conceptions and children within the wombe The signes how to know whether a woman goe with a sonne or a daughter before she is deliuered 7. Of the conception and generation of man 8. Of Agrippae i. those who are borne with the feet forward 9. Of strange births namely by meanes of incision when children are cut out of their mothers wombe 10. Of Vopisci i. such as being twins were borne aliue notwithstanding the one of them was dead before 11. Histories of many children borne at one burden 12. Examples of those that were like one to another 13. The cause and manner of generation 14. More of the same matter and argument 15. Of womens monethly tearmes 16. The manner of sundry births 17. The proportion of the parts of mans body and notable things therein obserued 18. Examples of extraordinary shapes 19. Strange natures of men 20. Of bodily strength and swiftnesse 21. Of excellent sight 22. Who excelled in hearing 23. Examples of patience 24. Who were singular for good memorie 25. The praise of C. Iulius Caesar. 26. The commendation of Pompey the Great 27. The praise of Cato the first of that name 28. Of valour and fortitude 29. Of notable wits or the praises of some for their singular wit 30. Of Plato Ennius Virgill M. Varro and M. Cicero 31. Of such as carried a maiestie in their behauiour 32. Of men of great authority and reputation 33. Of certaine diuine and heauenly persons 34. Of Scipio Nasica 35. Of Chastitie 36. Of Pietie and naturall kindnesse 37. Of excellent men in diuerse sciences and namely in Astrologie Grammer and Geometrie c. 38. Item Rare peeces of worke made by sundry artificers 39. Of seruants and slaues 40. The excellencie of diuerse nations 41. Of perfect contentment and felicitie 42. Examples of the varietie and mutabilitie of fortune 43. Of those that were twice outlawed and banished of L. Sylla and Q. Metellus 44. Of another Metellus 45. Of the Emperour Augustus 46. Of men deemed most happy aboue all others by the Oracles of the gods 47. Who was canonized a god whiles hee liued vpon the earth 48. Of those that liued longer than others 49. Of diuerse natiuities of men 50. Many examples of strange accidents in maladies 51. Of the signes of death 52. Of those that reuiued when they were carried forth to be buried 53. Of suddaine death 54. Of sepulchres and burials 55. Of the soule of ghosts and spirits 56. The first inuentors of many things 57. Wherein all nations first agreed 58. Of antique letters 59. The beginning of Barbers first at Rome 60. The first deuisers of Dials and Clockes In summe there be in this booke of stories strange accidents and matters memorable 747. Latine Authors alleadged Varrius Flaccus Cn. Gellius Licinius Mutianus Mutius Massurius Agrippina wife of Claudius M. Cicero Asinius Pollio Messala Rufus Cornelius Nepos Virgil Livie Cordus Melissus Sebosus Cernelius Celsus Maximus Valerius Trogus Nigidius Figulus Pomponius Atticus Pedianus Asconius Sabinus Cato Censorius Fabius Vestalis Forreine Writers Herodotus Aristeus Beto Isigonus Crates Agatharcides Calliphanes Aristotle Nymphodorus Apollonides Philarchus Damon Megasthenes Ctesias Tauron Eudoxus Onesicratus Clitarchus Duris Artemidorus Hippocrates the Physitian Asclepiander the Physitian Hesiodus Anacreon Theopompus Hellanicus Damasthes Ephorus Epigenes Berosus Pessiris Necepsus Alexander Polyhistor Xenophon Callimachus Democritus Duillius Polyhistor the Historian Strato who wrate against the Propositions and Theoremes of Ephorus Heraclides Ponticus Asclepiades who wrate Tragodamena Philostephanus Hegesias Archimachus Thucidides Mnesigiton Xenagoras Metrodorus Scepsius Anticlides and Critodemus ¶ IN THE EIGHT BOOKE ARE CONtained the natures of land beasts that goe on foot Chap. 1. Of land creatures The good and commendable parts in Elephants their capacitie and vnderstanding 2. When Elephants were first yoked and put to draw 3. The docilitie of Elephants and their aptnesse to learne 4. The clemency of Elephants that they know their owne dangers Also of the felnesse of the Tigre 5. The perceiuance and memory of Elephants 6. When Elephants were first seene in Italie 7. The combats performed by Elephants 8. The manner of taking Elephants 9. The manner how Elephants be tamed 10. How long an Elephant goeth with young and of their nature 11. The countries were Elephants breed the discord and warre betweene Elephants and Dragons 12. The industrie and subtill wit of Dragons and Elephants 13. Of Dragons 14. Serpents of prodigious bignesse of Serpents named Boae 15. Of beasts engendred in Scythia and the North countries 16. Of Lions 17. Of Panthers 18. The nature of the Tygre of Camels and the Pard-Cammell when it was first seene at Rome 19. Of the Stag-Wolfe named Chaus and the Cephus 20. Of Rhincceros 21. Of Onces Marmosets called Sphinges of the Crocutes of common Marmosets of Indian Boeufes of Leucrocutes of Eale of the Aethiopian Bulls of the best Mantichora of the Sicorne or Vnicorne of the Catoblepa and the Basiliske 22. Of Wolues 23. Of Serpents 24. Of the rat of India called Ichneumon 25. Of the Crocodiles and Skinke and the Riuer-horse 26. Who shewed first at Rome the Water-horse and the Crocodiles Diuerse reasons in Physicke found out by dumb creatures 27. Of beasts and other such creatures which haue taught vs certaine hearbes to wit the red Deere Lizards Swallowes Tortoises the Weasell the Stork the Bore the Snake the Panther the Elephant Beares Stocke-Doues House-Doues Cranes and Rauens 28. Prognostications of things to come taken from beasts 29. What cities and nations haue bin destroied by small creatures 30. Of the Hiaena the Crocuta and Mantichora of Bieuers and Otters 31. Of Frogs sea or sea-Calues and Stellions 32. Of Deere both red and Fallow 33. Of the Tragelaphis of the Chamaeleon and other beasts that change colour 34. Of the Tarand the Lycaon and the Wolfe called Thoes 35. Of the Porc-espines 36. Of Beares and how they bring forth their whelpes 37. The rats and mice of Pontus and the Alps also of Hedgehogs 38. Of the Leontophones the Onces Graies Badgers and Sqirrils 39. Of Vipers Snailes in shels and Lizards 40. Of Dogs 41. Against the biting of a mad dog 42. The nature of Horses 43. Of Asses 44. Of Mules 45. Of Kine Buls and Oxen. 46. Of the Boeufe named Apis. 47. The nature of sheepe their breeding and generation 48. Sundry kinds of wooll and cloths 49. Of sheepe called Musmones 50. Of Goats and their generation 51. Of Swine and their nature 52. Of Parkes and Warrens for beasts 53. Of beasts halfe tame and wild 54. Of Apes and Monkies 55. Of Hares and Connies 56. Of beasts halfe sauage 57. Of Rats and Mice of Dormice 58. Of beasts that liue not in some places 59. Of beasts hurtfull to strangers In summe there be in this Booke principall matters stories and obseruations worth the remembrance 788. Latine Authors alledged Mutianus Procilius Verrius Flaccus L. Piso Cornelius Valerianus Cato Censorius Fenestella Trogus Actius Columella Virgil Varro Lu. Metellus Scipio Cornelius
marie that was a monstrous and prodigious token and foreshewed some heauy fortune that followed after Also in the beginning of the Marsians war there was a bondwoman brought forth a Serpent In sum there be many mis-shapen monsters come that way into the world of diuers and sundry formes Claudius Caesar writeth That in Thessalie there was borne a monster called an Hippocentaure that is halfe a man and halfe a horse but it died the very same day And verily after he came to weare the diadem we our selues saw the like monster sent vnto him out of Egypt embalmed and preserued in honey Among many strange examples appearing vpon record in Chronicles we reade of a childe in Sagunt the same yeare that it was forced and rased by Anabal which so soone as it was come forth of the mothers wombe presently returned into it againe CHAP. IIII. ¶ Of the change of one Sex to another and of Twins borne IT is no lie nor fable that females may turne to be males for we haue found it recorded that in the yearely Chronicles called Annals in the yere when Publius Licinius Crassus and C. Cassius Longinus were Consuls there was in Cassinum a maid childe vnder the very hand and tuition of her parents without suspition of being a changeling became a boy and by an Ordinance of the Soothsayers called Aruspices was confined to a certain desart Island and thither conueyed Licinius Mutianus reporteth that he himselfe saw at Argos one named Arescon who before time had to name Arescusa and a married wife but afterwards in processe of time came to haue a beard and the generall parts testifying a man and thereupon wedded a wife Likewise as he saith he saw at Smyrna a boy changed into a girle I my selfe am an eye witnesse That in Africke one L. Cossicius a citisen of Tisdrita turned from a woman to be a man vpon the very mariage day who liued at the time I wrot this booke Moreouer it is obserued that if women bring twins it is great good hap if they all liue but either the mother dieth in childbed or one of the babes if not both But if it fortune that the twinnes be of both sexes the one male the other female it is ten to one if they both escape Moreouer this is well knowne that as women age sooner than men and seeme old so they grow to their maturitie more timely than men and are apt from procreation before them Last of all when a woman goeth with childe if it bee a man childe it stirreth oftner in the wombe and lieth commonly more to the right side wheras the female moueth more seldom and beareth to the left CHAP. V. ¶ The Generation of Man the time of childe-birth from seuen moneths to eleuen testified by many notable examples out of historie ALiother creatures haue a set time limited by Nature both of going with their yong and also of bringing it forth each one according to their kinde Man only is borne all times of the yeare and there is no certaine time of his abode in the wombe after conception for one commeth into the world at the seuen moneths end another at the eighth and so to the beginning of the ninth and tenth But before the seuenth moneth there is no infant euer borne that liueth And none are borne at seuen moneths end vnlesse they were conceiued either in the very change of the moone or within a day of it vnder or ouer An ordinary thing it is in Egypt for women to go with yong eight moneths and then to be deliuered And euen in Italy also now adaies children so borne liue and do well but this is against the common receiued opinion of all old writers But there is no certainty to ground vpon in all these cases for they alter diuers waies Dame Vestilia the widow of C. Herditius wife afterward to Pomponius and last of all maried to Orfitus all right worshipful citisens and of most noble houses had 4 children by her three husbands to wit Sempronius whom she bare at the seuenth moneth Suillius Rufus at the eleuenth and seuen moneths also she went with Corbulo yet they liued all and these two Iast came both to be Consuls After all these sons she bare a daughter namely Caesonia wife to the Emperor Caius Caligula at the eighth moneths end They that are borne thus in this moueth haue much ado to liue and are in great danger for forty dayes space yea and their mothers are very sickly and subiect to fall into vntimely trauell all the fourth moneth and the eighth and if they fall in labor and come before their time they die Massurius writeth that L. Papyrius the Pretor or Lord chief Iustice when a second heire in remainder made claim and put in plea for his inheritance of the goods made an award and gaue iudgement against him in the behalfe of an Infant the right heire borne after the decease of his father vpon this That the mother came in and testified how she was deliuered of that childe within thirteene moneths after the death of the Testator the reason was because there is no definite time certaine for women to go with childe CHAP. VI. ¶ Of Conceptions and signes distinguishing the sex in great bellied women before they are deliuered IF ten dayes after a woman hath had the company of a man shee feele an extraordinary ache in the head and perceiue giddinesse in the brain as if all things went round finde a dazling and mistinesse in the eies abhorring and loathing meat and withall a turning and wambling in the stomacke it is a signe that she is conceiued and beginneth to breed if she goe with a boy better coloured will she be all the time and deliuered with more ease and by the 40 day she shall feele a kinde of motion and stirring in her wombe But contrarie it falleth out in the breeding of a girle she goeth more heauily with it and findeth the burthen heauier her legs and thighes about the share will swell a little And ninetie dayes it will be before she absolutely perceiueth any mouing of the infant But be it male or female shee breeds they put her to much paine and grieuance when their haire beginneth to bud forth and euer at the full of the Moone and euen the very infants after they are borne are most amisse and farthest out of frame about that time And verily great care must be had of a woman with child all the time she goeth therewith both in her gate and in euery thing else that can be named for if women feed vpon ouer-salt and poudered meat they wil bring forth a child without nailes and if they hold not their wind in their labor longer it will be ere they be deliuered and with more difficultie Much yawning in the time of trauell is a deadly signe like as to sneese presently vpon conception threatneth abortion or a slip CHAP. VII ¶ Of the conception and generation of
their whole life Some neuer go their full time with their children and such women if peraduenture by helpe of physicke or other good means and choice keeping they ouercome this infirmitie bring daughters ordinarily and no other The Emperor Augustus among other singularities that he had by himselfe during his life saw ere he died the nephew of his neece that is to say his progenie to the fourth degree of lineall discent and that was M. Scyllanus who hapned to be borne the same yeare that he departed out of this world He hauing been Consull and afterward Lord Gouernor of Asia was poysoned by prince Nero to the end that he might thereby attaine to the empire Qu. Metellus Macedonicus left behind him six children and by them eleuen nephewes but daughters in law and sons in law and of all such as called him father seuen In the Chronicles of Augustus Caesars acts for his time we finde vpon record that in his twelfth Consulship when L. Sylla was his companion and collegue in gouernment vpon the eleuenth day of Aprill C. Crispinus Helarus a gentleman of Fesulae came with solemne pompe into the Capitoll attended vpon with his nine children seuen sons and two daughters with 27 Nephewes the sonnes of his children and 29 nephewes more once remoued who were his sons nephewes and twelue Neeces besides that were his childrens daughters and with all these solemnly sacrificed CHAP. XIIII ¶ Of the same matter more at large A Woman commonly is past childe-bearing after 50 yeares of her age And for the most part their monthly termes stay at forty As for men it is cleare and wel knowne that king Massinissa when he was aboue 86 yeres old begat a son whom he called Methymathmas Cato Censorius that famous Censor begat another vpon the daughter of Salonius his vassal when hee was past 80 yeares of age And hereof it commeth that the race which came of his other children were surnamed Liciniani but the off-spring of this last sonne Salonini from whom Cato Vticensis who slew himselfe at Vtica is lineally descended Moreouer it is not long since that dame Cornelia of the house and linage of the Scipio's bare vnto Lu. Saturninus her husband who died whiles he was Prouost of the city of Rome a son named Volusius Saturninus and who afterwards liued to be Consull who was begotten when his father was 62 yeares old with the better To conclude there haue beene amongst meaner persons very many knowne to haue gotten children after fourscore and fiue CHAP. XV. ¶ Of Womens monethly sicknesse OF all liuing creatures a woman hath a flux of bloud euery moneth and hereupon it is that in her wombe onely there are found a false conception called Mola i. a Moone-calfe that is to say a lump of flesh without shape without life and so hard withal that vneth a knife will enter and pierce it either with edge or point Howbeit a kinde of mouing it hath and staieth the course of her moneths and sometime after the manner of a childe indeed it costeth the woman her life otherwhiles it waxeth in her belly as she groweth and ageth with her now and then also it slippeth and falleth from her with a laske and loosenesse of the guts Such a thing breeds likewise in the bellies of men vpon the hardnesse of liuer or spleen which the Physitions call Scirrhus i. an hard wedge and cake vnder their short-ribs And such an one had Oppius Cato a nobleman of Rome late Pretour But to come againe to women hardly can there be found a thing more monstrous than is that flux course of theirs For if during the time of their sicknes they happen to approch or go ouer a vessel of wine be it neuer so new it wil presently soure if they touch any standing corne in the field it wil wither and come to no good Also let them in this estate handle graffes they will die vpon it the herbes and young buds in a garden if they do but passe by will catch a blast and burne away to nothing Sit they vpon or vnder trees whiles they are in this case the fruit which hangeth vpon them will fall Do they but see themselues in a looking glasse the cleare brightnesse thereof turneth into dimnesse vpon their very sight Look they vpon a sword knife or any edged toole bee it neuer so bright it waxeth duskish so doth also the liuely hue of yvorie The very bees in the hiue die Yron steele presently take rust yea and brasse likewise with a filthy strong and poisoned stink if they lay but hand thereupon If dogs chance to taste of womens fleures they run mad therewith and if they bite any thing afterwards they leaue behinde them such a venome that the wounds are incureable nay the very clammy slime Bitumen which at certaine times of the yere floteth and swimmeth vpon the lake of Sodom called Asphaltites in Iury which otherwise of the owne nature is pliable enough soft and gentle and ready to follow what way a man would haue it cannot be parted and diuided asunder for by reason of the viscositie it cleaueth and sticketh like glue and hangeth all together pluck as much as a man will at it but only by a thred that is stained with this venomous bloud euen the silly Pismires the least creatures of all others hath a perceiuance sence of this poison as they say for they cast aside will no more come to that corn which they haue found by tast to be infected with this poison This malady so venomous and hurtful as it is followeth a woman stil euery 30 daies and at 3 moneths end if it stay so long it commeth in great abundance And as there be some women that haue it oftner than once a month so there are others again that neuer see ought of it But such lightly are barren and never bring children For in very deed it is the materiall substance of generation and the mans seed serueth in stead of a runnet to gather it round into a curd which afterwards in processe of time quickneth and grows to the form of a body which is the cause that if women with childe haue this flux of the moneths their children are not long liued or else they proue feeble sickly and full of filthie humours as Nigidius writeth CHAP. XVI ¶ In like manner of births and infants in the mothers wombe THe same Nigidius is of opinion that a womans milke nource to her owne child giuing it sucke will not corrupt and be naught for the babe if she conceiue againe by the same man to whom she brought the former childe Also it is held that in the beginning end of the foresaid menstruall fleures a woman is very apt to conceiue Moreouer it is commonly receiued for an infallible argument in women that they are fruitfull and with childe if when they annoint their eies with their owne spittle as with a medicine the same appeare
all if immediatly after it hath bin so kept she stept ouer it A perfume made with a snake long kept and dried procureth the desired sicknesse of women The old slough of a snake which she hath cast applied vnto the loines of a woman that is in labour helpeth her to better speed but it must be remoued presently after that she is deliuered Many vse to giue it vnto women with child for to be drunk in wine with frank incense for being taken otherwise it causeth abortion The rod or wand whereby one hath parted or taken off a frog or toad from a snake helpeth women that be in trauell of childbirth And a liniment made with the ashes of the vnwinged Locusts called Tryxalides hony tempered together helpeth forward their monthly purgations The spider likewise that commeth downe spinning from aloft hanging by her fine thred which she draweth in a length if she be caught with the hollow of the hand bruised applied accordingly worketh the same effect but take the same spider winding vp her yearne and returning back to her nest vpward it wil worke contrariwise stay the fleurs of women The Aegle stone called A tites because it is found in an Aegles nest preserueth holdeth the infant still in the mothers womb to the ful time against any indirect practise of sorcery or otherwise to the contrary If a woman be in hard labor of childbirth put a Vultures quill vnder her feet it will helpe her to a more speedy deliuerance Great bellied women as it is well knowne found by proofe ought to be very chairy and to beware of rauens egs for if they chance to goe ouer one of them they shall fall to labour presently and slip an vntimely birth with great danger of their life It seemeth to many that the meuting of an Hawke drunke in honied wine maketh women which were barren before to be fruitfull Certes the grease of a goose or swan doth mollifie any hard tumors schirrhs and impostumations of the matrice and secret parts Goose grease mixt with the oile of roses and Ireos preserueth womens brests after they be newly brought to bed In Phrygia and Lycaonia it is found by experience that the fat of the Bistard or Horn owle is verie good for greene women lately deliuered if they be troubled with the pricking or shooting paines of their brests but for women that are in danger to be suffocated with the rising of the mother they haue a liniment also made with the beetils or worms called Blattae The ashes of Partridge egs calcined mixed with brasse ore called Cadmia and wax and so reduced into a cerot preserueth womens brests plumpe and round that they shall not be riueled or flaggie and it is thought that if a woman make three imaginary circles round about them with a partridge egg they shall continue knit vp and well trussed and not hang downward ilfauoredly let a woman vse to sup them off she shall be both a fruitfull mother of many children and also a good milch nurse for to reare them vp Also it is a generall receiued opinion that if womens paps be anointed all ouer with goose grease it will allay the griefe and paine thereof likewise there is not a better thing for to dissolue and scatter Moon-calues and such like false conceptions in the wombe or to mitigate the scurfe or manginesse incident to that member than to apply to those parts a liniment made of punaises bruised or stamped to the purpose Bats bloud hath a depilatorie facultie to fetch off haire and lett the growing thereof howbeit sufficient it is not alone to worke that feat in boies cheeks and chins whom we would keep smooth and beardlesse except the place be rubbed afterward with the seed of rocket or hemlock and in this manner if they be dressed either no haire at all will come vp there or els it wil neuer be but soft down it is thought that their brains also wil work the same effect Now these brains be of two sorts to wit red and white howbeit some giue counsell to mingle with the said brains both the bloud and the liuer Others there be who seethe in 3 hemines of oile a viper vntill her flesh be throughly sodden and as tender as may be hauing before rid her from all her bones and it they vse for a depilatorie but first they plucke vp all those haires by the roots which they would not haue to grow any more The gall of an vrchin is a depilatorie especially if it be mixed with the brains of a Bat and goats milke Item the ashes thereof simply mingled with the milk of a bitch of her first litter so that the haires which we would not haue to come againe be plucked vp or if those places be anointed therewith where neuer yet grew any none shall spring there afterwards The same effect by report hath the bloud of a tick that was taken from a dog and finally the bloud or gall of a swallow CHAP. XV. ¶ Many Receits handled together disorderly one with another for sundry maladies IT is said that Ants eggs stamped incorporat with flies likewise punned together wil giue a louely black colour to the hairs of the eie-browes also if a woman be desirous that her infant should be born with black eies let her eat a rat while she goes with childe To preserue the haire from being gray and grisle anoint them with the ashes of earth-worms and oile oliue mixt together If sucking babes be wrung or gnawne in the belly by reason of some cruddled milk which they draw from their nurses or doth corrupt so in their stomack it is good to giue them in water the rennet of a yong lambe to drink but in case this accident commeth by cailling of the milk they vse to giue vnto them the said rennet in vineger for to discusse the same For the paine that they abide in toothing the brains of an hare is soueraigne to anoint their gumbs withall It falleth out that yong infants many times be tormented with an vnnaturall heat and burning of their head called Siriasis for to ease and cure them thereof they vse to take the bones that are found in dogs dung and to hang them about their necks or arms Yong infants are subiect to ruptures and descents of the guts in which case it is good some say to apply a greene lizard vnto their bodies whiles they lie asleepe and to cause it to bite the place but then afterward the said lizard must be tied fast to a reed and hung vp in the smoke for look how it decaieth and dieth by little and little so shall the rupture knit and heale again The foamie moisture that shel-snails yeeld if childrens eies be anointed therewith doth not onely rectifie and lay streight the hairs of the eie-lids which grow crooked into the eies but also nourisheth causeth them to grow The ashes of burnt shell-snailes reduced
Daucus or yellow Carot Sauge Panace Acorus or Galangal Conyza or Cunilago Thyme Mandragoras and Squinanth More such wines there were yet which the Greeks called Scyzinum Itaeomelis and Lectispagites but as they be growne now out of vse so the manner of making is vnknown As touching wines made of trees shrubs their maner was to seeth the berries of the green wood of both the Cedars the Cypres the Bay Iuniper Terebinth Pine Calamus and Lentisk in new wine In like maner the very substance of Chamelaea Chamaepithys and Germander Last of all the floures also of the said plants serue to make wines namely by putting into a gallon of new wine in the vat the weight of ten deniers or drams of the floures CHAP. XVII ¶ Of Hydromel and Oxymel i. Honied water and Honied vineger THere is a wine called Hydromel made of water and hony onely but to haue it the better some do prescribe rain water and the same kept fiue yeares for that purpose Others who are more wise and skilfull herein do take raine water newly fallen and presently seethe it vntill a third part be boiled away then they put therto a third part also of old hony in proportion to it and so let them stand together in the Sun for forty daies together from the rising of the Dog-star Others after they haue remained thus mingled and incorporate together ten daies put it vp reserue it close stopped for their vse and this is called Hydromel which being come to some age hath the very tast of wine no place affords better than Phrygia Moreouer Vineger was wont to be tempered with hony See how curious men haue bin to try conclusions in euery thing which they called Oxymel and that in this manner Recipe of hony ten pounds or pints of old vineger fiue pints of sea salt one pound of rain water fiue Sextares i. a gallon within one quart boile them al together at a soft fire vntil they haue had ten plawes or walmes which done poure them out of one vessell into another and so let the liquor stand and settle a long time vntil it be stale All these wines compositions thus brued Themison an Author highly renowned hath condemned and forbidden expressey to be vsed And to say a very truth it seems that the vse of them was neuer but in case of necessity vnlesse a man would beleeue and say that Ipocras spiced wines those that be compounded of ointments are Natures work or that she brought forth plants and trees to no other end but that men should drink them down the throat Howbeit the knowledge surely of such experiments be pleasant and delectable vnto men of great wit and high conceit whose noble spirits cannot be at rest but euer inuentiue and searching into all secrets Now to conclude this point certain it is and past all question that none of all these compositions vnles it be those which come to their perfection by age and long time will last one yeare full out nay most of them will not keep good one moneth to an end CHAP. XVIII ¶ Certaine strange and wonderfull sorts of wine WIne also hath prodigious and miraculous effects for by report in Arabia there is a wine made which being drunk will cause barren women to beare children and contrariwise driue men into madnes But in Achaia principally about Carynia the wine makes women fall into vntimely trauell nay if a woman great with childe do eat but the verie grapes they will slip the fruit of their wombe before their time and yet both grape and wine differ not in tast from others They that drinke the wine comming from the cape Troezen ate thought vnable for generation It is reported that the Thasiens do make two kinds of wine of contrarie operations the one procures sleep the other causeth watching Among them there is a vine called Theriace the grape whereof as also the wine cureth the stings and biting of serpents as it were a most especiall Treacle As for the vine Libanios it carrieth the odour and smell of Frankincense and therefore is vsed in sacrifices to the gods But contrariwise another named Aspendios is vtterly condemned for that purpose and no wine thereof is imployed at the altar they say also that no fowle will touch the grapes thereof There is a kind of grape in Egypt which they call Thasia exceeding sweet it is and looseth the belly But contrariwise there be in Lycia that binde as much and cause costiuenesse The grapes Ecbolides in Egypt if they be eaten cause women with child to be deliuered before their time Some wines there be that as they lie in the very cellar will turn and proue soure about the rising of the Dog-star but afterward wil recouer their verdure and become quick and fresh again In like maner there be wines which vpon the sea will change howbeit the agitation thereof causeth those Wines which endure it to the end to seem twice as old as they be indeed CHAP. XIX ¶ What Wines they be that may not be vsed in sacrifices and what waies there are to sophisticate new wines FOrasmuch as our life stands much vpon religion and diuine seruice wee are to vnderstand That it is held vnlawfull to offer vnto the gods before sacrifice the Wine of any vine that hath not bin cut and pruned or that hath bin smitten or blasted with lightening or standing neere to a jebbit or tree whereon a man hath hanged dead or the grapes whereof haue bin troden by men whose legs or feet haue been wounded neither is that wine allowable for this purpose which hath bin pressed and run from the refuse of grape stones and skins once bruised and crushed in the presse or last of all if the grapes haue bin filed by any ordure or dung fallen from aboue thereupon Moreouer Greeke Wines are reiected from this holy vse because they haue water in them Furthermore the vine it self is holden good to be eaten namely when the burgens and tendrils be first sodden and afterwards preserued and kept in vineger brine or pickle Ouer and besides it were very meet and conuenient to speake also concerning the manner of preparing and ordering of wine seeing that the Greeks haue trauailed in that point seuerally and reduced the rules belonging therto into the form of an Art and namely Euphronius Aristomachus Coniades Hicesias are therein great professors The Africans vse to mitigate and allay the tartnesse of their wines with plastre yea and in some parts of their country with lime The Greeks contrariwise do fortifie and quicken them with clay with pouder of marble with salt or sea water and in some places of Italy they vse to the same effect the shauings and scrapings of stone-pitch Also it is an ordinary thing in Italy and the prouinces thereto confining for to condite their new wines to season them with rosin yea and in some places they mingle therewith the lees of
bloud within the bodie like as it stancheth bleeding at the nose if it be stamped and put vp into the nosethrils and otherwise a collution therof to wash the mouth withall doth much good to the teeth Semblably the juice distilled into the ears allaies their pain prouided alwaies as I haue often said alreadie that a mean and measure be kept As for the juice of the wild Rue if it be tempered either with oile of roses or of baies or els mingled with Cumin Honie it helpeth those that are hard of hearing discusseth the ringing sound in the ears Moreouer the juice of rue stamped and drawne with vinegre is excellent good to be instilled or let drop from on high by way of Embrochation vpon the region of the brain and temples of the head for the phrensie Some put thereto wild running Thime also and baies therewith annointing the head and neck of the patient Others haue prescribed it in case of Lethargie to those that can do no other but sleepe continually for to smel vnto And those haue giuen counsel also to them that be subject to the falling sicknesse for to drinke the juice thereof sodden in foure Cyaths of water before the fit came on them for to preuent and auoid the intollerable cold which they should endure as also to those that be apt to chill for cold to be eaten with meat raw Rue sends out euen the bloudie vrine which is gathered into the blader And as Hippocrates is of opinion If it be drunk with sweet thicke and grosse wine it causeth womens floures to come downe it expelleth the after-birth yea and the dead infant within the womb And therefore he aduiseth women in trauel to haue those naturall parts annointed with Rue yea to sit ouer a suffumigation made therof Diocles maketh a cataplasm with Rue Vinegre Hony Barly floure for faintings cold sweats and tremblings of the heart Likewise against the torments of the smal guts commonly called the Iliak passion he appointeth to take the decoction thereof in Oile and to receiue the same in lockes of wooll and so to be applied vnto the vpper region of the belly Many doe set downe two drams thereof drie and one dram and a halfe of Brimstone as an excellent receit to bee taken by those that reach and spit vp filthy and stinking matter but if they cast or send vp bloud they should drinke the decoction of three branches thereof in wine It is an ordinarie practise in case of the Dysenterie or bloudie Flix to giue it stamped first with cheese in wine but they mingle therewith Bitumen and so crum or break it into their drink against the difficulty of taking wind Also three drams of the seed therof is giuen in drinke to those that are fallen from a loft for to dissolue the bruised and cluttered bloud within them Item Take one pound or pint of oile of wine one sextar or wine quart seeth the leaues of Rue herin that oile so prepared is singular good for to annoint parts which are benummed and in manner mortified and blacke with cold Moreouer considering that it is diuretical as Hippocrates thinketh and doth prouoke vrine I canot but wonder at some who giue it as a thing that staieth vrin therefore appoint it to be drunke by those that cannot hold their water The inunction thereof with Allum and Hony clean seth the dry wild scab leprosy Likewise with Morel or Nightshade hogs grease and Bulls tallow it scoureth the Morphew taketh away werts discusseth and dispatcheth the Kings euil and such like tumors In like manner it killeth the fretting hot humor called S. Anthonies fire being applied to the place with vinegre Honny or Cerusse i. white Lead like as it cureth the Carbuncle laid too with vinegre alone Some there be who prescribe Laserpitium also to be joined with the rest in this liniment but without it they cure the chilblanes bloudy fals that be so angry in the night season Many vse to boile Rue together with wax reduce it into a Cerot which they apply to the swollen breasts or paps of women as also to the breaking out of phlegmatick pustules or wheales much like to our measels or small pockes Also being reduced into an vnguent with the tender sprigs or tops of Laurell it is a singular remedy for the flux or fall of humors into the burse of the cods And verily this Rue is counted so excellent an hearbe in operation this waies and so respectiue peculiarly to those parts that it is commonly holden for a soueraign remedie to heale all ruptures if a man take the wild of that kind and make a liniment of it and old Swines grease together Likewise if any bones or lims be broken a Cerot made with the seed of Rue and wax together is able to souder the fracture The root of Rue being reduced into a liniment cureth bloud shotten eies and restoreth to the natiue colour all skarres or spots that giue blemish to any part of the bodie Among the other properties that be reported of Rue this is one to be wondred at considering how hot it is of nature as all Physicians doe agree That a bunch thereof beeing boiled in oile Rosate and with one ounce of Aloe brought into the forme of an ointment should represse their siuet who are annointed therewith As also that ordinare vse thereof at meat should disable folke as wel in the act of generation as conception In which regard it is prescribed vnto them that shed their seed and vnto such as vse to dreame in their sleepe of amato rious matters and the delights of Venus But women with child must beware how they eat Rue they especially must forbear this hearbe for I find that it killeth the yong child conceiued within their bodies Thus much for the effects that it worketh in men and women Ouer and besides al which there is not an hearb growing in the garden that is so much vsed for the curing of 4 footed beasts whether they be broken winded and pursiue or otherwise bitten stung with venomous beasts in which cases there must be an injection made vp into the nosthrils of the juice of Rue in wine Also if it chance that a beast hath swallowed an Horseleech in drinking let it be taken with vinegre Finally in euery accident of theirs let Rue be prepared and ministred respectiuely vnto each griefe according to the manner set downe for men in the semblable case CHAP. XIIII ¶ Of wild Mint of garden Mint of Penyroiall of Nep and Cumin WIld Mint is called in Latin Mentastrum it differeth from the other in the form of the leaues for shaped it is like Basil how soeuer in color it resembles Penniroyal which is the cause that some name it the sauage Penyroiall In the time of Pompey the Great it was knowne by experience that the leaues of wild Mint chewed and applied outwardly cured the Leprosie
the muskles and sinews that he became paralyticke in that part and euer after vnto his dying day was rid as well of all sence as of the paine of the gout But say that in these cases it might be tollerable to set down in their books some poisons what reason nay what leaue had those Greeks to shew the means how the brains and vnderstanding of men should be intoxicat and troubled what colour and pretence had they to set downe medicines and receits to cause women to slip the vntimely fruit of their womb and a thousand such like casts deuises that may be practised by herbs of their penning for mine owne part I am not for them that would send the conception out of the body vnnaturally before the due time they shall learne no such receits of me neither will I teach any how to temper spice an amatorious cup to draw either man or woman into loue it is no part of my profession For wel I remember that Lucullus a most braue Generall and a captain of great execution lost his life by such a loue potion Much lesse then shall ye haue me to write of Magick witch-craft charmes inchantments and sorceries vnlesse it be to giue warning that folk should not meddle with them or to disproue those courses for their vanities and principally to giue an Item how little trust and assurance there is to be had in such trumpery It sufficeth me and contenteth my mind yea and I think that I haue done wel for mankind in recording those herbs which be good and wholsome found out by men of wit and learning for the benefit of posterity CHAP. IIII. ¶ Of Moly and Dodecatheos of Poeony otherwise called Pentorobus or Glycyside Of Panaces Asclepium Heraclium and Chironium Of Panaces Centarium or Pharnaceum Of Heraclium Siderium Of Henbane called Hyoscyamus Apollinaris or Altercangenus HOmer is of opinion That the principall and soueraigne hearb of all others is Moly so called as he thinketh by the gods themselues The inuention or finding of this hearbe hee ascribeth vnto Mercury and sheweth that it is singular against the mightiest witcheraft inchantments that be Some say that this herb Moly euen according to Homers description with a round and black bulbous root to the bignesse of an onion and with a leafe or blade like that of Squilla groweth at this day about the riuer or lake Peneus and vpon the mountain Cylleum in Arcadia also that it is hard to be digged out of the ground The Grecian Simplists describe this Moly with a yellow floure wheras Homer hath written that it is white I met with one physitian a skilful Herbarist who affirmed vnto me That this Moly grew in Italy also and in verie truth he brought and shewed me a plant which came out of Campaine about the digging vp whereof among hard and stony rocks he had bin certain daies but get he could not the entire root whole and sound but was forced to break it off and yet the root which he shewed mee was thirtie foot long Next vnto Moly in account and reputation is that plant which they call Dodecatheos for that it doth represent comprehend the maiesty of all the chiefe gods They say if it be drunk in water it is a soueraign medicine for al maladies Seuen leaues it hath resembling very much those of Lectuce and the same spring from a yellow root As touching Paeony it is one of the first herbs that were euer known and brought to light as may appeare by the author or inuentor thereof whose name it beareth still Some call it Pentorobos others Glycyside where by the way I am to aduertise the Reader of the difficulty in the knowledge of herbs by their names considering that the same herbe hath in sundry places diuers appellations But to proceed forward with our Paeony it groweth among bleake and shady mountains rising vp with a stem between the leaues 4 fingers high and bearing in the top 4 or 5 heads fashioned somwhat like to Filberds within which there is plenty of seed both red and black This herb is good against the fantasticall illusions of the Fauni which appeare in sleep It is said that this herb must be gathered in the night season for if the Rainbird woodpeck or Hickway called Picus Martius should chance to spie it gathered he would flie in the face and be ready to peck out the eies of him or her that had it The herb Panace promiseth by the very name a remedy of all diseases A number there be of herbs so called and all ascribed to some god or other for the inuention of them for one of them hath the addition of Asclepion for that Aesculapius had a daughter named also Panacea As touching the concret juice named Opopanax it is drawn from the root of this plant beeing of the Ferula or Fennell kind such as I haue heretofore shewed by way of incision the which root hath a thick rind and of a saltish sauor When the root is pulled out of the ground there is a religious ceremony obserued to fil vp the hole again with all sorts of corn as it were in satisfaction to the earth for the violence offered in tearing it vp As for the said juice Opopanax where and how it should be made and which is the best kind therof and not sophisticat I haue declared already in my Treatise of forrain and strange plants That which is brought out of Macedony they cal Bucosicum because the Neat-heards of the country mark when the liquor breakes forth and runneth out of it selfe and so receiue and gather it from the plant this wil not last but of all the rest soonest loseth the force Moreouer in all sorts of it that is rejected principally which is black and soft for these be markes to know that it is corrupted and sophisticate with wax A second kind there is of Panaces which they cal Heraclium the inuention of the vertues and properties whereof is attributed vnto Hercules Some there be who call it Origanum Heracleaticum the wild because it is like to Origan wherof I haue heretofore written but the root of this Panaces is good for nothing A third kind of Panaces took the name of Chiron the Centaur who was the first that gaue intelligence of the herbe and the vertues thereof The leafe is like vnto the Dock but that it is bigger and more hairy the floure is of a golden yellow color the root but small it loueth to grow in rich fat and battle grounds The floure of this Panaces is most effectual in Physick in which regard there is more vse and profit thereof than of all the former kindes A fourth Panaces there is besides found out also by the same Chiron whereupon it hath the denomination of Centaureum called also it is Pharnaceum the occasion of this two fold name is this because there is some controuersie in the first inuention
