and then some Nitrum to be put into his drink Of the Consumption in the Liver I Believe that no inward member of a Horse doth suffer so much as the lungs and liver and that not so much by continual as by unordinate and untimely travail labour and exercise whereby either the Horses lungs or his liver do most commonly perish and is consumed yea and some-time both Of the Consumption of the lungs we have talked sufficiently before therefore let us shew you here the causes whereof the Consumption of the liver proceedeth The Physitians say that it may come of any humor but chiefly and most commonly of cholerick matter shed throughout the substance of the liver which putrifying by little and little and leisurely doth at length corrupt and perish all the substance of the liver which thing in mans body doth first proceed as the Physitians say either by eating corrupt meats or else by continual drinking of sweet Wines But me thinks that the Consumption of a Horses liver should come by some extreme heat inflaming the bloud which afterward being putrified doth corrupt and exulcerate the substance of the liver For after inflamation as I said before cometh Apostumation and Exulceration which is very hard to cure because the substance of the liver is spongeous like unto the lungs And whilest the liver is so corrupted there can be no good digestion for lack whereof the body receiveth no good nutriment and therefore must needs also languish and consume The signes according to Martin be these The Horse will forsake his meat and will stand stretching himself in length and never cover to ly down and his breath will be so strong as no man can abide it and he will continually cast yellowish matter at the one nostril or else at both according as one or both sides of the liver is corrupted and on that side that he casteth most he will have under his jaw even about the midst thereof a knob or kernel as much as a Walnut which when Martin findeth he committeth his carkase to the Crows taking him to be past cure But if he were let bloud in time and had such drinks given him as are good to comfort and strengthen the liver he thinketh that the Horse might be recovered I never read any medicine for the wasting of the liver as I remember but this only diet which I found in an old English Book Let him drink for the space of three days no other thing but warm wort and let him eat no other meat but Oats baked in an Oven and let him stand meatless the first night before you give him the wort But I think it were not am iss to put into the wort that he drinketh every morning some good confection of powder made of Agrimony red Rose leaves Saccharum Rosaceum Diarchadon Abbatis Diasantalon Licoras and of the liver of a Wolf and such other simples as do comfort and strengthen the liver or else to give him the same things with Goats milk luke-warm Of the diseases in the Gall. IN my opinion the gall of a Horse is subject to divers diseases as well as the gall of a Man as to obstruction whereof cometh the fulness and emptiness of the bladder and likewise the stone in the gall But obstruction may chance two manner of ways First when the way whereby the choler should proceed from the liver unto the bladder of the gall as unto his receptacle is stopped and thereby the bladder remaineth empty whereof may spring divers evill accidents as vo-miting the Lax or Bloudy flix Secondly when the way whereby such choler should issue forth of the bladder of the gall down into the guts is shut up whereby the bladder is over full and aboundeth with two much choler which causeth heaviness suffocation belching heat thirst and disposition to angryness The signes of both kindes of obstruction in the gall is costiveness and yellowishness of skin infected with the yellow Jaundise The stone in the gall which is somewhat blackish proceedeth of the obstruction of the conduits of the bladder whereby the choler being long kept in waxeth dry and turneth at length to hard gravel or stones whereof because there is neither signes nor any grievous accident known to the Physitians I leave to talk any farther thereof and the rather for that none of mine Authors do make any mention of the gall at all Notwithstanding to give some light to the learned Farriers and that they may the better understand the inward parts of a Horse I thought good to write thus much thinking it no time lost while I may profit them any way Of the diseases in the Spleen THe Spleen as I have said before in many places is the receptacle of melancholy and of the dregs of bloud and is subject to the like diseases that the Liver is that is to say to swelling obstruction hard knobs and inflamation for the substance of the Spleen is spongeous and therefore apt to suck in all filth and to dilate it self wherefore being full it must needs swell which will appear in the left side under the short ribs and such swelling causeth also shortness of breath and especially when the body doth labour or travel It is painful also to ly on the right side because the Spleen being swoln so oppresseth the midriffe and especially when the stomach is full of meat and the patient hath worse digestion then appetite and is troubled with much winde both upward and downward Moreover the vapour of the humor doth offend the heart making it faint and causeth all the body to be heavy and dull and if such swelling be suffered to go uncured then if
in the palat of his mouth that he may suck up the same then give him this drink Take of strong Ale a quart of the green or dure of Geese strained three or four spoonfuls of the juyce of Celandine as much of Saffron half an ounce mix these together and being warm give it the Horse to drink Of the evill habit of the Body and of the Dropsie AS touching the driness and Consumption of the flesh without any apparent cause why called of the Physitians as I said before Atrophia I know not what to say more then I have already before in the Chapter of Consumption of the flesh and therefore resort thither And as for the evill habit of the body which is to be evill coloured heavy dull and of no force strength nor liveliness cometh not for lack of nutriment but for lack of good nutriment for that the bloud is corrupted with flegm choler or melancholy proceeding either from the Spleen or else through weakness of the stomach or liver causing evill digestion or it may come by foul feeding yea and also for lack of moderate exercise The Evill habit of the body is next cousen to the Dropsie whereof though our Farriers have had no experience yet because mine old Authors writing of Horse-leech-craft do speak much thereof I think it good here briefly to shew you their experience therein that is to say how to know it and also how to cure it But sith none of them do shew the cause whereof it proceeds I think it meet first therefore to declare unto you the causes thereof according to the doctrine of the learned Physitians which in mans body do make three kindes of Dropsies calling the first Anasarca the second Ascites and the third Timpanias Anasarca is an universal swelling of the body through the abundance of the water sying betwixt the skin and the flesh and differeth not from the disease last mentioned called Cachexia that is to say Evill habit of the bloud saving that the body is more swoln in this then in Cachexia albeit they proceed both of like causes as of coldness and weakness of the liver or by means that the heart spleen stomach and other members serving to digestion be grieved or diseased Ascites is a swelling in the covering of the belly called of the Physitians Abdomen comprehending both the skin the fat eight muscles and the film or panicle called Peritoneum through the abundance of some whayish humor entred into the same which besides the causes before alleadged proceedeth most chiefly by means that some of the vessels within be broken or rather cracked out of the which though the bloud being somewhat gross cannot issue forth yet the whayish humor being subtil may run out into the belly like water distilling through a cracked pot Timpanias called of us commonly the Timpany is a swelling of the aforesaid covering of the belly through the abundance of winde entred into the same which winde is inge 〈…〉 ered of crudity and evill digestion and whilest it aboundeth in the stomach or other intrails finding no issue out it breaketh in violently through the small conduits among the panicles of the aforesaid covering not without great pain to the patient and so by tossing to and fro windeth at length into the space of the covering it self But surely such winde cannot be altogether void of moisture Notwithstanding the body swelleth not so much with this kinde of Dropsie as with the other kinde called Ascites The signes of the Dropsie is shortness of breath swelling of the body evill colour lothing of meat and great desire to drink especially in the Dropsie called Ascites in which also the belly will sound like a bottle half full of water but in the Timpany it will sound like a Taber But now though mine Authors make not so many kindes of Dropsies yet they say all generally that a Horse is much subject to the Dropsie The signes according to Absyrtus and Hierocles be these His belly legs and stones will be swoln but his back buttocks and flancks will be dryed and shrunk up to the very bones Moreover the veins of his face and temples and also the veins under his tongue will be so hidden as you cannot see them and if you thrust your finger hard against his body you shall leave the print thereof behinde for the flesh lacking natural heat will not return again to his place and when the Horse lyeth down he spreadeth himself abroad not being able to lie round together on his belly and the hair of his back by rubbing will fall away Pelagonius in shewing the signes of the Dropsie not much differing from the Physitians first recited seemeth to make two kindes thereof calling the one the Timpany which for difference sake may be called in English the Winde Dropsie and the other the Water Dropsie Notwithstanding both have one cure so far as I can perceive which is in this sort Let him be warm covered and walked a good while together in the Sun to provoke sweat and let all his body be well and often rubbed alongst the hair and let him feed upon Coleworts Smallage and Elming boughs and on all other things that may loosen the belly or provoke urine and let his common meat be grass if it may be gotten if not then Hay sprinkled with Water and Nitrum It is good also to give him a kinde of Pulse called Cich steeped a day and a night in water and then taken out and laid so as the water may drop away from it Pelagonius would have him to drink Parsly stampt with Wine or the root of the herb called in Latine Panax with Wine But if the swelling of the belly will not decrease for all this then slit a little hole under his belly a handful behinde the navil and put into that hole a hollow reed or some other pipe that the water or winde may go out not all at once but by little and little at divers times and beware that you make not the hole over wide lest the kall of the belly fall down thereunto and when all the water is clean run out then heal up the wound as you do all other wounds and let the Horse drink as little as is possible Of the Evil habit of the Stomach IF your Horse either by inward sickness or by present surfeit grow to a loath of his meat or by weakness of his stomach cast up his meat and drink this shall be the cure for the same First in all the drink he drinks let him have the powder of hot Spices as namely of Ginger Anise seeds Licoras Cinamon and Pepper then blow up into his nostrils the powder of Tobacco to occasion him to neese instantly after he hath eaten any meat for an hour together after let one stand by him and hold at his nose a piece of sowre leaven steept in Vinegar then anoint all his breast over with the Oyl of Ginnuper and Pepper mixt
together Of the diseases of the Guts of a Horse and first of the Colick THe guts of a Horse may be diseased with divers griefs as with the Colick with Costiveness with the Lax with the Bloudy flux and Worms The Colick is a grievous pain in the great gut called of the Physitians Colon whereof this disease taketh his name which gut because it is very large and ample and full of corners it is apt to receive divers matters and so becometh subject to divers griefs For sometime it is tormented with the abundance of gross humors gotten betwixt the panicle of the said gut and sometime with winde having no issue out sometime with inflammation and sometime with sharp fretting humors But so far as I can learn a Horse is most commonly troubled with the Colick that cometh of winde and therefore our Farriers do tearm it the winde Colick The signes whereof be these The Horse will forsake his meat and lie down and wallow and walter upon the ground and standing on his feet he will stamp for very pain with his fore-feet and strike on his belly with his hinder foot and look often towards his belly which also towards his flancks will swell and seem greater to the eye then it was wont to be The cure whereof according to Martin is in this sort Take a quart of Malmsie of Cloves Pepger Cinamon of each half an ounce of Sugar half a quartern and give it the Horse luke-warm and anoint his flancks with Oyl of Bay and then bridle him and trot him immediately up and down the space of an hour until he dung and if he will not dung then take him and if need be provoke him to dung by putting into his fundament an Onyon pilled and jagged with a knife cross-wise so as the juyce thereof may tickle his fundament and for the space of three or four days let him drink no cold water and let him be kept warm Russius was wont to use this kinde of cure Take a good big reed a span long or more and being anointed with Oyl thrust it into the Horses fandament fastning the outward end thereof unto his tail so as it cannot slip out and then having first anointed and chased all the Horses belly with some hot Oyl cause him to be ridden hastily up and down some hilly ground and that will make him to void the winde out of his belly through the reed which done let him be kept warm and fed with good provender and warm mashes made of Wheat-meal and Fennel seed and let him drink no cold water until he be whole Absyrtus would have you to give him a Glyster made of wilde Cowcumber or else of Hens dung Nitrum and strong Wine Of Costiveness or Belly-bound COstiveness is when a Horse is bound in the belly and cannot dung which may come by glut of provender or overmuch feeding and rest whereof we have talked sufficient before also by winde gross humors or cold causing obstruction and stopping in the guts The cure whereof according to Martin is in this sort Take of the decoction of Mallows a quart and put thereunto half a pinte of Oyl or in stead thereof half a pinte of fresh Butter and one ounce of Benedicte laxative and pour that into his fundament with a little Horn meet for the purpose that done clap his tail to his fundament holding it still with your hand whilest another doth lead him in his hand and trot him up and down that the medicine may work the better and having voided all that in his belly bring him unto the stable and there let him stand a while on the bit well covered and warm littered and then give him a little Hay and let his drink be warmed it shall not be amiss also to give him that night a warm mash Of the Lax. THe Italians call this disease Ragiatura and the Horse that hath this disease Cavallo Arragiato or Sforato It may come through the abundance of cholerick humors descending from the liver or gall down to the guts But Russius saith that it cometh most commonly by drinking overmuch cold water immediately after provender or by sudden travelling upon a full stomach before his meat be digested or by hasty running or galloping immediately after water If this disease continue long it will make the Horse very weak and feeble so as he shall not be able to stand on his legs Notwithstanding sith nature feeling her self oppressed endevoureth thus to ease her self by expelling those humors that grieve her I would not wish you suddenly to stop it lest some worse inconvenience grow thereof But if you see that the Horse looseth his flesh and waxeth more dull and feeble then he was wont to be then give him this drink often experimented by Martin and that shall stop him Take of Bean-flowre and of Bole Armony of each a quartern mingle these things together in a quart of red Wine and give it him luke-warm and let him rest and be kept warm and let him drink no cold drink but luke-warm and put therein a little Bean-flowre and let him not drink but once a day and then not over-much for the space of three or four days Of the Bloudy flux IT seemeth by the old Writers that a Horse is also subject to the Bloudy flux For Absyrtus Hierocles and Democritus say all with one voyce that the guts of a Horse may be so exulcerated that he will void bloudy matter at his fundament yea and his fundament therewith will fall out which disease they call Dysenteria which is as much to say as a painful exulceration of the guts under the which the old men as it seemeth by the words of Hierocles and Absyrtus would comprehend the disease called of the Physitians Tenasmus that is to say a desire to dung often and to do but little and that with great pain And also another disease called Procidentia ani that is to say the falling out of the fundament which the Physitians do account as several diseases Notwithstanding for so much as Dysenteria and Tenasmus do spring both of like causes yea and also for that the falling out of the fundament hath some affinity with them I will follow mine Authors in joyning them all together in this one chapter The Physitians make divers kindes of Bloudy flux for sometime the fat of the slimy filth which is voided is sprinkled with a little bloud sometime the matter that voideth is mixt with the scraping of the guts and sometime it is waterish bloud like water wherein flesh hath been washed and sometime bloud mixt with melancholy and sometime pure bloud and by the mixture of the matter you shall know in mans body whether the ulceration be in the inner small guts or no if it be the matter and bloud will be perfectly mixt together but if it be in the outward guts then they be not mingled together but come out several the bloud most commonly following the
the inside suffering him not to bleed from above but all from beneath Of the Foundering in the Fore-legs THe cause of this grief is declared before in the Chapter of foundering in the body whereas I shewed you that if a Horse be foundered in the body the humors will immediately resort down into his legs as Martin saith within the space of 24 hours and then the Horse will go crouching all upon the hinder-legs his fore-legs being so stiffe as he is not able to bow them The cure whereof according to Martin is in this sort Garter each leg immediately one handful above the knee with a list good and hard and then walk him or chafe him and so put him in a heat and being some-what warmed let him bloud in both the breast veins reserving the bloud to make a charge withall in this manner Take of that bloud two quarts and of Wheat-flowre half a peck and six Egges shels and all of Bole Armony half a pound of Sanguis Draconis half a quartern and a quart of strong Vinegar mingle them all together and charge all his shoulders breast back loyns and fore-legs therewith and then walk him upon some hard ground suffering him not to stand still and when the charge is dry refresh it again And having walked him three or four hours together lead him into the stable and give him a little warm water with ground Mault in it and then a little Hay and provender and then walk him again either in the house or else abroad and continue thus the space of four days and when all the charge is spent cover him well with a housing cloth and let him both stand and lie warm and eat but little meat during the four days But if you see that at four days end he mendeth not a whit then it is a sign that the humor lies in the foot for the which you must search with your Butter paring all the soles of the fore-feet so thin as you shall see the water issue through the sole That done with your Butter let him bloud at both the toes and let him bleed well Then stop the vein with a little Hogs grease and then tack on the shooes and Turpentine molten together and laid upon a little Flax and cram the place where you did let him bloud hard with Tow to the intent it may be surely stopt Then fill both his feet with Hogs grease and bran fryed together in a stopping pan so hot as is possible And upon the stopping clap a piece of leather or else two splents to keep the stopping And immediately after this take two Egges beat them in a dish and put thereto Bole Armony and Bean-flowre so much as will thicken the same and mingle them well together and make thereof two plaisters such as may close each foot round about somewhat above the cronet and binde it fast with a list or roller that it may not fall away not be removed for the space of three days but let the sole be cleansed and new stopped every day once and the cronets to be removed every two days continuing so to do untill it be whole Dating which time let him rest walked for fear of loosening his hoofs But if you see that he begin to amend you may walk him fair and softly once a day upon some soft ground to exercise his legs and feet and let him not eat much nor drink cold water But if this fundering break out above the hoof which you shall perceive by the looseness of the coffin above by the cronet then when you pare the sole you must take all the fore-part of the sole clean away leaving the heels whole to the intent the humors may have the freer passage downward and then stop him and dress him about the cronet as is before said Of Foundring OF all other sorances foundering is soonest got and hardlyest cured yet if it may be perceived in twenty four hours and taken in hand by this means hereafter prescribed it shall be cured in other twenty and four hours notwithstanding the same reâ—eit hath cured a Horse that hath been foundered a year and more but then it was longer in bringing it to pass Foundering cometh when a Horse is heated being in his grease and very fat and taketh thereon a sudden cold which striketh down into his legs and taketh away the use and feeling thereof The sign to know it is the Horse cannot go but will stand cripling with all his four legs together if you offer to turn him he will couch his buttocks to the ground and some Horses have I seen sit on their buttocks to feed The cure is thus Let him bloud of his two breast veins of his two shackle veins and of his two veins above the cronets of his hinder hoofs if the veins will bleed take from them three pintes at least if they will not bleed then open his neck vein and take so much from thence Save the blood and let one stand by and stir it as he bleeds lest it grow into lumps when he hath done bleeding take as much Wheat flowre as will thicken the blood the whites of twenty Egges and three or four yolks then take a good quantity of Bolearminack and a pinte of strong Vinegar incorporate all these well together and withal charge his back neck head and ears then take two long rags of cloth and dip in the same charge and withal garter him so strait as may be above both his knees of his forelegs then let his keeper take him out to some stony causie or high-way paved with stone and there one following him with a cudgel let him trot up and down for the space of an hour or two or more that done set him up and give him some meat and for his drink let him have a warm mash some three or four hours after this take off his garters and set him in some pond of water up to the mid-side and so let him stand for two hours then take him out and set him up the next day pull off his shooes and pare his feet very thin and let him blood both of his heels and toes then set on his shooes again and stop them with Hogs grease and bran boiling hot and splint them up and so turn him out to run and he shall be sound Of the splent as well in the inside or outside of the knee as other where in the Legs THis sorance to any mans feeling is a very gristle sometime as big as a Walnut and sometime no more then a Hasel-nut which is called of the Italians Spinella and it cometh as Laurentius Russius saith by travelling the Horse too young or by oppressing him with heavie burthens offending his tender sinews and so causeth him to halt It is easie to know because it is apparent to the eye and if you pinch it with your thumb and finger the Horse will shrink up his leg The cure whereof according to
or falling The signes be these The Horse will halt and in his going he will go sideling and the sore hip will fall lower then the other and the flesh in processe of time will consume clean away And if it be suffered to run so long it will never be restored unto his pristine estate The best way as Martin saith to make him go upright is to charge his hip and back with Pitch and Rosen molten together and laid on warm and then some flocks of his own colour to be clapped upon the same and so let him run to grasse untill he go upright But the sore hip will never rise again so high as the other If the Horse be not hipped but only hurt in the hip and that newly then first take of the Oyl de-bay of Dialthea of Nerval of Swines grease melt them all together stirring them continually until they be throughly mingled together and anoint the sore place against the hair with this Ointment every day once the space of a fortnight and make the Ointment to sink well into the flesh by holding a hot broad bar over the place anointed weaving your hand to and fro until the Ointment be entred into the skin And if at the fortnights end you see that the Horse amendeth no whit for this then slit a hole downward in his skin and an inch beneath the hip-bone making the hole so wide as you may easily thrust in a rowel with your finger and then with a little broad slice or iron loosen the skin from the flesh above the bone and round about the same so broad as the rowel may lie flat and plain betwixt the skin and the flesh which rowel would be made of soft Calves Leather with a hole in the midst like a ring having a threed tied unto it to pull it out when you would cleanse the hole and if the rowel be rolled about with flax fast tyed on and anointed with the ointment under written it will draw so much the more and thrust in the rowel first double and then spread it abroad with your finger That done tent it with a good long tent of flax or tow dipt in a little Turpentine and Hogs grease molten together and made warm and cleanse the hole and the rowel every day once and also renew the tent every day for the space of a fortnight And before you dresse him cause him every day to be led up and down a foot pace a quarter of an hour to make the humors come down and at the fortnights end pull out the rowel and heal up the wound with the same salve making the tent every day lesser and lesser until it be whole And so soon as it is whole draw with a hot Iron crosse lines of eight or nine inches long right over the hip-bone so as the rowelled place may be in the very midst thereof and burn him no deeper but so as the skin may look yellow and then charge all that place and over all his buttocks with this charge Take of Pitch a pound of Rosen half a pound of Tar half a pinte boyl them together and then being good and warm spread it on with a clout tyed in a riven stick and then clap on a few flocks of the Horses colour And if it be in Summer let the Horse run to grasse a while for the more he travelleth at his own will the better it is for him Of stifling and hurts in the stifle THe Horse is said to be stifled when the stifling bone is removed from the place but if it be not removed nor loosened and yet the Horse halteth by means of some grief there then we say that the Horse is hurt in the stifle and not stifled The stifle cometh by means of â—ome blow or some great strain slipping or sliding The signes be these If he be stifled the one bone will stick out farther then the other and is apparent to the eye Martin would have you to cure the stifle in all points like unto the shoulder-pight saving that the pins need not be so long because the stifling place is not so broad as the shoulder and standing in the stable let him have a pastern with a Ring on his sore-leg and thereunto fasten a cord which cord must go about his neck and let it be so much strained as it may bring his sore leg more forward then the other to keep the bone from starting out But if the Horse be but hurt in the stifle with some stripe or strain then the bone will not stand out but perhaps the place may be swollen The cure according to Martin is thus First anoint the place with the Ointment mentioned before every day once the space of a fortnight and if the Horse amend not with this then rowel him with a hearen rowel or else with a quill and let the neather hole be somewhat before the sore place and cleanse the hole every day by turning the rowel continuing still to anoint the place with the Ointment aforesaid and that will make him whole Of foundering behind THis haps most commonly when a Horse is very fat and hath his grease moulten within him which is soon done with every little heat You shall perceive it by his going for he will be afraid to set his hinder-feet to the ground and he will be so weak behind as he will stand quivering and shaking and covet alwayes to lie down The cure according to Martin is thus First garter him about the houghes and then force him to go a while to put him in a heat and being some-what warm let him bloud in the thigh veins reserving of that bloud a pottle to make him a charge in this sort Put unto that bloud of Wheat-flower and of Bean-flower of each a quarter of a peck of Bole-armony one pound of Sanguis Draconis two ounces six Egges shels and all of Turpentine half a pound of Vinegar a quart mingle all these things together and therewith charge both his hinder-legs his reins and flanks all against the hair And if the Horse cannot dung let him be raked and give him this glyster Take of Mallowes three handfuls and boyl them well in fair Water from a pottle to a quart then strain it and put thereunto half a pound of Butter and of Sallet Oyl a quarter of a pinte and having emptied his belly give him also this drink to comfort him Take of Malmesie a quart and put thereunto a little Cinamon Mace and Pepper beaten into fine powder and of Oyl a quarter of a pinte and give the Horse to drink of that luke-warm with a horn That done let him be walked up and down a good while together if he be able to go if not then tie him up to the rack and let him be hanged with Canvas and Ropes so as he may stand upon the ground with his feet For the lesse he lyeth the better and pare his hinder-feet thin untill the dew come out and
