winds from blowing upon his Navy so as they could not stir out of harbour hereupon they went to the Oracle where answer was given that the goddess was to be pacified with some one of Agamemnons blood therefore Vlysses was sent away to fetch Iphigenia the daughter of Agamemnon from her mother Clitemnestra under pretence to be marryed to Achilles but when she was ready to be sacrificed the goddess took pity on her and accepted a Bull in her stead which ought not to be thought incredible seeing that in holy Scripture a Ram was substituted in the place of Isaac They were wont also to sacrifice a Bull to Neptune and to all the Rivers because of that affinity which they held a Bull hath with all waters and to Apollo according to this Virgilian verse Taurum Neptuno Taurum tibi pulcher Apollo But unto Jupiter it was unaccustomed to be offered perhaps because he had often shewed himself in that likeness to ravish and deflour women There be certain Proverbs of a Bull which are not altogether impertinent in this place First it is commonly said that he may bear a Bull that hath born a Calf whereby is meant that he may be more subject to filthiness in age which was so in youth Quartilla was a woman of most vile reputation for uncleanness because she said that when she was little she lay with little ones like her self and when she grew bigger she applyed her self to the pleasure of elder men growing in filthiness as she had increased in years Likewise they were wont to say of an absurd or impossible thing that if a Bull could reach his head over Taygetus he might drink of the river Eurota and the beginning of this proverb was taken of an Apothegme of Geradas when his Hoast upon a time did ask him what punishment the Lacedemonians had appointed for adulterers he answered there was no adulterers in Lacedemon and therefore the punishment and question were frivolous His Hoast replyed But if there should be an adulterer there what punishment would they appoint for him Marry said Geradas he should pay such a Bull as would reach over Taygetus to drink of the water Eurota whereat the host laughed demanding where such a Bull could be found then said Geradas and where can you finde an adulterer in Lacedemon so putting off one absurdity with another And thus much of the natures and properties of a Bull in general In the next place before this beast be turned into the Woods we will describe his medicinal vertues and so let him loose The powder of a Bulls horn drunk in water stayeth a flux of blood and the loosness of the belly Sextus and Esculapius say that if a Bulls horn be burned in a place where Serpents abide it driveth them away The blood of Bulls mingled with Barley flower driveth away hardness in the flesh and being dryed cureth Aposthumes in every part of the body It taketh away spots in the face and killeth Serpents It is commended warm against the Gout especially in Horses It is not good for to drink because it is easily congealed except the little veins be taken out It is accounted among the chiefest poysons and therefore it is thought by Plutarch that Hannibal poysoned himself by drinking Bulls blood being thereunto perswaded by his servant for so dyed Themistocles and Psamm 〈…〉 us King of Egypt taken by Cambyss was constrained to drink the blood of a Bull whereupon immediately he gave up the ghost For remedy hereof it is good to beware of vomiting because the blood congealed in the stomach into lumps stoppeth the throat wherefore all those things which dissolve milk in the stomach are also medicinable against the blood of Bulls In these cases let the party be first of all purged by Glâ—ster or otherwise and then anoynt the stomach and belly with Barly meal and sweet Water laying it unto them like a plaister likewise Lupines Oxymel and Nitre are soveraign in this as all Physitians know The dry leaves of Neppe and Calamach is profitable against this Malady so also are ashes made of the lees of Wine burned The fat of a Bull is profitable to many things First therefore it must he plucked out warm from the reins of a Bull and washed in a River or Brook of running Water pulling out the skins and tunicles then melt it in a new earthen pot having cast among it a little salt then set it in fair cold Water and when it beginneth to congeal rub it up and down in the hands wringing out the water and letting it soke in again untill it appear well washed then boyl it in a pot with a little sweet Wine and being sodden let it stand all night if in the morning it savour strong then pour in more Wine seeche it again untill that savour cease and so all the poyson be removed and beware of Salt in it especially if it be to be used in diseases whereunto Salt is an enemy but being thus used it looketh very white after the same manner may be used the fat of Lions Leopards Panthers Camels Boars and Horses The sat kall about the guts melted in a frying pan and anoynted upon the genitals and breast helpeth the Dysenterie The marrow of a Bul beaten and drunk cureth the pain in the smal of the belly and Rosis saith that if it be melted at a fire and mingled with one fourth part of Myrrhe and Oyl of Bays and the hands and feet be therewith anointed and rubbed morning and evening it helpeth the contractions of the Nerves and Sinews The fat of a Dormouse of a Hen and the marrow of a Bull melted together and poured warm into the ears easeth their pain very much and if the liver of a Bull be broyled on a soft fire and put into ones mouth that hath the Tooth-ach the pain will go away so soon as ever the teeth touch it The gall of a Bull is sharper then an Oxes and it is mingled with Hony for a Wound-plaister and in all outward remedies against poyson It hath also a quality to gnaw the deadness or corruption out of Wounds and with the juyce of Leeks and the Milk of women it is applyed against the Swine-pox and Fistulaes but the gall alone rubbed upon the biting of an Ape cureth that Malady Likewise the Ulcers in the head both of men women and children And if the wool of an Hare be burned to ashes and mingled with oyl of Myrtles Bulls gall and beaten Alome and so warmed and anoynted upon the head it stayeth the falling away of the hair of head With the gall of a Bull and the white of an Egge they make an Eye-salve and so anoynt therewith dissolved in water four days together but it is thought to be better with Hony and Balsam and instilled with sweet new Wine into the Ears it helpeth away the pains of them especially running-mattry Ears with Womans or Goats milk It being
one day called by the Greek name Ephemera or else by the Latin name Diaria chanceth many times through the rashness and small discretion of the keeper or some other that letteth not to ride a Horse unmeasurably either before or after watering whereby the Horse afterward in the stable entreth into an extream heat and so falleth into his Fever which you shall know partly by his waterish and bloud-shotten eyes and partly by his short violent and hot breathing and panting Moreover he will forsake his meat and his legs will wax stiffe and feeble The cure Let him have rest all the next day following and be comforted with warm meat then let him be walked up and down fair and softly and so by little and little brought again to his former estate Of the Fever continual THe Fever continual is that which continueth without intermission and is called in Italian by the Latin name Febris continua which springeth of some inflamation or extream heat bred in the principal members or inward parts about the heart which is known in this sort The Horse doth not take his accustomed rest whereby his flesh doth fall away every day more and more and sometime there doth appear hot inflamations in his flanks and above his withers The cure Purge his head by squirting into his Nostrils Mans urine or the Water of an Ox that hath been rested a certain time to the intent such water may be the stronger and then give him the drink written in the next Chapter Of the Fever taken in the Autumn that is to say at the fall of the leaf IF a Horse chance to get a Fever at the fall of the leaf cause him immediately to be let bloud in the neck vein and also in the third furrow of the roof of his mouth and then give him this drink Take of Jermander four ounces of Gum-dragant and of dryed Roses of each one ounce beat them all into fine powder and put them into a quart of Ale adding thereunto of Oil-olive four ounces and of Hony as much and give it the Horse lukewarm Of the Fever in Summer season A Fever taken in Summer season is much worse then in any other time and especially if it be taken in the Dog days for then the accidents be more furious The signes be these his arteries will beat evidently and he will shed his seed when he staleth and his going will be unorderly The cure Let him bloud in a vein that he hath in his hinder hanch about four fingers beneath the fundament or if you cannot finde that vein let him bloud in the neck vein toward the withers and if it be needful you may also give him this drink Take the juyce of a handful of Parslein mingled with Gum-dragant with Ensens and a few Damask roses beaten all into fine powder and then put thereunto a sufficient quantity of Ale made sweet with Hony Of the Fever in Winter FOr the Fever in Winter it shall be good to take the powder of the drugs last mentioned and with a quill or reed to blow it up into his left nostril to make him to neese It shall be good also to let him bloud in the neck vein and in the palat of the mouth and then give him one of these drinks here following Take of Ireos six ounces of round Pepper one ounce of Bay berries and of the seed of Smallage of each one ounce and let him drink them with sodden Wine Or else take a pinte of good Milk and put therein of Oile four ounces of Saffron one scruple of Myrrhe two scruples of the seed of Smallage a spoonful and make him drink that or make him this drink Take of Aristoloch otherwise called round Hartwort one ounce of Gentian of Hysop of Worm-wood of Sothernwood of each one ounce of dry fat figs six ounces of the seed of Smallage three ounces of Rue a handful boil them all in a clean Vessel with River Water untill the third part be consumed and when you see it look black and thick take it from the fire strain it and give the Horse to drink thereof lukewarm As touching his diet let his water be alwayes lukewarm wherein would be put a little Wheat meal and remember to give him no meat so long as his fit continueth And because in all Agues it is good to quicken the natural heat of the Horse by rubbing and fretting his body it shall not be amisse in some fair day to use this Friction called of the ancient writers Apotorapie which is made in this sort Take of Damaske Roses one pound of old Oil a pinte of strong Vinegar a pinte and a half of Mints and Rue beaten into powder of each one ounce and a half together with one old dry Nut beat them and mingle them together then being strained and made lukewarm rub and chafe all the Horses body therewith against the hair untill he beginneth to sweat then set him up in the warmest place of the stable and cover him well Of the Fever which cometh of raw Digestion or of Repletion YOu shall know if the Fever proceedeth of any such cause by these signes here following The Horse will blow at the nose more then he is accustomed to do seemeth to fetch his winde only at his nose and his breath will be short hot and dry you shall see his flanks walk and his back to beat The cure Cause him to be let bloud abundantly in the head and palat of his month and by squirting warm Vinegar in the morning into his nostrils force him to neese and if he be costive let his fundament be raked or else give him a Glyster to ease the pain in his head And as touching his diet give him but litttle provender or hay neither let him drink much nor often but betwixt times But in any wise let him be well rubbed and chafed and that a good while together and if you use the Friction declared in the last Chapter before in such sort as there is said it shall do him very much good Of the Fever accidental coming of some Vlcer in the mouth or throat THe Horse not being well kept and governed after that he hath been let bloud in the upper parts yea and also besides that of his own nature is subject unto the distillation in his throat or parts thereabout the painful swelling or Ulcer whereof causeth the Horse to fall into a grievous Ague Whereof besides the former remedies apt to purge humors it shall be necessary also to let him bloud in the vein of the head and in the palat of his mouth and to be short in all those places where the disease causeth most grief And if the Horse be so sore pained as he cannot swallow down his meat it shall be good to give him lukewarm water mingled with Barley meal or Wheat meal and beside that to make him swallow down seven sops sopped in Wine one after another at one
time some use at the second time to dip such sops in sweet Sallet Oil. Thus far Vâ—getius Of the Pestilent Ague IT seemeth by Laurentius Russius that Horses be also subject to a Pestilent Fever which almost incurable is called of him Infirmitas Epidemialis that is to say a Contagious and pestiferous disease whereof there dyed in one year in Rome above a thousand Horses which as I take it came by some corruption of the air whereunto Rome in the chief of Summer is much subject or else corrupt humours in the body ingendered by unkind food by reason perhaps that the City was then pesteted with more Horse-men then there could be conveniently harbored or fed Laurentius himself rendreth no cause thereof but only sheweth signes how to know it which be these The Horse holdeth down his head eateth little or nothing his eyes waterish and his flanks do continually beat The Cure First give him this Glyster Take of the pulp of Coloquintida one ounce of Dragantum one ounce and a fals of Ceutaury and Wormwood of each one handful of Castore 〈…〉 half an ounce boil them in Water then being strained dissolve therein of Gerologundinum six ounces of Salt an ounce and a half and half a pound of Oil-olive and minister it lukewarm with a horn or pipe made of purpose Make also this Plaister for his head Take of Squilla five ounces of Elder of Castoreum of Mustard seed and of Eusorbium of each two ounces dissolve the same in the juice of Daffodil and of Sage and lay it to the Temples of his head next unto his eares or else give him any of these three drinks following Take of the best Triacle two or three ounces and distemper it in good Wine and give it him with a horn or else let him drink every morning the space of three dayes one pound or two of the juyce of Elder roots or else give him every morning to eat a good quantity of Venus hair called of the Latins Capillus Veneris newly and fresh gathered but if it be old then boil it in Water and give him the decoction thereof to drink with a horn Martins opinion and experience touching a Horses Fever THough Martin have not seen so many several kinds of Fevers to chance to Horses yet he confesseth that a Horse will have a Fever and saith that you shall know it by these signes For after the Horse hath been sick two or three dayes if you look upon his tongue you shall see it almost raw and scalt with the heat that comes out of his body and he will shake and trembles reel and stagger when his fit cometh which fit will keep his due hours both of coming and also 〈◊〉 continuance unlesse you prevent it by putting the Horse into a heat which would be done so soon as you see him begin to tremble either by riding him or tying up his legs and by chasing him up and down in the stable untill he leave shaking and then let him be kept warm and stand on the bit the space of two houres that done you may give him some hay by a little at once and give him warm water with a little ground malt twice a day the space of three or four dayes and once a day wash his tongue with Alomwater Vinegar Sage But if you see that all this prevaile not then purge him with this drink after that he hath fasted all one night Take of Aloes one ounce of Agarick half an ounce of Licoras and Annis seeds of each a dram beaten to powder and let him drink it with a quart of white wine likewarme and made sweet with a little hony in the morning fasting and let him be chafed a little after it and be kept warm and suffered to stand on the bit meatlesse two or three hours after and he shall recover his health again quickly Of sickness in general and the Fever IN general sickness is an opposite foe to nature warring against the agents of the body and mind seeking to confound those actions which uphold and maintain the bodies strength and livelyhood Who coveteth to have larger definition of sickness let him read Vegetius Rusius or excellent Master Blundevile who in that hath been admirably well-deserving painful For mine one part my intent is to write nothing more then mine own experience and what I have approved in Horses diseases most availeable and first of the Fever or Ague in a Horse though it be a disease seldom or not at all noted by our Mechanical Horse Farriars who cure many times what they know not and kill where they might cure knew they the cause yet I have my self seen of late both by the demonstrate opinions of others better learned and by the effects of the disease some two Horses which I dare avouch were mightily tormented with a Fever though divers Leeches had thereof given divers opinions one saying it was the Bots by reason of his immoderate languishment another affirmed him to be bewitched by reason of great shaking heaviness and sweating but I have found it and approved it to be a Fever both in effect nature and quality the cure whereof is thus for the original cause of a Fever is surfet breeding putrifaction in the bloud then when his shaking beginneth take three new laid Egges break them in a dish and beat them together then mix thereto five or six spoonfuls of excellent good Aquavitae and give it him in a horn then bridle him and in some Close or Court chafe him till his shaking cease and he begin to sweat then set him up and cloath him warm And during the time of his sickness give him no water to drink but before he drink it boil therein Mallowes Sorrel Purslain of each two or three handfuls As for his food let it be sodden Barly and now and then a little Rie in the sheaf to clense and purge him chiefly if he be dry inwardly and grow costive This I have proved uneffectless for this disease and also much availeable for any other inward sickness proceeding either of raw digestion too extream riding or other surfet Divers have written diversly of divers Agues and I could prescribe receipts for them but since I have not been experimented in them all I mean to omit them intending not to exceed mine own knowledge in any thing Of the Pestilence THe Pestilence is a contagious disease proceeding as Pelaganius saith sometime of overmuch labour heat cold hunger and sometime of sudden running after long rest or of the retention or holding of stale or urine or of drinking cold water whiles the Horse is hot and sweating for all these things do breed corrupt humors in the Horses body whereof the Pestilence doth chiefly proceed or else of the corruption of the air poisoning the breath whereby the Beasts should live which also happeneth sometime of the corruption of evill vapors and exhalations that spring out of the earth and
the use of his whole hand to the great grief of all his friends and also of all the Muses which were wont to be much delighted with such passing sweet musick as that his fine quavering hand could sometime make upon divers Instruments but especially upon the Virginals This Horse I say though he could eat his meat drink his drink and sleep yet if he were never so little offended he would take on like a spirit and both bite and strike at any man that came nigh him yea and would bite himself by the shoulders most terribly pulling away lumps of flesh so broad as a mans hand and whensoever he was ridden he was fain to be musled with a muslel of iron made of purpose to keep him from biting either of his Rider or of himself which no doubt proceeded of some kinde of frenzy or madness whereunto the Horse was subject by means that hot bloud as I take it abounded over-much in him But now as touching the causes signes and cure of Horses madness you shall hear the opinion of old Writers for Martin never took such cure in hand Absyrtus and the other Authors before mentioned say that the madness of a Horse cometh either by means of some extream heat taken by travelling or long standing in the hot Sun or else by eating over many fitches or by some hot bloud resorting to the panicles of the brain or through abundance of choler remaining in the veins or else by drinking of some very unwholesome water The signes be these he will bite the manger and his own body and run upon every man that comes nigh him he will continually shake his ears and stare with his eyes and some at the mouth and also as Hippocrates saith he will forsake his meat and pine himself with hunger The cure Cause him to be let bloud in his legs abundantly which is done as I take it to divert the bloud from his head Notwithstanding it were not amiss to let him bloud in the neck and brest veins Then give him this drink take the roots of wilde Cowcumber and boil it in harsh red Wine and put thereunto a little Nitre and give it him with a horn luke-warm or if you can get no Cowcumber then take Rue and Mints and boil them in the Wine it were not amiss also to add thereunto a handful of black Elleborus for that is a very good herb against madness Eumelius saith that if you give him mans dung in Wine to drink three mornings together it will heal him also to take of black Elleborus two or three handfuls and boil it in a sufficient quantity of strong Vinegar and therewith rub and chafe both his head and all his body once or twice a day for the oftner his head is rubbed the better and often exercise is very profitable to all his body Some again would have the skin of his body to be pierced in divers places with an hot iron to let out the evill humors but if none of all this will prevail then the last remedy is to geld him of both his stones or else of one at the least for either that will heal him or else nothing As touching the diet and usage of a mad Horse the Authors do not agree for some would have him kept in a close dark and quiet house void from all noise which as Absyrtus saith will either make him madder or else kill him out of hand His diet would be thin that is to say without any provender and that day that he is let bloud and receiveth his drink they would have him fast untill even and then to have a warm mash of Barley meal yea me thinks it were not amiss to feed him only with warm mashes and hay and that by a little at once untill he be somewhat recovered Another of the Head-ach THe Head-ach as most are opinionated proceedeth of cold and raw digestion the cure is Take a Goose feather anointed with Oyl-de-bay and thrust it up into the Horses nostrils to make him neese then take a wreath of Pease-straw or wet hay and putting fire thereunto hold it under the Horses nose so as the smoke may ascend up into his head then being thus perfumed take a knife and prick him in the palat of the mouth so that he may lick up and chaw his own bloud which done have great care in keeping his head warm and doubt not his recovery Of the Sleeping-evil THis is a disease forcing the Beast continually to sleep whether he will or not taking his memory and appetite clean away and therefore is called of the Physitians Lethargus it proceedeth of abundance of flegm moistning the brain overmuch It is easie to know it by the continual sleeping of the Horse The cure of this disease according to Pelagonius Vegetius and others is in this sort Let him bloud in the neck and then give him this drink Take of Camomile and Mother-wort of each two or three handfuls and boil them in a sufficient quantity of water and put thereunto a little Wheat-bran Salt and Vinegar and let him drink a pinte of that every day the space of three or four days together It is good also to perfume and chafe his head with Thyme and Pennyroyal sodden together in Vinegar or with Brimstone and feathers burned upon a chafingdish of coals under his nose and to provoke him to neese by blowing Pepper and Pyrethre beaten to powder up into his nostrils yea and to anoint the palate of his mouth with Honey and Mustard mingled together and in his drink which would be always warm water to put Parsley seed and Fennel seed to provoke urine His legs also would be bathed and his hoofs filled with Wheat-bran Salt and Vinegar sodden together and laid to so hot as he may endure it and in any case suffer him not to sleep but keep him waking and stirring by continual crying unto him or pricking him with some sharp thing that cannot pass through the skin or else by beating him with a whip and this doing he shall recover Another of the Sleeping-evill THe Sleeping-evill in a Horse differeth nothing from that which the Physitians call the Lethargy in men for it provoketh the Horse to sleep continually without desisting robbing his memory and appetite of their qualities the knowledge thereof is easily known by his drowsiness and the cure in this sort Let one stand by him and either with fearful noise or stripes perforce keep him waking then let him bloud under the eyes and in the neck and then take a leaf or two of the best Tobacco which being dryed and beaten to powder with a quill blow it up into his nostrils and give him to drink Vinegar Salt and Mustard mingled well together to which if you put a little Honey it shall not be amiss and also when he drinketh any water put thereto either Fennel-seeds Aniseeds or Pepper Of a Horse that is taken A Horse is said to
if every day with hard ropes of hay or straw you rub and chafe that part exceedingly and apply there to a little quantity of the Oyl of Pepper If the Convulsion be accidental proceeding of some hurt whereby the sinew is wounded or prickt then shall you incontinently take up the sinew so wounded searching the wound with great discretion and cut it clean in sunder then shall you endeavour to heal up the same with unguents plaisters and balms as shall be hereafter mentioned in the chapters of wounds and ulcers of what kinde or nature soever Of the Cold in the Head ACcording as the cold which the Horse hath taken is new or old great or small and also according as humors do abound in his head and as such humors be thick or thin so is the disease more or less dangerous For if the Horse casteth little or no matter out of his nose or hath no very great cough but only heavy in his head and perhaps lightly cougheth now and then it is a sign that he is stopped in the head which we were wont to call the pose But if his head be full of humors congealed by some extream cold taken of long time past and that he casteth foul filthy matter out at the nose and cougheth grievously then it is a sign that he hath either the Glaunders or the Strangullion mourning of the chein or Consumption of the Lungs For all such diseases do breed for the most part of the rheume or distillation that cometh from the head Of the cures thereof we leave to speak until we come to talk of the diseases in the throat minding here to shew you how to heal the pose or cold before mentioned Martin saith it is good to purge his head by perfuming him with Frankincense and also to provoke him to neeze by thrusting two Gouse feathers dipt in Oyl-de-bay up into his nostrils and then to trot him up and down half an hour for these feathers will make him to cast immediately at the nose Lautentius Russius would have him to be perfumed with Wheat Pennyroyal and Sage sodden well together and put into a bag so hot as may be which bag would be so close fastened to his head that all the savour thereof may ascend up into his nostrils and his head also would be covered and kept warm and to provoke him to neeze he would have you to binde a soft clout anointed with Sope or else with Butter and Oyl-de-bay unto a stick and to thrust that up and down into his nostrils so high as you may conveniently go and let him be kept warm and drink no cold water Yea it shall be good for three or four days to boil in his water a little Fenigreek Wheat meal and a few Anise-seeds And every day after that you have purged his head by perfuming him or by making him to neeze cause him to be trotted up and down either in the warm Sun or else in the house half an hour which would be done before you water him and give him his provender Of the Cold in the Head THe pose or cold in a Horse is the most general disease that hapneth and is the easiest perceived both by stopping ratling in the nose and coughing the cure thereof is in this sort If it be but newly taken by some-careless regard and immediately perceived you shall need no other remedy but to keep him warm every morning and evening after his water to ride him forth and to trot him up and down very fast till his cold break and then gently to gallop him a little which moderate exercise with warm keeping will quickly recover him again but if the cold hath had long residence in him and still encreaseth then you shall give him this drink three days together Take of strong Ale one quart of the best Treakle six penny-worth of long Pepper and grains of each as much beaten to powder of the juyce of Garleek two spoonfuls boyl all these together and give it the Horse to drink so warm as he may suffer it and then trot him up and down by the space of an hour or more and keep him warm giving him to drink no cold water Of the diseases of the Eyes HOrses eyes be subject to divers griefs as to be waterish or bloud-shotten to be dim of sight to have the Pin and Web and the Haw whereof some comes of inward causes as of humors resorting to the eyes and some of outward as of cold heat or stripe Of Weeping or Watering Eyes THis as Laurentius Russius saith may come sometime by confluence of humors and some-time by some stripe whose cure I leave to recite because it doth not differ from Martins experience here following Take of Pitch Rosen and Mastick a like quantity melt them together Then with a little stick having a clout bound to the end thereof and dipt therein anoint the temple veins on both sides a handful above the eyes as broad as a Testern and then clap unto it immediately a few flocks of like colour to the Horse holding them close to his head with your hand untill they stick fast unto his head then let him bloud on both sides if both sides be infected a handful under the eyes Russius also thinketh it good to wash his eyes once a day with pure pure white wine and then to blow therein a little of Tartarum and of Pumice stone beaten into fine powder Of Watering Eyes WAtering eyes come most commonly in some stripe or blow and the cure is thus Lay unto his temples a plaister of Turpentine and Pitch molten together then wash his eyes with white Wine and afterward blow the powder of burnt Allum into the same Of Bloud-shotten Eyes also for a blow or itching and rubbing in the Eyes MArtin never used any other medicine then this water here following wherewith he did always heal the foresaid griefs Take of pure Rose water of Malmsie of Fennel water of each three spoonfuls of Tutia as much as you can easily take with your thumb and finger of Cloves a dozen beaten into fine powder mingle them together and being luke-warm or cold if you will wash the inward part of the eye with a feather dipt therein twice a day untill he be whole Russius saith that to bloud-shotten eyes it is good to lay the white of an Egge or to wash them with the juyce of Celidony Another of Bloud-shotten Eyes or any other sore Eye coming of rheume or other humor FOr any sore eye make this water Take of the water of Eye-bright of Rose water and Malmsey of each three spoonfuls of Cloves six or seven beaten to fine powder of the juyce of Houseleek two spoonfuls mix all these together and wash the Horses eyes therewith once a day and it will recover him Of dimness of sight and also for the Pin and Web or any other spot in the Eye IF the Horse be dim of sight or
most good so that he go in a dry warm ground for by feeding alwayes downward he shall purge his head the better as Russius saith Thus much of the Glanders and mourning of the Chine Now we will speak somewhat of the Strangullion according to the opinion of the Authors though not to the satisfaction perhaps of our English Farriars Of the Strangullion or Squinancy THe Strangullion called of the Latines Anginae according to the Physitians is an inflamation of the inward parts of the throat and as I said before is called of the Greeks Cynanche which is as much to say in English as Strangling whereof this name Strangullion as I think is derived for this disease doth strangle every Man or Beast and therefore is numbred amongst the perillous and sharp diseases called of the Latines Morbi acuti of which strangling the Physiâ—ians in Mans body make four differences The first and worst is when no part within the mouth nor without appeareth manifestly to be inflamed and yet the patient is in great peril of strangling The second is when the inward parts of the throat only be inflamed The third is when the inward and outward parts of the throat be both inflamed The fourth is when the muscles of the neck are inflamed or the inward joynts thereof so loosened as they straiten thereby both the throat or wesand or wind-pipe for short breath is incident to all the four kinds before recited and they proceed all of one cause that is to say of some cholerick or bloudy fluxion which comes out of the branches of the throat veins into those parts and there breedeth some hot inflamation But now to prove that a Horse is subject to this disease you shall hear what Absyrtus Hierocles Vegetius and others do say Absyrtus writing to his friend a certain Farriar or Horse-leach called Aâ—storicus speaketh in this manner When a Horse hath the Strangullion it quickly killeth him the signes whereof be these His temples will be hollow his tongue will swell and hang out of his mouth his eyes also will be swollen and the passage of his throat stopt so as he can neither eat nor drink All these signes be also confirmed by Hiâ—rocles Moreover Vegetius rendereth the cause of this disease affirming that it proceedeth of aboundance of subtle bloud which after long travel will inflame the inward or outward muscles of the throat or wesand or such affluence of bloud may come by use of hot meate after great travel being so alterative as they cause those parts to swell in such sort as the Horse can neither eat nor drink nor draw his breath The cure according to Vegeâ—ius is in this sort First bathe his mouth and tongue in hot water and then anoint it with the gall of a Bull that done give him this drink Take of old Oyl two pound of old Wine a quart nine Figs and nine Leeks heads well stamped and brayed together And after you have boiled these a while before you strain them put thereunto a little Nitrum Alexandrinum and give him a quart of this every morning and evening Absyrtus and Hierocles would have you to let him bloud in the palace of his mouth and also to powre Wine and Oyl into his Nostrils and also give him to drink this decoction of Figs and Nitrum sodden together or else to anoint his throat within with Nitre Oil and Hony or else with Hony and Hogs dung mingled together which differeth not much from Galên his medicine to be given unto man For he saith that Hony mingled with the powder of Hogs dung that is white and swallowed down doth remedy the Squinancy presently Absyrtus also praiseth the ointment made of Bdellium and when the inflamation beginneth somewhat to decrease he saith it is good to purge the Horse by giving him wilde Cucumber and Nitre to drink Let his meat be grasse if it may be gotten or else wet hay and sprinkled with Nitre Let his drink also be lukewarm water with some Barley meal in it Of the Cough OF Coughs some be outward and some be inward Those be outward which do come of outward causes as by eating a feather or by eating dusty or sharp straw and such like things which tickling his throat causeth him to cough you shall perceive it by wagging and wrying his head in his coughing and by stamping sometime with his foot labouring to get out the thing that grieveth him and cannot The cure according to Martin is thus Take a Willow wand rolled throughout with a fine linnen clout and then anoint it all over with Hony and thrust it down his throat drawing your hand to and fro to the intent it may either drive down the thing that grieveth him or else bring it up and do this twice or thrice anointing every time the stick with fresh Hony Of the inward and wet Cough OF inward Coughs some be wet and some be dry The wet Cough is that cometh of cold taken after some great heat given to the Horse dissolving humors which being afterward congealed do cause obstruction and stopping in the Lungs And I call it the wet Cough because the Horse in his coughing will void moist matter at his mouth after that it is once broken The signes be these The Horse will be heavie and his eyes will run with water and he will forsake his meat and when he cougheth he thrusteth out his head and reacheth with great pain at the first as though he had a dry Cough untill the fleam be broken and then he will cough more hollow which is a signe of amendment And therefore according to Martins experience to the intent the fleam may break the sooner it shall be necessary to keep him warm by clothing him with a double cloth and by littering him up to the belly with fresh straw and then to give him this drink Take of Barley one peck and boyl it in two or three gallons of fair water untill the Barley begin to burst and boyl therewith of bruised Licoras of Anise seeds or Raisins of each one pound then strain it and to that liquor put of Hony a pinte and a quartern of Sugarcandy and keep it close in a pot to serve the Horse therewith four several mornings and cast not away the sodden Barley with the rest of the strainings but make it hot every day to perfume the Horse withal being put in a bag and â—ied to his head and if the Horse will eat of it it shall do him the more good And this perfuming in Winter season would be used about ten of the clock in the morning when the Sun is of some height to the intent the Horse may be walked abroad if the Sun shine to exercise him moderately And untill his Cough wear away fail not to give him warm water with a little ground Mault And as his Cough breaketh more and more so let his 〈◊〉 every day be lesse warmed then other Of the dry Cough THis seemeth
to come of some grosse and tough humor cleaving hard to the hollow places of the Lungs which stoppeth the winde-pipes so as the Horse cannot easily draw his breath and if it continue it will either grow to the Pursick or else break his winde altogether The signs be these He will cough both often drily and also vehemently without voiding at the nose or mouth The cure according to Martin is in this sort Take a close earthen pot and put therein three pintes of strong Vinegar and four Eggs shels and all unbroken and four Garlick heads clean pilled and bruised and set the pot being very close covered in some warm dunghil and there let it stand a whole night and the next morning with your hand take out the Egges which will be so soft as silk and lay them by untill you have strained the Garlick and Vinegar through a fair cloth then put to that liquor a quartern of Hony and half a quartern of Sugarcandy and two ounces of Licoras and two ounces of Anise seeds beaten all into fine powder And then the Horse having fasted all the night before in the morning betwixt seven and eight of the clock open his mouth with a cord and whorle therein one of the Egges so as he may swallow it down and then immediately powre in after a hornefull of the aforesaid drink being first made lukewarm and cast in another Egge with another hornful of drink and so continue to do untill he hath swallowed up all the Egges and drunk up all the drink and then bridle him and cover him with warmer clothes then he had before and bring him into the stable and there let him stand on the bit at the bate rack well littered up to the belly the space of two hours Then unbit him and if it be in Winter offer him a handfull of Wheaten straw if in Summer give him grasse and let him eat no hay unless it be very well dusted and sprinkled with water and give him not much thereof And therefore you shall need to give him the more provender which also must be well cleansed of all filth and dust and give him no water the space of nine dayes And if you perceive that the Cough doth not wear away then if it be in Winter purge him with these pils Take of Lard two pound laid in water two hours then take nothing but the clean fat thereof and stamp it in a morter and thereto put of Licoras of Anise seeds of Fenegreek of each beaten into powder three ounces of Aloes in powder two ounces of Agarick one ounce Knead these together like paste and make thereof six bals as big as an Egge Then the Horse having fasted over night give him the next morning these pils one after another anointed with Hony and Oyl mingled together in a platter and to the intent he may swallow them down whether he will or not when you have opened his mouth catch hold of his tongue and hold it fast while you whirle in one of the pils that done thrust it into his throat with 〈◊〉 rolling-pin and then let his tongue go untill he hath swallowed it down then give him 〈…〉 all the rest of the pils and let him stand on the bit warm clothed and littered the space of three hours at the least and after that give him a little wet hay and warm water with a little ground mault in it to drink and let him drink 〈◊〉 other but warm water the space of a week And now and then in a fair sunny day it shall be good to trot him one hour abroad to breath him Of the Fretized broken and rotten Lungs THis proceedeth as Absyrtus and Theomnestus saith either of an extreme Cough or of vehement running or leaping or of over greedy drinking after great thirst for the Lungs be inclosed in a very thin film or skin and therefore easie to be broken which if it be not cured in time doth grow to Apostumation and to corruption oppressing all the Lungs which of old Authors is called Vomicâ— and Suppuratio But Theomnestus saith that broken Lungs and rotten Lungs be two divers diseases and have divers signes and divers cures The signes of broken Lungs be these the Horse draweth his wind short and by little at once he will turn his head often toward the place grieved and groaneth in his breathing he is afraid to cough and yet cougheth as though he had eaten small bones The same Theomnestus healed a friends Horse of his whose Lungs were st 〈…〉 or rather broken as he saith by continual eating of Salt with this manner of cure here following Let the Horse have quiet and rest and then let him bloud in the hanches where the veins appear most and give him to drink the space of seven dayes Barley or rather Oates sodden in Goats milk oâ— if you can get no milk boil it in water and put therein some thick collops of Lard and of 〈…〉 and let him drink that and let his common drink in Winter season â—e the decoction of Wheat meal and in the Summer time the decoction of Barley and this as he saith will bind his â—â—ngs again together Vegetius utterly disalloweth letting of bloud in any such disease as this is and all manner of sharp medicines for fear of provoking the Cough by means whereof the broken places can never heal perfectly And therefore neither his medicines nor meat would be harsh but smooth gentle and cooling The best medicine that may be given him at all times is this Take of F 〈…〉 k and of Linseed of each half a pound of Gum dragant of Mastick of Myrrhe of Sugar of Fitch flowre of each one ounce Let all these things be beaten into fine powder and then 〈◊〉 oâ—â— whole night in a sufficient quantity of warm water and the next day give him a quart of this luke-warm putting thereunto two or three ounces of Oyl of Roses continuing so to do many dayes together and if the disease be new this will heal him yea and it will ease him very much although the disease be old which is thought uncurable And in Winter season so long as he standeth in the stable let him drink no cold water and let his meat be clean without dust but in Summer season it were best to let him run to grasse for so long as he eateth grasse a man shall scantly perceive this disease Thus much of broken lungs Of putrified and rotten lungs THe signes to know whether a Horses lungs be putrified or rotten according to Theomnestus are these The Horse will eat and drink greedilyeâ— then he was wont to do he shall be oftner vexed with a Cough and in coughing he will cast little lumps of matter out of his mouth The cure whereof according to Theomnestus is thus Give him to drink every morning the space of seven dayes the juyce of Purslain mingled with Oil of Roses and add thereunto a little Tragagantum that
give him Cordial drinks that is to say made of hot and comfortable Spices and also to anoint all his breast and under his shoulders with hot Oyls and to purge his head by blowing up into his nostrils powders that provoke neezing such as have been taught you before Of Surfeting with glut of Provender THe glut of provender or other meat not digested doth cause a Horse to have great pain in his body so as he is not able to stand on his feet but lyeth down and waltereth as though he had the Bots. The cure whereof according to Martins experience is in this sort Let him bloud in the neck then trot him up and down for the space of an hour and if he cannot stale draw out his vard and wash it with a little white Wine luke-warm and thrust into his yard either a bruised clove of Garlick or else a little oyl of Camomile with a wax Candle If he cannot dung then rake his fundament and give him this Glyster Take of Mallows two or three handfuls and boil them in a pottle of fair running water and when the Mallows be sodden then strain it and put thereunto a quart of fresh Butter and half a pinte of Oyl Olive and having received this Glyster lead him up and down untill he hath emptyed his belly then set him up and keep him hungry the space of three or four days and the Hay that he eateth let it be sprinkled with water and let him drink water wherein should be put a little Bran and when he hath drunk give him the Bran to eat and give him little or no provender at all for the space of eight or ten days Of another kinde of Surfeting with meat or drink called of us Foundering in the body THis disease is â—alled of the old Writers in Greek Crithiasis in Latine Hordeatio it cometh as they say by eating of much provender suddenly after labour whilest the Horse is hot and panting whereby his meat not being digested breedeth evill humors which by little and little do spread throughout his members and at length do oppress all his body and do clean take away his strength and make him in such a case as he can neither go nor bow his joynts nor being laid he is not able to rise again neither can he stale but with great pain It may come also as they say of drinking too much in travelling by the way when the Horse is hot but then it is not so dangerous as when it cometh of eating too much But howsoever it cometh they say all that the humors will immediately resort down into the Horses legs and feet and make him to cast his hoofs and therefore I must needs judge it to be no other thing but a plain foundering which word foundering is borrowed as I take it of the French word Fundu that is to say molten For foundering is a melting or dissolution of humors which the Italians call Infusione Martin maketh divers kindes of foundering as the foundering of the body which the French men call most commonly Morâ—undu and foundering in the legs and feet also foundering before and behinde which some Authors do deny as Magister Maurus and Laurentius Russius affirming that there are fewer humors behinde then before and that they cannot easily be dissolved or molten being so far distant from the heart and the other vital parts Whereunto a man might answer that the natural heat of the heart doth not cause dissolution of humors but some unnatural and accidental heat spred throughout all the members which is dayly proved by good experience For we see Horses foundered not only before or behinde but also of all four legs at once which most commonly chanceth either by taking cold suddenly after a great heat as by standing still upon some cold pavement or abroad in the cold winde or else perhaps the Horse travelling by the way and being in a sweat was suffered to stand in some cold water whilest he did drink which was worse then his drinking for in the mean time the cold entering at his feet ascended upward and congealed the humors which the heat before had dissolved and thereby when he cometh once to rest he waxeth stiffe and lame of his legs But leaving to speak of foundering in the legs as well before as behinde untill we come to the griefs in the legs and feet we intend to talk here only of foundering in the body according to Martins experience The signes to know if a Horse be foundered in the body be these His hair will stare and he will be chill and shrug for cold and forsake his meat hanging down his head and quiver after cold water and after two or three days he will begin to cough The cure according to Martin is thus First scour his belly with the Glyster last mentioned and then give him a comfortable drink made in this sort Take of Malmsie a quart of Sugar half a quartern of Honey half a quartern of Cinnamon half an ounce of Licoras and Anise seeds of each two spoonfuls beaten into fine powder which being put into the Malmsie warm them together at the fire so as the Honey may be molten and then give it him luke-warm that done walk him up and down in the warm stable the space of half an hour and then let him stand on the bit two or three hours without meat but let him be warm covered and well littered and give him Hay sprinkled with a little water and clean sifted provender by a little at once and let his water be warmed with a little ground Malt therein And if you see him somewhat cheered then let him bloud in the neck and also perfume him once a day with a little Frankincense and use to walk him abroad when the weather is fair and not windy or else in the house if the weather be foul and by thus using him you shall quickly recover him Of the Hungry Evill THis is a very great desire to eat following some great emptiness or lack of meat and it is called of the old Authors by the Greek name Bulimos which is as much to say as a great hunger proceeding as the Physitians say at the first of some extream outward cold taken by long travelling in cold barren places and especially where Snow aboundeth which outward cold causeth the stomach to be cold and the inward powers to be feeble The cure according to Absyrtus and Hierocles is in the beginning to comfort the Horses stomach by giving him Bread sopt in Wine And if you be in a place of rest to give him Wheat-flowre and Wine to drink or to make him Cakes or Bals of Flowre and Wine kneaded together and to feed him with that or with Wine and Nuts of Pine trees Hierocles saith if any such thing chance by the way whereas no flowre is to be had then it shall be best to give him Wine and earth wrought together either to drink or else
or falling The signes be these The Horse will halt and in his going he will go sideling and the sore hip will fall lower then the other and the flesh in processe of time will consume clean away And if it be suffered to run so long it will never be restored unto his pristine estate The best way as Martin saith to make him go upright is to charge his hip and back with Pitch and Rosen molten together and laid on warm and then some flocks of his own colour to be clapped upon the same and so let him run to grasse untill he go upright But the sore hip will never rise again so high as the other If the Horse be not hipped but only hurt in the hip and that newly then first take of the Oyl de-bay of Dialthea of Nerval of Swines grease melt them all together stirring them continually until they be throughly mingled together and anoint the sore place against the hair with this Ointment every day once the space of a fortnight and make the Ointment to sink well into the flesh by holding a hot broad bar over the place anointed weaving your hand to and fro until the Ointment be entred into the skin And if at the fortnights end you see that the Horse amendeth no whit for this then slit a hole downward in his skin and an inch beneath the hip-bone making the hole so wide as you may easily thrust in a rowel with your finger and then with a little broad slice or iron loosen the skin from the flesh above the bone and round about the same so broad as the rowel may lie flat and plain betwixt the skin and the flesh which rowel would be made of soft Calves Leather with a hole in the midst like a ring having a threed tied unto it to pull it out when you would cleanse the hole and if the rowel be rolled about with flax fast tyed on and anointed with the ointment under written it will draw so much the more and thrust in the rowel first double and then spread it abroad with your finger That done tent it with a good long tent of flax or tow dipt in a little Turpentine and Hogs grease molten together and made warm and cleanse the hole and the rowel every day once and also renew the tent every day for the space of a fortnight And before you dresse him cause him every day to be led up and down a foot pace a quarter of an hour to make the humors come down and at the fortnights end pull out the rowel and heal up the wound with the same salve making the tent every day lesser and lesser until it be whole And so soon as it is whole draw with a hot Iron crosse lines of eight or nine inches long right over the hip-bone so as the rowelled place may be in the very midst thereof and burn him no deeper but so as the skin may look yellow and then charge all that place and over all his buttocks with this charge Take of Pitch a pound of Rosen half a pound of Tar half a pinte boyl them together and then being good and warm spread it on with a clout tyed in a riven stick and then clap on a few flocks of the Horses colour And if it be in Summer let the Horse run to grasse a while for the more he travelleth at his own will the better it is for him Of stifling and hurts in the stifle THe Horse is said to be stifled when the stifling bone is removed from the place but if it be not removed nor loosened and yet the Horse halteth by means of some grief there then we say that the Horse is hurt in the stifle and not stifled The stifle cometh by means of â—ome blow or some great strain slipping or sliding The signes be these If he be stifled the one bone will stick out farther then the other and is apparent to the eye Martin would have you to cure the stifle in all points like unto the shoulder-pight saving that the pins need not be so long because the stifling place is not so broad as the shoulder and standing in the stable let him have a pastern with a Ring on his sore-leg and thereunto fasten a cord which cord must go about his neck and let it be so much strained as it may bring his sore leg more forward then the other to keep the bone from starting out But if the Horse be but hurt in the stifle with some stripe or strain then the bone will not stand out but perhaps the place may be swollen The cure according to Martin is thus First anoint the place with the Ointment mentioned before every day once the space of a fortnight and if the Horse amend not with this then rowel him with a hearen rowel or else with a quill and let the neather hole be somewhat before the sore place and cleanse the hole every day by turning the rowel continuing still to anoint the place with the Ointment aforesaid and that will make him whole Of foundering behind THis haps most commonly when a Horse is very fat and hath his grease moulten within him which is soon done with every little heat You shall perceive it by his going for he will be afraid to set his hinder-feet to the ground and he will be so weak behind as he will stand quivering and shaking and covet alwayes to lie down The cure according to Martin is thus First garter him about the houghes and then force him to go a while to put him in a heat and being some-what warm let him bloud in the thigh veins reserving of that bloud a pottle to make him a charge in this sort Put unto that bloud of Wheat-flower and of Bean-flower of each a quarter of a peck of Bole-armony one pound of Sanguis Draconis two ounces six Egges shels and all of Turpentine half a pound of Vinegar a quart mingle all these things together and therewith charge both his hinder-legs his reins and flanks all against the hair And if the Horse cannot dung let him be raked and give him this glyster Take of Mallowes three handfuls and boyl them well in fair Water from a pottle to a quart then strain it and put thereunto half a pound of Butter and of Sallet Oyl a quarter of a pinte and having emptied his belly give him also this drink to comfort him Take of Malmesie a quart and put thereunto a little Cinamon Mace and Pepper beaten into fine powder and of Oyl a quarter of a pinte and give the Horse to drink of that luke-warm with a horn That done let him be walked up and down a good while together if he be able to go if not then tie him up to the rack and let him be hanged with Canvas and Ropes so as he may stand upon the ground with his feet For the lesse he lyeth the better and pare his hinder-feet thin untill the dew come out and
tacking on the shooes again stop the hoofs with Bran and Hogs grease boyled together and let both his feet having this geer in it be wrapped up in a cloth even to his pasterns and there tie the clout fast Let his diet be thin and let him drink no cold water and give him in Winter wet hay and in Summer grasse Of the dry Spaven THe dry Spaven called of the Italians Spavano or Sparavagno is a great hard knob as big as a Walnut growing in the inside of the hough hard under the joynt nigh unto the master vein and causeth the Horse to halt which sorance cometh by kinde because the Horses Parents perhaps had the like disease at the time of his generation and sometime by extreme labor and heat dissolving humors which do descend through the master vein continually feeding that place with evil nutriment and causeth that place to swell Which swelling in continuance of time becometh so hard as a bone and therefore is called of some the Bone Spaven It needeth no signes or tokens to know it because it is very much apparent to the eye and therefore most Farriers do take it to be incurable Notwithstanding Martin saith that it may be made lesse with these remedies here following Wash it with warm water and shave off the hair so far as the swelling extendeth and scarifie the place so as it may bleed then take of Cantharides one dozen of Euforbium half a spoonful break them into powder and boyl them together with a little Oyl-de-bay and with two or three feathers bound together put it boyling hot upon the sore and let his tail be tyed up for wiping away the medicine and then within half an hour after set him up in the stable and tie him so as he may not lie down all the night for fear of rubbing off the medicine and the next day anoint it with fresh butter continuing thus to do every day once the space of five or six days and when the hair is grown again draw the sore place with a hot Iron then take another hot sharp Iron like a Bodkin somewhat bowing at the point and thrust it in at the neather end of the middle line and so upward betwixt the skin and the flesh to the compasse of an inch and a half And then tent it with a little Turpentine and Hogs grease moulten together and made warm renewing it every day once the space of nine dayes But remember first immediately after his burning to take up the master vein suffering him to bleed a little from above and tie up the upper end of the vein and leave the neather end open to the intent that he may bleed from beneath until it cease it self and that shall diminish the Spaven or else nothing will do it Of the Spaven both bone and bloud DOubtless a Spaven is an evill sorance and causeth a Horse to halt principally in the beginning of his grief it appeareth on the hinder-legs within and against the joynt and it will be a little swoln and some Horses have a thorough Spaven which appeareth both within and without Of the Spaven there are two kindes the one hard and the other soft that is a Bone-Spaven and a Bloud-Spaven for the Bone-Spaven I hold it hard to cure and therefore the lesse necessary to be dealt withal except very great occasion urge and thus it may be holpen Cast the Horse and with a hot Iron slit the flesh that covereth the Spaven and then lay upon the Spaven Cantharides and Euforbium boyled together in Oyl-de-bay and anoint his legs round about either with the Oyl of Roses and with Vnguentum album camphiratum Dresse him thus for three dayes together then afterward take it away and for three dayes more lay unto it only upon flax and unsleck't Lime then afterward dresse it with Tar until it be whole The Cantharides and Euforbium will eat and kill the spungy bone the Lime will bring it clean away and the Tar will suck out the poison and heal all up sound but this cure is dangerous for if the incision be done by an unskilful man and he either by ignorance or by the swarving of his hand burn in twain the great vein that runs crosse the Spaven then the Horse is spoiled Now for the bloud Spaven that is easily helpt for I have known divers which have been but newly beginning helpt only by taking up the Spaven vein and letting it bleed well beneath and then stop the wound with Sage and Salt but if it be a great bloud Spaven then with a sharp knife cut it as you burnt the bone Spaven and take the Spaven away then heal it up with Hogs grease and Turpentine only Of the wet Spaven or through Spaven THis is a soft swelling growing on both sides of the hough and seems to go clean through the hough and therefore may be called a through Spaven But for the most part the swelling is on the inside because it is continually fed of the master vein and is greater then the swelling on the outside The Italians call this sorance Lâ—ierda or Gierdone which seemeth to come of a more fluxible humour and not so viscous or slimy as the other Spaven doth and therefore this waxeth not so hard nor groweth to the nature of a bone as the other doth and this is more curable then the other It needs no signes because it is apparent to the eye and easie to know by the description thereof before made The cure according to Martin is thus First wash shave and scarifie the place as before then take of Cantharides half an ounce of Euforbium an ounce broken to powder and Oyl-de-bay one ounce mingle them well together cold without boyling them and dresse the sore therewith two dayes together and every day after until the hair be grown again anoint it with fresh Butter Then fire him both without and within as before without tenting him and immediately take up the master vein as before and then for the space of nine dayes anoint him every day once with Butter until the fired place begin to scale and then wash it with this bath Take of Mallowes three handfuls of Sage one handful and as much of red Nettles boyl them in water until they be soft and put thereunto a little fresh Butter and bathe the place every day once for the space of three or four dayes and until the burning be whole let the Horse come in no wet Of the Selander THis is a kinde of Scab breeding in the ham which is the bent of the hough and is like in all points to the Malander proceeding of like causes and requireth like cure and therefore resort to the Malander Of the hough bony or hard knob THis is a round swelling bony like a Paris ball growing upon the tip or elbow of the hough and therefore I thought good to call it the hough-bony This sorance cometh of some stripe or bruise and
upon the teeth or gums doth make the breath of any man more sweet and delightful then it hath been accustomed The same being used in the said manner doth procure a very great whiteness and clearness in the teeth Unwashed Wool being parched and bound in a linnen cloth a third part or portion of salt being afterwards added thereunto and all beaten together in small dust or powder and rubbed upon the teeth will keep them from any pain or grief therein Unwashed Wool being dipped in Nitre Brimstone Oyl Vinegar and liquid Pitch being all boyled together doth asswage all pains in the hanches or loins whatsoever being twice a day as hot as possibly may be suffered applyed thereunto Sheeps dung mingled with unwashed wool and certain other things is very much applyed against that troublesom and painful disease called the stone or gravel Unwashed wool in cold water doth cure diseases in the privy parts of any man or woman whatsoever The wool of black Sheep is commonly reported to be very commodious and helpful for those whose Cods or stones are much swelled The gall of an Ox being mixed with unwashed wool doth help the purgation or menstrual fluxes of women but Olympies the Thebane affirmeth that Hysop and Nitre ought to be mixed with this wool for the helping of the same Unwashed wool being applyed unto the secret parts of women doth cause a dead childe to come forth The same doth also stay the issues of women The pure or clear fleeces of Sheep either applyed by themselves or mingled with Brimstone do cure all hidden or secret griefs whatsoever and Pliny commendeth them above all other medicines whatsoever Fleeces of wool mingled with quicksilver are very profitable to be taken for the same diseases in certain perfumes The root of a Mallow being digged up before the rising of the Sun and wrapped in undyed wool doth cure the Wens or mattry impostumes of those Sheep which have lately brought forth young Sheeps wool being dyed in purple colour doth very much profit the ears but some do steep it in Vinegar and Nitre to make the operation more effectual The dust of wool being burnt doth bring forth the matter or corruption lying hid under scabs restrain the swellings in the flesh and bringeth all Ulcers to a scar Wool being burnt hath a sharp force and likewise hot together with the slenderness of the parts it doth therefore very speedily clense and purge the sores in the flesh which are moist and too much full of matter It is also put in drying medicines It is burned as if there were many other things in it filling a new pot which may be covered with a cover which is bored through with many holes like unto a sive The powder of unwashed Wool is anointed upon divers sores and is very curable for them as bruised new wounded and sores half burnt and it is used for the curing of the diseases in the eyes as also in the easing of the Fistulaes and corrupt mattery sores in the ears The power of the powder of unwashed wool is clensing and it doth very effectually purge the eye-lids or cheek-bals It doth also clense and cure for the most part all diseases as Serenus saith in these Verses Succida cum tepido nectetur tana Lyaeo Ambustaeve cinis complebit vulneris ora Aut tu succosae cinerem perducito lanae The hairs which grow about the secret hole of Sheep being burned beaten and drunk in sweet wine doth help the shortness of the breath and ease the pursiness of the stomach The wool of a little sheep being pulled from betwixt his thighes and burnt and afterwards dipped in Vinegar doth very speedily cure those which are troubled with the head ach being bound about the temples The dust of Sheeps fleeces is very medicinable for the curing of all diseases in the genital parts whatsoever The dust of Sheeps wool doth heal all passions in Cattle The Grecians Plaister called Enneapharmacum consisted of nine several things and amongst the rest of unwashed wool The filth which sticketh to the Sheeps wool and groweth thereunto from which the thing which the Grecians call Oesypon is made hath the force of digestion like unto Butter and also a like ability of concoction In a certain medicine of Andromachus for the curing of the disease of the secret parts unwashed wool is added to the rest but Lepas as Galen saith for unwashed wool doth add Goose grease in the same quantity Some do also for unwashed wool use the marrow of a young calf and apply it in the aforesaid manner but this unwashed wool is termed of the Grecians Ae 〈…〉 pus and therefore being by divers Authors set down diversly concerning the making and virtue thereof I have thought good to set down the truest and excellentest way to make the same as Dioscorides whom in this I suppose best to follow reporteth First to take new shorn wool which is very soft and not trimmed with sope-weed and wash it with hot water then to presse all the filth forth of the same and cast it into a Cauldron which hath a broad lip and afterwards to pour the water in and to stir it up and down with a certain instrument with such great force as it may foam again of with a wooden rod still greatly to turn and trouble it so that the filthy froath or spume may more largely be gathered together afterwards to sprinkle it over with Sea water and the fat remaining which did swim upon the top being gathered together in an earthen vessel to powr the water into the Cauldron then must the froath be powred again into the Sea water and lastly taken out again this is so often to be done that the fat being consumed there will not any froath be left remaining the Aesypus then being gathered together is to be mollifyed with mens hands and if there be any filth therein it must out of hand be taken away and all the water by little and little excluded and being fresh poured in let it be mingled with ones hands until the Aesypus being touched with the tongue of any one may lightly bind it but not savour either sharp or tartly and the fat may seem very white and then let it be hid in an earthen vessel but let there be great care had they be done in the hot sun But there are some which use another manner of way to make the same which is this to cleanse the fleeces and wash away all filth and presse it forth of the same and boyl them in water over a soft fire in a brazen vessel then to wash the fat which swimmeth on the top being gathered together with water and being strained in another platter which may have some hot water in it to hide or overcast it with a linnen cloth and lay it forth in the sun until it be very white and thick enough Some also do use another way as this to
Attick Honey Butter oyl of Roses and as much warm water Marcellus Empyricus used to infuse into the ear that was pained The same also very much commends honey mingled or kneaded with the ordure of a young Infant to cure the dulness of the sight and the white spots in the eye Vegetius by this means cures the watery eyes and dropping of the eyes caused by rheume or distillation First of all a little below the eye he drawes bloud and anoints them with the purest honey till it be whole But yet care must be had as Columella very well hints that as often as the eyes are anointed with honey they be besmeared round about with melted pitch and oyl lest the Wasps and Bees infest and hurt them Hear also what Marcellus saith touching the clearing up of the eyes and he prescribes this The honey pure and neat wherein the Bees are dead let that drop into the eyes or honey mixt with the ashes of the heads of Bees makes the eyes very clear And again mingle Attick honey with the first ordure the Infant makes together with the milk of the Nurse and with that anoint the eyes that are so dull what ever the cause of it be but first of all you must binde the patient to a form or ladder for otherwise such is the strength of the medicine that he will not be able to endure it Which is such a present remedy that in three daies it will fully restore the sight and take away every blemish of the eye The Gall of a Vulture mingled with the juice of Horehound twice as much in weight as the gall is and two parts of honey cures the suffusion of the eyes Gal. in Euporist Otherwhere he mingles one part of the gall of the Sea-Tortoise and four times as much honey and anoints the eyes with it Serenus prescribes such a receipt to cause one to be quick sighted Mingle Hyblâ—an honey with the gall Of Goats 't is good to make one see withall Give Infants butter and honey for nothing is better for their breeding teeth and for sore mouths Galen bids us rub their gums with nothing but honey For it wonderfully helps to their breeding of teeth preserving cleansing and beautifying of them Also against the pain of the jawes If with Arabian honey you joyn field-poppy it 〈◊〉 it And sometimes pure honey is mingled with clear water and this as Serenus and Pliny testifie doth notably cure the driness of the tongue in Feavers the Quinsie and the diseases of the Uvula Throat Jawes of the Tonsils against difficulty of breathing and to cause one to expectorate either by it self or mingled with other things it is highly commended by Hippocrates And for the convulsion of the laps of the lungs which useth to be a deadly disease the drinking of cold water and of that wherein a honey-comb is steeped is very effectual Also if the stomack be not hot cholerick bitter nauseating or feaverish it makes it strong and vigorous and nourisheth it much not suffering milk to curdle in it it cleanseth the reins boyled with water and butter it is good against the stone Avicenna It easeth the pain of the spleen but it must be outwardly applyed with the dead Bees for taken inwardly it hurts both the liver and the spleen saith Galen When it is raw it looseneth the belly but boyled with the Bees or with new cheese it bindes the belly so much that Galen holds it to be a secret against the Dysentery and colick passions so doth Celsus also and Pliny Hippocrates mingled honey with all Medicaments that were to soften the belly Honey mingled with rosin is a cure for the cold Testicles as Pliny saith who also affirms that the ashes of Oxe-leather mingled with honey cures all running sores and botches Nitre with honey and Cowes milk cures ulcers of the face and the froth of honey with oyl of Walnuts amends the burning of the skin it is excellent for old people and such as have cold stomachs and being boyled it discusses wind and moves urine mightily Galen Hollerius reckoneth honey amongst Diaphoreticks because it openeth and maketh the passages clear Galen placeth it amongst Diureticks It layeth down its acrimony by being mingled with water or being boyled and therefore Galen prescribes boyled honey to close up ulcers that are hollow Salt with meal and honey takes away the pain of a joynt that is dislocated discusses the swelling and makes it more apt to be reduced I might here set down the plaister of Aetius and Aegineta called Diamelleum the Tapsimel of Arden and all syrups that were anciently made of honey In whose place the Neotericks have put sugar but I know not by what reason For if honey of Athens or some as good be at hand and doth not want its due preparation do not use sugar that is earthly reedy and so full of dregs not comparable either for use original or any way whatsoever with this heavenly dew honey But to let this pass let us reckon up the kinds of drinks and meats made of honey Six kindes of honey-drink the Ancients made principally Honey and water honey and wine honey and vinegar the washing of the combs juice of some grapes and honey sea-water and honey The first is called by Pollux and Nicander Hydromel or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Galen Pliny Aegineta and Dioscorides have set down the making of it Hydromel of Galen Take sweet pure clean fountain water 8. pounds the best honey 1. pound boyle them at a soft fire in an earthen vessel take off the skim a top oft times and boyl it to its thickness If it must be drunk presently it must be made thin as water if it must be setup to keep boyl it longer till it be thick as a julep if it be kept long it pierceth deeper into the parts far off and is sooner converted into choler Also boyling acquires to it many more faculties for being little boyled it inflates more it purges more and nourisheth lesse Longer boyled sit dissipates wind nourisheth more and purges lesse It is spiced at pleasure with Ginger Saffron Gallia Moschata Lignum aloes c. It is made also another way of honey 1. pound water 8. pound leaven 3. ovnces put all in a wooden vessel leaving three or four fingers empty that it may work the better when it hath done working stop the vessel and let it be well hoopt and after three months it will be fit to drink Hydromel of Pliny Take of pure rain-water that hath been kept five years 12 pound boyl it to thirds add to it a third part of old honey and in the dog-daies set it in the sun for 40 daies and letting it so stand on the tenth day stop the vessel this is called Hydromel that with age will taste like wine made no where better than in Phrygia It was given to sick people that desired wine but now it hath been forbidden many years Hydromel of Aegineta Take the
Grashoppers were of old time men born of the earth but by the favour of the Muses turned into that Musical sort of creatures the Grashoppers Even at this day sustaining their lives with no other food than dew and feeding themselves by continual â—inging they live For this cause the Athenians were called Tettigophori because they wore golden Grashoppers for ornament in their hair and for a token of their nobility and antiquity as Thucidides 1. Syngraph and Heraclides Ponticus de priscis Atheniensibus testifie Erytheus makes a proof of this custome being born of the earth as they say who first governed the Common-wealth of the Athenians and they too in the judgement of Plato the Natives were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. born of the earth Afterwards it came to be a custome that none but an Athenian or one born in the place might wear a Grashopper in his hair of this opinion is Aristoph as also his Scholiast Iâ—idore saith that the Cuckow-spittle doth generate Grashoppers which is not true but that it produceth small Locusts is manifest Lucretius in his 4 Book saith that the Grashopper in the Summer doth shift his skin according to this verse Cum veteres ponunt tunicas aestate Cicada And for that reason he is called by Hesychius 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. the naked Grashoppers or without a skin whom I should not have believed unless I had the picture of the skin so cast off by me Before Copulation the Males are of the more delicate taste afterwards the females for that they have in them white eggs very pleasant to the palat The Parthians as Pliny writeth and the rest of the eastern Nations feed upon them not only for nutrition sake but to open their veins and to stir up their languishing appetite as Atheneus in his 4. Book and Natalis Comes expresly affirm Hence Aristophanes in his Anagyrus out of Theocritus writes that the gods did feed upon Grashoppers at what time they had lost their appetite through choler or passion I have seen saith Aelian l. 12. c. 6. those that sold them tyed in bundles together for men to eat to wit the most voracious of all living creatures did sell the most jejune lest any thing should be lacking to their exquisite dainties Dioscorides gave rosted Grashoppers to eat and saith they are very good against the diseases of the bladder Some saith Galen use dryed Grashoppers for the Colick they give according to the number 3 5 or 7 grains of Pepper as well when it goes off as when it comes on Trallianus bids to give them for the Stone dried and beaten the wings and feet first of all taken away and this to be done in a bath with sweet Wine and Hippocrass Aegineta useth them dryed for the Stone in the reins and for the diseases of the reins he invented the composition called Diatettigon Such another like Antidote doth Myrepsus prescribe but all heads and feet as supervacaneous members being cast away Luminaris hath transcribed an Electuary out of Nicolaus of this sort Take Grashoppers their heads and legs cast away two ounces Grommel seed Saxifrage seed each 1 ounce Pepper Galanga Cinnamon of each 2 drams Lignum Aloes half a dram honey what is sufficient Nicolaus useth Grashoppers burned and powdered mingled with honey and gives them about the bigness of a bean in a quantity of wine Aetius gives three Grashoppers beat in Wine Some in stead of Cantharides use Grashoppers to provoke urine and in my judgement not without very good reason for they are taken with lesse danger and do work sooner as well in this disease as in the weakness of venery Nonus the Physician prescribes an Antidote of Grashoppers and Xenophyllum against the Stone in the kidneys Aretaeus for the remedies of the bladder speaks thus of Grashoppers The best remedy for the bladder is a Grashopper given in its time to eat Males before copulation but afterwards Females as we finde in Aristotle but out of their time dried and powdered boyl them with water and a little spike also let the patient sit in the same for a bath to ease the pains of the bladder Some of our later practitioners put Grashoppers in oyl and set them in the Sun and mingle them with oyl of Scorpions and anoint the privities of men and women the testicles and parts about with it for pains of the bladder Arnoldus Breviar l. 1. c. 20. 32. commends the powder of Grashoppers for the Colick and Iliack passion and also to drive forth the Stone if half a Grashopper in powder be drank with Goats bloud or Diuretick wine Lauframus highly esteems the ashes of Grashoppers to break the Stone taken with Radish water or the decoction of chich Pease Also they cause idle and lazy boyes to hunt after them Theocritus speaks thus of it in his first Idyllium Hee with thin ears of corn bound to a cane did make A whip for Grashoppers to hunt and take Neither are they only excellent meat and very usefull in Physick to men but they feed Birds also and insnare them For the youth of Crete as Bellonius witnesseth hide a hook in the body of a Grashopper and when they have fastned it to a line they cast it up into the air which the Merops seeing catch it and swalloweth which when the boyes perceive they draw it to them and so do exercise their air-fowling not without profit and pleasure The Grashoppers abounding in the end of the Spring do foretel a sickly year to come not that they are the cause of putrefaction in themselves but only shew plenty of putrid matter to be when there is such store of them appear Oftentimes their coming and singing doth pottend the happy state of things so Theocritus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Niphus saith that what year but few of them are to be seen they presage dearness of victuals and scarcity of all things else But whereas Jo. Langius a Philosopher of great reading and learning and a famous Physician saith lib. 2. epist that Grashoppers did eat the corn in Germany as the Locusts do Stumsius that it was done in Helvetia Lycosthenes lib. prodig and the Greek Epigram doth affirm that they eat the fruits and crop the herbs truly unless they mean a Locust in stead of a Grashopper they declare a strange thing and saving the credit of so famous men I will not believe for they have neither teeth nor excrement as hath been said but only feed and swell with the dew Besides although I have gone over all Helvetia Germany and England and have searcht for a Grashopper as for a needle yet could I fâ—nde none And therefore I suppose that both they themselves as also Guill de Conchy and Albert. Vincentius to have mistaken the Locust or Bruchus for the Grashopper being deceived by the common error who take the one for the other They that desire more of their nature and use may consult the Authors
the tree corrupting as also under rocks growing from moisture putrefying Then they copulate and after copulation they lay eggs whence comes a worm that are white shining like to small pearls they are many and heaped up in the same place as we observed in the year 1583. they live on warm moisture and pass the winter in the chink or wals or secret places of houses From the eggs first somewhat hard Worms are thrust out which for some time stick almost unmovable and are white at length like their parents they suck the dew and moisture They are found also in hot and dry Countreys but where they regain by the dew of the night and vapours what moysture was consumed in the day Galen describes a Chislep thus It is a house-bred living creature with many feet bred under watry vessels and dunghils and if you touch it with your fingers it rols it self up It is clear that Aristotle knew it because he compares a Sea-louse unto it when his tail is taken off Chisleps attenuate open and discuss as Galen hath taught us out of Asclepias They seem contemptible to the sight but they are excellent for diseases of the eyes Also inwardly for they are free from all poyson they are of great use for being bruised and drank in Wine they help difficulty of making water Dioscorides To which Medicament he adds this Take saith he 2 or 3 Chisleps boyl them in a little fish pickle drink of the pickle with water in two smal cups of an ounce and half apiece Pliny useth them for the Stone and difficulty of urine thus Take Mice and Pigeons dung of each half a dram two Hog-lice or Chisleps bruised drink it and the pain will cease and you shall void either the Stone or much smal sand We finde in Gesners papers that Marianus Barolitanus affirms the same Galen gives them drink in sweet Wine and so he cured many of the Kings Evill Asclepias most successefully used this kinde of remedy against the Asthma and short windedness Take Elaterium four grains three Hog-lice from a dung-hil well bruised and drink it with an ounce and half of water Gal. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Asclepias also building on the authority of the ancient Physicians much commends live Hog-lice burnt in the fire and taken to a spoonful for by their property they cure Asthma Hollerius and Johannes Agricola make good this opinion by their practise Some do torrifie in a dish a smal quantity of them into most white Ashes and then give them with Honey Pliny saith they cure short breaths 21 being bruised with Athenian Honey and with little hot water drank through a reed that the teeth and mouth may not grow black Aetius for the same infirmity gives five or six with Hydromel And Marcellus the Emperick reports ch 35. that 21 Hog-lice stamped with the best Honey and drank with water will cure short windedness pursiveness and such as are almost choked and the Leprosie also beyond belief Pliny writes that they are good in drink for Consumptions who farther maintains that a penny weight of them given in three ounces of Wine to drink will cure the pains of the loyns and hips Alexis of Piemont subscribes to this but Caelius Aurelianus dislikes this and the like remedies from Insects being so perswaded from the unusualness of such remedies rather than from any hurt or inconvenience that proceeds from them Experience confirms that many fresh Hog-lice well bruised and drank with Wine Ale Beer or any convenient liquor or applyed but outwardly can cure almost all diseases of the eyes that arise from any thing growing in them or growing to them except the Cataract which we observed in the former Chapter out of the Breviary of Arnoldus For a Quinsey saith Galen 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they must be licked with Honey and the outside of the throat must be anointed with the same Hog-lice boyled with oyl of Roses and heated in a Pomegranate shell and poured into the ears that are pained do cure them Dioscorides Gal. lib. sec loc Eupor commanded to boyl 2 3 or 4 in oyl and to press out the oyl and drop it into the ears of those were deaf or had pains or tinklings in their ears Oyl of Chisleps dropped into that ear is next an aking tooth takes away the pain certainly that ariseth from a hot cause Aetius 24. 27. Some mingle them with some convenient unguent and drop them into the ears Severus saith Galen poured them into ulcerated ears with good successe Faventinus ptescribes 21 Chisleps boyled in sowr Oyl for pains of the ears proceeding from cold in which he shews that they must be anointed about the ears and a little must be dropped in Cardan justifies the same remedy by experience For Wens Pliny takes a fourth part of Rosin or Turpentine to the dunghil Chislep by which Medicament saith he swellings under the ears Kings-evils and all such tumors are cured Marcellus Empericus hath the same and Avicenna 2. 2. cap. 729. and from the authority of others he adds that Chisleps taken in drink cure the Cramp and Alcuzes which we have never known any to have said besides If you often apply Oyl or Butter of Hog-lice to a pained head you shall cure the pain Gal. Eupor 2. 91. and Absyrtus de quadrup Bruised they cure the Tonsils and the diseases of the chops Dioscor A live Chislep laid to a whitloaf cures it and it takes away swellings if it be laid on with a third part of Rosin or Turpentine Pliny Take Unguent populeon j. ounce Oyl of Roses wherein Hog-lice have been boyled j. ounce and half Saffron iv grains mingle them and make an unguent that is a most noble cure for the Hemorrhoids that swell and are painful Others saith Alexander Benedictus boyl these Chisleps with Fat or Butter then they put to it the yolk of an Egg and with this they asswage that cruel pain Pliny saith they cure all hardness of wounds and Cancers and Worms in Ulcers being mingled with Turpentine And to conceal nothing from you I thought fit to add that Pennius himself lying sick of the Asthma used for a long time Hog-lice steeped in Wine but having done it alwaies to no effect by my advice at last he did twice or thrice take in the smoke of Brimstone through a tunnel and he grew perfectly well from that horrid symptome Take oyl of Violets iij. ounces wherein let four Chisleps boyl till a third part be consumed it restrains a salt humour being outwardly anointed An incertain Author Hens water Lizards land Frogs and Serpents feed on Chisleps as Theophrastus writes Ambrose Paraeus a Chirurgeon of Paris relates that one vomited a small living creature like to a Chislep and such a like thing Solerius hath written concerning a certain woman upon the second Book of Aetius CHAP. X. Of Land Scorpions Take off the claws of Crabs that use the shore And from their bodies with earth
Gallia called Moschata Cloves sweet Cane Nutmeg Galanga Carway-seed of each twelve penny weight Hippocystis Acacia Sumach of each four penny weight oyl of Myrrhe juyce of Mints and Wax what sufficeth make a plaister If there be no Feaver the navil and thighs are to be anointed with Honey in a hot affect with Milk and then a little Aloes is strewed on for it wonderfully kils Worms also the nostrils are profitably anointed with Theriac and Vinegar A Cerate against Worms out of Paulus Take Aloes VVormwood Lupin-meal Seriphium Gith of each six scruples VVax an ounce and half oyl of Camomel what may suffice make them up being bruised dry with Buls gall Another out of Aetius Lupin-meal VVormwood in powder Barley in fine powder of each seven penny weight Buls gall eight penny weight rasping of Harts-horn four penny weight VVax twenty six penny weight weak oyl twelve penny weight Another approved Take Aloes half an ounce Saffron two oboli juyce of Pomecitrons as many drams mingle them with sweet white VVine and apply them to the heart Another approved Take Buls gall 30 penny weight choise Frankincense 128 penny weight Strong-water 2 heminae distil all these chymically and in a glass vessel covered with VVax keep what comes forth and use it when occasion is Another very excellent that kils and casts forth the Worms Take VVormwood Gentian Centory the less bark of the roots of Mulberies Bay-berries witâ— the kernels taken forth bark of the roots of the Pomgranate-tree Ash-root pils of each 16 penny weight Marjoram 14 penny weight Southernwood Aloes Myrrhe Agarick of each 12 penny weight Dittany of Crete Germander Savin of each 8 penny weight Poly-mountain Grass-roots each 10 penny weight Staechas Chamaedrys Chamaepity Pomecitron-seed each 6 penny weight ashes of Harts-horn Santonicum 4 penny weight Coloquintida-seed 2 penny weight Buls gall 24 penny weight the sharpest Vinegar 1 hemina and 3 cyathi a gallon of bitter oyl of unripe Olives and 6 heminae let the dry things be beaten into most fine powder and mingle them ten daies together on the eleventh day let them boyl in a double vessel until the Vinegar be consumed when these are cold add one hemina of oyl of Bayes bitter Almonds and Peach-kernels of each beaten 24 penny weight all these as the former must be put into a glass vessel and be distilled Another most excellent and sure Take Peach-kernels Garlick Earth-worms washed in Vinegar of each 24 penny weight Gentian Dittany of Crete Grass-roots and Piony pils of Mulberry roots pilled of each 52 penny weight Saffron sweet Cane Cloves Aloes Calbanes Coloquintida Ginger Nutmegs Cassia long Pepper Frankincense fruit of Balsome red Coral of each 8 penny weight the best Theriack 12 penny weight Mints Wormwood Centory the Less Peach-tree leaves headed Leeks Penniroyal Calamints Plantain Rue black Horehound Bay-leaves Sage Marjoram Betony Scordium Orange-pils and bark of Mulberry roots of each 16 penny weight seeds of wilde Smallage Purslain Radish Coleworts Santonicum Plantain headed Leeks sea Mosse garden Smallage that is Parsly each 12 penny weight the sharpest Vinegar juyce of Quinces of each one hemina oyl of Mastick Spike liquid Bitumen they call it Petroleum oyl of Bayes of each 16 penny weight the oldest Oyl or oyl omphacine 8 heminae beat the dry things to powder and mingle them and in a glased vessel set them under Horse-dung for a moneth then boyl them in a double vessel to thirds strain them when they are cold and straining them out forcibly keep in a glass what comes forth for your use But employ it thus first anoint the temples then the nostrils next that the spondyls of the neck four of them next the throat then anoint the pulses of the arms next to that the stomach I mean by the stomach the mouth of the ventricle taking the word stomach improperly for properly it signifies the throat wherein I must not passe over the error of our new Physicians who in affects of the mouth of the stomach lay their remedies upon the back over against it which is both contrary to Galen and also to reason 3. 10. de mâ—rb cur libro yet I believe Thomas Linacer did not rightly interpret that place if I be not mistaken who was indeed otherwise a very learned man and most skilful in the interpretation of Authors but it may be that Greek Book was faulty or for some other reason Also it seems agreeing to reason that for affects of the mouth of the stomach the remedies should be applied before immediately under that round gristle which they call the shield or sword-fashion gristle for at this place the mouth of the stomach best receives the force of Cataplasms and Cerats forasmuch as there are no bones to keep it off but the properly called stomach that is the throat is fenced with most strong bones as under a fence for it hath the brest bones before and the back behinde But this is spoken by the by Now between the wetting of one place and of another we must stay so long as a man might walk about 40 paces and when these places are wet we must use more distance of time when we anoint the reins and the navil And these three remedies are so certain that unless a childe be ready to die he will recover from the point of death only by anointing these parts That which is called the broad Worm abounds in those that have no Feaver and breeds in long during diseases The method to cure these is the same as for round Worms For bitter and sharp potions are most in use and to eat Garlick or Calamint Dittany or Penniroyal we must eat Garlick largely for three daies and old soft Cheese Next let a man eat of Macedonian Fern dried and powdred and sifted 8 penny weight with as much Honey as he please after four hours give the patient Aloes and Scammony of each one half dram in honey-Honey-water 4 cyathi when he begins to rise to stool set hot water under Also give water to drink in which Lupins or the bark of Mulberry-tree is boyled or to which there is added a sawcer full of Pepper or bruised Hysop and a little Scammony or else after the eating of Garlick we speak of let him vomit and the next day let him gather as many Pomgranate roots as he can hold in his hand and bruise them and boyl them in 3 sextarii of water to a third part remaining let him put a little Nitre to this and drink it fasting three hours then past let him take two Potions either of water or salt pickle added to it Then pour forth the hot water into a bason as I said also give Earth-worms to drink for they are exceeding good But the juyce of mouse-ear is proper for them drank two cyathi with one cyathus of Ale for it quickly drives forth the broad Worms But this remedy following must first be drank nor is it thought unfit for