an Asphodill root boiled as I said before then stamped together with parched barley and so applied is singular good to rectifie that default but for any sore or wound whatsoeuer Henbane leaues be singular The root of Astragalus beaten into pouder are soueraigne for such vlcers as do water much and be alwaies moist likewise the common Maidenhaire boiled in water but more particularly if the skin be newly fretted off by wearing some vneasie shooes there is not a better thing to heale and skin the place than a salue made with Veruain also with herb willow stamped or Nenuphardried made into pouder and so strewed vpon the gall As for the other Maidenhaire it is counted better to heale the same raw excoriations if they haue continued some time and are growne to be exulcerat There is as an herb named Polycnemon like vnto wild Origan how soeuer the seed resemble that of Peniroyall it shooteth forth many branches and those knotted and iointed in diuers places it beareth in the head certain berries as it were in bunches and clusters odoriferous and as they sent somwhat strong and hot so the smel is not vnpleasant take this herbe chew it with your teeth and then lay it to any wounds made by the edge of the sword or such like weapon and so let it lie and remoue it not vntill the fifth day you shal see it to heale excellent wel Camfrey applied vnto a green wound skinneth it most speedily so doth Sideritis as for this herb it should be applied with honey The seed and leaues of Mullen sodden in wine stamped to the form of a cataplasme draweth forth all thorns spils and arrow heads which sticke within the body The like effect work the leaues of Mandragoras incorporat with parched barley meale and Sowbread roots stamped and mixed with honey The leaues of Germander punned with oile are excellent to be applied vnto those vlcers which doe corrode the flesh vnder them and eat forward like as the Reiks or sea-weeds Betonie is a soueraigne herbe for cancerous vlcers also for the blacke sploches that haue continued a long time vpon the skin if there be salt put thereto Argemonia tempered with vineger taketh away warts so doth the root of Crowfoot which also is singular good to fetch off with ease the ragged and fretted nailes that be offensiue The leaues of Mercurie the male and female both or the iuice thereof brought into a liniment haue the like operation Al the sorts of the Tithymals take away any warts whatsoeuer so do they rid the troublesome risings and impostumations like whitflawes about the naile roots and all flecks spots whelks and specks whatsoeuer Ladanum reduceth any scars to look faire and fresh coloured againe CHAP. XV. ¶ Many experiments and approued receits for the prouoking or staying of womens monethly tearmes for curing the diseases of their matrice for sending out the birth or retaining the same within the bodie the full time Also sundry deuises for to amend the faults that blemish the skin of the face to colour the haire of the head or to fetch it off Last of all diuers medicines for the farcines or scab in foure-footed beasts IT is said That if a traueller or way faring man weare fast tied about him Mugwort or Sauge he shall neuer be weary nor thinke his journey long But to come now vnto the infirmities of women the black seed of the herb Paeony is generally good for all their maladies if it bee taken in mead the root also is of the same operation and besides prouoketh the ordinary course of their months The seed of Panaces drunk with wormwood moues their fleurs procureth them to sweat the like effect hath Scordotis either in drink or liniment Adram of Betony giuen to women in 3 cyaths of wine helps all the maladies incident to their natural parts but especially those that insue vpon their deliuery of childbirth Achillaea being applied accordingly staieth the excessiue flux of their monthly termes for which purpose also it is good for them to sit in a bath made with the decoction of the said herb in this case to their brests or paps there would be laid a plaster of Henbane seed tempered with wine the root also applied in manner of a cataplasme to their secret parts is counted soueraigne for that infirmitie like as Celendine the greater laid vnto the foresaid brests If the after birth when the childe is borne be loth to come away or if the infant be dead within the mothers womb the roots of Panaces applied accordingly to the priuy parts fetch forth both the one and the other The very herb it self Panaces drunk in wine or outwardly vsed to the region of the matrice clenseth the same Sauge de bois taken with wine expelleth the after-birth and by a suffumigation mundifieth the matrice The juice of Centaury the lesse bringeth women to their desired sicknesse if they drink it or foment the parts beneath therewith Likewise the root of the bigger Centaury vsed after the same maner appeaseth the pains of the mother If the same be scraped smooth put vp into the right place as a pessary it draweth away the dead child within her body for the griefe and anguish which women feele in their womb there is no better thing than to apply the juice of Plantaine in a locke of wooll and in danger of suffocation by rising of the mother to giue it in drinke But Dictamnus is soueraigne and hath no peere it prouoketh monthly fleurs it sendeth out the dead childe yea though it lay ouerthwart and stuck crosse in the birth for which purpose the woman must drink to the weight of one obolus in water and verily of such power is this herb in such cases that so long as women go with child it must not come within the chamber where they are for feare it put them to trauell before their time And not onely in drink is it thus effectual but also in a liniment yea and the very perfume and smoke therof receiued in the body will do the deed Next to it there is not a more soueraigne herb than the bastard Dictamne called Pseudodictamnus but it must be boiled to the weight of one denier with pure wine and strong of the grape and then taken in drinke it prouoketh womens desired sicknesse And yet Aristolochia is many waies good for the infirmities of women for if there be myrrh and pepper put thereto and then either taken in drink or put in a pessarie it draws downe their fleurs bringeth forth the after-birth and fetcheth away the dead infant it keepeth vp and staieth the matrice ready to fall and slip out of the body either in fomentation perfume or pessary especially the small kind thereof But in case a woman be in danger of suffocation by the ascent of the mother or otherwise diseased for want of her monethly purgation let her drinke Agaricke to
reduce them to the natural color of the other skin There is an herb which in Latine is named Natrix the root whereof being pulled out of the ground hath a rank smell like vnto a Goat with this herbe they vse in the Picene countrey to driue away those hob-goblins which they haue a maruellous opinion to be spirits called Fatui but for mine own part I am verily persuaded they be nothing else but fantasticall illusions of such as be troubled in mind and bestraught the which may be chased and rid away by the vse of this medicinable herbe Odontitis may be reckoned among the kinds of hey-grasse putting forth many small stems growing thicke together from one root and those knotted and ful of ioints triangled and blackish withall in euery ioint small leaues it hath resembling those of knot-grasse howbeit somwhat longer in the concauities between the said leaues and the stem there is contained a seed like vnto Barly corns the floure is of a purple colour and very small It groweth ordinarily in medow grounds The decoction of the branches and tender stalks of this herb to the quantitie of one handful boiled in some astringent wine cureth the toothach if the patient hold the same in the mouth Othonne groweth plenteously in Scythia like vnto Rocket the leaues be full of holes and the floure resembleth Safron which is the cause that some haue called it Anemone The juice of this herbe entreth very well into those medicines which are appropriate to the eies for it is somewhat mordicatiue and heateth gently besides exiccatiue it is and by that meanes astringent It clenseth the eies of those films and clouds which darken the sight and remoueth whatsoeuer hindereth the same Some ordain for this purpose that it should be washed first and after it is dried againe made into certain balls or troschisks Onosma beareth leaues wel-neare three fingers long and those lying flat vpon the ground three in number and indented or cut after the manner of Orchanet without stem without flour without seed If a woman with child eat thereof or do but step ouer it she shal cast her vntimely birth out of her wombe As for Onopordon they say if Asses eat thereof they will fall a fizling and farting Howbeit of vertue it is to prouoke vrine and the monethly sicknesse of women to stop a laske to discusse and resolue impostumes and to heale them when they be broken and do run Osyris putteth forth small branches of a browne colour slender pliable and easie to wind the same be garnished with leaues resembling those of Line or flax of a dark duskish green at first but afterwards changing colour and inclining to a red colour and the seed is contained in those branches Of these leaues are made certain washing balls to scoure womens skin and make them look faire The decoction of the root being drunk cureth those that haue the jaundise The same roots gathered before the seed be ripe cut into roundles and dried in the Sun do stop the laske but drawn after that the seed is ripe they represse all catarrhes and fluxes of the belly if the patient drink the supping wherein they are boiled Also stamped simply and so giuen in rain water they haue the same effect Oxys beareth three leaues and no more This herb is singular to be giuen for a feeble stomack which hath lost all appetite to meat They also who haue a rupture and whose guts be fallen down eat thereof to very good successe Polyanthemum which some call Batrachion hath a causticke quality whereby it doth blister any vnseemly scars by means whereof reduceth them to their fresh and former colour the same also applied scoureth away the morphew and bringeth the skin to the natiue hue answerable to the rest of the body Knot grasse is that herb which the Greeks name Polygonon and we in Latine Sanguinaria in leaf it resembleth Rue in seed common quich grasse riseth not from the ground but creepeth along the juice of this herb conueied vp into the nosthrils stancheth bleeding at the nose They who set down many kinds of Polygonon do hold that this is to be taken for the male and by reason of the multitude of seed which it beareth is called Polygonon or for that it groweth so thick in tufts Calligonon Others name it Polygonaton for the number of knots or knees which it carrieth There be again who giue it the name Theuthalis some cal it Carcinetron others Clema many Myrtopetalon and yet I meet with some writers who say this is the female knot-grasse and that the male is the greater and not altogether so dark of colour growing also thicker with knots swelling with seed vnder euery leaf wel how soeuer it it the property of them both the one as well as the other is to bind and coole and yet their seed doth loosen the belly which if taken in any great quantity is diuretical and represseth any rheums prouided alwaies that the patient be troubled therwith otherwise it doth no good The leaues are singular good to be applied vnto the stomack for to assuage the heat thereof in a liniment they mitigat the griefe of the bladder and stop the course of shingles and such like wilde-fires The juice is soueraigne to be dropped alone by it selfe into the eares that run and into the eyes to abate their pain It is vsually giuen to the quantity of 2 cyaths in tertian Agues and Quartans especially before the fit commeth likewise for the feeblenesse of the stomack when it will keep nothing for the bloudy flix and the rage of cholerick humors both vpward and downward A third kind there is which they cal Oreon growing vpon the mountains resembling a tender reed rising vp in one single stem but full of little knees or knots and those couched thrust together Leafed it is like the Pitch tree the root needlesse and of no vse and generally the whole herb of lesse strength and operation than the former Howbeit this singular propertie hath it to help the sciatica A fourth Polygonum there is called the wild and this busheth like a shrub or a prety tree rather the root is of a wooddy substance the stock or plant of a reddish colour resembling the Cedar it beareth branches much like to Spart or Spanish broome two spans long iointed into three or four knots and those of a blackish colour This also hath an astringent nature and tasteth in the mouth like to a Quince The decoction thereof in water till the third part be consumed or the pouder of it dried is commended for the sores in the mouth and for any part that is fretted and galled And the very substance thereof is good to be chewed in case the gums be sore It represseth the malignity of eating corrosiue vlcers and cankers and in one word staieth the malice of all sores that run on end and
for carbuncles take the brains of a tame sow rost the same and apply it vnto the sores it is a soueraigne remedy Touching the scabs that men be subject vnto there is not the like medicine for killing the same to the marow of an asse a liniment made with the vrin of the said beast together with the earth vpon which he hath staled Butâ—…r likewise is very good in that case as also for the farcins sullanders and mallanders in horses if it be applied therto with rosin made hot so is strong buls gluedissolued in vineger with quick lime put thereto also goats gall tempered with the ashes of alume calcined For the red blisters and meazils likewise there is not a better medicine than the dung of a cow or oxe and therupon they tooke the name of Boae The mange in dogs is healed with beasts bloud so they be bathed therewith whiles it is fresh and warm and after the same is dried vpon the body to follow it a second time the same day the morrow after to wash them throughly with lie made of strong ashes If thorns spills bones and such like things haue gotten into the flesh and there sticke cars durg is very good to draw the same forth likewise the treddles of a goat with wine Any rendles also but especially that which is found in an hares maw serue in that case reduced into a salue with the pouder of frankincense and oile or else with the like quantity of birdlime or the cereous matter in the Bee-hiue called Propolis Furthermore the grease of an asse is singular to reduce any swe rt sploches and black skars to a fresh and natiue colour which if they ouergrow the skin about them are brought downe and made more euen and subtill by an inunction of calues gall but the Physitians prepare the sayd gall with an addition of myrrh hony and safron and then put it vp in a brasen box for their vse yet some there be who mingle with the rest verdegris or the rust of brasse CHAP. XIX ¶ Receits appropriat to the maladies of women and the diseases of sucking babes also remedies for them that are vnable to performe the act of generation TO begin with the naturall course of womens purgation the gall of a bul or oxe applied to their secâ—…et parts in vnwashed greasie wooll is very effectuall to bring the same down The skilfull midwife of Thebes Olympias vsed to put thereto hyssope and sal-nitre For this purpose harts horne burnt to ashes is very good to be taken in drinke But if the matrice be out of order and vnsetled it is not amisse to apply the same ashes vnto the naturall parts yea and buls gall together with Opium to the weigh of two oboli or else perfume their secret parts with a suffumigation of deers hair Moreouer it is said that the hinds when they perceiuethemselues to be in calf swallow down a little stone which is singular good for women with child to carry about them that they may go out their full time and therefore much seeking there is after this stone which is commonly found among their excrements at such a time or else in their womb if haply they be killed with calfe for then it is to be had there also Moreouer there are found certain little bones in the heart and matrice of an hinde and those bee passing good for great bellied women and such as be in â—…auel of child-birth As for that stony substance resembling a pumish which in like manner is found in the wombe of kine I haue spoken already in my discourse or Kine and their nature If the matrice of a woman be growne hard and haue a scirrhe in it the fat of a wolfe will mollifie it if it be grieued with paine the liuer of a wolfe assuageth the same When women be neare their time and ready to cry out it is good for them to eat wolues flesh or if when they fall first to trauell there be but one by them who hath eaten therof this is such an effectuall thing that if they were forespoken or indirectly dealt withall by sorcery witchcraft this is thought to ease them of paine and procure them speedy deliuerance But in case such a one as hath eaten wolues flesh chance to come into the chamber when a woman is in the mids of their trauell she shall surely haue a hard bargaine and die of it Moreouer great vse there is of the hare in all womens infirmities for the lungs of an hare dried made into pouder and taken in drinke is comfortable to the matrice and helpeth it in many accidents thereof the liuer drunk with Samian earth in water staieth the excessiue flux of their fleurs the rennet of their maw fetcheth away the after-birth when it staieth behind but then in any wise the woman must not bathe or sweat in bain theday before the same rennet appliedas a cataplasme vpon a quilt of wooll with Safron the juice of porret forceth the dead infant within the mothers wombe to come forth Many are of opinion that if a woman eat with her meat the matrice of an hare she shall thereupon conceiue a man child if she company with her husband And some say that the genetoirs of the male hare yea the rendles are good for that purpose And it is thought that if a woman who hath giuen ouer bearing children doe eat the young leueret taken forth of the dams belly when she is newly bagd she wil find the way again to conceiue breed freshly as before but the magitians do prescribe the husband also to drink the bloud of an hare for so say they he shall sooner get his wife with child And they affirme moreouer that if a maiden be desirous her brests or paps should not grow any more but stand alwaies at one stay knit vp round and small she is to drink 9 treddles or grains of hares dung and for the same intent they aduise a virgin to rub her bosom with a hares rennet hony together also to anoint the place with hares bloud where the haire is plucked off if they be desirous that it should not grow again As touching the ventosities and inflation of the matrice it is good to vse thereto a liniment made of bores or swines dung incorporat with oile but in this disease it were better for to represse the said windines flatuosity to spice a cup with the pouder of the same dung dried giue it to the woman to drink for whether she be vexed with wrings whiles she is with child or pained with afterthrows in childbed she shall find much ease by that potion Furthermore it is said that sows milk giuen with honied wine to a woman that is in labour helps her to speedy deliuerance Let a woman newly brought to bed drink the same milk alone she will proue a good milch nource and haue her brests strut with milke but
let her breasts be annointed al ouer with the bloud of a sow they will grow the lesse by that means If the paps do ake and put the woman to paine a draught of asses milke assuageth that griefe put thereto a quantitie of hony it will bring down the desired purgation of a woman The greace of the same beast which hath beene tried and long kept healeth the exulceration of the matrice and being applied to the natural parts with a lock of wool in forme of a pessarie or otherwise it mollifieth the hardnes of that place The same fresh or long kept it makes no matter whether is depilatorie for look what part is annointed with it water together the haire wil come no more there The milt of an asse kept vntil it be dry and tempered with water into a liniment for the breasts causeth them to grow and bringeth store of milke into them and if the matrice be vnsetled and turned aside any way out of order it reduceth it into the place again If a woman set ouer a suffumigation of an asses houfe and receiue the fume vp into her body she shall haue quick speed of childbirth for so strong it is that it wil cause abortion and put her to a slip before the time and therefore it is not to be vsed vnlesse a woman haue gone her full time or that the child be dead in her wombe for surely it is able to kill the child within her body without great heed and careful regard Also it is said that the dung of this beast if it be applied fresh green is of wonderfull operation to stop the extraordinarie flux of bloud in women so is the ashes of the same dung which being laid vnto their naturall parts is a soueraigne remedy for the accidents therto belonging Moreouer take the some or froth of an horse mouth and let the place be annointed therewith for twenty daies together either before the haire do come or when it beginneth to spurt it will keepe them for euer being vndergrown of the same operation is the decoction of a harts horne but it will do the feat the better in case the said horne be new and green If the matrice be syringed and washed with mares milke it will find much comfort and ease thereby If a woman perceiue the infant to be dead in her body let her take the powder of the rugged werts vpon a horse leg call Lichenes in fresh water it will exclude the said dead fruit of the wombe the perfume also of the houfe will do as much or the dung dried If the matrice be falne or slipt out of the body an injection of butter by the metrenchyte staieth the same and keepeth it vp If there be any hardnes grown in that part whereby it is stopped a beasts gall mingled with oyle of roses turpentine and so applied outwardly in a lock of wool openeth the said obstruction It is said also that a suffumigation made of ox dung staieth the matrice vp when it is readie to fail yea and helpeth a woman in labour to speady childbirth but if she vse to drink cows milk she shal be the better disposed prepared to conceiue with child Moreouer this is a thing for certain known that there is nothing bringeth a woman sooner to barrennes than hard trauaile in childbearing But to preuent this inconuenience Olympias the expert midwife of Thebes affir meth that there is nothing better than to annoint the naturall parts of a woman with ox gall incorporat in the fat of serpents verdegrece and hony mixed therwith before that she medleth with a man in the act of generation Likewise if a woman which is giuen to haue those naturall parts ouer-moist and slippery by reason of humours purging immoderately that way do apply vnto the neck of the matrice a calues gall a little before she mind to admit the carnal company of a man she will be the more apt to conceiue and in very truth the inunction therewith doth mollifie the hardnesse of the bellie represseth outragious fluxions if the nauell be annointed therwith and in one word is good euery way for the matrice Howbeit in the vse of this gal they ordain a proportion to wit that to euery denier weight of the same there be put a third part of persly seed with as much of the oile of almonds as is thought sufficient to incorporat them into a liniment and this they put vp with wooll in manner of a pessarie The gall of an ox calfe tempered with halfe as much hony is a medicine ordinarily kept in readines for the diseases of the matrice Some make great account of veale and doe promise that if women about the time that they conceiue doe eat it with the root of Aristolochia i. Birthwort they shall bring forth boies As for the marow of a calfe sodden in wine water together with the suet so conveied vp in a pessary healeth the exulceration of the matrice So doth fox greace the dung of cats but this ought to be applied with rosin and oile rosat It is thought that there is not so good a thing for the matrice as to sit ouer a suffumigation made of goats horn The bloud of the wild goat or shamois tempered with the sea-ball serueth to take away haires but the gall of other goats that be tame mollifieth the callositie in the matrice if a pessarie be strewed withall and causeth a woman to be meet for conception if shee vse it presently vpon the purgation of her monethly terms Also the same hath a depilatory vertue if a liniment be made therewith and vsed to the place where the haire is plucked forth already and kept thereto three daies together Furthermore our midwiues do warrant that if a woman drink goats vrine it will stop all fluxes of bloud be they neuer so immoderat so shee apply also outwardly the dung of the said beast The pellicle or glean wherein a kid was infolded within the dams wombe kept vntill it be drie and drunk in wine putteth forth the after-birth in women And they are of this opinion that a suffumigation of kids haire is very good to cause the matrice to return when it was falne down also that to drink their rennet or to apply outwardly henbane seed is singular for to stay any issue of bloud Osthanes saith that if the loins or small of a womans backe be annointed with the bloud of a tike taken from a blacke Bull or Cow that is of a wilde kinde it will put her out of al fansies of venereous sports He affirmeth moreouer that if she drink the vrin of a male goat with some spikenard among to take away the loth some tast thereof she will forget all loue that she bare to any man before To come now vnto little infants there is not a more proper thing for them than butyr either alone by it selfe or with hony and to speak more particularly
yong hare or leueret it is wonderfull to see how effectually they will worke Snakes bones incorporat with the rennet of any foure-footed beast whatsoeuer within lesse than 3 daies shew the same effect and draw forth any thing that sticketh within the body Finally the flies called Cantharides are much commended for this operation if they be stamped and incorporat with barly meale CHAP. XIIII ¶ Proper remedies for the cure of womens maladies and to help them for to goe out their full time and bring forth the fruit of their wombfully ripe and accomplished THe skin or secundine which an Ewe gleaneth after she hath yeaned and which inlapped the lambe within her belly prepared ordered and vsed as I said before as touching goats it is very good for the infirmities that properly bee incident vnto women and occasioned by their naturall parts The dung likewise of sheep be they rammes ewes or weathers hath the same operation But to come vnto particulars the infirmity which otherwhiles putteth them to passe their vrine with difficulty and by dropmeale is cured principally by sitting ouer a perfume or suffumigation of Locusts If a woman after that she is conceiued with child vse eft-soons to eat a dish of meat made of cock-stones the infant that she goeth with shall proue a man child as it is commonly thought and spoken When a woman is with childe the meanes to preserue her from any shift and slip that she may tarry out her full terme is to drink the ashes of Porkepines calcined also the drinking of a bitches milk maketh the infant within the womb to come on forward to grow to perfection before it seek to come forth vntimely also if the child stick in the birth or otherwise make no haste to come forth of the mothers body when the time is come the skin wherein the bitch bare her whelps within her body and which commeth away from her after she hath puppied hasteneth the birth if so be it were taken away from her before it touch the ground If women in labour drinke milke it will comfort their loins or smal of the back Mice dung delaied and dissolued in rain water is very good to annoint the brests of a woman new laied to break their kernel and to allay their ouermuch strutting presently after childbirth The ashes of hedgehogs preserueth women from abortion or vntimely births if they be annointed with a liniment made of them and oile incorporat together The better speed and more ease shall those women haue of deliuerance which in the time of their trauell drinke a draught of Goose dung in two cyaths of water or else the water that issueth out of their owne body by the natural parts a little before the child should be borne and that out of a weazils bladder A liniment made of earth-wormes if the nouch or chine of the necke and the shoulder blades be annointed therewith preserueth a woman from the pain of the sinews which commonly followeth vpon child-bearing and the same send away the after-birth if when they bee newly brought to bed they drink the same in wine cuit A cataplasme made of them simply alone without any other thing and applied to womens sore brests which are impostumat bring the same to maturation breake them when they are ripe draw them after that they runne and in the end heale them vp cleane and skin all again The said earthwormes also if they be drunk in honied wine bring down milk into their brests There be certain little wormes found breeding in the common Coich-grasse called Gramen which if a woman weare about her neck serue very effectually to cause her for to keep her infant within the wombe the ordinary terme but she must leaue them off when she drawes neere to the time when she should cry out for otherwise if they be not taken from her they would hinder her deliuerance Great heed also there must be taken that these wormes bee not laid vpon the ground in any hand Moreouer there be Physitians who giue women to drink 5 or 7 of them at a time for to help them to conceiue If women vse to eat snailes dressed as meat they shall be deliuered with more speed if they were in hard labour let them be applied to the region of the matrice or naturall parts with Saffron they hasten conception If the same be reduced into a liniment with Amylum and gum Tragacanth and laid too accordingly they do stay the immoderat flux of reds or whites Being eaten in meat they are soueraigne for their monthly purgations And with the marrow of a red Deere they reduce the matrice againe into the right place if it were turned a to-side but this regard must be had that to euery snaile there be put a dram weight of Cyperus also If the matrice be giuen to ventosities let the same snails be taken forth of their shels stamped and laid too with oile of Roses they discusse the windinesse thereof And for these purposes before named the snailes of Astypalaea be chosen for the best Also for to resolue the inflation of this part there is another medicine made with snailes especially those of Barbarie namely to take two of them and to stampe them with as much Fenigreeke seed as may be comprehended with three fingers adding thereto the quantity of four spoonfuls of hony and when they be reduced all into a liniment to apply the same to the region of the womb after the same hath been well and throughly annointed all ouer with the iuice of Ireos i. Floure-de-lis There be moreouer certaine white snailes that be small and long withall and these be commonly wandering here and there in euery place These beeing dried in the Sun vpon tiles and reduced into pouder they vse to blend with bean floure of each a like quantity And this is thought to be an excellent mixture for to beautifie their body and make the skin white and smooth Also if the itch be offensiue so as a woman be found euer and anone to scratch and rub those parts there is not a better thing therefore than the little flat snails if they be brought into a liniment with fried Barly groats If a woman with child chance to step ouer a Viper shee shall be deliuered before her time of an vnperfect birth The like accident wil befal vnto her in case she go ouer the serpent Amphisbaena if the same were dead before And yet if a woman haue about her in a box one of them aliue shee shall not need to feare the going ouer them though they were dead And one of these Amphisbaenes dead as it is and preserued or condite in salt procureth safe and easie deliuerance to a woman that hath it about her A wonderfull thing that it should be so dangerous for a woman with childe to passe ouer one of them which hath not bin kept in salt and that the same should be harmelesse and do no hurt at
inconuenience they vse with a paire of sizzers to clip them at the very mouth as they be sucking and then shall you see the bloud spring out as it were at the cocke of a conduit and so by little and little as they die they will gather in their heads and the same will fall off and not tarrie behind to do hurt These horsleeches naturally are enemies to Punaises in so much as their perfume killeth them Furthermore the ashes of Beuers skins burnt and calcined together with tar stancheth bloud gushing out of the nose if the same be tempered mingled wel with the juice of porret The shels of cuttles applied to the body with water draw forth arrow heads pricks or spils that sticke deepe within the flesh so doth any saltfish if the fleshie side be laid therto yea and fresh-water creifishes haue the same effect likewise the flesh of the fresh water Silurus for this fish breedeth in other riuers besides Nilus applied to the place either fresh or salted it makes no matter worke with the same successe The ashes of the same fish and the fat be of the same operation and very attractiue As for the ashes of their ridge-bone and prickie finnes they are taken to bee as good as Spodium and are vsed in stead thereof As touching those vlcers which be corrosiue as also the excrescence of proud flesh growing in such sores there is not a better thing to represse and keepe them downe than the ashes of Cackerels or the fish Silurus aforesaid The heads of salted Perches be singular good for cancerous vlcers and the more effectually they will work in case there be salt mingled with their ashes and together with knopped Majoram or Sauorie and oile be incorporat into a liniment The ashes of the Sea-crab burnt and calcined with lead represse cancerous sores and for this purpose sufficient it were to take the ashes only of the riuer creifish medled with hony and lint but some chuse rather to mingle alume and hony with the said ashes As for the eating sores called in Greeke Phagedaenae they may be healed well with the fish Silurus kept vntill it be dried and so together with red orpiment reduced into a pouder Likewise morimals and other consuming cankers and those sores which be filthy and growing to putrefaction are commonly healed with the old squares of the Tunie fish Now if there chance to be wormes and vermine breed in the said vlcers the only means to cleanse them is with the gall of frogs But the hollow sores commonly knowne by the name of Fistuloes are enlarged kept open yea and brought to drines with tents made of saltfish conueied into them within fine linnen rags and within a day or two at most they will rid away all the callositie together with the dead and putrified flesh within the sores yea and represse the eating and corrosiue humor in them if they be wrought into the forme of a salue or emplaster and so applied To mundifie vlcers there is not a fitter thing than stockfish made into a tent with fine lint of rags and so put into the sore Of the same effect are the ashes of the sea-vrchins skin The pieces of the fish Coracinus salted discusse and resolue the hotapostems named carbuncles if they be applied so doe the ashes of the Barble salted and calcined Some vse the ashes of the head of the said fish onely with hony or els the very flesh of Coracinus The ashes of murrets tempered with oile delay take down any swelling The gall likewise of the Sea-scorpion taketh off the roufe of sores and bringeth skars that ouergrow the flesh vnto the leuell of the other skin The liuer of the fish Glanus causeth werts to fall off if they be rubbed withall Also the ashes of Cackerell heads do the like if they be tempered with garlick but for the thyme werts particularly they vse them raw the gall likewise of the reddish sea scorpion and the small sea fish Smarides punned and brought into a liniment do the like The grosse pickle sauce called Alex if it be made through hot cures the raggednesse of nails the ashes also which come of Cackerell heads do extenuat and make them fine The fish Glauciscus eaten in the own broth causeth women to haue store of milke so doe the small fishes called Smarides taken with ptisan or barley gruell or els boiled with fennell and in case they haue sore brests the ashes of Burrets or Purple shells incorporat with honey doe heale effectually A liniment made of Sea crabs or fresh-water Creifishes takes away the offensiue haires that grow about womens nipples or breast heads the fleshie substance also of the Burrets applied to them work the same effect A liniment made of the fish called a Skate will not suffer womens paps to grow big A candle-weike or match made of lint and greased al ouer with the oile or fat of a dolphin and so set a burning yeeldeth a smoake which will raise women againe lying as it were in a trance and dead vpon a fit of the mother the same do Macquerels putrified in vinegre The ashes either of Pearch or Cackerel heads tempered and incorporat with salt sauerie and oile serue for all the accidents of the matrice and more particularly in a perfume bring down the after-birth Semblably the fat of a Seale or Sea-calfe conueighed by meanes of fire in a perfume vp into the nosthrils of a woman lying halfe dead vpon the rising and suffocation of the matrice bringeth her to her selfe againe so doth it also if with the rennet of the same Seale it be put vp in wooll after the manner of a pessarie into the priuie parts The ashes of the Sea-fish called Pulmo applied conueniently to the region of the matrice and kept fast thereto purgeth women passing well of their monethly fleurs of the same operation are Sea-vrchins stamped aliue and drunk in some sweet wine but the riuer Creifishes likewise punned and taken in wine do contrariwise stay the immoderat flux thereof Likewise it is said that a sussumigation of the fish Silurus especially that which breedeth in Africa causeth women to haue more speedie and easie deliuerance in childbirth as also that Crabfishes drinke in water doe stop the excessiue ouerflowing of their monethly terms whereas with hyssop they set them a going and purge them away Say that the infant sticke in the birth and by reason of painfull labour be in danger of suffocation let the mother drinke the same in like manner there will present help ensue Women with child vse also either to eat them fresh or drink them dried that they may go out their full time and not slip an abortiue fruit Hippocrates vseth the same and prescribeth vnto women for the bringing down of their sicknesse and likewise to thrust out the infant dead in their wombs to drinke them in honied wine with fiue dock roots stamped together with â—…e and soot and in very
the diseases of the fingers and the breast and against the Cough 6. Of Mullin of Cacalia Tussilage or Folefoot of Bechium and Sauge all herbes for to cure the cough 7. For the paines of the sides and chist for the difficultie of breath and those that cannot take wind but sitting or standing vpright for the pains of the liuer and the heart-ach medicines appropriat to the lungs difficultie of vrine and the cough for the breast for inward vlcers for the kidnies and imbecilitie of the liuer to stay vomit and yexing also for the pleurisie and disease of the sides and flankes 8. Of all diseases of the bellie and the parts either within it or neare vnto it How to stay the flux thereof or to make it loose and soluble 9. Of Peniroiall and Argemone 10. Of water Lillie or Nenuphar of abstinence from Venus of prouocation to fleshly lust of Ragwort or Satyrium called Erythraicum of Crategis and Syderitis 11. Generall remedies for infirmities of the feet anckles joints and sinewes Remedies against diseases that hold and possesse the whole bodie Of Mirthryda Medicines and meanes to procure sleepe against the palsie agues with cold fits feauers or agues incident vnto labouring Horses Asses and Mules against franticke persons Of the herbe Chamaeacta of Housleeke or stone-crop and Pricke-madame of S. Antonies fire 12. Remedies against dislocations in the joints against the yellow jaundise fellons fistulaes swelling of ventositie burnes scalds and other diseases for sinewes and to stanch bloud 13. Of the herb called Horse-taile Nenuphar Harstrange Syderitis of many other remedies good to restraine the flux of bloud of Stephanomelis and Erisithale remedies against the wormes 14. For vlcers old sores and greene wounds to take away werts and of the herbe Polycnemon 15. Many good experiments either for to prouoke or to stay the flux of womens months soueraigne remedies for the diseases of the matrice also to cast forth the fruit within the wombe or to containe it the full time for to take away the blemishes and spots in the skin and namely of the face to colour the haire to cause the haire to fall also against the scab or maunge of foure-footed beasts In summe this booke leadeth you to medicines stories and obseruations a thousand two hundred ninetie and two collected out of Latine Authours M. Varro C. Volgius Pompeius Lenaeus Sextius Niger and Iulius Bassus who writ both in Greeke Antonius Castor and Cornelius Celsus Forreine Writers Theophrastus Apollodorus Democritus Iuba Orpheus Pythagoras Mago Menander the author of Biochresta Nicander Homer Hesiodus Musaeus Sophocles Xanthus and Anaxilaus Physicians Mnestheus Callimachus the professour of Physicke Timaristus Simus Hippocrates Chrysippus Diocles Ophion Heraclides Aicesius Dionysius Apollodorus the Tarentine Praxagoras Plistonicus Medius Dieuchus Cleophantus Philistio Asclepiades Crâ—…tenas Iolla Erasistratus Diagoras Andreas Mnesicles Epicharmus Damion Theopolemus Metrodorus Solon Lycus Olympias the Midwife of Thebes Phyllinus Petreius Miction Glaucias and Xenocrates ¶ THE XXVII BOOKE COMPREHENDETH all other sorts of herbes Chap. 1. The rest of Herbes 2. Of Aconitum and how this herbe killeth Leopards or Panthers 3. That God is the Creator of all things 4. Of the hearbe Aethiopis Ageratum Aloe Alcea Alypum Alsine Androsacum Androcaemon Ambrocia Restharrow Anagyron and Anonymon 5. Of the great Burre Of Cliuers or Goose grasse Asplenum Asclepias or Swallow-wort Aster or Bubonium Ascyrum or Ascyroeides Aphace Alcibium and Cockes combe 6. Of Alus 7. Of sea Weeds or Reits of Elder wild Vine and Wormewood 8. Of Ballote or stinking Horehound of Botrys or Oke of Ierusalem of Brabyla of Bryon or Corallina of Bupleuron and Catanance of Calla Cerceia Cirsium and Crataegonum Thelygonum Crocodilium Dogs stone Chrysolachanum Cucubalum and Conferua or the riuer Spunge 9. Of the graine called Coccos Gnidia of Tazill of Oke fearne of Dryophonum of Elatine of Empetrum or Perce-Pierre of Epipactus or Elleborius of Epimedum Enneaphyllon i. the nine leafed herbe of Osmund or fearne of Fenmur Bubulum i. Ox thigh of Galeopsis or Galeobdolon of Glaux or Eugalactum 10. Of Glaucium of Paeonie Cudweed or Chamaezelum of Galedragum Holcos Hyosiris Holosteum and Hypophaestum 11. Of Hypoglossa and Hypecoon Idaea Isopyron Spurge Pat-delion Lycopsis Greimile c. 12. Of Medium Mouse-eare Myagros an herb called Natrix Othone Onosma Onopordos Toads flax Woodsoure or Alleluiah Crowfoot Knotgrasse Camomile Phyteuma Phyllon Phellandrion Phalaris Polyrrhizon Proserpinaca or Knotgrasse Rhacoma Reseda and Stoechas 13. Of Nightshade and Dwale of Smyrnium Orpinum Trichomanes Thalietrum Thlaspi Tragonias Tragonis and Tragopogos the serpent Spondylis To conclude that some diseases and venomous things be not in all countries In summe herein are comprehended medicines stories and notable obseruations 702. Latine Authours cited Pompeius Lenaeus Sextius Niger and Iulius Bassus who wrate both in Greeke Antonius Castor and Cornelius Celsus Greeke Writers Theophrastus Apollodorus Cittiensis Democritus Aristogiton Orpheus Pythagoras Mago Menander that wrote the Treatise Biochresta and Nicander Physicians Mnestheus and his fellowes as they went in the former booke ¶ IN THE XXVIII BOOKE ARE COMPREhended the medicinable vertues from liuing creature Chap. 1. The medicines and vertues obserued in liuing creatures 2. Whether charmes and bare words or characters auaile ought in Physicke The prodigious tokens and presages may take effect in some and may be auerted and made frustrate by others 3. Remedies euen in the bodies of men against enchauntments and Magicke 4. Of certaine sorceries also the vertue of a mans spittle 5. The regard of diet for a mans health 6. Of sneesing the moderation to bee vsed in the act of Venus or companie with a woman of other preseruatiues of health 7. What remedies and medicines a womans mans bodie doth affourd 8. The medicinable properties in certaine strange beasts namely the Elephant Lion Cammell Hyaena Crocodile Chamaeleon Skinke Riuer-horse and Once 9. The medicines which we haue from the bodies of wild beasts and tame of the same kind The vertue of milk butter and cheese the obseruations thereto belonging also of fat or grease 10. Remedies receiued from Bores and Swine from Goats and wild Horses also from other beasts seruing to cure all manner of diseases 11. Other remedies for many kinds of maladies taken from liuing creatures 12. For the spots and wems in the visage for the infirmities of the necke and of the breast 13. Against the diseases of the stomacke loines and reines 14. To stay a laske against the loosenesse of the stomacke to cure the bloudie flix the inflations of the bellie ruptures the prouocation to the seege without effect the broad flat long wormes in the bellie and the collicke 15. Against the torments and paines in the bladder against the stone the infirmities in the priuie parts of man or woman as also in the fundament and the twist or groine and the cure thereof 16. For the gout the falling euill for those that bee blasted or strucken with