tacking on the shooes again stop the hoofs with Bran and Hogs grease boyled together and let both his feet having this geer in it be wrapped up in a cloth even to his pasterns and there tie the clout fast Let his diet be thin and let him drink no cold water and give him in Winter wet hay and in Summer grasse Of the dry Spaven THe dry Spaven called of the Italians Spavano or Sparavagno is a great hard knob as big as a Walnut growing in the inside of the hough hard under the joynt nigh unto the master vein and causeth the Horse to halt which sorance cometh by kinde because the Horses Parents perhaps had the like disease at the time of his generation and sometime by extreme labor and heat dissolving humors which do descend through the master vein continually feeding that place with evil nutriment and causeth that place to swell Which swelling in continuance of time becometh so hard as a bone and therefore is called of some the Bone Spaven It needeth no signes or tokens to know it because it is very much apparent to the eye and therefore most Farriers do take it to be incurable Notwithstanding Martin saith that it may be made lesse with these remedies here following Wash it with warm water and shave off the hair so far as the swelling extendeth and scarifie the place so as it may bleed then take of Cantharides one dozen of Euforbium half a spoonful break them into powder and boyl them together with a little Oyl-de-bay and with two or three feathers bound together put it boyling hot upon the sore and let his tail be tyed up for wiping away the medicine and then within half an hour after set him up in the stable and tie him so as he may not lie down all the night for fear of rubbing off the medicine and the next day anoint it with fresh butter continuing thus to do every day once the space of five or six days and when the hair is grown again draw the sore place with a hot Iron then take another hot sharp Iron like a Bodkin somewhat bowing at the point and thrust it in at the neather end of the middle line and so upward betwixt the skin and the flesh to the compasse of an inch and a half And then tent it with a little Turpentine and Hogs grease moulten together and made warm renewing it every day once the space of nine dayes But remember first immediately after his burning to take up the master vein suffering him to bleed a little from above and tie up the upper end of the vein and leave the neather end open to the intent that he may bleed from beneath until it cease it self and that shall diminish the Spaven or else nothing will do it Of the Spaven both bone and bloud DOubtless a Spaven is an evill sorance and causeth a Horse to halt principally in the beginning of his grief it appeareth on the hinder-legs within and against the joynt and it will be a little swoln and some Horses have a thorough Spaven which appeareth both within and without Of the Spaven there are two kindes the one hard and the other soft that is a Bone-Spaven and a Bloud-Spaven for the Bone-Spaven I hold it hard to cure and therefore the lesse necessary to be dealt withal except very great occasion urge and thus it may be holpen Cast the Horse and with a hot Iron slit the flesh that covereth the Spaven and then lay upon the Spaven Cantharides and Euforbium boyled together in Oyl-de-bay and anoint his legs round about either with the Oyl of Roses and with Vnguentum album camphiratum Dresse him thus for three dayes together then afterward take it away and for three dayes more lay unto it only upon flax and unsleck't Lime then afterward dresse it with Tar until it be whole The Cantharides and Euforbium will eat and kill the spungy bone the Lime will bring it clean away and the Tar will suck out the poison and heal all up sound but this cure is dangerous for if the incision be done by an unskilful man and he either by ignorance or by the swarving of his hand burn in twain the great vein that runs crosse the Spaven then the Horse is spoiled Now for the bloud Spaven that is easily helpt for I have known divers which have been but newly beginning helpt only by taking up the Spaven vein and letting it bleed well beneath and then stop the wound with Sage and Salt but if it be a great bloud Spaven then with a sharp knife cut it as you burnt the bone Spaven and take the Spaven away then heal it up with Hogs grease and Turpentine only Of the wet Spaven or through Spaven THis is a soft swelling growing on both sides of the hough and seems to go clean through the hough and therefore may be called a through Spaven But for the most part the swelling is on the inside because it is continually fed of the master vein and is greater then the swelling on the outside The Italians call this sorance Lâ—ierda or Gierdone which seemeth to come of a more fluxible humour and not so viscous or slimy as the other Spaven doth and therefore this waxeth not so hard nor groweth to the nature of a bone as the other doth and this is more curable then the other It needs no signes because it is apparent to the eye and easie to know by the description thereof before made The cure according to Martin is thus First wash shave and scarifie the place as before then take of Cantharides half an ounce of Euforbium an ounce broken to powder and Oyl-de-bay one ounce mingle them well together cold without boyling them and dresse the sore therewith two dayes together and every day after until the hair be grown again anoint it with fresh Butter Then fire him both without and within as before without tenting him and immediately take up the master vein as before and then for the space of nine dayes anoint him every day once with Butter until the fired place begin to scale and then wash it with this bath Take of Mallowes three handfuls of Sage one handful and as much of red Nettles boyl them in water until they be soft and put thereunto a little fresh Butter and bathe the place every day once for the space of three or four dayes and until the burning be whole let the Horse come in no wet Of the Selander THis is a kinde of Scab breeding in the ham which is the bent of the hough and is like in all points to the Malander proceeding of like causes and requireth like cure and therefore resort to the Malander Of the hough bony or hard knob THis is a round swelling bony like a Paris ball growing upon the tip or elbow of the hough and therefore I thought good to call it the hough-bony This sorance cometh of some stripe or bruise and
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
griefs as are properly incident either to the fore-legs or hinder-legs now therefore we speak of those griefs that be common to them both and first of Windgals Of Windgals THe Windgal called of the Italians Galla is a bladder full of corrupt jelly whereof some be great and some be small and do grow on each side of the joynt and is so painful 〈◊〉 especially in Summer season when the weather is hot and the ways hard as the Horse is not able to travel but halteth down right They come for the most part through extreme labour and hext whereby the humors being dissolved do flow and resort into the hollow places about the â—eather joynts and there be congealed and covered with a thin skin like a bladder They be apparent to the eye and therefore need no other signes to know them The cure whereof according to Martin is thus Wash them with water and shave off the hair scarifie them with the point of a rasor and dress them with Cantharides in the self same manner as the splent in the knee was taught before and anoint them afterward with Butter untill the skin be whole And if this will not heal it then draw them with a hot Iron like a ragged staffe That done slit the middle line which passeth right down through the windgal with a sharp knife beginning beneath and so upward the length of half an inch to the intent you may thrust the jelly out at that hole then lay unto it a little Pitch and 〈◊〉 zen molten together and made luke-warm and put a few flocks on it and that will heal him And you may dry up the Windgal in such manner as here followeth First chop off the hair so far as the Wind-gal extendeth and having strieken it with a fleam thrust out the jelly with your finger Then take a piece of red wollen cloth and clap it to the place and with a hot broad searing Iron sear it so as the Iron may not burn through the cloth which is done to dry up the humors Then having taken away the cloth lay unto the place a piece of Shoomakers 〈◊〉 made like a flat cake about the breadth of a testron and with your Iron not made over hot streek softly upon it to and fro untill the said wax be throughly melted into the sure Whereupon lay a few flocks and let him go Which flock will afterward fall away of their own aâ—cord Of Windgals WIngals are easie to cure they be little swellings like blebs or bladders on either side the joynt next unto the fewter-locks as well before as behinde and they come through the occasion of great travel in hard gravelly or sandy ways The cure is Take Pitch Rozen and Mastick of each like quantity melt them together and with a stick lay it round about the Horses legs and whilest it is hot lay flocks thereon the nature of this plaister is never to come away whilest there is 〈◊〉 Windgal on the Horses legs but when they are dryed up then it will fall away of it self Of Wrinching the neather joynt THis cometh many times by treading away in some Care root or otherwise The signes be these The joynt will be swollen and sore and the Horse will halt The cure whereof according to Martin is thus Take of Dialthea half a pound and as much of 〈◊〉 mingle them together and anoint the sore place therewith chasing it well with both your hands that the Ointment 〈◊〉 enter continuing so to do every day once until the Ointment be all spent and let the Horse rest But if this will not prevail then wash it with warm water and 〈◊〉 away all the 〈◊〉 saving the 〈…〉 lock Scarifie it and lay to it Clantharides and heal it as you do each spleat 〈◊〉 the knee Of Enterfering BEcause Enterfering is to be hâ—lpen by shâ—â—ing we purpose hot to speak of it untill we come to talk of the order of paring and shâ—â—ing all manner of hoâ—fs Another of Enterfering ENterfering is a grief that cometh by sometimes by all shooing and sometimes naturally 〈◊〉 Horse trots so narrow that he â—ews one leg upon another it appeareth both before and he hinde between the feet against the set loâ—ks and there is no remedy but shooing him with 〈◊〉 made than and flat on the outside and narrow and think within Of the Shakel-gall IF a Horse be galled in the pasterns with shakel lock pastern or haster anoint the sore place with a little Honey and Verdigrease boyled together untill it look red which is a good Ointment for all gallings on the withers and immediately strow upon the Ointment being first laid upon the leg a little chopt flax or tow and that will stick fast continuing so to do every day once untill it be whole Of hurts in the Legs that cometh by casting in the halter or collar IT chanceth many times that a Horse having some itch under his ears is desirous to scratch the same with his hinder-foot which whilest he reacheth to and fro doth fasten in the collar or halter wherewith the more that he striveth the more he galleth his legs and many times it chanceth for that he is tyed so long by means whereof being laid and the halter slack about his feet rising perhaps or turning he snarleth himself so as he is not able to get up but hangeth either by the neck or legs which sometime are galled even to the hard bone Russius calleth such kind of galling Capistratura which he was wont to heal with this Ointment here following praising it to be excellent good for the cratches or any seab bruise or wound Take of Oyl Olive one ounce of Turpentine two or three ounces melt them together over the fire and then put thereunto a little Wax and work them well together and anoint the sore place therewith Martin saith it is good to anoint the sore place with the white of an Egge and Sallet Oyl beaten together and when it cometh to a scab anoint it with Butter being molten until it look brown Of the Cratches or Rats tails called of the Italians Crepaccie THis is a kinde of long scabby rifts growing right up and down in the hinder part from the fewter-lock up to the curb and cometh for lack of clean keeping and is easily seen if you take up the Horses foot and lift up the hair The cure according to Martin is thus Take of Turpentine half a pound of Honey a pinte of Hogs grease a quartern and three yolks of Egges and of Bole-armony a quartern beaten into fine powder of Bean-flowre half a pinte mingle all these well together and make a salve thereof and with your finger anoint all the sore places sheading the hair as you go to the intent you may the easier finde them and also to make the salve enter into the skin and let the Horse come in no wet untill he be whole Of the Scratches SCratches will cause a Horse to
place as may be and let him bleed well then fire every knot one by one taking the knot in your left hand and pulling it so hard as you can from his body to the intent you may better pierce the knot with a blunt hot Iron of the bigness of a mans fore-finger without doing the body any hurt and let out the matter leaving none unburn'd be it little or much That done anoint every knot so burned with Hogs-grease warmed every day once until the coars be ready to fall away and in the mean time prepare a good quantity of old Urine and when you see the coars ready to fall boil the Urine and put therein a little Copperas and Salt and a few strong Nettles and with that water being warm wash out all the coars and the corruption That done fill every hole immediately with the powder of fleck't lime continuing thus to do every day once until the holes be closed up and if any be more ranker then other fill those with Verdigrease and during this cure let the Horse be thinly dieted that is to say with straw and water only unless it be now and then to give him a loaf of bread for the lower he be kept the sooenr he will be whole And in any wise let his neck be yoked in an old bottomless pail or else with short staves to keep him from licking the sores and the less rest he hath the better Or do thus Take a good great Dock-root clean scraped and cut thereof five little rundles or cakes to be used as followeth First with a knife make a slit right down in the Horses fore-head three inches long then with a Cornet loosen the skin within the flesh so as you may easily put therein five rundles of Dock that is to say two on each side of the slit one above another and put the fift rundle in the very midst betwixt the other four that done fasten to each of the slits two short Shoomakers ends to serve as laces to tie in the foresaid rundles so as they may not fall out and clense the sore every day once for the vertue of the root is such as it will draw all the filthy matter from any part of the body yea though the Farcin be in the hinder-legs which matter is to be wiped away from time to time and new roots be thrust into the slit according as you see it needful Of the Farcion THe Farcion is a vilde disease ingendered of ill bloud flegmatick matter and unkindely feeding it appeareth in a Horse like unto little knots in the flesh as big as a Hasel-nut the knots will encrease daily and inflame Impostume and break and when the knots amount to threescore they will every night after breed so many more till they have over-run the Horses body and with the poyson which is mighty and also strong soon bring him to his death This disease is very infectious and dangerous for some Horses yet if it be taken in any time it is easie to be holpen The cure thereof is in this manner Take a sharp Bodkin and thrust it through the neather part of his nose that he may bleed or if you will to let him bloud in the neck-vein shall not be amiss then feel the knots and as many as are soft lance them and let them run then take strong Lye Lime and Allum and with the same bathe all his sores and it shall in short space cure him There is also another manner of curing this disease and that is thus Take a sharp lance-knife and in the top of the Horses fore-head just between his eyes make a long slit even to the skull then with a blunt instrument for the purpose lose the flesh from the scalp a pretty compass then take Carret-roots cut into little thin round pieces and put them between the skin and the skull as many as you can then close up the wound and once a day anoint it with fresh Butter This is a most sure and approved way to cure the Farcion for look how this wound thus made shall rot waste and grow sound so shall the Farcion break dry up and be healed because all the poyson that feedeth the disease shall be altogether drawn into the fore-head where it shall die and waste away The only fault of this cure is it will be somewhat long and it is a foul eye-sore until it be whole Some use to burn this sorance but that is naught and dangerous as who so proves it shall finde A most approved medicine to cure the Farcion TAke of Aqua-vitae two spoonfuls of the juyce of Herb of grace as much mingle them together then take of Plegants or Bals of Flax or Tow and sleep them therein and stop them hard into the Horses ears then take a needle and a thread and stitch the tips of his two ears together by means whereof he cannot shake out the medicine and use him thus but three several morning and it will kill any Farcion whatsoever for it hath been often approved Another medicine of the same SLit every hard kernel with a sharp knife and fill the hole with an Ointment made of old Lard Sope and gray Salt for that will eat out the coar and cause it to rot and so fall out of the own accord Of the Canker called of the Italian Il Cancro A Canker is a filthy creeping Ulcer fretting and gnawing the flesh in great breadth In the beginning it is knotty much like a Farcine and spreadeth it self into divers places and being exulcerated gathereth together in length into a wound or fore This proceedeth of a melancholy and filthy bloud ingendered in the body which if it be mixt with Salt humors it causeth the more painful and grievous exulceration and sometime it cometh of some filthy wound that is not cleanly kept the corrupt matter whereof cankereth other clean parts of the body It is easie to be known by the description before The cure whereof according to Martin is thus First let him bloud in those veins that be next the fore and take enough of him Then take of Allum half a pound of green Copperas and of white Copperas of each one quartern and a good handful of Salt boil all these things together in fair running water from a pottle to a quart And this water being warm wash the sore with a cloth and then sprinkle thereon the powder of unsleck't lime continuing so to do every day once the space of fifteen days and if you 〈◊〉 that the lime do not mortifie the ranck flesh and keep it from spreading any further then take of black Sope half a pound of Quick-silver half an ounce and beat them together in a pot until the Quick-silver be so well mingled with the Sope as you can perceive none of the Quick-silver as it And with an Iron slice after that you have washed the sore with the Strong-water aforesaid cover the wound with this Ointment
strong bodies and in strong diseases as in Carbuncles Cankers Ulcers and such like and they be these Arsenicke Sublimat Resalgar and otder medicines compound therewith Silvius also addeth thereunto Sandaraca Chrysocolla and Aconitum but he doth not agree with Avicâ—n in the description of the putrifactive medicines For he saith that they have little pain or none neither be they so hot and drie as those that are called Escharotica that is to say Crustive which be hot in the fourth degree and do breed a crust and scar and cause great pain as unsleck't Lime and the burned dregs of Wine wherefore it seemeth that Avicens description belongeth rather to the crustive then to the Putrifactive medicines Notwithstanding I must needs say that our Chirurgions and also Farriers do finde both Arsenicke and Resalgar to be so sharp hot and burning things as when they minister the same to any part of the body they are forced to allay the sharpness thereof the Chirurgions with the juice of Plantain or Daffadil or else of House-leek the Farriers with Hogs grease Medicines Caustick that is to say Burning are those whose operation are most strong and incline to the nature of the fire and yet more easily allayed as Vigo writeth then the medicines Putrifactive and therefore may be more safely used They be made as he saith of strong lie called Capite 〈…〉 um or Magistra of Vitriolae Romanâ— Sal Nitri Aqua fortis of this sort be all those which Vigo calleth the blistering medicines as Apium Cantharides Câ—clamine Onions strong Garlick Melanacardinum the stones or grains of Vitis Alba otherwise called Brionie Moreover Vigo maketh every one of these Cauteries Potential to excell one another as it were by certain degrees saying that Corrosives be weaker then putrifactives and Putrifactives be weaker then Causticks and therefore Corrosives work in the upper part and in soft flesh Putrifactives in hard flesh and deep But Causticks have power to break the skin in hard flesh and do enter most deeply The use of the most part of which things have been taught you before in sundry places according to Martins experience And therefore I leave to trouble you any further wishing you that are desirous to know any more of those matters to read Taugantâ—us writing Depiroticis and Silvius de medicamentorum compositione and John Vigo writing of Surgery Englished but few years since But the old writers so far as I can judge by the words of Absyrius and others that write of Horse-leach craft do apply this word Caustick to such medicines as are astrictive and binding called of Martin and other Farriers in these dayes binding charges as may well appear by the composition and use here following recited by Vegetius in this sort The receipt of a Caustick used by Chiron to dry up the superfluous moisture and to bind parts loosened and to strengthen parts weakned TAke of Bitumen Judaicum two pound of Bitumen Apollonii two pound of the purest part of Frankincense six ounces of Bdellium Arabicum two ounces of Deers sewet two pound of Populeum two ounces of Galbanum two ounces of the drops of Storax two ounces of common Wax two pound of Resin Gabial one pound of Viscus Itâ—licâ—â— three ounces of Apoxima two ounces of the juyce of Hysop two ounces of the drops of Armoniack two ounces of Pitch one pound Another Caustick used by Pelagonius to dry up Swellings Bladders Wind-gals and Splents in the legs and joynts TAke Virgin Wax one pound of Rosin two pound and a half of Galbanum three ounces of Asphaltum Judaicum two pound of Mirrhe secondary two pound of Bitumen one pound of Armoniack six ounces of Gostas six ounces Boyl all these things together in an earthen pot saving the Asphaltum Armoniack and Costum which being first ground like fine flowre must be added unto the other things and after that they have been boyled and cooled and then boiled all together again and well stirred so as they may be incorporated together and made all one substance These kindes of Emplaisters or Ointments ought in my judgement to be so called as I said before rather binding charges then Caustick medicines because there be no such extreme Corrosive or burning simples in these as are before recited Notwithstanding I refer my judgment to those that be better learned and so end for being over tedious For if I would I could take very good occasion here to speak of divers other medicines whereof some are called Anodyna easing pain and grief Martin calleth them Linoges which are made of Linseed Camomile soft grease and such like things as are hot in the first degree some again are called Narcotica that is to say astonying or bringing to sleep as those that are made of Opi 〈…〉 Mandragora Poppie and such like cold and grosse things And some are called Sarcotica that is Breeding flesh as Barly flowre and Prankincense And many other kinds of Emplaisters Ointments waters and salves which would occupy a book of no small volum to be written hereafter by some other perhaps if not by my self And in the mean time let this that I may have already written suffice Of the Anticor AN Anticor cometh of superfluity of evill-bloud or spirit in the arteries and also of inflamation in the liver which is ingendered by means of too choise keeping and overmuch rest which choaketh the vital power and occasions unnatural swellings in the brest which if they ascend upward and come into the neck they are instantly death The cure whereof is in this sort Let him bleed so as he may bleed abundantly then with a sharp knife in divers places cut the swelling which done set a cupping-glasse thereon and cup it till the glasse filled with foul water fall away it self then give the Horse to drink three mornings together a pinte of M 〈…〉 esie well stirred with Cinamon Licoras and a little Bâ—zar stone and during his sickness let his drink be warmed and mingled with either Bran or Malt. Of the Cords THe Cord is a disease that maketh the Horse stumble and many times fall and they appear in a Horses fore-legs this is the cure thereof Take a sharp knife and cut a slit even at the top of his nose just with the point of the gristle open the slit being made and you shall perceive a white string take it up with a Boars tooth or some crooked bodkin and cut it in sunder then stitch up the slit and anoint it with Butter and the Horse doubtless shall be recovered Of the Millets THe Millets is a grief that appeareth in the Fetlocks behind and causeth the hair to shed three or four inches long and a quarter of an inch in breadth like as it were bare and ill to cure But thus is the cure First wash it well with wrong lie and rub it till it bleed then binde unto it Hony unsleck't Lime and Deers sewet boyled and mingled together this do for the space of
doth also very well drive away the corruption in mens body which doth cause the bloud to stinke if it be well and justly applyed unto the corrupt place The same also being mingled with Oyl of Roses and new made and so applyed unto the ears doth not only drive away the pain but also doth very much help for hearing There is another remedy also for the hearing which is this to take the dung of a Horse which is new made and to make it hot in a furnace and then to 〈◊〉 it on the middle of the head against the Vvâ—â—a and afterward to 〈◊〉 the aforesaid dung 〈…〉 woollen cloth unto the top of the head in the night time The dung of a young Asse when he is first foaled given in Wine to the quantity or magnitude of a Bean is a present remedy for either man or woman who is troubled with the Jaundice or the over-flowing of the gall and the same property hath the dung of a young Horse or Cost when he is new foaled But the dung of an old Horse being boiled in fair w 〈…〉 and afterward strained and so given to the party to drink who is troubled with Water in his belly or stomach doth presently make vent for the â—ame There is also an excellent remedy against the Colick and Stone which is this to â—ake a handfull of the dung of a Horse which hath been fed with 〈◊〉 and Barly and not with grasse and mingle very well it with half a pinte of Wine all which I do 〈◊〉 will amount unto the weight of eight 〈…〉 ounces and then boyl them all together untill half of them be boyled or consumed away and then drink the same by little and little until it be all drunk up but it will be much better for the party that is troubled to drink it up all together if he be able There is moreover a very good and easie way by Horse dung to cure the Ague or 〈…〉 which is thus to burn the foresaid dung and to mingle the very 〈◊〉 it self thereof in old wine and then beat it unto small powder and so give it 〈◊〉 the party who is 〈…〉 bled therewith to drink or suck without any water in it and this will very speedily procure ease and help â—f that a woman supposeth her childe which is in her womb to be dead let her drink the milt or spleen of a Horse in some sweet water not to the smell but to the taste and she will presently cast the childe The same virtue are in the persume which is made of a Horses hoof as also in the dry dung of a Horse There is some which do use this means against the falling sickness or the sickness called Saint Johns evill that is to mingle the water or urine which a Horse doth make with the water which cometh from the Smiths trough and so to give it the party in a potion There is a very good help for Cattel which do avoid bloud through their Nostrils or secret parts which is this to make a paste of Wheat flowre and beat it and mingle it together with â—utter and Egges in the urine of a Horse which hath lately drunk and afterward to give that paste or 〈…〉 tess baked even to ashes to the beast so grieved To provoke urine when a mans yard is stopt there is nothing so excellent as the dung or filth which proceedeth from the urine which a Horse hath made being mingled with wine and then strained and afterwards poured into the Nostrils of the party so vexed There are certain Tetters or Ring-wormes in the knees of Horses and a little above the hoofs in the bending of these parts there are indurate and hardned thick skins which being beaten into small powder and mingled with Vinegar and so drunk are an exceeding good preservative against the Falling-sickness the samé is also a very good remedy for them which are bitten with any wilde Beast whatsoever By the Tetter or Ring-worm which groweth in a Horses knees or above the hoofs beaten and mingled with Oyle and so poured in the ears the teeth of either man or woman which were weak and loose will be made very strong and fast The aforesaid Tetter without any mingling with Oyl doth also heal and cure the head-ache and Falling-sickness in either man or woman The same also being drunk out of Clarret Wine or Muscadel for forty dayes together doth quite expell and drive away the Colick and Stone If that any man do get and put up the shooe of a Horse being struck from his hoof as he travelleth in his pace which doth many times happen it will be an excellent remedy for him against the sobbing in the stomach called the Hicket Of the HYAENA and the divers kinds thereof WE are now to discourse of a Beast whereof it is doubtful whether the names or the kinds thereof be more in number and therefore to begin with the names it seemeth to me in general that it is the same Beast which is spoken of in Holy Scripture and called Zeeb-ereb and Araboth Zephan 3. Principes urbis Hierosolymae velut Leones Iâ—gientes judices ejus similes sunt lupis Vesper 〈…〉 is qui ossa non relinquunt ad diluculum Their Princes are roaring Lions and their Judges are like to night-wolves which leave not the bones till the morning as it is vulgarly translated In like sort Jer. 5. calleth them Zeeb-Araboath Wolves of the wilderness and the Prophet Habakkuk Cap. 1. useth the word Zeeb-ereb Wolves of the evening By which it is made easie to consider and discusse what kinde of Beasts this Hyaena may be deemed for the Hyaena as I shall shew afterward is a Greek word And first of all I utterly seclude all their opinions which translate this word Arabian Wolves for the Hebrew notes cannot admit such a version or exposition But seeing we read in Oppianus and Tzetzes that there are kinds of Wolves which are called Harpages more hungry then the residue living in Mountains very swift of foot and in the Winter time coming to the gates of Cities and devouring both flesh and bones of every living creature they can lay hold on especially Dogs and men and in the morning go away again from their prey I take them to be the same Beasts which the Grecians call Hyaenae which is also the name of a Fish much like in nature hereunto It is also called Glanos and by the Phrygians and Bythinians Ganos and from one of these came the Illyrian or Sclavonian word San and it seemeth that the Grecians have given it a name from Swine because of the gristles growing on the back for an Hyaena can have no better derivation then from Hus or Hyn. Julius Capitolinus calleth it Belbus in Latin in the same place where he recordeth that there were decem Belbi sub Gordiano ten Hyaenaes in the days of
