man on horse W. M. skull: THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN AND EXPERT FERRIER In two Books. The first, showing the best manner of breeding go Horses, with their choice, nature, riding and dyeting, as well Running as Hunting, and how the Rider ought to behave himself in Breaking and Riding of Colts, as also teaching the Groom and Keeper his true office, touching the Horses and Colts committed to his charge, and prescribing the best manner how a perfect Stable aught to be situated and made, not hitherto so fully described by any. The second, directing the most exact and approved manner h● to know and cure all maladies and diseases in Horses: a work contain● the secrets and best skill belonging either to Ferrier or Horse-Leech● the Cures placed Alphabetically: with many hundreds of medicines never before imprinted in any Author. Published at the earnest request of sundry Noble and worthy Gentles for the general good and benefit of the whole Kingdom: And dedicated to his most Excellent Majesty, By Thomas de Grace Esquire. LONDON, Printed by Thomas Harper, and are to be sold by Laurence Chapman, his Shop at Chancery lane end next Holborn, 1639. TO THE MOST HIGH AND MIGHTY MONARCH, CHARLES, BY THE GRACE OF GOD, KING OF GREAT BRJTAINE, FRANCE, AND IRELAND, DEFENDER OF THE FAITH, etc. SIR, YOu are justly placed in a glorious sphere, elevated in a most conspicuous altitude above other inferior and subordinate Orbs, from whence (as a sovereign Arbiter) you behold and judge of our Motions, as they either relish of worth or demerit, and (like the Sun) impartially dispense the propitious beams of your favour, as well to the humblest plant, as the tallest Cedar. As I am a recent and fresh existent example of your life-tendring influence, for when depressed and trampled upon by the insolency of an unkinde-adversary that raised me up to tread upon an equal Basis with him, who lately had designed me for his footstool. An admirable example of Clemency and justice, eminent virtues, and truly inherent in your most Royal bosom: for which with all humility I bow, and thankfulness acknowledge, infinitely honouring them so conspicuous in your Majesty, and by you so frequently exercised. Thus restored, I come charged with a Book, which I most humbly prostrate at your feet, because I fear it is not conscious of so much worth, as to merit a kiss from your sacred hand. It is the Embryo of my study, travels, experience, and practise, and cannot arrive to form and perfection without the reflection of your Majesty's favour. It brings with it a front not altogether inglorious, of Horsemanship and Ferriery; the first not incompetent with the most illustrious title and Heroic Spirit; the second not unworthy the knowledge, yea the practice of the most accomplished Gentleman. I know this Treatise cannot hold proportion with so elated a patronage, as that of your Majesty, although it were informed with a fare nobler Genius; yet for all this infinite disproportion, the Dedication of it unto your sacred Majesty will not appear much improper; for first I received the ability to prosecute it from your Grace and favour: so that deriving its being from you, it belongs of right unto you, and must have recourse unto your Majesty for its safety and protection. Secondly, it is the offspring of my age, and cannot but leave a fatal participation in its Parent's infirmity, and therefore (especially in these censorious times) cannot possibly subsist without your Royal protection. Lastly, as you have taken the rational creatures of this your tripartite Kingdom into your titular care, so have you not excluded the irrational, albeit in a different condition, much less the Horse, whose Generosity, and use have given him the precedency in your Majesty's esteem, before all other bruit species; so that this Book (which beautifies his shape, increases his courage, delivers rudiments for his menage, prescribes cures for his diseases, and in all, enables and advances his race and bravery) hopes to find your Majesty's hand extended and open to receive it. The work concerns the Commonwealth in general, and if accepted and perused with as much zeal and care as I have used in the publishing of it; I presume it will not be found empty of profit. My many years have given me the privilege to have seen and known this kingdom rich both in the number and quality of her Horses, and it would infinitely grieve me that I now live to see her reduced to so deplorable an indignity, but that I am confident I shall see her restored to her precedent glory and opulency by your Majesty: and now that I have assumed the boldness to inculcate her poverty, my zeal and respect to my Country, transports me yet a little further to discover the causes of it, together with the redresses and remedies. First, those Forests, Parks, Commons, Fens, Moors, and other marish and waste grounds, which paid yearly so rich a tribute of young, able, and serviceable Horses to the universal use of this Kingdom, are at this time disafforrested, disparked, taken in, drained, laid dry, and converted to other (but much different) uses, so that those brave breeds and razes of Horses are much extenuated, or altogether intermitted. Then the Gelder's, who in every shire so confidently and frequently exercise their faculty in a most unlawful manner, and spay young Fillies, by which means they become barren, the breeds of Horses discontinued, and the Commonwealth highly prejudiced and unfurnished; for instance I can and will (upon occasion) produce a Gelder who spayes more than a hundred Fillies. For redress of the first, your Majesty may be pleased to command that those Statutes which were enacted for the breeding of Horses, may be speedily and exactly put in execution. For the second, that you will likewise please by your Proclamation to inhibit all Gelder's that unlawful and prejudicial exercise of their profession, then shall your Majesty see the noxious and exorbitant disease meet with a sudden and easy cure, and the whole Kingdom derive a sensible and inestimable benefit from it. Now it rests that I make an humble Apology for my boldness, which indeed would be a matter of trouble and difficulty for me to accomplish; did I not know your Majesty to be a Prince infinitely tendering the good and welfare of your Kingdom; so that this treating of a business not inconsequent, I despair not of obtaining your Royal pardon, but promise myself from your benignity and clemency, a gracious acceptance of that I have most zealously delivered. Your Majesty's most humble and faithful Subject, THOMAS DE GREY. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE, JAMES, MARQVESSE HAMILTON, EARL OF ARRAN AND CAMBRIDGE, BARON OF EVEN, Aberbroth, and Ennerdale, Master of the Horse to his Majesty, Knight of the Honourable order of the Garter, and one of his Majesty's most honourable privy Council. My Lord, TO have presented this piece of Horse-manship to his Majesty by any other hand than Yours, had been very improper; as well in regard of the place your Lordship bears, as of my respects to your Noble person. Here is a subject (my Lord) worthy of your consideration, and the employments of your thoughts even serious; for in this most generous Creature, next unto Man, consisteth the pleasure, honour, and defence of a most flourishing Kingdom. I have given part of my Youth to the investigation of this beautiful and useful Creature; I have searched many Nations for my better information; and albeit I have found some Climates more Fortunate than this of Ours, in the production of a happy shape to this Creature, for the most part our Horses not being drawn out with such delicate Lineaments, nevertheless some of them, I have (where care and diligence have been used in the Breed) of most absolute, and perfect shape, and whereas frequently, the Barbary jennet, Turk and Neapolitan Courser, are cried up for their beauties, yet as in some shapes they excel, so in some other th●y may be found defective. But if we regard the Spirit, Vigour, and doing of a Horse, no Nation, or Soil, produceth a more Active, than this our Island of Great Britain, as hath been well experienced by many Noble and memorable Services. Unto which if we add a due observation in our Breed, both on the one side of the Stallion or Sire, and the Dam, our lost glory will be soon recovered. But since the laying aside of the great Saddle and Cannon, and neglect of the Horse of Menage, since the applying our Breed only to Racing, or, (as I may better say) in furnishing ourselves with Horses of speed to run away from our Enemy, the most ancient honour of Horsemanship peculiar to this our Kingdom, and for which all other Nations highly esteemed us, is now almost vanished and lost; insomuch as were we pressed with thoughts of defence (from which the most prudent and watchful Eye of our most gracious Sovereign, Guards us, through his most happy Government) we should be forced (I writ this in blushes) to to pull Horses from the Coach, and Cart, to fill up our Troops. Let it therefore be recorded, (my Noble Lord) that whilst you were Master of the Horse to his Majesty, an exact observation was established throughout this whole Kingdom, for the due breeding of serviceable Horses; to the furtherance of which most Noble design, if these my Observations shall, any way conduce, I shall bless my Pen that it ever waded in such a subject: professing myself to owe unto my Sovereign and Country all I have, and unto them my Labours as a most loyal Subject and true Patriot, I most humbly offer. And my good Lord, these Observations gathered in my Youth, I was advised and pressed by some Noble Friends (though now old) to publish for the general good of this our Kingdom: Otherwise for my own part I should have rather suppressed them, as not being now so fit a subject for me to treat off, but the public good hath over swayed me. Wherefore with these Oblations I Conclude, Kissing your Lordship's Hands, and shall ever profess myself Your Lordship Most humble Servant. THOMAS DE LA GREY. To the Reader. WHen I do consider (benevolent Reader) the inconvenience whereinto that Man is plunged, who brings himself upon the public Stage of promulgating his Books in print, be the subject never so laudable, and the Author no less cautelous and sufficient, endeavouring with all diligence to prevent the brand of a black coal: nevertheless all industry applied, he shall not pass without obloquy and aspersion. This very consideration hath so affrighted and deterred me, that albeit I have had many great motives exciting me to make a tender of the Love, Duty, and Service I bear to my Country; yet when I do contemplate the many censures I must undergo, I have been evermore disheartened as well from beginning, as going forwards in this my desired purpose. Notwithstanding partly through the respect I bear to my Country's profit and honour, and partly by means of the importunity of many my right Noble and generous friends, who have been eye-witnesses to sundry of my Cures, and those not a few uncouth and rare: I have adventured even now in my declining days, to leave this Work as a Monument to ensuing times, no whit doubting, but that the judicious will friendly accept thereof; but as for the malevolent and ignorant, I am most confident that the quills they shall dart at me, cannot go as from a Porcupine, and therefore will do me the less hurt or damage. I therefore am bold to put into thy hand, this poor work of mine, which I have digested into tw Books: In the first, I lay thee down rudiments how thou mayest breed Horses to thy best advantage and liking; which albeit they may appear unto thee to be recent and unknown, yet if thou wilt be pleased to put them in ure, and make trial (not digressing from my principles) thou wilt (I do assure me) be so fare from disliking them, as never hereafter to swarve or descent from them. For if we shall seriously ruminate in how high esteem that man is who is owner and possessor of good Horses, how much commended, how much respected, how much talked of, and how well proffered for them: but when he shall be known to be a breeder of such good Horses, will not his encomiums be the greater? but when together with these himself shall be known to be exquisite in Horsemanship, whereby to cause his Horse to show himself in his Pace, Menage, and all other his postures like as well becomes a right good Horse, perfectly mouthed, delicately borne, obedient to the hand, and to answer the Switches and Spur, will not (I say) that Gentleman be highly commended, and have more eyes upon him as he passeth a long, than are commonly cast upon a Comet or the Sun eclipsed? yes undoubtedly. For if we do but note when a handsome Horse passeth along, we may observe the people not only gaze upon him as he cometh towards and against them, but to turn themselves and look after him so long time as he continueth within their view and sight: Man's love to the Horse is generally so great. Since then the Horse is a creature so generous, and therefore so much liked and beloved of all, in my poor judgement, it should suit very well with every Gentleman of worth, rank, and quality, to endeavour (if not to breed, yet at least) to be masters of such Horses (which he must keep) that shall be truly handsome and comely, rightly bred, of good colour, clean shape, well marked, and singularly well ridden and made, and so he shall the better advance his honour and reputation. Having now bred, or otherwise by thy diligent endeavours attained unto such Horses as be truly good, and for thy turn; the second thing to be thought of, is, if they be not already made unto thy hand as thou desirest to have them, that thou then do procure such a Rider, who is known to be a master of his Art, or otherwise thou wilt be much deceived, and fare to seek of enjoying thy wished desires, and therefore I have given thee instructions how to make thy choice of such a man, whereby thou shalt not be wronged in thy expectation, nor thy Horse marred in his first making and handling. Neither have I taken upon me to teach him his Art, (for that were a thing very impertinent) but those documents which I have set thee down must serve only to show thee how thou shouldest soon find whether the Rider may be for thy turn or not. The third thing which thou art to take to thy consideration, is, the good or harm that may come unto thee by the choice thou makest of thy Groom or Keeper, who may either through his ignorance, or inconsideration, soon make him unfit both for thy own use, or any man's else: out of which reason I have depainted thee a Groom in his lively colours, and if his conditions and qualities shall be otherwise than what I have delineated, assure thyself thou dost run a manifest hazard of marring that Horse thou didst hope should have been to thy hearts desire. And forasmuch as it is a matter very much praiseworthy to be a Master of good Horses, to have them made perfect and ready, to have such Riders, Keepers, and Grooms, as be very perite in their faculties; yet if thy Stable be not every way sitting and correspondent, much disprofit and inconvenience may thereby soon redound to thy Horse. I have therefore prescribed thee the means how thou mayest have a perfect and good Stable, with all commodities and accoutrements thereunto belonging: and therefore if thou wilt be pleased to make use of these my rudiments, and punctually observe these my grounds and principles, assure thyself thou wilt in short time aspire to that which will be thy honour and renown. And to the end thou mayest the more perfectly and easily understand the full drift and sum of this my first Book, I will here give unto thee an Epitome of it in a few lines, which may do thee much pleasure in the perusal thereof. In the Introduction, I show thee how needful a creature the Horse is beyond all others, and what admirable things Horses in former times have perpetrated and done, whereof I produce thee instances of the famous acts of sundry brave and generous Horses, whose love to their Masters have been so great great, as hardly to be credited, if ancient Histories and Annals of good integrity, had not engraven them in the memory of neverdying posterity. We read of Bucephalus what he did for the good, life, and safety of his Master; of the Horse of Dionysius, with what undaunted courage he comported himself in battle for the relief and succour of his Lord; it is recorded also of the Horse of Antiochus, what ill success befell Centurettus, who when he had slain Antiochus, would needs back the Horse of his slain Master. It is also noted what inly love Nicomedes his Horse bare to his Lord and Master, when after his death of mere grief, famished himself. We read of Aethon, the Horse of Pallas, who was evidently observed and seen to weep at the funeral of his Master. Silius makes report of two famous Horses called Pelorus and Ciraeus, the one eminent for his prowess and hardiness in war, and the other for his unparalelled swiftness. Moreover we may read, how that this poor creature hath so well merited of man, as that many have erected Monuments and Sepulchers, celebrated Exequys, builded and founded munificent Cities, set up Pyramidies, made Epitaphs, erected goodly Statues, instituted Plays and Games; and all these in honour of the Horse; besides many other remarkable things right worthy of note. In the way of Breeding, I do intimate unto thee the manner how, the season when, the place where, together with the colours, marks, and shapes as well of thy Stallions, as of thy Race, or Stud Mares, and from what defects they must be free: what Signs are best wherein to cover, what course to take with them that they may conceive, what exercise is fittest for them as well when they be with Fole, as after foling; how to cherish thy Mares when their Colts shall run by them, and how to breed up thy Colts till they come to handling, backing, and riding, with other circumstances very necessary to be known: and thus much briefly for the first Book. The second Book consisteth chief of the manner how thou mayest cure all such diseases and maladies (both intrinsical and extrinsecall) whereunto either the life of the Horse, or any of his limbs or members may be any way endamaged or in danger. This I have handled by way of familiar Dialogue, which I hold to be best, for avoiding of prolix and over-tedious discourses, by reason it will very much help the memory of the Reader, and keep his mind the better attended upon the state of the Question or subject in hand, and by that means I may myself be the better able also to explicate and deliver my meaning, much more clearly. In which Dialogue, I have introduced as prolocutors, three persons only, viz. First, Hippophilus a Gentleman, one who is the true lover of the Horse: Secondly, Hippiatrus the Ferrier or Marishall, one most expert in Horseleech craft: And thirdly, Hipposerus his Servant or journeyman, sometimes his apprentice bred up by him, from whom Hipposerus hath had his education and knowledge in this Art: these be all the Dramatis personae to this Scene. Wherefore in the first Chapter, I do endeavour to illustrate unto thee the true Office of the Ferrier, wherein I do produce an exact examen of his function. In the second Chapter, I do inculcate as well the causes of health as of sickness, wherein I make an abridgement of all those things which all learned Physicians and Surgeons (both ancient and modern do from the grounds and principles of profound Philosophy) find to govern and bear rule in the body of the Horse, without which he can have no flesh, bones, sinews, blood, or life itself, wherewith to make up the entire structure of an orginal body, and such are first the Elements; secondly, the Humours, thirdly, the natural faculties; fourthly, the instrumental members; fifthly, the spirits animal; sixthly, the spirits vital; seventhly, the natural parts, and so of the residue. And having sufficiently discussed all these things in due order and method, I do then show thee what means we have to preserve the Horse from all inward diseases, which I do find to be four in number, viz. By Purge, by Sweat, by Phlebotomy, and by Vomit: and then I do proceed to inculcate unto thee the causes of health and long life, which I do make to be in number twelve, which if thou do well observe, they will redound to thy great utility and profit. In the third Chapter I do demonstrate certain things most befiting a Ferrier to know and understand well, before he shall take upon him to administer: in the handling whereof I do begin first with the four Elements, anatomising unto thee their true natures and virtues, and how and where they be situate, things most needful to be known; then I go along with the two proper Elements, showing from whence the seed and menstrual blood is engendered, than I pass forwards in entreating of the four Humours, explaining their natures and virtues, pointing unto the places of their abode and residence, and what relation and coherence they have unto the four Complexions, I do also show thee what are the two spirits animal, and the two vital, their nature's virtues, and places of abode and residence in the body of the Horse. After all this I show thee, that by duly observing the complexion of the Horse thou art to cure, thou mayest thereby the sooner, better, and with more security and ease, perfect thy Cure; nay, I go yet further with thee, in showing unto thee an exact way whereby to know by the complexion itself, the diseases whereunto the Horse is most propense; then I make known what be the causes of the evil dispositions of the Horse, which bringeth and begetteth unavoidable infirmity and sickness, whereof they be two in number, viz. Intrinsical and Extrinsecall, together with a definition of the nature of sickness; and so I go along in teaching thee the manner how thou oughtest to administer such Drinks, Potions, Clysters, and Medicines, without any the least peril to thy Horse, as also the time of the day most suitable to that purpose: and what exercise is most requisite to be had after Physic or Medicine. And lastly I come to touch briefly upon his urine and ordure, whereby to give the rules infallible how to know and understand the true state of the body of the Horse as well in health as in sickness. In the fourth Chapter of this second Book, I do begin to handle the Cures in particular, wherein I run a course by myself, which I have not known any before me undertake: for whereas Master Blundevile, Master Markham, and others, do begin with all the inward diseases which are to be cured by way of Physic, and then with the outward maladies which do appertain unto Chirurgery; I have thought it much better to take the diseases Alphabetically, mixing the extrinsecall with the intrinsical, by which means they will the sooner and more easily be found, and turned unto more readily. And wheresoever you shall find this ✚ mark inserted in the end of any cure, I have set the same there, to let you know that receipt to be undoubted, and approved for good and certain, being by myself often practised and used. And those receipts that have not the mark, are such Cures which I did procure from sundry able Ferriers, whereof I have had no trial or experience at all, for want of time and means, and therefore dare not avouch or cry them up for mathematical, albeit they do appear unto me to be probably good, but by reason I have not tried them, I would not adventure a probatum, or ecce upon them. Nevertheless if God permit me to reprint, I doubt not but by that time to give them for approved and warrantable, and to add many more unto them which I have already by me, which I do forbear to publish at this present, albeit I do know many of them to be as probably good as any of those. In the other Chapters I go clean through the whole Alphabet, according to that Method used in that 4th. Chapter; and therefore let this abstract suffice for the present. And forasmuch as I have discussed the former things of Breeding, etc. in my first Book: Yet my intention was not at the first to trench so deep into that subject, but to show principally the Ferriers Craft and Art, out of an earnest desire I have to excite & stir up our young Gentlemen to assume some knowledge of a Mystery so necessary for them to apprehend, or at leastwise to have a glimpse of, considering how rare a thing it is to find a skilful Ferrier among our rural or Country smith's. For if the Nobility & Gentry of this our Isle of Great Britain did truly know how honourable, and how commendable Horsemanship were, and how much they are esteemed and admired, who are the true professors thereof, they would labour more than they now do, to breed and have good Horses; but it much troubleth me to see how little esteem Gentlemen now a days have thereof. Some Horses they have, though not for Menage, yet for Hunting; but what manner of Hunting? Fox-hunting forsooth, or Harriers which be as fleet as petty Greyhounds wherewith they do so much over-straine the strength of their poor Horses (forcing them over deepe-Fallowes, tough-Clayes, and wet and rough Lands) that albeit those Horses be strong and able, yet are they so toiled out therewith, as that when they come home at night, they would pity the heart of him who loveth a Horse, to see them so be mired, blooded, spurred, lamentably spent, and tired out: Whereas if such Horses had been ridden to the great Saddle and Cannon, they would have infinitely delighted all men who should have beheld them. But let me leave them unto their toilsome sports, and let my speech be directed to such Heroic and Generous Spirits, who have a desire to inform and better their understanding in the secrets of this brave Mystery; who if they have a will to be edoctrinated therein, then for a Mathematical ground of true Horse-manship, I must tell them, that they having and possessing of good Horses, yea and Riding itself is little worth without the knowledge of the Ferriers Craft, at the least in the Theoric or Speculative part, if not in the Practic: and therefore I could wish that every worthy Gentleman should have a good insight thereinto, albeit he doth not make it his Trade, Occupation; or frequent practice and profession. Yet it will not be amiss, he be able to know every disease in a Horse, its Symptoms, and how it cometh, together with the true sign thereof, which indeed is a matter of very great consequence. For when a Nobleman (V. G.) Knight, or Gentleman shall have a Horse that doth well merit his affection, and which shall be for his turn, if any accident or Malady shall befall him, albeit he may not himself take upon him the Cure, and to Drench, Bloody, or Dress him with his own hands; yet (sending for a Ferrier) he may discourse with him upon the Nature of the Disease, and thereby come to understand whether the Ferrier speaketh according to Art or not, and whether his intended course of administering, be answerable to true Art & perfect Science, and probably a secure way to perfect the Cure; so as if the Master and Owner of the Horse be not himself enabled with some superficial knowledge at the least, at what time he shall consult with the Ferrier, if not, (I say) able to judge of the Man's sufficiency (the Smith himself being indeed insufficient) by mistaking the Infirmity, he may ignorantly administer or apply such contrary Medicine, whereby instead of labouring to cure him, he shall most easily and infallibly kill him, to the no small regreet and grief of the Owner. But Ferriers and Smiths may peradventure greatly repine, and grumble at the publication of this Work of mine, like as to my knowledge, & in my hearing, they have most virulently exclaimed, and vehemently inveighed against Master Blundevile, Master Markham, and others, wishing their Books burned, and the Authors at the Goodyere, for publishing and Printing them: pretending much wrong to be done, to such poor men who have served Apprenticeships to the Trade, having none other way or means of livelihood but only this. But hereunto I answer, that these Men have no cause at all to fear any prejudice thereby; and I dare boldly affirm the promulgation of Books will be so far from their harm or hindrance as that it will be infinitely to their benefit: for when they shall find any one Nobleman, Knight, or Gentleman who will undergo so much pains as either to Bloody, Drench, Corosive, Cauterize, apply Cataplasines, emplasters, Powders, Unguents, or the like to his Horse, whatsoever he hath attained unto by reading, or otherwise; you shall have a thousand who upon any the least occasion will send for a Ferrier to take the Cure in hand. Again, instead of this pretended prejudice, this commodity will accrue to my brethren Smiths, Marishalls, and Ferriers, viz. they shall (by promulgation of Books of this Nature) become much more able, and Imbui in studijs, that is, much more learned and indoctrinated in this generous Faculty then ever they were before, by which means they will be esteemed much more famous and eminent, and cried up for most expert and able Men in this Noble Science. For how cometh it to pass, that Physicians, Chirurgeons, Lawyers, Divines, and all others Artists do become so great Doctors of their Arts and Professions, and admired for most famous and learned Men, and so frequetly sought after, enquired out, and sent for when occasion is? Is it not for what they have attained unto by study and reading, until which time they were not so hardy as to adventure upon practice? so as without their Library, they could never have been able to have attained unto that eminent knowledge they have afterwards aspired unto; neither could they otherwise have been possibly able to practise and work by true Art and Science. For the Works of learned and eminent Men, is the only thing that doth enable them, which are left as a neverdying Monument to ensuing and endless Posterity, as the common good to the weal public, even to all ensuing Ages: Imitating therein the ancient Sages of Greece, that when any man had invented that thing which was known to be commodious to the Republic, lest the thing should be buried with the Inventor, and by that means taked up with him in the ashes of perpetual oblivion: they ordained that the first Inventor should set up his Science be or known by way of Record in their public Schools in spacious Tables and in Capital Characters of gold with with this Impress, or Title, viz. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Bonum pulchrius, et divinius, quod Genti est quam Vni. That is, That thing is to be esteemed better and more excellent which is communicated to the weal public in general, rather than to be imprisoned in the Bosom of any particular man. Wherefore that thing (I say) whereat I do principally aim, is to publish the true Art of the Ferrier, a Faculty wherein I have been daily versed, and diligently practised for more than forty years, and that unto my no small labour and expense: and I do well assure myself that peradverture no one Gentleman in this our Kingdom more, who hath done greater, more difficult, or desperate Cures. During the time of my travels, I have for my better indemnity, not only perused what Authors I could meet with, who have written upon this Subject; but I did also make myself an Eye witness to the Cures of the most famous Marishals and Ferriers, the Cities, and places afforded where I came, omitting no diligence which might inform or enable my knowledge: neither would I be too credulous, or give too much belief to fame or reports, for we have a Maxim in the civil-law, which saith: Fama p●r se parum momenti habet ad probandum: Fame alone is not of credit sufficient to satisfy or convince the understanding of Man, until such time as he hath made trial. For the common Proverb is; Qui facile credit, Facile decipitur. He that easily believeth, is easily deceived. And truly thus much I am able to speak, that France and Flanders (for that in those two places I had most commerce and experience, albeit I traveled many other parts of Christendom) were the two Kingdoms in which I found the best, ablest, and most expert Marishalls, or Ferriers; but of all the places where ever yet I came, I am able of my own knowledge to say thus much (and that with no small grief) that the worst Ferriers generally I do find to be those who are of our own Nation: nevertheless, I do not conclude or condemn all for insufficient, for some there be well known unto me very acquaint and expert Ferriers, who can work very well, and according to true Art and Method. I have therefore in this illaborat Work of mine given you several Receipts for every Cure, and most of them approved by my particular practice and experience; Others again I have inserted which are the Cures of other able men, which by reason they do sound probable unto me, I have suffered them to pass among my own, (though I never had means or opportunity to make trial of them.) And the reason why I have inculcated so many several Receipts to each Cure, are two; viz. First because that Receipt which will Cure one disease, will not always cure the same Malady in an other Horse. Secondly, you shall find some Receipts either very difficile to make, or the Ingredients not easy to be gotten, otherwise they prove more chargeable than the Owner of the Horse is well able to defray: and therefore I have given the Receipts for all sorts and degrees of Horses; howbeit those Receipts which are most costly and intricate to make and compound are commonly the very best, and worketh the best effects, and therefore I leave thee to thyself to make thy own choice. Now if any man shall say, that I have rob or rifled other men's labours: I answer, I have not rob, but approved them: for by the same rule I may as well object, that whosoever worketh by my Book robbeth me, for if that be theft, I pray what Physician is there in the whole world, (promulgating his Science) may not be as much censured and accused for rifling the Aphorisms of Galen and Hipocates, yea and of others the Ancients and Modern Authors also. But howsoever, I am so far from traducing other men's endeavours, as that I do both reverence and admire them, and esteem myself unworthy their Scholar. But I know no reason why I may not publish my knowledge of this Noble Art, for what saith a venerable Author Qui se dicit scire quod nescit, temerarius est: et qui negat scire quod scit, ingratus est. As that man is to be accounted for most temerarious and rash, that shall take upon him to know that which in truth he knoweth not; so also doth he show himself to be most ingrate, who denyeth to know that thing which truly he doth know. Innumerable are the grounds which may be laid to the rearing of this Structure, which being so well known to all, by setting each down in particular, I shall therein but only Sisyphi saxum volvere; consume much time (which to me is most precious) and labour to little purpose, and less profit; and therefore I will in this discourse draw towards an end, lest I might tyre thee out with too long an Epistle; Yet less I thought I could not inculcate, by reason there are many things in this worthy and noble Science, which might otherwise seem to be very dark and abstruse, and the Cures I have (I say) carried Dialogu●-wise, Ne inquam et inquit saepius interponeretur; merely to avoid confusion: For Aristotle saith well; Omne Ens naturaliter appetit suam perfectionem. Every Ens, that is to say; Every man hath a natural propension to arrive unto that perfection to which he hath a will or desire to understand. Now the reason why I did enterlace my first Book with the Honours and perfections which Horses in former times have achieved, as also with such rules and principles of breeding, shape, marks, colours, etc. was, lest otherwise I might be like to one who telleth a sick man of a sovereign medicine for his infirmity, and yet conceals from him the use thereof. And therefore I do make it my chiefest desire, and principal intention, yea my obligation, not only to illustrate each disease, together with its cure, but also to make up all the attributes belonging to a perfect Horse, and such defects which be incident to so noble and useful a creature, being likewise discovered. If therefore it may please thee sometimes to retire thyself in the perusal of this Treatise, and with due and serious judgement, not so much to reflect upon the method and form of this world, as of the matter or subject itself, than I doubt not but that thou wilt receive such benefit and contentment, as that thereby thou wilt be much bettered and enabled in thy underhanding, both for the breeding and well ordering of young Horses, and in the cure of every of their maladies. And forasmuch as I have brought this my first work to its period, which I may rightly resemble to a Structure or Building, my special care hath been to make it fair and beautiful to the eye, and to grace, garnish, and set it forth with varieties of diverse sorts, wherein I have been very diligent to give it all satisfaction I have been able, and therefore I have laboured to paint and polish it forth with what variety is most necessary for so exquisite a building. Lastly, sithence nothing more imports a building, then to lay a sure and substantial foundation, and withal to make the walls so tight and impregnable, as to be able to resist not so much wind and weather, as the violence, assaults, and battery of detracting enemies: my care therefore hath been to have it founded and situate upon the Rock of a pregnant truth. And therrfore considering I have applied all this pains, and spent so much time and cost, which I might have otherwise both employed and applied to my more particular commodity, by which I have not only finished this Structure, and made it commodious for thee, but I do also present it unto thee merely for thy proper use and habitation; and therefore I hope that thou wilt not make such use thereof, as men do of an Inn, where he taketh a bait or repast, for one meal, or for a lodging, for one night, and away, to wit, by only taking a superficial view thereof: but that thou wilt make it thy abode, at the least for some time; I mean, by reading and digesting the whole work in order as it lieth treatably and seriously, and after by putting in practice what therein thou shalt find to be fit for thy use; so shalt thou reap, and enjoy the benefit; myself the comfort, and the Commonwealth the honour. If any leaks be in the printing, impute them either unto the misprision of the Printer, or else to the negligence of him unto whom the charge of the correcting was committed; and if any be in the Author, let the fault light upon those who spurred him so fast on to haste it to the Press; but howsoever show thy charity in correcting the faults and slips, as well of the one, as of the other: So shalt thou show thyself to the world like thyself, truly Noble, and oblige the Author to remain ever thy humble Servant, and true Friend: Farewell. THOMAS DE GREY. To my Worthy Friend, Monsieur de Grace, upon his exquisite piece of Horsemanship and Ferriery. WHen Troy's Palladium, on whose fatal stay Their fortunes, hopes, their Gods, their Altars lay; Was by Ulysses' cunning hand surprised, And Pallas wooed to see Troy sacrificed: The Greeks pretending recompense, return A Horse, whose entrails that vast City burn. How different is thy Gift, since here we see Pleasure with safety, strength with wit agree? This frame exceeds that; but to nobler ends, That hurts by fraud, by knowledge this defends: And though in Ilium's Horse an Army rest, 'Twill be far more to COMPREHEND this Beast; Since Ignorance hath taught our Isle to lay Her Art, on jades that only run away. But when I look on thine, and there behold Soldiers made knowing, and the knowing bold: I cry, had this been given for that of Wood, Minerva had returned, and Ilium stood. S. I. B. B. To his good Friend, Thomas de Grace, upon his Book called the Expert Ferrier. WHilst other, Readers vex in fruitless ways, And writ adventurous lines for vulgar praise, Thou in a noble Art, and useful skill, Ventest the labours of a modest Quill, To make us by thy well-spent industry, Supine neglects to know, and rectify; Since in this piece of thine, the Horse appears (Whilst him his Rider as a Pilot steers Through storms of Courage,) by thy awful hand Enforced to suffer, and obey Command. Then, thou, his innate Spirit to maintain By propagation of a generous strain, Unpractised precepts with judicious heed Freely afford'st us in his better breed, And lastly, that this Work may fully please, Experimental Cures of each disease, Which frequently occur in this brave Beast Are, with the less approved, by thee expressed: That all may say, we, in this Book have found, A ●orse well bred, well mennaged, and sound. S. T. H. To my knowing Friend, Monsieur De Grace. OLd Edward, Noble Worcester, that branch Sprung from great john of Gaunt, and Royal Blanch. Of thee our de la Grace was wont to say, To see thee on thy Horse of menage play, Was solid pleasure, for the Excellence That fed the eye, went further than the sense. And I believe it, since the Active part That shines in precepts of thy skilful Art, And comes to us from speculations taught Through ●ong Experience, and with labour wrought In these thy choice Phylippicks, makes this Land Blessed in the fair production of thy hand. Our skilful Markham, and old Blundevill, Or whosoever hath touched this marshal Quill, Receives by thee more light than was his own, Or was by th' Ancients, or by Moderns know●. G. F. To my well-deserving Friend, Thomas de Grace, upon his exact piece of Horsemanship and Ferriery. IF I who love a Horse next to my life, Should now be mute in the commending strife Of this thy Horsemanship, my de la Grace, I might henceforth be banished all the play At Bansteed, Winchester, and Salisbury, And sit me down under this Horse and dye. Nay, I will write before thy Book, and fill The vacant room of some deserving quill. And wish in all my sport to be as sore, As when thou workest upon a desperate Cure. Wolferstone. Upon Monsieur de Grace, his most elaborate piece of Horsemanship and Ferriery. THis Book's informed with a high Genius! this Above the malice of detraction is! Nor needs a friends Encomium blaze it forth, It's proper virtue vindicates its worth: Yet, since, by th' Author's happy care and pain I understood how first to use the reign, And menage sonipes, I could not choose But vent this grateful rapture of my Muse; How that by it he amply doth impart The essence of the Horseman's, Ferriers Art; So that the Horse shall to perfection grow, And no disease his courage brave overthrow. Now I will leave Pegasus airy courses, And sue to mount one of his well-trained Horses. Ed. R. To the Author of the Expert Ferrier. here's Mirror, eak Model of true Honour. Fame wait's on Thy name. Thou waitest upon Her. By Cavall'ry the Golden Fleece thoust won; Therein, Thou art a Non p●reill, That One. Whose Fame shall dye? Thine? It shall remain The age, presaged by Ovid's sublime strain. I. H. D. M. To my ever honoured Friend Tho. de Grace upon his select Piece of Horsemanship and Ferriery. SAge h'ast Thou made our Later age, Thou art the Phoenix of our Time; Certes, Thy rare Piece I presage Hath won the Fleece it's so sublime. My younger Pen cannot but wait on Thee, Whose Name shall ever be most dear to me. Francis Hawkins. THE EXPERT FERRIER. CHAP. I. THE INTRODUCTION. IF we will but take to our serious consideration how many great obligations we have to admire the infinite goodness of Almighty God in creating such a marvellous number of creatures, merely for the use and service of man, whereof no one of them can be wanting; and that amongst them all, we have none more useful, or which can be less spared, than the Horse; no dumb creature more generous, nor any that cometh so near unto the pleasure of man, none can serve him better in time of peace and war, none better for manuring and tilling the earth, and to cause it to produce its fruits; none more useful for bringing in the fruits of the earth; none more behooveful to bear and carry him his long and tedious journeys, in heat and cold, through thick and thin, by night and day; none better to carry him from danger, and to land his master at the port of safety, than the Horse: and for his pastimes and recreations, no creature to be compared to this: neither is there any creature created by the great Creator of all things, which doth so perfectly understand and connive with the nature and mind of man, or that beareth a more inly love to man, as doth this poor creature the Horse; for upon all occasions he sweateth, he trudgeth, he toileth, he drudgeth, he moyleth, he laboureth pro viribus, with great alacrity and cheerfulness (so long as his vital spirits last) to give comfort and content to him that feedeth and cherisheth him, yea and that (I say) with such joy and alacrity, as if (like to a reasonable creature) he found himself obliged thereto in the bond of all sincere duty and gratitude. For should I speak rather like a Philosopher then a Christian, I could not but agnize nature to be admirable in all her works, wherein man doth owe unto her infinite, and those very great thanks, in that she hath accommodated and plentifully furnished him with all things needful for his use, as also in that she hath propagated (amongst all other) the Horse, the most useful for the service of man, and who best acknowledgeth his Master. And that this may be the better anatomised, I will show you what I find recorded by authentical Authors of the excellency of this praiseworthy creature. The so much-renowned Bucephalus, who carried his Master through so many conquered kingdoms, serves for an example to all ensuing ages, who would not suffer any man but great Alexander to backe him, who seemed to be proud at what time he carried so glorious and victorious a charge, and it is also written of him, that being wounded at the siege and sacking of Thebes, he carried him courageously through the troops and throngs of all the combatants, with incredible valour and courage, nothing at all esteeming or prising the loss of his blood, being most desirous, and no less willing to do his master all faithful service, to the utmost of his power, and to the effusion of the last drop of his blood, labouring to purchase unto himself by his (not to be parallelled) valour, and his resolute perseverance, a victorious advantage over the enemy. What neverdying high renown, the horse of Caesar got, I hold little inferior to that of Bucephalus? Dionysius the tyrant of Sicily, in a great and well fought battle, was himself so hard put to it, that he was constrained to forsake his horse, nevertheless the poor beast made his way through the throngs of the enemy; who all bloody and miry as he was, got him to a rendezvous his Stable. Centaurettus of Galatia, having in battle slain Antiochus, he in a bravado mounted his horse, who soon found by good experience, (albeit no whit to his advantage) that the said horse retained a resentment of the death of his slain Master, for the horse so soon as he felt this his new Lord upon his back, never gave over flinging, yarking, plunging, and bownding, commanding the Bit with his teeth, launching out sometimes this way, sometimes that way, with so great impetuosity and fury, that at length he cast his rash rider to the earth, and then fell to him with his heels, redoubling his strokes in so thick and violent a manner, not giving over till he had slain him outright, whereby he gave him little cause to triumph and glory in his temerarious attempt. We read of Nicomedes, King of Bythinia, whose Horse so entirely loved him, as that his Master was no sooner dead, but the Horse presently forsook his meat, and so continued, until such time as he languishing for very grief, died of famine. Virgil, the Prince of Poets, maketh honourable mention of Aethon, the Horse of Pallas, son of Evander, who saith that this Aethon being present at the funeral of his master, wept for sorrow, as these two verses do inculcate: After came Aethon, bold in fight, now weeping, And in his tears, his mournful visage steeping. Silius Italicus in his ninth Book, doth highly extol two horses, to wit, Pelorus and Ciraeus, speaking of them in this manner: Ready Pelorus was to th' hand and rain, Obedient still, and of a generous strain: Hearing his Master's voice, Ciraeus hies, 'Fore the beholders, and the wind of flies. The tractableness and love that the Horse beareth to man, have been the occasion that sundry great personages have reciprocally answered it, by erecting of Statues, and by building of most famous Cities to their honour and memory. Alexander before mentioned, founded an opulent City in honour of Bucephalus, and gave it his name, and celebrated his exequys. The Egyptians erected most magnificent Pyramids, and sumptuous sepulchers to such horses, as had served them well in their wars. Octavius Caesar, and after him, Adrian the Emperor, interred their Horses with great pomp and solemnities, and caused famous Epitaphs to be engraven upon their monuments. The Emperor Commodus, did the like to his Horse Parsinus, and commanded that he should be buried in the Vatican. Romulus did institute Plays and Games called Equitiae, in honour of Horses, and caused them to be presented in the field of Mars. The Ethiopians did so highly esteem of these noble creatures, as that they armed their Helmets with the skins of Horses, suffering their ears to remain on, and they did wear their tails upon their Crests, like as now a day's men use their plumes. Other nations have done the like, who held Horses in no little esteem. We read of a Roman Emperor, who made his Horse a Senator. The ancient Astrologers have likewise attributed so much to Horses, that they have placed one winged amongst the celestial signs. The Poets hold that the Fountain (where the nine Muses used to bathe themselves, and to drink) sprang up, by the blow of the foot which Pegasus gave against the two topped hill, Parnassus. Neptune, God of the Sea, is surnamed Hippius; by reason that (as the Poets do fable) the first Horse that was ever seen, received his origen from him, or from a stone whereon Neptune had poured water. There remaineth much more to be said in honour of the Horse, than their hath been already delivered. Wherefore omitting further Encomiums, and attributes, I hasten to matters of greater consequence. Since therefore the case so standeth, that this dumb creature is by Almighty God given unto man, as a creature of so useful importance, what thankfulness then are we bound to give unto him for so great a blessing and benefit? And therefore what diligence is required of us; yea, and what carefulness ought we to use, in travelling to attain to this so necessary a creature in the most exact manner we are able? Nor can this possibly be acquired to our true content, unless we do apply our best endeavours herein; for the Ancients have this Proverb, All rare and excellent things are hard to compass: and therefore we ought to apply all care and industry to attain unto good Horses, which can never be so well done, as by breeding them; for they must be the Horses that will be able best to serve us in those offices whereunto we shall intent them, according as hereafter shall be most exactly illustrated. CHAP. II. Of the best manner of breeding. THere are so many diversities of opinions so mainly defended pro & con, that maketh men fearful to bring that to public view, which long practice and experience hath brought them to know and understand to be most true and infallible: Nevertheless I presuming that the more judicious may peradventure favour my reasons and grounds; allowing them at least for probable and good, if they shall adventure to make trial, which if they be pleased so to do, I am confident they will both allow and approve of this my manner of breeding, above all other ways heretofore practised; who finding it to be much better, will never be brought from the same method, and therefore I would not have any man to condemn me before he shall first have made trial. My counsel therefore is, that such generous spirits, unto whom Almighty God hath extended his benign hand, would take to their consideration, how needful a thing it is for them to lay hold upon this so noble and profitable a blessing and benefit, by applying their best care and diligence to breed, good, able, and serviceable Horses, which may be as easily performed, and in a manner with as little cost, as in breeding jades and Baffles, unuseful and unprofitable. For by procuring a good and able Stud of choice Mares, and by endeavouring to get select Stallions, which for mettle, spirit, shape, colour, marks, and the like, shall be known to be rightly bred, and truly generous, as well (I say) the Mares as the Stallions; and these, young, handsome, of size indifferent, that is, neither too small, nor too large, long-legged or under-bodied; but well knit, limbed, and jointed; it will be beyond all peradventure but that you shall have Horses fit wherewith to serve your Country upon all occasions, and your own turn and your friends, and acquire to yourself no small honour and commendations both from your Prince, and the weal public. And this the better to be performed, you must understand that some things are necessary to be considered. First, that your grounds be fit for breeding, and those not to be such as be low, wet, fenny, moorish, or marish; but they must be pastures upland, hilly, and in some places stony and rocky, for grounds of this nature are very profitable for your Colts, to scope, run, and play in, it helpeth their wind, it knitteth their joints, and hardeneth and maketh tough their hoofs: some of your grounds ought also not to be without Underwoods', Bushes, Fursells, Broome, and the like; these will serve for shelter at what time the cold winds do blow: the residue of your grounds ought to have Lawns and Plains, wherein should be better grass than the former; and in these Lawns, is needful there should be great Oaks, and such like timber-trees for them whereby to shelter them from the scorching sun in the extreme heats, especially during the time of the Canicular days; and these trees will also defend them from the buzzing and stinging Fly, which otherwise would greatly annoy and afflict them: you must also accommodate your grounds with partitions convenient, as well for change, which sometimes is most requisite, as also whereby to segregate each sort of cattles by itself; as your young and old, race or breeding Mares by themselves, your weanlings by themselves, your Fillies by themselves, and your stoned Colts by themselves, according as your best judgement shall dictate; otherwise your breed will be in confusion, and come to nothing, and so you may run the hazard, to lose both your cost and pains. Places must be also made apart, wherein both your Mares with foal, and those who have their Colts sucking upon them, may run by themselves with all quietness and retiredness; and every of these partitions must be so sufficiently fenced, as that no one sort of cattles can break into the other. And I do yet further advise, that these grounds be well furnished with sweet and wholesome water, whereof ought not to be any want, either in winter or summer, for otherwise you may endanger the tainting and surfeiting of them. Furthermore, that certain Sheds and Hay-houses be erected for them to be fed in during the time of the winter, when grass is scanty and not so much nourishing, and the cold winds, frosts, raines, and snows, may greatly pinch and annoy them; in which housings, would be set up Racks and Mangers whereat to feed them; there would also be laid clean straw for them to lie upon, which will very much comfort and keep them warm: But above all, the greatest care must be had to the fences in general, whether wall (which is evermore the best) pale, quicksets, broad ditches, or high banks, lest they should at any time break forth, and trespass your neighbours to bastardise, and wrong your breed: and you ought also to institute a trusty and diligent Bailiff or servant, whose only function should be to make his fence-walke morning and evening, as duly as any wel-experienced Keeper or Woodman doth his Pale-walke, to see that the fences be fast, and his cattles safe: and let him not fail every day once at the least, to take a true tale and inventary of every sort of cattles he hath in his several grounds, for fear any should be missing, or some misfortune befallen any of them; and it he shall find any wanting, let him not rest searching, until he hath found it; and if it be in danger or sick, let him not give over himself if he can, (otherwise let him haste to call company and strength enough) to free it out of harms way. Now as touching the grounds themselves, as I would not have them too rich, or too rank and deep with grass; so must they not be too barren, short, and mossy; for as well in this subject, as in all other things, the golden means is evermore to be preferred. Having thus provided yourself of a Stud of the choicest and ablest Mares, for age, colour, shape, and marks, your Stallions also of like attributes your care must be to see your Mares well covered, for in this chief consisteth the life and quintessence of your breeding. Be you therefore marvellous careful, that neither your Stallion or Mare, have any of these ensuing defects; viz. neither Moon-eyes, watry-eyes, or Bloud-shotten-eyes, or other defect in their eyes or sight, no taint in their wind by Glanders or otherwise, no way subject to Mainge, Mallender, Sellender, Splents, Spaven, Curb, Ring-bone, Scratches, Kybed-heeles, or any other the like sorances; that they be not Cock-thropled, but their Throples' very lose; for let either Stallion or Mare have any of these maladies, then be you well assured their Colts will take them as hereditary from their Parents: insomuch as when you esteem yourself confident of such young Horses, you so much desired to be master of, you will be mistaken; for instead of a Stirrier or Horse for manage, you have bred him fit for nought else but the plough; and in the place of a Hunter, he proves a Mill-horse; and in hope you had a Horse for a Course, he proves for no better use but the Cart; and him you desire to have for your own Pad-saddle, you will be constrained to sell him to a Carrier, to bear a Packsaddle with a burden. To come to entreat of the time most fitting for covering your Mares, let that be so done, that they may cast their Foles in the dead of winter; as either in December, or january: for during their time of going with Fole, to wit, from the day of their Covering, unto that of their Foling, is commonly 12 months, and 10 days; yet some do aver, they do want 11 days of 12 months, of which computation there is just three week's odds: others again do affirm, that a Mare goeth but only 11. months and 10 days, wherein is greater odds: but I have found it to be a most certain rule which never did fail me (unless in a young Mare upon her first Colt, who will want some few days of the ordinary account) and long and frequent experience hath made me to be very perfect, that a Mare goeth (unless some mischance or other accident hath otherwise occasioned) twelve months and ten days: for when at any time I have been present when a Mare hath been covered, I have in the very minute entered into my Almanac, the very day and hour in which she took the Horse; and because I would not be deceived, I have been present at her foling, and I have found the time never to fail me. And therefore I could wish all breeders to observe with me the same course, and they shall find this account to fall out just as I have delivered. If your Mare be covered about S. Lucy's day, which is the 13 of December, then will she foal about S. Thomas day the same month in the year following: But before you suffer her to be covered, let neither the Stallion or Mare be at grass, but taken into the house, six weeks or a month at the least; during which time, let them be both very well fed with good old Hay and Oates well dusted and sifted, to the end they may have strength and seed to perform the office for which you have them. But if you will have your Mare certainly to conceive, then take blood from both sides of her neck, and let her bleed at either vein well nigh a quart; which must be done five or six days before she is to be covered; and the next day after her bleeding, give her in a quart of new milk, half a iij. of Artimesia, alias Muggewort, chopped very small, a piece of sweet Butter, and ℥ 2. of London Treacle warm; all these put upon the fire till the Butter and Treacle be dissolved, and give this to the Mare bloud-warme in the morning fasting, and so the next morning again, and let her drink be white water. This drink is most sovereign to cause conception, it provoketh seed abundantly, it openeth the pores in the body, and causeth the Mare to keep the seed she receiveth from the Stallion; Moreover this drink comforteth the womb and matrix very much: so as it is great odds but that she being thus ordered, will be sped and conceive, unless she be a Mare of great sterility, which supposed, she is not to be kept for a race or breeding Mare. Moreover, if you be desirous to have your Mare to conceive a Horse-colt, rather than a Filly; observe then this lesson I shall here give you, and you shall find it an infallible rule, which will never miss, viz. At what time you would have your Mare to be covered, Let it be done, when one of the first five masculine Signs do reign, which are either Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, or Leo; but if she shall be covered when any of the Feminine or watery Signs are predominant, as Virgo, Libra Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricornus, Aquarius, or Pisces; then be you confident it will be a Filly. For this have I often tried, and found it seldom or never to fail me, especially if the wind be either West or North (but West is best) at the time of her covering, and you will find this my rule to be most infallible, for experience hath taught it me: And I have attained unto more knowledge by experience, than I was ever able to aspire unto, either by reading and study, or by hearing what others have dictated, taught, or told me: For we have a maxim, Experience is the best and ablest mistress and moderatrix. Now for the manner of the covering of your Mares, let her be brought into some place abroad, and there fastened to some strong post; then bring out to her some stoned jade first to dally with her, and he will provoke her to an aptitude and desire of coity; which done, let the Stallion be led forth towards her, betwixt two or more lusty strong men who may be able to master him if he should prove unruly, and let him leap her; and let this be done in a morning betimes fasting; which done, another man standing by with a pail of cold water ready in his hand, in the very time when the Horse is dismounting, let him cast the cold water upon her shape; which by reason of the coldness, the strength of the caster, and the suddenness thereof, will cause her to shrink in, and truss up her body, and it will be the means to make her retain the seed in the matrix, otherwise the womb would not peradventure so soon enclose it, but for some time after, howsoever the womb would draw together, but not so suddenly, whereby upon the Mare's motion, there might be some danger of dissolving. Take then away the Stallion, and let the Mare be put into some remote place alone, from sight and hearing of other Horses and Mares, but let her neither eat nor drink in four hours after, neither let her have any water at all till night, and then give her either a sweet Mash, or white water. After she hath been thus Covered, you shall know whether or not she hath either conceived, or lost, or cast her seed, by many evident symptoms which will appear to your eye; for if she retaineth a good stomach to her meat, and so continueth, if she do not neigh at hearing or sight of other horses, if she do not piss oft times in the day, casteth not her eye about gazing continually at every noise she heareth, pricketh not up her ears, and that in three or four days after her Covering, her belly seemeth to be more gaunt, her hair more slick and close to her skin, showing of a brighter colour, and she seemeth to fall away and become lean: if (I say) any of these Symptoms do appear in her, then is it an evident sign she hath kept her seed and conceiveth, but if the contrary appear in her, then hath she lost it, and engendereth not. But as for offering her the Horse again ten days after, together with such like circumstances, I hold them impertinent for this place, being so frequently known and practised, and therefore my labour may well be spared. But for her keeping and ordering after her Covering, let her not drink that she desireth, but continue her with the same diet which formerly she had before her covering for three weeks or a month after, lest the seed might fortune to be impaired, before the Colt be sufficiently form in the womb, and let her be kept sweet and clean as may be, and that without any labour or exercise during that three weeks or month: after which term you may if you please, enure her to moderate labour, wherein have a special care of four things: first, that she be not at any time galloped, or run off from her wind: secondly, that she be not put to carry heavy burdens: thirdly, that she be neither laboured or traveled in extreme heat: And lastly, that her exercise be not such which may provoke her to sweat violently, for every of these things will cause her to miscarry. She being thus with foal: she must be kept in the house until mid-May at least, and then let first her shoes be taken off, her feet pared well, the Frush and heels opened, and plates after the manner of running shoes (but not to come home to the heels) set on; let her run in the driest ground you have, yet not so short of grass, but that she may at her ease fill her belly at least once a day, and about the latter end of September, (if not before) let her be very carefully taken into the house, but so quietly that you shall not endanger the hurting of her belly, either by the rushing of other Horses and Mares against her, or through her unruly leaping, or inconsiderate brushing against posts, doors, or the like. Let her be kept thus in the house to the time of her foling, and long after, and let her diet be as before is prescribed. And when the time of her foling approacheth, let her keeper attend carefully upon her, putting her into a house convenient for her, unhaltred and untied, lest in foling, the colt receive damage, by reason that Mares do commonly cast their fools standing: wherefore let not the room whereinto you put her, be too straight, but very warm, (for warmth is a great comfort as well to Mares with foal, as in foling) and let good store of straw be laid, that the Foal may fall from the Mare the softer, and be in less danger of harm, and let her (I say) be watched for fear the Foal come not right; and so soon as she hath fole and licked it dry, let her keeper presently milk and stroke her, and that before the Colt do suck her, which will both cause her to give down her milk, making the same to multiply, and also keep the Udder that the milk do not clod, which if it should do, the Mare might happily in short time become dry, whereof if there be any peril, I then advise you to draw as much milk from her as you can; and boil it with the leaves of Lavender, or Spike, and so bathe her Udder therewith warm, continuing so daily to do, until by this means you have broken the curd, knobs, and knots, causing them to be dissolved. And as for the water which she is to drink for some time after her foling, let it be either sweet Mashes, or white water, & a month after her foling, give her a Mash, putting thereinto the powder of Brimstone, or Savin, or the like, which will be a great preservation of the Colt; & then if she be moderately laboured either at Plough or Harrow, if she will draw, as well the Mare as Colt will prosper the better; provided she be kept from raw meat while she remaineth in the Stable, by which means she will the sooner recover strength, lust, and courage, and have store of good milk, which will cause the Colt to thrive the better, and to grow to be of the greater bone, which above