Ptisick or short breath made into pils with Honey The powder of a Cowes horn mixed with Vinegar helpeth the morphew being washed or anointed therewith The same infused into the Nostrils stayeth the bleeding likewise mingled with warm water and Vinegar given to a Splenitick man for three daies together it wonderfully worketh upon that passion powder of the hoof of an Ox with water put upon the Kings evill helpeth it and with Water and Honey it helpeth the apostemes and swelling of the body and the same burned and put into drink and given to a Woman that lacketh Milk it encreafeth milk and strengtheneth her very much Other take the tongue of a Cow which they dry so long till it may be beaten into powder and so give it to a woman in white wine or broath The dust of the heel of an Ox or ancle bone taken in wine and put to the gums or teeth do fasten them and remove the ach away The ribs of Oxen beaten to powder do stay the flux of bloud and restrain the aboundance of monthly courses in women The ancle of a white Cow laid forty daies and nights into wine and rubbed on the face with white Linet taketh spots and maketh the skin look very clear Where a man biteth any other living creature seethe the flesh of an Ox or a Calf and after five daies lay it to the sore and it shall work the ease thereof The flesh being warm layed to the swellings of the body easeth them so also do the warm bloud and gall of the same beast The broath of beef healeth the loosness of the belly coming by reason of choler and the broath of Cowes flesh or the marrow of a Cow healeth the ulcers and chinks of the mouth The skin of a Ox especially the leather thereof warm in a shooe burned and applyed to pimples in the body or face cureth them The skin of the feet and nose of an Ox or Sheep sod over a soft and gentle fire untill there arise a certain scum like to glew from it and afterward dried in the cold windie air and drunk helpeth or at least easeth burstness very much The marrow of an Ox or the sewet helpeth the strains of sinews if they be anointed therewith If one make a small candle of Paper and Cowes marrow setting the same on fire under his browes or eye-lids which are bald without hair and often anointing the place he shall have very decent and comely hair grow thereupon Likewise the sewet of Oxen helpeth against all outward poison so in all Leprosies Botches and Scurviness of the skin the same mingled with Goose grease and poured into the eares helpeth the deafness of them It is also good against the inflamation of the ears the stupidity and dulness of the teeth the running of the eyes the ulcers and rimes of the mouth and stifness of the neck If ones bloud be liquid and apt to run forth of the body it may be well thickned and retained by drinking Ox bloud mingled with Vinegar and the bloud of a Cow poured into a wound that bleedeth stayeth the bloud Likewise the bloud of Oxen cureth the scabs in Dogs Concerning their Milk volumes may be written of the several and manifold virtues thereof for the Arcadians refused all medicine only in the Spring time when their beasts did eat grasse they drank Cowes milk being perswaded that the virtue and vigour of all good herbs and fruits were received and digested into that liquor for they gave it medicinally to them which were sick of the Ptisick of Consumption of an old Cough of the Consumption of the reins of the hardness of the belly and of all manner of poisons which burn inwardly which is also the opinion of all the Greek Physitians and the shell of a Walnut sod in Cow-milk and said to the place where a Serpent hath bitteh it cureth it and stayeth the poison The same being new and warm Gargarized into the throat helpeth the soreness of the kernels and all pain in the Arteries and swelling in the throat and stomach and if any man be in danger of a short breath let him take dayly soft pitch with the hearb Mummie and Harts suet clarified in a Cup of new Milk and ithath been proved very profitable Where the pains of the stomach come by sadness Melancholy or desperation drink Cow-milk Womans milk or Asses milk wherein a flint stone hath been sodden When one is troubled with a desire of going often to the stool and can egest nothing let him drink Cow-milk and Asses-milk sod together the same also heated with gads of Iron or steel and mingled with one fourth part of water helpeth the Bloudy flux mingled with a little Hony and a Buls gall with Cummin and gourds layed to the Navel and some affirm that Cow-milk doth help conception if a woman be troubled with the whiteflux so that her womb be indangered let her drink a purgation for her upper parts and afterward Asses milk last of all let her drink Cow-milk and new wine for forty daies together if need be so mingled that the wine appear not in the milk and it shall stay the flux But in the use of milk the rule of Hippocrates must be continually observed that it be not used with any sharp or tartd liquor for then it curdleth in the stomach and turneth into corruption The whay of Cow-milk mingled with Hony and Salt as much as the tast will permit and drunk looseneth the hardness of the belly The marrow of a Cow mingled with a little meal and with new cheese wonderfully stayeth the Bloudyflux It is affirmed that there is in the head of an Ox a certain little stone which only in the fear of death he casteth out at his mouth if this stone be taken from them suddenly by cutting the head it doth make children to breed teeth easily being soon tyed about them If a man or woman drink of the same water whereof an Ox drunk a little before it will ease the headach and in the second venter of a Cow there is a round black Tophus found being of no weight which is accounted very profible to Women in hard travails of child-birth The Liver of an Ox or Cow dryed and drunk in powder cureth the flux of boud The gall of a Cow is more forcible in operation then all other beasts gals whatsoever The gall of an Ox mixed with Hony draweth out any thorn or point of a needle or other Iron thing out of the flesh where it sticketh Likewise it being mingled with Alome and Myrrhe as thick as hony it cureth those evils which creep and annoy the privie parts laying upon it afterward Beets sod in wine It will not suffer the Kings evill to grow or spread it self if it be laid upon it at the beginning The hands washed in an Oxes gall and water are made white how black soever they were before time and if purblind eyes be anointed with
put a Golden collar and so sent him away with liberty Antiochus one of Alexanders successors had two Elephants one of them he likewise called Ajax in imitation of Alexander and the other Patroclus of which two this story is reported by Antipater That when Antiochus came to a certain ford or deep water Ajax which was alway the Captain of the residue having sounded the depth thereof refused to passe over and turned back again then the King spake to the Elephants and pronounced that he which would passe over should have principality over the residue whereupon Patroclus gave the adventure and passed over safely and received from the King the silver trappings and all other prerogatives of principality the other seeing it which had alway been chief till that time preferred death before ignominy and disgrace and so would never after eat meat but famished for sorrow They are bred in the hot Eastern Countries for by reason they can endure no cold they keep only in the East and South Among all the Indian Elephants are greatest strongest and tallest and there are among them of two sorts one greater which are called Prasii the other smaller called Taxilae They be also bred in Africa in Lybia much greater then a Nysaean Horse and yet every way inferiour to the Indian for which cause if an African Elephant do but see an Indian he trembleth and laboureth by all means to get out of his sight as being guilty of their own weakness There are Elephants also in the Isle Taprobane and in Sumatra in Africa They are bred in Lybia in Aethiopia among the Troglodytae and in the Mountain Atlas Syrtes Zames and Sala the seven Mountains of Tingitania and in the Countrey of Basman subject to the great Cham. Some Authors affirm that the African Elephants are much greater then the Indian but with no greater reason then Columella writeth that there be as great beasts found in Italy as Elephants are whereunto no sound Author ever yeelded Of all earthly creatures an Elephant is the greatest for in India they are nine cubits high and five cubits broad in Africa fourteen or fifteen full spans which is about eleven foot high and proportionable in breadth which caused Aelianus to write that one Elephant is as big as three Bugils and among these the Males are ever greater then the Females In the Kingdom of Melinda in Africk there were two young ones not above six monthes old whereof the â—east was as great as the greatest Ox but his flesh was as much as you shall finde in two Oxen the other was much grater Their colour is for the most part mouse-colour or black and there was one all white in Ethiopia The skin looketh pieled and scabby it is most hard on the back but softer underneath the belly having no covering of hair or gristles nor yet help by his tail to drive away the flies for that evill doth this beast feel in his great body but alway hath crevises in his skin which by their savour do invite the little flies to a continual feast but when by stretching forth they have received the swarmes by shrinking together again they inclose the flies and so kill them so that these crevises in his skin are unto him in stead of a main tail and hair yet there are some few hairs which grow scattering upon his hide whereof some have been brought out of America into Germany which were two palms long but not so stiffe as Swines Grandia taurorum portant qui corpora quaeris An Lybicas possint sustinuisse trabes There is a certain Book extant without the name of the Author written of Judea or the Holy land wherein the Author affirmeth that he saw an Elephants tooth sold to a Venetian Merchant for six and thirty Ducats it being fourteen spans long and four spans broad and it weighed so heavy that he could not move it from the ground Vartomanus also saith that he saw in the Isle of Sumatra two Elephants teeth which weighed three hundred six and thirty pounds This is certain that the teeth of those Elephants which live in the Marishes and watry places are so smooth and hard as they seem intractable and in some places they have holes in them and again certain bunches as big as hail-stones which are so hard as no art or instrument can work upon them The Elephants of the Mountains have lesser and whiter teeth fit to be applyed to any work but the best of all are the teeth of the Campestrial and field Elephants which are whitest and softest and may well be handled without all pain The teeth of the female are more pretious then of the male and these they lose every tenth year which falling off they bury and cover in the earth pressing them down by sitting upon them and then heal them over with earth by their feet and so in short time the grasse groweth upon them for as when they are hunted they know it is for no other cause then their teeth so also when they lose their teeth they desire to keep them from men lest the virtues of them being discovered they which bear them should enjoy the lesse peace and security It is admirable what devises the people of India and Africa have invented by natural observation to finde out these buried teeth which unto us living in the remote parts of the world we would judge impossible by any ordinary or lawful course except we should turn up the earth of a whole Countrey or go to work by diabolical conjuration yet have they found out this facile and ready course In the woods or fields where they suspect these teeth to be buried they bring forth pots or bottles of water and disperse them here one there another and so let them stand and tarry to watch them so one sleepeth another singeth or bestoweth his time as he pleaseth after a little time they go and look in their pots and if the teeth lie near their bottles by an unspeakable and secret attractive power in nature they draw all the water out of them that are neer them which the watchman taketh for a sure sign and so diggeth about his bottle till he finde the tooth but if their bottles be not emptied they remove to seek in another place These Ivory teeth have been alway of great estimation among all the Nations that ever knew them the Ethiopians payed for a tribute unto the King of Persia every third year twenty of these teeth hung about with gold and Jet-wood These are sold by weight and there be many which deceive the world with the bones of Fishes in stead hereof but the true Ivory is paler and heavier and falling upon the ground will easily break whereas the bones of Fishes are more tenacious light and strong It is like to the Chernites wherein Darius was entombed and the Marble called Lapis Coraliticus Coral stone like unto this is the Alagi
eyes cureth all evils in them and they presently like reasonable men acknowledge the benefit of the medicine The medicinal vertues in this Beast are by Authors observed to be these The bloud of an Elepbant and the ashes of a Weasil cure the great Leprosie and the same bloud is profitable against all Rhumatick fluxes and the Sciatica The flesh dryed and cold or heavy fat and cold is abominable for if it be sod and steeped in Vinegar with Fennel-seed and given to a Woman with childe it maketh her presently suffer abortment But if a man taste thereof salted and steeped with the seed aforesaid it cureth an old cough The fat is a good Antidote either by Ointment or Perfume it cureth also the pain in the head The Ivory or tooth is cold and dry in the first degree and the whole substance thereof corroborateth the heart and helpeth conception it is often adulterated by Fishes and Dogs bones burnt and by white Marble There is a Spodium made of Ivory in this manner Take a pound of Ivory cut into pieces and put into a raw new earthen pot covering and glewing the cover with lome round about and so let it burn till the pot be throughly hardned afterward take off the pot and beat your Ivory into small powder and being so beaten sift it then put it into a glass and pour upon it two pound of distilled Rose-water and let it dry Thirdly beat it unto powder again and sift it the second time and put into it again so much rose-Rose-water as at the first then let it dry and put thereunto as much Camphire as will ly upon three or four single Groats and work it all together upon a Marble stone into little Cakes and so lay them up where the air may not corrut 〈…〉 them The vertue hereof is very pretious against spitting of bloud the Bloudy-flix and also it is 〈◊〉 for refrigeration without danger of binding oâ— astriction After a man is delivered from the 〈◊〉 Pestilence or sudden forgetfulness let him be purged and take the powder of Ivory and Hiera 〈◊〉 drunk out of sweet water This powder with Hony-Attick taketh away the spots in the face the same with wilde Mints drunk with water resisteth and avoideth the Leprosie at the beginning The powder of Ivory burnt and drunk with Coatsbloud doth wonderfull cure all the pains and expell the little stones in the reins and bladder Combes made of Ivory are most wholesome the touching of the trunk cureth the Headach The Liver is profitable against 〈…〉 evill the same vertue hath the gall if he have any against the Falling evill The fâ—â—e by anointing cureth a lowfie 〈◊〉 and taketh away that power which breedeth these vermine th 〈…〉 me perfâ—med easeth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a 〈…〉 and driveth 〈◊〉 or marshflies out of a 〈…〉 ouse Of the ELK AS the Elphant last handled could not live in any Countrey of the world but in the hot Eastern and Southern Regions so the 〈…〉 the contrary is most impatient of all heat and keepeth not but in the Northern and cold Co 〈…〉 for Polonia and the Countreys under that Climate will not preserve an Elk alive as it hath been often â—ryed by experience for which cause they are not found but in the colder Northern Regi 〈…〉 Prussia Hung 〈◊〉 and Illyria is the Wood Hercynia and among the Borussian-Scy 〈…〉 〈◊〉 most plentiful in S 〈…〉 whi 〈…〉 nias calleth the Celtes for all the Ancients called the Kingdoms of Germany and the North Celtarum Regiones Countreys inhabited by the Celts The Figure of the ELK with Horns This Beast is called in Greek Alke and in Latine Alces or Alce which was a name of one of Actaeons Dogs in Ovid the Turks Valachians the Hungarians Iajus the Illyrians and Polonians Los in the singular and plurally Lossie for many Elks. Albertus Magnus calleth it Alches and Aloy and afterward Equicervus a Horse-Hart The Germans Elch Ellend and Elent by a Metathesis of Alke or Alce and for my part I take it to be the same Beast which Pliny calleth Machlis for there is nothing attributed to an Elk which also doth not belong to Machlis The ELK without Horns I finde not any unreconcileable difference among Authors concerning this Beast except in Caesar lib. 6. of his Commentaries who by the relation of other not by his own sight writeth that there are Elks in the Hercynian Wood like unto Goats in their spotted skins who have no horns nor joints in their legs to bend withall but sleep by leaning unto trees like Elephants because when they are down on the ground they can never rise again But the truth is that they are like to Roes or Harts because Goats have no spotted skins but Deer have and there may easily be a slip from Caprea a Roe to Capra a Goat and Caesar himself confesseth that the similitude is in their spotted skins which are not competible in Goats but in Roes And whereas he writeth that they have no Horns the error of this relator may be this that either he had only seen a young one before the horns came forth or else an old one that had lately lost his horns and by this I suppose that the authority of Caesar is sufficiently answered so as we may proceed to the description of this Beast collected out of the ancient Writers Pausanias Vapiscus Caesar and Solinus Pliny and the later Writers consenting with them in all things excepting Caesar in the two things aforesaid Albertus Magnus Mathaeus Michuanus Seb Munster Erasmus Stella Iohannes Bonarus Baron of Balizce a Polonian Johannes Kentmannus Jo. Pontanus Antonius Schnebergerus Christophorus Wirsungus and that most worthy learned man Georgius Joachimus of Rhaetia and Baoron Sigismund Pausanias snpposeth it to be a Beast betwixt a Hart and a Camel and Albertus betwixt a Hart and a Horse who therefore as it hath been said calleth it Equi-cervus a Horse-Hart but I rather by the horns afterward described and by the foot which Bonarus had do take and hold it to be as big every way as two Harts and greater then a Horse because of the labour and qualities attributed thereunto whereunto also agreeth Albertus In Swedia and Riga they are tamed and put into Coaches or Charriots to draw men through great snows and upon the ice in the Winter time they also are most swift and will run more miles in one day then a Horse can at three They were wont to be presents for Princes because of their singular strength and swiftness for which cause Alciatus relateth in an emblem the answer of Alexander to one that asked him a question about celerity whether haste doth not alway make waste which Alexander denyed by the example of the Elk in these Verses Alciatae gentis insignia sustinet Alce Vnguibus meeden fert anaballomenos Constat Alexandrum sic respondisse roganti Qui tot obivisset tempore gesta brevi
in the top were Lyons in the middle were Goats and also at the foot thereof Serpents If they suffer heat or cold they are much endangered for such is their nature that they avoid all extremity and the females with young are most of all molested with cold if they have conceived in the Winter then many Abortments or casting their young followeth In like sort it hapneth if they eat Walnuts and not to their full unripe therefore either they must be suffered to eat of them to saciety or else they are not to be permitted to them If at any time the eat Scammony Hellebore Lesseron or Mercury they are much troubled in their stomach and lose their milk especially the white Hellebore The Publicans in the Province of Cyrene have all the government of the pastures and therefore they permit not Benzwine to grow in their Countrey finding thereby great gain and if at any time their Sheep or Goats meet with any branch thereof they eat it greedily but the Sheep immediately fall to sleep and the Goats to Neezing Aegolethros and Sabine are poyson to Goats The Herb called in Greek Rhododendron and may be Englished Rose-tree is poyson to Goats and yet the same helpeth a man against the venome of Serpents The prickle or spindle tree called also Euonymus which groweth in the Mount Occynius called Ordyno about the bigness of a Pine-apple-tree having soft leaves like the same and it buddeth in September and the flower is like to a white Violet flower this killeth Goats except they be purged with black Hellebore immediately after they have eaten thereof The Egyptians when they will describe a man devouring Sheep or Goats they picture the herb Curilago or Conyza because it also killeth them Also as Clodrysippus affirmeth they avoid Cumin for it maketh them mad or bringeth upon them Lethargies and such like infirmities He avoideth also the spettle of man for it is hurtful to him and to the Sea-fish Scolopendra and yet he eateth many venemous herbs and groweth fat thereby and this also may be added that Goats grow fat when they are with young but by drinking of Honey they are weakned and indangered of death Concerning their drink it is necessary for a skilful Goat-herd to observe the nature of the beast and the best time and place of their watering according to the saying of Virgill Jubeo frondentia Capris Arbuta sufficere fluvios praebere recentes In the Summer they are to be watered twice a day and at other times once only in the afternoon but it is reported of the Goats of Cephalenia that they drink not every day like other Goats but only once or twice in six months and therefore they turn themselves to the winde or cold air of the Sea and by yawning suck into their mouths or bellies that which serveth them in stead of water When the Sun declineth they ly and look not upon one another but on the contrary and they which lodge in the fields take up their rest amongst their acquaintance But if they be used to fold or house they remember it and repair thither of their own accord which thing caused the Poet to write in this manner Atque ipsae memores redeunt in tecta suosque Ducunt gravido superant vix ubere limen Concerning their stables or houses to lodge in for their defence against the cold the diligent herd-man must observe that nothing must be laid under the Goat to ly upon and it is best to make his stable upon stones or some some such hard floor and the same must be kept and turned dry every day from the annoyance of their dung for that hurteth their heads It is good to set the window of their stable to the Sun and from the winde according to the counsel of Virgil Et stabula a ventis hyberno opponere soli Ad medium conversa diem cum frigidus olim Jam cadit extremoque irrorat Aquarius anno Although Goats be stronger then Sheep yet they are never so sound for in buying and selling or them he was never accounted a wise man that either hoped to buy or promised to sell without fault It was sufficient in open Market places when and where Goats were to be sold to promise Hodie capras recte esse bibere posse eas licite habere that is that the day of their sale they were well and could drink and they were his own and it was lawful for him to have them But farther no man was urged for Archelaus saith they are ever Febricitantes because their breath is hotter and their copulation more fiery and therefore their herdmen must not be unprovided of good and sufficient medicine to help them and not only against their natural diseases but also their continual horn-wounds which they give one another by their often fightings and also when they aspire to climbe upon steep and craggy pointed rocks or trees they often fall and are wounded in such cases they have no such Physitian as their Keeper whose bag and box must be as an Apothecaries shop to yeeld continual remedies to all their grievances The best means to preserve them in health next to a good diet and warm lodging is to plant Alysson neer to their stabling houses And their continual Ague spoken of before is profitable to their body for when it departeth and leaveth them presently they perish and dy Sheep and Goats have a natural foresight of the Pestilence or Murrain of Earth-quakes and of wholesome temperate weather and of abundance and store of fruits but neither of both shall be ever infested by the Pestilence if you give them the powder of a Storks Ventricle or maw one spoonful thereof in water every day And whereas all other kinde of Cattel when they are sick consume and pule away by little and little only Goats perish suddenly insomuch as all that are sick are unrecoverable and the other of the flock must be instantly let bloud and separated before the infection overspread all and the reason of their sudden death is because of their aboundance of food which ministreth speedy flax for the fire of their disease to burn At such times they must not feed all the day long but only thrice or four times a day be led forth to grass and brought in again to their stables If any other sickness annoy them they are to be cured with Reed and the roots of white Thorn beat together with Iron Pestles and mingled with rain Water and so given to the Cattel to be drunk but if this medicine help not then either sell them away or else kill them and salt them till you minde to eat them Goats are not troubled with Lice or Nits but only with Tickes There is a certain Wine called Melampodion the report is that one Melampos a Shepherd had it revealed unto him to cure the madness of Goats it is made of black Hellebore and
Beast is much delighted neither must he be tyed or drawn too hard till the Rider be seated Look also often to the girths that they wring not the sides or pull off the skin Of Riding and sitting on Horseback WHen you are to get up and mount on Horseback take hold on the lower part of the Bridle neer the Bit with the left hand with such a distance as may both keep him from rising nor give him offence if you take advantage to get into the Saddle and with the right hand take the rains on the top of the shoulders and the mane and so hold them as you give no check to the Horses mouth in mounting there are other rules for this among Riders wherewithal I will not meddle only it is good to use your Horse to backing both sadled and bare as well from the plain ground as from blocks and risings invented for the ease of man Therefore before you go to Horseback first stroke your Horse and make much of him with gentle words or other convenient sound which the Horse understandeth and so will he stand more willingly till you be on his back for this thing there is in Plutarch an excellent story of Alexander the great when Bucephalus was first of all presented to his Father King Philip by a Thessalian called Philonix For when the King was perswaded to go forth into the field to try the qualities of this beast which was so highly commended for rare parts and valued at such a price as none but a King might yeeld for him then the Horse began to snort and kick and to admit no man to come unto him within the length of the rains but kept aloft like a wilde and untamed Horse yeelding no obedience to voice or other signes of the Riders whereat the King fell exceeding angry and bid them lead away the unruly and untamed Horse Alexander being present complained of the ignorance and fearfulness of the Riders and that they were the cause why such a generous and gallant beast was no better manned At the hearing whereof King Philip smiled and yet so carryed himself as though he had not heard the words of his Son untill Alexander repeated his saying the second time whereunto his Father replyed What sir Boy will you make your self more skilfull then these old cunning Riders will you lay on them an imputation of fear and ignorance Yes said Alexander I will adventure to handle this Horse better then any other Yea but said Philip what punishment then wilt thou undergo if thou fail and perform not what thou hast said What punishment said Alexander why I will give them the price of the Horse Whereat the King laughed and struck up the wager and so had Alexander the rains of the Horse delivered to him who presently turned him about against the Sun-rising that so he might not be terrified with the shadow of the beholders and so led him up and down softly two or three turns and at last wan the Horse to hand which he gently stroked and applauded and when he had gotten perfect intelligence and understanding of the Horses stomach he cast off his cloak and addressed himself to mount on his back so holding the rains and bearing his hand and whole body as he did not check or pinch the Horses mouth so he inclined him first of all to â—ay away his stirred and angry minde and afterward paced him to and fro gently which the Horse endured At last he put Spurs unto him and made him run leap carreer and curvet to the terrour at the first of all the beholders and afterward to the singular admiration and praise of himself which caused the company or train to applaude this fact and forced the old man his Father to send forth tears for joy and when Alexander descended from his Horse he could not contain himself but he must needs go kisse and embrace such a Son whereby it is manifest that when a Man is to ride on a generous spirited Horse he shall bend him to endure the burthen by gentleness and familiarity so as the Beast may still know and love his Rider Likewise when the Master mounteth it is requisite that the servant be on the other side of the Horse to hold the stirrop for so shall he get up more surely and set himself more softly Some Horses are taught to bend their knees to take up their aged and sick Masters that so they may be the lesse offended in ascending to their backs and this custom saith Pollux did first of all begin among the Persians The ancient Germans were so singularly exercised in Horsemanship that standing upon the ground and holding a Spear or Lance in their hands they mounted without other stirrop or vantage upon their Horses backs and not only when they were ordinary attired in common garments but then also when they were armed though Julius Caesar take from them all glory of Chivalry yet now adayes the invention of Saddles with stirrops is most easie both for Horse and Horsemen being then better the Pelethronian invention time When the Rider is in his Saddle and is well seated he must not sit as in a Chair or Chariot bended together but rather keep his body upright only bowing outward his knees for so shall he be better able to defend himself or offend his adversary for he must rather seem to stand then to sit on horseback The Rider or Master of Horses must spare his Horse in the heat of Summer about Dog-dayes and in the cold of Winter and never at any time to Ride past the twylight of the evening The Horse being empty is more prone to make water then being full and therefore must not be hindered in that desire and alway after his staling ride him not too fast untill his nerves which were extended to let forth the Urine be contracted setled and drawn together again If in the Winter time a Horse be to passe over a foord of water which will ascend up above his belly let him stale first lest he fall into the Strangury and also be a little eased of his load There is no beast that rejoyceth more in celerity and swiftness then a Horse because so soon as he is turned out of hand he instantly runneth away speedily and doth walke softly as at other times and this is a pleasure to them except when they are provoked above their desires and the counsell of Xenophon when you are to Ride fast or for a wager is this bend the upper part of the body forward stretching out the hand which carryeth the rains now drawing it in and then letting it at length again and therefore it is good in such cases to use short rains and if the Horse in his course stretch forth the rains of his own accord then is it a sign of an unskilful Rider or of a weak and tireable Horse Add not Spurs but in great necessity but guide and provoke him with
be then it is not well Secondly sickness is known by alteration of the quality as if it be too hot or too cold too moist or too dry Thirdly when the action of any member is hurt or letted as when the eye-sight is not perfect it is a manifest sign that the eye is evill affected or sick Likewise when there breedeth no good bloud in the body it is an evident token that the Liver is not well Fourthly sickness is known by the excrements that come from the Beast as by dung or stale for if his dung be too strong of sent full of whole Cornâ— or of Wormes too hard or too soft or evill coloured it is a token that he is not well in his body so likewise if his stale be too thick or too thin too white or too red it betokeneth some surfet raw digestion or else some grief in his reins bladder or stones But Vegetius saith that it is best known whether a Horse be sick or not or toward sickness by these signes here following for if he be more slow and heavie in his trotting or gallopping harder of Spur then he was wont to be or spreadeth his litter abroad with his feet often tumbling in the night season fetching his breath short and violently loud snuffling in the Nose and casting out vapors at his Nostrils or lyeth down immediately after his provender or maketh long draughts in his drinking or in the night season is now down and now on foot or if in the next morning he be very hot in his pasterns or betwixt his ears or that his ears hang more then they are wont to do again if his eye sight be dim and his eyes hollow in his head his hairs standing right up and his flanks hollow and empty whensoever two or three of these signes do concur together then it is to be thought saith Vegetius that the Horse is not well and therefore he would have him immediately to be separated from his companions that be whole and to be placed by himself untill his disease be perfectly known and cured and especially if it be any contagious disease I have seen divers Farriars here in England to use that for the trial of a Horses sickness which I never read in any Author that is to feel his stones whether they be hot or cold and tosmell at his nostrils and so by the savour thereof to judge what sickness the Horse hath Truly I think that no evill way if they can discern with their sense of smelling the diversity of savours that cometh out of his Nostrils and then aptly apply the same to the humours whereof such savours be bred and so orderly to seek out the originall cause of his sickness But I fear me that more Farriars smell without judgement then with such judgement and no marvell why sith that few or none be learned or have been brought up with skilful Masters But from henceforth I trust that my travail will cause such Farriars as can read and have some understanding already to be more diligent in seeking after knowledge then they have been heretofore whereby they shall be the better able to serve their Countrey and also to profit themselves with good fame whereas now for lack of knowledge they incur much slander Of the Fever and divers kinds thereof in a Horse I Think it will seem strange unto some to hear that a Horse should have an Ague or Fever but it was not strange unto the men of old time as to Absyrtus Hierocles Xenophon Vegetius and such like old Souldiers throughly experimented in Horses griefs A Fever according to the learned Physitians is an unnatural and immoderate heat which proceeding first from the heart spreadeth it self throughout all the arteries and veins of the body and so letteth the actions thereof Of Fevers there be three general kinds whereof the first is that which breedeth in the spirits being inflamed or heated more then their nature requireth The second breedeth in the humors being also distempered by heat The third in the firm parts of the body being continually hot What spirits and humors be hath been told you before in the keepers Office Of these three general kinds do spring many other special kinds as Quotidians Tertians Quartans Fevers Hectick and very many others whereunto mans body is subject whereof none of my Authors do treat unless Vegetius who speaketh somewhat of a Fever Quotidian of a Fever continual and also of a Fever accidental He speaketh also of Summer Autumn and Winter Fevers without making any great difference betwixt them more then that one is worse then another by reason of the time and season of the year so that in effect all is but one Fever Wherefore according unto Absyrtus opinion I will briefly shew you first the causes whereof it proceeds and then the signes how to know it and finally how to cure the same The Fever chanceth sometime by surfetting of extreme labour or exercise as of too much travelling and especially in hot weather of too swift gallopping and running and sometime by extreme heat of the Sun and also by extreme cold of the aire and sometime it breedeth of crudity or raw digestion which many times happeneth by over greedy eating of sweet green corn or of such provender as was not thoroughly dryed or cleansed for after such greedy eating and specially such meat never followeth perfect digestion The signes to know a Fever be these The Horse doth continually hold down his head and is not able to lift it up his eyes are even blown so as he cannot easily open them yea and many times they be watering the flesh of his lips and of all his body is lush and feeble his stones hang low his body is hot and his breath is very hot and strong he standeth weakly on his legs and in his going draweth them lasiely after him yea he cannot go but very softly and that staggering here and there he will lie down on his side and is not able to turn himself or to wallow he forsaketh his meat both hay and provender and is desirous of nothing but of drink which as Absyrtus saith is an assured token of a Fever he also sleepeth but little The cure and diet Let him bloud in the face and temples and also in the palat of his mouth and the first day give him no meat but only warm drink and that by little and little Afterward give him continually grasse or else very sweet hay wet in water and let him be kept warm and sometime walke him up and down fair and softly in a temperate air and then let him rest and when you see that he begins to amend give him by little and little at once Barley fair sifted and well sodden and also mundified that is to say the huske pulled away like as when you blanch Almonds Of divers sorts of Fevers according to Vegetius and first of that which continueth but one day THe Fever of
hath any Pearl growing in his eye or thin film covering the ball of his eye then Russius would have you take of Pumice stone of Tarturam and of sal Gemmâ— of each like weight and being beaten into very fine powder to blow a little of that in his eye continuing so to do every day once or twice untill he be whole Martin saith that he always used to blow a little Sandivoir into the eye once a day which simple he affirmeth to be of such force as it will break any Pearl or Web in short space and make the eye very clear and fair Russius amongst a number of other medicines praiseth most of all the powder of a black flint stone Of the Pin and Web and other dimness FOr to cure the Pin Web Pearl Film or other dimness use this means following Take of Sandivoir the powder of burnt Allum and the powder of black Flint-stone of each like quantity and once a day blow a little thereof into the Horses eye and it will wear away such imperfect matter and make the eye clear Of the Haw called of the Italians Ilunghia de gli occhi THis is a gristle covering sometime more then one half of the eye It proceedeth of gross and tough humors descending out of the head which Haw as Martin saith would be cut away in this sort First pull both the eye-lids open with two several threds stirched with a needle to either of the lids Then catch hold of the Haw with another needle and thred and pull it out so far as you may cut it round the bredth of a penny and leave the black behinde For by cutting away too much of the fat and black of the eye the Horse many times becometh blear-eyed And the Haw being clean taken away squirt a little white Wine or Beer into his eye Another of the Haw A Haw is a gross gristle growing under the eye of a Horse and covering more then one half of his sight which if he be suffered will in short time perish the eye the cure is thus Lay your thumb under his eye in the very hollow then with your finger pull down the lid and with a sharp needle and thred take hold of the Haw and plucking it out with a sharp knife cut it away the compass of a penny or more that done wash the eye with a little Beer Of Lunatich Eyes VEgetius writeth De oculo Lunatico but he sheweth neither cause nor signes thereof but only saith that the old men tearmed it so because it maketh the eye sometime to look as though it were covered with white and sometime clear Martin saith that the Horse that hath this disease is blinde at certain times of the Moon insomuch that he seeth almost nothing at all during that time and then his eyes will look yellowish yea and somewhat reddish which disease according to Martin is to be cured in this fort First use the platster mentioned before in the chapter of Waterish or Weeping eyes in such order as is there prescribed and then with a sharp knife make two slits on both sides of his head an inch long somewhat towards the nose a handful beneath the eyes not touching the vein and with a cornet loosen the skin upward the breadth of a groat and thrust therein a round peece of leather as broad as a two penny peece with a hole in the midst to keep the hole open and look to it once a day that the matter may not be stopped but continually run the space of ten days then take the leather out and healthe wound with a little flax dipt in the salve here following Take of Turpentine of Honey of Wax of each like quantity and boyl them together which being a little warmed will be liquid to serve your purpose and take not away the plaisters from the temples untill they fall away of themselves which being fallen then with a small hot drawing Iron make a star in the midst of each temple 〈…〉 where the plaister did ly Which star would have â—hole in the midst made with the button end of your drawing Iron Another of Lunatick or Moon-eyes OF these Lunatick eyes I have known divers they are blinde at certain times of the Moon they are very red fiery and full of film they come with over-riding and extraordinary heat and fury the cure of them is thus Lay upon the Temples of his head a plaister of Bitch Rozen and Mastick molten together very exceeding hot then with a little round Iron made for the purpose burn three or four holes an inch or more underneath his eyes and anoint those holes every day with Hogs grease then put it in his eyes every day with a little Honey and in short time he will recover his sight Of the Canker in the Eye THis cometh of a ranck and corrupt bloud descending from the head into the eye The signes You shall see red pimples some small and some great both within and without upon the eye-lids and all the eye will look red and be full of corrupt matter The cure according to Martin is thus First let him bloud on that side the neck that the eye is grieved the quantity of a pottle Then take of Roch Allum of green Copperas of each half a pound of white Copperas one ounce and boil them in three pintes of running water untill the half be consumed then take it from the fire and once a day wash his eye with this water being made luke-warm with a fine linnen cloth and cleanse the eye therewith so oft as it may look raw continuing thus to do every day untill it be whole Of diseases incident to the Ears and Poll of the head and first of aâ— Impostume in the Ear. IMpostumes breed either by reason of some blow or bruising or else of evill humors congealed in the ear by some extream cold the signes be apparent by the burning and painful swelling of the ear and part thereabout The cure according to Martin is in this sort First ripe the Impostume with this plaister Take of Linseed beaten into powder of Wheat flowre of each half a pinte of Honey a pinte of Hogs grease or Barrows grease one pound Warm all these things together in an earthen pot and stir them continually with a flat stick or slice untill they be throughly mingled and incorporated together and then spread some of this plaister being warm upon a peece of linnen cloth or soft white leather so broad as the swelling and no more and lay it warm unto it and so let it remain one whole day and then renew it with fresh Ointment continuing so to do untill it break then lance the sore so that it may have passage downward and tent it to the bottom with a tent of flax dipt in this Ointment Take of Mel Rosatum of Oyl Olive and Turpentine of each two ounces and mingle them together and make him a
biggen of Canvas to close in the sore so as the tent with the Ointment may abide within renewing the tent once a day untill it be whole But if the Horse have pain in his ears without any great swelling or Impostumation then thrust in a little black Wooll dipt in Oyl of Camomile and that wilâ— heal it Of the Poll evill THis is a disease like a Fistula growing betwixt the ears and the poll or nape of the neck and proceedeth of evill humors gathered together in that place or else of some blow or bruise for that is the weakest and tenderest part of all the head and therefore soonest offended which rude Carters do little consider whilest in their fury they beat their Horses upon that place of the head with their whip-stocks and therefore no Horse is more subject to this disease then the Cart-horse and this disease cometh most in Winter season The signes You shall perceive it by the swelling of the place which by continuance of time will break it self rotting more inward then outward and therefore is more perillous if it be not cured in time and the sooner it be taken in hand the better The cure according to Martin is thus If it be not broken ripe it with a plaister of Hogs grease laid unto it so hot as may be and make a biggen for the Poll of his head to keep it from cold which biggen would have two holes open so as his â—ars may stand out and renew the plaister every day once untill it break keeping the sore place as warm as may be And if you see that it will not break so soon as you would have it then there as it is softest and most meetest to be opened take a round hot Iron as big as your little finger and sharp at the point and two inches beneath that soft place thrust it in a good deepness upward so as the point of the Iron may come out at the ripest place to the intent that the matter may descend downward and come at the neather hole which would be always kept open and therefore tent it with a tent of flax dipt in Hogs grease and lay a plaister of Hogs grease also upon the same renewing it every day once the space of four days which is done chiefly to kill the heat of the fire Then at the four days end take of Turpentine half a pound clean washed in nine sundry waters and after that throughly dryed by thrusting out the water with a slice on the dishes side then put thereunto two yolks of Egges and a little Saffron and mingle them well together that done search the depth of the hole with a whole quill and make a tent of a piece of spunge so long as it may reach the bottom and so big as it may fill the wound and anoint the tent with the aforesaid Ointment and thrust it into the wound either with that quill or else by winding it up with your finger and thumb by little and little untill you have thrust it home and lay on the plaister of Hogs grease made luke-warm renuing it every day once or twice untill it be whole But if the swelling cease then you need not to use the plaister but only to tent it and as the matter decreaseth so make your tent every day lesser and lesser untill the wound be perfectly whole Of the Vives THe Vives be certain kernels growing under the Horses ear proceeding of some rank or corrupt bloud resorting to the place which within are full of little white grains like white salt kernels The Italians call them Vivole which if they be suffered to grow Laurentius Russius saith that they will grievously pain the Horse in his throat so as he shall not be able to swallow his meat nor to breath They be easie to know for they may be felt and also seen The cure according unto Martin is in this sort First draw them down in the midst with a hot iron from the root of the ear so far as the tip of the ear will reach being puld down and under the root again draw two strikes on each side like a broad arrow head then in the midst of the first line lance them with a lancet and taking hold of the kernels with a pair of pinsons pull them so far forward as you may cut the kernels out without hurting the vein that done fill the hole with white Salt But Hierocles would have them to be cured in this sort Take a piece of Spunge sowsed well in strong Vinegar and binde that to the sore renewing it twice a day untill it hath rotted the kernels that done lance the neathermost part where the matter lyeth and let it out and then fill it up with Salt finely brayed and the next day wash all the filth away with warm water and anoint the place with Honey and Fitchflowre mingled together But beware you touch none of the kernels with your bare finger for fear of venoming the place which is very apt for a Fistula to breed in Another of the Vives THe Vives be certain kernels growing under the Horses ear which come of corrupt bloud the cure is diversly spoke and written of but this is the best mean which I have tryed that if you finde the kernels to enflame and grieve the Horse take a handful of Sorrel and lay it in a Bur-dock leaf and rost it in the hot embers like a Warden then being taken out of the fire apply it so hot as may be to the fore part suffering it to ly thereunto the space of a day and a night and then renew it till such time that it ripen and break the sore which it will in short space do When it is broken and the vilde matter taken away you shall heal up the sore place with the yolk of an Egge half a spoonful of Honey and as much Wheat-flowre as will serve to make it thick plaister-wise which being bound thereunto will in three or four days heal the same Of the Cankerous Ulcer in the Nose THis disease is a fretting humor eating and consuming the flesh and making it all raw within and not being holpen in time will eat through the gristle of the nose It cometh of corrupt bloud or else of sharp humors ingendered by means of some extream cold The signes be these He will bleed at the nose and all the flesh within will be raw and filthy stinking savours and matter will come out at the nose The cure according to Martin is thus Take of green Copperas of Allum of each one pound of white Copperas one quartern and boil these in a pottle of running water untill a pinte be consumed then take it off and put thereunto half a pinte of Honey then cause his head to be holden up with a drinking staffe and â—quirt into his nostrils with a squirt of brass or rather of Elder some of this water being luke-warm three or four times one after
awry as I have seen divers my self then I think it not good that the Horse be drawn with a hot iron on both sides of the neck but only on the contrary side As for example if he bend his head toward the right side then to draw him as is aforesaid only on the left side and to use the rest of the cure as is abovesaid and if need be you may splent him also with handsome staves meet for the purpose to make his neck stand right Of Wens in the neck A Wen is a certain kirnell like a tumor of swelling the inside whereof is hard like a gristle and spongious like a skin full of wrets Of Wens some be great and some be small Again some be very painful and some not painful at all The Physitians say that they proceed of grosse and vicious humors but Vegetius saith that they chance to a Horse by taking cold or by drinking of waters that be extreme cold The cure according to Martin is thus Take of Mallowes Sage and red Nettles of each one handful boil them in running water and put thereunto a little Butter and Honey and when the Herbs be soft take them out and all to bruise them and put thereunto of oil of Bay two ounces and two ounces of Hogs grease and warm them together over the fire mingling them well together that done plaister it upon a piece of leather so big as the Wen and lay it to so hot as the Horse may endure it renewing it every day in such sort the space of eight days and if you perceive that it will come to no head then lance it from the midst of the Wen downward so deep as the matter in the bottom may be discovered and let out that done heal it up with this Salve Take of Turpentine a quarter and wash it nine times in fair new water then put thereunto the yolk of an Egge and a little English Saffron beaten into powder and make a tent or rowle of Flax and dip it in that ointment and lay it unto the sore renewing the same every day once untill it be whole Of swelling in the neck after blood-letting THis may come of the fleam being rusty and so causing the vein to rankle or else by means of some cold wind striking suddainly into the hole The cure according to Martin is thus First anoint it with oil of Camomile warmed and then lay upon it a little hay wet in cold water and bind it about with a cloth renewing it every day the space of five dayes to see whether it will grow to a head or else vanish away If it grow to a head then give it a slit with a lancer and open it with a Cornet that the matter may come out Then heal it up by tenting it with Flax dipt in Turpentine and Hogs grease molten together dressing it so once a day untill it be whole How to 〈◊〉 bloud IF a Horse be let bloud when the signe is in the neck the 〈◊〉 perhaps will not leave bleeding so soon as a man would have it which if any such thing chauce then Russius saith it is good to binde thereunto a lettle new Horse dung tempered with chalke and strong Vinegar and not to remove it from thence the space of three dayes or else to lay thereunto burnt silk felt or cloth for all such things will staunch bloud Of the falling of the Crest THis cometh for the most part of poverty and specially when a fat Horse falleth away suddainly The cure according to Martin is thus Draw his Crest the deepness a straw on the contrary side with a hot iron the edge of which iron would be half an inch broad and make your beginning and ending somewhat beyond the fall so as the first draught may go all the way hard upon the edge of the mane even underneath the roots of the same bearing your hand right downward into the neckward then answer that with another draught beneath and so far distant from the first as the fall is broad compassing as it were all the fall but still on the contrary side and betwixt those two draughts right in the midst draw a third draught then with a button iron of an◠inch about burn at each end a hole and also in the spaces betwixt the draughts make divers holes distant three fingers broad one from another that done to slake the fire anoint it every day once for the space of nine dayes with a feather dipt in fresh Butter moulten Then take Mallows and Sage of each one a handful boil them well in running water and wash the burning away untill it be raw flesh then dry it up with this powder Take of Hony half a pinte and so much unfleck't lime as will make that Hony thick like paste then hold it in a fire-pan over the fire untill it be baked so hard as it may be made in powder and sprinkle that upon the sore places Of the falling of the Crest THe falling of the Crest is occasioned most commonly through poverty yet sometimes I have seen it chance thorugh the ill proportion of the Crest which being high thick and heavy the neck thin and weak underneath is not able to support or sustain it up however it be there is remedy for both if it proceed of poverty first try by good keeping to get it up again but if it will not rise or that the original of the disease be in the ill fashion of the Crest then let this be the cure First with your hand raise up the Crest as you would have it stand or rather more to that side from which it declineth then take up the skin between your fingers on that side from which the Crest swarveth and with a sharp knife cut away the breadth of very near an inch and the length of four inches which done stitch up the skin together again with three or four stitches and by means of strings weights or other devises keep the Crest perforce on that side applying thereunto a plaister of Deers sewet and Turpentine boiled together till the sore be healed and at the self same instant that by this manner of insition you draw together and straiten the skin on that side you shall in this sort give liberty to the other side whereby the Crest may the easier attain to his place Take a hot iron made in fashion of a knife the edge being a quarter of an inch broad and therewith from the upper part of his Crest unto the neather part of the same extending towards his shoulder draw three lines in this forme and the same anoint dayly with fresh Butter untill such time as it be perfectly whole By this manner of cure you may make any lave-ear'd Horse to be as prick-ear'd and comely as any other Horse whatsoever Of the manginess of the Mane THe manginess proceedeth of rankness of bloud or of poverty of lowsiness or else of rubbing where a
mangy Horse hath rubbed or of filthy dust lying in the mane for lack of good dressing The signes be apparent by the itching and rubbing of the Horse and the Scabs fretting both flesh and skin The cure according to Martin is thus Take of fresh grease one pound of Quicksilver half an ounce of Brimstone one ounce of Rape oil half a pinte mingle them together and stir them continually in a pot with a slice untill the Quicksilver be so wrought with the rest as you shall perceive no Quicksilver therein That done take a blunt knife or an old Horse-comb and scratch all the mangy places therewith untill it be raw and bloudy and then anoint it with this ointment in the sun-shine if it may be to the intent the ointment may sink in or else hold before it in a fire-pan or some broad bar of iron made hot to make the ointment to melt into the flesh And if you see that within the space of three dayes after with this once anointing he leave hot rubbing then marke in what place he rubbeth and dresse that place again and you shall see it heal quickly Of the falling of the hair of the Mane IT falleth for the most part because it is eaten with little Wormes fretting the roots in sundeâ— which according to Martin you shall remedy in this sort Anoint the mane and Crest with Sope then make strong lie and wash all the mane and Crest withall and that will kill the Wormes within twice or thrice washing Of griefs in the withers TO a Horses withers and back do chance many griefs and sorances which as Russius saith do sometime proceed of inward causes as of the corruption of humors and sometime of outward causes as through the galling and pinching of some naughty saddle or by some heavy burthen laid on the Horses back or such like And of such griefs some be but superficial blisters swellings lightgals or bruisings and be easily cured Some again do pierce to the very bone and be dangerous and especially if they be nigh the back bone let us first then shew you the cure of the smaller griefs and then of the greater Another of blisterings or small swellings in the withers or back and gallings WHensoever you see any swelling rise then Martin would have you to binde a little hot Horse dung unto it and that will asswage it If not then to prick it round about the swelling either with a fleam or else with a sharp pointed knife not too deep but so as it may pierce the skin and make the bloud to issue forth That done take of Mallowes or else of Smallage two or three handfuls and boil them in running water untill they be so soft as pap then strain the water from it and bruise the herbs in a trean dish putting thereunto a little Hogs grease or else Sallet oil or Sheeps sewet or any other fresh grease boil them and stir them together not frying them hard but so as it may be soft and supple and then with a cloud lay it warm upon the sore renewing it every day once untill the swelling be gone For this will either drive it away or else bring it into his head which lightly chanceth not unlesse there be some gristle or bone perished Russius biddeth you so soon as you see any swelling rise to shave the place with a rasor lay thereunto this plaister Take a little Wheat flower and the white of an Egge beaten together and spead it on a little clout which being laid unto the swelling two or three dayes and not removed will bring it to a head and when you come to take it off pull it away so softly as you can possible and whereas you see the corruption gathered together then in the lowest place thereof pierce it upward with a sharp iron somewhat hot that the corruption may come out and anoint the sore place every day once with fresh Butter or Hogs grease but if the skin be only chafed off without any swelling then wash the place with Water and Salt or else with warm Wine and sprinkle this powder thereon Take of unsleck't Lime beaten into fine powder and mingle it with Hony untill it be as thick as any paste and make rols or bals theof and bake them in a fire-pan over the fire untill they be so hard as they may be brought to powder for this is a very good powder to dry up any galling or sore The powder of Myrrhe or burnt silk felt or cloth or any old post is also good for such purposes but whensoever you use this powder of Lime and Hony let the place be washed as is aforesaid Of great swellings and inflamations in a Horses withers IF the swelling be very great then the cure according to Martin is thus First draw round about the swelling with a hot iron and then crosse him with the same iron in manner of a checker then take a round hot iron having a sharp point and thrust it into the swelling place on each side up toward the point of the withers to the intent the matter may issue downward at the holes That done tent both the holes with a tent dipt in Hogs grease to kill the fire and also anoint all the other burnt places therewith continuing so to do untill the swelling be asswaged renewing it every day once untill the fiery matter be clean fallen away and then tent him again with washed Turpentine mingled with yolks of Egges and Saffron in such manner as hath been aforesaid renewing the tent every day once untill it be whole If you see that the swelling for all this go not away then it is a signe of some impostumation within and therefore it shall be necessary to lance it and to let out the corruption then take of Hony half a pinte of Verdigrease two ounces beaten to powder and mingle it together with the Hony then boil them in a pot untill it look red then being lukewarm make either a tent or plaister according as the wound shall require renewing the same every day once untill it be whole But the sore may be so vehement that for lack of looking in time it will pierce downward betwixt both shoulders toward the intrails which is very dangerous yea and as Russius saith mortal because the corruption of the sore infecting the lungs and heart which be the vitall parts and chief preservers of life the body must needs decay And therefore Martin would have you to fill the hole with the Salve last mentioned and to thrust in afterward a piece of a spunge as well to keep the hole open as also to suck out the corruption renewing it every day once untill it be whole Of the horns or hard knobs growing under the Sadle side THis is a dead skin like a piece of leather called of the Italians Gorno that is to say a horn for that it is hard under hand and cometh by means of some
it is called Morte deschien that is to say the death of the back Because many do hold this opinion that this disease doth consume the marrow of the back for remedy whereof they use strange kinds of cures For some taking it to be a rheume go about to stop it by laying astrictive or binding charges to the nape of the neck Some again do twine out the pith of the back with a long wire thrust up into the Horses head and so into his neck and back with what reason I know not Well I know that few Horses do recover that have this disease Some again think that the Lungs of the Horse be rotten and that the Horse doth cast them out at his Nose But Martin saith that he hath cut up divers Horses which have been judged to have dyed of the mourning of the Chine but he could finde never either Back or Lungs to be perished but only the Liver and most commonly that side of the Liver which answereth the Nostril whereat he casteth whereof we will talk in his proper place when we come to speak of the diseases in the Liver The Italians do call this disease Ciamorro the old Authors do call it the moist malady whereof Theomnestus maketh two differences For in the one the matter which he doth cast at the Nose is white and doth not smell at all and in the other that which he casteth is filthy and stinking corruption They proceed both of cold humors congealed in the head but more abounding in the one then in the other by reason perhaps that the Horse was not cured in time for of cold first cometh the Pose and the Cough then the Glanders and last of all the Mourning of the Chine When the Horse casteth matter at the Nose that is not stinking he may easily be cured by such remedies as have been before declared in the Chapter of the Pose but if the matter be very filthy and stinking then it is very hard to cure Notwithstanding it shall not grieve me to write unto you here the experience of Theomnestus and of Laurentius Russius Theomnestus cure is thus Take of Water and Hony called of the Physitians Hydromel a quart and put thereunto three ounces of Oyl and powre that into his Nostril every morning the space of three dayes and if that do not profit him then let him drink every day or once in two dayes a quart of old Wine mingled with some of the medicine or rather the precious meat called of the old writers Tetrapharmacum and that will restore him to his former estate Laurentius Russius saith that of all diseases there is none more perillous nor more to be suspected then the rheume which cometh of cold for Horses have large Conduites and are full of moisture and therefore if cold once enter it findeth matter enough to work on to breed continual distillation as well outwardly at the Nose as inwardly descending down to the vitall part in such sort as it doth not suffocate the same The signes according to the said Russius be these the Horse doth cast matter continually at the Nose sometime thin and sometime thick his Nostrils Ears and all his outward parts will be cold to the feeling his eyes head and all his body heavy and he will cough and have small appetite to his meat and lesse to his drink and sometime he will tremble and shake His cure is in this sort Purge his head partly by perfuming him partly by making him to neeze in such sort as hath been before taught in the Chapter of the Pose which wayes of perfuming and purging his head as they be good so doth Russius praise these two here following to be most excellent the first is this Take of the stalks of Vitis alba otherwise called Brionie or wilde Vine two or three good handfuls and being bruised put them into a linnen bag and fasten the bag to the Horses head so as he may receive the sent up into his Nostrils without touching the hearb with his mouth and this will cause the humors to run down abundantly The second medicine Take of Euforbium beaten into fine powder three ounces of the juice of Betes one pound of Swines bloud half a pound boyl all these together until they be throughly mingled together and liquid like an ointment and then take it from the fire and put thereunto one ounce more of Euforbium and mingle them again throughly together and preserve the same in a box to use at needful times in this sort Make two stiffe long rols or tampins of linnen clouts or such like stuffe sharp pointed like Sugar loaves which tampins are called of the Physicians in Latin Pessi and being anointed with the ointment aforesaid thrust them up into the Horses Nostrils and let them abide therein a pretty while then pull them out and you shall see such abundance of matter come forth at his Nose as is marvellous to behold Russius also praiseth very much this medicine here following Take as much of the middle bark of an Elder tree growing on the water side as will fill a new earthen pot of a mean size putting thereunto as much clear water as a pot will hold and let it boyl until one half be consumed and then to be filled up again with fresh water continuing so to do three times one after another and at the last time that the one half is consumed take it from the fire and strain it through a linnen cloth Then take two parts of that decoction and one part of Hogs grease or Butter and being warmed again together give the Horse to drink thereof one hornful and powre another hornful into his Nostril that casteth and whensoever you give him this medicine let the Horse be empty and fasting and keep him without meat also two or three hours after for this is a very good drink for any sickness that cometh of cold Moreover open the skin of his forehead and of his temples and also of his tail with a sharp hot iron that the corrupt humors may issue outward That done take hot brickes or else a pan of fresh burning coles and hold it nigh unto his belly and flanks to the intent that they may be throughly warmed and being so warmed anoint them all over with Oyl-de-bay or Dialthea to defend his body from the cold and let his head be well covered and all his belly kept warm Yea and it were good to bathe his head sometime as Russius saith with a bath made of Rew Wormwood Sage Juâ—iper Bay leaves and Hysop And let his drink be warm water mingled with Wheat meal yea and to make it the more comfortable it were good as Russius saith to put thereunto some Cinamon Ginger Galingale and such hot pieces And his meat in Winter season would be no other but sodden Corn or warm Mashes made of ground Malt and Wheat bran in Summer season if he went to grasse I think it would do him
cloth and then put thereunto of Sugar one pound of Cinamon two ounces of Conserve of Roses of Barberries of Cherries of each two ounces and mingle them together and give the Horse every day in the morning a quart thereof luke warm untill all be spent and after every time he drinketh let him be walked up and down in the stable or else abroad if the weather be warm and not windy and let him neither eat nor drink in two hours after and let him drink no cold water but luke-warm the space of fifteen days and let him be fed by little and little with such meat as the Horse hath most appetite unto But if the Horse he nesh and tender and so wax lean without any apparent grief or disease then the old Writers would have him to be fed now and then with parched Wheat and also to drink Wine with his water and eat continually Wheat-bran mingled with his provender untill he wax strong and he must be often dressed and trimmed and ly soft without the which things his meat will do him but little good And his meat must be fine and clean and given often and by little at once Russius saith that if a Horse eating his meat with good appetite doth not for all that prosper but is still lean then it is good to give him Sage Savin Bay-berries Earth-nuts and Boares-grease to drink with Wine or to give him the intrails of a Barbel or Tench with white Wine He saith also that sodden Beans mingled with Bran and Salt will make a lean Horse fat in very short space Of grief in the Breast LAurentius Russius writeth of a disease called in Italian Gravezza di petto which hath not been in experience amongst our Farriers that I can learn It comes as Russius saith of the superfluity of bloud or other humors dissolved by some extream heat and resorting down the breast paining the Horse so as he cannot well go The cure whereof according to Russius is thus Let him bloud on both sides of the breast in the accustomed veins and rowel him under the breast and twice a day turn the rowels with your hand to move the humors that they may issue forth and let him go so roweled the space of fifteen days Of the pain in the Heart called Anticor that is to say contrary to the Heart THis proceedeth of abundance of ranck bloud bred with good feeding and over much rest which bloud resorting to the inward parts doth suffocate the heart and many times causeth swellings to appear before the brest which will grow upward to the neck and then it killeth the Horse The signes The Horse will hang down his head in the manger for saking his meat and is not able to lift up his head The cure according to Martin is thus Let him bloud on both sides abundantly in the plat veins and then give him this drink Take a quart of Malmsie and put thereunto half a quartern of Sugar and two ounces of Cinamon and give it him luke-warm then keep him warm in the stable stuffing him well about the stomach that the wind offend him no manner of way and give him warm water with mault always to drink and give him such meat as he will eat And if the swelling do appear then besides letting him bloud strike the swelling in divers places with your fleam that the corruption may go forth and anoint the place with warm Hogs grease and that will either make it to wear away or else to grow to a head if it be covered and kept warm Of tired Horses BEcause we are in hand here with the vital parts and that when the Horses be tired with over-much labour their vital spirits wax feeble I think it best to speak of them even here not with long discoursing as Vegetius useth but briefly to shew you how to refresh the poor Horse having need thereof which is done chiefly by giving him rest warmth and good feeding as with warm mashes and plenty of provender And to quicken his spirits it shall be gâ—od to pour a little Oyl and Vinegar into his nostrils and to give him the drink of Sheeps heads recited before in the Chapter of Consumption of the flesh yea and also to bath his legs with this bath Take of Mallows of Sage of each two or three handfuls and of a Rose-cake boil these things together and being boyled then put unto it a good quantity of Butter or of Sallet-oyl Or else make him this charge Take of Bole Armony and of Wheat-flowre of each half a pound and a little Rozen beaten into powder and a quart of strong Vinegar and mingle them together and cover all his legs therewith and if it be Summer turn him to grass Of the diseased parts under the Midriff and first of the Stomach THe old Authors make mention of many diâ—eases incident to a Horses stomach as loathing of meat spewing up his drink surfeting of provender the hungry evil and such like which few of our Farriers have observed and therefore I will briefly speak of as many as I think necessary to be known and first of the loathing of meat Of the loathing of Meat A Horse may loath his meat through the intemperature of his stomach as for that it is too hot or too cold If his stomach be too hot then most commonly it will either inflame his mouth and make it to break out in blisters yea and perhaps cause some Cancker to breed there The cure of all which things hath been taught before But if he forsake his meat only for very heat which you shall perceive by the hotness of his breath and mouth then cool his stomach by giving him cold water mingled with a little Vinegar and Oyl to drink or else give him this drink Take of Milk and of Wine of each one pinte and put thereunto three ounces of Mel Rosatum and wash all his mouth with Vinegar and Salt If his stomach be too cold then his hair will stare and stand right up which Absyrtus and others were wont to cure by giving the Horse good Wine and Oyl to drink and some would seethe in Wine Rew or Sage some would adde thereunto white Pepper and Myrrhe some would give him Onyons and Rocket-seed to drink with Wine Again there be other some which prescribe the bloud of a young Sow with old Wine Absyrtus would have the Horse to eat the green blades of Wheat if the time of the year will serve for it Columella saith that if a Horse or any other Beast do loath his meat it is good to give him Wine and the seed of Gith or else Wine and stampt Garlick Of casting out his Drink VEgetius saith that the Horse may have such a Palsie proceeding of cold in his stomach as he is not able to keep his drink but many times to cast it out again at his mouth The remedy whereof is to let him bloud in the neck and to
in the palat of his mouth that he may suck up the same then give him this drink Take of strong Ale a quart of the green or dure of Geese strained three or four spoonfuls of the juyce of Celandine as much of Saffron half an ounce mix these together and being warm give it the Horse to drink Of the evill habit of the Body and of the Dropsie AS touching the driness and Consumption of the flesh without any apparent cause why called of the Physitians as I said before Atrophia I know not what to say more then I have already before in the Chapter of Consumption of the flesh and therefore resort thither And as for the evill habit of the body which is to be evill coloured heavy dull and of no force strength nor liveliness cometh not for lack of nutriment but for lack of good nutriment for that the bloud is corrupted with flegm choler or melancholy proceeding either from the Spleen or else through weakness of the stomach or liver causing evill digestion or it may come by foul feeding yea and also for lack of moderate exercise The Evill habit of the body is next cousen to the Dropsie whereof though our Farriers have had no experience yet because mine old Authors writing of Horse-leech-craft do speak much thereof I think it good here briefly to shew you their experience therein that is to say how to know it and also how to cure it But sith none of them do shew the cause whereof it proceeds I think it meet first therefore to declare unto you the causes thereof according to the doctrine of the learned Physitians which in mans body do make three kindes of Dropsies calling the first Anasarca the second Ascites and the third Timpanias Anasarca is an universal swelling of the body through the abundance of the water sying betwixt the skin and the flesh and differeth not from the disease last mentioned called Cachexia that is to say Evill habit of the bloud saving that the body is more swoln in this then in Cachexia albeit they proceed both of like causes as of coldness and weakness of the liver or by means that the heart spleen stomach and other members serving to digestion be grieved or diseased Ascites is a swelling in the covering of the belly called of the Physitians Abdomen comprehending both the skin the fat eight muscles and the film or panicle called Peritoneum through the abundance of some whayish humor entred into the same which besides the causes before alleadged proceedeth most chiefly by means that some of the vessels within be broken or rather cracked out of the which though the bloud being somewhat gross cannot issue forth yet the whayish humor being subtil may run out into the belly like water distilling through a cracked pot Timpanias called of us commonly the Timpany is a swelling of the aforesaid covering of the belly through the abundance of winde entred into the same which winde is inge 〈…〉 ered of crudity and evill digestion and whilest it aboundeth in the stomach or other intrails finding no issue out it breaketh in violently through the small conduits among the panicles of the aforesaid covering not without great pain to the patient and so by tossing to and fro windeth at length into the space of the covering it self But surely such winde cannot be altogether void of moisture Notwithstanding the body swelleth not so much with this kinde of Dropsie as with the other kinde called Ascites The signes of the Dropsie is shortness of breath swelling of the body evill colour lothing of meat and great desire to drink especially in the Dropsie called Ascites in which also the belly will sound like a bottle half full of water but in the Timpany it will sound like a Taber But now though mine Authors make not so many kindes of Dropsies yet they say all generally that a Horse is much subject to the Dropsie The signes according to Absyrtus and Hierocles be these His belly legs and stones will be swoln but his back buttocks and flancks will be dryed and shrunk up to the very bones Moreover the veins of his face and temples and also the veins under his tongue will be so hidden as you cannot see them and if you thrust your finger hard against his body you shall leave the print thereof behinde for the flesh lacking natural heat will not return again to his place and when the Horse lyeth down he spreadeth himself abroad not being able to lie round together on his belly and the hair of his back by rubbing will fall away Pelagonius in shewing the signes of the Dropsie not much differing from the Physitians first recited seemeth to make two kindes thereof calling the one the Timpany which for difference sake may be called in English the Winde Dropsie and the other the Water Dropsie Notwithstanding both have one cure so far as I can perceive which is in this sort Let him be warm covered and walked a good while together in the Sun to provoke sweat and let all his body be well and often rubbed alongst the hair and let him feed upon Coleworts Smallage and Elming boughs and on all other things that may loosen the belly or provoke urine and let his common meat be grass if it may be gotten if not then Hay sprinkled with Water and Nitrum It is good also to give him a kinde of Pulse called Cich steeped a day and a night in water and then taken out and laid so as the water may drop away from it Pelagonius would have him to drink Parsly stampt with Wine or the root of the herb called in Latine Panax with Wine But if the swelling of the belly will not decrease for all this then slit a little hole under his belly a handful behinde the navil and put into that hole a hollow reed or some other pipe that the water or winde may go out not all at once but by little and little at divers times and beware that you make not the hole over wide lest the kall of the belly fall down thereunto and when all the water is clean run out then heal up the wound as you do all other wounds and let the Horse drink as little as is possible Of the Evil habit of the Stomach IF your Horse either by inward sickness or by present surfeit grow to a loath of his meat or by weakness of his stomach cast up his meat and drink this shall be the cure for the same First in all the drink he drinks let him have the powder of hot Spices as namely of Ginger Anise seeds Licoras Cinamon and Pepper then blow up into his nostrils the powder of Tobacco to occasion him to neese instantly after he hath eaten any meat for an hour together after let one stand by him and hold at his nose a piece of sowre leaven steept in Vinegar then anoint all his breast over with the Oyl of Ginnuper and Pepper mixt
the quantity of three pintes on the breast in the palat-vein receiving the bloud in a pot and thereunto put first a quart of strong Vinegar and half a dozen broken Egges shels and all and so much Wheat-flowre as will thicken all that liquor That done put thereunto Bole Armony beaten into fine powder one pound Sanguis Draconis two ounces and mingle them all together so as the flowre may not be perceived and if it be too stiffe you may make it more liquid or soft with a little Vinegar Then with your hand daub all the shoulder from the mane downward and betwixt the fore-bowels all against the hair and let not the Horse depart out of that place untill the charge be surely fastned unto the skin That done carry him into the stable and tie him up to the rack and suffer him not to lie down all that day and give him a little meat dieting him moderately the space of fifteen days during which time he may not stir out of his place but only lie down and every day once refresh the shoulder point with this charge laying still new upon the old and at the fifteen days end lead him abroad to see how he goeth and if he be somewhat amended then let him rest without travelling the space of one month and that shall bring his shoulder to perfection But if he be never the better for this that is done then it shall be needful to rowel him with a leather rowel upon the shoulder-point and to keep him rowelled the space of fifteen days renewing the rowel and cleansing the wound every other day and then walk him up and down fair and softly and turn him always on the contrary side to the sore and when he goeth upright pull out the rowel and heal the wound with a tent of flax dipt in Turpentine and Hogs grease molten together And if all this will not serve then it shall be needful to draw him checker-wise with a hot iron over all the Shoulder-point and also make him to draw in a plough every day two hours at the least to settle his joynts for the space of three weeks or a month and if anything will help him these two last remedies will help him and make him to go upright again Of Splaiting in the Shoulder THis cometh by some dangerous sliding or slipping whereby the shoulder parteth from the breast and so leaves an open rift not in the skin but in the flesh and film next under the skin and so he halteth and is not able to go you shall perceive it by trailing his leg after him in his going The cure according to Martin is thus First put a pair of straight pasterns on his fore-feet keeping him still in the stable without disquieting him Then take of Dialthea one pound of Sallet Oyl one pinte of Oyl-de-bays half a pound of fresh Butter half a pound melt all these things together in a Pipkin and anoint the grieved place therewith and also round about the inside of the shoulder and within two or three days after both that place and all the shoulder besides will swell Then either prick him with a lancet or fleam in all the swelling places or else with some other sharp hot Iron the head whereof would be an inch long to the intent that the corruption may run out and use to anoint it still with the same Ointment But if you see that it will not go away but swell still and gather to a head then lance it where the swelling doth gather most and is soft under the finger and then tent it with flax dipt in this Ointment Take of Turpentine and of Hogs grease of each two ounces and melt them together renewing the tent twice a day untill it be whole Of the Shoulder pight THis is when the shoulder point or pitch of the shoulder is displaced which grief is called of the Italians Spallato and it cometh by reason of some great fall forward rush or strain The signes be these That shoulder-point will stick out further then his fellow and the Horse will halt right down The cure according to Martin is thus First make him to swim in a deep water up and down a dozen turns and that shall make the joynt to return into his place Then make two tough pins of Ashen wood as much as your little finger sharp at the points each one five inches long that done slit the skin an inch above the point and an inch beneath the point of the shoulder and thrust in one of the pins from above downward so as both ends may equally stick without the skin And if the pin of wood will not easily pass through you may make it way first with an Iron pin That done make other two holes cross to the first holes so as the other pin may cross the first pin right in the midst with a right cross and the first pin would be somewhat flat in the midst to the intent that the other being round may pass the better without stop and close the justâ—â— together Then take a piece of a little line somewhat bigger then a whip-cord and at one end make a loop which being put over one of the pins ends winde the rest of the line good and straight about the pine ends so as it may lie betwixt the pins ends and the skin and fasten the last end with a pack-needle and packthread unto the rest of the cord so as it may not slip and to do well both the pricks and the cord would be first anointed with a little Hogs grease Then bring him into the stable and let him rest the space of nine days but let him lie down as little as may be and put on a pastern on the sore leg so as it may be bound with a cord unto the foot of the manger to keep that leg always whilest he standeth in the stable more forward then the other And at the nine days end take out the pricks and anoint the sore places with a little Dialthea or with Hogs grease and then turn him out to grass Of the swelling of the Fore-legs after great labor GReat labour and heat causeth humors to resort down into the legs making them swell The cure whereof according to Martin is thus Bathe them with buttered Beer or else with this bath here following Take of Mallows three handfuls a Rose cake Sage one handful boil them together in a sufficient quantity of water and when the Mallows be soft put in half a pound of Butter and half a pinte of Sallet Oyl and then being somewhat warm wash the swelling therewith every day once the space of three or four days And if the swelling will not go away with this then take Wine lees and Cumin and boil them together and put thereunto a little Wheat-flowre and charge all the swelling therewith and walk him often and if it will not serve then take up the great vein above the knee on
the inside suffering him not to bleed from above but all from beneath Of the Foundering in the Fore-legs THe cause of this grief is declared before in the Chapter of foundering in the body whereas I shewed you that if a Horse be foundered in the body the humors will immediately resort down into his legs as Martin saith within the space of 24 hours and then the Horse will go crouching all upon the hinder-legs his fore-legs being so stiffe as he is not able to bow them The cure whereof according to Martin is in this sort Garter each leg immediately one handful above the knee with a list good and hard and then walk him or chafe him and so put him in a heat and being some-what warmed let him bloud in both the breast veins reserving the bloud to make a charge withall in this manner Take of that bloud two quarts and of Wheat-flowre half a peck and six Egges shels and all of Bole Armony half a pound of Sanguis Draconis half a quartern and a quart of strong Vinegar mingle them all together and charge all his shoulders breast back loyns and fore-legs therewith and then walk him upon some hard ground suffering him not to stand still and when the charge is dry refresh it again And having walked him three or four hours together lead him into the stable and give him a little warm water with ground Mault in it and then a little Hay and provender and then walk him again either in the house or else abroad and continue thus the space of four days and when all the charge is spent cover him well with a housing cloth and let him both stand and lie warm and eat but little meat during the four days But if you see that at four days end he mendeth not a whit then it is a sign that the humor lies in the foot for the which you must search with your Butter paring all the soles of the fore-feet so thin as you shall see the water issue through the sole That done with your Butter let him bloud at both the toes and let him bleed well Then stop the vein with a little Hogs grease and then tack on the shooes and Turpentine molten together and laid upon a little Flax and cram the place where you did let him bloud hard with Tow to the intent it may be surely stopt Then fill both his feet with Hogs grease and bran fryed together in a stopping pan so hot as is possible And upon the stopping clap a piece of leather or else two splents to keep the stopping And immediately after this take two Egges beat them in a dish and put thereto Bole Armony and Bean-flowre so much as will thicken the same and mingle them well together and make thereof two plaisters such as may close each foot round about somewhat above the cronet and binde it fast with a list or roller that it may not fall away not be removed for the space of three days but let the sole be cleansed and new stopped every day once and the cronets to be removed every two days continuing so to do untill it be whole Dating which time let him rest walked for fear of loosening his hoofs But if you see that he begin to amend you may walk him fair and softly once a day upon some soft ground to exercise his legs and feet and let him not eat much nor drink cold water But if this fundering break out above the hoof which you shall perceive by the looseness of the coffin above by the cronet then when you pare the sole you must take all the fore-part of the sole clean away leaving the heels whole to the intent the humors may have the freer passage downward and then stop him and dress him about the cronet as is before said Of Foundring OF all other sorances foundering is soonest got and hardlyest cured yet if it may be perceived in twenty four hours and taken in hand by this means hereafter prescribed it shall be cured in other twenty and four hours notwithstanding the same reâ—eit hath cured a Horse that hath been foundered a year and more but then it was longer in bringing it to pass Foundering cometh when a Horse is heated being in his grease and very fat and taketh thereon a sudden cold which striketh down into his legs and taketh away the use and feeling thereof The sign to know it is the Horse cannot go but will stand cripling with all his four legs together if you offer to turn him he will couch his buttocks to the ground and some Horses have I seen sit on their buttocks to feed The cure is thus Let him bloud of his two breast veins of his two shackle veins and of his two veins above the cronets of his hinder hoofs if the veins will bleed take from them three pintes at least if they will not bleed then open his neck vein and take so much from thence Save the blood and let one stand by and stir it as he bleeds lest it grow into lumps when he hath done bleeding take as much Wheat flowre as will thicken the blood the whites of twenty Egges and three or four yolks then take a good quantity of Bolearminack and a pinte of strong Vinegar incorporate all these well together and withal charge his back neck head and ears then take two long rags of cloth and dip in the same charge and withal garter him so strait as may be above both his knees of his forelegs then let his keeper take him out to some stony causie or high-way paved with stone and there one following him with a cudgel let him trot up and down for the space of an hour or two or more that done set him up and give him some meat and for his drink let him have a warm mash some three or four hours after this take off his garters and set him in some pond of water up to the mid-side and so let him stand for two hours then take him out and set him up the next day pull off his shooes and pare his feet very thin and let him blood both of his heels and toes then set on his shooes again and stop them with Hogs grease and bran boiling hot and splint them up and so turn him out to run and he shall be sound Of the splent as well in the inside or outside of the knee as other where in the Legs THis sorance to any mans feeling is a very gristle sometime as big as a Walnut and sometime no more then a Hasel-nut which is called of the Italians Spinella and it cometh as Laurentius Russius saith by travelling the Horse too young or by oppressing him with heavie burthens offending his tender sinews and so causeth him to halt It is easie to know because it is apparent to the eye and if you pinch it with your thumb and finger the Horse will shrink up his leg The cure whereof according to