fall And you may lay a stone upon the uppermost board that it may fall the heavier And there are some also which to the lower board do fasten iron pins made very sharp against the which the Mice are driven by the weight of the fall Furthermore there is another kinde of trap made to cover them alive one part of it cut out of a small piece of wood the length of the palm of thy hand and the breadth of one finger and let the other part of it be cut after the form of a wedge and let this piece of wood be erected like a little pillar and let the wedge be put into the notch of another piece of wood which must be made equal with the other or very little shorter and this pillar must be so made that the Moule may not perish before she come to the meat the wood where the meat must stand ought to be a span long and you must fasten the meat about the middle of it but the former part of it must have a cleft which must begin a little from the brim and shall be made almost the length of two fingers and you must make it with two straight corners and take away half the breadth of the wood These three pieces of wood being thus made ready thou shall erect a little pillar so that the wedge may be downward whereby the Mouse may see the meat every where and let the meat be hung in the former corner of the pillar so if the Mouse shall touch the meat he shall be pressed down with the fall of the board Mice also by the fall of a cleft board are taken which is held up with a pillar and having a little spattular of wood whereon the meat shall lye so made that the pillar doth not open being parted except when the Mouse cometh to touch the meat and so by that means she is taken There is also another manner of Mouse-trap used among us which is let there be a hole made and compassed about with a board of a foot long and five or six fingers broad the compass whereof must be four fingers into this hole let there be put a vessel made of wood the length of ones fist but round and very deep and in the middle of each side of this vessel let there be made a hole wherein there is put in a thread made of Iron with meat and let it be compassed about with a small thread which must be fastened overthwart the hole and the part of the thread which hangeth down must be crooked that the meat may be fastened thereto and there must be a piece of the thread without to the which may be tied a stronger piece of wood which is the thread whereon the meat is hanged by the which the Mouse is taken by putting her head into the vessel to catch at the meat And also Mice are taken otherwise with a great Cane wherein there is a knot and in the top of it let there be made a little bow with a Lute string and there stick a great needle in the middle of the pole of the Cane and let the pole be made just in the middle and let there be bound a piece of flesh beneath so prepared that when the Mouse shall bite and move the skin that then the string slippeth down and so the needle pierceth through his head and holdeth him that he cannot run away But among all the rest there is an excellent piece of workmanship to catch Mice which I will here set down Take a piece of wood the length of both thy fists one fist broad and two fingers thick and let there be cut off about some two fingers a little beyond the middle of half the breadth And that breadth where it was cut ought to be more declining and lower after the manner of this letter A. And you must put to the side of this a piece of wood half a circle long bending and in the middle part of each side holes pierced through so that the half circle may be strait and plainly placed to the foundation of the wood that the trap being made it may rest upon the same half circle and upon this half circle let there be placed Iron nails very sharp so that the instrument by falling down may cover the Irons of the half circle assoon as ever they touch the same Furthermore there is another manner of trap when a vessel out of which they cannot escape is filled half up with water and upon the top thereof Oat meal is put which will swim and not sink making the uppermost face of the water to seem white and solid whereunto when the Mouse cometh she leapeth into the Oatmeal and so is drowned And the like may be done with chaffe mingled with Oatmeal and this in all traps must be observed wherein Mice are taken alive that they be presently taken forth for if they make water in the place their fellows will for ever suspect the trap and never come near it till the favour of the urine be abolished â—alladius saith that the thick froth of Oyl being infused into a dish or brasen Caldron and set in the middle of the house in the night time will draw all the Mice unto it wherein they shall stick fast and not be able to escape Pliny saith that if a Mouse be gelded alive and so let go she will drive away all the residue but this is to be understood of the Sorex If the head of a Mouse be flead or if a male Mouse be flead all over or her tail cut off or if her leg be bound to a post in the house or a bell be hung about her neck and so turned going she will drive away all her fellows And Pliny saith that the smoke of the leaves of the Ewe tree because they are a poyson will kill Mice so also will Libbards-bane and Henbane-seed and Wolf-bane for which cause they are severally called Myâ—ctonos and the roots of Wolf-bane are commonly sold in Savoy unto the Country people for that purpose In Germany they mingle it with Oatmeal and so lay it in balls to kill Mice The fume of Wallwort Calcauth Parsely Origanum and Deaths-herb do also kill Mice you may also drive them away with the fume of the stone Haematites and with green Tamarisk with the hoof of a Mule or of Nitre or the ashes of a Weesil or a Cat in water or the gall of an Ox put into bread The seed of Cowcumbers being sod and sprinkled upon any thing Mice will never touch it likewise wilde Cowcumber and Coloquintida kill Mice To keep Mice from Corn make morter of the froth of Oyl mingled together with chaff and let them well dry and afterwards be wrought throughly then plaister the walls of your garnery therewith and when they are dry cast more froth of Oyl upon them and afterwards carry in your corn and the Mice will never annoy it Wormwood
Egel The Persians Bara and Keseb in Hebrew is the same that Kebesch Seh also signifieth a Sheep although it be sometime taken for a Lamb or Kid. Likewise Thaleh and Theleh Esai 40. signifieth a Lambe that sucketh And Epiphantus writeth that by the same word the Hebrew Astronomers signifie the sign Aries in the Zodiack The Sarazens at this day call a Sheep Ganeme and Cattle Garien and the dung of Cattle Hara Garien The Grecians call a Sheep Oiis and Probaton the Latins Ovis and by excellency Pecus the Italians Pecora the French Brebis the Spaniards Oveia the Germans Schaff the I yâ—â—ans Owcze or Skop. These and such like I might add more concerning the names of this Beast and the aboundance of the names thereof in the Hebrew tongue is a notable testimony of the singular account which God himself made of this beast The Latines have so honored it that after it they have named many of their children and stories make mention of most noble and gallant men so called Such was Ovinius Camillus Severus Ovinius Fabius Maximus Oviculus Oilecus Oileus Ajax Oie the wife of Chaâ—hippus and many such other if it were necessary to this story to relate them but I will not trouble the Reader with any such unnecessary circumstances I will therefore first of all begin with a relation of the Sheep of other Countries and so in the end make a more particular discovery of our own at home For the difference of Regions do very much enlighten the description or history of Sheep It is reported that about Erythrea one of the Islands of the Gades there is such aboundance of good pasture and Hearbs so gratefull to Sheep that if they be not let bloud once in thirty dayes they perish by suffocation and that the milk of those Sheep yeeldeth no whay wherewithall they make abundance of Cheese although they powre water into it The herbage of that Island is dry yet profitable to Cattle and milch Beasts and from thence came the original of the fat Cattel of Geryon The Sheep of Grecia are lesser then the Sheep of Egypt and the Oves Pyrrhicae were like Boves Pyrrhicae namely of exceeding stature which name was derived from Pyrrhus their master and owner Among the Psillians in India their Rams are greater then our Lambs and Aechilades in his books of husbandry affirmeth that the Sheep of the Isle Chius are very small and yet their Milk maketh very laudable Cheese In Spain their best Sheep have black fleeces at Polentia neer the Alpes they are gray of hony-woolled in Asia and Boetica called Erythrea they are red like Foxes and from thence came the term of Erythreae Oves At Canusium the Sheep are yellow or Lion-tauny and so also at Tarentum Istria and Liburnia yeeld Sheep having wooll which is so course and rough that it may rather seem to be hair then wooll and therefore never fit for fine garments nor for any other use except by the singular art of spinning in Portugal And the like to this is the wool of the Sheep of Piscenae and in Egypt of which latter it is said that if it be dyed again after it is thread-bare it will endure almost for ever For the antients as Homer writeth had the use hereof although the thread were rough in their works of Tapestry and this was dressed divers wayes for the French in Europe dresse it one way and the Parthians in Asia another way The Sheep of Apulta gave the name to Lana Italica for excellent wool and yet was it short and course good for nothing but for clokes to ride in and wear in rainy weather unto these I may add the Calabrian Milestan and Arentin an Sheep yet in the dayes of Varro they covered their Sheep with other skins to keep the Wool both from losse and other infection so that it might be the better washed dyed and prepared for these were nourished most of all in houses The French Sheep about Altinas and also those that are scabbed are folded in the plain and barren fields of Parma and Mutina The Sheep of Helvetia feed in the tops of the Mountains whiles the Goats keep beneath among the trees and gather fruits on the sides of the hils The Flemmish Sheep have a soft and curled hair There be in general two kinds of Sheep one called Tectum the other Colonicum as if you would say house-sheep and field-sheep for the Grecian Sheep which before we have called Tarintinae and were also called Tarintinae because of their soft wool lived in houses and they were also called Pellitae but the field sheep having by nature a greater courser and rougher hair are suffered to lodge abroad in the fields Likewise the Sheep of Miletum and Attica and the region Gadilonea reaching to Armenia have very soft and gentle wool which thing seldom cometh to passe in Pontus or Cappadocia In Scotland also in a place thereof called by Hector Beothius Buthuguhania are great store of Sheep bearing good wool from whence almost all that Countrey fetch their breed The Sheep of Ethiopia bear no wool at all but in stead thereof their hair is rough like Camels hair Amongst the Abidenes and the Beudiani both Aelianus and Nicomachus the Son of Aristotle do testifie that all their Sheep are black and that there was never white Sheep bred in those Countries In Gortynis their Sheep are red and have four horns In the fortunate Islands of the red-sea all their Sheep are white and none of them have crooked horns In Beotia there are four Rivers which work strange effects upon Sheep after they drink of them namely Melas Cephisus Penius and Xanthus The Sheep drinking of Melas and Penius grow black of Cephisus white and yet Pliny saith that this River cometh forth from the same fountain that Melas doth They which drink of Xanthus grow red I might adde here unto another special observation of difference betwixt the Sheep of Pontus and Naxus for in Pontus they have no gaul and in Nexus they have two gauls In some parts of India their Sheep and Goats are as big as Asses and bring fourth four Lambs at a time but never less then three both Sheep and Goats The length of their rails reacheth down to their hinder-legs and therefore the Shepheards cut them off by the secrets to the intent that they may better suffer copulation and out of them being so cut off they express certain Oyl also they cut asunder the tails of Rams the ends whereof do afterwards close so nearly and naturally together that there appeareth not any scar or note of the section In Syria and India the tails of their Sheep are a cubit broad There are two kinde of sheep in Arabia which are distinguished by the length and breadth of their tails the one sort haâ—e tails three cubits long by reason whereof they are not suffered to draw them on the ground for fear of wounding and therefore the shepheards devise
be cold a little so likewise in the morning let them be milked so soon as day appeareth and the little Lambs be turned out unto them which were shut from them But if there appear upon the grass Spiders webs or Cob-webs which bear up little drops of water then they must not be suffered to feed in those places for fear of poysoning and in times of heat and rain drive them to the highest hills â—or pastures which do most of all lie open to the windes for there shall the cattle feed most temperately They must avoid all sandy places and in the month of April May June and July they must not be suffered to feed overmuch but in October September and November let them have their full that so they may grow the stronger against the Winter time The Romans had a special regard to chuse some places for the Summering of their Sheep and some place for their Wintering for if they summered them in Apulia they wintered them in Samnis and therefore Varro saith the flocks of Apulia betimes in the morning in the Summer season are led forth to feeding because the dewy grass of the morning is much better then that which is dry in the middle of the day and about noon when the season groweth hot they lead them to shadowy trees and rocks until the cool air of the evening begin to return at which time they drive them to their pasture again and cause them to feed towards the Sun-rising for this is a general rule among the shepheards Quod mane ad solis occasum vesper◠〈◊〉 sous â—â—tum pascantur oves That is that in the morning they feed their Sheep towards the Sun-setting and in the evening towards the Sun-rising and the reason of it is Quia infirmissimum pecori caput averso sole pasci cogendum Because the head of Sheep is most weak therefore it ought to be fed turned from the Sun In the hot Countries a little before the Sun-setting they water their Sheep and then lead them to their pasture again for at that time the sweetness seemeth to be renewed in the grass and this they do after the Autumnal aequinoctium It is good to feed them in corn fields after harvest and that for two causes First because they are exceedingly filled with such hearbs as they finde after the plough and also they tread down the stubble and dung the land whereby it becometh more fruitful against the next year There is nothing that maketh a Sheep grow more fat then drink and therefore we read in holy Scripture how Jacob watred the Sheep and the Daughters of Jethro their Sheep at what time Moses came unto them therefore it is best oftentimes to mingle their water with Salt according to these verses At cui lactis amer cytisum lotosque frequentes Ipse manu salsaâ— ferat praesepibus herbas Hinc amant fluvios magis magis ubera tendant Et salis occultum referunt in lacte saporem There be many that trouble themselves about this question namely for what cause the Sheep of England do never thirst except they see the water and then also seldom drink and yet have no more Sheep in England then are in any other Countrey of the world insomuch that we think it a prodigious thing that Sheep should drink but the true cause why our English Sheep drink not is for there is so much dew on the grass that they need no other water and therefore Aristotle was deceived who thinketh that the Northern Sheep had more need of water then the Southern In Spain those Sheep bear the best fleeces of wooll that drink least In the Island of Cephalene as we have shewed in the story of the Goat all their Cattle for want of water do draw in the cold air but in the hotter Countries every day once at the least about nine or ten a clock in the morning they water their Sheep and so great is the operation of drink in Sheep that divers Authors do report wonders thereof as Valerius Maximus and Theophâ—asius who affirm that in Macedonia when they will have their Sheep bring forth white Lambs they lead them to the River Alia 〈…〉 on and when they will have them to bring forth black Lambs to the River Axius as we have shewed already It is also reported that the River Scamander doth make all the Sheep to be yellow that drink thereof Likewise there are two Rivers in Aâ—tandria which turn Sheep from black to white and white to black and the like I might add of the River Thrases of the two Rivers of Beotia all which things do not come to pass by miracle but also by the power of nature as may appear by the History of Jacob when he served his father in law Laban For after that he had covenanted with Laban to receive for his stipend all the spotted Sheep the Scripture saith in this manner Then Jacob took rods of green Poplar and of Hasel and of the Ches-nut tree and pilled white strakes in them and made the white appear in the rods Then he put the rods which he had pilled into the gutters and watering troughs when the Sheep came to drink before the Sheep and the Sheep were in heat before the rods and afterwards brought forth young of party colour and with small and great spots And Jacob parted these Lambs and turned the faces â—f the flick towards these party-coloured Lambs and all manner of black among the Sheâ—p of Laban so he put his own flocks by themselves and put them not with Labans flock And in every Ramming time of the stronger Sheep Jacob layed the rods before the eyes of the Sheep in the gutters that they might conceive before the rods but when the Sheep were feeble he put them not in and so the feebler were Labans and the stronger were Jacobs Upon this action of the Patriarch Jacob it is clear by testimony of holy Scripture that divers colours â—aid before Sheep at the time of their carnal copulation do cause them to bring forth such colours as they see with their eyes for such is the force of a natural impression as we read in stories that fair women by the sight of Blackamores have conceived and brought forth black children and on the contrary black and deformed women have conceived fair and beautiful children whereof there could be no other reason given in nature but their only cogitation of and upon fair beautiful men or black and deformed Moores at the time of their carnal copulation So that I would not have it seem incredible to the wise and discreet Reader to hear that the power of water should change the colour of Sheep for it being once granted that nature can bring forth divers coloured Lambs being holpen by artificial means I see no cause but diversity of waters may wholly alter the colour of the elder as well as whited sticks ingender a colour in the younger And thus much
to be fed by hand and if by covetousness or negligence one withdraw from them their ordinary food he shall be penny wife and pound foolish that is suffer a great loss in his cattel for saving from them a little meat Every one of them all the Winter long were fed with three pintes of Barley or Pease or Beans three times a day beside dryed Ewe-leaves or Vine leaves or Hay late mown or fitches or chaff Besides there cannot be any milk taken from the dams for at the first yeaning there is no more then to serve the little or least Lambs and after a few days even while they smell and taste of their dams belly they were to be killed for want of suck that every Lamb which was to be preserved for breed might have two dams or Ewes to suck and so the poor Ewe was forced to a double miserie first to loose her young one and afterward to lend her paps and milk to a stranger And moreover they were forced to nourish more males then females for that at two year old they were gelded or killed to sell their beautiful skins to the Merchant for their wool was most pretious by reason that never or seldom they went abroad to the fields Their custody in the house from Serpents and other annoyances is thus described by the Poets Disce odoratam stabulis incendere cedrum Galbaneoque agitare graves nidore chelydros Saepe sub immotis praesepibus aut mala tactu Vipera delituit coelumque exterrita fugit Aut tecto assuetus coluber In consideration whereof and of all the pains about the housing of these tender Sheep the Poet teacheth the shepheard or Sheep-master to kill the Serpents and dash out the brains of snakes saying Cape saxa manu cape robora pastor Tollentemque minas sibila colla tumentem Dejice Concerning the ancient forms of their Sheep-stables I finde this to be recorded by the ancients First they made them low and not of any high or lofty building so stretching them out in length and not in height that it may be warm in the Winter time for although there be no creature better cloathed by nature then a Sheep yet is there not any more impatient of cold nor more apt to take harm thereby It must not be over-broad yet so as the Ewe and her Lamb may lie both together and the breathing place not left open at the top of the house or the sides for that will let in too much air but at the door or porch of their entrance and that very low that so the fresh air may quickly and easily come to their low heads and bodies and also their breath the better avoid out of the stable They also had a care to cover all the floor with straw or dry boared boards or some such other matter whereby they might stand continually dry and warm and also clean and sweet to the end they might not be annoyed in their own standings and therefore the floor was made shelving or falling low on the one side or else of hurdles like baskets to let out their urine for they often make water and these were often changed cleansed and turned In this stable there ought to be divisions or partitions wherein in time of necessity and sickness they may easily abide alone and be parted from the residue and feed without annoyance of one another and especially that one may not ride another and during the time of the Winter they did not let their cattel drink above once a day And these were the cures of the Ancients about their flocks of Sheep For upon them they lived they bought and sold and herein also it is profitable to observe the ancient manner of their bargains about these creatures for when a man came and bought Sheep he made this protestation to the seller Tanti sunt mihi emptae To whom the seller answereth sunt Then the buyer draweth his mony with these words Sic illasce oves qua de re agitur sanas recte esse uti peâ—â—s ovillum quod recte sanum est extra luscam minam 1. ventre glabre neque de pecore morboso esse habereque recte licere haec si recte fieri respondes c. First the Buyer saith shall I buy these Sheep for thus much money and so draweth his money to whom the Merchant or seller answereth you shall Then saith the chapman or buyer again to him Do you promise to me then that these Sheep are as sound as Sheep should be without fault of winde or limb without blindeness without deafness without pield bellies not coming out of any infected flock and so as it shall be lawful for me to injoy them without all mens contradiction If these things be true then I will strike up the bargain and yet doth not the seller change the property of his sheep nor lose his Lordship over them until the mony be paid And hereupon it cometh to pass that the buyer may condemn the seller if the cattel be not so good as his bargain or if he do not deliver them even as the buyer is subject to the same judgement if he do not deliver the price And concerning shepheards and custody of flocks I may adde a word or two more First of all for the number of the Sheep how many may safely be kept in every flock There is no need that I should give any rules about this business for the Ancients were wont to set one shepheard over a hundred rough or course woolled Sheep and two shepheards over a hundred fine woolled Sheep the common flocks were seaventy or fourscore and the shepheard that followed them was charged to be both vigilant and gentle and therefore his discipline was Duci propior esse quam domino in cogendis recipiendisque ovibus adclamatione ac baculo minetur nec unquam telum emittat neque ab his longius recedat nec aut recubet aut concidat naâ— nisi procedit stare debet quoniam grex quidem custodis officium sublimem celsissimamque oculorum veluti speculam desiderat ut neque tardiores gravidas dum cunctantur neque agiles foetas dum procurrunt separari à câ—teris sinat ne â—ur aut bestia hallucinantem pastorem decipiat saith Collumella He must rather be a guide unto them then a Lord or Master over them and in driving them forward or receiving them home after they have stragled he must rather use his chiding voice and shake his staffe at them then cast either stone or dart at them neither must he go far from them at any time nor sit down but stand still except when he driveth them because the flock desireth the direction of their Keeper and his eye like a lofty watch-tower that so he suffer not to be separated asunder either the heavy Ews great with young because of their slow pace nor yet the light and nimble ones which give suck and