all things is a matter of greatest consequence. And that you suffer not the Colt to suck the Mare when she cometh from work, until she be throughly cold, lest thereby you surfeit the Colt. Thus much I have thought fit to handle of this subject; and albeit I have laboured herein to attain to brevity, nevertheless the premises well considered, I shall not greatly offend in prolixity, howsoever this my manner of breeding being different from the old received customs, will not (I do assure me) pass void of censure. But as touching old customs, thus much I do aver, that as they are in many cases of that force, as no law is able to abrogate; so on the contrary part, many of them are so absurd and ridiculous, as nothing can be more; for what saith the civil Law? Those things which by event or success of time are found to be pernicious or hurtful, even these things ought to be repealed, yea albeit they were at the first found profitable. Which ground holdeth good in nothing so much as in old customs, for of their absurdities, I am able to produce instances not a few, howsoever with many, It is one of Hercules' greatest labours to beat many a man from his old customs be they never so bad, albeit Custom is a mere tyrant, and his sovereignty most insufferable, as a grave Author very well observeth. CHAP. III. How to make and order your Stable. HAving thus waded into this mystery of breeding, I hold it a thing very behooveful to be handled, how your Stable aught to be accommodated. First therefore your Stable should be situate where the air is wholesome, pure, and good, and the ground dry: the structure would be either of free Stone or Brick, but Brick is best, most wholesome and warmest: besides this benefit Brick hath, which Stone hath not, of being very dry, for Stone will weep, and sweat drops of water against rain and misty weather, which begetteth damps, and causeth rheums in Horses. Your Stable ought not to have any unsavoury Gutter, Channel, or Sink near to it; no jakes, Hogsties, or Hen-roost, whereby to annoy it. It would be also seeled over head, and have strong doors, with locks, bolts, and bars unto it. The Rack would not be made too high, or too low, but placed in an indifferent proportion, and so artificially set, that neither the dust or hay-seeds may fall into his Mane, or upon his neck and face. The Manger would be set at an indifferent height, made deep, and of one entire piece, as well for strength, as for conveniency to be kept sweet and clean. Let the flore be pitched with Flint, and not planked. The windows would be made with handsome shuts and casements, and well glazed, as well to keep out cold and wind, as also (when there may be cause) to let in the cool and fresh air. Again, take heed there be no lome wall or plaster, so near as that the Horse may reach thereto with bis mouth: for upon that he will gnaw, which may do him much prejudice, and be the cause of much dangerous sickness, for Lome and Lime are suffocating things, they will infect and putrify the blood, endanger the Lounges, and be no friend to his wind: neither suffer any dung to lie near him. Furthermore there would be made a fair Loft wherein to lay Hay, and convenient lodging chambers for your Grooms, whose nearness, together with their care and vigilancy might prevent many dangers and inconveniences which may accrue unto your Horses by night. Also let a neat Saddle-house be contrived with Bing for Provender, and in it Presses, wherein to lay up the Saddles, Bridles, and all other furniture appertaining to Horfes, and an Aqua-duct wherewith to bring water to the Stable. And lastly, other Stalls would be erected remote, wherein upon occasion to sever the sick from the sound. Many other accoutrements there are belonging to a perfect Stable, as partitions with boards, posts, and bars, with pins driven into every post, whereon to hang Bridles and the like; shelves also fastened to the wall serving for many uses, to place necessaries upon, etc. which being known to all men, will be needless for me here to repeat. But you may peradventure startle at paving, rather than planking your flore, preferring planks as warmer, and much better than flint or a pitched flore can be; as also for that it is a new thing, little practised, and seldom heard. But give me leave (I pray) a little to inform your understanding in this one point, by which means your judgement may fortune to be much bettered. First therefore, whereas novelty may be objected, I shall most easily assoil that point, even from the selfsame ground in the civil Law, which I inserted in the conclusion of the precedent chapter, viz. That things found to be prejudicial, aught to be inhibited, although they might be thought needful, and good in foreknown times. For that paving of Stables is better than planking them, Paving Stab● much b● then pla●ing. I have reasons not a few wherewith to satisfy a reasonable man. First, it is much more durable and lasting, supposing the flore to be pitched by an expert workman: Secondly, it is less charge by much, and therefore in that point the better: Thirdly, for a Horse to stand continually upon a pitched flore, it emboldeneth his feet, and treading the more: Fourthly, it is the most excellent thing that may be for Colts, who are unshod; for it hardeneth their hoofs, so as by custom they will be as bold to go upon stones, rocky and hard ways, as Horses that are shod: neither will a pitched flore suffer the hoof to go abroad in manner of an Oyster: besides the use thereof will make their hoofs more tough, durable, and hollow, insomuch as when they shall come to be shod, and to have exercise, they will carry their shoes much longer, better, and with more ease than otherwise, if they had been used to a planked flore. The inconvenience of a planked flore. Now on the contrary part, which concerneth the planked flore, that (I say) cannot in reason be so good by many degrees. First, it is more slippery, out of which reason a mettled horse may soon be in danger to be lamed or spoilt by some sudden slip, whereof I have had often experience, which a pitched Stable is not so subject unto: Secondly, the planks often times shrinking, the Horse (especially if he be a stirrier who is accustomed to curvet in the Stable) may easily break a plank, and his foot getting into a hole, or between the planks, the horse plunging and striving, may easily break his leg before he shall be able to get it forth, whereof I have more than once been oculatus testis: Thirdly, when you put forth your horses to run at grass all, or the most part of Summer, during which time the scorching heats will so siccicate and dry the planks, which will cause them to warp, and the pins which holdeth them down to the joyces will rot, and so the planks give way, especially when horses (who not being handled in some months before) becoming wild, rammage, and unruly, are newly brought into the Stable, who feeling the planks to move, yield, and give way under them, will fall from starting thereat, to slinging, leaping, bounding and plunging, till they have dislocated the planks, and thereby have endangered both themselves, the residue of their fellows, and those who might come to their help and succour, which is a thing very frequent in a flore of this nature: Fourthly, whereas you may imagine that a planked flore is warmer than a paved or pitched, I do know the contrary; for your pitched flore hath no vaults or channels under them, like as hath your planked, wherewith to convey the water which passeth from the horses; by which means the horse lieth over a moist and dampish place and vault; and besides that, the evil savour of the horsepisse will be evermore in their nose, which is most unwholesome, noisome, and many times the cause of much infirmity; neither can it in reason be so warm as is the pitched flore, for that the chinks and awger-holes bored through the planks (which must always be kept open to let forth the urine) doth give way to the cold wind, which continually ascendeth up to the horse, as well lying as standing, cannot but do him much damage. I do therefore affirm, that if your Groom have a care to litter his horse well, so as he may lie soft and warm, (which is a prime property appertaining to his office) your horse will then prosper, and like much better upon a pitched flore, than he can upon a planked; provided your flore be laid even, not higher before than behind, more than so much that may make the water to avoid to his hinder feet, where there ought to be a small gutter to cause it to pass away, for in raising your flore so much, I do abstract from the ancient ill custom, by reason that a horse standeth higher before than he doth behind, his hinder legs will swell, and so he becometh lame; beside; it giveth him a taint in the back and kidneys; and to conclude, his long standing in this uneasy manner, begetteth in the poor beast much pain and grief, and this occasioneth unto him (which would not otherwise be) the putting forth of Windgals, Pains, Scratches, and such like noisome sorances. Another thing may peradventure be thought strange, which I have handled in the former chapter, where I entreat of breeding; Of the tim● of foling. in that I would have the time of the Mares foling to be, either in December or january, this being in the very depth of winter, as well when the season is commonly coldest, and when little or no grass is to be had, so as of necessity the Mare must be housed, and fed with hard meat, whereby her milk will be in so small a proportion, as either to endanger the starving of the Colt, or else at leastwise keep him so poor and feeble, as not to be able to grow, thrive, or prosper to any purpose. To satisfy this scruple, I say from long experience, that the winter season for a Mare to foal in, beyond all peradventure, is the very best, as well for the Mare as the Colt, supposing she be kept in a warm house; and as for her milk, she will have great plenty, and that much better and more nourishing than that milk which the Colt shall suck from his dam at grass; so as thereby the Colt shall be more lusty, strong, healthy, greater of bone and stature, The Colt better nourished in t●● Stable, th● at grass 〈◊〉 winter. better able to endure hardiness, better knit, cleaner limbed, more neatly jointed and hooved, and keep his flesh better than that Colt that is fole in May, june, or any the hotter months: and my reason is, that albeit grass causeth greater plenitude of milk, (which I deny not) yet is not the same so good and nourishing: for the milk which the Cost sucketh at grass, is very thin and watery; and albeit winter food begetteth not so great a quantity of milk, yet the same will be thicker, more substantial, and of greater nutriment, (the Mare being very well fed) which will feed the Colt very fat, and make him more lusty and strong, (as I have said) then if the Mare the whole Summer and Winter through, and in all the extremity of the heats and colds had been kept abroad. Moreover, the Colt besides the milk he draweth from the Mare, will also feed with her upon Hay, Oates, Bran, and such like food, which will do him much pleasure: But some again will say, that their teeth are so tender, as that they will not be able to chew and eat such kind of hard meats; I answer, they are very much mistaken, for, not only myself alone, but sundry others have with me been eye-witnesses of the contrary; therefore this needs no further solution. And whereas it hath been objected unto me, that that Colt which is fole in May, or Solstice, in that season, the Mare will have store of milk, thus much I do ingenuously confess, but than what manner of milk will it be? None other then such as shall be marvellous thin and waterish, (as I said before) which abundance will also fail, even when the Colt hath most need thereof, that is, when the Colt beginneth to come up to some strength, and at what time he should receive most nutriment, to wit, when the winter cometh on, whose Snows, Frosts, cold raines, and Floods; will not a little nip and pinch the Colt, and enfeeble the Mare in such terrible and desperate manner, that she will want her former plenty of food, warm and dry lodging, and other necessary relief and sustentation, and so in like manner, her abundance of milk, at what time her poor Colt should depend upon the enfeebled Mare, who is not able to supply its own need: by means whereof it must necessarily fall out, that she must bring both herself and her Colt to extreme poverty, not being able to sustain her own life, much less her Colts and her own, and so become feeble before winter be half spent; and over and above all this, the Colt will by his running abroad with the Mare, become so savage and wild, as that if any infirmity should happen to seize upon it, it's own unruliness will be so great, that the cure may thereby become the more difficile: for to speak truly, infinite have been, and daily are the numbers of Colts; yea, and those many times rightly bred, which have miscarried and perished in this nature. I do therefore conclude, and as a friend to my Country aver, that the ablest way to breed up the best and most serviceable Horses, is (as I have before inculcated) after this method and none other; and therefore I am bold to advise all noble Gentlemen who are lovers of good Horses, and of this mystery, to make trial, and to put these my rudiments in execution, and he will never (I do well assure me) hereafter, either altar or swerve from them; for of this kind of breeding, I have had more than forty years good experience: during which time, I intimated these my grounds to a Knight, an intimate friend of mine, who was a great lover of good Horses, and as great a Breeder, as a lover of them, and very well versed in Horsemanship, who hearing my reasons, and throughly digesting them, approved of them so well, as that he fell to follow these my instructions, and esteeming them sufficient, would never be brought from them after; he affirming, no way comparable to this: for he found by plain demonstration, that whereas in former times in breeding (as commonly he did, ten or twelve Colts yearly; when they came to Backing, Riding, and proof of those ten or twelve, he thought himself well appayed, and his labour and cost well bestowed, if two or three at the most proved right, and to his mind; whereas ever after in ten Colts thus bred and reared up, hardly any one miss, which proved not right and to his good liking: and this manner of breeding, made him more in love with this mystery, than ever before, reason dictating it so well unto him. For, most certain it is, when the Stallion and Mare are both right, and have all their true attributes, and the time, season, and manner of breeding, with all circumstances thereunto belonging, punctually and in every point duly observed; it will be a hard matter for the Colt to prove ill: but if otherwise, then marvel not if the Colt answer not your expectation, according to the Greek Adage, which saith; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, jade Sire, jade Colt. Wherefore if upon trial it shall appear to you, that you have hitherto been to seek of the true grounds, and of the original causes why you have not bred so many good Horses as you have desired, do not then wonder that The cause of your error, and of so great a mischief hath stolen upon, and deceived you: for the great decay of good Horses, together with those infinite errors in breeding, and Horsemanship; that increase that is, being in so vile a manner of base jades; have so swarmed in this kingdom, as that (a lamentable case to be related) of one rightly bred, we now adays have a thousand jades; to the great dishonour, disprofit, and weakening both of King and Country. And what is the reason? I shall in a word tell you: It is impossible for a man to bring his work to its wished perfection, who never knew the true grounds of his principles. CHAP. IU. Of the Marks, Colours, and Shapes of Horses. THe next thing befitting our subject, is to speak (albeit briefly) of the Colours, Marks, and perfect Shapes of Horses: Wherein I will first deliver other men's opinions, and lastly, mine own. Some there be who hold that Colours, Marks, and Shapes are little material to make up a perfect Horse, which I will not contradict, for my meaning is not to traduce or control any man: but this I will say, that if a good horse have these properties adherent to his goodness, then is he questionless in much better esteem, for if beauty be added to his other inward virtues, then is he (like to the Nightingale in the beginning of April, heard and harkened unto, more praiseworthy, and better prized. For a horse, who if he be good and serviceable, well mettled, bold, and hardy, of a gentle condition, of a round and comely trot and pace, lightly and well borne, obedient mouthed, sure on foot, tough, strong, and easy; will (I say) not such a horse be well esteemed? But if together with these good properties, there shall be added, good colour, true marks, and perfect shape, which causeth him to appear most beautiful to all beholders: will not these endowments set him the better forth? and cause him to be the better esteemed, of every man desired, and much more money offered for him? nay, shall not you (whose the horse is) be come unto, be sued unto, have letters sent you from sundry friends, and will not yourself prise him at a higher rate than otherwise you would have done? yes assuredly; and hereof I make no question. True it is, and I must confess no less, that a horse may be very good, and perform his function very well, who hath neither good colour, true marks, or perfect shape; nevertheless these extrinsecall virtues are more frequently to be found, and better observed to be in good horses, in whom are colour, marks, and shape; than in horses which are otherwise. Wherefore because these things are termed exterior virtues, and therefore takes its object from the eye only, I will conjoin them altogether in this my discourse, and show you what hath been, and is, the opinion of both ancient and modern Writers. Virgil in his Georgickes, handling most accurately sundry points of husbandry, among other things in his third book of Georgics, describeth the horse, as well his breeding, and his several sorts of employments, as his colour, shape, and marks; yea, and that in most exquisite manner: And thus he beginneth: Let the Males go Without restraint to venery, and so By timely breeds, preserve a perfect kind. Their first age best, all wretched mortals find; After diseases, and old age do come, Labour, and death's inexorable doom. There still will be, whose bodies with thy will Thou wouldst wish changed. Therefore repair them still; And lest thy kind quite lost thou find too late, Prevent the loss, and yearly propagate. And such a choice you must in Horses make, By him, whom you for Stallion mean to take, As hope of all the race, elect with care Even from a tender Fole such Colts as are Of generous race, strait, when at first they're foled, Walk proudly, their soft joints scarce knit, and bold, Dare lead the way, into the rivers enter, And dare themselves on unknown seas to venture. Not frighted with vain noises, lofty necked, Short headed slender bellied, and bro●d backed; Broad and full breasted; let his colour be Brown-bay, or grey, white proves not commonly, Nor flesh-colour, when wars alarms sound, His nostrils gather, and breath fire, no ground Can hold his shaking joints, his fear advances His thicke-curled Mane on his right shoulder dances. His backbone broad and strong, the hollow ground Trampled beneath his hard round hoof doth sound. Such was that Horse, which Spartan Pollux tamed, Fierce Cyllarus, and Mars his Horses famed By th'old Greek Poets, or those two that drew Achilles' Chariot: such a shape and hue At his wives coming, flying Saturn took, And all high Pelion with shrill neighings shaken, Yet when disease or age have brought to nought This Horse's spirit, let him at home be wrought, Nor spare his base old age. A horse grown old Though he in vain attempt it oft, is cold To venery, and when he's brought to try (Like that great strengthless fire in stubble dry) In vain he rages; therefore first 'tis good To mark his age, his courage and his brood, With other arts; how sad a horse will be When overcome, how proud of victory. Dost thou not see, when through the field in speed Two racing Chariots from the Lists are fled, The young men's hearts all rise, as forth they start, And fear with joy confounded strikes each heart? They give their Horse the raynes, and lash them on, Their hurried wheels enflaming, as they run; Now low they go, now rise as they would fly Through th' empty air, and mount up to the sky: No resting, no delay, a sandy cloud Darkens the air, they on through shoutings loud Of standers by, all sweat, and foamed do fly, So great's their love of praise and victory. First Ericthonius Chariots did invent, And by four Horses drawn in triumph went. The Peletronian Lapithes first found The use of backing Horses, taught them bound, And run the Ring; taught Rider's t'exercise In martial ranks, both equal Mysteries: The Masters of both these have equal need To find out Horse of courage, and good speed, Though ne'er so nobly born, though oft in game They won the prize, and for their Country claim Epire, or famed Mycenae, or else took Their birth at first from Neptune's trident stroke. These things observed, at Covering time, they care To make their Stallion strongly fat and fair The father of their brood; for him they mow Choice grass, sweet streams, and corn to him allow, Lest he should fail his pleasant work to do, And th'young ones starvelings from his hunger grow. But they of purpose keep the females light And lean: and when they have an appetite To venery, let them not drink nor eat, And coarse them oft, and tie them in the heat, When in full Barns the ripe corn crowded lies, As empty chaff before the west wind flies. And this they do, lest too much rankness make The breeding, soil, and fatted furrows take Too dull a sense; but that they should draw in Seed with desire, and lodge it safe within. But if thy mind thou more to war do give, Or through Jove's wood, wouldst racing Chariots drive, And swiftly pass by Pisa's river side: Thy first task is to make thy Horse abide To see the soldier's arms, hear their loud voices, The trumpets sound, and rattling Chariots noises, And oft within the stable let him hear The clashing whip, he'll more and more appear To be delighted with his Master's praise, And when he strokes his neck, his courage raise. When first he's weaned from sucking, let him hear These things, and trembling be compelled to wear Soft haulters oft about his head; but when His life hath seen four Summers, teach him then To run the Ring, in order high to beat The ground, and both ways skilfully corvet As if he toiled, then let him with his speed Challenge the wind, and from all curbing freed, Scour o'er the champion fields so swift, that there The sands no print of his light foot do bear. So when the Scythian gusts, and Northwest wind From their cold quarter fiercely blow, and bind The dry clouds up: all o'er the waving field Corn bows with equal blasts; woods tops do yield A murmuring noise, long waves roll on the shore, Forth flies the wind, sweeps lands and waters o'er; Thy Horse thus ordered to the razes end All bloody foamed, victoriously will tend, Or else his tamed neck will better bow To draw the Belgian Chariot; let him grow Full fed, when 〈◊〉 he is broken well, nor fear His growth; so fed before he's broke, he'll bear Too great a stomach patiently to feel The lashing whip, or chew the kerbing steel. But no one care doth more their strength improve, Then still to keep them from venereal love. etc. See how the Horses joints all tremble, when A mere's known scent, he through the air do feel; No stripes, no strength of men, no bit of steel, No Rocks, nor Dikes, or Rivers in his way, Which roll whole mountains, can his fury stay. etc. But strangest far Is those mere's furious love, which Venus sent, When they their Master Glaucus piecemeal rend. Love makes them mount o'er lofty Gargarus, And swim the stream of swift Ascanius. And when Love's flam● their greedy marrow burns, Most in the Spring, (for heat then most returns To th' bones) upon high rocks they take their places, And to the western wind all turn their faces, Suck in the blasts, and (wondrous to be said) Grow great with foal, without the horses aid. Then o'er the Rocks and Valleys all they run, Not to the North, nor to the rising sun, Nor Caurus quarter, nor the South whence rise Black showers, which darken and disturb the skies. Hence flows thick poison from the groynes of these Which Shepherds truly call Hippomanes; Hippomanes, which oft bad Stepdames use, And charming words, and baneful herbs infuse. But time irreparable flies away. etc. Du-Bartus that famous French Poet, doth likewise in his Treatise of the Handicrafts, excellently describe the colour, shape, and properties of a good horse, in the fourth part of the first day of the second week, which beginneth thus: Cain as they say with his deep fear disturbed, Then first of all th'undaunted Courser kerbed; That whilst about another's feet he run With lusty speed, he might his deathsman shun. Among a hundred brave, light, lusty Horses, (With curious eye marking their curious forces) He chooseth one for his industrious proof, With round, high, hollow, smooth, brown, jetty hoof; With pasterns short, upright, (but yet in mean) Dry sinnowy shanks, strong, fleshless knees, and lean, With Hartlike legs, broad breast, and large behind, With body large, smooth flanks, and double chined: A crested neck, bowed like a halfe-bent bow, Whereon a long thin curled Mane doth flow: A firm-full rail, touching the lowly ground, With dock between two fair fat buttocks round. A pricked ear that rests as little space As his light foot; A lean, bare, bony face, Thin jowl, his head yet of a middle size, Full lively flaming, sprightly rolling eyes: Great foaming mouth, hot fuming nostrils wide, Of chestnut hair, his forehead starrified: Two milky feet, a feather on his breast, Whom seven years old at the next grass he guest. This comely jennet gently first he wins, And then to backe him actively gins. Steady and strait he sits, turning his sight Still 'twixt the ears of his Palfrey light. The chafed horse, such thrall ill suffering, Gins to snuff, to snort, to leap, to fling; And flying swift his fearful Rider makes, Like some unskilful Lad that undertakes To hold some Ships Helm, whilst the headlong tide Carries away its vessel, and her guide; Who near to drowned in the jaws of death, Pale, fearful, shivering, faint, and out of breath, A thousand times (to heaven erected eyes) Reputes him of so bold an enterprise: But sitting fast, less hurt then feared, Cain Boldens himself, and his brave horse again Brings him to pace, from pacing to his trot, From trot to gallop, after runs him out In full career, and at his courage smiles, In sitting still, he runs so many miles. His pace is fair and free, his trot is light As Tiger's course, or Swallows nimble flight: And his brave gallop seems as swift to go, As Biscaine Dart, or shafts from Russian Bow. But roaring Canon from his smoking throat, Never more speedy spews the thundering shot (That in an Army mows whole squadrons down, And batters bulwarks of a summoned town) As this light-Horse sends, if he do but feel His Bridle slack, and in his side the heel; Shunning himself, his sinewy strength he stretcheth, Flying the earth, and flying air he catcheth; Born whirlwind like, he makes the trampling ground Shrink under him, and shake with doubling sound, And when the sight no more pursue he may, In fieldy clouds he vanisheth away. The wise-waxed Rider not esteeming best, To take too much now of his lusty beast; Restrains his fury, then with learned wand, The triple-corvet makes him understand: With skilful voice he gently cheers his pride, And on his neck his flattering palm doth glide: He stops him steady still, new breath to take, And in the same path brings him softly back: But th'angry Steed, rising and rearing proudly, Striking the stones, stamping, and neighing loudly; Calls for the combat, plunges, leaps, and prances, Becomes the path, with sparkling eyes he glances; Champs on his burnished Bit, and gloriously His nimble Fetlocks lifteth belly-high; All side-long jaunts, on either side he justles, And's waving crest courageously he bristles; Making the gazer's glad on every side To give more room unto his portly pride. Cain gently strokes him, and now sure in seat, Ambitiously seeks still some fresher feat: To be more famous, one while trots the Ring, Another while he doth him backward bring: Then of all f●●re he makes him lightly bound, And to each hand to menage rightly round: To stop, to turn, to caper, and to swim, To dance, to leap, to hold up any limb: And all so done, with time, grace, ordered skill, As both had but one body and one will: T'one for his art no little glory gains, Tother through practice by degrees attains Grace in his gallop, in his pace agility, Lightness of head, and in his stop facility: Strength in his leap, and steadfast menagings, Aptness in all, and in his course new wings. &c A famous Ferrier of Paris delivereth these colours of a good horse, which because they are in French verse, I have englished them verbatim thus. If you desire a horse thee long to serve, Take a brown-bay, and him with care preserve: The gray's not ill, but he is prized fare That is coal-black, and blazed with a star: If for thyself, or friend, thou wilt procure A horse, let him white-Lyard be, he'll long endure. And the same Frenchman showeth, what be also the properties and mark●s which a good horse ought to have; Of the colours of a Horse. whereof three are to be of an Ox, three of a Fox, three of a Hart, and three of a Woman. Those three of an Ox, are to have, a fair, and full eye, a large neck, and to be strong and short jointed. Those three of a Fox, are, to have a comely and short trot, small, and long ears, and a bushy tail. Those three of a Hart, are to have lean and dry legs, to be well risen before, and a lean head. Those three of a Woman, are to be large and fair breasted, to have a beautiful and full hair, and gentle to his Rider and Keeper. The same Author delivereth yet further what ought to be the colour and shape of a good horse. Those horses (saith he) that are of a chest-nut colour, with Mane, and Tail black, are commonly good. The Sorrel, if his Mane, Tail, Knees, Fetlocks, and list along his back, be black, and are for the most part good, if they be otherwise free from evil conditions; as not at any time to lie down in the water, restife, and such like bad qualities. The Brown-bay, Dunne, Dapple-grey, iron-grey, if their extremities be black, are many times very good, if they be well chosen. All horses (saith he) must have good Legs, Of the shape of a Horse. good Feet, and their Fetlocks must not be overcharged with hair; they must have also good eyes, obedient mouthed, and well mettled: they must not have fat or fleshy legs, but to have a great belly, well risen before, strait backed, not charged with overgreat shoulders, he must have a thin bended neck, like a Carp back, a good Crupper, large Thighs, round well spread Buttocks, and a train well set on: a lean, dry, and thin Head, a full sparkling Eye, a wide Nostril, a wide, thin, & lean jaw, a lose Thropell, a well-trussed-together Body, and Legs not too long being thus accooterd and shaped, it is probable he will be very serviceable. He also showeth signs whereby to know the good or evil sight of a horse. How to know the good light from the bad of a horse. Every horse (saith he) hath a feather in his Face betwixt his eyes: if the said feather be high above the eyes, then hath he assuredly a good and perfect sight; but if the feather be below his eyes, the horse than hath oft times a bad sight: Observe this rule well, and you shall find it to be a thing most certain. He also giveth other marks touching the Legs of a horse: which briefly are, that a horse must have his forelegs above the knees, to be strong, flat, and large, albeit the lower part of the Legs be small: provided he have a good foot, which supposing, he may prove a horse of long continuance. Another Author speaking of the colours of Horses, Which be the best colours of a Horse. doth denominate them after this manner, viz. A Brown-Bay, a Black-Roan, or Black full of silver hairs Coal-black, Chest nut, Dark-Bay, Fly-bitten, or White-Lyard. The Brown-bay is so highly esteemed with all Nations, as that they do with one assent always rank him in the very first place of colours: the Italians and French do so much prise the Brown-Bay, as that they evermore call that colour Bayary loyal, the Loyal Bayard, or more properly according to our English phrase, Trusty Bayard. The French, Italians, and Germans do very far commend and prefer three sorts of colours in Horses: to wit, the Brown-bay, the Chest-nut, and the Coal-black; but they do evermore prefer the Brown-bay to the first place. Master Blundevile, and Master Markham do both accord in the choice of the Colours of the Horse, and they never do fail in preferring the Brown-bay to the first place. What shall I need speak any more of Colours; I will now proceed to their Marks, wherein, albeit in most things all in a manner do agree; yet only in some few points there is some small difference. All generally assent in the white star, and white foot, if the blaze be not too broad, or the foot too high white above the Pastern, for than it is called hosed, or Buskened: some commend the shimme, Of the m● of a Hors● or raze down the Face, if it be not much broader than a threepenny silk Ribben, but than it must come to end just between the Nostrils, and not be more on the one side of the Face, than on the other. This indeed is of all true Horsemen esteemed a most beautiful good Mark, and well becometh a good Horse. Some would have the foot being white, to be on the fare foot behind, and some again on the near foot before: I have heard some highly commend the Horse to have two white