the Greeke writers who from time to time in this behalfe haue been more diligent in penning and more curious in searching after antiquities CHAP. II. ¶ Of the Scythians and the diuersitie of other nations THat there bee Scythians yea and many kindes of them that feed ordinarily of mans flesh wee haue shewed alreadie in our former discourses A report haply that would be thought incredible if we did not consider and thinke withall how in the very middle and heart of the world euen in Sicily and Italy here hard by there haue beene such monsters of men namely the Cyclopes and Lystrigones nay if we were not credibly informed that euen of late daies and go no farther than to the other side of the Alpes there be those that kill men for sacrifice after the maner of those Scythian people that wants not much of chewing and eating their flesh Moreouer neere vnto those Scythians that inhabit toward the pole Articke and not far from that climate which is vnder the very rising of the North-east wind and about that famous caue or whole out of which that wind is said to issue which place they call Ges-clithron i. the cloister or key of the earth the Arimaspians by report do dwel who as we haue said before are known by this marke for hauing one eie only in the mids of their forehead and these maintain war ordinarily about the mettall mines of gold especially with griffons a kind of wilde beasts that flie and vse to fetch gold out of the veines of those mines as commonly it is receiued which sauage beasts as many authors haue recorded and namely Herodotus Aristeus the Proconnesian two writers of greatest name striue as eagerly to keepe and hold those golden mines as the Arimaspians to disseize them therof and to get away the gold from them Aboue those are other Scythians called Anthropophagi where is a countrie named Abarimon within a certain vaile of the mountain Imaus wherin are found sauage wild men liuing and conuersing vsually among the bruit beasts who haue their feet growing backward turned behind the calues of their legs how beit they run most swiftly These kinde of men can endure to liue in no other aire nor in any clime else than their own which is the reason that they cannot be drawne to come vnto other kings that border vpon them nor could be brought vnto Alexander the great as Beton hath reported the marshall of that princes campe who also put downe his gests and iournies in writing The former Anthropophagi or eaters of mans flesh whom we haue placed about the North-pole ten daies iournie by land aboue the riuer Borysthenes vse to drink out of the skuls of mens heads and to weare the scalpes haire al in stead of mandellions or stomachers before their breasts according as Isogonus the Nicean witnesses The same writer affirmeth moreouer That in Albanie there be a sort of people borne with eies like owles whereof the sight is fire red who from their childhood are grey headed and can see better by night than day He reporteth also that tenne daies iourny beyond Borysthenes the Sauramates neuer eat but one meale of meat in three daies Crates of Pergamus saith That in Hellespont about Parium there was a kind of men whom he nameth Ophiogenes that if one were stung with a serpent with touching only will ease the paine and if they doe but lay their hands vpon the wound are wont to draw forth all the venome out of the body And Varro testifies that euen at this day there be some there who warish cure the stinging of serpents with their spittle but there are but few such as he saith Agatharcides writes that in Affrick the Psyllians so called of king Psyllus from whose race they were descended and whose sepulchre or tombe is at this day present to be seene in a part of the greater Syrtes could do the like These men had naturally that in their own bodies which like a deadly bane and poyson would kill al serpents for the very aire sent that breathed from them was able to stupifie and strike them starke dead And by this means they vsed to try the chastitie and honestie of their wiues For so soon as they were deliuered of children their manner was to expose and present the silly babes new borne vnto the most fell and cruell serpents they could find for if they were not right but gotten in adultery the said serpents would not auoid fly from them This nation verily in generall hath been defeated killed vp in manner all by the Nasamones who now inhabit those parts wherein they dwelt howbeit a kind remains still of them descended from those that made shift away and fled or else were not present at the said bloudy battell but there are very few of them at this day left The Marsians in Italy at this present continue with the like naturall vertue against serpents whom being reputed for to haue descended from ladie Circes son the people in this regard do highly esteem are verily persuaded that they haue in them the same facultie by kinde And what great wonder is this considering that all men carry about them that which is poyson to serpents for if it be true that is reported they will no better abide the touching with mans spittle than scalding water cast vpon them but if it happen to light within their chawes or mouth especially if it come from a man that is fasting it is present death Beyond those Nasamones and their neighbours confining vpon them the Machlyes there be found ordinarily Hermaphrodites called Androgyni of a double nature and resembling both sexes male and female who haue carnal knowledge one of another interchangeably by turns as Calliphanes reports Aristotle saith moreouer that on the right side of their breast they haue a little teat or nipple like a man but on the left they haue a full pap or dug like a woman In the same Affricke both Isogonus and Nymphodorus doe auouch there be certain houses and families of sorcerers who if they chance to blesse praise and speak good words bewitch presently withall insomuch as sheepe therewith die trees wither and infants pine and winder away Isogonus adds furthermore That such like there be among the Triballians and Illyrians who with their very eiesight can witch yea and kil those whom they look wistly vpon any long time especially if they be angred and that their eies bewray their anger and more subiect to this daunger be men growne than children vnder fourteene yeares of age This also is in them more notable and to be obserued that in either ere they haue two sights or apples Of this kind and property as Apollonides mine author saith there be certaine women in Scythia named Bithyae Philarchus witnesseth That in Pontus also the whole race of the Thibians and many others besides haue the same quality doe the like and known
Spythamaei are reported to be called they are so for that they are but a cubit or three shaftments or spannes high that is to say three times nine inches The clime wherein they dwel is very wholsome the aire healthy and euer like to the temperature of the Spring by reason that the mountains are on the North side of them beare off all cold blasts And these prety people Homer also hath reported to be much troubled anoied by cranes The speech goeth that in the Spring time they set out all of them in battell aray mounted vpon the backe of rammes and goats armed with bowes and arrowes and so downe to the sea side they march where they make foule worke among the egges yong cranelings newly hatched which they destroy without all pitty Thus for three months this their journy and expedition continueth and then they make an end of their valiant seruice for otherwise if they should continue any longer they were neuer able to withstand the new flights of this foule grown to some strength and bignesse As for their houses and cottages made they are of clay or mud fouls feathers and birds egge shels Howbeit Aristotle writes That these Pygmaeans liue in hollow caues holes vnder the ground For all other matters he reports the same that all the rest Isogonus saith that certain Indians named Cyrni liue a hundred and fortie yeares The like he thinketh of the Aethyopian Macrobij and the Seres as also of them that dwell on the mount A thos and of these last rehearsed the reason verily is rendred to be thus because they feed of vipers flesh therefore is it that neither lice breed in their heads nor other vermine in their cloths for to hurt annoy their bodies Onesicritus affirmeth That in those parts of India where there are no shadowes to be seene the men are fiue cubits of stature and two hand breadths ouer that they liue 130 yeares and neuerage for all that and seem old but die then as if they were in their middle and settled age Crates of Pergamus nameth those Indians who liue aboue an hundred yeare Gymnetes but others there be and those not a few that call them Macrobij Ctesias saith there is a race or kinred of the Indians named Pandore inhabiting certaine vallies who liue two hundred years in their youthfull time the haire of their head is white but as they grow to age waxeth black Contrariwise others there be neer neighbours to the Macrobij who exceed not fortie years and their women beare but once in their life time And this also is auouched by Agatharcides who affirmeth moreouer that all their feeding is vpon locusts and that they are very quicke and swift of foot Clitarchus and Megasthenes both name them Mandri and thinke they haue 300 villages in their countrey Moreouer that the women bring forth children at seuen yeares of age and wax old at forty Artemidorus affirmes that in the Island Taprobana the people liue exceeding long without any malady or infirmitie of the body Duris maketh report That certaine Indians ingender with beasts of which generation are bred certaine monstrous mungrels halfe beasts and halfe men Also that the Calingian women of India conceiue with childe at fiue yeares of age and liue not aboue eight In another tract of that countrey there be certaine men with long shagged tailes most swift and light of foot and some againe that with their eares couer their whole body The Orites are neighbours to the Indians diuided onely from them by the riuer Arbis who are acquainted with no other meate but fish which they split and slice into pieces with their nailes and rost them against the Sun and then make bread thereof as Clitarchus reporteth Crates of Pergamus saith likewise that the Troglodites aboue Ethyopia be swifter than horses and that some Aethiopians are aboue eight cubites high and these are a kinde of Ethiopian Nomades called Syrbotae as he saith dwelling along the riuer Astapus toward the North pole As for the nation called Menismini they dwel from the Ocean sea twenty dayes iourney who liue of the milke of certain beasts that we cal Cynocephales hauing heads and snouts like dogs And whole heards and flocks of the females they keepe and feed killing the male of them all saue onely to serue for maintenance of the breed In the desarts of Africke ye shall meet oftentimes with Fairies appearing in the shape of men and women but they vanish soone away like fantasticall delusions See how Nature is disposed for the nones to deuise full wittily in this and such like pastimes to play with mankinde thereby not only to make her self merry but to set vs a wondring at such strange miracles And I assure you thus dayly and hourely in a manner playeth she her part that to recount euery one of her sports by themselues no man is able with all his wit and memory Let it suffice therfore to testifie and declare her power that we haue set downe those prodigious and strange workes of hers shewed in whole nations and then go forward to discourse of some particulars approued and knowne in man CHAP. III. ¶ Of prodigious and monstrous births THat women may bring forth three at one birth appeares euidently by the example of the three twins Horatij and Curiatij But to go aboue that number is reputed and commonly spoken to be monstrous and to portend some mishap but only in Egypt where women are more than ordinary fruitfull by drinking of Nilus water which is supposed to help generation Of late yeres and no longer since than in the later end of the reigne of Aug. Caesar at Ostia there was a woman a Commoners wife deliuered at one birth of two boies as many girles but this was a most prodigious token and portended no doubt the famine that ensued soone after In Peloponnesus there is sound one woman that brought forth at foure births 20 Children and the greater part of them all did well and liued Tregus saith that in Egypt it is an ordinarie thing for a woman to haue seuen at a birth It falleth out moreouer that there come into the world children of both sexes whom wee call Hermophrodites In old time they were knowne by the name of Androgyni and reputed then for prodigious wonders how soeuer now men take delight and pleasure in them Pompey the great in his Theatre which hee adorned and beautified with singular ornaments and rare deuices of antique worke as wel for the admirable subiect and argument thereof as the most curious and exquisit hand of cunning and skilfull artificers among other images and pourtracts there set vp represented one Eutiche a Woman of Tralleis who after she had in her life time borne thirty births her corps was caried out by twenty of her children to the funerall fire to be burnt according to the maner of that countrey As for Alcippe she was deliuered of an Elephant
there be that bring all their children like to themselues and others againe as like to their husbands and some like neither the one nor the other You shall haue Women bring all their daughters like to their fathers and contrariwise their sonnes like to themselues The same is notable and yet vndoubted true of one Nicaeus a famous Wrestler of Constantinople hauing to his mother a woman begotten in adulterie by an Aethiopian and yet with white skin nothing different from other women of that countrey was himselfe black and resembled his grandsire the Aethiopian abouesayd Certes the cogitations and discourses of the minde make much for these similitudes and resemblances whereof we speake and so likewise many other accidents and occurrent obiects are thought to be very strong and effectuall therin whether they come in sight hearing and calling to remembrance or imaginations only conceiued and deeply apprehended in the very act of generation or the instant of conception The wandring cogitation also and quicke spirit either of father or mother flying to and fro all on a sudden from one thing to another at the same time is supposed to be one cause of this impression that maketh either the foresaid vniforme likenesse or confusion and varietie And hereupon it commeth and no maruell it is that men are more vnlike one another than other Creatures for the nimble motions of the spirit the quicke thoughts the agilitie of the minde the varietie of discourse in our wits imprinteth diuers formes and many marks of sundry cogitations whereas the imaginatiue facultie of other liuing creatures is immoueable alwaies continueth in one in all it is alike and the same still in euery one which causeth them alwaies to engender like to themselues each one in their seuerall kindes Artenon a mean man amongst the Commons was so like in all points to Antiochus King of Syria that Laodicea the Queen after that Antiochus her husband was killed serued her owne turne by the said Artenon and made him play the part of Antiochus vntill she had by his meanes as in the Kings person recommended whom she would and made ouer the kingdome and crown in succession and reuersion to whom she thought good Vibius a poore commoner of Rome and Publicius one newly of a bondslaue made a free-man were both of them so like vnto Pompey the Great that hardly the one could be discerned from the other so liuely did they represent that good visage of his so full of honestie so fully expressed they and resembled the singular maiestie of that countenance which appeared in Pompeius his forehead The like cause it was that gaue his father also the syrname of Menogenes his Cooke albeit he was syrnamed already Strabo for his squint eyes but hee would needs beare the name of a defect and infirmitie euen in his bond-seruant for the loue he had vnto him by reason of his likenesse So was one of the Scipio's also syrnamed Serapius vpon the like occasion after the name of one Serapia who was but a base slaue of his and no better than his swine heard or dealer in buying and selling of swine Another Scipio after him of the same house came to be syrnamed Salutio because a certaine jester of that name was like vnto him After the same manner one Spinter a player of the second place or part and Pamphilus another player of the third part or in the third place gaue their names to Lentulus and Metellus who both were Consuls together in one yeare for that they resembled them so truly And certes mee thinkes this fell out very vntowardly and was but a ridiculous pageant and a very vnseemly shew vpon a stage to see both Consuls liuely represented there at once in the persons of these two players Contrariwise Rubrious the stage player was sirnamed Plancus because he was so like to Plancus the Orator Againe Burbuleius and Menogenes both players of Enterludes resembled Curio the father or the elder and Messala Censorius for all he had been Censor that the one could not shift and auoid the syrname of Burbulcius and the other of Monogenes There was in Sicily a certaine fisherman who resembled in all parts Suria the Pro-consull not only in visage and feature of the face but also in mowing with his mouth when hee spake in drawing his tongue short and in his huddle and thicke speech Cassius Seuerus that famous orator was reproched for being so like vnto Mirmillo a drouer or keeper of kine and oxen Toranius a merchant slaue-seller sold vnto M. Antonius now one of the two great Triumvirs two most beautiful and sweet faced boyes for twins so likewere they one to the other albeit the one was borne in Asia and the other beyond the Alps. But when Antony afterwards came to know the same and that this fraud and cousenage was bewraied and detected by the language speech of the boyes he fell into a furious fit of choler and all to berated the foresaid Toranius And when among other challenges he charged him with the high price he made him pay for they cost him two hundred Sesterces as for twins when they were none such the wily merchant being his craftsmaster answered That it was the cause why he held them so deare and sold them at so deare a rate for quoth he it is no maruell at all that two brethren twins that lay both together in one belly do resemble one the other but that there should be any found borne as these were in diuers countries so like in all respects as they he held it for a most rare and wonderfull thing This answer of his was deliuered in so good time and so fitly to the purpose that Antonie the great man who neuer was well but when he outlawed citisens of Rome and did confiscat their goods he I say that erewhile was all enraged and set vpon reuiling and reprochfull termes was not only appeased but also contented so with his bargaine that he prised those two boies as much as any thing else in all his wealth CHAP. XIII ¶ The cause and manner of generation SOme bodies there be by a secret of nature so disagreeing that they are vnfit for generation one with another And yet as barren as they be so coupled together fruitfull they are enough being ioyned with others Such were Augustus the Emperor and his wife Liuia In like manner some men there be as well as women that can skill of getting and breeding none but daughters and others there be againe that are good at none but sonnes and many times it falleth out that folke haue sonnes and daughters both but they by turnes this yeare a son the next yeare a daughter in order So Cornelia the mother of the Gracchi who for twelue child-beds kept this course duly and Agrippina the wife of Caesar Germanicus for nine euer changing from the male to the female Some women are barren all their youth and others again beare but once in
infected and to change the colour thereupon Furthermore doubtlesse it is that children breed their fore teeth in the seuenth moneth after they are borne and first those in the vpper chaw for the most part likewise that they shed the same teeth about the seuenth yere of their age others come vp new in the place Certaine it is also that some children are borne into the world with teeth as M. Curius who thereupon was surnamed Dentatus and Cn. Papyrius Carbo both of them very great men and right honourable personages In women the same was counted but an vnlucky thing presaged some misfortune especially in the daies of the KK regiment in Rome for when Valeria was borne toothed the wizards and Soothsayers being consulted thereabout answered out of their learning by way of Prophesie That look into what citie she was caried to nource she should be the cause of the ruine and subuersion thereof whereupon had away shee was and conueied to Suessa Pometia a city at that time most flourishing in wealth and riches and it proued most true in the end for that city was vtterly destroied Cornelia the mother of the Gracchi is sufficient to proue by her own example that women are neuer borne for good whose genitall parts for procreation are growne together and yeeld no entrance Some children are borne with an entire whole bone that taketh vp all the gum instead of a row of distinct teeth as a son of Prusias king of the Bythinians who had such a bone in his vpper chaw This is to be obserued about teeth that they onely check the fire and burn not to ashes with other parts of the body and yet as inuincible as they are and able to resist the violence of the flame they rot and become hollow with a little catarrhe or waterish rheume that droppeth and distilleth vpon them white they may be made with certaine mixtures and medicines called Dentifices Some weare their teeth to the very stumps onely with vse of chawing others againe loose them first out of their head they serue not onely to grind our meat for our daily food and nourishment but necessary also they be for the framing of our speech The fore-teeth stand in good stead to rule and moderate the voice by a certaine consent and tuneable accord answering as it were to the stroke of the tongue and according to that row and ranke of theirs wherein they are set as they are broader or narrower greater or smaller they yeeld a distinction and varietie in our words cutting and hewing them thicke and short framing them pleasant plaine and ready drawing them out at length or smuddering and drowning them in the end but when they bee once falne out of the head man is bereaued of all means of good vtterance and explanation of his words Moreouer there are some presages of good or bad fortune gathered by the teeth men ordinarily haue giuen them by nature 32 in all except the nation of the Turduli They that haue aboue this number may make account as it is thought to liue the longer As for women they haue not so many they that haue on the right side in the vpper iaw two eie-teeth which the Latines call Dogs-teeth may promise themselues the flattering fauors of Fortune as it is well seene in Agrippina the mother of Domitius Nero but contrariwise the same teeth double in the left side aboue is a signe of euill lucke It is not the custome in any countrey to burne in a funerall fire the dead corps of any infant before his teeth be come vp but hereof will we write more at large in the Anatomie of man when wee shall discourse purposely of euerie member and part of the body Zoroastres was the onely man that euer wee could heare of who laughed the same day that he was borne his brain did so euidently pant and beat that it would beare vp their hands that laid them vpon his head a most certain presage fore-token of that great learning that afterward he attained vnto This also is held for certain and resolued vpon that a man at three yeares of age is come to one moitie of his growth and height As also this is obserued for an vndoubted truth that generally all men come short of the ful stature in time past and decrease stil euery day more than other and seldome shall you see the son taller than his father for the ardent heat of the elementarie fire whereunto the world enclineth already now toward the later end as somtimes it stood much vpon the waterie element deuoureth and consumeth that plentifull humor and moisture of naturall seed that engendreth all things and this appeareth more euidently by these examples following In Crete it chanced that an hill claue asunder in an earth-quake and in the chink thereof was found a body standing 46 cubits high some say it was the body of Orion others of Otus We find in chronicles records of good credit that the body of Orestes being taken vp by direction from the Oracles was seuen cubits long And verily that great and famous poet Homer who liued almost 1000 yeres ago complained and gaue not ouer That mens bodies were lesse of stature euen then than in old time The Annales set not downe the stature and bignesse of Naevius Pollio but that he was a mighty gyant appeareth by this that is written of him namely that it was taken for a wonderfull strange thing that in a great rout presse of people that came running together vpon him he had like to haue bin killed The tallest man that hath bin seen in our age was one named Gabbara who in the daies of prince Claudius late Emperor was brought out of Arabia nine foot high was hee and as many inches There were in the time of Augustus Caesar 2 others named Pusio and Secundilla higher than Gabbara by halfe a foot whose bodies were preserued and kept for a wonder in a charnell house or sepulchre within the gardens of the Salustians Whiles the same Augustus sate as president his niece Iulia had a little dwarfish fellow not aboue 2 foot and a hand bredth high called Conopas whom she set great store by and made much of as also another she dwarfe named Andromeda who somtime had been the slaue of Iulia the princesse and by her made free M. Varro reporteth that Manius Maximus and M. Tullius were but two cubits high yet they gentlemen and knights of Rome and in truth we our selues haue seen their bodies how they lie embalmed and chested which testifieth no lesse It is well knowne that there be some that naturally are neuer but a foot and a halfe high others again somwhat longer and to this heigth they came in three yeres which is the full course of their age and then they die Wee reade moreouer in the Chronicles that in Salamis one Euthimenes had a son who in three yeres grew to be three cubits high
depth thereof but more he would maruell to consider how few men there be that know which is the best season for fishing while the Sun passeth through the signe Pisces CHAP. XX. ¶ A diuision of fishes according to the forme and shape of their bodies OF sea fishes some be plain and flat as Byrts or Turbots Solds Plaice Flounders And these differ from the Turbots onely in the making of their body for in a Turbot the right side turns vpward and in a Plaice the left Others again be long and round as the Lamprey and Congre And hereupon it is that they haue a difference in their fins which Nature hath giuen to fish in stead of feet None haue aboue foure some two some three others none at all Only in the lake Fucinus there is a fish which in swimming vseth 8 fins All that be long and slipperie as Eeles and Congres haue ordinarily two in all and no more Lampries haue none to swim with ne yet perfect guils all of this kind winde and wriggle with their bodies within the water and so erche forward like as serpents doe vpon the earth They creepe also when they are vpon dry land and therefore such liue longer than the rest out of the water Also of the foresaid flat fishes some haue no finnes as the puffin or fork-fish for their bredth serueth them sufficiently to beare them vp and to swim And amongst those that are counted soft the Pourcuttell hath no fins for his feet standeth him in stead of fins to swim with CHAP. XXI ¶ Of Yeeles YEeles liue 8 yeares And if the North wind blow they abide aliue without water 6 daies but not so long in a Southern wind But yet in Winter time they may not endure to be in a little water nor if it be thick and muddy wherupon about the rising of the star Virgiliae they be commonly taken for that the riuers about that time vse to be troubled Their feeding most commonly is in the night Of all fish they alone if they be dead flote not aboue the water CHAP. XXII ¶ The manner of taking them in the lake Benacus THere is a lake in Italy called Benacus within the territorie of Verona through which the riuer Mincius runs at the issue whereof euerie yere about the moneth of October when the Autumne star Arcturus ariseth whereby as it euidently appeareth the lake is troubled as it were with a winter storme and tempest a man shall see rolling amongst the waues a wonderfull number of these Yeels wound tangled one within another insomuch as in the leapweeles and weernets deuised for the nonce to catch them in this riuer there be found somtime a thousand of them wrapped together in one ball CHAP. XXIII ¶ Of the Lamprey THe Lamprey spawneth at all times of the yeare whereas all other fishes are deliuered of their yong at one certain season or other The egs or spawne grow to a great passe exceeding soon If they chance to slip out of the water to dry land the common sort is of opinion that they ingender with serpents The male or milter of this kinde Aristotle calls Myrus And herein is the difference that the spawner properly called Muraena is of sundry colors and withall but weake but the Mylter or Myrus is of one hue withall very strong hauing teeth standing without his mouth In the North parts of France all the Lampreis haue in their right jaw seuen spots resembling the seuen stars about the North pole called Charlemaines Waine They be of a yellow colour and glitter like gold so long as the Lampreies be aliue but with their life they vanish away and be no more seene after they be dead Vedius Pollio a gentleman of Rome by calling and one of the great fauorits and followers of Augustus Caesar deuised experiments of cruelty by means of this creature for hee caused certain slaues condemned to die to be put into the stewes where these Lampreies or Muraenes were kept to be eaten and deuoured by them not for that there were not wilde beasts ynow vpon the land for this feat but because he tooke pleasure to behold a man torne and pluckt in pieces all at once which pleasant sight he could not see by any other beast vpon the land It is said if they taste vineger of all things they become inraged and mad They haue a very thin and tender skinne contrariwise Yeels haue as thick tough And Verrius writeth that boyes vnder 17 yeres of age were wont to be swinged and whipped with Yeeles skinnes and therefore they were freed from all other mulct and punishment CHAP. XXIV ¶ Of flat and broad Fishes OF flat and broad fishes there is another sort which in lieu of a chine or backe bone haue a gristle As the Ray or Skait the Puffin like vnto it the Maids or Thornbacke and the Crampfish moreouer those which the Greekes haue termed by the names of their sea Cow their Dog-fish their Aegle and Frog of the sea In this rank are to be ranged the Squali also albeit they are not so flat and broad All this kind in general Aristotle hath called in Greek Selache and he was the first that gaue them that name we in Latine cannot distinguish them vnlesse we call them all Cartilaginea that is to say Gristly fish But all the sort of them that deuoure flesh are such and their manner is to feed lying backward like as we obserued in the dolphins And wheras other fishes cast spawn which resemble knots of egs these gristly fishes only as also those great ones which we call Cete i. Whales bring forth their yong aliue And yet I must except one kind of them which they call Rana i. sea Frogs CHAP. XXV ¶ Of Echeneis i. the Stay-ship THere is a very little fish keeping vsually about rocks named Echeneis it is thought that if it settle and stick to the keele of a ship vnder water it goeth the slower by that means whereupon it was so called and for that cause also it hath but a bad name in matters of loue for inchanting as it were both men and women and bereauing them of their heat and affection that way as also in law cases for delay of issues and iudicial trials But both these imputations and slanders it recompenseth again with one good vertue and commendable quality that it hath for in great bellied women if it be applied outwardly it stayeth the dangerous flux of the womb and holds the child vnto the full time of birth howbeit it is not allowed for meat to be eaten Aristotle thinketh that it hath a number of feet the fins stand so thick one by another As for the shell fish Murex Mutianus saith it is broader than the Purple hauing a mouth neither rough nor round ne yet with a beck pointed cornered-wise but plain and euen hauing a shell on both sides winding and turning inward These fishes chanced vpon a time to cleaue
is to say after the Sunsted in summer All other birds which be as it were of the same race driue their yong ones out of the nest when they be once flidge and put them to it forcing them to flie abroad like as the Rauens also who likewise feed not on flesh only and they likewise when they perceiue their yong once to be strong chase and driue them away farre off Therefore about little villages and hamlets there commonly be not aboue two paire of them at once And about Cranon verily in Thessalie yee shall neuer see aboue one paire of them for the old ones giue place to the yong and fly away There are some diuers and different properties in this bird and that before-named for the Rauens engender before the Sunsted and fot sixtie daies are somwhat ill at ease and troubled with a kind of drought or thirstines especially till such time as the figges be ripe in Autumne and then from that time forward the Crow beginneth to be diseased and sick Rauens for the most part lay fiue egges and the common sort are of opinion that they conceiue and engender at the bill or lay their egges by it and therefore if women great with child chance to eat a Rauens egge they shall be deliuered of their children at the mouth and generally shall haue hard labour if such an egge be but brought into the house where such a great bellied woman be Aristotle denies this and saith that the Rauens conceiue by the mouth no more than the Aegyptian Ibis and he affirmeth that it is nothing else but a wantonnesse which they haue in billing and kissing one another which we see them to doe oftentimes like as the Doues and Pigeons also The Rauens of all other foules seeme to haue a knowledge of their owne significations in presages and fore-tokens for when the mercinarie hired souldiers of Media were all massacred vnder a colour of entertainment and hospitalitie the Rauens flew all away out of Peloponnesus and the region of Attica The worst token of ill lucke that they giue is when in their crying they seeme to swallow in their voice as though they were choked The night birds haue also crooked tallons as the Owles Scritch-Owle Howlets All these see but badly in the day time The Scritch-Owle alwaies betokeneth some heauie newes and is most execrable and accursed and namely in the presages of publick affaires he keepeth euer in desarts and loueth not only such vnpeopled places but also that are horrible and hard of accesse In summe he is the very monster of the night neither crying nor singing out cleare but vttering a certaine heauy groane of dolefull mourning And therefore if he be seen to fly either within cities or otherwise abroad in any place it is not for good but prognosticates some fearfull misfortune Howbeit I my selfe know that he hath sitten vpon many houses of priuat men and yet no deadly accident followed thereupon He neuer flieth directly at ease as hee would himselfe but euermore sidelong or byas as if he were carried away with the wind or somewhat else There fortuned one of them to enter the very secret sanctuarie within the Capitoll at Rome in that yeare when Sex Papellio Ister and L. Pedanius were Consuls whereupon at the Nones of March the city of Rome that yeare made generall processions to appease the wrath of the gods and was solemnly purged by sacrifices CHAP. XIII ¶ Of the bird Incendiaria THis fire-bird Incendiaria is likewise vnlucky and as our Chronicles and Annals doe witnesse in regard of her the city of Rome many a time hath made solemne supplications to pacifie the gods and to auert their displeasure by her portended As for example when L. Cassius and C. Marius were Consuls in that very yeare when by occasion of a Scritch-Owle seene the city likewise was purged by sacrifice as is aboue said and the people fell to their prayers deuotions But what bird this should be neither do I know nor yet finde in any writer Some giue this interpretation of Incendiaria to be any bird whatsoeuer which hath beene seene carying fire either from altar or chappell of the gods Others call this bird Spinturnix But hitherto I haue not found any man that would say directly That hee knew what bird this should be CHAP. XIV ¶ Of the bird Cliuina or Cluina LIkewise the bird named in old time Clivina or Cluina which some call Clamatoria and which Labeo describeth by the name of Prohibitoria I see is as little known as the other Nigidius also maketh mention of a bird called Subis which vseth to squash Egles egs CHAP. XV. ¶ Of other vnknowne Birds IN the Augures bookes which the Tuscanes haue composed there be many birds described and set out in their colours which haue not been seene some hundreds of yeares past And I muse and maruell much that they should be now extinct and the race of them cleane gone considering that the kind of those fowles is not lost but continueth still in great aboundance which men eat daily at their tables and consume so ordinarily CHAP. XVI ¶ Of night-flying Birds OF strangers and forrein writers Hylas is thought to haue written best and most learnedly as touching Auguries and the nature of birds He reports in his book that the Howlet Scritch-owle the Spight that pecketh holes in trees the Trogone and the Chough or Crow when they be hatched come forth of their shels with their taile first and that by reason of their heads so heauy the egs are turned with the wrong end downward so the hinder part of the body lieth next vnder the henne or the dam to sit vpon and cherish with the heat of her body CHAP. XVII ¶ Of Owles or Howlets IT is a pretty sight to see the wit and dexteritie of these Howlets when they fight with other birds for when they are ouerlaid and beset with a multitude of them they lie vpon their backs and with their feet make shift to resist them for gathering themselues into a narrow compasse there is nothing in a maner to be seen of them saue only their bill and talons which couer the whole body The Faulcon by a secret instinct and societie of nature seeing the poore How let thus distressed commeth to succor and taketh equal part with him and so endeth the fray Nigidius writeth that Howlets for sixty daies in winter keepe close and remain in couert and that they change their voice into nine tunes CHAP. XVIII ¶ Of the Spight or Woodpecker SOme little birds there are also that haue hooked clees as the Spights which are known by the sirname of Martius and be therefore called Pici Martij These are of great account in Auspices and presage good They that job and pecke holes in trees and will climbe vpright like cats are of this race As for them they will rampe vp with their bellies to the tree bending backward when they peck
drie as that which will not thicken at all Also which is the grossest bloud and heauiest which the lightest and thinnest and last of all what creatures liuing haue no bloud at all THose that haue much bloud and the same fat and grosse are angrie and chollericke The bloud of males is commonly blacker than that of females yea and more in youth than in old age and the same in the bottome and lower part setleth fatter and grosser than aboue In bloud consists a great portion and treasure of life When it is let out it caries with it much vitall spirit howbeit sencelesse it is and hath no feeling The strongest creatures bee they which haue the thickest bloud but the wisest those that haue thinnest the more fearefull that haue least but dull and blockish altogether which haue none at all Buls bloud of all other soonest congealeth and waxeth hard and therefore poison it is to be drunke especially The bloud of Bores red and fallow Deere Roe-buckes and all Buffles will not thicken Asses bloud is most fatty and grosse and contrarily mans bloud is thinnest finest Those beasts which haue more than 4 feet are bloudlesse Those that be fat haue small store of bloud because it is spent in fatnesse Man only bleeds at the nose some at one nosthrill alone others at both and some againe void bloud downward by the Hemorrhoids Many there be that cast vp bloud at certaine times ordinarie by the mouth as not long since Macrinus Viscus late pretor of Rome and vsually euerie yeare Volusius Saturninus Prouost of the citie who notwithstanding liued vntill hee was aboue fourescore and ten yeres old Bloud is the only thing in the body that increases presently For so we see that beasts killed for sacrifice wil bleed most freshly in greater abundance if they dranke a little before Those creatures that lie hidden in the earth at certaine times as we haue said before haue no bloud in all that while vnlesse it be some few and those very smal drops gathered about their hearts A wonderfull worke of Nature that it should be so as also that in a man it should alter and change euer and anon so as it doth vpon euery small occasion and the force and strength thereof varie not only for defect and want of matter to disperse abroad but also for euery little motion and passion of the minde as shame anger and feare For one while it sheweth pale another whiles red more or lesse in much varietie of degrees In case of anger it wil shew one color of shame and bashfulnesse appearing in another In feare doubtlesse it retires and flies backe in such sort as a man knowes not what is become of it so as many in that fit haue ben stabbed and run thorough and yet bleed not at all one drop but this suddaine change of colour happens to men only For in other creatures which as we haue said do alter their hue it is an outward colour that they take from the reflection of certain places neer vnto them man alone hath this change from within himselfe To conclude all maladies and death especially consume the bloud CHAP. XXXIX ¶ Whether in Bloud resteth the soueraignetie or no Also of the nature of Skin of Haires and the Paps SOmâ—… measure not the finenesse of spirit and wit by the puritie of bloud but suppose that creatures are brutish more or lesse according as their Skin is thicker or thinner and as the other couertures of their bodie be either grosse and hard or thin and tender as we see for example in Oisters and Tortoises They affirme moreouer that the thick hide in Kine Oxen and the hard bristles in Swine impeach the entrance of subtile aire and fine spirit into their bodies in such wise that nothing can pierce and passe through which is pure and fine as it should be And hereto they bring men also as a proofe who are thicke skinned and more brawnie for to be more grosse of sence and vnderstanding as who would say that Crocodiles were not very wittie and industrious yet their skin is hard enough And as for the Riuer-horse his hide is so thicke that thereof jauelines and speares are turned and yet so industrious is that beast that in some case he is his owne Physician and he hath taught vs to open a veine and let bloud The Elephants skin is so tough and hard that therof be made targuets and shields of so good proofe that is is impossible to pierce them thorough and yet they are thought to be of all four-footed beasts most ingenious and wittie Wherefore conclude we may that the skin it selfe is sencelesse and hath no fellowship at all with the vnderstanding and especially that of the head and whersoeuer it is of it selfe naked and without flesh be sure if it be wounded impossible it is to consolidate the wound and namely in the eie lids and bals of the cheekes All creatures that bring forth their young quicke are hairie those that lay egs haue either feathers as birds skales as fishes or else be couered with shels as Tortoises or last of all haue a plaine skin and no more as Serpents The quils of all feathers be hollow Cut them they will grow no more plucke them they will come againe Insects flie with thin and brittle pellicles or membranes The sea Swallowes haue them euermore moist and drenched in the sea As for the Bat he is afraid to wet them and therfore flies about housen his wings besides are diuided into joints The haires that grow forth of a thick skin are commonly hard grosse but euermore thinner and finer in the females In horses and mares they grow at length vpon their mains Lions also haue them long about their shoulders and foreparts Connies haue long haires about their checkes yea and within-forth as also in the soles of their feet and so hath the Hares according to the opinion of Trogus who thereby collecteth that hairy men likewise are more letcherous than other The hairiest creature of all other is the Hare In mankind only there grows haire about the priuy parts and whosoeuer wants it man or woman is holden for barren not apt for generation Haires in men and women are not all of one sort for some they bring with them into the world others come vp and grow afterwards Those they haue from their mothers womb do not lightly fall and shed and least of all in women Yet shal ye haue some women to shed the haire of the head by occasion of sicklinesse as also other women to haue a kinde of down vpon their face namely when their monethly fleurs do stay vpon them In some men the later kind of haires to wit of the beard c. wil not come of their own accord without the help of Art Four-footed beasts shed their haire yerely and haue it grow again Mens haire of their heads groweth most and next to it
in the waters the great Scallops make a certaine noise as they shoot out of the water But soft fishes and such as lie couered with a crust or shell neither vtter voice nor yet yeeld sound As for other fishes although they be without lungs and pipes yet are they not quite mute but deliuer a certaine sound Howbeit they that would maintaine that fishes are dumbe indeed doe cauill and say that such a noise commeth of crashing and grinding their teeth together But what will they say then to the water-Goat the riuer Bore which in the riuer Achelous do euidently grunt as also others wherof we haue spoken Againe such as lay egs do hisse and Serpents draw their hissing out in length The Tortoise hisses likewise but after a broken manner with staies and rests between Frogs keep a croaking after their kind as hath been said before and yet a man may seem well to doubt therof how it should be considering that the noise which they make comes but from their teeth and mouth outward and is not framed in their breast or stomacke Howbeit in them there is great difference by occasion of the nature of diuers countries For in Macedonie by report they are mute and there also the Swine be dumbe As for birds the least euermore be most full of chirping chaunting and singing and most of all about the treading time Some of them keepe a singing when they fight as Quailes others when they goe to fight as Partridges and some again after victorie as cocks And they haue a crowing by themselues differing from the cackling of hens whereas in other birds you canot discerne the male from the female by the singing as we see in Nightingales Some sing all the yeare long others at certaine times as we haue more at large declared in the particular treatise of each bird The Elephant he sends out at his very mouth somwhat short of his muffle a certaine sâ—…nd like to sneesing but thorough that muffle or trunke of his he sounds as it were out of a trumpet Kine only of females haue a bigger voice than Buls for in euery kind else the female hath a smaller voice than the males like as we see in mankind the gelded Eunuchs As an infant is comming into the world it is not heard to crie all the while that it is in the birth before it be fully born When it is a yeare old it begins to prattle and talke but not before King Croesus had a sonne who lying swoddled in his cradle spake by that time he was 6 months old but this was a prodigious signe and presaged the finall ruine of that kingdome Those children that begin with their tongue betime are later ere they find their feet The voice in man or woman beginneth to change and waxe greater at 14 yeares old The same in old age growes again to be smaller and in no other creature doth it more often alter Moreouer as touching the Voice there be strange and wonderfull matters reported and those worth the rehearsal in this place For first and foremost we do see That vpon the skaffold or stage in publick Theatres if the floore be strowed ouer well and thicke with saw-dust or sand the voice of the actors will be drowned and lost yea and remain stil aboue the skaffold if it were there buried also where there be hollow and vneuen wals round about or emptie drie-fats and tuns set the voice will be taken vp in them and passe no farther But the same voice betweene two wals directly set one by another runs apace yea and through a vault it may be heard from the one end to the other be the sound neuer so low prouided that all be smooth and euen between and nothing to hinder the passage thereof To speake yet somwhat more of the Voice In it doth rest a great part of the countenance and visage of man wherby he is discerned and knowne For we know a man by hearing his voice before we see him euen as well as if our eies were fixed vpon him And see how many men and women there are in the world so many sundrie voices there bee for each one hath a seuerall voice as well as a face by himself And hereof arises that varietie of nations that diuersitie of languages all the world through From hence come so many tunes in song so many notes in Musick as there bee But aboue all the greatest thing to be noted in Voice is this That wheras the vtterance of our mind therby doth distinguish vs from brute and wild beasts the same euen among men maketh as great a difference betweene one and another as the other is betweene man and beast CHAP. LII ¶ Of the excrescence and superfluitie of some members Also the discourse and sayings of Aristotle as touching mans life LOoke what part is more than ordinarie by nature in any liuing creature the same â—…erues to no vse As for example the sixt finger in a mans hand is euermore superfluous and therefore fit for nothing It was thought good in Aegâ—…pt once to nourish and keep a monstrous man who had foure eies wherof two stood in the backe part of his head behind but surely he saw neuer a whit with them I wonder verily thâ—…t Aristotle not only beleeued but also sticked not to set downe in writing that there were certaine signes in mans bodie whereby we might foreknow whether he were long liued or no. Which albeit I take to be but vanities not rashly to bee vttered without good aduisement because I would not haue men amused and busily occupied in searching Prognostications in themselues as touching their owne life yet will I touch the same and deliuer them in some sort since so great a clerk as Aristotle was held them for Resolutions and thought them worth the penning He putteth downe therefore as signes of short life thin teeth long fingers a leaden hew many lines in the palme of the hand with crosse bars or short cuts Contrariwise he saith That those who are Lute backed thicke shouldered and bending forward who also in one hand haue two long life lines and aboue 32 teeth in their head and besides are wel hanged and haue large eares bee long liued And as far as I can guesse he requires not that all these signes should concurre and meet together for to signifie as is beforesaid but as I suppose his meaning is that euery one of them by it selfe is significatiue and sufficient Surely these Physiognomers Chiromantines or Palmestrie as friuolous and foolish as they be yet now adaies are in credite and euery man is full of them Trogus a most graue and renowmed Author among vs is of opinion moreouer That there is judgment to be giuen not only of mens complexions but also of their conditions by their very sight countenance and surely I think it not amisse to set downe his very words A large and broad forehead saith he is a token of
