the hole full of salt For the same TAke Egremony hony and violet leaues stampe them together and flit the sinew vnderneath the care and lay a plaister thereunto three dayes For the same TAke a handfull of sorrell lap it in a bur-dock leafe and roste it in hot embers like a warden then take it out and very hot apply it to the kirnels and so let it rest a day and night and stil so renew it vntill the kirnels be rotten and breake and after all is rotted and gone take the yolke of an egge hony and wheat-flower well incorporated and made thicke and make plasters thereof to heale it CHAP. 94. For the Canker in the nose THis commeth of a corrupt blood consumeth the flesh and makes it rawe within and in the end will eate the gristle therof it will also cause the horse to bleed at the nose and yeild filthy sauour the cure is take of greene copperas and of Allom of each a pound and of white copperas one quarter boile these in a pottle of running water vntill it be almost halfe consumed then take it of and put into it halfe a pint of hony then hold vp his head with a drinking staff but not too high and with a squirt of brasse or elder squirt the same water being luke warme three or foure times together into his nostrils and giue him libertie to blowe out the filthy matter least you choke him and with a stick and a ragge wash his nostrils twice a day vntil he be whole For the same IF you see the canker be of great heate and burning in the sore with exceeding paine take the iuce of purslaine lettice sorrell night shade and wash the sore with a sine clout and with a squirt wash the same and this will kill it CHAP. 95 For bleeding at the nose THis may come vppon many causes which cannot be truely known comming from within the body therfore I wil shew how to cure the same take a pint of red wine put thereunto a quarter of bole armony beaten vnto fine powder put the one half thereof into his nostril that bleedeth holding vp his head this may do wel if in the nostril or head there be the original cause the next day giue him the rest into his body that wil surely binde his body it may help the bleeding being invvard For the same LEt him blood in the brest vaines of each a pint for that is most likely to turne the course of the blood take 2 or 3 sponefuls of his blood and put it in a saucer and boyle it vntill it be dried to povvder then take the povvder thereof and blovv it into his nostrils and if it come of a vvound put it into the same and it vvill presently stint it horse-dung asses dung hogs dung sage leaues brused put into the wound or take of frankinsence an ounce alloes halfe an ounce beat them into fine pouder and mingle them throughly vvith the vvhites of egs vntil it be so thick as hony and with soft hares haire thrust his nostrils so ful as it cānot fal out And lastly some vvill throvv colde vvater vpon him against his haire it is likely that the over-cooling of him that vvayes may stop the flux thereof this did M Iohn Orpen a vvorthy Farrer vse if at any sudden such an accident did happen CHAP. 96. Of the riftes or corruption in the pallate of the mouth TAke sharpe vinegar and salt and wash the same and then annoint it with honny For the lampas or bladders in a Horse mouth euery Smith can cure CHAP. 97. For the canker in the mouth VVash the fore place with strong vinegar made thicke with the pouder of Allome two or three daies together to destroy the exulcerate matter Then take a quart of faire water of Allome 4 ounces of honny 4. or 5. spoonefulls of maudlin leaues Sage leaues Collumbine leaues of each a handfull boile al these together till halfe be consumed and then euery day wash the same two or three times being warmed and it will heale it CHAP. 98. For the Gigs in the mouth THey are swellings with blacke heads growing in the inside of the lips the cure is to flit them and thrust out the corruption and to wash the same with vinegar and salte CHAP. 99 For the heat in the mouth TVrne vp the vpper lip and iagge it with a lancet that it may bleede and washe it with vinegar and salte CHAP. 100. For the Camey in the mouth THis commeth by eating of filthy hay that cats dogs and other vermine haue pist vppon which will cause the Horse mouth to be furd or clammy as he will not not eat The cure is to let him blood in two great vaines vnder the tongue and to wash his mouth with vineger and salte and to giue him new bread that is not hot CHAP. 101. For the hurt of the tongue with the Bit. THe cure is to wash it with Alome water then take black bramble leaues and chop them with larde then put them within a cloute and make them as round as a ball then dip the same in hony and annoint the tongue therewith vntill it bee whole CHAP. 102. For the Barbels or paps vnder the tunge THe cure is to clippe them away and to wash the mouth with vinigere and salt CHAP. 103. For the swelling in the gummes THe cure is make him to bleede well in the pallet of the mouth and also to scarifie the gummes that the ranke blood may come forth and then rub them throughly with vineger and salt For to drawe the wolues teeth CHAP. 104. THese are two litle teeth growing in the vpper Iawe next to the great grinding teeth which hinder the horse for grinding his meat so as he will let it fall vnchewed somtimes you shall see some teeth so long and ouerhanging in his Iawes that they doe race and cut his cheeks so as he cannot feed The cure is tye the horse head to some rafter or post and his mouth to be openned with a corde so as you may see euery part therof then take a round yron toole halfe a yard long made at the end like a Carpenters Gouge and with your left hād set the edge of that toole at the foot of the wolfes teeth on the outside of the Iawe turning the hollowside of the toole doūward holding your hand stedily then with a mallet in your right hand strike on the head of the toole a pretty blowe to losen it and make it bend inward then wrench the tooth outward with the inside of the toole and thrust it out of his head doe the like to the other tooth and fill the holes with salt and if any tooth ouerhang the nether teeth to the hurt of the horse then with your mallet and toole pare the tooth or as many as do ouerhāg for hurting the horse mouth For the crick in the neck
when I apprehended with Galen that euery science is a conuenient firme notice that neuer departeth from reason knowing the end where vnto I was borne and to whose benifit I should liue notwithstanding all stimulatorie causes of progression I assembled my conceits to peîrce through the hardnes of the enterprise rather estemed to walk alòe to steepe downefalles and with Quintus Fabius to hazard my credit yea with worthy Horatius Cocles my life for the honour of my soueraigne and benefit of my country then to be like the beasts who neuer forsooke the beaten path and high market way with a guide before them so as posteritie shall still liue without adding increase to former knowledge and therefore as to the load-star of my desire and prefixed period for producing fourth of that truth which this Art hath bin long in trauell of for Nihil magnum subito noscitur I haue adventured to draw the thred of this subiect to my determinate conclusion not by a dim light soone quenched but by a Sinopsis or perfect viewe of the whole body of breeding to shew the reason and cause of the errors in breeding the true meanes of restitution thereof to perfection An action most befitting man The vse of reason who by nature is reasonable to teach according to his owne nature the same being as Seneca affirmeth an imitation of nature so as reason hauing his true vse it shall not onelye beholde and contemplate the truth but also represse and bridle all affections that swell and rise against it as a vertuous Mistresse admonishing and thereby become the most excellent nursse to suckle vp true knowledge practise to the full proportion of man his hopeful desire but least any shold tell me that my passion in the earnest loue of this subiect should make me forget my passages I proceede to set downe the only essentiall and true obseruations of a perfect breede wherein I pray you obserue a principle most fit truly to know whece proceedeth the most excellent colts that are begotten 1. First prouide Horses and Mares of the most perfect and beautifull shape euen such and no other then I formerly described 2. Secondly truly vnderstand at what age such horses and mares are fittest to beget and bring foorth perfect Colts 3. Thirdly how to prepare and keepe those horses and Mares before they come to the Action 4. Fourthly when how and where they are to doe the action in perfection 5. Fiftly how to keep them in perfection after their conception vnto the time of foaling 6. Sixtly and lastly how to vse them when they are foaled and how to preserue continue them in their perfection Now if any man demaund of me why I doe not shew what groūds are meetest for breed how such groūds are to be seuered to what end euerie diuision should serue I answere it were Sisiphi saxum voluera great labour without profit for can any man thinke that euery man that wold or doth breed horses may goe to Corinth or can haue such groundes as may be discribed are not most grounds of seueral natures qualities are there not infinite numbers of Colts most excellently bred by such as haue no inclosed groundes and doth not euerie mans experience being his principall leader confirme the sufficiencye of multitude and number that are so bred so that if one of an hundred that are bred were good few could iustly complaine I haue therefore heerein indeuoured to enforme the reader with true knowledge how to haue an excellent breede so neere as mans wisdome may attaine the truth wherof being laid down will sufficiently direct euerie man how far the true vse of all grounds doe CHAP. 28. Of the creation and generation of Horses 1. IT is twofolde Supernaturall and to be considered after a two-folde manner 1. The first and primarie once immediately by God in his supernatural Creation 2. Naturall The second and ordinarie in his naturall generation 1. Conception The ordinarie and naturall generation is made by the elementarie force and forming vertue which is in the seede when it is in the wombe in such order that the 13 first daies the seed of the horse and mare doe mingle vnite and curdle together like Creame are made one body which is the conception 2. Tormelesse blood The next xiii daies this seede is concocted thickned and changed into a masse of flesh and indigested formeles blood which is the proper matter of his bodie 3. Fashioned body The third xiii daies following of this masse or lumpe is made and fashioned the body in grosse 4. Perfect body The fourth xiii daies the whole body is ended and perfected and no more vnperfect in shape and at the fourth month the Colt hath motion and sence and tripling this terme which is at the twelue months he commeth foorth into the light CHAP. 29. Of the Elements whereof the Horse and euerie other creature is compounded EVerie Colt and likewise euerie creature and things inanimate are in their creation compounded of the Elements which is as much to say of a pure and simple thing which the outward sence cannot discerne and yet the common beginning of all Creatures namely of Fyer Ayer Water and Earth I mean not such as we dayly see with our eyes for they are bodies compounded which our sences doe perfectly know but these Elements I speak of are aboue which our outward sences are not able to discerne First of the Fyer Fyer which is the highest lightest Element placed next the Moone and of nature hot dry but most of heate 1. His vertues properties by reason of his heate are to mooue to generation The vertues 2. Secondly to seuer the bones in the Colt from the flesh the flesh from the sinewes the heart from the liuer c. as the wood that is burned hath vapor smoak flame and ashes which the heat seuereth so in burning of seuerall mettalls the heate seuereth the one from the other and yet gathereth the like together 3. Thirdly to ripen 4. Fourthly to disgest thinges rawe and vndigested 5. Fiftly to mingle dry with moist 6. Sixtly to open the Pores of the Colt that the ayer being somewhat grosser may enter into the body 7. Seauenthly to breake the colde of the water and earth so as it may not distemper the bodie The second element is the Ayre Aeyr and placed next the fire and is light and hot but chiefly moist 1. First by reason of his moisture I meane not a waterish moisture but a comforting nourishing moisture as oyle is to the lampe The vertues to make the matter apt to receiue shape 2. Secondly to make the mixt bodies of blood fleame choler and melancholly not onely subtile and penetrable but also light to the intent they may be neither too grosse nor too heauy 3. Thirdly to slake the burning of the heart and of the other members as