feet a cross, to wit, the far-foote behind, and the near foot before, like as had a Horse of the old Lord Sands, being a Courser, which he brought out of Italy, with so much charge, labour, and peril of his life, (as his Lordship did sundry times report unto me,) which was of a dark Bay, and his two feet a cross white, howsoever I have known some Horsemen, dislike of the same Marks, yet I could never hear the reasons of their dislike. A Knight of my acquaintance would highly commend the Horse, who had a white foot, which was bespeckled with black motley spots; affirming that a Horse so marked did betoken good mettle, great valour, and a heroic spirit, for he would always call such a Horse, Equus generosus, a Horse of a brave spirit; and this he would report, was taught him by old Sir Henry Lea, that famous Horseman, and no less excellent Breeder, of whom this Knight bought many delicate Colts, some of which were thus marked. All good Horsemen do attest, that the Horse with much white upon his face, raw nosed, sheath, yard, tuell, & hoofs white, skin white, and legs hosed, & wal-eyed; is generally weak, faint, of a cowardly condition, tender, and washy of flesh, subject to rebellion, restifenes, to starting, stumbling, evill-sighted, subject to tyre, dangerous to his Keeper, for biting and striking; and in a word, of a most base, and evil condition. For the countenance is the true Index of the mind: And a lewd look prognosticateth a lewd condition: And again; a deformed countenance doth delineate a wicked and deformed disposition and manners. Feather ●den to 〈◊〉 good m● in a Ho●● It is holden for a good Mark in a Horse to have many Feathers about his body, as upon his forehead, so it be situated above the eyes, and the higher it stands, the better: also upon the middle of the Neck near to the Crest, under the Neck in the middle of the Throple, upon the Breast, and upon both the Flanks, and upon both Buttocks, which for Horses to have Feathers in these, and such like places, is most commendable. Now as touching the perfect and true shape of a Horse, wherein we have more contrariety of opinions, than are either in the Colour or Marks, whereof I have given you a taste already: Nevertheless, I will demonstrate how fare commonly all do meet in the shape of a well timbered Horse. The perfect shape of a Horse. First therefore it is required that the hoof be black, smooth, dry, large, round, and hollow: the Pasterns strait, and upright, Fetlocks short, the legs strait, and flat, called also lath-legged, the knees bony, lean and round, the neck long, high-reared, and great towards the Breast, the Breast large and round, the Ears small, sharp, long, and upright, the Forehead lean, and large, the Eyes great, full, and black, the Brows well filled and shooting outwards, the jaws wide, slender, and lean, the Nostrils wide, and open, the Mouth great, the Head long, and lean like to a Sheep, the Mane thin and large, the Withers sharp and pointed, the Back short, even, plain, and double chined, the Sides, and Ribs deep, large, and bearing out like the cover of a Trunk, and close shut at the hucklebone, the Belly long, and great, but hid under the ribs, the Flanks full, yet gaunt, the Rump round, plain, and broad, with a large space betwixt the Buttocks, the Thighs long, and large, with wel-fashioned bones, and those fleshy, the Hams dry, and straight, the Truncheon small, long, well set on, & well couched, the Train long, not too thick, and falling to the ground, the Yard, and Stones small; and lastly the Horse to be well risen before. And to conclude, the perfect shape of a Horse, according as a famous Horseman hath described, is in a few words, thus; Viz. A broad Forehead, a great Eye, a lean Head, thin, slender, lean, wide jaws; a long, high-reared Neck, high-reared Withers; a broad, deep Chest, and Body; upright Pasterns, and a narrow Hoof: And this is the common allowed, and approved shape of a perfect Horse; so as if any of these things be deficient in him, he cannot be said to be a Horse of a perfect Shape: Wherefore I conclude that if a Horse of a good Colour, well Marked, and rightly Shaped, and right also by Sire, and Mare; it will be seldom seen that he should prove ill, unless his Nature be alienated, and marred, either in the Backing and Riding, or else that he be otherwise wronged, and most shamefully abused by the means of a hare-brain, negligent, or inconsiderate Rider or Groom. But I may in this point be taxed to hold a Paradox; for some may object unto me, that many times Horses, who are of the best Colours, best Marks, and truest Shapes, do nevertheless prove arrant jades, restive, stubborn, ill natured, subject to tiring, and the like: I answer, I acknowledge all this to be most true, for I have known Horses, who upon their first view, have been in extrinsecall show so hopeful, as that they have promised what a man could expect from them; which notwithstanding when they have come to the test, they have been a scandal to their sex; but this is not a thing frequent, for in every one of these who have thus miscarried; you shall have twenty who will prove right, and answerable to your mind: I have also known Horses, which wanting these good attributes, and who have been as different from those we call good, even as Chalk is from Cheese, who have proved very good Horses: howbeit I will not counsel you to breed upon such an one, who albeit he may bring you Colts, yet I dare not promise you he shall ever bring you a good Colt, whereof I have oftimes made trial, as well for Horses of Mennage, as for Hunters, and Horses for the Course. Neither need there any more be said upon this subject. CHAP. V Of the Office of the Rider and Groom. HAving now bred Colts according to my instructions, which you may well hope will prove to your mind and best liking, nevertheless some things there yet remain whereof duly to consider; and that is; that when you have thus (I say) bred your Colts which you may very well hope are right, your eye and judgement for Shape, Colour, and Marks promising no less; it then behooveth you to be very cautelous in the Handling, Breaking, Riding, and wel-ording them, whether you intent them for Menage, Course, Hunting, or the Road; in any of which an especial care would be had to provide you of Riders, Grooms, and Keepers, such as shall be known to be expert in their faculties; in which principally consisteth either their direct making, or marring, and final ruin. For we cannot say, that a Colt (yet unhandled) at three or four years of age, is or can be a perfect good Horse, whilst he remaineth (I say) unridden, unhandled, and unmade, until such time, as he hath been taken up into the Stable, made gentle, taught to lead, content to be shod, to be Backed, Broken, Ridden, Weighed, Mouthed; and to be brief, brought to his utmost perfection. By this time, you will come to be able to know and understand his true Worth, Virtue, Nature, Disposition, and Quality, his Pace, his Rain, or Bearing his Toughness, Strength, and Affability, his true worth and goodness, and what other attributes are befitting a generous Horse. What manner of man a Rider ought to be. His Rider therefore must be an expert and able Horseman, and his Keeper every way as sufficient; otherwise what defects you shall find in your Horse, are not to be attributed to him, but either to his Rider, or to the Groom. Wherefore your care must be, that both Rider and Groom be known sufficient, lest for want of true science, your Horse may eftsoons be brought to assume such sinister conditions, from which he will not be weaned in a long time after. Wherefore if your Rider be known to be an able man, and your Groom sufficiently skilful; you must then expect that perfection from your horse, you ever hoped. For my part thus much I aver, that this Noble Science (Noble, I call it for that it is a faculty well beseeming a truely-Noble Gentleman) is an art wherein I have been versed and traveled for more than forty years, as well at home, as in parts abroad, in which I have most diligently consumed much time, as well to the labour of my body and mind, as to my no small expense: and it doth not a little trouble me that in places where I come here in England, I do find so few Horsemen, (considering it is an Island which doth abound in Horses, whereof no kingdom under heaven more) and yet so many Braggadochies there be, who will so crack and boast of their skill in this heroic Science; and when I shall begin to discourse with them of Horsemanship, they will talk so sillily, and so impertinently, as makes me blush to hear them: insomuch as I have much trouble with my patience in forbearing to let them know their absurd folly: and if I but ask them any easy question concerning this mystery, they presently fall into strange and preposterous discourses, venting many incredible wonders, as fare from sense, and as high above the Moon, as the Moon is above us: and they are as poor, and as ignorant in the true nature and knowledge of the Art, as not to be able to understand the very first grounds and principles in Horsemanship. Others there be, who have attained to so much superficial speculative knowledge, by reading the works of Master Blundevile, Master Markham, and others, getting thereby some glimpse of speculation, but less true practice, (wherein is as much difference as betwixt us and the Antipodes,) and therefore in what esteem they either are or can be among Horsemen, is most easy to be imagined. Others there are, who being so active and dexterous, as to be able to sit a rough unridden Colt, a few plunges, by fast holding with both hands to the Mane and Pommel, and by clinging with their legs close to the body of the horse, till by striving and his violent disordered agitation, he hath put himself from off his wind; he will not stick presently to promise to himself, the true and entire mystery of able Horsemanship. Others again I oft meet with, who by sometimes frequenting the Muse, and other places, where Riders use to menage; who after have made no bones to cry themselves up for as good & as able Horsemen, as any in England. Others I do very well know, who by reading, have made some petty practice howsoever (God knows) to very small purpose (so fare forth as their diminutive skill was able to extend) upon such (not rightly bred Geldings, and small Nags of their own) wherein they have assumed unto themselves so much pretended knowledge, as that they have in their disjointed discourses, not spared to tax the famous Alexander's, and other eminent Riders of this our kingdom for Novices, and mere ignorant Horsemen. Such (I say) is the vanity and arrogancy of these our days, in which ignorance dareth to adventure to traduce knowledge, and Vice lay an obloquy upon Virtue. For unless a man do arrive unto the depth of profound knowledge, he shall be derided but l●ke as he either hath or hath it not, he shall be ●ither commended or scorned. For you shall not see one in a hundred of th●se pretenders of knowledge, who doth (not so much as) understand the terms of this generous mystery; and therefore I may truly say of them; that, Not to know the terms or principles, is to be ignorant of t●e Art itself: And yet I have known some of these so impudently weak, as to take upon them to teach, whereat I have not a little marvelled, it being a general received rule, viz. It is impossible for any man to teach that which he never learned. And further a venerable Author saith, He that will be his own scholar, shall be sure to have a fool to his master. For assuredly, great folly and weakness is to be observed in that man, who shall take upon him to be a master or teacher, who never knew what it was to be a scholar. But if you desire to have your Colts come to the height of perfection, let then your care be to furnish yourself of a good Rider, and such an one who is well known and cried up to be an exquisite Horseman. He must not be of life dissolute, or debauched, nor of nature harsh, furious, choleric, or hayre-braind: for the least of either of these vices, are unbeseeming a person of this profession: but he must be of life sober, and in his function laborious and diligent, of complexion Phlegmatic, and patiented, he must be master of his passions; for A wise man knoweth how to conquer and overcome himself: for that Rider that is choleric, rash, hasty, and soon provoked to impatience, can never make a good Horseman, let him love the Art never so well, neither shall he be able to make a horse so perfect as otherwise he might have done, were he otherwise conditioned; but let him apply his best endeavours, yet that horse he makes shall have defects, which his inconsiderate harshness hath caused. For if your young horse be rightly organised, and as well natured, as well mettled, and as correspondent for marks and colours, he seldom proves ill in the making, supposing his Rider be master of his Art, but if otherwise, by which means he do fall into imperfections or vices: it is not much to be wondered at, for those his evil conditions and faults are not so much to be imputed to the horse, as to his teacher, and as touching curstness and correction to be, used to young horses, we have a general rule in Horsemanship, which is, that he is not cried up for a good Horseman, who wanteth knowledge how to bring his horse to perfection by sweet and gentle means, rather than by correction and severe chastisement: yet that correction must sometimes be used, no man but knoweth, to be as necessary as his meat; nevertheless let correction be so considerately applied, as not therein to exceed the limits and bounds of moderation, Let it (I say) be done, to amendment, and not to destruction or confusion, and utter marring of him: for discretion in a case of this nature is a most precious jewel, and highly to be valued, and when his Rider shall at any time correct him, let it be done in the very instant when he offendeth, and doth justly merit the same, and not otherwise, for else he will not know the cause why he was chastised, whereby he becometh rather confounded than amended: so on the other side, when the horse doth well, let him be cherished and much made of, which will the better encourage him in the same way of going forward in well-doing. What manner of person a Groom ought to be. And as touching the Groom, he must be a man who must truly love his horse, and so shape his course towards him, as that the horse may love and dote upon his Keeper, otherwise the horse may soon get so many evil habits, which he will not easily alter or forget. For as Aristotle learnedly saith, Like as you order him, so shall you find: For the horse by nature is the most loving creature to man of all other bruit creatures, and none more obedient, none more intelligible, none more desirous to please; wherefore if he be sweetly, mildly, and plausibly dealt with, he will be also reciprocal: Otherwise if his Keeper be harsh, furious, choleric, and passionate, the horse will be put besides his patience, stare and see boggards in his Keeper's face, become rebellious, fall to striking, biting, and other vices, to the often endangering as well of the life and limbs of his Keeper, as of his Rider, and others: for the old proverb is most true, Patience once wounded or wronged, is soon turned into fury and rage. For the horse is not said to be Creatura animalis, a creature endued with a reasonable soul; but is, Creatura simpliciter animata, a creature which hath only life and sense, as learned Philosophers do teach: a creature (I say) in whom is only life, sense, and memory, but discourse he hath not, and therefore must be governed by judgement and discretion. If therefore your Groom be a man of a lose, evil, and debauched life, or not otherwise able to govern, or to master his passions, he is wholly unfit to supply this place, and to take a charge of this nature upon him: yea he must be a man of a boundless patience, he must be judicious and discreet, by which means he may with the greater facility, and less difficulty, bring his horse to be of the same identity, parity, and essence with himself, their loves and hearts truly united; so as he may at pleasure, mould and fashion him into what form he desireth: he must continually toy, dally, and play with him, and teach him to play the wanton, be always talking and speaking pleasing words and phrases unto him: he must lead him abroad morning and evening when the sun shineth warm, and then run, scope, and show him all the delight and contemment he is able: he must duly curry, rub, and dress him, wipe, dust, pick, and cleanse him, feed, pamper, and cherish him, keep him warm and sweet, be always fiddling and doing some thing about him, be often tampering with his heels and legs, often taking up his feet, rapping him gently upon the soles, and knocking him softly upon the coffins, until his Keeper hath taught him to take up any foot of himself at first bidding: his Keeper must have him always so clean of his body, setting upon his coat so perfect a gloss, as that a man may almost see his face upon it. His feet would be kept stopped, and the coffins daily anointed, his heels free from scratches, and other such like sorances: and his Keeper ought also to keep so continual a vigilant eye upon him, and all his actions, as well in his feeding and drinking, as otherwise, whereby no symptoms of sickness or infirmity (inward or outward) shall be able so soon to show its head, but they may be as easily, and as soon cured and amended, or else prevented: for to amend a fault in the beginning, is far better and more easy, than when it hath been long accustomed: for our old Proverb is, Things are sooner prevented, than amended. But I am loath to wade any further into this subject, for this is not that I intended when I began: yet sithence I am thus fare embarked in it, I will give you a few rules which may be profitable both to the Master and the Groom, which if they be well observed, you may undoubtedly keep your horse long in very good estate and health. Rules f●● be obs●● First therefore before you put your horse to grass (I speak now of horses which have been ridden and exercised) some four or five days; or a week before, take blood from him according as your discretion or the Ferrier by his Art shall dictate: the next day after, give gun the drink of Diapente, mentioned in lib. 2. chap. 7. § 2. with good Sack, and let him after his drink be enured to hardiness some days before his turning forth, by taking by degrees his from him, lest by doing things on a sudden, he fortune to take more cold, than you can easily cure: neither would I have you put him forth till the midst of May at the soon, for till that time, grass will not have bit enough for him to fill his belly, nor the season warm enough, (and let the day wherein you turn him forth be a warm Sunshine day, and about the hour of ten;) for Horses pampered in warm stables, and kept close, will be subject to take cold; if a discreet order, and course be not taken with them. Secondly, let him be taken up from grass about the feast of Saint Bartholomew, which is upon the 24. day of August, or soon after, for then the season doth begin to let fall cold dews, which betideth no good, but much harm to your horse, and then beginneth the heart of grass to fail, so as the grass which then he seedeth upon, breedeth no good nutriment, but gross phlegmatic and cold humours, which putrefieth and corrupteth the blood. Let your horse (I say) be taken up about the day before mentioned, but with all the quietness may be, for fear of heating him, by reason his grease he got at grass is tender, so as every little motion will dissolve the same, whereby the blood may be inflamed, and so the Horse be brought into eminent peril at least of sickness, if not of death. A day or two after you have him in the Stable, or sooner, let him be shod, and let blood, and drenched, as before is showed you; for this preventeth Yellows, Stavers; and such like diseases, which the Gaul, and Spleen occasioneth, which the heart and strength of grass (through the rankness of the blood) doth engender in his body; Then purge and cleanse him both outwardly and inwardly, like as you are taught in lib. 2. chapter 2. Thirdly, search your Horse's mouth, both then and at other times often, for fear of Barbes, Bigs, Blisters, and Cankers, and such like maladies which are very incident to breed in the mouths of Horses, which by the colour of the spots of his Gums, Tongue, and Mouth you may perceive, and so the better and more easily both prevent, and cure all such diseases as are inherent to those parts. Fourthly, rub and wash sometimes your Horse's mouth, and tongue with vinegar or Verjuice mingled with bay salt, but Verjuice is the better, and let some pass down his throat, for it is both wholesome and good. Fiftly, observe your Horse's Eyes, and Countenance, which if you do find them to be heavy, drowsy, and dull, then be you confident all is not well within him: Then take blood from him, and give him the drink of Diapente, or Diatesseron, and he shall do well again. Sixtly, observe well his standing, and his going, if you do perceive him to felter with any of his feet be it never so little, or else which foot soever he doth favour, let the Groom presently take up that foot, and examine it, if he can feel any place warmer than other, let him now assure himself something is amiss there, take off the , and search the foot carefully, to see whether gravel, or nail be any cause thereof; but if you do find all well there, search the heel and frush, if you find not any thing there, search higher for some swelling that may be in the pastern-joynt in the leg, or back sinew; and when he hath found the fault, and cause of his complaint, let him presently inform the Ferrier, who is to apply his remedies, and by this means he shall discharge his duty as well becometh him. Seaventhly, observe also if he put forth his foot more than usually he was wont to do; then assure yourself the grief lieth either in the knee or shoulder; if it be so, presently advertise the Ferrier, who knoweth what is best to be done with him. Eightly, when you are to take your journey with him, water him in the House, and give him his breakfast of good clean Oats, sweet, and wel-sifted; then bridle him and tie him up to the Rack, then curry, dress, and saddle him, but draw not the girts too straight till you come to take his back; then presently cast his cloth over him lest he take cold, and when you come to take his back, draw his girts straight, and so on God's name begin your journey, but for a mile, two, or more, go fair and softly, for if you heat him too soon, he will not digest his meat, but crudityes will arise in his stomach, which you shall perceive by his scouring & purging, as he travaileth, whereby you may either founder him in his body, or else cause a Calientura, burning Fever, or some other worse infirmity to seize him: and as you do travel him, when you are come some four or five miles from home, a light from him, and walk him, sometimes standing still to see if you may provoke him to stolen, for it is very wholesome and good, which you may also do well to attempt when you dismount and walk him down any hill: and some three miles before you come to your journey's end, Ride him into some River or other watering place, unto his belly, but no deeper in any wise, and then let him drink, yet not so much at the first, as he desireth, but by degrees, first taking up his head to cause him to wash his mouth, whereby to free it from filth & foam; Then let him drink half his draught, and lastly, so much as in reason he will: Then observe upon what pace you brought him to the water, with the same pace, (and neither softlier nor faster) Ride him a mile or better, by which time he will have warmed the water in his belly, without taking cold or harm. This watering him thus, will very much refresh him, cause him to forget his wearisomeness, and when he shall come to eat, it will be with very good appetite, which otherwise he would not have done. A mile at least before you come to your journey's end, slack your pace, and begin to go more softly, to the end he may not be too hot when he shallbe set up, have him without delay into the Stable warm, well littered up to the belly; but take heed you suffer him not to be either walked, or washed, for these two things are very pernicious, and most dangerous for him, and the cause of more sickness, sorances, and death to Horses, then of all other things beside. So soon as you have brought him into the Stable, the first thing you do, off with your Coat, and tie him up to the empty Rack; then litter him up to the belly, ungird him, take off his Saddle, rub his back with speed, and put his cloth upon him, and upon that his Saddle again, and gird him with his Sursingle, then make clean his stirrups, stirrop-leathers and Girts, and rubbe him down, both Legs, Belly, Body, Breast, Head, Face, and Neck, and so stuff him up with clean dry straw, and let him stand so upon the Bitten an hour, evermore looking upon him lest he sweat a new, which if you shall perceive, then to allay it, take away some of the straw wherewith he is stuffed, and he will cool again; if you find him in good temper, unbridle him, and wash his mouth with water and salt, and wash also his Bit, and so bridle him up again, and give him some good Hay in his Rack to champ upon, for half an hour's space. After come to him again, and then unbridle him, put on his Coller-halter, and so give him fresh Hay to eat: Then rub him all over, and so let him stand till you have supped; then come to him, and give him either a sweet mash or white water, which when he hath drunk, let him eat Hay for half an hour after, and then give him his Provender, but by degrees, not too much together, for fear of cloying him, which so soon as he hath dispatched, unsaddle him, and rub his body all over, cloth him up warm, and whisp him up round with small whisps: Which done, rub his legs dry, pick, and stop his feet, and anoint the Coffins and Cronets of his Hoofs, giving him Hay for all night: and lastly shake up his litter about and under him, that so he may lie soft, and warm: and thus doing, leave him to his rest. The next morning, come to him early; and first observe whether or not he hath laid down; then look upon his Ordure, whether it be laxative or costive, or if he hath avoided any grease, which if he hath, give him with his Oats, a handful or two of Hempseed, and so order him as you are accustomed, or otherwise as you in discretion do find to be most requisite. Many other rudiments there are to be given, which for that they are so commonly known to every Groom, are impertinent to rehearse: Only in a word for a close, I say, that a good Groom ought to be a man of good life, and sober demeanour, no Tipler, no haunter of Alehouses, or Taverns, (like as too too many are) no liar abroad from his Horse in the night, nor long from him in the day, and an early riser; the Stable must be his Compting-house; he must not be so intimate with any as with his Horse; have intercourse with none so much as with him he must be his principal associate, and make him of his Cabbinet-councell: his Horse must be his only Idea, the only Mistress whom he must court, and serve: and so soon as he doth suspect but any the least inconvenience in him; let him instantly impart it to the Ferrier, and look what the Ferrier doth give in directions, let his Keeper diligently observe, and execute accordingly; for it is an argument of a proud and preposterus condition in a Groom, to swarve from the instructions which the Ferrier shall at any time give. Ninthly, as the Groom must have a special care he do not pine, or under-meate his Horse, in his diet; so he must be as cautelous he do not cloy him, by laying before him too much Provender at once: but his way must be to give him little at once, and often; he must eat up all before he give him any more, yea he must eat it with good appetite, otherwise he may mar his appetite utterly, and bring him to loathe his Provender, and look what Hay and Provender he doth at any time give him, let it be sweet, wel-dusted, and throughly purged from Feathers, Hens-dung, Cats-dung, stones, gravel, and such like filth, which are things hurtful and troublesome to his stomach and feeding; for they will cause him to refuse and forsake his meat, unless pure hunger shall constrain him thereunto; for such kind of nasty meat, & food will engender in him noisome & noxious infirmities. Tenthly, as touching the furniture and caparison which the horse is to wear, the Groom must be careful to keep them clean, bright, and handsome: the Saddles, after sweeting and travel, well ayred in the Sun and wind, and after beaten and dusted, the stirrups wiped clean, with the strops and other such like leathers thereto belonging and appertaining, and so put up safe and handsomely with their cases and cover upon them to preserve them from dust: the foot (if he have any under his charge) cleansed, brushed, and neatly folded up; the Bits taken from the Head-stals, and clean washed, dried before the fire; and wrapped up in an oily cloth to keep them from rust and canker, and the Bosses carefully also made clean, together with their Bits, and so laid up in the Press or Chest made for such like purpose. The Head-stals and Reynes, Croopers, and other accoutrements would likewise be wiped, made very clean, and hanged up in the Press in their proper places: the Girts, Sursingles, Stirrip-leathers, and such like necessaries, would be diligently viewed and examined, cleansed, and made clean, and if any thing be amiss or broken, let it be mended incontinently, lest they should be to do when they were to be used: In conclusion, nothing should be out of order at any time, but every thing (as well Stable as Saddle-house) kept clean, neat, and sweet, which will purchase unto the Groom no small respect with his Lord or Master, and much more reputation and applause of so many as shall be an eyewitness thereof. THE EXPERT FERRIER. The Second Book. CHAP. I. Of what points consisteth the office of the Ferrier: Handled Dialoguewise. Hyppophylus. MAster Sergeant Ferrier, you are well encountered, I have been often at your house and shop, with a desire to have spoken with you, but could never have the good fortune to find you at home. Hyppiatrus. Sir, it may well be, that you may come often to my house, and yet miss of me, unless it be at certain set hours, for that I having many Cures daily in my hand, and beside I am frequently sent for by many to look upon sick horses; marvel not that you cannot so easily find me at home: but what is your pleasure now that you have met me? Hyppophy. You may remember (good Hyppiatrus) you promised me (upon our last meeting) to assist me in the perfecting of my Cures, which so long since I purposed to publish, and now I would gladly know what day and place you would appoint for the final dispatch of the business. Hyppiat. Truly Sir, the time now fits well, for I have dispatched all my affairs for this day; wherefore sithence we are met so near my house, we will enter, where we will be retired into a private chamber, prohibiting any access unto us, my man Hypposerus only excepted, whom I will interrogate in such points as shall concern the Ferriers Art or Science: and you sitting by, making yourself very attended to our discourse, and taking in writing the prime heads of our discussion, when any thing passeth whereof you may desire to be better informed, propose the same, and we will give you a full solution. Hyppophyl. Your motion likes me well, for it will be the best course you can think of whereby to give me ample satisfaction. A formal Examen of the Office of the Ferrier. Hyppiat. What is the Ferriers Art? Hyppos. It principally consists of four things, to wit; Science, Experience, Knowledge, and Handiwork. Hyppiat. Letting pass the first three, tell me what is Handiwork? Hyppos. Handiwork is to heat the Iron well, to Sodder well, to Forge well, to turn a well, to make and point a Nail well, to pair the hoof well, to Cauterize well, to let blood well, to be light, and well-handed, bold, and hardy in dressing of a Horse well, of such Accidents as may happen unto him. Hyppiat. What are the principal members of the Creature? Hyppos. They be three, viz. the Liver, the Heart, and the Brain: and if the Creature be offended in any of these three, especially the Brain, which is in the top of the head, than I say he will die. Hyppophyl. I always took the principal members of any living creature to be four. Hyppiat. Therein (Sir) you were mistaken, for any of these former three being hurt, there is evermore present death, especially the Heart, and the Brain: but if any other member besides these three be hurt, yet may your Horse live, and do well again. But which Member (I pray you Sir) do you hold to be one of the four principal Members? Hyppophyl. The Stones or Gignitors. Hyppiat. How do you assoil this Objection Hypposerus? Hyppos. Most easily Sir, that the Gignitors cannot be any one of the principal Members, reason teacheth us: for you cannot so much as touch any of these three, but you do either kill the Creature outright, or else desperately endanger him. Now supposing the Stones may fortune to receive hurt or damage, yet if I be in despair of healing or curing them, I can nevertheless cut, or take them clean away from the body, or cause them to fall away by other good means or by medicine, without peril of his life: he will only thereby lose his natural heat, whereby he will be disenabled from having any disposition to Coity, or power of Procreation. Hyppiat. What is that which goeth from the Head of the Horse, and diffuseth itself throughout all the other Members? Hyppos. They are two Sinews or Tendents which are white, and have a Ligature beginning at the very end of the Nose, and extend themselves along the Neck, and along the Back, and maketh their extent to the four Legs, and taketh their Ligaments in the fore- Feet. Hyppophyl, I was in good hope Hypposerus, you would likewise have spoken of the number of the Sinews, and where every one is seated; for it is a thing very material, and I