very big 341. a Chameleons roll their whole eies 331. f Chamelaea 398. k Chamaeropes what they be 387. a Chamaemyrsine 434. h Chani fishes without males 244. m Characias a kinde of reed or cane 483. e Charit oblepharon a shrub within the sea 402. k Charcoale of Oke-wood 459. c Charcoale of young tree best ibid. Charcoale how it is made 459. d Charcoale worst made of the Oke Hatiphleos ibid. Charme to driue away haile 547. f Charmidas his memory 168. g Chasma what it is 17. h of Chastitie rare examples 173. f Chats or Catkins vpon diuers trees 459. d Chaus a beast 205. e Chalenophagi hairie all but head 134. i Cheiidoniae Islands in Asia 368. l Chelidony stones in mawes of young birds 343. b Chenelopes See Birganders Chenerotes 281. b Cheese vnknowne to barbarous nations 348. k Cheese of the best sort made in Dalmatia ibid. l Cheese excellent at Vatusium ibid. m Cheese of diuers sorts 349. a of Cheese a discourse 348. l a Cherrie tree bearing armes of a mighty bignesse 476. m Cherrie trees when to be grafted 523. b Cherries of a middle kind between berries grains 448. g Cherrie trees brought into Italy ibid. h. they will not grow in Aegypt ibid. Cherries Apronian Actian Caecilian Iulian Duracin Plinian of Portugall Laurean Macedonian 448. h Cherries how they be kept ibid. i Chestnuts rather no be called Mast than nuts 446. l Chestnuts described ibid. their kernils ground into meale for bread ibid. how to be eaten ibid. Chestnuts called Sardinian nuts and why ibid. named 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ibid. uâ—… Chestnuts Tarentine Balanitis ibid. Chestnuts Salarian Corellian Meteran Coctiua 447 a Chestnuts which be best ibid. Choughs filch mony 285. c Chine-bone 339. e. the vse of it ibid. Chin man onely hath 337. a Chickins how they be hatched 298. l Children begotten and borne at what age of the parents 163. a. b. Children not alwaies answerable to their parents in euery respect 160. l Children twelue distinct cast away at one slip from a woman 160. k Children of the Dakes carry the marke of their parents to the fourth generation 161. a childreÌ„ changelings 158 h Children breed their teeth in the seuenth moneth of their age 164. b Children aboue three at a birth is monstrous 157. d a Child returned into the mothers wombe 158. g Chimaera a hill in Phoselis burning both night and day 47. b. blacke Choller cause of fury 341. e. cast vp by vomit deadly ibid. Choromandae what people 156. h Chilo his sayings counted Oracles 173. c. how he died and was honoured ibid. d Chronicles who first deuised 189. f Chrysomela a kinde of Quince 436. h Chydaei certaine Dates 388. g C I Cich-pease and the nature thereof how to be sowne 569. f 570. g. sundry kinds of ciches 370. g Cich-pease how codded ibid. M. T. Cicero the elder his praise 172. m M. Cicero the younger challenged for a drunkard 428. g Cicercuta 370. g Cicero his commendation 272. m Cici Looke Ricinus Cichorie medicinable to diuerse birds 211. d Cilicia the description thereof 104. m Cinnamologus a bird 288. m Cinnamon 372. f. g Cinnamon groweth in Aethyopia 372. i. exchanged for what commoditie 372. k Cinnamon plant described ibid. Cinnamon the best 373. a. b. Cinnamon of two kinds ibid. b Cinnamon the price ibid. Cinnamon root set into the ground in the temple of Augustus ibid. c Cinnamon garland dedicated by Uespasian 373. d Cinnamon shrub will not prosper in Syria 478. l Circos a kind of Hawke 274. k Circei Islands by the retiring of the sea ioyned to the continent 39. e Circeus the name of a wind 23. b Circumference of the world 49. e Citron tree 359. c. the fruit a counterpoison ibid. Citron tree fruitfull 359. d. it liketh not to be in strange countries ibid. pome-Citron kernils good against a stinking breath ibid. e Citron tree 395. c Citron tables ibid. Citron tree beareth not but in Assyria 478. k Ciuicke coronets six giuen to Manlius Capitolinus ibid. Ciuicke coronets 456. h. compared with all others ibid. Ciuicke coronets fourteen giuen to Siccius Dentalus 454. e Ciuicke coronet or garland wherof it was first made 457. b lawes appertaining to Ciuicke coronets ibid. d Ciuicke coronet at Rome comparable to the best among the Greekes ibid. c C L Clamato ria a bird 277. c Clapping of hands reioice Bees 231. e of Clawes a discourse 351. c Cleopatraher lauish expence 257. a Q. Cleopatra her rich pearles ibid. Cleostratus found out the signes in the Zodiake 5. e Clerus a bitter thing found in hony combes 318. l Climastericke yeares 182. h Clodding of lands 579. e Clodeus the son of Aesope his expence and riot in pearles 257. d. Clogs hanging from Rosin trees all but the Larch 463. Cloth of gold when it was inuented 226. i Clothes of diuers colours wouen 228. i Clouds their shapes 29. c Cloues a spice 362. h Cluina or Cliuina a bird 277. c Clupea a fish killeth another called Attilus 243. a C N Cneston Cneros 398. k C O Cocks go about with chickens when the hen is dead 299. e Cocks watchfull and desirous of glory 279. c. Astronomers ibid. Sentinels ibid. they loue soueraignty and win it by fight ibid. c. d Cockes dreadfull to the Lion ibid. e Cockes of kinde fighters ibid. Cockes beare great sway in Auspices 279. f Cockes carued and made capons 280. h Cocke fighting ibid. a Cocke spake ibid. Cocolobis See Vine Basilica Coctura what it was 412. k Coclites who they were 335. b Cod-fish 245. b Coggygria a tree the proprieties of it 399. c Coine stamped with the image of sheepe kine and oxen 550. l. Colariae a sort of cod-fish 245. e Colon a gut so called 343. a. in it is the paine of the collicke ibid. Colostratia a disease that commeth of Bee-stings 348. h Columbinum Cicer. 570. g Colour of the king of Bees 318. i Colours in the eie why they are 335. b Colymbades what Oliues 432. g Comagenum a precious composition 381 Comata part of France 332. i Comarum what it is 447. e Comets white with siluer haires 15. f. shaggie and like a mane when such a one appeared and the continuance of such when they doe appeare 16. g Comets what they doe fore-token ibid. g Comets neuer lightly seene in the West part of the heauen 16. h. were worshipped for gods ibid. i Combat betweene Buls and Elephants 195. f Cambat betweene an Elephant and a Roman ibid. d. e Commodities in a farme which be most gainefull 553. e. f Commosis first foundation of Bees worke 313. g Conception at what time 164. h signes of Conception 159. a. of a boy and a girle distinst ihid d. Conception double 160. l Conchylium a shell-fish 246. i Conchylia what fishes 258. i Conger a fish 246. b Conferration what it was 550. i Connies kinnle euery moneth 303. d. they admit superfoetation ibid. Connies exceeding fruitfull
presence of the male 386 g. h Date trees corne of flips and branches as well as of kernils ibid. i Date trees spring of their owne leaues 508 m Dates guelded 386 l Date tree growing in the Capitoll of Rome 143 e Dates of 49 sorts 387 b Dates Royall 161 d Dates of Iurie best 387 e Dates of sundry sorts 388 h Dates serue to franke Swine ibid. i Damascene prunes ibid. l Date tree leaues serue for cordage 470 l. how to be pulled and ordered 470 l Date trees like not in a strange country 478 k Date tree of great antiquitie 495 e Dathiathum what it is 367 d Daies how they come to be vnequall and not of certaine length 13 f Daylight in the night 18 g Daylight vpon earth the reason thereof 35 c Day where it is longest and where shortest 36 i continuall day for six moneths ibid. how daies are obserued 36 l Day for six moneths together where 84 i the kindenesse of a Daughter to her mother 174 h Daughters of Agrippa deliuered of two tyrants 160 g Daphnis a bondslaue how highly praised 175 e Daudo a Sclauonian liued fiue hundred yeares 181 a Dactyle fishes 209 f Daughters of Marcus Curiatius why they were called Sedigitae 349 c Dauncing whose inuention 189 c D E Death suddaine 185 c. d. c. Dead supposed recouer 184 h Deale See Firre Deaw when it appeareth 29 b signes of Death in sicknesse 183 e Dead bodies weigh more than quicke 156 e Deafe naturally be dumbe 306 g Decumanus lines what it is 609 b Deere where they haue foure kidnies apeece 343 d Decapolis why so called 701 e Defrutum what it is 416 l Delos Island 40 g Delos Island famous and why so called 81 b. the diuerse names thereof 161 d Demetrius spared to burn Rhodes for the loue of a picture 175 d Democritus foreseeing by the stars a dearth of oile bought vp all aforehand 598 g. hee fained two gods Punishment and Benefit 3 d Democritus in hot weather fore-saw a shoure of raine and foretold it 610 m Deuteriae what wines 417 e D I Dials where first inuented 191 b. not seruing for all places 35 d Dialeta a kinde of Purples 29 b Dianitis Murrhe 369 b Dianaes temple at Ephesus foure hundred yeares in building 491 b. of what timber it was built 161 d her image of wood 491 c. by what meanes it endured so long ibid. Dianaes temple at Saguntum ibid. d Dibapha what Purple dies 260i Dianaes temple in Aulis 491 e Dia Pasmata what they be 383 c Dicaearchus his commission 31 d Digestion of meat worse in Summer than in Winter 355 f Digestion in sleepe of what effect 356 g Diademe first inuented 187 〈◊〉 Diuination by beasts who deuised 189 d Dinochares a renowned Architect 99 b Diomedian birds described and why so called 294 m 295 a. b. Dibapha what dies 260 i Dioscurias a famous citie of the Colchians 117 c. d by whom founded ibid. d Diuinors or men of a propheticall spirit 173 d Dionysius being deposed from his kingdome the sea-water grew to be fresh 44 i Dionysiodorus a Geometrician 49 c. and his Epistle found in his sepulchre and the contents thereof ibid. Diomedes his lake 94 g Diomedes his horses 78 h Diribitorium 489 d Discord betweene beasts 308 h Diuersitte of childrens resemblance of their parents ibid. b Diuision of fishes 247 d Difference between brains and marrow of the bones 333 a Difference of eie-sight in men 334 Diuersitie of mouthes in creatures 336 l Diuersitie of teeth in creatures 337 a Diseases strange incident to men and women 182. l. as strangely cured 183. a. who liued long without disease ibid. b. Diseases of sundry sorts ibid. c. d Diseases ihat haunt trees 538. m Distances in planting how to be obserued 514. l D O Docus shining beames in the skie 17. b Dogs louing and faithfull to their masters 218. l Dogs restore a king to â—…is crowne againe 218. m. their affection to their master 219. a Dogs emploied in wars 218. m. their rare properties 219. c one Dog ouercommeth a Lion and an Elephant 220. g. h Dogs mad 220. i. how they be preserued from madnesse ib. a Dog speaketh 220. k Dogs come into Hercules temple in the beast-market at Rome 285. d Dogs will not liue in the Isle of Sygaros 141. e Dog-starre his power 19. f Dog-starre powerfull on the sea 245. 〈◊〉 Dog-starre of great effect and precious 597. d. highly honoured ibid. Dolphins their nature 238. h. i Dolphin swiftest of all fishes and creatures 238. m. swifter than an arrow out of a bow ibid. sort themselues like man and wife 238. i Dolphins louingly affect men and musicke ibid. l. they loue mankind diuerse examples thereof 238. m Dolphins know the name Simo. ib. they helpe fishers to catch fish 240. 〈◊〉 they haue a certaine commonwealth ibid. l Dolphins haue no eares 333. c Dolphins enemies to Crocodiles 209. c Dormice kept tame 233 b. they sleepe all winter ibid. c kinde to their sires ibid. Doricke tune 14. l house Doues chast 290. g. hen-Doues meeke ibid h. the cocks iealous ibid. kinde to their pigions ibid. i. how they drinke ibid. stocke-Doues liue long 29â—… k. their tune ibid. Doues winke with both their eie-lids 336. i house-Doues glorious 290. m. taken in their pride by the faulcon 291. b. they loue the Kestrell or Stanell and wherefore ibid. doues emploied as posts and courriers betweene ib. c. how they be kept to their owne doue-cote ibid. doues and pigeons of great price 291. d Doues how ofâ—…en they sit and lay in a yeare 298. i. house-doues hatch a cocke and a hen pigeon 300. k. hen-doues tread one another for want of a cocke ibid. l Donax a kind of reed 485. c. k Dough how it is made 560 D R sea-Dragon 249. d Dragons in vines what they be 536. h Dragons fight with elephants and their subtiltie 198. k where they breed 199. c. Dragons procure appetite to meat with the iuice of wild lettuce 271. a some men neuer Dreame 309. c 〈◊〉 by Dreames who first practised 189. d Dreames common to all creatures that bring forth their young quicke ibid. Drepanâ—…s the sea-swallow seldome seen 351. d Drinke may be forborne altogether 166. g Drupae what oliues 379. b 30. g Drypetae what oliues 430. g Dryos hyphear 496. k Dryidae in France 497. b. why so called ibid. Dryidae their ceremonies in gathering of okes misselto ibid. c against drunkennesse and Drunkards 426. i M. Antonius a Drunkard and maintainer of Drunkennesse 428. g the behauiour of Drunkards 427. a Parthians great Drinkers of wine ibid. d Dromiscos Island 40. k D V Dung of blackebirds for what it is good 507. c Dunging of land when and in what order 582. l Dunghill cockes best adorned on the heads 331. b Dung how it is to be raked 582. l Dunging of grounds inuented by King Augeas 507. b Duracina certaine grapes 405. e
b Wine Myrtidanum ibid. Wine of Beterrae 414. l. of Tarentum 414. l. of Servitium ibid. of Consentia ibid. of Tempsa ibid. of Bavia ibid. of Lucania ibid. Wine of Thurium 415. a Wine of Lagaria ib. brought into credit by Messala ibid. Wine of Trebellia ibid. of Cauliâ—… ibid. Wine Trebulane ibid. Trifoline ibid. Wine of Pompeij ibid. Wines of Spaine 415. a Wine of Laletatane ibid. of Tarracon of Arragon of Laurâ—…ne ibid. Wines of the Balear Islands ibid. Wine of Thasos 415. 〈◊〉 of Chios ibid. Wine Ariusium ibid. Wine of Lesbos ibid. of Clazomene ibid. of mount Tmolus ibid. of Sicyone Cypresse Telmessus Tripolis Berytus Tyrus Sebennys 415. f Wine Hippodamantian ibid. Cantharites ibid. Gnidian ibid. Wines of Catacecanment 416. g. of Petra ibid. of Mycone ibid. Wine Mesogites 416. g of Ephesus ibid. of Apamea ibid. Wine Protagium ibid. Wines of Pontus Naspercenites Oroeoticke Oeâ—…ates of Leucas of Ambracia of Peparethus 416. g. h Wine Leucochrum 416. i Wine Tethalassomenum ibid. Wine Thalassites 416. k. why so called ibid. Wine Greekish 416. k Wine Scyzinum Itaeomelis Lectispagites 422. g Wines of garden hearbes 421. b of Radish 421. c. of Sparage ibid. of Savorie ibid. of Maioram ibid. of Origan ibid. of Smallach seed ibid. of Southernwood ibid. of wild Mints ibid. of Rue ibid. of Nep or Calaminth ibid. of running Thyme ibid. of Horehound ibid. Wine of Navews 421. c Wine Squilliticke ibid. Wines of floures 421 c Wine rosat how it is made 421. d Wine of Celticke spikenard ibid. Wine Ipocras or aromatized ibid. after what sort ibid. Wines condite or Pepper wines 421. e Wine Nectarites why so called ibid. how it is made of Elecampane ibid. worme-wood Wine ibid. hyssope Wine 421. f ellebore Wine ibid. Scammonite Wine ibid. Winkles or Sea-snailes what fishes 253. c. of sundry sorts ibid. e. what Winter we shall haue knowne by Bruma according to Democritus 589. f Witchcraft by praising and eye-biting 155. a Wiâ—… 〈◊〉 examples thereof 171. b 〈◊〉 tree called Spilfruit 474. h. it groweth quickly if it be pricked onely into the ground ibid. Withies or willowes where they loue to grow 484. l exceeding commodious ibid. compared with poplers and â—…lders ibid. W O Women bearing but once in their life time 156. m Women seldome left handed 165. e Women with a double apple in their eie witches 155. b bearing children at seauen yeares of age 157. a. at fiue yeares ibid. how many they may beare at one burthen naturally 157. d Women in Aegypt more fruitfull than others and the reason ibid. Womens monethly sickenesse 163. c. the strange effects thereof ibid. d. e. they stay commonly at fourtie yeares of age 163. a a Woman deliuered at once of two boies and two girles 157. d. it presaged famine ibid. Women many times lie for dead and whereupon 184. k a Woman deliuered of twenty children at four births 157. e Wood most massie and which swimmeth not 490. g Wood seruing to strike fire ibid. k Woods of sundrie natures and for diuerse vses 490. k. l. 493. d. e. f. Wood-wormes foure sorts 492. h Wood breeding no worme 492. i Wood how it is preserued from cleauing 492. l Wood of diuerse natures ibid. World what it is 1. c. euerlasting and infinit 1. c. vnmeasurable 1. d Worlds not innumerable 1. d. of a round forme 1. f World visible a haemisphere 2. g it turneth round in foure and twentie houres 2. g whether in turning it make an audable sound or harmonie 2. h. whether the bodie thereof be all smooth 2. h World certaine and yet vncertain 1. c. containing all things within it selfe ibid. World and heauen all one 1. b World why called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Mundus in Latine 2. k. the geometricall dimension 14. l Wormes hurtfull to standing corne 544. k X XEnophilus liued an hundred and fiftie yeares without sickenesse 183. b Xiphiae a kinde of Comets â—…5 〈◊〉 Xylocinnamon 373. a Xylobalsamum 377. b. the price of it 378. h Y YEels the manner of their engendring 265. d Yeels their nature 247. f. their life ibid. how they be taken in Benacus 248. g of great length 235. c Yeeles-skins vsed to ierke boys 249. k Yeeles dead onely flote not aboue the waters 247. f Yeeres diuersly reckoned 181. a Yeere diuided into twelue moneths 7. b Yoking oxen who first began 189. a Yron and steele who found first 188. k Yron-smith forge who first vsed 188. l Z ZOroastres laughed the first day that he was borne he liued in a wildernesse 20 yeares with cheese 349. b Zodiacke a circle in heauen 2. k. the deuisers of all the parts thereof 5. 〈◊〉 THE HISTORIE OF THE WORLD Commonly called THE NATVRAL HISTORIE OF C. PLINIVS SECVNDVS Translated into English by PHILEMON HOLLAND Doctor of Physicke The second Tombe PLINIVS PINGIT VTRVMQUE TIBI ΜΑΚΡΟΚΟΣΜΟΣ ΜΙΚΡΟΚΟΣΜΟΣ LONDON Printed by Adam Islip 1634. TO THE READER FOr as much as this second Tome treateth most of Physicke and the tearms belonging thereto as wel concerning diseases as medicines be for the most part either borowed from the Greek or such as the vnlearned be not acquainted with which partly vpon ne cessity I was forced and partly for varietie induced to vse I could not content my selfe to let them passe without some explanation for since my purpose especially is to profit and pleasure the most ignorant for whose sake Plinie also himselfe as hee professeth compiled this worke I would not be so iniurious vnto them as to interrupt their reading with obscuritie of phrase when the matter otherwise is most familiar In regard whereof I thought good to prefix a briefe Catalogue of such words of Art as euer and anon shall offer themselues in these discourses that insue with the explanation thereto annexed and the same deliuered as plainly as I could possibly deuise for the capacity of the meanest In the handling whereof so I may satisfie my countrymen that know no other Language but English I shall thinke my paines and labour well bestowed and lesse feare the censure of those that haply expect some deeper learning for euer still the verse of that Comicall Poet resoundeth from the stage in mine eares 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 id est Speake with lesse shew of learning so it be with more perspecuitie Vale. A briefe Catalogue of the words of Art with the Explanation thereof A ABort or Abortiue fruit is an vntimely birth Abstersiue i. scouring cleansing or wiping away such as the Greekes call Smectica and they enter into sope washing balls Accesse i. a fit whether it be of an Ague falling sicknesse or any such diseases as returne at times Acetabulum or Acetable a measure among the Romans of liquour especially but yet of dry things also the same that oxybaphon in Greeke and for that as both words do import they vsed to dip their meats in vinegre out of such it may wel go for a saucer with vs for it
to leaue the heauen and those coelestiall Bodies in their maiestie What is the cause that as the Magnet or loadstone draweth iron vnto it so there is another stone abhorreth the same and driueth iron from it What should the reason be of the Diamond that peerlesse stone the chiefe iewell wherein our rich worldings repose their greatest ioy and delight a stone otherwise inuincible and which no force and violence besides can conquer but that it remaineth still infâ—…ngible and yet that the simple bloud of a poore Goat is able to burst it in pieces Besides many other secrets in nature as strange yea and more miraculous All which we purpose to reserue vnto their seuer all places and will speake of them in order Mean while may it please the Reader to pardon vs and to take in good part the manner of our entrance into this matter for albeit we shall deale in the beginning with the smallest and basest things of all others yet such they be as are wholsome and concerne much the health of man and the maintenance of his life And first will we set in handwith the garden and the herbes that wee finde there CHAP. I. ¶ Of the wilde Cucumber and the juice thereof Elaterium THis wild Cucumber as we haue said heretofore is far lesse than that of the Garden Out of the fruit hereof there is a medicinable juice drawne which the Physitians call Elaterium For to get this juice men must not stay vntill the Cucumber be fullâ—… ripe for vnles it be taken betimes and cut down the sooner it wil leap flurt in the handling from the stele whereto it hangeth against their faces with no smal danger of their eye-sight Now when it is once gathered they keepe it soone whole night The next morrow they make an incision and slit it with the edge of a cane They vse to strew ashes also thereupon to restrain and keep down the liquor which issueth forth in such abundance which done they presse the said juice forth andreceiue it in raine water wherin it setleth and afterwards when it is dried in the Sunne they make it vp into Trochisques And certaine these Trochisques are soueraigne for many purposes to the great good and benefit of mankind For first and foremost it cureth the dimnesse and other defects or imperfections of the eyes it healeth also the vlcers of the eye lids It is said moreouer that if a man rub neuer so little of this juice vpon vine roots there will no birds come neere to pecke or once touch the grapes that shall hang thereon The root of this wild Cucumber if it be boiled in vinegre and made into a liniment and so applied is singular good for all kinds of gout but the juice of the said root helpeth the tooth-ach The root being dried and incorporat with rosin cureth the ringworme tettar wild scab or skurf which some cal Psora and Lichenes it discusseth and healeth the swelling kernels behind the eare the angrie pushes also and biles in other Emunctories called Pani and reduceth the stooles or skars left after any sore and other skarres to their fresh and natiue colour againe The juice of the leaues dopped with vinegre into the ears is a remedie for deafenesse As for the liquor concrete of this cucumber named elaterium the right season of making it is in autumne neither is there a drug that the Apothecaries hath which lasteth longer than it doth howbeit before it be three yeres old it begins not to be in force for any purpose that a man shal vse it and yet if one would occupie it fresh and new before that time he must correct the foresaid Trosch es with vinegre dissoluing them therin ouer a soft fire in a new earthen pot neuer occupied before but the elder they be the better and more effectuall they are insomuch as by the report of Theophrastus Elaterium hath bin kept and continued good 200 yeares And for fiftie yeares it is so strong full of vertue that it wil put out the light of a candle or lamp for this is the triall and proofe of good Elaterium it being set neer therto before that it puts out the light it cause the candle to sparkle vpward and downward That which is pale of color and smooth is better than that which is of a greenish grasse color rough in hand the same also is somwhat bitter withall Moreouer it is said that if a woman desire to haue children do cary about her the fruit of this wild Cucumber fast tied to her bodie she shall the sooner conceiue and proue with child prouided alwaies that in the gathering the said Cucumber touched not the ground in any case Also if it be lapped within the wooll of a Ram be bound to the loins of a woman in trauell of childbirth so that she be not her selfware therof she shal haue the better speed and easier deliuerance but then so soon as the infant the mother be parted the said Cucumber must be had out of the house in all hast where the woman lyeth Those writers who magnifie these wild Cucumbers and set great store by them affirm That the best kind of them groweth in Arabia and the next about Cyrenae but others say That the principall be in Arcadia That the plant resembleth Turnsol That betweene the leaues and branches thereof there groweth the fruit as big as a Wallnut with a white taile turning vp backeward in manner of a Scorpions taile whereupon some there bee who giue it the name of the Scorpion Cucumber True it is indeed that as wel the fruit it selfe as the juice therof called Elaterium be most effectuall against the pricke or sting of the Scorpion as also that it is a medicine purgatiue of the bellie but especially cleanseth the wombe or matrice of women The ordinarie dose is from half an Obulus to a Solid i. an obole or half a scruple according to the strength of the patient A greater receit than one Obulus killeth him or her that taketh it but being taken within that quantitie aboue named in some broth or conuenient liquor it is passing good for the dropsie yea and to euacuat those filthie humors thar engender the lowsie diseas Being tempered with honey and old oile and so reduced into a thin ointment or liniment it cureth the Squinancie and such diseases incident to the windpipes CHAP. II. ¶ Of the Serpentine Cucumber called otherwise the Wandering Cucumber also of the Garden Cucumbers Melons or Pompions MAny there be of opinion that the Serpentine Cucumber among vs which others call the wandring Cucumber is the same that the former Cucumber which yeeldeth Elaterium The decoction whereof is of that vertue that whatsoeuer is besprinckled therewith no myce wil come neer to touch it The same being sodden in vinegre and brought to the consistence of an ointment is a present remedie to allay the pains of gout
is drunken indeed it riddeth away the fumosities in the brain and bringeth him to be sober Also that it is a meat appropriate to the eies and cleareth the sight very much insomuch as the iuice of it raw is passing soueraigne for that purpose in case it be mingled with the pure Atticke hony into an eie-salue and therewith the corners of the eyes be but touched only Moreouer that it is passing light of digestion and clarifieth all the senses if it be ordinarily eaten Erasistratus and all his schoole doth ring and resound again with one voice and open mouth That there is nothing in the world better for the stomacke nothing more wholsome for the sinews and therfore with one accord they prescribe the vse thereof for those that haue the palsie or resolution of the nerues for as many as be troubled with the trembling and shaking of their lims to such also as reach cast vp bloud Hippocrates giueth counsell to them that be afflicted with the bloudy flix or exulceration of the guts to those likewise who be subject to the flux proceeding from the weakenesse of the stomacke for to eat it twise sodden with salt Also he prescribeth it in the cure of Tinesmos which is a prouocation or extraordinary appetite to seege without doing any thing and of the paine in the back or reines And he is of this judgement That women in childbed shall be good nources and haue plentie of milke if they eat of Cabbages or Coleworts yea and women in generall by feeding thereupon shall see their monthly termes duly As for the Cole it selfe if it be chewed raw it is by his saying of force to expell a dead infant in the wombe Apollodorus holdeth resolutely That either the seed or juice thereof taken in drinke is a singular remedy for them who suspect that they haue eaten venomous mushrums Philistion giueth the juice thereof in Goats milke together with salt and honey vnto such as haue a cricke or cramp drawing their necks backeward that they are not able to turne their heads I find moreouer that by eating Coleworts at meat ordinarily and by drinking the decoction thereof many haue been deliuered from the gout It is an vsual medicine and approued by experience to giue it with salt for the fainting sweats trembling of the heart as also for the falling euill Such as be troubled with the spleene finde much ease thereby if they continue drinking the juice therof in white wine at their meals forty daies together like as those that be sped with the yellow jaunise or in fits of frensie be cured with gargling drinking juice of Cole-roots raw But against the Hocquet or Yex there is a notable medicine made with it together with Coriander Dill hony pepper and vineger If the pitch of the stomacke be annointed therewith the Patient shall euidently perceiue that it will dissolue the wind and puffing ventosities therin Also the very water of the decoction incorporate together with barley-meale vnto a liniment is singular good for the stinging of Serpents and mundifieth filthie old vlcers to which purpose also serueth the juice thereof applied with vineger and Foenigreek After the same manner some make a cataplasme and applie it to goutie joints The bloudy-falls and blistering chilblanes and generally all humors that ouer-run the body and fret the skin are allaied by the application aforesaid In like manner the sudden mists and dimnesse which commeth ouer the eie-sight is discussed dispatched clean in case one do no more but chaw this herb in vineger A liniment made with it and brimstone together helpeth the black and blew spots of dead brused bloud lying vnder the skin and reduceth them to their owne colour But if round alume and vineger be joined therewith it cureth the white leprosie and dry scab called of some S. Magnus euill And in that manner prepared it keepeth the haire fast that is ready to shed Epicharmus saith That this herb is soueraigne good to be implaistred vpon those tumors and swellings that be incident to the priuy members and the rather if the said implaister be made with bean meale The same being applied with Rue is good for convulsions or crampes Moreouer there is a medicine prescribed to bee made of Coleworts and Rue-seed against the extreme heat of feuers ardent as also for the defects and infirmities of the stomack and to send out the after-birth in women newly laid The powder of Colewort leaues dry doth expell or euacuate one way or other the venome left behind by the biting of the hardy shrew-mouse Of all kinds of Coleworts the sweetest and most pleasant to the tast is the Col-flory although it be counted good for nothing in Physick and besides vnwholsome as being hard of digestion and an enemy to the kidnies Ouer and besides I must not forget this one thing of Coleworts That the broth or decoction thereof so highly praysed for many good vses that it is put vnto if it be poured on the ground hath but a stinking smel with it Wort-stocks being dryed and burnt into ashes is thought to be a caustick medicine or potentiall cautery The same ashes mingled with old grease and reduced into a cataplasme helpeth the pain of the Sciatica but with Laser and vineger it is a depilatory i. keepeth the hayre from growing againe where it was once fetched vp by the roots The sayd Colestocke ashes set ouer the fire vntill it siuer only or haue one walme at the most and so drunk with oile or otherwise sodden and the decoction taken alone without oyle is good for Spasmes and crampes for inward bruises and for such as are falne from some high place Lo what a number of prayse-worthy vertues are recounted of Coleworts And is there I pray you no fault to be found with them are they blamelesse ywis no for euen those writers who extolled them so highly note them for making a stinking breath and for hurting the teeth and gums insomuch as in Egypt they be in so bad a name for their bitternesse vnpleasant tast that no man knoweth how to eat them But to come again vnto Cato he commendeth the effects of the wilde or wandring Colewort infinitly aboue the rest insomuch as he affirmeth that the powder of it dried being gathered and incorporat with some conuenient liquor into the forme of a pomander or otherwise strewed vpon any posie or nosegay so as it may be receiued and drawn vp into the head by the nosthrils cureth the filthy vlcers growing therin and the stinking smell that commeth from them This Cole-wort others call Petraea and this is that which of all the rest is most aduerse and the greatest enemy to wine this is it that the vine by a secret Antipathie in nature doth especially auoid if it haue room to decline from it but in case she cannot shift from it she dieth for very griefe This plant hath the leaues growing two by two
by occasion that a certaine leper minding to disguise himselfe that hee might not for very shame be knowne chaunced to annoint and besmear his face all ouer with the juice of wild Mints But fortune was better mistresse vnto him than he expected for beyond his expectation or intent his good hap was to be rid of his Leprosie by that meanes The same leaues serue for a liniment against the venome of Scolopendres and the sting of Serpents so doe they also if one drinke two drams of the leaues in two Cyaths of wine Also for to cure the prickes of Scorpions they be vsed with salt oile and vinegre But against Scolopendres commonly they drink the juice or broth of the decoction Moreouer the wiser sort of people saue the drie leaues of wild Mints to be reduced into a pouder as a very coun trepoison against all venome whatsoeuer For being strewed in the house or burnt the very air perfume therof chaseth away Scorpions A drink made therewith purgeth putrifieth women passing wel such I mean as be newly deliuered of childbirth but it killeth the fruit within the womb of as many as vse it while they go with child There is not a medicine in the world so effectuall as it is for those who are so streight winded that they cannot take their breath vnlesse they sit vpright for such also as in the cholericke passion neuer giue ouer casting vpward and purging downward It appeaseth also the paine of the loines and easeth the gout if it be applied to the place affected The juice thereof is good to be dropped into eares that haue worms within them It is vsually taken in drinke for the Iaunise A liniment made thereof helpeth the kings euill besides it is a singular remedie for them that by a strong imagination of Venus in their dreames defile and pollute themselues in their sleep If one drinke it with vinegre it excludeth the flat broad in the bellie To scoure away the founled and ruffe an Embrochation of it ad vinegre vpo the head in the Sun is counted singular As touching garden Mint as the very smell of it alone recouereth and refresheth the spirits so the tast stirreth vp the appetite to meat which is the cause that it is so ordinary in our sharp sauces wherein we vse to dip our meats Being put into milk it wil not suffer it to turn or sour it keeps it from quailing and curding which is the reason that they who vse ordinarily to drink milk take Mints therewith for fear it should coagulate or crudle in their stomack put them in daunger of suffocation Some for the same effect vse to giue it in water or honied wine and surely it is thought by that very propertie to hinder generation in that it dissolueth the due consistence and thicknesse which is required in naturall seed And yet it is a great stancher of bloud indifferently in men and women but more particularly it staieth the immoderat flux of whites that many times followes women Being taken with Amydum or starch pouder in water it restrains the inordinate flux occasioned by the imbecility of the stomacke Syriation the Physician vsed ordinarily to cure the apostumes and sores of the Matrice with Mint Also against the obstructions other accidents of the liuer he was wont to giue 3 Oboles thereof in honied wine And for them that raught vp bloud at the mouth he prescribeth to take Mints in a broth or supping The skal that little children be troubled withal it healeth wonderful well It is singular to drie vp the humors that mollifie the gristly windpipe the other instruments of the breath and voice and when they are drie knitteth and strengthneth them Taken in water and honied wine it clenseth the corruptand putrified phlegmatick humors which be offensiue to the throat and those parts The juice of Mint is excellent for to scour the pipes cleer the voice being drunk a little before that a man is to strain himselfe either in the quier or vpon the stage or at the bar and not otherwise A gargarism of milk wherein hath bin Rue Coriander besides mints is passing good to bring down the swelling of the vula Being vsed in that manner with some Allum it restraineth the mumps or inflamation of the Amygdales with Hony it cureth the roughnes furring of the tongue Being vsed alone without any other addition it is a proper medicin for inward convulsions as also for the disease of the lungs Democritus saith that to drink it with the juice of a Pomegranat is a readie means to stay the yex vomiting The juice of greene Mints drawne vp with the wind into thenosthrils helpeth the stinking vleers there The hearbe it selfe stamped represseth the rage of choler that purgeth both waies vncessantly but it must beldrunk with vinegre And in that maner it restrains all internal fluxions of bloud But applied outwardly with Barly grots to the grieued place it easeth the intollerable paine of the Iliak passion after the same sort if it be spread and emplastered it allaieth the swelling of womens breasts In case of head-ach a liniment thereof doth well to be applied to the temples Inwardly it is taken with very good effect against the venimous Scolopendres the sea Scorpions and other serpents A liniment thereof staieth the waterish humors that haue taken a course to the eies cures the skalls and breakings out of the head and all accidents offensiue to the tiwill or sundament If one doe hold Mints in his hand he shall not need to feare either chafing or galling in any part vpon trauell Beeing dropped into the eares with honied wine it is very comfortable to that part It is said moreouer that if a man come into a garden where Mints groweth and bite the leaues vpon the very plant without pluking or cropping it off and continue this course 9 daies together iterating euermore these words I doe this to cure the splene he shal find remedy indeed for the infirmity of that part moreouer let one take as much poudred mints dried as he can wel contain with his 3 fingers ends and drink the same with water it will cure the head-ach or grieuous paine of the stomack Likewise if his drink be spiced with the said pouder it will driue out of the belly the wormes there engendred The branches of Mint and penniroiall both are vsually put into glasse viols with vinegre for to be iufused therein and a man would not thinke how good this vinegre is for faintings of the heart so great is the societie that these two hearbs haue one with the other in this behalfe For which cause I remember on a time when diuers learned physicians were met together to confer in my chamber they resolued and concluded definitly That a chaplet of Penniroyal was without comparison far better for the giddinesse and swimming of the head than one of roses for a garland of Pennyroiall if it be worne
hard tumors whatsoeuer Semblably that if S. Anthonies fire were annointed therewith being incorporat with hony vineger and nitre or if it were applied vnto the gouty parts there would ensue great easement Moreouer in case the nailes be grown crooked vneuen rugged it is said that it wil cause one to cast them without any vlcer and sore at all Some there be who prescribe an electuary made with the seed of Orach and hony to be giuen for the Iaundise also if the windpipes be hoarse with some fell or sharp rheume falling downe vpon them or if the Amygdales on either side of the throat be amisse it is very good to rub those parts therewith They affirme moreouer That a simple decoction of it alone moueth the body downward but with Mallows or Lentils prouoketh vpward and causeth vomit Finally to conclude with the wild Orach it is vsed much to colour the haire black and for the other aboue named purposes as well as that of the gardens CHAP. XXI ¶ Of the common Mallow Of the Mallow Malope Of the Marish Mallow or Altaea Of the common Docke the soure Docke or Sorrell of the water Docke of the tall Docke called Patience and lastly of that Docke with the long root called Bulapathum ORaches were not so much discommended but on the contrary side Mallows be as highly praised as wel that of the garden as the wild Two kinds there be of the garden mallows distinguished both by the largenesse of their leaues The greater of those that grow in gardens the Greekes call Malopum the other is supposed to be named Malachum for that it doth mollifie and soften the belly Of the wild sort that which carrieth a broad leafe and white roots is called Althaea and of some Aristalthaea for the excellent vertues that it hath in Physick This property haue Mallows To inrich and fatten any ground whersoeuer they be sown or set But this marish Mallow Althaea is more effectuall than the rest against all wounds by sharp pricks or thornes and principally against the sting of Scorpions Waspes and such like as also the biting of the Hardishrew mouse Nay whosoeuer be throughly rubbed or annointed before hand with any Mallow whatsoeuer stamped with oyle or do but carry it about them they shall not be stung or bitten at all As for the leafe of Mallowes if it be laid vpon a Scorpion it will be streightwaies benummed Moreouer good counterpoisons they be all a liniment made of them being raw together with nitre draweth forth all pricks or stings remaining within the flesh but if leafe and root be sodden together and so drunk it represseth the poison of the venomous fish called the sea-Hare but some say it must be cast vp and vomited againe or else it doth no good Certes strange and wonderfull things be spoken as touching the operation of Mallows ouer and aboue those already rehearsed But this passeth all the rest That if a man or woman sup off a smal draught though it were no more but half a cyath euery day of the juice of any mallow it skills not which he shall be free from all diseases and liue in perfect health True it is that if they be putrified and resolued in chamber-lie they will heale all the scurfe running scalls in the head but if they be tempered with hony a collution made thereof cureth the cankers of the mouth and a lauature represseth all tettars ringwormes any such wild fire running vpon the skin A decoction of the root clenseth the head of dandruffe if it be washed therwith setteth the teeth fast that were loose Take the root of that mallow which riseth vp with one only stem prick the gums therwith about the tooth pained do this I say till the ach be gone The same root reduced into a liniment with the fasting spittle of man or woman and applied accordingly resolues the Kings euil dispatcheth the swelling kernels behind the ears and discusseth biles and pushes without any breaking of the skin or making vlcer The seed of mallows if it be taken in thick wine deliuereth the patient from phlegmatick humors from the rheume and the heauing of the stomack making offer to cast and cannot The root wrapped fast and tied within a lock of blacke wooll preuenteth the euill accidents that may befall vnto womens brests The same sodden in milk taken after a sippling sort in manner of a supping for fiue daies together cureth the cough And yet Sextius Niger saith they be hurtfull to the stomack And Olympias of Thebes affirmeth That if women vse it with goose grease they shall not go their full time with childe Others do write That if women take an handfull of Mallow leaues in oyle and wine they shall be throughly purged in their due times This is known for a truth and resolued by all that write or make profession of Physicke That a woman in labour if she sit vpon Mallows strewed vnder her stoole shal be deliuered with greater speed and expedition but then must they be taken away presently after that she is laied for feare that the very matrice follow after the child An ordinary practice it is of sage and discreet midwiues to giue vnto women in trauell fasting a small pint of the juice of Mallows sodden in wine yet those that cannot contain but shed their naturall seed are inioined to take mallow seed brused and so to bind it to their arme Moreouer so good and fauorable naturally be mallows to the game of loue as if they grew for nothing els insomuch as Xenocrates doth affirme That if the seed of that Mallow which runneth vp in one stalk be reduced into pouder and strewed vpon that part of a woman which Nature hath hidden she will be so wood after the company of a man as she will neuer be satisfied nor contented with embracing The like effect saith he there wil ensue if three roots thereof be bound neere to the place of Nature Also that a decoction of Mallows ministred by way of clyster is a singular injection to cure the bloudy flixe or exulceration of the guts as also the extraordinary and bootlesse desire to the seege In like manner a fomentation thereof is very good for other accidents befalling to the seat or tuil The juice of Mallows is giuen warm the quantity of three cyaths to melancholick persons that be troubled in mind and of foure to those that be stark mad indeed and besides themselues A whole hemina of the juice drawne and pressed from mallows boyled is giuen at one time to those that be subject to the falling sicknesse The same being reduced into a liniment is to good purpose applied warm vnto those who are troubled with the stone and grauell with winde cholique and ventosities with the cramp also or crick that doth draw their necks backward The leaues being sodden in oyle are layd with good successe in manner of a cataplasme vpon the hot