open their eyes and if the veins appear red and small they know they are sound but if they appear white or else red and full they know they are weak and will hardly live out Winter or cold Weather also when they are taken in their hands they press their back bone near the hips and if it bend not they are sound and strong but if they feel it bend under their hand they hold them weak and feeble Likewise if a man take them by the head or by the skin of the neck if he follow him easily when he draweth him it is a sign of weakness and imbecillity but if it doth strive and follow with great difficulty then it is a token of health and soundness Of Scabs and the causes of them THe true original of Scabs is either as we have said already leanness or else cold or wet or wounds in the flesh by clipping or to conclude by the heat of the Beast in Summer not washed off by thorns and prickings of bushes or by sitting upon the dung of Mules Horses or Asses Now when this first of all beginneth it is easie for the shepheard to observe by these signes and tokens for the tickling or itching humor lying betwixt the skin and the flesh causeth the poor Sheep either to bite the place with his teeth or to scratch it with his horn or to rub it upon a tree or wall or if he can do none of these stamp hard upon the ground with his fore-feet for which it is good presently to separate the Sheep so affected from the flock The description and cure whereof is thus expressed by Virgil Turpis 〈…〉 s tentat scabies ubi frigidus imber Altius ad vivum pâ—rsedit horrida cano Brumagelu vel cum tonsis illotus adhaesit Sudor hirfuti secuerunt corpora vepres Dulcibus idcirco fluviis pecus omne magistri Perfundunt udisque aries ingurgite villis Mersatur missusque secundo defluit anmi Aut tonsum tristi contingunt corpus amurca Et spumas miscent argenti vivaque sulphura Idaeasque pices pingues unguine ceras Scillamque helleborosque graves nigrumque bitumen Non tamenulla magis praesens fortuna laborum est Quam si quis ferro potuit rescindere summum Vlceris os alitur vitium vivitque tegendo Dum medicas adhibere manus ad vulnera pastor Abnegat which may be Englished in this manner When the poor Sheep through wet showers cold Winter Summers sweat or pricking of thorns doth incur the filthy disease of scabs then it concerneth his master to wash him in sweet Rivers over head and ears yea to cast him in to swim for his own life or else to anoint his body after it is clipped with the spume or froth of Oyl and of Silver with Brimstone and soft Ideon Pitch with Wax Hellebore Black-earth or the flesh of Shrimps or if it be possible to cut off the top of the wound with a knife Of the Scabs of Sheep the first remedy THis disease the French men call Letac and of all other it is one of the most contagious for our English proverb justifieth one scabbed Sheep infecteth a whole flock and Textor writeth thus of it Oves frequentius quam ullum aliud animal infestantur scabit quam facit macies ut maciem inopia cibi huic morbo nist occurratur unica totum pecus coinquinabit nam oves contagione vexantur That is to say Sheep are more oftentimes infected with scabs then any other creature whereinto they fall through leanness as they fall into leanness through want of food and therefore if a remedy be not provided for this evil one of them infected will defile all the residue for Sheep are subject to contagion for remedy whereof in France they use this medicine First of all they shear the Sheep and then they mingle together the pure froath of Oyl and water wherein Hops have been sod and the lees of the best Wine and so let it soak in two or three days together afterwards they wash them in Sea water and for want of Sea water in salt water and this medicine is approved whereby both scabs and tikes are removed from the Sheep and also the wooll groweth afterwards better then ever it did before but it is better if a man can cure them without shearing then by shearing as Varro writeth and furthermore to wash Sheep oftentimes with this medicine doth preserve them from scabs before they be infected and others adde unto this medicine little sticks of Cypress-wood soked in water and so wash them therewith some again make another medicine of Sulphure or Brimstone Cypress white Lead and Butter mingled all together and so anoint their Sheep therewith Some again take earth which is as soft as dirt being so softned with the stale of an Ass but evermore they shave the scabbed place first of all and wash it with cold or stale urine and generally in Arabia they were never wont to use other medicine then the gum of Cedar wherewithall they purged away by Ointment all scabs from Sheep Camels and Elephants but to conclude there is no better medicine for this evill then Urine Brimstone and Oyl as Diophones writeth Another medicine for the Scabs TAke the lees of Wine the froath of Oyl white Hellebore mingled with the liquor of sod Hops also the juyce of green Hemlock which is expressed out of the stalk before it hath seed after it is cut down and out into an earthen vessel with any other liquor mingled with scorched salt so the mouth of the vessel being made up close set it in a dunghill a whole year together that so it may be concocted with the vapour of the dung then take it forth and when you will use it warm it first of all scraping the ulcerous or scabbed part with an Oyster shell or else with a sharp pumice stone untill it be ready to bleed and so anoint it therewith Another medicine of the same TAke the froath of Oyl sod away to two parts I mean three parts into two put thereinto the stale urine of a man which hath been heated by casting into it hot burning Oyster-shels and mingle a like quantity of the juyce of Hemlock then beat an earthen pot to powder and infuse a pinte of liquid Pitch and a pinte of fryed or scorched salt all which being preserved together do cure the scabs of Sheep so often as they are used Another medicine ADrink being made of the juyce of Hops and the herb Chamaelion and given unto them cureth them Likewise the same being sod with the roots of black Chamaelion and anointed warm upon the place according to Dioscorides have the same operation Likewise Pliny writeth that the scabs of Sheep may be cured by salt water alone either taken out of the Sea or made by art and forasmuch as there is great danger in the decoction thereof lest that the water overcome the salt or the Salt
upon the teeth or gums doth make the breath of any man more sweet and delightful then it hath been accustomed The same being used in the said manner doth procure a very great whiteness and clearness in the teeth Unwashed Wool being parched and bound in a linnen cloth a third part or portion of salt being afterwards added thereunto and all beaten together in small dust or powder and rubbed upon the teeth will keep them from any pain or grief therein Unwashed Wool being dipped in Nitre Brimstone Oyl Vinegar and liquid Pitch being all boyled together doth asswage all pains in the hanches or loins whatsoever being twice a day as hot as possibly may be suffered applyed thereunto Sheeps dung mingled with unwashed wool and certain other things is very much applyed against that troublesom and painful disease called the stone or gravel Unwashed wool in cold water doth cure diseases in the privy parts of any man or woman whatsoever The wool of black Sheep is commonly reported to be very commodious and helpful for those whose Cods or stones are much swelled The gall of an Ox being mixed with unwashed wool doth help the purgation or menstrual fluxes of women but Olympies the Thebane affirmeth that Hysop and Nitre ought to be mixed with this wool for the helping of the same Unwashed wool being applyed unto the secret parts of women doth cause a dead childe to come forth The same doth also stay the issues of women The pure or clear fleeces of Sheep either applyed by themselves or mingled with Brimstone do cure all hidden or secret griefs whatsoever and Pliny commendeth them above all other medicines whatsoever Fleeces of wool mingled with quicksilver are very profitable to be taken for the same diseases in certain perfumes The root of a Mallow being digged up before the rising of the Sun and wrapped in undyed wool doth cure the Wens or mattry impostumes of those Sheep which have lately brought forth young Sheeps wool being dyed in purple colour doth very much profit the ears but some do steep it in Vinegar and Nitre to make the operation more effectual The dust of wool being burnt doth bring forth the matter or corruption lying hid under scabs restrain the swellings in the flesh and bringeth all Ulcers to a scar Wool being burnt hath a sharp force and likewise hot together with the slenderness of the parts it doth therefore very speedily clense and purge the sores in the flesh which are moist and too much full of matter It is also put in drying medicines It is burned as if there were many other things in it filling a new pot which may be covered with a cover which is bored through with many holes like unto a sive The powder of unwashed Wool is anointed upon divers sores and is very curable for them as bruised new wounded and sores half burnt and it is used for the curing of the diseases in the eyes as also in the easing of the Fistulaes and corrupt mattery sores in the ears The power of the powder of unwashed wool is clensing and it doth very effectually purge the eye-lids or cheek-bals It doth also clense and cure for the most part all diseases as Serenus saith in these Verses Succida cum tepido nectetur tana Lyaeo Ambustaeve cinis complebit vulneris ora Aut tu succosae cinerem perducito lanae The hairs which grow about the secret hole of Sheep being burned beaten and drunk in sweet wine doth help the shortness of the breath and ease the pursiness of the stomach The wool of a little sheep being pulled from betwixt his thighes and burnt and afterwards dipped in Vinegar doth very speedily cure those which are troubled with the head ach being bound about the temples The dust of Sheeps fleeces is very medicinable for the curing of all diseases in the genital parts whatsoever The dust of Sheeps wool doth heal all passions in Cattle The Grecians Plaister called Enneapharmacum consisted of nine several things and amongst the rest of unwashed wool The filth which sticketh to the Sheeps wool and groweth thereunto from which the thing which the Grecians call Oesypon is made hath the force of digestion like unto Butter and also a like ability of concoction In a certain medicine of Andromachus for the curing of the disease of the secret parts unwashed wool is added to the rest but Lepas as Galen saith for unwashed wool doth add Goose grease in the same quantity Some do also for unwashed wool use the marrow of a young calf and apply it in the aforesaid manner but this unwashed wool is termed of the Grecians Ae 〈…〉 pus and therefore being by divers Authors set down diversly concerning the making and virtue thereof I have thought good to set down the truest and excellentest way to make the same as Dioscorides whom in this I suppose best to follow reporteth First to take new shorn wool which is very soft and not trimmed with sope-weed and wash it with hot water then to presse all the filth forth of the same and cast it into a Cauldron which hath a broad lip and afterwards to pour the water in and to stir it up and down with a certain instrument with such great force as it may foam again of with a wooden rod still greatly to turn and trouble it so that the filthy froath or spume may more largely be gathered together afterwards to sprinkle it over with Sea water and the fat remaining which did swim upon the top being gathered together in an earthen vessel to powr the water into the Cauldron then must the froath be powred again into the Sea water and lastly taken out again this is so often to be done that the fat being consumed there will not any froath be left remaining the Aesypus then being gathered together is to be mollifyed with mens hands and if there be any filth therein it must out of hand be taken away and all the water by little and little excluded and being fresh poured in let it be mingled with ones hands until the Aesypus being touched with the tongue of any one may lightly bind it but not savour either sharp or tartly and the fat may seem very white and then let it be hid in an earthen vessel but let there be great care had they be done in the hot sun But there are some which use another manner of way to make the same which is this to cleanse the fleeces and wash away all filth and presse it forth of the same and boyl them in water over a soft fire in a brazen vessel then to wash the fat which swimmeth on the top being gathered together with water and being strained in another platter which may have some hot water in it to hide or overcast it with a linnen cloth and lay it forth in the sun until it be very white and thick enough Some also do use another way as this to
only taken away and seethe it whole with the skin and the wool in water then having opened it take out the brains and add unto them these kinds of spices Cinamon Ginger Mace and Cloves of each one half an ounce these being beaten to powder mingle them with the brains in an earthen platter diligently tempering of them by a burning cole not very big for fear of burning which might easily be done but there must great care be had that it be not too much dryed but that it might be so boyled that it be no more dryed then a Calfs brains being prepared for meat It shall be sufficiently boyled when you shall well mingle them at the fire then keep it hid and for three days give it dayly to the sick person fasting so that he may abstain from meat and drink two hours after It may be taken in bread or in an Egge or in whatsoever the sick party hath a desire unto but there must be regard that he be not in a clear place and that he use this forty days space which they are wont to use whose bloud is withdrawn or fled away and let him abstain from wine assaying his head There are those which are holpen in a short space some in six or eight weeks by this Medicine being received But it is convenient that it be required for three moneths and then it will have the more power therein The Lungs of a Ram while they are hot applyed unto wounds wherein the flesh doth too much increase doth both repress and make it equal The Lungs of small Cattle but especially of Rams being cut in small pieces and applyed whiles they are hot unto bruised places do very speedily cure them and reduce them to the right colour The same doth cure the feet of such as are pinched through the straightness of their shooes The Lungs of a Ram applyed unto Kibed heels or broken Ulcers in the feet doth quite expel away the pain notwithstanding the exceeding ach or pricking thereof One drop of the liquor which is boyled out of a Rams lungs put upon the small nails upon the hand doth quite expel them The like operation hath it to expel Warts being anointed thereupon The corrupt bloud of the Lungs of a Ram unroasted doth heal all pains in the privy members of man or woman as also expel Warts in any place of the body The juyce of the Lungs of a Ram while they are roasted upon a Gridiron being received doth by the unction thereof purge and drive away the little black Warts which are wont to grow in the hair or privy parts of any man The liquor which distilleth from the Lungs of a Ram being boyled doth heal Tertian Agues and the disease of the reins which grow therein The Lungs of a Lamb or Ram being burned and the dust thereof mingled with Oyl or being applyed raw do heal the soreness of Kibes and are accounted very profitable to be bound upon Ulcers The Lungs of a Ram being pulled forth and bound hot unto the head of any one that is frenzie will presently help him Against the pestilent disease of Sheep take the belly of a Ram and boyl it in wine then being mixed with water give it to the Sheep to drink and it will bring present remedy The gall of a Ram is very good for the healing of those which are troubled with any pains in the ears coming by the casualty of cold The gall of a Ram mingled with his own sewet doth ease those which are toubled with the Gowt The gall of a Weather mingled with the wool and placed upon the navel of young children doth make them loose in their bellies The stones of an old Ram being beaten in half a penny weight of water or in three quarters of a pint of Asses milk are reported to be very profitable for those which are troubled with the falling sickness The stones of a Ram being drunk in water to the weight of three half pence cureth the same disease The dust of the inward parts of a Ranis thigh being lapped in rags or clouts washed very exactly before with womens milk doth heal the ulcers or runnings of old sores The dust of the hoof of a Ram mingled with hony doth heal the bitings of a Shrew The dung of Weathers mingled with Vinegar and fashioned in the form of a Plaister doth expel black spots in the body and taketh away all hard bunches arising in the flesh The same being applyed in the like manner cureth St. Anthonies fire and healeth burned places The filth or sweat which groweth between the thighs of a Ram being mingled with Myrrh and the Herb called Hart-wort and drunk of each an equal part is accounted a very excellent remedy for those which are troubled with the Kings evil But Pliny commendeth the filth of Rams ears mingled with Myrrh to be a more effectual and speedy remedy against the laid disease The medicines of the Lomb. The best remedy for bitings of Serpents is this presently after the wound to apply some little creatures to the same being cut in small pieces and laid hot unto it as Cocks Goats Lambs and young Pigs for they expel the poison and much ease the pains thereof An ounce of Limbs bloud being fresh before that it doth congeal mixed with Vinegar and drunk for three dayes together is an excellent remedy against the vomiting or spitting of bloud The like force in it hath the bloud of a Kid. The bloud of a Lamb mingled with wine doth heal those which are troubled with the Falling sickness as also those which have the foul evil For the conception of a Woman take the yard and gall of a Buck a Kid and a Hare with the bloud and sewet of a Lamb and the marrow of a Hart and mix them all together with Nard and Oyl of Roses and after her purgation let them be laid under her and this without all doubt will make her apt to conceive The skins of Serpents being anointed with water in a bath and mingled with lime and Lambs sewet doth heal the disease called St. Anthonies fire The marrow of a Lamb melted by the fire with the Oyl of Nuts and white sugar distilled upon a clean dish or platter and so drunk doth dissolve the stone in the bladder and is very profitable for any that passeth bloud It also cureth all pains or griefes of the yard bladder or reins The skin of a Lamb being dawbed or anointed with liquid pitch and applyed hot unto the belly of any one that is troubled with excoriations of the bowels or of the Bloudy flux will very speedily cure him if he have any sense or seeling of cold in him If a Virgins menstrual fluxes come not forth at the due time and her belly is moved it is convenient to apply Lambs skins being hot unto her belly and they will in short space cause them to come forth A
broath of them The Bur pulled out of the earth without Iron is good also for them if it be stamped and put into milk and so given them in their wash They give their Hogs here in England red-lead red-Oker and in some places red loam or earth And Pliny saith that he or she which gathereth the aforesaid Burre must say this charm Haec est herba Argemon Quam Minerva reperit Suibus his remedium Qui de illa gustaverint At this day there is great praise of Maiden-hair for the recovery of Swine also holy Thistle and the root of Gunban and Harts-tongue Of leannesse or pining SOmetime the whole herd of Swine falleth into leannesse and so forsake their meat yea although they be brought forth into the fields to feed yet as if they were drunk or weary they lie down and sleep all the day long For cure whereof they must be closely shut up into a warm place and made to fast one whole day from meat and water and then give them the roots of wilde Cucumber beaten to powder and mixed with water let them drink it and afterward give them Beans pulse or any dry meat to eat and lastly warm water to procure vomit as in men whereby their stomacks are emptied of all things both good and bad And this remedy is prescribed against all incertain diseases the cause whereof cannot be discerned and some in such cases do cut off the tops of the tails or their ears for there is no other use of letting these beasts bloud but in their veins Of the Pestilence THese beasts are also subject to the Pestilence by reason of earth-quakes and sudden infections in the air and in such affection the beast hath sometime certain bunches or swellings about the neck then let them be separated and give them to drink in water the roots of Daffadill Quatit aegros tussis anbela sues Ac faucibus angit obesis tempore pestis Some give them Night-shade of the wood which hath great stalks like cherry twigs the leaves to be eaten by them against all their hot diseases and also burned snails or Pepper-wort of the Garden or Lactuca foetida cut in pieces sodden in water and put into their meat Of the Ague IN ancient time Varro saith that when a man bought a Hog he covenanted with the seller that it was free from sicknesse from danger that he might buy it lawfully that it had no manngie or Ague The signs of an Ague in this beast are these WHen they stop suddenly standing still and turning their heads about fall down as it were by a Megrim then you must diligently mark their heads which way they turn them that you may let them bloud on the contrary ear and likewise under their tail some two fingers from their buttocks where you shall finde a large vein fitted for that purpose which first of all we must beat with a rod or piece of wood that by the often striking it may be made to swell and afterwards open the said vein with a knife the blood being taken away their tail must be bound up with Osier or Elm twigs and then the Swine must be kept in the house a day or two being fed with Barly meal and receiving warm water to drink as much as they will Of the Cramp WHen Swine fall from a great heat into a sudden cold which hapneth when in their travel they suddenly lie down through wearinesse they fall to have the Cramp by a painfull convulsion of their members and the best remedy thereof is for to drive them up and down till they wax warm again and as hot as they were before and then let them be kept warm still and cool at great leisure as a horse doth by walking otherwise they perish unrecoverably like Calves which never live after they once have the Cramp Of Lice THey are many times so infested and annoyed with Lice that their skin is eaten and gnawn through thereby for remedy whereof some annoynt them with a confection made of Cream Butter and a great deal of Salt Others again anoynt them after they have washed them all over with the Lees of wine and in England commonly the Countrey people use Stavesaker red Oaker and grease Of the Lethargy BY reason that they are much given to sleep in the Summer time they fall into Lethargies and die of the same the remedy whereof is to keep them from sleep and to wake them whensoever you finde them asleep Of the head-aches THis disease is called by the Grecians Scotemia and Kraura and by Albertus Fraretis Herewith all Swine are many times infected and their ears fall down their eyes are also dejected by reason of many cold humours gathered together in their heads whereof they die in multitudes as they do of the pestilence and this sicknesse is fatall unto them if they be not holpen within three or four dayes The remedy whereof if there be any at all is to hold Wine to their nostrils first making them to smell thereof and then rubbing it hard with it and some give them also the roots of white Thistles cut small and beaten into their meat but if it fall out that in this pain they lose one of their eyes it is a sign that the beast will die by and by after as Pliny and Aristotle write Of the Gargarisme THis disease is called by the Latines Raucedo and by the Grecians Branchos which is a swelling about their chaps joyned with Feaver and Head-ache spreading it self all over the throat like as the Squinancy doth in a man and many times it begetteth that also in the Swine which may be known by the often moving of their feet and then they die within three dayes for the beast cannot eat being so affected and the disease creepeth by little and little to the Liver which when it hath touched it the beast dieth because it putrifieth as it passeth For remedy hereof give unto the beast those things which a man receiveth against the Squinancy and also let him blood in the root of his tongue I mean in the vein under the tongue bathing his throat with a great deal of hot water mixed with Brimstone and Salt This disease in Hogs is not known from that which is called Struma or the Kings evil at the first appearance as Aristotle and Pliny write the beginning of this disease is in the Almonds or kernels of the throat and it is caused through the corruption of water which they drink for the cure whereof they let them bloud as in the former disease and they give them the Yarrow with the broadest leaves There is a Hearb called Herba impia all hoary and outwardly it looketh like Rosemary some say it is so called because no beast will touch it this being beaten in pieces betwixt two tiles or stones groweth marvellous hot the juice thereof being mixed in milk and Wine and so given unto the Swine to drink cureth them of this disease
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
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
being rubbed upon the eye doth diminish all diseases that rise in the sight of the eye and it doth also take away all marks or prints being made with hot Irons The right eye of a Wolf also is profitable for those that are troubled with stitches on the right side of the belly and the left eye of a Wolf for pains on the left side The right eye of a Wolf is very good against the bitings of Dogs Also the eye of a Wolf is much commended for those that are Lunatick by the bitings of Dogs The teeth of a Wolf being rubbed upon the gums of young Infants doth open them whereby the teeth may the easier come forth Again the gums of children are loosened with the tooth of a Dog being gently rubbed thereon but they are sooner brought forth with the teeth of a Wolf Some men do commend the tongue of a Wolf to be eaten of those that are troubled with the Falling-sickness The artery which springeth in the throat of a Wolf being taken in drink is a most certain cure against the Squinsie The throat of a Wolf taken in drink is very much commended for those that are troubled with the Falling-sickness The lungs or lights of a Wolf being sodden and dryed and mingled with Pepper and so taken in milk is very profitable for those that are puffed up or swoln in the belly The heart of a Wolf being burned and beaten to powder and so taken in drink doth help those that are sick of the Falling-sickness Take one ounce of the gum of an Oak and half an ounce of the gum of a Pear-tree and two drams of the powder made of the top of a Hart-horn and one dram of the heart of a Wolf all which being mingled together and made into medicine is always used for the cure of all ulcers but it will be more effectual if thou dost add thereto the hinder-part of the skull of a man beaten to powder The Liver of a Wolf is of no less vertue then the Lungs or Lights which I have manifested in the medicines of the Fox The Liver of a Wolf helpeth or profiteth those that are sick of the Falling-sickness The Liver of a Wolf being washed in the best white wine and so taken is very good for those diseases that arise in the Liver The Liver of a Wolf mixed in the medicine made of Liver-wort is very much commended for the diseases in the Liver Galen also doth say that he hath holpen those which have been diseased in the Liver only using the medicine made of Liverwort and he saith if he did apply any other medicine thereto it did little or nothing at all profit him The Liver of a Wolf is very profitable for those that are troubled with the scurfe in the mouth The Liver or laps of a Wolf is much used for those that are troubled with diseases in the Liver but you must dry it and afterwards beat it to powder and so give the party so affected one dram of it in sweet wine The Liver laps of a Wolf saith Marcellus being dryed and beaten to powder and a little part of it mingled in like portions with the powder made of Fenegreek of Lupines Wormwood and of the herb called Herba Mariae and so mingled that it may be about the quantity of a cup full and so given him that day which he is not troubled with the Feaver but if he shall be troubled with it let him take it in water for the space of three days and after he hath drunk it let him lie for the space of half an hour with his arms spread abroad and afterwards let him walk very often but eat very seldom and let him be sure he keep himself for the space of those three days well ordered and from drinking any cold drink or eating any salt or sweet thing and within a little space after he shall be freed from that disease The Liver laps of a VVolf being wrapped in bay-leaves and so set to dry at the Sun or at the fire and being dryed beat it to powder in a Mortar first taking away the leaves very warily which being powdered you must keep it in a clean vessel and when you give it him to drink you must adde thereto two leaves of Spoonwort with ten grains of Pepper beaten very small and as much clarified Honey as is needful and also made hot with a hot burning Iron and mingled very diligently in a Mortar which being so warmed you must give him to drink sitting right up in his bed that after he hath taken the potion he may lye down on his right side for the space of an hour drawing his knees together and after that he hath done so let him walk up and down for the space of an hour and this will likewise cure him of the same disease Avicen doth set down a medicine concerning the cure of the hardness of the Liver which is Take Opium Henbane Oyl made of Beavers stones Myrrhe Saffron Spicknard Agrimony the Liver of a Wolf and the right horn of a Goat burned of each equal parts and make thereof a medicine The Liver of a Wolf being made in the form of a dry Electuary and given as a Lozeng doth also very much profit against the diseases of the Liver Gugir a Philosopher doth affirm that the Liver of al living beasts doth very much profit against all pains of the Liver The Liver of a Wolf being throughly dryed and drunk in sweet Wine doth mitigate all griefs or pains of the Liver The Liver of the same beast to the quantity of a penny taken in a pinte of sweet Wine is very medicinable for the curing of all pains in the Liver whatsoever The Liver of a Wolf being taken in hot wine doth perfectly cure the cough If an intolerable cough doth vex any man let him take of the Liver of a Wolf either dryed or burnt as much as he shall think convenient and therewith let him mingle wine honey and warm water and afterward drink the same fasting every day to the quantity of four spoonfuls and he shall in short space be cured of the same The laps or fillets of a Wolves Liver being applyed unto the side doth perfectly heal any stitch or pricking ach therein The Liver of a Wolf being taken in sweet wine doth heal those which are troubled with a Tisick The Liver of a Wolf being first boyled in water afterwards dryed beaten and mingled with some certain potion doth instantly heal the grief and inflamation of the stomach The powder of a Wolves Liver mingled with white wine and drunk in the morning for some certain days together doth cure the Dropsie The Liver of a Wolf taken either in meat or drink doth asswage the pains of the secret parts Two spoonfuls of the powder of a Wolves Liver being given in drink doth cure all pains or sores of the mouth The gall of a Wolf being bound unto the