seede but also strengtheneth and clenseth their blood and bodies from all rawe vnperfect humors whereby you shall perceiue them to exceed in pride and lust Their prouender is to be giuen them at three seueral times in the day at morning Noone and night and at euerie time tost and two hours meatlesse to cause an absolute and perfect disgestion for fulnes of meat ouercommeth nature and thereby not able perfectly to disgest the disgestion will be rawe and vnperfect whereof can no petfect seed be made if they should be excercised vppon full stomackes then thorough the greatnes of heat comming by their labour the meat wil be more speedely disgested then nature had ability to performe by which vnperfect disgestion the humors must of necessitie be vnperfect the which being so carryed from the liuer by the veines into all partes of the bodie the substance whereof the seede is composed being carryed to the seed vessels in such imperfection the seede remaineth vnperfect and the blood corrupted a speciall cause also of all inward diseases and outward sorrances Hauing obserued that hath bene spoken about 8. or 10. dayes before the Horse and Mare come to the action being both of them in great lust and courage feede them for euerie of those daies with such sweete oates and old dry sweet wheat equall in mixture and quantitie for the wheate is a great comforter of the heart and an increaser of the vital spirits which aboue all things for that action is principally to bee mooued and stirred vp and for the better fuller accomplishment of the action for those viii or ten daies put into euerie gallō of the water they drink if they be of value and estimation a pinte of white Wine which will greatly abate the colde qualitie of the water and let them not at any time drinke excessiuely and sometime giue betwixt them a pottle of strong stale Beere or Ale with a greate toste of wheate breade and let the Stable be kept moste cleane and sweet And if at some times you will alter their dyet for that peraduenture they will not like of that foode for horses doe differ therein as men doe then make them breade in this manner take wheate and Oates equall in substance and grinde them together as it commeth from the mill being cleane sisted from filth bake loues thereof well mingled with brused beanes otherwise the bread will clam their mouthes let it be well seasoned with salt and Anniseedes and two or three daies old before they eate it which will bee in euerie part as comfortable as the other And then doubt not but this maner of keeping wil make a moste pure blood from whence proceedeth a moste pure seede thereof a moste temperate and delicate braine a great fulnes of vitall spirits and so a moste beautifull and excellent Colt for heereby as I haue said their vegetatiue soule which is no other then their naturall vertue hauing onelye power of operations as a directer and schoolemaister to the goodnes of the qualitie of the action proceeding onely from the temperature of the braine haue their beginnings vertues from the perfect temperature of the seed and the seed from the blood it is euident to the vttermost extent of mans vnderstanding that such as the temperature of the meates are such wil be the temperature of the blood and such as the blood is such is the temperature of the seed and such as the seed such is the temperature of the braine and such as the braine is such wil be the direction of the action and operation of the colte for the faculties temperature on which they consist are altogether giuen them in the wombe without being taught by another whereby the perfection and imperfection in generation is plainely discerned and that the perfect endowment of good temperature doth possesse sufficient power to shape a perfect bodie and to increase nourish the same in perfection with long life because the knowledge of the sensitiue soule taketh onely his dependance from the temperature of the braine as his director to performe all his actions in the fulnes of perfection Now forasmuch that from the temperature of the foure first qualities hot colde moist and dry which is properly and truly called nature all the abilities of the colte both of vertue and vice doe proceed it is an euident argument of truth that the varietie of operation springeth not from the sensible soule which is one selfe in all ages but from the diuersitie of temperature by meanes whereof the Horse dooth worke diuersely in young age middle age and olde age for that it pertaketh in euery age a contrary temperature Wherefore one Horse is better then another and although Horses of equall ages are contrary in worke and one far better then the other yet the reason thereof is that one of them enioyeth a better temperature then the other and diuers from the other and therefore it is truly saide that nature maketh able and that euery creature worketh according to his nature What were else the cause that two coltes bred by one Horse and Mare should one exceed the other in excellency of action which cannot be from instinct of nature but onely from the temperature of the foure first qualities and that is the onely cause that one bruite beast performeth the workes of his kinde better then another being the onely schoolemaister to direct the sensitiue soule what to doe but the vegetatiue soule only knoweth how to forme the colte to giue him the shape which he is to keep to receiue nourishment to retaine it to disgest it to expell the excrements and if any part of the bodie doe faile she knoweth how to supply the same anew and to yeeld it composition agreeable to the vse which it is to holde But the sensitiue soule onely worketh so far in the colt that when it is foaled it knoweth to sucke to draw forth the milk with his lips to the preseruation of his nature and presently to eat onely those thinges whereon Horses accustomably do feede and heereby you see what thinges in nature are proper to the temperature and to the vegetatiue and sensitiue soule And although some wil say that God hath originally giuen to those creatures this naturall instincte yet it may not be denyed but the Naturall instincte must be the selfe-same with the temperature which we see doth diuersly gouerne in yong age middle age old age all which proceed from the temperature of the seede that begetteth it and with the descent of the horse and Mare which fashioneth the body in the womb and yet are there not two soules neither together nor successiuely neither is the vegetatiue corrupted by the arriuall of the sensitiue nor the sensitiue by the vegetatiue which being done the seminall forme vanisheth and the seede ceaseth to bee seede and that substance without shape to bee no longer seede but a Colt and when the Colt dyeth the soule
olde cleane svveet oates The next day after he hath taken the saide drinke giue him earely in the morning this drinke viz. Take a pinte of the best vvhite vvine vvherein hath bene steeped all night an ounce of Sence straine it and put into it one ounce of the best Aloes beaten into povvder halfe an ounce of Agaricke and a spoonefull of the povvder of Licorish vvarme them a little on the fire and brevve them vvell together and then giue it the Horse ride him gently or vvalke him a quarter of an houre set him into the stable very warme clothed let no aire come to him and let him neither eate nor drinke 6 houres after and at night giue him a warme mashe svveete vvheat stravve olde cleane svveete oates and plenty of litter The next day if the signe be good let him blood if the blood be very bad take from him tvvo quarts if indifferent but one quart keepe him verie vvarme and with vvarme mashes in vvhich mashes if possibly he will take it put the powder of brimstone Fenegreke Turmericke and of Enula campana of each one spoonefull The next day after if the weather be faire ride him very gently a mile and so backe againe and at his comming home presentlye haue him into the Stable and cloath him so warme as hee may sweate but not violentlye and so faile not to ride him when hee is fasting euerie day moderately a mile or two vppon some pleasant ground and euerie day to sweate a little for sixe daies and keepe him warme and with warme water and the Stable close when he is in it Hetherto you haue heard how to cleare him outwardly by washing and inwardlye by purging bleeding and sweating and for vomiting take a great roote or two of Polipodium of the Oake cleane scraped and laide all night in steepe in Spike oyle tyed fast to his bitte and euerie morning fasting let him bee ridden vvith it and if hee haue anye colde or filth in his stomacke it will force him to cough and reare it from the stomacke and by this means you shal be sure to clense refine his blood to exhaust his watrish humors and to make his inner parts cleane so as with temperate order before prescribed you shall bee sure to keepe him long a sound perfect and seruiceable Horse Now because the Liuer being the fountaine of blood the Lungs the bellowes of breath yet not vnlike a standing poole which continually gathereth corruption the which being corrupted or stopped speedilye destroyeth the subiect I will set downe excellent meanes to preserue both the one other in perfefection otherwise hee wil be but as a silthye vessell which is seldome clensed CHAP. 60. To refine the blood and preserue the Liuer from infection TAke a root of polipodium of the Oake made verie cleane cut it into small peeces a handfull of Liuer-wort cut in small peeces sixe pence weight of Ruebarbe cut small and euerie morning for three or foure daies in a month giue it the horse in his prouander verie earelye two or three houres before his watering and once in halfe a yeare make triall of his blood how pure it is accordinglye minister helpe if need be CHAP. 61. A most soueraigne drinke to preserue his lungs cleere the most excelling knowledge in Horseman or Farrier TAke the Tartar of white wine lees which is alwaies at the Apothecaries which is no other then the lees of white wine dried to powder one ounce and a halfe of I sop two handfuls of Coltesfoote two handfulls of Horehownd one handful of Ennula campana roots one ounce foure Licorish stickes brused Anniseed one ounce red Sugar candy foure ounces boyle them all in a quarte of ale and when it is halfe boyled put to it of Isop water twice distilled one pin̄te of Coltes foote water twice distilled one pinte boile them againe then straine it and giue it him verie warme to drinke The charge heere of is small you may make what quantity you will by doubling or trebling the simples If you haue a delicate Horse and haue cleared him dieted him as I haue prescribed then euery morning that you will hunt him or excercise him giue him fasting a pinte heereof and so continue him vntil you finde him cleane in perfect breath and then the moderate excercise of him wil be sufficient to keepe him cleane The reasons why the Horse should be thus clensed and cleared after long rest and full feeding are First the pores of all the skinne being opened the Horse will easily sweate and therebye cleere the body from the vnperfect moisture Secondly it maketh the whole body to receiue Ayre which of it selfe is naturally moiste to helpe to coole the burning violent heate of the heart and of the other members when the Horse doth labour as appeareth by the office of the lungs which as a paire of bellowes dooth continuallye drawe fresh Ayre vnto the same filling all the emptie corners with moistnes and therefore the Lungs most principally ought to be kept cleere to draw breath to coole the same and that is the reason why Horses are broken winded because the lungs are vnperfect to doe their office and likewise the reason why broken winded Horses when they are kept at drie meate doe drawe their breath much more shorter and with more violence then when they goe to Grasse because grasse is naturally colde and moist and thereby his heart being more colde the Horse draweth his breath more at length but if the Horse be cleare emptie and sound in the body then doth he alwaies draw his breath alike and so doth euery other creature also from which ground of reason three things may be collected obserued The first is that the horse head bee kept verie cleare from all obstructions the which euermore commeth by colde which greatlie hindereth drawing breath into the body Secondly that the skinne of the Horse be kept cleare and open to draw breath at the pores of the skinne into the body Thirdlye that Canales Pulmonis the pipes or Canes of the Lungs bee not opilated or stopped throgh viscous fleame or tough humors like bird-lime or with impostumation in the pipes and so become putrified euerie of which with continuance thereof will destroy the horse there is no truth more apparant then that the causes of all these inward corruptions and infirmities proceede onely from great rest full and foule feeding and the distemperatures of heate and colde that by the taking away of these causes such effects cannot follow so as you see the preseruation of health and long life is the moderate and temperate labour and exercise the spare cleane and sweete foode as hath bene formerly expressed CHAP. 62. Certaine rules to be obserued by such as shall either trauell or exercise their horses FIrst when your Horse is lustie and pleasant and cleere in bodye then is he fit for labour or any exercise but if he be
wherein heate is prdominat more then Nature requireth Secondly when the humors are distempered by heat Thirdly when the firme parts of the bodie are continually hot so that the ague cōmeth either by excessiue heting the horse therupon a sudden cold or by fulnes of bad bumors which principally grovve from full foule or rawe feeding and great rest and for that reason it taketh the horse either hot ot colde now he cannot be cured but by the contrary viz. by spare feeding cleane feeding dry feeding moderate labour to this end the cure must bee ministred But to be curious in the destinctiō hauing sufficiently expressed the same in this tractat I purpose not it is sufficient to knowe that learning and practise acknowledge a horse to haue an ague as wel as man and to keepe due houres to make him shake and tremble as a man to knowe the same also appereth by the inflamations from the heat of the stomacke which scaldeth and maketh the tongue rawe CHAP. 65. The Cure FIrst when you perceiue his deicted countenance that hee beginneth to tremble or before enforce him into a heat giue him this purging drink Take a quart of white wine put therevnto one ounce of Alloes small beaten of Agarick halfe an ounce of licorish Anniseeds half a dram a little hony warme it a little on the fire and then ride him vntil he be hot put him into a sweat then haue him into the stable let him stand on the bitt cloath him stop his breast head and bodye verie warme so as hee may moderatelye sweate let him haue plentie of litter and so let him stand fiue or sixe houres then vncloathe him and rubbe him perfectlye drye and then cloathe him againe but not so hot and when hee is colde vnbit him and wash his tongue with Allome-water vinegar and sage and giue him sweete wheat straw to eate and a gallon of olde svveete and cleane oates and at night giue him a good mashe and the next day after let him blood a quart and if his blood be very thick black darke oryellowe let him bleed two quarts afterwards keepe him warme from the Ayre for 4. or 5. dayes and giue him vvarme vvater to drinke and a little sallet oyle in it if he vvill drinke it CHAP. 66. For the same LEt him blood in the necke and temple veines and before or vvhen he beginneth to tremble take three nevv laide egges and six or seauen spoonefull of Aqua-vite breake them beat them together giue it him and ride him vntill he svveate then clothe him very vvarme and make him svveat and after he is rubbed dry and colde giue him cleane foode as aforesaide moderately let him not drinke any colde vvater but vvarme vvherein hath bene boyled mallovves sorrell and purslaine of each three or foure handfuls and keep him vvarme probatum CHAP. 67. For the same LEt him blood take of Germander foure ounces of Gum Draganet and of Deade Roses of each an ounce of Oyle Oliffe foure ounces of Hony foure ounces put them into a quart of strong Ale and giue it warme to the horse to