of the poyson of Frogs First therefore the poyson of the Frog causeth swelling in the body depelleth the colour bringeth difficulty of breathing maketh the breath strong and an involuntary profusion of seed with a general dulnesse and restinesse of body for remedy whereof let the party be inforced to vomit by drinking sweet Wine and two drams of the powder of the root of Reeds or Cypresse Also he must be inforced to walking and running besides daily washing But if a Fever follow the poyson or burning in the extremities let the vomit be of water and Oyl or Wine and Pitch or let him drink the bloud of a Sea-tortoise mixed with Cummine and the rennet of a Hare or else sweat in a Furnace or Hot-house a long time besides many other such like remedies which every Physitian both by experience and reading is able to minister in cases of necessity and therefore I will spare my further pains from expressing them in this place and passe on to the medicinal vertues of the Toad and so conclude this history We have shewed already that the Toad is a cold creature and therefore the same sod in water and the body anointed therewith causeth hair to fall off from the members so anointed There is a medicine much commended against the Gowt which is this Take six pound of the roots of wilde Cucumber six pound of sweet Oyl of the marrow of Harts Turpentine and Wax of either six ounces and six Toads alive the which Toads must be bored through the foot and hanged by a thred in the Oyl until they grow yellow then take them out of the Oyl by the threds and put into the said Oyl the sliced root of a Cucumber and there let it seethe until al the vertue be left in the Oyl Afterwards melt the Wax and Turpentine and then put them all together in a glasse so use them morning and evening against the Gowt Sciatica and pains of the sinews and it hath been seen that they which have lyen long sick have been cured thereof and grown perfectly well and able to walk Some have added unto this medicine Oyl of Saffron Opobalsamum bloud of Tortoises Oyl of Sabine Swines grease Quicksilver and Oyl of Bays For the scabs of Horses they take a Toad killed in wine and water and so sod in a brazen vessel and afterwards anoint the Horse with the liquor thereof It is also said that Toads dryed in smoak or any piece of them carryed about one in a linnen cloth do stay the bleeding at the nose And this Frederick the Duke of Saxony was wont to practise in this manner he had ever a Toad pierced through with a piece of wood which Toad was dryed in the smoak or shadow this he rowled in a linnen cloth and when he came to a man bleeding at the nose he caused him to hold it fast in his hand until it waxed hot and then would the bloud be stayed Whereof the Physitians could never give any reason except horror and fear constrained the bloud to run into his proper place through fear of a Beast so contrary to humane nature The powder also of a Toad is said to have the same vertue according to this verse Buffo ustus sistit naturae dote cruorem In English thus A Toad that is burned to ashes and dust Stays bleeding by gift of Nature just The skin of a Toad and shell of a Tortoyse either burned or dryed to powder cureth the Fistulaes Some add hereunto the root of Laurel and Hen-dung Salt and Oyl of Mallows The eyes of the Toad are received in Ointment against the Worms of the belly And thus much shall suffice to have spoken of the history of the Toad and Frogs Of the GREEN SERPENTS IN Valois there are certain Green-serpents which of their color are called Grunling and I take them to be the same which Hesychius called Sauritae and Pliny by a kinde of excellency Snakes of whom we shall speak afterwards for I have no more to say of them at this present but that they are very venomous And it may be that of these came the common proverb Latet Anguis sub herba under the green herb lyeth the Green-snake for it is a friendly admonition unto us to beware of a falshood covered with a truth like unto it Of the HAEMORRHE THis Serpent hath such a name given unto it as the effect of his biting worketh in the bodies of men for it is called in Latine Haemorrbous to signifie unto us the male and Haemorrbois to signifie the female both of them being derived from the Greek word Aima which signifieth bloud and Reo which signifieth to flow because whomsoever it biteth it maketh in a continual bleeding sweat with extremity of pain until it die It is also called Affodius and Afudius Sabrine and Halsordius or Alsordius which are but corrupted barbarous names from the true and first word Haemâ—rrbous It is doubtful whether this be to be ascribed to the Asps or to the Vipers for Isidorus saith it is a kinde Asp and Aelianus a kinde of Viper They are of a sandy colour and in length not past one foot or three handfuls whose tail is very sharp or small their eyes are of a flery-flaming colour their head small but hath upon it the appearance of horns When they goe they go straight and slowly as it were halting and wearily whose pace is thus described by Nicander Et instar Ipsius obliquae sua parvula terga Cerastae Claudicat ex medio videas appellere dorso Paroum navigium terit imam lubrica terram Alvus haud alio tacitè trahit ilia 〈…〉 tu Ac per Arundineum si transeat illa grabatum In English thus And like the Horned-serpent so trails this elf on land As though on back a little boat it drave His sliding belly makes paths be seen in sand As when by bed of Reeds she goes her life to save The scales of this Serpent are rough and sharp for which cause they make a noyse when they goe on the earth the female resteth her self upon her lower part neer her tayl creeping altogether upon her belly and never holdeth up her head but the male when he goeth holdeth up his head their bodies are all set over with black spots and themselves are thus paraphrstically described by Nicander Vnum longa pedem totoque gracillima tractu Ignea quandoque est quandoque est candida forma Constrictumque satis collum et tenuissima cauda Bina super gelidos oculos frons cornua profert Splendentem quadam radiorum albentia luce Silvestres ut apes populatricesque Locustae Insuper horribile ac asprum caput hortet Which may be Englished in this manner following On foot in length and slender all along Sometime of fiery hue sometime milk-white it is The neck bound in and tayl most thin and strong Whose fore-head hath two horns above cold eyes Which in their light resemble shining beams Like
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-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
being taken from it and the little skins appearing therein cleansed away and so it hath among many other these operations following Drunk with Vinegar it is good against all venom of Serpents and against the Chameleon but with this difference against the Scorpion with wine against Spiders with sweet water against the Lizzards with Myrtite against Dipsas and Cerastes with Oponax or wine made of Rew and against other-Serpents with wine simply Take of every one two drams for a cold take it a scruple and a half in four cups of wine used with Ladanum it cureth the Fistulaes and Ulcers provoking sneezing by smelling to it procureth sleep they being anointed with it Maiden-weed and Conserve of Roses and being drunk in water helpeth Phrensie and with the Roses and Maiden-weed aforesaid easeth head-ach being laid to the head like a plaister it cureth all cold and windy affections therein or if one draw in the smoak of it perfumed though the pain be from the mothers womb and given in three cups of sweet Vinegar fasting it helpeth the Falling sickness but if the person have often fits the same given in a Glyster giveth great ease Then must the quantity be two drams of Castoreum one sextary of honey and oil and the like quantity of water but in the fit it helpeth with Vinegar by smelling to it It helpeth the Palsie taken in Rew or wine sod in Rew so also all heart trembling ach in the stomach and quaking of the sinews It being infused into them that lie in Lethargies with Vinegar and Conserve of Roses doth presently awake them for it strengthneth the brain and moveth sternutation It helpeth oblivion coming by reason of sickness the party being first purged with Hiera Ruffi Castoreum with oil bound to the hinder part of the head and afterward a dram drunk with M 〈…〉 rate also taken with oil cureth all Convulsion proceeding of cold humors if the Convulsion be full and perfect and not temporal or in some particular member which may come to passe in any sickness The same mixed with hony helpeth the clearness of the eyes and their inflamations likewise used with the juice of Popy and infused to the ears or mixed with hony helpeth all pains in them With the seed of Hemlocks beaten in Vinegar it sharneth the sense of hearing if the cause be cold and it cureth toothach infused into that ear with oil on which side the pain resteth for Hippocrates sent unto the wife of Aspasius complaining of the pain in her cheek and teeth a little Castoreum with Pepper advising her to hold it in her mouth betwixt her teeth A perfume of it drawn up into the head and stomach easeth the pains of the lights and intrails and given to them that sigh much with sweet Vinegar fasting it recovereth them It easeth the Cough and distillations of rhume from the head to the stomach taken with the juyce of black Popy It is preservative against inflamations and pains in the guts or belly although the belly be swoln with cold windy humors being drunk with Vinegar or Oyxycrate it easeth the Colick being given with Annis beaten small and two spoonfuls of sweet water and it is found by experiment that when a horse cannot make water let him be covered over with his cloth and then put underneath him a fire of coals wherein make a perfume with that Castoreum till the Horses belly and cods smell thereof then taking away the coals walk the horse up and down covered and he will presently stale To soften the belly they use Castoreum with sweet water two drams and if it be not forcible enough they take the root of a set Cucumber one dram and the some of Salt Peter two drams It is also used with the juice of Withy and decoction of Vinegar applyed to the reins and genital parts like a plaister against the Gonorrhaean passion It will stir up a womans monethly courses and cause an easie travail two drams being drunk in water with Penny-royal And if a Woman with childe go over a Beaver she will suffer abortment and Hippocrates affirmeth that a perfume made with Castoreum Asses dung and Swines grease openeth a closed womb There is an Antidote called Diacostu made of this Castoreum good against the Megrim Falling sickness Apoplexies Palsies and weakness of lims as may be seen in Myrepsus against the impotency of the tongue trembling of the members and other such infirmities These vertues of a Beaver thus described I will conclude this discourse with a History of a strange beast like unto this related by Dunranus Campus-bellus a noble Knight who affirmed that there are in Arcadia seaven great lakes some 30 miles compass and some lesse whereof one is called Garloil out of which in Anno 1510 about the midst of Summer in a morning came a beast about the bigness of a water Dog having feet like a Goose who with his tail easily threw down small trees and presently with a swift pace he made after some men that he saw and with three strokes he likewise overthrew three of them the residue climbing up into trees escaped and the beast without any long tarrying returned back again into the water which beast hath at other times been seen and it is observed that this appearance of the Monster did give warning of some strange evils upon the Land which story is recorded by Hector Boethius Of the BISON. This Bison is called Taurus Paeonicus the Paeonian Bull whereof I finde two kinds one of greater and another of lesser size called the Scotian or Calydonian Bison whereof you shall see the picture and qualities at the foot of this History The greater is as big as any Bull or Oxe being maned about the neck and back like a Lion and hath hair hanging down under his chin or neather lip like a large beard and a rising or little ridge down along his face beginning at the height of his head and continuing to his nose very hairy his horns great and very sharp yet turning up towards his back and at the points hooked like the wilde Goats of the Alpes but much greater they are black of colour and with them through the admirable strength of his neck can he tosse into the air a horse and horseman both together They are as big as the Dextarii which are the greatest Stallions of Italy Their face looketh downward and they have a strange strength in their tongue for by licking they grate like a file any indifferent hard substance but especially they can therewith draw unto them any man or beast of inferior condition whom by licking they wound to death Their hair is red yellow or black their eyes very great and terrible they smell like a Moschus or Musk-cat and their mane reacheth over their shoulders shaking it irefully when he brayeth their face or forehead very broad especially betwixt their horns for Sigismond King of Polonia having kild one
and was freely discharged because he therewith healed the daughter of the Emperour Marcus for being forely wounded by a Serpent in her breast and all other Physitians despairing of help yet with this she was recovered It is also good for all new and old Ulcers and for such as are either bitten by any kinde of venomous creeping Worms and Serpents Take of Squamma eris which is the scales and offal of Brass blown from it in melting of Ammoniacum Aloes hepatica Verdigrease of Aeâ— ustum of Frankincense Sal ammoniacum Aristolochia rotunda of every one half an ounce Turnep-seeds three scruples of the root of Dragon-wort half an ounce seeds of Mugwort nine scruples pure Wax five pound of Colophenia one pound old Oyl three ounces sharp Vinegar half a spoonful Mustard-seed three scruples Spodium nine scruples Stone-allum and Opopanax of either half an ounce Infuse the metalline ingredients for three days space in Vinegar and beat and powder them together melting those that are to be melted then sprinkle on those that are dry and all of them being throughly wrought and made up according to the form of an Emplaister use them where necessity requireth Antonius Fumanellus a late Physitian prescribeth an experimented and as he calleth it a divine Oyl against any poyson taken into the body or the biting of any venomous Beasts and Serpents whether it be received inwardly by drinking it down or anointed outwardly upon the body and this is it that followeth Take of Oyl of Olives one pound the flowers and the leaves of the herb called S. Johnswort bruised boyl them for the space of three hours and strain them then boyl again other fresh flowers and leaves of the same herb and strain them hard and do so again the third time then add to them of the roots of Gentian and Tormentil of either one ounce boyl and strain them as you did before and reserve this Oyl for your use Andreas Matthiolus in his Commentaries upon Dioscorides doth exceedingly commend Oyl of Scorpions because being anointed upon the pulses outwardly it is as he affirmeth a singular remedy not only against any poyson taken inwardly into the body by the mouth but for the bitings and stingings of any venomous creature whatsoever The way to prepare and make it he describeth at large in his Preface upon the sixt Book of Dioscorides which I think needless here to describe to avoid tediousness therefore if any one be desirous to know the composition of it let him read Matthiolus in the place before cited Unquenched Lime mixed with Hony and Oyl and applyed to the place the thickness of a cerote is good against the wounds that come by any venomous Beasts biting Now I think it meet to set down those simple medicaments which are outwardly to be applyed either by laying on or by anointing against the sting and venomous biting of Serpents It is best first to foment the sore place with hot Vinegar wherein Catamint hath been boyled and in stead of Vinegar one may take salt-Salt-water or Southernwood Maidenhair and Garlick either in drink meat or to be used as an Ointment The root of Aram and Astrologe and the leaves of the true Daffadil and Oyl of Balm is most effectual also Bdellium and the root either of the white or black Beet is good against the bitings of Serpents Betony Coleworts especially the wilde Coleworts Calamint the leaves of the wilde Fig-tree Centory Onions Germander Chamaeleon the herb called Fleabane wilde Carrets Rocket Heath Fennil Figs Winter Cherries Enula Campana Barly-meal the Day-lilly Hysop the Flower-deluceroot Horehound Balm Water-cresses Basil Origan Plantine Leeks Turneps Madder Râ—e Verven Mustard-seed Scabious and Saint Johnswort all these plants are greatly praised amongst the Writers of Physick for the mischiefs abovesaid Pliny is of opinion that the bowels or entrails of Serpents themselves being applyed will surely cure the wounds of all other Serpents although they seem incurable A live Serpent being caught if it be bruised beaten and stamped in water and the hurt place fomented therewith will assuredly help and do much ease Quae nocuit Serpens fertur caput illius aptè Vulneribus jungi sanat quae sauciat ipsa Vt Larissea curatus Telephus hosta Qu Serenus Which may be thus thus Englished What Serpent hurteth Men say by long experience His head applyed doth cure for where the wound The help is also made as in Telephus sense Harm'd by Larissus spear by it was cured found And Guil. Varignana saith divide or cut a Serpent and lay it upon the place and it will mitigate the anguish and pain The seed of Thraspi and of Tithimal which is a kinde of spurge is greatly used for this Aut Tithimallus atrox vulnus quae tuta perungat Some besides these do put the root of black Hellebore into the wound because it draweth out the poyson as I by mine own experience can testifie saith Matthiolus There be also sundry Antidotes and Preservatives which are taken inwardly that are very effectual against the bitings of Serpents and venomous beasts as namely that which is called Theriaca Andromachi or Mithridate and the like compositions Galen in his Book De Theriaca ad Pisonem preferreth Theriaca Andromachi before all other medicines either simple or compound for virulent wounds because it performeth that effect for which it is ministred For it was never as yet heard that ever any one perished of any venomous hurt or biting who without any delay forthwith drank this medicine and if any man had taken it before he received any such dangerous hurt if he were set upon and assailed by any poysonous creature it hath not lightly been heard that he hath dyed of the same There be many Antidotes described by the Ancients which they set down to be admirable for thesepassions As for example that which Avicen tearmeth Theriaca mirabilis whose composition is as followeth Take of Opium and of Myrrhe of either of them a dram Pepper one dram and a half the root of Aristolochia longa and rotunda of each of them three drams Wine two drams make them up with Hony and Rocket water so much as is sufficient for an Electuary the quantity to give is four scruples relented in some fit and convenient decoction King Antiochus surnamed Magnus had a kinde of Theriaca which he used against all poysons which is described of Pliny in his 20. Book and last chapter in this wise Take of wilde Thyme Opopanax and the herb called Gromel of each a like much two drams Trifolie one dram of the seeds of Dill Fennil Smallage Anise and Ameos of every one alike six drams of the meal of Orobus twelve drams all these being powned and finely searsed must with Wine a sufficient quantity be made into Trochisces whereof every one must weigh one dram give thereof one dram at a time in a draught of Wine There is another Antidote and preservative against any poyson described by Paulus Aegineta much like
most of all annoyed with these Serpents are Lybia Italy and Illyria especially about Gortinium and the Mountains of Lampidia Their harms are not inferiour to the stinging and poyson of Asps for Matthiolus writeth that he hath known some to die thereof within three hours after the wound received And if they do not die within short time then doth the bloud issue forth in abundant manner out of the hurt and the wound swelleth Afterward all is turned into matter and then followeth dulness in the head and distraction in the minde they live long which endure it three days and it was never known that any lived above seven days this also being observed that those that be hurt by a female do die soonest For together with their biting they infuse a vehement pain which causeth swelling and the sore to run I finde the cure hereof in Aetius to be thus first of all Triacle must be given to the sick person to drink and also laid upon the wound also drawing or attractive Plaisters and such Poultesses which are fit for running Ulcers But first before the Plaisters scarifie all the places about the hurt and binde the upper parts hard then launce the sore a little with a Pen-knife and let him drink sweet water with Rungwort Gourds Castoreum and Cassia Avicen prescribeth in the cure of these Serpents venom Castoreum Cinamon the root of Centory of each two ounces with Wine and the root of long Hartwort of Assoasier the juyce of the root Gentian And for emplaister Hony sod and dryed and so pounded the roots of Pomgranates and Centory the seed of Flax and Lettuce and wilde Rue And so I conclude with Doctor Gesner Percussus ab Ammodyte festinet ad remedium sine quo nemo affugere He which is hurt by an Ammodyte let him make hast for a remedy without which never Man escaped death Of the ARGES and ARGOLAE THere is mention made in Galen and Hippocrates of a Serpent called Arges Now Arges signifieth in Greek white swift idle ill mannered of this Serpent Hippocrates telleth this story There was saith he a young man drunk which lay asleep upon his back in a certain house gaping Into this Mans mouth entered a Serpent called Argoes the young Man perceiving it in his mouth strived to speak and cry but could not and so suddenly gnashing his teeth devoured and swallowed down the Serpent After which he was put to intolerable pains his hands stretching and quivering like as a Mans that is hanged or strangled and in this sort he cast himself up and down and dyed It seemeth therefore that this Serpent hath his name from the sudden destruction he bringeth to the creatures it smiteth and therefore in ancient time we read that Mercury was called Argiphon for killing of Serpents The Argolae are only mentioned by Suidas for he saith that Alexander brought them to Alexdria from Argos and cast them into the River to expel and devour the Aspes where they continued a long time till the bones of the Prophet Jeremy were brought out of Egypt unto Alexandria which slew them as the same Author writeth And thus much of these two kindes of Serpents Of ASPES IN Hebrew as appeareth Deut. 32. the Asp is called Pethen in Psal 58. Akschub in Isa 59. Jer. 8. Zipheoni an Asp or a Cockatrice worse then a Serpent The Arabians Hasâ—or and Hascos the Greeks Aspis the Italians Aspe and Aspide the Spaniards Bivora the French Vn aspic the Germans Ein sclang gennant and the Latines Aspis About the notation or derivation of this word there is some difference among Writers Aristophanes deriveth it from Alpha an intensive Particle and Spizo which signifieth to extend either by reason of his sharp shrill hissing or for the length of his body Others derive Aspis from Hios which signifieth venom or poyson and therefore saith the Scripture The poyson of Asps because that is a predominant poyson The Latines call it Aspis quòd venenum aspergit morsu because it sprinkleth abroad his poyson when it biteth Besides we read of Aspis a Buckler an Island in the Lycian Sea a Mountain in Africk and there is a fashion of camping Souldiers in the field called Aspides The Epithets declaring the nature of this pestiferous Serpent are Iâ—cheeirâ— rejoycing in poyson Elikoessa winding Lichmeres putting out the tongue Smerdalee fearfull Phoinessa cruelly killing Likewise in Latine dry sleeping drousie deadly swelling and Aspis Pharia a Pharian Asp so called of the Island Pharus where they abound It is said that the Kings of Egypt did wear the Pictures of Asps in their Crowns whereby they signified the invincible power of principality in this Creature whose wounds cannot easily be cured And the Priests of Egypt and Aethiopia did likewise wear very long Caps having toward their top a thing like a Navel about which are the forms of winding Asps to signifie to the people that those which resist GOD and Kings shall perish by unresistible violence Likewise by an Asp stopping his ear was figured and understood a Rebel obeying no lawes or degrees of the Higher power But let us leave this discourse of moralities and come neerer to the naturall description of Asps There are many kindes of Asps after the Egyptian division for one kinde is called Aspis sicca a dry Asp This is the longest of all other kindes and it hath eyes flaming like fire or burning coals another kinde is called Asilus which doth not only kill by biting but also with spitting which it sendeth forth while it setteth his teeth hard together and lifteth up the head Another kinde is called Irundo because of the similitude it keepeth with Swallowes for on the back it is black and on the belly white like as is a Swallow We read also in Albertus of Aspis Hipnalis and Hippupex but it may be that both these names signifie but one kinde This Hypnale killeth by sleeping for after that the wound is given the Patient falleth into a deep and sweet sleep wherein it dyeth and therefore Leonicenus saith Illam fuisse ex cujus veneno sibi Cleopatram sâ—avem mortem conseivit that it was the same which Cleopatra bought to bring upon her self a sweet and easie death There is also an Asp called Athaes which is of divers colours But I do consider that all the kindes may well be reduced to three that is Ptyas Chersaea and Chelidonia Ptyas hurteth by poysoning mens eyes by spitting forth venom Chersaea liveth on the land and Chelidonia in the waters The Asp is a small Serpent like to a land Snake but yet of a broader back and except in this differeth not much from the Snake their necks swell above measure and if they hurt in that passion there can be no remedy for the stroak of their eyes are exceeding red and flaming and there are two pieces of flesh like a hard skin which grow out of their foreheads according to these Verses of
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