them untill the Vinegar be consumed then strain them putting to them of Turpentine three ounces Frankincense Mastick and Sarcocolla three ounces Saffron two ounces working them with a Spathuler till they be cold The powder of a burnt Serpent is likewise good against Fistulaes The fat of a Snake or Serpent mixt with Oyl is good against Strumes as Pliny saith The fat of Snakes mixt with Verdegrease healeth the parts about the eyes that have any rupture To which agreeth the Poet when he saith Anguibus â—reptos adipes aerugine misce Hi poterant ruptas oculorum jungere partes Which may be thus Englished The sat of Snakes mingled with Iron rust The parts of eyes doth mend which erst were burst It is certain that barrenness cometh by means of that grievous torment and pain in childe-birth and yet Olympias of Thebes is of opinion that this is remedied with a Bulls gall the fat of Serpents and Verdigrease with some Hony added to them the place being therewith anointed before the coming together of both parts When a Woman is not able to conceive by means of weakness in the retentive vertue then there is no doubt but there must needs grow some membrane in the bellies entrance for which it is not amiss to make a Pessary of the fat of a Serpent Verdigrease and the fat of a Bull mixt together c. and to be applyed Hippocrates in lib. de Sterilibus Gesner had a friend who signified to him by his Letters that the fat of a Serpent was sent to him from those sulphureous bathes which were neer unto Cameriacum and was sold at a very dear rate namely twelve pounds for every ounce and sometimes deerer They use to mix it with the emplaister of John de Vigo that famous Chirurgeon for all hardnesses and other privy and unseen though not unfelt torments proceeding of the Spanish pox They use it yet further against leprous swellings and pimples and to smooth and thin the skin Matthiolus saith that the fat of a black Serpent is mixt to good purpose with those Ointments that are prepared against the French or Spanish pox And Pliny mixeth their fat with other convenient medicines to cause hair to grow again The suffmigation of an old Serpent helpeth the monthly course Michael Aloisius saith that Oyl of Serpents decocted with the flowers of Cowslips ever remembring to gather and take that which swimmeth at the top is singular to anoint podagrical persons therewith Now followeth the preparing of Serpents Take a Mountain Serpent that ha 〈…〉 black back and a white belly and cut off his tail even hard to the place where he sendeth forth his excrements and take away his head with the breadth of four fingers then take the residue and squeese out the bloud into some vessel keeping it in a glass carefully then fley him as you do an Eele beginning from the upper and grosser part and hang the skin upon a stick and dry it then divide it in the middle and reserve all diligently You must wash the flesh and put it in a pot boyling it in two parts of Wine and being well and throughly boyled you must season the broth with good Spices and Aromatical and Cordial powders and so eat it But if you have a minde to rost it it must be so rosted as it may not be burnt and yet that it may be brought into powder and the powder thereof must be eaten together with other meat because of the loathing and dreadful name and conceit of a Serpent for being thus burned it preserveth a Man from all fear of any future Lepry and expelleth that which is present It keepeth youth causing a good colour above all other Medicines in the world it cleareth the eye-sight gardeth surely from gray hairs and keepeth from the Falling-sickness It purgeth the head from all infirmity and being eaten as before is said it expelleth scabbiness and the like infirmities with a great number of other diseases But yet such a kinde of Serpent as before we have described and not any other being also eaten freeth one from deafness You may also finely mince the heads and tails of Serpents and feed therewith Chickens or Geese being mingled with crums of Bread or Oates and these Geese or Chickins being eaten they help all to take away the Leprosie and other foulness in Mans body If you take the dryed skin and lay it upon the tooth on the inner side it will mitigate the pain thereof specially if it proceed from any hot cause In like sort the same skin washed with spittle and with a little piece of the tail laid upon any Impostume or Noli me tangere it will tame and master the pain causing it to putrefie more easily and gently and scarcely leaving behind any cicatrice or skar And if a Woman being in extremity of pain in Childe-birth do but tie or binde a piece of it on her belly it will cause the birth immediately to come away So the skin being boyled and eaten performeth the same effects that the Serpent doth The bloud of a Serpent is more precious then Balsamum and if you anoint your lips with a little of it they will look passing red and if the face be anointed therewith it will receive no spot or fleck but causeth to have an orient or beautifull hew It represseth all scabbiness of the body stinking in the teeth and gums if they be therewith anointed The far of a Serpent speedily helpeth all redness spots and other infirmities of the eyes and being anointed upon the eye-lids it cleereth the eyes exceedingly Item put them into a glassed Pot and fill the same with Butter in the Moneth of May then lute it with well with Paste that is Meal well kneaded so that nothing may evaporate then set the Pot on the fire and let it boil welnigh half a day after this is done strain the butter through a cloth and the remainder beat in a mortar and strain it again and mix them together then put them into water to cool and so reserve it in silver or golden boxes that which is not evaporated for the older the better it is and so much the better it will be if you can keep it forty years Let the sick Patient who is tooubled either with the Gowt or the Palsie but anoint himself often against the fire with this unguent and without doubt he shall he freed especially if it be the Gout All these prescriptions were taken from the writings of a certain nameless Author Hippocrates saith that a Hart or Stag having eaten any Serpents the worms in their guts are thereby expelled And Absyrtus hath the same words that Harts by eating of a Serpent do kill and expell worms from their guts Hierocles to a certain medicine which he prepared for the Strangulion in a Horse mingled the dung of a Lyzard and Stear herpetuou that is as I interpret it the fat of a Serpent the bloud of a Dove c. Laurence
most of all annoyed with these Serpents are Lybia Italy and Illyria especially about Gortinium and the Mountains of Lampidia Their harms are not inferiour to the stinging and poyson of Asps for Matthiolus writeth that he hath known some to die thereof within three hours after the wound received And if they do not die within short time then doth the bloud issue forth in abundant manner out of the hurt and the wound swelleth Afterward all is turned into matter and then followeth dulness in the head and distraction in the minde they live long which endure it three days and it was never known that any lived above seven days this also being observed that those that be hurt by a female do die soonest For together with their biting they infuse a vehement pain which causeth swelling and the sore to run I finde the cure hereof in Aetius to be thus first of all Triacle must be given to the sick person to drink and also laid upon the wound also drawing or attractive Plaisters and such Poultesses which are fit for running Ulcers But first before the Plaisters scarifie all the places about the hurt and binde the upper parts hard then launce the sore a little with a Pen-knife and let him drink sweet water with Rungwort Gourds Castoreum and Cassia Avicen prescribeth in the cure of these Serpents venom Castoreum Cinamon the root of Centory of each two ounces with Wine and the root of long Hartwort of Assoasier the juyce of the root Gentian And for emplaister Hony sod and dryed and so pounded the roots of Pomgranates and Centory the seed of Flax and Lettuce and wilde Rue And so I conclude with Doctor Gesner Percussus ab Ammodyte festinet ad remedium sine quo nemo affugere He which is hurt by an Ammodyte let him make hast for a remedy without which never Man escaped death Of the ARGES and ARGOLAE THere is mention made in Galen and Hippocrates of a Serpent called Arges Now Arges signifieth in Greek white swift idle ill mannered of this Serpent Hippocrates telleth this story There was saith he a young man drunk which lay asleep upon his back in a certain house gaping Into this Mans mouth entered a Serpent called Argoes the young Man perceiving it in his mouth strived to speak and cry but could not and so suddenly gnashing his teeth devoured and swallowed down the Serpent After which he was put to intolerable pains his hands stretching and quivering like as a Mans that is hanged or strangled and in this sort he cast himself up and down and dyed It seemeth therefore that this Serpent hath his name from the sudden destruction he bringeth to the creatures it smiteth and therefore in ancient time we read that Mercury was called Argiphon for killing of Serpents The Argolae are only mentioned by Suidas for he saith that Alexander brought them to Alexdria from Argos and cast them into the River to expel and devour the Aspes where they continued a long time till the bones of the Prophet Jeremy were brought out of Egypt unto Alexandria which slew them as the same Author writeth And thus much of these two kindes of Serpents Of ASPES IN Hebrew as appeareth Deut. 32. the Asp is called Pethen in Psal 58. Akschub in Isa 59. Jer. 8. Zipheoni an Asp or a Cockatrice worse then a Serpent The Arabians Hasâ—or and Hascos the Greeks Aspis the Italians Aspe and Aspide the Spaniards Bivora the French Vn aspic the Germans Ein sclang gennant and the Latines Aspis About the notation or derivation of this word there is some difference among Writers Aristophanes deriveth it from Alpha an intensive Particle and Spizo which signifieth to extend either by reason of his sharp shrill hissing or for the length of his body Others derive Aspis from Hios which signifieth venom or poyson and therefore saith the Scripture The poyson of Asps because that is a predominant poyson The Latines call it Aspis quòd venenum aspergit morsu because it sprinkleth abroad his poyson when it biteth Besides we read of Aspis a Buckler an Island in the Lycian Sea a Mountain in Africk and there is a fashion of camping Souldiers in the field called Aspides The Epithets declaring the nature of this pestiferous Serpent are Iâ—cheeirâ— rejoycing in poyson Elikoessa winding Lichmeres putting out the tongue Smerdalee fearfull Phoinessa cruelly killing Likewise in Latine dry sleeping drousie deadly swelling and Aspis Pharia a Pharian Asp so called of the Island Pharus where they abound It is said that the Kings of Egypt did wear the Pictures of Asps in their Crowns whereby they signified the invincible power of principality in this Creature whose wounds cannot easily be cured And the Priests of Egypt and Aethiopia did likewise wear very long Caps having toward their top a thing like a Navel about which are the forms of winding Asps to signifie to the people that those which resist GOD and Kings shall perish by unresistible violence Likewise by an Asp stopping his ear was figured and understood a Rebel obeying no lawes or degrees of the Higher power But let us leave this discourse of moralities and come neerer to the naturall description of Asps There are many kindes of Asps after the Egyptian division for one kinde is called Aspis sicca a dry Asp This is the longest of all other kindes and it hath eyes flaming like fire or burning coals another kinde is called Asilus which doth not only kill by biting but also with spitting which it sendeth forth while it setteth his teeth hard together and lifteth up the head Another kinde is called Irundo because of the similitude it keepeth with Swallowes for on the back it is black and on the belly white like as is a Swallow We read also in Albertus of Aspis Hipnalis and Hippupex but it may be that both these names signifie but one kinde This Hypnale killeth by sleeping for after that the wound is given the Patient falleth into a deep and sweet sleep wherein it dyeth and therefore Leonicenus saith Illam fuisse ex cujus veneno sibi Cleopatram sâ—avem mortem conseivit that it was the same which Cleopatra bought to bring upon her self a sweet and easie death There is also an Asp called Athaes which is of divers colours But I do consider that all the kindes may well be reduced to three that is Ptyas Chersaea and Chelidonia Ptyas hurteth by poysoning mens eyes by spitting forth venom Chersaea liveth on the land and Chelidonia in the waters The Asp is a small Serpent like to a land Snake but yet of a broader back and except in this differeth not much from the Snake their necks swell above measure and if they hurt in that passion there can be no remedy for the stroak of their eyes are exceeding red and flaming and there are two pieces of flesh like a hard skin which grow out of their foreheads according to these Verses of
the Jews are compared to Asps and their labours to Spiders webs And Esa 11. The sucking childe shall play upon the hole of the Asp Whereupon a learned man thus writeth Quiâ—unque ex hâ—minibus occulto veneno ad nocendum referti sunt sub regno Christi mutato ingenio fore velpueris innoxios that is whosoever by secret poyson of nature are apt to do harm to other in the Kingdom of Christ their nature shall be so changed that they shall not harm sucklings not able to discover them Great is the subtilty and fore-knowledge of Asps as may appear by that in Psal 58. against the Charmers voyce As also it is strange that all the Asps of Nilus do thirty days before the flood remove themselves and their young ones into the Mountains and this is done yearly once at the least if not more often They sort themselves by couples and do live as it were in marriage Male and Female so that their sense affection and compassion is one and the same for if it happen that one of them be killed they follow the person eagerly and will finde him out even in the midst of many of his fellows that is if the killer be a beast they will know him among beasts of the same kinde and if he be a man they will also finde him out among men and if he be let alone he will not among thousands harm any but he breaking through all difficulties except water and is hindred by nothing else except by swift flying away We have shewed already how the Psyllians in Asia cast their children newly born to Serpents because if they be of the right seed and kindred to their Father no Serpent will hurt them but if they be Bastards of another race the Serpents devour them these Serpents are to be understood to be Asps Asps also we have shewed were destroyed by the Argolâ— which Alexander brought from Argos to Alexandria and therefore those are to be reckoned their enemies Shadows do also scare away terrifie Asps as Seneca writeth But there is not more mortal hatred or deadly war betwixt any then betwixt the Ichneumon and the Asp When the Ichneumon hath espyed an Asp she first goeth and calleth her fellows to help her then they all before they enter fight do wallow their bodies in slime or wet themselves and then wallow in the sand so harâ—essing and as it were arming their skins against the teeth of their enemy and so when they finde themselves strong enough they set upon her bristling up their tails first of all and turning to the Serpent till the Asp bite at them and then sodainly ere the Asp can recover with singular celerity they flie to her chaps and tear her in pieces but the victory of this combate resteth in anticipation for if the Asp first bite the Ichneumon then is he overcome but if the Ichneumon first lay hold on the Asp then is the Asp overcome This hatred and contention is thus described by Nicander Solus eam potis est Ichneumon vincere pestem Cum grave cautus ei bellum parat editaque ova Quae fovet in multorum hominum insuperabile lethum Omnia fiacta terit mordaceque dente lacessit That is to say Ichneumon only is of strength that pest to overquell Gainst whom in wary wise his war he doth prepare Her egges a deadly death to many men in sand he doth out smell To break them all within his teeth this nimble beast doth dare Pliny Cardan and Constantine affirm that the herb Arum and the root of Winterberry do so astonish Asps that their presence layeth them in a deadly sleep and thus much of their concord with other creatures Galen writeth that the Marsians do eat Asps without all harm although as Mercurial saith their whole flesh and body is so venomous and so repleat with poyson that it never entereth into medicine or is applyed to sick or sound upon any Physical qualification the reason of this is given by himself and Fracastorius to be either because Asps under their Climate or Region are not venomous at all as in other Countries neither Vipers nor Serpents are venomous or else because those people have a kinde of sympathy in nature with them by reason whereof they can receive no poyson from them The poyson of Asps saith Moses Deut. 32. is crudele venenum a cruel poyson and Job 20. cap. expressing the wicked mans delight in evil saith That he shall suck the poyson of Asps For which cause as we have shewed already the harm of this is not easily cured We read that Canopus the Master of Menelaus ship to be bittten to death by an Asp at Canopus in Egypt So also was Demetrius Ph 〈…〉 a Scholar of Theophrastus and the Keeper of the famous Library of Ptolemaeus Seter Cleopatra likewise to avoid the triumph that Augustus would have made of her suffered her self willingly to be bitten to death by an Asp Wheeupon Propertius writeth thus Brachia spectavi sacris â—dmorsa colubris Et trahere occultum membra soporis iter In English thus Thus I have seen those wounded arms With sacred Snakes bitten deep And members draw their poysoned harms Treading the way of deaths sound sleep We read also of certain Mountebanks and cunning Juglers in Italy called Circulatores to perish by their own devises through the eating of Serpents and Asps which they carryed about in Boxes as tame using them for ostentation to get Money or to sell away their Antidotes When Po 〈…〉 peius Rufus was the great Master of the Temple-works at Rome there was a certain Circulator or Quacksalver to shew his great cunning in the presence of many other of his own trade which set to his arm an Asp presently he sucked out the poyson out of the wound with his mouth but when he came to look for his preservative water or antidote he could not finde it by means whereof the poyson fell down into his body his mouth and gums rotted presently by little and little and so within two days he was found dead The like story unto this is related by Amb. Paraeus of another which at Florence would fain sell much of his medicine against poyson and for that purpose suffered an Asp to bite his flesh or finger but within four hours after he perished notwithstanding all his antidotical preservatives Now therefore it remaineth that we add in the conclusion of this History a particular discourse of the bitings and venom of this Serpent and also of such remedies as are appointed for the same Therefore we are to consider that they bite and do not sting the females bite with four teeth the males but with two and when they have opened the flesh by biting then they infuse their poyson into the wound Only the Asp Ptyâ—s killeth by spitting venom through her teeth and as Avicen saith the savour or smell thereof will kill but at the least the
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-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
hand is the making or efficient cause and for the worthinesse of that divine story how God maketh and taketh away Frogs I will expresse it as it is left by the holy Ghost in ch 8. Exod. ver 5. Also the Lord said unto Moses say thou unto Aaron stretch thou out thy band with thy rod upon the streams upon the rivers and upon the ponds and cause Frogs to come upon the land of Egypt Ver. 6. Then Aaron stretched out his hand upon the waters of Egypt and the Frogs came up and covered the land of Egypt Vers 7. And the Sorcerers did likewise with their Sorceries and brought Frogs upon the land of Egypt Vers 8. Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron and said Pray ye unto the Lord that he may take away the Frogs from me and from my people and I will let the people go that they may do sacrifice to the Lord. Vers 9. And Moses said unto Pharaoh concerning me Command when I shall pray for thee and thy servants and thy people to destroy the Frogs from thee and from thy houses that they may remain in the River only Vers 10. Then he said to morrow and he answered Be it as thou hast said that thou mayst know that there is none like the Lord our God Vers 11. So the Frogs shall depart from thee and from thy houses and from thy people and from thy servants only they shall remain in the River Ver. 12. Then Moses and Aaron went out from Pharaoh and Moses cryed unto the Lord concerning the Frogs which he had sent unto Pharaoh Vers 13. And the Lord did according to the saying of Moses so the Frogs dyed in the houses and in the Towns and in the fields Vers 14. And they gathered them together by heaps and the land stank of them c. And this was the second plague of Egypt wherein the Lord turned all the Fishes into Frogs as the Book of Wisdom saith and the Frogs ahounded in the Kings chamber and notwithstanding this great judgement of God for the present Pharaoh would not let the people go and afterwards that blinde superstitious Nation became worshippers of Frogs as Philastrius writeth thinking by this devotion or rather wickednesse in this observant manner to pacifie the wrath of God choosing their own ways before the word of Almighty God But vain is that worship which is invented without heavenly warrant and better it is to be obedient to the will of God then go about to please him with the cogitations of men although in their pretended holinesse we spend much time wealth and bloud There was one Cypselus the father of Periander who by his mother was hid in a Chest called Kypsele to be preserved from the hands of certain murtherers which were sent to kill him Wherefore afterwards the said Cypselus consecrated a house at Delphos to Apollo because he heard his crying when he was hid in a chest and preserved him In the bottom of that house was the trunk of a Palm-tree and certain Frogs pictured running out of the same but what was meant thereby is not certainly known for neither Plutarch which writeth the story nor Chersias which relateth it giveth any signification thereof but in another place where he enquireth the reason why the Oracle of Pythias gave no answer he conjectured because it was that the accursed thing brought out of the Temple of Apollo from Delphos into the Corinthian house had ingraven underneath the Brazen Palm Snakes and Frogs or else for the signification of the Sun rising The meat of Frogs thus brought forth are green herbs and Humble-bees or Shorn-bugs which they devour or catch when they come to the water to drink sometime also they are said to eat earth but as well Frogs as Toads do eat the dead Mole for the Mole devoureth them being alive In the moneth of August they never open their mouths either to take in meat or drink or to utter any voyce and their chaps are so fast joyned or closed together that you can hardly open them with your finger or with a stick The young ones of this kinde are killed by casting Long-wort or the leaves of Sea-lettice as Aelianus and Suidas write and thus much for the description of their parts generation and sustentation of these common Frogs The wisdom or disposition of the Aegyptian Frogs is much commended for they save themselves from their enemies with singular dexterity If they fall at any time upon a Water-snake which they know is their mortal enemy they take in their mouths a round Reed which with an invincible strength they hold fast never letting go although the Snake have gotten her into her mouth for by this means the Snake cannot swallow her and so she is preserved alive There is a pretty fable of a great Bull which came to the water to quench his thirst and whilest the Beast came running greedily into the water he trod in pieces two or three young Frogs then one of them which escaped with life went and told his mother the miserable misfortune and chance of his fellows she asked who it was that had so killed her young ones to whom he answered It was a great one but how great he could not tell the foolish Mother-frog desirous to have seen some body in the eyes of her son began to swell with holding in of her breath and then asked the young one if the Beast were as big as she And he answered much greater at which words she began to swel more and asked him again if the Beast were so big To whom the young one answered Mother leave your swelling for though you break your self you will never be so big as he and I think from this fable came the Proverb Rana Gyrina sapientior wiser then the young Frog This is excellently described by Horace in his third Satyre as followeth Absentis ranae pullis vituli pede pressis Vnus ubi effugit matri denarrat ut ingens Bellua cognates eliserit illa rogare Quantánt Num tandem se inflans sic magna fuisset Major dimidio Num tanto Cum magis atque Se magis inflaret non si te ruperis inquit Par eris haec à te non multum abludit imago Which may be Englished thus In old Frogs absence the young were prest to death By feet of a great Calf drinking in the water To tell the dam one ran that scap't with life and breath How a great heast her young to death did scatter How great said she so big and then did swell Greater by half said he then she swoll more and said Thus big but he cease swelling dam for I thee tell Though break thy self like him thou never canst be made There is another pretty fable in Esop tasking discontented persons under the name of Frogs according to the old verse Et veterem in limo ranae cacinere querelam Nam neque sicca placet nec quae stagnata
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