drinke then ride him vntill hee sweate and cloath him and keepe him warme as aforesaide CHAP. 68. Ache in the head THe cause of this disease commeth eyther of colde takan after a great heate or of a rawe or vnperfect digestion of stomack proceeding principally from full and foule feeding and betwixt the stomacke and the braine is such affinitie as they doe equally communicate their damages the signes are these the hanging downe of his head his eyes will swell and runne of water and will forsake his meate CHAP. 69. The Cure LEt him blood in the pallat of his mouth and rub it with Salt to make it bleede well then take a sticke with a linnen cloath fastned at the end therof well annointed with oyle of Bay thrust it vp and dovvne his nostrils therby to open and purge his head also perfume him vvith the smoake of Garlick stalkes broken into smal peaces also aire him with the smoke of Frankinsence holding the same in a chafingdish vnder his Nostrils with a great cloath cast ouer his head and let it be done morning and euening keepe him vvith spare dyet moderate exercise the which wil clense his stomack make it so cleane emptie as his braine wil not be disquieted afterwards let him bloud giue him good mashes to drinke for two daies after and no colde water CHAP. 70 Of the sudden sicknes of a horse THe cause is for that the heart which is the chariot of his life wherein the soule of the horse liueth wanting the vse of the veines and Arteries to carrie the vitall spirit of heate to all the parts of the body to giue the horse feeling abilitie to operation by reason of some obstruction of humors or colde which for want of heate cannot be dissolued for that the nature of colde is to binde and conglutinate together and to keepe them from their natural course proceeding from some violent exercise or immoderate feeding and rest by reason whereof there is great iarre discord amongst the qualities of the elements the motion of the vitall spirit wherby the horse liueth and mooueth is imprisoned for that time and so seemeth taken as a dead horse without action The signe is the sudden deiecting of his countenance CHAP. 71. The cure LEt him blood on both sides the brest next the heart whereby the veines and Arteries being euacuated and emptied they may begin to doe that office whereunto nature hath appointed them and let him bleede the quantitie of two quarts then giue him a comfortable drinke to stirre vp the vital spirits to action viz take a quart of the best sack burne it with Graines Cloues and Sinamon and a quarter of a pound of the best Sugar and burne it well together with halfe a pinte of Sallet Oyle foure penny worth of the best Triacle then ride him verie gently vntill hee beginne to sweat and so haue him into the Stable keepe his head and heart verie warme and cloath him stuffe his body with sweet straw and keep the stable close and so let him stand 6. houres meatles but beware you cloath him not too much for the drinke vvill thoroughlye warme him and make him sweat let his drinke be warme water wherein boyle Mallowes a handfull water Cresses a handfull of fennell and parsly seed of each an ounce and twice a day morning and euening when he is most fasting ride him gently a mile or two let his meat be sweete wheat strawe olde cleane dry oates mingled with wheat and sometime with olde pease and sparingly giuen and often but not much vntill you see him waxe very hungry and let him be well rubbed and all his litter cleane and sweete CHAP. 72. Staggers THe cause of this disease is for that as I haue formerly saide the braine and the
take it away then euery day after twice or thrice in a day cast colde water vpon his cods to make him shrinke vp his stones at 3. weekes or moneths end to geld him of that stone which done let him eat little and continually drinke water but a little at a time till three weekes be ended CHAP. 125 For the Botch in the Graines of a Horse THe cure is to take of wheat flower Turpentine and Hony of each like quantity stirring it to make a stiffe plaister to lay it to the sore to break it then lance it and taint it with Turpemine and Hogs grease as before CHAP. 126 For griefe in the shoulder that hath bene long time THe cure is giue him a slit on both sides an inch vnder the shoulder bones then with a swannes quill put into the slit blowe vp first the one shoulder and then the other as big as you can possibly euen vp to the withers and with your hand strike the winde equally into euery place of the shoulders and when they be both full then beat all the windy places with a hasell wand ouer all the shoulders then with a flat slice of yron loosen the skin within from the flesh that done rowel the 2. slitts or cuts with two round rowels of leather with a hole in the middest that the mattet may issue foorth and let such rowels be three inches broad and so put in as they may lye plaine and flat within the cut Then take of pitch of rosen each apound of tar halfe a pinte boile these together and when it is somewhat coole drawe all the shoulders very thick therwith that done clap on as many flockes as wil stick of the horse coloure and euery day clense both the wounds and rowels and put them in againe continuing so 16 daies then take them out and heale vp the wounds with hogs grease turpentine molten together renuing it vntil the wounds be whole but let the flockes lie vntill they fal off and let the horse run to grasse at the least halfe a yeare CHAP. 127 Of wrinching the shoulder THis commeth by a fall sudden or short turning rashe running out of some doore or by some stripe of a horse a sudden stop or such like which being done he wil traile his leg close to himselfe as he goeth The cure is to let him blood in the breast so soone as it is perceiued or knowne the sooner the better three pintes at the least and to keep all the same blood in a pot and thereunto put a quart of strong vinegar six egs broken shelles all and so much wheat-flower as wil thickē that licour put therūto 1. pound of Bole Armony beaten into powder 2. ounces of Sanguis Draconis so as the flower may not be perceiued if it be to stiff soften it with vinegar then with your hand daube al the shoulder from the maine downward betwixt the forebowels all against the haire let not the horse remooue vntil the charge be surely fastned to the kin thē carie him into the stable suffer him not to lye all that day keeping him with a spare dyet 15. daies together at the least and let him not remooue out of his place but onely lye down all that time euerie day once refresh the shoulder pointe with this charge laying still new vpon the old at the 15. daies or 20 daies end leade him gently to see if he be amended the which if hee bee let him rest by the space of two weekes without trauel but if he bee nothing amended then rowel him with a leather rowell vpon the shoulder point and keep him rowelled the space of 15. daies renewing the rowell clensing the woūd euery other day and walke him vp and downe very gently alwaies turning him on the contrarie side if he goe wel pull out the Rowell and heale vp the wound with Turpentine Hogs grease a taint of flaxe but if the hurt were so violent that all this will not help him then draw him Chequer wise with a hot yron ouer all the shoulder point and let him go to plough euery day two houres in soft ground and where he may not be ouer-much strained if it bee possible let him be let blood so soone as hee is hurt in those plate-veines and also in the place or as nere as is possible where the hurt or blow is to the intent that no bloud congeale there or that it tarrye vntill the flesh become blacke with the bruse For the same IF the same be newly done take a Fleame pricke thorough the skin before the shoulder betweene the spade and the mary bone the length of a beane and then take a quill and put betwixt the skinne and the flesh and blowe with your mouth that the skin may arise from the flesh then thrust out the wind againe and then take a pottel of stale pisse and seeth it to a quart and then straine it and put thereunto half a pound of butter half a pound of hogs grease a handfull of Mallowes asmuch of Tansey as much of Veruain as much of red nettles as much of Southerwood as much of baume leaues bruse them seeth them in the vrine til they be soft then annoint the point of the shoulder therewith about a hand breadth euerie day being first made warme vntil he be whole but let him not stirre out of the stable or place where hee standeth till he be wel which is easily perceiued by standing as boldly on that legge as on the other without sparing or fauouring it CHAP. 128 Of splayting of the Shoulder THis commeth by some slippe whereby the shoulder parteth from the brest and so leaueth a rift or rent in the flesh and filme vnder the skinne which causeth him to traile his leg after him The cure is to put a paire of streight pasternes on his forefeete and toilet him stand still in the stable then take of Dialthea one pound of Sallet oyle a pinte of oyle de bayes halfe a pound of fresh butter halfe a pound melt them together in a pipkin annoint the greeued place therewith round about the inside of the shoulder within two or thee houres after all the shoulder will swell then with a fleame strike all the swelling places or with a sharpe hotte yron the head whereof would be an inch long to the intent the corruption may runne out and still annoint the same verie often with the saide oyntment and if it gather to a head then lance it where it is moste soft then taint it with Hogs-grease and Turpentine and a taint of flaxe CHAP. 129. Of the shoulder pight THis is whē the pitch or point of the shoulder is displaced which if it bee the point will sticke out farther then his fellowe the horse will halt right downe The cure is to make him swimme in a deepe water some xi or xii
one side of the necke and giue him a quart of new milke and halfe a handfull of the finest pouder of brimstone throughly stirred together for that will expell the mange and in all his prouender and mashes continually for 5. or 6. daies giue him brimstone and in hot graines but if he will not eat it giue it him with milke new ale or wort then the next day let him blood on the other side of the necke at each time a good quantity Within 2. daies after let him blood in the breast veines within 2. daies after in the flank veines within 2. daies after vnder the taile so as he becommeth weake therewith keepe his blood in a pale then seeth chamber-ly and bay salt together and let it be strong of the salt then take a quantity of that blood and stir them together that the same be thicke then let him be rubbed all ouer with a pease wispe then when the same is hot rub him in euery part of his body therewith and let it dry vpon him asmuch as may be and the next day more of the same vpon the olde that it may be as it were plaistred with the same the which being done in the sunne will casely be performed After the same hath rested vpon him two daies take bucke-Lye and blacke sope being very warme and wash all his body cleane then giue him a quart of sacke and halfe a pinte of the best treacle to drinke and annoint his body with this ointment in euery place Take of Lampe oyle a quart fine pouder of brimstone a pinte 2. pound of black sope a pinte of tar a pinte of barrowes grease and so much 5 foote of the chimney as wil thicken it compound them wel together annoint him all ouer with the same being very hot and so let him rest till it fall off from him then when it is all gone wash him cleane with sope suds and thoroughly dry him and then cloth him and put him into a sweat and after dry him keepe him warme and he wil be perfect and remember within one moneth after let him blood a pottell at least and it will bring him to perfection of bodie and health with cleane and sweete dyet and moderate labour if any place be raw throwe thereuppon the pouder of brimstone only and it will dry it and heale it and then giue him a purging drinke and put him to grasse so soone as you may CHAP. 160. Of the sarcyn THis vlcer is not vnknowne to any that haue enioyed Horses and yet vnknowne almost to all I meane the true cause of the disease and the cure some say it is a corruption of blood some an outward hurt as of spur galling biting of ticks hogs lice or such like some say an infirmity bred in the breast neere the heart and in the side vessels or cod neere to the stones of euill humors congealed together which after disperse themselues into the thighes and sometimes into the head and do send foorth watery humors into the nostrils and then it is called the running Farcin I haue often said if the true cause of a disease be knowne the disease it self is easely cured If any man of vnderstanding thinke that by healing the place grieued that the same is alwaies sound whole he is deceaued for many times the sudden healing or curing killeth the body or maketh that part which seemeth to be healed to become of little vse for the helpe of the body for the mange the leprosie this disease of farcin are in a Horse especially most pernicious for often times it falleth out that many Horses infected therwith though they liue and the disease seemeth to be cured yet are of small or no vse and as I haue elsewhere saide that as God created Adam Lord of all his creatures to rule gouerne preserue and haue the vse of his creatures the same right is discēded vpon vs his children so as all our gouernment ouer his creatures must be according to the nature of man gouerned prescribed by reason because all creatures are depriued of reason but only man whereby it may be probably coniectured that where man doth gouerne there and not elsewhere reason doth gouerne and then reason being the bounds and limitation of mediocrity we are to infer that mediocrity is the center of all vertue and the same ought to be vsed in all the actions of man Let vs then consider of the vse and practise of this dise ase doth not euery mans experience and his own vnderstanding being his witnes tel him that when a young or old Horse that hath long rested being taken vp from grasse that he is full and choked as it were with aboundance of humors doth he think that when trauell disperseth those humors as it wil that these humors do not fly into the ayre but remaine in the seueral parts of the body and doth he think that the greatnes of humors being an enemy to nature but that nature would expell them if she could or else keepe them from the heart the fountaine of her life and so leaue them to creepe out of the body in some of the outward parts thereof or otherwise if they cannot get out better to destroy that member then the whole body doth not the continuall increase of humors in the end by disorder become rulers predominate ouer nature so as nature is enforced by their violence to yeeld her selfe to destruction and doth not most men ride their Horses vpon a full stomack and cause nature against her will to digest the same vnnaturally whereof many vnperfect humors are bred doth not most men when their Horses stand in the stable and rest giue him continually more then he can digest which also breedeth raw supersluous humors and doth not most men feed them in the stable with new rawe and greene foode which naturally breedeth obstructions and raw filthy humors and do not most men when their Horses are in the stable suffer them to rest and feede full without moderate excercise and do not most men when they trauell their Horse being very hot suffer them to drinke their fill do not mostmen when their horses come into the Inne very hot the stomack thē being most weake suffer them then to eate before nature be able to digest How then shal I expresse the true cause of diseases when all these abuses breede infinite causes of disease without which no cure can perfectly be effected yet where man cannot truly define Reason leaueth him probaly to coniecture and therefore I coniecture the cause of this disease to growe either from aboundance of bad humors which corrupt the blood or from great distemperature of the blood by a violent heat into a sudden colde so as I haue gathered it onely to the corruption of the blood for otherwise I doe not thinke that the bite of a Horse or a lowse could so poison the whole body as to become