the toe of his hinder-foot which causeth him to halt The signes be apparent by the swelling of the place and by the Horses halting The cure according to Martin is thus Wash the place with warm water and shave all the hair so far as the swelling goeth and scarifie every part of the sore place lightly with the point of a Rasor that the bloud may issue forth Then takeof Cantharides and of Euforbium of each half an ounce mingle them together with half a quartern of Sope and with a slice spread some of this Ointment over all the sore suffering him to rest there as you dresse him for one half hour after and then you may carry him into the stable and there let him stand without litter and tyed as hath been said before in the Chapter of the Spleen and the next day dresse him with the same Ointment once again even as you did before And the third day anoint the place with fresh Butter continuing so to do the space of nine dayes and at the nine dayes end make him this bath Take of Mallowes three handfuls a Rose-cake of Sage a hardful boyl them together in a sufficient quantity of water And when the Mallowes be soft put in half a pound of Butter and half a pinte of Sallet Oyle and then being somewhat warm wash the sore place therewith every day once the space of three or four dayes Of a Nether taint THis is a little bladder full of jelly much like unto a Wind-gal not apparent to the eye but to the feeling growing in the midst of the pastern somewhat above the frush It cometh by a strain or else by some wrench or by any other over-reach and maketh the Horse to halt The signes be these The neather-joynt toward the fewter-lock will be hot in feeling and somewhat swollen The cure according to Martin is in this sort Tie him above the joynt with a list somewhat hard and that will cause the bladder to appear to the eye Then lance it with a sharp pointed knife and thrust out all the jelly That done lay unto it the white of an Egge and a little Salt beaten together and laid upon flax or tow and bind it fast unto the sore renewing it once a day the space of four or five dayes during which time let him rest and then you may boldly labour him Of an Attaint AN Attaint is a grief that cometh by an over-reach as clapping one leg upon another or by some other Horses treading upon his heels The cure is Take a sharp knife and cut out the over-reach that is if it be never so deep like a hole cut it plain and smooth how broad so ever you make it then wash it with Beer and Salt and lay to it Hogs grease Wax Turpentine and Rosen of each like quantity boyled and mingled together and this will in few dayes heal him be it never so sore Of an over-reach upon the heel THis is a cut so as the skin hangs down at the heel made with the toe of the hinder foot and is apparent to the eye and it will cause the Horse somewhat to halt The cure whereof according to Martin is thus Cut away the skin that hangeth down and bind a little flax dipt in the white of an Egge mingled with a little Bole-armony renewing it every day once the space of three or four days and that will heal it Of false quarters THis is a rift sometime in the outside but most commonly in the inside of the hoof because the inside is ever the weaker part which sides are commonly called quarters and thereof this sorance taketh his name and is called a false quarter that is to say a crased or unsound quarter which name indeed is borrowed of the Italians calling it in their tongue Falsâ— quarto It cometh by evill shooing and partly by evill paring The signes be these The Horse will for the most part halt and the rift will bleed and is apparent to the eye The cure according to Martin is thus If the Horse halt then pull off the shooe and cut so much away on that side of the shooe where the grief is as the shooe being immediately put on again the rift may be uncovered Then open the rift with a Rosenet or drawer and fill the rift with a roll of Toe dipt in Turpentine Wax and Sheeps sewet molten renewing it every day once until it be whole And the rift being closed in the top draw him betwixt the hair and the hoof with a hot Iron overthwart that place to the intent that the hoof may shoot all whole downward and when the Horse goeth upright ride him with no other shooe until his hoof be throughly hardned again Of halting behind and where the grief is IF a Horse halt behind the grief must either be in the hip in the stifle in the hough in the ham in the leg in the neather joynt pastern or foot If he halt in the hip of a new hurt the Horse will go sideling and not follow so well with that leg as with the other but if it be old hurt the sore hip will shrink and be lower then the other And is best seen when he goeth up a hill or upon the edge of some bank so as the worst leg may go on the higher side for then he will halt so much more because it is painful unto him to go so unevenly wrinching his leg If the grief be in the stifle then the Horse in his going will cast the stifle joynt outward and the bone on the inside will be far bigger then the other If the grief be in the hough then it is by means of some Spaven or some other hurt apparent to the eye And the like may be said of the ham wherein may be seen the Selander or such like apparent sorance causing the Horse to halt If the grief be either in the leg pastern or foot then you shall finde it by such signes as have been taught you before And therefore let us now speak of those sorances that are properly incident to the hinder legs Of thâ— String halt THe String-halt is a disease that maketh a Horse twitch up his leg suddenly and so halt much it cometh sometimes naturally and sometimes casually by means of some great cold whereby the sinews are strained the best cure thereof is to dig a pit in some dunghil as deep as the Horse is high and set the Horse in and cover him with warm dung and so let him stand the space of two hours then take him out and make him clean and then bathe him all over with Train-oyl made warm and it will help him Of a Horse that is hipped or hurt in the hips THe Horse is said to be hipt when the hip-bone is removed out of his right place which grief is called of the Italians Mal del ancha It cometh most commonly by some great stripe or strain slipping sliding
place as may be and let him bleed well then fire every knot one by one taking the knot in your left hand and pulling it so hard as you can from his body to the intent you may better pierce the knot with a blunt hot Iron of the bigness of a mans fore-finger without doing the body any hurt and let out the matter leaving none unburn'd be it little or much That done anoint every knot so burned with Hogs-grease warmed every day once until the coars be ready to fall away and in the mean time prepare a good quantity of old Urine and when you see the coars ready to fall boil the Urine and put therein a little Copperas and Salt and a few strong Nettles and with that water being warm wash out all the coars and the corruption That done fill every hole immediately with the powder of fleck't lime continuing thus to do every day once until the holes be closed up and if any be more ranker then other fill those with Verdigrease and during this cure let the Horse be thinly dieted that is to say with straw and water only unless it be now and then to give him a loaf of bread for the lower he be kept the sooenr he will be whole And in any wise let his neck be yoked in an old bottomless pail or else with short staves to keep him from licking the sores and the less rest he hath the better Or do thus Take a good great Dock-root clean scraped and cut thereof five little rundles or cakes to be used as followeth First with a knife make a slit right down in the Horses fore-head three inches long then with a Cornet loosen the skin within the flesh so as you may easily put therein five rundles of Dock that is to say two on each side of the slit one above another and put the fift rundle in the very midst betwixt the other four that done fasten to each of the slits two short Shoomakers ends to serve as laces to tie in the foresaid rundles so as they may not fall out and clense the sore every day once for the vertue of the root is such as it will draw all the filthy matter from any part of the body yea though the Farcin be in the hinder-legs which matter is to be wiped away from time to time and new roots be thrust into the slit according as you see it needful Of the Farcion THe Farcion is a vilde disease ingendered of ill bloud flegmatick matter and unkindely feeding it appeareth in a Horse like unto little knots in the flesh as big as a Hasel-nut the knots will encrease daily and inflame Impostume and break and when the knots amount to threescore they will every night after breed so many more till they have over-run the Horses body and with the poyson which is mighty and also strong soon bring him to his death This disease is very infectious and dangerous for some Horses yet if it be taken in any time it is easie to be holpen The cure thereof is in this manner Take a sharp Bodkin and thrust it through the neather part of his nose that he may bleed or if you will to let him bloud in the neck-vein shall not be amiss then feel the knots and as many as are soft lance them and let them run then take strong Lye Lime and Allum and with the same bathe all his sores and it shall in short space cure him There is also another manner of curing this disease and that is thus Take a sharp lance-knife and in the top of the Horses fore-head just between his eyes make a long slit even to the skull then with a blunt instrument for the purpose lose the flesh from the scalp a pretty compass then take Carret-roots cut into little thin round pieces and put them between the skin and the skull as many as you can then close up the wound and once a day anoint it with fresh Butter This is a most sure and approved way to cure the Farcion for look how this wound thus made shall rot waste and grow sound so shall the Farcion break dry up and be healed because all the poyson that feedeth the disease shall be altogether drawn into the fore-head where it shall die and waste away The only fault of this cure is it will be somewhat long and it is a foul eye-sore until it be whole Some use to burn this sorance but that is naught and dangerous as who so proves it shall finde A most approved medicine to cure the Farcion TAke of Aqua-vitae two spoonfuls of the juyce of Herb of grace as much mingle them together then take of Plegants or Bals of Flax or Tow and sleep them therein and stop them hard into the Horses ears then take a needle and a thread and stitch the tips of his two ears together by means whereof he cannot shake out the medicine and use him thus but three several morning and it will kill any Farcion whatsoever for it hath been often approved Another medicine of the same SLit every hard kernel with a sharp knife and fill the hole with an Ointment made of old Lard Sope and gray Salt for that will eat out the coar and cause it to rot and so fall out of the own accord Of the Canker called of the Italian Il Cancro A Canker is a filthy creeping Ulcer fretting and gnawing the flesh in great breadth In the beginning it is knotty much like a Farcine and spreadeth it self into divers places and being exulcerated gathereth together in length into a wound or fore This proceedeth of a melancholy and filthy bloud ingendered in the body which if it be mixt with Salt humors it causeth the more painful and grievous exulceration and sometime it cometh of some filthy wound that is not cleanly kept the corrupt matter whereof cankereth other clean parts of the body It is easie to be known by the description before The cure whereof according to Martin is thus First let him bloud in those veins that be next the fore and take enough of him Then take of Allum half a pound of green Copperas and of white Copperas of each one quartern and a good handful of Salt boil all these things together in fair running water from a pottle to a quart And this water being warm wash the sore with a cloth and then sprinkle thereon the powder of unsleck't lime continuing so to do every day once the space of fifteen days and if you 〈◊〉 that the lime do not mortifie the ranck flesh and keep it from spreading any further then take of black Sope half a pound of Quick-silver half an ounce and beat them together in a pot until the Quick-silver be so well mingled with the Sope as you can perceive none of the Quick-silver as it And with an Iron slice after that you have washed the sore with the Strong-water aforesaid cover the wound with this Ointment
strong bodies and in strong diseases as in Carbuncles Cankers Ulcers and such like and they be these Arsenicke Sublimat Resalgar and otder medicines compound therewith Silvius also addeth thereunto Sandaraca Chrysocolla and Aconitum but he doth not agree with Avicâ—n in the description of the putrifactive medicines For he saith that they have little pain or none neither be they so hot and drie as those that are called Escharotica that is to say Crustive which be hot in the fourth degree and do breed a crust and scar and cause great pain as unsleck't Lime and the burned dregs of Wine wherefore it seemeth that Avicens description belongeth rather to the crustive then to the Putrifactive medicines Notwithstanding I must needs say that our Chirurgions and also Farriers do finde both Arsenicke and Resalgar to be so sharp hot and burning things as when they minister the same to any part of the body they are forced to allay the sharpness thereof the Chirurgions with the juice of Plantain or Daffadil or else of House-leek the Farriers with Hogs grease Medicines Caustick that is to say Burning are those whose operation are most strong and incline to the nature of the fire and yet more easily allayed as Vigo writeth then the medicines Putrifactive and therefore may be more safely used They be made as he saith of strong lie called Capite 〈…〉 um or Magistra of Vitriolae Romanâ— Sal Nitri Aqua fortis of this sort be all those which Vigo calleth the blistering medicines as Apium Cantharides Câ—clamine Onions strong Garlick Melanacardinum the stones or grains of Vitis Alba otherwise called Brionie Moreover Vigo maketh every one of these Cauteries Potential to excell one another as it were by certain degrees saying that Corrosives be weaker then putrifactives and Putrifactives be weaker then Causticks and therefore Corrosives work in the upper part and in soft flesh Putrifactives in hard flesh and deep But Causticks have power to break the skin in hard flesh and do enter most deeply The use of the most part of which things have been taught you before in sundry places according to Martins experience And therefore I leave to trouble you any further wishing you that are desirous to know any more of those matters to read Taugantâ—us writing Depiroticis and Silvius de medicamentorum compositione and John Vigo writing of Surgery Englished but few years since But the old writers so far as I can judge by the words of Absyrius and others that write of Horse-leach craft do apply this word Caustick to such medicines as are astrictive and binding called of Martin and other Farriers in these dayes binding charges as may well appear by the composition and use here following recited by Vegetius in this sort The receipt of a Caustick used by Chiron to dry up the superfluous moisture and to bind parts loosened and to strengthen parts weakned TAke of Bitumen Judaicum two pound of Bitumen Apollonii two pound of the purest part of Frankincense six ounces of Bdellium Arabicum two ounces of Deers sewet two pound of Populeum two ounces of Galbanum two ounces of the drops of Storax two ounces of common Wax two pound of Resin Gabial one pound of Viscus Itâ—licâ—â— three ounces of Apoxima two ounces of the juyce of Hysop two ounces of the drops of Armoniack two ounces of Pitch one pound Another Caustick used by Pelagonius to dry up Swellings Bladders Wind-gals and Splents in the legs and joynts TAke Virgin Wax one pound of Rosin two pound and a half of Galbanum three ounces of Asphaltum Judaicum two pound of Mirrhe secondary two pound of Bitumen one pound of Armoniack six ounces of Gostas six ounces Boyl all these things together in an earthen pot saving the Asphaltum Armoniack and Costum which being first ground like fine flowre must be added unto the other things and after that they have been boyled and cooled and then boiled all together again and well stirred so as they may be incorporated together and made all one substance These kindes of Emplaisters or Ointments ought in my judgement to be so called as I said before rather binding charges then Caustick medicines because there be no such extreme Corrosive or burning simples in these as are before recited Notwithstanding I refer my judgment to those that be better learned and so end for being over tedious For if I would I could take very good occasion here to speak of divers other medicines whereof some are called Anodyna easing pain and grief Martin calleth them Linoges which are made of Linseed Camomile soft grease and such like things as are hot in the first degree some again are called Narcotica that is to say astonying or bringing to sleep as those that are made of Opi 〈…〉 Mandragora Poppie and such like cold and grosse things And some are called Sarcotica that is Breeding flesh as Barly flowre and Prankincense And many other kinds of Emplaisters Ointments waters and salves which would occupy a book of no small volum to be written hereafter by some other perhaps if not by my self And in the mean time let this that I may have already written suffice Of the Anticor AN Anticor cometh of superfluity of evill-bloud or spirit in the arteries and also of inflamation in the liver which is ingendered by means of too choise keeping and overmuch rest which choaketh the vital power and occasions unnatural swellings in the brest which if they ascend upward and come into the neck they are instantly death The cure whereof is in this sort Let him bleed so as he may bleed abundantly then with a sharp knife in divers places cut the swelling which done set a cupping-glasse thereon and cup it till the glasse filled with foul water fall away it self then give the Horse to drink three mornings together a pinte of M 〈…〉 esie well stirred with Cinamon Licoras and a little Bâ—zar stone and during his sickness let his drink be warmed and mingled with either Bran or Malt. Of the Cords THe Cord is a disease that maketh the Horse stumble and many times fall and they appear in a Horses fore-legs this is the cure thereof Take a sharp knife and cut a slit even at the top of his nose just with the point of the gristle open the slit being made and you shall perceive a white string take it up with a Boars tooth or some crooked bodkin and cut it in sunder then stitch up the slit and anoint it with Butter and the Horse doubtless shall be recovered Of the Millets THe Millets is a grief that appeareth in the Fetlocks behind and causeth the hair to shed three or four inches long and a quarter of an inch in breadth like as it were bare and ill to cure But thus is the cure First wash it well with wrong lie and rub it till it bleed then binde unto it Hony unsleck't Lime and Deers sewet boyled and mingled together this do for the space of
wash the fat being strained with cold water and to rub it with their hands not much otherwise then women do a sear-cloth for by that means it is made more white and purer There is yet another kinde of way to make Aesypus described by Aetius in these words Take saith he the greasie Wool which groweth in the shoulder pits of Sheep and wash them in hot water being thick and soft and squeeze all the filth forth of the same the washing whereof you shall put in a vessel of a large mouth or brim casting afterwards hot water in the same then take the water in a cup or in some other such like instrument and pour it in and out holding it up very high until there come a froath upon it then sprinkle it over with Sea water if you shall get any if not with some other cold water and suffer it to stand still when it shall wax cold take that which shall flow on the top away with a sadle and cast it into any other vessel afterwards having put a little cold water in it stir it up and down with your hands then having poured out that water put new hot water in it and repeat again the same thing all together which we have now taught until the Aesypus be made white and fat containing no impure or filthy thing in it at all then dry it in the sun being hid for some certain days in an earthen vessel and keep it But all these things are to be done when the Sun is very hot for by that means it will be more effectual and whiter and not hard or sharp There are moreover some which gather it after this manner They put new shorn wool which is very filthy and greasie in a vessel which hath hot water in it and burn the water that it may somewhat wax hot afterwards they cool it and that which swimmeth above in the manner of fat they scum it off with their hands and put it away in a vessel of Tin and so do fill the vessel it self with rain water and put it in the Sun covered with a thin linnen cloth and then we must moisten it again and put up the Aesypus for it hath strength mollifying and releasing with some sharpness but it is counterfeited with wax sewet and Rozen and it is straight ways perceived and forasmuch as the true Aesypus reserveth the scent of the unwashed wool and being rubbed with any ones hands is made like unto Ceruse or white lead Even the filth and sweat of sheep cleaving to their wool hath great and manifold use in the world and above all other that is most commended which is bred upon the Athenian or Grecian Sheep which is made many ways and especially this way First they take off the wool from those places where it groweth with all the sewet or filth there gathered together and so put them in a brazen vessel over a gentle fire where they boyl out the sweat and so take of that which swimmeth at the top and put it into an earthen vessel seething again the first matter which fat is washed together in cold water so dryed in a linnen cloth is scorched in the Sun until it become white and transparent and so it is out in a box of Tin It may be proved by this If it swell like the savour of sweat and being rubbed in a wet hand do not melt but wax white like White lead this is most profitable against all inflamation of the eyes and knots in cheeks or hardness of skin in them Of this Aesypus or unwashed Wool the Grecians make great account and for the variety of dressing or preparing it they call it diversly sometime the call it Oesupon Pharmaicon sometime Oesupon Kerotoeide or Keroten sometime Oesupon Hugron and such like Of it they make Plaisters to asswage the Hypochondrial inflamations and ventosity in the sides Some use Aesopus for Oesypus but ignorantly and without reason it is better to let it alone but in the collection hereof it must be taken from the sound and not from the scabby Sheep But when we cannot come by the true Oesypus then in stead thereof we may take that which the Apothecaries and Ointment-makers do ordain namely Meliloâ—i unc 4. Cardamoni unc 2. Hysopi herb unc 2. with the unwashed Wool taken from the hams or flanks of a Sheep Myrepsus used this Oesypus against all Gowts and aches in the legs or articles and hardness of the spleen Galen calleth it Jus lanae and prescribeth the use of it in this sort Make saith he a Plaister of Oesypus or Jus lanae in this sort Take Wax fresh grease Scammonie old Oyl one ounce of each of Fenny-greek six ounces then seethe or boyl your-oyl with the Jus lanae and Fenny-greek very carefully until it equal the oyl and be well incorporated together and then again set it to the fire with the prescription aforesaid and also he teacheth how to make this Jus lanae for saith he take unwashed Wool and lay it deep in fair water until it be very soft that is by the space of six days and the seventh day take it and the water together that seethe well taking of the fat which ariseth at the top and put it up as is aforesaid these things saith Galen The use of this by reason it is very hot is to display Ulcers and tumors in wounds especially in the secrets and seat being mixed with Melilot and Butter and it hath the same vertue against running sores The same also with Barly meal and rust of iron equally mixed together is profitable against all swelling tumors Carbuncles Tetters Serpigoes and such like it eateth away all proud flesh in the brims of Ulcers reducing the same to a natural habit and equality also filling up the sore and healing it and the same vertue is by Disocorides attributed to Wool burnt also in bruises upon the head when the skin is not broken a Poultess made hereof is said by Galen to have excellent force and vertue The same mingled with Roses and the oar of brasse called Nil cureth the holy fire and being received with Myrrh steeped in two cups of wine it encreaseth or procureth sleep and also is very profitable against the Falling-sickness And being mixed with Corsick Hony it taketh away the spots in the face because it is most sharp and subtile whereunto some add Butter but if they be whealed and filled with matter then prick and open them with a needle and rub them over with a dogs gall or a Calfs gall mingled with the said Oesypus also being instilled into the head with oyl it cureth the Megrim and furthermore it is used against all soreness of the eyes and scabs in their corners or upon the eye-lids being sod in a new shell and the same vertue is attributed to the smoke or soot thereof if the eye-brows or eye-lids be anointed therewith mixed with Myrrh and warmed it
them untill the Vinegar be consumed then strain them putting to them of Turpentine three ounces Frankincense Mastick and Sarcocolla three ounces Saffron two ounces working them with a Spathuler till they be cold The powder of a burnt Serpent is likewise good against Fistulaes The fat of a Snake or Serpent mixt with Oyl is good against Strumes as Pliny saith The fat of Snakes mixt with Verdegrease healeth the parts about the eyes that have any rupture To which agreeth the Poet when he saith Anguibus â—reptos adipes aerugine misce Hi poterant ruptas oculorum jungere partes Which may be thus Englished The sat of Snakes mingled with Iron rust The parts of eyes doth mend which erst were burst It is certain that barrenness cometh by means of that grievous torment and pain in childe-birth and yet Olympias of Thebes is of opinion that this is remedied with a Bulls gall the fat of Serpents and Verdigrease with some Hony added to them the place being therewith anointed before the coming together of both parts When a Woman is not able to conceive by means of weakness in the retentive vertue then there is no doubt but there must needs grow some membrane in the bellies entrance for which it is not amiss to make a Pessary of the fat of a Serpent Verdigrease and the fat of a Bull mixt together c. and to be applyed Hippocrates in lib. de Sterilibus Gesner had a friend who signified to him by his Letters that the fat of a Serpent was sent to him from those sulphureous bathes which were neer unto Cameriacum and was sold at a very dear rate namely twelve pounds for every ounce and sometimes deerer They use to mix it with the emplaister of John de Vigo that famous Chirurgeon for all hardnesses and other privy and unseen though not unfelt torments proceeding of the Spanish pox They use it yet further against leprous swellings and pimples and to smooth and thin the skin Matthiolus saith that the fat of a black Serpent is mixt to good purpose with those Ointments that are prepared against the French or Spanish pox And Pliny mixeth their fat with other convenient medicines to cause hair to grow again The suffmigation of an old Serpent helpeth the monthly course Michael Aloisius saith that Oyl of Serpents decocted with the flowers of Cowslips ever remembring to gather and take that which swimmeth at the top is singular to anoint podagrical persons therewith Now followeth the preparing of Serpents Take a Mountain Serpent that ha 〈…〉 black back and a white belly and cut off his tail even hard to the place where he sendeth forth his excrements and take away his head with the breadth of four fingers then take the residue and squeese out the bloud into some vessel keeping it in a glass carefully then fley him as you do an Eele beginning from the upper and grosser part and hang the skin upon a stick and dry it then divide it in the middle and reserve all diligently You must wash the flesh and put it in a pot boyling it in two parts of Wine and being well and throughly boyled you must season the broth with good Spices and Aromatical and Cordial powders and so eat it But if you have a minde to rost it it must be so rosted as it may not be burnt and yet that it may be brought into powder and the powder thereof must be eaten together with other meat because of the loathing and dreadful name and conceit of a Serpent for being thus burned it preserveth a Man from all fear of any future Lepry and expelleth that which is present It keepeth youth causing a good colour above all other Medicines in the world it cleareth the eye-sight gardeth surely from gray hairs and keepeth from the Falling-sickness It purgeth the head from all infirmity and being eaten as before is said it expelleth scabbiness and the like infirmities with a great number of other diseases But yet such a kinde of Serpent as before we have described and not any other being also eaten freeth one from deafness You may also finely mince the heads and tails of Serpents and feed therewith Chickens or Geese being mingled with crums of Bread or Oates and these Geese or Chickins being eaten they help all to take away the Leprosie and other foulness in Mans body If you take the dryed skin and lay it upon the tooth on the inner side it will mitigate the pain thereof specially if it proceed from any hot cause In like sort the same skin washed with spittle and with a little piece of the tail laid upon any Impostume or Noli me tangere it will tame and master the pain causing it to putrefie more easily and gently and scarcely leaving behind any cicatrice or skar And if a Woman being in extremity of pain in Childe-birth do but tie or binde a piece of it on her belly it will cause the birth immediately to come away So the skin being boyled and eaten performeth the same effects that the Serpent doth The bloud of a Serpent is more precious then Balsamum and if you anoint your lips with a little of it they will look passing red and if the face be anointed therewith it will receive no spot or fleck but causeth to have an orient or beautifull hew It represseth all scabbiness of the body stinking in the teeth and gums if they be therewith anointed The far of a Serpent speedily helpeth all redness spots and other infirmities of the eyes and being anointed upon the eye-lids it cleereth the eyes exceedingly Item put them into a glassed Pot and fill the same with Butter in the Moneth of May then lute it with well with Paste that is Meal well kneaded so that nothing may evaporate then set the Pot on the fire and let it boil welnigh half a day after this is done strain the butter through a cloth and the remainder beat in a mortar and strain it again and mix them together then put them into water to cool and so reserve it in silver or golden boxes that which is not evaporated for the older the better it is and so much the better it will be if you can keep it forty years Let the sick Patient who is tooubled either with the Gowt or the Palsie but anoint himself often against the fire with this unguent and without doubt he shall he freed especially if it be the Gout All these prescriptions were taken from the writings of a certain nameless Author Hippocrates saith that a Hart or Stag having eaten any Serpents the worms in their guts are thereby expelled And Absyrtus hath the same words that Harts by eating of a Serpent do kill and expell worms from their guts Hierocles to a certain medicine which he prepared for the Strangulion in a Horse mingled the dung of a Lyzard and Stear herpetuou that is as I interpret it the fat of a Serpent the bloud of a Dove c. Laurence
draweth out the poyson of Wasps The leaves of Marsh-mallows as Aetius saith being bruised and applyed do perform the same The juyce of Rue or Balm about the quantity of two or three ounces drunk with Wine and the leaves being chewed and laid on with Honey and Salt or with Vinegar and Pitch do help much Water-cresses Rosemary with Barley meal and water with Vinegar sod together the juyce of by leaves Marigolds the bloud of an Owl all these are very effectual against the stingings of Wasps as Pliny lib. 31. cap. 9. telleth us the buds of the wilde Palm-tree Endive with the root and wilde Thyme being applyed plaister-wise do help the stinging of Wasps After the venom is drawn out by sucking the place affected must be put into hot water the space of an hour and then suddenly they must be thrust into Vinegar and Brine and forthwith the pain will be asswaged the tumor cease and the malice of the venomous humor clean extinguished Rhazes saith that the leaves of Night-shade or of Sengreen do very much good in this case And in like sort Bole Armony with Vinegar and Camphire and Nuts beaten with a little Vinegar and Castoreum Also take the Combe with Honey applying to the place and hold the grieved place neer the fire immediately and laying under them a few ashes binde them hard and forthwith the pain will be swaged Serapio saith that Savory or Cresses applyed and the seed thereof taken in drink and the juyce of the lesser Centory mixt with Wine are very meet to be used in these griefs he also commendeth for the same purpose the leaves of Basil the herb called Mercury and Mandrakes with Vinegar Ardoynus is of opinion that if you take a little round ball of Snow and put it into the fundament the pain will cease especially that which proceedeth by Wasps Let the place be anointed with Vinegar and Camphire or often fomented and bathed with Snow-water Take of Opium of the seed of Henbane and Camphire of each alike much and incorporate them with Rose-water or the juyce of Willows and lay it upon the wounded place applying on the top a linnen cloth first throughly wetted in wine Johannes Mesue who of some is called Evangelista medicorum prescribed this receipt of the juyce of Sisimbrium two drams and a half and with the juyce of Tartcitrons make a potion The juyce also of Spina Arabica and of Marjoram are nothing inferiour to these forementioned Aaron would in this grief have water Lintels called by some Ducks meat to be stamped with Vinegar and after to be applyed Constantine assureth us that Alcama tempered with Barley meal and Vinegar and so bound to the place as also Nuts leaves of Wall-nuts and Bleets are very profitable in this passion Item apply very warm to the wound a Spiders web bruised with a white Onion and sufficient Salt and Vinegar will perfectly cure it Guil. Placentinus will warrant that a plate of cold Iron laid upon the wound or Lead steeped in Vinegar will do the deed Gordonius counsel is to rub the place with Sage and Vinegar and afterwards to foment it with water and Vinegar sod together Varignana would have us to apply Chalk in powder and inwardly to take the seeds of Mallows boiled in Wine Water and a little Vinegar Matthiolus much commendeth Sperage being beaten and wrought up with Honey to anoint the place Likewise flies beaten and anointed on the place winter Savory Water-cresses with Oyl of Momerdica give most speedy help Arnoldus Villanovanus assureth us that any fresh earth especially Fullers earth is very available and the herb called Poley used as an Unguent or else Goats milk And Marcellus Empirious is not behinde his commendations for the use of Bullocks dung to be applyed as a poultesse to the stinged part These and many others may any Man ascribe that hath had but an easie tast of the infinity of Physicks speculation for the store-house of Nature and truly learned Physitians which way soever you turn you will minister and give sufficient store of alexiterial medicines for the expulsing of this grief In conclusion one and the self same medicament will serve indifferently for the curation of Wasps and Bees saving that when we are stung with Wasps more forcible remedies are required and for the hurts that Bees do us then weaker and gentler are sufficient In the hundreth and nintieth year before the birth of our blessed Saviour an infinite multitude of Waspes came flying into the Market place at Capua as Julius witnesseth and lighted on the Temple of Mars all which when with great regard and diligence they were gathered together and solemnly burnt yet for all that they presignified the coming of an enemy and did as it were fore-tell the burning of the City which shortly after came to passe And thus much for the History of the Wasp of HORNETS A Hornet is called of the Hebrews Tsirbah Of the Arabians Zabar and Zambor Of the Germans Ein hornauss Horlitz Froisin Ofertzwuble Of the Flemings Horsele Of the Frenchmen Trellons Fonlons Of the Italians Calauron Crabrone Scaraffon and Galanron Of the Spaniards Tabarros ò Moscardos Of the Illyrians Irssen Of the Sclavonians Sierszen Of us Englishmen Hornets and great Wasps The Grecians call them Anthrénas and Anthrenoùs because with their sting they raise an Anthrar or Carbuncle with a vehement inflamation of the whole part about it The Latines call them Crabrones peradventure of Crabra a Town so named in the Territory of Tusculanum where there is great plenty of them or it may be they are tearmed Crambrones of Caballus a Horse of whom they are first engendered according to that of Ovid 15. Metamorphos Pressus humo bellator equus Crabronis origo est That is to say When War-horse dead upon the Earth lies Then doth his flesh breed Hornet flies Albertus tearmeth a Hornet Apis citrina that is a yellow or Orange coloured Bee Cardan laboureth much to prove that dead Mules are their first beginners Plutarch is of opinion that they first proceed from the flesh of dead Horses as Bees do out of a Bulls belly and I think that they have their breeding from the harder more firm and solid parts of the flesh of Horses as Wasps do from the more tender or soft Hornets are twice so great as the common Wasps in shape and proportion of body much resembling one another They have four wings the inward not being half so large as the outward being all joyned to their shoulders which are of a dark brownish and of a Chestnut-like colour these wings are the cause of their swift flight they have also six feet of the same colour and hew that their breast and shoulders are of There is somewhat long of the colour of Saffron their eyes and looks are hanging or bending downwards crooked and made like a half Moon from which grow forth two peaks like
juice of bruised Quinces 5 pounds fountain water Sextarii boyl them till they grow soft take them from the fire let them cool then strain them and crush out the Quinces and cast them away add to this water half honey boyl it scum it till an eighth part be consumed some make it of sweet Apples or Pears the same way Hydromel of Dyoscorides is made of two parts of old rain-rain-water and one part of honey mingled and set in the Sun Some call it Hydromel because it is wont to be made of the washing of the honey combs with water but it must not be made stronger because it will hurt sick people by too much matter proceeding from the wax Hydromel after it hath been long kept is as strong as small wines or Lora being but half so old Wherefore it is preferred before them in abating inflamations The use of old Metheglin is condemned for such as are inflamed or costive but it is good for weak stomacks and such as loath their meat or sick people that sweat much or for those that are thirsty or after a burning feaver hath wasted a man Aetius describes a Clyster only of honey and water to move the belly and with the same he cleanseth hollow ulcers Galen commends and uses Melicrate wherein some Hysop Origanum or Thyme or Peniroyal hath been boyled to prepare and purge gross humours in an acute disease but he commends it not for the want of a stomach Lately the English found out a new composition of Hydromel they call it Varii and serves better for ships than any Wine The preparation is this Take Barley torrefied after due sleeping in water what you please boyl it long in 5 quarts of fountain water till it taste well of the malt I pound of this boyled with 8 pounds of honey and 20 pounds of water makes a drink that tasts most sweet and is most healthful for use It nourisheth well is hardly corrupted and keeps very long Hydromel of the Moscovites Take of the decoction with Hops 12 pounds purified honey scummed 1 pound and half tosted bread strowed with the flour of malt one piece put all into a wooden vessel well covered and place it near a stool take away the froth that riseth twice a day with a wooden skimmer that hath holes in it after 10 daies set it up in your cellar after 14 daies drink it They make it the same way in summer with fair water and made this way they drink it in winter and when they desire to be drunk In Russ and English they call it Mede 2. Oenomeli it is called honeyed Wine Pollux calls it Molicraton Plautus honeyed Wine others call it Mulsum Aristaeus was the first that brought this into Thrace being taken with the incredible sweetness of Honey and Wine mingled together Mulsum made of honey of Heraclea when it growes old ceaseth to be hurtful Pliny The new writers describe this potion thus Take 1 gallon of the best Honey 6 gallons of old Wine Salt 2 ounces it must then be skimmed as it works then put in the Salt and season it with Annise-seed and roots of Elecampane let down into the vessel with a bag The Egyptians make it otherwise namely of Raisins and Honey which they call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because it is of a very sweet taste Oenomeli spiced Take Pepper washt and dried 8 scruples Athenian Honey 1 sextarius and 5 sextarii of old white Wine mingle them Celsus as I remember and Caelius speak of it Aurelianus in the cure of the Sciatica Also there is a kinde of Mulsum which the Greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 consisting of 36 ingredients Gorreus May be it is the same which Athenaeus cals 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 For 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is a drink made of Wine and Honey and divers herbs mingled Such as our Welch men call Metheglin The Irish prepare a distilled Oenomeli made with Honey Wine and some herbs which they cal Vsquebach not unfit for a nation that feeds on flesh raw or but half sod Mulsum made of sweet new Wine the Greeks call Nectar to new Wine sodden they add a tenth part of Honey but this kinde is offensive to the stomach and causeth windiness it is given to purge the belly Hippocrates cals it Melihedia and Melichron as Galen notes Atheneus writes that another kinde which was true Nectar indeed was wont to be made about Olympus a Mountain of Lydia of Wine Bees-combs and sweet flowers I take notice that Alexandrida did not think Nectar to be drink but the meat of the gods For he saith I eat Nectar chewing and ministring to Jupiter I drink Ambrosia Yet Homer and the greatest part of the Poets took Nectar for drink Dioscorides made Oenomeli thus Take old Wine 2 Sextarius's the best Honey 1 Sextarius Some that they may drink it the sooner boyl honey with wine and strain it Some for profit sake to 6 sextarius's of new wine working add one of honey and when it hath workt they put it up in a vessel for it remains sweet The use of honied Wine is this It is given in long Feavers that have weakned the stomach with crudities collected in it It looseth the belly gently it provoketh urine it cleanseth the stomach it is good for the disease of the joynts faults of the reins a weak head and to women that drink no wine for it is pleasant in smell and nourisheth the body It moveth vomit drunk with oyle and it is profitably given to them that have drunk poyson as also for such as are weak and their pulse is feeble for such as are troubled with a cough and a short breath or Impostume in the Lungs and those that are wasted with extream sweating But then it is for to mingle it with Hydromel Also Galen prescribes to them Melicrate qualified with water that have had a shaking fit not above a week and nature being yet strong Some there are that utterly condemn this in Feavers but that must be understood of some times in Feavers Romulus a certain guest of Caesars being asked how he had preserved the natural vigor of his body and minde so long for he was above a hundred years old he answered Without with oyl within with honey and wine sodden together as Pollio did That we may the more wonder at the use of Mulsum which the Ancients esteemed very much for that they were perswaded that all acrimony of the minde was pacified with sweet liquors and the spirits made peacable the passages made softer and fitter for transpiration and that it was also physick for manners Plinius 3. Oxymeli or honeyed Vinegar is thus made as Pliny thinks Take honey 6 pound old Vinegar 5 Hemina Sea-salt 1 pound rain-water which Galen likes not of 5 sextarii It must all be made scalding hot ten times and then set in the Sun till it grow stale and Oxymel is made But it lasts not above one year
All these as also all made Wines are condemned by Themison a chief writer Galen prepares it thus Let the best honey be clarified and add so much wine-vinegar to it that it may please the sick mans palate boyl them till they are well mingled and when you will use it mingle as much water as you please it is boyled enough when it sends forth no more scum Some there are perhaps that deliver these compositions somewhat otherwise and Dioscorides he differs from Misues and Nicolaus from them both In Misue you shall finde ten several sorts of it in Nicolaus I have seen seventeen some simple some compound with Squills Thyme Flower de luce and other herbs and roots Also Gesner brought in an Oxymel with Hellebore which he commends not a little in his Greek Epistle to Adolphus Otto To make thin thick and clammy humours and to root them out but especially to make way for insensible transpiration that is to draw forth from the center to the superficies of the body But you shall finde every where scattered in the Book of his Epistles what force it hath against Melancholy Cacheria Dropsies Epilepsies and Feavers where also you have the Oxymels made with Hellebore the great and the small 4. Apomeli of Philagrius in Aegineta Take white combs full of honey 1 pound fountain-water 3 pound and half break the combs and press out the honey boyl this water and honey together untill the froth of it and that which as it were the waxy part swim a top and be by degrees taken off when it is cool put it into a vessel It cools lightly as Galen saith wherefore in Phlegmone and weariness in a Feaver it is very good Avicenna his syrup of Honey seems to be the same with this In Nicolaus you shal finde three kinds of Apomeli and in Aetius Oribasius Actuarius yet more for they are changed according to the nature of the disease and the sick patient that is the reason that we had rather only touch upon them then to describe them at large It is drunk all the summer to cool the body at which time any man may drink of it especially when it growes sowrish it is held to be of a middle nature between a Mulsum and an Oxymel Galen It is also useful to expectorate with to move urine to purge the belly and to â—ut thick humours Aegineta Ruelius 5. Omphacomeli which Grapoldus did not well translate Bitter honey it is made of the juice of unripe grapes 3 saxtarii and 1 sextarius of honey boyled together or set a sunning for 40 daies when it hath done working put it in a veslel and stop it close and keep it for your uâ—e The same way almost is Melomeli of Quinces made Rhodomeli of roses honey of Myrtils Rhoites Rhodostacte c. you may finde their descriptions and use in Aetius 6. Thalassiomeli is made of equal parts of sea-water rain-water and honey purified and set in the sun in a pitched vessel in the Dog-daies some to two parts of sea-water add one part of honey and so tun it up They both purge but this hath far the less Gorraeus It is pleasant in taste and smell it purgeth gently without troubling the stomach at all Pliny And thus much of Honied drinks It would be too long for me and tedious to the Reader should I set down all kinde of Meats which the Athenians provided with honey and other ingredients therefore it shall not be needfull to rehearse them and it may be it is impossible for divers Nations did variously mingle honey with other things as with milk meat flour wheat cheese and with Sesama whence are these meats made of honey called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Juncates or honeymeats and wafers they have divers names as the thing is made Athenaeus They sacrificed to Ceres this bread of felicity as the Scholiast upon Nicander sheweth we call it honey-bread Also the Scripture teacheth that the nations offered wafers made with honey to the Sun and Moon and to the Queen of heaven wherefore Moses forbad the Israelites to offer honey in their offerings unto God Leviticus the 2. But it may be that was rather forbid the Jewes because honey hath a power of fermenting Also they made it with suet fresh cheese oyl and raisins also to cause sleep the Ancients made a kinde of meat of honey and poppy-seed very pleasant which they called Cocetum as Festus reports Also Ambrosia which was held to be the meat of the gods had that exceeding sweetness whereby it was thought to be so healthful from honey to make men immortal of which Athenaeus and Bellonius write at large But the Indians have the best and the most wholsome juncates who were held to be Barbarians but the truth is they may for their wit be compared with any in Europe and for what I can see to be preferred before them But before honey be used it must be clarified which is thus performed Take honey and fountain water distilled of each 2 pound or as much as you please boyl them and skim off all that swims a top till all the water be consumed Then clarifie it with 12 whites of Eggs. Abynzoar But if you make it hard pure and fast together mingle half a pound of the best wine to one pound of honey thus clarified boyl them skimming them till they grow hard put it in a vial and set it in boyling water and it will grow clear and stony like sugar-candy If honey be but mean it will grow better by boyling whether honey be sophisticate or pure you shall know by bâ—rning it for what is not sophisticate will burn purely The Author of the Geoponicon But if you would separate the quintessence of honey oyl salt water vinegar see Isaac Belga the treasure of Euonymus and other Chymists we will not venture into this ocean being already plunged in the harbour Now I shall shew you its first inventers Saturn was the first inventer of honey as Macrobius and they of Cyrene boast Caliâ—s and Pliny say that Aristaeus first invented honey-works But Diodorus Siculus writes that the Curetes of Crete first found out the use and way of honey Some ascribe this to the Thessalians Others to Melissus the most ancient King of the Greeks Some to Bacchus as Ovid testifieth The Greeks feign that a Nymph called Melissa first found out honey and the use of it and thence she had her Name given her from Bees Who found it or when it is not much matter It is a heavenly gift and very profitable for men if they use it well and warily CHAP. VI. Concerning Wax Bee-glew dregs of Wax Pissoceros Bees-bread and of their Nature and Use WAx in Hebrew Donagh in Arabick Mum Examacha Zamache Aberan in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in High Duch Wachs in English Wax in Brabant Wass in French Cire in Italian Cera in Spanish Cicrai it is either natural
vessels for tents in the camp to keep out rain for bed-ticks that the feathers fly not out to joyn pipes made of reeds as Ovid sang concerning the shepherds of old And with the Reed wâ—ll waxed they play'd and sang Also the most excellent Painters painted with wax as Pliny reports and they adorned ships with it This kinde of painting though it were not hurt by salt nor by the sun nor by the wind yet it was lost we know not how when Apelles Protogenes and Zeuxis died Also the Ancients were wont to smeer over their writing tables with wax before that paper was invented as Juvenal describes it And the younger Pliny in his Epistle to Trajan I sate by the nets there was no hunting pole or lance by me but a style and writing tables I did meditate and set down some things that though I should have my hands empty my writing tables might be full Hence proceeded those old forms of speaking In the first second third or last wax For Suetonius proves that the Romans writ their Testaments in wax in the life of Caesar in these words He made Q. Pedius his heir to the last farthing the rest he placed in the bottom of the wax that is in the last part of his will Nor is the use of sealing wax little whereby we seal letters and instruments Of this there are four principal kindes the Punick or white the red or Indian the black or American the yellow or European The Punick is made thus The yellow wax is often laid in the open air then they boyl it in sea-sea-water adding Nitre to it then with skimmers they take off the flower of the wax and they powr â—t into a vessel that hath a little cold water in it then they boyl it apart in sea-sea-water then they cool the vessel This is done thrice and they then dry it on a bul-rush hurdle by day and by night in the open air for this makes it white the honey being drawn forth by the Sun and the yellow colour breathed forth when it is dryed they melt it when it is melted they cover it with a thin cloth and set it in the sun after it hath stood in the sun it becomes exceeding white being boyled once more Wax is made white otherwise but this is the most proper for medicaments Pliny I see that the Greeks speak of is no other than which Pliny calls the Punick wax Aetius speaks of white wax in the Vnguent Martiatum and Paulus speaks of it also Black wax is either natural as in the Molucco Islands and many parts of America it is gathered by the Bees themselves as we read in Thevet and in the Centuries of Navigations or artificial adding the ashes of paper Red wax or like Minium of India is made with mingling Anchusa or Cinnaber There is another kinde of red wax hard like a stone but easie to break the Merchants think their letters sealed with this to be very sure yet there are some knaves so cunning that they will open them and shut them again not hurting them that no man can possibly discern it which art though a chief Impostor shewed to Pennius when he was at Paris yet he was too honest to reveal it to this mischievous age The European honey is of the natural colour that is yellow But the colour and variety of things hath so bewitched us that we are not content with natural colours but we must imitate the Punick Indian American waxes and above those we must have green dark light blew wax made of Verdigrease and other paints and some Turpentine Propolis the Arabians call Kur the Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Germans Vorstotz neben Wachs Wachs winden stop Wachs the Helvetians if I mistake not Bet and Biâ—â—eâ— trost the English Hive-dross the Spaniards El vetun de las colmenas Scribanius takes it for Virgins wax Sylvatieus falsly takes it for the dregs of the Hives Andreas Bellunensis calls it the foulness of the walls and sayes that some abuse it for Bdellium Some maintain that Propolis drops from trees others say it is the first comb It is indeed a thicker yellowish matter sweet sented like to Storax and dustie like Mastick like to wax but not yet made wax whereby all passages are stopt against cold and rain The third sort is that black matter and sharp sented which Aristotle calls Mitys Gaza and Pliny call Commosis the dregs of wax the second is called Pissoceros as you would say a matter made of pitch and wax The third Propolis is of a middle nature between these two supporters and wax laid very thick at the mouthes of the Hives chiefly in summer and therefore it is called Propolis as you youl l say belonging to the suburbs Because the Bees build with it at the doors before the Hive Propolis saith Cordus out of Pliny perhaps is some rosin gum growing upon the budding places of trees which Bees gather and hang about the entrances of their Hives to stop all chinks in winter against the cold There are four sorts of it The first is collected only out of the black Poppy which they call Aegyrina that is yellow it is soft to be touched and sticks like bird-lime it smels sweet and comfortable to the head causeth rest and is like Storax it tastes like Poplar buds The second is gathered from the Birch-treâ— and is of a colour between a yellow ash and green it is soft and ductil also in handling The third the Bees make out of the gum of the Poplar tree called Alpina but it is but seldom and only in those places where no other Poplar tree or Birch abounds but only that is called Alpina The fourth or mingled is gathered and confounded from all these trees so that it hath a mixt colour sent â—avour and consistence Cordus saith almost so much now let us hear Pliny Propolis is a kinde of middle substance between honey and wax rather between wax and Pissoceros and it seems to be gum collected by the Bees to stop up their hives Rondoletius saith it hath a thick substance and the smell of leaven Pliny saith it smels so strong that some use it for Galbanum But in the spring gathering time of honey this part that shuts their cells may be separated of which Politianus writes thus That the Bee laies a white foundation of his various coloured wax So that Propolis seems to be a thick foundation for the wax But it is now out of use nor can any man finde pure Propolis For most Bee-masters taking out the Hives when all the honey is run forth whatsoever is in the combs they mingle together and keep none pure by it self nor is that wax which Avicen calls black Mum any thing but the dregs of the combs or else some sediment that sinks to the bottom of the water after the wax is boyled and this is now Propolis but Propolis is not pure but some mingled matter The nature of
the Germans call them Seuren Graben but since this takes not away the cause of them which fosters them the disease still abides wherefore it is best to kill them with an unguent or fomentation which may at once take off that troublesome itching That which penetrates most and kils these Syrones is salt and vinegar Laur. Joubert Joh. Arden formerly the most learned Chiruregeon of England saith that a Lotion with Sublimate kils them quite And it seems not to be against reason for it dries penetrates resists putrefaction and by its heating acrimony kils them all Abinzoar l. 2. c. 19. tract 7. prescribes these following remedies First purge the body with an infusion of wilde Saffron-seed and Nettle-seed after that anoint it outwardly with the oyl of bitter Almonds or de Cherva and with the juice of the leaves of Peach-tree give boyled Partridge for meat and leavened bread Let the patient abstain from all kinde of fruit except almonds especially from Figs Grapes Jujubes and Apples rub the body often with the substance or pulp of Melons or with the Mucilage of the seed But if the body be fleshy rub it with the juyce of the leaves of the Peach-tree Pliny where there is this disease forbids Oxe-flesh Hogs Geese and all kindes of Pulse Erotis l. de pas mul. writes thus Wheat tempered with Wine adding thereto powder of Frankincense put to the parts affected for a plaister will kill these Wheal-worms every where chiefly upon the cheeks and foreheads Another Take common Salt black Soap live Brimstone each alike incorporate them with vinegar of Squils and anoint the place with them Another for Syrones on the face which the Author of the English Rose cals Barrones Take sharp Dock Frankincense Dragons cuttle-bone each alike make a powder and thrice in a week rub the places where the Worms breed but first wash you face with a decoction of Bran and on Sunday wash your face with the white of an egg and white Starch and then wash it often with river-water or with white starch Alexander Petronius Traianus commends this remedy most namely a fine linnen cloth made into lint that it may be the softer and stick the faster binde this to the part affected then lay on the white of an egge that is rosted hard whilest it is hot and cut into large pieces and then binde upon it some thicker cloth and so let it remain some hours Then taking all away you shall finde the inward lint full of these small Lice which is thus proved shake this over the fire and you shall easily hear these young Syrones crack Against hair-eating Worms and Mites in the heads of children that are usual and that will make little holes in them Alexius makes great account of this remedy Take Frankincense Bores-grease so much as you please let them boyl in an earthen vessel that is glased and make an unguent Another Sprinkle on the powder of burnt Allum and lay on some lint Another not uneffectual Powder quick Brimstone with Rose Vinegar of Squils or else incorporate it with rose-Rose-water and binde it on with a cloth for 24 hours Another that is most certain Take juice of Lemmons and Aqua vitae each alike burnt Salt what may suffice mingle them and anoint with them often Another of Hildegard Apply that skimming of the air that is those cobwebs that are scattered in Autumn and it will certainly destroy all those Syrones and little worms Also strew on the powder of Bees that are dead in their hives on the places affected and they will all dye chiefly if it were mixt with Aqua vitae or Vinegar of Squils Again binde on the crums of white bread whilest they are hot do it often the heat will kill them Fir-tree seed burnt to ashes which growes on the top of the tree if it be strewed on will help much Also the kernels of Barberries powdered and laid to the place will kill Syrones Johan Vigo prescribes these remedies against Syrones wheresoever they breed All bitter things saith he are good against them shave the patt affected that they may penetrate the better Oyl of Vitriol warily and lightly powred on will kill them mightily Quicksilver with French Soap and a little Orpiment and some Vinegar of Squils and some Aloes doth much good For Syrons in the Teeth Some call the Worms that breed in mens teeth Syrones which they affirm have fallen forth like shavings of Lute-strings by the smoke of Henbane-seed received at the mouth Though I should truly deny that these shavings are Worms yet that Worms breed in rotten teeth Barbers and every man knowes Against venomous Syrones Abinzoar cals it the disease of Oxen between the flesh and skin there breeds a kinde of venomous Worms which raiseth no small tumour as great as a walnut wherein the Worm Syro lies hid he is venomous indeed though he be but little This disease neglected will kill He appoints the Remedy thus The place must be presently burnt with an actual cautery then apply lint with Barly-meal and sweet water when the pain of the burning is over the humour will fall being anointed with Unguent of Agrippa and oyl of Roses then wash the place with water of Honey and strew on powder of Roses and then using incarnatives close up the wound But if the part cannot be cauterized or cut take Lupine-meal Soot Pepper root of Endive each alike and bruising them all and wetting them with Alchitra fill half a Nut-shel with them and keep them on so long till the force of the medicament may penetrate to the Worm but great care must be had that no part be left bare without the shell A little creature called Nigua as Thevet imagineth doth much vex the West-Indian people It is saith he an Insect most offensive to mens hands far less than a Flea but breeds in the dust as a Flea doth De Lery was taken with the same oversight and was not ashamed to be mad with Thevet for company But Oviedus affirms that they breed between the skin and the flesh but especially they breed under the nails of the fingers into which place when once they are rooted the cause a swelling as great as a pease with a mighty itching and they multiply like to Nits Now if this worm be not timely pickt forth with its brood in a few daies this itching becomes a wonderful pain and the sick dye with the violence of the disease There is a Worm that breeds on the bodies of Hawks and Faulcons under the roots of their wings it is called Trocta we have left off to doubt any longer whether it be a Syron Acarus or Tinea or not by reading Albertus his Book wherein you may read a remedy for that disease at large Also as Bonaceiolus reports in the urines of some women with childe little red Worms called Syrones will be seen which are a certain argument of conception Dermestes is an Insect that will consume skins and from
it easeth almost all pains and wasts the stone being anoynted on the share and loins But in the preparing of it every man followes his own opinion For some before they adde Oyl wash and purge them with white wine some neither wash them nor presse out the earth and perswade to take the best wine that it may penetrate the sooner Others use simple Oyl not Oyl of Roses others again Oyl of Chamomile Also they shew us many wayes to boyl them for one useth a furnace another Balneum another doth it in dung and some mingle of Chamomil flowers and of Dill to asswage pains some of Hypericon flowers to glew wounds together others Snails without shells others with shells every one as he thinks fit The Author of Bartapalia prepares an admirable water of Worms fol. 254. that is very good for wounds and diseases both outward and inward For Worms of Horses and Oxen Pelagonius puts live Earth-worms into their nostrils yet it were far better with a horn to put them down their throats into their stomacks Tardinus bids give ashes of Earth-worms bruised with flesh to a Hawk when she cannot mute They are also meat for Moles and when they dig they will break out of the earth in wonderfull haste Sows as Varro writes will trouble the mud and dig up the earth with their snouts to feed on them Albertus saith that Toads Bellonius Lizards Tarentinus that Sea Grampets and experience saith that Frogs Eels Gudgeons Carps Roches Trouts Darcae and Tenches will greedily devour Earth-worms Also that bird Aristotle calls 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 some call it Vangellus and Hens and all Quails will feed on Worms But those are no wise Fisher-men that cause Worms to come forth with medicinal juices for when they are bitter the Fish will not bite but if they lie a day in Wheat-meal and a little Honey and then put upon the hooks they relish better then Ambrosia And it is no ordinary good we may receive by them that they foreshew rain when they suddenly come forth of the earth but if they lie hid the night before it is a sign of fair weather Some do harden Iron like Steel thus Take Earth-worms two parts Radish-roots one part bruise them and distill the water in a Limbeck Or take distilled water of Earth-worms three pound juice of Radishes one pound mingle them let Iron hot be often quenched in this water and lie in it ten dayes and it will grow very hard Another Take Earth-worms two pound juice of Radish one pound distill them at an easie fire and temper your Iron with this distilled water Also draw forth juice of Sorrel stinking Hemlock and of round Aristolochia of each alike and temper your steel often The juice of Sow-bread is thought to do the same Mr. Fakenham a famous Physitian writes thus Another Take Goats bloud adde to it a little salt let glased pots be buryed in the earth well luted for thirty dayes then distill the bloud in Balneo and put as much of the distilled water to the same quantity of the water of Worms Another Take water of Worms Rapes roots of Apple-trees each alike distil them apart and mingle equal quantities together and quench your Iron in that water as we said before A Frenchman namelesse CHAP. XXX Of Worms in living Creatures Isidorus thinks they are called Lumbrici from Lumbi the loins For the Ancients call the belly Lumbos and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by Hesichius and Suidas Some interpret that those that are sick of Worms But more rightly from Earth-worms which they represent in form and nature doe they borrow that name Cornelius Celsus calls them Worms Pliny the living Creatures of the entrails The Greeks call them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and when they are extraordinary great 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as appears out of Aelian l. 9. c. 33. You must observe that Latin writers make difference between Vermes and Vermina or Verminationem that is Worms and diseases from Worms in the belly for Vermina and Verminatio are the pains of the belly from Worms as Celsus Serenus Pliny and Seneca Epist 97. testifie The Arabians call them Emicar Sylvaticus Elingen the Germans Spulworm Bauchworm the English Gutworm the Sclavonians Sâ—krkawka a word hard to be pronounced A belly-worm is a living Insect without feet bred in the bodies of living Creatures hurting their operations diversly I said a living Creature that I might exclude those broad Worms called Taeniae which though they be of substance that grows to the guts and are in form like to living Creatures yet they cannot properly be accounted living Creatures as Hippocrates 1. de morbis rightly affirms I said an Insect both because they are of a round body and because the Ancients do not reckon them amongst Serpents nor have hitherto ranged them into any proper Classis I said without feet that I might distinguish them from Worms with feet I said bred in the bodies of living Creatures because they are not only bred in the guts of living Creatures but in all the fleshy parts and in the heart it self as it shall appear by the history And not only men are troubled with them but also Horses Calves Dogs Hogs Hawks and all perfect Creatures I said that diversly hurts actions because from them pains Consumptions Convulsions Epilepsies Frensies and divers other mischiefs follow especially if they be very great or very many And all these Worms breed either in parts that are alive or dead The worms in living Creatures seem to be of three sorts the round Worms Gourd-like Worms and Ascarides such as are bred often in the Intestines of living Creatures And not there only but in other vessels and bowels of which matter I finde there was a great controversie amongst the old Authors For Galen 1. l. de loc aff c. 5. assigns certain diseases to certain parts as worms to the guts the Stone to the reins and bladder But I my self with many other persons of the University saw a stone as great and like a Pigeons Egge voided by stool at Cambridge by Dr. Larkin the Kings professor in physick who was long tormented with a pain of the Colick and wasting and he voided that stone in the same form and magnitude as a most troublesome birth at his fundament Montuus and Benivennius write that they saw the like Also by giving but one Clyster to the choise wife of noble Leonardus I brought forth 35 stones like to Medlar seeds at one time in the year 1583. Many there are that question the credit of Pedemontanus Arculanus Guainerius Trallianus Benivennius and Montuus because besides the opinion of Galen they have written that they have more then once seen stones in the head lungs greater veins the gall bladder under the tongue in the joynts and belly But since daily experience doth clear them from a lie we may say that the Greek speak as Greeks were wont to doe but that these men speak but
in the Province of Narbon there is an herb growing in waters which is so much desired of their Cattel that they will thrust their heads into the water above their ears to bite that to the roots and the Oxen of the Northern ocean Islands of Germany do grow so fat that they are indangered to die thereby The most common food for Oxen is the same that is already specified in the former discourse of Kie namely Three-leaved grasse Claver grasse all green herbs Hay Beans Vetches Chaffe and in some places Barley and Straw There is also a monethly diet or food given to Oxen for in January and February they give them Vetches and Lupines bruised in water among Chaffe or Pease so bruised and mingled and where is want of such pulse they may give them pressings of Grapes dryed and cleansed which is not turned into wine and mingle them with chaffe for the Cattel to eat but the Grapes themselves are much better before the pressing with their small twigs or leaves because they are both meat and drink and will fat an Ox very speedily The like may be added of boughs of Laurel Elme and other leaves and also Nuts and Acornes but if they be not wearyed and fed with Acornes till they loath them they will fall into scabs In March and April give them Hay and from April unto June give them Grasse and such green meat as may be found abroad Afterward all the Summer and Autumn they may be satisfied with the leaves of Elme Bay Holm and especially that kind of Oake which is without prickles and therefore they cannot abide Juniper In November and December while the seed time lasteth they must have as much given them as they can desire either of the forenamed food or else of some better if need require for it must be principally regarded that the Cattel fall not into leanness in the Winter time for leanness is the mother of many sicknesses in Cattel and their utter overthrow and therefore the benefits by their full feeding are many as may appear by that common proverge Bos ad acervum that is an Ox to a whole heap to signifie such men as live in all plenty and aboundance The like care must be had of their drink for the Neat-herd must diligently look unto their drink that it may be alway clear and it is reported of the rivers Crathâ— and Sibaris that the Cattel which drink of their water do turn white whatsoever colour they had in former times They will live in strength and perfection twelve years and their whole life is for the most part but twenty Kie live not so long the means to know their age is by their teeth and their horn for it is observed that their teeth grow black in their age and their horns wax more circled as they grow in years although I dare not affirm that every circle betokeneth a years growth as some have writen yet I am assured the smooth horn sheweth a young beast More over although Kie will endure much cold and heat both in Winter and Summer yet must you have more regard to your Oxen and therefore it is required that they in the Winter cold weather be kept dry and housed in stals which must be of convenient quantity so as every Ox may be lodged upon straw the floor made higher under their forefeet then their hinder so as their urine may passe away and not stand to hurt their hoofs and there be also allowed for the standing and lodging of every Ox eight foot in breadth and a length answerable The like regard must be had to their manger and rack whereof the slaves must not stand above one foot or rather lesse from one another that so they may not draw out their meat and stamp it underfoot But all the diet and food that the wit of man can ordain will do them no manner of good if regard be not had to their bodily health and preservation of strength for which cause they must receive an ordinary medicine every quarter of the year that is in the end of the Spring Summer Autumn and Winter which in some places is thus made and given in potion they take of Cypres and Lupine leaves an equall quantity beat them small then set them in water in the open air a day and a night and afterward give unto every one for three daies together warmed as much as a wine pinte In other places they give them to prevent sickness a raw Egge a handful of salt in a pinte of wine and other put into the meat of Oxen the foam of new oil mingled with water first a little at once until they be accustomed unto it and afterward more and this they do every fourth or fifth day Cato reciteth a certain vow or prayer which the old Idolatrous Romans were wont to make for the health of their Cattel to Silvanus Mars which was on this manner First they take three pound of green wheat and of Lard four pounds and four pound and a half of fleshie sinews and three pints and a half of wine then put them into earthen pots with hony and put in the wine by it self and this they did yearly but no woman might know how it is made or be present at the time of the preparation and it being made must be presently consumed by fire Unto this ridiculous and superstitious idle invention serving more to express the folly of man then to benefit either man or beast I may add that kind of sacrifice made for beasts which Pliny calleth Daps that was made in the Spring time when the Pear-tree did blossom the manner whereof was thus They did offer to Jupiter Dapalis a bowl of wine on the same day the herd-men and herds make their sacrifice saying in this manner O Jupiter Dapalis I offer unto thee this cup of wine in the behalf of my self family and Cattel if thou wilt perform that unto them which belongeth to thee be good to this wine beneath be good to this my sacrifice Afterward the party washed his hands and then drank the wine saying O Jupiter Dapalis be good to this my sacrifice be good to this inferiour wine and if thou wilt give part thereof to Vesta the sacrifice being ended he took Millet-seed Lentils Oxipanum and Garlick Thus far Cato wherewith if any Reader be offended let him remember to pity such poor remedies and commend his Cattel to the true God that saveth man and beast The Druides of the Gauls called a certain herb growing in moyst places Samolum which being gathered by the left hand of them that were fasting they gave it for an Antidote to Oxen and Swine And Galen telleth of another superstitious cure for Oxen when a man took the horn of a Hart and layed it upon the Chappel of Pan and set upon it a burning Candle which must not be forgotten but alway thought upon in the day time calling upon
a Womans neck it maketh that her womb shall suffer no abortments but these things are trivial and not to be believed but at pleasure I know that the tail of a Dragon tyed to the Nerves of a Hart in a Roes skin the suet of a Roe with Goose-grease the marrow of a Hart and an Onyon with Rozen and running Lime do wonderfully help the falling Evill if it be made into a plaister Sextus saith that if one give the brain of a Roe drawn or pressed through a ring to an Infant it will preserve him for ever from the Falling sickness and apparitions The liver of a Roe sod in salt water and the eyes of a purblinde man held over the fume or reek thereof are cured of their blindeness and some seethe it in a little cup and anoint the eyes with the scum or froth coming from it The same liver being burned to powder and the dust cast on a man bleeding stayeth the issue or flux The gall of this beast mixed with Wine and the Meal of Lupines the weight of a groat and Hony take away the spots of the face and the same gall mixed with water helpeth a Sun-burned-face and freck les The same with Hony Attick taketh away the dimness from the eyes and with the juyce of a gourd anointed upon the eye-brows causeth that where the hair hath been pulled off that it never shall grow again and this gall is alway the better for the age thereof and as Hippocrates did prescribe it must be kept in a silver pipe or box For the tingling of the ears take with this gal the Oyl of Roses with the juyce of an Onyon beaten together and instilled warm into the ears for a present remedy so also with the Oyl of Roses only it helpeth the pain in the teeth and with the Hony Attick all swellings or pains in the jaws or chaps putting thereto Myrrhe Saffron and Pepper The same gall with a little Hogs-bread and the powder of burnt Allum with Anise-seed made into a Suppository procureth looseness if the party have not the Hemerrhoides Also the gall taken with Hony and the juyce of Eglantine cureth the exulceration of the virile member by anointing it The Spleen being drunk helpeth windiness and the milt is commended against the Colick and biting of Serpents Against the Jaundise they take the dung of a Roe dryed and sifted and drink it in Wine the same also so drunk cureth the Ague and because the Roe-buck doth wonderfully love his female there be some that affirm that if a woman eat the bladder of a Roe it will likewise make her husband to love her exceedingly Of the first kinde of TRAGELAPHVS which may be called a DEER-GOAT THere is another kinde so like a Deer although conceived of a Buck-Goat and a female Hart that I cannot but express the figure and brief narration thereof as is in the foregoing page It is like a Deer except the beard and bristles growing about the shoulders and Pliny affirmeth that they are found about the river Phasis in Arabia and Arachotae which is a City of India so called of Arachoâ—us a river issuing from Caucasus which the Graecians call Tragelaphos and the Germans Ein Brandhirse and some think this beast to be mentioned by the name of Ako in Deut. 14. This doubtless is the same beast which Aristotle calleth Hippelaphus because he attributeth the self same things to it that Pliny ascribeth to this both for the beard the bristles and deep hair about the shoulders which hangeth down like the mane of a Horse The similitude both in proportion and quantity holdeth with a Hart in the feet which are cloven and that the female thereof doth want horns The horns of the male are like the horns of a Roe Therefore howsoever some have imagined that there is no such beast to be found in the world they are rather to be pitied then confuted for it is not to be doubted that neither the Ancients nor other ever have seen all the divers and marvailous shapes of Beasts which are to be found in many remote and far distant places of the world especially in Arabia and India where are many Deserts and therefore the reason why they affirm this is because they never saw any such and so it is to be understood for the rare pictures of these beasts called in ancient time Canathra whereupon children were carried in Pageants and shews gave them occasion to think that these were but mens devises and that God never ordained such creatures Georgius Fabritius which sent me this picture doth among other things write unto me very probably that this kinde is only distinguished from other in form name and strength and not in kinde and this being more strange and less known among men was called by the Graecians Tragelaphus being greater then the vulgar Deer deeper haired and blacker in colour and this saith he is taken in the Ridings or Forrests of Misena bordering upon Bohemia and the common sort of hunters hold opinion that by reason it loveth to lie where Coals are made and in their dust feeding upon such grass as groweth in those places that therefore the Germans call it Brandhirze and so the Foxes which resemble them in colour are called Brandfusche It is for certain that these are greater and stronger then Harts their upper part of the back being black and the neather neer the belly not white as in a Hart but rather blackish but about his genitals very black I have seen the horns to have seven spires or branches growing out of one of them being palmed at the top These are like to those which are called Achaeines in Greek by reason of their pain and sorrow and Kummerer in German because they live in continual sorrow for their young ones while they are not able to run out of their dens belike fearing by some instinct of nature lest their tender and weak age should betray them to the Hunters before they be able to run away The Figure of another TRAGELAPHUS or DEER-GOAT expressed by Bellonius I do rather approve the relation of another of this kinde which was sent unto me by that most learned English Physician Iohn Cay which as he writeth unto me was brought in the year 1561. out of the Countrey of Mauritania which was cloven-footed and liveth for the most part in the Mountain parts of that Countrey being in quantity betwixt a fallow-Deer and a Hart the body more like a Hart and the side branded and hanging down a shorter and thick neck the colour in the Winter black and red set one with another the beard like a Goat but more divided and turned backward his hair very long even to his knees a mane full of bristles stretched out in length through his whole neck but especially about the top of his shoulder-blades where it standeth like bunches being in colour darker then in other parts of
for an old Cough proceeding of cold after purging and heating by holding the Horses tongue in ones hand while the medicine is thrust down his throat The same in Sheeps milk with Rubrick and soft Pitch drunk every day or eaten to your meat helpeth the Ptisick and Obstructions Anatolius approved Bean meal sifted and sod with Harts marrow to be given to a Horse which stalleth bloud for three daies together Also mingled with the powder of Oyster shels it cureth Kibes and Chilblanes A woman perfumed with the hairs of this beast is preserved from abortements and the same perfume helpeth the difficulty of urine and little pieces cut off from the hide with a Pummise put in wine and rubbing the body helpeth the holy-fire The powder of the bones burned is an antidote against the falling evill and the dispersing of the milt and the bones beaten to powder stayeth the Flux of the belly It were endless to describe all the virtues ascribed to the horn and therefore I will content my self with the recital of few Pliny and Solinus prefer the right horn Aristotle the left and the spires or tops are more medicinable then the hard and solide stem but the horns found in the Woods lost by the beasts and grown light are good for nothing The other have their uses both raw and burned which may be these which follow Take the horn and cut it into small pieces then put it into an earthen pot anointed within with durt and so set it in a furnace untill it become white then wash it like a mineral and it will help the runnings and ulcers in the eyes and the same also keepeth the teeth white and the gums sound The young horns while they be soft being eaten are an antidote against Henbane and other poisonful herbs The right horn hid by the Hart in the earth is good against the poison of Toades The Harts horn hath power to dry up all humors and therefore it is used in eye salves and Orpheus promiseth to a bald man hair on his head again if he anoint it with oil and powder of this horn likewise the same with the seed of black mirtle Butter and Oil restraineth the falling away of the hair being anointed upon the head after it is newly shaven with Vinegar it killeth Ringwormes The same burned in the Sun and afterward the face being rubbed and washed therewith thrice together taketh away pimple-spots out of the face the powder drunk in wine or anointed on the head killeth lice and nits the same with Vinegar Wine or Oil of Roses anointed upon the forehead easeth the head-ach if it proceed of cold A perfume made of this horn with Castoreum and Lime or Brimstone causeth a dead childe strangled in his mothers womb to come forth if the horn be taken raw and rubbed upon the gums keepeth the cheeks from all annoyance of the tooth-ach and fasteneth the loose teeth as Serenus said Quod vero assumpsit nomen de dente fricando Cervino ex cornu cinis est Galen prescribeth the powder of this horn for the Jaundise and for him that spitteth bloudy matter and to stay vomit being taken in a reere Egge It comforteth also a rheumatick stomach and it is tryed to cure the Kings evill it pacifieth the milt dryeth the Spleen driveth all kind of Wormes out of the belly being drunk with hony and easeth the Colick expelleth away mothers helpeth the Strangury and the pain in the bladder stayeth Fluxes in women both white and red being mingled with Barly meal water and twigs of Cedar beside many other such properties The tears of this beast after she hath been hunted with a Serpent are turned into a stone called Belzahard or Bezahar of which we have spoken before and being thus transubstantiated do cure all manner of venom as Avenzoar and Cardinal Ponzetti affirme after many trials and Sernus also expresseth in this Distichon Seminecis cervi lachrymam miscere liquori Convenit atque artus illinc miscere calentes The liver of this beast helpeth all sores in the feet being worn in the shooes the same dryed to powder with the throat or wind-pipe of the beast and mingled with Hony and so eaten helpeth the Cough Ptisick sighing and short breathing Pliny and Sextus affirme that when a Hinde perceiveth herself to be with young she devoureth or eateth up a certain stone which is afterward found either in her excrements or ventricle and is profitable for all Women with childe and in travell for by that only fact the Hinde is most speedily delivered without great pain and seldome or never suffering abortment and there is also a little bone found in the heart of every one of these beasts which performeth the same qualities in stead whereof they have such a thing to sell at Venice holding it at great price but Brasavola affirmeth that he opened the hearts of two Harts and found in them a little gristle not much unlike to a crosse whereof the one being of a Beast new killed was very soft but the other was much harder because the beast was slain about six dayes before This bone is in the left side of the heart upon which the Spleen moveth and sendeth forth her excrements by vapors which by reason of their driness are there turned into a bone and being first of all of the substance of the Harts bloud and it is good against the trembling of the heart and the Hemorrhoides but this bone cannot be found in any except he be killed betwixt the middle of August and the twelfth of September The skinny seed of the Hind-Calf is above all other commended against poison and the bitings of Serpents and of mad Dogs likewise it stayeth all Fluxes of bloud and spitting of bloud and egestion of bloud and it being eaten with Beets and Lentils is profitable against the pain of the belly The genital part and stones are wholesome being taken in wine against all bitings of Vipers Adders and Snakes and the same virtue hath the natural seed supped up in a rere Egge The genital hath also a virtue to encrease lust in every creature it being either dryed and drunk or else bound fast to their privie parts Likewise being warmed in water and afterward dryed to powder and so drunk helpeth the Colick and the difficulty of making water if you put it into a little Triacle The dung of Harts cureth the Dropsie especially of a Subulon or young Hart the urine easeth the pain in the Spleen the wind in the ventricles and bowels and infused into the ears healeth their ulcers In the tip of the tail lyeth poison which being drunk causeth extasie and death if it be not helpt by a vomit made of Butter Annise and oil of Sesamine or as Cardinal Ponzetius saith that the Harts eye is an Antidote to this evill It may be known by a yellowish-green colour and therefore it is called the gall for nature
because the Splenetick can do none of all these but of this more afterward The voice of a Dog is by the learned interpreted a railing and angry speech whereof cometh Canina facundia among Authors for railing eloquence It is the nature of a Dog when he maketh water to hold up his leg if he be above six moneths old or have been at procreation the females do it for the most part sitting yet some of the generous spirits do also hold up the legs They ever smell to the hinder parts of one another peradventure thereby they discern their kind and disposition of each other in their own natures After they have run a course they relieve themselves by tumbling and rowling to and fro when they lie down they turn round in a circle two or three times together which they do for no other cause but that they may the more commondiously lie round and from the winde They sleep as doth a man and therein dream very often as may appear by their often barking in their sleep but it must be diligently regarded of them that love to keep Dogs that they permit them not to sleep much especially after their meat when they are young for as they are very hot so in their sleep doth their heat draw much pain into their stomach and ventricle The time of their copulation is for the most part at a year old yet the females will lust after it at eight moneths old howbeit they are not to be suffered because it weakeneth their bodies and dulleth in them all generosity therefore after one year they may safely be suffered to come together and not before Neither is it material whether in Summer or Winter but it is best in the beginning of the Spring but with this caution that Whelpes of a litter or of one and the same Bitch be never suffered to couple for nature rejoyceth more in variety For then they grow salt and begin to be proud yet in ancient time for the more ennobling of their race of Dogs they did not suffer them to engender till the Male were four year old and the female three for then would the Whelpes prove more strong and lively By hunting labour and travel the males are made more fit for generation and they prove best which have their sires of equal age They are not suffered to engender all their life long but untill ten and twelve year old or rather eight in the male and six in the female Yet there have been found which in one and other sex have continued in procreation till they were twenty year old but this exceeded all natural reason When they begin to be proud if you give them leaven mingled with milk and salt they will not stray and range abroad At the time of their copulation they cleave together for a certain space as if their hinder parts were glewed and so they are filled at one time They bear their young the fifth part of the year that is about two moneths and odd dayes but this reckoning is not general for some kinds bear their young three moneths and some more They bring forth many at a time sometime five seven nine or twelve for so many cels hath the female in her womb Albertus relateth that he saw a Bitch of the Mastive kind which brought forth at three litters fifty Whelpes that is nineteen at the first eighteen at the second and thirteen at the third but some-time she bringeth forth but one which is a good argument to prove that she is filled at the first liming They are purged of their menstruous fluxes seven or fourteen daies before they grow proud and again at their time of littering at other times they suffer none The first they cast forth of their wombe is commonly a male which resembleth the father the other males and females as it happeneth but it is accounted a prodigious thing to litter all males or all females wherein nature yeeldeth an excellent argument of divine providence for the first born of all kinds hath more resemblance of the father then of the mother They are also whelped blind and so remain for nine or ten dayes because through their multitude they cannot be perfected in the dams belly which doth not happen to beasts which bear single as Sheep and Goats They use to carry them up and down in their mouths till they be seven dayes old but not afterward they have milk about five dayes before their littering It is not good to preserve the first or second litter but the third and after they have littered it is good to give the Bitch Whay and Barly bread for that will comfort her and encrease her milk and in some places they take Goats milk and seethe in it broken bones of meat whereby they conceive that the Dam and Whelpes are much bettered for that nutriment there is not any great regard of the nourishment of Dogs for they will eat much and that often and divers things except Dogs flesh for that cannot be so dressed and prepared by the art of man but they finde it out by their nose and avoid it It is good to let the Whelpes suck two moneths before they be weaned and that of their own dam for it is not so good for them to suck another and in the mean time exercise them to meat as Milk Whay Bread and flesh also from the Spring untill the Sun entreth Cancer at which time it is good to let them grow lean according to the Verses of Nemesian Consuetam minuisse saginam Profuerit tenuesque magis retinere cibatus Ne gravis articulos depravet pondere molles Nam tum membrorum nexas nodosque relaxant And afterward when they are sixe moneths old amend their idiet again that they may grow strong Tunc rursus miscere sero Corealia done Conveniet fortemque dari de frugibus escam They will not eat Buck-mast wherewithal Hogs grow fat for that breedeth in them the pain of the head By eating the excrements of men they incur many diseases they are mad drunk by the herb Oenutta as Crowes bee they cannot endure Wine but bread sopped in wine they devoure dryed flesh and bread in Milk is their safest food if Cummin be now and then mixed in their bread they are not much troubled with winde in their bellies If you put a little Oil in their Water to drink or lap they will prove more able and swift to run If he refuse and loath his meat take a little hot bread and give it him before meat or dip brown bread in Vinegar and so presse and squeese the liquor thereof into his nose and it will ease him There is much ado to chuse a Whelpe under the Dam that will prove the best in the litter Some observe that which seeth last and take that for the best other remove the Whelpes from the kennel and lay them