do the rather desire it, for that I am not as yet perfect in that point. Hyppiat. That was but forgotten both by myself and him Sir, wherefore Hypposerus make answer to the Gentleman's demand. Hyppos. I shall do it most gladly, wherefore as touching the Sinews we say, The number of the sinews that there are in every Horse twenty nine or thirty, great and small. First, the two great Sinews which I named before, which have their first origin from the end of the Nose. Item two branches which are main Sinews that proceed from the Brain, and runneth down the Cheeks to the Teeth. Item there are from the Shoulders to the first joint of the Arms or forelegges downwards, two great Sinews. Item from the Knees to the Pasterns are four great Sinews, with the same number in the hinder part. Item in the forepart of the Breast, and about it, as well within as without, are ten Sinews, some greater and some smaller. Item from the Rains of the Back to the Stones are four great Sinews. Lastly, one great main Sinnew runneth along to the end of the Tail. So as the full number of the Sinews are twenty nine or thirty, which are to be discerned. Hyppiat. What is that which we do commonly call principal or vital Blood? Hyppos. Those be Veins which are vessels of quick or running Blood, which men do call Vital Blood. Hyppiat. What is that which men do call Vital Blood? Hyppos. It is that which when the Creature sleepeth, his blood is in continual agitation, and never ceaseth. Hyppiat. How many Veins hath a Horse in his whole body? Hyppos. To speak properly, a Horse hath but only one Vein, which is that which we call the Median or Lives Vein, which is in the Liver, being the true Fountain, Source, and great Tun from whence the Canes Conduite-pipes, and little Veins (as the smaller Rivers do separate themselves) which do run through all the parts and members of the whole body. Hyppiat. What call you Separation? Hyppos. Separation is of two kinds, viz. ascendant, and descendant: those which do ascend to the Head and body, are called Veins Ascendant; and those which do run low, or to the Legs and lower members, are called Hollow, or Descendant Veins. Hyppophyl. I did ever think and believe till now, that a Horse had more Veins than one; how then cometh it to pass that we open Veins in so many several parts of the body, being so different Veins the one from the other? Hyppiat. I answer you Sir, if you be pleased to examine your paper, there you shall find how that Hypposerus told you that a Horse hath but only one Vein, and it is a most infallible verity, for that all those other Canes which you call Veins, are but the very same with that One, which evermore standeth full of Blood up to the top, conveyed into him, which said great Vein is annexed unto the Liver; which Vein, doth resemble a great Tun or cistern, which conveyeth the Blood into all the lesser Veins, by which means they continually remain full, having no vacancy or want: Like as a cistern (V. G.) receives its water from a Pump, and so conveyeth and bestoweth it into and among the smaller Pipes, ofttimes storeth with plenty of water, a whole Village, or Town, or at least a whole Family. Hyppophyl. I understand you well; but now friend Hypposerus, tell me I pray you, in how many Veins may a man take Blood from a Horse in case of necessity? Hyppos. In many parts, to wit: In the Neck, in the weeping-Veines, The numbs of this vein● under the Ears, and in six other places of and about the Head; as in the Palate-Veines, in the Tongue, in the Flank-Veines in the Breast and Spur-Veines: in the four members, to wit, the Legs, Thighs Pasterns and Feet; also in sundry other places, according as necessity shall require it, and in places which may the better kill the Malady or Disease of the said Horse. Hyppophyl. But yet I was in good hope you would have delivered the reasons for which you do open any Vein, as also which they be in particular. Hyppos. The Veins which we do usually open are; First, The particular veins. the two Temple-Veines, which easeth the pains in th● Head coming of Colds, Rheums, Fevers, Yellows, and Stavers, drowsiness, Frenzy, the Slee●●-●vill. Falling evil, or any grief in or about the Eyes or Brain. Secondly we op●n the two Eye or weeping veins, being most soveraigue for su●h diseases whereunto the Eyes are subject; as watery or weeping Eyes, Blood shotten, P●n and w●hhe h w, or the like. Thirdly, we op●n the two Pallet veins in the Mouth, and thos● do Cure the Lampas, and any inward sickness within the body; as the Yellows, Stavers, Anticor, Surfeits, Drowsiness, tiredness, or weariness of the body; or if the Horse have any M●lady in the Throat, as the Strangles, Quincy, Kernels, Pustills, either within or without, it many times helpeth Inflammations Glanders, or the like: for the eating or swallowing of his own blood, is most wholesome and sovereign in such cases. Fourthly, we do usually open the two Neck veins, which helpeth Farcins, Yellows, Stavers, Scabs, Mainges, Agues, Fevers, Colds, Surfeits, Glanders, or any other M●lady, which may be any way noxious to the inward parts of the body: And it also preventeth sudden sickness, if you have any suspect thereof. Fiftly, the opening of the two Plate or Breast Veins do help the Anticor, Sickness of the Heart, Morfounding, which is the foundering in the body by over riding whereby the Grease of the Horse is melted; it also preventeth diseases in the Liver, Lungs, and inward parts grieved; and sometimes hurts in the Shoulder, which causeth lameness before. Sixtly, we use to touch the two Arm or Thigh Veins before, which helpeth Foundering in the Fore-feets, Mallenders, splent, serewe, Ring-bone, and such like infirmities in the Fore-feets, and such other higher parts. Seventhly, we use to take Blood from the four Shackle-veines before; and this is very good for the Crown-scab, Ring-bone, and such like diseases. Eighthly, we use to strike the two Spur-veins, which cureth the Farcin in the Sides, morfounding, swelling under the Belly, which is a disease called the Feltrick, and the like. Ninthly, we prick the two Toe-veines which do help Frettizing, Foundering, Hoof-bound, beating of the Horses Feet by riding upon hard and stony ways, and the like. Tenthly, we open the two Thigh-veins behind; and this doth help the griefs of the Kidneys, Swell in the hinder-legs, Foundring, Selenders, Scratches, Kybes, etc. and it helpeth also diseases in and about the Belly, as pissing of Blood, pissing oft after great and extraordinary labour, and the weakness of the Reins, the Back, Belly, Guts, or any other the inward parts, the Curb, Spaven, and such diseases which come of rankness of Blood. Eleventhly, we sometimes do open the four Shackle-veines behind; and this is very good against foundring and other pains in and about the feet. Twelfthly, we let blood in the two flank or hanch-veines, and this is most profitable for all kind of fevers, the stones, poverty, & the felter-worme. Thirteenthly, we draw blood from the two tayle-veynes, which cureth the mainge in the tail, falling off the hair, or the itch in the tail. Scown-scab. And these are for the most part all the veins which are usually opened, or that myself have ever known, or have seen my Master open, which are very great means to help these diseases by me mentioned. So as the full sum or number of veins which Ferriers use commonly to open, are thirty. Other veins there are which are of a smaller proportion, and therefore not fit to be opened. Nevertheless some Ferriers there are, who have fond reported unto me that they have let horses blood in many of those small veins, but I could never learn for what purpose the same was done: let this therefore which I have here set you down, suffice for this matter. Hyppophyl. I have heard you Hypposerus attentively, but yet I would most gladly understand one thing, which is, that whereas you say that the opening of these veins doth help and cure such diseases, I would gladly be satisfied herein, for if by the opening of these veins the horse will be cured, than we may spare much labour in applying drinks, purgations, clysters, and such other things, which we usually make and give to horses. Hyppos. Sir, I assure me you cannot be so ignorant as you speak; for this opening of veins and blood-letting, doth not always absolutely cure those diseases which I have named; but it doth sometimes assuage the malignancy of the malady, sometimes it preventeth diseases, and sometimes again it prepareth the body the better to receive such physical drinks which do inwardly cure them, and such Salves, Oils, and Unguents which do dry and heal up outward infirmities; but that blood letting doth absolutely cure them, I say it doth not, howsoever in some cases it may. Hyppiat. What is that which departs from the head of the horse, and serveth him for his principal members? Hyppos. I have showed you that already: they be sinews and nerves; these sinews which depart and proceed from the head, give sense and feeling, arriving in the body of the creature, and so diffuse and spread themselves through all the principal members, which do descend from the head unto all the other members, which make a conjunction of the bones, of the legs, of the body, and of all the other members. Of the bo● Hyppiat. How many bones hath a horse, and how are they situated in the body? Hyppos. There are in the body of every horse, two hundred fifty and seven bones. Hyppiat. Name them severally. Hyppos. All the bones which every horse hath whereby to make up an organall body, are these: viz. he hath in his head, thirty nine, and forty teeth: the bones in his head do comprehend the Crocks and Handles of the scull, albeit they be composed of parts and parcels of certain other bones, also the two flat Handles, which form the Palate; and the Fork or Throat hath five, the chine fifty two, the breast one, ribs thirty six, the forelegges and fore feet have forty four, and the hinder-legges and feet, forty. So as the whole structure of the body of a horse whereby to perfect a full building of bones, consisteth of about 257. or 259. if they be rightly computed; which do represent themselves altogether at what time the perfect Anatomy of the horse is laid open. Hyppiat. What natural composition hath the head of the horse? Hyppos. He hath eyes to see, ears wherewith to hear, nostrils to smell or scent; a mouth and tongue to taste and eat, and wherewith to nourish him. Hyppiat. What natural composition hath the whole body of the horse in general? Hyppos. The whole body hath its heart, liver, lungs, spleen, stones, and gignitors: all which are called the noble parts, and that most justly: for when either the one or the other of any of these parts receive hurt, or damage, the poor beast is in peril of his life, except in the gignitors, according as I have declared. Hyppiat. What maladies or diseases are most usually incident to the horse? Hyppos. Sundry diseases, as namely Auynes and Gripe, called in French, Tranchaisons, Foundring, Farcins, Mainges, and very many more which severally to recite, would spend much time: Nevertheless I will handle briefly their natures, dividing them into two sorts, viz. Moist, and Dry; the moist do proceed commonly from naughty blood, the dry cometh of heat: as the Scab, Mainge, and such like diseases proceeding from moistness; some again are called Leaprosies, or the Elephantique malady, by reason that Elephants are much troubled therewith; and every disease is known by its proper symptoms. Hyppiat. What be the signs whereby to know the humid or moist disease? Hyppos. The humid or moist malady is properly called the Glanders, which oft times proceeds from the liver and lights, when they be infected with putrefaction and rottenness; or when they breed inflamed lumps, knots, or kernels under the Chaule, which all do come of cold taken by immoderate riding and labour, and want of care afterwards, which begetteth evil humours in the body, which when they shall begin to break from the horse, by his running and purging at the nose, whereof other horses will have a desire to lick, and thereby they do become infected. Hippiat. Many horses there be which do run at the nose, who have not the Glanders. Hippos. 'Tis very true, but this disease of the Glanders may be known by its knots, kernels, and pustils which arise under the jaw. You may also know it by the colour of the corruption which the horse venteth: for, if that mattrative stuff be green, and of a strong and offensive savour, or if it be white, and stinketh, as also viscous and slimy; then be you confident it is the Glanders, but if he shall cast forth corruption at his nose, which is white, and that by bits and gobbets, which doth not stink or have any evil savour or smell, than it is not the Glanders, but some distemperature which cometh of a cold lately taken, which is easily cured, if it be not let run too long, for there is great danger in delay. Hippiat. What be the arid or dry diseases? Hippos. They are an alteration of the body, which we do commonly call Surfeits and pursiveness, which is occasioned oft by riding of a horse beyond his strength or breath, especially presently after water, or by putting him to too much labour, or too violent running and straining, or by washing him when he is very hot. Hippiat. How cometh a horse to have the Tranchaisons or Gripe? Hippos. By suffering him to drink when he is too hot, or by over-riding him; they also come of bad wind which engenders in him, and not by suffering him to stolen in his riding in convenient time, and of evil humours. Hippiat. What signs have you of the scab or mainge? Hippos. We may with good reason say that this disease we call the scab, mainge, or itch in a horse, proceedeth of too great abundance of ill blood, which when it is once inflamed by overhard riding, causeth its leprosy to come forth upon the skin, which cometh to be an itch running over the whole body, beginning betwixt the flesh and the skin, insomuch as it will cause the hair to fall away, from whence ordinarily doth proceed a dry scurf or scab, which is very contagious. Hippiat. How cometh the Farcin to the creature? Hippos. No way so soon as by a bad Stable, whither Swine and Poultry do resort, for their dung is most pernicious: also by evil dressing, which may be a great cause, and by too much rankness of blood, and by some wound, hurt, or blow with a staff, especially if the staff, have knags or knots upon it, sometimes by enter firing, and hewing, and lastly by spur-galling. Hippiat. Which be the four maladies which do most appear when a horse showeth by his action that he is in danger of death, by the said diseases? Hippos. That happeneth often by too much ventosity, or by eating too much raw meat, or to have drunk being very hot: it cometh also of the coldness of urine, or having ridden him too hard too long together, not giving him leave to piss. Hippoph. I pray Hipposerus give me leave to demand of you, what you would do in such a case, by your best endeavours, to save the life of the poor be●st? Hippos. In a case of this nature, I would first take blood from him, if I found just cause for it, and then should I administer a laxative clyster, which should be both comforting, and yet operative, which is inserted in lib. 2. chap 6. § 8. clis. 2. Or else I would give him a drink of good operation, which you shall find in lib. 2. chap. 7. § 8. clis. 6. either of which, or both, are most sovereign in this case. But if I shall find, that the malice of the malady doth not continue in the body, but falleth down into the four legs, as usually it will do: then do I use to open the veins in those places, and in the neck also, or in any other part I shall judge shall be most necessary, and of his blood I will make a restrictive charge, adding thereunto Wheate-meale, Bole, Sanguis-Draconis, Eggs, the strongest white-wine Vinegar, and such like, which I will more at large express in the place of Cures: this (I say) will I apply to all the four legs, and over and against the kidneys, the breast, throat, feet, and the like places, than would I cup the bottom of the soles, I will also apply to the four legs, Garters, which I will tie hard above the knees and hams, and so govern myself in performing the Cure, according to the strength, virtue, and greatness of the horse, and as my judgement shall dictate unto me. Hippiat. By how many ways may evil come to a horse? Hippos. Two ways, viz. by nature and by accident against nature; as of those diseases which fall down into the legs and feet of the horse, from whence do come Scratches, Splents, Squibs, Mallenders, etc. with other kinds of humours and accidents, as well in the body of the creature, as in the members: and salvo aliorum judicio; these things appear unto me to comprehend in them the aforesaid accidents, which do happen to the horse, even as soon by nature many times, as by accident or against nature. Hippoph. Hipposerus, I do not well understand this point: you say that these things may happen as well by nature, as against nature, which are to my understanding a plain contradiction. I pray explicate yet yourself more fully. Hippos. Those things which are against nature, I told you are by by accident; but when I say that certain diseases may as well come unto him by nature as by accident, yea even in the selfsame disease, my meaning is, that if the Stallion be troubled with the same disease at what time the Mare, who is the dam of this Colt is covered, I say that then the Colt himself shall be capable of the same malady. As if the Stallion or the Mare (parents to the same Colt) have for example a Spaven, I say that the Colt will naturally have a Spaven: and thus I have explicated myself, and assoiled your demand. Hippiat. But what call you accident, or against nature? Hyppos. As thus, verbi gratia: if walking your horse in your hand in the fields, or elsewhere, and that he happen to be strucken with some cudgel, leaver, or heavy bastinado, or with some sword, hatchet, Bill, or other edge-tool, or that you should enforce him to do more than what nature or strength were well able to compass; or leading him upon plain ground he might wrinch any member, or sway his back, or break his leg, either by the stroke or stripe of some other horse, or otherwise accidentally, or should by misfortune fall down some steep precipice, whereby he may break or dislocate some limb or member: all these disasters we usually do call Accidental, and all such things of this nature. Hippiat. Which be the elements which do give life and nutriment unto man, and all other living creatures? Hippos. They are four in number, that is to say: Fire, Air, Water, and Earth; whose natures if you shall please, I will discuss elsewhere. Hippiat. No, I pray let us have them both now and elsewhere: their natures, conditions, and qualities. Hippos. The nature of Fire is to be hot and dry; Air to be hot and moist, Water to be cold and moist; and Earth to be cold and dry. Hippiat. Do you know the twelve Signs of the Zodiac, and how they do govern the body of man, and of all creatures? Hippos. Yes, I do know them all perfectly; and thus are they called: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Vrgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricornus, Aquarius, Pisces: These do all govern the twelve Months of the year, and are placed above the Zodiac. Hippiat. Do you know the names of the Planets, and their numbers? Hippos. That I do very well, and they be seven in number; to wit: Saturn, jupiter, Mars, Sol, Venus, Mercury, and Luna. Hippiat. What parts do the twelve Signs before mentioned govern? H●ppos. Aries governeth the Head, Taurus the Neck, Gemini the Shoulders and Arms, Cancer the Stomach and Breast, Leo the Heart, Virgo the Belly an● Guts, Libra the Reins and Buttocks, Scorpio the Privy parts, Sagittarius the Thighs, Capricornus the Knees, Aquarius the Legs, and Pisces the Feet. Hippiat. In what days is it best for a horse to be let blood? Hippos. If there be no extraordinary cause, as in case of desperate sickness, or so; then january the third, and the fifteen. Febru●ry the fourth, and nineth. March the seventeen and eighteen. April the tenth, and sixteen. May the first thirteen. june fifteen and twenty. But for july and August, by reason that the Canicular-dayes be then predominate, blood-letting, is not so good, but only in urgent case of necessity. In September the eleventh, and twenty eight, October the eight, and twenty three. November the fift, and sixteen, December the fourteen, and twenty six. And these days do we hold to be the very best, unless dangerous or sudden sickness do cause us to alter the same, for in cases of necessity, no days are to be regarded or observed: For Qui retinente vita, et non sit mortis imago: Si semper fuerit vivens, morietur et infra. Hippiat. What medicine would you apply to a Horse, who may have any of the four Maladies? Hippos. I would give him of the four Cordial waters, which I would make, of Buglas, Savin, Succary, Aquavitae, Endife, and the like. Hippiat. How would you make a comfortable drink? Hippos. I would make it of certain Cordials, to wit; of Sugar, Cinnamon, Cloves, Nutmegs, Saffron, Licoris, Annyseeds; all these in fine powder, adding thereto white wine, and all these infused in a clean earthen pot, and hereof would I make a drink. Hippiat. Whereof would you make an operative drink? Hippos. I would take white Wine, salad-oil, Aloes, Rhubarb, Agarick, Duke, or Duck-powder, Honey, Cordial-powder; and of all these things would I put such a quantity as I should think requisite, and according to the strength and corpulency of the Horse. Hippiat. Whereof would you make a laxative Clyster? Hippos. Into a laxative Clyster I will put either of Pellitory, Melelote or Cammamile (but Pellitory is the best) and of this would I make a Decoction, and to this Decoction would I put Salad Oil, Honey, Aloes, and Verjuice of the Crab. Hippiat. What be the natures of your principal Drugs? Hippiat. Agarick purgeth the Brain, Allos the Breast, and body, Rhubarb purgeth the evil water, and it openeth the Liver, and helpeth obstructions, and oppilations, Aristolochiarotunda mollifieth the Breast, Liver, and Lungs, and Bacchalauri or Bay-berries, do mortify the peccant Humours which do engender in the Breast, or Entrayles ne'er about the Heart: and Saffron (if it be discreetly given) doth marveylously comfort and enlighten the Heart. CHAP. II. Of the causes of Sickness in general: and the causes of Health, and long Life. Hippiat. NOw that we have proceeded thus fare, in a discussion of the Office of the Ferrier; Let us approach yet nearer to entreat of the Cures, and that we may go on Pedetentim, and Gradatim; Let us first discuss the causes of Maladies; and therefore I demand of you, What are the true Causes of the sickness of the Horse? Hippos. Sir, that man which hath a desire to become an Expert Ferrier, must apply himself to understand the true nature of two things; viz. of Generation and of Corruption, in which I could never find the least discord in the Primary nature of Horses, albeit compounded of the contrary nature of the four Elements. But I will proceed in Anatomising unto you the verity hereof, more particularly, whereby you may the better understand my meaning. Hippophyl. But friend Hipposerus in my judgement, you begin to assume too high a pitch for ordinary Fe●riers, who are in a manner all or the greater number un-lettered persons; and therefore will never be able to understand what Generation and Corruption meaneth, for these are terms taken from the grounds of Philosophy; and therefore above their Genius or Sphere. Hippos. Sir, there be many things necessary to be duly known, and as diligently to be observed in him, that desireth to be a perfect and able Ferrier, which whosoever shall be defective in, he may well be an Empyreticall-Hors-Leach, but skilful Ferrier or Martial he shall never be. And for that you please to say, that I sore too high, because I began my discourse with the terms of Generation and Corruption: if you had not interrupted me; I should have explicated myself so clearly, as that a very reasonable judgement might easily have apprehended me, for I hold it not a thing fitting to pussel men's Brains, either with Chimaeras which they are not able to understand, or with overlong, and tedious discourses, of things merely impertinent: but if you shall be pleased to hear me with patience, I will touch upon this subject, to wit: What are the causes of Sickness in general, as also of Health and long Life; and that Laconica brevitate, and so leave the rest to your judgement, and practise: especially considering what other Authors (my Masters) have so learnedly, and no less sufficiently entreated in this very Art. To begin therefore (and but to say, what I said before) with the causes of sickness and death of Horses in general, in the true knowledge whereof, consisteth their preservation; I do hold it a thing most needful that we do perfectly know that thing which we do call Generation and Corruption, which all Physicians and Philosophers have so much discussed both in their Schools and Writings; and how the body of the Horse (like also to that of Man) is compounded of the four Elements, viz. Fire, Aire, Water, and Earth. Of the fo● Elements Fire, Ay●● Water, an● Earth. The natures of these four Elements are different: for Fire is hot and dry, but it participates most of Heat. Air is hot and moist, but chief moist: Water is moist and cold, but most cold: Earth is cold and dry, but most dry. Fire and Air are both light Elements; and Water and Earth both heavy. Four Humours also there are, Of the fo● Humours, Blood, Phlegm, Choler, 〈◊〉 Melancholy which be as it were four Children to these four Elements: and these are; Blood, Phlegm, Choler and Melancholy. These four Humours are attendant upon the four former Elements, without which a natural body cannot be made: for Blood naturally (if it be perfect) is hot and moist, but taketh most from heat, and therefore is subordinate to Air. Phlegm is cold and moist, but the principal quality thereof is coldness, and therefore hath reference to Water. Choler is hot and dry, but his chiefest nature is heat, and therefore is governed by the Element of Fire. Melancholy is cold and dry, but his chiefest condition is dryness, and therefore subjects itself unto the element of earth. Now the fountain of the blood is the Liver, which dispersing itself by the help of the veins into all the parts of the body, nourisheth and preserveth the same. Flgme preoccupateth the brain, being a cold and spongy substance, and the seat of the sensible soul. Choler inhabiteth the Liver, which being hot and dry, maketh a pleasing harmony with the blood. Melancholy resideth in the spleen, which is the receptacle and discharge of the excrements of the Liver. From whence we may collect that it hath its proper use and end: as for demonstration, Blood principally nourisheth the body, Phlegm occasioneth motion of the joints and members, Choler exciteth and provoketh the body to avoid its excrements: and lastly, Melancholy disposeth the body to an appetite. Whereupon all the learned Philosophers do with one unanimous assent agree in this, that in every natural body there are four principal instrumental members, The instrumental members. The brain, the heart, the liver, and the stones or gignitors. from which all the parts of an organical body is said to be framed, and these are the brain, the heart, the liver, and the stones or gignitors; and each one of these do perform its true function to all the particular members of the body: for the sinews do receive their sustentation from the brain, and these are called animal spirits; the arteries from the heart, which are vital spirits, the veins from the liver, which are natural parts; and the seed-vessels from the stones or gignitors, as the place of generation. Now forasmuch as I have showed you the four elements with their true natures, the four humours with their qualities, and the four instrumental members with their true conditions: It now remaineth that we entreat briefly of the four natural faculties, which is in every body, together with their true attributes: The four natural faculties. To eat, to retain, to concoct, and to expel. The first faculty is to eat, the second to retain, the third to concoct, and the fourth to expel. And to answer to these four faculties, you must understand that there are residing in the body, the afore-named humours, that is to say, Blood, Phlegm, Choler, and Melancholy, whereof nature maketh use of the service of but one of these only to work upon, which is an excrement which we do justly call whey, or wheyish-bloud, whose engendering is wrought in the liver, and so conveieth itself into the veins, at what time the four humours do take from the body that form and substance it ought to assume: and of this very liquor doth nature serve itself, to resolve the meat, and so to operate that the same may pass through the strait caves, conducts, pores, and passages, carrying nourishment to all the parts of the body. You must therefore understand that the veins are the receptacles for the blood, which is mixed with the vital spirits, so as the said veins have their source or origin from the liver, whereby their office is to exhaust from the liver unto the veins the said wheish substance and to inject part thereof through the passages into the bladder, and from thence again forth of the body: by which means the body is freed from offence, and from sustaining damage: whereof two of the veins conduct part of the said whey from the liver unto the cod's, and so to the seed-vessels, where it remaineth with some small quantity of the purest blood, by which means, the operation of the stones (whose quality are hot and dry) do thereby effect a most perfect seed. Which two veins, nature (who is the most exquisite Artist, and Quae nihil habet vitii) hath planted one in the reines on the right side, which endeth in the right cod, and another semblable in the left; both which take their issue from either of the cod's accordingly; besides, nature hath bestowed upon the right cod much heat and dryness, so hath she also given unto the left, as great a quantity of cold and moisture, the right cod by means of its heat engendering the male, and the left by reason of its cold engendering the female, and so likewise is it as well of the female as of the male of every creature. But now to come to the heart which is form with the liver and brain, and maintained with the purest blood, which is so excessively hot, as whilst the creature liveth, if you put but your finger into its hollow part, it is impossible to continue it there long without burning or scalding the same, from whence it must necessarily ensue, that the liver being the fountain of all the blood, must of necessity have great and abundance of pure blood, wherewith to support and maintain the structure of the whole body and the vital spirit of any creature is none other thing than a corporeal fume or vapour, (to speak properly) very pure and subtle; begun in the heart by the operation of the natural heat, spread by the arteries and veins, to refresh and comfort the whole body; which agitative or subtle Spirit proceeding from the heart, and vital spirits, being a continual motion, by reason that motion and agitation is the true life thereof, which continually remaineth in all living creatures. But the heart which may be truly and rightly styled the fountain of life and heat, nature hath assigned it its proper place, which is to be situate in the centre, that is the middle part of the body: from whence proceedeth life and heat into each organ of the body, by which means they are preserved and enabled to perform their natural and proper function. And as touching the cod, if the liver be not well stored, nay full of pure and perfect blood, neither is the creature able to concoct and digest its meat, nor can the cod be hot: so as if there be in those parts a defect of heat, the seed of the beast cannot be perfectly concocted, by which means the Horse becometh frigid and impotent, and without any power at all of Procreation. And this is as much as need be said of this subject: wherein if I have any way erred, or not delivered myself so clearly whereby to be understood as I desire, the blame must light upon the great desire I promised to brevity: howsoever I have endeavoured what in me lieth, to dilate and explicate myself at full. Now will I begin to show to you what means we have to preserve horses from all inward diseases; which consisteth of four ways, viz. by Purging, Sweeting, Flebothomy, or Blood-letting, and Vomit. As touching the first, which is Purging, it is twofold, to wit, Cleansing and purging Of outward Purging. outward and inward. This outward purging is by cleansing the outward parts, which must be done immediately at what time you take up your horse from grass, which would be about Saint Bartholomewes' day, for then the heart of grass doth begin to decline, and therefore after that day, the grass he then feedeth upon, breedeth no good, but bad and corrupt blood, and so consequently sundry sorts of maladies and infirmities in his body; besides the air beginneth then to grow sharp, which is also very dangerous, yea and most contagious for him; and if you suffer him to run after that time, his hair will grow long and rough, so as he will not have for that winter any slick or glittering coat. Of this outward cleansing or purging your horse, you shall find taught you in lib. 2. cap. 6. § 6. and the manner how and when it would be done, viz, in a warm day in the Sun, at what time every part and member of him would be soped, washed, dried, and cleansed from all manner of sweat, scurf, dust, dirt, and filth, yea and that all his whole body over, especially his Main, Tail, and Cod, who being thus cleansed and made dry again, and his yard drawn, cleansed, and anointed with tried hog's grease, let his ears, his Main (just so fare as the top of the headstall will cover, and no more) and under the Chaule, be handsomely trimmed, then pull away by the roots all the smelling hairs about and under his mouth and nose, and the long stubborn hairs under and about his eyes: which done, cut away about a handful of the lower part of his tail even and decently; then cause the Ferrier to shoe him up, but let him be careful to pair him neatly, and to open the Heels and Frush. Then cloth him up warm, and stopped with small wispes; this done, anoint all his hoof, with the ointment (having first washed them clean, and made them dry again) prescribed you in lib. 2. cap. 11. § 9 Then let his feet be picked clean, and stop him with Oxe-doung. Cleansing and purging inwardly. Now as touching his inward purging, this aught to be done evermore before you put him to any labour or exercise: and first let him be raked, by causing some one who hath a small hand and arm, to anoint them first with a little sweet Butter, or Oil de Bay, but some do use Soap, which I do hold too sharp, and so putting his hand into his fundament, let him bring forth all his dung, and while he is in so doing, let him try to feel for Bots or worms, which may stick fast unto the great Gut, and the place where the dung lieth; which if he find, let him pluck them away gently, and by degrees, and so bring them all out: this done, give him the Clyster mentioned in lib. 2. cap. 6. § 8. Clist. etc. 4. and so soon as the horse hath received it Clisterwise, then presently clap his tail close to his Tewell, and so cause him to keep it so long as you can; and this would be done, three or four days before the Full or Change of the Moon. The next day after, give him his first drink, inserted lib. 2. cap. 16. § 14. Drink 1. Drink 2. purge. 