the Iade wanting perfection of shape his colt cannot haue perfection of action And againe I haue found that perfect Horse and perfect Mare may haue a colte that is a Iade if my former rules be not obserued And moreouer if a present good order should make a present depriuation of a corrupted nature or a present euill order bring a totall depriuation of that is naturally good then nature should be inconstant to become euill or good vppon a suddain sed nemo fit repente malus no man becommeth euill vpon a suddaine neither can nature which is perpetuall presently passe from one euill vnto another but by the meane 7. Seauenthly the Horse and Mare must be sparingly and moderately fed that they may well disgest and ouercome that they eate for although the meat in qualitie be hot and dry yet if the quantitie thereof be such as their naturall heat cannot disgest the same becommeth rawe colde and moist And also if after full feeding the Horse and Mare be trauailed it procureth vntimely disgestion the wheyish blood thereof comming to the seede vessels is ouer-rawe and falsely prouoketh before it be disgested and seasoned otherwise it increaseth perfect seede fit for generation and both hauing perfect seede one must be agent and former and the other serue for nourishment as in the forming of chickens and birds in which are two substances one of the yolke another of the white the chick being made of the yolke is maintained by the white whiles the forme indureth and which of their seedes is of the greatest efficacie of the same is the generation and whether of the seedes the generation is of that the colte retaineth the condition and qualitie but if the Horse and Mare be kept with ease and rest it engendereth coldenes and moisture and thereby quencheth the naturall heat and desire of generation and corrupteth the seede and maketh the same vnperfect CHAP. 39 Now followeth the fourth rule that is when how and where to doe the action in perfection THe time when the action is to be performed must be after the Horse and Mare haue bene dieted and are most lustie in the perfection of the bodie hauing plentie of seede well concocted fit for generation for dooth not the gardiner with the seede that he preserueth attend both the perfection of the growth of the hearb and vntill the seede be ripe and waxe dry for if they pull them from the stalke before they will neuer growe to any vse of perfection for the seede must haue time to settle concocte and ripen and be duely seasoned to become hot and dry and of sufficient substance then the time of the moone beeing obserued which is two or three daies before the full or new moone when the Mare hath greatest substance of menstruall or flegmaticke blood for composition of the colte the which the colte through his greate heat in the time of increasing and growing in the wombe will consume that is the reason why some coltes are much bigger then others Now before the time of action or begetting viz. when the horse and Mare are both lustie and proude let some little stoned Iade often wooe the Mare vntill you see her verie willing to receiue the horse so as she will seeme to burne in desire alwaies readie and yeelding to the horse as the hen to the cock but take great care that the Iade doe not leape her vnlesse hee haue such trusses that he cannot serue her and thereby you shall be assured to know her desire then let the horse that shall couer her see him busie with her which will greatlie stir his desire and natural heate and so inflame his vitall spirits as will raise greate quantitie of seede for the action both in himselfe and the Mare the action must be done in the morning earely when the stomacke hath perfectly disgested and is emptie and not vpon a full stomacke Also when the winde is in the North or west and not when the winde is in the south because all heate maketh the seede thin and the south winde is grosse and moist and that the ayre is of such force appeareth in the winter when it dooth harden water wood stones and other creatures and all heat as the Summer time witnesseth openeth dissolueth maketh the same feeble Also the horse must couer a Mare sildome otherwise hee cannot haue plentie of temperate seede therefore once in three weekes or a moneth is enough and not to spend his seed but when hee doth abound in fulnesse and perfection of seed without any respect of the time of the yeare and the place where it is to bee done would be in some house or yarde where no hurt can come vnto them or bee troubled with the sight of other horses and there let the mare be led to some slope or falling ground made of purpose where the hinder part of her body may stand highest then bring the horse in your hand at whose sight she will pisse or at the least offer to doe it which she must be suffered to do before he leape her leaste by strayning of her body after the act she loose the seede then so soone as hee commeth off from her let the keeper cast a paleful of the coldest water strongly at her shape the coldnes strength and suddennesse whereof will cause her to trusse and shrinke vp her bodie and thereby a great meanes to stay the seede and cause it to conioyne and close themselues in the matrix for the wombe dooth not presently embrace and inclose the seed but some houre after yet the wombe doth very suddenly draw together then haue the horse away and set the mare in some close place without giuing her meate for two or three houres after and no water vntill night and then not much And if you doe perceiue that the horse did closely and courageouslie serue her and she receiue it with all willingnesse then haue him from her and let them not come no more together for if the womb hath once drawne together and maketh as it were a pursse to drawe the seede vnto it it will not suffer it to get out so as if the first time of seruing take effect all the rest are in vaine doe great hurt and the first dooing is euer best and most effectuall because the seede of both parts commeth from the veine of the right side and is moste hot plentifull and aptest to conceiue consisting of greatest substance in qualitie moste hot and dry whereby it cannot bee easilie lost like that which is thin liquid and colde and if it should bee oftner admitted then the second seede proceedeth from the left side which naturally is not so hot but more liquid and moist whereby the conception is most commonly a mare foale in respect of the moistnes and coldnesse but if it happen a horse Colt yet not of that goodnesse wanting perfection of heate for heate is the cause of hardynes and courage because
sweet fresh butter then presently rub him vnder his Iawes with plenty of sweet hogs grease leaue it thicke annointed then make him this poultis Take 2. handfuls of malowes a handful of wormwood asmuch rue and asmuch smallage a quart of wheat bran and a quart of hogs grease boile them together and stir them continually in boyling vntil the hogs grease be almost consumed and being hot as may be suffered binde it vnder his iawes thropell and wrap all his head very warm leauing ayre for his mouth and nostrils then aire him againe with frankinsence keepe him warme in the stable so let him rest with that poultis 24. houres the next morning early giue him a quart of the best new ale with a spoonefull of the powder of licorish anniseeds and a good peece of butter blood warme then rub his nostrils with a clowte bound to the end of a sticke wel anointed with oile of Bay and butter then remooue the poultis and if you finde the kirnels and inflamations to be very soft lance them thorough and stop the holes full of hogs grease Turpentine boyled hot together soft towe boiled therin and then warme some of your poultis and binde to it as before but not altogether so hot and so let it remaine vntill the next day and his head kept verie warme as before If he will eat giue him cleane sweet oates steeped in new ale or malmsey if he wil eat them and wheat straw but no hay giue him no cold water for 9. daies but good mashes if he wil take them keepe him with a spare dyet euery day gently walke or ride him if he be able and then keepe him warme after it and let him sweat euery day a little if it be possible and after rub him very dry and let him not drink in his owne swet In his prouender take of the root of the white Lilly of the root of Ennula campana of the root of Polipodium of the oake very sinely cut or chopped the quantity of two spoonefuls at euery time you giue him prouender and be sure that he be hungry eager of prouender when you giue it him and so continue for 9. daies and beware you keep him very hungry and with spare diet At the 9. daies end giue him this purging drinke Take a quarte of white wine or of strong ale worte one ounce and a halfe of Alloes beaten into pouder halfe an ounce of Agaricke 2. spoonefuls of the powder of the root of Ennula campana three spoonefuls of hony brew them well together and giue it him blood warme keep him warme with in 6. daies after let him blood if it be good take but a quart but if it be very bad take two quarts at least after this vse him both in feeding and labour moderatly he wil euer after be perfect in health CHAP. 82 Mourning of the Chine THe cause heereof is greate heate and thereupon taking colde and then first it beginneth with Rewme then the Glaunders and after to this mourning of the Chine as it is vsually tearmed but more truely and essentiallye it beginneth with the Rewm which proceedeth to inflamation of the liuer or lungs by the continuall distilling vpon them then to the Glaunders which is impostumation therof and lastly to an exulceration which abruptly and vntruelye is tearmed the mourning of the Chine and yet to maintaine this borrowed and erronious tearme some writers doe affirme that it breedeth after the Reines of his necke and into his head and that it causeth the flesh along by the Chine to rot and to draw matter that it commeth through by his head along by the Chine bone and will matter out at his Nostrils How this Rewme shold rot the flesh of the Chine seemeth more then prodigious and ridiculous either in Phisicke Philosophie or practise but for as much as they can neyther define the proposition certainely neither coniecture probablye I passe it ouer as a position without reason or truth and the rather because common experience after the ripping of such diseased horses being deade sheweth euermore the exulceration corruption and consumption of the liuer or lungs And therfore there is not any thing truer then that this disease commeth of a violent heat and sudden colde which enflameth the blood so corrupteth by degrees as I haue said the substance of the liuer by which distemperature and inflamation the liuer being the fountaine of blood becommeth extraordinarily distemperated with heat by which excesse of heat cholor and colde fleame are engendred from the which all the weakenes of the liuer proceedeth and from thence obstruction and stopping whereby the grose and tough humors by the violence of heat by labor are drawne into the springs of the fountain that is to say the smal veines which cary the blood from the liuer whereby the Liuer cannot giue perfect nutriment by which obstructtion and stopping the humors being chollericke breed many hard knobs in the liuer and then the inflamation breaketh out of the veines and floweth into the bodie of the liuer and there being out of his propper vessels doth immediately puputrifie therewith corrupteth so much fleshy substance of the liuer as it is imbrued withall and so by little little perisheth the whole liuer and then the bloody matter afterwards becommeth corruption when it breaketh out it is as a filthy sore which is this vsurped mourning of the chine and in the end this filthy matter flowing abroad with his euill vapors corrupteth the heart and causeth death as you see the end of all Horses that haue this disease From whence you see that an inflamation begetteth Apostumation and appostumation exulceration then the liuer being thus corrupted there cannot be good digestion for lacke whereof the body wanting perfect nutriment doth cousume and perish CHAP. 83. The signes to know the disease 1. FIrst the continuall distilling reume in the head 2 Secondly the continuing knobs betwixt the Iawes 3 Thirdly the keeping of his haire without casting 4 Fourthly the continuall running of thicke stinking matter at the nose 5. Fiftly the fastning or growing of a knob as big as a walnut to the inside of one of the Iawes then commit his carcasse to the croes for then he is past helpe CHAP. 84. Thecure FOr the first which is the reume cure it is mentioned for the colde in the head For the second which is a congealed substance gathered into knobbes betwixt the Iawes cure the same as the glaunders For the third which is keeping still his winter coate the not casting of his haire let him blood often vntil you see that he haue pure fine blood and giue him good mashes made very strong with malt put in his prouender polipodium of the oak small cut the root of the white Lilly small cut of each a good quantity if he will eat it and shred in it also a handfull of