have set down for the benefit of the Reader and first I will begin with Dioscorides Inward Medicines out of Dioscorides Take of the seeds of Southern-wood Anise Dill the wilde Cicer of the fruit of the Cedar tree Plantain and Trifoly of each a like quantity beat them to powder by themselves before you do mix them The dose is two drams to be taken in Wine Likewise one dram of the seeds of Tamarisk drunk in Wine is very effectual Some use decoction of Chamaepitys and the green Nuts of the Cypress tree in Wine There be some which praise the tree of Cray-fishes to be taken with ashes milk and Smallage seed and this medicine experience hath approved and confirmed for the ceasing of all pains Lye made of Fig-leaves is drunk with good successe against all bitings of Spiders It is good also to take the fruit of the Turpentine tree Bay-berries leaves of the balm and the seeds of all sorts of Carrots or to drink the juyce of Mirtle-berries of the Berries of Ivy or Mulberries the juyce of Colewort leaves and of Clives or Goose-grease with Wine or Vinegar A dram of the leaves of Been-trifoly drunk in Wine the decoction of a Sparagus juyce of Sen-green or any opening juyce is good for the same Some use with very good successe the leaves of the herb called Balm with Nitre and Mallows boyled both leaf and root and so taken often in a potion The leaves of the herb called Phalangium with his flowers and seeds The seeds of Nigella also serve to the same end Medicines out of Galen Take of Aristolochia of Opium of either alike much four drams of the roots of Pellitory of Spain three drams Make thereof Trochisces to the quantity of a Bean. The dose is two Trochisces with three ounces of pure Wine The ashes of a Rams hoof tempered with Honey and drunk with Wine Remedies of Diophantes against the bitings of Phalangies Take of Astrologe or Hartwort four drams of Pellitory of Spain as much Pepper two drams Opium one dram make thereof Trochisces to the quantity of a Bean and take two of them in a good draught of pure Wine Another more excellent Take of the seeds of wilde Rue Rocket-seed Styrax Sulphur vivum of either alike much six drams of Castoreum two drams commix them to make Trochisces as before with the bloud of a Crevish The Dose is one scruple and a half in Wine Another Take of Myrrhe Castoreum and Styrax of either one dram Opium two drams of Galbanum three drams Smallage-seeds and Anise-seeds of either alike two ounces and a half Pepper thirty grains make them up with Wine so much as is sufficient Another Take of Myrrhe five ounces of Spikenard six drams of the flower of Juncus rotundus two drams and a half Cassia four drams Cinamon three drams white Pepper one dram and a half Frankincense one dram and half a scruple Costus one dram make them up with Attick Honey The dose is the quantity of a Hasel nut to be taken either in Mulse or water Remedies out of Apollodorus Take of wilde Cummin two ounces and a half the bloud of a Sea Tortoise four drams the rennet of a Fawn or Hare three drams the bloud of a Kid four drams make them up with the best Wine and reserve it to your use The dose is the quantity of an Olive in a draught of the best and purest Wine Another Take of the seeds of Trifolium Bituminosum of round Astrologe the seeds of wilde Rew the seeds of Ervum dryed in the Sun of each alike six drams work them with Wine and make Trochisces thereof every one of them weighing four drams The dose is one Trochisce Read more in Galen in his second Book De Antid where any man may find many for the same purpose which he had gathered and selected from divers Authors Out of Aetius and Paulus Aegineta Take of Sulphur Vivum and of Galbanum of either four drams of bitter Almonds excorticated one dram of the Gum called Benzoin four drams temper them in Wine and after their maceration work them up with some Honey to be taken nwardly Being thus prepared it may likewise be applyed outwardly Another Take of Ameos two drams roots of Flowre-de-luce one dram or else of Saint Johns wort or Trisolium Bituminosum drink them out of Wine Or take of Anise-seeds wilde Carrets Cummin Nigella Romana Pepper and Agarick of either one dram and drink them Or take the leaves of the Cypress tree or the Nuts beaten in Wine and three quarters of a pinte of the best Oyl and give it to drink And to this end they do prescribe Bay-berries Scorpion-grasse wilde Thyme Calamint Chamepitys either to be taken by themselves alone or with Rew and Pepper Asclepiades used these that follow Take of the seeds of Angelica and Calamint of either alike much and powned together to be taken in six ounces of Wine oftentimes in a day Another Take of Benzoin the seeds of the wilde Carret of dry Mints and Spikenard a little quantity temper them up with Vinegar The dose is one dram with pure water and Vinegar mixed together about five or six ounces Another more excellent Take Garlick and eat it and a bath made of the same with Wine and likewise all those medicines which do heal the bitings of Vipers are notable in these cases Paulus Aegineta commendeth all these very highly and so doth he the seeds of Agnus Castus or the leaves of the white Popler Out of Nicander Take of the purest Turpentine that distilleth out of the Pine-tree and eat or drink it for this is a very effectual medicine which as Bellonius reporteth he hath found to be true by experience Out of Avicenna The fruit of the Myrtle tree Doronicum Mastick Assa Faetida Dedder With-winde and his root the Nut of India and white Bdellium drunk with Wine Take of the roots of Aristolochy roots of Floure-de-luce of Spike Pellitory of Spain the seeds of wilde Carrot black Hellebore Cummin the roots of the true Daffadil of the fruit of the Carob-tree the leaves of Dates tops of Pomgranates Cinamon of the juyce of Rue Cray-fishes Styrax Opium and Carpobalsamum of either alike one ounce all these being powdered make thereof Trochisces the weight of one dram or four scruples which is their dose Take also in Wine the decoction of the seeds of Trifolium Bituminosum Cypresse-nuts and the seeds of Smallage Besides let him drink the grains or fruit of the Pine-tree Cumin of Aethiopia the leaves and rinde of the Palne-tree the seeds of Siler Montanum black and wilde Cicers the seeds of Nigella Southern-wood and Dill Astrologe or Hartwort the fruit of the Tamarisk-tree for all these are very effectuall to cure the hurts that come by biting of any venomous Spider The juice also of wilde Lettice and House-leek is excellent The decoction of Cypresse-nuts being boyled especially with Cynamon the broth of Crai-fishes and of Goose-flesh and likewise the
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
Constantinus 4. Pantechn lib. commends Hens dung or the heart applyed outwardly and Pimpernel inwardly taken with Wine and powder of Gentian Cinamon Centaury Averrhois extolls Bezar stone above all the Dose is the fourth part of an aureus Aristotles 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 describes a kinde of Locust that is an Antidote against the Scorpion which eaten presently cures the stingings of Scorpions Serapio affirms the root of the male Coloquintida bruised and laid to the wound that it will take away the pain He commends inwardly Wormwood Lettice-seed with Garlick Mummy two grains with the decoction of Sampire and leaves of Laserwort Oribasius approves of the Lilly roots and leaves bruised and applyed as also a Plaister of Vervain and it is thus made Take Vervain three ounces Rosin six ounces Wax Pitch of each two ounces and half Oyl half an ounce make a Plaister Inwardly he commends the ashes of River-crabs with Goats milk or juice of Agrimony two ounces with a draught of Wine or the root of Dragons bruised with wine Aetius commends water Calamints and Nip which some think to be so called because it is an Antidote against Nepas that is Scorpions He saith Garden-snails bruised and laid on draws forth the venome he commends also upright and green Vervain if it be laid on for a Cataplasm Also Sheeps dung laid on with Wine He makes also this Plaister Take wilde Rue bruised with Vinegar one dram Wax one dram Pine Rosin three ounces make a Plaister it is admirable against the stingings of Scorpions Inwardly he writes that Garden Parsnips cure beyond expectation be it eaten green or dried and drank with Wine Take Castoreum Lazerwort Pepper of each four drams bitter Costus Spikenard Saffron juice of Centaury the lesse of each two drams clarified Honey what may suffice mingle them The Dose is the quantity of a Hazel-nut with Wine and water it drives the Scorpions venome from any part as Aetius proved on himself Aegineta gives quick Brimstone bruised with a River-crab to drink in Wine Nonus bids lay on Litharge or Silver presently upon the place stung and he commends Brimstone if it be taken the quantity of an Aegyptian bean with eight grains of Pepper in Wine Anatolius commends this to sprinkle Crows dung upon the stinging of the Scorpion Silvaticus out of Haly commends a Want or the greater house Mouse laid on and out of Serapio Pewter powdered and drank Orpheus commends Coral in drink and the stone called Scorpiodes laid on with a Garlik-head Octavius Areteus Horatinus Zoroastres Florentinus Apuleius Democritus and other Authors of the Geoponica adde but a few things to the Medicaments of the Antients besides some old wives fables and inchanted prints that are hatefull to God and man Pliny tells such a fiction but no man can tell with what reason or credit If saith he one that is stung with a Scorpion get up upon an Asse with his face toward his tail he shall do well but the Asse will suffer Myrepsus extolls the herb Flower-de-luce well bruised and then drank with Wine or Vinegar Quintus Serenus writes thus and adviseth These are small things but yet their wounds are great And in pure bodies â—urking do most harm For when our senses inward do retreat And men are fast asleep they need some charm The Spider and the cruel Scorpion Are wont to sting witnesse great Orion Slayn by a Scorpion for poysons small Have mighty force and therefore presently Lay on a Scorpion bruised to recall The venome or sea-Sea-water to apply Is held full good such vertue is in brine And 't is approv'd to drink your fill of Wine Pliny amongst outward means addeth these Mustard-seed bruised Pimpernel roots of Chamaeleon Sea-weeds wilde Onions Hares rennet Tortoyse-gall ashes of Hens dung Colts-foot and Mullen-leaves It is exceeding good to purge the body within very well with the seed of wilde Cucumber and Elaterium and then to drink the juice of Lettice and to drink the dried leaves and stalks in Vinegar Ammi drank with Linseed In Wine The seed of Hyacinth with Southern-wood Wilde Cumin Seeds of Trifoly and Rocket The third kinde of Canila Four oboli of Agarick Fennel-seed The juice of Jelly-flowrs and Plantain Root of Cyprus The Ashes of River Frogs Great Saffron Chamaipythe Cresses The herb Nodia Yellow Camomil Seed of white Thorn The tender stalks of green Figs. Flame-coloured Campions Bay-berries  Arnoldus Villanovanus hath these Herb Trinity cures the wounds of Scorpions and kills the Scorpions themselves Let the sick drink one spoonfull of the juice of the root of Dwarf-elder with Wine and it is an infallible remedy Take of the roots of Cappars Coloquintida Worm-wood long Aristolochia Gentian Bay-berrles Yellow Ben. White Briony of each alike make it up with Honey The Dose is the quantity of a Nut with Wine Another Take seeds of wilde Rue Cumin Garlick Hazel-nuts of each one dram leaves of dryed Rue one grain and half Myrrhe Frankincense each one grain white Pepper Opium each three drams Opoponâ—x Galbanum of each half a dram make it up with Honey The Dose is the magnitude of a Bran with Wine John Arden an English man he was in his time the most skilfull Chirurgeon in England after his long practise in England and France he affirms he could finde nothing more safe against the sting of the scorpion then to draw forth two or three drops of bloud hard by the wound and presently to anoint the wound with the same bloud Celsus saith that those Physicians did some such thing who were wont to keep the bloud they drew forth of the arms of those that were stung And this shall suffice for remedies against the stingings of Scorpions If any man chance to be bit by Rhasis Scorpion which we called Bunch't-back the first day a smal pain is perceived but the second straightness heaviness and sadness is seized on the sick the colour of the body is divers almost every hour and changing from green yellow white and red whence it may appear that all the humours are infected the place burns by the confluence of pain and humour swounding followes and trembling of the heart an acute Feaver and swelling of the tongue by reason of humours melted and corrupting in the brain and falling down on the roots and muscles of the tongue sometimes also the urine is bloudy by reason of the acrimony of the venomous matter and green choler is cast forth by vomit also the guts are tormented with a sharp and vehement pain Almost all symptomes fall upon the nerves that can happen to them Rhasis bids cure all these things this way First incision being made on the place and cupping glasses applyed burn it with a strong actual cautery then anoint the wound with the juice of wilde Endive or with oyl of Roses Barley water juice of Apples and with all cold things If the belly be not soluble make it so with a gentle Clyster and the juice of Blites
Nitre and oyl of Violets and let the patient take this Theriack Take Opopanax Myrrhe Galbanum Castoreum white Pepper of each alike make it up with liquid Storax and Honey The Dose is the quantity of a Jujube the part must be fumed with a piece of a milstone heat and sprinkled with Vinegar Also foment it with water of wilde Lettice The usual Theriack Take the rind of the root of Cappaâ—is root of Coloquintida Wormwood round Birthwort Hepatica wilde Dandelion dried each alike make a Powder the Dose â—s two drams also sowre Apples must be eaten For pain in the belly Let him drink oyl of Roses with Barley water Citrals Gourds also give sowre Milk For trembling of the heart Let him take juice of Endive or syrup of Vinegar or syrup of Apples with troches of Camphire or sowre Milk the same way If the wound be afflicted with great pain Lay on a Cataplasm of Bole and Vinegar for a defensative and for a sharp remedy lay on Euphorbium or Castoreum Poly root drank with water and a Rams flesh burnt is profitable Theriack called Hascarina first invented in the Province of Hascarum Take leaves of red Roses iv drams Spodium ij drams Citron Sanders ij drams and half Saffron j. dram Licorice ij drams seeds of Citrals Melons Cucumers Gourds Gum tragant Spike e 〈…〉 j. dram Lignum Aloes Cardamon Amylum Camphir each j. dram most white Sugar Manna each iij. drams with the mucilage of Fleawort and rose-Rose-water what may suffice make it up The people of Hascarum was wont to draw bloud from the sick saith holy Abbas almost till they fainted then they gave sweet milk to drink and water distilled from sowre Apples Also they gave sowre Milk in great quantity Thus the Arabians speak of this pestilent kinde of Scorpions that Nicander and all the Greeks were ignorant of and that was too common in the Countrey of Hascarum Now we will speak of Spiders CHAP. XI Of the Name of Spiders and their Differences THE Latine name Araneus or Aranea is in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from the slender feet it hath or from its high gate fom the cobwebs it spins Others call him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Muscatricem Kiramides 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hesychius 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Hebrews Acabitha Acbar Acabish Semamith in Arabick Sibth and Phihit Aldebahi and Aldebani as it is called by Bellunensis the Germans call it Spinn and Banker the English Attercop Spider Spinner the Brabants Spini and French Araigne Italian Ragno Ragna the Spanish Arana or Taranna the Sclavonians Spawauck the Polonians Paiack the Barbarians Koatan Kersenati Isidore l. 12. c. 12. saith it is called Aranea because it is bred and nourished by the air a twofold error for if they live by the air wherefore are they so careful to weave nets and catch Flies and if they were bred of the air wherefore do they copulate wherefore do they thrust forth little worms and eggs but we will pardon the elegant Etymologer because who makes a custome to play thus with words There are many of these kindes and all of them have three joynts in their legs A little head and body small With slender feet and very tall Belly great and from thence come all The webs it spins Now Spiders are venomous or harmless of harmless some are tame or house-spiders those are the biggest of all others live in the open air and from their greediness are called hunters or wolves the smaller kindes of these do not weave but the greater sort begins his web very sharp and small by the hedges or upon the ground having a little hole to creep into and laying the beginnings of his webs within observing whilest something shakes the web then he runs to catch it The venomous Spiders called Phalangia are so venomous that the place they wound will presently swell These are of two kindes for some are less some greater the less are various violent sharp salacious and going as it were rebounding which as we read are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Fleas or Apes others are called Oribates which are found especially on trees in mountains they are called Hypodromi because they live under leaves Gesnerus It is a hairy creature and breeds in the greater trees The belly of it is moderately with incisions that the cutting may seem to be marked by thred Aelianus CHAP. XII Of Spiders that are hurtful or Phalangia Grievous symptomes follow the bitings of Pismire Phalangium for there followes a mighty swelling on the part bitten the knees grow weak the heart trembles the forces fail and oft-times death succeeds Nicander saith that the sick sleep so deeply that they are alwaies asleep at last and are in the same condition as those are that are stung by the Viper Histories relate that Cleopatra set one to her breast that she might escape Augustus without pain nor is the wound deadly unless it be wholly neglected Rhagium makes very small wound and that cannot be seen after it hath bitten the lower parts of the eyes as also of the cheeks wax red then horror and fainting seize on the loyns and weakness on the knees the whole body is very cold hath no heat and the nerves suffer convulsion from the malignity of the venome The parts serving for generation are so debilitated that they can harly retain their seed they make water like to Spiders webs and they feel pain as those do are stung with a Scorpion From the sting of Asterion men seem wholly without strength their knees fail them shivering and sleep invade the patient The blew Spider is worst of all causing darkness and vomitings like Spiders webs then fainting weakness of the knees Coma and death Dysderi or Wasp-like Phalangium causeth the same symptomes with the blew but milder and with a slow venome brings on putrefaction Where the Tetragraphii bite the place is whitish and there is a vehement and continual pain in it the part it self growes small as far as the joynts Lastly the whole body findes no profit by its nourishment and after health recovered men are troubled with immoderate watchings Aetius Nicander denies directly that the ash-coloured Tetragnathon can poyson one by biting him The Cantharis like or pulse Phalangium raiseth wheals which the Greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the minde is troubled the eyes are wrested aside the tongue stammers and fails speaking things improperly the heart is as it were moved with fury and flies up and down The Vetch kinde produceth the same mischiefs and cause Horses that devour them and cattel to be very thirsty and to burst in the middle Cranocalaptes saith Pliny if it bite any one death followes shortly after But Aetius and Nicander affirm the contrary and that the wound thereof is cured without any trouble almost at all Head-ache cold vertigo restlesness tossings and pricking pains of the belly follow but they are all asswaged saith Nicander by fit remedies
is good as also a Bath and Wine and such things as help against Vipers stingings Paulus repeats the same remedies and Theban Cumin or seed of Agnus Castus or leaves of the white Poplar-tree drank in Beer are very effectual Out of Nicander Rosin of the Turpentine tree Pine or Pitch-tree drank or swallowed is exceeding good which Gesner and Bellonius say they learned by experience to be true Out of Avicenna The Myrtle-tree and the fruit of it Doronicum Mastick Assa foetida Dodder and its root the Indian Hazel-nut which is Theriac for this disease white Bdâ—llium all of these drank with Wine Take roots of Birthwort Flower-de-luce Spike Celtica Pellitory of Spain Daucus black Hellebore Cumin root of Daffodil leaves of Winter Wheat leaves of Dogs-tooth Pomegranate tops Hares Rennet Cinamon juice of River-crabs Storax Opium Carpobalsamum of each one ounce beat all to powder and make Troches the weight of one aureus which is the Dose of them Also give in Wine the decoction of the leaves of bituminous Trifoly of the Cyprus Nut Smallage-seed Moreover give to drink Pine kernels Aethiopian Cumin leaves and rinde of the Plane-tree seeds of Siler Montanum black wilde Chiches seed of Nigella Southern-wood Dill Birthwort fruit of the Tamarisk for all these are very good Also the juice of wilde Lettice and House-leek are commended The decoction of Cyprus Nuts especially with Cinamon and River-crabs juice and juice of a Goose Also the decoction of Sparagus with Wine and water Another Take Birthwort Cumin each three drams with hot water An approved Theriac Take Nigella seed ten drams Daucus Cumin each five drams Cyprus roots and Nuts each three drams Spipenard Bay-berries round Birthwort Carpobalsamum Cinamon Gentian seeds of Siler Montanum and of Smallage each two drams make a Confection with Honey the Dose is the quantity of a Nut with old Wine Confection of Assa Take Assa foetida Myrrhe Rue-leaves each alike make it up with Honey the Dose is one or two drams with Wine Out of Absyrtus Lullus Albucasis Rhasis Ponzettus Take white Pepper thirty grains with a draught of old Wine take it often Also Thyme is given in Wine Abâ—yrtus Drink upon it one spoonfull of Wine distilled with Balm Lullus Take dry Rue Costus wilde Mints Pellitoty of Spain Cardamum each alike Assa foetida one fourth part Honey what may suffice mingle all and make it up the Dose is the weight of an Hazel-nut in drink Albucasis A Hens brain drank with a little Pepper in sweet Wine or Posca The decoction of Cyprus-nuts with Wine A Theriac against the bitings of Phalangia Take Tartar six drams yellow Brimstone eight drams Rue-seed three drams Castoreum Rocket-seed each two drams with the bloud of the Sea-tortoise make an Opiate the dose is one dram with Wine Another Take Pellitory of Spain round Birthwort each one part white Pepper half a part Horehound four parts make it up with Honey the Dose is one dram Another Roots of Capers long Birthwort Bay-berries Gentian root each alike drink it with Wine Or drink Diassa with strong Wine and Cumin and Agnus Castus seed Another Take Nigella seed ten drams Daucus Cumin each five drams wilde Rue-seed Cyprus Nuts each three drams Indian Spike Bay-berries round Birthwort Carpobalsamum Cinamon Gentian root seed of bituminous Trifoly Smallage-seed each two drams make a Confection with Honey the Dose is the quantity of a Nut with old Wine Rhasis Out of Pliny Celsus Scaliger It is good for those that are bitten by the Phalangium to drink five Pismires or one dram of the Roman Nigella seed or black berries with Hypocistis and Honey Also Marish Smallage and wilde Rue are peculiar against the bitings of the Phalangia Also the bloud of the Land Tortoise is good juice of Origanum the root of Polymonia Vervain Cinquefoil the seed of Garden Onyons all the kindes of Housleek roots of Cyprus Turnsole with three grains of juice of Ivy-root in Wine or Posca also Castoreum two drams in Mulsum to cause vomit or in juice of Rue to stop it Also Agnus Castus seed two drams Apollodorus that followed Democrates calls a kinde of herb Crocides by the touch whereof Phalangia die and their force is abated the Mat-rush-leaves next the root eaten do profit Pliny Take wilde Vine-berries Myrrhe each alike drink them out of one Hemina of sod Wine Also the seed of Radish or root of Darnel must be drank with Wine * Celsus But amongst many other remedies that are proved one Antidote is due to Scaliger who was the ornament of our world and age the form of it is this Take true round Birthwort Mithridate each two ounces Terra Sigillata half an ounce Flies living in the flowrs of Napellus 22. Citron juice what may serve turn mingle them For saith he against this venome or any other bitings of Serpents Art hath scarce yet found out so effectuall a remedy Scaliger Juice of Apples drank or of Endive are the Bezar against the bitings of the Phalangium Petrus de Albano These are the most approved outward remedies Five Spiders putrefied in Oyl and laid on Asses or Horse dung anoynted on with Vinegar or Posca Take Vinegar three sextarii Brimstone a sixth part mingle them foment the place with a sponge or a bath the pain being a little abated wash the place with much sea-sea-water some think that the stone Agates will cure all bitings of the Phalangia and for that reason it is brought out of India and sold dear Pliny Fig-tree ashes with Salt and Wine the root of the wilde Panace bruised Birthwort and Barley-meal impasted with Vinegar water and Honey and Salt for a fomentation Decoction of Balm or the leaves of it made into a Pultis and applyed we must constantly use hot Baths Pliny Open the veins of the tongue and rub the places swolne with much Salt and Vinegar then provoke sweat diligently and warily Vigetius The practicall men mightily commend the root of Panax Chironia Theophrastus Anoynt the wound with Oyl Garlick bruised or Onyons or Knot-grasse or Barley-meal with Bay-leaves and Wine or Wine Lees or wilde Rue lay it onwith Vinegar for a Cataplasme Nonus Take live Brimstone Galbanum each four Denarii Lybian juice and Euphorbium each alike Hazel-nuts pild each two drams dissolve them in Wine and with wine make a Cataplasme also inwardly it helps much Flies bruised and laid on the part affected Also a Barbel heals the bites of a venemous Spider if it be cut raw and applyed to it Galen Anoynt all the body with a most liquid Oyntment with wax Foment the part affected with Oyl wherein bituminous Trifoly hath been soked or with a Sponge and hot Vinegar very often Make also a Cataplasme of these that follow namely with Onyons bloudwort Solomons seal Leeks Bran boyled in Vinegar Barley-meal and Bay-leaves boyled in Honey and Wine Make them also with Rue Goats dung with Wine Cyprus Marjoram and wilde Rue with Vinegar Asclepias his Plaister