or girdle it is supposed to be a singular remedie especially when they breed teeth or haue the chincough Also if they be troubled with the worms they hold it good gently to instill the same in the body either by drink or clystres All other operations that the Flour-de-lis hath differ not much in effect from hony A singular property it hath to clense the head from sores and skalls and generally to mundifie all impostumat vlcers Two drams thereof taken with hony easeth the belly prouoketh to the stoole Giuen in ordinary drink it staieth the cough appeaseth wrings dissolueth ventosities in the belly In vinegre it openeth the opilations of the spleene And being taken with water and vinegre together it is an effectuall remedie against the stinging of serpents and spiders The weight of two drams eaten with bread or drunk in water resisteth the poison of scorpions Being made into a liniment with oile and so applied it cureth the bitings of mad dogs and heateth the parts mortified with extreame cold In like manner also it allaieth the paines of the sinews Reduced into an ointment with Rosin it is singular for the paine of the loins and the gout Sciatica This root is hot in operation If it be drawne or snuffed vp into the nose it causeth sneesing and purgeth the head A liniment of it and Pome-quinces or Peare-quinces easeth the head-ach it represseth also the vapours flying vp into the head causing distemperature of the braine in a surfeit of wine or strong drinke It helpeth streightnesse of breath and such as cannot take their winde but sitting vpright It prouoketh vomit if it be taken to the weight of 2 Oboli A cataplasme of it and hony together draweth forth spils of broken bones The pouder of it is much vsed for Whit-flawes and the same applied with wine taketh away cornes and werts but it must lie on three daies before you vnbind and take it from the place The very chewing of it correcteth a strong and stinking breath as also the filthie fauour of the arme-holes The juice thereof doth mollifie all hard tumors It prouoketh sleepe but it consumeth sperme or natural seed The Fissures in the seat as also the blind and swelling piles in the fundament and all superfluous excrescences of the bodie it cureth There is a wild kind of Floure-de-lis which some call Xyris the root of this herb is good to resolue discusse the swelling kernels named the Kings euil hot biles risings in the groin Howbeit for to work these effects there be certain ceremonies precisely to be obserued namely That it be taken out of the ground with the left hand in any case Item that they who gather it do say in the gathering For whose sake they pluck it vp and withall name the person here in making mention of this matter I canot but detect the knauery of these Harbarists and simplers Their maner is not to employ occupie all that they haue gathered but reserue keep part thereof as also of some other hearbes as namely of Plantaine and if they be not well contented nor thinke themselues paied thoroughly for their paines in the cure they make no more ado but burie and couer within the earth that part which they kept by them in the same place where it was digged forth And I beleeue verily they haue an vnhappy meaning and a certaine kind of witchcraft herin forsooth That the maladies which they seemed to haue healed should breake out and be sore again to the end that they might be set on work anew As touching Saliunca the decoction of it in wine and so taken staieth vomits and corrobroateth the stomack Musaeus and Hesiodus the Poets haue a great opinion of Polium for they giue counsell to all those that would come to preferment promotion for to be anointed all ouer with a liniment thereof such also as be desirous of renowme and glory to be euer handling of it to set it also and maintaine it in their gardens True it is that solke docarie Polium about them ordinarily or lay it vnder their beds for to chase away serpents Physicians do seeth it either new green or drie in wine and therof make a liniment or els they giue it to drink in vinegre to those that be pained with the jaundise yea to such as be newly fallen into the dropsie they giue counsell to drinke the decoction thereof being sodden in wine And of it so prepared they make a liniment for to be applied vnto green wounds Moreouer this herb is very good to send out the after-burden in women newly brought to bed and to expell the dead infant out of the mothers wombe And otherwise it serueth well to mitigate any paines of the body It doth purge and euacuate the bladder and in a liniment applied to the eyes restraineth their excessiue watering I know not any other hearbe better to goe with other ingredients into antidots or countrepoisons named of the Greeks Alexipharmaca than this Howbeit some denie all this and are of opinion that it is hurtful to the stomacke that the drinking of it stuffeth the head and causeth women to fal into labor before their time They say also that this cerimonie would be precisely obserued That in the very place where this plant is found so soone as euer it is gathered it should be hanged presently vpon the necke of the partie with a speciall care that it touch not the ground first and then is it an excellent remedie for the cataract in the eye And these authors describe this hearbe to haue leaues like Thyme but that they be softer and couered ouer with a more hoarie and woollie downe Being taken with wild Rue in raine water so that it be beaten before into pouder it doth mitigat by report the deadly paines caused by the sting of the Aspis it bindeth and draweth vp a wound it keepeth corrosiue sores from festering and going farther as well as the floures of the Pomegranate The hearb Holochrysos if it be taken in wine helpeth the strangury and such as cannot pisse but by drops And a liniment therof is passing good to represse the flux of humors to the eyes If it bee incorporat with Tartar or wine lees burnt into ashes and drie Barley groats it mundifieth the skin and riddeth away ring-wormes tettars and such like wild fires As for Chrysocome the root of it is hot and yet astringent It is giuen to drinke for the diseases of the liuer and the lights And being sodden in honied water it assuageth the paines incident to the matrice It prouoketh womens monthly purgation and being giuen in drink raw it purgeth waterie humors gathered in the dropsie Touching Baulm which the Greeks call Melittis or Melissophyllon if Bee-hiues be rubbed all ouer and besmeared with the juice thereof the Bees will neuer away for there is not a floure whereof they be more desirous and faine than of it and in
truth looke in what garden there groweth abundance of this hearbe the Bees there when they swarme will be soone intreated to tarie not be hastie to wander far abroad The same is a most present remedy not only against their stings but also of wespes spiders and Scorpions And being tempered with a little nitre it is singular against the strangulation of the mother Taken in wine it pacifieth the wrings and torments of the belly The leaues therof being sodden with salt and brought into an ointment are singular good for to be applied vnto the scrophules or swelling kernills called the Kings euill and likewise to the accidents of the seat and fundament as the swelling haemorrhoids or piles The juice taken in drinke bringeth women to their ordinary monethly courses it discusseth â—…eutosities and healeth vlcers it allaieth the paines of any gouts and cureth the biting of mad dogs it is good for the bloudy flix that hath run on a long time as also those fluxes which proceed from the imbecillitie of the stomack it helpeth them that be streight in the chest and cannot take their wind but bolt vpright it mundifieth also the vlcers within the breast To conclude it is said to be a singular remedie none like vnto it for to dispatch the webs in the eye if they be annointed with the juice thereof and honey tempered together Melilot is thought also to be good for the eyes if it be applied with milk or line seed It assuageth also the paine of the jawes and head if it be laid too with oile of Roses likewise it doth mitigat the paine of the ears if it be instilled or dropped into them with wine cuit Moreouer the tumors and breaking out of the hands it helpeth Being boiled in wine or stamped green it easeth the griefe of the stomacke The same effect it hath in the pain of the matrice But if the cods be amisse if the Longaon or tuill bee fallen and beare out of the bodie or if that part bee affected with other accidents Bath the place with a decoction of it boiled greene in water or cuit and the patient shal find ease But if there be an ointment made of it and oile of Roses incorporat together it is a soueraign remedie for all cancerous sores If it be boiled first in sweet wine or cuit it is the better for the purpose aforesaid and so prepared a speciall and effectuall thing it is for the wens called Melicerides wherein is engendred matter resembling honey CHAP. XXI ¶ Of Trefoile and Thyme of the day Lillie Hemerocalles of Elecampane and Southernewood and Cypres I Am not ignorant that folke are verily persuaded how that Trefoile or three leaued grasse is of great force against the stings of serpents and scorpions if either 20 graines of the seed bee inwardly taken in wine or warer and vinegre together or if the leaues and the whole hearb be sodden and the decoction drunk as also that serpents are neuer seen to lie vnder this Trefoile Moreouer I know full well that diuerse Authors renowmed and of great credit haue deliuered in their bookes That fiue and twentie graines of that Trefoile which we called Menianthes is sufficient for a preseruatiue and antidot against all poisons whatsoeuer besides many other medicinable vertues which be ascribed to this hearb But for mine owne part I am induced by the authoritie of the most graue and reuerend Poet Sophocles to stand against their opinion for hee affirmeth plainely That Trefoile is venomous Likewise Simus the Physician doth report that if the decoction of it sodden or the juice thereof stamped bee poured or dropped vpon any part of the body which is sound it wil cause the same fiery and burning smart as followeth vpon a place bitten or stung with a serpent And therefore I would thinke with them and giue counsell also that it is not to be vsed otherwise than a countrepoison For it may bee peraduenture that in this as in many other one poyson by a certaine antipathie and contrarietie in nature expelleth mortifieth another Moreouer this I markand obserue in their writings that the seed of the Trefoile which hath smallest leaues if it be reduced into a liniment is singular good to embellish womens skin and to preserue their beauty if the face be anointed therwith Thyme ought to be gathered whiles it is in the floure and then to be dried in the shade now there are of Thyme two kinds to wit the white which hath a woodie root growing vpon little hills and this is thought to be the better the second is blacker caries besides a black floure They are thought both of them the one as well as the other very good to cleare the eyesight whether they be eaten with meats or taken as a medicine In like maner an electuarie or lohoch made of Thyme is supposed to be excellent good for an old cough and being taken with hony and salt to raise and breake fleam causing the same to be raught vp with more facility also that if it be incorporat with hony it will not suffer the bloud to clutter and congeale within the bodie Applied outwardly as a liniment with Senuie it doth extenuate and subtiliate the rheume that hath of long time sallen in the throat and windpipe and so also it amendeth the grieuance of stomacke and belly How beit these Thymes must be vsed with measure and moderation because they set the body in an heat although they be binding and make the belly costiue Now in case there be an exulceration in the guts there must be taken the weight of 1 denier or dram in Thyme to euery Sextar of honey and vinegre semblably it must bee ordered in case of the pleurisie and when there lyeth a paine between the shoulders or in the breast A drink made of Thyme with honey and vinegre in manner of a juleb or syrrup cureth the griefe of the midriffe and precordiall parts neere vnto the heart And verily a soueraign potion this is to be giuen vnto them that be troubled in mind and lunaticke as also to melancholicke persons The same also may be giuen to those who be subject to the epilepsy or falling sicknes whom the very perfume and smell of Thyme wil raise out of a fit and fetch them again when the disease is vpon them It is said that such should lie ordinarily in a soft bed of Thyme This hearb is proper for those that canot draw their breath vnlesse the â—…sit vpright and to such as are short winded yea and good for women whose monethly courses are either suppressed or come but slowly And saâ—… that the infant were dead in the wombe a decoction of Thyme sodden in water vnto the thirds and so taken doth send it forth of the bodie Men also doe find a great benefit by Thyme if they drinke a syrrup made of it with honey and vinegre in case of ventosities and inflations also if their bellies be swoln
therewith is powerfull against all venomous beasts and namely the perillous spiders Phalangia but specially against the poison of scorpions And in truth look who carry this herbe about them shall not be stung If a man make a circle or compasse vpon the earth with the branch of this herb a scorpion as some say being within the same shall not haue the power to get forth nay if the herb be laid vpon a scorpion or if with the same being wet a man besprinckle the said scorpion it wil surely die out of hand It is said that foure grains of the seed taken in drink do cure the quartan and three the tertian or if the very herb it selfe be laid vnder the patients head after it hath bin thrice caried about the bed it worketh the like effect The seed is of power to stir vp carnal lust Applied with hony it discusseth biles rising in the emunctories Yea this Heliotropium for a certaintie causeth werts to fall of by the very roots as also it taketh away all excrescences in the fundament It draweth down by vrin the corrupt bloud in the reines and loins lying cluttered about the ridge bone in case the seed be either applied as a liniment or sodden in the broth of a cock or capon and so supped off or else with Beets and Lentils As for the vtmost rind of this herbe it is singular for to recouer the fresh and natiue colour in places black and blew with stripes The Magitians and Wise-men do prescribe for the quartan tertian agues That the Patient should tie the herbe Heliotropium with three knots in a tertian and with four in a quartan praying withall and making a vow That he would vndo those knots after he were once cleare of the feuer but this he must do before the herbe be taken out of the ground Another property as strange and miraculous is reported of Adiantum in Summer it is green in winter it withereth and decaieth not it checketh all water for being bespreint dashed and drenched quite therewith yet it looketh as if it were dry so great is the antipathy or contrarietie between them whereupon the Greeks gaue it that name And otherwise a plant it is fit for Vinet-workes and knots in a garden Some call it Callitrichon others Polytrichon both which names were giuen it for the effect that it worketh For it coloreth the hair black And for this purpose it is sodden in wine with the seed of Ach or Persley and a good quantity of oile is put thereto for to make the haire curled and to grow thick by which meanes it keeps the hair from shedding and falling off 2 kinds there be of it the white and the black which also is the shorter The greater kind they cal Polytrichon the other Trichomanes Both of them haue pretie fine branches shining with a blacke color and the leaues resemble fearn in which the nether sides vnderneath be rough duskish and browne but all the leaues stand directly one a gainst another in order fastened to the stalkes by slender steles No root at all these Capillar hearbes haue but they grow vpon shadowie rocks and walls dashed and beaten on with water but most of all they seek after pits or holes of wels and springs and stony places wherout fountains issue and that is a strange maruellous thing considering they be not wet with water nor haue any sence or feeling thereof They haue a wonderful faculty and the black especially to break the stone and to expel it out of the body For which cause rather than for growing on stones and rocks I beleeue verily it was by our countrymen called in Latin Saxifrage To this purpose as much as 3 fingers be able to pluck vp is ordinarily taken in wine they prouoke vrin and resist the poison of serpents and venomous spiders Being boiled in wine they stay the flux of the belly A Chaplet made of them allaieth the head-ach And a liniment therof is thought good to be applied against the sting of the Scolopendres but it must be often taken off and renewed for feare the hearb become ouer-drie and lose all the vertue In this wise it is to be vsed where the haire is fallen away by some infirmitie These hearbes discusse and resolue the kings euill they dispatch and rid away the skales or dandruffe in the visage and heale the skals of the head A decoction of these Maiden-haires is singular good for those who are short winded for the liuer also the spleene the jaundise and the dropsie An ointment made with Maiden-haire and Wormewood easeth the paines of the kidney and in case of strangurie procureth ease and free passage of vrine They bring downe the after-birth in women and their monethly tearmes Howbeit drink them with vinegre or the juice of the blackberrie bramble they stanch bloud A proper liniment is made thereof with oile Rosat to annoint young children that haue the red gum and be all broken out but first they would be bathed in wine The leaues of Maiden-haire stamped with the vrine of a man child vnder fourteene yeares of age and yet not vndergrowne together with the some of salt petre is said to keep the bellies of women from wrinkles and riuels vpon child-bearing if they be annointed therwith To conclude men say That Partridges and cockes of the game will fight more lustily in case this hearbe bee entermingled with their meat And the same also is very good for sheepe to grase vpon about their folds CHAP. XXII ¶ Of Picris Thesium Asphodill Alimus Acanthus or Brankursine Elaphoboscum Scandix Iasione Of Caucalis Sium Silybum Scolymus or Zimonium Sonchus Chondrillum or Chodrilles and of Mushromes THe hearbe Picris tooke the name as heretofore we haue said of the notable bitternesse which it hath The leaues thereof be round Excellent good it is to take away werts Thesium likewise commeth nothing behind for bitternesse but it purgeth the bellie for which purpose it must be stamped strained and taken in water As touching the Asphodell it is one of the soueraign most renowmed herbs in the world Some haue giuen it the name Heroion And Hesiodus hath written that it growes in the woods Dionysius saith That there is both male and female of it Certain it is that the bulbous roots of the asphodel sodden with husked barly is a singular restoratiue for those bodies which are wasted with a consumption especially of the lungs and bread made of them wrought together with corne meale of floure into a dough is most wholesome for mans bodie As for Nicander he vsed to giue either the stem which we called Antherichon or the seed or els the Onion bulbous roots thereof in wine to the quantitie of three drams as a preseruatiue against serpents scorpions and to preuent the feare and daunger of these harmefull and pestilent creatures hee appointed the same to be laid vnder folks heads as they lay asleep
Bruised and so eaten or sodden with Garlick they be excellent good against coughes that were thought past cure and remedilesse yea and imposthumes in the brest grown to suppuration but the patient ought to feed thereof continually euery day Also if one chew them fasting and so apply them to a fellon they are thought passing good either to ripen or to discusse the same Boiled in wine and so laid too they assuage the swellings of the cods and priuy parts seruing to generation Bean floure sodden in vineger doth ripen and breake all tumors in like manner it dissolueth black bruised bloud lying vnder the skin and healeth burns M. Varro is of opinion that it is good for the voice Bean stalks and bean cods burnt to ashes and so incorporat with old Swines seam is good for the Sciatica and all inueterat pains of the sinews The very husks of beans alone sodden to the thirds do stop the lask and running out of the belly The best Lentils be they that are most tender and ask least seething also such as drink much water Lentils verily do dim the eie-sight and breed ventosities in the stomacke but taken in meat they stay the flux of the guts and the rather if they be throughly sodden in rain water but in case they be not fully boiled they do open the belly and make the body laxatiue the escares or roofs remaining vpon cauterized or blistered sores they break and make to fall off those vlcers which are within the mouth they mundifie and clense Applied outwardly they appease the pains of all imposthumes especially if they be exulcerat and ful of chaps and reduced into a cataplasm with melilote or a quince they are singular for to represse the flux of humors to the eyes but for to keep impostumes and tumors from suppuration they are laied too with Barley groats or the grosse meale thereof torrified The juice of Lentils after they be sodden is good for the exulcerations of the mouth and the genitors likewise with an addition of oile Rosat or Quince for the inflammation of the seat or fundament But if the parts affected and exulcerat do require stronger and sharper remedies the same would be applied with the rind of a pomgranat and a little hony put thereto And to the end that the said cataplasme shal not dry quickly they vse to put thereto Beet leaues Lentils sodden throughly in vineger serue for a cataplasm to be laid vpon the swelling kernels called the Kings euill and other fell biles whether they be ripe or in the way only of maturation Applied with honied water they be very good for any clifts and chaps but with the pill or rinde of a pomgranat for Gangrenes In like manner with barly groats they be appropriat for the gout the kidnies the naturall parts of women for kibes and such vlcers as be hardly brought to cicatrice Thirty grains of Lentils swallowed down by way of Bole are singular for the feeblenesse and dissolution of the stomacke In dysenteries or bloudy fixes in the violent rage of cholerick humors which cause euacuations both vpward downward Lentils do effectuat their operation much more if they be sodden in three waters For which purpose also better it is to torrifie them first and then to pound or beat them small that they may be giuen to the patient as fine as may be either by themselues alone or els with a Quince with Pears Myrtle berries wild Cichory black Beets or Plantain Howbeit note thus much That Lentils are nought for the Lungs for head-ache for all neruous parts and the gall and this ill property they haue besides to keep the patient from sleep Being sodden in sea-water they are good for pushes and angry wheales for S. Anthonies fire and the accidents that befall womens breasts but if they be boiled in vineger they discusse all hard tumors the kings euil They that haue but weak and bad stomacks vse verily to put Lentils to thicken their pottage and gruels instead of Barly groats and find thereby much ease If they be halfe sodden in water afterwards braied or stamped then let passe through a tamise that the brans might be separat from the rest they are thought very good for burns but then within a while as the cure goeth forward they must be applied with honey also put thereto Finally if they be sodden in Oxycrat or water and vineger together they help the swelling bunch of the throat called Bronchocele There is a kind of marish or moory Lentils called Ducks meat growing of it selfe in standing waters This herb is by nature refrigeratiue in which regard it serueth to make a liniment vsed for inflammations and hot imposthumes but principally for all manner of gouts either alone or mingled with Barly groats The same hath vertue to knit consolidat ruptures when the bowels are fallen downe Moreouer there be wild Lentils called by the Greeks Elelisphacos by others Phacos These be lighter than the tame Lentils which are sowed bearing a smaller leafe drier also more odoriferous than the other Of which wild Lentils there is a second sort carying a strong smel in somuch as the former kind is counted the milder These Lentils haue leaues formed to the fashion of quince leaues but that they be lesse and white and commonly they are sodden branch and all together Their medicinable vertues be to bring down the monthly sicknesse of women to prouoke vrines and to heale the wounds occasioned by the venomous prick of the sea puffin or fork-fish Now the nature of this fish is to benum and mortifie the place which is strucken Of these Lentils and Wormwood there is a drink made good for the dysentery or bloudy-flix The same taken with wine draweth down womens fleurs that stay vpon them but if their bare decoction be drunk it wil stay them when they flow immoderatly The herb alone applied outwardly represseth the ouermuch bleeding of fresh wounds it cureth the sores occasioned by the stinging of serpents The decoction thereof in wine doth mitigate the itching of the cods if they be bathed and fomented therewith Our moderne Herbarists in these daies doe call that in Latine Saluia i. Sange which the Greeks name Elelisphacos An herb it is much resembling Mints of a gray and hoary colour and withall odoriferous Beeing applied to the naturall parts of women it fetcheth away the dead infant within the womb it riddeth the ears also and festered vlcers of those wormes and vermin which breed therein Moreouer there is a kind of wild Cich-pease bearing leaues like to the other of the garden and which be sowed saue that their smell is strong vnpleasant If a man feed largely of them they stir the belly and moue to the siege they breed ventosities cause the collick and wringing of the guts Howbeit if they be parched or torrified they are reputed the wholsomer The Cichling or pety Cich-pease is thought to be better and more
strength of our viands meats but also many other things for the very hard rocks which otherwise it was vnpossible to cleaue before with the violence of fire soone breake and giue way when vinegre is poured aloft This singular gift moreouer it hath that no liquor in the world giueth a better tast to our meats and sauces or quickneth them more than vinegre doth for which purpose if it be ouersharp and strong there is a means to mitigat and dull the force thereof either with a tost of bread or some wine again if it be too weake and apalled the way to reuiue it againe is with Pepper or the spice Laser but nothing moderateth it better than salt And to knit vp and close this discourse of vinegre I cannot forget nor ouerpasse one rare and singular accident that befell of late M. Agrippa in his later days was much troubled and afflicted with a grieuous gout of his feet and being not able to endure the intollerable paines therof took counsell of a certaine leaud leech some bold and venterous Emperick who made great boast of his deep skill and admirable knowledge for the Emperour Augustus Caesar whose daughter he had espoused he made not acquainted with the matter who gaue him counsell to bath his legs with hot vinegre and to sit therein aboue his knees at what time as his disease tormented him most true it is indeed that he was eased of his paine by this means for he lost the very feeling of his feet Howbeit Agrippa chose rather to be paralyticke in some sort and to want both vse and sence of his legges than to abide the extremitie of his gout CHAP. II. ¶ Of vinegre Scylliticke Of Oxymel Of the double cuit wine Sapa The lees of wine dregs of vinegre and of the foresaid cuit THe vinegre of Squilla or sea-Onions called Scillinum the elder it is and longer kept the more is it esteemed This vinegre ouer and aboue the other vertues of common vinegre before rehearsed hath this property To helpe the stomacke in case the meats lie souring and corrupting therein for no sooner doth a man tast thereof but it dispatcheth and riddeth away the foresaid inconuenience moreouer it is good for them that are giuen to vomit fasting in a morning for it hardeneth the throat the mouth of the stomacke which is ouer sensible knitteth the same It causeth a sweet breath confirmeth the flesh about the gums fasteneth the teeth which are loose and maketh a bodie look with a fresh and liuely color Being gargarized it draweth away and doth euacuat those grosse humors which caused hardnesse of hearing and openeth the auditory passages of the ears and so by consequence clarifies the sight of the eies Soueraigne it is besides for those who haue the falling sicknesse and who are troubled in mind by occasion of melancholy It cureth the turning and dizzinesse of the braine the suffocation or rising of the mother It helpeth such as be sore and bruised with dry blowes such as are falne headlong from high places and thereby haue cluttered bloud gathered within their bodies as many also as haue the infirmity or weaknesse of sinews or otherwise be diseased in the kidnies howbeit offensiue it is to those that haue any vlcer either within or without Touching the syrrup Oxymel Dieuches saith That the auncients in old time prepared and tempered it in this manner They tooke of honey ten pounds of old vinegre fiue hemines of bay salt one pound of Sauerie three ounces of sea water fiue sextars These together in a kettle they did set to boile and let them haue tenne walms ouer the fire then they lifted the pan from the fire poured this liquor out of one vessell into another so kept it for their vse but Asclepiades comes after disproueth all the maner of this composition and withall condemneth the vse thereof for the physicians before his time feared not to prescribe it to be drunk euen in feuers and yet both he and all do confesse and agree that this was a good drink against the venomous serpent called Seps also for them who were poysoned with Opium i. the juice of Poppey or with the gum Ixia which commeth from the hearb Chamaeleon Moreouer they all commend it to be gargled hot for the squinancy for the paine and deafnesse of ears for the accidents and infirmities of the mouth and throat like as at this day we vse in all these cases the sharpe brine or pickle called Oxalme which if it be made of salt and new vinegre that is fresh and quick it is better in operation As for the cuit named in Latine Sapa it commeth neere to the nature of wine and in truth nothing els it is but Must or new wine boiled til one third part and no more do remain this cuit if it be made of white Must is counted the better Vse there is of it against the flies Cantharides and Buprestes against the worms breeding in Pine trees named thereupon Pityocampae against Salamanders and generally all those beasts whose sting or tooth is venomous If a woman drink thereof together with scallions or such bulbs it sendeth downe the after-burden and expelleth the dead infant out of the womb And yet Fabianus mine author saith That it is no better than a very poison if a man drink it fasting presently after he is come out of the bain A consequent and appendant to these foresaid things is the lees of wine that is to be considered according to the wine from whence it commeth and verily the lees of wine are so strong that oftentimes it ouercommeth and killeth those who go downe into the vats vessels wherin the wine is made But to know and preuent the daunger thereof this experiment is found namely to let down a candle into the said vat for so long as it will not abide light but goe out still daungerous it is for a man to enter into those vessels And yet wine lees without any washing at all goe into the composition of many medicines Take wine lees a certaine quantity and of the floure-de-lis or Ireos root a like weight concorporat them together into a liniment singular it is to annoint the small pocks and such like cutanean eruptions The same either drie or wet may be applied with very good successe to the places stinged with the venomous spiders called Phalangia to the inflammations also of the genetoirs or priuy members to the paps or any other part of the body whatsoeuer Now for the better preparing therof it ought to be sodden in wine together with barley meale and the pouder of frank incense which done to be burned and so dried And to know whether it be sufficiently sodden or no make this triall If you touch it neuer so little at your tongues end and so tast therof when it is throughly cold it will seeme to bite and burne it if it haue had sufficient boiling as it ought but
Contrariwise the blacke oliue is not so friendly to the stomacke better for the belly but offensiue both to the head and the eies Both the one and the other as well the white as the black being punned and applied to burned or skalded places do cure them but the black haue this propertie That if they be chewed and presently as they be taken out of the mouth laid to the burne or scald they will keep the place from blistering Oliues in pickle are good to clense foule and filthie vlcers but hurtful to those who pisse with difficultie As touching the mother or lees of oliue I might be thought to haue written sufficiently following the steps of Cato who deliuered no more in writing but I must set down also the medicinable vertues obserued therein First and foremost therefore it helpeth the sorenesse of the gumbs cureth the cankers vlcers of the mouth and of all other medicins it is most effectuall to fasten the teeth in the head If it be dropped or poured vpon S. Anthonies fire and such other corrosiue and fretting vlcers it is of singular operation to heale them but for kibed heeles the grounds or dregs of the black oile-oliue is the better as also therewith to foment smal children As for that of the white oliues women vse to apply it with wooll to their secret parts for some accidents thereto belonging Be it the one or the other generally it is more effectuall sodden than otherwise Boiling it ought to be in a copper or brasse vessell vntill it come to the consistence of honey Vsed it is with vineger old wine or with must according as the cause requireth in curing the infirmities of the mouth teeth and eares in healing running skalls and finally in the cure of the genetoirs or priuie members of the fissures or chaps in any part of the body In wounds it is vsed with linnen cloth or lint but in dislocations it is applied with wooll And verily in these cases and in this practise it is much emploied especially if the medicine be old and long kept for being such it healeth fistulous sores And being injected by a syring into the vlcers of the fundament genetoirs or otherwise by a metrenchyte into the secret sores within the naturall parts of women it cureth them all Also a liniment thereof is singular for to be applied to the gout of the feet also in the rest whether they be in the hands knees hucklebone or any other joint so they be not setled or inueterat but taken at the first But in case it be sodden againe in the oile of green oliues vntill it come to the consistence of honey and so applied it causeth those teeth to fall out of the head without paine which a man would willingly be rid of It is wonderfull to see how it healeth the farcines and manges of horses being vsed with the decoction of Lupines and the herbe Chamaeleon To conclude there is no better thing than to foment the gout with these lees of oile raw CHAP. IIII. ¶ Of the wild Oliue leaues The oile of the floures of the wild vine Ocnanthe Of the oile Cicinumâ—… of Palma Christi The oile of Almonds of Bayes of Myrtles of Ruscus or Chamaemyrsine of Cypresse of Citrons and of Nuts THe leaues of the wild oliue haue the same nature that the leaues of the tame As for Antispodium or the ashes made of the tender branches of the wild oliue it is of greater force and operation in staying and repressing of rheume catarrhes and fluxes than that abouenamed in the former chapter Ouer and besides it assuageth the inflammations of the eies it mundifieth vlcers it doth incarnat and fill vp the void places where the flesh is gone it gently eateth away and without mordication the excrescence of ranke and proud flesh drieth the sores healeth and skinneth them vp In other cases this oliue is vsed as the other oliues yet one peculiar propertie hath the wild oliue That a spoonefull of the decoction of their leaues with hony is giuen with good successe to them that spit and reach vp bloud Howbeit the oile made hereof is more aegre and sharpe yea and mightier in operation than that of the other Oliues and a collution thereof to wash the mouth withall setleth the teeth that be loose The leaues of the wild oliue reduced into a cataplasm with wine and so applied do cure whitflawes about the root of the nails carbuncles and generally al such apostemations with hony the said cataplasme serueth well to clense and mundifie where need is The decoction of the leaues yea and the juice of the wild oliue is put into many compositions and medicines appropriat to the eies To good purpose also the same is dropped into the ears with hony yea although they ran filthy atter A liniment made with the floures of the wilde Oliue is singular for the swelling piles and the chilblanes that be angry in the night and the same applied with barley meale to the belly or with oile to the head for the ache thereof occasioned by some rheume is known to do very much good The young tendrils or springs of the wild oliue being boiled and laid to with hony do re-ioyn and re-vnite the skin of the head which was departed from the bones of the skull The same tendrils pulled ripe from the wild oliue and eaten with meat do knit the belly and stay lasks but torrified and so beaten to pouder and incorporat with honey they do mundifie the corrosiue and eating vlcers they breake also carbuncles As touching oile of oliues the natute and manner of making it I haue already treated of at large But forasmuch as there are many kindes thereof I purpose do set dogn in this place such as serue for physick only And first to begin with the oile made of vnripe oliues called in Latin Omphacinum and which commeth neere to a green colour it is thought of all others most medicinable moreouer the same is best when it is fresh and new vnlesse it be in some case when it were requisit to haue the oldest that may be found thin and subtil odoriferous and nothing at all biting which be qualities al of them contrarie to that oile which we vse with our meats This greene or vnripe oile I say is good for the sores of the gumbes and if it be held in the mouth there is no one thing preserueth the whitenesse of the teeth better it represseth also immoderat and diaphoretical sweats The oile Oenanthemum made of the floures of the wild vine Oenanthe hath the same operations that oile rosat hath But note by the way that any oile howsoeuer it doth mollifie the body yet it bringeth vigor and addeth strength thereto Contrary it is to the stomacke it encreaseth filthinesse in vlcers doth exasperat the throat and dul the strength of all poisons especially of ceruse or white lead and plastre namely if it be drunk with honied
of a perfect wine without appearance of any grape at all nor so much as of Must which ordinarily is the rudiment of wine All Pomgranats as wel sweet as tart are clad with a very hard coat rough rind And verily the coat which the sour kind hath is much vsed and in great request and namely the Curriers know full well how to dresse their skins therwith and this is the cause that the Physitians name it in Latine Malicorium And they would bear vs in hand That the same doth prouoke vrine as also that the decoction therof in vineger with gal-nuts among doth confirm and keep the teeth fast which do shake and are loose in the head Women with child and giuen to longing after a strange and vnreasonable manner finde much good and contentment hereby for no sooner tast they of it but the childe doth stir and sprunt in their wombe The Pomgranat diuided into quarters or parcels and laid to steepe and infuse in raine water for three daies or thereabout yeeldeth a good and wholsome drinke for them to take actually cold who are troubled with loosenesse of the body occasioned by a flux from the stomacke and with casting and reaching vp bloud Of the tart and soure Pomgranat there is a singular composition which the Greeks call Stomatice for that it is a most soueraigne medidine for the infirmities incident to the mouth and yet it is as wholsom for the accidents of the nosthrils and ears as also for the dimnesse of the eies for the trouble some ouergrowing turning vp of the skin and flesh about the roots of the nailes for the genitoirs or priuie members for corrosiue vlcers which they cal Nomae and for the proud flesh and all excrescences in sores Against the poison or venom of the sea-hare there is an excellent composition made with Pom granats in this manner take the grains or kernels of Pomgranates being despoiled and turned out of their outward rind or skin stampe them well and presse out their iuice and liquor from them seeth the same vntil a third part be consumed together with Safron Roch-allom Myrth and the best Attick hony of each halfe a pound Others do compound and prepare a medicine after another sort in this wise they take and pun many soure Pomgranats and draw out of them a juice which they seeth in a new cauldron or pot of brasse neuer vsed before to the thicknesse of honey this they vse in all infirmities of the fundament and priuy parts for al griefs and maladies which be cured with the medicinable juice Lycium with this they clense ears that run with filthy matter restraine all violent fluxes of humors newly begun and especially taking a course to the eies and rid away the red pimples and spots that arise in any part of the body Whosoeuer carieth in his hand a branch of the Pomgranat tree shall soone chase away any serpents The pill or rind of a soure Pomgranate boiled in wine and so applied cureth kibes A Pomgranat stamped and then sodden in three Hemines of wine vntill one remain is a singular remedy for the torments of the Collick and driueth wormes out of the belly A Pomgranate torrified in an ouen within a new earthen vessell neuer occupied before well stopped and couered with a lid and so being calcined and drunk in wine staieth the flux of the belly and assuageth the wrings in the guts The first knitting of this fruit when the tree begins to floure is called by the Greeks Cytinus Of which there be obserued strange properties approued by the experience of many men for if any person man or woman vnbraced vnlaced vnpointed and vnbuttoned with girdle loose hose vngartered shooes vnbuckled and hauing not so much as a ring about any singer come and gather one of these tender bnds or knots with 2 fingers only to wit the thumb and the fourth ring-finger of the left hand and after this ceremony performed proceed forward to another namely to touch lightly with the same bud the compas of the eies round about as if the priest should sacre or hallow them and withal when this is don coueigh the same into the mouth and swallow it down whole so as a tooth touch it not there goeth an opinion That he or she for certain shal feele no impediment or infirmity of the eyes that year throughout The same knots or yong Pomgranats if they be dried and beaten to pouder are very good to keepe downe all excrescences of ranke flesh and be wholesome for the gummes and teeth moreouer the very juice drawn out of them after they be sodden do fasten the teeth in the head although they were loose and ready to fall out before The very yong Pomgranats themselues alone newly knit and making shew vpon the tree if they be stamped to the form of a liniment are singular for any corrosiue vlcers such as tend to putrifaction Likewise they be excellent good in that sort prepared and applied for the inflammation of the eies of the entrailes and in manner for all those occasions wherein the outward rinds and pils do serue And here before that I proceed any farther I canot sufficiently admire and wonder at the careful industry and diligence of our antients before time which they imploied in the consideration of Natures workes searching as they did into euery secret and left nothing behind them vnassaied and vntried in somuch as they took regard of those little pretty floures appearing vpon these knots or buds before said such I meane as break forth and spring before the Pomgranat it selfe is formed and maketh any appearance which smal blossoms as I said before are called Balaustia For euen these as little as they be our ancestors haue found by their experiments to be aduerse vnto scorpions And true it is that being taken in drinke they do restraine the extraordinary flux of womens fleurs they heale the cankers and sores in the mouth the diseases of the Tonsils or Amygdales and of the Vvula they do helpe the spitting and reaching vp of bloud they cure the feeblenesse both of belly and stomack with the fluxes thereupon insuing they are singular besides for the grieuances of the priuy members and for all running vlcers spreading in any part of the body whatsoeuer Moreouer they made proofe of the said floures dried and this high magistery they found That being beaten to pouder they cured those of the bloudie flix who lay at the very point of death on that disease as also that there was not a better thing in the world to stay any lask or flux of the belly Nay they staid not here so inuentiue were our forefathers nor thought much to make trial of the very kernels or stones within their grains to see if they could meet with any goodnesse therein for to deliuer vnto posterity and the age following And in good faith they found That euen those as