Liuerworte if he be a Horse of value at euery time a six penny waight of Ruebarbe and euery morning being fasting giue him a pinte of the drinke prescribed for the preseruation of his Lungs and keepe him onely with wheat straw but no hay and olde sweete and cleane oats and euery morning after he hath taken that drinke ride him gently two or three miles For the fourth which is the thicke running at the nose continually cleere his head as hath bene prescribed for the colde in the head and so in euety part as in the rest are prescribed onely adding purging drinkes viz. after all these prescribed orders giue him two seuerall mornings a pinte of white wine one ounce a halfe of Alloes halfe an ounce of Agaricke two drams of Licorish and Anniseeds and a spoonefull of pure hogs grease warmed and well dissolued together and after he hath purged the next day let him blood in both the brest veines the quantite of a quart and still keepe him with good mashes and moderate trauell when he is fasting giuing him euery morning fasting for nine dayes after a pinte of that drinke prescribed for clearing of his Lungs For the sift if you finde no amendment but a knob growne to his Iawe you may giue him a purge with pills as I haue prescribed and if that helpe him not then he is remediles without all doubt CHAP. 85 These things following are most excellent to put in Horses prouender to preserue them from these and all diseases THe powder of a Wolfes liuer The powder of Ennula Compana The powder of pollipodium of the Oake The fine cut peeces of Ruebarbe The powder of Brimstone made very fine The powder of Licorish Anniseedes Fenegreek Turmericke Bay-berries Long-pepper Agrimony Camamile wormewood Sauen Linseed Smalage Perseley Rue Isop Coltesfoote Horehownd and such like CHAP. 86. Of a broken winde THe cause of this perrilous disease hath not bene truly foreopened by any not being truely vnderstood and therefore accounted of al Horsemen vncurable And therefore as plainely as I can I purpose to vnfolde the same and I wil deuide the same into three kindes euery of which may be truely tearmed a broken winde because the breath being drawne very short and thicke contrary to originall creation the which is long colde quiet for so euery creature is by nature but when any accident of violence of the body is vsed in any creature then euery mans experience telleth him that he panteth and fetcheth breath very short and thicke and therefore with the cause thereof I will begin the which being vnderstood the effects can not be hid Now the causes why a Horse draweth his breath short may be many as sicknes great fulnes or violent excercise but the reason of the cause is for that the heart being the onely hottest part of the body from whence the Arteries and veines do carry the vitall heat into euery part of the bodie and therefore is truly said to be the chariot of life when the same by sicknes fulnes or violence of excercise is choked and as it were smothered with great heate then dooth the lights being the bellowes to draw breath according to that office that nature hath ordeined them vnto presently labour with all violence to draw breath to coole and comfort the heart and so consequently all the other members and parts of the bodie to fill all the empty corners with aire which naturally and in predominate qualitie is moist and when they haue drawn sufficient breath the drynes and heat by the moysture of the aire is quenched the which being done then dooth the creature draw breath leasurely and coldely and not before but so long as the heart is oppressed with the violent heat of sicknes or by great fulnes or violent excercise the canes pipes and passages for breath are almost stopped or choked vp then dooth the lungs labour very extreame thicke to preserue the life of the creature which is the heart and therfore it is saide to be the first thing that liueth and the last that dieth And to make the same a little plainer obserue a Horse that is broken-winded as the vsuall terme is and you shall finde that he fetcheth his breath much more shorter when he is kept in the stable onely with die meate then when he goeth to grasse and the onely reason is the coldenes of the moist food which keepeth the heart and all the bodie in coldenes because the humors that come from the digestion of grasse are colde and moist according to the naturall qualitie of grasse and rawe hearbs This rule being kept in minde it is a truth apparant that all thinges which hinder and stop the free passage of breath breaking the naturall course thereof are the onely causes of broken winde so likewise the cure of broken winde must be the remoouing of the stoppings of aire then the lungs will perfectly do their office then the creature is perfect from the disease The differences of broken windes both in cause and effect are diuers and yet may be truly tearmed broken namely shortnes of breath Pursicke and broken winde Shortnes of breath 1. And first touching shortnes of breath it may come by some grosse tough humors cleauing to the hollow places of the lungs stopping the winde-pipes so as the horse cannot easely draw his breath and the signe thereof is his coughing often dayly and vehemently without voyding at the nose or mouth 2. Secondly it may come by hasty running after drinking or vpon ful stomack or by the dissolution of some humors discending into his throate or lungs by reason of some violent heat dissoluing the same And the signes therof are continual panting sending the same foorth very hot at his nose in a squeasing manner and his flanckes wil beat so thick as he cannot fetch breath but by holding the neck right out and straight and this may truely be called broken winde although in truth no broken winde CHAP. 87. Thecure TAke a close earthen pot and put therin three pintes of strong wine vinegar and foure new laid egges with the shelles vnbroken and foure great garlicke heads cleane pilled and brused then couer the pot close and set it in some warme dunghill and there let it stand a whole night and the next morning take foorth the egges but breake them not then straine the garlicke and vinegar through a cleane cloth then put thereunto a quarter of honny halfe a quarter of sugar-candy two ounces of licorish and two ounces of Annyseedes beaten into fine pouder and then the Horse hauing fasted all night in the morning open his mouth and pull out his tongue and put one egge into his throte and then let goe his tongue so as he may swallowe it downe and then power after it a hornefull of the saide drinke being luke warme and so all the egges in that manner and all the drink being spent then bridle him and stop him
cloath him very warme and so let him stand foure houres then vnbit him and if it be in the winter giue him wheat strawe but no hay and if in sommer giue him grasse and for nine daies giue him onely mashes to drinke with some sallet oyle or hogs grease in it CHAP. 88. For the hawe in the eye THis is knowne to all Smithes and no doubt is ingendered by some grosse humor defending out of the head the cure thereof is to pul both the eye-lidds open with 2 seuerall threds stitched with a needle to either of the lidds then catch hold of the hawe with the stich of another needle and thread and pull it out so farre as you may stay it with your singer to the intent it may be cutte round the bredth of a penny and leaue the blacke behinde for by cutting away too much of the fatt and blacke of the eye the Horse many times becometh bleer-eyed and therfore you must spare the fat which is the wash of the eie and the filme wherein the eye groweth but cutt betwene the filme and the crush and then squirt in a little white wine or beere CHAP. 89. For the Lunaticke eyes FOr as much as they are so called I am content so to continue the name and it is said that the Horse becometh blind at certain times in the moone thereupon most men doe gather that his sight is good or bad according to the Naturall course of the Moone but the truth thereof is from the Naturall sight of the eye which is a blewish eie or sight and all Horses that are so sighted after extraordinary heat and trauell wil be blew and haue a filme ouergrow the sight so as he cannot see and although it be cured yet vpon like occasion will fall blinde againe which I haue often seene therfore horses that haue such blew eies are to be anoided the full experience whereof I had from that worthy Ferrar M. Iohn Orpen of Greenewich deceassed who alwaies cured the same by thrusting Tutty into their eyes with his singer but if you lay vpon the temples of his head a plaister of pitch rosen and masticke and then with a sharpe knife make two slitts on both sides of his head an inche long somewhat towards the nose a handfull beneath the eyes not touching the veine and with a cornet loose the skin vpward the breadth of a groat and thrust therein a round peece of leather as broad as a two penny peece with a hole in the middest to keepe the hole open and looke to it once a day that the matter may not be stopped but run ten or eleuen daies then heale it with Turpentine Hogs grease and waxe boyled together with flaxe dipped in it and take not away the plaisters til they fall away then burne him with a small hot drawing yron made like a starre with a hole in the middest in each temple vaine where the plaister did lie in this sort ** and if this helpe not set him to carte beware you breed no colts of Horses that are so eyed for vppon euery hard trauell he wil be blinde CHAP. 90. For the canker in the eyes THis commeth by corruption of blood by meanes whereof you shall see many red pimples both within and without the eye thorough inflamation the eye will looke red and be full of corruption The cure is to let him blood on that side the necke that you see the eye is grieued a pottle or more if you see the blood very foule and the inflamation great then take 3. pintes of faire water and of roch allome and greene copporas of each halfe a pound and of white coppor as an ounce boile them vntill halfe be consumed then once a day being made warme with a fine cloth clense the eye so as it looke rawe and thus doe euery day vntill it be whole CHAP. 91. For impostumes in the eare THis commeth by some blowe or euill humors The cure is take the pouder of Linseede and of wheat flower of each halfe a pinte of hogs grease one pound warme them in a pot on the fire vntill they be throughly encorporated by continual stirring then take a peece of white leather somewhat biger then the impostumation and spred it being very warme as farre as will couer the swelling and renue it euery day vntill it breake then lance it so as the corruption may goe dounwarde and taint it to the bottome with a full taint of slaxe well dipt in this ointment following of melrosatum of Oile olife and turpentine of each two ounces and mingle them throughly well together then make him a biggin of Canuas to close in the sore so as the taint and ointment may abide with in renewing it euery day once vntil it be whole But if the paine be in the eares without great swelling which may be only with cold then take black woole dipt in the Oyle of Camomil and thrust into his eares CHAP. 92. For the Poole euill THis cōmeth of like causes groweth as a fistula betwixt the eares or nape of the neck you shal perceiue it by the swelling if it be not broken ripen it with plasters of white hogs grease as though you would scald it therewith and make him a biggin to keep it very warme and renue the plaster twice a day very hot and the sooner it will ripen then where it is softest and where the corruption may best issue forth with a round hot yron as big as your litle finger two inches beneath the softe place thrust it vpward so as the point of the yron may come forth at the ripest place then taint it with flaxe dipt in hogs-grease and lay also a plaister of hoggs-grease vpon the same renewing it 4 or 5 da then after take half a poūd of turpentine cleane washed and dry from the water with two yolkes of egs and a litle saffrone and mingle them together then with a quil search the depth of the hole and taint it with a sponge so big as the hole to the bottome well anointed with that ointment and so thrust it with a quill into the wound to the bottom and a warme plaster of hoggs grease to couer it renevving it tvvice a day but vvhen the svvelling ceasseth vse no plaster CHAP. 93. Of the Viues THis commeth of corruption of blood the cure is draw them with a hot Iron right down in the midst from the root of the eare so far as the tip of the eare will reach being pulled downe and againe vnder the roote of the eare with a hot yron drawe two strikes on each side like a broad arrow head thus then in the middest of the first line lance them with a Lancelet or Rasor taking holde of the kirnels with a paire of pinsers but beware you touch them not with your bare finger pull them so far out with your pinsers as you may cut the kirnels out without hurting the vaine then fill