Bees full wilde or Locusts spoylers bred But yet to look upon all horrible in seams For why the cruel Bore they shew in head They keep in rocks and stony places of the houses and earth making their dens winding and hanging according to these Verses Rimosas colit illa Petras sibique aspera tecta Et modice pendens facit inflexumque cubile In English thus The chinks of Rocks and passages in stone They dwell wherein their lodgings bare A little hanging made for every one And bending too their sleepy harbours are It is said that Canobus the Governour of Menelaus chanced to fall upon this Serpent in revenge whereof Helen his charge the wife of Menelaus broke his back-bone and that ever since that time they creep lamely and as it were without loyns which fable is excellently thus described by Nicander Quondam animosa Helene cygni Jovis inclyta proles Eversa rediens Troia nisi vana vâ—tustas Huic indignata est generi Pharias ut ad oras Venit adversi declinans flamina venti Fluctivagam statuit juxta Nili ostia classem Namque ubi nauclerus se fessum forte Canobus Sterneret et bibulis fusus dormiret arenis Laesa venenosos Hâ—morrhois impulit ictus Illatamque tulit letali dente quietem Protinus oâ—iperae cernens id filla Ledae Oppressae medium serpenti fervida dorsum Infregit tritaeque excussit vinculae spinae Quae fragili illius sic dempta è corpore fugit Et graciles Haemorrhoiae obliquique Cerastae Ex hoc clauda trahunt jam foli tempore membra Which may be Englished thus Once noble Helen Joves childe by Swan-like shape Returning back from Troy destroyed by Grecian war If that our ancients do not with fables us beclap This race was envied by Pharias anger farre When to his shores for safety they did come Declining rage of blustring windy seas Water-biding-Navy at Nilus mouth gan run Where Canobus all tyred sainted for some ease For there this Pilot or Master of the Fleet Did hast from boat to sleep in â—rery sand Where he did feel the teeth of Hemorrhe deep Wounding his body with poyson deaths own hand But when egge-breeding Ledaes wench espyed This harm she prest the Serpents back with stroke Whereby the bands thereof were all 〈◊〉 Which in just wrath for just revenge she broke So ever since out of this Serpents fr 〈…〉 And body they are taken which is the cause That Cerasts and lean Haemorrhs are ever 〈◊〉 Drawing their parts on earth by natures lawes They which are stung with these Haemorrhs do suffer very intolerable torments for out of the wound continually floweth bloud and the excrements also that cometh out of the belly are bloudy or sometimes little rouls of bloud in stead of excrements The colour of the place bitten is black or of a dead bloudy colour out of which nothing floweth at the beginning but a certain watery humour then followeth pain in the stomack and difficulty of breathing Lastly the powers of the body are broken and opened so that out of the mouth gums ears eyes fingers ends nayls of the feet and privy parts continually issueth bloud untill a cramp also come and then followeth death as we read in Lucan of one Tellus a young noble man slain by this Serpent described as followeth Impressit dentes Haemorrhois aspera Tullo Magnanimo juveni miratorique Catonis Vâ—que solet pariter totis se effundere signis Coricii pressura croci sic omnia membra Emisere simul rutilum pro sanguine virâ—s Sanguis erant lachrymae quâ—cunque foramina novit Humor ab iis largus manat cruor ora redundant Et patulae nares sudor rubet omnia plenis Membra fluunt venis totum est pro vulnere corpâ—s In English thus The Haemorrhe fierce in noble Tullus fastened teeth That valiant youth great Catoes scholar deer And as when Saffron by Corycians skeeth Is prest and in his colour on them all appear So all his parts sent forth a poyson red In stead of bloud Nay all in bloud went round Bloud was his tears all passages of it were sped For out of mouth and ears did bloud abound Bloud was his sweat each part his vein out-bleeds And all the body bloud that one wound feeds The cure of this Serpent in the opinion of the Ancients was thought impossible as writeth Dioscrides and thereof they complain very much using only common remedies as scarification â—stions sharp meats and such things as are already remembred in the cure of the Dipsas But besides these they use Vine-leaves first bruised and then sod with Honey they take also the head of this Serpent and burn it to powder and so drink it or else Garlick with Oyl of Flower-de-luce they give them also to eat Reisins of the Sun And besides they resist the eruption of the bloud with plaisters laid to the place bitten made of Vine-leaves and Honey or the leaves of Purslane and Barley-meal But before their urine turn bloudy let them eat much Garlick stamped and mixed with Oyl to cause them to vomit and drink wine delayed with water then let the wound be washed with cold water and the bladder continually fomented with hot Spunges Some do make the cure of it like the cure of the Viper and they prescribe them to eat hard Egges with Salt fish and besides the seed of Radish the juice of Poppy with the roots of Lilly also Daffadil and Rue Trefolie Cassia Opoponax and Cinnamon in potion and to conclude the flowers and buds of the bush are very profitable against the biting of the Haemorrhe and so I end the history of this Serpent Of the Horned SERPENT THis Serpent because of his Horns although it be a kinde of Viper is called in Greek Rerastes and from thence cometh the Latine word Cerastes and the Arabian Cerust and Cerustes It is called also in Latine Ceristalis Cristalis Sirtalis and Tristalis All which are corrupted words derived from Cerastes or else from one another and therefore I think it not fit to stand upon them The Hebrewes call it Schephiphon the Italians Cerastes the Germans En geâ—urnte schlâ—â—g the French Vn Ceraste un serpent Cornu that is a horned Serpent and therefore I have so called it in English imitating herein both the French and Germans I will not stand about the difference of Authors whether this Serpent be to be referred to the Asps or to the Vipers for it is not a point materiall and therefore I will proceed to the description of his nature that by his whole history the Reader may choose whether he will account him a subordinate kinde unto others or else a principall of himself It is an African Serpent bred in the Lybian sandy seas places not inhabited by men for the huge Mountains of sands are so often moved by the windes that it is not only impossible for men to dwell there but also very dangerous and perilous to travel through them for
the place affected The fish called a Barble cureth the bitings of any venemous Spider if being raw it be slit asunder in the middest and so applyed as Galen saith Anoynt the whole body with a liquid Cerote and foment the place affected with Oyl wherein Trifolium Bituminosum hath been infused or bathe it often with Sponges soked in warm Vinegar then prepare and make ready Cataplasmes of these Ingredients following that is of Knot-grasse Stala Caeli called Salomons seal Leeks Cheesill or Bran decocted in Vinegar Barley-meal and Bay-berries and the leaves boyled in Wine and Honey Some do also make Cataplasmes of Rue or herb-grace and Goats-dung tempered with Wine Cypresse Marjoram and wilde Rue with Vinegar An emplaster of Asclepiades Take of the seeds of wilde Rue and Rocket-seeds Stavesakre Rosemary seeds Agnus Castus Apples and Nuts or in stead of these two of the leaves of the Cypresse-tree of each alike beat and temper them all together with Vinegar and Honey Aetius Apply the decoction of Lupines upon the affected place the eschar being first removed then anoynt it in the warm Sun-shine or against the fire with the fat of a Goose tempered with wilde Rue and Oyl or else of the pap of Barley and the broth of Lupines make a Cataplasm Oribasius The Filberd-nut that groweth in India healeth the biting of these Phalangies Avicenna Goats dung dissolved with other convenient Cataplasmes and Oyl of Worm-wood and the juice of Figs helpeth much Kiranides Apply oftentimes a cold piece of iron to the place Petrus de Albano Foment the place very often with the juice of the herb Plantane Hildegardis The artificiall Oyl of Balm is singular Euonymus A fomentation made of the leaves and stalks of Imperatoria called Masterwort and continued a good space or else Vervain bruised and stamped the juice being taken in wine and further the herb outwardly applyed is much commended of Turneiser Beat and stamp herb grace with Garlick and some Oyl and apply it outwardly Celsus There be but a few particular cures for the bitings of Spiders that Physitians mention yet some they doe although the generall be most effectuall Pliny against the biting of the Formicarian or Pismire-lik Phalangie that hath a red head commendeth much another Phalangie of the same kinde only to be shewed to the wounded patient to look upon and to be kept for the same purpose though the Spider be found dead Also a young Weasel dryed and the belly thereof stuffed with Coriander-seed and so kept till it be very old and stale and drunk in Wine being first beaten to powder is likewise good for the same intention There is a certain little beast called Ichneumon of some it is called Mus Pharaonis Pharoes Mouse and for the enmity unto Serpents it is called Ophiomachus as Bellonius reporteth being bruised and applyed to the biting of any Wasp-like Phalangie doth utterly take away the venome of them It often entreth and searcheth out the seats and holes of venemous Spiders and Phalangies and if it finde any of them she haleth and tuggeth them clean away as a Pismire doth a small grain of Corn and if the Phalangie offer any resistance the Ichneumon sparing no labour pulleth her the contrary way and by this strugling and striving sometimes it so falleth out that the Ichneumon is wearied and then she breatheth a little and gathering new strength and courage setteth again upon the Phalangie with a fresh assault and woundeth her many times so that at length she carrieth her to her own lodging there to be devoured If the Tarantula have hurt any one the best remedy is to stirre and exercise the body continually without any intermission whereas in all hurts that are caused by any other Spiders rest and quietnesse are the best means as Celsus affirmeth But their Antidote is musick and singing Christophorus de honestis counselleth to take forthwith Theriaca Andromachi without any delay He also adviseth to take Butter tempered with Honey and the root of Saffron in Wine His proper Bezoar saith he or the green berries or seeds of the Lentisk-tree Ponzettus in his book De venenis adviseth to take ten grains of the Lentisk-tree in Milk or an ounce and a half of the juice of Mullberry-leaves In the increase of the grief he cureth them with Agarick or the white Vine and after much sweating they are to be comforted and refreshed or strengthned with cold Medicines as with the water of Popy and the like Merula saith they are to be remedied with the stone of Musicall Instruments dancing singing and colours concerning the three former I will not contend but how they should receive any part of help or health from viewing of any colours I do not well understand considering that the eye-sight of all those that are bitten of a Taramula is quite taken away or they see but obscurely as being mightily deceived in their objects Andreas Matthiolus in his Commentaries upon the sixth book of Dioscorides Chap. 40. reporteth a very strange story of a certain Hermit his old friend and acquaintance dwelling neer unto Rome who cured all those who were bitten or hurt of any venemous Worms or Serpents which in this last place I will insert although some may say that it is needlesse and belongeth not at all to this discourse in hand or else will not beleeve it For when as any of the inhabitants in those parts were wounded of any poysonous Serpent by a Messenger forthwith signified the same to the old Hermit who by and by demanded of the Messenger whether he could be content to take or drink any Medicine in stead of the sick patient which if the other assented to promising to take it the Hermit commanded him without any further delay to pull off his right foot shooe and to set his foot on the earth drawing a line round about the foot with his knife then he willed him to take away his foot and within the space of the line so marked he writ or engraved these words following Caro Caruze sanum reduce reputata sanum Emanuel paracletus Then immediately he pared away the earth with the same whittle so that all the Characters were quite defaced putting the same earth into a little earthen vessell full of water letting it there so long remain untill the earth sunk to the bottom Lastly he strained the water with a piece of the Messengers shirt or some other linnen that he wore next to his skin and being signed with the sign of the Crosse gave it him to drink But surely saith Matthiolus it was marvellous strange and a wonderfull thing to consider how that the wounded patient was perfectly healed even at that very hour and moment of time that the Messenger took the aforesaid potion of the Hermit as it is plainly known unto my self and to all the people that dwell round about in that Territory or Shire And thus much of this Heremiticall curation by the way Now will I come into
whatsoever Servius dreams that when winter drawes on they stop their mouths with juice and flowers and with these keeping in their Hive to sustain themselves But in summer they never loyter at all but exercise themselves in constant employment and when they have gotten such a numerous off-spring that one house will not hold them in the moneth of May they make a solemn expedition and divide themselves into several Swarms hanging upon the boughs of trees like bunches of Grapes The elder Bees afterwards making two or three rounds or circles in the air go to their food and return to their Hives the young smarm or colony thus sent forth and left unlesse they be entertained with fresh Hives wander up and down the woods untill the publick overseers and hospitary Bees have found a fit place for the Swarm to settle in Now having spoken of their exercise in the next place let us enter upon the description of the places or houses where they are to reside which the Greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. The Latines Alvus Alveus Alvearium c. Now about these for the conservation of the Bees three things are requisite or needfull The fashion or form preparation position and the fitnesse of the place where they are to be set The best receptacles for them are made with barks but especially with cork which in the heat of Summer doth not scorch them and in the Winter is very good to keep out the cold The Ancients were wont to make them of an hollow tree or of boards artificially joyned together also they were used to be very handsomely made of Reeds or of the Holm-tree wreathed or twisted together Those of earth are counted the worst of all as also those that are made of Brick or Clay because in Summer they are over hot and in Winter as extreme cold And yet as I hear in Hungary they have certain thick pots or vessels to hang up from the ground and these they hang up in Trees for the Bees to make their Combs in which when they have done they at a certain time take away again Some make them of Mud or dirt but these likewise have their inconveniences and discommodities The English use to enclose them in Hives artificially wrought and built of straw that in Winter they should not be starved nor in the Summer sweltered with heat The Ancients were wont to make them of a kinde of transparent Stone of Horn and Glasse to the intent that they might look in upon them and see how they wrought But the Bees lay a first second and third covering over their work withinside as I said before whence they perceived they lost their cost and labour in that contrivance as being never the near by that way to gain their purpose Let the form of the Hives be after the manner of an Egge the yolk and the white being clean taken out as when we eat it a little of the end being pared off Moreover the Hives ought to consist of twelve rounds or wreaths of straw woven together after this manner The 3 first lowermost must be of one size or bignesse a foot and a half in breadth The 4 next above them are to be a little bigger and more capacious that the combs may be the better fastened and may hang more steady The other 5 circles or rounds are to be narrowed and made steep up to the top by degrees in the likenesse of a spire or pyramide but the whole Hive ought to be of that content and bignesse that it may contain in it in all about 20 l. weight Let the mouthes or passages into the Hives by which the Bees are to go out and in be about three or four and no bigger than that the Bees when laden with Honey may well go in for by this means the Lizzard or Beetle venemous Spider Moths using to rob their Hives are barred of their entrance and the Hive will not be so obnoxious to frost and the extremities of the winter season Above these they use to make 4 doors also windowes to shut down with bolts 2 before and 2 behinde that they may the better take out the Combs with lesse disturbance to the Bees in their making Honey The preparation or seasoning of the Hive after it is made is reported to be divers The English do take in new Swarms into new Hives without perfuming or anointing them at all The Ancients after they had made them very clean did use to rub them all over within with Balm Thyme Fennel and did sprinkle them with some sweet thing made of honey sugred or with sweet wine or metheglin that so they might the more willingly come into them and the longer remain in them Palladius was wont to anoint the insides of the Hive with the dung of the first calf thaâ— the Cow hath and this he accounted for a chief secret to retain Bees in the Hive Moreover it is requisite that about the midst of the Hive there should three or four sticks be laid a crosâ—e to hold up the Combs and then they are not subject with any light shaking of them to fall down and are more easily if need be taken away Take heed also there be no chinks or clifts in them whereby they may be annoyed with heat cold dust vermine the Cankerworm As for the Placing or setting of Bees it is convenient that the Hives should be mounted on forms or stools that they be not dirty or mouldy with standing on the ground and that they may live more secure from noxious and hurtful beasts Let their standings be made of stones chaulk elm or oak three foot high covered over with slat tile or pargeting or whitelime and that very smooth and sleek that those Honey and Bee-devouring creatures may not be able to climb up Let them also be set shelving or casting forwards lest the rain-rain-water setling upon them should soak and wooze into their Hives for which cause as Columella witnesseth they were wont to be placed in hollowed walls or porches of Cities Let there be two handfuls distance between every Hive that one shogging or shaking the next may stand unmoved as it is usual when they are set close together Now as for their Ranks or rowes how many they should be they are not to be above three at the most of which let the younger Bees have the first the second sort or middle aged the middlemost and the elder Bees the highest or uppermost place But yet both the Hives and the forms whereon they are set must be conveniently placed for the benefit and advantage of the Swarm in hot Countreys towards the North in cold towards the South yea in Aethiopia by reason of the excessive heat and scorching of the Sun they keep them in their houses a sufficient gap being made in the wall for them to go in and out at lest their combs should be melted Let the place where they are be open not over hot
juice of bruised Quinces 5 pounds fountain water Sextarii boyl them till they grow soft take them from the fire let them cool then strain them and crush out the Quinces and cast them away add to this water half honey boyl it scum it till an eighth part be consumed some make it of sweet Apples or Pears the same way Hydromel of Dyoscorides is made of two parts of old rain-water and one part of honey mingled and set in the Sun Some call it Hydromel because it is wont to be made of the washing of the honey combs with water but it must not be made stronger because it will hurt sick people by too much matter proceeding from the wax Hydromel after it hath been long kept is as strong as small wines or Lora being but half so old Wherefore it is preferred before them in abating inflamations The use of old Metheglin is condemned for such as are inflamed or costive but it is good for weak stomacks and such as loath their meat or sick people that sweat much or for those that are thirsty or after a burning feaver hath wasted a man Aetius describes a Clyster only of honey and water to move the belly and with the same he cleanseth hollow ulcers Galen commends and uses Melicrate wherein some Hysop Origanum or Thyme or Peniroyal hath been boyled to prepare and purge gross humours in an acute disease but he commends it not for the want of a stomach Lately the English found out a new composition of Hydromel they call it Varii and serves better for ships than any Wine The preparation is this Take Barley torrefied after due sleeping in water what you please boyl it long in 5 quarts of fountain water till it taste well of the malt I pound of this boyled with 8 pounds of honey and 20 pounds of water makes a drink that tasts most sweet and is most healthful for use It nourisheth well is hardly corrupted and keeps very long Hydromel of the Moscovites Take of the decoction with Hops 12 pounds purified honey scummed 1 pound and half tosted bread strowed with the flour of malt one piece put all into a wooden vessel well covered and place it near a stool take away the froth that riseth twice a day with a wooden skimmer that hath holes in it after 10 daies set it up in your cellar after 14 daies drink it They make it the same way in summer with fair water and made this way they drink it in winter and when they desire to be drunk In Russ and English they call it Mede 2. Oenomeli it is called honeyed Wine Pollux calls it Molicraton Plautus honeyed Wine others call it Mulsum Aristaeus was the first that brought this into Thrace being taken with the incredible sweetness of Honey and Wine mingled together Mulsum made of honey of Heraclea when it growes old ceaseth to be hurtful Pliny The new writers describe this potion thus Take 1 gallon of the best Honey 6 gallons of old Wine Salt 2 ounces it must then be skimmed as it works then put in the Salt and season it with Annise-seed and roots of Elecampane let down into the vessel with a bag The Egyptians make it otherwise namely of Raisins and Honey which they call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because it is of a very sweet taste Oenomeli spiced Take Pepper washt and dried 8 scruples Athenian Honey 1 sextarius and 5 sextarii of old white Wine mingle them Celsus as I remember and Caelius speak of it Aurelianus in the cure of the Sciatica Also there is a kinde of Mulsum which the Greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 consisting of 36 ingredients Gorreus May be it is the same which Athenaeus cals 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 For 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is a drink made of Wine and Honey and divers herbs mingled Such as our Welch men call Metheglin The Irish prepare a distilled Oenomeli made with Honey Wine and some herbs which they cal Vsquebach not unfit for a nation that feeds on flesh raw or but half sod Mulsum made of sweet new Wine the Greeks call Nectar to new Wine sodden they add a tenth part of Honey but this kinde is offensive to the stomach and causeth windiness it is given to purge the belly Hippocrates cals it Melihedia and Melichron as Galen notes Atheneus writes that another kinde which was true Nectar indeed was wont to be made about Olympus a Mountain of Lydia of Wine Bees-combs and sweet flowers I take notice that Alexandrida did not think Nectar to be drink but the meat of the gods For he saith I eat Nectar chewing and ministring to Jupiter I drink Ambrosia Yet Homer and the greatest part of the Poets took Nectar for drink Dioscorides made Oenomeli thus Take old Wine 2 Sextarius's the best Honey 1 Sextarius Some that they may drink it the sooner boyl honey with wine and strain it Some for profit sake to 6 sextarius's of new wine working add one of honey and when it hath workt they put it up in a vessel for it remains sweet The use of honied Wine is this It is given in long Feavers that have weakned the stomach with crudities collected in it It looseth the belly gently it provoketh urine it cleanseth the stomach it is good for the disease of the joynts faults of the reins a weak head and to women that drink no wine for it is pleasant in smell and nourisheth the body It moveth vomit drunk with oyle and it is profitably given to them that have drunk poyson as also for such as are weak and their pulse is feeble for such as are troubled with a cough and a short breath or Impostume in the Lungs and those that are wasted with extream sweating But then it is for to mingle it with Hydromel Also Galen prescribes to them Melicrate qualified with water that have had a shaking fit not above a week and nature being yet strong Some there are that utterly condemn this in Feavers but that must be understood of some times in Feavers Romulus a certain guest of Caesars being asked how he had preserved the natural vigor of his body and minde so long for he was above a hundred years old he answered Without with oyl within with honey and wine sodden together as Pollio did That we may the more wonder at the use of Mulsum which the Ancients esteemed very much for that they were perswaded that all acrimony of the minde was pacified with sweet liquors and the spirits made peacable the passages made softer and fitter for transpiration and that it was also physick for manners Plinius 3. Oxymeli or honeyed Vinegar is thus made as Pliny thinks Take honey 6 pound old Vinegar 5 Hemina Sea-salt 1 pound rain-water which Galen likes not of 5 sextarii It must all be made scalding hot ten times and then set in the Sun till it grow stale and Oxymel is made But it lasts not above one year
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
moisture and by bringing in the Sun beams with them and for that reason in those places where Figs do grow they are bred in the wilde fig-tree that from thence being blown with the wind they may light amongst the fig-trees By which words of Pliny it is manifest that Caprification is nothing else but a certain skill how to cause the Gnats when bred in the green or raw wilde Fig to fly to the Figs that they by the wasting of their milky juice and moisture may bring them the sooner to maturity the which is brought to passe two manner of waies for either the wilde fig-trees were so disposed round about the Fig-trees that wind might blow them thence unto them or else wilde figs being gathered elsewhere and bound together in a bundle were cast into the trees and therefore the little beast like to a Beetle called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with his noise scaring away the Gnats and feeding on them if he catch them the Fig-keepers are wont to chase away and destroy The Gnats also seem to be more worthy esteem than the ordinary sort of Almanack-makers for they will tell you the weather at all times for nothing◠and that more certainly and truly than they which boast themselves born by the Tripos of Apollo and a long while brought up at Cuma For if the Gnats near Sun-set do play up and down in open air they presage heat if in the shade warm and milde showres but if they altogether sting those that passe by them then expect cold weather and very much rain When a Gnat comes forth of the Oak-apple about Michaelmas it foretels war and hostility if a Spider dearth if a worm fertility and fruitfulness Mizald. If any one would finde water either in a hill or valley let him observe saith Panano in Geopon the Sun-rising and where the Gnats whitle round in form of an Obelisk underneath there is water to be found Yea if Apomasaris deceive us not dreams of Gnats do foretell news of war or a disease and that so much the more dangerous as it shall be apprehendad to approach the more principal parts of the body Upon a certain time there was seen in the air between the Monasteries of Sion and Shene in England such a pitch'd battel of Gnats that you could not see the Sun at mid-day The fight was maintained for four hours as long as the Armies could stand at length a mighty slaughter being made on both sides so many dead carkasses of Gnats were found in the hedges and high-waies that they were feign to sweep the corn fields and medows with beesoms There followed upon this the banishment of the Monks in both the Monasteries Stow. Whether this be true or no I leave to those that can resolve such truths I proceed to that may be of more certainty to be taken notice of Of great use are the Gnats unto us when as the Fish called Thymallus as Aeliun witnesseth can be taken with no other bait then with Gnats But as they are sometimes useful and profitable so are they for the most part very irksome and troublesome wherefore nature and experience have taught us remedies against them To which end you may make a Fumigation or Perfume of Pomegranat Pills Chamaeleon Thistle Lupines Wormwood Grist Pine Fleabane Elecampane Cedar Radish Cummin Rue Hemp Dung Galbanum Castoreum Feaver-stone Harts-horn Goats-hoofs Elephants dung Brimstone Sulphur and Vitriol which will drive them away There are prescribed also these compound receipts take roots of Elecampane 1 dram Ammoniacum thymiama storax of each 2 drams burnt shels 2 drams put all these into the fire and perfume your cloathes Another Make powder of Harts-tongue and with Vitriol perfume them Another Take Wine-lees dryed and Ceruse of each alike with Copperas and Oxe dung perfume them Aetius Another Take Vitriol wilde Gith seed Cummin seed of each alike with Oxe dung smoke them Also the vapour of very strong Vinegar and of Origanum doth chase them away Another a Sponge dipt in Vinegar and burnt in the house drives them away So Wormwood with Radish Oyl by anointing preserveth from Gnats Novus Palladius adviseth to sprinkle new Brine and Soot in the chambers of the house Rue dipt in a decoction of Flea-bane and laid in the several corners of the house kills the Gnats Ruellius If you make a circle of green wet Hemp about the bed Gnats will not trouble you Geopon If you anoint your self with Oyl or the Manna of Frankincense they will presently be gone The trees that grow in watery gardens and plants infested with Gnats are freed from them by burning of Galbanum as Pliny saith But a prodigious that I say not superstitious remedy seemeth that of Rhasis to be I know from what jugling Democritus he had it hang some horse hair and make it fast in the middle of the door and Gnats will not come in at it But why should Vinegar kill them a thing which they naturally desire and thirst after unlesse it be the vapour of that thing that destroyeth them by taking away their breath as it often comes to passe whose substance would nourish them Apollonius Tyaneus as Tzetzes Chil. 2. hath left recorded did so order the matter that no live Gnat could come into the Cities of Antiochia and Bizantium But since we do not see how that should be done the less credit may be given to it The Grecians have devised a kinde of tent or covering in manner of a net of linne woollen or silk which being hung about their dining rooms and beds kept the Gnats from entring in Our Countreymen that live about the Fens have invented a canopy the first that ever I read of with less cost but the same profit which they call a Fen-canopy being made of a broad plain half dry somewhat hard piece or many pieces together of Cowes dung and these they hang at their beds feet with the smell and juice whereof the Gnats being very much taken and feeding thereon all the night long let them sleep quietly in their beds without any disturbance or molestation at all being sufficient reward for their pains so taken In the day time they are kept off with a fly-flap made of Peacocks feathers or other the like things bound together unless they be very numerous and small Gnats for then they will fly into the eyes ears nostrils and mouth also and taking greater courage to them sting more sharply notwithstanding these Remedies CHAP. XIV Of Butterflies THE Butterfly is called of the Greeks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but the more general name is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Latines Papilio Ardoynus calleth it Campilo Isidore Avicula the Italians Farfalla the French Papillon Papilion the Spaniards Mariposa the Polonians Motill the Hungarian Lovoldeck the Illyrian Pupiela Meteyl Motyl the Germans Pifnet Mulk Pfyfholter Summervnegel Zweifalter the Flandrians Vleghebronfus Botershyte the Brabanters Capelleken Vlindere Pellerin Boter