great Turnfoil drank with its seed adding thereunto Nitre Hysop Cresses and water will cast them forth The root of female Fern 3 drams drank in Wine will force out the round and broad Worms of the belly as Ruellius and Marcellus who interpreted Dioscorides do both assert But Galen saith that it kils not round Worms but Ascarides and broad Worms for so he writes lib. Therapeut method cap. 14. But Wormwood can destroy round Worms broad Worms require more strong helps as Fern is and so doth that Worm the Greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Theophrastus was of this opinion who writes that female Fern mingled with Honey is good against broad Worms of the belly if it be mingled with Honey and for Ascarides in sweet Wine For so he sets it down Female Fern is good against broad Worms and small ones against broad ones mingled with Honey but against small ones in sweet Wine It is certain that Ascarides both are and are called small Worms Moreover Galen lib de simpl Medic. facult 8. ascribes the same vertue to the female Fern that the male hath Now Pliny writes that the female will kill only broad Worms and not round Pli 〈…〉 lib. hist 27. c. 9. And again that both that is both male and female will drive forth Worms of the belly broad Worms with Honey the rest with sweet Wine drank for three daies and he excludes neither round Worms nor Ascarides But Galen in one place excludes both round Worms and Ascarides and in another place he writes that it will destroy Ascarides with broad Worms What now shall we say where Authors are of so many different opinions shall we say that female Fern will kill all Worms in the belly For Galen ascribes the same virtue to it he doth to the male but that especially it kils broad Worms and in the next place Ascarides which being at the bottome of the belly require a stronger remedy as Fern is that the force of it may come so far But since it can drive forth broad Worms and Ascarides that are more seldome and the one is in the guts the other farthest from the stomach it will far sooner destroy round Worms that lie in the upper guts Galen therefore will not fight with himself in this for it sufficeth if it will kill broad VVorms and if it can destroy them it can more easily destroy Ascarides and easiest of all round VVorms But Pliny as who best of all knew that saith it will drive out the rest also that is both round VVorms and Ascarides But that he saith so is manifest out of Paulus lib. c. 58. who in his method of curing round and broad VVorms mentions Fern which yet all men agree is most properly used to drive forth broad VVorms Avicenn 16 Tertii tract 5. c. 4. shewes this most clearly in these words The medicins that kill Ascarides are stronger than those that kill long Worms and those things that kill long Worms and Ascarides will also kill broad Worms Gith or Nigella not only eaten but laid in a plaister to the belly or anointed on the navil with water brings them forth In which place we must note Marcellus who saith it will drive forth broad VVorms and not round but Ruellius interprets this by the contrary Iâ— Marcellus have done right I leave other men to judge this is certain that Galen is of Ruellius minde who hath written only that it will kill VVorms and as I said before it is taken generally for round VVorms Paulus and Aetius agree with Ruellius who in their curative method for round VVorms often speak of Gith but never for broad VVorms Wormwood called Santonicum of it self or boyled with Rice adding Honey to it will kill Worms The seeds of Nettles bruised or of Coleworts or Cummin with water or Mints with it or Hysop with Honey and water or Cresses-seed bruised with Vinegar kils them Celsus l. 4. c. 17. Oribasius lib. ad Ennâ—pium filium hath written that Calamint Cardamom Lupins and the powder of them in drink or with Honey by way of Electuary or given in Posca to drink are sufficient to kill round Worms Also the leaves and buds of the Peach-tree bruised and laid upon the belly can do as much also Mints in drink and Sorrel Purslain boyl'd the juyce of Succory or the decoction of Sebestens or the Sebestens themselves boyl'd and eaten are very good Also the ashes of burnt Harts-horn is thought very effectual for this use especially of that which growes on the right side of the Stags head It is burnt thus Break the Harts-horn and put it into a new earthen Crucible and lute it well put it into the furnace and let it burn till it be white Scribonius Largus c. 141. gives it thus Harts-horn saith he raspt with a workmans rasp with water of Sebestens boyled give 4 or 5 spoonfuls of it which were soked the day before in 3 cyathi then bruise and give it adding the water to it An Oxe shank burnt and drank with Milk drives out round Worms saith Galen Costus with water drives forth broad Worms of the belly Galen de com Ther. ad Pis Cardamom Garlick eaten The leaves of female Fern taken with Honey in a Lohock But the root of the male 3 drams with honey-Honey-water drank will drive them forth but better if it be given with so many oboli of Scammony or black Hellebore Also the root of white Chamaeleon drank a sawcer full for which use it is drank with sharp Wine and the decoction of Origanum Walnuts eaten largely the pill of the Mulberry-root boyled in water and drank besides that it loosneth the belly it will force out broad Worms also the decoction of Pomgranate roots drives them out and kils them The decoction of Pomgranate pils can do as much The root of wilde Bugloss a sawcer sull with Hysop and Cardamom drank doth the like Ruellius the Interpreter of Dioscorides seems to have followed Paulus who say that with Hysop and Cardamom but Marcellus saith with Hysop and Cresses drank it will drive forth broad Worms what was said before of Turnsoil Marcellus seems here to follow Galen lib. 6. de simp fac who writes that a sawcer full of it is good drank with Hysop and Cresses But the juyce of Cedar kils Ascarides and so doth Calamint the juyce of it being drank or given in a Clyster The decoction of Wormwood mingled with oyl and given Clyster-wise and the decoction of the lesser Centory given with Salt-peter and Honey hath the same force or the decoction of the wilde Gourd of wilde Saffron if the right intestine were first emptied with sharp pickle The root of female Fern drank for three daies in 3 drams of Wine drives forth Ascarides Also old Hogs grease put into the Anus is excellent good Both Paulus and Aetius testifie that Feavers commonly accompany round Worms and we found it true by daily experience When therefore there is a Feaver sometimes we
Sumach Purslain seed and flowers of wilde Pomgranates strain the decoction and make up all with Sugar or the purest Honey of Athens Another Take Southernwood Calamint eight penny weight Horse mints Elecampane-root fresh six penny weight boyl them in water to a third part this decoction is given with syrup of Wormwood or Oxymel of Squils Also Worm-wood-wine is much commended for these uses but it is made divers waies for some let down Celtick nard 40 drams bound in a linnen clout into a measure of new Wine and after 40 daies they strain it Others cast a pound of Wormwood into 20 sextarii of sweet Wine and a sixth part of Pitch Rosin and after ten daies they strain it and lay it up for use A syrup against Worms with a Feaver and the symptomes Take sixteen penny weight of Grass-roots Purslain-seed sowr Dock of each eight penny weight ten sebestens boyl all to thirds to these add the juyce of Pomegranates and Oranges or sowr Wine of each one and half cyathus in weight as much of juyce of garden Succory the best Sugar what may suffice boyl them to a syrup you may give Infants half an ounce and young children one ounce without danger A Julep that shall help those are affected with Worms Take Dittany of Crete Gentian Zedoary Arabian Costus one penny weight seeds of Coleworts Dill Wormwood Purslain of each alike as much water of Mints Wormwood Grass of each half a hemina weight boyl them to thirds and strain them to these add of the best Sugar twenty penny weight But in a Feaver you may give the decoction in water or grass-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-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
and the gall is profitable for many things but especially being turned into a glew it helpeth the falling evill The genitals of a Beaver are called by the Physitians Castoreum and therefore we will in this discourse use that word for expressing the nature qualities remedies and miraculous operation thereof wherefore they must be very warily and skilfully taken forth for there is in a little skin compassing them about a certain sweet humor called Humor Melleus and with that they must be cut out the utter skin being cut asunder to make the more easie entrance and the Apothecaries use to take all the fat about them which they put into the oil of the Castoreum and sell it unto fisher-men to make bait for fishes The females have stones or Castoreum as well as the males but very small ones Now you must take great heed to the choise of your Beaver and then to the stones which must grow from one root conjoyned otherwise they are not precious and the beast must neither be a young one nor one very old but in the mean betwixt both being in vigor and perfection of strength The Beavers of Spain yeeld not such virtuous Castoreum as they of Pontus and therefore if it be possible take a Pontique Beaver next one of Gallatia and lastly of Africk Some do corrupt them putting into their skin Gum and Ammoniack with blood other take the reins of the beast and so make the Castoreum very big which in it self is but small This beast hath two bladders which I remember not are in any other living creature and you must beware that none of these be joyned to the Castoreum You may know if it be mingled with Ammoniack by the tast for although the colour be like yet is the savour different Platearius sheweth that some adulterate Castoreum by taking off his skin or some cod newly taken forth of another beast filling it with bloud sinews and the powder of Castoreum that so it may not want his strong smell or favour other fill it with earth and bloud other with bloud rosen gum sinews and pepper to make it tast sharp but this is a falsification discernible and of this sort is the Castoreum which is sold in Venice as Brasovala affirmeth and the most of them sold at this day are bigger then the true Castoreum for the just weight of the right stones is not above twelve ounces and a half one of them being bigger then the other being six fingers breadth long and four in breadth Now the substance contained in the bag is yellowish solid like wax and sticking like glew not sharp and cracking betwixt the teeth as the counterfeit is These stones are of a strong and stinking savour such as is not in any other but not rotten and sharp as Grammarians affirm yer I have smelled of it dryed which was not unpleasant and things once seasoned with the savour thereof will ever tast of it although they have not touched it but lie covered with it in the same box or pot and therefore the Castoreum of Persia is counterfeit which hath no such smell for if a man smell to the right Castoreum it will draw bloud out of his nose After it is taken forth from the beast it must be hung up in some place to be dryed in the shadow and when it is dry it is soft and white it will continue it strength six years and some say seven the Persians affirm that their Castoreum will hold his virtue ten years which is as false as the matter they speak of is counterfeit Archigenes wrote a whole book of the virtue of this Castoreum whereunto they may resort that require an exact and full declaration of all his medicinal operations it shall only be our purpose to touch some general heads and not to enter into a particular discovery thereof Being so dryed as is declared it must be warily used for it falleth out herein as in other medicinal subjects that ignorance turneth a curing herb or substance into a venemous and destructive quality therefore we will first of all set down the dangers to be avoided and afterward some particular cures that come by the right use of it Therefore it must be understood that there is poyson in it not naturally but by accident as may be in any other good and wholesome matter and that especially in the smell or savour thereof whereunto if a woman with childe do smell it will kill the childe unborn and cause abortment for a womans womb is like a creature nourished with good favours and destroyed with evill therefore burning of feathers shoo-soles woollen clothes pitch Galbanum gum onions and garlick is noysom to them It may be corrupted not only as is before declared but also if it be shut up close without vent into pure aire when it is hanged up to be dryed or if the bag be kept moist so that it cannot dry and it is true as Avicen saith that if it be used being so corrupted it killeth within a dayes space driving one into madness making the sick person continually to hold forth his tongue and infecting him with a Fever by inflaming the body loosing the continuity of the parts through sharp vapors arising from the stomach and for a proof that it will inflame if you take a little of it mingled with oil and rub upon any part of the body or upon your nail you shall feel it But there is also a remedy for it being corrupted namely Asses milk mingled with some sharp syrup of Citron or if need require drink a dram of Philons Antidote at the most or take butter and sweet water which will cause vomit and vomit therewith so long as you feel the savour of the stone and afterward take syrup of Limmons or Citrons and some affirm upon experience that two penny weight of Coriander-seed scorched in the fire is a present remedy for this evill And it is most strange that seeing it is in greatest strength when the favour is hottest which is very displeasing to a mans nature in outward appearance yet doth it never harm a man taken inwardly being pure and rightly compounded if the person be without a Fever for in that case only it doth hurt inwardly otherwise apply it to a moist body lacking refrigeration or to a cold body wanting excalfaction or to a cold and moist body you shall perceive an evident commodity thereby if there be no Fever and yet it hath profited many where the Fever hath not been over hot as in Extasies and Lethargies ministred with white Pepper and Melicrate and with Rose cakes laid to the neck or head The same virtues it hath being outwardly applyed and mingled with oil if the bodies be in any heat and purely without oil if the body be cold for in heating it holdeth the third degree and in drying the second The manner how it is to be administred is in drink for the most part the sweet liquor
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
mouth if then you perceive no amendment then seethe some Laurel and therewith heat his back and afterward with oil and wine scarifie him all over plucking his skin up from the ribs and this must be done in the sunshine or else in a very warm place For the scabs take the juice of Garlick and rub the beast all over and with this medicine may the biting of a Wolf or a mad Dog be cured although other affirm that the hoof of any beast with Brimstone Oil Water and Vinegar is a more present remedy but there is no better thing then Butter and stale Urine When they are vexed with wormes poure cold water upon them afterward anoint them with the juice of onions mingled with Salt If an Ox be wrinched and strained in his sinews in travel or labour by stumping on any root or hard sharp thing then let the contrary foot or leg be let bloud if the sinews swell If his neck swell let him bloud or if his neck be windiug or weak as if it were broken then let him bloud in that ear to which side the head bendeth When their necks be bald grinde two tile together a new one and an old and when the yoak is taken off cast the powder upon their necks and afterward oil and so with a little rest the hair will come again When an Ox hangeth down his ears and eateth not his meat he is troubled with a Cephalalgie that is a pain in his head for which seethe Thyme in Wine with Salt and Garlick and therewith rub his tongue a good space also raw Barly steeped in Wine helpeth this disease Sometime an Ox is troubled with madness for which men burn them betwixt the horns in the forehead till they bleed sometime there is a Flie which biting them continually driveth them into madness for which they are wont to cast Brimstone and bay sprigs sod in water in the Pastures where they feed but I know not what good can come thereby When Oxen are troubled with fleam put a sprig of black Hellebore through their ears wherein let it remain till the next day at the same hour All the evils of the eyes are for the most part cured by infusion of Hony and some mingle therewith Ammoniack Salt and Boetick When the palat or roof of their mouth is so swelled that the beast forsaketh meat and bendeth on the one side let his mouth be paired with a sharpe instrument or else burned or abated some other way giving them green and soft meat till the tender sore be cured but when the cheeks swell for remedy whereof they sell them away to the Butcher for slaughter it falleth out very often that there grow certain bunches on their tongues which make them forsake their meat and for this thing they cut the tongue and afterward rub the wound with Garlick and Salt till all the fleamy matter issue forth When their veins in their cheeks and chaps swell out into ulcers they soften and wash them with Vinegar and Lees till they be cured When they are liver-sick they give them Rubarbe Mushroms and Gentian mingled together For the Cough and short breath they give them twigs of Vines or Juniper mingled with Salt and some use Betony There is a certain herb called Aâ—plenon or Citteraeh which consumeth the milts of Oxen found by this occasion in Crete there is a River called Protereus running betwixt the two Cities Gnoson and Gortina on both sides thereof there were herds of Cattel but those which fed neer to Gortina had no Spleen and the other which feed neer to Gnoson were full of Spleen when the Physitians endevoured to find out the true cause hereof they sound an herb growing on the coast of Gortina which diminished their Spleen and for that cause called it Asplenon But now to come to the diseases of their breast and stomach and first of all to begin with the Cough which if it be new may be cured by a pinte of Barley meal with a raw Egge and half a pinte of sod wine and if the Cough be old take two pounds of beaten Hysop sod in three pints of water beaten Lentils or the roots of Onions washed and baked with Wheat meal given fasting do drive away the oldest Cough For shortness of breath their Neat-herds hang about their neck Deaths-herb and Harts-wort but if their Livers or Lungs be corrupted which appeareth by a long Cough and leaness take the root of Hasell and put it through the Oxes ear then a like or equall quantity of the juyce of Onions and oil mingled and put into a pinte of Wine let it be given to the beast many dayes together If the Ox be troubled with crudity or a raw evill stomach you shall know by these signes he will often belch his belly will rumble he will forbear his meat hanging down his eyes and neither chew the cud or lick himself with his tongue for remedy whereof take two quarts of warm water thirty stalkes of Boleworts seethe them together till they be soft and then give them to the beast with Vinegar But if the crudity cause his belly to stand out and swell then pull his tail downward with all the force that you can and binde thereunto Mother-wort mingled with salt or else give them a Glyster or anoint a Womans hand with oil and let her draw out the dung from the fundament and afterward cut a vein in his tail with a sharp knife When they be distempered with choler burn their legs to the hoofs with a hot Iron and afterward let them rest upon clean and soft straw when their guts or intrails are pained they are eased with the sight of a Duck or a Drake But when the small guts are infected take fifteen Cypres Apples and so many Gauls mingle and beat them with their weight of old Cheese in four pints of the sharpest wine you can get and so divide it into four parts giving to the beast every day one quantity The excrements of the belly do deprive the body of all strength and power to labour wherefore when they are troubled with it they must rest and drink nothing for three daies together and the first day let them forbear meat the second day give them the tops of wilde Olives or in defect thereof Canes or Reeds the stalks of Lentrske and Myrtill and a third day a little water and unto this some add dryed Grapes in six pintes of sharp wine given every day in like quantity When their hinder parts are lame through congealed bloud in them whereof there is no outward appearance take a bunch of Nettles with their roots and put it into their mouths by rubbing whereof the condensate bloud will remove away When Oxen come first of all after Winter to grasse they fall grasse-sick and pisse bloud for which they seethe together in water Barly Bread and Lard and so give them all together in a drink to the beast some praise the
given this beast in Greek and Latin bv sundry authors do demonstratively shew the manifold conditions of this beast as that it is called a Plower Wilde an earth-tiller brazen-footed by reason of his hard hoofs Cerebrous more brain then wit horned stubborn horn-stiking hard rough untamed devourer of grasse yoak-bearer fearful overtamed drudges wry-faced flow and ill favoured with many other such notes of their nature ordination and condition There remain yet of this discourse of Oxen two other necessary Tractates the one natural and the other moral That which is natural contains the several uses of their particular parts and first for their flesh which is held singular for nourishment for which cause after their labour which bringeth leanness they use to put them by for sagination or as it is said in English for feeding which in all countries hath a several manner or custom Sotion affirmeth that if you give your Cattel when they come fresh from their pasture Cabbage leaves beaten small with some sharp Vinegar poured among them and afterward chaffe winowed in a sieve and mingled with Bran for five daies together it will much fatten and encrease their flesh and the sixth day ground Barly encreasing the quantity by little and little for six daies together Now the best time to feed them in the Winter is about the Cock crowing and afterward in the morning twilight and soon after that let them drink in the Summer let them have their first meat in the morning and their second service at noon and then drink after that second meat or eating and their third meat before evening again and so let them drink the second time It is also to be observed that their water in Winter time be warmed and in the Summer time colder And while they feed you must often wash the roof and sides of her mouth for therein will grow certain Wormes which will annoy the beast and hinder his eating and after the washing rub his tongue well with salt If therefore they be carefully regarded they will grow very fat especially if they be not over aged or very young at the time of their feeding for by reason of age their teeth grow loose and fall out and in youth they cannot exceed in fatness because of their growth above all Heifers and barren Kie will exceed in fatness for Varro affirmeth that he saw a field Mouse bring forth young ones in the fat of a Cow having eaten into her body she being alive the self same thing is reported of a Sow in Arcadia Kie will also grow fat when they are with Calf especially in the middest of that time The Turks use in their greatest feasts and Mariages to roast or seethe an Ox whole putting in the Oxes belly a whole Sow and in the Sowes belly a Goose and in the Goofes belly an Egge to note forth their plenty in great and small things but the best flesh is of a young Ox and the worst of an old one for it begetteth an ill juyce or concoction especially if they which eat it be troubled with a Cough or rheumy fleam or if the party be in a Consumption or for a woman that hath ulcers in her belly the tongue of an Ox or Cow salted and slit asunder is accounted a very delicate dish which the Priests of Mercury said did belong to them because they were the servants of speach and howsoever in all sacrifices the beasts tongue was refused as a profane member yet these Priests made choise thereof under colour of sacrifice to feed their dainty stomachs The horns of Oxen by art of man are made very flexible and straight whereof are made Combes hafts for knives and the ancients have used them for cups to drink in and for this cause was Bacchus painted with horns and Crater was taken for a cup which is derived of Kera a horn In like manner the first Trumpets were made of horns as Virgil alludeth unto this sentence Rauco strepuerunt corâ—ua cantu and now adaies it is become familiar for the cariage of Gunpowder in war It is reported by some husbandmen that if seed be cast into the earth out of an Oxes horn called in old time Cerasbola by reason of a certain coldness it will never spring up well out of the earth at the least not so well as when it is sowed with the hand of man Their skin is used for shooes Garments and Gum because of a spongy matter therein contained also to make Gunpowder and it is used in navigation when a shot hath pierced the sides of the ship presently they clapa raw Ox hide to the mouth of the breach which instantly keepeth the Water from entring in likewise they were wont to make bucklers or shieldes or hides of Oxen and Bugils and the seven-folded or doubled shield of Ajax was nothing else but a shield made of an Ox hide so many times layed one piece upon another which caused Homer to call it Sacos heptabreton Of the teeth of Oxen I know no other use but scraping and making paper smooth with them their gall being sprinkled among seed which is to be sowen maketh it come up quickly and killeth field-mise that tast of it and it is the bane or poison of those creatures so that they will not come neer to it no not in bread if they discern it and birds if they eat corn touched with an Oxes gall put into hot water first of all and the lees of wine they wax thereby astonished likewise Emmets will not come upon those places where there remaineth any savour of this gall and for this cause they anoint herewith the roots of trees The dung of Oxen is beneficial to Bees if the hive be anointed therewith for it killeth Spiders Gnats and drone-bees and if good heed be not taken it will work the like effect upon the Bees themselves for this cause they use to smother or burn this kind of dung under the mouthes of the Hives in the spring time which so displayeth and disperseth all the little enemy-bees in Bee-hives that they never breed again There is a proverb of the stable of Augea which Augea was so rich in Cattel ahat he defiled the Countrey with their dung whereupon that proverb grew when Hercules came unto him he promised him a part of his Countrey to purge that stable which was not cleansed by the yearly labour of 3000 Oxen but Hercules undertaking the labour turned a River upon it and so cleansed all When Augea saw that his stable was purged by art and not by labour he denied the reward and because Phyleus his eldest Son reproved him for not regarding a man so well deserving he cast him out of his family for ever The manifold use of the members of Oxen and Kie in medicine now remaineth to be briefly touched The horn beaten into powder cureth the Cough especially the tips or point of the horn which is also received against the