CHAP. 105. THere are many opinions how this should come to a horse and therefore I wish many meanes to be vsed before any extream meanes be vsed first therfore if the horse haue such a crick that he holdeth his necke streight and cannot haue the vse to lift the same vp and downe as is vsuall then let two men one on the each side rub his neck so long as by common intendment it is growne very hot which being done put a bit into his mouth and make triall if he will or can reine in any seemly proportion the which if he do then it is to be intended either the same came by some colde or some strain and then I would haue him let blood on both the brest vaines and all his neck throughly annointed and labored with Aquauite and Nerue oyle that it may drinke into the skin and two sheep skins wraped about his neck with the wooll next the neck to keepe it in a great heate and so to rest 24. hours if he doe not heerby amend but carrieth his head still downe feedeth slowly then make a hole in his forehead hard vnder the foretop thrust in a cornet to raise the skin from the flesh a handfull deep then take a goose feather well nointed with hoggs grease to keepe the hole open that it may run ten dayes together euery day twice let the feather be cleansed newly annointed and let his neck be stil labored with rubbing kept very warm to keepe it in a sweat and if you perceiue no amendment then draw him with a hot yron from the root of the eare on both sids of the neck through the middest of the same euen to the brest a straw deep that both ends may meet on the breast but if he carry his necke awry on one side then onely draw the contrary side with a hot yron faile not eury morning when he is fasting to ride him with a bit til he sweat the hotter he is the more pul in his reine when he cōmeth to the stable keepe him warm the he sweat after coole him moderately and rubat him throughly CHAP. 106 For the wennes or knobs in any part of the body THe cure is take of mallowes sage and red netles of each a handfull boile them in running water put therevnto butter and hony a litle quantitie and when the hearbs be soft bruse them then put thereunto of Oyle of bayes two ounces and two ounces of hoggs grease and warme them together ouer the fire which being well stirred and verie hot make a plaister as big as the wen vppon a peece of leather and so renew it by the space of eight dayes alwaies laid to so hot as may be and if it come not to a head then lance it very deepe then heale it with very cleane washed turpētine the yolk of an egge a litle saffron well wrought together with a taint of flaxe well rould therein renewing it euery day once For the same Take a pound of strong lye and sope a quarter of vitreall romane one ounce of Salarmoniacke asmuch of roch-allom and boile them together til they are thicke and vse it for an ointment For the same Take of Gipsiacum the strongest lay it on with cotton three or four times and it will take it away CHAP. 106. For the falling of the Crest THe cure is first let the crest be supported to stand vpright then on the contrary side that it falleth draw his crest the depth of a straw with a hot yron the edge of which yron wold be half an inch broad make your beginning ending somewhat beyōd the fal but the first draught must go al the way vpon the edge of the maine euen vnderneath the roots of the same bearing your hand right dounward into the neckward then answer that with another draught beneath and so far distant from the first as the fall is broad compassing al the fall and betwixt these two draughts right in the middest draw another draught then with a button of an inch about or else crossing the same with your yron burne at each end a hole or else crosse the spaces betwixt the draughts the reason is that by the pursing vp and shrinking of the skin on the contrary side the crest may stand vpright some will afterwards anoint the same with fresh butter or somthing aswage the heate but Maister Orpen of Greenwich an excellent Farear would not do any thing that might enlarge the skin and for my owne opinion I hold it best vntill 9. daies be past and then to take away the scab it will not be amisse CHAP. 107. For all manginesse THis is diuersely cured some thus Take of green copporas of allom of each a pound of white copporas a quarterne boile them together in 3. quarts of running water in a strong earthen pot vntil halfe be consumed and being made warme with a clout on a sticke rub him once a day vntil he be whole For the same LEt him blood a pottel at least then put presently vnto it a quart of bay salt labour them together and annoint al his body therwith and let it dry in Also to annoint him with the fatte of a Seale is excellent For the same TAke of fresh grease a pound of quicke siluer halfe a pound of brimstone one ounce of rape oyle halfe a pinte or else double or treble the simples as you shall haue occasion then work them so as the quicke siluer be not seene then take a woolcarde and clawe him vntill it be rawe and annoint him therewith but in this cure be sure first to let blood aboundantly and giue him in all his prouander or with hot graines or mashes plenty of the pouder of brimstone to driue it out of the body when you think it dead take a pound of black sope and strong bucke lye and wash body main taile all ouer if he be cleane from all medicine and a bout 5. or 6. daies after purge him with Pilles as hath bene prescribed and then within 5. or 6. daies after swim him in a riuer and rub him and cleare him of all medicine and cloath him very warme and if you do first purge him and then let blood after minister salues it is the better CHAP. 108 For swelling in the withers or backe THe cure is presently to lay a good quantity of Horse-dung new made vpon it and if it be new done it will aswage it If not then pricke it with a fleame or fine pen-knife through the skin to make the blood issue out then take of mallowes smallage 3. or 4. handfulls boyle them till they be pap straine them and bruse the hearbs in a wodden dish and put thereunto a little hogs grease or sallet oyle sheepes suet or other fresh grease boile them together not frying them hard and then with a cloth binde it warme to the swelling renewing it euery day
vntill it be gone For the same SOme will shaue the haire from the place lay wheat flower and the white of an egge beaten together vpon a plaister not remooue it for 2. or 3. daies that wil bring it to a head then in the lowest part where the corruption is pierce it vpward with a sharp yron somwhat hot annoint it euery day with hogs grease after wash the place with water salt and throwe some dry thing vpon it CHAP. 109. For inflamations or cankers in the withers IF the inflamation be great draw round about the swelling with a hot yron and crosse it then take a roūd hot yron sharp pointed thrust it vpward in the swelling place towards the point of the withers that the matter may issue downewards then taint it with hogs grease and annoint all the swelling continuing so to do til it be asswagde renuing the taint euery day vntil the fiery matter be fallen away then taint it with turpentine the yolkes of egges and saffron mingled together as aforesaide renuing the taint euery day till it be whole But if the swelling goe not away then be sure the same is greatly inflamde and growne to impostumation then launce it and let out the corruption then take halfe a pinte of hony of verdigrease two ounces beat to pouder mingle it with the hony and boyle them in a pot till it looke red and being warme make a taint or plaister as the same shall require renuing it euery day till it be whole but to keep it from danger the surer way is to thrust the hole full of this last salue and to thrust after it a peece of spunge to keepe the hole open and to draw foorth the venom therof and so to vse it till it be whole some would haue you alwayes thoroughly wash the hole with olde chamberly bay salt that hath bin wel boiled together before you taint it and no doubt it is very good but if the same be very vlcerous and corrupt then take lie hony roche allome mercury seeth them together scoure the same therewith to the bottome CHAP. 110. For the Nauellgall THe cures heereof are diuers and so they ought to be for medecine is to be ministred according to the hurt of more or lesse If it be but galled take soote of a chimney and yest mixed together and plaister it once or twice a day For the same if it be a sore TAke a pottle of veriuce three penny worth of greene Copporas boile it to the one halfe and wash the sore therewith then fill the sorewith red lead and let it not be dressed of 3. dayes and then dresse him as you see cause For the same IF the Horse backe be sore hurt so that it swell and is impostumed then lance it on the nethermoste part of the vlcer so that the matter may haue issue downeward for if you should lance it aloft then the corruption that remaineth will fisttulate if you finde the concauity deep then make a taint of flaxe and dip it in this salue Take of decres suet of waxe of Tar and of Turpentine of each three ounces one ounce of Rozen mingle them altogether and taint the wound and if you see any dead flesh grow in it then sprincle the pouder of verdigrease vpon it and then lay vpon the head of the taint a plaister of the yolk of an egge hony and wheat flower and thus dresse it euening and morning For the same IF it be enflamed cut it round about with a sharpe knife euen to the bone leauing no rotten flesh behinde then take the white of an egge and salte beaten together and lay it vpon Tow plaister-wise renewing it so for two daies together then take a quarter of a pinte of hony and one ounce of verdigrease beaten into pouder and boyle them together stirring them till it looke red and being warm make a plaister thereof with Tow and wash the same with vinegar or white wine and lay that plaister on it and when it beginneth to heale scatter the pouder of burnt Oyster shelles on it or els the pouder of hony and slict lime being made into a cake and baked to dry it vp CHAP. 111. For the sweying of the backe THis hurt commeth by some streine The cure is that so soone as he beginneth to complain which is by reeling or rolling in the hinder partes which is easely discerned then take a sheeps skin as hot as it can be taken from the sheepe and clap the fleshy side thereof along his backe presently put many clothes vpon it to keepe his back as warme as may be and so let it continue till it begin to smell then prepare another in like manner and take away the olde and so continue him for 21. daies at least and let him not be trauelled but still rest And if this helpe him not then draw his backe with a hot yron right out on both sides of the edge of his backe from the pitch of the buttocke vnto a handfull within the saddle then ouerthwart and let not the strikes be deep but so burned as they may looke yellowe then presently lay on it this charge of pitch a pound of rosen half a pound of bole armony halfe a pound made in pouder halfe a pinte of tarre and boile them together in a pot vntill they be throughly mingled then being luke warme daub it very thicke vpon the burning and clap on as many flocks of the Horse colour as you can make to abide and let them remaine till they fall off CHAP. 112. For the hide hound THe cause heereof is a sudden colde after great heat when the pores are open the colde entreth and maketh an attraction of the sinewes soas the Horse seemeth to goe or trauell with great griefe his skin being as if it were starched being shrunk and clung to his ribs The cure is to let him blood in both the slanke veines being next the girding place and the flankes Then take a quart of good white wine and put thereunto three ounces of sallet oyle of commin one ounce of anniseedes two ounces of licorish two ounces beaten into pouder and giue it him warme then let him be throughly rubbed from the huckle bone alongst the backe and ouer the ribbes halfe an houre together then couer all his backe with a sacke thoroughly soked in a tub of water and the water wrung out of it and vpon that cast many cloathes and gird them fast vnto him to bring him vnto a swet which is the onely and chiefe thing to recouer him and keepe him with good mashes and euery day let him be so vsed for seauen or eight dayes together giue him much sodden barly and beanes for his dyet and greene malte on the floore and after the 8. daies end let him blood in the two brest veines about a pinte then give him a pinte of sacke a quarter of a pinte
of sallet oyle foure penny worth of the best triacle and ride him vntill he sweat then presently set him in a warme stable and clothe him very warme and at night giue him a good mash of malte with the pouder of brimstone to the quantity of two spoonefuls CHAP. 113. For Surfeting with Prouender VVHen a Horse hath eaten more then the stomacke can well digest he is in such paine as he is not able to stand but lyeth and walloweth as if he had the bots the danger whereof I haue formerly written The cure is to let him blood and to draw his yard and wash it to put a peece of a cloue of garlicke into it to make him pisse also to rake him behinde and to giue him a glister with the water of sodden mallowes fresh butter and sallet oile keepe him warme and let him eat very little for 4 or 5. daies after CHAP. 114. For the surfetting called the foundring in the bodie THe cause of this disease is ouermuch eating after labour whiles the Horse is hot whereby his meat not being digested breedeth euill humours which by little and little do spred through all the parts of his body and at length oppresse the whole body and do so take away his strength that he hath not power to goe or mooue his ioynts and being laid is not able to rise whereby he wanteth the vse of pissing as also of dunging for nature being ouercome then doth the humor rule the body to the vtter destruction thereof In likâ— maner it is when the Horse beeing over hotte with trauell drinketh so much as the colde thereof suppreseth his naturall heate The cause is that the evil humors being predominate according to their nature being heauy moist immediatly resort down to the horse legs and feet and there rest whereof there must be some dissolution which if it be not preuented make great gourdy lims as the paines cratches spauins winde-galls casting of the houes such like all which seeme more then wonderful to the ignorant because ignorance is the mother of wonder The cure hereof must be according to the effects that are wrought in the horse as if it be espied when the haier beginneth to stare that he be chil and shrug for cold forsake his meat hang downe this head quiuer after cold water and after two or three dayes begin tocough then it is a signe that his surfet is not great and then he may be cured thus couer his belly with the glister last mentioned and giue him this drinke take of malmesy a puart of sugar half â—â—atterne of houy half a quartern of sinamon half an ounce of licoris and Anisseeds of each two spoonfull beaten into fine pouder put it into the Malmsie giue it him blood warme keep him warme with warme water 4. or 5. dayes after let him blood CHAP. 115. For the yellowes THe cause herof is also the aboundance of bad humors the cure is plaine let him blood if you see it yellow a pottle then cure him by giuing a quart of white wine of saffron and turmerick of each halfe an ounce and the Iuice that is wrong out of 2. handful of Selondine being blood warm giue it him and keep him warme and with good mashes wherein put two sponfull of the powder of Brimston some will giue in this drinke the greene order of geese strained I could now intreat of the dropsie in a Horse but if you obserue those fewe rules I haue set downe in the beginning of the title of cures you will be free almost from all diseases CHAP. 116. For the Colick