down barking about the surest marks and confounding their own foot-steps with the Beasts they hunt or else forsake the way and so run back again to the first head but when they see the Hare they tremble and are afraid not daring to come near her except she run away first these with the other which hinder the cunning labours of their colleagues trusting to their feet and running before their betters deface the best mark or else hunt counter as they tearm it take up any false sent for the truth or which is more reprehensible never forsake the high ways and yet have not learned to hold their peace unto these also you may adde those which cannot discern the footings or pricking of the Hare yet will they run speedily when they see her or else at the beginning set forth very hot and afterward tyre and give over lazily all these are not to be admitted into the kennel of good Hunds But the good and approved Hounds on the contrary when they have found the Hare make shew thereof to the Hunter by running more speedily and with gesture of head eyes ears and tail winding to the Hares muse never give over prosecution with a gallant noise no not returning to their leaders lest they lose advantage they have good and hard feet and are of stately stomacks not giving over for any hate and fear not the rocks or other mountain places as the Poet expresseth Quae laus prima canum quibus est audacia praeceps Quae nunc elatis rimantur naribus auras Et perdunt clamore feram dominumque vocando Insequitur tumulosque canis camposque per omnes Venandi sagax virtus viresque sequendi Et nunc demisso quaerunt vestigia rostro Increpitant quem si collatis effugit armis Noster in arte labor positus spes omnis in illa c. And therefore also it is good oftentimes to lead the Hounds to the Mountains for exercise of their feet when you have no Hare or other Beast And whereas the nature of this Hare is sometimes to leap and make headings sometimes to tread softly without any great impression in the earth or sometimes to lye down and ever to leap or jump out in to her own fourm or sitting the poor Hound is so much the more busied and troubled to retain the small savour of her footings which she leaveth behinde her for this cause also it is to be noted that the Hound must be holp not only with the voyce eye and hand of the Hunter but also with a seasonable time for in frosty weather the savour congealeth and freezeth with the earth so as you cannot hunt with any certainty untill the thaw thereof or till the Sun arise Likewise if rain fall betwixt the going of the Hare and the hunting time you cannot hunt till the water be dryed up for the drops disperse the sent of the Hare and the dry weather recollecteth it again The Summer time also is not for hunting by reason the heat of the earth consumeth the savour and the night being then but short the Hare travelleth but little feeding only in the evening and morning Likewise the fragrancy of every green herb yeeldeth such a savour as doth not a little obliterate and oversway the savour of the Beast and therefore Aristotle in his Wonders sheweth that in Aetna in the Summer time there are such plenty of sweet smelling flowers especially of Violets which overcome the nostrils of the Hounds so as in vain they follow the Hare The best time therefore for hunting with these Hounds is the Autumn or fall of the leaf because that then the odours of herbs are weakned and the earth barer then at other times The best manner to teach these Hounds is to take a live Hare and trail her after you upon the earth now one way now another and so having drawn it a convenient space hide it in the earth afterward set forth your Hound neer the trail who taking winde runneth to and fro neer the woods fields pastures path-ways and hedges untill he finde which way the Hare is gone but with a soft and gentle pace untill at length coming neer the lodged Hare he mendeth his pace and bestirreth himself more speedily leaping upon his prey like some Serpent or as an arrow shot out of a Bow and so tearing it in pieces or killing it with joy loadeth himself with his conquest and bringeth it to his Master with triumph who must receive both Dog and it with all tokens of love into his own bosome which thing caused Nemesian to write thus Quae freâ—a si Morinum dubio refluentia ponto O quanta est merces quantum impendia supra Si non ad speciem menturosque decores Protinus haec una est catulis jactura Britannis Diversa Britannia mittit Veloces nostrique orbis venatibus aptos There are divers Countrey Dogs like unto these as the Geloni and Gnosii which caused Ovid to reckon and call Ichnobates one of Actaeons Dogs Gnosius whom Oppianus compareth to the Polypus fish which smelling in the waters the leaves of Olives by the sent is drawn to the land to eat them The Spanish Dogs whom the French call Espagneulx have long ears but not like a Braches and by their noses hunt both Hares and Conies they are not rough but smooth haired The Tuscan Dogs are commended by Nemesian notwithstanding they are not beautiful to look upon having a deep shaggy hair yet is their game not unpleasant Quin Tuscorum uon est extrema voluptas Saepe Canum forma est illis licet obsita villo c. Haud tamen injucunda dabunt tibi munera praedae c. Atque etiam leporum secreta cubilia monstrant The Vmbrian Dog is sharp nosed but fearfull of his sport as Gratius expresseth Aut exigit Vmber Nare sagax e calle feras At fugit adversus idem quos efferent hostes Tanta foret virtus tantum vellet in armis The Aetolian Dogs have also excellent smelling noses and are not slow or fearful whom Gratius expresseth as followeth At clangore citat quos nondum conspicit apros Aetola quaeounque Canis de stirpe malignum Officium c. Seu frustra nimius properat furor Mirum quam celeres quantum nare metentur The French Dogs are derived or propagated of the Dogs of Great Britain and are swift and quick sented but not all for they have of divers kindes as Gratius expresseth in these words Magnaque diversos extollit gloria Celtas They are very swift and not sharp nosed wherefore they are mingled in generation with the Vmbrian Dogs and therefore he celebrateth in many verses the praise of the first Hunter as he taketh him Hagno Baeonius and his Dog Metagon and afterward the Dog Petronius but it may be that by Metagon he meaneth the Dogs of Lybia because there is a City of that name and by Petronius the
peradventure it may chance as whether it chanceth seldom or sometime I am ignorant that a piece of flesh be subtilly stolne and cunningly conveyed away with such provisoes and precaveats as thereby all appearance of bloud is either prevented excluded or concealed yet these kinde of Dogs by certain direction of an inward assured notice and privie mark pursue the deed-dooers through long lanes crooked reaches and weary wayes without wandering awry out of the limits of the land whereon these desperate purloiners prepared their speedy passage Yea the natures of these Dogs is such and so effectual is their foresight that they can bewray separate and pick them out from among an infinite multitude and an innumerable company creep they never so far into the thickest throng they will finde him out notwithstanding he lie hidden in wilde Woods in close and overgrowen Groves and lurk in hollow holes apt to harbour such ungracious guests Moreover although they should passe over the water thinking thereby to avoid the pursuite of the Hounds yet will not these Dogs give over their attempt but presuming to swim through the stream persevere in their pursuite and when they be arrived and gotten the further banck they hunt up and down to and fro run they from place to place shift they until they have attained to that plot of ground where they passed over And this is their practise if perdy they cannot at the first time smelling finde out the way which the deed-doers took to escape So at length get they that by art cunning and diligent endevour which by fortune and luck they cannot otherwise overcome In so much as it seemeth worthily and wisely written by Aelianus in his 6. Book and 39. Chapter To enthumaticon kai dialecticon to be as it were naturally instilled into these kind of Dogs For they will not pause or breathe forth from their pursuite untill such time as they be apprehended and taken which committed the fact The owners of such Hounds use to keep them in close and dark kennels in the day and let them loose at liberty in the night season to the intent that they might with more courage and boldness practise to follow the fellon in the evening and solitary hours of darkness when such ill disposed varlets are principally purposed to play their impudent pranks These Hounds upon whom this present portion of our treatise runneth when they are to follow such fellowes as we have before rehearsed use not that liberty to range at will which they have otherwise when they are in game except upon necessary occasion whereon dependeth an urgent and effectual perswasion when such purloyners make speedy way in flight but being restrained and drawn back from running at random with the leame the end whereof the owner holding in his hand is led guided and directed with such swiftness and slowness whether he go on foot or whether he ride on horseback as he himself in heart would wish for the more easie apprehension of these venturous varlets In the borders of England and Scotland the often and accustomed stealing of Cattel so procuring these kind of Dogs are very much used and they are taught and trained up first of all to hunt Cattel as well of the smaller as of the greater grouth and afterwards that quality relinquished and left they are learned to pursue such pestilent persons as plant their pleasure in such practises of purloining as we have already declared Of this kind there is none that taketh the Water naturally except it please you so to suppose of them which follow the Otter which sometimes haunt the land and sometime useth the water And yet nevertheless all the kinde of them boyling and broyling with greedy desire of the prey which by swimming passeth through river and flood plunge amids the water and passe the stream with their pawes But this property proceedeth from an earnest desire wherewith they be inflamed rather then from any inclination issuing from the ordinance and appointment of nature And albeit some of this sort in English be called Braobe in Scotish Rache the cause thereof resteth in the she-sex and not in the general kinde For we Englishmen call Bitches belonging to the hunting kind of Dogs by the tearm above mentioned To be short it is proper to the nature of Hounds some to keep silence in hunting untill such cime as there is game offered Other some so soon as they smell out the place where the beast lurketh to bewray it immediately by their importunate barking notwithstanding it be far and many furlongs off cowching close in his cabbin And these Dogs the younger they be the more wantonly bark they and the more liberally yet oftentimes without necessity so that in them by reason of their young years and want of practise small certainty is to be reposed For continuance of time and experience in game ministreth to these Hounds not only cunning in running but also as in the rest an assured foresight what is to be done principally being acquainted with their Masters watchwords either in revoking or imboldening them to serve the game Of the DOG called the GASE-HOUND in Latin Agasaeus THis kinde of Dog which pursueth by the eye prevaileth little or never a whit by any benefit of the nose that is by smelling but excelleth in perspicuity and sharpeness of sight altogether by the virtue whereof being singular and notable it hunteth the Fox and the Hare This Dog will chuse and separate any beast from among a great flock or herd and such a one will it take by election as is not lanck lean and hollow but well spred smooth full fat and round it followes by direction of the eyesight which indeed is clear constant and not uncertain if a beast be wounded and go astray the Dog seeketh after it by the stedfastness of the eye if it chance peradventure to return and be mingled with the residue of the flock this Dog spyeth it out by virtue of his eye leaving the rest of the Cattell untouched and after he hath set sure sight upon it he separateth it from among the company and having so done never ceaseth untill he have wearyed the Beast to death Our Countreymen call this Dog Agasaeum a Gase-hound because the beams of his sight are so stedfastly setled and unmoveably fastned These Dogs are much and usually occupied in the Northern parts of England more then in the Southern parts and in fieldy lands rather then in bushie and woody places horsemen use them more then footmen to the intent that they might provoke their horses to a swift gallop wherewith they are more delighted then with the prey it self and that they might accustome their Horse to leap over hedges and ditches without stop or stumble without harme or hazard without doubt or danger and to escape with safegard of life And to the end that the riders themselves when necessity so constrained and the fear of further mischief inforced might save themselves
are like to Onions have power in them to purge the belly of Dogs Other give them Goats-milk or Salt beaten small or Sea-crabs beaten small and put into water or Staves-acre and immediately after his purgation sweet Milk If your Dog be obstracted and stopped in the belly which may be discerned by his trembling sighing and removing from place to place give unto him Oaten meal and water to eat mingled together and made as thick as a Pultess or leavened Oaten bread and sometime a little Whay to drink The Ancients have observed that Dogs are most annoyed with three diseases the swelling of the throat the Gowt and madness but the later Writers have observed many noysome infirmities in them First they are oftentimes wounded by the teeth of each other and also of wilde Beasts for cure whereof Blondus out of Maximus writeth these remedies following First let the sinews fibres or gristles of the wound be laid together then sow up the lips or upper skin of the wound with a needle and thred and take of the hairs of the Dog which made the wound and lay thereupon untill the bleeding be stanched and so leave it to the Dog to be licked for nature hath so framed the Dogs tongue that thereby in short space he cureth deep wounds And if he cannot touch the sore with his tongue then doth he wet his foot in his mouth and so oftentimes put it upon the maim or if neither of these can be performed by the Beast himself then cure it by casting upon it the ashes of a Dogs head or burned salt mingled with liquid pitch poured thereupon When a Dog returning from hunting is hurt about the snowt by the venemous teeth of some wilde Beast I have seen it cured by making incision about the wound whereby the poysoned bloud is evacuated and afterward the sore was anoynted with Oyl of Saint Johns-wort Wood-worms cure a Dog bitten by Serpents When he is troubled with Ulcers or rindes in his skin pieces of Pot-sheards beaten to powder and mingled with Vinegar and Turpentine with the sat of a Goose or else Water-wort with new Lard applyed to the sore easeth the same and if it swell anoynt it with Butter For the drawing forth of a thorn or splinter out of a Dogs foot take Colts-foot and Lard or the powder thereof burned in a new earthen pot and either of these applyed to the foot draweth forth the Thorn and cureth the sore for by Dioscorides it is said to have force to extract any point of a Spear out of the body of a man For the Worms which breed in the Ulcers of their heels take Vnguentum Egyptiacum and the juyce of peach-leaves There are some very skilful Hunters which affirm that if you hang about the Dogs neck sticks of Citrine as the wood dryeth so will the Worms come forth and dy Again for this evill they wash the wounds with water then rub it with Pitch Thyme and the dung of an Oxe in Vinegar afterward they apply unto it the powder of Ellebor When a Dog is troubled with the Mangie Itch or Ring-worms first let him blood in his fore-legs in the greatest vein afterward make an Ointment of Quick-silver Brimstone Nettle-seed and twice so much old Sewet or Butter and therewithall anoint him putting thereunto if you please decoction of Hops and Salt water Some do wash Mangy Dogs in the Sea-water and there is a Cave in Sicily saith Gratius that hath this force against the scabs of Dogs if they be brought thither and set in the running water which seemeth to be as thick as Oyl Flegm or melancholy doth often engender these evils and so after one Dog is infected all the residue that accompany or lodge with him are likewise poysoned for the avoiding thereof you must give them Fumitory Sorrel and Whay sod together it is good also to wash them in the Sea or in Smiths-water or in the decoction aforesaid For the taking away of Warts from the feet of Dogs or other members first rub and friccase the Wart violently and afterward anoint it with Salt Oyl Vinegar and the powder of the rinde of a Gourd or else lay unto it Aloes beaten with Mustard-seed to eat it off and afterward lay unto it the little scories or iron chips which fly off from the Smiths hot iron while he beateth it mingled with Vinegar and it shall perfectly remove them Against Tikes Lyce and Fleas anoint the Dogs with bitter Almonds Staves-acre or roots of Maple or Cipers or froth of Oyl if it be old and anoint also their ears with Salt-water and bitter Almonds then shall not the flies in the Summer time enter into them If Bees or Wasps or such Beasts sting a Dog lay to the sore burned Rue with Water and if a greater Fly as the Horner let the Water be warmed A Dog shall be never infected with the Plague if you put into his mouth in the time of any common Pestilence the powder of a Storks craw or Ventricle or any part thereof with Water which thing ought to be regarded for no creature is so soon infected with the Plague as is a Dog and a Mule and therefore they must either at the beginning receive medicine or else be removed out of the air according to the advice of Gratius Sed varii ritus nec in omnibus una potestas Disce vices quae tutela est proxima tenta Wolf-wort and Apocynon whose leaves are like the leaves of Ivie and smell strongly will kill all Beasts which are littered blinde as Wolves Foxes Bears and Dogs if they eat thereof So likewise will the root of Chamaeleon and Mezereon in Water and Oyl it killeth Mice Swine and Dogs Ellebor and Squilla and Faba Lupina have the same operation There is a Gourd called Zinziber of the Water because the taste thereof is like to Ginger the Flower Fruit and Leaf thereof killeth Asses Mules Dogs and many other four-footed Beasts The Nuts Vomicae are poyson to Dogs except their ear be cut presently and made to bleed It will cause them to leap strangely up and down and kill him within two hours after the tasting if it be not prevented by the former remedy Theophrastus Chrysippus affirmeth that the water wherein Sperage hath been sod given to Dogs killeth them the fume of Silver or Lead hath the same operation If a Dog grow lean and not through want of meat it is good to fill him twice or thrice with Butter and if that do not recover him then it is a sign that the worm under his tongue annoyeth him which must be presently pulled out by some Naul or Needle and if that satisfie not he cannot live but will in short time perish And it is to be noted that Oaten bread leavened will make a sluggish Dog to become lusty agile and full of spirit Dogs are also many times bewitched by the only
have wearyed him and broken his untameable nature Then doth the rider leap upon the wearyed and tyred Elephant and with a sharp pointed Sickle doth govern him after the tame one and so in short space he groweth gentle And some of them when the rider alighteth from their backs grow wilde and fierce again for which cause they binde their forelegs with strong bands and by this means they take both great and small old and young ones but as the old ones are more wilde and obstinate and so difficult to be taken so the younger keep so much with the elder that a like impossibility or difficulty interposeth itself from apprehending them In the Caspian lake there are certain fishes called Oxyrineh out of whom is made such a firme glew that it will not be dissolved in ten dayes after it hath taken hold for which cause they use it in the taking of Elephants There are in the Island Zeira many Elephants whom they take on this manner In the Mountains they make certain doysters in the earth having two great trees standing at the mouth of the cloysters and in those trees they hangup a great parcul 〈…〉 gate within that cloyster they place a tame female Elephant at the time of their usual copulation the wilde Elephants do speedily wind her and make to her and so at the last having found the way betwixt the two trees enter into her sometime twenty and sometime thirty at a time then are there two men in the said trees which cut the rope whereby the gate hangeth so it falleth down and includeth the Elephants where they suffer them alone for six or seven dayes without meat whereby they are so infeebled and famished that they are not able to stand upon their legs Then two or three strong men enter in among them and with great slaves and clubs belabour and â—udgel them till by that means they grow tame and gentle and although an Elephant be a monstrous great beast and very subtil yet by these and such like means do the inhabitants of India and Ethiopia take many of them with a very small labour to their great advantage Against these sleights of men may be oposed the subtil and cautelous evasions of the beast avoiding all the footsteps of men if they smell them upon any herb or leaf and for their fight with the Hunters they observe this order First of all they set them foremost which have the least teeth that so they may not be afraid of combate and when they are weary by breaking down of trees they escape and flie away But for their hunting they know that they are not hunted in India for no other cause then for their teeth and therefore to discourage the Hunters they set them which have the worst teeth before and reserve the strongest for the second encounter for their wisdom or natural discretion is herein to be admired that they will so dispose themselves in all their battails when they are in chase that ever they fight by course and inclose the youngest from perill so that lying under the belly of their Dams they can scarce be seen and when one of them flyeth they all flie away to their usual resting places striving which of them shall go foremost And if at any time they come to a wide and deep Ditch which they cannot passe over without a bridge then one of them descendeth and goeth down into the Ditch and standeth transverse or crosse the same by his great body filling up the empty parts and the residue passe over upon his back as upon a bridge Afterward when they are all over they tarry and help their fellow out of the Ditch or Trench again by this sleight or devise one of them putteth down to him his leg and the other in the Ditch windeth his trunck about the same the residue standers by cast in bundles of sprigs with their mouthes which the Elephant warily and speedily putteth under his feet and so raiseth himself out of the Trench again and departeth with his fellowes But if they fall in and cannot finde any help or means to come forth they lay aside their natural wilde disposition and are contented to take meat and drink at the hands of men whose presence before they abhorred and being delivered they think no more upon their former condition but in forgetfulness thereof remain obedient to their deliverers Being thus taken as it hath been said it is also expedient to express by what art and means they are cicurattd and tamed First of all therefore when they are taken they are fastened to some Tree or Pillar in the earth so as they can neither kick backward nor leap forward and there hunger thirst and famine like two most strong and forcible Riders abate their natural wildeness strength fear and hatred of men Afterward when their keepers perceive by their dejection of minde that they begin to be mollified and altered then they give unto them meat out of their hands upon whom the beast doth cast a far more favorable and cheerful eye considering their own bondage and so at the last necessity frameth them unto a contented and tractable course and inclination But the Indians by great labour and industry take their young Calves at their watering places and so lead them away inticing them by many allurements of meat to love and obey them so as they grow to understand the Indian language but the elder Indian Elephants do very hardly and seldom grow tame because of their remembrance of their former liberty by any bands and oppression nevertheless by instrumental musick joyned with some of their Countrey songs and ditties they abate their fierceness and bring down their high untractable stomachs so as without all bands they remain quiet peaceable and obedient taking their meat which is layed before them Pliny and Solinus prescribe the juyce of Barly to be given to them for their mitification whereunto also agreeth Dioscorides calling that kind of drink Zythus and the reason hereof is because of the tart sharpness in Barly water if it stand a little while and therefore also they prescribe Vinegar and ashes to rub the beasts mouth for it hath power in it to pierce stones all sharp things penetrate deep into his flesh and alter his nature the invention whereof is attributed to Democritus Being thus tamed they grow into civill and familiar uses for Caesar ascended into the Capitol betwixt four hundred Elephants carrying at either side burning Torches and Heliogabalus brought four Waggons drawn with Elephants in Vaticanum and men commonly ride upon them for Apâ—llonius saw neer the River Indus a Boy of thirteen year old riding alone upon an Elephant spurring and pricking him as freely as any man will do a lean horse They are taught to bend one of their hinder legs to take up the Rider who also must receive help from some other present standers by or else it is
and draw the carcasse of a dead Cat after them the savour whereof will provoke the beast to follow the foot-steps then have they a cunning Archer or handler of a Gun who observeth and watcheth in secret till the beast come within his reach and so giveth him his great and deadly wound But if the Fox be in the earth and they have found his den then they take this course to work him out They take a long thing like a Bee-hive and open at one end and iron wiers at the other like a grate and at the open end is set a little door to fall down upon the mouth and to inclose the Fox when he entreth in by touching of a small rod that supporteth that door This frame is set to the Foxes dens mouth and all the other passages watched and stopped The Fox having a desire to go forth and seeing light by the wiers misdeemeth no harm and entreth into the hive which is wrought close into the mouth of his den and being entred into it the rod turneth the door fast at the lower end or entrance and so the Fox is intrapped to be disposed of at the will of the taker Foxes are annoyed with many enemies and to begin with the least the small flies called Gnats do much trouble and infect them against whom the Fox useth this policy He taketh a mouthful of straw or soft hay or hair and so goeth into the water dipping his hinder parts by little and little then the flies betake themselves to his head which be keepeth out of the water which the Fox feeling dippeth or diveth also the same under water to his mouth wherein he holdeth the hay as aforesaid whereunto the flies runne for sanctuary or dry refuge which the Fox perceiving suddenly casteth it out of his mouth and runneth out of the water by this means easing himself of all those enemies In like manner as all beasts are his enemies and he friend and loving to none so with strength courage and policy he dealeth with every one not only against the beasts of the Land but also against the monsters of the Sea When he findeth a nest of Waspes in the earth or in other places as in trees he layeth his tail to the hole and so gathereth into it a great many of them which he presently dasheth against the wall or tree or stones adjoyning and so destroyeth them and thus he continueth untill he have killed them all and so maketh himself executor to their heaps of hony His manner is when he perceiveth or seeth a flock of fowl to flie in the air to rowl himself in red earth making his skin to look bloody and lie upon his back winking with his eye and holding in his breath as if he were dead which thing the birds namely Crows Ravens and such like observing because of the hatred of his person they for joy alight and triumph at his overthrow and this the Fox endureth for a good season till opportunity serving his turn and some of the fowl come neer his snowt then suddenly he catcheth some one of them in his mouth feeding upon him like a living and not a dead Fox and so doth devour and eat him as the Leopard doth devour and eat Apes and the Sea frog other little fishes In like sort he deceiveth the Hedge-hog for when the Hedge-hog perceiveth the Fox coming to him he rowleth himself together like a foot-ball and so nothing appeareth outward except his prickles which the Fox cannot indure to take into his mouth and then the cunning Fox to compasse his desire licketh gently the face and snowt of the Hedge-hog by that means bringing him to unfold himself again and to stand upon his legs which being done he instantly devoureth or else poisoneth the beast with the urine that he rendereth upon the Hedge-hogs face and at other times he goeth to the waters and with his tail draweth fishes to the brim of the River and when that he observeth a good booty he casteth the Fishes clean out of the water upon the dry land and then devoureth them All kindes of Hawkes are enemies to Foxes and Foxes to them because they live upon Carrion and so in the Province of Vla Avicen saw a Fox and a Crow fight together a long season and the Crow with his talons so be-gripling the Foxes mouth that he could not bark and in the mean time she beat and picked his head with her bill untill he bled again The Eagles fight with Foxes and kill them and Olaus Magnus affirmeth that in the Northern Regions they lay Egges and hatch their young in those skins which they themselves have stripped off from Foxes and other beasts The Kites Vultures and Wolves are Enemies to Foxes because they are all flesh-devouring creatures but the Fox which hath so many enemies by strength or subtilties overcometh all Whereupon Persius calleth a subtil man a Fox saying Astutam vapido servas sub pectore vulpem The medicinal uses of this beast are these First as Pliny and Marcellus affirm a Fox sod in water till nothing of the Fox be left whole except the bones and the legs or other parts of a gowty body washed and daily bathed therein it shall drive away all pain and grief strengthning the defective and weak members so also it cureth all the shrinking up and pains in the sinews and Galen attributeth the same virtue to an Hyaena sod in Oil and the lame person bathed therein for it hath such power to evacuate and draw forth whatsoever evill humour aboundeth in the body of man that it leaveth nothing hurtful behind Neverthelesse such bodies are soon again replenished through evill diet and relapsed into the same disease again The Fox may be boyled in fresh or salt water with Annise and Thyme and with his skin on whole and not slit or else his head cut off there being added to the decoction two pintes of Oil. The flesh of a Fox sod and layed to a sore bitten by a Sea-hare it cureth and healeth the same The Foxes skin as is already said is profitable against all moist Fluxes in the skin of the body and also the Gowt and cold in the sinews The ashes of Foxes flesh burnt and drunk in wine is profitable against the shortness of breath and stoppings of the Liver The bloud of a Fox dissected and taken forth of his urine alive and so drunk breaketh the stone in the bladder or else as Myrepsus saith kill the Fox and take the bloud and drink a cupful thereof and afterward with the same wash the genital parts and within an hour the stone shall be voided the same virtue is in it being dryed and drunk in Wine with Sugar Oxycraton and Foxes blood infused into the Nostrils of a lethargick Horse cureth him The fat is next to a Buls and a Swines so as the fat or lard of Swine may be used for the fat of
much of the gall of Buls just of the same weight and seethe it together and then lay it in the skin of the gall that it touch not the ground and drink it out of the water It is also good against the stinging of Scorpions being applied with Butter and the meal of Zea warmed and washed with red Wine The broath that is confected of Goats fat sodden is excellent for those that are troubled with the Ptisick to sup now and then a few also it helpeth the Cough being tempered with new sweet wine that an ounce may be put in a goblet and so mixed with a branch of Rue It being also sodden with husked Barley easeth those that have fretting in the guts The same also sodden with Barley flowre and Wine made of Pomgranates and Cheese let it be given to those that are troubled with the Bloudy flux and let them take it with the juice of husked Barly Rasis also saith that the fat of a fierce Lion is of such singular account that if a Glyster be made of it with the water of Barly sod either with the water of tosted meal and boyled Sunach and so dissolved with Wax it is a most pretious remedy for the swelling of the inwards But Goats fat doth much help the griefs of the inward parts that nothing cometh forth but cold water The fat of the Buck Goat many use being sod with bread and ashes against the Bloudy flux and also the She Goats fat being taken out of her back alone being a little cold and then supped up Other allow the fat to be sodden with Barly flower Cinnamon Annise and Vinegar mixed together The same fat taken so out of the back mixed with Barly Bran and Cinnamon Annise and Vinegar of each of them alike and seethe thereof and being strained give it the patient that is diseased with the Bloudy flux and it shall most speedily help him The same also mixed with Pellitory and Cyprian Wax may be laid to the Gowt Also sodden with Goats dung and Saffron and layed on the Gowt it asswageth the grief The marrow of the female Goat in the fourth place next after the marrow of the Hart the Calf and the Bull is commended of Dioscorides but the last of all is the Sheeps fat The Harts is most renowned of all next the Calves then the Buck Goats and last of all the female Goats To help the grief of the eye take the marrow of Goats and anoint your eyes and it will cure them Goats bloud sod with marrow may be taken against all toxical poison Pliny saith that their dung being anointed with Hony is good for the watering or dropping of the eys and their marrow against aches The bloud of Goats their marrow and their Liver is very good to ease the belly Goats bloud sodden with the marrow helpeth the Bloudy flux and those that have the Dropsie and I think that the Bucks is more effectual and of greater operation so it be eaten with Mastick Also the Goats marrow is good for the eyes of Horses The right horn of a Goat is of some held to be of more effect then the other which I rather hold to be superstitious whatsoever other reason or secret quality the Horn may afford for the bitings of Serpents take Goats horn and burn the hairs of them and the ashes of them soked in water and Goats milk with the horn and wilde Marjoram and three cups of Wine put together and being drunk against the stinging of an adder expelleth the poison The ashes of Goats horn being all anointed with Oil tempered with Mirtle stayeth the sweating of the body Harts horn and Goats being burned and if it be requisite is good to wash the teeth withal and it will make them look white and the gums soft It is also good against the Bloudy flux and watering of the eyes in regard they are most usual yet they neither asswage the griefes nor consume them which are of a cold and dry nature Harts horn being burnt as also a Goats horn taketh away bitings Goats dung or the horn being burnt to ashes and dipped in Vinegar stoppeth the bloud The corrupt bloud that cometh out of a Buck Goat is more effectual and of a better operation and the ashes of a Goats horn or dung soked in Wine or Vinegar and anoint the Nostrils stayeth bleeding at the Nose Goats horn being burned at the end and the pieces or scorchings that arise thereof must be shaken into a new vessel untill the horn be quite consumed then beat and bruise them with Vinegar made of Sea onions and anoint the evill called Saint Anthonies fire and it is of a miraculous operation It will make one sleep that is troubled with the weakness of his head and watching if it be laid under their pillow It being mixed with Bran and Oil of Mirtle it keepeth the hairs fast that are falling off the head The savour of the horn burned descrieth the Falling sickness so doth the smell of the intrails of a Goat or the Liver eaten likewise it raiseth up a Lethargick man They use also the horns of Harts and Goats to make white the teeth and to fasten the gums The same shorn or shaven into mixt hony represseth the flux of the belly In the pain of the belly perfume the shavings of the same mingled with Oil and burned Barly the same perfume is good to be laid upon the Ulcers of Horses The hoofs of Goats are prescribed by Palladius to be burned for the driving away of Serpents and the dust of them put into Vinegar cureth the Alopecias The dust of their hoofs is good to rub the teeth withall also to drive away the swellings in the disease called St. Anthonies fire burn the foot of the Goat with the horn and reserve the dust thereof in a box and when you will use it wet the place first with Wine and afterwards cast on the powder The juice of a Goats head sod with hair is commended for burstness in the belly and the ancient Magicians gave the brain of the Goats to little infants against the Falling sickness but pressed through a gold Ring the same cureth Carbunkles in the belly being taken with Hony If the body or head be rubbed with that water or meat which falleth out of the mouth of a Goat mingled with Hony and Salt they kill all kinde of Lice and the same thing giveth remedy to the pain of the belly but if it be taken overmuch it purgeth The broth of the entrails to be gargarized in the mouth cureth the exulceration of the tongue and arteries The Liver of the female Goat sod and eaten is given against the Falling evill and taketh from them Convulsion and with the liquor thereof after it is sod it is good to anoint the purblind eyes also it is good to hold the eyes open over it while it seetheth
and to receive into them the fume and the reason hereof is because Goats see as perfectly in the night as in the day time and therefore Celsus saith that this medicine is most agreeable to them that cannot see at all in the night as it hapneth to Women whose monethly courses are stopped and then it is good for them to anoint their eyes with the bloud of a Goat and eat the Liver sod or rosted The powder of the Liver burnt purged and drunk in Wine cureth the Colick If a woman in travel or with childe be swollen up let her take a Goats liver rowled in warm ashes and let her eat it in four dayes and drink old wine thereunto so shall she be delivered The Gall is contrary to all poisoned Witch-craft made upon the rustick Weasil and if the Kings evill be daily touched therewith at the beginning it will keep it from overspreading and with beaten Alum it disperseth Scabs The old Magicians were wont to say that when a Man rubbed his eyes when he lay down and put it underneath his pillow he should sleep soundly it driveth away scabbes in the head if it be mingled with Fullers chaulke so as the hairs may be dry a little and the same with Hony helpeth the eyes according to the saying of Serenus Hyblaei mellis succi cum felle caprino Subveniunt oculis dira caligine pressis The Physitians in application hereof to the cure of eyes take many wayes and mixe it with other drugs as when they give it against whiteness in the eyes with Hellebore against wounds and Pin and Webs with Wine and against the broken tunicles with a womans milk and therefore Rasis and Albertus do justly call the Gall of a Goat an Eye-salve and also being instilled into the ears when they are full of pain it cureth them first mingling it with a scruple of Hony in an earthen sheard and so infusing into the ear and shutting it in with a little wool Also all the pains in the ears are cured by the stalkes or juyce of Leeks Gall of Goats and sweet water and if there be any Rupture in the ear then use therewith a womans milk or warm Oil of Roses likewise against the Cankers in the gums and the Squinancy it is profitable to use it with Hony For all tumors or swellings in the neck take equal quantities of this Gall of Goose-grease and the yolk of an Egge and these being all mingled together let the offended place be rubbed therewith The same with the juyce of Cyclamine and a little Alum looseneth the belly and Wool being well dipped therein and bound to the Navel of the belly expelleth the Worms it cureth the faults in the seat by anointment it also hath another virtue in it expressed by the Poet in this Verse Languidus antiquo purgatur penis Iaccho Ac super illinitur foecundae felle capellae The melt sod cureth the Bloudy-flix and the bladder burnt and given in posset-drink is good for them that cannot contain urine in their sleep and the secunds of a female Goat being drunk in Wine of women after their delivery ejecteth and casteth forth their seconds also The milk is many ways available for Democrates the Physitian in the recovery of Confidia the daughter of Servilius which had been Consul used the milk of Goats a long season which he fed with Lentils Sea-crabs mixed with this milk expelleth poyson and the first milk of a Goat which is milked from her after the weaning of the Kid drunk by him that hath a quartane Ague easeth the fits thereof And some of the ancient Physitians gave as much dung of Swallows as will ly upon three groats mixed with this milk against a quartane Ague and when young Lambs were sick the shepheards cured them by insusing into their chaps the milk of Goats the powder of Betony drunk out of Goats milk stayeth bleeding The holy fire is a disease of Sheep almost incurable because if any remedy do but touch them they fall mad but they only in this malady admit for the recreation or remedy Goats milk The root of the greater Siler decocted in Goats milk cureth those cold ustions in the flesh or belly when the place looketh black or loseth sense and Aesculapius taught his followers and patients to drink it against the Itch or any biting and if at any time there be any strain in any member of the body so that the Article seemeth to decline and lose his former strength and humor it is recovered again by binding unto it Lyne-seed sod in Goats milk Funerius adviseth to wash the face therewith that the beauty of it may be more splendant Take seven Sea-crabs and being beaten to powder mingle them with one pinte of Goats milk and a cup of Oyl and so strain them diligently and infuse them into a Horses mouth which is sick of the Head-ach and it shall cure him The milk also by the counsel of Philistion with the juyce of Cabages Salt and Hony is given against the shortness of breath and if the right eye of a Chamaeleon be pulled out of her alive and put into Goats milk and applyed to the eyes it cureth the whiteness of the eyes The fat of a Bull mixed with this milk and infused into the ears cureth their mattery evils and causeth them to hear more assuredly and firmly The gums of children anointed therewith causeth their teeth to come forth with less pain and fasteneth the loose teeth by often rubbing the corners in the throat and the Arteries are delivered from exulcerations by gargarizing this milk either warmed at the fire or else as it cometh forth of the udder The seed of Cresses decocted in this milk and drunk easeth the pains in the stomach and also purgeth being mixed with Salt and Hony Marcellus prescribeth this excellent purgation which shall never make the party sick that is a pinte of Goats milk two ounces of salt ammoniack and one ounce of the best Mecis beat them all together and give them to the patient fasting and so let him walk a good while till the medicine be wrought in his body and if a woman be with childe and oppressed with Head-ach or have an Ague she may safely take this milk sod with Hony The Physitians make a special drink of this milk which they call Schiston it is sod in a new earthen pot and hath put into it the branches of a fig-tree and so many cups of sweet water as there were pintes of milk and when it boyleth keep it from seething over by putting into it a silver vessel with cold water being taken from the fire divide it into many vessels till it be cold so the whay will part from the milk and some take the whay and seethe it again till the third part be only left and afterward set it abroad in the Sun to cool and this may be safely drunk five
good for the pricking of the eyes the grief of the head and feet it is also good for the dropping of the eyes with a little warm water applyed unto it and if it be a swelling of the eyes then out of Honey either of which griefs is to be kept warm with whay For the grief of a mans Yard seethe Goats Cheese and Honey of a like quantity in a Poultess made in a new earthen pot and so laid thereunto twice a day but first wash the place with old Wine that is to be cured It is good for Carbuncles and if a woman be sick of her womb and troubled with a Fever let her take half a Chaenix of Pettispurge and so much Nettle-seed and half a Chaenix of Goats Cheese scraped being tempered with old Wine and afterward being sodden let her sup it up and if she have the Flix let her drink the black wilde Grape and the rinde of a Pomgranate and a Net-kernel and the rennet of a Bull these being washed in black Wine Goats Cheese and Wheat-flower put them together The fime or dung of such Females as live in the Mountains drunk in Wine cureth the Falling evill and in Galens time they gave the trindles of Goats in Wine against the Jaundise and with the fime they anoint them that have the Flux and made into a Poultess is very helpful against the Colick but Marcellus prepareth it on this manner first it must be steeped in water and strained with sixty grains of Pepper and three porringers of Sweet water and so divide it into three equal potions to be drunk in three several days but the body of the patient must be first washed or anointed with Acopus so as all perfrictions by sweat may be avoided Aetius against the hardness of the Spleen prescribeth a plaister made of Goats dung Barley meal and the dung alone against all tumors or swellings of the milt Against water lying betwixt the skin and the skin and the flesh this is prepared many ways and first against the Dropsie they seethe it the in urine of a Boy which hath tasted of poyson or in the Goats urine till it be as thick that it will stick and cleave and it will purge all by the belly and also the shavings of hides which Coriers make sod in Vinegar with Goats dung is accounted in England a singular medicine to repress all hydropick swelling in the legs and belly The fime of Female-goats drunk in sweet water expelleth the Stone out of the Bladder Against the pain in the hips the Arabians prescribe it in this manner which they call adustion betwixt the thumb and the hand there is a hollow place wherein they put Wool dipped in Oyl afterward they set on fire little piles of Goats dung in the same Wooll and there let it burn till the fume and vapour thereof be sensibly felt in the hip-bone some use to apply this to the fat but in our time it is all out of use and seeing yet the pains of the hip do rather fall into the thighs shins and legs then ascend up into the Arms and shoulders Aetius and Cornarius say that this adustion for the hips was used in the ancient time divers ways and some on this manner holding the burning dung in a pair of tongs unto the leg of that side where the pain lyeth untill the adustion be felt in the hip and this course used Dioscorides Quintillius used another way which was this he first of all heat the Goats dung and therewithall burned the soft and fleshy part of the great toe neer unto the nail untill it pierced to the sick place after such ustions they lay beaten leaves of Leeks with Salt to the place but in the hard bodies of Country men inured to labour they apply the Dung of Goats with Barley meal and Vinegar The same with Saffron and Goats sewet applyed to the Gowt healeth it or else Mustard-seed stalks of Ivy Bettony or the flower of Wilde-cowcumber the same drunk with Spikenard or other Spice stirreth up a Womans flowres and causeth easie deliverance but being beaten into Meal and Vinegar and laid to a Womans belly with Wooll and Frankincense stayeth all Fluxes and Issues also little bals of the same with hairs and the fat of a Sea-calf wrought al together and perfumed under a woman hath the same effect or else the liver of a Sea-calf and the shavings of Cedar-wood Pliny affirmeth that the Mid-wives of his time stayd the greatest Flux of the belly by drinking the urine of a Goat and afterwards anointing it with the dung of a Horse that hath bruised his hoof Goats bloud with Vinegar cureth the same and if an Aple-tree have worms in it the dung of a Goat and the urine of a man laid to the root drive them away The urine of Goats bloud drunk with Vinegar resisteth the stinging of Serpents and also being laid to bunches and swellings in the flesh in what part soever they be it disperseth and expelleth them Against the stifness of the neck which they call Opisthotones take urine of a Goat and the heads of Scallions bruised to juyce and infuse them into the ears and the same mingled with the Oyl of Roses and a little Nitre cureth the pain in the ears by infusion or by the smoke perfumed in a Goats horn twenty days together Against natural deafness take the horn of a Goat newly slain and fill it with urine and hang it up nine days in the smoke and afterwards use it The urine of a Goat made warm and instilled into the ears and the fime anointed with fat is good for the veins of the throat For the Dropsie drink one spoonful mingled with Carduus and warm it at the fire also mingled with Wine or Water it expelleth the Stone in the Bladder according to the saying of Serenus Nec non obscoenus caprae potabitur humor Obruit hic morbum tabefactaque saxa remittis The same Physitian prescribeth Goats trindles to be dâ—â—nk in Wine against the Jaundise and to stay the fluxes of women the same dung tyed in a cloth about unquiet children especially women-kinde maketh them more still being mingled with Wine cureth the bitings of Vipers and the dung taken out of the Goats belly and anointed upon the sore cureth it with all speed the same vertue it hath to heal men wounded by Scorpions being decocted in Vinegar it cureth also the biting of a mad Dog mixed with Honey and Wine Being laid upon a Wound it keepeth it from swelling it hath the same vertue mingled with Barley-meal but healeth the Kings evill It is used also to ripen sores and ruptures being applyed to the suppurations it keepeth down the swellings of womens brests being first dryed and then steeped in new Wine and so laid to the sore for it digesteth inflamation When the eye-lids be thick hard red and bald take Goats dung and Mouse dung of either a like quantity
There be some that suppose the Venetians to descend from a people of Paphlagonia called Venetans which after the destruction of Troy came to these places and by these they make an argument conjecturing it to be good in regard they are wholly imployed about breeding Horses which at this time faileth altogether but in former days they were very careful to follow their business about the training up of young Mules whereof Homer writeth And Dionysius the Tyrant of Sicilia ordained that the breed of Horses should be fetcht from hence to make warlike combates with them that among the Graecians the excellency of the Venetian breed should remain and that a great while after that breed of Horses got the praise Vuallachus this day is called of the Saxons a gelded Horse and brought out of that Countrey which sometimes was called Dacia The Lycospaâ—es and Lycophotians shall be spoken of hereafter Of the choice of good Horses PAlladius adviseth to observe four things in choice of a Stallion Horse the form or outward proportion the colour the merit and the beauty all which are necessary to be observed in the choice of Colts or elder Horses that they may be of a generous race having soft legs lofty paces gently treading such as will lead the way and be not afraid of any water bridge or sudden noises having a gentle neck a sharp head a short belly a fat back a dapple colour nimble ears thick mane lying on the right side a double bone descending by his loins a sounding hoof and legs that cannot stand still which Virgil expresseth in these words Nec non pecori est idem delectus equino Tumodo quos in sp 〈…〉 statuis summittere gent is Praecipuum jam ind◠〈…〉 impende laborem Continuo pecoris genâ—â—â—sâ— pullus in arvis Altius ingreditur nulla crura reponit Primus ire viam fluvios tentare minâ—ces Audet ignoto sese committere ponti Nec vanos horret crepittus illa ardua cervix Aâ—gâ—tâ—mqâ—â— caput brevis alvus obesaque terga Luxuriatque toris animosum pectus honesti Spadices glaucique color deterrimus albis Et gilvo tum si qua sonum procul armadedere Starâ— loco nescit micat auribus 〈◊〉 emit artus Collectumque premens volvit sub naribus ignem Densa juba dextro jacta recumbit in armo At duplex agitur per lumbos spina cavatque Tellurem solido gravites sonat ungula cornu Varro sheweth that at the first foaling of a Colt a man may observe by certain signes how he will prove when he is in perfection for if he be chearful bold and not terrified at any strange sight if he run before the company be want on and contend with his equals in course and over-run them if he leap over a ditch go over a bridge or through water and being provoked appeareth meek these are the most true signes of an elegible Colt Also it is to be considered whether they rise quickly being stirred from their rest and run away speedily if their bodies be great long full of muscles and 〈…〉 arp having a little head black eyes open and wide nostrils sharp pricked ears a soft and broad neck not long a thick mane curled and falling on the right side a broad and full breast large shoulders and shoulder-bones round ribs a little belly a double back-bone or at the least not thin bunchy and extended his loins pressed downwards broad and well set little and small stones a long tail with curled hair high straight and equal legs round knees not great not bending inward round buttocks brawny and fleshy thighs high hard hollow and round hoofs well set to the crown of their pastern having veins conspicuous and apparent over all his body That Colt which at the time of his foaling hath the most highest legs is likeliest by common reason to prove most able and noble in his age for of all the joynts in the body the knees and legs grow least and they which have flexible joynts in their infancy will be more nimble and flexible in their age And thus much for the parts of a Colt Now in the next place we must likewise take consideration of a Horse untamed and ready for the saddle For the outward parts of his body saith Xenophon yeeld evident signification of his minde before he be backed Plato willeth that the state of his body be straight and articulate his head bony his cheeks little his eyes standing out and not sunk into his head flaming like bloud looking cruelly if the body be black but black eyes if the body be white do argue a gentler and better disposition short and little ear the crown of his head greater then the residue broad nostrils whereby he not only looketh more terribly but breatheth more easily for when one Horse is angry with another in their rage they are wont to stretch out their nostrils vehemently The beak or snowt of a Horse ought not to stand out like a Swines but to bend down a little crooked the head to be so joyned to the neck as it may bend more commodiously that is if the neck be small next to the head so will the neck stand before the rider and his eyes appear before his feet and although he be full of stomach yet will he never be violent or stiffe necked It ought also to be considered whether his cheek bones be sharp tender or unequal standing one above another for their imparity maketh the Horses neck to be hard and stubborn The back-bone above his shoulders higher commodious to set the saddle upon and his whole body the better compacted if the back-bone be double and smooth for then shall the Rider sit more easily and the form of the Horse appear more delectable A large breast sheweth his comeliness and strength making him fit to take longer reaches without doubling of his legs because in a broad breast the legs stand further asunder large side or ribs swelling out above the belly for they shew the ability of the Horse both to his food and work a round even belly and his loins being broad and short causeth the fore-legs to be lifted up more easily and the hinder-legs to follow for the small loins do not only deform but enfeeble and oppress the Horse therefore the loins ought to be double the ribs broad and fleshy agreeable to the breast and sides buttocks solid and broad with a long tail reaching down to the heels of his hinder-legs Thighs full of sinews the bones of his legs thick like posts of the whole body but that thickness ought neither to be of veins nor flesh for then they are quickly inflamed and wounded when they travel in rough and sharp waâ—s for if the flesh be cut a little the commissures part asunder and causeth the Horse to halt and above all other things have a regard to his feet and therein especially to his hoof for being thick
another but betwixt every squirting give him liberty to hold down his head and to blow out the filthy matter for otherwise perhaps you may choke him And after this it shall be good also without holding up his head any more to wash and rub his nostrils with a fine clowt bound to a white sticks end and wet in the water aforesaid and serve him thus once a day untill he be whole Of bleeding at the Nose I Have seen Horses my self that have bled at the nose which have had neither sore nor ulcer in their nose and therefore I cannot choose but say with the Physitians that it cometh by means that the vein which endeth in that place is either opened broken or fettered It is opened many times by means that bloud aboundeth too much or for that it is too fine or too subtil and so pierceth through the vein Again it may be broken by some violent strain cut or blow And finally it may be fretted or gnawn through by the sharpness of some bloud or else of some other humor contained therein As touching the cure Martin saith it is good to take a pinte of red Wine and to put therein a quartern of Bole Armony beaten into fine powder and being made luke-warm to pour the one half thereof the first day into his nostril that bleedeth causing his head to be holden up so as the liquor may not fall out and the next day to give him the other half But if this prevaileth not then I for my part would cause him to be let bloud in the breast vein on the same side that he bleedeth at several times then take of Frankincense one ounce of Aloes half an ounce and beat them into powder and mingle them throughly with the whites of Egges untill it be so thick as Honey and with soâ—t Hares hair thrust it up into his nostril filling the hole so full as it cannot fall out or else fill his nostrils full of Asses dung or Hogs dung for either of them is excellent good to restrain any flux of bloud Of the bleeding at the Nose or to stanch Flux of bloud in any sort I Have known many Horses in great danger by bleeding and I have tryed divers remedies for the same yet have I not found any more certain then this take a spoonful or two of his bloud and put it in a Sawcer and set it upon a chafing dish of coals and let it boyl till it be all dryed up into powder then take that powder and if he bleed at the nose with a Cane or Quill blow the same up into his nostrils if his bleeding come of any wound or other accident then into the wound put the same powder which is a present remedy New Horse-dung or earth is a present remedy applyed to the bleeding place and so are Sage leaves bruised and put into the wound Of the diseases in the Mouth and first of the bloudy Rifts or Chops in the Palat of the Mouth THis disease is called of the Italians Palatina which as Laurentius Russius saith cometh by eating hay or provender that is full of pricking seeds which by continual pricking and fretting the furrows of the mouth do cause them to ranckle and to bleed corrupt and stinking matter which you shall quickly remedy as Martin saith by washing first the sore places with Vinegar and Salt and then by anointing the same with Honey Of the Bladders in a Horses mouth which our old Farriers were wont to call the Gigs The Italians call them Froncelle THese be little soft swellings or rather pustules with black heads growing in the inside of his lips next unto the great jaw-teeth which are so painful unto the Horse as they make him to let his meat fall out of his mouth or at the least to keep it in his mouth unchawed whereby the Horse prospereth not Russius saith that they come either by eating too much cold grass or else pricking dusty and filthy provender The cure whereof according to Martin is in this sort Slit them with a lancet and thrust out all the corruption and then wash the sore places with a little Vinegar and Salt or else with Allum water Of the Bladders in a Horses mouth SOme Horses will have bladders like paps growing in the inside of their lips next to their great teeth which are much painful the cure whereof is thus Take a sharp pair of shears and clip them away close to the gum and then wash the sore place with running water Allum and Honey boiled together till it be whole Of the Lampass THe Lampass called of the Italians Lampasous proceedeth of the abundance of bloud resorting to the first furrow of the mouth I mean that which is next unto the upper fore-teeth causing the said furrow to swell so high as the Horses teeth so as he cannot chew his meat but is forced to let it fall out of his mouth The remdy is to cut all the superfluous flesh away with a crooked hot iron made of purpose which every Smith can do Another of the Lampass THe Lampass is a thick spongy flesh growing over a Horses upper teeth hindering the conjunction of his chaps in such sort that he can hardly eat the cure is as follloweth Cut all that naughty flesh away with a hot iron and then rub the sore well with Salt which the most ignorant Smith can do sufficiently Of the Canker in the mouth THis disease as Martin saith is a rawness of the mouth and tongue which is full of blisters so as be cannot eat his meat Which proceeds of some unnatural heat coming from the stomach For the cure whereof take of Allum half a pound of Honey a quarter of a pinte of Columbinâ— leaves of Sage leaves of each a handful boyl all these together in three pintes of water untill a pinte be consumed and wash the sore places therewith so as it may bleed continuing so to do every day once untill it be whole Another of the Canker in the mouth THis disease proceedeth of divers causes as of unnatural heat of the stomach of foul feeding or of the rust or venome of some â—it oâ— snaâ—â—el undiscr 〈…〉 lookt unto The cure is thus Wash the sore place with warm Vinegar made thick with the powder of Allum two or three dayes together every time until it bleed which will kill the poison and vigor of the exulcerated matter then make this water Take of running water a quart of Allum four ounces of Hony four or five spoonfuls of Woodhine leaves of Sage leaves and of Columbine leaves of each half a handful boil all these together till one half he consumed then take it off and every day with the water warmed wash the sore until it be whole Of the heat in the mouth and lips SOmetime the heat that cometh out of the stomach breedeth no Canker but maketh the mouth hot and causeth the Horse to forsake
his meat The cure whereof as Martin saith is in this sort First turn up his upper lip and jagge it lightly with a launceâ— so as it may bleed and then wash both that and all his mouth and tongue with Vinegar and Salt Of the tongue being hurt with the bit or otherwise IF the tongue be cut or hurt any manner of way Martin saith it is good first to wash it with Allum water and then to take the leaves of black Bramble and to chop them together small with a little Lard that done to binde it up in a little clout making it round like a ball then having dipt the round end in Hony rub the tongue therewith continuing so to do once a day until it be whole Of the Barbles or paps underneath the tongue THese be two little paps called of the Italians Barbole growing naturally as I think in every Horses mouth underneath the tongue in the neather jawes which if they â—hoot of any length Russius saith that they will hinder the Horses feeding and therefore he and Martin also would have them to be clipt away with a pair of sheers and that done the Horses mouth to be washed with Vinegar and Salt Of the pain in the teeth and gums of the Wolfsteeth and Jaw teeth A Horse may have pain in his teeth partly by descent of humors from his head down into his teeth and gums which is to be perceived by the rankness and swelling of the gums and partly having two extraordinary teeth called the Wolfs teeth which be two little teeth growing in the upper jawes next unto the great grinding teeth which are so painful to the Horse as he cannot endure to chaw his meat but is forced either to let it fall out of his mouth or else to keep it still half chawed whereby the Horse prospereth not but waxeth lean and poor and he will do the like also when his upper Jaw-teeth be so far grown as they overhang the neather Jaw-teeth and therewith be so sharp as in moving his jawes they cut and rase the insides of his cheeks even as they were rased with a knife And first as touching the cure of the pain in the teeth that cometh by means of some distillation Vegetius saith it is good to rub all the outside of his gums with fine chaâ—k and strong Vinegar mingled together or else after that you have washed the gums with Vinegar to strew on them of Pomegranate piles But me thinks that besides this it were not amisse to stop the temple veins with the plaister before mentioned in the Chapter of weeping and waterish eyes The cure of the Wolfs teeth and of the Jaw-teeth according to Martin is in this sort First cause the Horse head to be tyed up to some raster or post and his mouth to be opened with a cord so wide as you may easily see every part thereof Then take a round â—â—rong iron â—oole half a yard long and made at the one end in all points like unto the Carpenters goâ—ge wherewith he â—aketh his horseâ— to be bored with a wimble or aâ—ger and with your left hand set the edge of your â—ooâ— at the â—oot of the Wolfs teeth on the outside of the jaw turning the hollow side of the tool downward holding your hand steadily so as the tool may not slip from the aforesaid tooth then having a mallet in your right hand strike upon the head of the tool one prety blow and therewith you shall loosen the tooth and cause it to bend inward then staying the midst of your tool upon the Horses neather jaw wrinch the tooth outward with the inside or hollow side of the tool and thrust it clean out of his head that done serve the other Wolfs tooth on the other side in like manner and fill up the empty places with Sale finely brayed But if the upper jaw teeth do also overâ—ang the neather teeth and so cut the inside of his mouth as is aforesaid then keeping his mouth still open take your tool and mallet and pare all those teeth shorter running along them even from the first unto the 〈◊〉 turning the hollow side of your tool towards the teeth so shall not the tool cut the inside of his cheeks and the back or round side being turned towards the foresaid cheeks and that done wash an his mouth with Vinegar and Salt and let him go Why the diseases in the neck withers and back be declared here before the diseases in the throat HAving hitherto spoken of the diseases incident to a Horses head and to all the parts thereof natural order requireth that we should now descend into the throat as a part next adjacent to the mouth But forasmuch as the diseases in the throat have not only affinity with the head but also with the lungs and other inward parts which are many times grieved by means of distillation coming from the head and through the throat I will speak of the diseases incident to the neck withers and back of a Horse to the intent that when I come to talk of such diseases as Rheumes and distillations do cause I may discourse of them orderly without interruption Of the Crick in the neck BEcause a Crick is no other thing then a kinde of Convulsion and for that we have spoken sufficiently before of all kindes thereof in the Chapter of Convulsion I purpose not here therefore to trouble you with many words but only shew you Russius opinion and also Martins experience therein The Crick then called of the Italians Scima or Lucerdo according to Russius and according to Martin is when the Horse cannot turn his neck any manner of way but hold it still right forth insomuch as he cannot take his meat from the ground but by times and that very slowly Russius saith it cometh by means of some great weight laid on the Horses shoulders or else by overmuch drying up of the sinews of the neck The cure whereof according to Martin is in this sort Draw him with a hot iron from the root of the ear on both sides of the neck through the midst of the same even down to the brest a straw deep so as both ends may meet upon the breast then make a hole in his forehead hard under the foretop and thrust in a Cornet upward betwixt the skin and the flesh a handful deep then put in a Goose feather doubled in the midst and anointed with Hogs grease to keep the hole open to the intent the matter may run out the space of ten dayes But every day during that time the hole must be cleansed once and the feather also cleansed and fresh anointed and so put in again And once a day let him stand upon the bit one hour or two or be ridden two or three miles abroad by such a one as will bear his head and make him to bring it in But if the Crick be such as the Horse cannot hold his neck straight but clean
in a tub of cold water and then well and hard wrung and over that cast another cloth and gird it fast with a surcingle stuffing him well about the back with fresh straw continuing thus to do every day once the space of a week during which time give him no cold water but lukewarm and put therein a little ground Mault The wet sack will cause the back to gather heat it self and the skin to loosen from the flesh and if you will bestow more cost you may anoint all his body with Wine and oil mingled together according to the opinion of the old writers which no doubt is a very comfortable thing and must needs supple the skin and loosen it from the flesh Of the diseases in the throate and lungs and why the griefs of the shoulders and hips be not mentioned before amongst the griefs of the withers and back SOme perhaps would look here that for so much as I have declared the diseases of the neck withers and back that I should also follow on now with the griefs of the shoulders and hips But sith that such griefs for the most part doe cause a Horse to halt and that it requireth some skill to know when a Horse halteth whether the fault be in his shoulder hip leg joint or foot I think it is not good to separate those parts asunder specially sith nature hath joyned them together that is to say the shoulders to the forelegs and the hips to the hinder legs And therefore according to natures order I will treat of them in their proper place that is to say after that I have shewed all the diseases that be in the inward Horses body not only above the midriffe as the diseases of the throat lungs breast and heart but also under the midriffe as those of the stomach liver guts and of all the rest And first as touching the diseases of the throat the Glaunders and Strangullion to all Horses is most common Of the Glanders and Strangullion so called according to the Italian name Stranguillion MOst Farriars do take the Glanders and Strangullion to be all one disease but it is not so for the Glanders is that which the Physitians call Tonsillae and the Strangullion is that which they call in Latine Angina in Greek Gynanch and we commonly call it in English the Squinaâ—cy or Quinsie Tonsillae is interpreted by them to be the inflamations of the kirnels called in Latine Glandes the Italian Glandulae which lie on both sides of the throat underneath the root of the tongue nigh unto the swallowing place of which word Glandes or Glandulae I think we borrow this name Glanders for when the Horse is troubled with this disease he hath great kirnels underneath his jawes easie to be seen or felt paining him so as he can not easily swallow down his meat which cometh first of cold distillations out of the head But if such kirnels be not inflamed they will perhaps go away of themselves or else by laying a little hot horse-dung and straw unto them the warmth thereof will dissolve them and make them to vanish away But if they be inflamed they will not go away but encrease and wax greater and greater and be more painful every day then other and cause the Horse to cast continually filthy matter at his Nose The cure whereof according to Martin is this First ripe the kernels with this plaister Take of bran two handfuls or as much as will thicken a quart of Wine or Ale then put thereunto half a pound of Hogs grease and boyl them together and lay it hot to the sore with a cloth renewing it every day until it be ready to break then lance it and let out all the matter and tent it with a tent of Flax dipt in this salve Take of Turpentine of Hogs grease of each like quantity and a little wax and melt them together and renew the tent every day until it be whole Laurentius Russius saith that this disease is very common to Colts because in them doth abound fluxible moisture apt to be dissolved with every little heat and to turn to putrifaction and therefore if the Horse be not over young he would have you first to let him bloud in the neck vein and then to lay unto the same sore a ripening plaister made of Mallowes Linseeds Rew Wormwood ground Ivy Oyl of Bayes and Dialthea and to anoint his throat also and all the sore place with fresh Butter and the sore being ripe to lance it or else to rowel it that the matter may come forth But if the kernels will not decrease then pull them away by the roots and dry up the Ulcerous place with an ointment made of unsleck't Lime Pepper Brimstone Nitrum and Oyl Olive It shall be also good to purge his head by perfuming him every day once in such sort as hath been before declared And let the Horse be kept warm about the head and stand in a warm stable and let him drink no cold water but if you see that after you have taken away the kernels the Horse doth not for all that leave casting filthy matter at the Nose then it is to be feared that he hath some spice of the mourning of the Chine for both diseases proceed of one cause and therefore I think good to speak of it here presently But first I will set down a drink which I have seen proved upon a Horse that I thought could never have been recovered of the same disease and yet it did recover him in very short space so as he travelled immediately after many miles without the help of any other medicine A drink for the Strangullion or Glanders TAke of warm milk as it cometh from the Cow a quart or in stead thereof a quart of new Beer or Ale warmed and put thereunto of moulten Butter the quantity of an Egge and then take one head of Garlick first clean pilled and then stamped small which you must put into the milk or drink being made lukewarm and give it the Horse with a horn and immediately after the drink be given catch hold of his tongue with your hand and having broken two raw Egges either upon his foreteeth or against the staffe wherewith his head is holden up cast those broken Egges shels and all into his throat making him to swallow down the same that done ride him up and down till he begin to sweat then set him up covered warm with an old coverlet and straw not suffering him to eat nor drink for the space of two or three hours after and let his drink for the space of two or three dayes be somewhat warm whereunto it is good to put a handâ—ul or two of â—ran or ground Malt and in giving the said drink it shall not be amisse to powre some thereof into either Nostril Of the mourning of the Chine THis word Mourning of the Chine is a corrupt name borrowed of the French tongue wherein
hath been layed before in steep in Goats milk or else in Barley or Oaten milk strained out of the Corn. When the Apostume is broken then a very strong vile and evill â—avour will come out of his Nostrils for remedy whereof it shall be good to give him the space oâ— seven dayes this drink here following Take of the root called Costus two ounces and of Gasia or else of Cinnamon three ounces into fine powder and a few Raisins and give it him to drink with wine But Vegetius would have him to be cured in this sort and with lesse cost I assure you Take of Frankincense and Aristoloch of each two ounces beaten into fine powder and give him that with wine or else take of unburnt Brimstone two ounces and of Aristoloch one ounce and a half beaten into powder and give him that with wine And he would have you also to draw his beast with a hot iron to the intent the humors may issue forth outwardly Of shortness of breath A Horse may have shortness of breath by hasty running after drinking or upon a full stomach or by the descending of humors unto his throat or lungs after some extreme heat dissolving the said humors which so long as there is nothing broken may in the beginning be easily holpen The signes be these The Horse will continually pant and fetch his breath short which will come very hot out at his nose and in his breathing he will â—quise in the nose and his flanks will beat thick yea and some cannot fetch their breath unlesse they hold their necks right out and straight which disease is called of the old writers by the Greek name Orthopnoea The cure Let him bloud in the neck and give him this drink Take of Wine and Oil of each a pinte of Frankincense half an ounce and of the juice of Horehound half a pinte It is good also to powre into his throat Hony Butter and Hogs grease moulten together and made lukewarm Tiberius saith it is good to give him whole Egges shels and all steeped and made soft in Vinegar that is to say the first day three the second day five and the third day seven and to powre Wine and oil into his nostrils I for my part would take nothing but Annis seeds Licoras and Sugarcandy beaten all into fine powder give him that to drink with Wine and Oil mingled together Of the Pursick THis is a shortness of breath and the Horse that is so diseased is called of the Italians Cavallo pulsivo or Bolso which I think is derived of the Latin word Vulsus by changing V. into B. and I think differeth not much from him that hath broken lungs called of Vegetius and other old writers Vulsus for such shortness of breath comes either of the same causes or else much like as aboundance of grosse humors cleaving hard to the hollow places of the Lungs and stopping the windepipes And the winde being kept in doth resort downward as Russius saith into the Horses guts and so causeth his flanks to beat continually without order that is to say more swiftly and higher up to the back then the flanks of any Horse that is sound of winde And if the disease be old it is seldom or never cured and though I finde many medicines prescribed by divers Authors few or none do content me unless it be that of Vegetius recited before in the Chapter of broken Lungs And if that prevaileth not then I think it were not amisse according to Russius to purge him with this drink here following Take of Maiden hair of Ireos of Aâ—h of Licoras of Fenigreek of Raisins of each half an ounce of Cardanum of Pepper of Bitter Almonds of Baurach of each two ounces of Nettle seed and of Aristoloch of each three ounces boil them all together in a sufficient quantity of water and in that decoction dissolve half an ounce of Agarick and two ounces of Coloquintida together with two pound of Hony and give him of this a pinte or a quart at divers times and if it be too thick make it thinner by putting thereunto water wherein Licoras hath been sodden and if need be you may also draw both his flanks crosse-wise with a hot iron to restrain the beating of them and also slit his Nostrils to give him more air And if it be in Summer turn him to grasse if in Winter let him be kept warm and give him now and then a little sodden whâ—at Russius would have it to be given him three dayes together and also new sweet wine to drink oâ—â—lse other good wine mingled with Licoras water Of a Consumption A Consumption is no other thing but an exulceration of the lungs proceeding of some fretting or gnawing humor descending out of the head into the lungs And I take it to be that disease which the old Writers are wont to call the dry Malady which perhaps some would rather interpret to be the mourning of the chine with whom I intend not to strive But thus much I must needs say that every Horse having the mourning of the Chine doth continually cast at the nose but in the dry Malady it is contrary For all the Authors that write thereof affirm that the Horse avoideth nothing at the nose And the signes to know the dry Malady according to their doctrine be these His flesh doth clean consume away his belly is gaunt and the skin thereof so hard stretched or rather shrunk up as if you strike on him with your hand it will sound like a Taber and he will be hollow backt and forsake his meat and though he eateth iâ— as Absyrtus saith yet he doth not digest it nor prospereth not withal he would cough and cannot but hickingly as though he had eaten small bones And this disease is judged of all the Authors to be incurable Notwithstanding they say that it is good to purge his head with such perfumes as have been shewed you before in the Chapter of the Glanders and also to give him always Coleworts chopt small with his provender Some would have him to drink the warm bloud of sucking Pigs new slain and some the juyce of Leeks with Oyl and Wine mingled together Others praise Wine and Frankincense some Oyl and Rue some would have his body to be purged and set to grass Of the Consumption of the Flesh and how to make a lean Horse fat MArtin â—aith that if a Horse take a great cold after a heat it will cause his flesh to wast and his skin to wax hard and dry and to cleave fast to his sides and he shall have no appetite unto his meat and the fillets of his back will fall away and all the flesh of his buttocks and of his shoulders will be consumed The cure whereof is thus Take two Sheeps heads unflead boyl them in three gallons of Ale or fair running water until the flesh be consumed from the bones that done strain it through a fine
it be a melancholy humor and abounding over-much it waxeth every day thicker and thicker causing obstruction not only in the veins arteries which is to be perceived by heaviness and grief on the left side but also in the Spleen it self whereas by vertue of the heat it is hardned every day more and more and so by little and little waxeth to a hard knob which doth not only occupy all the substance of the Spleen but also many times all the left side of the womb and thereby maketh the evill accidents or griefs before recited much more than they were Now as touching the inflamation of the Spleen which chanceth very seldom for so much as every inflamation proceedeth of pure bloud which seldom entereth into the Spleen I shall not need to make many words but refer you over to the Chapter of the Liver for in such case they differ not but proceeding of like cause have also like signes and do require like cure The old Writers say that Horses be often grieved with grief in the Spleen and specially in Summer season with greedy eating of sweet green meats aâ—d they call those Horses Lâ—enoâ—os that is to say Spleenetick The signes whereof say they are these hard swelling on the left side short breath often groning and greedy appetite to meat The remedy whereof according to Absyrtus is to make a Horse to sweat once a day during a certain time by riding him or otherwise travelling him and to pour into his left nostril every day the juyce of Mirabolans mingled with Wine and Water amounting in all to the quantity of a pinte But me thinks it would do him more good if he drank it as Hierocles would have him to do Eumelius praiseth this drink Take of Cummin seed and of Honey of each six ounces and of Laserpitium as much as a Bean of Vinegar a pinte and put all these into three quarts of water and let it stand so all night and the next morning give the Horse thereof to drink being kept over night fasting Theomnestus praiseth the decoction of Capers especially if the bark of the root thereof may be gotten sodden in water to a syrup Or else make him a drink of Garlick Nitrum Hore-hound and Wormwood sodden in harsh Wine and he would have the left side to be bathed in warm water and to be hard rubbed And if all this will not help then to give him the fire which Absyrtus doth not allow saying the Spleen lyeth so as it cannot easily be fired to do him any good But for so much as the Liver and Spleen are members much occupied in the ingendring and separating of humors many evill accidents and griefs do take their first beginning of them as the Jaundise called in a Horse the yellows driness of body and Consumption of the flesh without any apparent cause why which the Physitians call Atrophia also evill habit of the body called of them Cachexid and the Dropsie But first we will speak of the Jaundise or Yellows Of the Yellows THe Physitians in a mans body do make two kindes of Jaundise that is to say the Yellow proceeding of choler dispersed throughout the whole body and dying the skin yellow and the Black proceeding of melancholy dispersed likewise throughout the whole body and making all the skin black And as the yellow Jaundise cometh for the most part either by obstruction or stopping of the conduits belonging to the bladder of the gall which as I said before is the receptacle of choler or by some inflamation of the Liver whereby the bloud is converted into choler and so spreadeth throughout the body even so the black Jaundise cometh by mean of some obstruction in the Liver-vein that goeth to the Spleen not suffering the Spleen to do his office in receiving the dregs of the â—loud from the Liver wherein they abound too much or else for that the Spleen is already too full of dregs and so sheddeth them back again into the veins But as for the Black Jaundise they have not been observed to be in Horses as in Men by any of our â—arriers in these days that I can learn And yet the old Writers of Horse-leech-craft do seem to make two kindes of Jaundise called of them Cholera that is to say the dry choler and also the moist choler The signes of the dry choler as absyrtus saith is great heat in the body and costiyeness of the belly whereof it is said to be dry Moreover the Horse will not covet to ly down because he is so pained in his body and his mouth will be hot and dry It cometh as he saith by obstruction of the conduit whereby the choler should resort into the bladder of the gall and by obstruction also of the urine vessels so as he cannot stale The cure according to his experience is to give him a Glyster made of Oyl Water and Nitrum and to give him no provender before that you have raked his fundament and to pour the decoction of Mallows mingled with sweet Wine into his nostrils and let his meat be grass or else sweet Hay sprinkled with Nitre and Water and he must rest from labour and be often rubbed Hierocles would have him to drink the decoction of wilde Coleworts sodden in Wine Again of the moist choler of Jaundise these are the signes The Horses eyes will look yellow and his nostrils will open wide his ears and his flancks will sweat and his stale will be yellow and cholerick and he will grone when he lyeth down which disease the said Absyrtus was wont to heal as he saith by giving the Horse a drink made of Thyme and Cumin of each like quantity stampt together and mingled with Wine Honey and Water and also by letting him bloud in the pasterns This last disease seemeth to differ nothing at all from that which our Farriers call the Yellows The signes whereof according to Martin be these The Horse will be faint and sweat as he standeth in the stable and forsake his meat and his eyes and the inside of his lips and all his mouth within will be yellow The cure whereof according to him is in this sort Let him bloud in the neck-vein a good quantity and then give him this drink Take of white Wine of Ale a quart and put thereunto of Saffron Turmerick of each half an ounce and the juyce that is wrung out of a handful of Celandine and being luke-warm give it the Horse to drink and keep him warm the space of three or four days giving him warm water with a little Bran in it Of the Yellows THe Yellows is a general disease in Horses and differ nothing from the yellow Jaundise in men It is mortal and many Horses die thereof the signes to know it is thus pull down the lids of the Horses eyes and the white of the eye will be yellow the inside of his lips will be yellow and gums the cure followeth First let him bloud
Take of Parsley two handfuls of Coriander one handful stamp them and strain them with a quart of white Wine and dissolve therein one ounce of Cake-sope and give it luke-warm unto the Horse to drink and keep him as warm as may be and let him drink no cold water for the space of five or six days and when you would have him to stale let it be either upon plenty of straw or upon some green plot or else in a Sheeps cot the savour whereof will greatly provoke him to stale as hath been aforesaid Of Pissing Bloâ—d PElogonius saith that if a Horse be over-much laboured or over-charged with heavy burthen or over fat he will many times piss bloud and the rather as I think for that some vein is broken within the Horses body and then cleer bloud will come forth many times as the Physitians say without any piss at all But if the bloud be perfectly mingled together with his stale then it is a signe that it cometh from the Kidnies having some stone therein which through vehement labour doth freâ— the kidnies and veins thereof and so cause them to bleed through which while the urine passeth most needs be infected and dyed with the bloud It may come also by some stripe or from the muscle that incloseth the neck of the bladder The cure according to Pelagonius Absyrtus Hierocles and the rest is thus Let the Horse bloud in the palate of the mouth to convert the bloud the contrary way then take of Tragagant that hath been steeped in Wine half an ounce and of Poppy seed one dram and one scruple and of â—tirax as much and twelve Pine-apple-kernels let all these things be beaten and mingled well together and give the Horse thereof every morning the space of seven days the quantity of a Hasel-nut distempered in a quart of Wine me thinks that the quantity of a Wal-nut were too little for so much Wine Some write that it is good to make him a drink with the root of the herb Aâ—phodelus which some call Daffadil mingled with Wheat-flowre and Sâ—mach sodden long in water and so to be given the Horse with some Wine added thereunto or make him a drink of Goats milk and Oyl straining thereunto a little Fromenty Anatolius saith that it is good to give the Horse three days together sodden Beans clean pilled whereunto would be added some Deers Sewet and a little Wine Of the Colt Evil. THis name Colt Evil in my judgement doth properly signifie that disease which the Physitians call Pâ—iapismus which is a continual standing together with an unnatural swelling of the yard proceeding of some winde filling the arteries and hollow sinew or pipe of the yard or else through the abundance of seed which do chance oftentimes to man and I think some-time to stoned Horses Notwithstanding Martin saith that the Colt Evil is a swelling of the sheath of the yard and part of the belly thereabout caused of corrupt seed coming out of the yard and remaining within the sheath where it putrifieth And Geldings most commonly are subject to this disease not being able for lack of natural heat to expel their â—eed any further For Horses as Martin saith are seldom troubled with this disease because of their heat unless it be when they have been over travelled or otherwise weakened The cure according to him is thus Wash the sheath clean within with luke-warm Vinegar then draw out his yard and wash that also that done ride him into some running stream up to the belly tossing him therein to and fro to allay the heat of the members and use him thus two or three days and he shall be whole Another of the Colt Evil. THe Colt Evil is a disease that cometh to stoned Horses through ranâ—kness of nature and want of vent it appeareth in his cod and sheath which will swell exceedingly the cure is nothing for if you will but every day twice or thrice drive him to the mid-side in some Pond oâ— running River the swelling will fall and the Horse will do well If the Horse be of years and troubled with this grief if you put him to a Mare it is not amiss for standing still in a stable without exercise is a great occasion of this disease Of the mattering of the Yard IT cometh at covering time when the Horse and Marâ— both are over-hot and so perhaps 〈◊〉 themselves The cure according to Martin is thus Take a pinte of white Wine and boil therein a quartern of roch Allum and squirt thereof into his Yard three or four squiâ—efuls one after another and thrust the squirt so far as the liquor may pierce to the bottom â—o scour away the bloudy matter continuing thus to do once a day untill he be whole Of the shedding of Seed THis disease is called of the Physitians Goâ—â—rrhea which may come sometime through 〈◊〉 dance and ranckness of seed and sometime by the weakness of the stones and seed vessels not able to retain the seed untill it be digested and thickned Vegetius saith that this disease will make the Horse very faint and weak and especially in Summer season For cure whereof the said Vegetius would have the Horse to be ridden into some cold water even up to the belly so as his stones may be covered in water and then his fundament being first bathed with warm water and Oyl he would have you to thrust in your hand and arm even to the very bladder and softly to rub and claw the same and the parts thereabouts which be the seed vessels that done to cover him warm that he take no cold and every day he would have you to give the Horse Hogs dung to drink with red Wine untill he be whole I for my part if I thought it came of weakness as is aforesaid which I would judge by the waterishness of the seed and unlustiness of the Horse would give him red Wine to drink and put therein a little Acatium the juyce of Plantain and a little Mastick and bath his back with red Wine and Oyl of Roses mingled together Of the Falling of the Yard IT cometh as I take it through the weakness of the member by means of some resolution in the muscles and sinews serving the same caused at the first perhaps by some great strain or stripe on the back It may come also by weariness and tiring For remedy whereof Absyrtus was wont to wash the yard with salt water from the Sea if it may be gotten and if not with water and salt and if that prevailed not he would all to prick the outmost skin of the yard with a sharp needle but not deep and then wash all the pricks with strong Vinegar and that did make the Horse as he saith to draw up his yard again immediately yea and this also will remedy the falling out of the fundament Pelagoâ—ius would have you to put into the pipe of his yard Honey and Salt boyled together