joyneth and seasoneth the same so is Rennet to Cheese and therefore both of them have the same qualities of dissolving and binding Galen affirmeth that he cured one of Gowty tumours and swellings by applying thereunto old and strong putrified Cheese beaten in a morter and mixed with the salted fat or leg of a Swine If a Man sick of the Bloudy flux drink thereof in a reer Egge two scruples for two dayes together fasting it will procure him remedy For pacifying the Colick drink the Rennet of a Hare the same mingled with Goose grease stayeth the incontinencie of Urine it also retaineth womens flowers If it be drunk with Vinegar it helpeth the seconds and being applyed with Saffron and the juyce of Leeks driveth a dead childe ouâ— of the womb If it be drunk three or four dayes together after childe-birth it causeth barrenness There are saith Pliny a kind of Wormes which being bound to Women before the Sun rising in a Harts skin cause them that they cannot conceive this power is called Asocion Masarius saith that if a Woman drink this Rennet to her meat before she conceive with childe she should be delivered of a Male child and such is the foolish opinion of them which affirm at this day that if men eat parsly or white buds of black ivie it maketh them unable to carnall copulation The Rennet of a Hare easeth and disperseth all tumors and swellings in Womens brests the Lights of a Hare powdred with salt with Frankincense and white wine helpeth him that is vexed with the Falling sickness if he receive it thirty dayes together Sextus ascribeth the same remedy to the Hart and Pliny commendeth the Lights to heal the pain in the eyes Being drunk in powder it cureth the secrets If the heels be troubled with Kibes they are healed with the fat of Bears but if they be wrâ—ng with a cold they are healed with the dust of a Hares hair or the powder of the Lights Likewise when the foot is hurt with stâ—ait shooes it hath the same operation The ancient Magâ— took the skin of an Oxe in powder with the Urine of Boyes and sprinkled it on the 〈◊〉 of their feet binding the heart of a Hare to the hands of him that hath a Quartan Ague and some cure it by hanging the heart of a young Hare or Leveret to the neck or arme in the beginning of the fit of him that is so visited The heart of a Hare dried mixed with Frankineense or Manna 〈…〉 white wine drunk thirty dayes together cureth the Falling sickness For the pain in the belly take the same medicine and drunk with warm water mingled with Samia cureth the fluxes of women also if a man that hath the flux eat the Liver of a Hare dipped in sharp Vinegar it helpeth him if he be Liver sick or if one have the Falling sickness eat the quantity of an ounce thereof and it helpeth him The Gall of a Hare the Heart Lungs Lights and Liver of a Weasel mixed together three drams one dram of Castoreum four drams of Myrrha a dram of Vinegar and Hony beat together cureth him that hath a swimming or dizziness in his brain The gall newly taken forth mingled with a like portion of hony and warm in the skin of an onion and so put into the ear giveth remedy to him that can hear nothing If he that is sick in the milt that is if it be over hard swallow down the milt of a Hare not touching it with his teeth or seeing it with his eyes it cureth him The belly of a Hare with the intrails tosted and burned in a frying-pan mixed with Oil and anointed upon the head restoreth decayed hairs The reins of a Hare inveterated and drunk in Wine expelleth the stone and being sod cut and dryed in the Sun helpeth the pain in the reins if it be swallowed down and not touched with the teeth The reins of a Hare and of a Moor-hen cureth them that are poisoned by Spiders the stones of a Hare roasted and drunk in Wine stayeth the incontinency of Urine In the pain of the loins and of the hip bones they have the same operation The secrets and stones of Hares are given to Men and Women to make them apâ—er to copulation and conception but this opinion hath no other ground beside the foecundity of the beast that beareth them They which carry about with them the ankle bone of a Hare shall never be pained in the belly as Pliny saith So likewise Sextus and Marcellus Take the ankle bone out of a live Hare and hairs from her belly therewithal make a threed and bind the said bone to him that hath the Colick and it shall ease him The said bone also beaten to powder is reckoned among the chief remedies against the stone When Women have hard travel put it into Cretick-wine with the liquor of Penyroyal and it procureth speedy delivery being bound to the benummed joynts of a mans leg bringeth great ease so also do the feet being bruised and drunk in warm Wine relieve the arteries and shortness of breath and some belive that by the foot of a Hare cut off alive the Gout is eased The fime of a Hare cureth scorched members and whereas it was no small honour to Virgins in ancient time to have their brests continually stand out every one was prescribed to drink in Wine or such other things nine grains of Hares dung the same drunk in Wine in the evening stayeth Coughing in the night in a potion of warm wine it is given to them that have the Bloudy flux likewise if a man be sick of the Colick and drink three pieles thereof in sweet Wine it procureth him much ease being decocted with hony and eaten every day the quantity of a Bean in desperate cases mendeth Ruptures in the bowels Asclepiades in his medicine whereby he procured fruitfulness to Noble Women he gave them four drams of Myrrha two drams of Flower-deluce two of Hares dung confected with Collyrial water so put up into their bellies after ceasing of the flowers before they lay with their Husbands Albertus and Raphael prescribe this medicine to help a woman that wanteth milk in her brests Crystal white Mustard-seed and Hares dung put into broath made with Fennel Of the HEDGE-HOG FOrasmuch as there be two sorts of Hedge-hogs one of the Sea and another of the Land our purpose in this place is only to discourse of the Land Hedge-hog the Hebrews call him Kipod which in the 14. of Isa and Zepha 2. is so translated by the Septuagints although that some of the Hebrews would have it to signifie a ravening bird but seeing that I find the word Kapaz in most Hebrew dictionaries to signifie Claudere and Contrahere and that is most proper to shut up and draw together I do rather believe that the proper meaning thereof is a Hedge-hog because this beast so draweth it self together when it
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
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
and made liquid or else a quick flie or a grain of Frankincense or a clove of Garlick clean pilled and somewhat bruised and also to pour on his back Oyl Wine Nitre made warm and mingled together But Martins experience is in this sort First wash the yard with warm white Wine and then anoint it with Oyl of Roses and Honey mingled together and put it up into the sheath and make him a Cod-piece of Canvas to keep it still up and dress it thus every day once until it be whole And in any case let his back be kept warm either with a double cloth or else with a charge made of Bole Armony Egges Wheat-flowre Sanguis Draconis Turpentine and Vinegar or else lay on a wet sack which being covered with another dry cloth will keep his back very warm Of the swelling of the Cod and Stones Aâ—syrtus saith that the inflamation and swelling of the cod and stones cometh by means of some wound or by the stinging of some Serpent or by fighting one Horse with another For rememedy whereof he was wont to hathe the cod with water wherein hath been sodden the roots of wilde Cowcumber and Salt and then to anoint it with an Ointment 〈…〉 de of Gerusa Oyl Goats grease and the white of an Egge Some again would have the cod to be bathed in warm Water Nitrum and Vinegar together and also to be anointed with an Ointment made of Chalk or of Potters earth Oxe dung Cumin Water and Vinegar or else to be anointed with the juyce of the herb Solanâ—m called of some Night-shade or with the juyce of Hemlock growing on dunghils yea and also to be let bloud in the flanks But Martin saith that the swelling of the cods cometh for the most part after some sickness or surfeting with cold and then it is a signe of amendment The cure according to his experience is in this sort First let him bloud on both sides the flank veins Then take of Oyl of Roses of Vinegar of each half a pinte and half a quartern of Bole Armony beaten to powder Mingle them together in a cruse and being luke-warm anoint the cods therewith with two or three feathers bound together and the next day ride him into the water so as his cods may be within the water giving him two or three turns therein and so return fair and softly to the stable and when he is dry anoint him again as before continuing thus to do every day once until they be whole The said Martin saith also the cods may be swollen by means of some hurt or evill humors resorting into the cod and then he would have you cover the cods with a charge made of Bole Armony and Vinegar wrought together renewing it every day once untill the swelling go away or that it break of it self and if it break then tent it with Mel Rosatum and make him a breech of Canvas to keep it in renewing the tent every day once untill it be whole Of incording and 〈…〉 g. THis term Incording is borrowed of the 〈…〉 say as Bursten and might 〈…〉 his â—uts falleth down into the 〈…〉 The Italians as I take it did call it 〈◊〉 because the â—ut follows the string of the stone called of them 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 whereof 〈◊〉 ‑ 〈◊〉 seems to be derived with some reason According to which reason we should call it rather Instringed then Incorded for Corde doth signifie a string or Word Notwithstanding sith that Incording is already received in the stable I for my part am very well content therewith minding not to contend against it But now you have to â—oâ—e that either Man or Beast may be Bursten diversty and according to the names of the pants grieved the Physitians do give it diâ—ers names for you shall understand that next unto the thick outward skin of the belly there is also another inward thin skin covering all the muscles the Caul and the guts of the belly called of the Anatomists Peritoneum which skin cometh from both parts and sides of the back and is fastened to the Midriffe above and also to the bottom of the belly beneath to keep in all the contents of the neather belly And therefore if the skin be broken or over sore strained or stretched then either some part of the caul or guts slippeth down sometime into the cod sometime not so far Iâ— the guts slip down into the cod then it is called of the Physitians by the Greek name 〈◊〉 that is to say Gut-bursten But if the caul falldown into the cod then it is called of the Physitians 〈…〉 le that is to say Caul-bursten But either of the diseases is most properly incident to the male kinde for the female kinde hath no cod Notwithstanding they may be so bursten as either gut or cauâ— may fall down into their natures hanging there like a bag but if it fell not down so â—low but remaineth above nigh unto the privy members or flanks which place is called of the Latins Inguen then of that place the Bursting is called of the Physitians B 〈…〉 câ—le whereunto I know not what English name to give unlesse I should call it flank bursten Moreover the cod or flank may be sometimes swollen by means of some waterish humour gathered together in the same which is called of the Physitians Hydrocele that is to say Water-bursten and sometimes the cod may be swollen by means of some hard peece of fâ—esh cleaving the thin skins or panicles of the stones and then it is called of the Physitians S 〈…〉 that is to say Flesh-bursten But forasmuch as none of mine Authors Marâ—iâ— nor any other Farrier in these dayes that I know have intermedled with any kind of Bursting but only with that wherein the gut falleth down into the cod leaving all the rest apart I will only 〈◊〉 of this and that according to Martins experience which I assure you differeth not much from the precepts of the old writers But first you shall understand that the Gut-bursten and Flank-bursten doth proceed both of one cause that is to say by means that the skin called before Petitoneum is either fore strained or else broken â—ither by some stripe of another Horse or else by some strain in leaping over a hedge ditch or pale or otherwise yea and many times in passing a career through the carelesness of the Rider stopping the Horse suddenly without giving warning whereby the Horse is forced to cast his hinder legs abroad and so straineth or bursteth the skin aforesaid by means whereof the gut falleth down into the cod The signs be these The Horse will forsake his meat and stand shoâ—ing and leaâ—ing alwayes on that side that he is hurt and on that side if you search with your hand betwixt the stone and the thigh upward to the body and somewhat above the stone you shall find the gut it self big and hard in the feeling whereas on the other side you shall
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
doth very effectually heal them A Moul being bruised into small pieces and applyed unto the bites of a Shrew in the form of a plaister is a very excellent remedy for the curing of them Pitch and Trifoly being baked and rubbed very hot upon the bites of a Shrew is accounted a very medicinable cure but it is requisite that this fomentation be given unto none but such as are of a strong and powerful body and are also able to endure pain The liquor of the Herb called Southern-wood being given in Wine to drink doth very much profit those which are troubled and painted in their limbs with the bites of Shrews Wormwood being used in the like manner will cure those which are bitten by a Shrew The genital of a Lamb or Kid being mingled with four drams of the Herb called Aristolochia or Hart-wort and six drams of the sweetest Myrrh is very good and medicinable for curing of those which are bitten or stung with Shrews Scorpions and such like venemous Beasts The leaves of Coleworts being dryed mingled with flower and tempered together until they come into the form of a plaister will very much help against the venemous bites of the Shrew The seeds of Coleworts and the leaves of the same herb being mingled with Vinegar and the herb called Assa foetida beat or pounded together do very well and speedily cure the bites of the Shrews as also of a ravenous Dog if the same in due time be applyed thereunto The liquor also of the leaves of Coleworts being given in any kinde of drink is good and wholesome for the curing of the aforesaid bites or wounds The Nuts of a young Cypres tree being mixed with a certain syrup or potion made of Hony Water and Vinegar and afterwards drunk doth very speedily procure ease and help for those which are bitten by a Shrew The root of a white or black Thistle being beaten or bruised and given in drink doth very effectually help or cure those which are bitten by a Shrew The like vertue hath the herb called Rocket in it and also the seed thereof being given in any kinde of drink The gum or liquor which proceedeth from a kinde of Ferula being given in Wine to drink doth very much help and cure those which are bitten by a Shrew The same vertue also in it hath the root of the herb called Gentian or Bitterwort being given in Wine to drink One or two drams of the youngest or tendrest leaves of the Laurel tree being beaten small and given in Wine to drink doth speedily cure the sores or wounds which are bitten by a Shrew the same being also used in the said manner and given in some certain portion unto Horses to drink doth quickly help and heel them But there are some which before all other medicines do commend this for the best and chiefest that is to take the juyce which proceedeth from the leaves of the Lawrel tree and the leaves themselves being moist and new growing and to boil them in Wine and being once cooled to give it to any which is bitten by a Shrew and this will in very short space altogether help them A young Weesil being given in Wine to drink is accounted very medicinable for those which are bitten by a Shrew or stung by a Scorpion or any other venemous creature The herb called Baltsamint or Costmary the herb called Bartram or wilde Pellito the herb called Betony the herb called Water-mint or Water cresses the sweet and delicious gum called Storax as also the herb called Vervin being each of them severally by themselves either given in Wine to drink or applyed in the manner of a plaister or anointed upon the bites or wounds which come by the venemous teeth of a Shrew will very effectually cure the pain thereof The biting of a field Mouse or Shrew is very troublesome or grievous to all labouring Beasts for instantly after her bitings there do little red Pimples arise and there is most danger of death in those Beasts which she biteth when she is great with young for the afore-said pimples will then presently break after which the Beast so bitten will instantly die The Shrew doth also kill some labouring Beasts with poyson as chiefly Horses and Mules but especially and for the most part Mares which are great with young There are some which do affirm that if Horses or any other labouring creature do feed in that pasture or grass in which a Shrew shall put forth her venome or poyson in they will presently die In what place soever a Shrew shall bite in any creature it will be compassed with an exceeding hard swelling the Beast also being so bitten doth express his grief or sorrow with much pain and straining his body doth likewise swell all over his eyes do in a manner weep the swelling in his body doth sq 〈…〉 e out matter or filthy putrifaction he voideth poyson out of his belly and doth vo 〈…〉 it all su 〈…〉 nce up assoon as ever he receiveth it If an Ass being great with young be bitten by this Beast it is a very great chance if she scape death But if the Shrew do bite any Beast when she is great with young it is known by these signes or marks there will certain red pimples compass the sore round about and also spread themselves over all the body of the bitten Beast and will in short space destroy him except there be procured some present remedy The Normans in France do suppose the Shrew to be a Beast so full of venom and poyson that if he shall but pass over either an Ox or a Horse lying down along upon the ground it will bring such a dangerous disease upon them that the Beast over which she shall pass shall be lame about the loins or shall seem as if he were immoveable and that he can be cured by no other means but by the same Shrew who either of his own accord or by compulsion must pass over the contrary side of the Beast and that then he will be cured which thing I do hold to be very vain and not to be believed For the curing of Beasts which are bitten by a Shrew thou shalt boil the seed of Parsly together with Wine and Oyl and thou shalt cut the place which swelleth with a Pen-knife by which the poyson may issue forth and the wound being pointingly pulled or torn may wax raw if by these the inflammation do wax more servent and hot thou shalt eat the sore with Iron instruments burning with fire taking away some part of that which is whole and sound then shalt thou renew the wound with the Iron instruments being governed rightly by which the corruption may issue forth but if that part do chance to swell by the exculceration thou shalt sprinkle Barley being burned and dryed therein but before you do this it is meet
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-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-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
mean the greater Linces of the cruelty of this Beast Martiall made this distichon Matutinarum non ultima praeda ferarum Savus Oryx constat qui mihi morte canum It is reported of this Beast that it liveth in perpetual thirst never drinking by reason that there is no water in those places where it is bred and that there is in it a certain bladder of liquor whereof whosoever tasteth shall never need to drink This Beast liveth in the Wilderness and notwithstanding his magnanimous and unresistible strength wrath and cruelty yet is he easily taken by snares and devices of men for God which hath armed them to take Elephants and tame Lions hath likewise indued them with knowledge from above to tame and destroy all other noisome Beasts Concerning the picture of this Beast and the lively visage of his exterior or outward parts I cannot express it because neither my own sight nor the writings of any credible Author doth give me sufficient direction to deliver the shape thereof unto the world and succeeding Ages upon my credit and therefore the Reader must pardon me herein I do not also read of the use of the flesh or any other parts of this Beast but only of the horns as is already expressed whereunto I may adde the relation of Strabo who affirmeth the Aethiopian Silli do use the horns of these Beasts in wars instead of swords and spears for incredible is the hardness and sharpness of them which caused Juvenal to write thus Et Getulus Oryx hebeti lautissima ferro Caeditur For although of the own length they are not able to match a pike yet are they fit to be put upon the tops of pikes as well as any other artificial thing made of steel or iron and thus I will conclude the story of this Beast The SCYTHIAN WOLF Of the OTTER THere is no doubt but this Beast is of the kinde of Beavers because it liveth both on the water and on the land and the outward form of the parts beareth a similitude of that Beast The Italians do vulgarly call this Beast Lodra and the Latines besides Lutra Fluviatilis Canicula a Dog of the Waters and some call them Cats of the Waters the Italians besides Lodra call it also Lodria and Loutra the French Vne Loutre or Vng Loutre the Savoyans Vne Leure the Spaniards Nutria and the Illyrians Widra the Graecians Lytra because it sheareth asunder the roots of the trees in the banks of the Rivers Some of the Graecians call it Enhydris although properly that be a Snake living in the waters called by Theodorus and Hermolaus Lutris Albertus calleth it Luter and Anadrz for Enhydris Also Boatus by Silvaticus and the Graecians call filthy and thick waters Lutrai for which cause when their Noble ancient Women went to bathe themselves in water they were bound about with skins called Oan Loutrida that is a Sheeps skin used to the water The French men call the dung of an Otter Espranite de loutres the steps of an Otter Leise Marches the whelps of an Otter Cheaux by which word they call also the whelps of Wolves Foxes and Badgers Although they be a kinde of Beaver as we have said already yet they never go into the Sea and they abound almost in all Nations where there are Rivers or Fish-pools as namely in Italy France Germany Helvetia England and Scandinavia Likewise in all Sarmatia in the Bay of Borysthenes They are most plentiful in Italy where the River Padus is joyned to the Sea Also they abound in Noples Their outward form is most like unto a Beaver saving in their tail for the tail of a Beaver is fish but the tail of an Otter is flesh They are less then Beavers some compare them unto a Cat and some unto a Fox but I cannot consent unto the Fox They are bigger then a Cat and longer but lesser then a Fox and therefore in my opinion they are well called Dogs of the water They exceed in length for in Swetia and all the Northern Rivers they are three times so long as a Beaver They have a rough skin and the hair of it very soft and neat like the hair of a Beaver but different in this that it is shorter and unequal also of colour like a Ches-nut or brownish but the Beavers is white or ash-colour It hath very sharp teeth and is a very biting Beast likewise short legs and his feet and tail like a Dogs which caused Bellonius to write that if his tail were off he were in all parts like a Beaver differing in nothing but his habitation For the Beaver goeth both to the Salt waters and to the fresh but the Otter never to the salt For in the hunting of fish it must often put his nose above the water to take breath it is of a wonderful swiftness and nimbleness in taking his prey and filleth his den so full of fishes that he corrupteth the air or men that take him in his den and likewise infecteth himself with a pestilent and noisome savour whereupon as the Latines say of a stinking fellow He smels like a Goat so the Germans say of the same He smels like an Otter In the Winter time he comes out of the caves and waters to hunt upon the land where finding no other food he eateth fruits and the bark of trees Bellonius writeth thus of him he keepeth in pools and quiet aters rivers terrifying the flocks of fish and driving them to the bank-sides in great number to the holes and creeks of the earth where he taketh them more copiously and more easie but if he want prey in the waters then doth he leap upon the land and eat upon green herbs he will swim two miles together against the stream putting himself to great labour in his hunger that so when his belly is full the current of the stream may carry him down again to his designed lodging The females nourish many whelps together at their udders until they be almost as big as themselves for whom the hunters search as for the dams among the leaves and boughs which the over-flowings of waters in the Winter time have gathered together and laid on heaps It is a sharp biting Beast hurtful both to men and dogs never ceasing or loosing hold after he hath laid his mouth upon them until he make the bones to crack betwixt his teeth whereupon it was well said by Olaus Mag. Lutrae mordaces quadrato ore Otters are most accomplished biters It is a very crafty and subtil Beast yet it is sometimes tamed and used in the Northern parts of the world especially in Scandinavia to drive the fishes into the Fisher-mens nets for so great is the sagacity and sense of smelling in this Beast that he can directly winde the fishes in the waters a mile or two off and therefore the Fishers make great advantage of them yet do they forbear his use because he