The cause of this disease is 2. fold either it commeth through aboundance of humors or with wind and herein the owner or or keper may giue good direction for if he knew the Horse to be cleane within and orderly dieted then it will be probaly coniectured it is the wind and although it be winde yet I iudge the origenal to beobstruction of humor which will not suffer the vvind to haue his free passage vvhich othervvise nature vvould expell as his enimie The cures may be diuers because it is a disease that few Farriers vnderstand I wil set downe seueral cures because if one thing cannot be spedily procured another may First it may be an obstruction for that the horse hath the stone cannot stale first take a quart of white wine halfe a pinte of burre seed beaten smal 2 ounces of parslyseed of smalage Saxafrage the roots of philupendula Grommell seed broom seed of each 2. ounces beaten to fine pouder a good handfull of water-cresses and lay them in steep all night and in the morning strain them cleane and put to it a litle black sope and a litle butter and ride him till he begin to sweat then set him in your stable with a great quantitie of sweet litter vnder him and cloath him warme and so let him stand meatles seuen or eight houres then giue him dryed oates vvarm vvater vvith a quantitie of sallet oyle to drinke and before he haue this drinke let him fast all night If he be a Horse there is nothing better for him then to couer a Mare For the same if you think it to come of winde THis commeth vvhen a horse is ridden hot and set vp cold he vvill pine avvay and forsake his meate keep him emptie all night in the morning take a quart of vvhite vvine four ounces of Fenegreck 7 ounces of baies as much corne pepper an ouÌ„ce of Graines an ounce of Ginger 2. handfuls of vvater cresses a handful of sage a pound of SeÌ„green and wring out the iuce another of mints stamp them put them into the wine let them stand on the fire till it boyle then straine it out and giue it him blood warme with a litle hony For the same TAke a quart of Malmsie of cloues pepper SinamoÌ„ of each half an ounce of suger half a quarter and giue it the horse luke warme and labour him vpon it one houre that he dung and stale and keep him with warme water But if he be a stond horse there is not any better thing then that he hauè his ful desirewith a mare if he cannot pisse or be troubled with the Collick it helpeth many sicknesses and strengtheneth Nature For the same TAke a pint of white wine and stamp to powder three of foure Cantharides they are a kinde of flyes which you shall haue at the Apothecaries when your horse is very empty giue them vnto him being very well wrought and brued into the white wine luke warme vnderstand I pray you that these flyes are a verye corosiue and eating through as poyson and they will not be stopped by any humor with twice giuing it would cure any cholick that had not bin very old After these many medicines for a cholick to refresh your conceits I will set downe two other cures which I finde in some Writers leaue
you to take so long time as you think fit to credit them The first is if the Horse haue a chollick if he looke vpon a Duck or any water foule it wil cure him the second is if a maid strike him on the face with her girdle he is presently remedied CHAP. 117. For Costiuenes or belly bound TAke of the decoction of mallows a quart put toit halfe a pint of oyle or somuch butter an ounce of Benidicte luxature powre into his fundament with a litle horne and hold his taile close to his fundament whiles another doth lead him so keep it as long as you can and after keepe him warme and giue him warme water to drinke For the Laxe CHAP. 118. TAke of Beane flower Bole armony of each a quarterne mingled in a quart of red wine giue it him luke warme and after drinke warme water with beane flower but if that will not stay him then giue him halfe a penny worth of Allom beaten into pouder Bole Armony beaten small in a quart of milke stirring them til the milke be all of a curd and this will stop him For the Wormes CHAP. 119 THey are ingendred of raw euill humors there are 3. kindes of them the worme the bot the truncheon The Horse wil lye downe and wallowe which is when they feede on him his breath will stincke and his mouth clāmy The cure giue him a quart of new milke and halfe a pinte of hony in it blood warme this will make them rest from gnawing of him because they wilsuck therof vntil they be ready to burst then the next day giue him this drinke following The cures that are pretended are diuers first take a quart of wort or ale of the strongest then take a quarter of a pound of ferne half a pound of Sauin halfe a pound of stone crop stamp them and put them together with two spoonefulls of brimstone and asmuch chimney soote beaten to pouder and let them lye in steepe two houres then straine them and giue the Horse a little warme then bridle him and let him stand 6. houres after without meat and there is no doubt but the Horse wil be at quiet for the strength thereof is such to staine the mawe as the bot will not meddle but fly from it but it doth not kil them And so is it of all other medicines for the same whereof are infinite Now if I may perswade you or rather Mai. Iohn Orpen that worthy Farrier deceased after these former drinkes giuen the third day make him purging pils as hath bene before viz. Take of lard a pound laid in water two houres then take nothing but the cleane fat thereof stamp it in a morter thereunto put of Licoris of Anniseedes of Fenegreeke of each beaten into pouder 3. ounces of Alloes in pouder 2. ounces and of Agaricke one ounce knead them in paste and make 6. balles therof then hauing fasted ouer night giue him the next morning 3. of these pilles nointed with hony when you haue opened his mouth catch hold of his tongue holde it fast til you haue hurld in one and thrust it downe his throate with a rowling pin and then let his tongue goe till he hath swallowed it down and so do with the rest and keepe him close from all ayre and at night giue him a good strong mash warme water 3. daies after my reasō is for that these balles wil now purge out of his body all the bots and wormes and al the humors that bred cherished them so as your Horse wil be perfectly cleane And you shall finde most of the bots aliue when they are purged for you cannot kil them with medicine but only make them forbeare vexing of him so long as his mawe resteth so bitter stinched as they dare not feed on it but vpon other humors whereby moste men thinke they haue cured their Horse perfect and the like reason is for chickins gut and such like which being a pleasanter foode then the horse mwe leaue him aprest to feede on them but doe not cure him for in reason it cannot kill them nor auoide them and therefore the botts remaine stil in the body CHAP. 120. For the Colt euill THe eure is to wash the sheath cleane with luke-warme Vinegar draw out his yarde and wash it also then ride him in some running streame vp to the belly to allaye the heat and thus doe lustily a quarter of an houre and so euerie day after for three or foure daies CHAP. 121. For mattering of the yard TAke a pinte of white wine boile therin a quarter of Roche Allum and with a Squirt thrust vp verie farre into his yarde squirt the same three or foure times to pierce and clense the bottome from the filth and thus continue vntill he bee whole CHAP. 122. For the Foalling of the yard THe cure is to wash the same with warme white wine and annoint it with oyle of Roses and hony mingled together then put it vp and with a codpeece or trusse keepe it still vp and dresse him euerie day once till he be whole CHAP. 123. For the swelling of the Cod or stones THe cure is to let him blood on both sides in the flanke veines then take of Oyle of Roses and Vinegar of each a pinte halfe a quartern of Bole Armony beaten into pouder mingle them together and being luke warme annoint the Cod therewith with two or three feathers and the next day ride him into the water and giue him 2. or three turnes then bring him to the stable and when hee is dry annoint them againe and so continue till he be whole but if the cods doe swell by meanes of anye hurt then couer the cods with a charge of Bole Armony and Vinegar wrought together renewing till the swelling goe away and if it breake taint it with Melrosatum and make him a breech renewing it til it be whole CHAP. 124 For incording or Bursting THis is when the rimme that incloseth the guts is broken so that they fal into the Cod of the horse which is apparant to sight or feeling the cure is to put 4 pasternes on his feet as the horse-gelders vse then bathe his stones with warme water and butter then raise them vp from the bodye with both your hāds being closed by the fingers fast together and so holding the stones in your hands worke downe the gut into the body of the Horse by striking it downeward with your thumbes one after another vntill that side of the stone be so small as the other then hauing returned the gut into his place take a woollen list of two fingers broad thoroughly annointed with fresh butter and tie his stones both together or so nigh his body as maybe not ouer hard but that you may put your finger betwixt that done in all quietnes take the Horse away and let him not be stirred 3. weekes after but the next day vnloosen the list
remooued by two daies together but let the soles of his feete be clensed and stopped euery day once the Cronets but euerie two daies not walked for loosing his hoses but when he amendeth walk him vpon some soft ground faire softly but if it break out aboue the hoofe then take all the fore-partes of the sole cleane away leauing the heeles whole then stop him and also dresse him about the Cronet as aforesaid if this greefe be espyed in time it is iustly cured CHAP. 132 Of the Splint THis soarance is known to al men the cure is wash it with warme water shaue off the haire lightly scarifie all the sore place with the point of a rasor so as the blood may issue forth then take of Cantharides halfe a spoonefull and of Enforbium as much beaten into fine powder mingle them together with a spoonful of Oyle Debay and then melt them in a little pan stirring them wel together so as they may boyle ouer and beeing so boyling hot take two or three feathers and annoint all the sore places there with and let not the Horse remooue from the place for two houres after After carrye him away and tye him so as hee cannot touch the medicine with his lippes and also stand without litter al that day and night and within two or three daies after annoynt the sore with butter for nine daies after For the same TAke vp the contrarie legge and gently beate the splint with a small roaling pin of hasel vntill it begin to be soft then with a Fleame strike it in seuerall places that the blood issue foorth then take the sharpestred Onyon and cut off the head therof and in the middle thereof put a peece of Verdegrease as big as your thumbes end and then lay the toppe or head of the Onyon vpon it and wrappe it in browne paper and couer it in the Embers vntill it bee thorowly boiled soft as pap then open it and beeing verie hot lay it to the splint and binde it fast with cloathes hard to the splint and so let it continue vntill it fall away and the splint will neuer grow more For the same TAke an Onyon and pick out the Core and put therein a spoonefull of Vnslict lime and foure penny weight of Verdegrece halfe a pound of Launder seede and roste the Onyon vntill it bee soft and then cut the skinne a little that the medicine may enter to fret the maladye out and let the hayre remaine and let the medicine lye to it three daies CHAP. 133. For the Malender THis is a scâ—b growing in the forme of lines or strecks ouerthwart the bent of the knee in the knee in the inside of the legge The cure is wash it with warme water and shaue the scab cleane away then take a spoonefull of Sope asmuch Lime and make it like paste and spred as much on a clout as will couer the sore binde it fast renewing it euerye day for three daies together then annoynt the same with oile of Roses to cause the crust to fal away and then wash it with Vrine strew on the powder of Oyster-shels For the same TAke a Barreld Herring with a soft roe and two spoonefuls of blacke Sope and halfe an ounce of Allum and bruse them together and lay to the sore three daies CHAP. 134. For an vpper Taint or ouer reach vpon the backe sinewe of the shanke somewhat aboue the ioynt THis is a swelling of the maister sinew which commeth for that the horse doth ouer-reach strike that sinew with the toe of his hinder foot the place will swell and the Horse hault The cure is to wash the place with warme water and shaue off the haire so farre as the swelling goeth and scarifie euery part of the sore lightly with a Rasor that the blood may issue forth then take of Cantharides and Euforbium halfe an ounce mingle them together with halfe a quarterne of Sope and with a slice spred some of this oyntment ouer all the fore and let him rest for one houre after and let him stand without litter and the next day dresse him so againe and the third day annoynt the sore with butter nine daies after then take 3 handfull of mallowes a handfull of Sage and a Rose cake and boyle them in water when they be soft put halfe a pound of butter and halfe a pinte of sallet oyle to the water being warm wash the place foure or fiue daies together therewith CHAP. 135. Of the nether ioynt THis is a blader ful of Ielly like to a wind-gall not apparant but by feeling growing in the middest of the pastern aboue the frush it commeth by some streine wrinch or ouerreach the nether ioint toward the fetter locke will bee hot and somewhat swollen The cure is tye him aboue the ioynt with a list somewhat hard and that wil cause the bladder to appeare to the eye then lance it thrust out the Ielly then take the white of an egge and Salt beaten together with a little towe and binde vnto it renuing it once a day for fiue or sixe daies CHAP. 136. Of an ouer-reach on the heele TAke the white of an Egge and Bole Armonye mingled together with a little flaxe and renewe it for foure or fiue daies CHAP. 137 Of the Serew or Serow THis is like a splint in manner of a gristle as great as an Almond it groweth on the fore-leg sometime on the outside sometime on the inside in the middle of the leg The cure take an Onyon and picke out the core put therein a spoonefull of Honnye a quarterne of a pound of Vnslickt-lime and three penny worth of Verdegrease and roste the Onyon and bruse it and lay it to hot hauing first cut the skinne CHAP. 138. Of a false quarter THis is a rifte moste commonly in the inside of the hoofe it commeth by euill paring the hoofe the Horse will halt the rift wil bleed the cure is cut so much away on that side of the shoe where the greefe is so as the rift may be vncouered then open the rift with a drawer fill it with a role of towe dipt in Turpentine waxe and Sheepe Suet molten together renewing it euerie day til it bee whole When the rift is closed drawe him betwixt the hayre and the hoofe with a hot yron ouerthwart the place whereby the hoofe will shoote all downeward and ride him with an other shoe till hee be throughly whole CHAP. 139 Of a Horse that is Hipped THe Horse that is hipt is when his hip Bone is remooued out of his right place and commeth by stripe stretch slipping slyding or falling he will go sideling and the lower hippe will fall lower then the other the cure is speedilye to take of Oyle debay of Dialthea of Neruall of Swines grease of each halfe a pouÌ„d melt them all together stirring them continually vntill they be throughly mingled