saith make the joints to fall away one by one it shall be good as Martin saith to wash all his tail with Aqua fortis or strong water made in this sort take of green Coppera◠of Allum of each one pound of white Copperas a quartern Boyl of all these things together in three quarts of running water in a strong earthen pot untill one half be consumed and then with a little of this water being made luke warm wash his tail with a little clout or flax bound to the end of a stick continuing so to do every day once untill it be whole Of the Scab THe Scab is a foul scurffe in divers parts of a Horses body and cometh of poverty or ill keeping or many times by going amongst woods wherein they are infected with water boughs it is most incident to old Horses which will die thereof and chiefly in the Spring time when the new bloud appears the cure whereof I have spoken before How to know when a Horse halteth before in what part his grief is BEing now come to talke of the griefs in the shoulders legs hips houghes joynts and hoofs causing the Horse most commonly to halt I think it good first to shew you the way how to find in what part of his legs the Horse is grieved when he halteth either before or behind And first you have to consider that if a Horse halteth before it must be either in his shoulders in his legs or in his feet If it be in his shoulders and new hurt the Horse will not lift that leg but trail it nigh the ground If it be old hurt he will cast that leg further from him in his going then the other and if he be turned on the foreside then he will halt so much the more If a Horse halteth in the leg it is either in the knee in the shank or else in the pastern joynt if it be either in the knee or pastern joynt he will not bow that leg in his going like the other but go very stifly upon it If he halteth in the shank then it is by means of some splent wind gal or such apparent grief apt to be seen or felt If he halt in the foot it is either in the cronet heel in the toe in the quarters or sole of the foot If it be in the cronet the grief will be apparent the skin being broken or swollen some manner of way If in the heel as by over-reach or otherwise then he will tread most on the toe If upon any of the quarters then going on the edge of a bank or hilly ground he will halt more then on the plain ground and by the Horses coming toward you and going from you upon such edge or bank you shall easily perceive whether his grief be in the inward quarter or in the outward quarter the quarter is to be understood from the mid hoof to the heel If he halt in the toe which is not commonly seen then he will tread more upon the heel If the grief be in the sole of the foot then he will halt all after one sort upon any ground unlesse it be upon the stones And to be sure in what part of the foot the grief is it shall be good first to make him go upon the plain ground and then upon a hard and stony ground yea and also a bankie ground Thus having declared unto you in general how to know in what part a Horse is grieved when he halteth before I think it meet first to shew you orderly all the particular griefs and sorances whereunto the foreparts of a Horse is subject together with the causes signes and cure thereof That done I will speak of halting behind and shew you first generally where the grief is and then particularly declare unto you every grief incident to the hinder parts of a Horse And lastly I will speak of such griefs and sorances as are commonly in both parts that is to say as well to the fore legs and fore feet as to the hinder legs and hinder feet Of the grief and pinching in the shoulder THis cometh either by labouring and straining the Horse too young or else by some great burthen you shall perceive it by the narrowness of the breast and by consuming flesh of the shoulders insomuch as the forepart of the shoulder bone will stick out and be a great deal higher then the flesh And if it be of long continuance he will be very hollow in the brisket towards the armeholes and he will go wider beneath at the feet then above at the knees The cure according to Martin is thus Give him a slit of an inch long with a sharp knife or rasor upon both sides an inch under the shoulder bones then with a Swans quill put into the slit blow up first the one shoulder and then the other as big as can possible even up to the withers and with your hand strike the winde equally into every place of the shoulders And when they be full then beat all the windy places with a good hasell wand or with both your hands clapping upon the places puffed up with wind so fast as they can walk one after another over all the shoulder then with a flat slice of iron loosen the skin within from the flesh that done roll the two slits or cuts with two round rols made of the upper leather of an old shooe with a hole in the middest that the matter may issue forth and let such rols be three inched broad and so put in as they may lie plain and flat within the cut then make a charge to lay upon the same in this sort Take of Pitch and Rosen of each one pound of Tar half a pinte boyl these things all together in a pot and when it is somewhat cooled take a stick with a woollen clout bound fast to the end thereof and dip it into this charge and cover and daub all the shoulder therewith That done clap thereunto a pound of Flox of such colour as the Horse is or as nigh unto the same as may be every other day cleanse both the wounds and rols and put them in again continuing thus to do the space of fifteen dayes Then take them out and heal up the wounds with two tents of 〈◊〉 dipt in Turpentine and 〈…〉 le molten together renewing the same every day once untill the wounds be whole But let the change lie still untill it fall away of it self and let the Horse run to grasse untill he hath had a 〈…〉 Of the wrinching of the Shoulder THis cometh sometime by a fall and sometime by turning too suddenly in some uneven ground or by rash running out of some door or by some stripe of another Horse or by some sudden stop in passing a Career you shall perceive it in his going by trailing his legs upon the ground so close unto himself as he can possible The cure according to Martin is thus Let him bloud
as Martin saith is cured thus Take a round hot iron somewhat sharp at the end like a good big bodkin and let it be somewhat bending at the point then holing the sore with your left hand pulling it somewhat from the sinews pierce it with the iron being first made red-hot thrusting it beneath in the bottom and so upward into the belly to the intent that the same jelly may issue downward out at the hole and having thrust out all the jelly tent the hole with a tent of Flaâ— dipt in Turpentine and Hogs grease molten together and also anoint the outside with Hogs grease made warm renewing it every day once until the hole be ready to shut up making the tent every day lesser and lesser to the intent it may heal up Of the Curb THis is a long swelling beneath the Elbow of the hough in the great sinew behind and causeth the Horse to halt after that he hath been a while laboured and thereby somewhat heated For the more the sinew is strained the greater grief which again by his rest is eased This cometh by bearing some great weight when the Horse is young or else by some 〈◊〉 or wrinch whereby the tender sinews are grieved or rather bowed as Russius saith whereof it is called in Italian Curba 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is to say of bowing for anguish whereof it doth swell which swelling is apparent to the eye and maketh the leg to shew bigger then the 〈◊〉 The cure according to Martin is thus Take of Wine-lees a pinte a porringer full of Wheat flowre of Cumin half an ounce and stir them well together and being made warm charge the sore three or four dayes and when the smelling is almost gone then draw it with a hot iron and cover the burning with Pitch and Rosen molten together and lay it on good and warm and clap thereon some flocks of his own colour or so nigh as may be gotten and remove them not until they fall away of themselves And for the space of nine dayes let the Horse rest and come in no wet Another of the Curb A Curb is a sorance that maketh a Horse to halt much and it appears upon his hinder legs straight behind upon the cumbrel place and a little beneath the Spaven and it will be swoln as big as half a Walout The cure followeth Take a small cord and bind his legs hard above it and beneath it then beat it and rub it with a heavy stick till it grow soft then with a fleam strike it in three or four places and with your thumbs crush out the filthy bruised matter then loose the cord and anoint it with Butter uutil it be whole Of the Pains THis is a kind of Scab called in Italian Crappe which is full of fretting matterish water and it breedeth in the pasterns for lack of clean keeping and good rubbing after the Horse hath been journyed by means whereof the sand and dirt remaineth in the hair fretteth the skin and flesh and so breedeth a Scab And therefore those Horses that have long hair and are rough about the feet are soonest troubled with this disease if they be not the cleanlier kept The signes be these His legs will be swollen and hot and water will issue out of the Scab which water is hot and fretting as it will scald off the hair and breed Scabs so far as it goeth The cure according to Martin is thus First wash well all the pasterns with Beer and Butter warmed together and his legs being somewhat dryed with a cloth clip away all the hair saying the sâ—wter locks Then take of Turpentine of Hogs grease of Hony of each like quantity mingle them together in a pot and put thereto a little Bole-armony the yolks of two Egges and as much Wheat flowre as will thicken the things aforesaid and make it plaister like and for that cause it had need to be very well wrought and stirred together Then with a slice strike some of the plaister upon such a piece of linnen cloth as will serve to go round about the pastern and bind it fast on with a roller renewing it once a day until it be whole and let not the Horse be travelled nor stand wet Another of the Pains PAins is a sorance that cometh of hot ill humors of ill keeping it appeareth in the Fetlocks and will swell in the Winter time and will send forth a sharp water the hair will stare and the cure is thus Wash them every day twice or thrice with gunpowder and Vinegar and they will be whole in one week at the most Of Mules or Kibed heels called of the Italians Mule THis is a kind of Scab breeding behind somewhat above the neather joynt growing overthwart the fewter lock which cometh most commonly for being bred in cold ground or else for lack of good dressing after that he hath been laboured in foul mire and dirty wayes which durt lying still in his legs fretteth the skin and maketh scabby rifts which are soon bred but not so soon gotten away The anguish whereof maketh his legs somewhat to swell and specially in Winter and Spring time and then the Horse goeth very stifly and with great pain The sorance is apparent to the eye and is cured according to Martin in this sort Take a piece of linnen cloth and with the salve recited in the last Chapter make such a plaister as may cover all the sore place and bind it fast on that it may not fall off renewing it every day once until the sore leave running and beginneth to waâ— dry then wash it every day once with strong water until it be clean dryed up but if this 〈◊〉 be but in breeding and there is no raw flesh then it shall suffice to anoint it with Sope two or three dayes and at the three dayes end to wash them with a little Beef broath or dish water Of Frettishing FRettishing is a sorance that cometh of riding a Horse till he sweat and then to set him up without litter where he taketh suddenly cold in his feet and chiefly before it appears under the heel in the heart of the foot for it will grow dun and wax white and crumbly like a 〈◊〉 and also in time it will show by the wrinkles on his hoof and the hoof will grow thick and 〈◊〉 he will not be able to tread on stones or hard ground nor well to travel but stumblâ— and fall The cure is 〈◊〉 Take and pare his feet so thin as may be then lost two or three Egges in the Embers very hard 〈◊〉 being extreme hot taken out of five trush them in his foot and then clap a piece of Leather there 〈◊〉 and splint it that the Egges may not fall out and so let him run and he will be sound Of sorances or griefs that be common to all Fore-feet HItherto we have declared unto you the causes signes and cure of all such
halt sore and they come only by naughty keeping and they appear in the pasterns under the Fet-locks as if this skin were cut over-thwart that a man may lay â—o a Wheat-straw The cure is thus Binde unto them the hair being cut clean away black-Sope and Lime kned together for three days then lay that by and anoint the place with Butter and heal the sore with Bores grease and Tar mixt well together Of the Ring-bone THis is a hard gristle growing upon the cronet and sometime goeth round about the cronet and is called in Italian Soprosso Laurentius Russius saith that it may grow in any other place of the leg but then we call it not a Ring-bone but a knot or knob It cometh at the first either by some blow of another Horse or by striking his one foot against some stub or stone or such like casualty The pain whereof breedeth a viscous and slimy humor which resorting to the bones that are of their own nature cold and dry waxeth hard cleaveth to some bone and in process of time becometh a bone The signes be these The Horse will halt and the hard swelling is apparent to the eye being higher then any place of the cronet The cure according to Martin is thus First wash it well with warm water and shave away all the hair so as the sore place may be all discovered Then scarifie it lightly with the point of a rasor so as the bloud may issue forth Then if the sore be broad take of Euforbium one ounce of Cantharides half an ounce broken into fine powder and of Oyl-de-bay one ounce and if the sore be but little the one half of this may serve Boyl these things together stirring them continually lest it run over and with two or three feathers lay it boiling hot unto the sore and let not the Horse â—he from that place for half an hour after then carry him into the stable both using and turing him for the space of nine days in such order is haâ—â— been said before in the chapter of the splent But when the hair beginneth to grow again then fire the sore place with right lines from the pastern down to the could of the hoof and let the edge of the drawing Iron be as thick as the back of a meat-knife and burn him so deep as the skin may look yellow that done cover the burning with Pitch and Rozen molten together and clap thereon flocks of the Horses own colour or somewhat nigh the same and about three days after lay again some of the last mentioned plaister or Ointment and also new flocks upon the old and there let them remain until they fall away of themselves But if these Ring-bones or knobs breed in any other place then in the Cronet you shall cure them as is before said without firing them Of the Ring-bone THe Ring-bone is an ill disease and appeareth before on the foot above the hoof as well before as behinde and will be swoln three inches broad and a quarter of an inch or more of height and the hair will stare and wax thin and will make a Horse halt much The cure is Cast the Horse and with an Iron made flat and thin burn away that gristle which annoys him then take Wax Turpentine Rozen Tar and Hogs-grease of each like quantity mingle them together Plaister-wise and with it cure the sore This Plaister will also cure any other wound or ulcer whatsoever Of the Crown-scab THis is a kinde of filthy and stinking Scab breeding round about the feet upon the Cronets and is an elvish and painful disease called in Italian Crisaria It seemeth to come by means that the Horse hath been bred in some cold wet soil striking corrupt humors up to his feet and therefore the Horse that hath this grief is worse troubled in Winter then in Summer The signes be these The hair of the Cronets will be thin and staring like bristles and the Cronets will be always mattering and run on a water The cure according to Martin is thus Take of Sope of Hogs-grease of each half a pound of Bole-armony a little of Turpentine a quartern and mingle them all together and make a Plaister and binde it fast on renewing it every day once until it leave running and then wash it with strong Vinegar being luke-warm every day once until the sore be clean dryed up and let him come in no wet until it be whole Of hurts upon the Cronet crossing one foot over another which the Italians call Supraposte MArtin saith wash it well with white Wine or with a little stale and then lay unto it the white of an Egge mingled with a little Chimny soot and Salt and that will dry it up in three or four days if it be renewed every day once Of the Quitter-bone THis is a hard round swelling upon the Cronet betwixt the heel and the quarter and groweth most commonly on the inside of the foot and is commonly called of the Italians Setula or Seta It cometh by means of gravel gathered underneath the shooe which fretteth the heel or else by the cloying or pricking of some nail evil driven the anguish whereof looseneth the gristle and so breedeth evil humors whereof the Quitter-bone springeth The signes be these The Horse will halt and the swelling is apparent to the eye which is four or five days coming to a head will break out with matter at a little deep hole like a Fistula The cure according to Martin is thus First burn about the quitter-bone with a hot Iron in manner of half a circle and then with the same Iron draw another right strike through the midst thereof Then take of Arsenick the quantity of a Bean beaten into fine powder and put it into the hole thrusting it down to the bottom with a quill and stop the mouth of the hole with a little tow and binde it so fast with a cloth and cord as the Horse may not come at it with his mouth and so let it rest for that day And the next day if you see that the sore looketh black within then it is a signe that the Arsenick hath wrought well and done his part Then to allay the burning thereof tent the hole with flax dipt in Hogs-grease and Turpentine molten and mingled together and cover the tent with a bolster of Tow dipt also in the Ointment aforesaid continuing so to do every day once until you have gotten out the core Then shall you see whether the loose gristle in the bottom be uncovered or not and if it be uncovered then feel with your finger or with a quill whether you be nigh it or not And if you be then raise the gristle with a little crooked instrument and pull it clean out with a pair of small nippers meet for the pupose That done tent it a gain with a full tent dipt in the aforesaid Ointment to asswage the anguish of the last dressing and
and lesser until it be ready to close up and never leave tenting it so long as it will receive a tent be it never so short For hasty healing of wounds breedeth Fistula's which properly be old wounds and therefore must be cured like Fistula's Of Wounds in the fleshy parts USe the same Ointment and manner of proceeding as before And if the wound be large then to keep in the tent or rolls you shall be fain to put two or three Shoomakers ends on each side of the sore leaving them so long as you may tie them together and loosen them when you will like laces Of old Ulcers or Wounds TO cure an old Ulcer as Fistula Gall or Botch or any new received wound these are the best Salves and most approved in mine experience Take of Hony half a pinte of Deer-sewet two ounces of Verdigrease beaten into powder as much boil all these exceeding well upon the fire then with the same luke-warm tent or plaister any venemous sore and it will recure it If you take of Wax Turpentine Oyl of Roses of Hogs-grease of each like quantity and half so much Tar as any one of the other simples melt all these together and being well incorporated together either tent or plaister any wound and it will heal it Also if you take the green leaves of Tobacco bruised and put them into a green wound they will heal it the ashes of Tobacco burnt if they be strewed upon any sore that is neer skinning it will also skin it perfectly and it will incarnate well if the Ulcer be not too deep and dangerous There be many other Salves Plaisters and Unguents which I could set down but since I have experienced these for most effectual I omit the others as superfluous Of an hurt with an Arrow IF the Horse be hurt with an Arrow tent the hole with Hogs-grease and Turpentine molten together renewing it every day once until it be whole Of pulling out Shivers or Thorns MArtin saith that if it be not very deep Sope being laid unto it all night will make it to appear so as you may pull it out with a pair of nippers But if it be very deep then you must open the place with a knife or lancet and get it out and afterward heal up the wound as hath been taught you before Russius saith that the roots of Reed being stampt and mingled with Hony will draw out any thorn or shiver and so will Snails as he saith being stampt and wrought with fresh Butter and if the place be swoln he saith it is good to mollifie it with Hogs-grease and Hony which will asswage any new swelling that cometh by stripe or otherwise Of bruisings or swellings MArtin saith First prick it with a fleam Then take of Wine lees a pinte as much Wheat-flowre as will thicken it and an ounce of Cumin boil them together and lay this somewhat warm unto it renewing it every day once until the swelling either depart or else come to a head And if it do then lance it and heal it up as a wound Of Sinews cut prickt or bruised TAke of Tar and Bean-flowre and a little Oyl of Roses and lay it hot unto the place And if this do no good then take Worms and Sallet Oyl fryed together or else the Ointment of Worms which you shall have at the Apothecaries and one of these will knit it again if it be not clean asunder How to cure a wound made with Harquebush-shot MArtin saith First seek with an instrument whether the pellet remain within or not and if it do you must get it out with an instrument meet for the purpose Then to kill the fire Take a little Vernish and thrust it into the wound with a feather anointing it well within with the feather and after that stop the mouth fair and softly with a little soft flax to keep the winde out and on the outside charge all the swelling with this charge Take of Bole-armony a quartern of Linseed beaten into fine powder half a pound of Bean-flowre as much and three or four broken Egges shels and all and of Turpentine a quartern and a quart of Vinegar and mingle them well together over the fire and being somewhat warm charge all the sore place with part thereof and immediately clap a cloth or a piece of leather upon it to keep the wound from the cold air continuing both to anoint the hole within with Vernish and also to charge the swelling without the space of four or five days and at the five days end leave anointing of it and tent it with a tent reaching to the bottom of the wound and dipped in Turpentine and Hogs-grease molten together renewing it every day twice until it be throughly killed which you shall perceive by the mattering of the wound and by falling of the swelling for so long as the fire hath the upper hand no thick matter will issue out but only a thin yellowish water neither will the swelling asswage And then take of Turpentine washed in nine several waters half a pound and put thereon three yolks of Egges and a little Saffron and tent it with that Ointment renewing it every day once until the wound be whole Of burning with Lime or any other fiery thing MArtin saith First wash away the Lime if there be any with warm water Then kill the fire with Oyl and Water beaten together dressing him so every day until it be all raw and then anoint it with Hogs-grease and strew thereupon the powder of slecked lime dressing him so every day once until it be whole Of the biting of a mad Dog IF a Horse be bitten with a mad Dog the venom of his teeth will not only pain him extremely but also infect all his bloud and make him to dye mad The cure according to the old Writers is thus Take of Goats dung of flesh that hath laid long in Salt and of the herb Ebulus called of some Danewort of each half a pound and forty Walnuts Stamp all these things together and lay thereof unto the sore and this will suck out the venom and heal the wound It is good also to give the Horse Treacle and Wine to drink yea and some would have the sore place to be fiered with a hot Iron Of hurts by tusks of a Boar. IF a Horse be hurt with the tusk of a Boar say Vitriol and Copperas thereunto and the powder of a Dogs head being burned but let the tongue be first pulled out and cast away To heal the biting or stinging of Serpents LAurentius Russius saith Take a good quantity of the herb called Sanicula stamp it and distemper it with the milk of a Cow that is all of one colour and give him that to drink and that will heal him Another Medicine for the same purpose MAke a plaister of Onions Hony and Salt stampt and mingled together and lay that to the sore place and give the Horse Wine and Treacle
of the party so grieved The dust of a Horse hoof anointed with Oyl and Water doth drive away impollumes and little bunches which rise in the flesh in what part of the body soever they beâ— and the dust of the hoof of an Asse anointed with Oyl Water and hot urine doth utterly expell all Wens and kernels which do rise in the neck arme-holes or any other part of the body of either man or woman The genital of a gelded Horse dryed in an Oven beaten to powder and given twice or thrice in a little hot broth to drink unto the party grieved is by Pliny accounted an excellent and approved remedy for the seconds of a woman The soam of a Horse or the dust of a Horse hoof dryed is very good to drive away shamefastness being anointed with a certain titulation The scrapings of the Horses hoofs being put in wine and poured into the Horses nostris do greatly provoke his urine The ashes also of an Horses hoof being mingled with wine and water doth greatly ease and help the disease called the Colick or Stone as also by a perfume which may be made by the hoofs of Horses being dryed a childe which is still born is cast out The milk of Mares is of such an excellent virtue that it doth quite expell the poison of the Sâ—ahare and all other poison whatsoever drink also mingled with Mares milk doth make the body loose and laxable It is also counted an excellent remedy against the falling sickness 〈◊〉 drink the stones of a Boar out of a Mares milk or water If there be any filth or m 〈…〉 ying in the matrice of a woman let her take Mares milk boiled and througly strained and presently the 〈◊〉 and excrements will void clean away If so he that a Woman be barren and cannot conceive leb her then take Mares milk not knowing what it is and let her presently accompany with a man and she will conceive The milk of a Mare being drunk doth asswage the labor of the matrice and doth cause a still childe to be cast forth If the seed of Henbane be beaten small and mingled with Mares milk and bound with a Harts skin so that it may not touch the ground and fastened or bound to a woman they will hinder her conception The thinnest or latest part of the milk of a Mare doth very easily gently and without any daâ—ger purge the belly Mares milk being dayly anointed with a little Hony doth without any pain or punishment take away the wounds of the eyes being new made Cheese made of Mares milk doth represse and take away all wringings or aches in the belly whatsoever If you â—â—dint a co 〈…〉 wâ—th the foam of a Horse wherewith 〈◊〉 young man or youth doth use to comb his head it is of 〈…〉 as it will cause the hair of his head heither to encrease or any whit to appear The 〈…〉 a Horse is also very much commended for them which have either pain or difficulty of hearing in their ears or else the dust of Horse dung being new made and dryed and mingled with Oyl of Roses The grief or soreness of a mans mouth or throat being washed or anointed with the foam of a Horse which hath been sed with Oates or Barly doth presently expell the pain of the foreness if so be that it be two or three times washed over with the juyce of young or green Sea-crabs beaten small together but if you cannot get the Sea-crabs which are green sprinkle upon the grief the small powder which doth come from dryed Crabs which are baked in an Oven made of Brasse and afterward wash the mouth where the pain is and you shall finde present remedy The foam of a Horse being three or four times taken in drink doth quite expell and drive away the Cough But Marcellus doth affirm that whosoever is troubled with the Cough or consumption of the lungs and doth drink the foam of a Horse by it self alone without any drink shall finde present help and remedy but as Sextus saith the Horse will presently die after it The same also being mingled with hot water and given to one who is troubled with the â—ame diseases being in manner past all cure doth presently procure health but the death of the Horse doth instantly ensue The sweat of a Horse being mingled with Wine and so drunk doth cause a woman which it very big and in great labor to cast a still childe The sweat of any Beast but as Albertus saith only of a Horse doth breed wind in a man or womans face being put thereupon and besides that doth bring the Squince or Squincy as also a filthy stinking sweat If Swords Knives or the points of Spears when they are red fire hot be anointed with the sweat of a Horse they will be so venemous and full of poyson that if a man or woman be smitten or pricked therewith they will never cease from bleeding as long as life doth last If a Horse be wounded with an Arrow and have the sweat of another Horse and bread which hath been brent being mingled in mans urine given him to drink and afterwards some of the same being mingled with Horse grease put into the wound it will in short time procure him ease and help There are some which will assure us that if a man be troubled with the belly worms or have a Serpent crept into his belly if he take but the sweat of a Horse being mingled with his urine and drink it it will presently cause the Worms or the Serpent to issue forth The dung of a Horse or Asse which is fed with grasse being dryed and afterward dipped in wine and so drunk is a very good remedy against the bitings and blowes of Scorpions The same medicines they do also use being mingled with the genital of a Hare in Vinegar both against the Scorpion and against the Shrew-mouse The force is so great in the poyson of a mad Dog or Bitch that his pargeted Urine doth much hurt especially unto them that have a â—ore boil upon them the chiefest remedy therefore against the same is the dung of a Horse mingled with Vinegar and being warmed put into the scab or sore The dung as well of Asses as of Horses either raw cold or burned is excellent good against the breaking forth or issues of the bloud The dung of Horses or Asses being new made or warm and so clapped and put to a green wound doth very easily and speedily stanch the bleeding If the vein of a Horse be cut and the bloud do issue out in too much aboundance apply the dung of the same Horse unto the place where the vein is cut and the bleeding will presently cease wherefore the Poet doth very well express it iâ— these Verses following Sive fimus manni cum testis uritur ovi Et reprimit fluâ—dos miro 〈…〉 The same
doth also very well drive away the corruption in mens body which doth cause the bloud to stinke if it be well and justly applyed unto the corrupt place The same also being mingled with Oyl of Roses and new made and so applyed unto the ears doth not only drive away the pain but also doth very much help for hearing There is another remedy also for the hearing which is this to take the dung of a Horse which is new made and to make it hot in a furnace and then to 〈◊〉 it on the middle of the head against the Vvâ—â—a and afterward to 〈◊〉 the aforesaid dung 〈…〉 woollen cloth unto the top of the head in the night time The dung of a young Asse when he is first foaled given in Wine to the quantity or magnitude of a Bean is a present remedy for either man or woman who is troubled with the Jaundice or the over-flowing of the gall and the same property hath the dung of a young Horse or Cost when he is new foaled But the dung of an old Horse being boiled in fair w 〈…〉 and afterward strained and so given to the party to drink who is troubled with Water in his belly or stomach doth presently make vent for the â—ame There is also an excellent remedy against the Colick and Stone which is this to â—ake a handfull of the dung of a Horse which hath been fed with 〈◊〉 and Barly and not with grasse and mingle very well it with half a pinte of Wine all which I do 〈◊〉 will amount unto the weight of eight 〈…〉 ounces and then boyl them all together untill half of them be boyled or consumed away and then drink the same by little and little until it be all drunk up but it will be much better for the party that is troubled to drink it up all together if he be able There is moreover a very good and easie way by Horse dung to cure the Ague or 〈…〉 which is thus to burn the foresaid dung and to mingle the very 〈◊〉 it self thereof in old wine and then beat it unto small powder and so give it 〈◊〉 the party who is 〈…〉 bled therewith to drink or suck without any water in it and this will very speedily procure ease and help â—f that a woman supposeth her childe which is in her womb to be dead let her drink the milt or spleen of a Horse in some sweet water not to the smell but to the taste and she will presently cast the childe The same virtue are in the persume which is made of a Horses hoof as also in the dry dung of a Horse There is some which do use this means against the falling sickness or the sickness called Saint Johns evill that is to mingle the water or urine which a Horse doth make with the water which cometh from the Smiths trough and so to give it the party in a potion There is a very good help for Cattel which do avoid bloud through their Nostrils or secret parts which is this to make a paste of Wheat flowre and beat it and mingle it together with â—utter and Egges in the urine of a Horse which hath lately drunk and afterward to give that paste or 〈…〉 tess baked even to ashes to the beast so grieved To provoke urine when a mans yard is stopt there is nothing so excellent as the dung or filth which proceedeth from the urine which a Horse hath made being mingled with wine and then strained and afterwards poured into the Nostrils of the party so vexed There are certain Tetters or Ring-wormes in the knees of Horses and a little above the hoofs in the bending of these parts there are indurate and hardned thick skins which being beaten into small powder and mingled with Vinegar and so drunk are an exceeding good preservative against the Falling-sickness the samé is also a very good remedy for them which are bitten with any wilde Beast whatsoever By the Tetter or Ring-worm which groweth in a Horses knees or above the hoofs beaten and mingled with Oyle and so poured in the ears the teeth of either man or woman which were weak and loose will be made very strong and fast The aforesaid Tetter without any mingling with Oyl doth also heal and cure the head-ache and Falling-sickness in either man or woman The same also being drunk out of Clarret Wine or Muscadel for forty dayes together doth quite expell and drive away the Colick and Stone If that any man do get and put up the shooe of a Horse being struck from his hoof as he travelleth in his pace which doth many times happen it will be an excellent remedy for him against the sobbing in the stomach called the Hicket Of the HYAENA and the divers kinds thereof WE are now to discourse of a Beast whereof it is doubtful whether the names or the kinds thereof be more in number and therefore to begin with the names it seemeth to me in general that it is the same Beast which is spoken of in Holy Scripture and called Zeeb-ereb and Araboth Zephan 3. Principes urbis Hierosolymae velut Leones Iâ—gientes judices ejus similes sunt lupis Vesper 〈…〉 is qui ossa non relinquunt ad diluculum Their Princes are roaring Lions and their Judges are like to night-wolves which leave not the bones till the morning as it is vulgarly translated In like sort Jer. 5. calleth them Zeeb-Araboath Wolves of the wilderness and the Prophet Habakkuk Cap. 1. useth the word Zeeb-ereb Wolves of the evening By which it is made easie to consider and discusse what kinde of Beasts this Hyaena may be deemed for the Hyaena as I shall shew afterward is a Greek word And first of all I utterly seclude all their opinions which translate this word Arabian Wolves for the Hebrew notes cannot admit such a version or exposition But seeing we read in Oppianus and Tzetzes that there are kinds of Wolves which are called Harpages more hungry then the residue living in Mountains very swift of foot and in the Winter time coming to the gates of Cities and devouring both flesh and bones of every living creature they can lay hold on especially Dogs and men and in the morning go away again from their prey I take them to be the same Beasts which the Grecians call Hyaenae which is also the name of a Fish much like in nature hereunto It is also called Glanos and by the Phrygians and Bythinians Ganos and from one of these came the Illyrian or Sclavonian word San and it seemeth that the Grecians have given it a name from Swine because of the gristles growing on the back for an Hyaena can have no better derivation then from Hus or Hyn. Julius Capitolinus calleth it Belbus in Latin in the same place where he recordeth that there were decem Belbi sub Gordiano ten Hyaenaes in the days of
and taken in drink doth very speedily cure and heal those which are troubled with Agues or Quartain Fevers The liver of the Lion being dryed and beaten to powder and put in the purest wine which is possible to be gotten and so drunk doth take away the pain and grief from any one which is troubled with his liver The gall of a Lion being taken in drink by any one doth kill or poison him out of hand But some do impute this venom to be in the gall of a Leopard The gall of a Lion being mixed with pure water and anointed upon the eyes of any one will take away the blemishes thereof and cause them to see clearly and the fat of the Lion being added thereunto is an excellent remedy against the Falling sickness A very little part or dram of the gall of the Lion being put in wine and so drunk will speedily help and cure those which are troubled with the Yellow Jaundise The same disease is also cured by yellow Carets being stamped and put in wine and so given in drink For the sores or blemishes in the eyes the gall of a Lion being mingled with Hony and so anointed upon them is commended for a very special and effectual cure or healing The gall of a Lion a Bear or an Ox being mixed with certain other unguents is very much used for the extending or moving forward of conception The right stone of a Lion being beaten together with Roses and so strained hard untill some liquid juyce or water doth proceed from them and so taken in drink doth make that party barren unto whom it is given it hath the like effect in it if it be eaten either roasted or broyled or raw and bloudy The fat which proceedeth from the privity or secret parts of a she Lion being put in a vessell made of Ivory and so being temperately mollified is commended for a very effectual and speedy means to hinder conception The dung or dirt of a Lion being dryed into powder and mixed with some certain soft and easie ointment with which any one may be easily anointed over all his body doth drive away the blemishes and spots in the skin The hurts or sores which are bitten either by a male or female Lion are so full of matter and filthy corruption that the running thereof can be stayed and repressed neither by lapping of clothes about them nor by washing them by spunges they are cured by the same means as the sores which are bitten by ravenous Dogs are as I have before declared in the cures of the Hyaena The wounds which are made by the teeth of a Lion are very hurtful for as much as the venome of their interior parts doth go into the wounds and when the wounds are tied the venome issueth from them into the things with which they are tied 〈…〉 again bound upon the wound doth so infect it that it can be cured by no other means but by the afore-said medicine The bitings of Lions and such like Beasts are so dangerous iâ— regard of their strength and 〈…〉 ness for they do not only bite but also wrâ—â—th and 〈…〉 teeth or nails And t 〈…〉 Of the LINX The picture of a Linx once in the Tower of London which was first described by Doctor Cay THe wilde Beast which among the Germans is named Luchss by making a name from the Linx or as others write Lux or Luxs amongst the Italians is at this day called Lupo 〈◊〉 or Cerverio being engendéred betwixt a Hinde and a Wolf and likewise amongst the Rhaetians which speak Italian and the Sabaudians and the Dalmatians or Illyridns Cerviro But there was a certain Bâ—bemiaâ— of late which declared that the Linx as he conjectured was called among the Illyrians Rys and that it was called Luchss among the Germans but that amongst the Illyrians was lesser then the other yet very like The Spaniards do as yet call him by the Latin name Lince even as certain Italian writers in their vulgar tongue as Alunnus doth testifie In certain places in Helvetia and about Sedâ—â—â— they call him Thierwolf Amongst the barbarous writers he is called by the name of an Ounce which I do suppose to be a Panther Fr. Alunnus doth say that this Beast was called of certain Italian writers in the vulgar tongue Lonza some interpreting it to be a Lioness some a Pardal a Panther or a Wolf engendred of a Hinde and a Wolf Ounces do commonly seem to be called rather Linxes then Panthers but although some late writers do attribute the name to a Leopard or a lesser Panther it seemeth notwithstanding corrupt from the Linx for he is a creature very like him both in his craft and shape of his body but a Linx hath his tail shorter and his longer Libards-bane doth kill Leopards and Linxes These Figures were taken by Olaus Magnus wherein the Linx pursneih a wilde Cat. The Latins call this beast Lupus Cervarius and Lynx of the Greek word Lugx from whence the German ein Luchs and it hath been believed that the Latin name was given unto it because they were ingendred betwixt a Wolf and Hind but there is no wise man that will suppose or be easily induced to believe that Beasts of such hostility and adverse dispositions in nature should ever ingender or suffer copulation together and therefore I rather suppose that it is called Cervarius either because it hunteth Harts and Hinds or else because it imitateth their young ones in the outward colour and spots in the skins There was a Beast saith Pliny which was called Chaus and by the French Raphlus brought in publick spectacle by Pompey the great out of France which in shape resembleth a Wolf and in spots a Leopard and therefore I think that Chaus Raphlus and Lupus Cervarius are divers names of one and the same wilde Beast and yet by divers writers it is confounded with the Thoes or with the Panther or with the Ounce But I cannot agree thereunto seeing it is written by Pliny that about the River Padus in Kuly there are certain Beasts called Lynces from whence cometh the Lyncurion which by Zenothomis are called Langae and by others Languriae And Solinus also agreeth thereunto taking Lupus Gervarius for a kind of Linx Some have fabled that there is a Beast called Lynceus which Suidas and Varinus call Oxurderches and they say that the eyes of it are the best sighted of all the Beasts in the world Oppianus maketh two kind of Linxes one a greater and hunteth Harts and great Beasts the other a smaller and hunteth wilde Cats and Hares And first of all I will set down the description of this Beast according as it was taken in England by that learned Physitian D. Cay whose words I do here expresse There is in the Tower of London saith John Cay a Beast which eateth 〈◊〉 his whole body being of the greatness
We have seen the hangings of Chambers made of mole skins so that no conscience of religion cannot avert the monstrous love of delights from the affectation of men For all the ancient Wise men and Magicians did hold that this beast was capeable of Religion Nullis aeque credunt extis nullum Religionis capacius judicant animal ut si quis cor ej 〈…〉 r 〈…〉 s pa 〈◊〉 deporaris divinationis rarum efficiendarum eventus promittat they give not so much credit to any intrails as to theirs for they judge that no beast is so capable of Religion because if a man eat the heart of a Mole newly taken out of her belly and panting he shall be able to divine and foretel infallible events Another saith Veteribus monumentis traditur Gullinaceorum fibras maximè dâ—is gratas videri sicut Talparum viscera Magi verissima dicunt illisque hand seous quam solenni victima litari haec enim sunt exta argutissima in quibus divina mens inesse creditut that is the fibres of Cocks were wont among ancient Monuments to be accounted most acceptable to the Gods even as the bowels of Moles as the wise men say and to offer these as a most solemn sacrifice grateful to the Gods and that in those intrails it was believed that the minde and pleasure of God was seated and engraven and a little after he saith that the bowels of Moles and frogs do foretel many great and fortunate events But I will leave this paganism and let it never enter into the heart of a reasonable man that such beasts can love Religion or that God hath planted in their bowels and corrupt parts such letters of his wisdom and fore-knowledge which he hath not granted to the immortal and incorruptible soul of man Only this I finde by experience that before any rain and change of weather these silly beasts heave up the earth more abundantly then at other times and that in Thessaly as Varro saith a whole Town was once undermined by Moles They were wont to sacrifice this beast to Neptune because of the affinity betwixt their names for in Greek Asphaloos signifieth Neptune and Asphalax a Mole Alunnus also writeth that they were sacred and dedicated to Hell because they kept continually within the bosom and bowels of the earth and to conclude because that Moles would not live in Coronea a part of Boeotia before spoken of and thereof came the common proverb Asphalaca eis Coronean a Mole is brought to Coronea to signifie the hatred of a gift or ghest to him that is forced to receive him Thus much for his natural and moral story now followeth his medicinal The Medicines of the Mole There is nothing which is more profitable or medicinable for the curing of the bites of a Shrew then a Mole being flead and clapped thereunto The same doth also very effectually cure and heal the blows or bitings of a Scorpion Pills being made with that which proceedeth from Moles with Hony eaten nine days together doth preserve the body of any one from swellings or bunches in the flesh who shall so eat them For the avoiding or driving away the hairs which grow in any part of mans body that they may never return or be renewed again Take a Mole and lay her in water to besteeped or soaked so long as she shall not have any hairs left upon her with this water anoint the place which is full of hairs and afterwards wash it with lie made of ashes and then rub it with a linnen cloth then if you shall see the hairs to return again wash it twice or thrice in the afore-said manner and they will be quite expelled away and by no means can be made either to renew or come again For the renewing and bringing again of those hairs which are fallen or decayed take a Mole and burn her whole in the skin and mingle the dust or powder which cometh from the same with Hony unto the thickness or fashion of an Ointment and this being rubbed or anointed upon the bare or bald place will without doubt in some short time or space procure the hair to grow thick For the renewing of hairs which fall from Horses Take a Mole and boil her in Oyl until all the flesh be consumed and quite dissolved into a liquid juyce with this Oyl anoint the place which is bare or destitute of hairs twice every day for some short space and it will make the hairs to grow in great abundance For the changing of the hairs of Horses from black to white take a Mole and boil her in Salt water or lye made of ashes three days together and when the water or lie shall be quite consumed put new water or lie thereunto this being done wash or bathe the place with the water or he some-what hot presently the black hairs will fall and slide away and in some short time there will come white Whosoever shall take a Mole and hold her in his right hand until she die shall have such an excellent vertue therein that she shall ease the pain of a womans breasts only by touching them The dust of a Mole being burnt mingled with the white of an Egge and anointed upon a Sheep is an excellent and medicinable remedy against the Leprie which cometh oftentimes upon them The dust of a Mole mixed with Oyl or Hony and anointed upon the skin of either man or woman which is full of Lepry will very speedily and effectually cure and heal the fame The same being used in the aforesaid manner is very good for the curing of those which are troubled with the disease called the Kings E 〈…〉 as also for those which have hardbunches of kernels arising in their arm-holes and in other parts of their body The whole body of a mole being taken and burned in the skin into dry dust or powder is an excellent remedy against the disease called the Fistula as also for the purging of the corruption in them and healing of them being once taken by any man The same being also mixed with Hony and rub'd upon the teeth of any one who hath pam in them doth not only ease the pain and grief thereof but also doth strengthen and make them fast The bloud of a Mole being killed spread or anointed upon the head of any one which is bald will very speedily renew and bring the hairs again The head of a mole being cut off and beaten together with the earth which is stirred up by Moles and wrought into a paste and rowled together liked little loaf is very much used for the healing of all swellings and for those things which they call Impostumes as also for all swellings or kernels which arise in the neck so that in the time of the curing of these things the party which is pained and grieved be not suffered to eat any Swines flesh The tooth of a living Mole
laid among clothes and skins defend them from Mice And also the water of Worm-wood sod sprinkled upon clothes hath the same operation Ink tempered with water wherein Wormwood hath been washed or sod causeth that the Parchment and Paper written therwith shall never be eaten or touched with Mice Anatolius and Tarentinus in the discourse of the granery or barn do write that Milk thistle mingled with Hony Water and fine Flower or Mil-dust made into little balls and laid where Mice may eat of it doth make them blinde if they cast thereof White Hellebore mixed with pottage or the seeds of wilde Cowcumber Coloquintida and Meal mingled with black Hellebore and Put into Cheese or Bread or any other kinde of fat meat killeth both Rats and Mice So likewise a white Camelion sod in broth mingled with water and Oyl killeth Dogs Swine and Mice The juyce of the root of the herb Camelion mixed with Water and Oyl draweth Mice unto it and killeth them by tasting thereof if they drink not presently so also doth Henbane The roots of the bramble Tree mingled with Butter Bread or Hony Elecampane and Sea Onions Scammony wilde Sparage Arsenick Mug-wort otherwise called Mouse-wort ' mingled with Lard in small pieces with Auripigment killeth Wolfs and Mice and in some Countries for the better dispersing of the poyson set drink beside the same whereof assoon as they tast they swell and die but I have seen them die without drinking at all Mice and Wolfs if they tast of the wilde Rose and drink after it do not only die but also fall into madness and bite their fellows communicating the quality of the disease to every one they bite Flesh cut into little pieces and fryed with Butter in a frying pan and afterwards when it is cold adde half so much soft pitch thereto and mingle it together rowling up the flesh in the Pitch then distribute it upon little bords and set it in the place and places whereunto the Mice do much resort and water beside it and when that they have tasted of it a little they are so eagerly a thirst that they drink and die The like I may say of Rats-bane Quick-silver Sublimate and Precipitate and divers other things and thus much may suffice for the catching taking and killing of Mice whereunto I may adde the use of their members and parts not medicinal but natural although I have touched it heretofore in part The Scythians were wont to be clad with the skins of Mice and Woolfs and it is observed that when Mice cry and screeketh above their ordinary custom it presageth an alteration and change of the weather and thus much shall suffice for their natural discourse Having thus discoursed of the nature of the vulgar Mouse I may also add the moral use thereof as I finde it recorded among learned Writers delivered either in History or in Proverb It is reported of Glaucus the son of Minos and Pasiphae that while he followed a Mouse to take her he fell into a vessel of Hony but after Polyades the Prophet by laying an herb on him raised him again to life Hatto an Archbishop of Metz in the frontiers of Germany was destroyed by Mice or as other say by Rats but the words of Textor are Hatto Archiepiscopus Moguntinus à muribus fertur devoratus And the error may proceed because that Mus is a general word for the Rat and Mouse and therefore they which have thought it an unreasonable thing that so small beasts should destroy so mighty a Prince have rather attributed it to the Rats then to the Mice but they ought to have remembred that it was an extraordinary judgement of God to punish a cruel covetous wretch and that therefore it was as easie for him to make the little Mouse his instrument as the great Rat for we read that Herod was devoured by Worms and other have been eaten up with Lice Adrian the Pope was strangled by a Fly and therefore Hatto an Archbishop might aswell perish through the afflicting hand of God by a multitude of Mice Heliogabalus that wretch amongst other his monstrous desires and Tyrannical commands Lampridius affirmeth that upon a time he commanded that there should be brought unto him ten thousand Mice alive a thousand Weesils and a thousand Sorices or wilde Field-mice so base were his thoughts that while he should have attended his Emperial calling and hearkened to the suits and complaints of poor distressed subjects he was busied in killing of Mice and therefore in ancient time a Mouse-killer was taken for an opprobrious speech for a base sluggish and idle companion The like is reported of a Muscovian Emperour who to afflict his people and to gather mony from them commanded the Citizens of Musco to bring him a peck full of Fleas whereunto the people answered that if they could take so many yet could not they keep them together from leaping away And Mice have been brought into publick spectacle because at Lavinium they gnawed asunder the shields of silver and it was afterward judged a prodigy for there followed the Marsick war When the Soythians understood that Darius with his great Army stood in need of victuals they sent unto him a Provant-master with these presents or gifts a Bird a Mouse a Frog and five darts At the receit whereof the Persians wondered what should be meant thereby and demanded of the messenger the meaning of the mystery But the Ambassador answered he knew not any signification of his presents but only received charge to deliver them and make hast back again and to bid the Persians if they were wise to lay their wits together to know and understand the meaning thereof When the Persians heard him say so they fell to consultation Darius gave his opinion that the Mouse signified the earth the Frog the waters the Bird Horses and the Darts warlike furniture and strength of forces and that the Scythians by sending all these unto them yeelded that the Persians should be Lords of their Land Sea Horses and themselves and that therefore they ought to be of good courage But one Gobrâ—as a grave Counsellor who was one of the seven that slew the Magi or Wizards answered otherwise for his conjecture was more true for said he O Persae nisi effecti ut aves subâ—letis in Coelum aut ut Mures subeatis terram aut ut ranae insiliatiâ— in paludes non remeabitis unde venistis 〈◊〉 sagittis confecti O ye Persians except ye become like Birds to flie up into heaven or like Mice to creep into the earth or like Frogs to leap into the waters you shall not return back again unto the place from whence you came and so indeed it came to pass We read 1 Sam. 5. that when the Ark of God was taken by the Philistines and they kept it in their Temple at Hazzah the hand of the Lord fell upon their Princes and
is troubled with the abundance and loose hanging down or over-growning of his hair it will very speedily and without any difficulty ease him of the same The dust of a Mouse pounded and beaten to powder and mingled with a certain Oyl is very good and wholesome for those which are grieved with a Tetter or scab which may over-run their whole body The brains or tail of a Mouse being dryed and beaten to powder is very medicinable for those which are troubled with the casting and shedding of their hair as also for the disease called the Foxes evill but this operation will work more effectually if the shedding of the hair doth happen by any venom or poyson The same in operation hath the whole body of the Mouse being used in the aforesaid manner There is also another excellent remedy to cure and heal the aforesaid disease which is this To take Mice which inhabit in houses and to burn or dry them in a pot and then beat them and being so used to mix them with Oyl of Lawrel and to rub the hairs which are like to fall or shed with Garlick and to put them all together into a Frontlet or fore-head cloth and daily to keep the same medicine or plaister unto them until the hair do grow fast and they be rid of that disease There is also another remedy for the same disease which is this To burn a Mouse and beat him into powder and then to mingle the same with Hony and the grease of a Bear and so to anoint the head and this is accounted for a very speedy and effectual cure The dust or powder of Mice being mixed with Hony and Oyl of Roses and so baked or boiled together and afterward distilled into a clear water and so poured into the ears of any one which is deaf or troubled with any pain in his ears and it will quickly bring him help and remedy The dust of a dryed Mouse being also mingled with Hony and rubbed upon the teeth of any one which is troubled with a stinking breath will presently take away the savour thereof If the urine of a man or woman be too fluent and abundant let them take the dust or powder of a dryed Mouse being beaten and stamped and mix it with Wine or with Goats milk and so drink it up and he shall speedily have remedy The grievous and violent inflammation or turning of the eye-lids is cured after this manner First they take the flesh of the Mice assoon as ever it is beaten small and mingle it with the yolk of an Egge and mollifie it into a salve or plaister like unto wax and then put it into a linnen cloth and so wrap it upon the eye-lids in the time of sleep and it will easily bring help and remedy There is an excellent remedy for the over-spreading of the eyes or to cure the disease in them called the Pin and the Web or to help them which are altogether blinde which is this To take the bloud of a Mouse the gall of a Cock and some part or quantity of womans milk and to take of each of them alike and then to mingle or mix them together and being well wrought or kneaded until it come to an ointment to rub or spread it upon the eyes and this will in very short space help them unto their sight for it hath been tryed and hath helped many The skin of a Mouse being burned or dryed and beaten into powder and so mingled with Vinegar and then anointed upon the head of any one who is pained or troubled with the Head-ach it will presently ease and help him The head of a Mouse being also born or carryed in a linnen cloth doth cure the same disease The heads of Mice being burned and beaten into small powder and then mixed or mingled with Hony and so anointed upon the legs or feet of them which are troubled with the Gowt are excellent good and wholesome for the curing of that grievous disease The same vertue hath the tails or bodies of Mice being used in the aforesaid manner in them Some do think that the aforesaid disease is more speedily and effectually cured after this manner First to take a Beetle or Horse-fly and stamp it all to pieces and then to mingle it with soft and liquid Pitch the skin being prepared or made ready with Nitre but there must be great care taken that it eat not too far in the flesh then to take the head of a Mouse and the gall and dung of a Mouse and mingle them together with Ling-wort and Pepper and so to anoint them and spread them upon the aforesaid eaten or lanced wounds and this is very much commended for a very good and medicinable cure for the aforesaid disease The heads of Mice dryed and beaten into powder or dust and then mixed with Hony and so anointed upon the eyes for the space of ten days together will clarifie the eyes and expel all pain or blemishes from them Of the heads of Mice being burned is made that excellent powder for the scowring and clensing of the teeth called Tooth-soap unto which if Spikenard be added or mingled it will take away any filthy sent or strong savour in the mouth The brains of a Mouse being taken and put or steeped in Wine and stamped and beaten small and anointed upon the brow or fore-head of any one who is troubled with a pain or ach in the head and the shall soon finde ease and remedy If any man shall but touch or kiss with his mouth the snowt or nostrils of a Mouse and be troubled with the disease called the Rhume which falleth down and stuffeth the nostrils he shall in very short space be eased of the same The Magiâ— or wise men do very much commend this medicine for the expelling of a quartain Ague or Fever which is thus To take the nose or snowt of a Mouse as also the very tops of the ears and bruise them together and afterward tie them in a linnen cloth which hath had Roses or Rose-leaves in the same and then binde them unto the arms or wrists of him which is so troubled and they will very effectually and speedily cure and heal him For the rottenness and deminishing of the teeth the best remedy is to take a living Mouse and to take out one of her teeth whether the greatest or the least it is no great matter and hang it by the teeth of the party grieved but first kill the Mouse from whom you had the tooth and he shall presently have ease and help of his pain The heart of a living Mouse being taken out and hanged upon the left arm of any woman is of such force and power as it will cause her never to conceive The laps or fillets of the liver of a Mouse being beaten small and mingled with four drams of sowre and unpleasant Wine
to take Egyptian Salt Mouse-dung and Gourds which are sowen in Woods and afterwards to pour in half a pinte of Hony being half boyled and to cast one dram of Rozen into the Hony the Gourds and the Mouse-dung and beat them well and throughly together and then rowl them up and fashion them in the manner of Acorns and put them to the belly of the party â—o grieved as often as you shall think it meet and convenient and in using this some short space or time you shall see the aforesaid putrified fruit to proceed and issue forth Mouse-dung being parched or burned and mingled with Hony is very good and medicinable aswell for those which are troubled with the swellings in their legs and feet as also for those whose eye-lids are pilled and bald to make hair to grow again upon them being spread or anointed there-upon The dung of Mice being dryed and beaten into small dust or powder and put into the teeth of any one which are hollow will presently expel away all pain from them and also confirm and make the teeth strong The dust or powder which proceedeth from Mouse-dung is also very good to cure any disease in the fundament of either man or woman The urine of a Mouse is of such strong force that if it shall but touch any part of a mans body it will eat unto the very bones The bitings of Mice are healed by no other means but by green Figs and Garlick being mixed or mingled together and so anointed thereupon Of the RAT THere is no doubt that this Beast belongeth also to the rank of Mice and the name thereof we have shewed already is common both to the French Spanish Italian and English and it may seem to be derived from the Greek word Rastes or Heurex or Riscos for the Graecians use all those words And this beast is four times so big as the common Mouse being of a blackish dusky colour more white on the belly having a long head not much unlike the head of the Martin short and round ears a reasonable rough skin short legs and long claws and exceeding great eyes such as can see very perfectly in the dark night and more perfectly then by candle light with their nails they climbe up steep and hard walls their tail is very long and almost naked void of hair by reason whereof it is not unworthily counted venomous for it seemeth to partake with the nature of Serpents The quantity of their body is much like a Weesils and sometime you shall see a Rat exceeeding the common stature which the Germans call Ratzen Kunig the King of Rats because of his larger and greater body and they say that the lesser bring him meat and he lyeth idle But my opinion is that as we read of the Dor-mouse she nourisheth her patent when she is old so likewise the younger Rats bring food unto the elder because through their age they are not able to hunt for themselves and are also grown to a great and unweeldy stature of body Sometimes you shall see white Rats as was once seen in Germany taken in the middle of April having very red eyes standing forth of their head and a rough and long beard And at Auspurg in Germany about the Temple called the Church of S. Huldric they abound in greater number then in other places They do not lie in the earth like Mice except in the vally of Ioachim where for the Summer time they forsake houses and go into Cony holes but in the Winter time they return to the houses again They are more noysome then the little Mouse for they live by stealth and feed upon the same meat that they feed upon and therefore as they exceed in quantity so they devour more and do far more harm They are killed by the same poysons and meats that the common Mice are killed except Wolf-bane for if they eat thereof they vomit it up again and are safe They are also taken in the same traps but three or four times so big Their flesh is far more hot and sharp then the flesh of the vulgar Mouse as we have gathered by the dissection of it and therefore in operation it is very like that it expelleth and dryeth more then the other The excrements are also of the same vertue and with the dung of Rats the Physitians cure the falling off the hair And it is said also that when they rage in lust and follow their copulation they are more venemous and dangerous then at other times For if the urine do fall upon the bare place of a man it maketh the flesh rot unto the bones neither will it suffer any scar to be made upon the ulcer and thus much of the vulgar Rat. Of the WATER-RAT SEeing there are two kindes of Rats one of the earth called Rattus terrestris and the other of the water called Rattus Fluviatilis of which we are now to entreat being also called of the Latines Mus aquaticus by the Germans Twassermaus and Wafferrat by the Italians Sorgomogange by the French Rat d' eau This beast hunteth fishes in the Winter and have certain caves in the water sides and banks of the Rivers or Ponds For which occasion it being seen in the waters deceiveth their expectation which look for the return of it to the land And this beast hath been forgotten by the Ancients for they have left of it no description nor story because it liveth partly in the water and partly on the land and therefore he said true that spake of the habitation and place of abode of this beast in this sort Ego non in fluviis nec aliis aquis magnis sed parvis tantum riois atque herbosis omnium ripis hoc aâ—urnal frequentissimum versari audio That is to say That this beast doth not keep in great Waters of Rivers but in small and little currents and Ponds where abundance of grass and other weeds do grow on the sides and banks Pliny attributeth that to the Water-rat which is proper to the Tortoise for indeed there is some similitude of natures bewixt these beasts with this exception that the females in this kinde have three visible passages for their excrements one for their urine another for the dung and the third for the young ones that is a peculiar place for the littering of their young ones and this Water-rat over and beside her common nature with other Rats doth swim over Rivers and feed upon herbs and if at any time she be hunted from her native biding and accustomed lodging then also she goeth among vulgar and common Rats and Mice and feedeth upon such as they eat and Bellonius saith that there are great store of these in Nilus and Strymen and that in calm nights when there are no windes they walk to the shores get up upon the banks eating and gnawing such plants as grow near the waters and if
to joyn the old fat There is also another excellent medicine for the curing of the Shrew which Startonicus himself doth much commend which is this To lance or scarifie the wound assoon as it is bitten but especially if it be compassed with an inflammation afterwards to sprinkle Salt and Vinegar upon it then to encourage or provoke the Beast the next day following by some sweet water or liquor to run or go some little journey first having anointed the sore with Fullers-earth being beaten small and mixed with Vinegar and then daily to nourish or bathe it with water which cometh from bathes where some have washed themselves and this in very short time being so used will very well and altogether cure the Beast Against the biting of a Shrew Garlick is accounted for an excellent remedy being mingled with Nitre but if there shall be no Nitre to be had mix it with Salt and Cumin then to dry and beat them al together into powder and with the same to rub the places which are infected with the biting but if the venemous wounds do chance to break then to take Barly being scorched or burned and pound it into small powder and steep it in Vinegar and afterwards to sprinkle it into the wound This medicine Pelagon affirmeth will only heal the bites of a Shrew and that the grief of the sore by the use of any other medicines doth rather encrease then decrease The flowre which is made of red Wheat the herb called Dill the liquor or Rozen which runneth out of the great Cedar and two pound of the best Wine being mingled all together given in a potion and poured down the throat of any labouring Beast which is bitten by a Shrew will presently ease and cure him of his pain There is also another potion for the curing of the bites of this Beast which is this To take cloves of Garlick being bruised small Salt Cumin and Wine of each the like quantity these being given to any Beast to drink doth presently cure him as also any man being anointed upon the wound but not given to drink The herb called Nard or Pepper-wort being beaten to the quantity of two ounces and a half and mingled with some sweet smelling Wine will presently help any Beast which is bitten by the Shrew being poured through his Nose and his sore being at that instant time anointed with Dogs dung the same is also very medicinable or wholesome for men which are troubled with the said biting The bites of a Shrew being pricked with an Aul and anointed with dust which is found in the furrows of Carts under the marks or signes of the Wheel being mingled with sharp Vinegar doth presently asswage the pain and heal the sore The earth of the track of a Cart also mingled with stale or urine being applyed unto the bites of a Shrew will very speedily cure them either upon Men or Beasts A Shrew being new killed and rubbed over with Salt applyed unto the wounds which she shall bite in any Beasts will instantly cure them This vertue also hath the gall of a Rere-mouse or Bat being mixed with Vinegar There is a very good remedy against the bitings of Shrews or to preserve Cattle from them which is this to compass the hole wherein she lyeth round about and get her out alive and keep her so till she dye and wax stiffe then hang her about the neck of the Beast which you would preserve and there will not any Shrew come near them and this is accounted to be most certain And thus much shall suffice concerning the bitings of the Shrews and of the cures thereof Of Wilde FIELD-MICE THis wilde Mouse called by the Latines Mus agrestis Mus Sylvestris Sylvaticus Subterraneus and some say Nitedula although I rather take that word to signifie a Glare-worm It is called also Exiguus Mus and Rustious The Graecians call it Myss Arourayos the Germans Field-mouse and Erd-mouse that is a Mouse of the Earth and Nuelmus Nualmuss Schorrmuss Schoermowss Stissâ—â—ss and Luckmuss by reason of her digging in the earth like a Mole The French call it Muâ—â—on There is of these Mice two kindes a greater and a lesser The picture of the greater we have described here for bearing the lesser because in all parts it resembleth this except in the quantity This greater kinde is not much lesser then a Rat having a long broad tail like it The ears of it are round the head round and great and the showt or chaps do not stand out long They are of two colours in both kindes some red and some black They have a beard betwixt their mouth and their eyes and the lesser Mice have a short tail A Physitian taking occasion of the writings of Bassianus Landus to dissect one of these Mice found it to be true which he saith that their maw and guts lie all straight and upright We have shewed already that all kinde of Mice are generated out of the earth although also they suffer copulation And in Egypt it is very common about Thebais and the places where Nilus overfloweth that in the decrease and falling away of the Waters the Sun engendereth many Mice upon the slime of the earth so that it is ordinary to see at one time their fore-parts to have life flesh and motion and the hinder-parts deformed and nothing but earth And about this matter there is some disputation among the Authors for there be Philosophers which affirm that every creature as well perfect as unperfect may be made both by seed and of putrified matter and from hence came the opinion in the Poets of the sons and daughters of the earth and so they say that things grow by generation in infinitam Some say that perfect creatures cannot be generated in that manner but the imperfect ones such as Mice are may be ingendered by seed and putrified matter and afterwards beget more of his one kinde But Aristotle confesseth the first generation and denyeth the second and saith although they do generate by copulation yet it is not Idem sed animal specie diversum à quo nihil amplius gigni possit And therefore Jeronimus Gabucinus endeth this controversie saying Mures ex putredine nati generant quidem ipsi sed quod ex eis generatur nec Mus est nec soemina nec amplius generat that is Mice engendered of putrified matter do also engender but that which is begotten of them is neither male nor female neither can it engender any more that it may not proceed in infinitum like a Mouse engendered by copulation But concerning the beginning of these wilde Field-mice and their encrease Aristotle speaketh in this manner We have received saith he the wonderful generation of wilde Field-mice abounding in every place and especally in corn-fields which by their multitude do instantly eat up and devour a great deal of grain insomuch as it hath been seen that divers
afterwards they pull it from their nose and if they perceive the savour of the Musk then do they buy it and take it for good but if not they refuse it for corrupted In some Churches they make perfumes with Musk and by mingling Stirax Aloes Amber and juyce of Roses they make a perfume called Regium Suffumigium the Kings perfume likewise unto sweet waters drawn out of the furnaces of Chymists whereunto they add simple Rose Water and for the richer sort of people Musk and Camphory Andreas Furnerius in his French Book of adorning mans nature teacheth a composition to be made of certain Oyls Sope and Musk and also Ointments and musked Oyls He also sheweth how to make little round Balls of Musk and other confections and afterwards to draw a thread through the middle of them and so wear them about ones neck Some put it into Silken wool through which they first draw a thread and so dissolve it in Rose water afterward make it up in medicines and use it as aforesaid It may be preserved in a vessel of Lead close stopped a long time for the lead which is cold and moist agreeth well with the nature of the Musk and therefore if a leaden vessel be wanting so as ye be forced to use glass and silver then must you put two or three pieces of lead into it for the better preservation and covering the passage all over with Wax and above all things you must avoid all kinde of Spices taking heed that no grain thereof come into it If while it is in the vessel it lose the savour and be dead then it is to be recovered by opening the mouth of the Vial and hanging it over a privy for when the stink and evill savour cometh unto it Contra foetorem eluctatur quasi luctando reviviscit it striveth against the filthy stink and as it were reviveth in that contention saith Isidorus Albertus and Platearius But concerning the adulterating of Musk I will say more in this place First of all the Mounte-banks do corrupt it by mingling with it the liver of a Calf Also by a root called Makir and an herb Salich Many times the dung of Mice is sold for Musk and so great is the deceit herein that a man may not trust the outward shape of an intire cod for there be Imposters which can counterfeit them and make them in all parts for the outward appearance and fill them with certain stuffe interposing some little true Musk among it until it have a reasonable savour and therewithal deceive simple people It is also adulterated by mingling with it a little Goats bloud fryed or brown Bread fryed so that three or four parts of these will receive seasonable tast from one part of the Musk. It is also adulterated in the skin by putting pieces of the skin into it and it may be known from the true Musk because it will weigh twice so heavy The Sarazens use this shift above all others and there is one principal way of making counterfeit Musk which is this they take Nutmegs Mace Cinamon Cloves Gilly-flowers and Spikenard of every one a handful all these being beat diligently together and dryed and sifted they are mingled with the warm bloud of a Dove and afterwards dryed in the Sun then are they seven times sprinkled over or moistened with the water of Musk-roses and betwixt every sprinkling they are dryed at length they mingle therewithall a third or fourth part of true Musk and then sprinckle it over again with musk-rose-Musk-rose-water so divide it into three or four lumps and take the white hairs from under the tail of a Roe or Kid and so put it in a vessel of glass Benyvine white Wax taken out of a new Hive of Bees the rotten part of Eve-tree and a little Musk are mingled all together to make a counterfeit Amber for it will smell like Civet or Musk or else Stirax and the powder of Lignum aloes with Civet and Rose-water but the fraud in one and other is easily deprehended for both the odor and the colour are different from the true Amber and also it will sooner wax soft in water then that which is natural Some do corrupt their Musk with the seed of Angelica or rather with the root of it because the root smelleth sweet like Musk but the cosenage may be easily discovered by putting it into water for the Angelica will sink and the Musk will swim The true Musk is sold for forty shillings an ounce at the least It is also observed by Arnoldus Villanovanus that in the presence of Assa foetida or Castoreum the best Musk will have a horrible and intolerable savour although they touch not one another which cannot be ascribed to any known reason but to some secret in nature The sweetness of the Arabian Musk is described by Alciatus in this verse Et celebris suavi est unguine Muscus Arabs There be divers herbs which smell sweet like Musk as Angelica Dorsis Musk-gilliflowers Musk-grapes the leaves of a Winter Cherry and an herb growing near Basil without a name like wilde Parsley the Damasine-rose and many other Wilde Cats and Martins do also render an excrement much like Musk and there are Hares called Moschiae which leave such an intolerable smell in the impression of their foot-steps that the Dogs by touching them grow mad as we have shewed in the story of the Hare And thus much for the description of this Beast now followeth the medicines The Medicines of the Musk-cat A very little part or quantity of a Musk-cat is of great vertue and efficacy wherefore it is very sparingly used in medicines or potions neither is there any part thereof beaten or bruised as it is of all other Beasts but it is melted and dissolved in water which proceedeth from the sweetest Roses It is also a Beast which is very hot and dry but rather more dry then hot yet notwithstanding the same his heat is asswaged and allayed by no other thing but only the Gum called Camphire and his driness is only moistned or mollified with Oyls and very sweet as Oyl of Violets and Oyl of Roses Amongst sweet smels and savours the principallest and chiefest laud and commendation is attributed unto the smell which proceedethfrom the Musk-cat For he doth not only with his odoriferous and delightful savour please and content the scent of men but also doth strengthen the spirits and all the parts of mans body yea and that in a moment for the slenderness of his parts which although it doth forthwith penetrate or enter into the scent of man yet doth it endure longer and is not so speedily or quickly dissolved as the scent or savour of any other sweet smell whatsoever A Musk-cat and the herb called Mercuries-fingers or Dogs bane being given in purging medicines to drink do greatly renew and refresh the decayed strength or force of those which have been before times weakened with divers and
few jumps or leaps he would attain and take her When the Keeper was to take up the Leopard again he did come to him backward lest if he should see his face he should leap upon him and wound him for as we have said they are angry being chafed and are ready to fly into the Hunters face therefore he turneth his face away from him and betwixt his legs reacheth him a piece of bread or flesh and so he gently taketh him into his chain and collar again leading him away to his house and assoon as the man was mounted the Beast also knew his seat and leaped up after him And the same party also related that when as a Lion was turned forth to a Bull the Lion very quietly without stirring lay down and did no harm or offer any violence or combate with the Bull but afterward when as the two Leopards were turned forth to the same Bull they instantly ran and took the Bull by the throat and without all doubt they had strangled and pulled out his throat had not their Keepers which had long chains tyed about their necks in their hands restrained and pulled them off again By this may be conjectured how great is the rage of the wilde and untamed Leopards and Panthers seeing the tame and gentle are so cruel and therefore the Lord in the Prophets did most wisely compare the siege of the Assyrians about Jerusalem to a Leopard watching at the gates of the City to destroy all that came out thereat Having thus discoursed of the nature parts kindeness love and hatred of these Beasts in general it now followeth to express the best means to avoid and destroy them that so we may not only know our enemy but also learn the way to overmatch and curb him There is a kinde of Henbane which is called Pardalianches or Libbard-bane which the Inhabitants of Phaâ—nacus and the Mount Ida were wont to lay in the Mountains for the destroying of Leopards Pardals and Panthers This herb is not much known at this day yet I take it to be the same which groweth in many places of France and Savoy and it is called Tora by the root thereof beaten to powder and stopped up in flesh not only Beasts but also Wolves and Swine as wilde Boars are destroyed if they tast thereof when the Beast perceiveth himself poysoned presently he seeketh for mans dung for without that he cannot be delivered wherefore the Hunters do also place near unto it some vessel of it hanging in a tree with the mouth or way open that leadeth into it whereinto the greedy Beast leapeth and being in cannot get forth again but rather dyeth with hunger or else is taken and killed or else the vessel is hanged up so high that the Beast by straining himself to leap into it and get his desired medicine but all in vain spendeth out the time of his recovery till the poyson hath throughly corrupted his body and every part and member for otherwise so great is the life spirit and stomach of this Beast that he will fight and not yeeld to his adversary although his guts and intrails hang about his legs out of his belly Therefore the Panthers of Hâ—reania do more often perish by poyson then by other violence of Swords Spears or Dogs for by this poyson the Beast many times falleth to such a looseness of his belly and withall such a weakness thereby that he is taken alive Likewise in Armenia there are certain Fishes which are poyson to Lions Bears Wolves Lynces and Panthers the powder of this fish the Inhabitants out into the sides and flesh of their Sheep Goats and Kyds without all harm to these beasts but if the Panthers or any ravening Beast come and devoure any of those Sheep so dressed presently they die by poyson When they are hunted and forced in the presence of the Hunters then they leap directly unto their heads and therefore the Hunter taketh great care both of his standing and also of holding his spear for if he receive not the Panther in his leap and gore him to the heart or else otherwise wound him mortally he is gone and his life is at an end Oppianus also sheweth that he is taken as Lions are especially by these means following for when the Hunters perceive the way or path which he useth to his water therein they make a deep ditch but not so great as they make for a Lion wherein they erect a woodden pillar or great post unto that they tie certain engins and withall a male little Dog whose stones or tender cods they binde with some string or cord so as the young beast may whine and cry for pain by which voyce he inviteth and calleth the Panther to his destruction For the greedy beast winding the voice of the Dog bestirreth himself to meet with his desired prey or booty at last finding the ditch and seeing the Dog down he leapeth where the engins take present hold upon him and destroy him and so he describeth the same means to take great fishes by the sight of little fishes swimming in a Net In hunting of wilde beasts the wary Wood-man must make good choice of his Horse not only for the metal and agility which are very necessary but also for the colour as we have already expressed in the story of the Horse for the gray Horse is fittest for the Bear and most terrible to him the yellow or fire colour against the Bore but the brown and reddish colour against the Panther The Moores also use other devises to take Panthers and all such noisome beasts they enclose in a little house certain rotten flesh which by the savour thereof when it stinketh draweth the wilde beasts unto it For they make a dore or a gate of reeds unto the said house through which the filthy smell breaketh out and disperseth it self into the wide air presently the wilde beasts take it up and follow it with all speed they can for there is not any Musk or other sweet thing wherewithal men are so much delighted as ravening beasts are with the savour of carrion therefore like an amorous cup it draweth them to the snare of perdition for beside the rotten flesh they erect many engins and unavoidable traps to snare in the beast when he cometh to raven The Christians of Africk did institute a general hunting of Leopards inclosing the ends of the ways through which the beasts were to pass The Leopard when he was stirred ran to and fro distracted because in all his passages he found Horse-men ready to resist him neither left they any way for him to escape at length wearyed with many windings turnings and provocations the Horse-men might easily come unto him and pierce him with their spears but if it fortuned that the Leopard escaped and brake away from the Hunters then he at whose corner he brake forth was bound by ancient custome to make the residue a dinner or
banquet Among the Chaonians there was a certain young Nobleman which loved a Virgin called Anthippe the which two lovers were walking together a good season in a Wood It happened while they were there that Cichyrus the Kings Son prosecuted a Pardal in hunting which was fled into that Wood and seeing him bent his arm against him and cast his Dart the which Dart missed the mark and killed the Virgin Anthippe the young Prince thought that he had slain the beast and therefore drew neer on Horse-back to rejoyce over the fall of the game according to the manner of Hunters but at his approach he found it far otherwise for in stead of the effusion of the bloud of a beast that which was more lamentable his right hand had shed the bloud of a Virgin For when he came to them he saw her dying and drawing her last breath and the young man held his hand in the wound to stanch the bloud for sorrow whereof he presently fell distracted in his minde and ran his Horse to the top of a sharp Rock from whence he cast down himself headlong and so perished The Chaonians after they understood this fearful accident and the reason of it compassed in the place where he fell with a wall and for the honour of their dead Prince builded a City where he lost his life and called it Cichyrus after his own name Leopards and Panthers do also love Wine above all other drink and for this cause both Bacchus was resembled to them and they dedicated to him Bacchum tauro assimilant Pardali quod homines â—brii belluarum istarum ingenia referant omnia violenter agant quidam enim iracundi fiunt Taurorum instar puâ—naces ferique ut Pardales saith Plato in his second Book of laws they resemble and compare Bacchus to a Bull or Pardal because drunken men in all their actions do imitate the disposition of these wilde beasts both in their folly and violence For some of them are wrathful like Bulls and some of them wilde apt to fight like Pardals Bacchus was also called Nebrides because he wore the skin of a Hinde-calf which is spotted almost like a Panther and therefore a fearful man or a drunken variable and inconstant man is said to wear a skin of divers colours but the chief cause why Panthers were dedicated to Bacchus was for their love of Wine for all Writers do constantly and with one consent affirm that they drink Wine unto drunkenness the manner and end thereof is elegantly described by Oppianus in this sort When the Inhabitants of Lybia do observe some little fountain arising out of the sand and falling down again as in the manner of small Springs which cannot encrease into great Rivers whereat the Panthers and Pardals use to drink early in a morning before it be light after they have been at their prey in the night time the Hunters come and pour twenty or thirty pitchers of old sweet Wine into the said Fountain then a little way from it they lie down and cover themselves with clothes or with straw for there is no shelter either of tree or bushes in that Countrey In the morning the Panthers ardently thirsting and being almost dead for want of drink come unto the same fountain and tasting of the Wine drink thereof great aboundance which presently falleth to work upon their brains for they begin first of all to leap and sport themselves until they be well wearyed and then they lie down and sleep most soundly at which time the Hunters that lye in wait for them come and take them without all fear or perill Thus far Oppianus Concerning the use of their several parts I finde little among the ancients except of their skin for the foot-men and ancient Souldiers of the Moores did not only wear them for garments but also slept upon them in the night time The Shepheards of Aethiopia called Agriophagi do eat the flesh of Lions and Panthers although it be hot and dry The Medicines of the Panther or Leopard If the skin or hide of a Leopard being taken and flead be covered or laid upon the ground there is such force and vertue in the same that any venemous or poysonsome Serpents dare not approach into the same place where it is so laid The flesh of a Panther being roasted or boiled at the fire and smelled by any one which is troubled with the Palsie or shaking in the joynts as also by them which are troubled with the beating and continual moving or turning of the heart is a very profitable and excellent remedy for the same The same fat or sewet of a Leopard being mixed or mingled with the Oyl which proceedeth from the Bay-tree and then mollified both together and so anointed upon any one which is troubled with the scurse or mangy the scabs whereof doth cut or pierce the skin doth presently and without any grief or pain cure the same The twigs of a Vine-tree being dryed and beaten into small dust or powder and mingled together with the fat or grease of a Leopard and so anointed upon the face of any one who is grieved with akings and swelling thereon will not only cure and heal the same without any pain or sorrow but also preserve the same free from blemishes in the time of healing The grease also of a Leopard by it self being anointed upon the head of any one who doth shed or cast his hair or is troubled with the Foxes evill doth immediately help and cure the same The bloud of a Panther being anointed upon the veins or sinews of either man or woman who is grieved with any swelling or akings therein is very profitable and curable to expel the same away The brains of a Leopard being mingled with a little quantity of the water which is called a Canker and with a little Jasmine and so mixed together and then drunk doth mitigate the pain or ach of the belly The brains of the same beast being mixed with the juyce of a Canker and anointed upon the genital of any man doth incitate and stir him up to lechery but the marrow which cometh from this beast being drunk in Wine doth ease the pain or wringing of the guts and the belly The gall of a Panther being received into the body either in meat or drink doth instantly and out of hand kill or poyson him which doth so receive it The right stone of a Leopard being taken of a woman of a far spent age doth restore unto her her menstrual purgation being ceased and doth make her to purge if she doth heartily receive her meat more often Of the POEPHAGUS THere is a beast in India called Poephagus because he feedeth upon herbs and grass like a Horse whose quantity he doth exceed double for he is twice so big his tail is most thick and black the hairs whereof are thinner then the hairs of a mans head and therefore Indian women make
are delivered of their young which are apt to run away lest that some ravening beast or thief deceive the loitering shepheard by taking away from him the hindmost or formost There may also be more in a flock of Sheep then in a flock of Goats because the Goats are wanton and so disperse themselves abroad but the Sheep are meek and gentle and for the most part keep round together Yet it is better to make many flocks then one great one for fear of the pestilence In the story of the Dogs we have shewed already how necessary a shepheards Dog is to the flock to defend them both from Woolfs and Foxes and therefore every shepheard must observe those rules there expressed for the provision choice and institution of his Dog and to conclude this discourse of the shepheard when the Lambs are young he must not drive their dams far to pasture but seed them neer the Town Village or House and his second care must be to pick and cull out the aged and sick Sheep every year and that in Autumn or Winter time lest they die and infect their fellows or lest that the whole flock do go to decay for want of renewing and substitution of others and therefore he must still regard that when one is dead he supply the place with one or two at the least and if he chance to kill one at any time for the houshold the counsel of Antiphanes is profitable to be followed Illas tantum mactare debes oves ex quibus nullas amplius fructus vel casei vel velleris vellactis vel agnorum perveniet That is to kill those Sheep from whom you can never expect any more profit by their Lambs Milk Cheese or Fleeces Of the diseases of Sheep and their causes in general IN the next place it is necessary for the wise and discreet shepheard to avoid all the means whereby the health of his flock should be indangered and those are either by reason of their meat and food that they eat or else by reason of natural sicknesses arising through the corruption of bloud and the third way is by the biting of venemous beasts as Serpents and Wolves and such like and a fourth way scabs Gowts swellings and such like outward diseases Of venomous meats or herbs unto Sheep THere is an herb which the Latines call Herba Sanguinaria Pilosella Numularia and by the Germans and English cald Fenugreek and by the French because of the hurt it doth unto Sheep they use this circumscription of it L'herbe qui tue les brebis The herb that destroyeth Sheep It is called also Serpentine because when Snakes and Adders are hurt therewith they recover their wounds by eating thereof when a Sheep hath eaten of this herb the belly thereof swelleth abundantly and is also drawn together and the Sheep casteth out of his mouth a certain filthy spume or froath which smelleth unsavourly neither is the poor beast able to escape death except presently he be let bloud in the vein under his tail next to the rump and also in the upper lip yet is this herb wholesome to all other cattle except Sheep alone wherefore the Shepheards must diligently avoid it It is a little low hearb creeping upon the ground with two round leaves not much unlike to Parsley it hath no savour with it or smelleth not at all the flower of it is pale and smelleth strong and the stalk not much unlike the flower It groweth in moist places and near Hedges and Woods If in the Spring time Sheep do eat of the dew called the Hony-dew it is poyson unto them and they die thereof Likewise canes in the Autumn do make their belly swell unto death if they drink presently after they have eaten thereof for that meat breaketh their guts asunder The like may be said of Savine Tamarisk Rhododendron or Rose-tree and all kindes of Henbane The female Pimpernel doth likewise destroy Sheep except assoon as they have eaten of it they meet with the herb called Ferus-oculus Wilde-eye but herein lyeth a wonder that whereas there are two kindes of this herb a male and a female they should earnestly desire a male and eagerly avoid a female seeing that both of them have the same taste in the palat of a man for they taste like the raw roots of Beets There is an herb in Normandy called Duna not much unlike Rubarb or great Gentian but narrower leaves and standing upright the nerve whereof in the middle is red and it groweth about the waters and therefore I conjecture it may be Water-sorrel or Water-planton whereof when Sheep have eaten they fall into a disease called also Duna for there is bred in their liver certain little black Worms or Leeches growing in small bags or skins being in length half a finger and so much in breadth wherewithall when the Beast is infected it is uncurable and therefore there is no remedy but to take from it the life and that this is true the Butchers themselves affirm how many times they do finde such little worms in the Sheeps liver and they say they come by drinking of Fenny or Marshy-water And to conclude there is a kinde of Pannick also whereof when Sheep have eaten it destroyeth them and there be other herbs which every common shepheard knoweth are hurtful unto Sheep and the Beast it self though in nature it be very simple yet is wise enough to chuse his own food except the vehement necessity of famine and hunger causeth him to eat poysoned herbs In cases when their bellies swell or when they have worms in their belly which they have devoured with the Herbs they eat then they pour into their bellies the urine of men and because their bellies presently swell and are puffed out with winde the shepheards cut off the tops of their ears and make them bleed and likewise beat their sides with their staff and so most commonly they are recovered If Sheep chance to drink in their heat so as their grease be cooled in their belly which Butchers do finde many times to be true then the shepheard must cut off half the Sheeps ear and if it bleed the Beast shall be well but if it bleed not he must be killed and eaten or else he will starve of his own accord If at any time a Sheep chance to devour a leach by pouring in Oyl into his throat he shall be safe from danger Of the Colds of Sheep SHeep are known to be subject to cold not only by coughing after they have taken it but also by their strength before they take it for the shepheards do diligently observe that when any frost or ice falleth upon a Sheep if he endure it and not shake it off it is a great hazard but the same Sheep will die of cold but if he shake it off and not endure it it is a sign of a strong sound and hea 〈…〉 by constitution Likewise for to know the health of their Sheep they