4. the next day following, give him his second drink, shown you in liq. 2. cap. 16. § 14. Purg. 5. and so follow such directions shown you in those Rules. The next day following you have thus given him his two drinks, let him blood: Let blood. if you shall find the blood to be very bad, take the more from him, if reasonable good, take the less, but if very good, then draw your cord, and so do but give the vein vent, and no more, than afterwards keep him with warm Mashes, as is taught you elsewhere. The next day after blood letting, sweat Sweat. him like as is prescribed you in lib. 2. cap. 18. § 28. S. And if you do discover any cold in him by any symptoms, then give him the vomit Vomit. prescribed you in lib. 2. cap. 20. § 1. V And to prevent any Obstructions in the liver or lungs, or his heart any way oppressed, or otherwise to preserve the blood pure and from corrupting; all which inconveniencies may be a ready means to bring your horse to his end; give him in his Provender, Powder● be put i● his pro●der. such powders and other Simples which you shall find in sundry places of this Treatise: for this will refine his blood, and preserve his liver from infection, and keep him in perfect health. Thus far Sir, I have declared unto you what I understand of the Cause of Sickness in general. It remaineth now for me to inculcate what are the causes of health and long life, which to be brief are twelve in number: viz The first is Nature, good digestion, 12. Can● of health long life. and good Nutriment: the second is moderation in feeding and diet: the third is, moderate labour: the fourth is, moderate use of sleeping and waking: the fifth is, moderate spending upon Mares: the sixth is, moderate journeys: the seventh is, wholesome air: the eight is, not to be exercised too soon after grass: the ninth is, to be kept from raw and green meats: the tenth is, not to be suffered to eat or drink being hot: the eleventh is, not to be either washed or walked at the end of his day's journeys: the twelfth is to give him with his Provender, such powders and simples, as are prescribed you in all those Chapters which are by me mentioned. Hippiat. You have spoken well Hipposerus, but I would have you show me, how long life is acquired by these causes, which as yet you have not done, for you have but only delivered them in general heads and terms: Wherefore I would gladly know what you can say of them in particular. Hyppos. I will Sir: These twelve causes of long life do come to a horse either inwardly or outwardly, which howsoever they must be helped either by Art, by Industry, or else by judgement and discretion. Wherefore you must know that whatsoever is natural must necessarily proceed from good temperature, 1 What th● do hinder nature, digestion a● nutriment and proportionate mixture of the four qualities of the body: so as the just and adequate proportions of temperate mixture, are the true causes of long life, by reason that all mixtures of superfluities are against these three things, viz. Nature, good digestion, and sound Nutriment. For heat and nutriment are then well proportioned, when neither the moisture with its too great quantity is predominant, whereby it devoureth the heat; nor when overmuch heat too suddenly consumeth and destroyeth the moisture; howbeit there must be a necessity that the heat must have a kind of regality and dominion over the moisture, otherwise it will never be able to nourish the body as it ought. The second cause of long life, 2 Moderation in eating is the moderation of their natural appetite of eating, it being available either in excess to kill and destroy, or in moderation to save: whereby the horse shall daily repair the decay of his humidity, by supply of moderate nourishment, and never overwhelm or suppress his heat with too great abundance of moisture, nor mix his Humidum Radical with too much superfluous impurities, for extremes are evermore perilous and ill, as well in excess as in defect: For as too much eating (be the meat never so good and wholesome) hindereth good digestion, and engendereth Crudities, together with an evil habit of the Stomach; so likewise too spare a diet doth as much weaken and decay nature, by reason that the heat which, thereby will arise in the stomach, will first over-charge, and afterward conquer the Radical moisture; both which are friends to sickness and death. 3 Moderate labour The third cause of long life is moderate labour, a matter very much effectual to digestion, and therefore to long life, dilating and spreading nutriment into every member of the body: for overmuch rest, breedeth in the body superabundance of bad humours, which cooleth the body: for want of which moderate exercise, it is as it were cast into a sleep, and in a manner through lumpishness besotted and benumbed: from whence doth spring another mischief equivalent to the former, to wit: a collection of excremental superfluities, occasioned through laziness and idleness, by reason that the horse for want of moderate Exercise, is not able to digest his received nutriment: by which means many maladies are engendered in his body, proceeding from corruption in the blood, crudities in the stomach, and the like, because he hath in his body (as a man may properly say) a very sink or standing-pool of unnatural humours. And therefore I give all men this caveat, viz. to be very careful they do not put their horses to overmuch labour and travel, until such time as they have well digested their meat, for that by their immoderate exercise, they over-clog their stomach, and so they cannot have a true concoction, their stomaches being full, and their bodies cloyed and overmuch stuffed with raw and cruded humours, which through violent exercise are dispersed, first, into all the Veins (corrupting the blood) and from thence into all the parts of the body, which engendereth so many noisome infirmities within the body, and so many loathsome sorances without the body, as will not easily be cured: and therefore it doth greatly behoove a man, that his horse (if he love him, and desire to keep him long) his exercise be neither too intemperate, nor too little, but ordered with judgement and discretion. 4 Moderate sleep. The fourth cause of long life is moderate use of sleeping & waking, for these are the maintenance of health and long life, if they be had with moderation, and both are very noxius otherwise beyond measure. For inordinate watching is a main enemy to health, for it wasteth and consumeth the vital spirits, and it decayeth the Humidum Radical, causeth maceration and sterility, it is an impediment to the operation of the Brain and sense, it begetteth siccity in the Brain, and aridity in the Marrow, and worketh the like evil effects in the Liver and Lungs. On the otherside, immoderate sleep hindereth health, quencheth the natural heat, and consumeth the moisture in the Body: for sleep is but a vapour ascending from the Stomach to the Brain, What m●ner of th● sleep is. which stupifieth the Brain for a season, and during that time it maketh the body senseless; and the sooner it being provoked by overmuch feeding, stuffing, and filling of the belly; and therefore it greatly standeth a man upon that he hath a vigilant care to his horse his sleep, that it be moderately taken, for as I said out now, as too much sleep is noxious, so also too little is as prejudicial. The fifth cause of health, 5 Moderate in spends upon M● and health and long life is that great care be had in keeping your horse from excess in spending himself upon Mares for that is Death's Harbinger, by reason it doth after a most violent manner, consume the spirits, debilitateth the stomach, drieth up the brain and Marrow; and therefore the reason why a Gelding (if he be kept free from surfeits) is longer lived than the Stoned-horse: so likewise the reason why a Mule, being a mixed creature, (howbeit a Monster in nature) is longer lived than either of them; for that his just (howsoever without fruit) in that kind is but once only in the whole course of his life: and therefore I could wish, that one Horse be not suffered to cover above three Mares at the most through out the whole y●er, and that from the years of his coming to six, until he hath attained twelve, and no longer; for when a horse hath once seen twelve years of his age, nature will then begin to decay, whereby he shall not be able to beget Colts which can prove so good and serviceable, as those he begat in his young years. For beside (hard and toilsome labour,) this act of coity with Mares, doth more weaken and dull him; for you cannot be ignorant of the old Proverb, which saith; Omne animal post coitum triste. The sixth cause of long life is, moderate riding in long journeys, 6 Moderate journey 〈◊〉 for by intemperate driving his heat from the inward into the outward parts of the body, is the cause that the fire of choler will be enkindled, which will be so vehement as that it must needs prove an infinite horror unto nature, so inflaming the blood, that if the Horse at the same instant be not very empty and clean in his body the blood and humours being mixed together, will be through the violence thereof, dispersed into all and every part and member of the body, and then a sudden cold taken upon it (which rarely faileth) doth instantly putrify and corrupt the blood, and congealeth it to the unavoidable peril of the life of the Horse: especially if after this intemperate riding, he be either suffered to drink, or ridden into the water, as many of your surly and lazy Grooms are accustomed to do. My counsel therefore is, that when you have any long journey in hand, let his travel be moderate, inhibit walking, washing or giving him cold water; but so soon as you shall dismount him, let his Keeper have him into the Stable well littered, and throughly rubbed through all the p●rts of his body till he be thorough dry, let him be clothed and stopped up warm, and at a reasonable time, let him have white water. 7 Wholesome air. The seventh cause of health and long life, is; wholesome air and soil, clean keeping, painful and good dressing, the Stable kept neat, sweet, and warm; his food old, sweet, clean, and dry, well fifted and shaken, and freed from dust and filth; his litter sweet and dry, and all wet and old litter removed from under his feet and manger, and let all evil savours be removed from about the Stable. 8 Not to travel too soon after grass. The eight cause of health and long life is, not to suffer your Horse to be traveled or exercised too soon after you have taken him from grass, until such time as he be thoroughly purged and cleansed from his superfluous and bad humours, which he got by being at grass in time of his rest, and full feeding, which certainly are not a few; but hereof I have sufficiently spoken before in this very Chapter, and therefore I pass it over. 9 Not to eat raw or green meat. The ninth cause of health and long life is not to suffer him to eat any raw or green meat whilst he shall be kept in the Stable, for that such diet doth beget many bad and humours oppugnant to nature; as Fevers, Surfeits, Yellows, Stavers, Anticors, Morfounding, and the like; all which will debilitate Nature, and endanger the breeding of many desperate diseases, to the peril as well of the Horse's life, as health, if extraordinary care be not had (by way of prevention) in very good time, by the diligence of an Expert Ferrier. 10 Not to eat whilst he is heat. The tenth cause of health and long life is, by keeping your Horse from meat and drink whilst he is hot, for that doth weaken the heart and spirits; it is an enemy to the Appetite, and digestion, engendereth Oppilations, and Obstructions, corrupteth and putrefieth the blood, breedeth Fevers, and many other maladies, and is very often the occasion of sudden death. 11 Not to be walked or washed. The eleventh cause of health and long life is, to be very precise that you do not permit your Horse to be walked or washed after labour, or travel, if in his travel he hath been heat, but presently after you dismount him, let him be led into the Stable well littered, warm clothed, painfully rubbed and dried; but hereof I have spoken sufficiently in the sixth cause, and else where. 12 To mix certain powders with his provender: The twelfth and last cause of health and long life is, to use sometimes to put and mix with his provender, certain powders, viz. the powder of Anniseeds and of Licoris, or of Fenugrick, Tumerick, Bay-berries or Brimstone, white-Lilly roots small chopped, Enulacampane roots, if green and newly gathered, otherwise dried and beaten to fine powder, or the roots of Polipodium of the Oak or its powder, Savin, Marshmallows, Rue, Isope, horehound, or Coltsfoot: these either small chopped if you give them green, or else dried and given in powder, which Simples will keep him sound and in perfect health, for their virtues are to purify the blood, prevent Obstructions, open and resolve the Liver, cool the Blood, and perserve the whole structure of the Body in excellent health. Thus have I (as succinctly as I have been able) declared the reasons of sickness in general together with the true causes of health & long life, the contrarietyes whereof will engender in your Horse, infirmities and death: for the sensitive Bodies as well of all other creatures as of Horses, are often (upon the least cause given) disgusted & brought out of joint and temper, by reason of the assidual warfare of the never-ceasing-iarring Elements, that it not a little importeth a Master's care to look very narrowly into the state of his body. For put case that time and experience do approve the contrariety of the before named inherent qualities of Heat, Cold, Dryness, and Moisture, the formal causes of all intrinsical diseases, the continuance and unperceivable lingering in them, together with the true cause of their sudden and untimely death: Yet is there means as easily to be found, as well for the prevention of all ensuing sickness (if we will but apply our care and diligence) before it approacheth, as for the able curing of them when they are come, and palpably perceived; according to the opinion of famous Galen, who saith: He that preventeth the cause of sickness, preventeth the sickness itself: for, Take away the cause, and the effect followeth not. Hippoph. You have spoken well Hipposerus upon this subject; but yet your last Article is not without difficulty, in that you do advise to administer certain powders, and other simples unto a horse in his provender, which should conserve him in health, and prevent all inward diseases in him. I cannot certainly but approve very much hereof, in that they be most sovereign in such cases you speak of, but the manner of administering them, is the thing I much stand upon, knowing right well that these simples (or the greater part of them) are of strong and offensive scents and smells, and others are as fare disgustful and unpleasant to his taste, whereby he may very easily be induced by disliking those powders and simples, to loath and utterly forsake his provender. Hyppos. Sir, you object well, nevertheless give me leave to tell you, that in cases of this nature, Use (we say) makes perfectness: True it is, that horses will have an aversion from these kind of drugs and simples, but what then? have you no fear, for rather than he will not eat his Provender at all, hunger will in time bring him to it, yea as well those powders, as his provender: provided you do not offend him by putting in too great a quantity at once, but by degrees, and that by a little at a time, till custom hath made him perfect; and most certain it is, that some horses are so coy, dainty, and choice feeders, as that you can hardly provoke them to eat any provender at all; whereas others there be who are so great feeders, as that they will make no bones to devour what meat soever you shall lay before them; for it is very homely viands, which a good stomach will refuse: nevertheless if you shall find that your horse cannot be brought to take these things with his provender, you may then sometimes administer of these powders and other simples, with good Ale or Beer, giving it him as you give drinks, and it will suffice: howbeit it will do him more good to be given in his provender. Hippiat. What is the best thing to be given to a horse to preserve the liver from infecting, and to refine the blood? Hyppos. I have known many things administered in this case, but the very best is, Liver to preserve. to take the root of Polipodium of the Oak, to wash it, and to make it very clean; then cut or chop it very small, then take Liver-wort, one handful, small chopped also, and so much Rhubarb as the weight of a tester, either cut very small, or grated: give him this in his provender three or four mornings together fasting, and give him no meat in three hours after, and let his drink be white water for that day, and give him this monthly, and once in half a year: make trial of his blood to see how pure or foul it is, and administer accordingly. Hippoph. I pray you Hipposerus, what is the true nature of Rhubarb? whether is it purgative or binding? Hippos. Truly Sir, Rhubarb hath two contrary natures: for if you either scrape, grate, or cut it; then is it a loosener; for it dissolveth and openeth the liver, and expelleth the obstructions thereof; it expulseth all bad humours in and about the heart, liver, and spleen; it cleanseth the body, and sendeth away the peccant humours among the excrements, and all such things as may annoy or offend the intrayles: but if you shall pound or beat Rhubarb in a Mortar, or otherwise, the spirit thereof being a subtle body, will Transire and fly away, whereby the operation thereof will be to bind, and be no way profitable. Hippoph. Let this suffice for the present, I have detained you too long from your particular affairs; it now grows late, and therefore I will take leave till our next meeting, which (God willing) shall be to morrow at the same hour, at what time I shall not fail you; for that I desire a final end of this business: wherefore for this present I will take leave, recommending you both to God. CHAP. III. Of such things which are of necessity to be known by every expert Ferrier, before he doth adventure to administer. Hippophyl. HItherto Hippiatrus we have proceeded orderly, and your servant Hipposerus hath discoursed very accurately & pithily: Nevertheless some things there be which yet he hath not put home enough, whereby I have not received that full satisfaction I desire. Hyppiat. Sir, Since we are met here again to discuss such things whereof you desire to inform yourself; my will is to have you fully and substantially satisfied (if it may be) in every point which might concern this our subject; wherefore I entreat you to propose your doubts, and look in what Hipposerus may fail, myself shall endeavour to supply to the utmost of our best skill. Hippophyl. Sir, I thank you, but withal one favour I must beg of you, and that is, that for that my memory may peradventure fail me (it being none of the best) if as things occur to my thoughts, I should ask any question out of season and order, yet you will not take it ill that I should interrupt him or you in your discourses. Hippiat. No truly, Sir, will I not, and therefore begin to make your demand, and Hipposerus shall give you answer. Hyppoph. I thank you, than thus: As touching the composition of the body of the horse, more I grant might have been spoken in words, but not more to purpose; for a man to run into divisions and subdivisions, were but to beget confusion in the unlearned Reader (such are your ordinary Smiths for the most part, for whose instruction I do principally undergo these pains) and to send him away worse satisfied in his judgement, than before. Whereas a plain and succinct method doth more edify and instruct him than the other can do. I therefore demand of you Hypposerus, that forasmuch as you have spoken well of the four Elements; to wit, Fire, Air, Water, and Earth, yet have you not demonstrated their natures, or where they are placed. For true it is, myself and all men do perfectly know, that these four elements are not these four material and visible elements which we daily behold and make use of, as things most useful for us towards the sustentation of our livelihood: being creatures, without which we cannot live: but I would gladly have you show what their true natures be, being things incorporate, and therefore concealed from our eyes: I would also know in what parts they do reign, and have their identity or being. Hippos. Sir, as touching the natures of these four Elements, I have sufficiently made appear unto you in Capitulo praecedenti, poenè in initio, but as touching the second part of your demand, I say, that these four elements which be in nature so dissonant and distinct one from the other; as that nothing can be more, no white can be more opposite to black; nevertheless that you may know these Elements, I thus aver. The nature of the 4. Elements. The Fire is highest, being near neighbour or adjoining to the Moon, and therefore naturally hot: Air is placed next unto it, and therefore naturally light. The Water is annexed to the Air, and therefore naturally moist. And the earth is situate next to the Water, but lowest, and out of that reason naturally heavy. As touching their virtues all the learned do hold, 1 Fire. that Fire by means of its heat, exciteth matter to Generation, and occasioneth warmth in every living body, and it doth ripen things raw and undigested, in such excellent and subtle wise, as that the Air, which is of a more gross nature, may the better enter into the body, making a commixture with the Fire, whereby also it moderateth the heat of the Fire, the coldness of the Water, and the dryness of the Earth, so as distemper may the less oppress the Body. 2 Air. The Air by reason of its moistness maketh the matter apt to receive its natural shape, and through the instinct of the Fire its natural heat, causing the mixed Bodies as well subtle as penetrable, as well Light and moving, whereby they be neither too gross nor too heavy, and withal the Air cooleth and abateth the extremity of the burning heat of the Heart, 3 Water. Liver, &c: As touching the third Element which is Water, its nature is that through the coldness thereof it congealeth, conglutinateth, and bindeth in mixed Bodies both the parts and members together, to wit, Sinews, Bones, & Flesh; so as the Water by means of its coldness doth temper and assuage the violent heat of the Fire, and the condensity of the Air, 4 Earth. collecting those things together which they otherwise would have dissevered. And as touching the Element of Earth, its nature is by means of its dryness and Siccity, in mixed Bodies, so to harden and fasten them together, as that having once assumed their Shaps, it causeth them to retain and keep them, which otherwise by the force of the other Elements would be so lax and lose, as not to be able to hold together; wherein I could produce many familiar instances, which for brevity's sake I am enforced to omit. But the opinion of the best Physicians is, that when any natural Body dyeth, the substance thereof returneth back again to those Elements from whence they came. Thus you may plainly see, that Fire is naturally hot, and therefore separateth: Air moist, and therefore giveth Shape, Water cold, and therefore bindeth: and Earth dry, and therefore naturally hardeneth, and keepeth its impression: Wherefore in any Malady in a Horse, observe but this one Rule, viz. that when at any time an Inflammation shall arise in the Body, be you confident it proceeds of Fire, and therefore you must administer (if you will perform a right Cure) things contrary to that Element: to wit; what may be agreeable to Air and Water, whereby to moisten, cool, and allay the rage of the heat. If it be a Flux of Blood, or the like proceeding from the abundance of moisture; which takes its origin from the Element of Air, then must you apply Medicines which may connive with the Earth, whose dryness may harden such moisture. If it proceed of Cold Rheums, or the like, whereby the infirmity hath its source from the Element of Water; you must then administer Medicines cohering with the Element of Fire and Air, which may be able through its heat and moisture to expel all cold and gross humours. And lastly, if the grief be Maingenesse, or the like, which cometh from the Earth, which be dry and arid infectious diseases, then must your applications be had from the Element of Fire, whose nature is to dissolve all siccative humours: Wherefore (I say again) that heat being too predominant is assuaged by the means of moistness and coldness: too great moistness by heat and dryness, overmuch coldness by heat and dryness, and too great a proportion of dryness by heat alone. Hippophyl. But then tell me I pray you, be there no other Elements, or beginnings in Living Bodies, more than these four before named? Hippos. No Sir, not any other which have their beginnings: but there are two other which the Learned do term proper Elements: viz. the Engendering of Seed, and Menstrual Blood; but these (I say) do assume their essence from the other four Elements, whereby they become a Body, w●ich otherwise they could not, and therefore are subordinate to them, and they take their place after them. Hippophil. Having spoken sufficiently of the Natures and Qualities of these four Elements; What say you to the Humours? Hippos. I say that the Humours are also four in number, The 4. first Qualities. which Physicians do style the first Qualities, according, as I have formerly intimated: and these four are Blood, Phlegm, Choler, and Melancholy: Blood being sweet in taste, Phlegm neither sweet, bitter, nor sour, and therefore of no taste, or if of any (like to that of good Oil) rather sweet than otherwise: Choler is bitter in taste: and Melancholy is sour in taste: So as by these tastes you may distinguish them: and these Humours have reference or near affinity unto the four Elements; for like as I have before agnized. Blood is of the nature of the Air; Phlegm of the Water; Choler of the Fire, and Melancholy of the Earth; and these Humours have their particular abode and residence in the body, absolute and peculiar to themselves; as Blood hath his abiding in and about the Heart; Phlegm in the Brain, Choler in the Liver, and Melancholy in the Spleen, whereby we may the better come to know what Complexion reigneth in every Horse, as also how he is naturally qualified and disposed: for the Horse that is of a Sanguine Complexion is commonly a Bright Bay, who is of disposition jovial, wanton, or merry, agile, and of motion temperate, neither too fiery, nor too dull or melancholy: Your Milk-white is of Complexion Phlegmatic, whose property commonly is to be lunt, heavy, and slow: your Bright-Sorrell hath commonly reference to Choler, and he is naturally for the most part, fiery, hot, and ever-free-mettled, but yet of no great strength: Your Mouse-Dunne and such like rusty and sut-colours are commonly of a Melancholy Complexion, and they be ordinarily cowardly, faint-hearted, subject to starting, flothfull, restife, stubborn, disobedient, revengeful, etc. but if these Complexions be rightly symbolised, and do all meet in one and the same Horse, according to each ones proper nature, they do perform their functions as they ought in a perfect harmony, whereby the Horse remaineth sound and healthy: but if there be discord or disagreement in the Elements and Humours, there must be the like in the Complexions, and then doth the poor horse suffer for it to the danger both of Life and Health. Hyppophyl. I ever understood that there are certain Spirits which do remain in the body of every Horse: do you know them Hipposerus? Hippos. Yes, I do, and they be said to be two in number, viz. The Spirit Animal, Spirit Animal. and the Spirit Vital; the Spirit Animal hath its residence in the Brain, by which means it giveth motion, feeling, and power to the Horse, through the aid of the Sinews: and the Spirit Vital Spirit Vital. makes abode in the Heart, which is the only cause of the excessive heat thereof, which disperseth the Blood into every part, and member of the Body. For the Heart and the Brain are in equality absolutely different, the Heart being most violently hot, (as I have before shown) and the Brain is as extremely cold: and so hereof needs not any more be spoken in this place. Hippophyl. But may not a man conjecture to what infirmities or diseases, Horses may probably be subject by their Complexions? Hyppos. Yis Sir, very easily, yea and that with so great advantage and profit to the Cure, if the Ferrier be expert and skilful in the making and applying of his Medicines, The disease known by the Complexion as that nothing can be more. For example, the horse that is of colour either bright-Bay or dark Bay, with a pleasant and cheerful countenance, or if he be a white Fleabitten, white-Lyard, or Black with a white-starre, or race down the face, or whitefoot; if he be of either of these colours, we hold him to be of a Sanguine Complexion, and in Horses of this Complec●●on the Element of Air is most predominant, Of the Sanguine Complexion. and they be commonly of nature affable, well-metled, active, and of good strength; but the Maladies whereunto they are most usually incident, are Leaprosies, glanders, Consumptions, and the like, yet these Horses are frequently of so able Constitutions; as that they have vigour enough to endure good and strong Medicines: provided these Medicines be not too hot, but cooling. The Horse which is Milk white, Yellow-dunne, Sanded, or Pie. bald; Of the phlegmatic complexion these take more from the Element of Water than from any of the other three, and these we say are of a Phlegmatic Complexion; and they are naturally slow, dull, heavy, and nesh or wash of their flesh; and they be most inclined to Poses, Rheums, pains in the head, Stavers, Yellows, and the like, and these Horses can undergo good strong Medicines if there be cause to administer such: provided these Medicines be not made of Ingredients, that be not over cold. The Horse whose colour is Mouse-Dunne, Chest-nut; Browne, or of a soote-colour, or Iron Grey; Of the melancholy complexion these are commonly of a Melancholy Complexion, participating more of the Earth, then of any of the other Elements; by which means they are of Nature dull, heavy, dogged, restife, faint-hearted, etc. and therefore most inclined to Inflammations in the Spleen, Siccity, and Aridity in the Liver, to the Dropsey, Frenzy, and the like; these Horses are better able to endure stronger Medicines than any of the former: provided those Medicines be not siccatrizing or drying, but such as are both cold and moist. The Horse whose colour is coal-black without any white at all, a deep Iron-Grey, a Bright-Sorrell, or the like, such coloured Horses we say be of a Choleric Complexion, Of the choleric complexion. and they partake more of the Element of Fire, than of any other of the three former, for that they are by nature Fiery, hot, too free, and harebrained, and therefore cannot be very strong of constitution; wherefore the Ferrier must be very careful he do not administer any strong Medicine to such a Horse at any time, for so he may soon destroy him. Hippophyl. But yet Hipposerus, I would be glad to know of what Complexion that Horse is, in whom all the four Complexions do jointly meet, as namely in that Horse, that is either of a Brown-bay, or a Dapple-Bay, Dapple-Grey, a Black full of silver hairs, a Black-Rone, a Red-Rone, or the like. Hyppos. Sir, Of the four● complexions me●ting in one horse, which is the best and most perfect. as I cannot give you more elements than these four before named, so I am not able to give you more than four complexions; but yet that one horse may participate of them all, is a thing possible enough, and this is the very best complexion of all other; yea and the most perfect: for horses in whom the four complexions do meet, cannot but be the best and most able of all other, yea and the best for shape, for colour, and for mettle, the soundest and most healthy: for howsoever they may accidentally fall into infirmities, nevertheless they are not naturally inclinable to any, and therefore when a Ferrier shall at any time have occasion to administer unto them, he must be very circumspect the physic be punctually administered according to the nature of the disease, and he must examine both the cause and time of his first languishing: as whether it be a sickness newly taken, or long before, whether it proceeded of a