Pliny affirmeth that the same part of his tail which is beneath the knot will die after such binding and never have any sense in it again Of the Fluxes of Sheep and looseness of the belly FOr this disease the Shepherds take no other thing but the herb Tormentilla or Set-foyl wherewithall they stop all manner of laxes but if they cannot get the same herb then they take salt and give it unto them and so having increased their thirst they give unto them black Wine whereby they are cured Of the milt of Sheep IN April and May through the aboundance of thick grosse bloud the Milt of Sheep is stopped and filled then the Shepherds will take two of their fingers and thrust them within the Nostrils of the Sheep there rubbing them untill they make them bleed and so draw from them as much bloud as they can Of the sickness of the Spleen FOrasmuch as a Horse a Man and a Sheep are troubled with the same diseases they are also to be cured with the same remedies and therefore Spleen-wort given unto Sheep as to a Man and a Horse as we have already expressed is the best remedy for this Malady Of the Fevers of Sheep SOmetimes a shaking rage through an incensed and unnatural heat of the bloud in the Sheep begeteth in him a Fever the best remedy whereof is to let him bloud according to these Verses Quinetiam ima dolor babantum lapsus ad â—ssa Cum furit atque artus depascitur arida febris Profuit incensos aestus avertere inter Ima ferire pedis salientem sanguine venam Quam procul aut molli succedere saepius umbrae Videris aut summas carpentem ignavius herbas Extremamque sequi aut medio procumbere ca 〈…〉 po Pascentem serae solam decedere nocti Continuo ferro culpam compesce priusquam Dira per incautum serpat contagiovulgus In which Verses the Poet defineth the signes of this disease and the cure The signes he saith are solitariness and a careless feeding or biting off the top of his meat following always the hindmost of the flock and lying down in the middle of the field when others be a feeding also lying alone in the night time and therefore he wisheth tolet them bloud under the pastern or ankle bone of their foot but by often experiment it hath been proved that to let them bloud under the eyes or upon the eares is as availeable as in the legs but concerning the Fever we will say more in the discourse of the Lambs Of the Pestilence or Rottenness of Sheep THis sickness first of all cometh unto Sheep out of the earth either by some earthquak or else by some other Pestilent humor corrupting the vitall spirit for Seneca writeth that after the City Pompeii in Campania was overthrown by an Earthquak in the Winter time there followed a Pestilence which destroyed six hundred Sheep about that City in short time after and this he saith did not happen through any natural fear in them but rather through the corruption of water and air which lyeth in the upper face of the earth and which by the trembling of the earth is forced out poysoning first of all the Beasts because their heads are downward and feed upon the earth and this also will poyson men if it were not suppressed and overcome by a multitude of good air which is above the earth It were endlesse to describe all the evils that come by this disease how some consume away by crying and mourning filling both fields and hils with their lamentations leaving nothing behind them no not their skins or bowels for the use of Man For the cure whereof First change the place of their feeding so that if they were infected in the woods or in a cold place drive them to the hils or to sunny warm fields and so on the contrary if in warm places and clement air then drive them to more turbulent and cold pastures remove and change them often but yet force them gently weighing their sick and feeble estate neither suffering them to die through laziness and idleness nor yet to be oppressed through overmuch labour When you have brought them to the place where you would have them there divide them asunder not permitting above two or three together for the disease is not so powerful in a few as in a multitude and be well assured that this removing of the air and feeding is the best Physick Some do prescribe three leaved grasse the hardest roots of Reeds sand of the Mountain and such other Herbs for the remedy of this but herein I can promise nothing certain only the Shepherd ought oftentimes to give this unto his Sheep when they are sound I will conclude therefore this discourse of the Pestilence with the description of Virgil Balatu pecorum crebris mugitibus amnes Arentesque sonant ripae câ—llesqueâ—upini Jamque catervatim dat stragem atque aggerat ipsis In stabulis turpi dilapsa cadavera tabo Donec humo tegere ac foveis abscondere discunt Nam neque erat coriis usus nec viscera quisquam Aut undis adolere potest aut vincere flamma Nec tondere quidem morbo illuvieque peresa Vellera nec telas possunt attingere putres Verum etiam invisos si qu 〈…〉 tentarat amictus Ardentes papulae atque immundus olentia sudor Membra sequebatur nec longo deinde morantâ— Tempore contactos artus sacer ignis edebat It is reported by John Sâ—owe that in the third year of Edward the first and in Anno 1275. there was a rich man of France that brought a Sheep out of Spain that was as great as a Calf of two year old into Northumberland and that the same Sheep fell rotten or to be infected with the Pestilence which afterward infected almost all the Sheep of England and before that time the Pestilence or rottenness was not known in England but then it took such hold and wrought such effects as it never was clear since and that first Pestilence gave good occasion to be remembred for it continued for twenty and six years together And thus much for this disease of the Pestilence caused in England for the most part in moist and wet years Of Lice and Tikes IF either Lice or Tikes do molest Sheep take the root of a Maple tree beat the same into powder and seethe it in water afterwards clip off the wool from the back of the Sheep and powre the said water upon the back untill it hath compassed the whole body some use for this purpose the root of Mandragoras and some the roots of Cypresse and I finde by good Authors that all of them are equivalent to rid the Sheep from these annoyances To conclude therefore the discoursâ— of Sheeps diseases it is good to plant near the Sheep-coats and pastures of Sheep the herb Alysson or wilde Gallow-grasse for it is very wholesome for Goats and Sheep likewise the flowers of
garment made of Lambs skins is accounted very good for the corroborating and strengthning of young men The skins of Lambs are more hot then Kids skins and are more profitable for the confirming of the back and the reins The little bone which is in the right side of a Toad being bound in a young lambs skin being hot doth heal both Quattain and all other Fevers being applyed thereunto The dust of Lambs bones is very much and rightly used for Ulcers which have no chops or stars in them The dust of small Cattles dung being mingled with Nitre but especially of Lambs hath in them great force to heal Cankers the dust of Lambs bones is very much commended for the healing and making of green wounds sound and solid which thing by the Saracens is much verified in regard that at all times they go to war they never forget to take of the same along with them The Lungs of Lambs do very effectually cure those whose feet are wrung or pinched by their shoo-soles The Lungs of Lambs or Rams being burned and the dust thereof mingled with Oyl is very profitable for the curing of kibes or ulcers being applyed thereunto It hath the same virtue being raw and bound upon the sore The runnet of a Lamb is of very great force against all other evil medicines The runnets of small Cattle but especially of a Lamb is very effectual against all kinds of poyson The runnets of a Kid a Lamb and a hind-calf are conveniently taken against Wolf-bane drunk in wine The runnet of a Hare a Kid or a Lamb taken in wine to the weight of a dram is very effectual against the Fork-fish and cureth the bites or strokes of all Sea-fishes The runnet of a Lamb drunk in wine is an excellent cure for the bitings of a Shrew The runnet of a Lamb drunk in water is accounted for a safegard to young children who are vexed with thick and concrete milk or if the default shall happen by curded milk it will be soon remedyed by a Lambs runnet given in Vinegar A Lambs runnet hid or powred into water doth speedily colubit the bleeding of the nose when nothing else can stay it The gall of small Cattle but especially of a Lamb being mixed with hony are thought to be very medicinable for the curing of the Falling sickness The places which are infected by Cankers being anointed over with the gall of a Lamb are very speedily and effectually healed There is also by the Magitians delivered unto 〈◊〉 speedy means for the curing of the milt which is this to take a Lamb new born and instantly to pluck him in pieces with ones hands and when the milt iâ— pulled out to put it hot upon the milt of the party so grieved and bind it on fast with swadlinâ— and continually to say I make a remedy for the milt then in the last day the same being taken from his body to put it to the Wall of the bed wherein the diseased party is wont to lie it being first daubed with durt that it might the better stick and to 〈◊〉 the durt with seven and twenty marks saying at every mark I make a remedy for the milt this remedy being done three times it will heal the diseased party although he be very weak and full of danger But this is the opinion of the Magitians which I hâ—â—e set down that they should rather see their folly then believe knowing them to be meer fopperies For making the wool to grow slower the gelders of Cattle anoint the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which cometh from the stones of gelded Lambs which being anointed doth profit very much for hairs being pulled away as also against poison The dung of Lambs before they have 〈…〉 any grasse being dryed in the shadow and rubbed to powder and applyed in the manner of a plaister doth heal and ease all kinds of pain in the chaps or jawes And thus much for the medicines of the Sheep Of the STREPSICEROS THere is in Crete neer the Mountain Ida a kinde of Sheep called by the Shepherds Strepsiceros which is not different from the vulgar Sheep except only in the horne for they bend not like other but stand straight and upright like the Vnicorn and besides are circled about with certain round speers like a Goats horn This liveth in flocks and we have here besides the figure of the beast expressed a double form of their horns and fore part of their head the figure of a Harpe being fastned to one of them as it was presently drawn The description whereof was taken by Doctor Cay of England in these words following The horns of this Strepsiceros are so lively expressed by Pliny and so fitly sitted to bear Harps that they seem not to aske any further narration of words I will therefore only add this they are hollow within and long about two Roman feet and three palms if you measure them as they are straight but if you take their scantling and length as they crook a little then are they about three foot long they are in breadth where they joyn to the head three Roman fingers and a half and their whole compass in that place is about two Roman palms and a half In the top they are smooth and black but at the root they are more dusky and rugged growing lesser and lesser to a sharp point They with the dryed face did weigh seven pounds and three ounces and the face which remaineth is joyned to the horns and likewise the hair of the neck and face It is said that this Beast is as great as a Hart having a red hair like a Hart. Unto this I may add another horn which is to be seen in the Castle of the L. William Wernhere Count of Cimbria being black hollow and of the length of ones arme and as thick as a great staffe and it was said that the beast beareth two of them which are to be seen among the rare monuments of Ferdinandus the Emperor Of the SQVIRREL THe name of this Beast is by the Grecians called Sciuros and it was given them from the fashion and proportion of their tail which covereth almost the whole body for that which is fabulously said of the Sciapodes to have feet that cover their whole body is more truly verified of a Squirrels tail for in the day time being out of her nest she hideth her self there under both from sun and rain The first Author that ever wrote of this Beast was Oppianus who lived in the days of Antonium Caesar and the Latins have no proper or native name for it but borrow from the Grecians although some of the latter writers call it Pirolus and Spiurus I think they would say Sciurus for so it is vulgarly termed in Latin some also call it Sculurus a currendo because of his nimble running upon boughs But all the Nations of the world derive their several denominations from the Grecians as the English
which is so strong in the nouriture of the hair must needs be of correspondent power in other parts Some have thought that Swine care not for grass or herbs but only roots and therefore hath a peculiar snout to attain them but I finde by experience that they will eat grass above the earth as well as roots beneath and they love to feed in herds together They love above measure Acorns and yet being given to them alone they are hurtful and bring no less damage to them then to Sheep though not so often especially to Sows that be with Pig The best time for gathering of Acorns is in November and it is a work for women and children The Woods of Italy are so full of Acorns that they nourish abundance of Swine and that therewith are fed the greatest part of the Roman people They delight also in Buck-mast and that meat maketh the Swines flesh light easie of digestion and apt for the stomach In some Countries Haws have the same vertue to fat Hogs that is in Acorns for they make them waighty straight neat and sweet The next unto this Holm-berries do fat Hogs saving that they procure looseness except they be eaten by little and little There is a tree which hath such bitter fruit called Haliphlocus whereof no beast will taste hereof Hogs will tast but in extream famin and hunger when they are without all other food and meat The fruit or Apples of Palm-trees especially such as grow in salt grounds near the Sea sides as in Cyrene of Africa and Judea and not in Egypt Cyprus Syria Helvetia and Assyria do fatten and feed Hogs And indeed there is scarse any food whereof they do not eat as also no place wherein they pick not out some living both in Mountains and Fens and plain fields but best of all near waters wherein by the banks sides they gather many sweet and nourishable morsels There are no better abiding places for Hogs then are the Woods wherein abound either Oakes Beeches Cork-trees Holm wilde Olives Tamarisk Hasels Apples or Crab-trees white Thorn the Greek Carobs Pine-trees Corn-trees Lote-trees Prune-trees Shrubs Haws or wilde Pears or Medlers and such like for these fruits grow ripe successively one after the other for there is no time of the year wherein some of them are not to be gathered soft and nourishable whereby the herds of Swine may be maintained But if at any time this food cease and not to be found then must there be some other provision out of the earth such as is corn or grains and turn your Hogs to moist places where they may pick up worms and suck up fat fenny water which thing is above all other things grateful to this beast for which cause it pleased the holy Ghost in Scripture to compare the pleasure that beastly men take in â—â—nning to the wallowing of Swine in the mire The Dâ—g saith S. Peter is returned to his vomit and the Sow that was washed to wallow in the mire For this cause also you must suffer them to dig in the water and to eat Canes and wilde Bulrushes likewise the roots and tops of Water-cresses and you must provide to lay up for them in water Acorns and not spare corn to give it them by hand as Beans Pease Fitches Barly and such like And Columella from whom I have taken these instructions addeth moreover that in the Spring time before your Hogs go abroad to bite at the sweet and fresh growing herbs lest they provoke them to looseness you must give them some sodden drink wash or swill by vertue whereof that mischief must be avoided for if it be not such leanness will follow that it will overthrow and kill them In some Countries they also give them the scapes or refuse Grapes of Vintage and moreover the fruits of yew tree which is poyson to Dogs Aristomachus the Athenian by many and sundry praises advanceth three-leaved-grass and among other for that as when it is green it is commodious for Sheep so being dryed it is wholesome to Swine They love green corn yet it is reported that if Swine eat of it in the Isle of Salamine their teeth by the law of the Countrey are beaten out of their mouths It is wholesome to give them crude or raw Barly especially to a Bore when he is to couple with a Sow but unto a Sow with Pig sod There is in Bavaria a kinde of Scallion which beareth a red purple-flower like to the flower of the Lilly of the Vallies which is greatly sought after and devoured by Swine They also seek after wilde Vines and the herb called Hogs-bread and the root of wilde rapes which beareth leaves like unto Violets but sharper and a white root without milk By some it is called Buchspick because it groweth in Woods among Beeches They eat also flesh and abstain not from fat Bacon and herein they differ from most of the ravening creatures for Dogs will not taste of Dogs flesh and Bears of Bears yet will Hogs eat of Swines flesh yea many times the dam eateth her young ones And it is found that Swine have not abstain'd from the flesh of men and children for when they have been slain by theeves before they could be found the greatest part of their body was torn in pieces and eaten by wilde Swine And indeed as we see some Hens eat up the Egs that they themselves have laid so shall we observe some Sows to devour the fruits of their own wombs whereat we ought not to marvel as at a monstrous prodigious thing but rather acknowledge a nutural voracity constrained in them through famine and impatience They also eat Snails and Salamanders especially the Boars of the Mountains in Cilicia and although there be in Salamanders a very deadly poyson yet doth it not hurt them at all but afterward when men or beasts tast of such a Swines flesh the operation of the poyson worketh upon them mortally neither is this any marvel for so it is when a Frog eateth of a Toad and whereas if a man eat Hemlock presently all his bloud congealeth in his body and he dyeth but if a Hog eat thereof he not only not dyeth but thriveth and groweth fat thereby Aristotle reporteth one great wonder of a place about Thracia as he saith wherein for the compass of twenty paces there groweth Barly whereof men eat safely but Oxen and Sheep and other creatures avoid it as mortal poyson and Swine will not vouchsafe to tast of mens excrements that have eaten thereof but avoid them carefully At Swine delight in meat so also they delight more in drink and especially in the Summer time and therefore they which keep sucking Sowes must regard to give them their bellyful of drink twice a day and generally we must not lead them to the waters as we do Goats and Sheep but when the heat of Summer is about the rising of the Dog-star we must keep
broath of them The Bur pulled out of the earth without Iron is good also for them if it be stamped and put into milk and so given them in their wash They give their Hogs here in England red-lead red-Oker and in some places red loam or earth And Pliny saith that he or she which gathereth the aforesaid Burre must say this charm Haec est herba Argemon Quam Minerva reperit Suibus his remedium Qui de illa gustaverint At this day there is great praise of Maiden-hair for the recovery of Swine also holy Thistle and the root of Gunban and Harts-tongue Of leannesse or pining SOmetime the whole herd of Swine falleth into leannesse and so forsake their meat yea although they be brought forth into the fields to feed yet as if they were drunk or weary they lie down and sleep all the day long For cure whereof they must be closely shut up into a warm place and made to fast one whole day from meat and water and then give them the roots of wilde Cucumber beaten to powder and mixed with water let them drink it and afterward give them Beans pulse or any dry meat to eat and lastly warm water to procure vomit as in men whereby their stomacks are emptied of all things both good and bad And this remedy is prescribed against all incertain diseases the cause whereof cannot be discerned and some in such cases do cut off the tops of the tails or their ears for there is no other use of letting these beasts bloud but in their veins Of the Pestilence THese beasts are also subject to the Pestilence by reason of earth-quakes and sudden infections in the air and in such affection the beast hath sometime certain bunches or swellings about the neck then let them be separated and give them to drink in water the roots of Daffadill Quatit aegros tussis anbela sues Ac faucibus angit obesis tempore pestis Some give them Night-shade of the wood which hath great stalks like cherry twigs the leaves to be eaten by them against all their hot diseases and also burned snails or Pepper-wort of the Garden or Lactuca foetida cut in pieces sodden in water and put into their meat Of the Ague IN ancient time Varro saith that when a man bought a Hog he covenanted with the seller that it was free from sicknesse from danger that he might buy it lawfully that it had no manngie or Ague The signs of an Ague in this beast are these WHen they stop suddenly standing still and turning their heads about fall down as it were by a Megrim then you must diligently mark their heads which way they turn them that you may let them bloud on the contrary ear and likewise under their tail some two fingers from their buttocks where you shall finde a large vein fitted for that purpose which first of all we must beat with a rod or piece of wood that by the often striking it may be made to swell and afterwards open the said vein with a knife the blood being taken away their tail must be bound up with Osier or Elm twigs and then the Swine must be kept in the house a day or two being fed with Barly meal and receiving warm water to drink as much as they will Of the Cramp WHen Swine fall from a great heat into a sudden cold which hapneth when in their travel they suddenly lie down through wearinesse they fall to have the Cramp by a painfull convulsion of their members and the best remedy thereof is for to drive them up and down till they wax warm again and as hot as they were before and then let them be kept warm still and cool at great leisure as a horse doth by walking otherwise they perish unrecoverably like Calves which never live after they once have the Cramp Of Lice THey are many times so infested and annoyed with Lice that their skin is eaten and gnawn through thereby for remedy whereof some annoynt them with a confection made of Cream Butter and a great deal of Salt Others again anoynt them after they have washed them all over with the Lees of wine and in England commonly the Countrey people use Stavesaker red Oaker and grease Of the Lethargy BY reason that they are much given to sleep in the Summer time they fall into Lethargies and die of the same the remedy whereof is to keep them from sleep and to wake them whensoever you finde them asleep Of the head-aches THis disease is called by the Grecians Scotemia and Kraura and by Albertus Fraretis Herewith all Swine are many times infected and their ears fall down their eyes are also dejected by reason of many cold humours gathered together in their heads whereof they die in multitudes as they do of the pestilence and this sicknesse is fatall unto them if they be not holpen within three or four dayes The remedy whereof if there be any at all is to hold Wine to their nostrils first making them to smell thereof and then rubbing it hard with it and some give them also the roots of white Thistles cut small and beaten into their meat but if it fall out that in this pain they lose one of their eyes it is a sign that the beast will die by and by after as Pliny and Aristotle write Of the Gargarisme THis disease is called by the Latines Raucedo and by the Grecians Branchos which is a swelling about their chaps joyned with Feaver and Head-ache spreading it self all over the throat like as the Squinancy doth in a man and many times it begetteth that also in the Swine which may be known by the often moving of their feet and then they die within three dayes for the beast cannot eat being so affected and the disease creepeth by little and little to the Liver which when it hath touched it the beast dieth because it putrifieth as it passeth For remedy hereof give unto the beast those things which a man receiveth against the Squinancy and also let him blood in the root of his tongue I mean in the vein under the tongue bathing his throat with a great deal of hot water mixed with Brimstone and Salt This disease in Hogs is not known from that which is called Struma or the Kings evil at the first appearance as Aristotle and Pliny write the beginning of this disease is in the Almonds or kernels of the throat and it is caused through the corruption of water which they drink for the cure whereof they let them bloud as in the former disease and they give them the Yarrow with the broadest leaves There is a Hearb called Herba impia all hoary and outwardly it looketh like Rosemary some say it is so called because no beast will touch it this being beaten in pieces betwixt two tiles or stones groweth marvellous hot the juice thereof being mixed in milk and Wine and so given unto the Swine to drink cureth them of this disease