overcome the water he prescribeth a mean how to know it namely the equal and just temperament thereof for saith he if it will bear up an Egge then it is well tempered so that the Egg will swim and not sink which you shall find by addition of equal and just quantity of water and Salt that is two pintes of water a pinte of Salt and so less to less and more to more But if there be any bunch or great scab which covereth any part of the skin then open the scab and bunch and pour into it liquid pitch and scorched salt and thus much for the disease of the scabs Of the Holyfire which the Shepheards call the Pox or the Blisters or Saint Anthonies fire THis evill is uncurable for it neither admitteth medicine nor resecation by knife and therefore whensoever a Beast is infected therewith it ought presently to be separated from the residue of the flock for there is nothing that spreadeth it self more speedily whensoever you adventure to apply any thing unto it it presently waxeth angry and perplexeth the whole body except it be the milk of Goats and yet my Author speaketh thus of it Quod infusum tantum velet ut blandiatur igneam saevitiam differens magis occisionem gregis quam prohibens That is It seemeth to close with raging fire as it were to flatter it a little rather deferring the death of the Beast then doing away the disease It is therefore prescribed by the most memorable Author of all the Egyptians that men do oftentimes look upon the backs of their Sheep to see the beginning of this sickness and when they finde a Sheep affected herewith they dig a ditch or hole fit for him at the entering in of the Sheep-coat or stable wherein they put the Sheep alive with his face upward and back downward and cause all the residue of the flock to come and piss upon him by which action it hath been often found as Columella writeth that this evill hath been driven away and by no other means Of the Warts and Cratches of Sheep THis disease called by the vulgar shepheards the Hedghog and it doth annoy the Sheep two manner of ways First when some gauling or matter ariseth upon the paring of the hoof or else a bunch arise in the same place having hair growing in the middle like the hair of a Dog and under that a little worm the worm is best drawn out with a knife by cutting the top of the wound wherein must be used great wariness and circumspectâ—ion because if the worm be cut asunder in the wound there issueth out of her such a venemous pustulate matter that poysoneth the wound and then there is no remedy but the foot must be cut off But the wound being opened and the worm taken out alive presently with a Wax-candle you must melt into it hot burning sewet and if there be no bunch but only scabs take Allum liquid Pitch Brimstone and Vinegar mingled all together and apply it unto the wound or else take a young Pomgranate before the grains grow in it and bake it with Allum casting upon it Vinegar sharp Wine and the rust of Iron fryed all together Of the Falling-sickness IT cometh to passe sometimes that Sheep are infected with the Falling-sickness but the cure hereof can never be known nor yet the sickness well till the beast be dead and then as Hippocrates writeth by opening of the brain it will evidently appear by the over great moistness thereof Of the pains in the Eyes IT is reported by Theophrastus and Pliny that for clouds and other pains in the Eye of a Sheep horned-poppy and Chamaelia are very wholsome Of Phlegme in Sheep FOr the Remedy of this Disease take Penyroyal Marjoram or wilde Nep made up together in wool and thrust into the Nose of the Sheep there turned round untill the Beast begin to neeze also a stalk of black Hellebor boared through the ear of the Sheep and there tyed fast for the space of four and twenty hours and then taken out at the same time of the day that it was put in by Pliny and Columella is affirmed to be an excellent remedy against the Phlegm Of the swelling in the Jaws THere is sometimes an inflammation or swelling in the Jaws of Sheep which the Latins call Tonsillae coming by reason of a great flux of humors from the head unto that place which may be cured two manner of wayes first by incision or opening the skin where the bunch lyeth whereby all the watery tumors are evacuated and the Beast cured or else if through the coldnesse of the weather or some other accident you list not to cut the skin then annoint it with liquid Pitch prepared in such manner as is before expressed for the Scabs by operation whereof it will be dissolved and dispersed When this evill ariseth in the begining of the Spring many times it is cured without all remedy because the Beast for the greediness of the sweet grasse stoopeth down her head and stretcheth her neck by which the straining and sorenesse of her jawes and throat departeth and this sicknesse in a sheep is like the Kings-evill in a man There be some that cure it by putting salt among the meat of these Beasts or by Juniper berries and Harts-tongue leaves beaten to powder For the Cough and pain in the Lungs SHepherds for these diseases do take the powder of the root of Foal-foot and mingle it with Salt so give it unto the Sheep to lick whereby they are perswaded that the Lungs of the Beast are much comforted and strengthned and furthermore against the Cough they take blanched Almonds and beat them to powder and so tempering in them two or three cups of Wine do infuse it in at the Sheeps Nostrils and likewise Vervine which is called a kinde of Germander but falsely because it hath no good smell is given by shepherds at this day unto their Sheep against the Cough Of sighing and shortness of breath FOr Sheep that are affected with much sighing they use to bore a hole with an Iron through their ears and remove the Sheep out of the place where they feed to some other place and if it come from the sickness of the Lungs then the herb called Lungwort or Creswort is the most present remedy in the World If the root thereof be drunk in water or a piece thereof tyed under the Sheeps tongue or as Celsus saith give unto it as much Vinegar as the Beast can endue or half a point of a Mans stale urine warmed at the fire and infused into the Nostril with a little horn this also is a remedy against Flegm in the Summer time Of the loathing of Sheep and encreasing of their stomach IF at any time the Sheep forsake his meat then take his tail and pull off from it all the Wool afterwards bind it as hard as ever you can and so he will fall hard to his meat again and
the dust of womens hair cureth fellons in fingers or any part of the bodies The sewet of Sheep or Goats being mingled with the juyce of Rhenish wine grape and shining horse flies doth without all scruple or doubt ease the pain of the milt if it be anointed thereupon The fat of Sheep doth very easily expell the roughness of the nails The sewet of Sheep or any other small beast being mixed with the herb called Melander and pounded with Alum afterward baked together and wrought into the manner of a Sear-cloth doth very much ease those which are burned by fire in any parts of their body being well applyed thereto The sewet of a Sheep being also applyed to those which have kibes in the heels or chilblanes in their feet will presently heal them The sewet of a Sheep mixed with womens hair which is burnt to powder doth very effectually cure those which have their joynts or articles loose being anointed thereupon The fat of Goats or Sheep moistned with warm water and boiled together being anointed upon the eyes doth speedily cure all pains spots or blemishes in the same whatsoever The fat of a Sheep boyled and drunk with sharp wine is an excellent remedy against the cough The same medicine is also effectually used for the expelling of horses coughes The sewet of a Sheep being boyled with sharp wine doth very speedily cure the obstruction of the small guts bloudy flux and any cough of what continuance soever The same being in like manner drunk while it is hot is accounted for an excellent remedy against the Colick passion The sewet of a Sheep or of a Male goat being mingled with the fime or dung of a Female-goat and Saffron doth very effectually cure those which are troubled with the Gowt or swelling of the joynts being anointed upon the place so grieved It is also reported that the outward sewet of Sheep between the flesh and the skin between the hinder legs is very wholesom for the curing of sundry pains and diseases Sheeps sewet or the fat of any other small beast being gathered from the reins mixed with salt and the dust of a pumice stone being applyed unto the yard of any man doth speedily cure all pains aches or swellings therein The fat of Sheep which is gathered from the caul or cell being mingled with the aforesaid medicines do heal all other pains in the privy members of man or woman whatsoever The same sewet doth stay the great excess of bleeding in the nose being anointed thereupon Sheeps sewet being mixed with Goose grease and certain other medicines being taken in drink doth help abortments in women The liver of a Sheep is accounted an excellent remedy against the shedding of the hair on the eye lids being rubbed thereupon The same being also baked or boyled is accounted very profitable for Sheeps eyes if it be well rubbed thereon The marrow of Sheep is very good to anoint all aches and swellings whatsoever The horns of Sheep or of Goats pounded to powder mingled with parched Barley which hath been well shaled and altogether mixed with Oyl being taken in a certain perâ—ume doth help Women of their seconds and restoreth to them their menstruall fluxes Sheeps hornes burned and beaten in wine untill they be tempered like a pill the right foot being anointed with the right horn and the left foot with the left will mitigate the sorrow of those which are very â—ore pained and troubled with the gowt Rheumatick or watry eyes being anointed with the brains of Sheep are very speedily and effectually cured The brains of the same beast is exceeding profitable for the breeding of young childrens teeth being anointed upon the gums The lungs or lights of small beasts but especially of a Ram do restore the true skin and colour of the flesh in those whose bodies are full of chops and scars The lungs or lights of the same beast concocted upon the uppermost skin of any man and applyed very hot thereunto do diminish the black or blew places therein which have been received by the occasion of any stripes or blows The lungs of Sheep being new taken out of their bellies and applied while they are hot unto beaten or bruised places doth quite abolish the signes thereof and in short space procure remedy The lungs of Sheep or small Cattle being roasted and taken by any man before he drinketh will resist all kind of drunkenness The lungs of Sheep taken out of their bellies and bound about the heads of those which are phrensie while they are hot will very speedily ease them of their trouble The lungs of Sheep being hot and bound to the head is accounted very profitable for those which are troubled with the pestiferous disease called the Drowsie evill The lungs of Sheep being boiled with Hemp-seed so that the flesh be eaten and the water wherein it is sod be drunk doth very effectually cure those which are grieved with excoriations in their bellies and the bloody flux The lungs of Sheep being applyed while they are hot doth heal the Gowt The liver of white Sheep well boiled made moist with water throughly beaten and applyed unto the eye-lids doth purge Rheumatick eyes and cause them to be of a more clear and ample sight If a woman bearing young shall be puffed up with winde give her the liver of a Sheep or Goat beaten into small powder while it is hot being pure and without mixture for four dayes together to eat and let her drink only wine and this will very speedily cure her The gall of a Sheep mingled with hony healeth the Ulcers of the ears and procureth easie hearing The gall of a Sheep mingled with sweet wine if it be tempered in the manner of a glyster and afterwards rubbed upon the ear-laps the ulcers being quite purged will procure a speedy cure and remedy The gall of the same beast distilled with a womans milk doth also most certainly heal their eares which are broken within and full of mattery corruption The gall of a Sheep being mixed with common oyl or oyl made of Almonds doth also heal the pains of the ears being powred therein to Cankers or the corrosion of the flesh being anointed with the gall of a Sheep is very speedily and manifestly cured The Dandraffe or scurfes of the head being anointed with the gall of a Sheep mixed with fullers-earth which is hardned together while the head burneth are very effectually abolished and driven quite away The gall of little cattle but especially of a Lamb being mixed with hony is verily commended or the curing of the Falling evill The milt of a Sheep new taken out by magicall precepts is accounted very good for the curing of the pain in the milt he saying which may be healed that he maketh a remedy for the milt After these things the Magicians command that the grieved party be included in his Dortor or Bed-chamber and that
only taken away and seethe it whole with the skin and the wool in water then having opened it take out the brains and add unto them these kinds of spices Cinamon Ginger Mace and Cloves of each one half an ounce these being beaten to powder mingle them with the brains in an earthen platter diligently tempering of them by a burning cole not very big for fear of burning which might easily be done but there must great care be had that it be not too much dryed but that it might be so boyled that it be no more dryed then a Calfs brains being prepared for meat It shall be sufficiently boyled when you shall well mingle them at the fire then keep it hid and for three days give it dayly to the sick person fasting so that he may abstain from meat and drink two hours after It may be taken in bread or in an Egge or in whatsoever the sick party hath a desire unto but there must be regard that he be not in a clear place and that he use this forty days space which they are wont to use whose bloud is withdrawn or fled away and let him abstain from wine assaying his head There are those which are holpen in a short space some in six or eight weeks by this Medicine being received But it is convenient that it be required for three moneths and then it will have the more power therein The Lungs of a Ram while they are hot applyed unto wounds wherein the flesh doth too much increase doth both repress and make it equal The Lungs of small Cattle but especially of Rams being cut in small pieces and applyed whiles they are hot unto bruised places do very speedily cure them and reduce them to the right colour The same doth cure the feet of such as are pinched through the straightness of their shooes The Lungs of a Ram applyed unto Kibed heels or broken Ulcers in the feet doth quite expel away the pain notwithstanding the exceeding ach or pricking thereof One drop of the liquor which is boyled out of a Rams lungs put upon the small nails upon the hand doth quite expel them The like operation hath it to expel Warts being anointed thereupon The corrupt bloud of the Lungs of a Ram unroasted doth heal all pains in the privy members of man or woman as also expel Warts in any place of the body The juyce of the Lungs of a Ram while they are roasted upon a Gridiron being received doth by the unction thereof purge and drive away the little black Warts which are wont to grow in the hair or privy parts of any man The liquor which distilleth from the Lungs of a Ram being boyled doth heal Tertian Agues and the disease of the reins which grow therein The Lungs of a Lamb or Ram being burned and the dust thereof mingled with Oyl or being applyed raw do heal the soreness of Kibes and are accounted very profitable to be bound upon Ulcers The Lungs of a Ram being pulled forth and bound hot unto the head of any one that is frenzie will presently help him Against the pestilent disease of Sheep take the belly of a Ram and boyl it in wine then being mixed with water give it to the Sheep to drink and it will bring present remedy The gall of a Ram is very good for the healing of those which are troubled with any pains in the ears coming by the casualty of cold The gall of a Ram mingled with his own sewet doth ease those which are toubled with the Gowt The gall of a Weather mingled with the wool and placed upon the navel of young children doth make them loose in their bellies The stones of an old Ram being beaten in half a penny weight of water or in three quarters of a pint of Asses milk are reported to be very profitable for those which are troubled with the falling sickness The stones of a Ram being drunk in water to the weight of three half pence cureth the same disease The dust of the inward parts of a Ranis thigh being lapped in rags or clouts washed very exactly before with womens milk doth heal the ulcers or runnings of old sores The dust of the hoof of a Ram mingled with hony doth heal the bitings of a Shrew The dung of Weathers mingled with Vinegar and fashioned in the form of a Plaister doth expel black spots in the body and taketh away all hard bunches arising in the flesh The same being applyed in the like manner cureth St. Anthonies fire and healeth burned places The filth or sweat which groweth between the thighs of a Ram being mingled with Myrrh and the Herb called Hart-wort and drunk of each an equal part is accounted a very excellent remedy for those which are troubled with the Kings evil But Pliny commendeth the filth of Rams ears mingled with Myrrh to be a more effectual and speedy remedy against the laid disease The medicines of the Lomb. The best remedy for bitings of Serpents is this presently after the wound to apply some little creatures to the same being cut in small pieces and laid hot unto it as Cocks Goats Lambs and young Pigs for they expel the poison and much ease the pains thereof An ounce of Limbs bloud being fresh before that it doth congeal mixed with Vinegar and drunk for three dayes together is an excellent remedy against the vomiting or spitting of bloud The like force in it hath the bloud of a Kid. The bloud of a Lamb mingled with wine doth heal those which are troubled with the Falling sickness as also those which have the foul evil For the conception of a Woman take the yard and gall of a Buck a Kid and a Hare with the bloud and sewet of a Lamb and the marrow of a Hart and mix them all together with Nard and Oyl of Roses and after her purgation let them be laid under her and this without all doubt will make her apt to conceive The skins of Serpents being anointed with water in a bath and mingled with lime and Lambs sewet doth heal the disease called St. Anthonies fire The marrow of a Lamb melted by the fire with the Oyl of Nuts and white sugar distilled upon a clean dish or platter and so drunk doth dissolve the stone in the bladder and is very profitable for any that passeth bloud It also cureth all pains or griefes of the yard bladder or reins The skin of a Lamb being dawbed or anointed with liquid pitch and applyed hot unto the belly of any one that is troubled with excoriations of the bowels or of the Bloudy flux will very speedily cure him if he have any sense or seeling of cold in him If a Virgins menstrual fluxes come not forth at the due time and her belly is moved it is convenient to apply Lambs skins being hot unto her belly and they will in short space cause them to come forth A
and Vinegar When the corners of ones eyes are troubled with Worms by anointing them with the fat of a Sow with Pig beating them together both within and without you shall draw all the Wormes out of his eyes When one hath pain in his ears whereby matter issueth forth let him beat the oldest Lard he can in a Morter and rake the juyce thereof in fine wool then let him put that wool into his ear making it to work through warm water and then infuse a little more of the juyce of that Lard and so shall he work a great cure in short time And generally the fat of Geese Hens Swine and Foxes are prepared for all the pains in the ears If there arise any bunch in the neck or throat seethe Lard and Wine together and so by gargarising that Liquor it shall be dispersed according to the Verses of Serenus In rigorâ— Cervicis geminus mulcebitur unguine poples Hinc longam pariter nervos medicina sequetur And it is no marvel that the vertue of this should go from the knees to the Nerves seeing that Pliny affirmeth that from the anointing of the knees the savour goeth into the stomach there is so great affinity or operation of Rue upon the stones that in antient time they were wont to cure burstness by anointing the Cods with wilde Rue and Swines grease Also this Grease with rust of Iron is good against all the imperfections in the seat Butter Goose grease and Hogs grease are indifferently used for this infirmity Also this is used to keep Women from abortments that are subject thereunto being applyed like an eye salve In the diseases of the Matrix especially Ulcers they first of all dip Spunges or Wool in warm water and so cleanse the places infected and afterwards cure it with Rozen and Swines grease mingled together and often using it in the day and night by way of Oyntment but if the exulceration be vehement after the washing they put Hony unto the former confection and some make a perfume with Goats Horn Gals Swines grease and Gum of Cedars And. Fernerius saith that Lard cut small and beat in a Morter of stone like paste in a Limbeck of Glasse rendereth a white water which maketh the hair yellow and also the face comely If a man be poysoned with Hemlock he cannot avoid it better then by drinking Salt Wine and fresh Grease A decoction hereof is good against the poyson of Bouprestis and against Quicksilver The sewet of a Sow fed with green Herbs is profitable to them that are sick of a consumption of the Lungs according to this Verse of Serenus Proderit veteris sevi pila sumpta suilli This may also be given them in Wine either raw or decocted or else in pils to be swallowed down whole if it be not salted and the fift day after they prescribe them to drink out of an Egge-shell Liquid Pitch binding their sides breast and shoulder bones very hard It is also used for an old Cough after it is decocted the weight of a Groat being put into three cups of Wine with some Hony It is given also to them that have the flux especially old Lard Hony and Wine being beaten together till they be all as thick as hony whereof the quantity of a Hasil-nut is to be drunk out of Water Also morsels of Swines grease Butter and Hony being put down into a Horse throat cureth him of an old Cough and finally a piece of this Grease being old moistened in old Wine is profitable to a Horse that hath been overheated in his journey When Calves be troubled with belly Wormes take one part of Swines greasex and mingle it with three parts of Hysop afterwards thrust it down into the throats of the Calves and it shall expell the Wormes When the tongue and chaps wax black by a peculiar sickness of the mouth which the Physitians call Morbus Epidemius it is most wholesome to rub the tongue with the inner side of the rines of Bacon and so draw out an extreme heat and it is said if a man be deeply infected whose tongue is thus rubbed the said Bacon rine being eaten by any Dog will procure his death The fat of Wolves and the marrow of Swine is good to anoint blear-eyes withal By swallowing down the marrow of Swine the appetite to carnal copulation is encreased The ashes or powder of Hogs bristles which are taken out of Plaisterers Pencils wherewithal they rub wals and mixed with Swines grease doth ease the pain of burnings and also stayeth the bleeding of wounds and the falling down of the seat being first of all washed in Wine and dryed Pitch mingled therewithal The powder of the cheek-bones of Swine is a most present remedy for broken bones and also for ulcers in the legs and shins The fat of a Boar is commended against Serpents and so also is the liver of a Bore Pig when the Fibres are taken from it if the weight of two pence be drunk in wine The brain of a Sow toasted at the fire and laid to a Carbuncle either disperseth or emptieth it Likewise the bloud and brains of a Boar or a Sow or Boar Pig being mixed with Hony doth cure the Carbuncles in the yard and the brains alone openeth the gums of children to let out their teeth as Serenus writeth Aut teneris cerebrum gingivis illine poroi There are naturally in the head of a Hog two little bones that have holes in them one in the right part and another in the left Now if it happen that a man finde these bones by chance either one or both of them let him lay them up safe and whensoever he is troubled with the Head-ach let him use them hanging them about his neck by a silken threed that is to say if the head ach on the right side let him hang the right bone and if on the left the left bone These things I report upon the credit of Marcellus Galen also writeth that if the pole of the Swines ear be hanged about ones neck it will preserve him from all Cough afterwards They were wont as Dioscorides writeth to seethe a Gudgen in a Swines belly by the eating whereof they stayed the falling down of the seat If a man eat the lungs of a Boar and a sow sodden and fasting they will preserve him from drunkenness all that day and likewise the said lungs doth keep the soles of the feet from inflamation which are caused by straight shooes It also healeth the piles clifts and breaking of the skin and kibes of the feet by laying to it a Boars gall and a Swines lungs If a Man drink the Liver of a Sow in Wine it saveth his life from the bitings of venemous beasts Also the liver of a Boar burned with Juniper-wood cureth all the faults in the secrets and drunk in Wine without Salt after it is sod stayeth the looseness of the belly The gall of Swine is not very vehement
burneth in lust for procreation but unto stranger-beasts with whom he hath no affinity in nature he is more sociable and familiar delighting in their company when they come willingly unto him never rising against them but proud of their dependence and retinue keepeth with them all quarters of league and truce but with his female when once his flesh is tickled with lust he groweth tame gregal and loving and so continueth till she is filled and great with young and then returneth to his former hostility He is an enemy to the Lions wherefore assoon as ever a Lion seeth a Unicorn he runneth to a tree for succour that so when the Unicorn maketh force at him he may not only avoid his horn but also destroy him for the Unicorn in the swiftness of his course runneth against the tree wherein his sharp horn sticketh fast then when the Lion seeth the Unicorn fastned by the horn without all danger he falleth upon him and killeth him These things are reported by the King of Aethiopia in an Hebrew Epistle unto the Bishop of Rome It is said that Unicorns above all other creatures do reverence Virgins and young Maids and that many times at the sight of them they grow tame and come and sleep beside them for there is in their nature a certain savour wherewithal the Unicorns are allured and delighted for which occasion the Indian and Aethiopian Hunters use this stratagem to take the beast They take a goodly strong and beautiful young man whom they dress in the apparel of a woman besetting him with divers odoriferous flowers and spieces The man so adorned they set in the Mountains or Woods where the Unicorn hunteth so as the winde may carry the savour to the beast and in the mean season the other Hunters hide themselves the Unicorn deceived with the outward shape of a woman and sweet smells cometh unto the young man without fear and so suffereth his head to be covered and wrapped within his large sleeves never stirring but lying still and asleep as in his most acceptable repose Then when the Hunters by the sign of the young man perceive him fast and secure they come upon him and by force cut off his horn and send him away alive but concerning this opinion we have no elder authority then Tzetzes who did not live above five hundred years ago and therefore I leave the Reader to the freedom of his own judgement to believe or refuse this relation neither was it fit that I should omit it seeing that all Writers since the time of Tzetzes do most constantly believe it It is said by Aelianus and Albertus that except they be taken before they be two years old they will never be tamed and that the Thracians do yearly take some of their Colts and bring them to their King which he keepeth for combat and to fight with one another for when they are old they differ nothing at all from the most barbarous bloudy and ravenous beasts Their flesh is not good for meat but is bitter and unnourishable And thus much shall suffice for the natural story of the Unicorn now followeth the medicinal The Medicines arising from the Vnicorn Concerning the horns of the Unicorn I have sufficiently already written as the Antients have delivered in their remedies but in this place I will handle the remedies which late Writers have attributed thereunto as also our own observations of the same I remember that in times past I saw a piece of this horn of the weight of nine Inches with a certain Merchant in the market being black and plain and not wreathed in circles or turnings but at that time I did not so much observe it Now amongst our Apothecaries I do not not only finde small or little fragments out of which there issued as they say some certain marrow which are rounder whiter and softer But both the same colour as also the substance being put too much and eaten if it be easily crummed and not stuft as other horns doth signifie the same not to be good or perfect but counterfeited and corrupted as perhaps the horn of some other beast burnt in the fire some certain sweet odors being thereunto added and also imbrued in some delicious or aromatical perfume peradventure also Bay by this means first burned and afterward quenched or put out with certain sweet smelling liquors There is great care to be had that it be taken new and while it smelleth sweet not either abolished by age nor the vertue thereof diminished by often or frequent cups For rich men do usually cast little pieces of this horn in their drinking cups either for the preventing or curing of some certain disease There are also some which inclose it in gold or silver and so cast it in their drink as though the force thereof could remain many years notwithstanding the continual soaking in Wine But that which is so used and drunk in Wine doth bring upon it a certain dark or obscure colour the whiteness which before remained upon the same being quite lost expelled and utterly abolished Most men for the remedies arising from the same command to use the horn simply by it self Others prefer the marrow therein It being cast in Wine doth boil which some men either through ignorance or deceit impute to be a sign of the true horn when as contrarily any other horns being burnt do in water or wine cause bubbles to arise There are some wicked persons which do make a mingle mangle thereof as I saw amongst the Venetians being as I hear say compounded with lime and sope or peradventure with earth or some stone which things are wont to make bubbles arise and afterward sell it for the Unicorns horn Wherefore it shall be more safe to buy it out of the whole horn if it may be done or of greater crums and which may well describe the figure of a horn then small fragments where you may receive less deceit A certain Apothecary which was at Noremberg in a stately mart Town amongst the Germans declared the way unto me how to deface the colour of an adulterated Unicorns horn being made by some with Ivory either macerated or boiled with certain medicines by Set-foil as I suppose and other things by which means having scraped it I found within the true substance to be Ivory Antonius Brasavolus writeth that all men for the most part do sell a certain stone for Unicorns horn which truly I deny not to be done who have no certainty therein my self notwithstanding also it may to come pass that a very hard and solid horn about the point of asword especially which part is preferred to inferior as also in Harts horns to which either stones or iron may yeild such as Authors attribute to the Rhinocerot And other Unicorns may bear the shape of a stone before it self For if Orpheus concerning Harts horns rightly doubted whether the same or stones were of greatest strength I think it
Nicander Praeterea geminae â—alli instar fronte carunclae Haerent sanguine is scintillant lumina flamis That is to say At hard as Brawn two bunches in their face Do grow and flaming bloudy eyes their grace And the dry Asp so called because it liveth in mid-lands farre from any water hath a vehement strong sight and these eyes both in one and other are placed in the Temples of their head Their teeth are exceeding long and grow out of their mouth like a Boars and through two of the longest are little hollowes out of which he expresseth his poyson They are also covered with thin and tender skins which slide up when the Serpent biteth and so suffer the poyson to come out of the holes afterward they return to their place again Of all which thus writeth Nicander Quatuor huic intra Marillae â—â—nâ—ava dentes Radices fixere suas quas juncta quibusdam Pelliculis tunica obducit triste unde venenum Effundit si forte suo se approximet hosti In English thus Within the hollow of their cheeks fiery teeth are seen Fast rooted which a coat of skin doth joyn and over-hide From whence sad venom issueth forth when she is keen If that her â—o she chance to touch as she doth glide The scales of the Asp are hard and dry and red above all other venomous Beasts and by reason of her exceeding drought she is also accounted deaf About their quantity here is some difference among Writers For Aelianus saith that they have been found of two cubits length and their other parts answerable Again the Egyptians affirm them to be four cubits long but both these may stand together for if Aelianus say true then the Egyptians are not deceived because the greater number containeth the lesser The Asp Ptyas is about two cubits long the Chersaean Asps of the earth grow to the length of five cubits but the Chelidonian not above one and this is noted that the shorter Asp killeth soonest and the long more slowly one being a pace and another a fathom in length Nicander writeth thus Tam proceram extensa quaerunt quom brachia duci Tantaque crassities est quantum missile telum Quod faciens hastas doct 〈…〉 faber expolit artâ— Which may be thus Englished As wide as arms in force out-stretched So is the Asp in length And broad even as a casting Dart Made by a wise Smiths strength The colour of Asps is also various and divers for the Irundo Asp that is the Chelidonian resembleth the Swallow the Ptyas or spitting Asp resembleth an Ash colour flaming like Gold and somewhat greenish the Chersaean Asp of an Ash-colour or green but this later is more rare and Pierius saith that he saw a yellow Asp neer Bellun Of these colours writeth Nicander Squalidus interdum color albet saepe virenti Cum maculis saepe est cineres imitante figura Nonnunquam ardenti veluti succenditur igne Idque nigra Aethiopum sub terra quale refusus Nilus saepe lutum vicinum in Nerea volvit Thus overtherwise Their colour whitish pale and sometime lively green And spots which do the Ash resemble Some fiery red in Aethiop black Asps are seen And some again like to Nerean mud Cast up by flowing of the Nilus floud The Countreys which breed Asps are not only the Regions of Africk and the Confines of Nilus but also in the Northern parts of the World as writeth Olaus Magnus are many Asps found like as there are many other Serpents found although their venom or poyson be much more weak then in Asrica yet he saith that their poyson will kill a man within three or four hours without remedy In Spain also there are Asps but none in France although the common people do style a certain creeping thing by that name Lucan thinketh that the Originall of all came from Africa and therefore concludeth that Merchants for gain have transported them into Europe saying Ipsa coloris egens gelidum non transit in orbem Sponte sua Niloque tenus metitur arenas Sed quis erit nobis lucri pudor Inde petuntur Huc Lybicae mortes fecimus Aspida merces In English thus The Asp into cold Regions not willingly doth go But neer the banks of Nilus warm doth play upon the sands Oh what a shame of wicked gain must we then undergo Which Lybian deaths and Aspish wares have brought into our lands Their abode is for the most part in dryest soyls except the Chelidonian or Water Asp which live in the banks of Nilus all the year long as in a house and safe Castle but when they perceive that the water will overflow they forsake the banks sides and for safeguard of their lives betake them to the Mountains Sometimes also they will ascend and climbe trees as appeareth by an Epigram of Anthologius It is a horrible fearfull and terrible Serpent going slowly having a weak sight alwayes sleepy and drowsie but a shrill and quick sense of hearing whereby she is warned and advertised of all noyse which when she heareth presently she gathereth her self round into a circle and in the middest lifteth up her terrible head Wherein a man may note the gracious providence of Almighty GOD which hath given as many remedies against evil as there are evils in the World For the dulnesse of this Serpents sight and slownesse of her pace doth keep her from many mischiefs These properties are thus expressed by Nicander Formidabile cui corpus tardumque volumen Quandoquidem transversa via est prolixaque ventris Spira veternosique nivere videntur ocelli At simul ac facili forte abservaverit aure Vel minimrm strepitum segnes è corpore somnos Excutit teretem sinuat mox asperatractum Horrendumque caput porrectaque pectoratâ—llit In English thus This feared Asp hath slow and winding pace When as her way on belly she doth traverse Her eyes shrunk in her head winking appear in face Till that some noise her watchfull eat doth 〈…〉 ish Then sleep shak'd off round is her body gathered With dreadfull head oâ— mounted neck up lifted The voice of the Asp is hissing like all other Serpents and seldome is it heard to utter any voyce or sound at all except when she is endangered or ready to set upon her enemy Where-upon saith Nicander Grave sibilat ipsa Bestia dum ceriam vomit ira concita mortem In English thus This beast doth hisse with great and lowdest breath When in her mood she threatneth certain death That place of David Psalm 58. which is vulgarly read a death Adder is more truly translated A deaf Asp which when she is enchanted to avoid the voyee of the Charmer she stoppeth one of her ears with her tail and the other she holdeth hard to the earth And of this incantation thus writeth Vincentius Belluacensis Vertute qu 〈…〉 dam verborum incantatur Aspis ne veneno interimat vel â—t quidam
the Jews are compared to Asps and their labours to Spiders webs And Esa 11. The sucking childe shall play upon the hole of the Asp Whereupon a learned man thus writeth Quiâ—unque ex hâ—minibus occulto veneno ad nocendum referti sunt sub regno Christi mutato ingenio fore velpueris innoxios that is whosoever by secret poyson of nature are apt to do harm to other in the Kingdom of Christ their nature shall be so changed that they shall not harm sucklings not able to discover them Great is the subtilty and fore-knowledge of Asps as may appear by that in Psal 58. against the Charmers voyce As also it is strange that all the Asps of Nilus do thirty days before the flood remove themselves and their young ones into the Mountains and this is done yearly once at the least if not more often They sort themselves by couples and do live as it were in marriage Male and Female so that their sense affection and compassion is one and the same for if it happen that one of them be killed they follow the person eagerly and will finde him out even in the midst of many of his fellows that is if the killer be a beast they will know him among beasts of the same kinde and if he be a man they will also finde him out among men and if he be let alone he will not among thousands harm any but he breaking through all difficulties except water and is hindred by nothing else except by swift flying away We have shewed already how the Psyllians in Asia cast their children newly born to Serpents because if they be of the right seed and kindred to their Father no Serpent will hurt them but if they be Bastards of another race the Serpents devour them these Serpents are to be understood to be Asps Asps also we have shewed were destroyed by the Argolâ— which Alexander brought from Argos to Alexandria and therefore those are to be reckoned their enemies Shadows do also scare away terrifie Asps as Seneca writeth But there is not more mortal hatred or deadly war betwixt any then betwixt the Ichneumon and the Asp When the Ichneumon hath espyed an Asp she first goeth and calleth her fellows to help her then they all before they enter fight do wallow their bodies in slime or wet themselves and then wallow in the sand so harâ—essing and as it were arming their skins against the teeth of their enemy and so when they finde themselves strong enough they set upon her bristling up their tails first of all and turning to the Serpent till the Asp bite at them and then sodainly ere the Asp can recover with singular celerity they flie to her chaps and tear her in pieces but the victory of this combate resteth in anticipation for if the Asp first bite the Ichneumon then is he overcome but if the Ichneumon first lay hold on the Asp then is the Asp overcome This hatred and contention is thus described by Nicander Solus eam potis est Ichneumon vincere pestem Cum grave cautus ei bellum parat editaque ova Quae fovet in multorum hominum insuperabile lethum Omnia fiacta terit mordaceque dente lacessit That is to say Ichneumon only is of strength that pest to overquell Gainst whom in wary wise his war he doth prepare Her egges a deadly death to many men in sand he doth out smell To break them all within his teeth this nimble beast doth dare Pliny Cardan and Constantine affirm that the herb Arum and the root of Winterberry do so astonish Asps that their presence layeth them in a deadly sleep and thus much of their concord with other creatures Galen writeth that the Marsians do eat Asps without all harm although as Mercurial saith their whole flesh and body is so venomous and so repleat with poyson that it never entereth into medicine or is applyed to sick or sound upon any Physical qualification the reason of this is given by himself and Fracastorius to be either because Asps under their Climate or Region are not venomous at all as in other Countries neither Vipers nor Serpents are venomous or else because those people have a kinde of sympathy in nature with them by reason whereof they can receive no poyson from them The poyson of Asps saith Moses Deut. 32. is crudele venenum a cruel poyson and Job 20. cap. expressing the wicked mans delight in evil saith That he shall suck the poyson of Asps For which cause as we have shewed already the harm of this is not easily cured We read that Canopus the Master of Menelaus ship to be bittten to death by an Asp at Canopus in Egypt So also was Demetrius Ph 〈…〉 a Scholar of Theophrastus and the Keeper of the famous Library of Ptolemaeus Seter Cleopatra likewise to avoid the triumph that Augustus would have made of her suffered her self willingly to be bitten to death by an Asp Wheeupon Propertius writeth thus Brachia spectavi sacris â—dmorsa colubris Et trahere occultum membra soporis iter In English thus Thus I have seen those wounded arms With sacred Snakes bitten deep And members draw their poysoned harms Treading the way of deaths sound sleep We read also of certain Mountebanks and cunning Juglers in Italy called Circulatores to perish by their own devises through the eating of Serpents and Asps which they carryed about in Boxes as tame using them for ostentation to get Money or to sell away their Antidotes When Po 〈…〉 peius Rufus was the great Master of the Temple-works at Rome there was a certain Circulator or Quacksalver to shew his great cunning in the presence of many other of his own trade which set to his arm an Asp presently he sucked out the poyson out of the wound with his mouth but when he came to look for his preservative water or antidote he could not finde it by means whereof the poyson fell down into his body his mouth and gums rotted presently by little and little and so within two days he was found dead The like story unto this is related by Amb. Paraeus of another which at Florence would fain sell much of his medicine against poyson and for that purpose suffered an Asp to bite his flesh or finger but within four hours after he perished notwithstanding all his antidotical preservatives Now therefore it remaineth that we add in the conclusion of this History a particular discourse of the bitings and venom of this Serpent and also of such remedies as are appointed for the same Therefore we are to consider that they bite and do not sting the females bite with four teeth the males but with two and when they have opened the flesh by biting then they infuse their poyson into the wound Only the Asp Ptyâ—s killeth by spitting venom through her teeth and as Avicen saith the savour or smell thereof will kill but at the least the
earth for it is certain that it liveth in both elements namely earth and water and for the time that it abideth in the water it also taketh air and not the humor or moistnesse of the water yet can they not want either humor of the water or respiration of the air and for the day time it abideth on the land and in the night in the water because in the day the earth is hotter then the water and in the night the water warmer then the earth and while it liveth on the land it is so delighted with the Sun-shine and lyeth therein so immoveable that a man would take it to be stark dead The eyes of a Crocodile as we have said are dull and blinde in the water yet they appear bright to others for this cause when the Egyptians will signifie the Sun-rising they picture a Crocodile looking upward to the earth and when they will signifie the West they picture a Crocodile diving in the water and so for the most part the Crocodile lyeth upon the banks that he may either dive into the water with speed or ascend to the earth to take his prey By reason of the shortnesse of his feet his pace is very slow and therefore it is not only easie to escape from him by flight but also if a man do but turn aside and winde out of the direct way his body is so unable to bend it self that he can neither winde nor turn after it When they go under the earth into their caves like to all fore-footed and egge-breeding Serpents as namely Lizards Stellions and Tortoises they have all their legs joyned to their sides which are so retorted as they may bend to either side for the necessity of covering their egges but when they are abroad and go bearing up all their bodies then they bend only outward making their thighs more visible It is somewhat questionable whether they lye hid within their caves four months or sixty days for some Authors affirm one thing and some another but the reason of the difference is taken from the condition of the cold weather for which cause they lye hid in the Winter time Now forasmuch as the Winter in Egypt is not usually above four months therefore it is taken that they lie but four months but if it be by accident of cold weather prolonged longer then for the same cause the Crocodile is longer time in the earth During the time they lie hid they eat nothing but sleep as it is thought immoveably and when they come out again they do not cast their skins as other Serpents do The tail of a Crocodile is his strongest part and they never kill any beast or man but first of all they strike him down and astonish him with their tails and for this cause the Egyptians by a Crocodiles tail do signifie death and darknesse They devour both men and beasts if they finde them in their way or neer the bankes of Nilus wherein they abide taking sometimes a calf from the Cow his Dam and carrying it whole into the waters And it appeareth by the pourtraiture of Neacles that a Crocodile drew in an Asse into Nilus as he was drinking and therefore the Dogs of Egypt by a kinde of natural instinct do not drink but as they run for fear of the Crocodiles where-upon came the proverb Vt Canis è Nilo bibit fugit as a Dog at one time drinketh and runneth by Nilus When they desire fishes they put their heads out of the water as it were to sleep and then suddenly when they espy a booty they leap into the waters upon them and take them After that they have eaten and are satisfied then they turn to the land again and as they lie gaping upon the earth the little bird Trochilus maketh clean their teeth and is satisfied by the remainders of the flesh sticking upon them It is also affirmed by Arnoldus that it is fed with mud but the holy Crocodile in the Provinte of Arsinoe is fed with bread flesh wine sweet and hard sod flesh and cakes and such like things as the poor people bring unto it when they come to see it When the Egyptians will write a man eating or at dinner they paint a Crocodile gaping They are exceeding fruitful and prolifical and therefore also in Hieroglyphicks they are made to signifie fruitfulnesse They bring forth every year and lay their egges in the earth or dry land For during the space of theescore days they lay every day an Egge and in the like space they are hatched into young ones by sitting or lying upon them by course the male one while and the female another The time of their hatching is in a moderate and temperate time otherwise they perish and come to nothing for extremity of heat spoyleth the egge as the buds of some trees are burned and scorched off by the like occasion The egge is not much greater then the egge of a Goose and the young one out of the shell is of the same proportion And so from such a small beginning doth this huge and monstrous Serpent grow to his great stature the reason whereof saith Aristotle is because it groweth all his life long even to the length of ten or more cubits When it hath laid the egges it carryeth them to the place where it shall be hatched for by a natural providence and forelight it avoideth the waters of Nilus and therefore ever layeth her egges beyond the compasse of her floods by observation whereof the people of Egypt know every year the inundation of Nilus before it happen And in the measure of this place it is apparent that this Beast is not indued only with a spirit of reason but also with a fatidical or prophetical geographical delineation for so she placeth her egges in the brim or bank of the flood before the flood cometh that the water may cover the nest but not her self that sitteth upon the egges And the like to this is the building of the Beaver as we have showed in due place before in the History of four-footed Beasts So soon as the young ones are hatched they instantly fall into the depth of the water but if they meet with Frog Snail or any other such thing fit for their meat they do presently tear it in pieces the dam biteth it with her mouth as it were punishing the pusillanimity thereof but if it hunt greater things and be greedy ravening industrious and bloudy that she maketh much of and killing the other nourisheth and tendereth this above measure after the example of the wisest men who love their children in judgement fore-seeing their industrious inclination and not in affection without regard of worth vertue or merit It is said by Philes that after the egge is laid by the Crocodile many times there is a cruel stinging Scorpion which cometh out thereof and woundeth the Crocodile that laid it To conclude they never
The tail exceeding long far exceeding the quantity and proportion of his body being marked all over with certain white and yellowish spots The skin all covered with an equal smooth and fine coloured scale which in the midst of the belly are white and greater then in other parts It can abide no water for a little poured into the mouth killed it and after it had been two or three days dead being brought to the fire it moved and stirred again faintly even as things do that lye a dying It is not venomous nor hurtful to eat and therefore is digged out of his cave by any body safely without danger Of the CROCODILE of the Earth called Scincus a Scink THere have been some that have reckoned Scinks and Lizards among Worms but as the Greek words Expeix and Scolex differ in most apparent dialect and signification and therefore it is an opinion not worth the confuting for there are no Worms of this quantity But for the better explication of the nature of this Beast because some have taken it for one kinde and some for another some for a Crocodile and others for a Beast like a Crocodile we are to know that there are three kindes of Crocodiles the first is a water Beast or Serpent and vulgarly termed a Crocodile the second is a Scink or a Crocodile of the earth which is in all parts like that of the water except in his colour and thicknesse of his skin the third kinde of Crocodile is unknown to us at this day yet Pliny and others make mention of it and describe it to be a beast having his scales like a Gorgon growing or turning to his head from the tail and not as others do from the head to the tail The Grecians call this Beast Skigkot and some unlearned Apothecaries Stincus and Myrepsus Sigk. It is also called Kikaeros and the Hebrew Koach doth more properly signifie this Beast then any other Crocodile or Chamaeleon or Lizard Some of the Hebriws do expound Zab for a Scink and from thence the Chaldees and the Arabians have their Deo and Aldab turning Z into D So we read Guaril and Adhaya for a Scink or Crocodile of the earth Alarbian is also for the same Serpent among the Arabians Balecola and Ballâ—â—arâ— Sehanchur and Asehanchur and Askincor and Scerantum and Nudalep and Nudalepi are all of them Synonymaes or rather corrupted words for this Crocodile of the earth But there are at this day certain Ps 〈…〉 scink set out to be seen and sold by Apothecaries that are nothing else but a kinde of water Lizard but the true difference is betwixt them that these water Lizards are venomous but this is not and neither living in the Northern parts of the world nor yet in the water and so much shall suffice for the name and first entrance into this Serpents History They are brought out of the Eastern Countries or out of Egypt yet the Monks of Mesuen affirm that they had seen Scinks or Crocodiles of the earth about Rome Sylvaticus and Platearius in Apulia But howsoever their affections may lead them to conjecture of this Serpent I rather believe that it is an African beast and seldom found in Asia or Europe They love the banks of Nilus although they dare not enter the water and for this cause some have thought but untruly that when the Crocodile layeth her egges in the water the young is there also engendered and hatched and is a Crocodile of the water but if they lay their egges on the dry land from thence cometh the Scink or Crocodile of the earth This folly is evidently refuted because that they never say egs in the but all upon the dry land They are found as I have said before in Egypt and also in Africk and among the Lydians of Mauritania otherwise called Lodya or rather Lybia among the Pastoral or Plow-men Africans among the Arabians and neer the Red-sea for all those at this day sold at Venice are brought from those parts The greatest in the world are in India as Cardan teacheth who are in all things like Lizards saving in their excrements which smell or savour more strongly and generally the difference of their quantity ariseth from the countrey which they inhabit for in the hotter and moister countrey they are greater in the hotter dryer Region they are smaller and generally they exceed not two or three cubits in length with an answerable proportionable body which is thus described There be certain crosse lines which come along the back one by one somewhat white and of a dusky colour and those that be dusky have also in them some white spots The upper part of the neck is very dusky the head and the tail are more white the feet and all the neather part of the breast and belly are white with appearance upon them of some scales or rather the skin figured in the proportion of scales upon either feet they have five distinct fingers or claws the length of their legs is a thumb and a half that is three inches the tail two fingers long the body six so that the whole length from the head to the tip of the tail which is first thick and then very small at the end is about eight fingers When they have taken them they bowel them and fill their bodies with Sugar and Silk of Wooll and so they sell them for a reasonable price That which I have written of their length of eight fingers is not so to be understood as though they never exceeded or came short of that proportion for sometimes they are brought into these parts of the World twenty or four and twenty fingers long sometimes again not above five or six fingers long When they lay their Egges they commit them to the earth even as the Crocodiles of the water do They live upon the most odoriferous flowers and therefore is his flesh so sweet and his dung or excrements odoriferous They are enemies to Bees and live much about Hives insomuch as some have thought they did lay their Egges in Hives and there hatch their young ones But the occasion of this error was that they saw young ones brought by their parents into some Hive to feed upon the labouring Bee For the compassing of their desire they make meal of any tree which they have ground in the Mill of their own mouths and that they mix with black Hellebore juyce or with the liquor of Mallows this meal so tempered they lay before the Hives whereof assoon as the Bees tast they die and then cometh the Crocodile with her young ones and lick them up and beside Bees I do not read they are hurtful to any The Indians have a little Beast about the quantity of a little Dog which they call Phattage very like to a Scink or Crocodile of the earth having sharp scales as cutting as a saw There is some hurt by this beast unto men for which cause I may justly reckon
a mortal wound Alciatus hath an Embleme which he seemeth to have translated out of Greek from Antipater Sidonius of a Falconer which while he was looking up after Birds for meat for his Hawk suddenly a Dipsas came behinde him and stung him to death The title of his Embleme is Qui alta contemplatur cadere he that looketh high may fall and the Embleme it self is this that followeth Dum turdos visco pedica dum fallit alaudas Et jacta altivolam figit arundo gruem Dipsada non prudens auceps pede perculit ultrix Illa mali emissum virus ab ore jacit Sic obit extento qui sidera respicit arcu Securus fati quod jacet ante pedes Which may be thus Englished Whiles Thrush with line and Lark deceived with net And Crane high flying pierced with force of reed By Falconer was behold a Dipsas on the foot did set As if it would revenge his bloudy foul misdeed For poyson out of mouth it cast and bit his 〈◊〉 Whereof he dyed like Birds by him deceived Whiles bending bow alost unto the stars did look Saw not his fate below which him of life bereaved This Dipsas is inferior in quantity unto a Viper but yet killeth by poyson much more speedily according to these verses Exiguae similis spectatur Dipsas echidnae Sed festina magis mors ictus occupat aegros Parva lurida cui circa ultima cauda nigrescit That is to say This Dipsas like unto the Viper small But kills by stroke with greater pain and speed Whose tail at end is soft and black withall That as your death avoid with careful heed It is but a short Serpent and so small as Arnoldus writeth it killeth before it be espyed the length of it not past a cubit the fore-part being very thick except the head which is small and so backward it groweth smaller and smaller the tail being exceeding little the colour of the fore-part somewhat white but set over with black and yellow spots the tail very black Galen writeth that the ancient Marsi which were appointed for hunting Serpents and Vipers about Rome did tell him that there was no means outwardly to distinguish betwixt the Viper and the Dipsas except in the place of their abode for the Dipsas he saith keepeth in the salt places and therefore the nature thereof is more fiery but the Vipers keep in the dryer Countries wherefore there are not many of the Dipsades in Italy because of the moistnesse of that Countrey but in Lybia where there are great store of salt marishes As we have said already a man or beast wounded with this Serpent is afflicted with intolerable thirst insomuch as it is easier for him to break his belly then to quench his thirst with drinking always gaping like a Bull casteth himself down into the water and maketh no spare of the cold liquor but continually sucketh it in till either the belly break or the poyson drive out the life by overcoming the vital spirits To conclude beside all the symptomes which follow the biting of Vipers which are common to this Serpent this also followeth them that the party afflicted can neither make water vomit nor sweat so that they perish by one of these two ways first either they are burned up by the heat of the poyson if they come not at water to drink or else if they come by water they are so unsatiable that their bellies first swell above measure and soon break about their privy parts To conclude all the affections which follow the thick poyson of this Serpent are excellently described by Lucan in these verses following Signiferum juvenem Tyrrheni sanguinis Aulum Torta capuâ— retrò Dipsas calcata momor dit Vix dolor aut sensus dentis fuit ipsaque leti Frons caret invidia nec quicquam plaga minatur Ecce subit virus tacitum carpitque medullas Ignis edax calidaque incendit viscera tabe Ebibit humorem circum vitalia fusum Pestis in sicco linguam torrere palato Coepit defâ—ssos iret qui sudor in artus Non fuit atque oculos lachrymarum vena resugit Non decus imperii non moesti jura Catonis Ardentem tenuere virum quin spargere signa Auderet totisque furens exquireret agris Quas poscebat aquas sitiens in corde venenum Ille vel in Tanaim missus Rhodanumque Padumque Arderet Nilumque bibens per rura vagantem Accessit morti Libyae fatique minorem Famam Dipsas habet teriis adjuta perustis Scrutatur venas penitus squallentis arenae Nunc redit ad Syrtes fluctus accipit ore Aequoreusque placet sed non sufficit humor Nec sentit fatique genus mortemque veneni Sed putat esse sitim ferroque aperire tumentes Sustinuit venas atque os implere cruore Lucan lib. 9. In English thus Tyrâ—henian Aulus the ancient-bearer young Was bit by Dipsas turning head to heel No pain or sense of 's teeth appear'd though poyson strong Death doth not frown the man no harm did feel But loe she poyson takes the marrow and eating fire Burning the bowels â—arm till all consumed Drinking up the humor about the vital spire And in dry palat was the tongue up burned There was no sweat the sinews to refresh And tears fled from the vein that feeds the eyes Then Catoes law nor Empires honor fresh This fiery youth could hold but down the streamer flies And like a mad man about the fields he runs Poysons force in heart did waters crave Though unto Tanais Rhodanus Padus he comes Or Nilus yet all too little for his heat to have But dry was death as though the Dipsas force Were not enough but holp by heat of earth Then doth he search the sands but no remorse To Syrtes floud he hies his mouth of them he filleth Salt water pleaseth but it cannot suffice Nor knew he fate or this kinde venoms death But thought it thirst and seeing his veins arise Them cut which bloud stopt mouth and breath The signes of death following the biting of this Serpent are extreme drought and inflamation both of the inward and outward parts so that outwardly the parts are as dry as Parchment or as a skin set against the fire which cometh to passe by adustion and commutation of the bloud into the nature of the poyson For this cause many of the ancients have thought it to be incurable and therefore were ignorant of the proper medicines practising only common medicines prescribed against Vipers but this is generally observed that if once the belly begin to break there can be no cure but death First therefore they use scarification and make ustion in the body cutting off the member wounded If it be in the extremity they lay also playsters unto it as Triacle liquid Pitch with Oyl Hens cut asunder alive and so laid to hot or else the leaves of Purslain beaten in Vinegar Barley meal Bramble leaves pounded with Honey
palude Perpetitur querulae semper convitia ranae Which may be Englished in this manner The Frogs amidst the earthly slime Their old complaints do daily sing Not pleas'd with pools nor land that drine But new displeasures daily bring When Ceres went about seeking Proserpina she came to a certain Fountain in Lycia to quench her thirst the uncivil Lycians hindered her from drinking both by troubling the water with their feet and also by sending into the water a great company of croaking Frogs whereat the Goddesse being angry turned all those Countrey people into Frogs But Ovid doth ascribe this transmutation of the Lycians to the prayer of Latona when she came to drink of the Fountain to increase the milk in her breasts at such a time as she nursed Apollo and Diana which Metamorphosis or transmutation is thus excellently described by Ovid Aeternum stagno dixit vivatis in isto Eveniunt optata deae jnvat esse sub undis Et modo toâ—a cava summergere membra paludâ— Nunc proferre caput summo modo gurgite nare Saepe super ripam stagni consistere saepe In gelidos resiâ—ire lacus sed nunc quoque turpes Litibus exercent linguas pulsoque pudore Quamvis sint sub aqua sub aqua male dicere tentant Vox quoque jam raucâ— est inflataque colla tumescunt Iplaque dilatant patulos convitia rictus Tergâ— caput â—angunt colla intercepta videntur Spina viret venter pars maxima corporis albet Limosoque novae saliunt in gurgite ranae In English thus For ever mought you dwell In this same pond she said her wish did take effect with speed For underneath the water they delight to be indeed Now dive they to the bottom down now up their heads they pop Another while with sprawling legs they swim upon the top And oftentimes upon the banks they have a minde to stond And oftentimes from thence again to leap into the pond And there they now do practise still their filthy tongues to scold And shamelesly though underneath the water they do hold Their former wont of brauling still avoid the water cold Their voyces still are hoarse and harsh their throats have puffed goawls Their chaps with brawling widened are their hammer-headed joawles Are joyned to their shoulders just the necks of them do seem Cut off the ridge bone of their back sticks up with colour green Their panch which is the greatest part of all their trunck is gray And so they up and down the pond made newly Frogs do play Whatsoever the wisdom of Frogs is according to the understanding of the Poets this is certain that they signifie impudent and contentious persons for this cause there is a pretty fiction in Hell betwixt the two Poets Furipides and Aeschylus for the ending of which controversie Bacchus was sent down to take the worthyest of them out of Hell into Heaven and as he went over Charons Ferry he heard nothing but the croaking of Frogs for such contentious spirits do best befit Hell And thus much shall suffice to have spoken of the wisedom of Frogs Their common enemies are the Weasels Poul-cats and Ferrets for these do gather them together and lay of them great heaps within their dens whereupon they feed in Winter The Hearn also and Bittern is a common destroyer of Frogs and so likewise are some kinde of Kites The Night-birds Gimus and Gimeta the Water-snake at whose presence in token of extream terror the Frog setteth up her voyce in lamentable manner The Moles are also enemies to Frogs and it is further said that if a burning Candle be set by the water side during the croaking of Frogs it will make them hold their peace Men do also take Frogs for they were wont to bait a hook with a little red wooll or a piece of red cloth also the gall of a Goat put into a vessel and set in the earth will quickly draw unto it all the Frogs that be near it as if it were unto them a very grateful thing And thus much shall suffice to have spoken of the enemies of Frogs Now in the next place we are to consider the several uses both Natural Medicinal and Magical which men do make of Frogs And first of all the green Frogs and some of the yellow which live in Flouds Rivers Lakes and Fish-pools are eaten by men although in ancient time they were not eaten but only for Physick for the broth wherein they were sod and the flesh also was thought to have vertue in it to cure them which were strucken by any venomous creeping Beast especially mixed with Salt and Oyl but since that time Aetius discommendeth the eating of Frogs proving that some of them are venomous and that by eating thereof extream vomits have followed and they can never be good except when they are newly taken and their skins diligently flayed off and those also out of pure running waters and not out of muddy stinking puddles and therefore adviseth to forbear in plenty of other meat this wanton eating of Frogs as things perilous to life and health and those Frogs also which are most white when the skin is taken off are most dangerous and fullest of venom according to the counsel of Fiera saying Vltima sed nostros non accessura lebetes Noluimus succi est pluvii limosa maligni Ni saliat putris rana paraba titer Irata est adhuc rauca coaxat aquis In English thus We will not dresse a Frog unlesse the last of all to eat Because the juyce thereof is muddy and of rain unclean Except it go on earth prepared way to leap For angry it ever is and hath hoarse voyce amid the stream They which use to eat Frogs fall to have a colour like lead and the hotter the Countries are the more venomous are the Frogs in colder Countries as in Germany they are not so harmful especially after the Spring of the year and their time of copulation passed Besides with the flesh of Frogs they were wont in ancient time to bait their hooks wherewithal they did take purple Fishes and they did burn the young Frogs putting the powder thereof into a Cat whose bowels was taken out then rosting the Cat and after she was roasted they anointed her all over with Honey then â—aid her by a Wood side by the odour and savour whereof all the Wolfs and Foxes lodging in the said Wood were allured to come to it and then the Hunters lying ready in wait did take destroy and kill them When Frogs do croak above their usual custom either more often or more shrill then they were wont to do they do foreshew rain and tempestuous weather Wherefore Tully saith in his first Book of Divination who is it that can suspect or once think that the little Frog should know thus much but there is in them an admirable understanding nature constant and open to it self but more secret and obscure to the knowledge of
are and therefore the cure is to be expected hereafter in the next History of the Toad Of the TOAD Now I finde of these Toads two kindes the one called Rubeta palustris a Toad of the fens or of the waters the other Rubeta terrestris a Toad of the earth And these in Authors are sometimes confounded one taken for another The greatest difference that I can learn is their seat or place of habitation for they live both of them in the land and in the water And of them that be in the water some of them be smaller then the other and are therefore called Rubetulae that is little Toads and I think they be the same which are called by some Authors Ranae Simoides Near unto Zurick there are Toads not half so big as the vulgar Toads at a place called Kiburg being of a durty colour on the back and sharp boned the belly white and yellow or rather betwixt both the eyes of a gold flaming colour the buttocks and hinder-legs hairy and besides that place these kindes of Toads are no where found They have a very shrill voyce so as they are heard a great way off like a small bell or trumpet and they never utter their voyce but in the Spring and the fore-part of the Summer for about September they hide themselves in trees neither do they live among the waters but on the dry land when they cry it is certain that the night following will bring forth no frost Like unto this there is a Toad in France called Bufo cornutus a horned Toad not because it hath horns for that is most apparently false but for that the voyce thereof is like to the sound of a Cornet or rather as I think like to a Raven called Cornix and by a kinde of Barbarism called Bufo cornutus The colour of this Toad is like Saffron on the one part and like filthy dirt on the other besides there are other venomous Toads living in sinks privies and under the roots of plants There is another kind also like to the Toad of the water but in stead of bones it hath only gristles and it is bigger then the Toad of the fen living in hot places There is another also which although it be a Toad of the water yet hath it been eaten for meat not many years since the mouth of it is very great but yet without teeth which he doth many times put out of the water like a Tortoise to take breath and in taking of his meat which are flies Locusts Caterpillers Gnats and small creeping things it imitateth the Chamaeleon for it putteth out the tongue and licketh in his meat by the space of three fingers in the top whereof there is a soft place having in it viscous humor which causeth all things to cleave fast unto it which it toucheth by vertue whereof it devoureth great flies And therefore the said tongue is said to have two little bones growing at the root thereof which by the wonderful work of Nature doth guide fortifie and strengthen it And thus much may serve as a sufficient relation unto the Reader for the diversity of Toads Now we will proceed to the common description of both kindes together This Toad is in all outward parts like unto a Frog the fore-feet being short and the hinder-feet long but the body more heavy and swelling the colour of a blackish colour the skin rough viscous and very hard so as it is not easie to be broken with the blow of a staffe It hath many deformed spots upon it especially black on the sides the belly exceeding all other parts of the body standing out in such manner that being smitten with a staffe it yeeldeth a sound as it were from a vault or hollow place The head is broad and thick and the colour thereof on the neather part about the neck is white that is some-what pale the back plain without bunches and it is said that there is a little bone growing in their sides that hath a vertue to drive away Dogs from him that beareth it about him and is therefore called Apoâ—ynon The whole aspect of this Toad is ugly and unpleasant Some Authors affirm that it carryeth the heart in the neck and therefore it cannot easily be killed except the throat thereof be cut in the middle Their liver is very vitious and causeth the whole body to be of ill temperament And some say they have two livers Their milt is very small and as as for their copulation and egges they differ nothing from Frogs There be many late Writers which do affirm that there is a precious stone in the head of a Toad whose opinions because they attribute much to the vertue of this stone it is good to examine in this place that so the Reader may be satisfied whether to hold it as a fable or as a true matter exemplifying the powerful working of Almighty God in nature for there be many that wear these stones in Rings being verily perswaded that they keep them from all manner of gripings and pains of the belly and the smal guts But the Art as they term it is in taking of it out for they say it must be taken out of the head alive before the Toad be dead with a piece of cloth of the colour of red Scarlet wherewithal they are much delighted so that while they stretch out themselves as it were in sport upon that cloth they cast out the stone of their head but instantly they sup it up again unlesse it be taken from them through some secret hole in the said cloth whereby it falleth into a cistern or vessel of water into the which the Toad dareth not enter by reason of the coldnesse of the water These things writeth Massarius Brasavolus saith that he found such a thing in the head of a Toad but he rather took it to be a bone then a stone the colour whereof was brown inclining to blacknesse Some say it is double namely outwardly a hollow bone and inwardly a stone contained therein the vertue whereof is said to break prevent or cure the stone in the bladder Now how this stone should be there ingendered there are divers opinions also and they say that stones are ingendered in living creatures two manner of ways either through heat or extream cold as in the Snail Pearch Crab Indian Tortoyses and Toads so that by extremity of cold this stone should be gotten Against this opinion the colour of the stone is objected which is sometimes white sometimes brown or blackish having a citrine or blew spot in the middle sometimes all green whereupon is naturally engraven the figure of a Toad and this stone is sometimes called Borax sometimes Crapadinae and sometimes Nisae or Nusae and Cholonites Others do make two kindes of these two stones one resembling a great deal of milk mixed with a little bloud so that the white exceedeth the red and yet both are apparent and visible the other all black
forward but winde to and fro crooking like an Indenture for by reason thereof this Serpents large body cannot so easily and with the like speed turn to follow and persue as it can directly forward It is a very dangerous Serpent to meet withal and therefore not only the valiantest man but also the strongest beast is and ought justly to be afraid thereof for his treacherous deceits and strength of body for when it hath gotten the prey or booty he beclapseth it with his tail and giveth it fearful blows in the mean time fasteneth his jaws or chaps to the man or beast and sucketh out all the bloud till it be fully satisfied and like a Lyon he beateth also his own sides setting up the spires of his body when he assalteth any adversary or taketh any resisting booty I take this to be the same called in Slcilia Serpaserena which is sometimes as long as a man and as great as the arm about the wrist In the heat of Summer they get themselves to the Mountain and there seize upon cattel of all sorts as often as anger or wrath enforceth them The nature of it is very hot and therefore venomous in the second degree wherefore when it hath bitten any there followeth putrefaction and rottennesse as flesh where water lyeth betwixt the skin like as in the Dropsie for besides the common affections it hath with the Viper and the biting thereof alike in all things more deadly and unresistible evils followeth as drouzy sleepinesse and Lethargy and pain in the belly especially the Golick pain in the liver and stomach killing within two days if remedy be not provided The cure is like the cure of the Vipers biting Take the seed of Lettice and Flax-seed Savory beaten or stamped and wilde Rue wilde Betony and Daffadil two drams in three cups of Wine and drink the same immediately after the drinking hereof drink also two drams of the root of Centaury or Hartwort Nosewort or Gentian or Sesamine And thus much for a description of this venomous Serpent one of the greatest plagues to man and beast in all those Countries or places wherein it is ingendered and it is not the least part of English happinesse to be freed by God and Nature from such noysome virulent and dangerous neighbours Of the NEVTE or WATER-LIZARD THis is a little black Lizard called Wassermoll Wasseraddex that is a Lizard of the Water In French Tassot and in Italian Marasandola which word is derived from Marasso a Viper because the poyson hereof is like the poyson of Vipers and in the Greek it may be termed Enudros Sauros They live in standing waters or pools as in ditches of Towns and Hedges The colour as we have said is black and the length about two fingers or scarse so long Under the belly it is white or at least hath some white small spots on the sides and belly yet sometimes there are of them that are of a dusty earthy colour and towards the tail yellowish The skin is strong and hard so as a knife can scarse cut the same and being cut there issueth out a kinde of white mattery liquor like as is in Salamanders Being taken it shutteth the mouth so hard as it cannot be easily opened neither doth it endevour to bite although it be plucked and provoked The tongue is very short and broad and the teeth so short and small as they are scarcely visible within the lips Upon the fore feet it hath four fingers or claws but upon the hinder-feet it hath five The tail standeth out betwixt the hinder-legs in the middle like the figure of a wheel-whirl or rather so contracted as if many of them were conjoyned together and the void or empty places in the conjunctions were filled The tail being cut off liveth longer then the body as may be seen in every days experience that is by motion giveth longer signes and token of life This Serpent is bred in fat waters and soils and sometimes in the ruines of old walls especially they delight in white muddy waters hiding themselves under stones in the same water if there be any and if not then under the banks side of the earth for they seldome come to the land They swim underneath the water and are rarely seen at the top Their egges are not past so big as pease and they are found hanging together in clusters One of these being put alive into a glasse of water did continually hold his head above the water like as Frogs do so that thereby it may be conjectured it doth often need respiration and keepeth not under water except in fear and seeking after meat There is nothing in nature that so much offendeth it as Salt for so soon as it is laid upon Salt it endeavoureth with all might and main to run away for it biteth and stingeth the little beasts above measure so that it dyeth sooner by lying in Salt where it cannot avoid then it would by suffering many stripes for being beaten it liveth long and dyeth very hardly It doth not like to be without water for if you try one of them and keep it out of water but one day it will be found to be much the worse Being moved to anger it standeth upon the hinder-legs and looketh directly in the face of him that hath stirred it so continueth til all the body be white through a kind of white humor or poyson that it swelleth outward to harm if it were possible the person that did provoke it And by this is their venomous nature observed to be like the Salamander although their continual abode in the water maketh their poyson the more weak Some say that if in France a Hog do eat one of these he dyeth thereof and yet doth more safely eat the Salamander But in England it is otherwise for I have seen a Hog without all harm carry in his mouth a Newt and afterward eat it There be some Apothecaries which do use this Newt in stead of Skinks or Crocodiles of the earth but they are deceived in the vertues and operation and do also deceive other for there is not in it any such wholesome properties and therefore not to be applyed without singular danger And thus much may suffice to be said for this little Serpent or Water-creeping creature Of the PELIAS AEtius making mention of the Elaps and Pelias two kindes of Serpents doth joyntly speak of them in this sort saying that the signes of these Serpents were so common and vulgarly known that there was no descriptions of them among the ancient Writers But the Pelias biting causeth putrefaction about the wound or bitten place but yet not very dangerous and it bringeth obfuscation or dimnesse to the eyes by reason that as the poyson is universally distributed over all the body so it hath most power over the tenderest part namely the eyes It is cured by a Ptisane with Oyl in drink and a decoction of such Docks as grow in
strucken with a Scorpion his knees are drawn together and he halteth refusing meat out of his nose floweth a green humour and when he is laid he careth not for rising again These and such like are the symptomes that follow the bitings and stingings of Scorpions for the cure whereof I will remit the Reader to that excellent discourse written by Wolphius wherein are largely and learnedly expressed whatsoever Art could collect out of nature And seeing we in our Countrey are free from Scorpions and therefore shall have no need to fear their poyson it shall not I trust offend my Reader if I cut off the relation of Scorpions cures as a thing which cannot benefit either the English Reader or else much adorn this History and so I will proceed to the medicines drawn out of Scorpions The application or use of Scorpions in medicine is either by powder or by Oyl or by applying them bruised to their own wounds wherefore every one of these are to be handled particularly and first of all for the powder it is made by ustion or burning in this manner They take ten Scorpions and put them alive into a new earthen pot whose mouth is to be dammed up with loam or such like stuffe then must it be set upon a fire of Vine-tree-shreds and therein must the pot stand day and night untill all within it be consumed to powder and you shall know by their white colour when they be enough otherwise if they be brown or burned they must be continued longer and the use of this powder is to expell the stone Again they use to make this powder another way they take twenty Scorpions and put them in a little earthen pot with a narrow mouth which mouth must be stopped and then the pot put into a Furnace by the space of six hours which Furnace must also be kept close within and with a gentle fire then after six hours take off the pot and bruise the Scorpions into powder and keep that powder for the use aforesaid There are other wayes also to prepare this powder but in all preparations the attendant and assistant must take heed of the fume or smoak that cometh from it for that is very venemous and contagious But besides there are many things to be observed herein as first that the Scorpions be alive and that they be killed in Oyl then that they be put in whole with every member without mutilation and that the Scorpions appointed for this confection be of the strongest poyson and the time of their collection to be when the Sun is in Leo and not in Scorpias as some without reason have imagined The Oyl so made is distinguished into two kindes one simple and the other compound The simple is made of a convenient number of Scorpions as it were twenty if they be great and more if they be little and they being put into a glasse vessel Oyl of bitter-Almonds must be powred upon them and so the vessel stopped close and set in the Sun by the space of thirty dayes and then stirred and used Yet the women of Ferrara use Oyl-olive in stead of Oyl of bitter Almonds and also observe no quantity of Oyl but fill the pot full and likewise no order in the number of the Scorpions putting one to day and another to morrow and so more the next week or moneth as they can finde them The compound-oyl is thus made they take round Astrologe Cypresse and Gentian the roots of Capars and upon these they pour Oyl of bitter Almonds and soak the roots in the Oyl in the hot sun for the space of twenty dayes then take they a complete number of Scorpions from betwixt ten to fifteen these they put again to the Oyl and so stop up the mouth again and set it the second time in the sun thirty dayes and afterward strain it and use it This compound-Oyl is not so much approved by Brasavolus as the former simple because the first hath more Scorpions and the second is stuffed or seasoned with spices The green Scorpion which is bred of Basill having seven knots in the tayl being beaten and pounded with the herb Scorpion and so made into pills then dryed and put into a glasse are very profitable to him that hath the Falling-sicknesse if he take of them three every morning fasting in temperate Wine but these being given to a sound man putteth him clean out of his wits If a man take a vulgar Scorpion and drown the same in a porringer of Oyl in the wane of the Moon and therewithall afterward anoynt the back from the shoulders to the hips and also the head and forehead with the tips of the fingers and toes of one that is a demoniack or a lunatick person it is reported that he shall ease and cure him in short time And the like is reported of the Scorpions sting joyned with the top of Basil wherein is seed and with the heart of a Swallow all included in a piece of Harts skin The Oyl of Scorpions made of common Oyl-olive is good for the pain in the ears infused by distillation also it cureth a Pleurisle in this manner They take meal out of a Windmill and make thereof with water paste or little cakes in quantity like a French Crown these must be sod in a frying-pan in Oyl of Scorpions and so applyed as hot as can be to the place where the pricking is and so kept to the same very hot and when it beginneth to be cold let new be applyed still nine times together successively one time after another Scorpions bruised in new sweet Wine doe cure the Kings-evil The ashes of a Scorpion infused by the yard into the bladder breaketh and disperseth both the stone of the bladder and the reyns And the like operation hath a vulgar Scorpion eaten with vinegar and Rose-cakes applyed to the gowty members it many times easeth the inflaming pains thereof The Oyl of Scorpions is very available in the time of Plague both by Oyntment and also in potion wherewithall one did affirm to Wolphius that he gained a great summe of money which he prepared in this manner He took a hundred Scorpions and sod them in the oldest Oyl-olive he could get untill such time as the Scorpions were consumed then did he strain them through a linnen cloth adding unto it an ounce of Rubarb and so shutting it close in a glasse bottle he set it forty dayes together in the sun and afterward he gave of it to be used in time of infection advising them that had it to apply it in oyntment to the pulse heart hinder part of the head neck and nostrils And if a man began to be sick within twelve hours after the first sense of his pain he was annnoynted herewith about the tumour and then was it launced This oyntment is also commended against all manner of poyson not onely of other Serpents and venemous beasts but also of
some peculiar Snakes such are those in the Indian Sea where they have broad tayls and they harm more by biting with the sharpnesse of their teeth then by any venom that is contained in them and therefore in this they somewhat resemble the Snakes of the earth And Pliny writeth that once before Persis upon the coasts of certain Islands there were seen of these Sea-hyders very many of the length of twenty cubits wherewithall a whole Navy or fleet of ships were mightily affrighted And the like is reported of three other Islands lying betwixt the promontory of Carmania and Arabia and such were those also in the African Sea who are said by Aristotle not to be afraid of a Gally but will set upon the men therein and over-turn it And he himself saw many bones of great wilde Oxen who had been destroyed by these kinde of Sea-snakes or Hyders The greatest River that falleth into the red Sea is called Sinthus the fall whereof afar off seemeth to the beholders to be like winding Snakes as though they were coming against the passengers to stay them from entrance into that Land and there is not only a sight or resemblance of Serpents there but also the very truth of them for all the Sea-men know when they are upon these coasts by the multitude of Serpents that meet them And so do the Serpents called Graae about Persis And the Coast of Barace hath the same noysome premonstration by occurrence of many odious black and very great Sea-serpents But about Barygaza they are lesse and of yellow earthy colour their eyes bloody or fiery red and their heads like Dragons Keranides writeth of a Sea-Dragon in this manner saying The Dragon of the Sea is a fish without scales and when this is grown to a great and large proportion whereby it doth great harm to other creatures the winds or clouds take him up suddenly into the air and there by violent agitation shake his body to pieces the parcels whereof so mangled torn asunder have been often found in the tops of the Mountains And if this be true as it may well be I cannot tell whether there be in the world a more noble part of Divine providence and sign of the love of God to his creatures who armeth the clouds of heaven to take vengeance of their destroyers The tongue of this Sea-Dragon saith he is like a Horses tayl two foot in length the which tongue preserved in Oyl and carried about by a man safeguardeth him from languishing infirmities and the fat thereof with the herb Dragon annoynted on the head or sick parts cureth the head-ache and driveth away the Leprosie and all kinde of scabs in the skin There be also in the Swevian Ocean or Balthick sea Serpents of thirty or forty foot in length whose picture is thus described as it was taken by Olaus Magnus and he further writeth that these do never harm any man untill they be provoked The same Author also expresseth likewise the figure of another Serpent of a hundred and twenty foot long appearing now and then upon the coasts of Norway very dangerous and hurtfull to the Sea-men in calms and still weather for they lift up themselves above the hatches and suddenly catch a man in their mouths and so draw him into the Sea out of the Ship and many times they overthrow in the waters a laden Vessel of great quantity with all the wares therein contained And sometimes also they set up such a spire above the water that a Boat or little Bark without sayls may passe through the same And thus much for the Sea-serpents Of the SEPS or SEPEDON ALthough I am not ignorant that there be some which make two kindes of these Serpents because of the two names rehearsed in the title yet when they have laboured to describe them severally they can bring nothing or very little wherein their story doth not agree so as to make twain of them or to handle them asunder were but to take occasion to tautologize or to speak one thing twice Wherefore Gesner wisely pondering both parts and after him Carronus deliver their opinions that both these names do shew but one Serpent yet according to their manner they expresse them as if they were two For all their writings do but minister occasion to the Readers to collect the truth out of their labours wherefore I will follow their opinion and not their example Sepedon and Seps cometh of Sepein because it rotteth the body that it biteth in colour it neerly resembleth the Haemorrhe yet it usually goeth by spires and half-hoops for which cause as it goeth the quantity cannot be well discerned the pace of it being much swifter then the Haemorrhe The wound that it giveth is smarting entring deep and bringing putrefaction for by an inexplicable celerity the poyson passeth over all the body the hair rotteth and falleth from all parts darknesse and dimnesse is in the eyes and spots upon the body like as if a man had been burned in the Sun And this Serpent is thus described unto us by Nicander Jam quae Sepedonis species sit qualeque corpus Accipe diversa tractum ratione figurat Quin etiam mutilae nulla insunt cornua fronti Et color hirsuti qualem est spectare tapetis Grande caput brevior dum currit cauda videtur Quam tamen obliquo majorem tramite ducit Quod fit ab hoc vulnus magnos nocuosque dolores Excitat interimens quia fundit ipse ve 〈…〉 Quo sata marcentes tabes depâ—soitur artus Indeque siccata resolutus pelle capillus Spargitur volitans candentis pappus achantae Praeterea foedum turpi vitiligine corpus Et veluti urenti maculas a sole videre est Which may be Englished thus Sepedons shape now take and what his form of body is It doth not go as Haemorrhe doth but traileth diversly His powled head of Haemorrhs horns full happily doth misse And colours are as manifold as works of Tapestry Great is his head but running seems the tail but small Which winding it in greater path draws after to and fro But where it wounds by pains and torments great it doth appall Killing the wounded infusing poyson so Whereby consumed are the lean and slender sinews And dryed skin lets hair fall off apace Like as the windes drive whites from top of thistle Cardus Besides the body filth as with Sun parched looseth grace Thus doth Nicander describe the Sepedon now also we will likewise relate that which another Poet saith of the Seps that both compared together may appear but one therefore thus writeth Lucan upon occasion of one Sabellus wounded by this Serpent Miserique in crure Sabelli Seps stetit exiguus quem flexo dente tenacem Auuâ—sitque manu piloque affixit arenis Parva modò Serpens sed qua non ulla cruenvae Tantum mortis habet nam plagae proxima circum Fugit rapta cutis pallentiaque ossa retexit Jamquae sinu