Surfeit, Hard-riding, Evill-dyet, etc. by which means he may administer his physic (whether Pills, Potions, or Clysters) the more securely: for medicines given upon a first sickness, and before the horse be fare spent and weakened through the distemper of the malady, may be compounded the stronger, and will work to more effect, but after a long sickness, when as the spirits both vital and animal are enfeebled, the elements are in open rebellion each one against the other, and the humours in a confused distemper; then (I say) must the physical medicine be so tempered and ordered, so as that nature must be assisted, but no way further perplexed or troubled, whereby the evil humours must be sent away, the body cleansed and acquitted of the causes of its distemper, and then it will not be long before the poor creature may recover strength and sanity, and so repair daily the decay of his former state of health. Hippophyl. How do you hold the causes of sickness? Hippos. The causes of sickness defined. If you mean the causes of sickness simply, you must understand, that all Maladies and Sickness of what nature soever they be, are affects and evil dispositions (as learned Physicians do call them) unnatural, which do proceed, and are as it were, the Precursors which do most violently hale and pull sickness after them, and thus in a word do they define the causes of sickness and not otherwise. Hippoph. How many sorts of causes be there? Hippos. Two causes of sickness. Only two degrees, viz. Intrinsical and Extrinsecall: the Intrinsical are those which are engendered within the body, and therefore cannot be made visible to the eye, but are made known by their symptoms: the second are Extrinsecall, and therefore are more easily discovered and known by outward object, wherefore they need no further discourse. Hippoph. How do you define sickness as it is in its own nature? Hippoph. Sickness defined. Aegritudo, or Infirmitas, is none other thing than that which is contrary to nature. For all intrinsical infirmities most commonly possess and seize upon the whole body; and those are most frequently Fevers, Pestilence, Convulsions, etc. Other infirmities again do attach, but only certain members or parts of the body, as colds which do perplex the head, Surfeits which do annoy the stomach, and Splents, Spavens, Pearls, and Haws in the eyes, and the like extrinsecall sorances, but more sorts of infirmities and maladies I never knew, every several of which may most easily and palpably be discovered as well by their inward as outward signs. Hippophyl. What is your opinion as touching the administering of Drinks, Potions, and Clysters to a sick horse, to wit, whether it be better to apply them very warm, or but indifferently? Hippos. How to apply inward medicine. Sir, even in this very point is a special heed and care fit to be had and taken; for by giving Medicines or Clysters too warm, a Ferrier may easily undo all, and utterly destroy the horse he would labour to cure; yea with as great facility, as if he gave him in the place of a wholesome cordial, a formal poison: for you must understand that a horse of all other living creatures, can worse endure to receive inwardly hot things, by reason that he is inwardly so extremely hot by nature, and therefore whatsoever thing is to be administered to him, ought not to be more than blood warm at most, by any means, for that nothing can be more noxious to him than the endangering the scalding of his stomach and intrayles; besides let his drinks and inward medicines be given him in the most leisurely manner you are able, for fear of suffocating him; neither suffer any man, (as I have seen many use to do) to pinch his gulle● or windpipe, whereby he is provoked to cough most violently, for it is a thing most dangerous both to his wind, and causeth oft times fleshy stuff like to the garget to grow in his throat. Now for the administering of Pills, Balls, and such like medicines, little advice is required if they be not made too great, only if you take forth his tongue first, and then put them up into his mouth, you cannot do amiss, but of this method no man can be ignorant. Hippophyl. What time is best wherein to administer your medicines to a sick horse? Hippos. Evermore in a morning fasting, The time when to a minister. unless upon urgent occasion (as in case of sudden and dangerous sickness, which may happen to fall out upon a sudden accident;) and the longer he be kept fasting from meat and drink, as well before he taketh his physic, is after, it will be the better, for by that means his medicine will work the more kindly in his body, for he ought to be kept from eating and drinking at least 3 hours before and after. Hippophil. Is it requisite he be exercised after the taking of his physical medicines? Hippos. Sir, What exercise is mos● meet with physic. a little moderate exercise is very necessary whereby his physic may work the , and the sooner, as to troth him upon so easy a pace as you can cause him to take, otherwise to walk him up and down out of the wind in the warm Sun, by the space of a quarter of an hour, but then so soon as he cometh into the Stable, let his Stall be littered before hand well, then presently him up, and stop him warm, and keep the air from him, neither let his Keeper go from him in three or four hours, but let him rivet his eyes upon him continually, observing well his postures, and as occasion may require, let him be at hand to help and supply the horse with all things necessary. Hippophil. May a man attain to any knowledge of the health or indisposition of the horse by observing his Ordure or excrements? Hippos. Yes may he Sir, and that very much, Of Excriments. insomuch as I would advise all careful Ferriers who have a desire to attain reputation by their Art, that before they do administer any inward medicine, whether Purgations or Cordials; that they be careful first (if possible) to see his Ordure: for I do find for the most part the Ordure is correspondent to the food the horse eateth, especially for the colour; for if he run at grass, or be soiled in the Stable, then will his dung be evermore green, howbeit of a more bright, and sometimes again of a more dark colour, and it will be rather soluble than hard, but the indifferent colour, and freer from hardness is ever best, and doth make appearance of the more sanity and health of the beast, as also that he is thereby the less subject to costiveness, and therefore in better state of body. But if his Ordure be very bright and laxative, it is an infallible sign that he hath eaten some thing that is against nature; as a Feather, or some naughty worm, some Spider or the like unwholesome thing, otherwise he scoureth of some inward cold which hath formerly lurked in his stomach or body: but if his dung at grass or soil be very hard and costive, which he putteth forth with round and hard trattles, then is it a great sign that he is very hot in his body and inward parts, which may endanger the Stavers, or else doth show that he hath a surfeit which he got (before his putting forth) through intemperate riding, washing, raw, or evil food, or the like, whereby the horse is in danger to become morfounded, to have the yellows, or jaundice, or a fever, which will otherwise hardly appear in him in its effects until his coming into the Stable, at what time due order must be taken for speedy prevention. But if your horse do feed upon Straw, then will the colour of his dung be yellow and somewhat hard, long, and well compact, all which be tokens of a healthy and a sound body; but if it be reddish, and exceeding dry, it is a sign of ensuing sickness, by means of a great drought in the body, and so also if it be thin: but if it be blackish, and doth not smell strong, then is it a sign that the horse is in danger of death. But if your horse do feed upon Hay and Oates, and that he be sound in body, then will his Excrements be a brown yellow, moist, and well compact, but if the brownesse be converted into reddishnesse, you may be then well assured that he hath some distemperature in his body, but when it converteth into blackness, then if prevention be not speedily had, death ensueth: and as touching the smell, that falleth out according to the quantity of the provender you give him, for the more provender, the stronger will be the smell of his Ordure, and Pease and Beanes will cause his Ordure to smell stronger than Oats, and bread more than any Grain or Pulse; and the more bread and Provender you give him, the more perfect and sound shall you keep him in his body. But if his dung be brown and slimy, and shine withal, then be you assured he hath much grease which lieth in his body, which Physic must fetch away from him, for then also is his blood putrified, corrupted, or inflamed. But if you do find by his Excrements that he voideth undigested stuff, which you may know by the whole corns of Oats, Wheat, and other Grain he sendeth forth in his dung, then persuade yourself, that your horse hath lately taken a formal surfeit, which may right easily bring him to his end, if a discreet course be not speedily taken: in a word, if his dung be black and hath little or no smell, then make you no question but that he is in danger of death, which wilful soon after follow, if the greater care be not taken to hinder and prevent the same. Hippophyl. Have you made the like observations of the Urine or Water of the horse? Hippos. Yes indeed have I, whereby I have not a little profited myself, and attained unto great experience, insomuch as I dare boldly aver, Of Urine. that that Ferrier shall never come to be an expert Artist, who shall not be very well versed therein, nor be able to administer his Medicines a right, who shall not be very observant of the horses urine: for if he shall find his water to be either pale, whitish, or yellow, not much unlike to the colour of whey, or fat Amber, or if it be not very clear, but smelleth somewhat strong; let the Ferrier then be confident the Horse is not sick, but sound and healthy, and in perfect state of body; but if his viine be extreme clear and white, and of the colour of Rock-water, and withal slimy, then hath he a taint in his Kidneys, Reins, or Back, or else he inclineth to the Stone, or else he hath some stoppage in his Kidneys. But if his Water be high-colored like to the colour of strong Beer, then is it a token the blood of the horse is inflamed, and that he is subject to a Fever, or to some strong Surfeit: but if it be red and of the colour almost of blood, then is the blood more inflamed, which came of over hard Riding, which may prove very dangerous to his life. But if it be of a pale greenish colour thick, and viscous, then certainly his Back is grown weak, and he is in danger of a Consumption of his Seed. But if it be high coloured and nebuled or mixed with small Clouds, with a kind of blackness therein, than this doth demonstrate ensuing sickness and death, if it be not carefully prevented. But if the Nebulosity be dispersed into several parts, and not combined as it were into one Mass or Body; this than argueth, that the malice of the disease beginneth to departed, whereby the Ferrier may have great hope of the health of the Horse: And thus fare I have by diligent observation found to be most certain, Whereby I have brought many a desperate Malady to its wished Cure, which otherwise I could not so easily have effected. CHAP. FOUR The manner of handling the particular Cures. Hippiat. SIr, I doubt not but that we have proceeded fare enough into this subject, for I cannot see what can be spoken more; let us now come to the particular Cures, handling each one in its proper place. Hippophil. With all my heart: but I pray let me desire you, that we may not only handle the Cures themselves, but the several Diseases to which a Horse is or may be subject: together with the causes of such diseases, the signs how to know them, and the means and manner how to cure them. Hippiat. All shall be done to your mind Sir: Wherefore I pray proceed. Hippophil. I will: Nevertheless I hold the best and clearest way willbe to handle the Cures by way of Alphabet; whereby whosoever doth desire at any time to inform himself of any Cure, he may the more readily turn thereunto, without looking over the Index or Table. Hippiat. I think not that to be amiss. §. 1. A. Hippoph. THen thus: Tell me Hipposerus, do you know the Receipt which is called Acopum? Do you also know its Nature? Whether it is a Medicine to be taken inwardly, or an Unguent to be applied outwardly? Hippos. Sir, to make answer to two things in one, I say; first, it is impossible for any man to become a perfect Ferrier, Two things to be observed in every Cure. who shall not first know unto what diseases a Horse is enclinable: secondly, what be the causes of every disease in particular: thirdly, how, and by what ways and means these diseases do accrue: fourthly, the signs how to know and distinguish them: and lastly, the means and manner how to cure them. Secondly as touching this your demand of Acopum, and it's true Nature; I answer, that I do know it well, to be a most sovereign thing in some causes; for I have occasion to make use thereof very often: It is both a medicine to be taken inwardly, and an Ointment to be applied outwardly. Master Blundevile was the first that ever brought the knowledge and Use thereof into our Kingdom, who had it from the Italians when he lived in Naples, as himself told me, where it is very much used; and he also affirmed that it was formerly in much use and high esteem among the ancient Grecian Ferriers, who gave it the name of Acopum. Master Markham hath also in his Masterpiece the same Receipt, but he would make it his own, for he giveth it no name, but styleth it in his ninetininth Chapter of his Cures Physical, thus: A most famous Receipt, which is both a singular Drench, and a singular Ointment: And in reciting the Ingredients, he maketh the quantities but the fourth part of what Master Blundevile setteth down, which is in effect one and the same thing: and he relateth likewise the same Virtues thereof, which Master Blundevile doth; only Master Markham saith that four or five Spoonfuls hereof must be given with a pint of Sack or Malmsey: as also that the limbs of the Horse being bathed therewith, it is good against weariness and tiredness; and lastly he saith that being given in Wine, it cureth all kind of inward maladies; all which particulars, Master Blundevile nameth not. Hippophil. What is the reason that Master Markham doth set down but aquarter of the Ingredients in the making of this famous Receipt? Hippos. His reason is good, Sir, and I will approve of his judgement therein: for if any man should make so great a quantity together as Master Blundevile doth set down in his Receipt, it would not be spent whilst it were good, but only by such a Ferrier as hath daily use thereof, and such an one willbe hardly found; for the newer and oftener such like Receipts are made, the better they be, and yieldeth more profit when they be administered. Hippoph. Is this Receipt hot or cold in operation? Hippos. It is hot in working, otherwise it could not hold good in cases of Surfeits, tiredness and of Convulsions and the like, wherein consisteth its chiefest virtue, being administered outwardly; but being administered inwardly, it is not altogether so hot, for then the ancient Ferriers would not have prescribed to have it taken with Sack or Muskadine, both which are very hot; for it helpeth all Fevers for the most part; but yet I would not have it administered inwardly in so great a proportion as Master Markham adviseth, for he (as I said before) alloweth four or five Spoonfuls to a pint of Sack or Muskadine; unless it be to be given in very cold Causes, for the Wine itself is very hot. But both my Master and myself do commonly administer two Spoonfuls at the most at a time, in a pint of white Wine, or with a quart of good Ale or Beer, which we hold to be much better and safer, and we have found it evermore to work to our hearts desire: insomuch as we have both wrought admirable Cures therewith, I do assure you. Hippohyl. I pray deliver me this Receipt, just as Master Markham hath it. Hippos. I shall Sir, most willingly: but than you must understand that the quantities will be more intricate to weigh forth, whereby to make it the more punctually. Acopum. Take Euforbium, half an ounce, Castoreum, one ounce, Adraces half a quarter of a pound, Bdelium, half an ounce, and half a quarter, Pepper one ounce, Fox grease half an ounce, Opoponax one ounce, Lacerpitium three quarters of an ounce, Amoniacum half a quarter of a pound, Pigeons dung as much, Galbanum half an ounce, Nitrum one ounce and a quarter, Spuma nitri, three quarters of an ounce, Laudanum a quarter of a pound, Perethrum and Bay-berries, of each three quarters of an ounce, Cardanum, two ounces, seed of Rue half a quarter of a pound. Seed of Agnus Castus, one ounce, Parsely-seed half an ounce, dried roots of Ireos, or Flour de luce, one ounce and a quarter, Isope and Carpo Balsamum, of each a quarter of a pound. Oil of Flower de luce a quarter of a pound, and half a quarter, of Oil de Bay as much, Oil of Spikenard, three quarters of a pound, Oleum Cyprinum, three quarters of a pound, and half a quarter, the oldest oil Olive, a pound and a half, Piche a quarter of a pound, and two ounces, Turpentine a quarter of a pound: melt of every of these that will be melted severally by themselves, and then mingle them with the residue of the ingredients being first beaten to fine powder, and after they have boiled a little on the fire, take it off, and strain it into a clean galley-pot, and so keep it for your use, and when you are to administer of it to your horse, let it be given as before is showed, and if by long keeping it wax hard, then soften it with the oil of Cypress, so that it may be good and thick, ✚. Hippophil. What are the virtues of this Receipt, called Acopum? Hippos. Acopum its virtues. Master Blundevile and Master Markham do tell you, to wit: it helpeth convulsions in the sinews and muskles, it draweth forth all noisome humours, and disburdeneth the head of all grief, being put up with a long Goose feather anointed in it into the nostrils of the horse: it healeth (I say) all manner of convulsions, cramps, numbness, and stringholts, colds, and rheums: it dissolveth the liver being troubled with oppilations and obstructions: it helpeth Siccity and Aridity in the body: it banisheth all weariness and tiredness, if his limbs be bathed with this medicine: and lastly, it cureth all sorts of inward diseases, if it be administered by way of Drench to a horse in Wine, strong Beer, or good Ale. § 2. A. Hippoph. Do you know another Receipt, which is called Arman? Hippos. Yea sir, it is a confection in great request in France among the Ferriers there, and now we have it here in England: and it is a most sovereign medicine to be given to a sick horse, and it is to be administered inwardly. Hippoph. What be the principal virtues of the Arman? Hyppos. It provoketh a good appetite to meat, and causeth good digestion; it taketh away all annoyances which do either clog or otherwise trouble the stomach; it cooleth the inward heat in the body; it helpeth all Agues and Fevers; it is most excellent against Surfeits; it is an infallible remedy for the Quinsy or Suinancy in the throat coming of cold taken; and very good against the Tranchaisons or gripings in the belly or guts proceeding of wind and such like inward infirmities. Hippophil. How do you make this confection? Hippos. Take honey of roses a pound & half, Arman. 1 the crumbs of the whitest manchet made into fine powder, quantum sufficiet, then take Nutmegs, cordial powder, & cinnamon, of each an ounce & half: mix all these being made first into fine powder, than put it into a clean glass or galley-pot, and moisten it with Rose vinegar, that it may be of a thick substance like unto pap, all your Ingredients being very well incorporate together, and so keep it to your use. And when you have occasion to administer of this Arman, take some of it upon the end of a Bull's pizzle, and put it into his mouth, and let him champ thereon: but if you give it to a horse that hath a Quinsy, let him gulp down two horns full, as also to a horse that hath a Fever, and is much distempered therewith, and it will give him health, in two or three times taking, and give him also an appetite to his meat. But than you must remember that he take this in a morning fasting, and let him fast three or four hours after, and his drink must be for some time either sweet Mashes, or white water, and a spare diet, till he be somewhat recovered. Hippoph. I pray what is that thing you call cordial powder, and whereof is it made? Hippos. Cordiall-powder hath not its name for nought, for its nature jumps right with its Epitheton: this we have also from the French, who use to give it to their sick horses which are fare spent and enfeebled with a consumption in the flesh, liver, etc. for it is a most restaurative Cordial, comforting the vital parts, and spirits animal, and restoreth it to Sanity: and thus it is made. Take Cinnamon and Sugar, of each, four ounces, Cordial Powder. and of fine Bolearmonack two ounces: let all these be made into very fine powder, and mix them well together: keep this powder from air made up close till you have occasion to make use thereof. I do use of this powder in very many of my Receipts, as you shall hereafter understand. Hippoph. Have you any other sorts of Cordials besides this? Hippos. Yes Sir, I have another powder which the French do call Duke, or Duche-powder, which little differeth from the former cordial powder, only it wanteth the Bolearmonack. We have also another Cordial, which is an Electuary, and is known by the name of Electuarium Theriacum, by reason it hath much treacle in it; and we do compound this Electuary thus. Take syrup of Violets, syrup of Lemons, and syrup of Roses, Electuarii Theriacum. of each half an ounce, adding thereunto of your best London treacle, one ounce, mingle them well together, and it is a most sovereign Cordial to be administered unto Horses which are dangerously sick and weak. Hippoph. Why do you rather choose London Treacle before Venice Treacle, Treacle of Genoa, or our common Treacle. Hippos. This London Treacle I do select for all medicines for horses, rather than any other Treacle whatsoever, by reason it worketh the best with them of any other, for that Venice Treacle, and that of Genoa are too hot; and your common Treacle is nothing at all worth, it being made only of the dross and excrements of Molasses, which is none other thing then the dross of the refining of Sugar, for I have made trial of them all: but this London Treacle I do find to be most agreeable to the nature of Horses: wherefore both myself and my Master do use none other, unless in some particular causes, wherein we administer sometimes the Treacle of Venice. Hippoph. What mean you by your white water? Hippos. White water White water is none other thing than water made hot in a clean kettle, and when it is hot enough, I use to put into it a quantity of Wheat-bran, and sometimes Barley-meal, which I commonly prescribe to sick Horses in physic, in stead of Mashes, for that when Mashes are either not to be had, or that they are not necessary for my purpose (as in some cases they be not) or to prevent giving of cold water; I make use of this white water, which must evermore be given blood warm, according as our ensuing discourse shall declare. Hippoph. But now let us return to this confection you call your Arman: What other virtues hath it more than what you have already delivered? Hippos. Truly Sir, I have showed you before in a manner all its virtues: and to recite them again, I say, it is most sovereign for Horses that have taken a cold, or have inflammations or Pustils under their Chaule, or thereby are troubled with the Quinsye or Squinansye: These maladies this Confection will help, if it be given good and thick with a horn, for having the Quinsye in the throat, if in giving this Arman, it provoketh him not to cough, then take some of the confection upon the end of a Buls-Pizell, and put it a pretty way down his throat, by which means he straining to cough, may break the impost humation in his throat, whereby the Horse may be in the less danger of his life; and causing the Matterative stuff to vent out, the Horse will be in short time perfectly cured. Hippoph. Are there any other kinds of Arman besides this? Hippos. Only one more Sir, which also the French have brought amongst us, which is not altogether so operative as the former: and this it is, Arman. 2 viz. Take honey one pound, and warm it a little upon the fire, then take half a pint of Vinegar, & a little Wheat flower, and one pennyworth of Pepper in fine powder, mix all these, and administer it blood warm, as aforesaid. Hippophil. With what manner of vinegar do you usually make up your medicines? Hippos. When we speak in general terms of vinegar to be put into any medicines to be given, either for inward or outward diseases; we always intent it must the strongest and best white wine vinegar; Vinegar. but if it be of any other kind of vinegar or verjuice, we then do give it in the Receipt, its proper name. Hippophyl. As touching honey wherewith you make up your medicines, what manner of honey must it be? Hippos. That should be made of life-honey only, Honey. and of none other, unless common honey, or course-honey, be in the Receipt particularly named, as it many times is. Hippophyl. Let us now go on to somewhat else: what hold you good for the headache in a horse? § 3. A. Hippos. WE administer according to the nature of the Disease, for that the pains in the head are several and distinct diseases, and therefore have several cures. Hippoph. Which be those several maladies, and how may a man know and distinguish them each from other? Hippos. A judicious and cautelous observation is it whereby we do know and distinguish all sorts of maladies: for the Horse being a dumb creature without reason and speech, Ache in th● head. is not able (like as man can) to tell you where his pain lieth, and therefore it must be the eye and judgement of the Ferrier, to be able to observe his true symptoms whereby he may go right to accomplish the cure, otherwise he must of necessity fail. Wherefore as the diseases of the head are of several natures, every of which do beget his pain, even so are the medicines which we apply as different. Now these pains in the head do proceed from the brain, or from the panicles, by which means they do properly breed Migraines, the Nightmare, Glanders, Rheums, Cathars, Apoplexies, Convulsions, Palsies, Frenzies, the Take, Sleeping-evill, Madness, and the like: all which commonly do proceed from the substance of the brain, or from the panicles; for that from the cells and ventricles through which the spirits animal do give feeling and moving to all the parts and members of the body, the diseases before mentioned do engender. Hippophyl. From what grounds hath this headache its source or Organ? Hippos. The grounds and causes are many Sir: some being inward, and some outward, as by means of some choleric humour which may be predominant, by which means it doth oft times breed in the panicles, or else of some heat taken through violent labour, and sometimes by some blow given him in the paul or other place of the head; and some do hold it cometh of some evil savour, which I also do allow of; sometimes it cometh of Crudityes and raw digestions from the Stomach, by reason there is so great a sympathy betwixt the Stomach and the Brain, whereby they do continually participate as well of their good dispositions in health, as of their damages in the least of their infirmities and sufferings. Hippoph. But many there be who do hold stiffly that a Horse hath no Brains at all, but only a kind of windy liquid substance not unlike unto a kind of jelly? Hippos. That opinion is most erroneous, for a horse hath a most perfect brain, Brains. like as hath any other living Creature, albeit indeed not in so great a proportion as other Animals have. For natural reason doth dictate that if a Horse had not his Brain, it were impossible for him to have semblable diseases in the Head, which both Man and all other living things have, who are (I say) likewise subject to such Maladies; which could not proceed from any other Causes but only from those before premised. Neither were it possible for a Horse to endure so great labour and toil, or to undergo so great and so many ways, such extreme violences as daily he doth, if Nature had not endowed him with his organal parts correspondent to his strength ableness, and activity of body: neither could he have any memory at all, but appear a Lump of flesh and bones without motion. But not to verberate the Air; I affirm that a Horse hath his Brains in as complete measure, albeit (as I have but now touched) not in so great a quantity as other beasts have, but in as ample, solid, and sufficient manner as any other living creature, together with the skin, which Artists do call Pannicles, which doth adhere to the bones conducted by the Cells or Conducts by which the Vital Spirits do give some feeling, sense, & motion to the body, from whence proceeds the causes of diseases and sickness. And for your better satisfaction if you please I may be present when at any time your Huntsman is to cut up a horse for your Hounds, I will let you see most plainly both the Brain and the Pannicles. Hippoph. How shall a man come to know when a Horse hath any pain in his Head? Hippos. The Symptoms are most evident, if you eye him well: for his eyes will swell and become watery, and ofttimes Matterative; he will hang down his head, as if he were sleepy; he will prick his ears upright, forsake his meat, and his sight will be dim. Hippoph. What cure have you for the Headache? Hippos. Some use to perfume his head with the stalks of Garlic and Frankincense, two or three several times, which will bring much liquid stuff forth of his Nose, which indeed is very good, and I do practise it sometimes as occasion is offered; but then withal after I have perfumed him, I use to let him blood in the Palate vein, & in both the weeping veins: And when I do not perfume him, I take the longest feather of a Goose, and moisten it well, in Oil de bay, which I put up into his Nostrils; and this doth both open and purge his head abundantly, and then keeping his paul warm, together with moderate diet, for three or four days after, I then take blood from the Neck-veine; and give him all the time of his Cure either good Mashes or white-water, and undoubtedly he will do well. But sometimes if I find his headache cometh of cold taken, wherein he may be inclining to an Ague or Fever, I then besides drawing blood, do both apply Acopum to his Nose, like as I said for Oil de-Bay, and also give him thereof to drink, as I have formerly prescribed. If he be Feverish: take a pint of Muskadine, the yolk of five newlaid Eggs, and a head of Garlic picked, peeled, and bruised, Pepper, Cinnamon, and Nutmegs, and somuch as well I can take up upon a Tester or sixpenny piece: these all made into very fine powder; give him to drink blood warm three days together, and let him fast six hours after. ✚. §. 4. A. Hippoph. HOw do you make Aegiptiacum? Hippos. We have two sorts of them; the first we do call Black-Aegyptiacum; the second Red, both Corrosives; for their natures be to corrode and eat away all manner of dead, proud, rotten, and naughty flesh out of any old Sore or Ulcer, and they do also cleanse and prepare a Sore, make it apt to be healed with carnifying or healing Salves. The first is thus made. Take course English Hony two pound, Verdegrease, Diers-Gals, and Green Coperas, of each four ounces: Aegypticum. Let all these be made into powder and mixed together, and so put into an earthen pot, and set upon the fire, keeping it with continual stirring; but so soon as it beginneth to boil, take it from the fire, & let it cool; for by suffering it long to boil, it will become red, which will not be so good. This black Aegiptiacum besides what I have said before of its virtues, is also very good to dissolve the hoofs of the Horse, if they be too dry or hard: so as it will cause the corruption if any be in the Foot, to ascend above at the Cronet where the hair is, and also to restore and repair the hoof of the horse when the Sole is taken out: and in this nature you must use this Unguent, but only at the third dressing after you have taken out the sole, ✚. Now the second Aegiptiacum is made thus. Take course Hony two pounds, Verdegrease four ounces, Aegypti●cum. green-Coperas two ounces, beat the Verdegrease and the Coperas very small to powder, than put it into an earthen put, and put unto it a little Vinegar, and so boil it very well till it become red, and keep it for your use. ✚. Another. §. 5. A. Hippophil. What is your best cure for a Horse that is Accloyed? Hippos. Sir, this Malady so called by the French, is the same we call pricked with a Nail in the Shooing, and it is easily cured if the Ferrier be skilful, and that it be also taken in time. And thus we work, viz. First, take out the sole, and cut the hoof round about the place pricked that no corruption be remaining behind, Accloy. fill it up again with hurds steeped in whites of Eggs, dress him thus three days together, then heal the sore up with salt made into fine powder mingled with Vinegar, or else with Dyer's Galls, or with Myrtle, or Lentils, and anoint the outside of the hoof with black Aegiptiacum. ✚. Another. Take a little cotton or bombast and steep it in brown Sugarcandy melted, and apply it with a hot Iron to the place. And if the foot be bruised with the , or that the female horn be hurt or bruised, then cleanse and prepare the place first, and then apply unto it a quick or live Spider with a hot Iron, and so tack on the , and let him not come into any wet till he be fully cured. ✚. Another. Take Salet Oil, Turpentine, and Rosinpitch, all molten together; put it very hot into the hole where he is pricked, and so stop the hole with Hurdes. ✚. §. 