easily understand the sense of Ausonius his Epigram upon Marcus that was gelded Rhodiginus l. 8. c. 5. Antiq. lect renders it to us Also the Aegyptians caused a picture of this creature to be made on the statnes of their Heroes intimating thereby their manhood that had no mixture of feminine weakness for men must be valiant and manly 〈◊〉 pufillanimity is a great disgrace to them All Beetles cast their skins and they have no sting when you touch them they are afraid and they leave off to move and they g 〈…〉 〈◊〉 tus did vainly ascribe to them four wings hid under a crusty cover for experience she 〈…〉 t two very tender and frail wherefore they have them shut up in a hard cover over 〈…〉 them that they may take no hurt by hard bodies For the greatest part of them either 〈◊〉 under ground or bites rotten wood with their teeth and makes houses and nests there so that if they were not excellent well guarded they could never keep themselves safe from external injuries When they fly they make such a humming or noise in the air that Laertius writ that the gods talk with men by these creatures Of all plants they cannot away with Rose trees and they hate them as the destruction of their kinde for they dye by the smell of them as we read in Geopas but on the contrary they take great pleasure in stinking and beastly places I have learned no other use of them in Physick than that taken in the left hand they drive away quartain Agues Plin. l. 30. cap. 11. It may be posterity by better experience will discover more of their vertues and will not suffer themselves to be perswaded that a creature God hath made so curiously can want rare vertues in Medicaments which he hath bestowed on far baser things according to his goodness unto mankinde Flitter-mice take this for their chief dainties and prefer it before Gnats especially if they can catch them and squeeze them alive A Hee begat me not nor yet did I proceed From any Female but my self I breed For it dies once in a year and from its own corruption like a Phoenix it lives again as Moninus witnesseth by heat of the Su 〈…〉 A thousand summers heat and winters cold When she hath felt and that she doth grow old Her life that seems a burden in a tomb Of spices laid comes younger in her room The second kinde of Nose-horn very rare and worthy to be seen sacred to Mercury Carolus Clusius sent painted from Vienna where it is very frequent the form is as you see it it would seem all pitch colour but that the belly is a full red that crooked horn in the nose is so sharp that what is said of an Elephant going to battle you would think it had got an edge by rubbing it against a rock The third Nose-horn and fourth seem to be alike but that the former hath wings growing out longer than the sheath covers but the others are shorter You would say they were rub'd with shining ink they are so perfectly all over black The Ram or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hath knotty horns violet colour a head greenish from gold colour the shoulders like vermilion a purple coloured belly sheath wings of the colour of the head it goes forward with legs and feet of a light red but the wings shut up in the sheath do fitly express the small whitish membrane of a Cane The greater Beetles without horns are many namely that is called Pilularius and another that is called Melolanthes another purple one again that is dark coloured one called Arboreus and another Fullo Some call the Pilularius the dunghill Beetle because it breeds from dung and filth and also willingly dwels there The Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and from its form like a cat 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Germans Rosskafer Kaat or Mistkafer in English Dung-beetle Sharnbugg in French Fouille merde as you would say Dung-digger the Latines call it Pilularius because it turns up round pills from the dung which it fashions by turning it backwards with its hinder feet Porphyrie doth thus describe the nature of it All your Pilularii have no females but have their generation from the Sun they make great balls with their hinder feet and drive them the contrary way like the Sun it observes a circuit of 28. daies Aelian saith almost the same There is no female Beetle it puts the seed into a round ball of dung which it rowâ—s and heats in 28. daies and so produceth its young They would say thus much that the Beetle called Pilulariâ—â— makes a round ball of the roundness of the Heavens which it turns from East to West so 〈…〉 brought it to the figure of the World afterwards 〈…〉 es it up 〈◊〉 the earth whe 〈…〉 up it lets it remain there fo 〈…〉 when that 〈…〉 by it self which being â—issolved in water 〈…〉 ies it growes up to be a flying 〈…〉 For this 〈…〉 to Apollo and adored it for 〈…〉 mall god by 〈…〉 lected that the likeness of the Sun was given to th 〈…〉 and so he excused the 〈…〉 ustomes of his Countrey Pliny and Plutarch Symp 〈…〉 gue of their family but dung especially of Cow 〈…〉 the smell of them a very great way off they w 〈…〉 â—uddenly to it 〈…〉 of Smel But they 〈…〉 slowly yet they labour continually and exceedingly and delight most of all to produce the 〈…〉 â—oung ones for oft times the little 〈◊〉 bals that they make by the injury of the winds or of the place fall awâ—y and fâ—ll from a high place to the bottome but this Beeâ—â—e de 〈…〉 ing a propagation watcheth with perpe 〈…〉 care and raising this Sisyphian ball to its hold with continual striving and that tumbling back again at length she reduceth it And truly unless it were endued with a kinde of divine soul as all things are full of Gods wonderfulness it would â—aint and be spent in this great contest and would never take this pains any more Some say they die being blinded by the Sun but the most think they are choked by lice that creep all about them they hardly hold out one winter They chiefly delight in the shade of the Ivy-tree as most healthful for them Praxanus in Geopon I have â—et down the form of it so exactly and in its colours for it is all black that I need say no more Beetles first breed from dung saith Johan Langius as the Worms bâ—eed out of rotten wood then their seed being shed into a round ball and the same being enlivened breeds their young ones every one knoweâ— this sufficiently unlesse they live where no dung is for in dunghils they are obvious to every Man Beetles serve for divers uses for they both profit our mindes and they cure some infirmities of our bodies For when this living creature and scarce a living creature for it wants some senses
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
other inhabitants in the dominions of the waters do sufficiently declare how useful they are for the feeding and fatning of Fishes Without question Festus Nonius Marcellus Sipontinus and others meant this Water-spider now described as it will appear by their words The Tipula saith Festus is a kinde of little creature having six feet but so light that in running upon the water it seemeth to take no steps Perâ—ttus saith upon the matter the same The Tipula saith Nonius Marcellus is a very light creature which doth not swim but go upon the water Varro thus Levis Tipula levissime frigidos transit lacus for so the place which is corrupted is to be read and corrected The light Water-spider very nimbly passeth over the cold ponds Albertus Guillerinus de Conchis and Vincentius call it Araneus Aquaticus interpreting the Dutch name for it hath some likeness with the Spider ascribing but four feet to the Tipula not reckoning the little arms which are before among its feet since it doth not use them in going Others as I said before reckoning those little arms among their feet do allow Water-spiders six feet Hence it does most certainly appear that we have described that very Tipula which Plautus mentions so that there is no room left for any ones doubting he eafter But before we go any further the truth requires of me that I confute two notorious errors of Guillerinus de Conchis The first error is when he saith that the Water-spider lives alike upon the water and upon the land the other when he saith that it runneth very swiftly upon land both which do evidently contradict experience for upon land it doth not live long nor run at all but move with a very slow pace and sometimes leap but that very little Whether Catrab in Avicen which is called by Silvaticus Cutubut and Eckentubut be the Water-spider as Wierus thinketh I cannot say for certain although indeed I am easily perswaded by reason of the circumstances to believe that Catrab in Avicen is not the Water-spider But let us hear Avicens description Catrab saith Avicen is a little creature having its being on the surface of the water which moveth upon it divers waies without order and diveth ever and anon to the bottome and presently appeareth above again Sylvaticus hath almost the same word for word only he adds that whensoever any thing happens amiss to it it runs away and by and by appears again From this little creature by reason of its restless and disordered motion hither and thither that kinde of melancholy which the Greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Latines Insania Lupina is called by Avicen Cathrab and Alcathrab with which when men are taken they fly from the living and go out by night and frequent graves as Paulus writes and think indeed that they are turned into Wolves as Wierus writes it befell a certain husbandman in Germany in the year 1541. The Ancients saith Wierus call a fly which is common in moorish grounds Tipula And we think Manardus made mention of this somewhere in his Epistles Wherefore I am fully perswaded that Catrab is not this Water-spider but some other little creature the least of the kinde of Water-beetles which with a restless motion moveth almost continually upon the surface of the water hither and thither without order as we said in the History of them and upon the least disturbance or stirring of the water goeth to the bottome and presently hideth it self in the mud but by and by assoon as the billowes are down riseth up again to the surface of the water This little creature is seldome single but many of them sport together in the same place running up and down several waies I was once wont to behold with great delight these little very black and shining Beetles pulling one another and as it were wrestling together But of these we have spoken at large among the Water-beetles And we shall take Gaza's Tipulae into our consideration among the Water-worms The word Ascaris which they interpret Tipula maketh nothing toward the illustration of this History CHAP. XXVII Of the Forficula or Earwig ARnoldus his Forficula is called by the later Latine writers Auricularia by the more Ancient Mordella Niphus cals it Vellicula à vellicando from rending the French call the Earwig Aureilliez or Perceaureille the Germans Oren-worm the Low Dutch Orenmetel the English Earwig Hadrianus Junius thinks it to be Fullo which notwithstanding much differs from the form of a Beetle Is this the Greeks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 truly both the original of it and the biting agree thereunto for this is bred also in the hollow stalks of herbs as of the wilde Parsnip Angelica Fennel Gigant and is frequently seen in Coleworts The Northern English by an obscene name call it Twich-ballock as if you would call it Scrotomordium or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for where ever it findes a rivled pleated skin it will cause very great pain either by biting with the mouth or by winding about it with its forked tail which Pennius saith once hapned to him being a boy For we fell upon two sorts of Earwigs both were with wings contrary to the opinion of many For if you force them here and there back again with a bull-rush when they are hem'd in in some place or upon a table which the most illustrious Knivet taught Pennius they will presently open their wings that are hid under their covers and fly away But you must take diligent heed that you press it not too hard with a straw or or rush or wound it for then if it would never so fain it cannot fly away The more common is seen with a light red colour his foreyards feet and forked tail are yellow The other which is more rare in England and was seen by me but once or twice is greater than the former and of a blacker body hath a silver ring about the neck to adorn it the outward covers of the wings are of a reddish colour the mouth is forked and yellow on the back on both sides near the sides there arise five yellowish spots the fork of the tail is short and black and she lifts this toward her head and flies being angry into the air They are oft found in Coleworts and hollow Reeds and in the little bladders of Elm leaves They breed of worms that breed in the stalks they yearly cast their old skin and that being gone they look white as snow But with age it growes again and is died with its ancient colour The English women hate them exceedingly because of the flowers of Clove-gelliflowers that they eat and spoyl and they lay snares for them thus They set in the utmost void places Ox-hoofs Hogs-hoofs or old cast things that are hollow upon a staff fastned to the ground and these are easily stuft with cloathes or straw and when by night the earwigs creep into these to avoid the rain or
all of them do glitter here and there with a golden brightness which Pennius observed not and seem to be of a very compact and tender body They are found sitting most commonly upon Mallowes sometimes upon other plants and trees that bear Apples like Pine-apples as likewise upon the Elm and the Willow They copulate in the moneth of May tail to tail and are almost a whole day about it The male is less the female bigger and broader They fly in the heat of the day fast enough but neither long nor far There are bred with us saith Cardane in the grass two Animals like Wall-lice the one in smell but not in shape the other in shape but not in smell but neither of them is of the species of Wall-lice because they both fly lib. de variet rer But he that shall observe their stink and outward shape of body will not turn them out of the family of the Wall-lice for their wings sake although indeed the field kindes are six times as big as those in houses Jacobus Quickelbergius sent two other kindes of them to Pennius from the parts about Vienna which were waved with a golden and black colour Matthiolus not at all understanding Pliny denieth that they have any vertue in them But Pliny many waies commendeth the garden Wall-lice being reduced to ashes and infused in oyl of Roses against pains of the eats Palladius useth these with the Lees of Oyl an Oxe Gall Ivy-leaves and Oyl for an oyntment for the bitings of venomous Horsleeches Let the head of the yard be put into Oyl of Camomil pretty hot in which Wall-lice have boyled then let the head of the yard when it is taken out of the oyl be anointed with pounded Garlick and the patient will certainly make water Arnoldus de villa nova l. 2. Breviarii c. de stranguria dysuria Are not these to be taken for those Wall-lice which the Dutch call Knolsters and Qualsters And hitherto hath been said what we know of winged Insects ye Platerus's Camerarius's Clusius's Quickelbergius's and ye later and more laborious sons of Esculapius whom Phoebus moulded out of richer clay if you have any thing which is here wanting make addition of it according to your wonted courtesie and ingenuity remembring that of the old Poet 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 When you receive you ought to give withall The Muses gates are wide and liberall Of the Division of the Second Book The Preface BY the clew of Daedalus we are at last got out of the Camps of winged horsemen where should I relate with how many stings the Infects of the lower ranks have assaulted me how much they have troubled my brain my right hand my eyes whilest I accurately dissected and observed all their parts truly I should either faint in rehearsing the wounds or what I was resolved in my minde to finish I should not be able to do Wherefore what valiant souldiers are wont to do whilest the wound is yet fresh and hot we will break forth into both Armies and with better undertakings so far as may be strive to overcome them Thou O great God who in the Inventory of these smallest Creatures makest the most excellent understandings to stand amazed and stupid give me strength that as by thy goodness I have mustered those Insects that fly by the same I may be enabled to draw forth all those Foot-forces that want wings so that in all my labour I may seem to have no other end than to seek thy glory to advance learning and nothing that concerns my own particular but that I may finde thee in these thy works Go to therefore bold Atheist who art ignorant of God and the Divine Perfection endure if thou canst the biting of the Spider Phalangium or of the Scorpion abide the pain of the Worm Scolopendra swallow down the Pine-tree Catterpiller contend with Worms despise with Herod biting Lice so much as thou art able at last thou shalt finde that there is no foot Souldier so mean in this Army that will not quickly overcome all the forces of thy body and minde and will make thy foul mouth to confess by their ministry that there is a God Thus then I draw forth my Regiments so I muster the Souldiers All Insects without wings are either belonging to the Earth Or Some with Feet These goe with many feet The Catterpillers Beetles and such as are called Staphlym These goe with eight feet The Scorpion the Spider With six As Wasps Glow-worms the female Meloe also Worms in wood trees roots fruits meats garments chambers humors Some without Feet As Oripae Maw-worms Earth-worms Water With Feet Some swim with six feet as the Shrimp the Lake Scorpion the Notonectus With many feet as the Sea Scolopendra the many footed Shrimp Without Feet As the Horsleech the Hair-worm THE THEATER of INSECTS OR Of lesser living Creatures BOOK II. CHAP. I. Concerning Catterpillers and their several kindes and namely of Silk-spinners and Silk-worms WEE thought fit to place in the Front Catterpillers the devourers of Egypt because they are most different in their kindes and also some of them are excellent for their use and worth It is no fond conceit to maintain that Catterpillers had their name in Latine from devouring for they eat up leaves boughs flowers fruits which also may be observed in the Peach Ovid called these Field-worms Field-worms that weave their hoary thred on boughs we finde That they with painted Butterflies do change their kinde The Greeks call a Catterpiller 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from the waving and vaulting motion when it creeps whereby it lifts up and contracts it self The Hebrews call it Ghazam because it sheareth the fruits of the earth as Kimhi saith on Joel the first The Italians call it Rugaverme and Bruche for so saith Marcellus Virgilius upon Dioscorides In our times saith he our whole Countrey cals all kindes of Catterpillers Bruchi The Spaniards call them Oruga the French Chenille Chattepeleuse the English by the name of Catterpillers but the Northern people call the hairy Catterpillers Oubuts the Southern call them Palmer-worms in the Poles language a Catterpiller is called Rup hausenka in the German Tongue Ein Raup in Low Dutch Ruype in Sclavonish Gasienica the Pesants call them Certris and Cedebroa I should be endless if I should add all kindes of Catterpillers for some feel rough others soft some have horns and that either in their head or in their tail some are without horns some have many feet some fewer but none have above sixteen feet Most of them move swiftly in a waving posture yet others there are that go even and slowly Some do yearly change their old skin and others do not Some are changed into Aurelia's fixed above the earth whence are bred your ordinary Butterflies others are transformed under the earth and become Glow-worms Also some of their Aurelia's are smooth and equal some again are hairy and wrinkled pointed at the ends
Palladius in this matter prefers the Fig-tree ashes If Crabs or river Crevish were hanged up and exposed to the Sun for ten daies they will drive Catterpillers from Pot herbs Cardan out of Palladius Others wet the seeds just before they set them in the bloud of a Catterpiller or the juice of Marjoram to free them from Catterpillers A sea Onion set or hung in a garden hinders the Catterpillers from breeding Some sow Mints others Vetches others Wormwood about their gardens to drive away Catterpillers Some not without cause have Coleworts and Garlick leaves in ther gardens by the fume whereof spread every way the Catterpillers fall down Palladius where any man may easily read of many remedies against them If a Horse devour them swellings arise the skin of him grows dry and hard his eyes hollow saith Herocles and he prescribes this remedy You must take the sharpest Vinegar and Nitre three quarters of a pint Vitriol a fourth part mingle them and anoint the Horses body be careful that it enter not into his eyes Now we shall speak of the use of them in Physick and in the Common-wealth The Catterpillers web and covering like to silk being drank stops a womans courses Math. If it be burnt and put into the nostrils it stops bleeding at the nose The Catterpiller feeding on Privet doth not only in a strange manner allure the Carp if it be put on the hook for a bait but also the dung of it put into the nostrils presently helps the falling sickness in women that proceeds from the Matrix as I was told by a Midwife that was very experienced and worthy to be believed The Catterpillers that are upon Spurges in the opinion of Hippocrates are very good for purulent wombs especially if they be dried in the Sun with the double weight of dunghil Worms and adding a little Anniseed bringing them into powder and infusing them in the best white Wine and so giving them to drink But heaviness following in the belly with numbness let the Patient drink a little water and honey after it Hippocrat lib. de superfoet prescribes those ordinary Catterpillers that are in troops to be given in drink against the Quinsey Dioscor lib. 1. cap. 90. But unless they do profit by their secret quality I think they are to be rejected for their open quality especially in that disease The Germans know that the hairy Catterpiller dried and powdered stops the flux of the belly Nicander also useth them to procure sleep for so he writes And Jeremy Martius thus translates him Stamp but with oyl those Worms that eat the leaves Whose backs are painted with a greenish hue Anoint your body with 't and whilest that cleaves You shall with gentle sleep bid cares adieu There are in prickly and hairy plants such as the Nettle is some downy and hairy Catterpillers by tradition are held to cure children when they cannot swallow their meat for straightness of their jaws A Catterpiller that lives on Pot-herbs being bruised and anointed where a Serpent hath stung is very good Avicen If you rub a rotten tooth often with a Cabbage Catterpiller it will soon fall out of it self saith the same Author Catterpillers mingled with Oyl drive away Serpents Dioscor If you anoint your hands or other parts with the same Oyl it will keep them from being hurt by Wasps or Hornets Aetius Pliny citeth many superstitious things from the opinion of Magicians concerning the vertue of Catterpillers which because I see they are cast forth of the Schools of Divines and I in my judgement do secretly disavow them I will not repeat them here They are meat also for divers Birds that we eat and are useful for us as namely Choughs Starlings Peacocks Hens Thrushes to say nothing of Trouts Robbinred-brests Tenches Carps Pikes which are easily deceived by a Catterpillar bait And if you desire to know the waies of deceiving them see Terentinus in Geopon who is there that I may not overpass the Physick of the soul given by Catterpillers that hath not sung of Gods mercies shewed to the wandring Israelites when all Egypt swarm'd and was even drowned with the deluge of them Also amongst the Romans there was twice in one Summer such a cloud of Catterpillers Anno 1570. that put them in great fear for they left no green thing in their fields but devoured all Though the fruitfulness of the next year did blot out the memory of this grievous punishment yet we may not doubt but it put many of them in minde to lead better lives God grant that we may escape by being corrected in the punishment of other men Let us think no creature of God to be contemptible for God can if he please make the smallest the greatest judgement CHAP. VI. Of the Whurlworm THE Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which Gaza interprets by Verticillus Pliny changeth not the Greek word but cals it Sphondylam the Germans Eugerle as George Agricola teacheth Gesner writes it was called Twaer because it goeth diversly with sawed feet The Northern English call it Andever the Southern Whurlworm that is a Whirl or little hairy Worm with many feet Vincentius cals it Zuvarola because it hurts gourds Pliny was in an error that makes this a Serpent since the kinde of life and reason it self numbers it amongst Insects Should I here add the differences between Gaza Pliny Theophrastus Absyrtus Phavorinus and the Scholiast on Aristophanes and Erasmus concerning the nature and form of this Whurlworm I should indeed trifle and rather bring fire to quench this fire amongst wits than water But I rather collect out of their dissensions that there are two kindes of Whurlworms one about houses another in the fields For so Aristotle and Absyrtus write Staphulinus is like to the Whurlworms that are about houses For saith he your house Whurlworms copulate backward and that in our sight as Beetles do the male coming upon the female and they stick long in copulation Away then with these triflings of Pliny that would have these to be Serpents which never copulate backwards Hesychius and Favorinus that follows him describe them thus Men say that the Whurl is like to an Insect called Silphium making a stinking smell if any one touch it But Aristophanes and his Scholiast paint it out thus A Whurl is an Insect like to a Bloud-sucker Camersius out of Aristophanes saith a Whurl is a worm like a Leech smelling most stinkingly Whence I collect that there is a house Whurl like to Silphius and smels so scurvily which if you touch runs away and stinks for fear for so Aristophanes hath it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 As the Whurl flying from you breaks wind stinkingly In which verse I cannot but wonder that Erasmus I know not by what Atticism cals the Whurl Telem Chil. Adag 3. cent 7. Pliny saith it is a very small body and blackish which if it be touched whilest it lives and after it is dead sends forth a most
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
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