decoction of the roots of Asparagus in wine and water Another Take of Astrologe and Cumin of each three drams to be drunk in warm water an excellent and approved Antidote Take of the seeds of Git or Nigella ten drams Cumin-seed Daucus-seed or wilde Carret of either five drams Spikenard Bay-berries round Aristolochie Carpobalsamum Cinamon roots of Gentian seeds of the Mountain Siler and Smallage of every one alike two drams make a Confection with Honey The dose is the quantity of a Nut with old Wine A confection of Assa Take of Assa fetda Myrrhe and leaves of Rue of every one alike quantity temper them together with Honey The common dose is one dram or two at the most in Wine Certain other selected Medicines out of Absyrtus Albucasis Lullus Rhazes and Ponzettus Take of white Pepper thirty grains drink it often in a draught of old Wine Give also the herb Thyme in Wine Absyrtus Let him drink after it a spoonfull of Wine distilled with Balm Lullus Take of drie Rue of Costus Horsemint Pellitory of Spain Cardamomum of each alike of Assa faetida a fourth part Honey so much as is sufficient commixe them The dose is the quantity of a Hasel-nut in drink Albucasis The brain of a Hen drunk with a little Pepper out of sweet Wine or Vinegar and water mixed together A notable Treacle or Antidote against the bitings of Phalangies or venemous Spiders Take of Tartarum six drams of yellow Sulphur eight drams Rue-seeds three drams Castoreum and Rocket-seed of either two drams with the bloud of a Sea-tortoise make an Opiate The dose is two drams to be taken in Wine Another Take of Pellitory of Spain and the root of the round Aristolochie of each one part of white Pepper half a part Horehound four parts temper them up with Honey the dose that is to be given is one dram Another Take of the roots of Capers the roots of long Aristolochie or Hartwort Bay-berries roots of Gentian of each a like quantity to be taken in Wine or let him drink Diassa with sweet strong Wine Cumin and the seeds of Agnus Castus Another Take of the seeds of Nigella ten drams of Daucus and Cumin-seeds of each alike five drams seeds of wilde Rue and Cypresse-nuts of either three drams Spikenard Bay-berries round Astrologe Carpobalsamum Cynamon the root of Gentian seeds of Trifolium Bituminosum and of Smallage-seed of either two drams make a Confection with Honey so much as is sufficient Give the quantity of a Nut with old Wine Rhazes Out of Plny Celsus and Scaliger It is good to give five Pismires to them that are bitten of any Phalangium or the seeds of Nigella Romana one dram or Mulberries with Hypocistis and Honey There is a secret vertue and hidden quality in the root of Parsley and of wilde Rue peculiarly against those hurts that Spiders infect by their venome The bloud of a Land-tortoyse the juice of Origanum the root of Behen Album Vervain Cinquefoil all the sorts of Sengreen Cypresse-roots the Ivy of Ivy-roots being taken with some sweet Wine or water and Vinegar mixed and boyled together are very Speciall in this grief Likewise two drams of Castoreum to provoke vomiting being relented in some mulse Apollodorus one of the Disciples of Democritus saith there is an herb called Crocides which if any Phalangium or other poysonous Spider do but touch presently they fall down dead and their poyson is so dulled and weakned as it can do no hurt The leaves of the Bul-rush or Mat-rush which are next to the root being eaten are found to give much help Pliny Take of Myrrhe of Vna Taminea which is the berry of the herb called Ampelos Agria being a kinde of Bryony which windeth it self about trees and hedges like a vine of some called our Ladies seal of either alike and drink them in three quarters of a pinte of sod Wine Item the roots of Radish or of Darnell taken in Wine is very effectuall Celsus But the excellentest Antidote of all other is that which Scaliger describeth whom for his singular learning and deep conceit I may tearm Nostri orbis et seculi ornamentum The form whereof in this place I will prescribe you Take of the true and round Aristolochia and of the best Mithridate â—of either one ounce Terra Sigillata half an ounce of those Flies which are found to live in the flower of the herb called Napellus in number eighteen juice of Citrons so much as is sufficient mixe them all together For against this mischief of Spiders or against any other shrewd turns grievances or bitings of any Serpents whatsoever Art as yet never found out so effectuall a remedy or so notable an Alexipharmacall Thus far Scaliger The juice of Apples being drunk and Endive are the proper Bezoar against the venom of a Phalangie Petrus de Albano Thus much of inward Now will I proceed to generall outward medicaments and applications Five Spiders putrefied in common Oyl and applyed outwardly to the affected place are very good Ashes made of the dung of draught beasts tempered with Vinegar and used as an oyntment or in stead of Vinegar water and Vinegar boyled together and applyed as before are proved to be singular Take of Vinegar three pintes and a half Sulphur vivum two ounces mixe them and foment bath or soke the wounded part with a Spunge dipped in the liquor or if the pain be a little asswaged with the fomentation then wash the place with a good quantity of Sea-water Some hold opinion that Achates which is a precious stone wherein are represented divers forms whereof some have the nine masts some of Venus c. will heal all bitings of Phalangies and for this cause being brought out of India it is held at a very deer rate in this Countrey Pliny Ashes made of fig-tree-leaves adding to them some salt and wine The roots of the wilde Panax being beaten to powder Aristolochie and Barley-meal kneaded together and wrought up with Vinegar Water with Honey and salt applyed outwardly for a fomentation The decoction of the hearb Balm oâ— the leaves of it being brought to the form of a Pultesse and applyed but we must not forget to use warm bathes and sometimes to the place agrieved Pliny Cut the veins that appear under the tongue rubbing and chafing the swelled places with salt and good store of Vinegar then cause the patient to sweat carefully and warily for fear of cold Vigetius Theophrastus saith that practitioners do highly commend the root of Panax Chironia Moysten the wound with Oyl Garlick bruised Knot-grasse or Barley-meal and Bay-leaves with Wine or with the dregs or Lees of wine or wilde Rue applyed in manner of a Cataplasm to the wounded place Nonus Take of Sulphur Vivum Galbanum of each alike four drams and a half of Euforbium half a dram Hasel-nuts excorticated two drams dissolve them and with wine make towards the curation Flies beaten to powder and applyed upon
earth and carryeth them away with her to the water They lay sometimes an hundred Egs and sometimes they lay fewer but ever the number is very great There is upon the left side of Hispaniola a little Island upon the Port Beata which is called Altus Bellus where Peter Martyr reporteth strange things of many creatures especially of the Tortoises for he writeth that when they rage in lust for copulation they come on shore and there they dig a ditch wherein they lay together three or four hundred Egs being as great as Goose Egs and when they have made an end they cover them with sand and go away to the Sea not once looking after them but at the appointed time of Nature by the heat of the Sun the young Tortoises are hatched engendered and produced into light without any further help of their parents Great is the courage of one of these for it is not afraid to set upon three men together but if it can be turned upward upon the back it is made weak and unresistible And if the head be cut off and severed from the body it dieth not presently nor closeth the eyes for if a man shake his hand at it then will it wink but if he put it neer it will also bite if it can reach it If by the heat of the Sun their backs grow dry they also grow weak and inflexible and therefore they hasten to the water to remollifie them or else they die within short time and for this cause this is the best way to take them In the hottest day they are drawn into the deep where they swim willingly with their backs or shells above the water where they take breath and in continuance the Sun so hardeneth them that they are not able to help themselves in the water but they grow very faint and weak and are taken at the pleasure of the Fisherman They are also taken on the tops of the water after they return weary from their feeding in the night-time for then two men may easily turn them on their backs and in the mean while another casteth a Snare upon them and draweth them safely to the land In the Phaenician Sea they are taken safely without danger and generally where they may be turned on their back there they can make no resistance but where they cannot many times they would and kill the Fisher-men breaking the nets asunder and let out all the other Fish included with them Bellonius writeth that there be of these Sea-tortoises two kindes one long the other round and both of them breath at their Noses because they want gills and the long ones are most frequent about the Port Torra in the Red-sea whose cover is variable for the males shell is plain and smooth underneath and the females is hollow The Turks have a kinde of Tortoise whose shell is bright like the Chrysolite of which they make hasts for Knives of the greatest price which they adorn with plates of gold In Jambolus an Island of the South there are also found certain Monsters or living creatures which are not very great yet are they admirable in Nature and in the vertue of their bloud Their bodies are round and like the Tortoise having two crosse lines over their backs in the ends of which is an eye and an ear at either side so as they seem to have four ears the belly is but one into which the meat passeth out of the mouth They have feet round about and with them they go both backward and forward The vertue of their bloud is affirmed to be admirable for whatsoever body is cut asunder and put together if it be sprinckled with this bloud during the time that it breatheth it couniteth as before The ancient Troglodytes had a kinde of Sea-tortoise which they call Celtium which had horns unto which they fastened the strings of their harps these also they worshipped and accounted very holy Yet some think that they might better be called Celetum then Celtium but I think Hermolaus doth better call them Chelitium apotes Cheluos which signifieth both a Tortoise and their broad breasts and with their horns they help themselves in swimming Albertus also maketh mention of a Tortoise called Barchora but it is thought to be a corrupt word from Ostra â—odermus These Sea-Tortoises are found sometimes to be eight cubits broad and in India with their shells they cover houses and such use they also put them unto in Taprobana for they have them fifteen cubits broad And thus much for all kinde kinde of Tortoises Of the VIPER NOtwithstanding the asseveration of Suessanus who will needs exclude the Viper from the Serpents because a Serpent is called Ophis and the Viper Echis yet I trust there shall be no reasonable man that can make exception to the placing of this living creature among Serpents for that great learned man was deceived in that argument seeing by the same reason he might as well exclude any other as the Snake Dragon Scorpion and such like who have their peculiar names besides the generall word Ophis and yet might he also have been better advised then to affirm a Viper not to be called a Serpent for even in Aristotle whom he expoundeth and approveth he might have found in his fifth Book of Gen. animal and the last Chapter that the Viper is recorded Inter genera opheon that is Amongst the general kindes of Serpents although as we shall shew afterward it differeth from most kindes of Serpents because it breedeth the young one in his belly and in the Winter time lyeth in the Rocks and among stones and not in the earth The Hebrews as it appeareth Esa 59. and Job 6. call it Aphgnath and according to Munster Aphgnaim plurally for Vipers because of the variety of colours wherewithal they are set all over The Arabians from the Greek word Thereon signifying all kinde of wide Beasts do also call it Thiron and that kinde of Viper whereof is made the Triacle they call a Alafafrai and Alphai they also call it Eosman as Leonicenus writeth Beside it is called Alphe which seemeth to be derived of the Hebreâ—s and Afâ—â— which may likewise be conjectured to arise from the Greek word Ophis The Greeks call the Male peculiarly and properly Echis and the Female Echidna and it is a question whether the vulgar word among the Grecians at this day Ochendra do not also signifie this kinde of Serpent Bellonius thinketh that it is corrupted of Echidna the female Viper The Germans have many words for a Viper as Brandt Schlaâ—gen Natet-otter Heck nater and Viper-nater The French une Vipere the Spaniards Bivora and Bicha the Italians Vipera Maraesso Scurtio and sometimes Scorzonei although Scorzo and Scorzone be general words in Italy for all creeping Serpents without feet and that strike with their teeth There is also about the word Maraeso some question although Leonicenus decideth the matter and maketh it out
and out it never stayeth long but death followeth Wherefore Aetius saith well that sometimes it killeth within the space of seven houres and sometimes again within the space of three daies and that respite of time seemeth to be the longest if remedie be not had with more effectual speed The signes or effects of the Vipers biting are briefly these first there issueth forth a rotten matter sometimes blou dy and sometimes like liquid or molten fatnesse sometimes again with no colour at all but all the flesh about the sore swelleth sometimes having a red and sometime a pale hiew or colour upon it issuing also forth a corrupted mattery matter Also it causeth divers little blisters to arise upon the flesh as though the body were all scorched over with fire and speedily after this followeth putrefaction and death The pain that cometh by this Serpents wounding is so universal that all the body seemeth to be set on fire many pitiful noyses are forced out of the parties throat by sense of that pain turning and crackling of the neck also twinckling and wrying of the eyes with darknesse and heavinesse of the head imbecillity of the loynes sometimes thirsting intolerably crying out upon his dry throate and again sometimes freezing at the fingers ends at least so as he feeleth such a pain Moreover the body sweating a sweat more cold then snow it self and many times vomiting forth the bilious tumors of his owne belly But the colour going and coming is often changed now like pale lead then like black and anon as green as the rust of brasse the gums flow with bloud and the Liver it self falleth to be inflamed sleepinesse and trembling possesseth the body and several parts and difficulty of making urine with Feavers neezing and shortnesse of breath These are related by Aetius Aegineta Grevinus and others which work not alwaies in every body generally but some in one and some in another as the humors and temperament of nature doth lead and guide their operation But I marvail from whence Plato in his Symposium had that opinion that a man bitten and poisoned by a Viper will tel it to none but onely to those that have formerly tasted of that misery for although among other effects of this poison it is said that madness or a distracted mind also followeth yet I think in nature there can be no reason given of Platoes opinion except he mean that the patient will never manifest his grief at all And this howsoever also is confuted by this one story of Grevinus There was as he writeth a certain Apothecary which did keep Vipers and it happened one day as he was medling about them that one of them caught him by his finger and did bite him a little so as the prints of his teeth appeared as the points of needles The Apothecary onely looked on it and being busied either forgot or as he said afterward felt no pain for an hours space but after the hour first his finger smarted and began to burn and afterward his arm and whole body fell to be suddenly distempered therewith so as necessity constrayning him and opportunity offering it self he sent for a Physitian at hand and by his good advise thorow Gods mercy was recovered but with great difficulty for he suffered many of the former passions and symptoms before he was cured Therefore by this story either Plato was in a wrong opinion or else Grevinus telleth a fable which I cannot grant because he wrote of his own experience known then to many in the world who would quickly have contradicted it or else if he had consented to the opinion of Plato no doubt but in the relation of that matter he would have expressed also that circumstance Thus then we have as briefly and plainly as we can delivered the pains and torments which are caused by the poison of Vipers now therefore it followeth that we also briefly declare the vertue of such Medicines as we find to be applied by diligent and careful observations of many learned Physitians against the venom of Vipers First of all they write that the general rule must be observed in the curing of the poison of Vipers which is already declared against other Serpents namely that the force of their poison be kept from spreading and that may be done either by the present extraction of the poison or else by binding the wounded member hard or else by cutting it off if it be in finger hand or foot Galen reporteth that when he was in Alexandria there came to the City a Countryman which had his finger bitten by a Viper but before he came he had bound his finger close to the palm of his hand and then he shewed the same to a Physitian who immediatly cut off his finger and so he was cured And besides he telleth of another country-man who reaping of Corne by chance with his sickle did hurt a Viper who returned and did raze all his finger with her poisonfull teeth The man presently conceiving his own peril cut off his own finger with the same sickle before the poison was spred too far and so was cured without any other Medicine Sometime it hapneth that the bite is in such a part that it cannot be cut off and then they apply a Hen cut in sunder alive and laid to as hot as can be also one must first wash and anoint his mouth with oyl and so suck out the poison Likewise the place must be scarified and party fed and dieted with old Butter and bathed in milk or Seawater and be kept waking and made to walk up and down It were too long and also needlesse to expresse all the medicines which by naturall meanes are prepared against the poison of Vipers whereof seeing no reasonable man will expect that at my hands I will onely touch two or three cures by way of history and for others refer my Reader to Physitians or to the Latine discourse of Caronus In Norcheria the country of that great and famous Gentilis who translated Avicen there is a fountaine into which if any man be put that is stung or bitten by a Serpent he is thereof immediatly cured which Amatus Lusitanus approveth to be very natural because the continual cold water killeth the hot poison The same Author writeth that when a little maid of the age of thirteen yeeres was bitten in the heel by a Viper the legge being first of all bound at the knee very hard then because the maid fell distract first he caused a Surgeon to make two or three deeper holes then the Viper had made that so the poison might be the more easily extracted then he scarified the place and drawed it with cupping-glasses whereby was exhausted all the black blood and then also the whole leg over was scarified and blood drawn out of it as long as it would run of it own accord Then was a plaister made of Garlick and the sharpest Onions rosted which being mixed
offensive Take female Vipers for we must take heed how we take male Vipers for the confection of Antidotes For Trochuks all Vipers are not convenient but those which be yellow and of the yellow the females only Vipers great with young you must refuse for being pregnant they are more exasperate then themselves at other times Of Vipers be made Trochisces which of the Grecians are called Theriaci four fingers being cut off at either end and the inwards taken out and the pale matter cleaving to the back-bone the rest of the body must be boiled in a dish in water with the herb Dill the back-bone must be taken out and fine flowre must be added Thus these Trochuks being made they must be dryed in the shade apart from the Sun-beams and being so prepared they be of very great use for many medicines The use of Triacle is profitable for many things for not only by his own nature it availeth against the biting of venomous creatures and poysons but also it is found by experience to help many other great infirmities For it easeth the Gowt and pain in the joynts it dryeth fluxes it very much profiteth men molested with the Dropsie leprous and melancholick persons those that have Quartane Agues or the Jaundise those that have a weak voice or that spet bloud those that are troubled with aking reins with Dysentery with the stone with short breath with passion of the liver or milt with choler with heart-ach with the Falling-sicknesse It driveth all kinde of Worms out of the bowels It is the most soveraign remedy of the Plague Even to them that are in health the often use of it is wholesome for it promiseth long life and firm health it consumeth excrements it strengtheneth natural actions it quickeneth the wit and sharpeneth all the senses it preserveth the body from poyson and other offences and maketh it scarse subject to danger by such casualties it begetteth good bloud it corrupteth the the air and waters neither alone doth it deliver from instant diseases but also preserveth from those that be imminent Of EARTH-WORMS ALthough there be many and sundry sorts of Worms which do contain in them some poysonous quality yet for all that at this time my purpose is to discourse especially of Earth-worms whereof some are bred only in the earth and others among plants and in the bodies of living creatures Worms of the earth are termed by Plautus and Columella Lumbrici peradventure as being derived a Lubricitate They are called also Terrae Intestina of the Latines as well because they take their first beginning and breeding in the very bowels and inward parts of the Earth as because being pressed and squeesed betwixt the fingers or otherwise they do void forth excrements after the fashion of living beasts that have intrails in them The Greeks call them Ges entera Hesychius calleth them Embullous Brunfelsius Otho in his Physick Lexicon writeth that they are usually called in the Cilician tongue Gaphagas fetching the derivation of the word parà Tò gaian phágein for they feed upon earth Of the Englishmen they are called Meds and Earth-worms of the French Vers de Terra of the Germans Eert wurm and Erdwurmem Melet Ode Regenwurm of the Belgians Pier-wuorm or Rengenwuorm of the Italians Lumbrichi of the Spaniards Lumbrizes of the Polonians Glisti of the Hungarians Galisza of the Arabians they are called Charatin Manardus in his second Book and 40. Epistle writeth that in times past they were called Onisculi and Nisculi There are found especially two sorts of Earth-worms which are either greater or lesser The greater Earth-worms are somewhat long almost like in proportion and shape to those round Worms which do breed in mens bodies They are half a foot long at least and being stretched out in length they are found to be a foot long they are of a whitish colour and sometimes though seldom of a bloudy hue and for the most part they are all adorned with a chain about their necks or rather they seem to wear a certain collar wherein there is a little bloud contained and they lack eyes and eye-sight as all forts of Worms do They breed of the slime of the earth taking their first being from putrefaction and of the fat moisture of the same earth they are again fed and nourished and into earth at last are resolved When there falleth any showre of rain then this kinde of Worm creepeth suddenly out of the earth where-upon old Euclio in Plautus being very careful of his pot of Gold speaketh aptly to his Drudge Strobilus in these words Foras foras Lumbrice qui sub terra erepsisti modo Qui modo nusquam camparebas nunc autem cùm compares peris Which may be Englished thus Away away thou Worm late from the earth crept out Safe thou wast unseen but seen life fails I doubt Here Euclio very properly termeth his Bondman Strobilus a Worm because not being espyed of his Master before he suddenly came sneaking out from behinde an Altar where he was hid much like a Worm that in moist weather issueth out of the ground Those little heaps which are cast up and lie shining and wrinckled before the mouth or edges of their holes I take them to be their miery excrements for I cold never as yet finde other excrementitious substance drossy matter or other feculency but only bare earth in them whose alimentary juyce and moisture being clean exhausted they cast out the remainder as an unprofitable burthen nothing fit for nourishment At the entrance of their doors which yet steadeth them to some commodious use for stopping and damming up their holes that the rain cannot so easily soke in they are by these means safely defended from many anoyances and dangers that otherwise might light upon them Their delight is to couple together especially in a rainy night cleaving together untill the morning and in the same they are not folded round about one another like unto Serpents but are straightly closed together side-wise and thus do they remain sticking close the one to the other They send forth a certain froathy slime or jelly when that they joyn together They do ever keep the middle part of their body within the earth I mean their hinder-parts yea even in their mutual joyning together neither are they at any time so fast glewed and closed but with the least stirring and motion of the ground that can be imagined they are straight-ways severed withdrawing themselves speedily into their lurking holes In rainy weather they are whiter a great deal then at other times unlesse it be when they couple together for then they appear very red I my self about the midst of April did once open a thick female Worm and within the flesh I found a certain receptacle ringed round about and filling up the whole cavity of the body having a thin membrane or seat enclosing it and in this aforesaid store-house the earth which she had
bite at it then at Ambrosia the very meat of the Gods Earth-worms do also much good to men serving them to great use in that they do prognosticate and foretell rainy weather by their sodain breaking or issuing forth of the ground and if none appear above ground over-night it is a great signit will be calm and fair weather the next day The ancient people of the world have ever observed this as a general rule that if Worms pierce through the earth violently and in haste by heaps as if they had bored it through with some little Auger or Piercer they took it for an infallible token of Rain shortly after to fall For the Earth being as it were imbrued distained made moist and moved with an imperceptible m 〈…〉 on partly the South winde and partly also a vaporous air it yeeldeth an easie passage for round Worms to winde out of the inward places of the Earth to give unto them moist food and to minister store of fat juyces or fattish jelly wherewith they are altogether delighted Some there be found that will fashion and frame Iron after such a manner as that they will bring it to the hardnesse of any steel after this order following They take of Earth-worms two parts of Raddish roots one part after they are bruised together the water is put into a Limbeck to be distilled or else take of the distilled water of Worms l. iij. of the juyce of Raddish l. i. mix them together for Iron being often quenched in this water will grow exceeding hard Another Take of Earth-worms l. ij distil them in a Limbeck with an easie and gentle fire and temper your Iron in this distilled water Another Take of Goats bloud so much as you please adding to it a little common salt then bury them in the earth in a pot well glased and luted for thirty days together Then distil after this the same bloud in Balneo and to this distilled liquor add so much of the distilled water of Earth-worms Another Take of Earth-worms of the roots of Apple-trees of Rapes of each a like-much distil them apart by by themselves and in equal portions of this water so distilled and afterwards equally mixed quench your Iron in it as is said before Antonynus Gallus It shall not be impertinent to our matter we handle to add a word or two concerning those worms that are found and do breed in the snow which Theophanes in Strabo calleth Oripas but because it may seem very strange and incredible to think that any worms breed and live only in the Snow you shall hear what the Ancients have committed to writing and especially Strabo his opinion concerning this point It is saith he received amongst the greater number of men that in the snow there are certain clots or hard lumps that are very hollow which waxing hard and thick do contain the best water as it were in a certain coat and that in this case or purse there do breed worms Theophan s calleth them Oripas and Apollonides Vermes Aristotle saith that living creatures will breed also even in those things that are not subject to putrefaction as for example in the fire and snow which of all things in the world one would take never to be apt to putrefie and yet in old Snow Worms will be bred Old Snow that hath lyen long will look somewhat dun or of a dullish white colour and therefore the Snow-worms are of the same hiew and likewise rough and hairy But those Snow-worms which are found to breed when the air is somewhat warm are great and white in colour and all these Snow-worms will hardly stir or move from place to place And Pliny is of the same judgement and the Author of that Book which is intituled De Plantis falsely fathered upon Aristotle Yet some there be that denying all these authorities and rejecting whatsoever can be objected for confirmation thereof to the contrary do stoutly maintain by divers reasons that creatures cannot breed in the Snow because that in Snow there is no heat and where no quickning heat is there can be no production of any living thing Again Aristotle writeth that nothing will come of Ice because it is as he saith most cold and hereupon they infer that in all reason nothing likewise can take his beginning from Snow neither is it credible that husbandmen would so often wish for Snow in Winter to destroy and consume Worms and other little Vermine that else would prove so hurtful to their corn and other fruits of the earth And if any Worms be found in the Snow it followeth not straightways that therein they first receive their beginning but rather that they first come out of the earth and are afterwards seen to be wrapped up and lie on heaps in the Snow But by their leaves these reasons are very weak and may readily be answered thus that whereas they maintain that nothing can breed in the Snow because it is void of any heat at all herein they build upon a false ground For if we will adhibit credit to Averrhoes there is nothing compounded and made of the three Elements that is absolutely without heat And Aristotle in his fift Book De Generatione Animalium telleth us precisely that there is no moisture without heat His words are Ouden hugron aneu thermou Now Snow is a compact and fast congealed substance and somewhat moist for although it proceedeth by congelation which is nothing else but a kinde of exsiccation yet notwithstanding the matter whereof it first cometh is a vapour whose nature is moist and with little ado may be turned into water I must needs say that congelation is a kinde of exsiccation but yet not simply for exsiccation is when as humidity goeth away it putteth forth any matter but in Snow there is no humidity that is drawn out but it is rather wrapped in and inclosed more strongly and as it were bounded round Furthermore Aristotle in his first Book of his Meteors saith that Snow is Nubes congelata a clowd congelated or thicked together and that in Snow there is much heat And in his fift Book De Generatione Animalium he further addeth that the whitenesse of the Snow is caused by the air that the air is hot and moist and the Snow is white whereupon we conclude that Snow is not so cold as some would bear us in hand I well hold that nothing will take his Original from Ite in regard of his excessive coldnesse but yet snow is nothing nigh so cold as that So then all the hinderance and let is found to exceed of cold which is nothing so effectual or forcible as in Ite and the cold being proved to be far lesser there can nothing be alleadged to the contrary but that it may putrefie Now in that Snow is such an enemy to Worms and many other small creatures as that for the most part it destroyeth them yet it followeth not that the reason of Aristotle is
but a river or running water hard by in which there are stones or pieces of wood cast upon which they may light conveniently and bath or wash themselves they go no farther to drink if there be none they fetch their draught other where and quench their thirst and when they have done they carry of the same liquor to their King or Master-Bee and to those that are at work within as hath been said before Whatsoever they eat or drink must be undefiled pure sweet and without any stench or putrefaction whatsoever Yea so cleanly do they live that if a menstruous woman come near them they are reported to forsake their food and feed no longer as also those that use sweet oyls or perfumes about their bodies and those that are given to overmuch lechery they hate above measure and can by no means endure also all things that smell of oyl or smoke and dung and durt they are very shie of coming near nor will they touch any thing that savours of any such matter All hurtful herbs all that have any bitter purgative unpleasant or poysonous quality in them they forbear Wormwood Rhubarb Senna Savin Tithymals Hellebore Wood-laurel Coccus gnidius Thapsia wilde Cucumers Yew Rhododendros Wolfs-bane they will not once taste of When they have laboured hard all the day and come home weary a certain signal or token being given as is above mentioned they take their rest The which oftentimes is many waies disturbed and hindred and by this means the Swarm being astonished and over wak'd do die sometimes the Gad-bee or Horse-fly molests them sometimes the Bear making a noise wakes them sometimes the approach of the enemy affrighteth them viz. the Lizzard Spider or the land Toad in which regard the Comet presently sounds an alarm and calls them all forth to arms in the night If it happen to thunder or lighten by night they are all presently in an uproar or tumult as if there should be a mutiny in the Army or some fatal battel to be fought And the reason of it is in regard of the unwontednesse of the light at such a time as also because they are afraid and that not without cause lest their Hives being shaken the combs should be disordered and displaced or their little waxen vessels being melted the Honey should run out That this is true by experience no man can better speak then Dr. Penny and my self who in the moneth of August 1586. whilest we sate up and watched by the Countesse of Somerset then a widow lying dangerously sick together with her two noble Daughters Mary and Elizabeth on a sudden after a great clap of Thunder under the next ceiling between the joyâ—ts we heard a great noise as it had been an alarm of war and as we thought the floor did resound with the noise being altogether ignorant of that which indeed was the matter that Bees did harbour between the rafters and the ceiling where it seems they had remained for 30 years together and every year to have yeelded two or three Swarms as we understood afterwards by those which were eye witnesses of the same and they of the chief Nobility who affirmed it to be for certain The next day for want of sleep they flew about making a hoarse noise trembling and not knowing what they did they did touch those things which naturally they could not endure they did dash themselves poor creatures against the windows they did not spaâ—e to sting their friends and those that looked to them even to the admiration of all that stood by and observed them From whence we conclude without all doubt that Bees are most patient of labour in the day time but most impatient of being scared in the night and of being disturbed of their rest From whence they seem to have gained the name or Epithet of Solisequae or Sun-followers for with it they rise and with it they rest None of them take so much as a wink of sleep all the day long and all of them in the night sleep very soundly Now their exercise is of two sorts either they fly abroad for their pleasure or tarry at home and work for necessity If that be denied them the Crocodile Swallow Lizzard Spider or other strange Bees intercepting them either by reason of intemperate weather or long rain they become pursie unwieldy and nummed in their limbs grow into diseases and shortly after die especially in the summer season which is the only time they have to exercise themselves abroâ—d in the open air When they have refreshed themselves with flying about then they bath and wash themselves clean and afterwards they lightly rub themselves smooth with leaves Moreover also sometimes they carry little stones sometimes they carry water and as little things as they are will break through the wind though it sit against them and they will in a bravado yea they will venture their very lives also to fight with the greatest of beasts Horses Elephants Dogs yea and Men too Archilochus was of this opinion if they offend them and quarrel with them they wound and with their stings often and fiercely thrust into their bodies they kill them Sometimes they appoint duels one with another not in earnest but in jest for exercise and recreation not with any intent to hurt one another They will play together oftentimes and tickle one another and like Doves bill and kisse each other after which without doubt they couple together also but at what time after in what place after what manner let that all-eyed Argus tell who alone sits by the Elephants and knowes when they engender which no man ever yet saw but God Now as they perform the aforesaid exercises of slying of fencing of carrying of stones c. for their recreation so necessity the mistresse of Arts hath inured them to domestick labour to which they diligently not lazily apply themselves no day if the weather let not is spent idly but how long they work that wholly depends upon the constitution of the Climate or the air For in cold Countreys from the setting of the Pleiades or seven-stars to the Vernal or spring Aequinoctial or thereabout they keep close within their Hives but like Dormice without food sleeping and so they continue rouled up together like a ball in a heap nor do they stir a jot from the place where they are for else how should such little creatures as they be able to endure frost and snow and the bleak gusts of the north wind But if the temper of the year be more warm and so continue for a great while together 't is longer ere they leave their work and that Aethiopia proves by manifest experience where through continual heat and almost no cold that is there the Bees work almost all the year long But in Europe they seldom go abroad before the beans begin to bloom or blossom as Pliny witnesseth which they taste of the first of all flowers or herbs
taken with a lask or loosnesse in their bellies both in regard of the naughtinesse of the juice it self as also in regard they feed on those herbs and leaves that are purgative as Hellebore Spurge both kinds of Elder For being greeedy of food after their fasting all the Winter assoon as the Spring comes tasting more greedily than in way to their health every herb that they light on without putting any difference having gathered unwholsome honey they are taken with a cacochymia or ill humour or habit of body and afterwards very suddenly fall into that lask or loosnesse afore spoken of Against this disease saith Pliny set them services with honey or wet with man or oxe pisse Also Pomegranat kernels moystened with wine of wilde Briony Palladius much commends the kernels of Pomegranates or Raisins boyled and pilled with Manna or sharp wine set before them in wooden gutters also he bids squirt in Honey boyled in water with the powder of Galls dried Roses or Rosemary or set it in with little sawcers Moreover care is to be had that they do not bring home any food gathered in the woods where for the most part do grow harsh and sowre herbs with the acrimony thereof the bellies of the Bees are moved and are scarce stayed but by the experience and accurate endevour of their keeper From thence proceeds barrennesse because by that means for want of seed they do not generate or at least by reason of feeblenesse they are not able to hatch their young or constantly to sit upon them or to avoid the snares of the Spiders which are drawn over the mouthes of their cells This consumption and hectick feaver increasing yet more and more Higinus bids that flowers be brought soaked in dew or a sweet liquor made of wine and honey and so layed unto the holes or vents of the Hive Also he commends for that purpose Violets and Buglosse flowers besprinkled with new wine boyled half away after that their Hives being very well cleansed and the vermine and dead Bees rid out of them they are to be perfumed with oxe or calves dung because that takes away putrefaction and infection and doth instill a new life or soul if Columella say true into the almost expiring Bees They are also full of lice as Florentius relates the which he cures with the shavings of the Pomegranate and wilde Fig-tree burnt to ashes The same Authors cure the dulnesse or purblindnesse of their eyes with the powder of wilde Marjoram They themselves are able to take away their scurf and dandrif with a gentle rubbing of their bodies against the herb Celandine and against walls stained with urine their drinesse they cure with baths and their throat with drinking mineral waters The diseases that come of moisture are swellings in the neck tumors in the head dropsies which the Ancients used to cure with dry herbs and shaking off the dew from them betimes in the morning and our countrey people do somewhat abate it by keeping them from common water for they keep them three daies together in their Hives by which it comes to passe that not only the superfluity of the bad humour is dried up but the natural moisture is in some measure regained Hesychius writes of a disease very common to Bees which he calls 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but what it is he doth not tell us neither could I learn from any other Author what or what manner of disease it should be The diseases proceeding of cold are congelation nummednesse stifnesse and other of that sort for you shall see them sometime so nummed and stiffe with cold that you would not think they had the least motion much lesse breath On the other side through extremity of heat they are driven into madnesse excesse of thirst Feavers Vertigo and swimming in their heads yea they grow stark mad at which time they know no man no not their keepers and will strike their friends with somewhat venomed stings In such sort therefore ought their Hives to be placed in both seasons of the year that in the winter they be not too much oppressed with cold and in the summer that the shade of the trees do not keep the heat from them Bees do fail also some-times for want of issue as in the plenty of pasture it happens to come to passe at which time they are so intent upon their work in making of Honey that the care of copulation and propagation is quite laid aside and so the reparation of issue being omitted the whole Swarm being spent with labour is extinguished But when they fly away in stomack and anger by reason of their Hives being not kept sweet or for some pestilent disease that reigns amongst them you must follow after them and with that Art Palladius hath taught being found again entertain them in clean Hives and remove them from the place where they were before into fresh dwellings Moreover Pliny saith it doth very much conduce to the keeping of Bees that they be lawfully and honestly come by that is that they are either given or bought for if they be stoln they seldome thrive and come to good as it is with Rue or Herb of Grace if stoln it very hardly growes Now if when we shall have removed from Bees all creatures that annoy them what we shall yet further adde to the conservation of their health and the cure of their diseases I do not see First therefore remove from them all filthy Lechers menstruous persons those that have the running of the reins baths smoke dunghils laystals all those that smell of grease or kitchingstuffe or having nothing else to do or on purpose to offend them stand before their Hives mouth The air being infected with the breath of Toads or Serpents purge with Balm Gentle Thyme or Fennel burned See that they live neatly and daintily kill all predatory or devouring vermine and the signs or symptomes of their diseases being perceived and known apply the cure of them Now the signs of Bees as of other creatures also being not well are gathered from three things that is to say from their refraining to be in action from the external garb of their bodies and from their excrements For the losse of mirth lumpish melancholy vertiginous or whirling gate or motion their frequent and lazie standing at the door their fainting in their work their disdain of flowers and honey their more then ordinary either sleeping or waking unwonted hummings are an argument that the Bees are ill at ease As also when their bodies are unhandsome not trim rough not sleek or smooth scurfie or scald not shining or glissening lean and transparent not well liking or well fed Moreover if their combs have an ill savour or if their dung or ordure turn to water or be full of worms and when they carry out every day their dead not at all regarding their Hives these are infallible signs of sicknesse and some epidemical disease that reigns amongst them some
wish I had seen them all and I know Apelles himself would hardly have been able to paint their fashions The Flesh-fly in regard of his bignesse and bulk of his body is the biggest of all other he hath a reddish head his body full of gray spots his belly thick blew transparent having two wings hairy very greedy of flesh He flies for the most part alone unlesse it be perhaps in the flesh-market or Shambles where the Butchers turn fencers continually killing and beating them away with their Fly-flaps lest with their fly-blowes which Hippocrates cals 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greek their flesh should be tainted There is a story as Caelius Rhodiginus relates it that at Toletum in the open Butcher-row one Fly amongst the rest used to come by the space of an year as white as snow which I dare say was of this sort in regard it was seen to be so long together in that place 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Musca canum in English a Dog-fly in the German tongue Hunds Fliege Hunds Mucken in the Polonian Psia Mucha Isidore and Eâ—thyâ—ius and Philo suppose it to be a Wood-fly very irksome to the ears of Dogs the which notwithstanding they shake it oft never so often yet returns with as much violence as before where if he tarry any while with the galling of the flesh he raiseth a blister of whom Homer in his Iliad 15. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. c. Why like a Dog-fly dost thou contend with the gods Athenaus also in his 4 Book reports that the like name of Dog-fly was given to a certain famous Curtizan for her unparallel'd impudence mordacity and troublesomenesse Now the Dog-fly to borrow the words of Philo is an Insect that bites hard is importunate and treacherous 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 This seemeth to me in holy Writ as in Exod. 8. Psal 77. 104. to be the common name of all hurtful Insects as appeareth by the Chaldee Paraphrase As for their more special signification they can be compared to no kinde of Fly better than those black great broad flat ordinary Flies which do so boldly fly upon cattel and not only suck from the outermost skin of them watry bloud as other Flies but with great pain fetch out and suck bloud very deep They want a snout but in stead thereof they have two teeth as the Wasps have which they fasten deeply into the skin but more especially they infest and annoy the ears of Hounds in Germany insomuch that as Camerarius witnesseth they even pluck off the skin These an English Gent. said he saw in Italy in shape altogether like the Dog-fly only without wings whose wings also are represented so close to his body that the learned Dr. Barbar takes them for the same Niphus doth ascribe unto it wonderful swiftnesse of flight and roundnesse of body The nearest in likenesse to it is the Tick or Sheep-fly making a kinde of a horrid noise as he flies and is in his flight more slow and heavy then a Gad-fly There are two kindes of them differing only in bignesse the greater which is the Forrest-fly the other the lesse living in hedges and quicksets This Beast-fly is in Latine called Asilum in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from striking or stinging whence not only this Insect but another that useth to scare Bees of which hereafter and a third very so midable to some kinde of Fish are called by the same name of Oestrum Of this kinde of Fly the Poet Virgil in the 3 of his Georgicks chanteth after his manner A Fly there 's in Silarus woods that much Vseth nâ—er to green holm the Greeks call such Oistron Asilus is the Latine name It makes a sharp harsh noise and with the same Heards of cattel frighted fly and quiver Woods and barks sound of Tanagius River Calepine and other Lexicographers of his gang besides some Physicians and even Pliny himself makes this Fly one and the same with the Oxe-fly so that it is very probable that they did not so heedfully read Aristotle as they might or did not indeed understand his meaning It is confest on all hands that Asilus and Tabanus are a species of Flies and that both of them have a sting in their mouth with which they pierce the sides of the beasts and suck out their bloud For so saith the Philosopher 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Oxe-flies and Brees make holes in the skins of four footed Beasts and they have a strong tongue which serve them for a sting they are creatures that eat bloud c. But yet that they differ much Aristotle and Aelian plainly shew First the Tabani are more frequent especially in woods and highwaies that are beset with trees and hedges as they who use to travel on horseback know to their great trouble and vexation For in the heat of the day they sting deeply And being then greater in number do draw out such a quantity of bloud that many times the horses strength fails them insomuch that the Countrey people are forced to beat them off from their horses with fly-flaps and boughs which they carry in their hands But the Asili are more rare and never fly but near the water side Moreover the Asili as witnesseth Aristot do take their beginning of certain kinde of broad and flat little creatures which haunt about rivers sides but the Tabani come of certain worms breeding in wood or timber that which Sostrates wrote and Pierius diligently hath observed Besides the Asili do trouble Oxen and all living creatures according to that of Hesychius 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but the Tabani trouble Oxen only To which agreeth that of Orpheus vers 47. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. The horrid Brees mans body doth not spare He flies from us into the open air And Homer in his Odysses 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 But they fled home as herds of Oxen doe When that the Brees doth force them for to goe In the spring time when daies do longer grow Where the Scholiast thus defines this kinde of Fly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. The Fly called Oestrum is of a yellowish colour who when it enters the ears of the Oxe causeth him to run mad upon which Callimachus in imitation of the Countrey people cals him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an Oxe-driver But the Myopes or Tabani do set upon Men Horses yea and Serpents as Nicander affirms Their shape and form is also different as the Philosopher sheweth De part Anim. l. 2. in these words The tongues of the Asili and Tabani are alike of a purple colour yet these dare seize upon men the other upon Oxen only Now the Asilus hath a green heâ—d and the rest of his body all over yellowish having a greater snout than the Tabanus but making not so great a noise or buzzing he carries before him a very hard stiffe
time they are very irksome indeed Next to these is another Fly shrewdly annoying cattel in the heat of the day which Pennius cals Curvicaudam very well in English a Wringle-tail in regard that alwaies sitting upon the buttocks or belly of the beast he bends his tail towards him with his sting started that he may be ready to strike at-pleasure whensoever opportunity may ofter it self This Fly the English in their proper tongue call a Whame and a Burrell-fly and it is scarce found any where else but in England This kinde of Fly is almost like the Bee in shape and colour only it is bigger in body It doth not cleave to the flesh nor suck bloud as others do but only stings with its tail flying a long way after horses and stinging them in their travel Horses are naturally afraid of this Fly whom upon the least touch they endevour by what means possible with their tails feet and mouths to drive away Some are of a minde that these flies do not indeed use a sting or prick but with their tails they fasten their dung to the horses hair from whence a while after come a number of very irksome Nits But experience must prove that for reason in a matter so improbable is silent True it is they are very violent upon their prey as being blinde both the Tabanus and the Wringle-tail which may be the reason why they are so bold and fearlesse as being secure of any danger But especially the Oestrus from whence those famous Poets of old weâ—e said to be Oestro perciti stung with this furious Fly called Oestrum Plutarch cals them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gad-stricken Those kinde of Flies that follow are more rare There are â—undry sorts of Flies of the Greeks called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Pilicauda Seticaâ—dae in English Hair-tails or Bristle-tails For some of them have one others two othersome yet three or four bristles in their tail of which in order The Fly with four hairs represents the first of those with three hairs only its tail is somewhat bigger at the latter end of it the feet as also the horns black the wings long the outermost three times exceeding the innermost in bignesse having a black spot in the middle and in the tail four hairs or bristles The greatest Libellae The Mean The Smallest The middle sort of the Libellae do set forth Natures elegancy beyond the expression of Art The first is of a most cutious colour The body blue or sky colour the wings of bright violet colour the space between the shoulders is adorned with four golden gems set as it were in a blackish collet The second hath the head and body gray the wings whitish which are beautified with gray lines drawn quite through them in the middle they are of a purple colour The third hath its head and body of a greenish colour the lines of the wings are marked as it were with bloud colour streaks towards the edges or outmost parts like to a dark purple The fourth-seems to be all over of the same colour to wit of a duskish colour mixt with a pale green The eyes of the fifth are blue the head green the whole body mixt of green and blue except the wings which are most accurately wrought with silver colour and black in the 〈…〉 adowed with a dark purple The sixth is all over green yea and the wings themselves are of light green I have seen four of the least 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 The first the body all over of a bright blue colour The second red the 〈…〉 to both of them a silver colour The third yellowish but the tail more thick the edges of the wings as also all the lines that run along them are red and marked with a bloud colour spot The fourth which is the least of all hath a long spiny tail a great head blue eyes standing out with two little horns to guard them the body somewhat long slender underneath greenish above blackish on the back it hath two greenish lines or streaks drawn along from the head to the 〈◊〉 of the wings the tail bound together with five joynts or knots in the end whereof is a ring of bluish colour One there is of this number which â—â—alleth some of the other bigger very speedily of a thin gray coloured body and the wings alike coloured and when he creeps into an apple no hole can be seen where he went in he feeds also upon seeds This Fly William Brewer a learned man and an excellent naturalist sent to Pennius There are found in the leaves of young Fennel Flies of an exceeding smalnesse inasmuch as sometimes they are so little that they are not able to be seen they run and fly very swiftly insomuch that you would wonder how it were possible for nature to fasten feet and wings to such very exceeding small bodies Water Flies of the Greeks called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Lâ—custres â—s abiding in fenny places are those that feed upon things that swim upon the suâ—â—ce of the water and that live especially upon the water as these and the like Phryganides 〈◊〉 Tigurina Aeschna Lutea Fâ—sca c. Phryganides comes from the little worm Phryga 〈…〉 which in English is called Cados worm living in the waters and in the midst of August ascending to the top or superficies of the waters it hath four wings of a brown colour the body somewhat long having two short horns the tail forked or rather bristles coming out of the tail The form or figure of this Fly is various in regard of the great variety of those little Cados worms whereof they come CHAP. XII Of the use of Flyes THese little creatures so hateful to all men are not yet to be contemned as being created of Almighty God for diverse and sundry uses First of all by these we are forewarned of the near approaches of foul weather and storms secondly they yeeld medicines for us when we are sick and are food for divers other creatures as well Birds as Fishes They shew and set forth the Omnipotency of God and execute his justice they improve the diligence and providential wisdome of men All which shall appear in their places As for their presaging of weather when the Flies bite hardel then ordinary making at the face and eyes of men they foretell rain or wet weather from whence Politian hath it Sitiensque cruoris Musca redit summosque proboscide mordicat artus English Thirsty for bloud the Fly returns And with his sting the skin he burns Perhaps before rain they are most hungry and therefore to asswage their hunger do more diligently seek after their food This also is to be observed that a little before a showre or a storm comes the Flies descend from the upper region of the air to the lowest and do fly as it were on the very surface of the earth Moreover if you see them very busie about sweet meats or
unguents you may know that it will presently be a showre But if they be in all places many and numerous and shall so continue long if Alexander Benedict and Johannes Damascenus say true they foretel a plague or pestilence because so many of them could not be bred of a little putrefaction of the air Many waies doth natute also by Flies play with the fancies of men in dreams if we may credit Apomasaris in his Apotelesms For the Indians Persians and Aegyptians do teach that if Flies appear to us in our sleep it doth signifie an Herauld at Arms or an approaching disease If a General of an Army or a chief Commander dream that at such or such a place he should see a great company of Flies in that very place where ever it shall be there he shall be in anguish and grief for his Souldiers that are slain his Army routed and the victory lost If a mean or ordinary man dream the like he shall fall into a violent Feaver likely may cost him his life If a man dream in his sleep that Flies went into his mouth or nostrils he is to expect with great sorrow and grief imminent destruction from his enemies Nor do they only foretell storms that shall fall out such daies or such times of the year but they do afford much matter for Medicine and cure for diseases For Galen out of Saranus Asclepiades Cleopatra and others hath taken many Medicines against the disease called Alopecia or the Foxes evill and he useth them either by themselves or mingled with other things For so it is written in Cleopatra's Book de Ornatu Take five grains of the heads of Flies beat and rub them on the head affected with this disease and it will certainly cure it Asclepiades used to take a great many Flies heads fresh pluckt from the body and rub the part that was bare or bald with this disease especially if they were exulcerated For the bloud of Flies saith he doth much help the parts that are exulcerated with Nitrous medicines or are otherwise galled or fretted Soranus used mix a pot full of whole Flies dried to powder with Alcyonium quick Brimstone Gunpowder sowes Gall and other like things against the Fox-evil Some adde to these Bears hair roots of Reed and Fern and bark of Chesnut and with which medicine they cure perfectly not only the Fox-evill but whatever defluxion of hair and the thinnesse thereof however contracted the place affected being only first rubbed till it be red again with fig-leaves Others use the bloud that runs out of the heads of Flies othersome apply the ashes of them ten daies together with the ashes of paper or nuts so that the third part be the ashes of Flies Some others do temper ashes of Flies with womens milk or coleworts some only with honey Pliny After the same manner Haly and Marcellus burn the heads of Flies and mingle them with honey in stead of an oyntment Brassavolus lib. de morbo Gallico maketh use of both the bloud and the ashes of Flies against the Foxes Evill The like Medicine Pliny useth to procure hair on the eye-lids Take of ashes of Flies and Mouse-dung of each alike mingled half a penny weight add to it two sixth parts of Stibium and with these and Oesipus or sheeps fat anoint the part Some prescribe Flies with the roots of Docks for the Leprosie to be annointed withall Pliny saith that there were some that for the same cause did give 21 red Flies dead in drink but those that were very weak a fewer number That Flies are very good for sundry diseases of the eyes not only Haly Galen Pliny and Archigenes have affirmed but also Neotericks or later writers especially for the Pin and web Bleer-eye squint-eye and warts on the eye-lids If the eyes be washed in the evening with water of ordinary Flies distilled in way of bath for a moneths space it will cure them of all spots or films If the hair be often wet with it it will grow exceedingly But the Vessel must be buried in Autumn and the Material distilled about Winter With two drops of this water put into the ears Gesner writes the deafnesse of them will be cured and this Medicine he saith he learned of a Jew Mutianus which was thrice Consul from observation did hang a live Fly in a little linnen bag about his neck wherewith the rhume or bloudshot of them was cured as Pliny affirmeth Flies in an odde number being rubbed together are reported to be very good to cure a fellon on the ring finger Bean Flies drank with vinegar do drive forth a horsleech sticking in the throat Haly Abbas The Fly Napellaris of the herb Napellus or Wolfebane so called doth not only cure the poyson of that herb but all other poyson whatsoever as Avicen witnesseth and Julius Scaliger confesseth from whence this Antidote is made Take round Birth-wort Mithridate of each two ounces terra sigillata half an ounce Flies of Napellus in number 18 juice of Citrons what may suffice mingle them make an Opiate For saith Scaliger against the biting of the Tarantula or any venomous beast or the poyson of Wolfebane there is no Antidote comparable to this The same do Gainerius and Petrus Apponensis teach us Yea moreover when as there is no Fly almost but will cause vomiting as I shall make good out of Arnoldus why may not all of them be thought preservatives against poyson Cardanus in like manner commends the wormed Fly But it is best learning of medicines by hands and eyes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. by known experience lest while we affect unknown medicines we lose the use of those we know He tels us that an oyl made of wood Flies was in great estimation yet he telleth not us how to make or to use it A Fly chewed and swallowed doth vehemently provoke vomiting Arnoldus I have heard of a certain man saith Gesner that was wont to take three or four Flies into his body which gave him a very good stool Take five grains of Broom-flowers let them be put into an earthen po◠with butter here and there laid between them bed upon bed with which the vessel may be filled and being very well closed let it be buried in horse dung where the Sun useth to come for the space of one year at the years end you shall finde the Flies turned into an Unguent the which afterwards are exceeding good for any grief whatsoever in any part of the body as I have learned of a friend of very good credit Nonus adviseth to take the bodies of great Flies when the heads are off and rub'd between the fingers and to annoint a small impostumate swelling therewith for a special remedy Fortius the Poet affirms that there was a German maid which lived three years with eating of Flies If cattel cannot urine or the urine scald their genitals put but a live Fly into them and it will give them ease
for that our Vintners know of no other bred in their cask But Scaligers Ephemerus I should rather have reckoned amongst the Flies called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 had not he himself referred it to this Classis I shall not think it much also to speak of Pennius his Triemerus or a Fly living three daies for the likenesse of the one with the other that so the mindes of the studious may be filled with variety and rarity It is of body very long and somewhat like a Butterfly the head little and yellowish the eyes great black standing out of the head the promuscis or beak winding in of the colour of yellow mulleins with which it sucketh dew from the flowers two black cornicles fastened a little above the eyes the back and belly blewish the end of the tail dunnish it hath only four legs the hindermost whereof are yellowish the edges of the foremost black it hath as many wings as feet the outermost whereof are pale wan the utmost borders of them being of a dark yellow the innermost of a brightish yellow The outer wings when they are closed together for to cover the body they are so contiguous that you can hardly yea very hardly perceive where they touch it flies heavily and continues but a while in flight within three daies it expires it lives amongst Mallowes and Nettles this was found at Peterborough in England in the year 82. witnessed by very honest men and without exception Thus Pennius In flowers or rather the buds of the flower called white Bets there is a kinde of Fly that eats the flowers very small I know not whether bred there or coming thither from some other place It seems they abide there for warmth sake and feeding Pennius saith he was informed of this by his most learned friend Dr. Brown I thought good to place the Fly Bibio in this number because it is nourished by Wine i. e. the clear juice of the grape of which also it is bred In the Illyrian Tongue called Vinis robale by the Germans Wein Worme in the English Wine Fly Cardanus cals it Muscilio Scaliger not amisse Volucessam and Vinulam for it flies into cellars often cares for nothing but wine If you take it and look upon it you would think it had no snout or beak at all and yet it is reported that they will strike through a Cask made of inch board insomuch that the wine sometime runneth all out It may be Grapaldus meaneth these when he writeth thus The Muscillae Musculae Musciones Flies bred in Autumn in the mother of Wine and soiling the Wine-cups do not live so long and that deservedly as to come upon the table in the winter In the West Countrey in a Town called Tanton in the fruit of an Apple tree called Velin in the Summer being rotten to the Core there is found a glistering fly of a green colour which when the Apple is cut in twain flies out and seemeth to be bred there of some kinde of worm that is in it The wounds made by any of these Flies must be anointed with bitter Almonds bruised or Walnuts when ulcers are made it is fit to pour on liquid Pitch boyled with Hogs-grease Those things that kill and drive away the Tyke-flies called Ricini for the most part kill and drive away the Dog-flies Columella The Fly also by his boldnesse and saucinesse hath taught men how to provide remedies against them for whereas both at home and abroad every where they were so troublesome that nothing could be so safely kept by the Cook but presently they would be at it and spoil it yea all kinde of meats whatsoever they now use to strew or stick up in their houses or boyl and mingle with such kinde of things as Flies love Nigella seed Elder Lawrel Coriander Hellebore Buglosse Borage Sage Beets Loose-strife Origanum Basil royal Henbane Licebane Balm a shrub having a flower like a Rose Pepper Ferula Cockle Libbards-bane some give them Orpiment powdered with Milk or sweet Wine and sprinkle it about Rhasis writeth that Crocodile Broth chaseth away Flies who also commends the perfume of yellow Arsenick with Olibanum perfume of Vitriol writing Ink tempered with water wherein Wormwood hath been washed keeps the flies from the letters Plin. The seed of Henbane black Ellebore and the Froth 〈◊〉 Quicksilver with Barly flower beaten and kneaded and made into little morsels with Butter 〈◊〉 Grease and smeared with a little honey and so cast to the flies kils them Aetius The gall of a 〈…〉 are mingled with milk or boyled in water and sprinkled about the house will chase away all the flies Anonymus Flies are destroyed with the smell of Wine distilled with the herb Balm 〈◊〉 If you would gather flies together into one place cast Rhododaphne well bruised into a ditch the juice of the herb Ferula sprinkled worketh the same effect Aetius Bury the tail of a Wolf in the house and the flies will not come into it Rhasis Avicen Albertus Boors grease and Rosin melted entangles them Oyl choaks them Verdigrease kils them outright If you anoint any thing with Casia beaten in oyl it will be safe from flies There is found in my Countrey saith Petrus Cressentius a kinde of Toadstool or Mushrome broad and thick reddish about the top which sendeth forth certain knobs or little bunches some broken some whole it is called the Flies Mushrome because when it is made into a pultess with milk it destroyeth the flies If a man hold in his â—and the stone Heraclites or the touchstone although he were dawbed all over with honey yet will not the flies come at him by this means you may know whether the touch-stone he true or no. Aetius They write that the K. of Cambayes son was brought up by poyson who when he came to years was all over so venomous that flies at once sucking were swoln to death Scaliger If the fly get into one eye you may shut the other hard and it helpeth Aphrodisaeus in Problem If Camels chance to be stung by the Tabanus or Asilus a kinde of Fly so called as it often cometh to passe in Arabia anoint them with Whales grease and all sorts of fish and they will presently be gone Plia Solion in Geoponicis biddeth to sprinkle cattel with the decoction of Bay-berries and both these flies through a kinde of natural antipathy depart forthwith If cattel be already stung with the Asilus Fly anoint them with Ceruse and water The Tabani will die saith Ponzettus when you set before them Oyl of the decoction of land Crocodiles called Scinci bruised with Hogs seam the flour of soot Moreover let cattel be led to pasture in the evening the stars guiding them in the day time let them be kept in folds with boughs laid under them that they may lye the more easily and quietly Virgil. Or else let them be brought to the sides of thick woods where these slies by
mischievous little creature to use Aelians language annoying men both day and night both with his noise and his sting especially those that live near the fens or rivers Of whom Tertullian against Marcion and his fifth book speaketh thus Endure if thou be able the trunk and launce of the Gnat who doth not only offend the ear with the shrilnesse of his sound but with his launce strikes through the skin yea and veins also The distinction of Gnats is very perplex and obscure it hath puzled all the Philosophers which with the doubtful sense of words in Authors have almost confounded the things themselves But to me they seem to differ especially in magnitude and malignity For there are these several sorts of them the bigger lesser middlemost and least The bigger may be called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because they have their abode in fenny and marish places there they are begotten and there nourished they have a very long slender body with two wings which they never lift up above their body as the fly doth but straight up from their shoulders and those are very neat polite and compleat as may be They abound in woods that grow near the sea and the fens not only in Norway Russia and other extreme cold regions as Olaus Magnus hath observed but in the West-Indies in Hispaniola Peru and in Italy near Eridanus Padus Adria Argenta where great sâ—oâ—e and very great ones are to be seen terrible for biting and venomous piercing through a three double stocking and boots likewise sometimes leaving behinde them impoysoned hard blue tumors sometimes painful bladders sometime itching pimples such as Hippocrates hath observed in his Epidemicks in the body of one Cyrus a Fuller being frantick Nay sometimes the vein being struck they do so suck the bloud that when they are gone with their bellies full it would flow out in drops of its own accord even as we see in horses when they are bitten of the fly called Tabanus The Italians use to clothe themselves with leather for that purpose but yet scarsely and not altogether by any means they can use can they escape their 〈…〉 ings Whether or no these are the Styges inevitable of which Theophrastus speaks of in his Book de caus pl. s cap. 4. I have not to speak for the present saith the learned Scaliger and it appears that they are the same for that they are not bred in a place of free thin and open air but are bred and fed about fens and standing waters as about Argenta and the mouth of Padus But if the be Styges they have found out a very fit name for them from their hatred and malice which the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doth import But those which are in the hotter Regions and live by the sides of rivers and fens are of a more fierce disposition and sting more cruelly as Massarus hath informed Gesner and our countreymen the English under Captain Drake in their expedition into Hispaniola felt by experience There are others somewhat lesse then these nothing differing in colour form and frame of body but yet in disposition more milde and sting lesse In the Summer time they are in the shady places in the Winter in snowy places neer hedges and bushes sporting themselves in their swiftness of flight and as it were trying the mastery in fleeing from this place to that They seldome bite and when they do bite they draw no bloud but only a little salt sweaty matter which they feed upon which causeth only a little hard and itching pimple to arise These two species are especially termed of the Greeks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 others there are notwithstanding which have other names There are in England especially in the north part thereof two other sorts of them of a third and fourth bignesse much lesse than the former but amongst themselves not much differing in their dimensions These like expert and well trained souldiers alwaies march in an exact pyramidal Figure and although in themselves infinite yet not any one of them breaks his rank Thus they move upwards and downwards when as in the twinkling of an eye and while you can say what 's this they bring their Army into a square body and presently again into wings the which if you rout with a fly-flap or with water sprinkled amongst them or with a strong blast of breath they will instantly rally again and before you can give a fillip bring their whole body into a pyramidal figure They being in great numbers do much infest the faces and eyes of travellers and bite them so many and so frequent are they that out of what kinde of woâ—m they should have their original it cannot be imagined Countrey people suppose them and that not improbably to be procreated of some corrupt moisture of the earth These small Summer Gnats are most frequent in the moneth of May and seem to be nourished with a watery vapour for their intestine or ventricle is very small white and welnigh invisible full of a white frothy thin moisture and of little or no tenacity sometimes they fly farther off from the water and gather themselves in great companies about houses as men passe over bridges they swarm about their heads they love places that are without wind they shun what they can a turbulent air for by the troublesomenesse of the air they are dispersed hither and thither Those kind of Gnats are properly called in English Midges Now we are to descend to other soâ—t of Gnats according as their names are given them in the Greek The chief of these are these three viz. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of which in order Empisâ—is a kinde of Gnat living about rivers especially about rocks girt about the middle with a streak of white It maketh a shril-like noise as the other kindes of Gnats do whence Chaerephon in Aristophanus his Nubibus demands of Socrates whether he thought that the Empides did make that sound with their mouth or their tail Hesichius also calleth this Empri 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Oxe-eater because being deceived by the authority of Aristotle he thought the Oestrus Fly came from them the which we have declared before at large that they were procreated of Swallowes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Arist Hist 5. c. 19. Which Theodorus Latines thus Culices Muliones ex Ascaridibus gignuntur hoc est Tipulis The Gnats called Muliones are begotten of the Asarides i. e. the Tipulae These Tipulae for the most part come out of wells or standing waters the earthly matter setling to the bottome for the mud first of all putrefying becomes whitish by and by after blackish last of all bloud-red when it is such presently there come forth certain little red creatures called Algulae which remaining for a time they move to their original and afterwards come to perfection so that the Tipulae so called are carried by the water then a few daies after they heave themselves above the
water hard and without motion not long after the shell being broken cometh forth the Empis and sits there till either moved by the wind or the Sun he be able to fly Thus far Gara Neverthelesse not to wrong a famous man I should think it a very easâ—e matter to shew where in many things he is out Why doth he translate the Empides Muliones who are said not to live above a day and feed only upon honey which must needs be hard for them to get so readily in Fens and Marishes For I may well call without wrong to the judgement either of Pliny or Penny the Muliones as they call them Melliones for they neither care for Mules nor feed on them but only upon Honey the which they can smell at a great â—istance they have a bill like a Wood-pecker long and sharp with which they devour in honey so greedily that at length they burst their bellies and so presently expire In this also did Gaza trip to say the least that may be that he translates the word Ascarides by the word Tipulae For the Ascarides whether they come forth of the earth or the water or otherwise every man knowes do signifie little worms Besides the Tipulae alwaies keep the top of the water seldome or never go down to the bottom Last of all when as the Tipulae themselves come of the Ascarides who can rightly say that Ascarides are the Tipulae 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is called Culex ficarius i. e. Fig Gnat not because it comes indeed from the fig-tree but because it is fed and sustained by its fruit For it is sprung of a certain worm that breeds in the Figs which when nature cannot make her perfect work upon nor bring to the sweetness and perfection of other Figs lest she should make something in vain by a certain quickning vertue out of the grains of them being rotten and putrefied she produceth these Gnats Yet not so as that the Gnat is the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or besides the intention of Nature as Scaliger hath learnedly observed or if it be the truth is the work by the bye is of more dignity than the main Nature did propose to its self the perfection of a wilde Fig a thing not so much to be esteemed of this she being not able to bring to passe turns her self from so common a work to an enterprise of greater weight and produceth a Gnat which she effecteth Concerning those Gnats Pliny hath these words the wilde Fig-tree brings forth Gnats these being defrauded of the nourishment they should have received from their mother being turned to rottenness they go to the neighbouring Fig-tree and with the often biting of the same fig-tree and greedily feeding upon it they let in the sun withall and set open a door for plenty of air to enter in at Anon after they destroy the milky moisture and infancy of the fruit which is done very easily and as it were of its own accord and for that cause the wilde fig-tree is alwaies set before the fig-trees that the wind when the Gnats fly out of them may carry them amongst the fig-trees who asloon as they come into them the figs swell and ripening of a sudden grow very big and full Whence it is that the Greeks to expresse a woman great with childe and near her time yea or newly conceived with childe call her 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gnat-bitten Those kemb'd and curle lockt Pathicks and prostitutes of unnatural lust were called from hence Capifricati as witnesseth the Greek Iambick 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Nemo comptus nisi Caprificatus There is no man that curls and trims his locks that is not Caprificatus To this Caprification Turnebus thinks that Adrian the Emperor did allude when he upbraids that effeminate Poet Florus with his Pathick obscenity under the term of round Gnats in a most bitter Sarcasm Florus had said Ego nolo Caesar esse Ambulare per Britannos Scythicas pati pruinas To whom Caesar answereth Ego nolo Florus esse Ambulare per Tabernas Latitare per popinas Culices pati rotundos In English thus I would not Caesar be To travel Britany To suffer Scythian cold I would not Florus bee To walk the Taverns free In Sculking Brothels hide Or the round Gnats abide But what time these Gnats passe from the wilde fig to the fig-tree they do it in such haste that many of them leave either a foot or a wing behinde them Now that they generated of the grains of the unripe fig may be evident in that the wilde fig is left void of grains Cnips some call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so called of the Greeks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from biting or stinging for that the twinge the flesh and with their biting cause an itching in the same is a very small Gnat not unlike the Conops who although by his sitting upon the Fig it may seem the same Gnat spoken of before called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Theophrastus saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Which place Pliny interprets thus There is a kinde of Gnat very offensive to certain trees as to the Oak of whose moisture that is under the bark they are thought to be bred Theophrastus cals all those 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 what ever they be that are bred in the Elm Naven Rapes Poley the Mastick Turpentine and other trees either with putrefaction or otherwise These or the like but a little bigger Cursius in his 13. Book saith are very hurtful to the orchard Wal-nuts which are called of those of Lions Bordella Bordells Galens opinion is they are great devourers of Grapes The moisture of the Elm included in its first growth in the leaves or rather bladders if it dry up is changed into these Cnipae In the Autumn it brings forth other kinde of Gnats many small and black called Canchryes Symphorianus They do especially haunt and spoil watered gardens the crop and scrape most kindes of herbs Velarandus Insulanus an Apothecary at Lions hath observed them very frequently to come forth of the middle or heart of the Oak Apple having a hole made into it as also out of divers other herbs not so much by reason of putrefaction but rather out of the alteration of certain principles being digested into a better nature by successive labour Origen upon Exodus saith that with these little creatures God did the third time take down the proud heart of Pharaoh the which are hung in the air by the wings but yet as it were invisible and do so subtilly and quickly pierce the skin that the fly which you cannot perceive flying you may feel stinging So all the ancient interpreters following Origen expound the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Only Tremelius a very faithful interpreter of the Hebrew Text and of sacred Writ is of another minde who thinks this plague to be a swarm of such kinde of creatures as if the Gnats and all other venemous and stinging flies
and lanthorn all this kindes Darkness cannot conceal her round about Her candle shines no winds can blow it out Sometimes she flies as though she did desire Those that pass by to observe her fire Which being nearer seem to be as great As sparks that fly when Smiths hot iron beat When Pluto ravish'd Proserpine that Rape For she was waiting on her chang'd her shape And since that time she flyeth in the night Seeking her out with torch and candle light Those that are without as well as they that have wings do send forth such a bright light that by it you may read a great print In this also they surpass Moon and Stars for that clouds and darkness soon eclipse their light where it is so far from obscuring the lustre of those that it rather increaseth it Thus far of those Glow-worms which are found in Europe In the Commentaries of Navigation this Glow-worm is thus described The Cocuio is four times as big as our flying Glow-worm it is of the kinde of Beetles the eyes whereof shine like a candle with whose brightness the air is so enlightned that any man may in his chamber read write or do any necessary business Many of them joyned together make such a light that an army may march by them whither they please maâ—gre all winds darkness rain or storms whatsoever Their wings being lift up and also towards their shanks they shine very gloriously the Inhabitants before the Spaniards came thither made use of no other light neither within nor without their houses But the Spaniards because these lightsome creatures do by little and little lose their light with their lives do use within doors about their businesse lamps and candles But if they are to march forth against an enemy newly arrived they make use of them to conduct them and each souldier carrying four of them about him divers waies cousen the enemy For when as that noble traveller Sir Tho. Cavendish that compassed the world and Robert Dudley Knight son to Robert Earl of Leicester first landed in the Indies and that very night that they came ashore saw hard by in the woods an infinite number of moving candles and torches as it were beyond their expectation they thinking the Spaniards were come upon them unawares with guns and pistols and much light speedily betook them to their ships Many other Insects of this kinde are there to be found But because this seemeth to be of most account and to have the preheminence above the rest Oviedus hath left the rest undescribed The Indians use to rub their faces with a paste made of them that so their bodies may seem all of a flame How this may be since as is said before the light vanisheth with the life I do not see unless it be that the light may endure a while after they are dead but that long it cannot remain is manifest by experience The Indians finding so great need of them in that they could not rest in the night for the Gnats stinging them the which these Glow-worms being kept in the house did as greedily hunt after as Swallowes do Flies and because they could not work by night without this lanthorn of nature before such time as the Spaniards came thither they bethought themselves 〈◊〉 some means whereby to catch them the which I shall shew partly out of Peter Martyr partly from those reports of others which were eye-witnesses of the same Whereas the Indians were constrained by reason of want of light to lie all the night idle they got them out of doors with a lighted firebrand and crying aloud Cucuie cucuie they do so beat the air that either for love of the light they fly to them or for fear of the cold they fall to the ground which some with leaves of trees others with linnen rags othersome with little nets made for the purpose detain till they can come to take them with their hands There are other little flying beasts which shine by night but a great deal bigger than ours and sending forth a far greater light For they shine so bright that those which take long journeys make them fast by a way to their heads and feet being alive for so they may be seen afar off to the astonishment of those that know not the matter the women use no other light to do their business withall by night within doors but these Oviedus There are yet other worms of another form which give light by night as we read in the Commentaries of Navigation In the Island called Hispaniola there are two sorts of worms which shine by night Some of the length of a mans little finger slender with many feet gliâ—â—ening so bright in the dark that a man may see all round about him â—or fifty or an hundred paces easily That clear light shines forth only out of the clifts 〈…〉 f you will the junctures of the body near the feet There are others like to these in bigness and altogether as lightsome but only that their light issues from the head Those things we finde in the histories of Navigation But whether these Cicindelae be of the kinde of of the Juli as I think them to be or whether they be like to ours is not declared But I guesse them so to be by the multitude of the feet they have for the Author reckons them in the number of the Scolopenders Valerius Cordus in Dioscor makes mention of the Scolopender as he interptets it whereas it is indeed a kinde of the Juli which in moist places and in rainy weather shine very bright Such a one my friend Brewer found in England in the heath grounds and sent the worm dryed to Pennius But that every man may better understand it I shal set down his own words I twice found a Scolopendra that shines in the night yet as I said they are kindes of Juli in summer nights of a shining â—ery appearance inheath and mossie grounds The whole body shines something more darkly than a glow-worm He further adds It once hapned that I came sweating home to my house at night that I wiped my head in the dark with a napkin the napkin seemed to me all over of a flaming fire whereupon I wondred a while at this new miracle all the lustre seemed to draw to one place then folding the napkin together I called for a candle and opening the cloth I found such a Scolopendra which I had rubbed against my head and had caused this strange light like fire Thus far Bruerus who affirms that it was like to the Scolopenders commonly so called in gardens and under stones and earthen vessels wherein women are wont to set their choicer plants or slips All the Summer time and Autumn saith Gaudentius Merula lib. 3. memor c. 61. In grassie ditches and without water when I was at Lebetium which is now called Jamzâ—rius fort I gathered little shining hairy worms in the night The same I saw in the ditches