to giue the bread so made vnto them that cough to those who be short winded such also as cannot breath vnlesse they sit vpright and lastly to as many as reach vp filthy matter out of their brest Diodotus the Physitian made thereof an electuary or lohoch with hony for them to licke who are in a Phthisick or otherwise diseased in the lights and hee appointed it to be laid as a pultesse for fractures of bones There is not a beast or liuing creature whatsoeuer but if the shap or naturall parts be annointed therewith it will fetch away the fruit of their womb The juice drawn out of the root if it be incorporat with Attick hony scattereth the misty clouds and filmes in the eies that trouble the sight the same also cureth the defects and infirmities of the stomack And a syrrup made with the decoction thereof hony is good to stint a cough All vlcers whatsoeuer be they wolues cankerous sores or otherwise corrosiue and eating forward stil yea the very ill-fauoured Polype and Noli-me-tangere in the nosthrils the iuice of this root doth cure and heale wonderfully The leaues sodden in wine and oile are good to be applied vnto any burne or place scalded Being eaten in a salad with salt and vineger they purge the belly sodden with hony and applied as a cataplasme they are good for dislocations and bones out of ioint Semblably the said leaues whether they be green or dried are excellent for the gout in any ioint being laid too with salt Hippocrates deuised a plaster of them and hony together which was singular for all impostumations whatsoeuer For to bring downe the desired sicknesse of women 2 drams of the root or seeds it skils not whether taken in two cyaths of wine is a sufficient dose The same potion fetches away the after-birth in case it make no hast to come away after a woman is deliuered of child And for this purpose Hippocrates appointed the very bulbous root of Aron in substance to be applied to the nature of a woman in the like case It is said that in time of pestilence it is a singular preseruatiue if it be eaten with meats Certes it is excellent to keep them for being drunke who haue taken their liquor liberally or at leastwise to make them sober again And yet the perfume or smoke thereof when it burneth chaseth serpents away and especially the Aspides or els doth intoxicat their heads make them so drunk that a man shall find them lying benummed and astonied as if they were dead The same serpents moreouer will not come neere vnto those that be annointed all ouer with this herb Aros and oile of baies hereupon it is thought that it is a good preseruatiue against their stings if it be drunk in grosse red wine They say moreouer that cheeses will keepe passing well if they be wrapped within the leaues of Aron To come now to Dragons called in Latine Dracunculus wherof I haue spoken before the only time to dig it out of the ground is when barly beginneth to ripen and within the two first quarters of the Moon all the while that she doth increase in light Let one but haue the root of this herb about him in any part of the body it makes no matter how or where he cary it he shal be sure that serpents wil flie from him And therefore it is said that the greater kind of them is singular to be giuen in drink vnto those who are stung already by them as also that it stoppeth the immoderat course of womens fleurs in case it touched no yron instrument when it was gathered The juice thereof is passing good for pain in the ears As for tht Dragon which the Greeks name Draconatium it hath bin shewed described to me in three forms the one leaued like vnto the Beets growing with an vpright main stem with a floure of a purple colour this Dragon is like vnto Aron Others brought to me a second kind with a long root as it were marked forth and diuided into certaine ioints it putteth out three small stems and no more and they declared moreouer and gaue direction to seeth the leaues thereof in vineger against the sting of serpents There was a third sort shewed vnto me bearing a leafe bigger than that of the Cornell tree with a root resembling those of the canes or reeds and as they auouched parted into as many joints and knots just as it was yeares old and so many leaues likewise it had neither more nor lesse Those that presented it to me vsed to giue the same in wine or water against serpents There is an herb also named Aris growing in the same Egypt like vnto Aron abouesaid saue that it is lesse hath smaller leaues and not so big a root and yet the same is full as great as a good round and large oliue Of these there be two kinds the one which is white riseth vp with two stalks the other puts forth but one single stem Both of them haue vertue to cure running scals and vlcers to heale burns also and fistulous sores if a collyrie or tent be made thereof and put into the sore the leaues boiled in water and afterwards stamped and incorporate with oile rosat do stay the spreading of corrosiue eating vlcers But mark one wonderful property that this plant hath touch the nature or shap of any female beast therwith she wil neuer lin gadding vntill she die with one mischiefe or other Touching Mille foile or Yarrow which the Greeks call Myriophyllon we in Latine Millefolium it is an herb growing vp with a tender and feeble stalke like in some sort vnto Fenell and charged with many leaues whereupon it took the name it groweth in moores and fennie grounds vsed to very good purpose and with singular successe in curing of wounds Ouer and besides it is giuen to drink with vineger for the difficulty of vrine and the stoppage of the blader for those that take wind thick and shoâ—…t and such as are inwardly bruised by falling headlong from on high the same is most effectuall to take away the tooth ache In Tuscan they haue another herb so called growing in medowes which putteth forth on either side of the stalk or stem a number of pretty leaues as smal in maner as hairs The same also is a most excellent wound-hearb And it is auouched by the people of that countrey That if an Oxe chance to haue his strings or sinews cut quite atwowith the plough-share this hearb will conglutinat and souder them againe if it be made into a salue with swines grease Concerning bastard Navew called in Greeke Pseudo Bunion it hath the leaues of Navew gentle and brancheth to the height of a hand-bredth or span The best of this kind groweth in the Isle Candy where they vse to drink fiue or six branches thereof for the wringing torments of the belly for the strangury the pain of the sides midriffe and
to fetch away the very Ellebore again if it lay ouer-long in the body either by other purgatiue medicines or by clysters oftentimes also by opening a veine or bloud-letting And say that Ellebore taken in manner aforesaid wrought very well yet they vsed to obserue euery vomit the diuers colors of humors that came away which many times were fearfull to behold yea and when the Patient had done casting they considered also the ordure and excrements that passed away by the belly they gaue order besides for bathing either before or after the taking of Ellebore as occasion best required yea and they took great heed and regard of the whole body besides and yet did what they could the terrible name and report that went of this medicine passed all their care and circumspection whatsoeuer for it was an opinion generally held and receiued That Ellebore doth eat away and consume the flesh seething in the pot if it be boiled therewith But herein were the antient Physitians much too blame and greatly in fault in that they were ouer timorous and for feare of such accidents insuing vpon this medicine gaue it in too small a dose wheras indeed the greater quantity that one taketh of it the more speedily it worketh and the sooner passeth out of the body when it hath once done the errand Themison vsed to prescribe two drams and not aboue The Physitians who followed after allowed the dose of foure drammes grounding vpon a notable and famous apothegme or speech of Herophylus who was wont to say that Ellebore was like vnto a valiant and hardy captaine for when quoth he it hath stirred all the humors within the body it self issueth forth first and maketh way before them Moreouer there is a strange and singular deuise To clip the root of Ellebore with small sizzers or sheares into little pieces then to sift them through a sercer that the bark or rind may remain still and when it is clensed and purged from the pith or marrow within the same may fall thorow and passe away which is passing good to stay vomits in case the Ellebore doe worke too extreamely furthermore if we looke for good successe in our cure by ministring of Ellebore in any wise wee must take heed and be carefull how we giue it in close weather and vpon a darke and cloudie day for certainly it putteth the Patient to a jumpe or great haâ—…ard and causeth most grieuous and intollerable pains and torments For that it should be taken in summer rather than in winter no man doubteth thereof Ouer and besides the bodie ought to be prepared a seuen-night before during which time the Patient is to eat tart and sharp meats and poignant sauces to abstaine from wine altogether and the fourth and third day before to assay by little and little to vomit gently last of all to forbeare supper ouer-night when hee is to take his Ellebore the morrow As touching the manner of giuing Ellebore the white may be drunke in some sweet wine but the best and chiefest way of taking it is in milke grewell or pottage Of late dayes there is come vp a pretty inuention To slit or cut Radish roots and within those gashes to stick or enterlace pieces of white Ellebore which don to bind them close vp again that the strength and vertue thereof may be incorporat in the foresaid roots and thus by the means of this kind temperature with the Radish to giue it vnto the Patient Ordinarily this medicine of Ellebore continueth not aboue foure houres within the body but it commeth vp againe and within seuen it hath done working And thus being vsed as is before said it is a most soueraigne remedie for the falling sicknesse the swimming or dizzinesse of the head it cureth melancholicke persons troubled in mind such as be brain-sick mad lunaticke phrantick and furious it is singular good for the Elephantie the foule and dangerous morphew called Leuce the filthie leprosie and the generall convulsion whereby the body continueth stiffe and starke as it were all one peece without any joynt It helpeth those that be troubled with trembling shiuering and shaking of their lims with the gout and the dropsie and namely such as bee entering into a tympanie singular it is for those that haue weake and feeble stomackes and can keepe nothing that they take for such as are giuen to spasmes or crampes lie bed-rid of the dead palsie or such chronicke diseases encumbered with the Sciatica haunted with the quartaine Ague which will not be ridde away by any other meanes troubled with an old cough vexed with ventosities and griping wrings and torments which be periodicall and vse to come and goe at certaine set times howbeit Physitians forbid the giuing of Ellebore vnto old folk and yong children Item to such as be of a foeminine and delicate bodie as also to those that be in minde effoeminate likewise to those who are thinne and slender soft and tender in which regards wee may not be altogether so bold to giue it vnto women as vnto men In like manner this is a medicine that would not bee ministred inwardly to fearefull timorous and faint-hearted persons neither to those who haue any vlcer in the precordiall region about the midriffe ne yet vnto such as vsually bee giuen to swell in those parts and least of all vnto those that spit or reach vp bloud no more than to sickely and crasie persons who haue some tedious and lingring maladie as phthysicke c. hanging vpon them and namely if they be grieued and diseased in their sides or throat Neuerthelesse applied without the bodie in manner of a liniment with salted hogs grease it cureth the breaking forth of flegmaticke wheals and pimples as also healeth old sores remaining after imposthumes suppurate and broken mixed with parched or fried braleygroats it is a very rats-bane killeth both them mice The Gauls or Frenchmen when they ride a hunting into the chase vse to dip their arrow heads in the juice of Ellebore they haue this opinion that the venison which they take will eat the tenderer but then they cut away the flesh round about the wound made by the foresaid arrows Furthermore it is said That if white Ellebore be beaten to pouder and strewed vpon milk all the flies that tast thereof will die To conclude the said milke is good to rid away lice nits and such like vermin out of the head and other parts of the body CHAP. VI. ¶ Of the herbe Mithridation Of Scordotis or Scordium Of Polemonia and Philetaeria otherwise called Chiliodynama Of Eupatorie or Agrimonie Of great Centaurie otherwise named Chironea Of the little Centaurie named also Libadion and Felterrae Of Triorches and the medicinable vertues vpon these Simples depending CRatevas hath ascribed the inuention of one herb to K. Mithridates himselfe called after his name Mithridation this plant putteth forth no more than two leaues and those directly and immediatly from
In lease it resembleth water Mints but that the branches be greater Moreouer this setled and deep persuasion men haue of Candy that what Simples soeuer grow there they be infi nitly better than all others of the same kind whatsoeuer Next vnto which Island there goeth a great name and opinion of the mountain Pernassus for excellent herbes howsoeuer otherwise mount Pelius in Thessaly the hil Telechrius in Euboea and generally al Arcadia the country of Laconica throughout be renowned much for plenty of good simples And yet the Arcadians verily vse no other Physicke but milke onely and that about the spring at what time all herbs there be in their best verdure and fullest of sap so as the vdders of beasts be their Physi tians yeelding them medicines out of their pastures But aboue all they vse to drink cow milk for that those kind of cattell feed indifferently in manner of all kind of herbs Certes of what power and efficacy herbs are and namely what effects they may work euen by the milk of four-footed beasts grasing and pasturing thereupon appeareth manifestly by two notable examples which I will report vnto you About Abdera and along the street or high way called Diomedes causey there lie certain pastures wherein all the horses that feed become inraged stark wood thereby Semblably the herbage belonging to Potniae a towne in Magnesia driueth Asses to a kind of madnesse Leauing now those herbts which took their appellations of beasts let vs proceed to others Among which Aristolochia deserueth to be ranged with the best and principal an herb which seemeth to haue had that name giuen it by great bellied women for that it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Our Countreymen of Italy call this herbe in Latine Malum terrae which is as much to say as the Apple of the earth and they do make foure kinds thereof The first hath a round root swelling and bunching out leaues resembling the Mallow and partly those of Iuy but that they be of a more browne and duskish colour and withall softer in the hand The second Aristolochia or Birthwort is taken to be the male and hath a root as thicke as a good Baston or staffe growing longwise to the length of foure fingers The third which by some is called Clematis by others Aristolochis of Candy hath a root exceeding long and slender like to that of a young Vine and this is reputed of all others for the best and most effectuall The roots of them all be of a Box colour the stalks small and the floures purple They beare little prety berries much like to capers But it is the root alone which is medicinable A fourth kinde there is also which they call Pistolochia smaller and slenderer than the last before named Clematis A root it hath diuided into many fibers or strings growing thick one by another to the thicknesse of big and well growne rushes whereupon some haue giuen it the name of Polyrrhizon All the sort of these Aristolochies yeeld an aromaticall odour but the long and smaller root is that which is most pleasant to smell vnto for it hath a fleshie rind and is one of the principall ingredients which enter into those odoriferous perfumes and ointments which stand most vpon Nard these Birth-woorts delight all of them to grow vpon plaines and battle grounds The right season to digge or draw them out of the earth as in haruest time and then after they be rid and scaled as it were from the earth or mould sticking vnto them they vse to lay them vp safe Howbeit the best simply are those which come out of Pontus And take this for a generall rule That in euery kind the weightiest is alwaies most medicinable The round rooted Aristolochie hath a speciall property against the poison of serpents Yet there goeth the greatest name of the long for this excellent qualitie if it be true that is reported thereof namely that if a woman newly conceiued with childe applie the root thereof to her naturall parts within a morcell of raw boeufe it will cause her to breed and forme in her wombe a man childe Our Fishers heere by in Campaine doe tearme the round root The poyson of the earth In very truth I haue seene them with mine owne eyes to stampe the said root and incorporat it with lime into a paste and so to cast it into the sea in small pellets or gobbets for to catch fishes and I assure you they will skud amaine and make haste to this bait and be very eager of bit but no sooner haue they tasted thereof but they will turne vp their bellies and lie floating aloft vpon the water starke dead As for that Aristolochie which for the manifold rootes that it hath is called Polyrrhizos it is thought to be soueraigne for convulsions or crampes contusions or bruises for such also as haue fallen from some steepe and high place if the root be drunke in water Likewise the seed of this kinde is supposed singular good for the pleurisie and to corroborate strengthen and heat weake and distempered sinewes The same likewise may be reckoned for a Satyrion It remaineth now to knit vp this discourse with a rehearsall of all the operations and effects of the plants before named To begin then with the most dangerous accident of al other to wit the sting of serpents these hearbes following are very medicinable and effectuall in that case namely Brittannica and the roots of all the kinds of Panaces taken in wine The floure seed besides of Chironium especially if it be drunk or otherwise applied as a liniment with wine and oile Also the wild Origan or Marjeram called Cunila Bubula hath a singular property by it self that way like as Polomonia otherwise called Philetoeria if one take 4 drams weight of the root in wine Semblably Teucrion Sideritis Scordotis giuen in wine But more particularly against snakes aders the like the said herbs be right soueraign either inwardly taken or outwardly applied vpon the wound be it in juice substance of leafe or decoction it skilleth not whether for which purpose a dram weight of the root of great Centaurie drunk in three cyaths of white wine is excellent as for Gentian it serueth properly against snakes if it be taken to the poise of two drams with Pepper and Rue in 6 cyaths of wine green or dry it makes no matter Touch herbe Willow or Lysimachia serpents cannot abide the very smell thereof but flie from it If any body chance to be stung alreadie by them there is not a better medicine than to giue Celendine in drinke But of Betonie aboue all the rest there is made a most soueraigne salue to be laied vnto the place that is stung And such a contrarietie in nature of Antipathie there is by folks report between them and this herb that if the leaues thereof be strewed in a circle round about them the serpents within wil
Langwort and indeed so like as oftentimes one is taken for the other howbeit the leaues be not altogether so white and more little branches it putteth forth bearing likewise a pale yellow floure cast this herb or strew it in any place all the moths there about will gather to it whereupon at Rome they call it Blattaria The herbe Lemonium yeeldeth a white juice much like vnto milke which will harden and grow together in manner of a gum and it groweth in moist places The weight of one denarius giuen in wine is a singular preseruatiue against the dangerous sting of serpents As for Cinque soile or fiue leaued grasse there is not one but knoweth it so common it is and commendable besides for the strawberries which it beareth The Greeks call it Pentapetes Chamaezelon or Pentaphyllon the Latines Quinquefolium The root when it is new digged looketh red but as it beginneth to drie aboue ground so it waxeth black and becommeth also cornered It tooke the common naâ—…e both in Greeke and Latine of the number of leaues which it beareth This herb herein is of great affinitie with the vine that they both bud spring leafe and shed the same together It is vsed also about purging blessing of the house against naughtie spirits or inchantments As for Sparganium an herb so called by the Greeks the root thereof is good to be giuen in white wine against venomous serpents Of Carrots Petronius Diodotus hath set downe 4 seueral kinds But what need I to go through them all foure seeing they may be reduced well enough into twaine and doe require no other distinctions The best and most approued Carrots be those of Candy the next to which in goodnesse come out of Achaia But generally in what countrey soeuer they grow the better be such as come vp in the sounder and drier grounds As touching the Candy Carot it resembleth fennel but that the leaues stand more vpon the white they be smaller also and hairy withall The stem groweth vpright a foot high and hath a root odoriferous to smell vnto and of a most pleasant tast this ioieth in stony places exposed to the South quarter of the world As for the other Carots of a wild nature In what countrey grow they not you shall finde them vpon earthie bankes and hils you shall haue them about high waies but neuer shal a man meet with them in a leane and hungry ground they loue a battle and fat soile their leaues come neare to the Coriander their stem ariseth to a cubit heigth bearing round heads three ordinarily and otherwhiles more the root is of a wooddy substance and being once dried it serueth to no purpose The seed of this kind is like vnto Cumin but of the former to Millet grain white quick and sharp and they be all odoriferous and hot in the mouth The seed of the second is more aegre and biting than the former and therefore ought to be taken in lesse quantitie As for the third kind if we list to make so many it is much like to the wild Parsnep called in Greek Staphylinos and in Latine Pastinaca Erratica the same beareth a seed somwhat long in form and a sweet root All the sort of these Dauci or Carots are safe enough from the bit of four-footed beasts both winter summer vnlesse it be after they haue cast their abortiue fruit before-time for then they seek therto to be clensed of their gleane Of all Carots the seeds be vsed only but that of Candie affordeth the root also which is sweet but both the seed of the one sort and the root of the other be most appropriat remedies against serpents a dram weight in wine is a sufficient dose at a time which also may be giuen in a drench to foure-footed beasts that be stung by them Touching the herb Therionarca I mean not that which the Magitians vse it groweth also in this part of the world here with vs in Italy many branches it putteth forth and springs thick with diuers shoots from the root the leaues be of a light green and the floure of a red-rose colour it killeth serpents outright besides it hath this property That if it be brought neere vnto any wild beast whatsoeuer it benummeth their sences whereupon it took that name Persolata which the Greek writers call Arcion there is not one but knoweth large leaues it hath and bigger than the very Gourds more hairy blacker also and thicker a white root and a great this root taken in wine to the weight of two deniers Roman is good likewise against the venom of serpents In like manner the root of Cyclaminus or Sow-bread is as effectual against them all leaues it hath somewhat resembling those of Ivy but that they be of a more duskish and sad greene smaller also and without corners wherein a man may perceiue certaine whitish specks The stem is little and hollow within the flours of a purple colour the root broad so as a man would take it to be a Turnep and couered ouer with a black rind it groweth in shadowy places Our countrymen here in Italy call it in Latine Tuber terrae that is to say The knur or bunch of the ground Sowne and planted it would be in euery garden about an house if so be it be true that is reported of it namely that wheresoeuer it groweth it is as good as a countercharm against al witchcraft and sorceries which kind of defensatiue is called properly Amuletum Moreouer this root they say if it be put into a cup of wine turneth the brain presently and maketh as many drunk as drink therof For the better keeping and preseruing of this root it must be ordered after the manner of Squilla or Sea-onion roots i. cut into thinne slices or roundles then dried and so laid vp the same also is vsually sodden to the consistence or thickenesse of hony As good as this root is in those former respects yet it is not without some venomous quality for it is commonly said That if a woman with child chance to step ouer it shee will fall presently to labour before her time and lose the fruit of her wombe A second kind of Cyclaminus or Swine bread I finde syrnamed by the Greekes Cissanthemos growing with stems full of knots or joints hollow within and good for nothing far different from the former winding and clasping about trees bearing berries much like to those of Ivy but they are soft a white floure faire and louely to see too but a needlesse root for any goodnesse in it the berries that it beareth be only in vse and those are of a sharp and biting tast yet they be viscous and clammy to the tongue these being dried in the shadow and stamped are afterwards reduced into certain bals or trosches My self haue seen a third kind also of Cyclaminos carying the name besides of Chamaecissos which brought forth but one only leafe the root
the ears Androsaces is a white hero bitter in taste without any leaues but in stead thereof it hath certain little husks or cods hanging by small bents and those containing seed within them It groweth along the sea side and most of all vpon the coasts of Syria The cods being stamped or boiled in water vineger or wine are good to be giuen to the weight of 2 drams to them that are in a dropsie for they prouoke vrine mightily It serueth also in the cure of the gout either taken by the mouth or applied outwardly in a liniment Of the same operation is the seed also Androsaemon or as some call it Ascyron is not vnlike to Hypericon whereof I haue already spoken but that the stalks be bigger stand thicker together and are more inclining to red the leaues be white or grey fashioned like vnto those of Rue and the seed resembleth that of black Poppie crush or bruise the vpmost crops or heads therof they yeeld from them a bloudy iuice in smel it senteth like vnto rosin and is found ordinarily growing in vineyards The proper time to gather this herb is in mid Autumne and so to hang it vp a drying The manner is to stampe the herb seed and all for to purge the belly wherof they drink either first in the morning or last after supper the weight of two drams in mead wine or sheere water so that the whole draught of the potion be a full sextar and not aboue Properly it doth euacuat choler and is principally good for the Sciatica but the morrow after the patient ought to swallow down a dram weight of the Capers root mixed with rosin and then after pausing foure daies between to do the like againe after which course of purging if the patient be of a strong complexion he may drinke wine otherwise those of a weaker constitution ought to sorbeare and drinke water Excellent good it is for all gouts of the feet and for burns if it be applied vnto the place and a good vulnerary herb besides and stancheth the bleeding of wounds Ambrosia is a name that keepeth not to any one herb but is common to many Howbeit the true Ambrosia runneth vp from the root into one small stem which notwithstanding brancheth thick riseth to the height of three spans or thereabout and ordinarily is one third part shorter than the root and the leaues be like Rue Toward the foot of the said stem it bringeth forth certain little grapes with grain or seeds within and those haue a sent of wine and hang down from the branches of the said herb for which cause some thâ—…re be who cal it Botrys although others giue it the name Artem isia The people of Cappadocia vse therwith to make themselues chaplets to weare vpon their heads This herb is much vsed in those accidents that require to be dissolued and sent out by the pores of the skin Anonis which some chuse rather to call Ononis is an herbe full of branches like vnto Fenigreek but that it springeth thicker from the root brancheth more and is more hairy of a pleasant smell and pricky after the spring Many vse to keep it condite in pickle Beeing applied to any vlcer whiles it is fresh and greene it eateth away and consumeth the excrescence of proud flesh in the brims or edges thereof The root is good for the paine of the teeth if it be sodden in vineger and water mingled together and the mouth washed withal the same taken in drink with hony expelleth grauell and stone boiled in Oxymell to the consumption of the one halfe it is a singular drink for the falling sicknesse Anagyros which some call Acopos is an hearbe which brancheth thicke of a strong and stinking smell it beareth floures like vnto those of Beets in certaine cods like horns which be of a good length it bringeth forth seed resembling kidnies in shape the which in haruest time becommeth hard the leaues are singular good to be laid vpon impostumat swellings they serue also for women which be in hard trauell with child to be hanged or tied fast about them with this charge that presently they be remoued after they are deliuered But if the child be dead stick stil in the matrice or in case the afterbirth tarry behind wil not come away after the infant is born or if a woman desire to see her monthly sicknes it is good to drink a dram weight of the leaues in wine cuit And in that maner they are giuen to those who be short winded but in old wine against the sting of the venomous spiders Phalangia The root is singular to be put to those plasters which either do resolue or maturat any impostumed place The seed chewed staieth immoderat vomits Anonymos finding no name to be called by got therupon the name Anonymos a Plant this is brought out of Scythia to vs highly commended by Hicesius a Physitian of great name and authority also by Aristogiton for an excellent vulnerary if it be bruised or stamped in water and so applied but taken inwardly in drinke it is good for womens breasts and the precordiall parts about the heart if they haue gotten a stripe or be bruised also for such as reach vp bloud Some haue ordained a vulnerary drink to be made therof for those that be wounded But what is said moreouer as touching this herb I hold meere fabulous and namely that if two pieces of yron or brasse be put into the fire and burn together with this herbe fresh and new gathered they will souder and joine againe CHAP. V. ¶ Of Erith or Goosegrasse Of the Clot-bur Of Ceterach of Asclepias and After or Bubonium Of Ascyrum or Ascyroides Of Aphace Alcibium and Alectorolophus ERith is by some called in Greeke Aparine by others Omphalocarpos and Philanthropos An hero giuen to be full of branches rough and prickly carrying fiue or six leaues growing round together about the said branches in order like a star and a prety distance there is between euery of these roundles The seed is round hard hollow and sweetish It groweth in corn fields in gardens and medows rough it is that it is ready to catch hold of folkes clothes as they passe by and to stick vnto them An effectuall herb against serpents if a dram of the seed be drunk in wine also for them who are pricked with the spiders Phalangia The leaues haue a singular vertue to represse the abundant flux of bloud out of wounds if they be outwardly applied like as the juice hath a speciall property to help the infirmities of the ears being dropped or poured into them Arction which some rather name Arcturus is like in lease to the great Mullen or Taperwort but that it is more rough the stem tall and soft and the seed resembling Cumin It grows ordinarily in stony grounds with a root tender soft sweet Being sodden in wine it easeth the
for the most part into three or foure grains or branches the same is white odoriferous and hot in the mouth it loueth to grow vpon rockes and stonie grounds lying pleasantly vpon the Sun The infusion of this root in wine is good to be drunke for the paine and other diseases of the matrice but of the said root there ought to be taken three ounces stamped and the same to steepe a day and night in 3 sextars of wine for to make the infusion aboue-named This portion also serues to send down the after-birth if it stay behind The seed of this herbe drieth vp milke if it be drunke in wine or mead Cirsion commeth vp with a slender stalke two cubits high and seemeth to be made 3 cornered triangle-wise the same is beset round about with prickie leaues howbeit the said prickes are but tender and soft The leaues in forme resemble an oxe tongue or the herb Langue-deboeufe but that they be smaller and somewhat white in the top whereof there put forth purple buttons or little heads which in the end turne to a plume like thistle down Some writers hold that this herb or the root onely bound vnto the swelling veines called Varices doth allay the paine thereof Crataeogonos spindleth in the head like vnto the eare of wheat and out of one single root ye shall haue many shoots to spring and rise vp into blade and straw and those also ful of ioints It gladly groweth in coole and shadowie places the seed resembleth the grain of the Millet which is very sharp and biting at the tongues end If a man his wife before they company together carnally drink before supper for 40 daies together the weight of three oboli of this seed either in wine or as many cyaths of water they shall haue a man childe betweene them as some say There is another Crataeogonos called also Thelygonos the difference from the other may soon be known by the mildnesse in taste Some authors affirm that if women vse to drinke the floures of Crataeogonos they shal within 40 daies conceiue with child But as well the one as the other applied with hony do heale old vlcers they incarnat and fill vp the hollow concauities of fistulous sores and such parts as do mislike and want nourishment they cause to gather flesh and fill the skin again foule and filthy vlcers they mundifie the flat biles and risings called Pani they rarifie and discusse gouts of the feet they mitigat generally all impostumations in womens brests specially they resolue and assuage Theophrastus would haue a kind of tree to be called Crataegonos or Crataeogon which here in Italy they call Aquifolia Crocodilion doth in shape resemble the thistly herbe or Artichoke called the blacke Chamaeleon the root is long and thicke in all parts alike of an hard and vnpleasant smel it groweth ordinarily in sandy or grauelly grounds If one drinke of it they say it will set the nose a bleeding and send out a deale of thicke and grosse bloud that the spleene will diminish and weare away by that means As touching Testiculus Canis or Dogs-stones which the Greeks cal Cynosorchis others simply Orchis it hath leaues like vnto those of the oliue soft tender they are and about halfe a foot long and therfore no maruell if they lie spred vpon the ground the root is bulbous and growing long-wise in a double ranke or two together the one aboue which is the harder the other vnder it and that is the softer when they be sodden folke vse to eat them after the manner of other bulbs and lightly a man shall find them growing in vineyards Of these two roots if a man eat the bigger it is said that he shal beget boies and if the woman eat the smaller she shal conceiue a maiden childe In Thessalie men vse for to drinke in goats milke the softer of these roots to make themselues lustie for the act of generation but the harder when they would coole the heat of lust whereby we may see that they be contrarie and one hindereth the operation of the other Chrysolachanon commeth vp like a Lettuce and commonly groweth in plots of ground set with Pines the vertue of this herbe is to heale wounds of the sinewes thought they were cut quite asunder if it be presently laied too There is another kinde of Chrysolachanon bearing floures of a golden colour and leafed like vnto the Beet when it is boiled folke vse to eat it in stead of meat and it looseneth the belly as well as Beets Coleworts and such like and if it be true that is reported whosoeuer beare this hearbe tied fast about any place of their bodies which is euer in their eie so as they may see the same continually it wil cure them of the jaundise Touching this hearb Chrysolachanum well I wot that I haue not written sufficiently that men might know it by this description and yet could I neuer meet with any author who hath said more or described it better This verily hath been the fault and ouersight euen of our moderne Herbarists of late daies To write sleightly of those herbes and simples which they themselues knew and were acquainted with as if forsooth they had been knowne to euery man setting downe onely their names and no more which is euen as much as to tell vs a tale and say that with the rennet or rundles of the earth one might stay a laske or giue free passage to the vrine in the strangury so it be drunke in wine or water As for Cucubalum they write of it That if the leaues bee stamped with vineger they heale the stings of serpents and scorpions Some of them cal this herb by another name Strumus and others giue it the Greeke name Strychnos and black berries they say it hath The iuice thereof taken to the quantity of one cyath with twice as much honied wine is soueraigne for the loins or small of the back likewise it easeth the head-ache if together with oile of roses it bee distilled vpon the head by way of embrochation The herb it selfe in substance made into a liniment healeth the wens called the kings euill Concerning the fresh water Spunge for so I may more truly terme it than either mosse or herbe so thicke of shag haires it is and fistulous withal it groweth ordinarily within the riuers that issue from the root of the Alpes and is named in Latine * Conferua for that it is good to conglutinat in manner of a souder Certes I my selfe know a poore labourer who as he was lopping a tall tree fell from the top down to the ground and was so pitiously bruised thereby that vnneth he had any sound bone in all his body that was vnbroken and in very truth lapped he was all ouer with this mosse or spunge call it whether you will and the same was kept euermore moist and wet with sprinckling his owne
the midst of the palm of that hand which gaue the stroke the party immediatly that was smitten shall be eased from pain and take no harm thereby And verily we find this to be so by experiments oftentimes made vpon the bodies of fourfooted beasts for let them be swaied in the back or hipped by some stripe giuen them with stone or cudgel do no more then but spit into that hand which did the deed streightwaies they will goe vpright again vpon all foure Contrariwise some there be who before they either strike or discharge any thing from them against another after the same manner first spit into the bal of their hands and so they make account to do a greater displeasure to hurt more dangerously But this we may assure our selues that there is not a better thing in the world for to kil tettars ringworms the foule leprie than to rub and wet them continually with our owne fasting spittle likewise to annoint therewith euery morning our eies keepeth them from being bleared also cankerous sores are cured with the root of Sowbread which we call the earth-apple if the same be wrought into a salue with our fasting spittle Moreouer if a man haue a cricke and ach in the nape of his neck let him take the spittle of a man that is fasting some in his right hand and there with anoint the ham of his right leg and the rest with his left and do the like to the left leg and thereupon hee shall find ease If an earwig or such like vermin be gotten into the eare make no more ado but spit into the same and it will come forth anon Among countercharms preseruatiues against sorcerie these be reckoned namely that a man spit vpon his own vrine as soon as he hath deliuered it out of his body likewise to spit into the shooe that serueth his right foot before he put it on in a morning also whensoeuer he goeth ouer or passe by a place where sometime he was in danger to remember that he spit vpon it Marcion of Smyrna who wrote a Treatise of the vertues and effects of simples reporteth that the Scolopendres of the sea will burst in sunder if one spit vpon them and so will hedge toads and other venomous frogs Ophilius writeth that spittle wil do the like by serpents if one spit into their mouths as they gape As for the learned Salpe shee saith that if one perceiue any member or part of the body be asleep and benummed there is not a better thing to recouer the sence thereof than to spit into the bosome or to touch the vpper eielids with fasting spittle Now if we beleeue these things to be true we may as well giue credit to all that which followeth Wee see it is an ordinary thing that if a stranger come in place where a babe lieth in the cradle or look vpon the said infant whiles it is asleep the nource vseth to spit thrice although I am not ignorant that there is a religious opinion of this sillable Mu that it is able to defend such yong sucklings as also of the foolish puppet Fascinus both which are of power to put back any witchcraft from them and returne the mischiefe vpon the eie-biting witch And since I am light vpon this name I must let you vnderstand that this Fascinus is holden to be a god forsooth the gardian keeper not of infants only but of great captains and braue generals of the field who hath diuine seruice done to him at Rome among other gods and that by the vestall Nuns for the manner was to hang this ridiculous puppet vnder the chariots of noble victorers riding in triumph not onely to defend them by a medicinable power against the venome of enuious and spightfull tongues but also to returne all enuie vpon them bid as it were to take it among them the like vertue is in the tongue beseeching fortune to bee propitious and fauorable vnto them Fortune I say who ordinarily commeth after to whip and punish them as the scourge and tormentresse of glory and honour Ouer and besides the tooth of a man especially when he is mad is reckoned to be as dangerous and pernicious a biting as any other The excrement found in mans ears called ear wax is thought in this case to be soueraigne and let no man maruell thereof considering how it will heale the sting of Scorpions and serpents also if it be applied to the place presently but it is the better and more effectuall if it be taken out of the Patients own ears who is thus wounded and in that sort it healeth also the whitflaws and impostumations that breed about the naile roots Moreouer take a mans or womans tooth and stamp it into pouder it is thought good for the sting of a serpent The haire of yong boy-children which is first clipped off is held to be a singular remedy for to assuage the painful fits of the gout if the same be tied fast about the foot that is grieued generally their haire so long as they be vnder 14 yeres of age easeth the said anguish if it be applied vnto the place Likewise the hair of a mans head cureth the biting of a mad dog if it be laid to the place with vineger it healeth also the wounds in the head applied with oile or wine But if it were plucked from his head whiles he hangeth vpon the gallows then is it soueraign for the quartan ague but we may chuse whether we will beleeue it or no. Certainly the haire of the head burnt to ashes is known to be very good for a cancerous vlcer If a woman take the first tooth that a yong child cast set it in a bracelet and so weare it continually about her wrest it will preserue her from the pains grieuances of her matrice and naturall parts Tie the great Toe and that which is next vnto it together you shall see how it will allay any risings tumors in the share Bind gently the two middle fingers of the right hand with a linnen thred marke of what force this remedy is to represse the rheum falling into the eies and how it wil keep them from being bleared If all be true that is commonly said the stone that one hath voided thrust out of the body easeth all others that be pained with the stone if the same be kept fast tied to the share also it doth mitigat the griefe of the liuer and procureth speedy deliuerance to women in trauel with child Granius affirmed moreouer that in all these cases it would do the better if one were cut for it that it were taken forth of the bladder by way of incision If a woman be neere her time and looks euery day to fal to labour cry out let the man come by whom she is with child and after he hath vngirt himselfe gird her about the middle with his own girdle and vnloose