the Germans call them Seuren Graben but since this takes not away the cause of them which fosters them the disease still abides wherefore it is best to kill them with an unguent or fomentation which may at once take off that troublesome itching That which penetrates most and kils these Syrones is salt and vinegar Laur. Joubert Joh. Arden formerly the most learned Chiruregeon of England saith that a Lotion with Sublimate kils them quite And it seems not to be against reason for it dries penetrates resists putrefaction and by its heating acrimony kils them all Abinzoar l. 2. c. 19. tract 7. prescribes these following remedies First purge the body with an infusion of wilde Saffron-seed and Nettle-seed after that anoint it outwardly with the oyl of bitter Almonds or de Cherva and with the juice of the leaves of Peach-tree give boyled Partridge for meat and leavened bread Let the patient abstain from all kinde of fruit except almonds especially from Figs Grapes Jujubes and Apples rub the body often with the substance or pulp of Melons or with the Mucilage of the seed But if the body be fleshy rub it with the juyce of the leaves of the Peach-tree Pliny where there is this disease forbids Oxe-flesh Hogs Geese and all kindes of Pulse Erotis l. de pas mul. writes thus Wheat tempered with Wine adding thereto powder of Frankincense put to the parts affected for a plaister will kill these Wheal-worms every where chiefly upon the cheeks and foreheads Another Take common Salt black Soap live Brimstone each alike incorporate them with vinegar of Squils and anoint the place with them Another for Syrones on the face which the Author of the English Rose cals Barrones Take sharp Dock Frankincense Dragons cuttle-bone each alike make a powder and thrice in a week rub the places where the Worms breed but first wash you face with a decoction of Bran and on Sunday wash your face with the white of an egg and white Starch and then wash it often with river-water or with white starch Alexander Petronius Traianus commends this remedy most namely a fine linnen cloth made into lint that it may be the softer and stick the faster binde this to the part affected then lay on the white of an egge that is rosted hard whilest it is hot and cut into large pieces and then binde upon it some thicker cloth and so let it remain some hours Then taking all away you shall finde the inward lint full of these small Lice which is thus proved shake this over the fire and you shall easily hear these young Syrones crack Against hair-eating Worms and Mites in the heads of children that are usual and that will make little holes in them Alexius makes great account of this remedy Take Frankincense Bores-grease so much as you please let them boyl in an earthen vessel that is glased and make an unguent Another Sprinkle on the powder of burnt Allum and lay on some lint Another not uneffectual Powder quick Brimstone with Rose Vinegar of Squils or else incorporate it with rose-Rose-water and binde it on with a cloth for 24 hours Another that is most certain Take juice of Lemmons and Aqua vitae each alike burnt Salt what may suffice mingle them and anoint with them often Another of Hildegard Apply that skimming of the air that is those cobwebs that are scattered in Autumn and it will certainly destroy all those Syrones and little worms Also strew on the powder of Bees that are dead in their hives on the places affected and they will all dye chiefly if it were mixt with Aqua vitae or Vinegar of Squils Again binde on the crums of white bread whilest they are hot do it often the heat will kill them Fir-tree seed burnt to ashes which growes on the top of the tree if it be strewed on will help much Also the kernels of Barberries powdered and laid to the place will kill Syrones Johan Vigo prescribes these remedies against Syrones wheresoever they breed All bitter things saith he are good against them shave the patt affected that they may penetrate the better Oyl of Vitriol warily and lightly powred on will kill them mightily Quicksilver with French Soap and a little Orpiment and some Vinegar of Squils and some Aloes doth much good For Syrons in the Teeth Some call the Worms that breed in mens teeth Syrones which they affirm have fallen forth like shavings of Lute-strings by the smoke of Henbane-seed received at the mouth Though I should truly deny that these shavings are Worms yet that Worms breed in rotten teeth Barbers and every man knowes Against venomous Syrones Abinzoar cals it the disease of Oxen between the flesh and skin there breeds a kinde of venomous Worms which raiseth no small tumour as great as a walnut wherein the Worm Syro lies hid he is venomous indeed though he be but little This disease neglected will kill He appoints the Remedy thus The place must be presently burnt with an actual cautery then apply lint with Barly-meal and sweet water when the pain of the burning is over the humour will fall being anointed with Unguent of Agrippa and oyl of Roses then wash the place with water of Honey and strew on powder of Roses and then using incarnatives close up the wound But if the part cannot be cauterized or cut take Lupine-meal Soot Pepper root of Endive each alike and bruising them all and wetting them with Alchitra fill half a Nut-shel with them and keep them on so long till the force of the medicament may penetrate to the Worm but great care must be had that no part be left bare without the shell A little creature called Nigua as Thevet imagineth doth much vex the West-Indian people It is saith he an Insect most offensive to mens hands far less than a Flea but breeds in the dust as a Flea doth De Lery was taken with the same oversight and was not ashamed to be mad with Thevet for company But Oviedus affirms that they breed between the skin and the flesh but especially they breed under the nails of the fingers into which place when once they are rooted the cause a swelling as great as a pease with a mighty itching and they multiply like to Nits Now if this worm be not timely pickt forth with its brood in a few daies this itching becomes a wonderful pain and the sick dye with the violence of the disease There is a Worm that breeds on the bodies of Hawks and Faulcons under the roots of their wings it is called Trocta we have left off to doubt any longer whether it be a Syron Acarus or Tinea or not by reading Albertus his Book wherein you may read a remedy for that disease at large Also as Bonaceiolus reports in the urines of some women with childe little red Worms called Syrones will be seen which are a certain argument of conception Dermestes is an Insect that will consume skins and from
it easeth almost all pains and wasts the stone being anoynted on the share and loins But in the preparing of it every man followes his own opinion For some before they adde Oyl wash and purge them with white wine some neither wash them nor presse out the earth and perswade to take the best wine that it may penetrate the sooner Others use simple Oyl not Oyl of Roses others again Oyl of Chamomile Also they shew us many wayes to boyl them for one useth a furnace another Balneum another doth it in dung and some mingle of Chamomil flowers and of Dill to asswage pains some of Hypericon flowers to glew wounds together others Snails without shells others with shells every one as he thinks fit The Author of Bartapalia prepares an admirable water of Worms fol. 254. that is very good for wounds and diseases both outward and inward For Worms of Horses and Oxen Pelagonius puts live Earth-worms into their nostrils yet it were far better with a horn to put them down their throats into their stomacks Tardinus bids give ashes of Earth-worms bruised with flesh to a Hawk when she cannot mute They are also meat for Moles and when they dig they will break out of the earth in wonderfull haste Sows as Varro writes will trouble the mud and dig up the earth with their snouts to feed on them Albertus saith that Toads Bellonius Lizards Tarentinus that Sea Grampets and experience saith that Frogs Eels Gudgeons Carps Roches Trouts Darcae and Tenches will greedily devour Earth-worms Also that bird Aristotle calls 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 some call it Vangellus and Hens and all Quails will feed on Worms But those are no wise Fisher-men that cause Worms to come forth with medicinal juices for when they are bitter the Fish will not bite but if they lie a day in Wheat-meal and a little Honey and then put upon the hooks they relish better then Ambrosia And it is no ordinary good we may receive by them that they foreshew rain when they suddenly come forth of the earth but if they lie hid the night before it is a sign of fair weather Some do harden Iron like Steel thus Take Earth-worms two parts Radish-roots one part bruise them and distill the water in a Limbeck Or take distilled water of Earth-worms three pound juice of Radishes one pound mingle them let Iron hot be often quenched in this water and lie in it ten dayes and it will grow very hard Another Take Earth-worms two pound juice of Radish one pound distill them at an easie fire and temper your Iron with this distilled water Also draw forth juice of Sorrel stinking Hemlock and of round Aristolochia of each alike and temper your steel often The juice of Sow-bread is thought to do the same Mr. Fakenham a famous Physitian writes thus Another Take Goats bloud adde to it a little salt let glased pots be buryed in the earth well luted for thirty dayes then distill the bloud in Balneo and put as much of the distilled water to the same quantity of the water of Worms Another Take water of Worms Rapes roots of Apple-trees each alike distil them apart and mingle equal quantities together and quench your Iron in that water as we said before A Frenchman namelesse CHAP. XXX Of Worms in living Creatures Isidorus thinks they are called Lumbrici from Lumbi the loins For the Ancients call the belly Lumbos and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by Hesichius and Suidas Some interpret that those that are sick of Worms But more rightly from Earth-worms which they represent in form and nature doe they borrow that name Cornelius Celsus calls them Worms Pliny the living Creatures of the entrails The Greeks call them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and when they are extraordinary great 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as appears out of Aelian l. 9. c. 33. You must observe that Latin writers make difference between Vermes and Vermina or Verminationem that is Worms and diseases from Worms in the belly for Vermina and Verminatio are the pains of the belly from Worms as Celsus Serenus Pliny and Seneca Epist 97. testifie The Arabians call them Emicar Sylvaticus Elingen the Germans Spulworm Bauchworm the English Gutworm the Sclavonians Sâ—krkawka a word hard to be pronounced A belly-worm is a living Insect without feet bred in the bodies of living Creatures hurting their operations diversly I said a living Creature that I might exclude those broad Worms called Taeniae which though they be of substance that grows to the guts and are in form like to living Creatures yet they cannot properly be accounted living Creatures as Hippocrates 1. de morbis rightly affirms I said an Insect both because they are of a round body and because the Ancients do not reckon them amongst Serpents nor have hitherto ranged them into any proper Classis I said without feet that I might distinguish them from Worms with feet I said bred in the bodies of living Creatures because they are not only bred in the guts of living Creatures but in all the fleshy parts and in the heart it self as it shall appear by the history And not only men are troubled with them but also Horses Calves Dogs Hogs Hawks and all perfect Creatures I said that diversly hurts actions because from them pains Consumptions Convulsions Epilepsies Frensies and divers other mischiefs follow especially if they be very great or very many And all these Worms breed either in parts that are alive or dead The worms in living Creatures seem to be of three sorts the round Worms Gourd-like Worms and Ascarides such as are bred often in the Intestines of living Creatures And not there only but in other vessels and bowels of which matter I finde there was a great controversie amongst the old Authors For Galen 1. l. de loc aff c. 5. assigns certain diseases to certain parts as worms to the guts the Stone to the reins and bladder But I my self with many other persons of the University saw a stone as great and like a Pigeons Egge voided by stool at Cambridge by Dr. Larkin the Kings professor in physick who was long tormented with a pain of the Colick and wasting and he voided that stone in the same form and magnitude as a most troublesome birth at his fundament Montuus and Benivennius write that they saw the like Also by giving but one Clyster to the choise wife of noble Leonardus I brought forth 35 stones like to Medlar seeds at one time in the year 1583. Many there are that question the credit of Pedemontanus Arculanus Guainerius Trallianus Benivennius and Montuus because besides the opinion of Galen they have written that they have more then once seen stones in the head lungs greater veins the gall bladder under the tongue in the joynts and belly But since daily experience doth clear them from a lie we may say that the Greek speak as Greeks were wont to doe but that these men speak but
be well disposed nor can this be unlesse the whole body be so and this is excellent well performed by good diet wherefore that in the first place must be well ordered for without that all helps are in vain for the preserving and repairing our health For this is so famous and almost the best part of Physick that that admirable Cous Celsus Galen Pliny and almost all the old Physicians could never give it commendations enough Asclepias formerly esteemed it so much that he almost took away the method of curing by Physick and wholly turned all curing upon diet Now this consists not only in the quantity and quality of meats and drinks but also in all those things that befall us whether we will or no as in sleeping and waking motion and rest as also in the repletion and emptinesse of the whole body and of every part and in the affects of the minde but chiefly in the Air that is about us which not only sticks fast to us outwardly but continually enters into the inmost parts of our body by the drawing in of our breath As for what concerns those things that we take because they are such things that every man knows I shall say nothing of them For there is no man ignorant that divers meats and of ill and naughty juice and disorderly taken will breed crudities and that gluttony and drunkenness do our bodies great hurt yet many kinde of meats that are hurtfull in other diseases are profitable in these Wherefore we shall as it were besides our purpose and by the way touch upon these first adding what Paulus writes Let the meats of those that have Worms be of good juice that may easily be dispersed and passe to the parts and neither foster the cause nor weaken our forces Wherefore we grant them wine mingled with water and let them eat often both for their need and that the Worms may not gnaw them If there be a scowring of the belly it is a sign that many are bred the meat being not dispersed and in that case Pears or Quinces must be mingled with our broths Wheaten bread is a wonderfull help having Anniseed mingled with it or Fennel or Salt or bread that is between Bran and Wheat called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because there are joyned together in it the Bran the Hulls and the Flour Men call also this bread 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because all the Wheat without taking any thing from it is made into bread Also the wheat it self that the meal is taken from must be the best for some of these have much Bran which is the courser wheat but the finer wheat is the best But wine that is mingled with water because it gently bindes is held to be very convenient Mountain birds are fit for their meat and young wood Pigeons green Groundsel and Goats-beard the broth of black Chiches and Coleworts and Capers and pickled Olives eaten and if there be no Feaver let them eat their other meats with Mustard also sowr and oyly things are commended Also Panick which Diocles called the honey of Corn is most durable if so be it may be reckoned amongst Corn. Also Spelt in the decoction of Myxie and a Ptisane with a great quantity of Oyl of unripe Olives besides these Lupines Cresses Betes Mints Smallage Radish and sawce eaten are good Give children before all meat a decoction of Sebestens with Mints Milk is very hurtful as also Fish and Pulse and whatsoever is of a cold grosse substance and hard to be digested Bread unleavened breeds Worms for it is good for no man and so are all moyst meats that easily turn to corruption within For all kinde of Worms it is most convenient to use abstinence from such things as breed them And when they are bred it is good to eat often a little at a time and that is best when they leave off gnawing But those that have Ascarides must eat meats of good juice and of easie digestion that the force of them may not reach so farre as the right gut For the matter fit to breed them is so consumed Thus far for meats and drinks to be taken But the other five kindes that are not so manifest shal be handled by us also with all brevity And we shal begin from sleep It must not be too little nor too much and in the night rather than in the day at least two hours after meat Moreover to be long idle is naught let exercise precede meats and rest after meats Nor is every motion to be taken for exercise but that which makes us breath more unlesse it be when we have taken Physick against Worms for then we must ride or run to shake our bodies for they are more easily cast forth by hard exercise or labour but children will hardly observe these rules Care also must be had that the belly may twice be unburdened and if that will not do of it self we must use a Suppository or Clyster to provoke it made of such ingredients that are fit for this purpose All affections of the minde whatever they be must be set aside as quarrelling anger sorrow great cares and thoughts sadnesse fears envy and all such kinde of perturbations and chiefly after meat For these change and turn the body from its natural state Let men beware of cold North windes and let them not go barefoot The air because it alwayes is about us cannot be chosen at our pleasure for it is sometimes a defence for us and sometimes the cause that makes Worms or fosters them It wil be a defence if it be very hot and dry pure clear and calm and it wil chiefly foster the disease when it is very cosd or moyst or moved by the North or South winde or by too great heat dissolves our forces and then by art it must be thus prepared To burn in our Chambers wood of Juniper tree or of Citrons or Peach-trees and such wood as is against Worms Also to perfume the place with tops of Worm-wood Peach-tree leaves Citron pills roots of Pomegranate-trees also with Fern and Ivy. But that is the best that is made with Myrrhe and Aloes Another remedy that succours the fainting spirits by reason of Worms Amber-greece two penny-weight Musk one peny weight Gum Arabick four peny-weight Roses Sanders Cloves Privet Frankincense of each one peny-weight Gallia Moschata so called six peny-weight Lignum Aloes burnt to a cole twenty peny-weight the quenched coles of Vine-branches what is sufficient make them up with Rose Vinegar Worms are oft-times exasperated with vehement remedies that they bring children to Convulsions swoundings and death wherefore they are not rashly to be given and at all adventures But because that remedies by reason of their different qualities are thought to be good to kill and bring forth Worms therefore in general such remedies as heat drie cut and are sharp bitter salt or sowr and attenuating are to be used For either they kill the
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-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
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-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
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-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
those that have Worms especially if they have no Feaver Out of Paulus It consists of red Nitre Pepper Cardamoms of each equall parts mingle all these and give of them a spoonfull in Wine or hot Water for it quickly brings them out Another which is an Electuary of Paulus Take Pepper Bay-berries cleansed Aethiopian Cumin Mastick of Chios of each alike Honey what may serve turn give one spoonfull in the morning and let them sleep upon it but if you would do this more effectually adde Nitre as much as of each Another of the same Tâ—ke Fern a sawcer-full Nitre two peny weight give it with a spoonfull of water after evacuation but it is better to adde a little Scammony to it Another of the same and of Aetius Take of the bark of the root of a sowre Pomegranate scraped from the upper part Pepper of each four peny weight Cardamoms six peny weight Horehound two penny weight the best Honey what is sufficient give one spoonfull of it after eating Garlick or Leeks But that the disease may be wholly driven away give some Theriac for Galen highly commends it for this use Another out of Oribasius that he alwayes used by the experience of his masters and had a long time proved it for good It contains Scammony one Scruple Euforbium as much and half as much the powder of burnt feathers one scruple Nitre in weight one Siliqua give this to drink in honey'd or sweet wine But it will fall out better if he first eat Garlick or some sharp thing Also here is a Plaister of another Author that is good against all Worms especially broad ones Take Lupines Bay-berries cleansed Bulls gall lay these on the navel and binde it on with a swathe-band for one day and night or else for two or three dayes Against broad Worms from another Authour Take Southern-wood scraped Harts-horn Coccus gnidius and Sesamum of each one penny weight Cardamoms three oboli give this to drink with Oxymel Another for the same use Take Gum Arabick one peny weight Fern three peny weight Cardamoms one peny weight Nitre three peny weight give it in Hydromel or Ale Also against the same is the Antidote called Diaphereon Take Fern eight peny weight Scammony Gith Cardamoms salt Nitre of each two peny weight give it in Oxymel or Ale but adde Polypode four peny weight It is reported that Ascarides will trouble children and such as are come to their full growth But children are continually provoked to excretion and after egestion they are the better most commonly but those that are come to their full growth observing the trouble of such things that are the cause of them will thrust their fingers into their fundaments and pull them forth and further they will foment and abate these biting pains with peble-stones that lie in the Sun on the shores or else with stones put into the fire But some for fear will admit of none of these helps yet this disease ought not to be neglected for Worms will not easily yeeld to remedies nor are they easily driven forth but by strong means Wherefore children must be purged with Suppositars made of Honey and a little salt or Nitre or sharp pickle or with the decoction of Wormwood mingled with Oyl Also there ought to be a stronger purging and when they have voided their excrements the Longanum which is the place affected must be anoynted with it As for Simples they are Acacia Hypocistis the juice of Sumach with liquid Allome or Nitre but the Compounds are the Troches of Andron and those that are called Sphragides polydiae and with fat Wooll and such like for the flesh is made stronger by Astringents and loseth its readinesse to breed living Creatures and thrusts forth the Ascarides Andron his Troches are made thus Take flowers of Garden Pomegranates ten peny weight Galls eight peny weight Myrrhe four peny weight long Birthwort and as much Vitriol Saffron scistil Allum dregs of the Oyl of Saffron Mysi Frankincense of each two peny weight they are powdered and mingled with astringent wine or with Vinegar But Sphragis polydiae is thus Take scistil Allum three peny weight Frankincense four peny weight Myrrhe as much or eight peny weight Vitriol two peny weight flowers of tame Pomegranates twelve peny weight Bulls gall six peny weight Aloes eight peny weight make them up with sharp wine But that which is made with fat Wooll is thus made Take fat Wooll forty peny weight lead powder shales of Bitumen of each ten peny weight round scissil Allum Pomegranate shells Galls Mysi Vitriol Frankincense of each five peny weight Myrrhe two peny weight lees of Oyl eight Heminae Those that are of riper years must be purged with sharper and hotter remedies as with Diapicra and with Oyl mixt with wine in great quantity and other things infused as salt pickle the decoction of Centaury with Nitre and Honey or Coloquintida Chamaeleon Anchusa Lupins then Oyl of Cedar must be given in Clyster and after that rest often repeating the same method of cure also take salt flesh scraping away the fat and cut it long and round and thrust that into the Anus and binde it in to hold it there so long as may be and then lose it and in ject again the foresaid things and let us often repeat the same remedies CHAP. XXXIV Of Worms that breed without the Bowels and chiefly of Maggots THE living Worms that are bred in the head the brain the liver milt bladder reins muscles proceed from the same causes Worms in the guts doe and are destroyed by the same remedies But those Worms Hippocrates calls Eulas the English call Maggots or Gentils they are Worms without feet not unlike to Ascarides but that they are shorter a little and thicker considering their length There is no man almost that hath not seen these in Carrion and corrupt flesh and sometimes in limbs that are dead by the negligence of Chirurgions when as they apply a remedy that putrefies together with the wound or ulcer Hippocrates calls Eulas Worms bred in dead bodies Suidas calls them ill beasts flâ—sh-eaters Lucretius calls them cruel Vermin and Plutarch Worms from corruption and putrefaction of the excrements boyling forth Homer in his Iliads 19 and 24. saith they are Worms arising from putrid matter that are far smaller in the ears than in other ulcers And Coelius writes that they are called Eulae which Latin writers call improperly Earmoths since they agree with them neither in form nor figure nor in any mark whatsoever Lastly those small Worms that breed from Flies egges in flesh in Summer the English call them Flie-blowes and the Germans Maden as Camersius observed are reckoned amongst Eulae or Maggots But those Eulae or Maggots that breed in Hogs flesh or Bacon have a proper name given them by Festus and Perottus who call them Tarni Maggots Have either a tayl or they are without a tayl Hens feed on both kindes of them and
strait Saddle pinching the Horse more on the one side then on the other or else on both sides equally The cure whereof according to Martin is in this sort Anoint them with fresh Butter or Hogs grease untill they be mollified and made so soft as you may either cut them or pull them away and then wash the wound with mans stale or with white Wine and dry it with powder of unsleck't Lime mixt with Hony Of Wens or knobs growing about the Saddle skirts THese be great hard knobs growing most commonly betwixt two ribs apparent to the eye which by their hardness seem to come of some old bruise and are called of the Italians le Cuis The cure whereof according to Martin is thus First mollifie them by anointing them with Hogs grease every day once or twice the space of eight dayes and if you perceive that it will come to no head with this then lance it from the middle downward that the matter may come out then tent it with washed Turpentine yolks of Egges and Saffron mingled together as is aforesaid renewing the tent everyday once until it be whole Of the Navillgall THe Navil gall is a bruise on the back behinde the Saddle right against the Navil of the Horse and thereof taketh his name It cometh either by splitting of the Saddle behinde or for lack of stuffing or by means of the hinder buckle fretting that place or else by some great weight laid on his back you shall perceive it by the puffed up and spungy flesh looking like rotten Lights or Lungs and therefore is called of the Italians Pulmone or Pulmonsella The cure whereof according to Martin is thus Out it round about with a sharp knife or rasor even to the bone leaving no rotten flesh behinde that done take the white of an Egge and Salt beaten together and lay that plaisterwise to the sore upon a little towe renewing it once a day the space of two dayes Then take of Hony a quartern of a pinte and of Verdigrease an ounce beat into powder and boile them together in a pot stirring it still untill it look red and being lukewarm make a plaister with towe and clap it to the wound washing and cleansing well the wound first with a little warm Vinegar or white Wine continuing it once a day untill it begin to heal and skin then dry it up by sprinkling thereon this powder following Take of Hony a quartern and as much of unsleck't Lime as will thicken the Hony like unto paste and in a fire-pan over the fire stir it still until it be hard baked so as it may be beaten into powder but before you throw on the powder wash the wound first with warm Vinegar continuing so to do untill it be perfectly skinned and whole Of the swaying of the back THis is called of the Italians Malferuto and according to Russius and Martins opinions cometh either by some great strain or else by heavy burthens you shall perceive it by the reeling and rolling of the Horses hinder parts in his going which will faster many times and sway some-times backward and sometime sideling and be ready to fall even to the ground and the Horse being laid is scant able to get up The cure according to Martin is thus Cover his back with a Sheeps skin coming hot from the Sheeps back laying the fleshie side next unto his back and lay a housing cloth upon the same to keep his back as warm as may be and so let it continue until it begin to smell then take the old skin away and lay a new unto it continuing so to do the space of three weeks And if he amend not with this then draw his back with a hot iron out on both sides of the ridge of his back from the pitch of the Buttocks unto a handful within the Saddle and let every line be an inch distant one from another and then again overthwart checker-wise but let not such strokes be over deep and so burned as every one look yellow then say on this charge following Take Pitch one pound of Rozen half a pound of Bole Armony half a pound made in powder and half a pinâ—e of Tar and boil all these together in a pot stirring it untill everything be molten and thoroughly mingled together then being lukewarm dawb all the burnning therewith very thick and thereupon clap as many flocks of the Horses colour as you can make to abide on and remove it not before it fall away it self and if it be in Summer you may turn him to grasse Of the weakness in the back IT doth appear by Laurentius Russius that there is another kind of weakness in the back called in Italian le gotte or morsecatura de le reni that is to say the fretting or biting of the reins which as the said Russius saith proceedeth of abundance of humors resorting to that place whereby all the hinder parts of the Horse do lose their feeling and strength and the Horse falleth down on the ground yea and such humors resorting to the heart do suffocate the same and in two or three hours do cause the Horse to die The remedy according to Russius is in this sort Let him bloud abundantly in the neck and draw his back with a hot iron in such sort as is declared in the last Chapter He saith also it is good to make him swim thorugh a river and to rowel him on his hanches nigh the huckle bones and to make the hair to grow again it is good as he saith to anoint the place with Hogs grease and three leaved grasse stamped together Of Hidebound HIdebound is when the skin cleaveth so fast to the Horses back that a man cannot pull it from the flesh with his hand which Ruellius calleth Coriago it cometh for the most part of poverty or else when the Horse after some great heat hath been suffered to stand long in the rain or wet weather for that will cause the skin to shrink and to cling to his ribs It is known by the leanness of the Horse and gantness of his belly and by fast sticking of the skin unto the ribs when you pul at it with your hand The cure according to Martin is thus Let him bloud on both sides the belly in the flank veins betwix the flank and the girding place that done give him this drink Take a quart of white Wine or else of good Ale and put thereunto three ounces of good Sallet Oil of Cumin one ounce of Annis seeds two ounces of Licoras two ounces beaten all into fine powder and give it him lukewarm with a horn And when he hath drunk let one standing at his huckle bone rub him hard with his hand along the back and overthwart the ribs the space of half an hour that done set him in a warm stable and let him stand in litter up to the belly and cover all his back and ribs with a sack first throughly soaked