deepe chest and body with vpright pasternes and narrowe hoofe to giue testimony of his great strength and abilitie of body to indure and continue long great trauel And euery vntrue vnperfect shaped horse hauing in euerye part the contrary shape viz. A narrow fore-head litle eyes fleshy head thick fleshy Iawes short neck set on like a Hog or Goate a narrow shallow brest body weak bending pasterns fleshye broad club-footed is a moste vile royle and a Iade in all and euerie his actions so as all the Artistes and moste excellent horsemen in the vniuersall world can neuer endowe him with the least perfection of action continuāce therin wherby you may as truely infalliblie iudge the difference betwixt good bad as the difference betwixt fire water as also the perfection imper fectiō of the cōposition temperature of his elemēts in the time of his creation for whē you see a horse or colt that is naturaly lean dry wil hardly be made fat continne fat yet digesteth speedily of a slener substance of bodye short hayred and the same hard and full of stirring it is plaine that he was composed of the predominate humor of red choler and that the blood wherof the seede was made was of a darke and thicke spirit and had much of the Gall for if the blood had bene perfect it would haue bene hot and moist of an oilie substance for want of which radical moisture he doth too speedily disgest neuer fat of slender substance his hayre short dry and hard for want of that moisture to passe thorough the pores of the skin to make the same soft of length and substance and that hayre if it bee eaten will neuer bee digested by reason of his drynes when as his bones being eaten will be digested besides he cannot be long liued wanting sufficient radicall humors to feede his great heat for the lack whereof hee is like to a lamp that hath a great flame little oyle therfore speedily consuming the Oyle it extinguisheth his owne light and this horse is tearmed cholericke and his shape must of necessitie bee defectiue in substance because largenes and great proportion of shape proceedeth principally from moisture so as wanting substance and fulnes of proportion as I haue formerlye saide he cannot be of continuance but quickly spent like vnto small dry wood which speedily flameth and therefore is speedily consumed soone hot soone colde a great bragger but no performer a fiery looke and countenance in whome at the first entring into action there is no temperance seeming rather to flye then to be content to stand quiet and yet the trauell of a few myles through his violent heate and drynesse speedily spendeth his vital spirit so that his hart which is the chariot of his life and the fountaine of those vitall spirits and the hottest of all other his spirituall members for want of sufficient radical oyled moisture to coole the same is so smothered and choaked that of necessitie it yeeldeth Againe when you see a horse that is long large loose and weake ioynted hollowe eyed not well compacted although by hye and proud keeping he may make shew of spirit and vigor yet not withstanding assuer your selfe that he is cōpounded of the element of Water which is altogether flegmaticke which in predominate qualitie is heauie moiste and colde and therefore a lubber and a Iade beeing weake and loose in all the parts of his body by reason he wanteth the chiefe element of Fyer which is hot dry to exhaust and drie vp his predominate quality of moisture to purge and refine the moisture to become full of vigor spirit and courage to the performance of his actions Also when you see a horse that hath a great fleshy head thick boned and fleshie iawes a great fleshy vpright ioynt a great thicke short necke and a full proportioned body whereby hee seemeth a puissant strong horse assure your selfe the chiefe and predominate Element in his composition was of the earth which is melancholly or black choler which in qualitie is colde and drie and of the element of Water which is heauy and moist so as by the moisture of water which is fleame it groweth great so by the cold nes and drynes of the earth which is melancholly hee is framed a great heauie lumpe or masse without true proportion of shape and his actions in qualitie are heauie sad and fearefull and vnapt for action other then as a great topp which neuer goeth well but by strong lashing neither can he bee of other qualitie then according to the qualitie of the Elements wherof he is composed wanting the two most excellent elements which are Fyer and Ayre that is heate and oylie moisture to raise his spirit to the liuely and couragious performance of his actions so as after hee hath come to bee ten yeares olde hee will exceede in stumbling and falling flat downe neither can bee of long life wanting a iust and true proportion of temperature of the foure elements neither can the best keeping in the world or the moste skilfull horseman of the world bring him to performe any action contrarie to his nature according whereunto euerie creature worketh the which nature is no other then the temperature of the Elements when hee was composed and framed in the wombe according whereunto his shape was framed which beeing naturall will bee perpetuall and vnchangeable in him vnto his death And therefore there is not any truth can bee more apparant then that a iust and true proportion of the temperature of the Elements maketh a Horse of perfect shape and excellent qualitie and hauing largely shewed you his vertues I speake not for them if your sight cannot commaund affection let them loose it they shall please much better after you haue troubled your eyes with the view of the iades deformities and then how much more they please so much more odious and like themselues shall the Iades deformities appeare for this true light contraries giue each to the other that in the midst of their enmitie the one maketh the other seeme more good or euill Now it resteth to consider how possible it can bee that a Colte can be compounded of a true proportion of temperature if you suffer Horse and Mare goe to grasse when they beget and were all learning and reason banished from this my assertion the onely infinite number of iades being a thousand to one of good Horses would condemne the generall practise of all Nations and their errors heerein not to be defended But if you obserue the naturall quality of euery Element if the instinct of originall nature be not annihilated you will reforme your iudgement and consequently your practise in breeding for the nature of the Element of fire whereunto the humour of perfect blood is likened dooth seuer the pure from the vnpure rust and drosse from the Iron the copper and vnperfect mettel from
the gold the siluer from the impuritie of the Alleye or Ore the masâ—e and vnpurified substance of fleshe from the bones the grossenes of the bones into the purity of bones and it openeth and disperseth the massie and vnproportionate substance into a pure and fine substance of flesh and the reason why the blood of the Mare is more waterishe raw grosser and vnperfecter then the blood of the Horse is for that she wanteth that sufficiencie of heate which the Horse hath to refine and perfect the same and the fountaine of blood both in Horse and Mare would be plentifull and pure because their seede is first taken from the same as I haue formerly shewed and the fountaine of blood is the liuer from which the veines doe disperse and conuey the same to the whole bodie and the liuer is called Epar from the worde Pyr which signifieth fire now if the liuer should be colde or a fountaine of vnperfect blood then no doubt but the colte wil be vnpersect and the reason is apparant for that the element of fire in the blood dooth purifie all the substance whereof the Colte is framed in the wombe and the vitall spirit of the sensible soule of the Horse and Mare if the elements in them be not in perfection of temperature can not endure Againe the element of the ayre being a light and pure element hotte and moyste dooth most naturallye feede preserue maintaine and cherish the Element of fire euen as pure oyle dooth the light of the lampe and maketh the mixte bodies of fleame choler and melancholy light to the inteÌ„t they may be neither too grosse nor too heauy Againe the element of water being heauy colde and moiste according to his nature doth greatly enlarge both bones flesh and sinewes and according to the nature of moisture doth temper the feruent heate of fire and keepe that together which the heate would disperse Againe the element of the earth being cold and dry but principally dry doth harden the bodie to retaine his shape which the aire water would make fluxible the which elements in the foure humors of blood fleame choler and melancholly whereof euery colte is framed there ought to be a iust proportion of temperature otherwise it is vnpossible to haue a beautifull and perfect shape or excellent qualitie or action from whence there followeth the truth of my assertions That if the aliment or foode although the Horse and Mare be of perfect shape whereof the Horse and Mare doe feede be not in naturall qualitie such as the humors that proceede from the same may be fit for the true proportion of temperature in the seede and euery way ordered as I haue prescribed when the colte is to be begotten and after there is not neither can be assurance of perfect races and consequently of perfect Horses whatsoeuer M. Pero Lopez or any other shall affirme to the contrary notwithstanding his lunary or lunaticke obseruations CHAP. 44. The answere to the examples NOw to answere the examples the first whereof is that all liuing creatures in those three moneths of March April May do beget and bring forth I answere briefely that if the example be vnderstood it doth not condemne my proposition for if it were granted that all liuing creatures do in those 3. moneths only beget bring forth which were moste vntrue to grant-the word all cannot haue an absolute reference to the whole species and kinde of all creatures without exception so as no creature hath doth or shall beget or bring foorth but onely in those 3. moneths but it is true that there are some of all creatures that do then commonly beget and bring forth and some there be of all creatures that neither then nor in any time of their liues beget and bring foorth thorough the imperfection of some naturall cause neither is it an infallible propositioÌ„ to say that because they do beget bring foorth in those three moneths therefore all other moneths of the yeare are vnmeete and exempted to beget and bring foorth for if you consider the originall cause from God when he saide increase and multiply the same was not particularly limited to any day moneth or yeare for the examples are manifest that there are some of al creatures which doe beget and bring forth in all moneths of the yeare and the reason wherfore in these three monethes these actions are most vsuall is for that the sun hauing long absented himselfe so as the cold and stormy winter weather hath greatly weakened and impaired the naturall strength and state of the bodie especially of the sauadge and wilde which want fulnes of foode to increase and mainetaine the same and for that cause doe abstaine from generation vntil the sun giue more heat to comfort their bodies with increase of foode the which is to be seene in the seuerall kinde of all creatures as in conies pigeons and other domesticall creatures which doe beget and bring foorth in all times of the yeare and to say that those three months are onely fit because blood is then predominate is also against the opinion of the learned who affirme the blood to increase from the eight of Februarie vnto the seauenth of May and that red choler increaseth from the seauenth of May vnto the seauenth of August and that blacke choler which is melancholly beginneth to increase from the seauenth of August vnto the seauenth of Nouember and that fleame beginneth to increase from the seauenth of Nouember vnto the seauenth of February and yet not any of them can be saide to haue dominion onely in those times for that were to allow the discordand predominate qualitie of the elements which is the onely cause of sickenesse and the continuance thereof death CHAP. 45. The answere to the second example from the earth THe apparancy of that reasoÌ„ is also taken from the force of the naturall heate of the sunne wherewith all trees grasse plants the vegetatiue soule or the naturall life and vertue thereof hauing ben imprisoned in the colde time of winter in the rootes lying in the bowels of the earth to shroude and preserue themselues from destruction the sunne drawing neere vnto them the same being the preseruation of their liues do then begin to shew their life in the greatest glory but the same is not to be attributed to the saide moneths if the sunne did not at that time extend his naturall heat more and otherwise in the other Monethes as the diuersitie of colde and hot countries do manifest and therefore I will proceed to the reasons of the practise of these moneths The reason of the common practise of all nations is for that a mare goeth with foale twelue moneths and ten daies or there abouts and therefore the moste breeders would not haue the mare go to horse before those moneths of March Aprill or May because her foaling time should be neere the spring of grasse the which opinion and practise I thinke fit likewise