unto this which is thus Take of Bryony Opopanax of the root of Iris Illirica and of the root of Rosemary and of Ginger of each of these three drams of Aristolochia five drams of the best Turpentine of wilde Rue of each three drams of the meal of Orobus two drams make them into Trochisces with Wine every one weighing one scruple and a half or two scruples to be given in Wine Galen in his second Book De antidotis chapter 49. discourseth of a certain Theriacal medicament called Zopyria antidotus so taking the name of one Zopyrus which was notable against all poysons and bitings of venomous creeping creatures This Zopyrus in his Letters written unto Mithridates sollicited him very much that he would make some experiment of his Antidote which as he put him in minde he might easily do by causing any one that was already condemned to die to drink down some poyson aforehand and then to take the Antidote or else to receive the Antidote and after that to drink some poyson And put him in remembrance to try it also in those that were wounded any manner of way by Serpents or those that were hurt by Arrows or Darts anointed or poysoned by any destroying venom So all things being dispatched according to his praemonition the Man notwithstanding the strength of the poyson was preserved safe and sound by this alexipharmatical medicine of Zopyrus Matthiolus in his Preface upon the sixth Book of Dioscorides entreating of Antidotes and preservatives from poyson saith that at length after long study and travail he had found out an Antidote whose vertue was wonderful and worthy admiration and it is a certain quintessence extracted from many simples which he setteth down in the same place He saith it is of such force and efficacie that the quantity of four drams being taken either by it self or with the like quantity of some sweet senting Wine or else with some distilled water which hath some natural property to strengthen the heart if that any person hath either been wounded or strucken of any venomous living thing and that the patients life be therewith in danger so that he hath lost the use of his tongue seeing and for the most part all his other senses yet for all that by taking this his Quintessence it will recover and raise him as it were out of a dead sleep from sickness to health to the great astonishment and admiration of the standers by They that desire to know the composition of this rare preservative let them read it in the Author himself for it is too long and tedious to describe it at this time There be besides these compounds many simple medicines which being taken inwardly do perform the same effect as namely the Thistle whereupon Serenus hath these verses following Carduus nondum doctis fullonibus aptus Ex illo radix tepido potatur in amni That is to say The root of Teasil young for Fullers yet unfit Drunk in warm water venom out doth spit That Thistle which Qu. Serenus here understandeth is properly that plant which of the Greeks is called Scolymos Yet it is taken sometimes for other prickly plants of the same kinde as for both the Chamaeleons Dipsacos or Labrum Veneris Spina alba Eryngium and some other But Dioscorides attributeth the chiefest vertue against poysons to the Thistle called Chamaeleon albus and to the Sea-thistle called Eryngium marinum which some call Sea-hul or Hulver for in his third book and ninth chapter entreating of Chamaeleon albus he saith thus The root of it taken with Wine inwardly is as good as Treacle against any venom and in the 21 chapter of the same Book Eryngium is saith he taken to good purpose with some Wine against the biting of venomous creatures or any poyson inwardly taken And the same Serenus adscribeth to the same vertue to the Harts curd or rennet as followeth Cervino ex soetu commixta coagula viâ—o Sumantur quaeres membris agit atra venena In English thus Wine mixt with Rennet taken from a Hart So drunk doth venom from the members part He meaneth a young Hart being killed in the Dams belly as Pliny affirmeth also the same in his 8. Book and 30. chapter in these words The chiefest remedy against the biting of Serpents is made of the Coagulum of a Fawn kill'd and cut out of the belly of his Dam. Coagulum is nothing else but that part in the belly which is used to thicken the Milk Proderit caulem cum vino haurire sambuci Qu. Serenus Which may be Englished thus In drink the powder of an Elder-stalk Gainst poison profiteth as some men talk That vertue which Serenus here giveth to the stalk of Dwarf Elder for that is meant in this place the same effect Dioscorides attributeth to the root in his fourth Book and Pliny to the leaves The herb called Betony is excellent against these foresaid affects and by good reason for the greatest part of poysons do kill through their excess of coldness and therefore to overcome and resist them such means are necessary by which natural and lively heat is stirred up and quickned and so the poyson hindred from growing thick together and from coagulation Again all men do agree that those medicines are profitable which do extenuate as all those do which have a property to provoke urine and Betony is of this quality and therefore being taken with Wine it must needs do good in venomous bitings and that not only in the bitings of Men and Apes but in Serpents also Radish also hath the same quality being taken with Vinegar and Water boiled together 〈◊〉 else outwardly applyed as Serenus affirmeth Sive homo seu similis turpissima bestia nobis Vulnera dente dedit virus simul intulit atrum Vetonicam ex duro prodest assumere Baccho Nec non raphani cortex decocta medetur Si trita admorâ—is fuerit circumlita membris In English thus If Man or Ape a filthy beast most like to us By biting wound and therein poyson thrust Then Betony in hard Wine steeped long Or rinde of Radish sod as soft as pap Do heal applyed to the members stâ—â—g There be certain herbs and simples as wilde Lettice Vervin the root called Rhubarb Agarick Oyl of Oliander and the leaves of the same the seeds of Peony with a great number a little before described that being taken either inwardly or outwardly in juyce or powder do cure poyson yea though it be received by hurt from envenomed arrows shafts or other warlike engines and weapons for the Arabians Indians the Galls now tearmed French-men and Scythians were wont to poyson their arrows as Paulus Orosius in his third Book testifieth of the Indians where he writeth how Alexander the Great in his conquering and winning of a certain City under the government of King Ambira lost the greatest part there of his whole Army with envenomed darts and quarrels And Celsus in his fifth Book saith that
from them some gummy and clammy matter their Dukes and Princes being at home not standing still but setling themselves to their businesse or trade and helping to hatch up their young they are suddenly choked with the fume of Brimstone Garlick the branches of Coleworts or other pot-herbs or else by breaking down and overthrowing their combes they dye through famine When you are minded to defend the Bees from the invasion and spoil of Wasps you must set a pot with some pieces of flesh in it neer the Hive and when the Wasps in hope of some prey are entered suddenly clap over the cover and so destroy them or else by pouring in some hot water at the top you may scald them all to death in the pot In like sort some do gently breath upon Raisins Fruits Sugar Honey Oyl by which either the Wasps are chased away or by tasting the Oyl do die And again some do mix corrosives with Honey as for example Sublimate Vitriol Auripigmentum c. that they by taking this venomous or poyson infected drink may suffer condign punishment for their intemperate and insatiable gluttony Of the stinging of Wasps there do proceed divers and sundry accidents passions and effects as pain disquieting vexation swelling rednesse heat sweatings disposition or will to vomit loathing and abhorring of all things exceeding thirstinesse and now and then fainting or swounding especially when after the manner of venomous creatures they have infected their stings either by tasting the flesh of some Serpents or by gathering their food from venomous plants I will now set before your eyes and ears one late and memorable example of the danger that is in Wasps of one Allens wife dwelling not many years since at Lowick in Northamptonshire which poor woman resorting after her usual manner in the heat of the Summer to Drayton the Lord Mordams house being extreamly thirsty and impatient of delay finding by chance a black Jack or Tankard on the Table in the Hall she very inconsiderately and rashly set it to her mouth never suspecting or looking what might be in it and suddenly a Wasp in her greedinesse passed down with the drink and stinging her there immediately came a great tumor in her throat with a rednesse puffing and swelling of all the parts adjacent so that her breath being intercepted the miserable wretch whirling herself twice or thrice round as though she had had some Virtiginy in her brath presently fell down and dyed And this is known for a truth not only to me but to most of the Inhabitants thereabouts being as yet fresh in their memories and therefore their authorities as I take it is unreproveable Now for fear lest I should lose my self in this troublesome and vast Ocean of Natures admirable fabricature I will now discourse of such medicinal means as will defend from their furious malice The vertue of Mallows and of Althea called Marsh-mallow is notable against the prickings of Wasps For the softest and most emollient herb is applyed as a contrary to a warlike and hurtful creature whose juyce being anointed with Oyl either abateth the rage of Wasps or so blunteth and dulleth their sting that the pain is not very sharp or biting Pliny lib. 21. copit 171. And of the same minde is Avicen Wasps saith he will not come near any Man if he be anointed with Oyl and the juyce of Mallows For as a soft answer doth frangere iram and as the Grecians have a saying Edus Megiston estin orges pharmakon logos So also in natural Philosophy we see that hard things are quailed and their edge even taken off with soft and suppling as Iron with a fine small and soft feather the Adamant stone with bloud and the sting of Wasps Hornets and Bees with Oyl and Mallows What is softer then a Caterpiller and yet if Aetius credit be of sufficience the same being beaten with Oyl and anointed upon any part preserveth the same from the wounds and stings of Wasps And of the same vertue is the herb called Balm being stamped and mixed with Oyl The same symptomes or accidents do follow the stinging of Wasps as of Bees but far more painful and of longer continuance to wit rednesse and intolerable pain and Apostumes And if any be strucken of the Orange or yellow coloured Wasps especially in a sinewy or some sensible part there will follow a Convulsion weaknesse of the knees swounding yea and sometimes death as before I have touched Against the stinging of Wasps divers medicines are prescribed by Physitians but I will speak of such only as I have made proof of and such as are confirmed by long experience Gilbert the Englishman saith that Wasps being bruised and applyed to the place affected do cure their own wounds very strangely The same vertue peradventure not only the Scorpion but the greater part of Insects have if any one would make any diligent trial thereof If a man be stinged of any venomous Wasps which is easily known by the blewnesse of the place madnesse raving and fainting of the party and coldnesse of the hands and feet after you have given him inwardly some Alexipharmacal medicine the place agrieved must be lanched or rather opened with a Cautery so being thus enlarged and opened the venom must be well sucked out and the paring or shaving of that earth wherein the Wasps build their nests must be wrought and kneaded with Vinegar and so applyed like a Cataplasm A plaister also made of Willow-leaves Mallows and the combe of Wasps is very medicinable for the same as by the counsel of Haly Abbas I have experimented The English Northern men do prepare most excellent emplaister worth gold against all stings of Wasps only of that earth whereof their Ovens are made having Vinegar and the heads of Flyes commixed therewith Let the place be very well rubbed with the juyce of Citrals and withall let the party that is pained drink of the seed of Marjoram beaten to powder the quantity of two drams or thus Take of the juyce of Marjoram two ounces of Bole Armony two drams with the juyce of unripe Grapes so much as is sufficient make an emplaister Another Anoint the place with the juyce of Purcelane Beets or sweet Wine and Oyl of Roses or with Cows bloud or with the seeds of the Spirting or wilde Cucumber called Noliâ—me tangere beaten with some Wine Thus far Galen Barley Meal wrought up with Vinegar and the Milk or juyce of a Fig-tree Brine or Sea-water are excellent for these griess as Dioscorides lib. 8 cap. 20. writeth if the wound be often fomented bathed or soaked with any of them To drink give two drams of the young and tender leaves of Bays with harsh Wine and if the part affected be only anointed with any of these they are much available In like sort the decoction of Marsh-mallows drunk with Vinegar and water are much commended and outwardly salt with Calves fat Oyl of Bays
men and therefore speaking to the Frogs he citeth these verses Vos quoque signa videtis aquai dulcis alumnae Cum clamore paratis inanes fundere voces Absurdoque sono fontes stagna cietis In English thus And you O Water-birds which dwell in streams so sweet Do see the signes whereby the weather is foretold Your crying voyces wherewith the waters are repleat Vain sounds absurdly moving ools and Fountains cold And thus much for the natural use of Frogs Now followeth the Magical It is said that if a man take the tongue of a Water-frog and lay it upon the head of one that is asleep he shall speak in his sleep and reveal the secrets of his heart but if he will know the secrets of a woman then must he cut it out of the Frog alive and turn the Frog away again making certain characters upon the Frogs tongue and so lay the same upon the panting of a womans heart and let him ask her what questions he will she shall answer unto him all the truth and reveal all the secret faults that ever she hath committed Now if this magical foolery were true we had more need of Frogs then of Jâ—stices of Peace or Magistrates in the Common-wealth But to proceed a little further and to detect the vanity of these men they also say that the staffe wherewithal a Frog is struck out of a Snakes mouth laid upon a woman in travail shall cause an easie deliverance and if a Man cut off a foot of a Frog as he swims in the water and binde the same to one that hath the Gout it will cure him And this is as true as a shoulder of Mutton worn in ones Hat healeth the Tooth-ach Some again do write that if a woman take a Frog and spit three times in her mouth she shall not conceive with childe that year Also if Dogs eat the pottage wherein a Frog hath been sod it maketh him dum and cannot bark And if a Man cast a sod Frog at a Dog which is ready to assault him it will make him run away I think as fast as an old hungry Horse from a bottle of Hay These and such like vanities have the ancient Heathens ignorant of GOD firmly believed till either experience disapproved their inventions or the sincere knowledge of Religion inlightning their darknesse made them to forsake their former vain errors which I would to GOD had come sooner unto them that so they might never have sinned or else being now come unto us their children I pray GOD that it may never be removed lest by trusting in lying vanities we forsake our own mercy And so an end of the Magical Uses Now we proceed to the Medicinal in the biting of every venomous creature Frogs sod or roasted are profitable especially the broth if it be given to the sick person without his knowledge mixed with Oyl and Salt as we have said already The flesh of Water frogs is good against the biting of the Sea-hare the Scorpion and all kinde of Serpents against Leprosie and scabs and rubbed upon the body it doth cure the same The broath taken into the body with roots of Sea-holm expelleth the Salamander so also the Egges of the Frog and the Egges of the Tortoise hath the same operation being sod with Calaminth The little Frogs are an antidote against the Toads and great Frogs Albertus also among other remedies prescribeth a Frog to be given to sick Faulkons or Hawks It is also good for cricks in the neck or the Cramp The same sod with Oyl easeth the pains and hardnesse of the joynts and sinews they are likewise given against an old Cough and with old Wine and sod Corn drunk out of the Vessel wherein they are sod they are profitable against the Dropsie but with the sharpest Vinegar Oyl and spume of Niter sod together by rubbing and anointing cureth all scabs in Horses and pestilent tumors There is an Oyl likewise made out of Frogs which is made in this manner they take a pound of Frogs and put them into a vessel or glasse and upon them they pour a pinte of Oyl so stopping the mouth of the glasse they seethe it as they do the Oyl of Serpents with this they cure the shrinking of the sinews and the hot Gout they provoke sleep and heal the inflammations in Fevers by anointing the Temples The effect of this Oyl is thus described by Serâ—nus Saepe ita per vadit vis frigoris ac tenet artus Vt vix quasito medicamine pulsa recedat Si renam ex â—leo decoxeris abjice carnâ—m Membra fove That is to say Often are the sinews held by force invading cold Which scarse can be repelled back by medicines tried might Then scethe a Frog in purest Oyl as Ancients us have told So bathe the members sick therein Frogs flesh cast out of sight And again in another place he speaking of the cure of the Fever writeth thus Sed prius est oleo partus fervescere Ranae In triviis illâ—que artus perducere succo In English thus But first let Oyl make hot young Frogs new found In ways therewith bring sinews weak to weal full sound To conclude it were infinite and needlesse to expresse all that the Physitians have observed about the Medicines rising out of the bloud fat flesh eyes heart liver gall intrails legs and sperm of Frogs besides powders and distillations therefore I will not weary the Reader nor give occasion to ignorant men to be more bold upon my writing of Physick then is reason lest that be said against me which proverbially is said of unnecessary things Ranis vinum ministras you give Wine to Frogs which have neither need nor nature to drink it for they delight more in water And so I conclude the History of this vulgar Frog Of the GREEN FROG THis Frog is called Calamites and Dryophytes and Manâ—is and Rana virens In Arabia bâ—eâ—haricon and Cucunoines and Cucumones Irici Ranulae Brexantes of Brexâ—ein to rain and thereof cometh the faigned word of Aristophanes Brekekekex Koax but I think that as our English word Frog is derived from the German word Frosch so the Germans Frosch from the Greek word Brex It is called also Zamia that is Damnum losse hurt or damage because they live in trees and many times harm Men and Cattle underneath the trees and therefore called Zamiae of the Greek word Zen 〈…〉 The Italians call it Racula Ranocchia Lo Ronovoto Ra 〈…〉 onchia de rubetto The French Croissetz and some-times Graisset Verdier in Savöy Renogle In Germany Louâ—srosch In Poland Zaba Tâ—awna Some of the Latines for difference sake call it Rana Rubeta because it liveth in trees and bushes and for the same cause it is called Calamites because it liveth among reeds and Dryopetes because it selleth some-times out of trees It is a venomous Beast for sometimes Cattle as they brouse upon trees do swallow down one of these upon the
Bees full wilde or Locusts spoylers bred But yet to look upon all horrible in seams For why the cruel Bore they shew in head They keep in rocks and stony places of the houses and earth making their dens winding and hanging according to these Verses Rimosas colit illa Petras sibique aspera tecta Et modice pendens facit inflexumque cubile In English thus The chinks of Rocks and passages in stone They dwell wherein their lodgings bare A little hanging made for every one And bending too their sleepy harbours are It is said that Canobus the Governour of Menelaus chanced to fall upon this Serpent in revenge whereof Helen his charge the wife of Menelaus broke his back-bone and that ever since that time they creep lamely and as it were without loyns which fable is excellently thus described by Nicander Quondam animosa Helene cygni Jovis inclyta proles Eversa rediens Troia nisi vana vâ—tustas Huic indignata est generi Pharias ut ad oras Venit adversi declinans flamina venti Fluctivagam statuit juxta Nili ostia classem Namque ubi nauclerus se fessum forte Canobus Sterneret et bibulis fusus dormiret arenis Laesa venenosos Hâ—morrhois impulit ictus Illatamque tulit letali dente quietem Protinus oâ—iperae cernens id filla Ledae Oppressae medium serpenti fervida dorsum Infregit tritaeque excussit vinculae spinae Quae fragili illius sic dempta è corpore fugit Et graciles Haemorrhoiae obliquique Cerastae Ex hoc clauda trahunt jam foli tempore membra Which may be Englished thus Once noble Helen Joves childe by Swan-like shape Returning back from Troy destroyed by Grecian war If that our ancients do not with fables us beclap This race was envied by Pharias anger farre When to his shores for safety they did come Declining rage of blustring windy seas Water-biding-Navy at Nilus mouth gan run Where Canobus all tyred sainted for some ease For there this Pilot or Master of the Fleet Did hast from boat to sleep in â—rery sand Where he did feel the teeth of Hemorrhe deep Wounding his body with poyson deaths own hand But when egge-breeding Ledaes wench espyed This harm she prest the Serpents back with stroke Whereby the bands thereof were all 〈◊〉 Which in just wrath for just revenge she broke So ever since out of this Serpents fr 〈…〉 And body they are taken which is the cause That Cerasts and lean Haemorrhs are ever 〈◊〉 Drawing their parts on earth by natures lawes They which are stung with these Haemorrhs do suffer very intolerable torments for out of the wound continually floweth bloud and the excrements also that cometh out of the belly are bloudy or sometimes little rouls of bloud in stead of excrements The colour of the place bitten is black or of a dead bloudy colour out of which nothing floweth at the beginning but a certain watery humour then followeth pain in the stomack and difficulty of breathing Lastly the powers of the body are broken and opened so that out of the mouth gums ears eyes fingers ends nayls of the feet and privy parts continually issueth bloud untill a cramp also come and then followeth death as we read in Lucan of one Tellus a young noble man slain by this Serpent described as followeth Impressit dentes Haemorrhois aspera Tullo Magnanimo juveni miratorique Catonis Vâ—que solet pariter totis se effundere signis Coricii pressura croci sic omnia membra Emisere simul rutilum pro sanguine virâ—s Sanguis erant lachrymae quâ—cunque foramina novit Humor ab iis largus manat cruor ora redundant Et patulae nares sudor rubet omnia plenis Membra fluunt venis totum est pro vulnere corpâ—s In English thus The Haemorrhe fierce in noble Tullus fastened teeth That valiant youth great Catoes scholar deer And as when Saffron by Corycians skeeth Is prest and in his colour on them all appear So all his parts sent forth a poyson red In stead of bloud Nay all in bloud went round Bloud was his tears all passages of it were sped For out of mouth and ears did bloud abound Bloud was his sweat each part his vein out-bleeds And all the body bloud that one wound feeds The cure of this Serpent in the opinion of the Ancients was thought impossible as writeth Dioscrides and thereof they complain very much using only common remedies as scarification â—stions sharp meats and such things as are already remembred in the cure of the Dipsas But besides these they use Vine-leaves first bruised and then sod with Honey they take also the head of this Serpent and burn it to powder and so drink it or else Garlick with Oyl of Flower-de-luce they give them also to eat Reisins of the Sun And besides they resist the eruption of the bloud with plaisters laid to the place bitten made of Vine-leaves and Honey or the leaves of Purslane and Barley-meal But before their urine turn bloudy let them eat much Garlick stamped and mixed with Oyl to cause them to vomit and drink wine delayed with water then let the wound be washed with cold water and the bladder continually fomented with hot Spunges Some do make the cure of it like the cure of the Viper and they prescribe them to eat hard Egges with Salt fish and besides the seed of Radish the juice of Poppy with the roots of Lilly also Daffadil and Rue Trefolie Cassia Opoponax and Cinnamon in potion and to conclude the flowers and buds of the bush are very profitable against the biting of the Haemorrhe and so I end the history of this Serpent Of the Horned SERPENT THis Serpent because of his Horns although it be a kinde of Viper is called in Greek Rerastes and from thence cometh the Latine word Cerastes and the Arabian Cerust and Cerustes It is called also in Latine Ceristalis Cristalis Sirtalis and Tristalis All which are corrupted words derived from Cerastes or else from one another and therefore I think it not fit to stand upon them The Hebrewes call it Schephiphon the Italians Cerastes the Germans En geâ—urnte schlâ—â—g the French Vn Ceraste un serpent Cornu that is a horned Serpent and therefore I have so called it in English imitating herein both the French and Germans I will not stand about the difference of Authors whether this Serpent be to be referred to the Asps or to the Vipers for it is not a point materiall and therefore I will proceed to the description of his nature that by his whole history the Reader may choose whether he will account him a subordinate kinde unto others or else a principall of himself It is an African Serpent bred in the Lybian sandy seas places not inhabited by men for the huge Mountains of sands are so often moved by the windes that it is not only impossible for men to dwell there but also very dangerous and perilous to travel through them for
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