anointed with this Oyl Sores in the â—rovn Ca 〈…〉 es Pestilential So 〈…〉 〈…〉 s and 〈…〉 ounds made by a mad Dog are cured In an 〈…〉 he 〈…〉 that 〈…〉 draw a circle about the sore with a Saphir stâ—ne 〈…〉 Meloes or of Juniper as being that wherewith 〈…〉 and 〈…〉 affected presently reduced to its natural temp 〈…〉 eth a certa 〈…〉 aiâ—y Beetle of the colour of a Lion and like one 〈…〉 else b 〈…〉 oughness He â—ontends that it is called by its proper name Culio it is found in old hedges and unregarded ditâ—hes and banks this he wâ—ites is wonderful good for scabby eyes and eye-lids which have been long fretted with a fa 〈…〉 and sharp humour or eaten away with lice Thus he sheweth the way of using it first gather betimes in the morning a colewort lâ—af wet with the dew of the â—ight and wrapit up so that all the 〈◊〉 râ—n together to the bottome of the 〈◊〉 then having taken up his hairy Beetle with your fore-fingers and thumb put it up instantly within the leaf that its urine which it presently makes upon its being bruised may be mingled with the dew of it for otherwise its pisâ— in which all the sâ—cres â—eth will be 〈◊〉 If with a probe you shall search the eye-lids and 〈◊〉 the places which are 〈◊〉 and eaten away with its dew when it is now 〈…〉 it were with the p 〈…〉 e of this Beetle you will co 〈…〉 and wonderful 〈◊〉 But what 〈◊〉 or what manner of Beetle this is I am altogether ignorant nor can I call to minde any other Authors who have made any mention of it The W 〈…〉 do now challengâ— to have some room allowed them which the Greeks call 〈…〉 the English Water-clocks All these 〈◊〉 their bellies coloured with a light 〈◊〉 and their 〈…〉 〈…〉 all that border which compasseth about its shoulders and its whole oâ—al body and make its eyes of a silver colour you 〈…〉 more toward its 〈…〉 They have every 〈…〉 they 〈…〉 lye hid their membranous wings of a silver hew with which by night having left the water they nimbly fly through the air which by day they very seldome or never use But the least of all are those which with a restless motion run about in a multitude this way and that way upon the surface of the water without order and play as it were together and when the water is troubled either they dive down to the bottome or hide themselves in holes of the banks but afterward as soon as the waves are still and calm they leap about it again for joy Christophorus Leustnerus writeth to Gesner that he found a Beetle in a certain place with a sheathy crust as they use to have which had a head like an Ant somewhat yellow and many wings on the hinder part of the belly it had sins such as are upon Craps tayls which they used as they wandred up and down like rowers upon the water it had a little tail sticking out for its defence but which was 〈…〉 d into very long hairs being thrown out of pond water into fountain water it died within a few daies And thus much of Beetles which of countreys only Olynthus of plants only the wilde Lilly produce not whereupon that is called by Pliny Theopompus and Antigonus Cantharolethros this by Dioscorides Anticantharos CHAP. XXIV Of the Fen-Kricket the Eve-churre or the 〈…〉 GIVe me leave here where names are wanting to make some The creature which we have described is that which Cordus calleth Spondylis Dodoneus Bupresti 〈…〉 both of them amiss without reason For the Spondylis hath no wings you see this Insect is winged The Bupres 〈…〉 〈◊〉 by all to be like the Cantharis but this creature neither in figure nor colour nor bigne 〈…〉 any thing near it to say nothing of its having no sheathy wings 〈◊〉 all wise 〈…〉 â—antharides have If we may make names we may call it Gry 〈…〉 be 〈…〉 shrill noyse which 〈…〉 et doth towards night 〈…〉 use it digs the e 〈…〉 h continually the Netherlan 〈…〉 call it Weemol It is an Insect ugly to sight and monstrous four times bigger than the biggest of the Cantharides especially when it is pretty well grown The shape you see before you I will tell you the colours The female is paler the male of a deep brown that hath besides a long horns 4 knobs hanging out as it were of it nostrils and lips it hath also bigger eyes and the root of its wings is bedecked with a red spot But the male is without those buttons and in sâ—ead of them hath two bristles twice as long as those buttons it seemeth to be of the same colour all over and without any spot both their clawes are as black as a Raven with their fore-feet which are very strong and bending inward they both dig through hillocks and make holes under 〈◊〉 they stand upon their middle feet and with their hinder feet when need is they leap their tail is forked their wings longer than their body and membranous their body variously joynted The young ones for the most part are all over black the old ones seem to be without hair it liveth the greatest part of 〈…〉 age under a moorish and moist ground yet in the night it cometh a broad It is a very â—lowe 〈…〉 e and its flying is like leaping whereupon it is reckoned by some among 〈…〉 begins to come forth as Krickets do when the Sun is going down and pleaseth it self with i 〈…〉 which is lowd enough and may be heard above a mile off which as soon as the husband 〈◊〉 hear they are glad presently as though they knew by its coming that the earth now teemed with moysture and were brought as it were to maturity by the heat of the Sun It gathereth together grains of wheat barly and oats and carrieth them into its nest being to live upon them perhaps in the winter Some affirm that it feeds upon Horse 〈…〉 〈◊〉 relates that this little creature kils cattel with its biting falling into this mistake because he took it to be the Buprestis Whether it do any hurt being taken inwards I know not but P 〈…〉 s hath often handled it in his bare hands and without harm never observing in it any inclination to bite Our 〈◊〉 signified as much to P 〈…〉 who hired C 〈…〉 with his moâ—â—y to observe as often as might be its condition and to make relation of it CHAP. XXV Of the Fire-fly THat which is called by Aelian 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 other Greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hermolaus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 some 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Aristot l. 5. Hist c. 19. giveth these little creatures no proper name but sayes they are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which Gaza translateth Bestiales fornacum Furnace creatures Strabo reckons them among Gnats they are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by Suidas and by the Scepticks as we
other inhabitants in the dominions of the waters do sufficiently declare how useful they are for the feeding and fatning of Fishes Without question Festus Nonius Marcellus Sipontinus and others meant this Water-spider now described as it will appear by their words The Tipula saith Festus is a kinde of little creature having six feet but so light that in running upon the water it seemeth to take no steps Perâ—ttus saith upon the matter the same The Tipula saith Nonius Marcellus is a very light creature which doth not swim but go upon the water Varro thus Levis Tipula levissime frigidos transit lacus for so the place which is corrupted is to be read and corrected The light Water-spider very nimbly passeth over the cold ponds Albertus Guillerinus de Conchis and Vincentius call it Araneus Aquaticus interpreting the Dutch name for it hath some likeness with the Spider ascribing but four feet to the Tipula not reckoning the little arms which are before among its feet since it doth not use them in going Others as I said before reckoning those little arms among their feet do allow Water-spiders six feet Hence it does most certainly appear that we have described that very Tipula which Plautus mentions so that there is no room left for any ones doubting he eafter But before we go any further the truth requires of me that I confute two notorious errors of Guillerinus de Conchis The first error is when he saith that the Water-spider lives alike upon the water and upon the land the other when he saith that it runneth very swiftly upon land both which do evidently contradict experience for upon land it doth not live long nor run at all but move with a very slow pace and sometimes leap but that very little Whether Catrab in Avicen which is called by Silvaticus Cutubut and Eckentubut be the Water-spider as Wierus thinketh I cannot say for certain although indeed I am easily perswaded by reason of the circumstances to believe that Catrab in Avicen is not the Water-spider But let us hear Avicens description Catrab saith Avicen is a little creature having its being on the surface of the water which moveth upon it divers waies without order and diveth ever and anon to the bottome and presently appeareth above again Sylvaticus hath almost the same word for word only he adds that whensoever any thing happens amiss to it it runs away and by and by appears again From this little creature by reason of its restless and disordered motion hither and thither that kinde of melancholy which the Greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Latines Insania Lupina is called by Avicen Cathrab and Alcathrab with which when men are taken they fly from the living and go out by night and frequent graves as Paulus writes and think indeed that they are turned into Wolves as Wierus writes it befell a certain husbandman in Germany in the year 1541. The Ancients saith Wierus call a fly which is common in moorish grounds Tipula And we think Manardus made mention of this somewhere in his Epistles Wherefore I am fully perswaded that Catrab is not this Water-spider but some other little creature the least of the kinde of Water-beetles which with a restless motion moveth almost continually upon the surface of the water hither and thither without order as we said in the History of them and upon the least disturbance or stirring of the water goeth to the bottome and presently hideth it self in the mud but by and by assoon as the billowes are down riseth up again to the surface of the water This little creature is seldome single but many of them sport together in the same place running up and down several waies I was once wont to behold with great delight these little very black and shining Beetles pulling one another and as it were wrestling together But of these we have spoken at large among the Water-beetles And we shall take Gaza's Tipulae into our consideration among the Water-worms The word Ascaris which they interpret Tipula maketh nothing toward the illustration of this History CHAP. XXVII Of the Forficula or Earwig ARnoldus his Forficula is called by the later Latine writers Auricularia by the more Ancient Mordella Niphus cals it Vellicula à vellicando from rending the French call the Earwig Aureilliez or Perceaureille the Germans Oren-worm the Low Dutch Orenmetel the English Earwig Hadrianus Junius thinks it to be Fullo which notwithstanding much differs from the form of a Beetle Is this the Greeks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 truly both the original of it and the biting agree thereunto for this is bred also in the hollow stalks of herbs as of the wilde Parsnip Angelica Fennel Gigant and is frequently seen in Coleworts The Northern English by an obscene name call it Twich-ballock as if you would call it Scrotomordium or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for where ever it findes a rivled pleated skin it will cause very great pain either by biting with the mouth or by winding about it with its forked tail which Pennius saith once hapned to him being a boy For we fell upon two sorts of Earwigs both were with wings contrary to the opinion of many For if you force them here and there back again with a bull-rush when they are hem'd in in some place or upon a table which the most illustrious Knivet taught Pennius they will presently open their wings that are hid under their covers and fly away But you must take diligent heed that you press it not too hard with a straw or or rush or wound it for then if it would never so fain it cannot fly away The more common is seen with a light red colour his foreyards feet and forked tail are yellow The other which is more rare in England and was seen by me but once or twice is greater than the former and of a blacker body hath a silver ring about the neck to adorn it the outward covers of the wings are of a reddish colour the mouth is forked and yellow on the back on both sides near the sides there arise five yellowish spots the fork of the tail is short and black and she lifts this toward her head and flies being angry into the air They are oft found in Coleworts and hollow Reeds and in the little bladders of Elm leaves They breed of worms that breed in the stalks they yearly cast their old skin and that being gone they look white as snow But with age it growes again and is died with its ancient colour The English women hate them exceedingly because of the flowers of Clove-gelliflowers that they eat and spoyl and they lay snares for them thus They set in the utmost void places Ox-hoofs Hogs-hoofs or old cast things that are hollow upon a staff fastned to the ground and these are easily stuft with cloathes or straw and when by night the earwigs creep into these to avoid the rain or
terrible smell I confess ingenuously that I never yet saw it nor know whether it be so by a contrariety in our land or climate Concerning the field Whurl we read thus in Theophrastus as Gaza hath interpreted of small wilde creatures that are bred outwardly that is not in the roots but without them none of them will feed on roots except the Whurl and that leaves none untouched for it is the proper nature of this Insect George Agricola a most learned Philosopher writes thus of Whurls that feed on roots The Whurlworm is found under the earth wrapt up near the roots which truly I could never observe and hence it hath its name Sphondyle from a little wherve or whirl It is so long and thick as ones little finger a red head the rest of the body white but that it is black above where it swels when it is full This plague of Orchards which wants not feet for it hath six feet and doth not creep eats up the pils about the roots of young trees nor doth it at all forbear the roots of wilde Cucumers black Chameleon Centaury hogs Fennel Birthwort Briony which no other Insect whatsoever will touch This Whurl without all doubt is the Insect that Malleolus in his Book of his filthy Exorcisms brings in these words There is saith he a certain worm which the Germans call Engar or Ingar it liveth under the earth is so long as ones middle finger of a white colour a black head six feet which by turning about furrowing and turning up the earth and eating the roots maketh plants barren The third year after its generation it breaks forth like flying Pismires which like their predecessors stick about trees and consume the fruit Then they call it Lawbkaefer In the Diocess of Mentz there were such multitudes of them that all remedies were attempted in vain only they were driven away by charms for so Malleolus reports Cordus also speaks of them Spondyles are worms under ground the Germans call them Engar or Ingar called so from the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 CHAP. VII Of a Catterpiller called Staphylinus GAza translates Staphylinos a Parsnip either by sleepy carelesness or rather ignorance but as it appears in the short expositions of Nicander the ancient Physicians knew it not sufficiently For the Scholiast writes that Staphylinus is a little creature like a Whurl others say it is like the Spanish Fly Hippocrates speaks once of it but describes it not Aristotle treating of the diseases of Horses cals it an incurable disease if a horse swallow a Staphylinus that is like to a Whurl But Absyrtus writes thus A Staphylinus is like to a Whurl that is about houses but is greater it is bred every where in the fields and goes holding up the tail Whence I perceive it were no hard matter to know a Staphylinus if the home bred Whurls were not unknown to us But that I may do my part and satisfie my Reader I will produce two Insects with their figures which I cannot tell whether they may be called Staphylini or not But that they are not far different from them is more than a conjecture The first as you see is all shining black not much unlike to Beetles but the body is more slender and longer The whole body is two fingers square or somewhat less in length the tail is with two forks which whilest it flies away for it will fly away and run very swiftly it lifts up as it were in its own defence and thrusts out like two short stings very white but we never saw it sting or strike with them and the stings are too small and soft to enter when he puts out these stings in anger it pours forth with them a white and thick substance but softer than a moist ointment It lives most under ground yet it is often seen amongst corn above the earth But I cannot say that it is like to the Whurl that Aristotle or Absyrtus speaks of The countrey people in Kent hold this to be a venomous creature and that Oxen are swollen by this poyson as they are with eating Long-legs It appears indeed that this Staphylinus is a venomous creature not only from their report but by the authority of Aristotle and Nicander I received the second kinde of Staphylinus a Worm of a wonderful form from a Nobleman Edmund Knivet exactly deciphered with his own hand and they are very common in Norfolk in England He hath a small head of a dark colour from red almost round the mouth is small and forked Next the head it hath three feet on each side the two former of them are short like to Catterpillers the other four are almost of a bloudy colour four times as long In the middle of the body under the belly it hath eight feet that are blunt as also a Catterpiller hath The tail is bunchy and forked with two hairs We learn hence that both these kindes are naturally venomous because two horses eating hay and swallowing them down were swoln all their bodies over and died by them In which disease it will not be useless to know Absyrtus his remedy that in the like case we may have it ready and cure our horses For if a Horse eat a Staphylinus whilest he feeds on hay or eats he presently casts him out again by reason of the sharpness of the spirits of it and as it were Vipers bloud But presently he swels exceedingly first therefore foment the swellings largely washing and rubbing them with salt water very hot then take vinegar Lees and put into them fine linnen cut and boyl this with water and anoint him all over but when he takes his physick let him remain in a hot house and a soft stall covered well with cloathes and let a good fire be kept continually by him Anoint him abundantly in the morning then the third day wash him well with hot water and dry up his sweat then rub him in a close place and having rubbed him anoint him with Nitre And fear not though his lips and eyes swel for it useth so to fall out for the Horse will certainly recover suddenly by this means and be as well as he was before But whether these be the same with Staphylinus of Cordus or the Coursilles in France let indifferent men judge They are found in Orchards sometimes so long as ones little finger and they make hillocks like to Moles and there they sleep They chiefly do mischief to Thyme and Elder yet not so but they hurt other plants and herbs also If there be any that know any thing more certainly concerning Staphylinus they are to be desired for Physick and Philosophy sake that they will not refuse to add their talent So at last the natural History of Insects shall be enriched by their labour and shall repay them not only great thanks but also their part in a large increase CHAP. VIII Concerning the Scolopendrae and Juli. THE Scolopendrae and Juli and Cheeselips
Sclerocephalus is like to this in form and forces and effects the same things as also the Scolecium We said that the downy Phalangium drives away barrenness if it be carried about one but whether it be violently venomous I know no man that hath determined it The spotted or Phalangium of Apulia doth produce divers and contrary symptomes according to the complexion of him that is wounded and his present disposition For some laugh some cry some speak faulteringly others are wholly silent this man sleeps the other runs up and down alwaies waking this man rejoyceth is merry and moves up and down that is sad slothful dull some think themselves to be Kings and command all some are sad and think they are in captivity and fettered lastly as men drunk are not of one quality so are these that are mad some are fearful silent trembling some are bold clamoâ—ous constant This is common to them all to delight in musical instruments and to apply their mindes and bodies to dancing and leaping at the sound of them Lastly when by continuance of the disease and the vehemency of it they seem next unto death yet when they hear musick they recollect their spirits and they dance with greater chearfulness every day These dancings being continued night and day at length the spirits being agitated and the venome driven forth by insensible transpiration they grow well But if the Musicians upon any cause do but leave off playing before the fuel of this mischief be spent the sick fall into the same disease that they were first oppressed with We must admire this most above other things that all those that are stung with the the Tarantula dance so well as if they were taught to dance and sing as well as if they were musically bred In Italy it was first invented and custome hath taken it up to call such as are bitten Tarantati or Tarantulati Cardanus against faith and experience denieth that musick can restore any that are bitten yet we heard the same thing fell out at Basil from Felix Platerus Theodore Zuingerus our most famous and dear Masters and we read the same in Matthiolus Bellunensis Ponzettus and Paracelsus And if the sweet musick of pipes could help mad horses and pains of the hips as Asclepiades writes why may it not help those are stung with a Tarantula Some there are that assign to this disease some I know not what small deity as superintendent over it they call him St. Vitus that had formerly great skill in singing he being called upon and pacified with musick as he is the patron of musick cures them so that men superstitiously impute that to him which they should do to musick and dancing Bellonius reports that the Cretian Phalangium induceth the like mischiefs and the pain and wound of it is also cured by musick It is no wonder the Ancients described not these two kindes of Phalangia because they knew them not nor did the shew the waies how to cure their stingings Dioscorides writes thus of the common bitings of the Phalangia The symptomes that follow their bitings are commonly these The place stung looketh red but neither swels nor waxeth hot but it is something moist when it growes cold the whole body quakes the hams and groins are stretched out there is a collection made in the loins they are often urged to make water and they sweat with very great pain and labour to go to the stool and cold sweat runs down every where and tears trickle down from their darkned eyes Aetius adds further They are kept waking they have frequent erection of the yard their head pricks sometimes their eyes and their legs grow hollow Their belly is unequally stretched out with winds and their whole body swels chiefly their face their gums their tongues and tonsils they bring forth their words foolishly and gaping sometimes they are troubled with difficulty to make water they are pained in their secrets they make urine like water and full of cobwebs The part affected is pricked and swels which Dioscorides denied before and it is moderately red So saith Aetius from whom Paulus Actuarius Ardoynus differ but little Gal. 3. de loc affec c. 7. hath it thus The bitings saith he of the Phalangia are scarce to be seen it first affects only the skin and from the superficies of it it is carried by the continuity of the fibres to the brain and into the whole body for the skin comes from the membranes and they from the nerves and the brain this is clear because by presently binding of it on the farther parts they are preserved from the venome that is near to them In Zacinthus they that are bit by the Phalangia are otherwise affected and more grievously in other parts their body is astonished weakned trembles and is very cold vomiting and convulsion followes and inflation of the yard their ears are afflicted with most cruel pains and the soles of their feet They use bathing for a remedy if the party recovered go willingly into bathes afterwards or were by chance or by craft brought into them by the hot water the contagion passeth over the whole body and he perceives the same mischief in the whole body Dioscorides writes the same things in the chapter concerning Trifoly that smels like Asphaltum The decoction of the whole plant easeth all the pain by fomentation where Serpents have stung men what man soever that hath ulcers and washeth himself in the same bath is so affected as he that was bit by a Serpent Galen saith he thinks it is done by a miracle Lib. de Theriaca ad Pisonom if Galen did write that Book But Aelian speaks more miraculously where he affirms that may happen to those that are sound making no mention of ulcers And thus much for symptomes Now for the cure The cure is particular or general Physitians speak of but a few particular cures because the general is commonly effectual But Pliny sets down a remedy against the biting of the Phalangium called Formicarium that hath a red head to shew another of the same kinde to him that is wounded and they are kept dead for this purpose Also a young Weasil is very good whose belly is stuft with Coriander kept long and drank in Wine A Wasp that is called Ichneumon bruised and applied drives back the venome of the Phalangium Vesparium saith Bellonius not otherwise than as one living kils another that is alive For Ichneumon saith Aristotle is a small creature that is an enemy to the Phalangia it often goes into their holes and goes forth again losing its labour For it is a matter of great labour for so small a creature to draw forth its enemy greater than it self by force but if he light upon his enemy preying abroad he drags the Phalangium as easily with him as a Pismire doth a corn and the more stifly he drawes himself back the Wasp draws him on the more fiercely and sparing
no pains doth bestir himself with all his might sometimes when he is tired with too much labour he flies away and breathes himself and having recovered breath he goes to seek for the Phalangium again and striking him often with his sting at last he kils him when he hath killed him he carries him into his own habitation on high and there it renewes its kinde by sitting upon them Those whom the Tarantula strikes are helped by violent and constant motion but Celsus on the other side commands those that are stricken by the other kindes of Phalangia to be quiet and to move but little But musick and singing are the true Antidote of it Christophorus de honestis bids presently exhibit Theriaca Andromachi Also he gives Butter and Honey and Saffron root with Wine The Bezar of it are the green grains of the Mastick tree Ponzettus lib. de venen perswades to give ten grains of Mastick with Milk or juice of the leaves of Mulberies j. ounce and half In the augmentation he cureth it with Agarick of white Briony after sweating much they must be refreshed with cold and moist things as with poppy-Poppy-water Merula saith they are cured with singing dancing leaping and colours I will not contend for the first three but I cannot see how they can be cured with colours especially when as they that are stung are blinde or see very little He saith also that inhabitants and citizens are hurt by them but strangers are safe and out of danger which no man of a smal belief or not very great faith can believe Dioscorides appoints a general cure First scarifying must be repeated and cupping glasses set on with a great fire Absyrtus counsels to fume the part stricken with the shels of Hens eggs first steeped in Vinegar and burned with Harts-horn or Galbanum Then you must use scarification and draw fouth the bloud by sucking or cupping glasses Or which is safest burn the place affected with an actual Cautery unless it were full of nerves for then it is best to set a Cautery on the neighbouring parts Then sweat must be provoked with clothes laid on or rather by gentle and long walking Lastly to perfect the cure you must prove by external and internal Medicaments such as we here set down and the most commendable and most noted we mark with an Asterisk Internal remedies out of Dioscorides Take seeds of Southernwood Anniseed Cummin seed Dill round Birthwort wilde Cicers Cedar fruit Plantain Trifoly seed of Minianthes each alike bruise them severally the Dose of them severally is ij drams in Wine but if you joyn many of them together drink iij. drams or iv with Wine also j. dram of the fruit of Tamarisk is effectual with Wine Chamepithy and the decoction of green Cyprus nuts with Wine Some prove of the juice of River-crabs with Asses milk and Smallage-seed and they promise it shall presently take away all pains Also a Ly of the Fig-tree is drank against the bitings of the Phalangia also it is good to dtink the fruit of the Turpentine tree Bav-berries Balm-leaves the seeds of all the wilde Carrots and of Coriander the juice of Myrtle-berries Ivy Mulberry Cabbage and Cliver-leaves with Wine or Vinegar one dram of the leaves of Bean Trifoly drank with Wine Decoction of Sparagus root juice of Housleek juice of Clivers with Wine He also commends a Snail bruised raw and drank with Asses milk * Also Balm-leaves with Nitre and Mallowes boyled with the roots drank often The leaves flowers and seeds of the herb Phalangium and the seed of Gith the Decoction of Asparagus Mock Chervil and the juice of Mullberries Out of Galen Take Birthworth Opium of each four aurei roots of Pellitory of Spain three aurei make Trochis as big as a Bean the Dose is two Trochis with three ounces of pure Wine The ashes of a Rams hoof drank with Wine and Honey The remedies of Diophantis against the bitings of the Phalangia Take Birthwort four drams Pellitory as much Pepper two drams Opium one dram make little Cakes as big as Beans take two with two Cyathi of the best Wine Another that is better Take seeds of wilde Rue Rocket-seed Pellitory Storax quick Brimstone each six drams Castoreum two drams mingle them make Trochis as before with Snails bloud the Dose is three oboli in Wine Another Take Myrrhe Castoreum Storax each one dram Opium two drams Galbanum three drams Anniseed and Smallage of each one acetabulum Pepper thirty grains make it up with Wine Another Take Myrrhe five drams Spike of Syria six drams flowers of the round Cane two drams and half Cassia four drams Cinamon three drams white Pepper one dram and half Frankincense one dram and one obolus Costus one dram make it up with Athenian Honey the Dose is the quantity of a Hazel-nut with water or with Honey and water Apollodorus * remedies Take wilde Cumin one acetabulum bloud of a Sea-tortoise four drams rennet of a Hinde or Hare three drams Kids bloud four drams make them up with the best Wine and lay them up the Dose is the quantity of an Olive in half a Cyathus of Wine Another Take seed of bituminous Trifoly round Birth-wort seeds of wilde Rue Tare-seed dried in the Sun each six drams drink them in Wine and make Cakes four drams weight the Dose is one Cake Gal. 2. de Antid where he hath collected many remedies from Authors Out of Aetius and Aegineta Take quick Brimstone Galbanum each four drams bitter Almonds blancht juice of Laserwort two drams of Assa four drams mingle them with Wine and Honey and drink them also lay them on thus Another Take Ameos two drams Flower-de-luce one dram or of St Johns wort or bituminous Trifoly drink them in Wine Or take Anniseed wilde Carriotseed Cumin-seed Gith Pepper Agarick each one dram drink it Or take leaves of Cyprus-tree or the Nuts bruised in Wine and Oyl one Hemina and drink it For this end he prescribes Bay-berries the herb Scorpions grasse Serpolet Laserwort Calaminth Chamaepitha by themselves or with Rue and Pepper Another A bunch of Mints boyled in fresh Posca let the sick drink two Cyathi Also Germander Chamaepithy white Thorn and Peniroyall in decoction are good Also a Ly and juice of Ivy with Vinegar Asclepiades used these Take seed of Sphondylium dried Calamint each alike bruise them and drink often in a day two Cyathi of Wine with them Another Take juice of Laserwort Daucus-seed dried Mints Spikenard each alike make it up with Vinegar the Dose is one dram take it with Posca and Wine four Cyathi and presently go into a hot Bath when Laserwort is wanting take the double portion of pure Assa One that is better * Take of Cenchryus seeds of wilde Rue Pepper Myrrhe wilde Vine of each one dram and half Cyprus root one dram make a Confection the Dose is one dram with four Cyathi of Wine and one Cyathus of Honey Also the eating of Garlick
admirable water to quench that fire and most effectual against it as Gesner received it from a friend Take fountain water one pound honey three spoonfuls shake them in a can and set them in an Emmets hill so that Pismires may easily fall into it when you find that so many are fallen in as will thicken the water shake the Can and as you use to do in making Rose-water so distill them The dose is half a spoonfull or more as the Patient can endure it by reason of his force more or lesse it will wonderfully provoke vomiting and will also evacuate the matter of the disease by Urine Pliny is the Authour from the old sayes that a Quotidian Tertian Quartan and all intermitting Fevers will be cured if the sick cause the parings of his nails to be cast before the entring of the Ant hill and if he catch the first of them that layes hold of them and bind him up and tie him about his neck Art thou troubled with pains in thy ears go to fill a glasse with Emmets and Emmets eggs and stop it well and bake it in an Oven with the bread till it be as hot as the bread that begins to heat then shall you find a water that is very usefull to cure the pains in the ears if it be dayly dropped in Is there a cloud before the sight 〈◊〉 presse out the juyce of the red Emmets and drop it in it doth corrode with some pain and wholly extirpate it Erotus Trotula Theophrastus Emmets egges beaten and put into the ears remove all deafness quickly Marcellus Some bruise them and press out the watry substance and drop it in Some infuse them in a glasse vessell in Oyl and boyl that on the fire and powre that into the ears If Urine be retained and cause the Dropsie drink twenty Pismires and so many egges with them in white wine and they shall help you Also their egges distilled do much when Urine is stopped Leo Faventinus A Maid that cares for her beauty and would make the circles of her eye-lids black Emmets egges bruised with Flies will perform that and give them their desire Some again either through age or disease to use the Poets phrase are beaten in their property and have lost their generative power that they cannot do the office of a husband if they would Some Authours commend to these oyl of Sesamum with Emmets egges bruised and set in the sun if the yard and testicles were anointed with it To this oyl some add Euphorbium one scruple Pepper Rew seed of each one dram Mustard seed half a dram and again they set it in the sun Rasis Arnoldus in this case commends black Ants macerated with oyl of Elder Nicolaus mingleth it with roots of Satyrium and others do give the distilled water thereof to those that are fasting Gesner in Euonymus describes a water conducing thereunto Take saith he a pot besmeered within side with honey and half full of Ants then add long Pepper Nutmegs Cardamon Pellitory of Spain each one pugil Butter what may suffice and digest them fourteen dayes in horse dung then distill them in a Bath and give a little duly to be drank fasting Others saith Merula add Comfery to oyl of Pismires others Borax or root of Masterwort with Wine when the impotent man goes to bed and thus they affirm that men may be cured of feeblenesse and women of barrenness But I wonder at the force of Pismires in this case for Brunfelsius writes that but four Ants taken in drink will make a man unfit for venery and abate all his courage thereunto yet he will maintain that Emmets with common salt and egges and old hogs grease wrapt in a cloth and laid on will cure the pain of the Hip-gowt Marcellus saith that if they be applyed with a little salt they are a present remedy for a Tetter Also as Serenus relates they are good against scabs and itch from an inflamation of bloud The dust in Emmets hils doth deep ly Being mingled with oyl will help it by and by Also Arnoldus reckons Emmets egges amongst such things as take off hair and commends water distilled from them against Noli me tangere and all corroding Ulcers Albertus thinks that drank with Wine they do powerfully dissipate winde Reckon how many Warts you have and take so many Ants and bind them up in a thin cloth with a Snail and bring all to ashes and mingle it with Vinegar Take off the head of a small Ant and bruise the body between your fingers and anoint with it any impostumated tumour and it will presently sink down Nonus Also God that I may omit nothing by the biting of Ants called Solipugae it is a kind of venomous Ant drove the Cynamolgi a slothful and idle people of Aethiopia from their habitations and destroyed them quite Pliny Some think they should be called Solifugae but Cicero cals them Solipugas I have a few things to speak from Authors as from Anthologius Apthonius Natalis Comes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Moichea a witty Book of the same argument And Aratus Herodotus Strabo Aristophanes Rasis Aggregator Beroldus Ryffius Zetzes Arnobius have by the by run over the natures of them and their polite life But because they add but little to what hath been said I would no longer play the Pismire lest seeming to be eloquent I might grow impertinent and searching every creek too narrowly I should make more gaps God grant that we whom God hath commanded to learn of Ants when we are idle and mind nothing but our bellies may by his good guiding learn of them and he instructing us we may perform our duty It is a small creature and contemptible for its magnitude yet we must know that goodness is not in greatness but what is good is to be accounted great I have said CHAP. XVII Of the Gloworm and the female Melo and of Anthremus and the field Chislep OFt-times those that are of a great faction and of noble descent will scorn to marry with one of a common family Yet the Poets write that Jupiter did not disdain to imbrace ordinary women and the Cicindela or Gloworm and the oyl Beetle or Meloe though they are of the winged order are not ashamed to couple with others that want wings And for as much as these females are endowed with the same force and dignity by nature which is seen in males I know not why they should refuse or be weary of their chance and of their females when as if their wings be taken off they agree in the same endowments of their minds and bodies We spake abundantly in the first Book concerning their form figure manners virtues use when we speak of their males that have wings and though this Treaty is allotted for Insects without wings yet I would not artificially separate the females from their males whereas naturall love hath from the beginning united them together From the similitude this Insect
skin and kernel hath Worms called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and it is a mischief not to be neglected saith Theophrastus for it will not only waste all the oyl and the juice but will eat up the stones that are so hard wherein the kernel is Also little Worms are found in Galls that are eaten through and they are bred in the very inmost pith out of which afterwards ariseth a kinde of Flies and Gnats as Valerandus Doures an Apothecary of Lions testifieth Moreover in Oak Acorns and spongy Apples sometimes Worms breed and Astrologers presage that year to be likely to produce a great famine and dearth I need not contend that there are Worms in small Nuts for all men know it especially when the Summer is moist and the wind blowes from the South It is strange that Ringelbergius writes lib. de experiment that these Worms may be fed to be as big as a Serpent with sheeps milk yet Cardanus confirms the same and shewes the way to feed them Lib. de rer varictat There are little Worms bred in dry Figs like those in Hazel-nuts with a black head and the rest of the body is a whiti 〈…〉 yellow but they are smaller Bellonius saith he found that Cedar as well as Pine Apples were subâ—ect to Worms They are for thickness like to the female Glow-worm a fingers breadth long with a head like an Emmer but more compact with twelve incisions on each side it hath three feet near to the head and two circular foreyards with a thick belly and a sharp tail Also in the hard and woody hulls of the Witch-tree there is a broad seed and oft-times eaten with Worms and you shall finde there oft-times their very Aurelia's Lastly no fruit can be named but some Moth or Worm will infest it even Manna it self sometimes which the Poets feign to be the meat of the gods the Scriptures maintain to be the meat of the sons of God corrupted and bred Worms when contrary to Gods Word it was laid up till morning CHAP. XX. Of Worms of Fruits Pulse Corn Vines Herbs UPon the lower Willow especially when swelling gals break forth sometimes there are found like to roses that are full of Worms as it also happens in the leaves of the Mastick-tree Quinqueranus saith there are two kindes of scarlet Oak one like a great tree the other a small shrub about a foot and half high it spreads very broad and the leaves are smooth and shining with a numerous thorny beard in the circumference rising up with many siences like to the Rose-bush Our Countreymen call it a Beech-tree though it be nothing like to a Beech-tree It growes on plain ground but that stands high with little dry hillocks and unfruitfull when the shrubs are bedewed with showres in the midst of the Spring the Cochineal begins thus When the lower stalk divides into two branches and in the middle of these there comes forth a thing that is round and of the colour and bigness of a Pear they call this the Moâ—her because from this the other grains proceed Besides every one of these shrubs hath comâ—â—only five Mothers which at the beginning of Summer and in hot weather put forth a great company of little Worms and they cleave in the top A new off-spring of shoots growes up severally on high of a white colour that produce living creatures But wheresoever they meet with the hollow places of the twig budding where the Worms are they fall down and become as great as Millet-seed Then growing up more freely the white colour changeth into ash-colour and then they appear no more living creatures but again like unto Pease Then those grains being ripe gathered now great with colour'd Worms whilest they are carried to the Merchants the thin skin that goes about them breaks The price of a pound of these Worms that are come forth of the skin is a gold noble but that part which is yet in the skin is sold for a fourth part of it the mean while the little Worms are as if they were dead and move not But when the season of the year comes they are hastned by putting them in linnen cloths and exposing them to the Sun Then but seeling the heat they presently creep forth and strive to fly away but by the keeper of them who watcheth them continually they are shaked back into the middle of the linnen cloth till they die whilest this is doing and for three daies after there is so sweet a smell and delightful that no Civet Musk or Amber-greece nor yet Lemon flowers can surpass it But if any grains escape from him that gathers them they presently send forth a numerous army of winged creatures into the air It was observed one year that in a stony field in the Countrey by Arles the profit of this increase was reckoned at 11000 crowns So writes Quinqueranus And Carolus Clusius saith that in his time the same fashion of gathering Cochineal was observ'd about Narbon in France and also in Spain For they have plats of ground in the open air provided for the purpose with the sides something high and they lay aâ— linnen cloth upon them and pour forth the Cochineal upon that the keepers stand ready about it with little wands continually when the Sun shines very hot and they strike the outsides of the linnen cloth that they may drive back into the middle of the cloth these little Worms that hasten to come forth But Petrus Bellonius l. 1. observ c. 17. tels us of another manner of preparing Cochineal The Weevil spoils a mighty heap of corn It is formed like a small Beetle it hath a beck proper to it self and with three forks Some of them are with black bodies others with brown but others that are the greater are greenish and the middle of their body very small This creature is so dry that with the least touch it will turn to dust It is bred chiefly in the Spring some few daies before that Bees swarm Theophrastus saith they breed of one part of the grain and the other part they feedâ— on Our Countrey-men finde by experience that this wheat-worm will lay eggs in chinks of wals and under the tyles and from thence by procreation comes a new off-spring They speak of three wonders concerning these little creatures First that though they be but few at first yet in a short time they will increase infinitely Secondly that they will lie between the tyles and in chinks of wals without any meat at least three years Thirdly that if they be put into water three daies with Wheat or Barly when they are taken forth they wil live again Our Countreyman Siliardus a diligent observer of Nature describes the propagation of Weevils thus when Ants have eaten off the top of the ear of wheat the Weevill goes up and in that little hole he laies one or two eggs but seldom three so great as a grain of Millet long and yellow full of
Vespucius testifieth of the Isle of St. Thomas that the Blackmoors there are full of Lice but the white men are free of that trouble As for dressing the body all Ireland is noted for this that it swarms almost with Lice But that this proceeds from the beastliness of the people and want of cleanly women to wash them is manifest because the English that are more careful to dress themselves changing washing their shirts often having inhabited so long in Ireland have escaped that plague Hence it is that Armies and Prisons are so full of Lice the sweat being corrupted by wearing alwaies the same cloathes and from thence ariseth matter for their original by the mediation of heaâ— So those that keep no diet but delight in eating and filthines and feed on Vipers Radishes Basil Figs Lignum Aloes Garden Smallage and Dates too much their bodies will from putrefaction of humours breed Lice between their skin as Diodorus in Empiricus Simon Sethi Aetius and Pliny affirm But Dioscorides saith it is exceeding false that Lice will grow from eating Vipers Sheeps-wool that a Wolf hath killed will breed Lice if a garment made thereof be wet with sweat which grant that it be an invention of Aristotle and Pliny yet experience teacheth us that cloathes smeered with Horses grease will breed Lice presently Aelian saith that he will be full of Lice who is anointed with oyl wherein a Stâ—llio is drowned Against this terrible disease which the Greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 many have invented divers remedies The Irish and Iseland people who are frequently troubled with Lice and such as will fly as they say in Summer anoint their shirts with Saffron and to very good purpose to drive away the Lice but after six moneths they wash their shirts again putting fresh Saffron into the Lye But Antigonus in Synag Histor Paradox so soon as little pushes or wheels appear upon the body bids us prick them and take forth the Lice but if they be left unprickt that general lowsie disease will come whereby they say that Alcmaeon Physicus and Pherecides Syrus were destroyed The general Cure of the lowsie Disease Amatus Lusitanus cured that good Venetian at Ancona of whom I spake before who was sâ—ck of a general lowsie disease First by opening a vein and then purging him for so he drove forth the corrupt humours that fomented the disease not at once but twice or thrice Afterwards by applying Topical remedies in a short time he grew free of this plague Topical Medicaments were made thus Take bitter Lupins iij. pugils seeds of Staves-acre ij pugils in the sharpest Vinegar what is sufficient boyl them and with that Vinegar wash the body from head to feed then wipe and dry it and anoint it with this oyntment following Take Staves-acre two parts Sandaracha of the Greeks one part the finest Nitre half a part mingle them all with the sharpest Vinegar and oyl of Radishes and pound them together very exactly and with these make an oyntment with which Amatus soon attained his purpose that the sick fell no more into the same foul disease Amat Lusitan cent 3. curat 58. Herod as Josephus and Aegesippus testifie when he had got this disease by his great pride and he was so smitten from God he went to the Baths beyond Jordan and the Bituminous Lake that were very good to cure this disease but at that time they were of no force when God was pleased to punish a proud Prince with a contemptible creature If the body be lowsie all over it shewes a general Cacochymia wherefore it is best in my opinion first to open a vein and then to give a Purge as the humour requires and so to proceed to specificals and such as agree with the place affected Dioscorides prescribes such kindes of internal remedies Take Garlick with the decoction of Origanum drink this three daies Another Let the sick drink Coriander bruised with Origanum and anoint himself outwardly with Honey He commends also Alum-water and the Decoction of Betes juice of Ivy and the gum of it with Honey liquid Pitch Alum Synopex smeered on with Vinegar Nitre with Samian Earth and Oyl Other outward Remedies that kill Lice out of Pliny Seeds of Staves-acre beaten without the hulls will free the body from Lice but better if you mingle them with the Sandaracha of the Greeks Mustard-seed Garlick with Vinegar and Nitre are good for the same Oyl of Radish doth cure the lowsie disease contracted for a long time Siler Mountain-seed beaten with Oyl Hysop mingled with Oyl Tar sweet Gums the juice of the wilde Vine and Staves-acre boyl'd in Vinegar will free garments from them So black Hellebore with Oyl or Milk anointed on is very good Internal Remedies out of Pliny A Snakes cast skin powdred and drank for three daies will keep the body free from Lice Mustard-seed or seed of Tamarisk drank are good so is water of Radish-leaves and the juyce of Privet-berries Plantain Garlick the juyce of wilde Cucumer and Tar. Nonus commends the root of the sharp Dock bruised with Oyl and anointed first washing the body with the decoction of Lupins and he prescribes a remedy of Sandaracha of the Greeks Nitre and Staves-acre Oribasius approves the juyce of Pellitory long rubbed on or Nitre with the wilde Vine in a Bath Rhasis prefers the leaves of Barberies gum of Ivie great Knot-grass and Sea-water Avicenna commends Quicksilver with oyl of Roses and wilde Staves-acre with Arsenick Haly Abbas bids us purge the body and then to eat meat of good juyce to wash away the filth and to change our clothes often then he prescribes Quicksilver bruised with Staves-acre-seed and oyl of wilde Saffron and with that to anoint the body morning and evening after bathing He farther commands us to use these Remedies Take long Birthwort bruise it with Pine-leaves and Quicksilver and with oyl of Lupins what may serve turn make an Unguent Anoint the body with that at night and in the morning wash it with hot water after that with a decoction of Alum Wormwood Santonicum or Mugwoâ—t rub it away Another Take round and long Birthwort red Arsenick that is the Greeks Sandaracha and with oyl of Ben. make an unguent with this anoint the body in the evening and in the moâ—ning rub the body with Bran and Barley-meal Another Take biter Costus Cardamomum Buls gall bray them with the Oyl of Pistaches anoint the body with it and in the morning wash it with the water of a decoction of clear Bran or of Barley Constantinus used Quicksilver with ashes Litharge Vinegar and Oyl mingled together for hot complexions but for cold he used Pine-tree juyce Sea-water Staves-acre Nitre Arsenick and oyl of wilde Saffron Johannes de Rupescissâ mingled Quicksilver with Aqua vitae and the powder of wilde Staves-acre with that he provides a girdle which worn about the bare loyns will kill the Lice Serenus Abinzoar Amatus Lusitanus Matthiolus
Roses cures Kibe-heels Marcellus Serenus saith that when the nerves are cut in sunder it is good to lay on Earth-worms bruised with Hogs-grease that is old and rank Marcellus Empiricus adds Groundsel to the Hogs-grease and Earth-worms with the tender tops of Box with Frankincense and this he laies on the nerves cut or pain'd Pliny saith that the ashes of these and of a wilde Mouse laid on for a plaister with oyl of Roses is excellent for broken bones For the great pains of Horses in their nerves or joynts to help them Russius Absyrtus Didymus collect a great number of Earth-worms whence Cardan gathers that they will ease all pains Mundella affirms that contraction of the nerves will be cured if you anoint them with oyl of Camomil that is well replenished with Worms Marcellus saith that the same is done with Honey and Worms as before Aetius saith without doubt they are an excellent remedy for the Gowt boyled in oyl and a little wax so saith Marcellus but he sometimes mingles Honey with them Vigo for pains in the joynts makes a plaister of these and Frogs to which he adds Vipets-grease For pains of the joynts Take ashes of Worms iij. ounces oyl of Roses or Foxes what may suffice mingle them to an ointment Another that is singular Take the marrow of a Calfs leg compleat and old oyl of Roses iij. ounces Earth-worms cleansed with Wine and Salt ij ounces let them boyl in Balneo to the consistence of a Mucilage with this anoint the neck shoulders and the places where the pain is for it gives great help Pliny Marcellus anoints them with Honey and then he laies on the Mucilage prepared When any part is wasted and receives no nutriment cleansed Worms must be put into a glass very well luted that nothing may breathe forth and so set in a warm oven or in Balneo and they will then resolve into a clammy moisture an admirable remedy and approved for the Palsie of the limbs Take the ashes of tender Earth-worms iij. pounds Ginger Galanga of each iij. ounces with clarified Honey incorporate them for an Unguent with this for three nights together anoint the Patient binding his arms forcibly over his belly or stomach then cover him warm and let him beware of cold Jacobus de parma To drive away hoary hairs women use these ashes mingled with oyl whilest they comb their head as Pliny saith to whom Serenus subscribes in these verses Earth-worms and oyl of Olives free from cares They will preserve a man from hoary hairs We said before how they cure the Tooth-ache But further the powder of them rubb'd on will preserve the sound teeth and being injected will make rotten teeth though it be a grinder to fall forth especially if the tooth be first scarified and fill'd with powder well sprinkled on it Aetius Gal. 5. sec loc bids us do almost the same out of Archigenes Also they are good with the root of Mulberries boyled in Vinegar of Squils to wash the teeth For purulent Ears poured in with oyl they help much as Galen thinks and cure their inflamations being boyled with oyl of Roses Aetius If that your hearing fail an old disease Is cur'd with Earth-worms boyled with Ducks grease Serenus Myrepsus bruiseth Worms with some small quantity of the earth from whence they were taken and works them together and anoints that upon ears that are bruised Marcellus bruiseth them with oyl of Roses Celsus with oyl of Olives Faventinus for pains of the ears anointeth the outward parts with oyl of Earth-worms and also pours it into the inward parts Marcellus bids to bruise Leeks not planted but sowed odd in number and as many Worms together and boyl these in the best Oyl to thirds and he saith that this oyl put into the ears is very good for their greatest pains and deafness Abinzoar cures clefts of the hands and feet with oyl of Earth-worms For an old pain of the head they are held very excellent bruised with Vinegar Frankincense and Castoreum Galen for the same prepares in his Euporists such a Remedy Take xv Earth-worms as many grains of Pepper Vinegar what is sufficient mingle them smeer them on Another Take Earth-worms Mouse-dung white Pepper Myrrhe each half an ounce bruise and mingle them with Vinegar and anoint that part of the head that the pain lies on Myrepsus will have the Worms to be odd and to be taken only with the left hand and so superstitiously anointed If thou wouldst try saith Marcellus whether a swelling in thy neck be the Kings-evill lay a live Worm upon each swelling if it be a scrophulous tumour each Worm will turn to earth if not he will be alive and receive no hurt so saith Pliny also Earth-worms are a part of that noble Plaister of Arnoldus 2 Breviarii of a Rams skin or the bloud of a man that is red against the Rupture and Hollerius commends it to cure Enterocele and Epiplocele They also diminish the Stone both taken inwardly as also anointed on the share somewhat thick Gal. What concerns womens diseases bound to the neck they retain the birth but contrarily applied to the hips they draw the birth out and the secundine for they draw mightily wheresoever they are applied living Plin. Inflamations of the breasts Earth-worms alone laid on will cure for they concoct open draw forth and heal Alex. Benedict So Myrepsus makes a plaister of them bruised Lay on Earth-worms with Quinces or with dried Barley flour upon Breasts hardned or inflamed Aetius But if after delivery womens breasts swell and to use the words of Serenus If the swoln breasts do feel great pain Smeer them with Earth-worms 't will help them amain For they will concoct the Impostumes and suppurations of the breasts and after concoction will heal them and void out the matter For the Shingles the Indians saith Carolus Clusius make an unguent thus Take Earth-worms and feed them some time with leaves fine flour or flour and milk and when they are grown fat boyl them in an earthen vessel alwaies scumming them when they are strained boyl them again to the consistence almost of a plaister which well prepared will be almost of a yellow colour dissolve some part of this in distilled water of Roses and wash the part affected with it twice a day A most excellent remedy saith Clusius and proved by very long experience Pliny saith they will do the same in Vinegar who together with Aetius and Myrepsus affirms that Worms bruised and laid on the place a Scorpion hath stung are an admirable remedy for they presently ease the pain and correct the malignity of the tumour Oâ—l of Earth-worms is known by all to be good against divers infirmities and the Ancients made it thus Take Earth worms half a pound Oyl of Roses Omphacine two pound the best white wine two ounces let them boyl in balneo till the wine be consumed This cures the nerves relaxed contracted astonished cut in sunder or cooled
Sumach Purslain seed and flowers of wilde Pomgranates strain the decoction and make up all with Sugar or the purest Honey of Athens Another Take Southernwood Calamint eight penny weight Horse mints Elecampane-root fresh six penny weight boyl them in water to a third part this decoction is given with syrup of Wormwood or Oxymel of Squils Also Worm-wood-wine is much commended for these uses but it is made divers waies for some let down Celtick nard 40 drams bound in a linnen clout into a measure of new Wine and after 40 daies they strain it Others cast a pound of Wormwood into 20 sextarii of sweet Wine and a sixth part of Pitch Rosin and after ten daies they strain it and lay it up for use A syrup against Worms with a Feaver and the symptomes Take sixteen penny weight of Grass-roots Purslain-seed sowr Dock of each eight penny weight ten sebestens boyl all to thirds to these add the juyce of Pomegranates and Oranges or sowr Wine of each one and half cyathus in weight as much of juyce of garden Succory the best Sugar what may suffice boyl them to a syrup you may give Infants half an ounce and young children one ounce without danger A Julep that shall help those are affected with Worms Take Dittany of Crete Gentian Zedoary Arabian Costus one penny weight seeds of Coleworts Dill Wormwood Purslain of each alike as much water of Mints Wormwood Grass of each half a hemina weight boyl them to thirds and strain them to these add of the best Sugar twenty penny weight But in a Feaver you may give the decoction in water or Grass-roots Wheat Barley of each fifteen penny weight to a large quantity to drink Another most effectual and very sweet Distilled water of Sorrel Roses Grass garden Endive Bugloss juyce of Pomgranates of each oâ—e hemina weight seeds of Purslain Orach Sumach Citrons of each three penny weight Coriander-seed Myrtle-berries wilde Smallage of each two penny weight seeds of sowr Dock Coleworts Cummin of each the same weight red Roses Tormentil Barberies of each two penny weight so much weight of Balaustia five penny weight of the ashes of burnt Harts-horn white Dittany of Crete eight penny weight the shels of Mulberry-roots barked Fern-roots of each two penny weight ten Sebestens one penny weight of red Coral white Sugar what may suffice make a Julep But the most present remedy of all is that the Apothecaries call commonly Diaturpethum but chiefly with Rhubarb three drams of it being swallowed down which being it is proved by long experience so it hath also great reason for it that it should be preferred before all other remedies For children enticed by the sweetness of the Antidote will take it down willingly and the Rhubarb kils the Worms and the parts are strengthned by it The Turpeth drives them from their nests and the rest of the ingredients do not only make it pleasant but harmless so that it is most sweet harmless and strong all at once it is made thus Take white Sanders and red Violets Ginger of each two penny weight Anniseed Cinnamon Saffron Mastick of Chius each one penny weight Myrthita which the Apothecaries call Turpeth eight penny weight Rhubarb ten penny weight Scammony as it is usually prepared four penny weight the purest Sugar 190 penny weight make up all with that and make Troches as the Greeks call them from the form each three drams weight where you have need of them give one for this disease Another Antidote Take Rhubarb Saffron Scammony Wormseed Dittany of Crete each two penny weight the best Sugar eighty penny weight make them up with Grass-water and make Troches one penny weight of this is given to Infants without danger being dissolved in Grass-water The powder I use is good and a powder thus prepared Take Rhubarb Agarick Germander of each two penny weight Sea-moss four penny weight Wormseed and Purslain-seed of each two penny weight unwashed Aloes six penny weight give a scruple of this or two oboli in Wine to children safely Sometimes all these are bruised and sifted and made into pils with the juyce of Wormwood or Mints and three of them are swallowed down Another for the same by another Author Take Harts-horn burnt the less Centory Mints Penniroyal Water-mints Worm-wood Santonicum Germander Lupins of each four penny weight bring all to very fine powder and give it with Milk Vinegar or Oxymel or any way Another of the new Writers that is approved Take Rhubarb Coriander-seed Basil-seed Plantain Pomgranate pils Carway-seeds Sumach of each two penny weight Carduus Benedictus seed shavings of Harts-horn and of Ivory of each eight penny weight the bark of the roots of Mulberries pill'd Colewort-seeds Citron Apple-seeds bark of Willowes of each six penny weight Purslain-seed Dittany of Crete four penny weight of each Pearls red Coral of each two penny weight dry them and bring them to fine powder one or two drams of this with Wine in winter and where there is no Feaver or with Oxycrate in summer or to those that are in a Feaver is safely given An Antidote that kils Worms diminisheth a Feaver and helps against pains of the heart Take Wormseed Sea-moss seed of wilde Smallage Harts-horn burnt white of each alike infuse them all three daies in Vinegar wherein let these things first boyl Purslain-seed Sorrel-seed Sumach Coriander Colewort-seed and a little Myrrhe then dry them and add to them Orange-seeds two parts Citron-seeds one part make them up with Sugar dissolved in the Wine of Pomgranates and make morsels to which you may add some little Cinamon and Musk. But because it hath been seen oft-times that Medicaments outwardly applied have done much good against Worms it is but reasonable that I should set down the manner of them For by these we not only defend our bodies but also we kill the Worms and drive them out dead wherefore this may suffice that hath Lupin-meal less Centory leaves of Peach-tree and Horehound bruise them with Posca and lay them to the belly Another tryed by our newer Physitians Take the less Centory boyled in the oyl of Peach-kernels anoint the Navil with this and it will drive forth the Worms Another Tost Barly-bread and infuse it in Vinegar then press it out and infuse it again in the juyce of Peach-leaves lay it on warm to the belly with a linnen clout Others mingle Lupine meal Southernwood and Buls gall Again Take Lupine-meal Centory the less of each four penny weight Aloes Buls gall of each 4 oboli make them up with juice of Wormwood and laid to children very young Another Take Wormwood Gith ashes of Harts-horn of each a like quantity mingle them with Honey and anoint them Another good for the stomach that kils Worms and is good against the belly flux Take Wormwood Mints Roses Santonicum Lupin-meal of each eight penny weight tosted bread infused in the sharpest vinegar four penny weight Buls gall sixteen penny-weight Mountain-nard Water-flag
those that have Worms especially if they have no Feaver Out of Paulus It consists of red Nitre Pepper Cardamoms of each equall parts mingle all these and give of them a spoonfull in Wine or hot Water for it quickly brings them out Another which is an Electuary of Paulus Take Pepper Bay-berries cleansed Aethiopian Cumin Mastick of Chios of each alike Honey what may serve turn give one spoonfull in the morning and let them sleep upon it but if you would do this more effectually adde Nitre as much as of each Another of the same Tâ—ke Fern a sawcer-full Nitre two peny weight give it with a spoonfull of water after evacuation but it is better to adde a little Scammony to it Another of the same and of Aetius Take of the bark of the root of a sowre Pomegranate scraped from the upper part Pepper of each four peny weight Cardamoms six peny weight Horehound two penny weight the best Honey what is sufficient give one spoonfull of it after eating Garlick or Leeks But that the disease may be wholly driven away give some Theriac for Galen highly commends it for this use Another out of Oribasius that he alwayes used by the experience of his masters and had a long time proved it for good It contains Scammony one Scruple Euforbium as much and half as much the powder of burnt feathers one scruple Nitre in weight one Siliqua give this to drink in honey'd or sweet wine But it will fall out better if he first eat Garlick or some sharp thing Also here is a Plaister of another Author that is good against all Worms especially broad ones Take Lupines Bay-berries cleansed Bulls gall lay these on the navel and binde it on with a swathe-band for one day and night or else for two or three dayes Against broad Worms from another Authour Take Southern-wood scraped Harts-horn Coccus gnidius and Sesamum of each one penny weight Cardamoms three oboli give this to drink with Oxymel Another for the same use Take Gum Arabick one peny weight Fern three peny weight Cardamoms one peny weight Nitre three peny weight give it in Hydromel or Ale Also against the same is the Antidote called Diaphereon Take Fern eight peny weight Scammony Gith Cardamoms salt Nitre of each two peny weight give it in Oxymel or Ale but adde Polypode four peny weight It is reported that Ascarides will trouble children and such as are come to their full growth But children are continually provoked to excretion and after egestion they are the better most commonly but those that are come to their full growth observing the trouble of such things that are the cause of them will thrust their fingers into their fundaments and pull them forth and further they will foment and abate these biting pains with peble-stones that lie in the Sun on the shores or else with stones put into the fire But some for fear will admit of none of these helps yet this disease ought not to be neglected for Worms will not easily yeeld to remedies nor are they easily driven forth but by strong means Wherefore children must be purged with Suppositars made of Honey and a little salt or Nitre or sharp pickle or with the decoction of Wormwood mingled with Oyl Also there ought to be a stronger purging and when they have voided their excrements the Longanum which is the place affected must be anoynted with it As for Simples they are Acacia Hypocistis the juice of Sumach with liquid Allome or Nitre but the Compounds are the Troches of Andron and those that are called Sphragides polydiae and with fat Wooll and such like for the flesh is made stronger by Astringents and loseth its readinesse to breed living Creatures and thrusts forth the Ascarides Andron his Troches are made thus Take flowers of Garden Pomegranates ten peny weight Galls eight peny weight Myrrhe four peny weight long Birthwort and as much Vitriol Saffron scistil Allum dregs of the Oyl of Saffron Mysi Frankincense of each two peny weight they are powdered and mingled with astringent wine or with Vinegar But Sphragis polydiae is thus Take scistil Allum three peny weight Frankincense four peny weight Myrrhe as much or eight peny weight Vitriol two peny weight flowers of tame Pomegranates twelve peny weight Bulls gall six peny weight Aloes eight peny weight make them up with sharp wine But that which is made with fat Wooll is thus made Take fat Wooll forty peny weight lead powder shales of Bitumen of each ten peny weight round scissil Allum Pomegranate shells Galls Mysi Vitriol Frankincense of each five peny weight Myrrhe two peny weight lees of Oyl eight Heminae Those that are of riper years must be purged with sharper and hotter remedies as with Diapicra and with Oyl mixt with wine in great quantity and other things infused as salt pickle the decoction of Centaury with Nitre and Honey or Coloquintida Chamaeleon Anchusa Lupins then Oyl of Cedar must be given in Clyster and after that rest often repeating the same method of cure also take salt flesh scraping away the fat and cut it long and round and thrust that into the Anus and binde it in to hold it there so long as may be and then lose it and in ject again the foresaid things and let us often repeat the same remedies CHAP. XXXIV Of Worms that breed without the Bowels and chiefly of Maggots THE living Worms that are bred in the head the brain the liver milt bladder reins muscles proceed from the same causes Worms in the guts doe and are destroyed by the same remedies But those Worms Hippocrates calls Eulas the English call Maggots or Gentils they are Worms without feet not unlike to Ascarides but that they are shorter a little and thicker considering their length There is no man almost that hath not seen these in Carrion and corrupt flesh and sometimes in limbs that are dead by the negligence of Chirurgions when as they apply a remedy that putrefies together with the wound or ulcer Hippocrates calls Eulas Worms bred in dead bodies Suidas calls them ill beasts flâ—sh-eaters Lucretius calls them cruel Vermin and Plutarch Worms from corruption and putrefaction of the excrements boyling forth Homer in his Iliads 19 and 24. saith they are Worms arising from putrid matter that are far smaller in the ears than in other ulcers And Coelius writes that they are called Eulae which Latin writers call improperly Earmoths since they agree with them neither in form nor figure nor in any mark whatsoever Lastly those small Worms that breed from Flies egges in flesh in Summer the English call them Flie-blowes and the Germans Maden as Camersius observed are reckoned amongst Eulae or Maggots But those Eulae or Maggots that breed in Hogs flesh or Bacon have a proper name given them by Festus and Perottus who call them Tarni Maggots Have either a tayl or they are without a tayl Hens feed on both kindes of them and
nor increaseth for Dormice sleep all the Winter and eat nothing The life of it doth resemble that sleep which is partly waking wherein men are not properly awake nor yet asleep but are alive and move a little But I conjecture that the Philosopher wrote this that he might confirm that Axiome of his to credulous posterity that all Insects either lay egges or little Worms His words are these Insects first breed Worms but that which is called Chrysallis is an Egge and afterwards from this is bred a living Creature that at the third changing hath the end of its generation Yet it is manifest enough by what I said before that an Aurelia is no Egge and it ought not to be called a generation but a transmutation of a Caterpillar into this and of this into a Butterflie I say this for that purpose that such as adore Aristotle for a God may remember that he was but a man and that he was subject to humane errors There are two kindes of Aurelias that I have seen some are downy and others smooth both are of divers colours and sometimes they are Gold coloured which are the true Chrysallides and others that are but bastard ones are without any colour of Gold They have their Original from the death of the Catterpillars which as they do waste by degrees in certain dayes so by degrees their covering grows continually more hard and changeth into an Aurelia These again the next Spring or Autumn by degrees losing their life a Butterflie comes forth of them that is bred by the like metamorphosis What use they serve for for the good of man kinde I am wholly ignorant of I know well enough how much they perplexed Aristotles wit by their wonderfull transmutation and they set forth to us the boundlesse power of Almighty God George Agricola only propounds to us the Teredo without feet which from the brasen colour of it he call Kupter-worm It creeps like a Serpent saith he because it wants wings and feet It is as thick as a small Goose quill and it is as long as a Scolopendra It is round and breeds under rotten wood and sometimes found hard by the Scolopendra or long Ear-wig You may easily finde the figure of it placed amongst the Scolopendrae CHAP. XXXVII Of Water Insects without feet and first of the Shrimp or Squilla WEE said before that all water Insects were with feet or without feet Some of those that have feet swim with six feet as the Lobster the Shrimp the lake Scorpion the Evet and the Sea-lowse others with four feet some with more We shal treat of them severally The Squilla an Insect differs but little from the fish Squilla but that it hath the sail-yards much shorter and a more red colour or rather a more earthly colour Some of these are covered with a thin shell and some again are smooth and naked Those with shells live chiefly in small Brooks and stick to the roots of Reeds or water-flags They are of a yellowish colour and sometimes of a white or Ash-colour They go only with six feet the rest that are joyned to them serve in stead of fins The naked ones are either soft or hard The soft ones are represented well e 〈…〉 ough by this figure only suppose their heads to be of a bright Bay colour and their body died with a dark Ash-colour All those that are covered with a hard crust are made with joynts but some have round joynts others other fashions The form of the round joynted is exactly represented here if you suppose him to be easily dyed with a lighter red And such is the colour of the first and second that are not round joynted The third kinde is black upon the back and with a brown belly but they are all with a forked mouth and that will hold fast what is applyed to it The fourth kinde moves it self with the three former feet and useth the rest that hang by in stead of Oares The neck of it and the sailyards and the nippers are of a watry red colour the body is brownish or more Ash coloured The fifth hath a very black head and the body like to a Pomegranate shell The sixth seems to be cruel and in the same form you see it of an Ash-colour All of them have 〈…〉 ard eyes and black covered over with a membrane shining like unto glasse which move continually almost like to the ears of four-footed beasts They leap quickly one upon the other as the Fishes Squillae doe in coupling and when they grow bold and have liberty they fill the Females with young The time when they are ready for this is signified by a gentle biting The Female takes hold with her mouth and what she layes hold on she kills and gives part of it to her companion for they couple at the mouth as Crabs and Lobsters doe But what use they serve for in physick I cannot finde either in writers or from Empiricks who either knew not these Squillae or thought them not worthy to say any thing of them Yet this is certain that in April and May there is no better bait to catch Fish with CHAP. XXXVIII Of the Locust Scorpion Notonectum the Grashopper the Wasp the forked Claw the Newt the little Heart and the Lowse all Water-Insects THE Insect-Locust is like the Lobster for that cannot be called either flesh or fish you see the figure of it it is of a pale green colour I have seen three kindes of Lake Scorpions and I have them by me the first is somewhat black the other two are like to white sand we call some Insects of the water Notonâ—cta which do not swim upon their bellies as the rest do but upon their backs from whence it is probable that men learned the art of swimming upon their backs also Some of these have eyes shoulders and bodies all black some are green some are fiery coloured and some pitch coloured For you shall seldom see two of them of the same colour nature hath so variously sported her self in adorning them Water-Grashoppers hold the forâ—h described but their eyes are extreme black and their bodies are ash coloured The Wasp hath a brownish body all over except the black eyes The Forked Claw hath almost the same colour but it is more full it seems to want eyes but it hath them hid within whereby it both sees and perceives the object The Lizard is of divers colours and delights in catching Fish it is common about the British shores where it lyeth in wait to catch Fish The Corculus hath the just fashion of a heart the feet and head being taken away it hath very little black eyes and six legs of the same colour each with two clawes The Sea-Lowse is an Insect that is an enemy to all kinde of Whales which by biting and tickling it puts into such a rage that they are forced to run upon the sand and hasten to dry land I
the gall of a black Cow one may read any writing the more plainly there is in the gall of an Ox a certain little stone like a ring which the Philosophers call Alcheron and some Guers and Nassatum which being beaten and held to ones Nose it cleareth the eyes and maketh that no humour do distil to annoy them and if one take thereof the quantity of a Lintel seed with the juice of Beets it is profitable against the Falling evill If one be deaf or thick of hearing take the gall of an Ox and the urine of a Goat or the gall of Goose likewise it easeth the headach in an Ague and applyed to the temples provoketh sleep and if the breasts of a woman be anointed therewith it keeps her milk from curdling The milt of an Ox is eaten in hony for easing the pains of the milt in a man and with the skin that a Calf cast out of his dams belly the ulcers in the face are taken away and if twenty heads of Garlick be beaten in a Oxes bladder with a pinte of Vinegar and laid to the back it will cure the milt It is likewise given against the Spleen and the Colick made like a plaister and layed to the Navel till one sweat The urine of an Ox causeth a cold stomach to recover and I have seen that the urine of a Cow taken in Gargarizing did cure intolerable ulcers in the mouth When the Bee hath tasted of the flower of the Corn-tree she presently dyeth by looseness of the belly except she tast the urine of a Man or an Ox. There are likewise many uses of the dung of Oxen made in Physick whereof Authors are full but especially against the Gowt plaistering the sick member therewith hot and newly made and against the Dropsie making a plaister thereof with Barley meal and a little Brimstone aspersed to cover the belly of a man And thus much for the natural properties of this kind now we will briefly proceed to the moral The moral uses of this beast both in labour and other things do declare the dignity and high account our forefathers made hereof both in Vintage Harvest Plowing Carriage Drawing Sacrificing and making Leagues of truce and peace in so much as that if this failed all tillage and vintage must in many places of the world be utterly put down and in truth neither the fowls of the air nor the Horse for the battle nor the Swine and Dogs could have no sustenance but by the labor of Oxen for although in some places they have Mules or Camels or Elephants which help them in this labor yet can there not be in any Nation a neglect of Oxen and their reverence was so great that in ancient time when an offender was to be fined in his Cattel as all amerciaments were in those daies the Judge might not name an Ox untill he had first named a Sheep and they fined a smal offence at two Sheep and not under and the greatest offence criminal at thirty Oxen and not above which were redeemed by giving for every Ox an hundred Asses and ten for every Sheep It is some question among the ancients who did first joyn Oxen together for plowing some affirming that Aristeus first learned it of the Nymphs in the Island Co and Diodorus affirmeth that Dionysius Son of Jupiter and Ceres or Proserpina did first of all invent the plow Some attribute it to Briges the Athenian other to Triptolemus Osiris Habides a King of Spain and Virgil affirmeth most constantly that it was Ceres as appeareth by this verse Prima Ceres ferro mortales vertere terram Instituit c. Whereunto agreeth Servius but I rather incline to Josephus Lactantius and Eusebius who affirm that long before Ceres was born or Osiris or Hercules or any of the residue their was a practise of plowing both among the Hebrews and Egyptians and therefore as the God of plowing called by the Romans Jugatinus because of yoaking Oxen was a fond aberration from the truth so are the residue of their inventions about the first man that tilled with Oxen seeing it is said of Cain and Noah that they were husbandmen and tilled the earth The Athenians had three several plow-feasts which they observed yearly one in Scirus the other in Rharia and the third under Pelintus and they call their mariage-feasts plow-seasons because then they endevoured by the seed of man to multiply the world in procreation of children as they did by the plow to encrease food in the earth The Grecians had a kind of writing called Boustraphedon which began turned and ended as the Oxen do in plowing a furrow continuing from the left hand to the right and from the right hand to the left again which no man could read but he that turned the Paper or Table at every lines end It is also certain that in ancient time the leagues of truce and peace were written in an Oxes hide as appeareth by that peace which was made by Tarquinius betwixt the Romans and the Gabli the which was hanged up in the Temple of Jupiter as Dionysius and Pompeius Sextus affirm in the likeness of a buckler or shield and the chief heads of that peace remained legible in that hide unto their time and therefore the ancients called the Oxes hide a shield in regard that by that conclusion of peace they were defended from the wars of the Gabii And there were certain people called Homolotti by Herodotus who were wont to strike up their leagues of peace after war and contention by cutting an Ox into small pieces which were divided among the people that were to be united in token of an inseparable union There be that affirm that a Team or yoak of Oxen taking six or eight to the Team wil plow every year or rather every season a hyde of ground that is as some account 20 Mansa or in English and Germane account 30 Acres which hath gotten the name Jugera from this occasion as Eustathius and Varinus report When Sychaeus the husband of Dido who was daughter of Agenor sister to Pygmalion wandered to and fro in the world with great store of treasure he was slain by Pygmalion secretly in hope to get his wealth After which time it is said that he appeared to his wife Dido bidding her to save her life from her cruell brother who more esteemed money then nature she fled into Lybia taking with her some Tyrians among whom she had dwelled and a competent sum of money who being come thither craved of Iarbas King of Nomades to give her but so much land as she could compass in with an Oxes hide which with much ado she obtained and then did cut an Oxes skin into smal and narrow thongs or lists wherewithall she compassed in so much as builded the large City of Carthage and first of all was called the New City and the Castle thereof Byrsa which signifieth a Hide Eustuthius also
healthy stock of Hornets it hath been known they have gathered three or four trays or baskets full of combes If any Hornets stray from their own home they repair to some tree and there in the top of it make their combes so that one many times may very easily and plainly perceive them and in these they breed one Captain General or great Commander who when he is grown to be great he carryeth away the whole company placing them with him in some convenient lodging Wilde Hornets as Pliny saith do live in the hollow trunks or cavities of trees there keeping themselves close all the Winter long as other Cut-wasts do Their life is but short for they never exceed the age of two years Their combes are wrought with greater cunning more exquisite Art and curious conceit then those either of Wasps or Bees and these excellent devisers do make them one while in the trunks of trees and sometimes again in the earth encreasing them at their pleasure with more floors and buildings according to the encrease of their issue making them smooth and bright decking and trimming them with a certain tough or binding slime or gelly gathered from the gummy leaves of plants Neither do any of the little mouths or entries of their cells look upwards but every one bendeth downwards and the bottom is placed upwards lest either the rain might soke through them in long showers or the head of them being built upwards they might lie open and be the more subject and exposed to the unruly rage and furious blasts of windes and storms If you eye well their nests you shall finde them all for the most part exactly sexangular or six cornered the outward form and fashion whereof is divided with a murry coloured partition and their membranous substance is much like unto the rinde or bark of Birch which in the parching heat of Summer cleaveth and openeth it self into chaps The stinging of Wasps is for the most part accompanyed with a Fever causing withal a carbuncle swelling and intolerable pain I my self being at Duckworth in Huntingtonshire my native soyl I saw on a time a great Wasp or Hornet making after and fiercely pursuing a Sparrow in the open street of the Town who at length being wounded with her sting was presently cast to the ground the Hornet satisfying her self with the sucked bloud of her quelled prey to the exceeding admiration of all the beholders and considerers of this seldom seen combate Aristotle whom I so greatly reverence and at whose name I do even rise and make curtesie knows not of a surety how Hornets do engender nor after what manner they bring forth their young breed But since we are assured of this that they bring forth their young by the sides of their Cells as Wasps and Bees we need not doubt but that they do all other matter after their manner and if they couple together they do it by night as Cats do or else in some secret corner that Argus with his hundred eyes can never espy it Hornets gather meat not from flowers but for the most part they live upon flesh whereby it cometh to passe that you shall often finde them even in the very dunghils or other ordure They also proul after great Flyes and hunt after small Birds which when they have caught into their clutches after the manner of hungry Hawks they first wound them in the head then cutting it asunder or parting it from the shoulders carrying the rest of the body with them they betake themselves to their accustomed flight The greater sort of them die in the hard Winter because they store not themselves sufficiently aforehand with any sustenance as Bees do but make their provision but from hand to mouth as hunger enforceth them as Aristotle enformeth us In like sort Landius hath well observed that Hornets both day and night keep watch and ward besides the hives of Bees and so getting upon the poor Bees backs they use them instead of a Waggon or carriage for when the silly Bee laboureth to be discharged of his cruel Sitter the Hornet when he hath sucked out all his juyce and clean bereft him of all his moisture vigour and strength like an unthankful Guest and the most ingrateful of all winged creatures he spareth not to kill and eat up his fosterate and chief maintainer They feed also upon all sweet delicious and pleasant things and such as are not untoothsome and bitter and the Indian Hornets are so ravenous and of such an insatiate glutt only as Ovidius reporteth that they flie upon Oyl Butter greasie Cooks all sorts of sharp sawce used with meats and all moist and liquid things not sparing the very Napkins and Table clothes and other linnen that is any way soiled which they do filthily contaminate with the excrements of their belly and with their Viscous laying of their egges But as they get their living by robbery and purloining of that which others by the sweat of their brows by their own proper wits and invention and without the aid and help of any do take great pains for so again they want not revenge to punish and a provost Marshal to execute them for their wrongful dealings tearmed of some a Gray Brock or Badger who in the full of the Moon maketh forcible entrance into their holes or lurking places destroying and turning topsie-turvy in a trice their whole stock family and linage with all their houshold stuffe and possessions Neither do they only minister food to this passing profitable and fat beast but they serve in stead of good Almanacks to Countrey people to foretel tempests and change of weather as Hail Rain and Snow for if they flie about in greater numbers and be oftner seen about any place then usually they are wont it is a signe of heat and fair weather the next day But if about twilight they are observed to enter often their nests as though they would hide themselves you must the next day expect rain winde or some stormy troublesome or boysterous season whereupon Avienus hath these verses Sic crabronum rauca agmina si volitare Fine sub Autumni conspexeris aethere longo I am verspertinos primos cum commovet ortus Virgilius pelago dices instare porcellam In English thus So if the buzzing troups of Hornets hoarse to flie In spacious air bout Autumns end you see When Virgil star the evening lamp espie Then from the Sea some stormy tempest sure shall be Furthermore since it is most certain that those remedies which do heal the stingings of Wasps do also help those wounds and griefs which Hornets by their cruel stinging cause yet notwithstanding as Aggregator hath pronounced the Zabor is the Bezoar or proper antidote of his own hurt if he be oftentimes applyed with Vinegar and Water Oyl and Cow-dung tempered together In like sort all manner of soils and earths that are miry and muddy are much commended in this case such
as Bacohus applyed to bald Selenus who was wounded with Hornets when longing for a little Honey he jogged and shaked their nests thinking he had lighted upon some Bees Honey which Ovid most elegantly 3. Fastorum hath described in these verses Millia crabronum coëunt vertice nudo Spicula defigunt oraque prima notant Ille cadit praeceps calce feritur aselli Inclamat socios auxiliumque vocat Concurrunt Satyri turgentiaque era parentis Rident percusso claudicat ille genu Ridet ipse Deus limumque inducere monstrat Hic paret monitis linit ora luto In English thus Of Hornets thousands on his head full bare And on his face their poyson'd spears stick fast Then headlong down he fell and Asses foot him smote Whiles he for help his voyce to fellows cast The Satyres flock came run apace and did deride Their sires swollen mouth whiles Asse had made him lame The God himself did laugh yet shewed an earth to hide The wound which he received and so did heal the same If any one be desirous of moe medicines against the perillous and transpiercing stinging of these horn-mad Hornets he shall finde store of them digested together in the History of Wasps for their remedies are common belonging as well to the one as to the other there being no other difference but this that here they must be given in a greater measure or quantity and their use ought longer to be continued And let this suffice to have spoken thus much of such Insects or Cut-wasted vermine as are winged and live in companies and routs together Now will I make choice to describe such as are winged and live solitarily lest I should seem to lose my self in this troublesome and vast Ocean of Physical contemplation of CANTHARIDES or Spanish Flies THis kinde of Cut-wast is called of the Grecians Kantharis and among the Latines it changeth not his name Of the Frenchmen Cantaride Of the Italians Cantarella Of the Spaniards Cubillo Of the Germans Grune Kefer Goldkaefer Amongst the Belgics or Netherlanders it is termed Spaensche Vlieghe and of us English men Cantharides and Spanish Flies I have seen two sorts of Cantharides the one great and the other small Of the greater sort some are thick and long bodyed which are found among wheat and these are thick grosse and unwieldy like unto Beetles they are also of sundry colours and changeable hew with golden streeks or lines crossing their wings and these are best to be used in Physick They of the other lesser kinde are lean and thin scrags and starvelings broad hairy heavy and sluggish and for physical uses little worth The greater sort also are not always of a glistering green colour but otherwhiles you shall have them somewhat reddish or murrey coloured but yet all of them of a glittering brightnesse and marvellous shining glosse piercing the eyes with singular delight The lesser sort are not so common as the greater somewhat differing from them in shape and proportion of body but in vertue quality and manner of breeding there is no disagreement at all to be found Those of the lesser sort have their bodies and heads somewhat long and hooked their eyes very black and hanging out their wings growing out from the midst of their Loyns being marked with two silver speeks or pricks and some few white spots They are commonly found in the Summer Season in the herb that is called Gicutaria or wilde Hemlock Their feet and legs are very small and long finely decked and garnished as it were with a Vermillion red or beautiful purple There is also another sort of these answerable to the former in colour of their bodies in every respect saving that their eyes are green their head very little and the hinder part of their shoulders round and crooked The third sort have their head and shoulders all one being so closely and confusedly joyned together as if they were but one thing and could not by any means be separated unlesse in imagination and these are of a rusty colour and their small pink eyes as black as Jet their wings as well as their heads are nothing differing in colour saving that their wings do glister with some strakes of the colour of gold their feet also are short and as black as Pitch The fourth is very like to the third sort but it is rather of a greenish then of a rusty Iron colour but in all other respects there is no difference to be seen saving in their magnitude for this last described is the least of them all But these kindes of Cantharides as well the greater as the lesser do first proceed not from any beasts as some have thought but they rather take their Original from some rotten stinking and corrupt moisture and siccity Titectai gar en tois toon puroon leiois kai tais ageirais kai tous Sukais proseti to toon Kantharidoon phulon the meaning whereof is that the whole stock and kindred of Cantharides do bring forth or lay their young in the vile base and imperfect force of heat or warmth and further in moist Figs as Aelianus in his ninth Book and thirty nine Chapter word for word hath exscribed out of Aristotle They do also breed from a certain little Worm which is found in the sponge of the Dog-bryer called of the Physitians Bedeguar and from Caterpillers of the Fig-tree Popler Pear-tree Ash Olive-trees and Roses for in all these there be found certain Worms the very Founders and Parents of Cantharides but yet in the white Rose these Worms are of much lesser force power and sufficiency then in the former Cantharides do couple together and generate but yet not any living creature of their own kinde but only a little small Worm They feed upon all manner of pulse and Corn but especially Wheat and then they are best for medicinal uses The smell like unto Tar and in their taste they much resemble the Cedar-tree as Nicander reporteth Their vertue and quality is to burn the body to parch and to bring a hard scale or crustinesse upon any part they shall be applyed to or as Dioscorides saith to gnaw or eat into to raise blisters exulcerate and raise an inflammation for which respect they mix them with such medicaments as are appointed to heal Leprosies any dangerous Tetters and Ring-worms or those that be Cancrous They are applyed to hard Scurvy or Mangy nails being first tempered with some fit plaisters or Cerotes tending to the same purpose taking them so clean away that they fall off by the roots Some use also to temper them with such convenient medicines as are warranted to take away Warts Corns or any hard knobs or pieces of flesh growing in the hands or feet Some again use to pulverise Cantharides and then mixing them with Tar do make an Unguent to cure the falling away of the hair or the shedding of it either in the head or beard but herein there must be good