the hooks and hindges of doors and make a liniment with the durt that commeth of the rust thereof and therewith annoint the forehead it will assuage the head-ach They promise also to do as much with a wyth or halter that a man is hanged withall vpon a gibbet in case it be done about the temples of the head in manner of a frontall Moreouer if any fish-bone stick in the throat and will not remooue it shall incontinently goe downe if the party ready thus to bee choked withall put his feet into cold water but if some peece of any other bones be ready to choke one make no more adoe but take some other little spils of the said bone and lay them vpon the head you shall see it passe away and doe no harm If a peece of bread haue gone wrong or lie in the way readie to stop the breath take the crums of the same loafe and put them into both the eares you shall see it will soon be gon and do no further harme Furthermore the Greeks who were giuen much to make money of euerie thing and namely of their publicke places of bodily exercise made great account of certaine excrements that came from mens bodies as singular remedies for many diseases for the filth that was scraped rubbed from the bodies of wrestlers c. serued to mollifie to heal resolue and incarnat a medicin consisting of sweat oile tempered together with it they vsed to cure the inflammations contractions distortions and risings of the matrice by application outwardly therwith they would draw down the monthly fleurs of women lenifie the intemperat heat and dissolue piles and swelling bigs in the seat or fundament they vse the same also to assuage the griefe of the sinews to rectifie dislocations set the bones in ioint and to discusse the nodosities of the ioints Howbeit the scrapings that come of sweating in banes and hot-houses be counted of greater validitie in all these infirmities and therefore no maruell if they enter into the composition of maturatiue emplasters and which bring an impostume to suppuration as for the foresaid medicines which stood vpon sweat oile wherewith wrestlers were anointed and some vrine mingled among they be good onely to mollifie the nodosities of the ioints for as they heat and resolue more effectually so in the other respects nothing so forcible they are as those that be gathered out of stouves bains Verily a man would not beleeue to what shamelesse and impudent curiosity some authors are grown vnto and euen those of all others who be most renowned who bash not with open mouth to commend vnto vs that for a singular remedy against the prick of scorpions which I am not willing to name euen the filthy sperme that passeth from a man by his priuities Neither could they stay there but to cause barren women for to teem and beare children they haue found out a proper pessarie to be put vp into their secret parts made forsooth of the ordure that commeth away from infants so soone as they be out of their mothers womb and this medicine they haue a pretty name for call it Meconion Moreouer the Greeks haue gone so neare that they haue scraped the very filth from the wals of their publicke halls and places of wrestling and such like exercises and the same say they hath a speciall excalfactory vertue whereby it discusseth and resolueth the biles and impostumes called Pani and serueth as a soueraigne liniment to heale the vlcers in the bodies of children and old folk yea to skin any place that is galled raw blistred with burning Lo what remedies haue bin found in the body of man And surely since I haue taken the pains to put them down I may not omit those voluntary medicines which depend vpon his minde proceed from his will and vnderstanding In the first place you shall haue some that wil fast and forbeare al kinds of meat others drink not at all one while they abstaine from wine onely another while from all flesh meats and you shall see diuers men neuer come vnto bathe or baine euery one according as their sicknes doth require And this kind of abstinence or regiment of themselues they hold to be the readiest and surest means to recouer their health In the rank of these remedies are reckoned bodily exercise straining of the voice vnction scratching and rubbing as need and occasion requireth for hard and vehement friction doth constipat and bind the body contrariwise gentle and soft frictions do mollifie and open the pores and as much rubbing taketh down the body and causeth leannesse so that which is moderat setteth it vp and encreaseth fatnesse but nothing is there more wholsome than walking and gestation which is an exercise performed many waies If the stomacke be weake and the legs feeble riding on horseback is an excellent exercise for the phthysicke or consumption nothing so good as to saile or be rowed vpon the water but in case there be a long disease hanging vpon a man what better thing in the world than to change the aire and remoue from place to place In like manner to procure sleep by lying in some pretty bed that may be rocked too and fro is oftentimes good for a mans health as also to vomit now and then but in no wise to vse it ordinarily Lying in bed vpon the backe is commended for the infirmities of the eies but vpon the belly for the cough To lie vpon the sides shifting from one to the other is held to be singular against rheums and catarrhs Aristotle and Fabianus do say That we be giuen to dreame at the Spring and Fall more than in the other seasons of the yere also most when we lie with our face vpward but neuer groueling And Theophrastus affirmeth That sleeping vpon the right side helpeth forward the concoction of meat in the stomacke whereas they that lie vpon their backe shall not haue so quicke digestion The manner of bathing also and vsing the baine and hot house which is one of the chiefe and principall means of our health is in a mans power to order as he list himselfe like as he may chuse what kind of friction he will in the stouve or hot-house either to be rubbed with linnen cloths or well curried and scraped with kombes Item it is knowne to bee verie good and wholesome to wash ones head with hot-water before hee enter into the baine or hot-house and after that he is out of it to doe the like with cold water as also to take a draught of cold water immediatly before meat and to do as much between meals likewise to drink the same to bedward â—…ea and otherwhiles in the very night so as we sleep both before and after where by the way this would be noted That no liuing creature else but man alone delighteth to drinke any drink hot know then hereby that such kind of drinks be not
receiue nor hold any thing it is good to presse hard and straine the feet together or els to thrust both hands into hot water To come now vnto our speech and exercise of the tongue in many cases and for diuers causes it is wholsom to speak but little I haue head say that Mecaenas Messius inioined himselfe three yeres silence and during that time neuer spake word for that in a fit of a convulsion or crampe he had beforetime cast vp bloud In case any thing be ready to fall or rush violently against vs and that we be in danger of some stroke say that we be climbing vp hill or turned downe backward or lying along there is not the like meanes againe to preserue our bodies as to hold our winde and this inuention we had from a bruit and dumbe beast according as I haue shewed before Moreouer it is said that to stick down a spike or yron naile in that very place where a man or womans head lay during the fit of the falling sicknesse at the very first time that hee or she fell secureth the party that so doth for euer being troubled with that disease Also it is holden for a singular thing to mitigat the intollerable torments of the reins loins and bladder to pisse with the body bending forward and groueling in the bathing tubs within the baines As for greene wounds it is wonderfull how soon they will be healed in case they be bound vp and tied with a Hercules knot and verily it is thought that to knit our girdles which we weare about vs euery day with such a knot hath a great vertue in it by reason that Hercules first deuised the same Demetrius in a treatise that he compiled as touching the number of foure affirmeth that it is of great efficacy and he alledgeth reasons why it is not good to prescribe in any medicine to be drunke the quantitie of foure sextars or foure cyaths To rub the ears behind is supposed to be very good for them that are giuen to be bleare-eied like as to rub the forehead forweeping or watering eies Concerning the signs of life death which may be found in man this is one That so long as the Patients eie is so cleare that a man may see himselfe in the apple of it wee are not to despaire of life As for the Vrine of mankind diuers authors haue treated of it who as I find haue not onely set downe their reasons in nature as touching the vertue thereof but also haue bin very ceremonious and superstitious in handling that argument yea and they haue written distinctly of the seuerall kinds of vrine digested into certain principal heads And among other things I remember that they set down the vrine of men that are vnable for generation to be singular good by way of injection to make women fruitfull But to speak of such remedies as we may be bold to name with honesty the vrine of yong children who be not yet vndergrowne nor 14 yeres of age is good against the venomous humor of the Aspides or Adders which the Greeks name Ptyades for that they spit their poison vpon the eies and faces of men and women Also the same is held to be singular for the pearle the cataract the filmes the pin and web in the eies like as for the eie-lids also and the accidents happening vnto them Being incorporate with the floure of Eruile it is good for sun-burnings sodden also with bolled leeks to the consumption of the one halfe in a new earthen pot which was neuer occupied it is excellent to mundifie the eares that run with matter or that haue any worms or vermin within them and verily a stouph made with the vapour of this decoction bringeth downe the desired sicknesse of women Dame Salpe ordaineth to foment the eies with the said decoction for to fortifie the sight and to strengthen them that they fal not out of the head she appointeth to make a liniment with it and the white of an egge but principally if it be of an ostrich and therewith to annoint the skin that hath bin tanned and burnt in the Sun for the space of two houres together with it a man may wash away any blots or blurs of ink Mans vrine is much commended for the gout in the feet as wee may see by Fullers who neuer be goutie because ordinarily their feet are in mens vrine Stale chamber-lie or vrin long kept and incorporat together with the ashes of oister shels cureth the red-gomb in yong infants and generally in all running vlcers the same so prepared serueth in a liniment for eating cankers burns and scalds the swelling piles the chaps and rifts in the seat and feet also for the sting of serpents The most expert and skilfull midwiues haue pronounced all with one resolution that for to kill an itch in any part of the body to heale a scald head to scoure away dandruffe and scurfe in the head or beard and to cure the corroding vlcers in any place but in the priuy members especially there is not a liquor more effectuall than vrine with a little sal-nitre put thereto But surely euery mans own water if I may for reuerence of manhood so say is simply best and namely if the Patient that is bitten with a dog do straightways bath the place therewith or in case there be any prick of vrchin hedghog or such like spill sticking in the flesh to apply the same thereto in spunges or wooll and so let it lie on But say it was a mad dog that bit the Patient or that he be stung with a serpent it is good to temper it with ashes and lay it vnto the sore For as touching the vertue thereof against Scolopendres it is wonderfull what is reported namely That whosoeuer be hurt by them if they doe wet the crown of their heads but with one drop of their own vrine it will presently cure the same so as they shall feele no more pain nor harm thereby Ouer and besides by the speculation of our vrine we are able to giue iudgement and pronounce of health and sicknesse for if the first water made in a morning be white and cleare and the next after it higher coloured and inclining to a deep yellow the former sheweth that concoction was then begun and the second is a signe that digestion is now perfect A red vrine is naught but the black is worst of all likewise if it be ful of bubbles and froth aloft and be withal of a grosse and thick subsistence the same is but a bad water If the Hypostasis or Sediment which setleth heauy to the botom be white it signifieth that there is some pain and grieuance like to insue about the joints or principall parts within the body Doth an vrine look greenish it betokeneth some obstruction or disease already in the noble bowels and inwards is it of a pale hew it saith that choler aboundeth in that
body If it look red the bloud be sure is predominant and distempered The vrin is not to be liked but presageth danger wherin there appeare certain contents like brans blackish clouds also a white thin and waterish vrine is neuer good but in case it be thick and of a stinking smell withall it is a deadly signe and there is no way but one with the Patient As for children if their water be thin and waterish it is but ordinary and naturall The Magitians expressely forbid in making water to lay bare the nakednesse of that part against Sun and Moon or to pisse vpon the shadow of any person And therefore Hesiodus giueth a precept to make water against a wall or something standing full before vs for feare least our nakednesse being discouered might offend some god or Angell To conclude Hosthaues doth vpon his warrant assure vs That whosoeuer droppeth some of his owne vrine euerie morning vpon his feet he shal be secured against all charms sorceries and deadly poisons whatsoeuer CHAP. VII ¶ The remedies that womens bodies do minister THe medicines which are said to proceed from the bodies of women be such and the operations so miraculous that they come nearer to the nature of monstrous wonders than true reports of natural works to say nothing of much mischiefe and many wicked parts committed by the means of their vntimely births and infants stil born which haue bin dismembred and cut in pieces for some abhominable practises to let passe the strange expiations wrought by their monthly terms and a thousand more deuises which haue bin deliuered and set abroad not only by midwiues but also by secret harlots that haue slipt their conceptions and bin deliuered in corners But to speak of the foresaid remedies which are in vre and commonly known The perfume that the hairs of a womans head make whiles they burn chaseth away Serpents The smell thereof also raiseth and reuiueth women who in a fit of the mother lie speechlesse and breathlesse The ashes verily of the said hairs burnt in some earthen pan or fish-shell being applied alone or with litharge of siluer is a singular medicine for the asperity of the eies the itch Item It taketh warts away and cureth the red gum and sores that infants be subiect vnto if it be vsed with hony The same ashes mingled with Hony and Frankincense healeth wounds in the head and doth incarnat or fil vp with good flesh hollow vlcers whatsoeuer they be And incorporat with swines lard it is good for the broad biles called Pani for the gout and S. Anthonies fire it staieth also any bleeding presently and stoppeth the running of ring-wormes and such like Touching womens milke it is holden by a generall accord of all other to be sweetest most delicat whereupon it is prescribed by Physitians vnto those that haue lien of a long languishing feuer as also to such as be troubled with a fluxe occasioned by a feeble stomacke but in these cases that milk is reputed most wholsom which a nurce giueth that hath newly weaned her child besides when the appetite of women is giuen to an inordinate longing after strange things in agues also in gnawings and frettings of the stomacke it is found by experience to be most effectuall Likewise being incorporat with Frankincense it is singular good for the impostumes breeding in womens brests If the eies be bloudshotten vpon any stripe if they be in pain or troubled with a violent rheum falling into them let a nource milk it in them they shall find very much ease thereby howbeit for the accidents abouenamed it is held to be more soueraign in case it be applied to the place together with hony the juice of the daffodil or els with the pouder of frank incense where by the way this would be obserued that for what vse soeuer milk is imploied that is ordinarily of more force which a woman giueth that bare a man child but if she was brought to bed of two twins both boies then it is best and most effectuall prouided alwaies that the mother her selfe do forbeare drinking of wine eat no meat or sauces that be sharp Moreouer this is knowne for certaine that if womans milk be incorporat with the liquid white of an egge and so applied to the forehead with wooll wet in the said liquor it staieth the flux of humors into the eies Moreouer a soueraign remedy is milk against the venomous slime or spittle of roads in case they pisse or spurt into our eies Also if they haue bitten one there is not a better thing either to be drunk or dropped vpon the sore than brest milk It is a common saying That whosoeuer can meet at one time together with the milk of mother and daughter both shall neuer need to feare all their life long any infirmities of the eies so they be annointed or bathed therewith Semblably womens milk is singular for to cure the accidents befalling to the eares if it be dropped in with a little Opium put thereto but if so be the eares are pained by reason of some stripe that they haue receiued the said milke would haue some Goose grease mixed with it and so be instilled warme And say that they haue a strong and stinking smell with them as commonly it falleth out in all long diseases there is nothing better than to put wooll into them which is soked in brest milk and hony together If it happen that the eies look still yellow after the jaundise it is good to drop milk into them with the juice of the wild Cucumber This peculiar vertue it hath ouer and besides those abouenamed if it be taken in drink to help those that haue bin poisoned with the sea-Hare the worme Buprestis and as Arâ—…stotle saith with the deadly Dwale called Dorycnion In this maner also it cureth those whose brains be troubled and intoxicat with drinking Henbane Physitians likewise haue prescribed to make a liniment with milk and Hemlock for to be applied vnto the gout And some there be who vse it in that case together with Oesype i the sweat or fattinesse of vnwashed wooll and Goose-grease in which manner it serueth in a pessary to be put vp in the naturall parts of women to assuage the pain of the matrice To drink brest milk is a good meane to stop a laske as Rabirius writeth yet the same doth prouoke the monthly course of womens fleurs what is to be sayd now or a womans milk who hath born a maid child surely it is better than the other in these cases only to wit in scouring the skin of the face and taking away the pimples spots and freckles which be therein But I must not forget that any breast-milke whatsoeuer cureth the maladies incident to the lights and if there be tempered therewith the vrine of a yong lad not ful fourteen yeares old and Attick honey so there be of each one spoonfull I find
it to be an excellent remedy for to rid away the ringing end thumping within the ears And to conclude it is a generall speech That if dogs do lap and tast the milke of a woman which hath borne a maid child they will neuer run mad As touching the fasting spittle of a woman it is judged to be a proper medicine for bloud-shotten eies also for the rheum that hath taken a course thither if so be the corners of the eyes be euer and anone bathed and wet therewith when they be hot and inflamed but more effectually will this remedy work in case the woman forbeare all meat and wine the day before I read moreouer in some Authors That if the head be bound vp with a womans haire-lace or fillet it easeth the pain thereof And thus much in some good sort as touching the medicines proceeding from women As for the rest that are written and reported they exceed all reason and there is no end of them For first and formost it is said that if a woman whiles her monthly sicknesse is vpon her bee set into the wind abroad with her belly naked she will scar away hailestorms whirlewindes and lightenings yea and aâ—…ert any violence of the weather whatsoeuer And at sea verily any woman standing openly against the weather bare although she haue not her fleurs is enough to secure the sailers and passengers from all tempests As for the very monthly flux itself of women a thing in other respects and at all times as I haue shewed before of a monstrous nature there be writers who tell and presage wonders thereof such as be horrible abhominable and indeed not to be spoken and yet some of these things I hold it no shame to deliuer in writing namely If it fall out just in the eclipse of Sun or Moon that a woman hath her sicknesse come down the same is a pestilent quality and apt to breed diseases incureable Likewise if haply the time of the change when the Moon is in coniunction with the Sun and those things concurre together the man who medleth with her during that time shall not auoid his bane but it will bring vpon him some pestilent malaâ—…y remedilesse Moreouer the venome thereof is so strong at that time especially more than at any other that the presence or breath only of a woman then will infect and staine any purple cloth And yet bad enough it is at all times for whensoeuer they are in their fleurs it skills not in what quarter of the Moone if they goe about any field of corn with their nakednesse vncouered yee shall see the canker wormes caterpillers beetles and all such wormes and hurtfull vermine to fall from the corn as they passe along This inuention by the saying of Scepsius and Metrodorus came from the Cappadocians who being infested with a number of those green flies called Cantharides deuised this means to be rid of them for they caused their women at the time of their monthly terms sauing the reuerence of womanhood be it spoken to go through the standing corne with their cloths tuckt vp round about their wast and all bare beneath In other countries yet they are more mannerly and in a better respect to the honor of women put them only to go barefoot for this purpose with their haire hanging loose about their eares vngirt vnlaced and vnbraced Howbeit great heed must be taken that they walke not thus at the Sunne-rising for then surelv all the crop vpon the ground will wither and dry away to nothing Also if a woman during her natural courses doe but touch any yong vines it is enough to marre them for euer As for Rue and Iuie Plants otherwise of themselues most medicinable and indued with singular vertues against poison they will presently die with their touch Much I haue already said of this strong and pestiferous venome and yet I haue not written all For ouer and besides certaine it is that if a menstruous woman doe no more but touch a Bee-hiue all the Bees will be gone and neuer come to it againe Also if at such a time she handle any skains or slips of linnen yearn and set them ouer the fire to seeth they will in the boiling turn black Let her but take a barbers rasor in her hand the edge wil turn and become blunt nay if she do no more but touch any brasen vessel it is wonderfull what a strong sauor it wil cast and how it wil rust and canker therupon and the rather if this fall out to be in the decrease or wane of the moon Doth a woman at such a time touch a mare that is in fole it is enough to make her cast the same before due time And not onely so but the very sight of women in that case although they be a great way off is able to do much harm but principally the first time that they haue the said fleurs after the losse of their maidenhead or otherwise during their virginity when they first come down by course of nature of the owne accord The malignitie of this venomous humor is so great that the slime ingendred within the lake of Sodome in Iury as viscous as it is otherwise will forgoe all that tenacity and diuide in sunder by nothing els but a thred infected with the said menstrual bloud according as I haue declared heretofore So forcible it is besides that the very fire which is of power to ouercome all things and change their nature is not able to conquer and alter this for burne or calcine it to ashes and strew neuer so little thereof vpon any cloths that are to be washed or scoured in the Fullers mill it wil change their color though they were of purple and cause any die whatsoeuer to lose the fresh lustre And more than that so pernicious is the quality of this venome that as naturall otherwise as it is to women it is no better than a poison to those of their own sex for in case one woman with child be annointed about her naturall parts with the foresaid bloud of another or do but step ouer the place where it is she will immediatly fall to labour and slip an abortiue birth As for the famous curtizans Lais and Elephantis who haue written so contrary one to the other of this argument and namely as touching abortions and of what efficacy the cole of Colewort Myrtle or Tamariske root is after it hath bin quenched in the said bloud as also how she Asses will not conceiue for so many yeres as they chance to eat Barly corns infected therewith besides other strange deuises that they haue set abroach I think them incredible I would not haue any credit at all giuen vnto their writings considering the monstruosities contrarieties which they haue put down whiles the one prescribeth medicines for to make fruitful the other ordaineth the very same to hinder conception and cause them to be barren Moreouer Bythus
the eie and darkneth the sight thereof They will make vs beleeue that the Hyaenes teeth are good for the tooth-ach if the pained teeth be but touched therwith or if the said teeth be arranged in order and so applied fast vnto the patients teeth as they may fit euery tooth in his head The shoulders also of the Hyaene are proper to ease the paines that lie in our shoulders and arms both so they be set likewise orderly and hanged close to the grieued parts The teeth of the said Hyaene plucked out of the left side of the chaw and bound vp sure within a piece of a sheep or goats skin is right soueraigne to be worn in manner of ascutcheon or stomacher for to ease the intollerable paines of the stomacke A dish of meat made of their lungs and eaten is soueraigne for the flux proceeding from a feeble stomack But if the same be burnt and reduced into ashes and so brought into the form of a liniment with oile and applied accordingly it comforteth the stomack mightily The pith or marrow taken out of the backe-bone along and incorporat with old oile and gall is passing good for the nerues The liuer of the Hyaene driueth away Quartan agues in case the patient take three bits thereof one after another before the accesse Take the ashes of the Hyaenes ridge bone the tongue and right foot of a Seale put thereto a Buls gall seeth them all together and make a cataplasme thereof spreading the same vpon a piece of a Hyaenes skin and apply it accordingly you shall see how it will ease the pain of the gout The very gal likewise of this beast mixed with the pouder of the stone Asius is commended by them for to cure the said malady They that are subiect to trembling and to the cramp such also as be giuen to leap out of their beds or are troubled with the beating and panting of the heart ought to take and boile the heart of the Hyaene and eat one part therof and with the other being burnt to ashes and with the brains of the said Hyaene together reduced into a liniment to annoint the grieued part This composition likewise serueth to take away the hairs of any place if it be annointed either with it alone or els with the gall in case one would not haue them euer to come vp againe they ought to be plucked vp before and then the place to be annointed Thus they vse to rid away the haires of the eie-lids that be troublesome In like manner for the pains of the loins the flesh about the Hyaenes loines is prescribed to be eaten and therwith oile together and the place also is to be rubbed well and besmeared They say moreouer that if a woman which is barren eat the eie of a Hyaene with Liquorice and Dill she shall proue fruitful and so neare they go as to promise she shal conceiue within three daies after And by their report whosoeuer are haunted with sprites in the night season and be affrighted with such bugbears let them but take one of the master teeth of the Hyaene weare it about them tied by a linnen thred they shall be freed from all such fantastical illusions these Magitians also giue direction to those that be out of their wits and gon besides themselues to haue a persume made with the smoke of those teeth and to weare one of them hanging before the brest with the fat growing about the kidnies or els with the liuer or the skin If a woman be with child and would gladly go out her full time let her take a peece of the white flesh of this beast and 7 haires neither more nor lesse together with a stags pizzle bind them all fast within the skin of a Buck or Doe and so weare them hanging about her necke just against her breast she shall not slip an vntimely fruit Furthermore they promise in the behalfe of this beast that if a man or woman do eat the genitall member of a Hyaene according to their sex they shall be prouoked to fleshly lust how cold soeuer the man were before and could not abide to imbrace a woman Ouer and besides if the said pizzle and shap of this beast be kept in any house together with a joint of the ridge bone skin al as it groweth too the whole family shal agree together well and liue peaceably now this ioint or knot abouesaid they call Atlantion and it is the very first spondyle of them all The same also they make no small reckoning of but hold it for a speciall remedy for the falling sicknesse Fry the grease or fat of an Hyaene the fume therof by report wil chase away serpents a piece of the chawbone beaten smal to pouder eaten together with anise seed doth mitigat the quiuering quaking in a cold ague fit A suffumigation made therwith draweth down womens sicknesse if we may beleeue magitians who are grown to this passe in their vanity that they auouch for certain that if an archer do bind vnto his arm a tooth of an Hyaene growing on the right side of the vpper chaw hee shall shoot point blanke and neuer misse his mark Take the palat or roufe of the mouth of this beast dried and made hot together with Aegyptian Alumne put the same into the mouth and change it three times for new stil they promise it shal correct a stinking breath and heale any vlcers or cankers in the mouth And as for those that weare vnder the soles of their feet within the shoo a Hyaens tongue there is not a dog will be so hardy as to bay or bark at them The brain of the Hyaene lying in the left side of the head easeth any deadly diseases of man or beast if the nosthrils be annointed therewith The skin of the forehead serueth as a countercharm against all witch-craft and inchauntments The flesh growing to the nape of the necke being dry and made into pouder appeaseth the pain in the loins of the backe either eaten or drunk it skils not whether For the griefe of sinews they giue order to make a suffumigation with the nerues of Hyaena which run along the shoulders and back And the haris growing about the muzzle of this beast haue an amatorious vertue with them to make a woman loue a man in case her lips be but touched therewith The liuer of the Hyaena giuen in drink cureth the cholique and stone As for the heart be it taken in meat or drink it easeth all the pains of the body the milt cureth the spleen the kell with the fat about it helpeth any inflammation of vlcers if it be applied with oile the marrow within the bones appeaseth the griefe of the backbone and sinews and finally doth recouer and refresh the wearinesse of the reins and kidnies The sinews of this beast drunk in wine with frankincense restore women to the fruitfulnesse of the wombe especially when by
the blond of a lizard but this must be don whiles both the children and the party who hath the doing thereof be fasting CHAP. IX ¶ Receits for the gouts of feet and hands and generally for the pains or diseases of ioints what soeuer THe tried grease of vnwashed wooll incorporat with womans milk and white lead is a very proper liniment to mitigate the pain of the gout so is the liquid dung of sheep when they run out behind Their lights likewise or a rams gal incorporat with their suet Some split mice and lay them hot to the place also the bloud of a weazil reduced into a liniment with Plaintain and the ashes of a weazill burnt aliue tempered with vineger and rose water and brought into a thin liniment so that the place affected maybe dressed with a feather Others temper wax and oile of roses together And there be again who vse dogs gal for this purpose but in any wise the hand must not touch it but the place ought to be annointed with a feather likewise hens dung and the ashes of earthworms mixt with hony with this charge that this cataplasme be not vndone or remoued before the third day Howbeit it is thought better by some to apply the same ashes with water but by others to vse vineger in measure and with moderation together with 3 cyaths of hony hauing before hand annointed with oile rosat the gouty feet It is said moreouer that to drink broad snails is a singular medicine to take away the gout of the feet or the pain of any other ioint the manner wherof is to stamp 2 at a time and drink them in wine some apply the same in a liniment with the juice of the herb Parietary Others content themselues to bruise them and so to incorporat them into a cataplasme with vineger Many are of opinion that the gout may be cured if the patient vse oftentimes to take the salt which together with a Viper was calcined in a new earthen pot as also that it is very good to annoint the feet with Vipers grease And they affirme constantly of a Kite that hath bin kept long dried if the patient reduce it into pouder and drink thereof in water as much as three fingers will well take vp it cureth the gout throughly But if the feet be full of bloud and swollen withall they vse Nettles thereto Some there be that take the yong feathers of a Kite so soon as they put forth and stamp the same with Nettles to a liniment The very dung likewise that these foules do meut serueth in stead of a good liniment to annoint the painful gout in any joint whatsoeuer so do the ashes of a weazill or of shell-snailes burnt or calcined and incorporate either with Amydum or gum Tragacanth If a man haue gotten a rap or rush vpon any joint there is not a better thing for to cure it than copwebs some chuse for this intention those which be wouen by the spiders of ash colour like as to vse the ashes of Pigeons dung with parched barly groats and white wine In any dislocation of joints the most present remedy that is knowne is sheepes suet tempered with the ashes of of womens haire burnt This suet likewise serueth well to bee applied with allum to the kibes of the heels so do the ashes of a dogs head or of mice dung But in case there be any vlcer there not yet putrified adde wax thereto and it will skin vp and heale the same and the like effect is wrought by the light ashes of criquets burnt and tempered with oile or els with the ashes of the wild wood-mice mixt with hony of earth-worms also incorporat with old oile lastly many apply therto the snails that be found naked without their shels And verily the ashes of such snails burnt aliue heale all sores of the feet howbeit if the feet be galled but lightly excoriated there is not a better thing for them than the ashes of hens dung or pigeons dung incorporat with oile If the shoo hath rubbed off the skin or fretred any part of the foot the ashes of an old shoo-sole are singular good to heal the same so are the lights of a ram or lambe The pouder of a caples teeth is a soueraigne and speciall remedy for the seet if there ouse out any matter from vnder the nailes The bloud of a green lizard healeth the galls vnder the foot yea and cureth throughly the sore feet both of man and beast if they be dressed therewith As for the corns and agnels which arise about the feet it is good to besmeare them with the vrine of Mule or mulet together with the mire in the very place where they staled also with sheeps dung The liuer or bloud of a greene lizard applied vpon some flocke to the place or vpon a locke of wooll Some vse in that order earth-wotmes stamped with oile or the head of the star-lizard Stellio incorporat in oile with a like quantity of Agnus Castus Last of all others take Pigeons dung sodden in vineger and lay the same to the place Touching werts of what sort soeuer they be there is not a more proper thing to make them fall off than to bathe them well with the vrine durt and all of a dog where he lately pissed or to apply thereto a salue of dogs dung ashes and wax it is not amisse also to lay to them sheepes dung or to rub them wel with Mice-bloud new killed or to apply a Mouse split along the mids aliue the gall likewise of an Vrchin the head of a lizard or the bloud or lastly the ashes of a lizard calcined the old slough of a snake also Lastly hens dung incorporat with oile and salnitre If all these medicines fail begin the cure new with Cantharides incorporat with wilde grapes called Vvae taminae this is a corrosiue wil eat them out but when they be thus fretted exulcerat the cure must be followed with those appropriat means which I haue set downe before in the healing of vlcers CHAP. X. ¶ Medicines appropriate for diuers and sundry diseases which possesse the whole body REturne we now to the cure of those maladies which are incident not to this or that member but to the whole body First and foremost the Magitians say that the gall of a blacke dog a dog I say and not a bitch is a singular countercharme and preseruatiue against all sorceries inchantments and poisons which may indanger a whole house in case there be a perfume made therewith to purifie the aire thereof yea and to hallow and blesse it against all such dangers The like effect say they we are to look for if the walls of the said house be sprinckled or striked with the bloud of the said black dog with this charge To burne vnder the threshold or dore sell at the entry of the said house the genitall member of the same dog Men may maruell
prince of Romane Eloquence loe here thy Groue in place How greene it is where planted first it was to grow apace And Vetus now who holds thy house Faire Academie hight Spares for no cost but it maintains and keeps in better plight Of late also fresh fountains here brake forth out of the ground Most wholesome for to bath sore eies which earst were neuer found These helpfull springs the Soile no doubt presenting to our view To Cicero her ancient lord hath done this honour due That since his books throughout the world are read by many a wight More waters still may cleare their eyes and cure decaying sight In the same tract of Campaine and namely toward Sinuessa there be other fountains called Sinuessan waters which haue the name not only to cure men of lunacie and madnes but also to make barrain women fruitfull and apt to conceiue In the Island Aenaria there is a spring which helpeth those that be troubled with the stone and grauell like as another water which they call Acidula within 4 miles of Teanum in the Sidicins country and the same is actually cold also there is another of that kind about Stabij called by the name of Dimidia like as in the territory of Venafrum that which proceeded from the source Acidulus and gaue name to the foresaid water Acidula The same effect they find who drink of the lake Velinus for it breakes the stone Moreouer M. Varro maketh mention of such another fountain in Syria at the foot of the mountaine Taurus So doth Callimachus report the foresaid operation of the riuer Gallus in Phrygia howbeit they that take of this water must keep a measure for otherwise it distracts their vnderstanding driues them besides their right wits which accident hapneth to those saith Ctesias who drink of the red fountain for so it is called in Aethiopia as touching the waters neer Rome called Albulae they are known to heale wounds these waters are neither hot nor cold but those which go vnder the name of Cutiliae in the Sabins country are exceeding cold by a certain mordication that they haue seem to suck out the humors superfluous excrements of the body being otherwise most agreeable for the stomacke sinewes and generally for all parts There is a fountain at Thespiae a city in Boeotia which doth great pleasure to women that would fain haue children for no sooner drinke they of the water but they are ready to conceiue and of this propertie is the riuer Elatus in Arcadia In which region also the Spring Linus yeeldeth water which if a woman with child do drink she shall go out her full time not be in danger to slip an vnperfect birth Contrariwise the riuer Aphrodisium in Pyrrhaea causeth barrennesse The lake or meere Alphion is medicinable and cures the foule Morphew Varro mine author makes mention of one Titius a man of good worth and sometime lord Praetour who was so bewraied painted all ouer his face with spots of Morphew that he looked like an image made of spotted marble Cydnus a riuer of Cilicia hath a vertue to cure the gout as appeareth by a letter written from Cassius the Parmezan vnto M. Antonius Contrariwise the waters about Troezen are so bad that all the inhabitants are thereby subject to the gout and other diseases of the feet There is a citie in Gaule named Tungri much renowned for a noble fountaine which runneth at many pipes a smacke it hath resembling the rust of yron howbeit this tast is not perceiued but at the end loose only This water is purgatiue driues away tertian agues expels the stone and cureth the Symptomes attending thereupon Set this water ouer the fire or neare to it you shall see it thick and troubled but at the last it looketh red Between Puteoli and Naples there be certain wels called Leucogaei the water wherof cureth the infirmitie of the eies and healeth wounds Cicero in his booke entituled Admiranda i. Wonders among other admirable things hath ranged the moores or fens of Reate for that the water issuing from them hath naturally a propertie from all others to harden the houfes of horses feet Eudicus reporteth That in the territorie of Hestiaea a citie in Thessalie there be two springs the one named Ceron of which as many sheepe as drinke proue black the other Melas the water wherof maketh black sheep turn white let them drink of both waters mingled together they will proue flecked and of diues colours Theophrastus writeth That the riuer Crathis in the Thuriaus countrie causeth both kine and sheep as many as drink thereof to looke white whereas the water of Sybaris giueth them a black hew And by his saying this difference in operation is seene also vpon the people that vse to drink of them for as many as take to the riuer Sybaris become blacker harder and withall of a more curled hair than others contrariwise the drinking of Crathis causeth them to look white to be more soft skinned their bush of haire to grow at length Semblably in Macedony they that would haue any cattell to grow white bring them to drinke at Aliacmon the riuer but as many as desire they should be brown or black driue them to water at Axius The same Theophrastus hath left in writing That in some places there is no other thing bred or growing but brown and duskish insomuch as not only the cattel is all of that lere but also the corne on the ground other fruits of the earth as among the Messapians Also at Lusae a city of Arcadia there is a certain wel wherin there keep ordinarily land-mice As for the riuer Aleos which passes through Erythrae it makes them to grow hairie all their bodies ouer as many as drink therof In Boeotia likewise near to the temple of the god Trophonius hard by the riuer Orchomenas there be two fountains the one helps memory the other causeth obliuion wherupon they took their names In Cilicia hard at the town Crescum there runs a riuer called Nus by the saying of M. Varro whosoeuer drink therof shall find their wits more quicke and themselues of better conceit than before But in the Isle Chios there is a spring which causeth as many as vse the water to be dull and heauie of spirit At Zamae in Affrick the water of a certain fountain makes a cleare shrill voice Let a man drink of the lake Clitorius he shall take a misliking and loathing of wine saith M. Varro And yet Eudoxus Theopompus report That the water of the fountains beforesaid make them drunk that vse it Mutianus affirmes That out of the fountain vnder the temple of father Bacchus within the Isle Andros at certaine times of the yere for 7 daies together there runneth nothing but wine insomuch as they call it the wine of god Bacchus howbeit remoue the said water out of the prospect and view as it
other meanes saue only by cleauing and sticking fast to a vessell in such sort as this one small and poore fish is sufficient to resist and withstand so great power both of sea and nauie yea and to stop the passage of a ship doe they all what they can possible to the contrary What should our fleets armadoes at sea make such terrets in their decks and fore-castles what should they fortifie their ships in warlike maner to fight from them vpon the sea as it were from mure and rampier on firme land See the vanity of man alas how foolish are we to make all this adoe when one little fish not aboue halfe a foot long is able to arrest and stay perforce yea and hold as prisoners our goodly tall and proud ships so well armed in the beake-head with yron pikes and brasen tines so offensiue and dangerous to bouge and pierce any enemie ship which they do encounter Certes it is reported that in the nauall battell before Actium wherein Antonius and Cleopater the queene were defeated by Augustus one of these fishes staied the admirall ship wherein M. Antonius was at what time as he made all the hast means he could deuise with help of ores to encourage his people from ship to ship and could not prevaile till he was forced to abandon the said admirall and go into another galley Meane-while the armada of Augustus Caesar seeing this disorder charged with great violence and foone inuested the fleet of Antony Of late daies also and within our remembrance the like happened to the roial ship of the Emperour Caius Caligula at what time as he rowed back and made saile from Astura to Antium when and where this little fish detained his ship and as it fell out afterward presaged an vnfortunat euent thereby for this was the last time that euer this Emperor made his returne to Rome and no sooner was he arriued but his owne souldiers in a mutinie fell vpon him and stabbed him to death And yet it was not long ere the cause of this wonderful stay of his ship was knowne for so soon as euer the vessell and a galliace it was furnished with fiue banks of ores to a side was perceiued alone in the fleet to stand still presently a number of tall fellows leapt out of their ships into the sea to search about the said galley what the reason might be that it stirred not and sound one of these fishes sticken fast to the very helme which being reported vnto Caius Caligula he fumed and fared as an Emperour taking great indignation that so small a thing as it should hold him back perforce and checke the strength of all his mariners notwithstanding there were no fewer than foure hundred lusty men in his galley that laboured at the ore all that euer they could to the contrary But this prince as it is for certaine known was most astonied at this namely That the fish sticking onely to the ship should hold it fast and the same being brought into the ship and there laid not worke the like effect They who at that time and afterward saw the fish say it resembled for all the world a snaile of the greatest making but as touching the forme and sundry kindes thereof many haue written diuersly whose opinions I haue set downe in my treatise of liuing creatures belonging to the waters and namely in the particular discourse of this fish Neither do I doubt but all the sort of fishes are able to doe as much for this wee are to beleeue that Pourcellans also be of the same vertue since it was well knowne by a notorious example that one of them did the like by a ship sent from Periander to the cape of Gnidos in regard whereof the inhabitants of Gnidos doe honour and consecrate the said Porcellane within their temple of Venus Some of our Latine writers do call the said fish that thus staieth a ship by the name of Remora As touching the medicinable properties of the said stay-ship Echeneis or Remora call it whether you will a wondrous matter it is to seâ—… the varietie of Greek writers for some of them as I haue shewed before do hold that if a woman haue it fastened either about her neck arme or otherwise she shal go out her full time if she were with child also that it will reduce her matrice into the right place if it were too loose and ready to hang out of her body Others againe report the contrary namely That if it be kept in salt and bound to any part of a woman great with child and in paine of hard trauell it will cause her to haue present deliuerance for which vertue they call it by another name Odinolion Well howeuer it be considering that mighty puissance which this fish is wel known to haue in staying ships who wil euer make doubt hereafter of any power in Nature her selfe or of the effectuall operation in Physicke which she hath giuen to many things that come vp by themselues But say we had no such euidence by the example of this Echeneis the Cramp-fish Torpedo found and taken likewise in the same sea were sufficient alone to proue the might of Nature in her workes if there were nothing else to shew the same for able she is to benum and mortifie the arms of the lustiest strongest fishers that be yea and to bind their legs as it were how swift and nimble soeuer they are otherwise in running and how euen by touching only the end of a pole or any part of an angle rod which they hold in their hands although they stand aloft and a great way from her Now if we cannot will nor chuse but must needs confesse by the euident instance of this one fish that there is some thing in nature so penetrent and powerfull that the very smell only or breath and aire proceeding from it is able thus to affect or infect rather the principall lims and members of our bodie what is it that we are not to hope for and expect from the vertue of all other creatures that Nature through her bounty hath endued with medicinable power for the remedy of diseases And in very truth no lesse admirable be the properties which are respected of the sea-Hare for to some a very poyson it is taken inwardly either in meat or drinke to others againe the onely aspect and sight thereof is as venomous For if a woman great with child chance but to see the female only of this kind she shal sensibly therupon feele a sicke wambling in her stomacke she shall presently fall to vomiting and anon to vntimely labour and the deliuerie of an abortiue fruit But what is the remedy Let her weare about her arme in bracelets any part of the male which ordinarily for this purpose is kept dry and hardened in salt shee shall passe these dangerous accidents The same fish is hurtfull also in the sea if it be touched only