Propolis is to dissolve in oylas wax but it is more ponderous and thick and sinks to the bottome of it being melted when wax swims on the top Choose the sweetest purest not sophisticate with wax which you may easily part by powring it into water The best Propolis is said to be pure most fragrant without wax That of Crete and Passidium is the most effectual the Bees collect the greatest part of it from the unctuosity of Storax and Labdanum they collect it questionless out of other plants for they make Propolis where neither the Poplar tree nor Birch nor any of the foresaid plants grow Great is the vertue of pure Propolis upon the gross spirits and it draws faulty matter out from the depth Hollerius It is of the nature of wax but it powerfully drawes forth Dioscorid Celsus placeth it in the number of biting remedies saying that it digests and moves matter in ulcers Aetius sayes that it heats discusses ripens cleanses attracts The cleansing force is not very strong the attracting is strong enough it is of thin parts it heats in the second degree complete or in the beginning of the third you must first soften it with your hands before you mingle it with other medicaments and then taking the rest from the fire put it in and boyl it for it will not well endure any boyling at the fire It drawes out thorns and all splints that are within Aetius Varro saith that for its manifold uses it was sold dearer in the market than honey May be therefore Propolis was called holy wax because of viasacra where they sold it at Rome as Largus writes in the cures of hard swellings They draw forth thorns and such bodies sticking in the flesh with runnet especially of a Hare powder of Frankincense and Propolis Pliny It helps an old cough with its smell It cures the rose with water and roots out ring-worms by anointing them Diorscorid It cures Ozaenas Serapio Pliny l. 11. c. 7. tells of more of its Physical uses Aristotle calls Erithaca Sandaracha others call it Cerinthum and Smerion l. 2. Aristot de Plant. The learned call it Vernilago some from the time of the year Vernix this Glew saith Niphus the countrey Lombards call Carbina but ours Taram It is the meat the Bees make which they lay in the void spaces of their combs it tasts bitter it is made of spring dew the juice of trees and sometimes of gum That of Africa smels little that from the South parts is blacker from the North is better and redder there is much from the Grecian Nut-trees Menecrates saith it is a flower that shewes the future harvest Plin. Varro saith it is not meat but glew whereby the Bees fasten their combs at the ends together It forcibly calls forth the swarms where they would have the swarms light they anoint a bough with Erithaw or any other place adding balm Virgil I think following Varro calls it glew Mytis commosis Stephanus calls it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Pissoceros cures strokes and ulcers Aristotle What use it hath in the hives we said enough before CHAP. VII Of Drones and Theeves THE Drone called in Latine Fucus is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Illyrian tongue 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in English a Drone a Dran in High Dutch Traen Low Dutch Belonder strael in Spanish Zangano in Italian Ape che non fa mele In French Bourdon and Fullon in the Hungarian tongue Here in the Polonian Czezew The word Fucus a Drone is derived as some think from fur which signifies a thief because privily and by stealth he makes prey upon the honey although with more probability the word fucus may be so used because he doth cheat and cousen the Bees and under colour of keeping the Hives warm which is his office to do he ransacks the combs And for that reason some with too much confidence perhaps derive the Latine word fucus from the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying to eat or devour others will have it come à fovendo in regard of their sitting upon and nursing up the young swarm Some make the Drone to be a fourth sort of Bees but not so well as others think because he neither gathers honey himself nor doth any way help in the working or making of it up He is almost twice as big as the ordinary Bee and somewhat bigger also then the Thief he is as big likewise as the King and somewhat bigger Although they do not arrive at this corpulency by the dispensation of nature but by their course of life that they take For when the Bee doth set apart cells for the Drones to breed in they make them lesser then their own And the little Schadowes or worms whereof they come are far lesse than those of the Bees who are sprung of the noble race and of the stock of the Bees in their first birth which at length become a great deal bigger than the Bees both by reason they never take any pains whereby to spend their natural superfluities and also in regard that they do nothing night and day but like oxen at the stall never leave glutting and gorging themselves with honey which afterwards they dearly pay for when provision happens to be short and there fals out a dearth They have a bright shining colour but mixt with more black than that of the Bees in bulk they exceed them all but yet without sting and idle They both breed and live amongst the Bees and when they go abroad they presently spread all abroad aloft in the air as if driven by violence where for a while they bestir themselves and afterwards return to the Hives with good stomachs falling greedily to the honey But why the Drone should equalize the chief Bees in bigness and the Bees also in having stings as well as they let us hear Aristotles reason Nature did desire saith he to put a difference between them that they should not be all of one kinde which is impossible for so the whole Stock would be either Kings or Drones The Bees therefore are like unto the Kings or Master-Bees in strength and in the faculty of generation and the Drones only in bulk or bignesse of body to whom if you should give a sting also they would be nothing inferiour to the Kings themselves l. 3. de gen Animal c. 10. They are called also of the Greeks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because they hide their stings From hence Hesiod hath these words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who lives idly having strength like the Drone that never sheweth his sting certainly either they have no sting or never use it to revenge themselves withall Pliny saith plainly they have none and terms them no other then in a manner imperfect Bees and therefore Virgil calleth them ignavum pecus a sluggish kinde of creature Suidas calls them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from hiding their sting Columella
Wasps Thus the most soft and supple heâ—b becomes a remedy against the most warlike and injurious creature with whose juice and a little oyl mingled with it and the part anointed doth either mitigate the rage of the Wasp or doth not suffer the sting to enter Plin. l. 22. c. 179. So Avicen the Wasp saith he will not come near any man that is anointed with oyl and the juice of Mallowes for as a soft answer appeaseth wrath and as the Greeks use to say 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. A milde reply is the best allay to anger so also in physicks we see those things that are most stiffe and unyeelding to be resisted and beaten off with the most soft things as the Iron with featheâ—s the Adamant with bloud the sting of Wasps Hornets Bees with oyl and the juice of Mallowes What is more soft than the Silk-worm which yet Aetius affirmeth being beaten together with oyl and the party anointed with it is a preservative against the stinging of Wasps the same doth the Locust and the herb Balm beaten together with oyl if the Greeks may be credited The stone Garatides if it be the true although dawbed over with honey and born about doth fray away all Flyes and Wasps whatsoever as Sylvaticus out of Albertus doth conjecture The like virtue doth Matthiolus ascribe superstitiously and too confidently to the Iron that hath the figure of the shell-fish Strombus graven in it The symptomes that follow upon the stinging of Wasps are said to be these they suffer all alike as those that are stung with Bees to wit smart redness swelling but the pain is more grievous and of longer continuance especially if they chance to be stung by the citron coloured greater Wasps in a sinewy and tender place for then followes the cramp weakness of knees swouning and sometimes death Physicians have found out many remedies against the stingings of Wasps we shall first speak of those we have tryed and which may challenge your acceptance being confirmed by long experience We finde that Wasps applyed to the wound they made do exceedingly help it being perswaded to use them by Gilbert an English man It may be that not the Scorpion only hath this vertue but the greatest part of Insects have it also if we should make trial diligently But if any man be stung by venomed Wasps which is easily known by the wound of the part by raving and swouning and coldness of the extreme parts then give antidotes against venome and open the place with a knife or rather lay on a caustick when it is laid open and dilated suck it forcibly and taking some of the earth of the Wasps nest make a plaister with vinegar and lay it on the sore Also a Cataplasm made of Mallowes Willows and Wasps combs helps wonderfully as we proved by the cornsel of Halyabbas The North English men make a good plaister against the stinging of Wasps of the earth of furnaces vinegar and flyes heads it is worth its weight in gold Rub the place with juice of Citrals and let the patient drink Marjoram-seed 2 drams or take juice of Marjoram 2 ounces bole Armoniack 2 drams with juice of sowre Grapes what may suffice make a plaister Another anoint the place with the juice of Purslain or Beets or with sweet Wine and oyl of Roses or Cowes bloud also with seeds of wilde Cucumers bruised with Wine Galen Barley meal with Vinegar is good milk of the Fig-tree dropt into the wound Brine or sea-water to foment the wound give in drink 2 drams of the tender leaves of the Bay-tree in sharp Wine which also will do much good in a fomentation Also drink the decoction of Marsh-mallowes with Posca apply Salt and Calves fat Mallowes with Posca is a principal remedy Dioscorid l. 2. c. 42. Aetius joyns an earth named Cimolia to these and Clay and Oxe-dung and Sesamum and many other things with Posca Oyl of Bayes drawes out the poyson of the sting of a Wasp Leaves of Marsh-mallowes bruised and rubbed on cure the venome of Wasps Drink a little measure of the juice of Rue or of Balm with Wine and the leaves eaten and applyed with Salt and Honey or boyled with Vinegar and Pitch are very good Water-mints Rosemary with Barley-meal and Posca juice of Ivy-leaves Golden flower and Owles bloud are excellent against the stingings of Wasps Pliny l. 32. c. 9. Galen praiseth Water-mints and the seed of it drank and Centaury if at the same time you lay on Oxe dung for a plaister Lib. de simplicib ad Paternianâ—m lib. de Centaur ad Papiam A branch of the wilde Palm-tree Endive root and all wilde Betony laid on for a plaister profit very much Also drink wilde Betony 2 drams with Oxymel First suck out the poyson then hold the part hurt in hot water for an hour then sâ—eep it suddenly in Vinegar and fish Pickle so the pain is presently gone and the swelling sinks away and the venome is pacified One half dram of Marjoram seed applied stils the pain or 3 pugils of dry Coriander seed or cool juice drank Avicenna Leaves of Nightshade or Houseleek laid on are good Also bole Armoniack with Camphire and Vinegar Nuts bruised with a little Vinegar and Castoreum apply a honey comb and presently hold the part affected to the fire or put hot ashes under it and the pain will cease forthwith It is good to lay on green Coriander or oyl and ashes mingled Rhasis Savorey or Water-mints applied and the seed of them drank or the juice of the lesser-Centory drank in Wine is excellent So are the leaves of river Basil Mercury Mandragoro with Vinegar Serapio A snow ball put to the fundament takes off all pain chiefly if it proceed from a Wasps stinging foment the part with Camphire Vinegar or oftentimes with snow-water Take Opium Henbane-seed Camphire of each alike mix them with Rosewater or juice of Willowes and apply it lay over it a cloth wet in Wine Ardoynus Take juice of wilde Mints Aurei 2. with juice of sowre Lemmons make a julep Also the juice of the Arabian Thorn and of Marjoram help much Mesue Water-lintels with Vinegar anointed Aaron Rub the part well with the finest leaves of Xyloâ—araster that is sweet Cods of Pliny and the pain presently ceaseth The juice of Lettice doth the same or the juice of Dandelion drank The Mud in the bottom of a vessel where water hath stood long applyed with Vinegar cures the Wasps stinging Simeon Foment the part with Snow-water till it be stupefied Joâ—â—nitius Any new earth especially Cimolia is good Poly smeered on as also Goats milk cures Wasps wounds Arnoldus Alcanna with Barley meal and Vinegar bound to the part Nuts the leaves of Walnuts Blites are very good also lay on hot to the wound a Spiders web beaten with a white Onion and Vinegar it cures Constantinus Rub the place with Sage and Vinegar and after with Posca Guil.
wind creeps between the skin and flesh which hapneth no doubt by the flux of humours melted by the poison and the vapours elevated upwards The lips are of a strong colour to wit of a dead violet In the mouth there is the like poysonous taste the stomach belly and guts do ake extremely the urine is stopt the body is ill all over as also the head and brain are sensible of it A remedy of this is Salt-peter taken in Wine and Oxe gall Useful to that purpose is womans milk suckt out abundantly and in defect cowes goats or sheeps milk Womans urine drank and vomited up again but before a vomit they ought not be given because by that means the Feaver would be more sharp Dioscor First of all therefore of good store of Wine sodden or with oyl of Myttle Bacon lard or fat Pork broth or with good store oyl of Olive or boyled Wine a Vomit is to be made New Wine drank freely is held to be a special remedy against the Buprestis Galen and Ardoynus Pliny commends Nitre with water or Laserwort Asa dulcis Wine and Honey or Bezoin dissolved in warm water or take red Nitre 4. drams and in warm water or Posca cause Vomit After vomit there must be means used for purgation afterwards use dry Figs as Galen prescribeth or a decoction of them in old generose Wine when the fit begins to bate The Thebane date is prescribed to eat alone or bruised in sweet Wine or womans Milk all kinde of Pears and oyl of blossomes of Apples are much commended for this use Nicander commends wood-pears for that I think he means by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and especially Myrtle berries following the authority of Dioscorides For that they do refrigerate and bind and by that means do asâ—wage the hot nature of the Buprestis and help the weakness of the stomach But heed must be taken they be not eaten while the body is yet swoln lest the disease be increased by the poyson being kept in Some with good reason give 31. berries of bladder Nightshade and with Almonds the make Almond-milk together with the decoction of Lettice Violets Borage Bugloss garden Nightshade Plantain Raisins and the great cold Seeds Aetius gives the root of Scorpion grass in sweet Wine to drink Many extoll the wings and feet of the Cantharides for an Antidote against the Buprestis but either it hath an opposite quality by antipathy which makes good that opinion or else we may suspect it to be false If an Horse or an Oxe eat one of these flies presently he swels growes mad and shortly after bursteth and dieth So Aelian 6. de Anim. c. 35. and Hierocles a Greek writer witnesseth it He bids to binde the horses head and to open the veins about his nostrils that the bloud may run forth of his mouth and to rub it with Coleworts and give him Fish-pickle and Oyl and Vegetius likewise almost in the same words If a Horse or an Oxe eat a Buprestis with the grass his belly will instantly swell he is inflated all over he refuseth his meat and he often and by little and little sends forth his dung To cure this Absyrtus and Vigetius prescribe one and the same remedy presently get upon the Horse and cause him to gallop as fast as he is able afterwards let him bloud a little in the roof of his mouth and let him swallow the bloud as it runs forth chewing it in his mouth then keep him continually walking let his diet be wheat steeped in sweet Wine with Leeks given him with a horn in Wine warm well beaten with Raisins Some as Praxanus taught them pour Oyl into the nostrils of the Oxe l. 17. c. 17. To Goats that are swoln with the Buprestis apply Bacon-lard or pour the fat broth of it down their throat saith the same Author The Cynoprestis seems to be the same with the Buprestis for that works the same effects in Dogs as this doth in Cattel or if it be a different sort of creature from this I confess ingenuously I have not met with it CHAP. XX. Of the Cantharides or Spanish Fly I Know not what the reason was that the Cantharides above the rest so well known of so great use in Physick were omitted by Pennius and Gesner Which task notwithstanding I shal willingly undertake and thus I begin their History The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greek is the same in Latine in French it is Cantaride in Italian Catarella in Spanish Cubillo in the German Tongue Grune Kefer Goldkefer in Low Dutch Spaensche Vlieghe in English Cantharides or Spanish Fly Of the Cantharides two sorts have come to our knowledge the one greater the other lesse Of the greater sort there are some thick and long taken in wheat and fat likewise as the Blats are drawn with variety of golden lines which in the wings run athwart and those are accounted of the best use in Physick Others are lesse and lean hairy called the innermost not so fit for medicine Of the greater sort also not all are of a glittering green but some of them of a sad red but all of them of an inexpressible splendor and very pleasant to the eye Their virtue consists in burning the body causing a crust or as Dioscorides will have it to corrode cause exulceration and provoke heat and for that reason are used mingled with medicines that are to heat the Lepry Tettars and Cancerous sores And in being mixt with Cecots or fit plaisters they do cure deformities of the nails causing them to fall off They are used in medicines for Corns on the feet or hands Some anoint the places where the hair 〈◊〉 off with Cantharides bruised and liquid Pitch the skin being prepared with Nitre they are good for Cauteries but care must be had that they do not ulcerate so deep then some command to annoint those ulcers made with the heads of with the gall or dung of Mice mixt with Helleboâ—e and Pepper Cantharides mixt with quick Lime cure Botches as if you should cut them off with a razour Some use to cast a little of them into Medicaments to provoke urine But there is a great question of it because they are poyson drank in respect of the bladder that they afflict with perpetual tomentâ— But these is no question but in oyntment they may do good with the juyce of wilde Vine or with Sheeps or Goats suet Some of my Masters put only their wings and their feet into Medicaments that provoke urine We saith Galen are wont to cast in the Cantharides whole and we judge those to be the best that are found in wheat and have a yellow girdle running athwart their wings to adorn them L. 3. l. 11. desimpl fac also put under they mightily provoke the terms and put to medicaments for the Dropsie they are a very good antidote against it as not only Hippocrates and Dioscorides but Galen Avicenna Rhasis
the 〈◊〉 of a King 〈…〉 being added to it for it signified 〈…〉 ght and just administration of things But he saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 their Images that wanted hands those represented â—udges who ought to be free from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 amongst these there was oâ—◠〈◊〉 that 〈◊〉 his eyes which represented the chief Judge because he ought to be 〈◊〉 all 〈◊〉 and to look 〈◊〉 business and to hear of 〈◊〉 〈…〉 mans person It was 〈…〉 as the proverb is 〈…〉 〈◊〉 a Seal amongst the sacred Images And what did 〈◊〉 wise The old 〈◊〉 intimate to us thereby 〈…〉 but 〈◊〉 and invinâ—ible Captain 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith as much that no man may suppose 〈◊〉 I 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 yoâ—â— common Th 〈…〉 use â—o 〈◊〉 â—â—legories But some 〈◊〉 follow may say what hath a 〈◊〉 to be compared with 〈◊〉 Commander in an Army Truly they agre◠〈◊〉 many things First you see the 〈◊〉 all in 〈◊〉 and there is 〈…〉 of its body but is guarded with plates and hardness 〈…〉 〈◊〉 said to be 〈◊〉 arm 〈…〉 in compleat armour and â—enced 〈…〉 his warlike march with a horrid and terrible humming what is there 〈…〉 sounding of 〈◊〉 whâ—◠〈…〉 of 〈…〉 〈◊〉 that Kings now so much â—â—light in the 〈◊〉 could 〈…〉 the 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 Asle 〈…〉 Asse was held abominable amongst 〈…〉 〈…〉 drivinâ—◠〈◊〉 burden its i 〈…〉 ible 〈…〉 age and 〈…〉 of life 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 say 〈◊〉 â—o females amongst 〈◊〉 but they 〈◊〉 all 〈◊〉 What can 〈◊〉 bes 〈…〉 no◠〈◊〉 his camp 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 allow others to have them 〈…〉 this is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 that in those 〈…〉 oâ— they exclude their young 〈…〉 bring 〈◊〉 up and they 〈◊〉 other place to breed in thâ—â— they have to 〈…〉 is not 〈…〉 war can better do it who know how to 〈…〉 their 〈◊〉 or on â—he bare 〈…〉 that 〈…〉 the Beetle have a face like a Cat a creature familiar with us and more useful 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is desired for its self yet in that respect the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it and prefer it before all other Insects by many degrees 〈◊〉 Lastly iâ— a horse 〈◊〉 beautiful in his kindes and a dog in his why should not the Beetle be so in its kinde unless we measure tha◠〈◊〉 of all things by our own that what is not like in must be held to be ugly No man oâ— a found minde will finde fault with the colour of it for it sets forth some jewels and in special the Diamond that is the chiefest 〈◊〉 Lastly no man will think the Bettle at all despicable who shall consider with himself that Magicians and Physitians â—etch remedies from this 〈◊〉 for the greatest diseases for they are not only carried in mens purses but also hang'd about their necks and ofttimes 〈◊〉 up 〈◊〉 gold against all childrens diseases What will you say if in the most effectual and incredible remedies almost for Pliny is the Author of it it hath equal force with 〈◊〉 for that terrible Beetle 〈◊〉 on an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a present remedy against all 〈◊〉 and no leâ—s effectual than that Mâ—ly which 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 gave Vlyssâ—â— Nor is it good only against these but it is also very useful if any 〈◊〉 be about to go before the King upon any occasion â—o so that such a ring ought especially to be worn by them that intend to beg of Noblemen some jolly preferment or some rich Province It keeps away likewise the head 〈◊〉 which truly is no small mischief especially to great drinkers Who them can despise the Beetle whose very image engraven upon stones hath so great vertue The mentioning of precious stones puts me in minds of adding this also that if the Eagle delight in the precious stone of her name the 〈◊〉 the Beetle comes not behinde her in it a share of the same honour for the stone Ca 〈…〉 rias also â—owes its name to it wonderfully resembling the whole 〈◊〉 of the creature so that one would say it is not the shape represented but a living and true beetle inclosed in the stone Moreover this iâ—pure and filthy creature 〈◊〉 boyled with worms in oyl of Roses doth very well cuâ—â— the pains of the eats Pliâ— A 〈…〉 prescribes the Beetles called Pilularii being stamped alone to be boyled without 〈◊〉 which the Author of the Book ad 〈◊〉 approves also 〈◊〉 1â— Sylvaticâ—â— chap. 94. writer thus out of 〈◊〉 The Dung 〈◊〉 help the pains of the womb they provoke urine and monethly termes they procure Abortion with 〈◊〉 they are good to heal the Haemorrhoids and they help 〈…〉 which comes of venomes infused by living creatures and the oyl in which they are 〈◊〉 takes away the pains of the ears The later writers commend thâ—se Beetles 〈◊〉 among the remedies for the Stone especially Alex 〈…〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 makes for the 〈◊〉 the Stone thâ—â— kinde of powder which is no ordinary oneâ— Burn the Dung-beetle or any other after the same manner as you do Grashâ—ppeâ—â— or Scorpions Take of the 〈◊〉 of 〈…〉 of 〈◊〉 j. dram of Pigeons dung j. dram and a half let them be 〈◊〉 and a powder made of them The Dose 〈◊〉 j. dram with water of the 〈◊〉 of 〈…〉 For 〈…〉 this ointment is very much commended Take of oyntment 〈◊〉 j. ounce of oyl of Roses in which 〈◊〉 Beetles and as many 〈◊〉 have boyled a good while j. ounce and half of 〈…〉 them incorporate and be made into an oyntment 〈◊〉 〈…〉 reports that he had gotten of his master 〈…〉 against the Convulsion made of Beetles after this manner Take of Pepper 〈◊〉 Pellitory of Spain each alike of Beetles to the weight of all the rest 〈◊〉 them all being brought to a powder and mixt together in a bath with juyce of 〈…〉 much as 〈…〉 〈…〉 of an oyntment with which let the 〈◊〉 of the 〈…〉 templeâ— with 〈…〉 back-bone be anointed Moreover 〈…〉 awakening of such as are troubled with the Dead sleep and 〈…〉 rides 〈…〉 have done 〈◊〉 good two or three Dung 〈…〉 put up 〈…〉 half a 〈…〉 to be made fast about the â—â—pe of the 〈…〉 well 〈…〉 the muscles of the fore 〈…〉 of the arms on every 〈◊〉 one 〈…〉 〈◊〉 because this doth wonderfully 〈◊〉 up 〈◊〉 as are 〈…〉 〈◊〉 saith 〈◊〉 awakend done that had been held with a 〈◊〉 for 〈…〉 with this remedy having tried all others in vain and 〈◊〉 him afterward with 〈…〉 the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉 blister it The Dung 〈◊〉 are best for this purpose 〈…〉 which 〈…〉 be found under stones and then they which are found in a 〈◊〉 The 〈…〉 of using iâ— which 〈…〉 〈…〉 testifie they have 〈◊〉 confirm 〈…〉 by many 〈◊〉 Yet the 〈◊〉 will 〈…〉 credit when foolishly rather than truly they report and 〈…〉 〈…〉 that is adorned with golden 〈◊〉 â—ut 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 water with 〈…〉 tempestâ— Pli◠〈…〉 I say 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 Eagle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the 〈…〉 by 〈◊〉 in whose nests Beeth 〈…〉 which our 〈◊〉 first 〈…〉 〈◊〉 that they serve for this use also to feed 〈◊〉 Nay 〈…〉 living 〈◊〉 especially 〈◊〉 that
and an Asses hoof dtives away Scorpions Rhasis Take Scorax Arsenick Sheeps-dung fat of the caul of Sheep equal parts dissolve them in Wine and make a fume by the holes of Scorpions If a Radish cut be put into their holes they will not come forth A Scorpion burnt is good the liver of an Asse Sandaracha with Butter or Goats suet to make a fume Varignana and Diophanes in Geopon Rhasis commends the root of Elecampane carried about one Macer writes of Monsteek thus Men say that Housleek hath so soveraign a might Who carries but that no Scorpion can him bite If a man anoynt his hand with an herb called Paris or with the juice of the root he may safely take a Scorpion in his hand Flaminius Grapes preserve men from the stingings of Scorpions as also Filberds carried in their Purses Aetius Also the seed of wilde Docks either drives them away or their stinging is not mortall Dioscorid Who also saith from the Africans that Basil will do the like Larks spur and wilde Campions also makes them stupid and astonished The same Author And saith he they report as long as any man hold Carduus in his hand a Scorpion will not bite him or if he do it will not hurt him The seed of Wood-sorrell drank preserves one from Scorpions Avicenna If you lay Solomons Seal under you it keeps off Scorpions Isidorus And Pliny learned from the Inhabitants of Africa that he that carries Radish-root or Turnsole or a dried beast like a Lizard about him Scorpions will not hurt him So Dittany in smoke or wilde Mints or Oyl of Scorpions anoynted about their holes will keep them from coming into the Chambers Rhasis But these things will kill them laid upon them Radish-root chewed broad leav'd Basil that growes by the water side Mallowes leaves black Hellebore but the white will quicken them when they are dying if Pliny may be believed Scorpions grasse rose-Rose-root Basil with a red flower the spittle of a cholerick man fasting Rhasis Pliny Avicenna Democritus in Geopon To cure the sting and wound Guilielmus de Placentia prescribes this in general namely to give and apply inwardly and outwardly presently good Theriac then the part affected must be cut and an actuall Cautery set to it and the poyson drawn forth with Cupping-glasses Galen bids binde the part above and to cut off the parts affected Gal. 5. de loc aff c. 3. But since that is a very hard and cruel remedy for the patient I thought fit to write from the Antients what remedies are cures for this wound You shall first know the stinging of a Scorpion thus The place is presently red and inflamed and by turns as in an intermitting Ague waxing cold and the sick is sometimes better sometimes worse He sweats all over his hairs stare upright his whole body waxeth pale his secrets swell he breaks winde backwards his eyes run with clammy tears and filth his joynts grow hard and he hath the falling of the Tuel he fomes at mouth he is drawn backwards by convulsions and troubled with the Hickop and sometimes great vomiting he is quickly weary of labour he is vexed and troubled with sense of horror the outward parts of his body are cold a pricking pain runs over all his skin sometimes he thinks that hail falls upon him for Galen asking one that was stung with a Scorpion what he felt 3. de loc aff c. 7. he said he seemed all covered over and almost frozen with hail Aetius addes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or warts of the fundament like Ants after these fainting then swounding and finally death Aetius writes that if the lower parts be stung the groins swell presently if the upper parts then the Arm-pits The wound being now known and viewed and opened by section and the generall cure we speak of applyed whereof Authors are plentifull Galen amongst outward remedies reckons Balsamum true Worm-wood or the juice of black Mirtle-berries anoynted Also he diversly commends the spittle of one that is fasting and useth it as a Charm lib. 10. Simpl. And he bids give inwardly the Balsam with Womans milke the Saphire stone in Powder Assa faetida Scordium Centaury the lesse Rue Castoreum Out of Cassion the Phisician he commends this Take Assa faetida Galbanum each alike make it up with the decoction of Scordium and round Birthwort The Dose is the bignesse of a small Nut with hot water Out of Andromachus he commends this lib. de Theriac Take Theriac two drams Wine four ounces mingle and drink them Dioscorides outward remedies applyed Cyprus bruised and laid on Amomum used with Basil The Milk of the Fig-tree or the juice of Sage dropt in the Scorpion it self bruised Sow-thistle beaten Succory Hawk-wood Balm Bush-flower Mull-berries Larks-heels The flesh of a Fish called Smaris The Barbel Fish cut in two A Fish called Lacerta salted and cut in pieces House Mice cut asunder Internal remedies from Dioscorides Cardamonum Juice of Myrtles Bay-berries Horse or Ass dung Seed of Campions Mullens Chamaepitys Scorpion-grasse Turnsole Calamint Trifoly Scordium Lotus rustica applyed Basil with Barley-flour Wheat-meal with Vinegar and Wine Marjoram with Vinegar and Salt Assa dissolved in Wine sea-Sea-water Quick Brimstone with Rosin and Turpentine Salt with Linseed Galbanum made for a Plaister Other External remedies out of Avicenna Marjoram laid on with Vinegar Root of Coloquintida bruised Reed roots bruised The Shell of an Indian small Nut. Rams flesh burnt Mummie four grains with Butter Cows milk Decoction of Ameos Bran plaister-wise Wine new boyled Bark of Frankincense The white Thistle White Thorn Pine kernels Dates Figs. Mountain Poly. Anacardi Ashes of Kaly Wheat Bran boyled with Pigeons dung Salt of Urine Oyl of Wormwood Decoction of Nettles or Chamomile But white Naptha is the principal remedy laid on hot It is also good to suck out the venome with ones mouth unlesse it be first ulcerated and then to apply such things as inflame as Pellitory of Spain and Garlick Seed of sowr Dock The herb Phalangium Daffadil seed and flowers drank in Wine and also Bramble flowers so taken Parsnip-seed Turnsole Cypress boughs Rue Origanum Loveage with black leaves The juice of Dog-fennel Sow-thistle drank The Decoction of Gentian-root The bark of Birthwort Penniroyall A broiled Scorpion eaten River-crabs raw and bruised and drank with Asses milk Mans urine drank Internals of the same Author Juice of Worm-wood with Vinegar Doronicum Cinamon Myrrhe Wilde Saffron-leaves and fruit Citron-seed Mummie Galbanum Roots of Coloquintida and Gentian The Indian small Nut eaten and the Theriac of it The root of Squills eaten is admirable against the bitings of Scorpions Locusts broiled and eaten Juice of Onions and of Worm-wood Juice of the lesser Centaury Also new boyled Wine helps much The Antidote of Anderam otherwise Braz the King of Sicily Take Castoreum one dram Scordium two drams Costmary one dram and half Assa faetida three drams and half make it up with Honey
The Dose is one dram and half or two drams with wine Another of the same Take Birthwort round and long each one aureus Cumin-seed three drams Assa faetida Caraway Rue-seed each two drams Castoreum four drams make it up with Honey The Dose is two drams with the hot decoction of Gentian root or Birthwort and wine he gave also two drams of Assa faetida and sometimes three drams Wood Laurell with Vinegar A Medicament of Andro a Greek Philosopher Take Rue-seed live Brimstone of each six aurei Castoreum one aureus Assa faetida one aureus and half Pellitory of Spain liquid Storax of each one aureus make it up with Honey The Dose is half an ounce with Vinegar of the best wine Another excellent remedy Take Rue-seed one aureus Castoreum half so much Birthwort round and long of each two aurei roots of Gentian Assa faetida of each eight drams or eight aurei make it up with Honey The Dose is one dram and half with pure wine The Electuary of Zeno or Diaruta Take Assa faetida bitter Costus and sweet each five aurei round Birthwort Agarick each two aurei Castoreum Cinamon Aloes each three drams roots of Orris Sarcocolla each one dram and half long Birthwort Gentian each six drams make it up with Honey The Dose is three drams He commends also the great Theriac of Andromachus Esdras Mithridate and the Theriac diatesseron The description of it is this Take Gentian Bay-berries long Birth-wort Myrrhe each alike make it up with clarified Honey The Dose is one aureus with hot water Another against the bitings of Scorpions Take seed of wilde Rue Aethiopian Cumin seed of Trifolie Minianth each alike with Vinegar what may suffice make a Confection The Dose is one aureus Another Take Garlick Nuts of each one part Rue leaves dried Assa faetida Myrrhe of each half as much make it up with milk The Dose is three drams Another Take Castoreum white Pepper Myrrhe Opium of each alike make Troches The Dose is three oboli with four ounces of wine Another Take Opoponax Myrrhe Galbanum Castoreum white Pepper each alike make them up with liquid Storax and Honey Another Take roots of Coloquintida of Capers Worm-wood long Birthwort wilde Succory each alike Give children one scruple men one dram it is of wonderfull vertue in this disease Another Take green grassewort juice with Cows milk boyl it like to an Electuary The Dose is two aurei they say this helps much Another Take Opium seeds of white Hen-bane make it up with Honey and mingle it with hotter things to temper it If any man will have more from Avicenna he shall finde it Can. 4. Fen. 6. Tract 3. Externall remedies out of Rhasis The hot Oyl of Anacardi standing in the shell of an Egge rubbed in let the wounded part be first bound then let it loose and anoynt it with Jesamin Oyl The third day open a vein but after meat and sleep Also anoynt the place with Castoreum Melanacardinum and Garlick laying on a plate of lead anoynted with Quick-silver Sagapenum applyed outwardly heats the wound and a Weasels flesh laid over it Rub the place with a Topaz and it will be cured The wound is bettered by rubbing a Flie upon it It may be cured with water from Radish-leaves and Oyl of Mustard-seed and Marjoram Serapio writes that boyled Butter doth good Internals of Rhasis Sweat must be procured any way by external and internal means Take Nuts and Garlick cleansed of each alike bruise them The Dose is one ounce and an hour after let him drink wine Others adde to this a like quantity of dryed Rue Myrrhe and Assa The Dose is three drams with pure wine Another Take Nigella seed one part Assa three parts the Dose is one Trochis with one ounce of wine Another Let him drink strong Wine till he be almost drunk and in the morning open a vein Another Take roots of Coloquintida bark of roots of Capers Worm-wood long Birthwort Endive-seed of each alike make a powder The Dose is one dram for children one scruple Another Theriac against the stingings of Scorpions Take round Birthwort roots of Gentian Bay-berries roots of Capers Coloquintida Worm-wood Swallow-wort white Briony each alike make it up with Honey Another Take Myrrhe Opoponax Smallage each one dram and half white Briony long Birthwort Pellitory of Spain each six drams seeds of Rue Gith Trifoly each three drams Gum Arabick what may suffice with Vinegar make Trochis The Dose is one dram to one dram and half Another Take Cloves of Garlick cleansed five drams Nuts ten drams Assa one dram incorporate them well The Dose is two drams Another Take Gentian Birth-wort Myrrhe bitter Costus Rue Castoreum wilde Mints dried Pellitory of Spain Pepper Gith-seed Assa faetida each alike make them up with Honey The Dose is one aureus with wine Also the powder of Eringo root is good with hot water and the powder of Dodder Also one aureus of Napellus with water Ivy and Polium with water are very profitable If a fever come upon it open a vein Asses drie dung drank with wine is very helpfull Thus much from Rhasis External remedies from Albucasis Anoynt the place with Oyl of Ben. for many dayes or Oyl of Jasmin grinde Euphorbium with it and Castoreum or else Castoreum and Garlick ground together with old Oyl for a plaister A Frog cut and laid on is very good Take old Oyl one pound Wax four ounces Euphorbium one ounce melt it in the Oyl and anoynt the place with it Internals from Albucasis Let him drink hot milk from the Cow with wine or Honey Cinquefoil-seed and lees of wine are Theriac in this disease as also Rocket-seed Hiera Anacardina against the stings of Scorpions Take Pellitory of Spain Gith-seed bitter Costus black Pepper Acorns of each ten ounces leaves of Rue Assa faetida roots of Genrian long Birthwort Bay-berries Castoreum Cassia lignea Mustard Melanacardium of each five drams make up the powders with Oyl of Nuts and with juice of Radish-root make it compleat The Dose is one dram daily it causeth sweat The brains of a hen in drink is very usefull Haly Abbas brings nothing that is new but only takes other mens prescriptions Concerning some Seals amongst the hundred sayings of Ptolemy and some fashions for Charms both he and Kiranides make mention but a Christian beleeves it not nor are they worthy to be recorded by him Joannitius mightily commends a Plaister with Garlick and Butter or to anoynt the place with Oyl of Peter or pure juice of Leeks He prescribes to give inwardly of the pith of the greater Spurge four scruples with warm water Rabby Moyses prescribes one Sextula of Frankincense with Wine sufficient Also he exhibits Pigeons dung dried and finely powdered with Butter and Honey The Dose is two Sextulas Guil. de Placentia bids men give drie or green Marjoram inwardly to drink it with mans Urine and to apply it outwardly
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-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
Squills Rue Worm-wood hard by to make a menstruous woman passe over the place often to smear the pruning knifes with Oyl of Cantharides and to avoid lean and dry ground By these remedies Oranges Peaches Pomegranates Quinces Pears Apples Olives and Okes and other trees are kept sound a long time and almost free from Worms Ashes laid to fig-trees drive away Worms for it hath the force of salt though not so strong The seeds of Fig-trees or kernels will not be eaten by Worms if a slip of the Mastick tree or Turpentine tree be set by them As for Vines Aetius bids us to sprinkle Sea-cole with water and cast upon the place in the Spring-time and then to smear the roots of the Vines that begin to bud For if you smear the pruning knife with Goats suet or Frogs bloud or do but anoynt the Whet-stone with it worms will not breed there Africanus saith that the tears of the Vine mingled with the ashes of the Vine-stalks and put on the root with Wine it will do as much Lastly they are killed with a â—ume of Oxe-dung Harts-horn Goats-clawes Lilly-roots shavings of Ivory womens hair The herb Pionie or Thorow-wax planted where Vines grow drive away worms Some there are that boyl Assa foetida and Lazerwort in Oyl and anoynt the stocks of Vines with it beginning at the root or with Garlick bruised The seeds that must be sowed should be kept in a Tortoise-shell or Mints are to be sowed amongst Pot-herbs but chiefly Tares The bruised leaves of the Cypresse-tree mingled with them will avail much Aggregator And Palladius saith that all seeds will be free from worms if a little before you sow them you soke them in the juice of wilde Cucumbers Pliny bids to prepare seeds of Lupins before you sow them in the smoke or some hot place because in a moyst place the worms will eat up the middle of it and make it barren Varro saith that worms will never touch Onyons that are set with salt and Vinegar Moreover the seeds of all pot-herbs wet with the juice of Housleek will admit of no worms Against Weevils that are a certain plague to Corn it is good to dawb the walls with lime and hair both within and without Others do for two dayes steep the fruit and leaves of wilde Cucumbers in lime water and with sand they mould it up like plaister and with that they plaister the insides of their Granaries though Pliny writes that Quick-lime is a very great enemy to Corn. Some put beasts pisse to the lime some worm-wood juice of great Housleek and hops others powr on the ground Oyl-lees Herring pickle and the decoction of Flea-bane Strabo mingles Marle Others report that often fanning of wheat keeps it safe from weevils but Columella denies this to be true Cato lib. de re rustica commends Clay mingled with Oyl-lees and he would have the Granary to be fenced with that Varro useth it almost the very same way but he commends Clay with Oyl-lees Maple tree and Corn mingled together Our English men do deceive and destroy them divers wayes Some in the middle of the heap of Corn do so place brasse Vessels half full of hot water that the Corn may lie almost up to the mouth brims of the Vessels for thus they think the weevils are taken or destroyed Some shut up an Ant-hill and Ants together in a bag and after that they powr it forth in a corner of the granary thus in ten daies will the Ants destroy all the Weevils and when they are killed they take them and carry them forth that are going back to their former house Also they use to put into that place young Chickens that will soon eat 〈◊〉 all the weevils Some sprinkle on salt water where Garlick hath been inâ—â—â—ed or Hops Elder-leaves worm-wood Rue Nigella seed wilde Mints Walnut leaves Savoury Lavender Southern-wood Flea-wâ—â—t Bean Trifoly boyld in Vinegar of Squills They are much delighted with Navew seeds for the sweetnesse of them that they will leave the Corn for that and eat till they swell and break in sunder Though some may think these things too much and beside my purpose yet Hippocrates proves that they are fit for Philosophers and Physitians Epistola ad Cratevam not only to know the art to describe gather lay up and use Simples but also in preserving them and preparing them and to purge them from inbred or inflicted venome and from putrefaction and worms CHAP. XXII Of the six footed Worms of living Creatures and first of Lice in men The Hebrewes call a Lowse Kiâ—im and Chinnam the Greeks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Italians Pidocchio the Spaniards Piecio the French Pou the Germans Luss the English Lowse The Latines call it Pes as we read in Plautus in Curcul Wherefore you are a kinde of Lions and like Flies Gnats Lice and Fleas you trouble all mens and are hated by all but never do any good And Livy to Gladiolus Are they Fleas Wood-lice or Lice Answer me And Lucilius when he sees me he scratcheth his head and picks Lice Festus Where still a Lowse is called Pes. It is a beastly Creature and known better in Innes and Armies then it is wellcome The profit it bringeth Achilles sheweth Iliad 1. in these words I make no more of him then I doe of 〈◊〉 Lowse as we have an English Proverb of a poor man He is not worth a Lowse The Lice that trouble men are either tame or wilde ones those the English call Lice and these Crab-lice the North English call them Pert-lice that is a petulant Lowse comprehending both kindes it is a certain sign of misery and is sometimes the inevitable scourge of God The tame ones that breed of corrupt bloud are lesse and reddish from Fleame white from melancholy and adust humours black and from mixt humours they are of divers colours as Petrus Gregorius noted l. 33. If you rub them gently between your fingers you shall see them four-square and something harder than Fleas whence in the dark when you take them you may easily finde the difference They that breed in the head are bigger longer blacker and swifter those that breed in the body are fatter bigger bellies slower darkish white and marked with blackish streaks Some constantly affirm that in May they have seen Lice with wings and that the Locust-eaters of Lybia when they have fed too plentifully of them after they come to be forty years old will die with these Lice as Diodorus Siculus saith confidently 4. Antiquitat Agatharcides speaks of these Lice but he saith they are like to Ticks They chiefly fasten on the chin eye-browes and the privities full of hair the groin and the arm-pits their body is more compact their nib is sharper they bite more and tickle lesse For Tykes will sometime enter deep into the skin with their nose that you can hardly pull them out but with the losse of their
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
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-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
are long Worms almost like those round ones that are bred in mens bellies half a foot long and stretched out a foot long they are of a weak flesh-colour and for the most part they have a ring or else a collar about their neck that is thick wherein there is a little bloud contained they have no eyes for no Worms have any They first breed of putrefied earth they are afterwards fed by the same and lastly they are resolved to earth again Those that you see wreathing little hils at the brink of their holes as I suppose those heaps are their excrements for in them we finde nothing but earth the nutrimental juice whereof being spent they cast forth the rest as unprofitable matter at their doors and they are fenced by it against the rain falling in At night chiefly when it is rainy weather they willingly copulate and stick fast till morning They are not wrapt together in copulation like Serpents but they stick fast together by their sides sending forth a frothy kinde of spittle when they copulate when they are in conjunction they keep the middle of their bodies that is the hinder half in their holes and they are never so fast glewed together but with the least motion of the earth they can easily part in rainy weather they are whiter unless it be when they copulate for then especially they are red Gesner saith in the middle of April he dissected a female Earth-worm that was very thick within the flesh through the whole body a receptacle descends that is ringed covered with a thin membrane when he dissected it it stank filthily in this is the earth contained that they take in but above this receptacle there lie white eggs very many heaped together next the mouth The lesser Worms for clearet description sake I will with George Agricola call Ascarides they are frequently found in dung-hils and under heaps of stones some of them are red ones they call them Duggs and fâ—shers much de 〈…〉 e them some are wan-coloured others have yellow tails and are so called some also are with collars and are fat others without collars and slender which I take to be the males These are bred chiefly in Autumn by reason of no plenty of moisture as Aristotle seems to affirm Both kindes live long in water but at last they die for want of food They move from place to place with a certain drawing and pulsation for the Philosopher saith they do not pâ—operly tumble along The great ones live in the bowels of the earth especially in the open air and where men oft-times resort In the morning when they withdraw themselves into their holes when the air is clear they sence them with earth cast up but in rainy weather they slop them by drawing in some stalk they feed frequently on earth but most greedily on a piece of white bread unleavened as I learned from our Turner a very credible man and have oft-times seen it Many of them dye if the Winter be too cold or the Summer too hot Moreover they are taken by Fishermen and driven forth of their holes either by digging and shaking the earth or by pouring in some liquor of strong juice as of Walnut leaves Hemp or strong Lye It is good also in tempestuous and dark nights to go into gardens silently which they miserably hurt and to creep upon them when they couple by the help of fire carried in a horn for so in one night thousands of them may be intercepted and killed Uses of this despicable creature are observed to be many and Nature scarce affords any simple that she hath bestowed more vertues on against diseases For Earth-worms soften glew together ease pain and by their earthly and watry moisture together they duly temper the part affected Powder of Earth-worms is thus prepared Wrap up great Earth-worms for some time in earth-moss that so they may free themselves of that glutinous matter that sticks on their outward parts then press their hinder parts next the tail that they may cast forth their excrements and be cleansed Then cast them into a vessel of white Wine and a little Salt and gently pressing them with your fingers cast away that first Wine pour on more and after the Worms are washed take some part of this away also for it must not all be cast away as some would have it till it be perfectly clear for so that glutinous clammy quality would be lost with it Thus prepared they must be gently dried in a furnace till they will crumble into dust when you touch them Then the powder being beaten and searced it will smell like Runnet or Cheese must be kept something far from the fâ—re in a glass vessel Otherwise iâ— is best to kill the Worms cut in pieces in Wine and Salt and when they are dead to take them out and to cleanse them This powder with the juice of Marigolds will cure the Epilepsie with Mead the Dropsie with white Wine and Myrrhe of the Troglodytes the Jaundies with boyled Wine Hydromel or Wine the Stone the Ulcers of the reins and bladder you may give a dram weight In three cyathi of water they will break inward Impostumes and bring them forth if seven or nine of them be brought into powder They stay also the Dyarrhoea help Barrenness bring forth the Secondine that staies behinde ease the pains of the Hip-gowt open the Liver cure Tertian Agues kill and drive out all Belly-worms given in liquors or decoctions that are proper for it Also the decoction of Earth-worms dâ—ank with the juice of Knot-grass or Comfrey is good against continual pisâ—ing especially if it be also cast in by a Clyster Also a Clyster of their decoction easeth the Emrods wonderfully Some where they suspect clotted bloud give the decoction of Earth-worms to drink with great success For the diseases of the Ears almost past cure boyl them in Goose-grease and pour that in Boyled in oyl for the Tooth-ache and poured into the ear on that side the pain is as Pliny saith they give ease or if you drop them into the contrary ear as Dioscorides saith Thus far for Earth-worms given inwardly from experience and testimony of Dioscorides Galen Aetius Aegineta Myrepsus Pliny Vularis Also outwardly applied and bruised they joyn wounds and nerves cut in funder and heal them in seven daies wherefore Democritus would have them kept in Honey Their ashes with old oyl cleanseth corrupt Ulcers and as Pliny writes consumes the hard edges of them if it be mingled with liquid Pitch and Simblick Honey Dioscorides saith Sicilian Honey is called Simblick A certain Chirurgion now in England of good note makes a liniment of Earth-worms and Honey wherewith he anoints the tent and sprinkles it with fine powdred Allum and puts it into a Fistula and so brings forth the core eaten out with no pain and heals the wound Also their ashes drawes forth things that stick within and laid on with oyl of
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
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