master deuiser of Alexandria in Aegypt Dinocrates who began to make the arched roofe of the temple of Arsinoe all of Magnet or this load-stone to the end that within that temple the statue of the said princesse made of yron might seeme to hang in the aire by nothing But pre uented he was by death before he could finish his worke like as K. Ptolomaee also who ordayned that temple to be built in the honour of the said Arsinoe his sister But to returne again to our yron of all mines that be the vein of this mettall is largest and spreadeth it self into most lengths euery way as we may see in that part of Biscay that coasteth along the sea and vpon which the Ocean beateth where there is a craggy mountaine very steepe and high which standeth all vpon a mine or veine of yron A wonderfull thing and in maner incredible howbeit most true according as I haue shewed already in my Cosmography as touching the circuit of the Ocean CHAP. XV. ¶ The temper of yron The medicinable vertues thereof as also of the rust of Brasse and yron Of the skales that shed and flie from yron and of the liquid emplaster called by the Greekes Hygrimplastrum IRon made once hot in the fire vnlesse it be hardened with the Hammer doth soone waste and corrupt So long as it looketh but red it is not ready for the hammer neither would it be beaten before it begin to look white in the fire Besmeare it with vineger and Allum it wil looke like copper or brasse If you be desirous to keep any yron-worke from rust giue it a vernish with cerusse plaster and tar incorporat all together And this is that composition which is called by the Greeks Antipathia And some say also that there is a kind of hallowing yron that will preserue it from rust as also that there is at this day to be seen the chaine of yron within the city called Zeugma seated vpon Euphrates wherwith king Alexander the Great somtime bound and strengthened the bridge ouer the riuer there the linkes whereof as many as haue been repaired and made new since doe gather rust whereas the rest of the first making be all free therfrom As touching the vse of yron and steele in Physicke it serueth otherwise than for to launce cut and dismember withall for take a knife or dagger and make an imaginarie circle two or three times with the point thereof vpon a yong child or an elder body and then goe round withall about the party as often it is a singular preseruatiue against all poisons sorceries or inchantments Also to take any yron naile out of the coffin or sepulchre wherein man or woman lieth buried and to sticke the same fast to the lintle or side-post of a dore leading either into the house or bed-chamber where any doth lie who is haunted with spirits in the night hee or shee shall be deliuered and secured from such phantasticall illusions Moreouer it is said That if one be lightly pricked with the point of sword or dagger which hath beene the death of a man iâ—… is an excellent remedy against the paines of sides or brest which come with sudden pricks and stitches An actuall cauterie of yron red hot cureth many diseases and especially the biting of a mad dog in which case it is so effectuall that if the poison inflicted by that wound haue preuailed so far that the patient be fallen into an Hydrophobie thereby and cannot abide drinke or water let the sore be seared therewith the party shall find help presently Gads of steele or other yron red hot quenched in water so long vntil the same water be hot causeth it to be a wholsome drinke in many diseases but principally in the bloudy flix The very rust of yron also is counted medicinable for so Achilles is said to haue healed Telephus but whether the head of his speare were yron or brasse of which he vsed the rust I doe not certainly know Certes he is paynted thus with his sword scraping and shaking off the rust into the wound But if you would fetch off the rust from any old nails scrape it with a knife wet before in water As touching the vertues thereof it is cleansing exiccatiue and astringent it recouereth the haire in places despoiled thereof if they be annointed therewith in the forme of a liniment being reduced into a salue with wax and oile of Myrtles incorporate together many vse it for roughnesse about the eie-lids the pimples also breaking forth all ouer the body For shingles and S. Antonies fire it is singular good to apply it in an vnguent with vineger likewise it killeth scabs and healeth whitflawes of the fingers and the excrescence or turning vp of the flesh about the roots of the nails if linnen rags wet there in be applied conueniently The same conueyed vp in wooll after the manner of a pessary into the naturall parts of women staieth the immoderat flux both of whites and reds The rust of yron tempered in wine and wrought together with Myrrhe is good for a greene wound put thereto vineger and then it helpeth the piles and swelling bigges of the fundament A liniment made with it mitigateth the paine of the gout As touching the skales of yron that flie from the edge or point of any weapon wrought in the smiths forge they serue in the same cases that the rust doth and haue the like effects saue only this that they haue greater acrimonie and work more eagerly in which regard they are emploied about the repressing of the flux that falleth into watering eies But marke this one thing Yron being that which woundeth most and sheddeth bloud yet the skales that come from it stanch the same a property they haue besides to stop the flux in women and being applied to the region of the spleene they do open the obstructions thereof and ease other infirmities incident thereto the running haemorrhoids they represse and such vlcers as are giuen to spread farther and corrode as they go Reduced into a fine powder and gently strewed vpon the eye-lids they are good for the accidents thereto belonging But the principal vse of them and for which they are most commended is in a certain liquid plaster called Hygremplastrum which serueth to mundifie wounds vlcers and fistulaes to eat away all callosities and to incarnate and engender new flesh about bones that are perished And this is the receit of that composition Take of the scouring Tuckers earth the weight of two oboli of brasse six drams of the skales of yron as much and no lesse of wax incorporat all these according to art in one sextar of oile But in case there be need to mundifie any sores or to incarnat there would be put therto some plain cerot besides CHAP. XVI ¶ Of the Mines of Lead ore of white lead and blacke NOw insueth the discourse of lead and the nature of it of which there be two
by visions and dreams in the night all that hee is desirous to know euen as well as an oracle As for Eumetres the Assyrians call it the stone or gem of Belus the most sacred god among them whom they honor with greatest deuotion as green it is as a leeke and serueth very much in their superstitious inuocations sacrifices and exorcisms Eupetalos hath foure colors to wit of azur fire vermilion and an apple Eureos is like the stone of an oliue chamfered in manner of winkle shels but very white it is not Eurotias seemeth to haue a certain mouldines that couers the black vnderneath Eusebes seemeth to be that kind of stone whereof by report was made the feat in Hercules temple at Tyros where the gods were wont to appear and shew themselues Mereouer any precious stone is called Epimelas when being of it selfe white it is ouercast with a blacke colour aloft The gem Galaxias some call Galactites like vnto those last before-named but that it hath certain veins either white or of a bloud color running between As for Galactites indeed it is as white as milk and therupon it took that name Many there be who call the same stone Leucas Leucographias Synnephites which if it be bruised yeeldeth a liquor resembling milk both in color and tast in truth it is said that it breeds store of milke in nources that giue suck also that if it be hung about the necks of infants it causeth saliuation but being held in the mouth it melteth presently Moreouer they say that it hurteth memory and causeth obliuion this stone commeth from the riuer Achelous Some there be who call that Emeraud Galactires which seemeth as it were to be bound about with white veins Galaicos is much like to Argyrodamus but that it is somewhat souler commonly they are found by two or three together As for Gasidanes we haue it from the Medians in colour it resembleth blades of corne and seemes beset here and there with floures it groweth also about Arbelae this gem is said likewise to be conceiued with young and by shaking to bewray and confesse a child within the wombe and it doth conceiue euery three moneths Glossi-petra resembleth a mans tongue and groweth not vpon the ground but in the eclipse of the Moone falleth from heauen and is thought by the magitians to be very necessary for pandors and those that court faire women but we haue no reason to beleeue it considering what vaine promises they haue made otherwaies of it for they beare vs in hand that it doth appease winds Gorgonia is nothing els but Coral the name Gorgonia groweth vpon this occasion That it turneth to be as hard as a stone it assuageth the trouble of the sea and maketh it calme the magitians also affirme that it preserueth from lightning and terrible whirlewinds As vaine they be also in warranting so much of the hearbe Guniane namely that it will worke reuenge and punishment vpon our enemies The pretious stone Heliotropium is found in Aethiopia Affricke and Cyprus the ground thereof is a deepe green in maner of a leeke but the same is garnished with veins of bloud the reason of the name Heliotropium is this For that if it be throwne into a pale of water it changeth the raies of the Sun by way of reuerberation into a bloudie colour especially that which commeth out of Aethiopia the same being without the water doth represent the body of the Sun like vnto a mirroir and if there be an eclipse of the Sun a man may perceiue easily in this stone how the moone goeth vnder it and obscureth the light but most impudent and palpable is the vanity of magitians in their reports of this stone for they let not to say that if a man carrie it about him together with the herbe Heliotropium and besides mumble certaine charmes or prayers he shall goe inuisible Semblably Hephaestites is of the nature of a looking-glasse for although it be reddish or of an orenge colour yet it sheweth ones face in it the meanes to know this stone whether it be right or no is this in case being but into scalding water it presently cooleth it or if in the Sun it wil set on fire any dry wood or such like fewel this stone is found growing vpon the hill Corycus Horminodes is a stone so called in regard of the greene colour that it hath resembling the herbe Clarie for otherwhiles it is white and sometime againe blacke yea and pale now and then howbeit hooped about it is with a circle of golden colour Hexecontalithos for bignesse is but small and yet for the number of colours that it hath it got this name found it is in the region of the Troglodytes Hieracites changeth colour all whole alternatiuely by turns it seemeth to be blackish among kites feathers Hamnites resembleth the spawne of fishes and yet some of them be found as it were composed of nitre and otherwise it is exceeding hard The pretious stone called Hammons-horne is reckoned among the most sacred gems of Aethyopia of a gold colour it is and sheweth the forme of a rams horne the magicians promise that by the vertue of this stone there will appeare dreames in the night which represent things to come Hormesion is thought to be one of the loueliest gems that a man can see for a certaine fiery colour it hath and the same spreadeth forth beams of gold and alwaies carrieth with it in the edges a white and pleasant light Hyenia tooke the name of the Hyens eie sound they are in them when they be assailed and killed and if we may giue credit to Magitians words if these stones be put vnder a mans tongue hee shall presently prophesie of things to come The bloud-stone Haematites is found in Aethiopia principally those be simply the best of al others howbeit there are of them likewise in Arabia and Affrick in colour it is like vnto bloud and so called a stone that I must not ouerpasse in silence in regard of my promise that I made to reproue the vanities and illusions of these impudent barbarous magicians who deceiue the world with their impostures for Zachalias the Babylonian in those books which he wrote to king Mithridates attributeth vnto gems all the destinies and fortunes that be incident vnto man and particularly touching these bloud-stones not contented to haue graced them with medicinable vertues respectiue to the eies and the liuer he ordained it to be giuen vnto those for to haue about them who carry any Petition to a king or great prince for it would speed and further the suit also in case of law matters it giueth good issue and sentence on their side yea and in wars victory ouer enemies There is another of that kinde called by the Indians Henui but the Greekes name it Xanthos of a whitish colour it is vpon a ground of a yellow tawnie The stones called Idaei Dactyli be found
how to be kept from inflammation 423. e. Memitha See Glaucion Memnaria a pretious stone 628. i Memorie helped by some water 403. d Memphites See Marble Men whose bodies are thought medicinable from top to toe 298. m. Men who had some especiall part of the bodie medicinable to others 299. f Menaechmus a famous Imageur and his workes 502. k Menais what hearbe and the vertues thereof 202. k Menander a Poet commended for good literature 372. m Menestratus an excellent Imageur in stone 568. m Menianthes an hearbe and a kinde of Trefoile 107. b Mentagra a kinde of foule Tettar 240. l. how the name came vp first ibid the remedies thereof 44 k. See more in Lichenes Mentonomon 606. i Mentor a famous grauer 483. d he wrote of Imagerie 502. k Mercurie the hearbe found by Mercurius 215. e the diuerse names kindes and vertues described ibid. Merigals See Gals Meremaids in Homer were witches and their songs enchauntments 372. k Meroctes a pretious stone 628. k Merois what hearbe and the medicinable vertue thereof 203 e. Mesoleucas See Leuce Mesoleucos when a gem is so called 628. l Mesomelas when a gem is socalled ibid. Messalinas died by setting an Horse-leech to his knee 467. c Mettals what melting they require 472. h Mettall mines and furnaces kill flies and gnats 519. b See Mines Metoposcopi who they be 539. b Metrodorus an excellent Philosopher and Painter 548. i he wrote in Physicke 70. i. he painted hearbes in their colours 210. g Meum an hearbe 77. a. two kindes thereof ibid. Mezils and small pocks how to be cured 58. i. 157. d. 167. a 174. i. k. 189. c. 337. a. 338. l. 418. m. 421. c. 422. h 437. d. M I Mice how to be kept from gnawing bookes and writings 277. e. contemptible creatures yet medicinable 355. d betweene Mice and Planets what sympathie ibid. the liuer of what vertue ibid. Miction an Herbarist and writer 78. g K. Midas rich in gold 464. h Midriffe and precordiall parts swelled and diseased how to be cured 52. k. 55. c. 64. i. 66. i. 67. d. 102. l. 104. i 107. c. 113. c. 119. d. 138. l. 163. b. 202. g. 207. c 239. a. 247. c. 290. k. how to be cleansed 160. m Migrame what kinde of headach and how to be eased 233. c. 418. m. Milesium Halcioneum 441. d Miliaria what weed and the vertues thereof 144. l Militaris an hearbe why so called 204. m Milke in women nourses breasts how to be encreased 39. f 49. e. 65. c. 77. e. 109. e. 130. i. 131. c. 149. e. 187. c. 193. c. 199. f. 268. i. 282. h. k. 288. i. 291. c. 340. g. h 396. g. 397. b. 448. h. l. Milke by what meanes it is dried vp or diminished 55. c 158. g. 236. i. 279. a. Milke what will cruddle 166. k. 168. i. how it shall not cruddle in the stomacke 137. b. being cruddled what dissolueth 168. l Milke cruddled in womens breasts how it may be dissolued 131. d Milke cailled in the stomacke how to be dissolued 134. l mothers Milke best for all sucklings 317 b Milke of nources with child hurtfull to sucking babes ib. Milke of women most nutritiue 317. c Milke of goats next to womans milke ibid. it agreeth well with the stomacke and the reason why ibid. Iupiter suckled with Goats milke as Poets fable and why 317. c. Considia cured by Goats milke 184. i Goats Milke for what diseases good 318. i Milke of Camels sweetest next to womans milke 317. c Asse milke for what good 318. h Milke of Asses most medicinable and effectuall 317. c 323. a. excellent to beautifie and make white the skin 327. c. it soone loseth the vertue and therefore must be drunke new 323 b what Milke is easiest of digest on ibid. Milke of Kine aromaticall and medicinable 323 b. it keepeth the bodie solluble ibid. it is a counterpoyson 322. c. Milke of Kine Physicke to the Arcadians 225. f best Milke how to be chosen 317. d what Milke is thinnest and fullest of whey and when ibid. a diet drinke made of Cow-Milke in Arcadia for what infirmities 317. d for what disease Cow Milke is appropriat 318. h womans Milke or breast milke medicinable 307. c. sweetest of all other ibid. how to be chosen ibid. allowed in an agne ibid. Milke of a woman that bare a man-child better than of another 307. d. especially if shee bare two boy twins ib. Milke of a woman bearing a maiden child for what it is good 308. g Milke of Kine feeding vpon Physicke hearbes is likewise medicinable as it appeared by two examples 226. g Milke boiled lâ—…sse flatuous than raw milke 317. d an artificiall milke called Schiston ibid. e. for what diseases it is medicinable 318. g Milke of Ewes for what good ibid. Sowes Milke for what sickenesse it is good ibid. k Milke how to be clisterized for the bloudie flix how for the collicke and oeher diseases 318. g. h a clyster of Milke much commended for the gripes of the belly occasioned by some strange purgation 318. g Milke in what cases hurtfull without good caution ibid. k the vertues medicinable of Milke in generall 317. d Millefoile an hearbe See Yarrow Millepeed what worme and the venomous nature thereof 37. d. the hurt comming thereby how to be cured 37. d 42. h. i. 78. g. Millet the medicinable vertues that it hath 139. e Miltites a kinde of bloudstone 590. b Miltos See Vermilion Mina or Mna what weight 113. e Minerua an Image in brasse wrought by Demetrius 501. e why it was called Musica ibid. Minerua Catuliana another Image of Minerua in brasse wrought by Euphranor and why so called 502. g Minerua of Athens an Idoll of gold and yuorie 26 cubits high wrought by Phidias 566. g. the curious workemanship of Phidias about the shield of that Minerua ibid. g. h. Minerua 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wrought by Phidias 597. d Mines minerals and mettals the riches of the world 453. c Mines of siluer and gold why called in Greeke Metalla 472. l. Minium See Vermillion Mints the hearbe when and where to be set or sowne 29 d wild Mint will propagat and grow any way howsoeuer it be sâ—…t ibid. e Mints called in Greeke sometime Mintha but now Hedyosmos ibid. Mints a principall hearbe in a country house ibid. garden Mints the singular vertues thereof 59. c. it keepeth milke from cruddling in the stomacke ibid. water-Mints where and how it commeth to grow 31. d wild Mint named Mentastrum described with the vertues 58. m Mint masters at Rome chosen with great regard 347. c P. Minutius his statue erected vpon a Columne at Rome 491 b. Mirroirs of tinne were before any of siluer 517. d Mirroirs of siluer plate 478. i. the reason why they represent an image ibid. Mirroirs of sundry makings and shewing strange shapes 478. k. which were the best Mirroirs ibid. l siluer Mirroirs the inuention of Praxiteles ibid. Misliking of the
paintresse famous for her pensill 534. g. 551. a her picture ibid. Timomachus a painter of good note 548. k his pictures ib. Timotheus a famous Imageur and cutter in stone 568. l rich Tinctures which three be principall 88. k Tinesmus what disease it is 249 a. the remedies thereof 44. i. 49. e. 55. c. 66. i. 70. h. 72. k. 73. d. 126. g. 143. 〈◊〉 172. h. 249. b. 278 l. 283. b. 318. k. 332. h. 359. c. 382. k 413. a. 437. c. 443. d. e. 474. h. 520. i. Tin-glasse See Leadwhite Tin of diuers kinds 517. c. d sundry vses of Tin ibid. how it is sophisticat ibid. Tin Tertiarium what it is 517. d. the vse thereof ib. Tin Argentarium what mettall and how emploied 517. e Tissie 466. g Tithymales a kind of wild Poppie 69. c Tithymalus what herbe it is 251. e. the sundry names thereof ib. what is practised with the milkie iuice of it 251. e. f. Tithymall of many kinds ibid. 1. Tithymalos Characias 251. f. the description ib. the iuice extracted 252. g. the vertue ib. 2. Tithymalos Myrsinites or Caryites 252. i. k. the reason of both names ib. the dose thereof ibid. 3. Tithymalos Paralius or Tithymalis 252. l. the descriptition and dose ibid. 4. Tithymalus Helioscopius 252. l. the de description ib. the reason of the name ib. m. the vertue that it hath ib. the dose ibid. 5. Tithymalos Cyparissias why so called 253. a the description and operation ibid. 6. Tithymalos Platyphyllos 253. a. the reason of that name ib. why it is also called Corymbites ib. why named Amygdalites ib. the vertues ib. 7. Dendroides Cobion or Leptophyllon the description and effects 253. a. b Titius a man noted for being full of the foule Morphew 403. a. Tiwill in young children hangiug forth how to be reduced 451. e. See Fundament Tlepolemus a Physician 67. a T O Toads or venomous frogs described 434. l. why called in Latine Rubetae ib. wonders written of them ib. a bone in one of their sides of great efficacie ib. and 435. a how to be found 434. m against the venome or poison of these Toads remedies 119 a 223. d. 231. a. b. 232. g. 300. k. 307. e. 431. f. 434. i 435. b c. Toads â—…lax an herbe 286. l. See Osyris Toadstooles 7. f. 132. l. m. See Mushromes Tongue of man medicinable and of power to auert ill fortune 300. m Tongue blistered and sore how to be cooled healed 328. i 377. a. Tongue furred and rough how to be mundified 59. e. 192. i 419. b. Tongue speechlesse how it may be recouered 60. k Tongue palsie how to be cured 134. m against an vntemperat and lying Tongue a remedy 316. h Tonos in painting what it is 528. h Tonsils what they are 135. d. inflamed or sore how cured 183. c. 196. g. 197. d. 378. g. h. 437. d. 442. g. 507. f 509. c. 510. i. 607. f. See Amygdales Toothing in children how to be eased 105. b. 341 b c d 376. h. 397. e. 398. g. i. 449. e. Tooth or biting of man or woman mad is venomous 301. a the same in some cases is medicinable ibid. in a fit of a Tooth one killed himselfe 135. a for the Toothach proper remedies 36 g. 38 g h. 40 m. 42 h 44 g. 45 b. 47 b. 53 d. 56 i. 57 d. 62 l. 64 l. 65 b c 70. g. 72 g. 73 c. 74 g k. 102 l. 109 c. 123 a. 128 i 149 a. 161 c. 168 k. 169 a. 171 a. 178 g. 179. c 180 k. 181 c. 184 g h l. 187 l. 190 g. 199 f. 201. f 206 l. 238 h k. 239 b c. 252 h. 273 c. 274 k. 286. i 302 g. 312. g h. 316 l. 326 i k. l. m. 327 a. 375 e f 367. g. h. i. k. l. m. 419 f. 422 g. 431 c. 432 i. 440 g h 510 h. 557 d. 589. c. Topaze thought to be the Chrysolith a pretious stone 618 k where it was first discouered ibid. k l it was first graced by queene Berenice ib. the image of queene Arsinoe wife to Ptolomaeus Philadelphus made of the Topaze ib. d. Topaze of two kinds to wit Prasoides and Chrysopteros 618 m. it is filed ib. it weareth with vse ibid. Topazos an Island why so called 618. l Tordile what it is 206. h Tordilion what it is 74. h Tortoises liue both in land and water 431. d their manifold vses ibid. Tortoises of diuers kinds ibid. land Tortoises their flesh bloud c. medicinable 431. e their vrine also is effectuall in Physicke according to the Magi 432. g sea-Tortoises medicinable 432. h. 438. g their bloud 132. i their gall ib. â—…ore Tortoises described with their properties 432. l riuer Tortoises and their vertues 432. m Tortoises how to be dressed to cure the quartane ague 433. a. how to be let bloud artificially 433. b a Tortoise foot in a ship hindered her course ibid. Tortoises are medicinable ib. c they be fishes seruing for roiot and wantonnesse 451. b Tortoise-worke when vsed at Rome 482. g Touchstone 477. f. where it is found ibid. how to be chosen and vsed 472. g Tow of flax what it is 4. i. how emploied ib. Toxica be poysons what remedies against them 119. a 150. m. 177. d. 180. h. 323. d. 355. c. 364. h. Toxicon a kind of Ladanum 249. d T R Trachinia an herbe 291. c. the incredible effects which Democritus attributeth to it ib. Tragacantha a great healer 264. k Tragi what Spunges 423. b Tragion or Tragonis an herbe 291. c. the description ibid. Tragopogon an herbe 291. d. the description ibid. Tragoriganum an herbe 64. h. the description and the vertues ib. Tragos an herbe 291. d. the description ibid. Transplanting cureth many diseases in herbes 33. d Trauellers what wine they may drinke 155. d Treacle or Theriaca the composition thereof 79. b it was K. Antiochus his counterpoyson ibid. another Treacle or Theriaca reproued and the composition thereof 348. i Trebius Niger a writer 428. i Trees how they prooue harder to be hewed and wax drier 176. g. Treasure at Rome of gold and siluer 464. l m. 465. a Trembling of ioints or shaking of lims how to bee cured 49. d. 67. d. 141. b. 155. d. 162. h. 183. c. 219. d. 262. m 283. f. 312 i 359. c. 431. a. 447. a. Trembling of the heart how to be cured 48. h. 49. f. 174. i Tribuni aeris what they were at Rome 459. f Trichites a kind of Allum why so called 558. k Trich-madame See Prick-madame Trichomanes what kind of Maiden-haire 127. a Trichrus a pretious stone 629. c the description ib. Tricoccum 126. g Tridachna certaine Oisters 437. b Triens a small piece of brasse coine at Rome 463. b the Triens or brasse piece of the Servilij at Rome and the wonderfull nature thereof 513. a. b fed with siluer or gold ibid. Trifoile or Trifolie of three kinds 90. h the vertues thereof 107. b supposed by
men or women painted or died therewith in old time 114. l VVooll reuerently regarded among the ancient Romanes 349. e. the side posts of the bridegrooms doore bedecked with wooll by the bride on the wedding day 349. e the vse of VVooll ibid. 351. h VVooll vnwashed medicinable 351. k VVooll of a sheep greasie is medicinable 350. g. h. i VVooll vnwashed and greasie doth mollifie 424. g VVooll greasie of a ram is effectuall in Physicke 350. h VVooll of the necke is best ibid. from what countries ibid. Wooll greasie how to be ordered for vse in Physicke 350. i. k how it is calcined 350. k the ashes thereof is medicinable ibid. fleece VVooll washed and the vse thereof 351. b Woooll-beards or Caterpillers called Multipedae described 369. e. a Wolues snout why it is set vsually vpon the gates of countrey ferme houses 323. a VVolues dung medicinable 324. k the bones found in their dung likewise 332. i the strange operations of the VVolfe and parts of the bodie 323. a Wolues how they may be kept out of a territorie 342. l Wolues greace much esteemed in old time 320. k the bride therwith striked the dore sides of her husbands house ibid. Wolues i. sores how to be cured 149. d. 300. m. 265. d See more in Vlcers cancerous and eating deepe Wombe See Bellie and Guts Women with child longing and hauing a depraued appetite how to be helped of that infirmitie 155 d. 277 a 307 c. 164 i l. Womens breasts aking how to be assuaged 340. g Womens breasts or paps enflamed swollen hard sore and impostumat by what means cured 167 d. 143 b 148 i. 182. h. 183. e. 266 k. 279. c. 307. d. 320. g. issue of bloud out of Womens breast heads how to be stanched 263. f Womens breasts ouer big how to be brought downe 340. g haire springing about their breast nipples how to be rid away 268. i for all infirmities of Womens breasts in generall conuenient remedies 70. g. 72 h m. 104 h. 108 h. 138 m. 142 g 157 d. 161 a. 164 g. 172 h. 169 i. 274 g. Womens purgations vpon their new deliuerance how to be procured and helped forward 59 b. 63 e. 65. a. d 340. g Womens infirmities of the matrice in generall how to be remedied 266 i k. 276 h. 290 k. See more in Matrice Womens infirmities following child-birth how to be cured Womens flux of whites or reds immoderat how by what means staied 39 a. 59 d. 102 k. 110 i k. 130 h. 267 g 340 l. 396 g. 516 i. 529 b. Women with child their swawms and faintings how to be helped 146. k Women how they may preserue the skin of their faces faire 149. b. 276. h. 286. l. Women by what meanes they shall looke young faire and full without freckles and wrinkles 440. m. 559. f Women who cannot deliuer their vrine but dropmeale and with difficultie how to be cured 395. d how a Woman shall forme and bring forth a boy child 395. d. Women how they may keepe their skin supple and soft 319. e. Women by what meanes they may cleanse the skin of their face from morphew 149. b. 276. h. 286. l Women become soone barraine by hard trauaile in child-birth 340. k how a Woman may haue speedie deliuerance of childbirth 395 d. e. what comforteth a Womans backe and loines in labour 395. c. Women hauing an inordinat itch in their secret parts how to be eased 396. i hauing vlcers and vntoward sores in their priuities by what meanes to be cured 449. b Womens bodies yeeld medicines 307. a a Womans haire-lace or fillet what it is good for 308. h Women in time of their monethly sickenesse worke wonders 308 i. Womens lazie feuers how to be cured 74. l Women more skilfull in witchcraft and fitter instruments therefore than men 210. k Women and ancient matrons at their deuotions what Imageurs delighted to expresse in brasse 503 e f. 504 i Womens excesse and prodigall wast of gold in Plinies time taxed 462 g h i c Women excellent paintresses 551. a Wood-evill in sheepe how to be helped 218. k Wood-soure or wood-sorrell an herbe See Oxys Woodbind an herbe 288 g. the description ib the vertues ibid. h Words pronounced in charms or spels whether they should be strange or familiar 296. l whether Words barely vttered auaile not in curing diseases or no 294. k a set forme of Words in praier inuocations and exorcisms held to be materiall in many respects 294 k Worms of diuers sorts medicinable 393. f Worms in the bellie how to be killed and chased out 39. e 41 e. 44 i. 45 f. 47 a. 71. e. 55. e. 56 h. 59 c. 60 h. 70 i 105 b. 108 l. 122. g. 124 g. 126 i. 143 c. 160 k. 165 b 166. g. 170. g. 172 i. 179 e. 190 g. 192. g. 249. b 250 l. 253 c. 277 a. f. 281 c. 332. h. 419 c. 443 d 511. b. Wormewood an herbe 276 i. the sundry Linds ibid. Santonicum why so called ibid. Ponticum why so named ibid. Seripl ium why so named 277. e in Pontus the sheepe feed fat with wormewood 276. i Wormewoâ—…d not so common but it is as wholesome 276. i Wormewood why it was giuen in drinke to the winners at the charriot running 276. k Wormewood wine ibid. Wormewood drinke how it is made by way of decoction ib. the vertue thereof 277. a the infusion of Wormewood 276 l the iuice of wormewood by way of expression ibid. a syrrup of wormewood made of the iuice 276. m hurtfull to stomacke and head 277. a the manifold vertues of the ordinary drinke or decoction of Wormwood 277. a how it was giuen for apurgatiue 277. b Wormewood Seriphium called likewise See-wormewood 277 f. the description ib. an enemy to the stomacke ib. it looseth the belly ibid. decoction of Wormewood how to be made 278 g Wounds in the head how to be healed 183. a. 192. i. 233. 〈◊〉 301 b. 307 c. 365 e. 412 m. Wounds fresh made how to be kept from inflammation 423 e. how from swelling 338. k symptoms following vpon Wounds how cured 72. l paine or Wounds and their smaâ—…t what assuageth 302. k Wounds how to be cleansed 471. e. 511. c Wounds bleeding excessiuely stanched with a charme by Vlyxes 297. m Wound-salues or vulnerariâ—… medecins 160 l. 182. l Wounds more angry by the presence of those that haue been stung by serpents or 〈◊〉 by mad dogs 299. b Wounds-greene by what meâ—…s healed 38 h. 43 b. 45 b 49 a. 50 l. 52 i. 63 b. 68 〈◊〉 70 k. 73 a. 103 b. d. 104 i 111 d. 146 k. 159 d. 163 b. 169 f. 177 〈◊〉 178 h. 185 c d 193 b. 194 h. 197 b. 253 e. 263 c. 264 l. 265. b c. 266 g 272 i. 277. a. 283 e. 289. c. 290 k. l 305 c. 338 g 350. g i. 370 l. 393 c. f. 394 g h i. 403. b. 404 g. 418 i 516 i. 557 c. Wounds made by swordor
region 18. Venice the tenth region 19. Of Istria 20. Of the Alps and the nations there inhabiting 21. Illyricum 22. Liburnia 23. Macedonie 24. Noricum 25. Pannonie and Dalmatia 26. Moesia In this book are described 26 Islands within the Adriatick and Ionian seas their principall cities townes and nations Also the chiefe and famous riuers the highest hills speciall Islands besides townes and countries that be perished In summe here are comprised notable things histories matters memorable and obseruations to the number of 326. Latine Writers brought in for testimonie Turannius Graccula Cor. Nepos T. Livius Cato Censorius M. Agrippa M. Varro Divus Augustus the Emperour Varro Attacinus Antias Hyginus L. Vetus Mela Pomponius Curio the father Coelius Aruntius Sebosus Licinius Mutianus Fabricius Thuscus L. Atteius Capito Verrius Flaccus L. Piso C. Aelianus and Valerianus Forreine Authours Artimidorus Alexander Polyhistor Thucidides Theophrastus Isidorns Theopompus Metrodorus Scepsius Callicrates Xenophon Lampsasenus Diodorus Syracusanus Nymphodorus Calliphanes and Timagâ—…nes ¶ IN THE FOVRTH BOOKE ARE COMPRISED Regions Nations Seas Townes Hills Hauens Riuers with theis dimensions and people either now or in times past knowne viz Chap. 1. Epirus 2. Aetolia 3. Locri. 4. Peloponnesus 5. Achaia 6. Arcadia 7. Greece and Attica 8. Thessalie 9. Magnesia 10. Macedonia 11. Thracia 12. The Islands lying between those countries among which Creta Euboea the Cvclads Sporades also the Isles within Hellespont neare the sea Pontus within Moeotis Dacia Sarmatia and Scythia 13. The Islands of Pontus called Mer Major 14. The Islands of Germanie 15. Islands in the French Ocean 16. Britaine and Ireland 17. Gaule or France 18 Of Galia Lugdunensis 19. Of Aquitaine 20. Of high Spaine named Citerior 21. Of Portugall 22. Islands in the Ocean 23. The dimension and measure of all Europe Herein are contained many principall townes and countries famous riuers Islands also besides cities or nations that be perished in sum diuerse things histories and obseruations Latine Authours cited M. Varr Cato Censorius M. Agrippa Divus Augustus Varro Attacinus Cor. Nepos Hyginus L. Vetus Pomponius Mela Licinius Mutianus Fabricius Thuscus Atteius Capito and Atteius Philologus Of forreine Writers Polybius Hecataeus Hellanicus Damastes Eudoxus Dicaearchus Timosthenes Ephorus Crater Grammaticus Serapion of Antioch Callimachus Artemidorus Apollodorus Agathocles Eumachus Siculus the Musitian Alexander Polyhistor Thucydides Dociades Anaximander Philistides Mallotes Dionysius Aristides Callidemus Menaechmus Aedasthenes Anticlides Heraclides Philemon Menephon Pythias Isodorus Philonides Xenagoras Astyonomus Staphilus Aristocritus Metrodorus Cleobulus and Posidonius IN THE FIFTH BOOKE ARE CONTAINED Regions Nations Seas Townes Hills Riuers with their measures and people either at this day being or in times past that is to say Chap. 1. Maurtania 2. The Prouince Tingitana 3. Numidia 4. Affricke 5. Cyrene 6. Lybia Maraeotis 7. Islands lying about Affrick ouer-against Affricke 8. The Aethiopians 9. Asia 10. Alexandria 11. Arabia 12. Syria Palaestina Phoenice 13. Idumaea Syria Palaestina Samaria 14. Iudaea Galilea 15. Iordan the riuer 16. The lake Asphaltites 17. The Essenes 18. The countrey Decapolis 19. Tyrus and Sidon 20. The mount Libanus 21. Syria Antiochena 22. The mountaine Casius 23. Coele-Syria 24. The riuer Euphrates 25. The region Palmyra 26. Hierapolis the countrey 27. Cilicia and the nations adioyning Pamphilia Isauria Homonades Pisidia Lycaonia the mountaine Taurus and Lycia 28. The riuer Indus 29. Laodicea Apamia Ionia and Ephesus 30. Aeolis Troas Pergamus 31. Islands affront Asia the Pamphilian Sea Rhodus Samus and Chius 32. Hellespont Mysia Phrygia Galatia Nicea Bithynia Bosphorus Herein you find townes and nations Principall Riuers Famous Hils Islands 117 Townes Also that are lost and perished In summe many things histories and obseruations memorable Latine Authors alledged Agrippa Suetonius Paulinus Varro Atacinus Cornelius Nepos Hyginus L. Vetus Mela Domitius Corbulo Licinius Mutianus Clandius Caesar Aruntius Livius the son Sebosus the Acts and Records of the Triumphs Forreine Wâ—…iters King Iuba Hecataeus Hellanicus Damastes Dicaearchus Bion Timosthenes Philonides Xenagoras Astynomus Staphilus Aristotle Dionysius Aristocritus Ephorus Eratosthenes Hipparchus Panaetius Serapion Antiochenus Callimachus Agathocles Polybius Timaeus the Mathematician Herodotus Myrlus Alexander Polyhistor Metrodorus Posidonius who wrate Periplus or Periegesis Sotades Periander Aristarchus Sicyonius Eudoxus Antigenâ—…s Callicratus Xenophon Lampsacenus Diodorus Syâ—…acusanus Hanno Himilco Nymphodorus Calliphon Artemidorus Megasthenes Isidorus Celobulus Aristocrcon IN THE SIXTH BOOKE ARE CONTAINED Regions Nations Seas Cities Hauens Riuers with their dimensions People also that be or haue been to wit Chap. 1. The sea called Pontus Euxinus before time Axenus 2. The nations of the Paphlagones and Cappadocians 3. Cappadocia 4. The nations of the countrey Themiscyra 5. The Region Colchica The Achaei and the rest in that tract 6. Bosphorus Cimmerius and Moeotis 7. The people about Moeotis 8. The Armeniae both 9. Armenia the greater 10. Albania Iberia 11. The Scluses and gates Caucasiae 12. Islands in Pontus 13. Nations about the Scythian Ocean 14. Media and the gates or streights Caspiae 15. Nations about the Hircane sea 16. Also other nations confining vpon that Countrey 17. People of Scythia 18. The riuer Ganges 19. The nations of India 20. The riuer Indus 21. The Arians and the nations bordering vpon them 22. The Island Taprobane 23. Capissene Carmaenia 24. The Persian and Arabian gulfes 25. The Island Cassandrus and kingdomes of the Parthians 26. Media Mesopotamia Babylon Seleucia 27. The riuer Tigris 28. Arabia Nomades Nabathaei Omani Tylos and Ogyris two Islands 29. The gulfes of the red sea the Troglodite and Aethyopian feas 30. Diuerse nations of strange and wonderfull shapes 31. Islands of the Aethyopian sea 32. Of the fortunat Islands 33. The diuision of the earth calculated by measures 34. A diuision of the earth by climates lines parallele and equall shadowes Townes of name 195. Nations of account 566. Famous riuers 180. Notablehils 38. Principall Islands 108. Cities and Nations perished 195. In summe there are rehearsed in this booke of other things histories and obseruations 2214. Latine Authors alleadged M. Agrippa Varro Atacinus Cornelius Nepos Hyginus Lu. Vetus Mela Pomponius Domitius Corbulo Licineus Mutianus Claudius Caesar Aruntius Sebosus Fabricius Thuseus T. Livius Seneca Nigidius Forreine writers King Iuba Polybius Hecataeus Hellanicus Damastes Eudoxus Dicaearchus Beto Timosthenes Patrocles Demodamas Clitarchus Eratosthenes Alexander Magnus Ephorus Hipparchus Panaetius Callimachus Artemidorus Apollodorus Agathocles Polybius Eumachus Siculus Alexander Polyhistor Amometus Metrodorus Posidonius Onesicritus Nearchus Megasthenes Diognetus Aristocreon Bion Dialdon Simonides the younger Basiles and Xenophon Lampsacenus ¶ IN THE SEVENTH BOOKE ARE CONTAINED the wonderfull shapes of men in diuerse countries Chap. 1. The strange formes of many nations 2. Of the Scythians and other people of diverse countries 3. Of monstrous and prodigious births 4. The transmutation of one sex into another Also of twins 5. Of the generation of man The time of a womans child-bearing from seuen moneths to eleuen proued by notable examples out of histories 6. Of
indirect meanes of sorcery they are become barren and vnapt for conception The matrice of the female Hyaene giuen in drink with the rind of a sweet pomegranat is a very comfortable medicin for that part in a woman A suffumigation made with the fat taken from the hetchfill piece or loines is singular for those women that be in hard trauell of childe and procureth them speedy deliuerance the marow or pitch out of the ridge bone whosoeuer carrieth about them shal find help against vain illusions and fantasticall imaginations The pizzle of the male Hyaena if it be burnt casteth a fume which is good for them that haue any sinews pluckt with the cramp Saue the feet of this beast and the very touching of them is soueraigne for bleared eies for ruptures inflammations but this regard must be had that the left foot be applied to those griefes in the left side and the right to the contrary But wot ye what if the right foot of the Hyaena chance to be carried ouer a woman whiles she is in labour of childbirth she shall surely die of it but contrariwise let it be the right foot she shall haue a quick dispatch and be deliuered with ease The skin or purse that holdeth the gall beeing either drunke in wine or taken with meat helpeth those that for weaknesse of stomack be apt to faint and fall into cold sweats and the bladder taken with wine cureth those that cannot hold their water Now look what vrine is found within the bladder of this beast you must thinke it is an excellent drink if it be mixed with oile Sesame seed and hony for any old griefe whatsoeuer The first rib and the eighth wil make a perfume which is passing good for those who are bursten the spondyles or ioints of the ridge-bone are as conuenient for women in trauell of child-birth and the Hyaens bloud taken inwardly with fried barly meale doth mitigat the wrings and gripes of the belly If the side posts or dore cheeks of any house be striked with the said bloud wheresoeuer Magitians are busie with their feats and jugling casts they shall take no effect whether they be charms exorcismes or inuocations insomuch as they shall not be able to raise vp spirits nor haue any conference with familiars by any means of conjuration whether it be by torch-lights by bason by water by globe or otherwise The flesh of this beast eaten is very effectuall against the biting of a mad dog and yet the liuer is of greater efficacy in this case If there chance either flesh or bone of man or woman whom this beast hath killed and deuoured to be found in the maw surely the perfume thereof is a present remedy for the gout as these Magitians would seeme to persuade vs. But how if there be found the nails of man or woman there then wo be to all those that were at the hunting and taking of this beast for it presageth that one of them is sure to die for it Beside all this they do affirme That either the excrements or bones which the Hyaena dischargeth out of the belly at the time that she is killed serue for countercharms or preseruatiues against sorceries and practises of Magitians As for the ordure or dung which is found within her guts being dried and taken in drinke is auaileable against the dysentery and the same reduced into a liniment with goose grease and so applied helpeth those that by some poison are infected all the body ouer The grease likewise of this beast vsed as an ointment hath a singular property to cure the biting of a dog so that the patient be couched vpon the skin of the said Hyaena as say our Magitians who affirm moreouer that a decoction made with the ashes of the pastern bone of the left leg boiled together with the bloud of a weazil causeth as many as be anointed all ouer therewith to be odious in the eies of all men The same effect do they attribute to the decoction of the eie But of all the fooleries that they haue broched as touching the Hyaena this passeth and may go for the chiefe That the hindmost end of the gut in this beast is of vertue that no captain prince or potentat shall be able to wrong or oppresse those who haue but the same about them but contrariwise assureth them of good speed in all their petitions and of happy issue in all suits of law and trials of iudgements The concauity or wrinckle thereof if a man do weare fast tied about his left arme is so forcible to charme a woman that if he do but set his eie vpon her she will leaue all and follow him presently The ashes of the haire growing therabout made into a liniment with oile and applied accordingly causeth those men who before were giuen to lewd wantonnesse and liued in bad name not onely to become chast and continent but also to put on grauity and grow staid in their behauiour Thus much of Hyaena For fabulous tales the Crocodile may challenge the next place a beast this is which naturally doth liue as well on land as in water for two kinds there be of them whereof the former keeping thus in both elements hath this especiall vertue if we may beleeue these Magitians To prouoke vnto carnal lust if the teeth which grew in the right side of the chaw be hanged fast likewise to the right arme of man or woman The eie-teeth of the said Crocodile filled vp with frankincense for hollow they be and tied to any part of the body put by those periodicall feuers which vse to return at sett and certaine hours but then the patient must not for fiue dayes together see the party who fastened the same about him And they report likewise that the little grauel stones taken out of their belly be of the same vertue to driue away the shaking fits of agues when they are comming which is the cause that the Aegyptians vse ordinarily to anoint their sick folke with the fat of this beast The other Crocodile resembleth this in forme but far lesse he is and keepeth only vpon the land liuing vpon most sweet and redolent flours In which regard much seeking there is after his guts for the pleasant senteurs and odors wherewâ—…th they be stuffed ful this dung they cal Crocodilea a singular remedy for all the diseases of the eies and namely against cataracts suffusions and mistie films if they be anointed with an eie-salue made of it and the iuice of Porret mixed together The same brought into a liniment with the oile Cyprinum serueth to take away all pimples that rise in the face and clenseth the skin from those spots that blemish the visage But if it be incorporat with water it scoureth whatsoeuer accidents be apt to run ouer the face and reduceth the skin vnto the natiue color for it riddeth frectles moles and generally any spots or flects that marre the beautie or