6. A. Hippophyl. WHat Receipts have you for all inward diseases? Hippos. The Spaniards have one Medicine with which they Cure all Diseases; and albeit I say they do cure all diseases with this one Receipt, yet my meaning is, that look whatsoever the infirmity be, they administer none other thing but that one, whether it cure or kill: and this they call a Cataplasm, of which they make no small account, which they give as Pills. Take wheat meal twelve pound, Annisseeds four ounces, in fine powder, All diseases a Cataplasm. Brimstone in powder three ounces, Fennugrick in powder three ounces et sem. Coming in powder three ounces, Honey two pound, good salad-oil one pound, et sem. of good Sack as much, or so much as will suffice to make it into a Cataplasm or Paste. This Cataplasm (say the Spaniards) or Medicine, is all of it to be put into a stone pot well nealed, and so boiled until it be thick, so as when it is cold it may be made up into Pills or Balls; whilst it is in boiling it must be kept with continual stirring, otherwise it will burn too; and being thus made into pills, give him of them every morning fasting, for four or five days together, or longer if you shall see cause; for that (say they) it is most sovereign against many Maladies. It killeth all sorts of worms within the body of the horse; it also helpeth the diseases of the Lungs, and inward parts, and it is generally good for any inward cause: and an excellent local plaster to be applied outwardly. It is the Spaniards principal Physic for their gennets, and Barbaryes. I have made trial thereof sundry times, and I do find it to be most useful in all cold Causes: and truly it is most Cordial, for it doth bring a lean and poor Horse into flesh and good state in a little time. ✚. A second Receipt I also have, which cureth all inward Diseases, which I had of a Rural Smith, who was cried Up for a famous Ferrier all the Country about: All disease a Catapl●me. So I having heard so great a report of his skill, addressed myself unto him, & when I had conferred with him, putting him hard to it in the matter of his Art; he at last ingenuously confessed unto me that he had but this one only drink, which got him all his knowledge and credit, which with much pressure I wrested from him, under condition that I should never make him known, wherein I have precisely kept my word. And the Cure and Drink is this: viz. Take wheat meal six pound, or as much as will bring the Ingredients into a stiff paste, Anniseeds two ounces, Coming two ounces, wild or bastard Saffron one dram & half, white Wine four pints, Fennugreke one ounce & two dams, Brimstone one ounce & half; good Salad Oil one pint & two ounces, English honey one pound & half; powder and searce what is to be powdered and seared, then compound them together, and make it into one body into a stiff paste, and so keep it in a clean Galley-pot close covered for your use. And when you have occasion to use it, make a Pill or Ball thereof, of the bigness of a man's fist, and so lave and dissolve it into two Gallons of fair water; till it be all molten into the water: Let your Horse drink hereof so long as you please hoth morning and evening, and let him have none other water to drink, to the end he may be the better compelled to drink of the Water, which in the end he will do, and like it very well. ✚. Of this cataplasm I have made often use, and I do find it to be a sovereign Receipt for many infirmities; it also preventeth much inward sickness; it raiseth and battleth a Horse much better than either Grass or Provender; and it giveth him Life, Spirit, and Stomach, and keepeth him in perfect health. Our ordinary Country smith's have yet another drink, which they administer upon all inward causes, and truly it doth oft times hit right, especially in cold causes, viz. Take Fennugrick, Turmerick, Grains, Anniseeds, Licoris, All Diseases. Long-Pepper, Coming, of each half an ounce, and of Saffron one dram: and of herbs, take Selendine, Rue, Pelamontine, Isop, Time and Rosemary, of each, like much, but yet no more than will make of them all but half a handful, First chop small these herbs, and put them into a quart of good Ale, and when they have boiled a while, put in your spices finely powdered, and then boil them again with a small fire; then take it from the fire, and strain it, and put to the liquor the quantity of an egg of sweet butter, and half an ounce of London Treacle, give this to your Horse blood warm, and and ride him moderately after, and then set him up warm and well littered, letting him fast four hours after, and let his drink be either a sweet Mash or white water. This is very good against Fevers, Colds, and the Yellows. ✚. § 7. A. Hippoph. I Met not long since with a disease called S. Anthony's Fire, I pray is there such a disease? Hyppos. Yes Sir, there is such a disease, but it so seldom comes to a Horse, as that few Ferriers have had occasion to cure the same; by reason very few know it, and therefore marvel not in that they cannot cure the same. Saint Anthony's Fire is that burneth in the flesh most extremely, and hath in it so great malice, as that look what you do apply to the place (unless you hit the cure right) it will do it no good, but more harm, much after the nature of a Noli me tangere, or wildfire. This disease is also called by some the shingles in a Horse, and like as the Disease itself is very rare, and seldom known in a Horse, so also is the cure as uncouth and strange. For my part I will not profess myself to be any whit more skilful than indeed I am: this disease I never yet observed to be in any Horse: I only have heard some Ferriers talk thereof, but yet I never heard but of one man, who was ever truly able to make a Cure thereof; and this was a Knight of very good worship who taught it me, he averring confidently unto me; how that he had cured three several Horses of this very malady. I asked him whence this disease proceedeth, and what are the symptoms whereby to know the same; he answered me, that he could never rightly come to be mathematically assured how it breedeth, or occurreth to the Horse, but by guess only, and that himself thought it came from some choleric blood passing to his head into the brain and pannicles, which causeth the Horse to become stark mad, yea so truly mad, as to be deprived of his memory, in not knowing his Keeper, or any other body else; yea his fury is so great, as to resist stripes, to slight and contemn correction be it never so severe, he will endeavour what in him lieth to perpetrate what mischief he is able, by biting, striking, and endangering whom or whatsoever thing cometh into his way, and when he cannot have his mind of living creatures whereupon to wreak his malice, then will he do it partly upon dead creatures, by biting and gnawing the Manger and Racke-staves, and by striking the posts and bars with his heels, and partly upon himself by beating his head against the wall and ground; S. Anthony's fire. he will also forsake both his meat and sleep, or natural rest, until he dyeth, if he be not in time cured, which is thus. Take first help enough, and cast him, which done, take a worm which groweth in a Fuller's teasel, and put this worm alive, and without any hurt into a quill: then slit the skin of the forehead of the horse under the foretop, and open the same round about with your cornet, making a concavity an inch round every way and better, betwixt the skin and the bone: which done, blow the said Worm out of the quill into the place which you made hollow as aforesaid; but take heed you do not kill the Worm in stitching up the skin again, because that the Worm may not get forth: and after twenty days the Worm will dye, and in that time the Horse will be throughly cured. This cure was taught me by the aforesaid Noble Knight, with which he affirmed to me, that he had cured 3 or 4 horses. § 8. A. Hippoph. What say you to an Anticor? Hippos. Sir, I say it is a disease whereunto Horses are oft times inclined, and it cometh sundry ways, to wit, sometimes with too much feeding without exercise, sometimes of too hard and immoderate riding or other labour; both which ways the blood of the creature becometh corrupted and inflamed, which maketh its residence in and about the heart, which if it should not have a way to make its vent, it would quickly kill him, by which means many good Horses die suddenly, and the cause unknown. This Disease is apparent to the eye by a swelling which will arise in the middle of the breast just against the heart from whence it taketh its name, which if it be not soon prevented, will ascend to the throat, and then it is certain death. It cometh likewise by surfeits taken by heats and colds, sometimes also by Fevers, which are malignant, and sometimes again by feeding upon unwholesome meats. The signs to know this disease before the swelling do appear are these: he will be sick and groan many times when he is laid, he will hang down his head, and forsake his meat; and than if he should desire to eat, what meat he loveth best, whether Hay, Grasse, Provender, or Bread, lay it upon the ground before him, and if he hath a mind to eat thereof, albeit he make proffer to bring his mouth towards it, yet he shall not be able to reach it, but will sooner famish: when you do perceive the swelling to appear, first draw blood from both the Plate-veynes, but if you cannot find them, then let him blood on both sides of the neck to a good proportion; which done, you may give him the drink of Diapente with Beer or Ale, putting thereinto one ounce of brown sugar candy, and half an ounce of London Treacle, which will drive the sickness and grief from his heart; which done, anoint the swelling with this Ointment. Take Hogs grease, Boar's grease, and Basilicon, Anticor. of each three ounces, incorporate all these well into one body, and anoint and rub the swelling therewith every day till it come to a softness, and then open it, and let forth all the corrupted matter: then wash the Sore with your Coperas water mentioned in lib. 2. cap. 10. § 4. and then put in your green Ointment prescribed you in capite ibidem, and it will be soon whole. ✚ Thus have I cured many Horses of this Disease, and I never failed if the Horse had not been swelled too high towards the throat or neck, before I took him in hand. ✚ But Master Blundeviles and Master Markham's cure for an Anticor, is thus. First they let him blood in the plate-veins, and then they give him this drink. Take a quart of Malmsey, and put thereto half a quartern of Sugar, and of Cinnamon two ounces, and so give it him bloud-warme, and keep him warm in the Stable, especially his breast, that no wind do offend him; and for his drink, let it be warm Mashes, and such meat as he will eat. And if the swelling do appear, then besides letting him blood, they do strike the swelling in diverse places with their phlegm, that the corruption may go forth, and anoint the place with warm Hogs grease, and that will cause it to wear away, or else grow to a head if it be kept warm. Thus Master Blundevile, and Master Markham's cure is in effect the very same. Master Markham also prescribeth Malmsey and Diapente, which is used also by others, and it is very good: and he also saith that some do administer Doctor Stephen's water, he affirmeth he hath seen to have wrought in this kind strange effects. For my part I submit, for that these Receipts seem very probable; howsoever I never did experiment any but that only which I first inserted, which I had of a famous Ferrier in France, and therefore I finding mine to be infallible, made trial of none other. § 9 A. Hippos. Attaint upper. What is that you do call an Upper Attaint? Hyppos. It is none other thing but a swelling of the master or Back-sinew of the fore-legge above the Pastern-joynt, and most commonly cometh by an overreach; that is, when the Horse in running either down a hill, or upon deeps, or upon or overthwart high furrows of ploughed lands, or upon other evil or uneven grounds, do strike the toe of his hinderfoot against the great sinew of the fore-leg. This I say, we term an Upper Attaint. Hippophyl. How may a man come to know assuredly that the grief lieth in that sinew? Hippos. Your eye and hand (Sir) will show it you very palpably; for the sinew will swell, and burn, and be sore, and the Horse will haut therewith. Hippoph. What cure have you for it? Hippos. We use to apply to the place a charge restringent which must be siccative. Hippoph. I should rather think that by applying suppling or mollifying Oils or Unguents, you might cure it sooner and much better. Hippos. Herein Sir, under your favour you are much mistaken: For all things that are suppling are most noxious unto these kind of Maladies, by reason that all Oils and unguents will cause the Sinew to swell much more than otherwise; and therefore we do apply siccative and drying things. Some use Cauterizing, which indeed will cure, and set the Horse upright again, but therein are two inconveniences; to wit: First, albeit it taketh away his pain so as he desisteth from halting, yet will the place be ever after swelled, which willbe a continual eyesore, during his life; Secondly, the marks and strokes where the Iron went willbe ever after seen, making the hair of a different colour; both which are great blemishes to the Horse. Hippoph. Wherein then consisteth your best Cure in this case? Hippos. I always use for a Sorance of this nature to apply this ensuing Charge. Take Cantharideses two ounces, Mastic four pennyworth, Attaint ●per or ba● sinew spra● Venice Turpentine two pennyworth, Euforbium four dams, Black-Rosin six ounces, Aquafortis two dams: beat the Cantharideses and Euforbium into fine powder; then first melt the Mastic and Black-Rosin, then put in your Turpentine, which so soon as it is melted, put in your Cantharideses and Euforbium, and let all boil together, keeping them stirring, and have a special care it boil not over; and when you have taken it from the fire, put in your Aquafortis, and so stir them well together, and put it into a glass or galley-pot, and so keep it for your use. And when you have occasion to use the same, first wash and bathe the grieved place well, then with your Splatter, spread it upon the place being made warm, and clap flox upon it of the same colour, and give him rest, and he will do well. But he must have time, and after a week that he hath been thus charged, let him be put forth to grass if it be not in Winter, or the Winter or cold weather approaching. ✚. Another. Take the whites of two new-layed Eggs, and the powder of Bolearmonack, and the best and strongest white Wine Vinegar, incorporate these very well together with the powder of Sanguis draconis, and having shaved away the hair as aforesaid, spread it good and thick upon the grieved place, adding still more every three days for fifteen days together, and then put him forth to grass, and let him run a whole March, and after so long as you shall think to be sufficient, and he willbe sound again. ✚. This I have also made trial of, and I have found it to be right good. A French Marshal taught me a Medicine for an Attaint or , whereof I did never make use; howbeit he protested unto me he thought it one of the best cures that he could ever know, and I myself saw him dress a Horse therewith, but how the Horse became cured I had not time to know, by reason I departed from Orleans before the Cure was performed. And the Cure was this. Take one or two handfuls of Saxafrage, and all the Suet of a Loin of Mutton, and a pint of white Wine; chop the Herb, and mince the Suet very small; and so boil all these together, which being thus well boiled, take a sufficient quantity of Horse-dung newly made by a Horse that goeth to grass, and putting it to the other Ingredients, work it to a Salve, and apply it plasterwise to the place good hot, renewing it twice every day for so long time as you shall think to be convenient. Now Master Blundevile, and Master Markham do both agree in the Cure of an Attaint which is thus: First, wash and bathe the place with warm Water, and shave the hair so fare as the swelling goeth; then scarify the sore place with the point of a Razor, that the blood may issue forth: Then take Cantharideses and Euforbium, of each half an ounce, powdered, and mingle them together with a quartern of Soap, and with a shy spread some of the Ointment over all the sore, suffering him to rest in the place where you dressed him for one half hour after, and then you may take him into the Stable, there letting him stand without Litter, and so tied that he may not touch the sore with his Mouth, and then the next day use him in the same manner again; then the third day anoint the place with fresh Butter; continuing so to do by the space of nine days, and at nine day's end, make him this bath. Take Mallows three handfuls, a Rose-Cake, and Sage of each a handful: boil them together in a sufficient quantity of fair water; and when the Mallows are become soft, put in half a pound of Butter, and half a pint of Salad Oil, and then being somewhat warm; wash and bathe the sore place therewith every day once, till it be whole. This Medicine I confess I never tried, but I think it very good. Master Blundevile hath only this, but Master Markham hath sundry others: some of which, I will relate, to the end the Ferrier may make his choice. Another. Take Dialthea, Agrippa, and Oil, and mixing these together lay it to the swelling. Another. Take also Frankincense, Rosin, Tar, Euforbium, Turpentine, Fennugrick, of each a quarter of an ounce, of Suet one ounce, of Oil one ounce, of Wax three ounces, & three quarters of an ounce of Myrrh; mix and melt all these together, and plasterwise lay it to the place till it be whole. Another. Take also Sanguis-Draconis three quarters of an ounce, Bolearmonack one ounce, Oil as much, Mastic three ounces, Suet, as much, and as much Swine's grease: melt and mix all these together and lay it to the swelling, and it will take it away. Another Cure I found in an old Manuscript, with which I have cured many horses, which have been much swelled, which is this: viz. Take Turpentine, of Venice one ounce, and Aquavitae, three Spoonfuls: beat them together in a Bladder, or some other convenient Vessel, until they come to a perfect salve, then anoint the sore very well therewith, and heat it in with a hot Brick, or a hot Iron: and thus doing four or five times, it will set him upright. ✚. This I have often tried and it is very good. §. 10. A. Hippoph. What is that which you call a Nether Attaint? Hippos. It is also an sometimes, and sometimes again it cometh by a Wrench, sometimes by a Strain, sometimes by treading upon a sharp stone or stub, and sometimes it cometh by a blow, and it is called properly a Nether Attaint, Atta●●● Neath●● by reason it being commonly upon the fore-legge like as is the other; it is nevertheless placed lower than the other is; for whereas the other is above the Fet-lock joint, this is under it, for it is commonly upon the Heel or Frush, nor is it oftimes visible to the eye, howsoever it may be felt, as well by the heat and glowing which will be upon the heel, as also by the softness, for there will be a Bladder or blister of viscous corrupt matter like to jelly, which will grow in the place; and besides it will make the Horse to complain, and it willbe also somewhat swelled. I have cured sundry Horses which have had this Malady, and they have done well again. The cure is thus, Take a piece of filleting and bind it above the Pastern-joynt a little good and hard, which will cause the blister or swelling the better to appear more visible to the eye; make incision with your Incisionknife, and crush out all the corrupt jelly, and congealed matter. Then heal it up by washing the sore with Coperas water, declared in lib. 2. cap. 10. §. 4. and after anoint it with the Green Ointment mentioned in capite et §. Ibid. and so in short time it will be whole and sound again. ✚. This is a very hard Cure for your ordinary Country Smiths to take in hand to perform, if they be not well acquainted with the nature of this Malady. Master Blundevile, and Master Markham, have both this manner of Cure, only they differ from me in the healing Salve. § 11. A. Hippoph. What Cure have you for the Avives? Hippos. This term Avives we have also gotten from the French, which our Ferriers do call the Viues. It is a disease which grows under the Ears, and secundum vulgus, Avives. it is called the Five or Vives from the Ears it creepeth down towards the Throat, which when they begin to inflame will swell, and not only pain the Horse very much, but also prove mortal, by stopping his Wind they will kill him out right, if it be not in time cured; and I myself have seen and known Horses die of this malady. It proceedeth most commonly of Rankness of Blood: in the cure, care must be taken that you do not touch the Grains or Kernels with your fingers The Avives or Vives are certain flat Kernels, much like Bunches of Grapes which grow in a cluster, close knotted together in the place; the most certain cure is to cut the Skin longest-wayes, and to lay the Kernels or Grains open, and then with an Instrument made like to a pair of Pliers to pinch forth the Grains, then to apply unto the place either a linnen-cloth, or a few hurds steeped well in whites of Eggs well beaten, and so bound on, and renewing it daily, it will cure it: but you must heal up the Skin with the Greene-Oyntment before spoken of in Cap. & §. Ib. ✚. But the common cure is to draw down the sore with a hot Iron just in the midst, so fare as the swelling goeth, and then under the root of the Ear, draw two other strokes of the fashion of an arrow's head, then open the skin, and with a small pair of plyers, pull out the kernels, and so cut them off, but have a care of the vein: that done, fill the place with Bay-salt made into fine powder, and after heal up the sore with the aforesaid Ointment. ✚. This have I also practised, and performed the Cure, but with greater difficulty than the former, by reason of the Fire which I put to the place, and therefore I do hold my former Cure the better, safer, and speedier. ✚. Master Blundevile and Master Markham do say, that the Italians use to take a sponge well dipped in strong wine vinegar, and bound to the Sore, renewing it twice a day till the kernels do rot; then they open the neither most part of the softness, and so let the corruption forth, and then fill the hole with salt finely brayed: and the next day they wash away the filth with warm water, and the next day after, they anoint the Sore with Honey and Fich flower mingled together till it be whole. This Cure I never made trial of, but it seemeth to me to be a very good and probable Cure. Another for the Avives. Take Tar, tried Hogs grease, Bay-salt, and Frankincense powdered, of each so much as will suffice, melt these on the fire all together, then with a clout fastened to the end of a stick, boiling hot scald the places 4 or 5 mornings one after another, until the inflamed places do become soft and ripe. Then with your incision knife slit the skin, and let forth the corruption: then to heal up the sorances, take tried Hogs grease and Verdigrease made into fine powder, melt them upon a gentle fire, but suffer it not to boil more than a waume or two at the most, then take it off, and put to it of ordinary Turpentine, as much as will suffice, and so stir all together until it be cold. And herewith anoint the sorances' daily, till they be whole: ✚ This is very good. Master Markham in his Master piece, hath a Cure for the Avives, which he entitleth; A most rare and certain approved Medicine, which will cure the Vives without either burning, melting, rotting, or any such like violent exercise. But as yet I did never experiment the same. The cure is this. Take a pennyworth of pepper, beaten to fine powder, Swine's grease a spoonful, the juice of Rue a handful, and of Vinegar two spoonfuls, mix all well together, and convey it equally into both the ears of the Horse, and so tie or stitch them up, then shake his ears that the medicine may sink downwards: which done, you shall let him blood in the neck-veyne, and in the temple-veine. And this (saith he) is an infallible cure. § 12. A. Hippoph. What disease is that which we do call the Arraistes'? Hippos. Arraistes' is also a French Epitheton, which is a disease we do commonly call the Rat-tayles, engendering in the heels of a Horse, not much unlike to the Scraches, but that it is much more venomous and malignant. It cometh of too much rest, and the Keeper's want of care in the not rubbing and dressing him, as also by reason that the Horse standeth continually in the Stable, his fore-feets being higher than his hinder-feets: for by reason of his great rest and pampering, the blood corrupting in his body, falls down into his hinder-legges, and breedeth this disease, which now we do call the Arraistes', Arraistes' or Rat-Tayles. Rat-tayle● The best Cure for this Malady is, first, to let the Horse be ridden till he be warm, whereby the veins will swell, and the better appear. Let him blood in the fetlock veins on both sides, making him to bleed well; and the next day after, wash the sores with warm water, and then clip away all the hair from about the Sores, then anoint the grieved places with this Ointment, viz. Take green Coperas, and Verdegreace, of each two ounces, and of common honey four ounces; beat your Coperas and Verde-greace very small, and so work them with your honey to a perfect unguent, and herewith anoint the Sores daily till they be whole. ✚. And thus we do conclude this Chapter. CHAP. V. § 1. B. Hippoph. What is your best way to break and heal the back of a Horse that is swollen? Hippos. We have many ways to cure a Malady of this nature: if the place be swelled, and yet not ripe enough to be opened, then apply that remedy which you shall find taught you hereafter, to resolve or ripen the same: and when it is ripe, put your incision knife unto it, or a hot iron, and so open it in the lowest part, so as the putrefaction may the more easily passeaway; then every morning inject this Lotion with a Seringe; which is thus to be made, viz. Back swelled. Take Honeysuckle leaves, Plantine, Ribwort, Yarrow, Bursapastoris, Knotgrass, and Cumphrey, of each half a handful, boil these in a quantity of running water, till a moiety be consumed, then strain the herbs from the water, casting away the herbs, and then set the water upon the fire again, and so soon as it beginneth to boil again, put into the said water honey of Roses, one ounce, Alum and Alkenet, of each two drams, stir all these well together, and let it boil till these latter ingredients be well dissolved, then take it from the fire, and when it is cold, put it into a clean glass, keeping it close stopped for your use. Use this water every day five or six days together, and it will cure any Sorance in the back, or other part of the body, provided that to skin the sore, you apply a rag made wet in the said water. ✚ Another Receipt I have wherewith I have cured many galled backs, and other sorances: which is as followeth. Take water and salt, and boil them well together, and first wash the sore place therewith. Then take Pepper made into very fine powder, and strew it upon the sore, & it will heal it in very short time. ✚. A third I have much more sovereign than the two former, which cureth not only all galled backs, but any other wound whatsoever. Take Rosin, and common Pitch, of each six ounces, Mastic, and Incense, of each one ounce, Turpentine, Galbanum, Bolearmonacke, of each three ounces, melt, dissolve, and incorporate all these together upon a gentle fire, and as they do begin to cool, make them up into rolls, and when you would use this Salve, spread it upon a cloth or leather, somewhat thin; but if you be to use it without either cloth or leather, to any outward part that is not yet broken, then lay it on much thicker than you use to do plasterwise; and whilst it is warm, clap flocks of the same colour upon it. This Emplastrum as it cureth any swelling, gall, wound, sore, or hurt; so it ripeneth, breaketh, and healeth all impostumations, biles, and pustils. It is also a most excellent defensative plaster for the staying and drying up of all evil humours, and also very sovereign for assuaging of swellings. ✚. Another Receipt I have taught me by a worthy Knight, but I never made use thereof. Take the leaves of Asmart, and wash them, and lay them all over the place; and albeit you ride him every day, yet will he heal very fast. But if he do remain in the Stable without exercise, if you put the water of the leaves upon the place, it will heal him speedily. Another Receipt I have which was taught me by a French Marishall, howbeit I made no trial thereof, but he commended it to be tresbonne; which is this, viz. Take three parts of sheeps-dung, and one part of wheat or Rye-flower, and dry the flower, and then knead them together, and bake it a little, and apply it blood warm to the place. § 2. B. Hippoph. IS there a disease in a horse called the Barbes? Hippos. Yea Sir, there is such a disease, and it groweth in the mouth under the tongue naturally, for every Horse hath them, Barbes. nevertheless there is no harm in them, until they do become inflamed, and then they will swell with corrupt blood, proceeding from naughty humours, and become raw, and so trouble and pain the Horse, so as he cannot feed without much grief: for it cometh by means of evil humours, and inflamed blood. I never heard of more Cures than two for this malady, which is to take hold of his tongue, and on either side under it of the jaw you shall see two teats or paps; clip them away close, and then wash the place with a little water and salt, and they are cured. The other Cure. Take a pair of Scissors and clip them away from under the tongue, and let them bleed, then prick him in the palate of the mouth with your Fleame, that he may bleed the better, then wash the places with white wine vinegar, Bolearmonacke, and Bay-salt, of each as much as will suffice, and for three or four days after, let him see that no hay-dust stick upon the places so clipped, and he will soon be well again. §. 3. B. Hippoph. What good Receipt have you to dissolve and dry up all ill humours in the body? Hippos. The best thing that I could ever know, Bath for Humours to dry them up. is a certain Bath which I make, wherewith I bathe him, and I do find it to be right good, which I make thus, viz. Take Sage and Rosemary, of each a handful, of the bark of the root of Beech, three pound, and of the barks of young Elms, Oakes, and Ash, of each a handful, of Nep, Pennyroyal, and of Chest-nuts, the rinds being taken away, of each a handful, three or four white Onions clean peeled and cut into small pieces of slices, red wine three pottles, strong white wine vinegar two pottles: boil all these together, and cause your Horse to be walked a quarter of an hour before, a good pace, that he may be only warm, then let him be presently bathed with this Bath good and hot, and then set him up warm, and let his drink be either sweet Mashes or white water: bath him thus three days together, and feed him with such meat as is sweet and wholesome, and let him not be ridden into any water in eight or ten days after, and this will dissolve and dry up all his bad humours. ✚. This I learned of an Italian Rider in Brussels, whom I saw practise it very often whilst I was there, and road with him. And since I have myself administered it to many good Horses here in England, with which I have done very much good. Hippoph. Now that we speak of Baths, I would gladly know what are their virtues. Hippos. Baths have been much more in use in former times than now they are, howbeit I and my Master do use them often, and we do find great profit by them: for they are fomentations, which be the most comfortable things of any to the joints and limbs of a Horse. Baths dissolve all ill humours, and gives heat and warmth unto all the members that are benumbed with cold, or for want of blood; it comforteth and strengtheneth them; and it giveth very great ease to the pained sinews. Besides, it assuageth swellings in or about any outward parts of the body; for legs swelled, stiff or benumbed, or for any other joint pained or grieved, Bath for st ffe legs. or for any string haut, cramp, or convulsion. I commonly use a bath, which doth in short time cure all such like Maladies. And my bath is this. Bath 1 Take Muskadine and Salad oil, of each a pint, Bayleaves and Rosemary, of each two handfuls, let them boil half an hour, and when you are to bathe your Horse therewith, rubbe and chafe the grieved place with a wisp or haircloth a pretty while, then put the foot into some broad bowl or pail, whereby to preserve the liquor and herbs, and lave and bathe him thus a quarter of an hour which ended, bind upon the place a piece of Sheep's or Lamb's skin, with the woolly side to the leg, and let him stand so four and twenty hours: apply this five or six times, and it will be a perfect Cure. ✚. Another bath I have which is most sovereign to cure all gourdy, gouty, and swollen legs, which cometh either by farcin, scratches, or the like, wherewith I have cured very many Horses. And thus it is made. Bath 2 Take the grounds of a Beer battle with the Barm, Smallage, Featherfew, Winter-savory, Cum●ry, Mallows, Rue, Set-well, Pennyroyal, Wormwood, Archangel, of each a good handful, and of the leaves and Berries of Missletow three or four good handfuls, Sheep's Tallow one pound, tried Hogs-grease half a pound, three or four handfuls of Rye or Wheat Bran: boil all these together until all the herbs and Missletow become soft: but be sure you have liquor enough, and a little before you take it from the fire, put into it some Hay: With this, bathe his Legs; first one, than the other, putting still that Leg which you are to bathe into a broad Bowl or Pail, as is afore showed; and when you have bathed that Leg sufficiently, then take of the hay in the Bath, and making a Thumband thereof, roll it about the Leg above the uppermost or middle joint, and put off the herbs betwixt his Leg and the Thumband and so use the other Leg or Legs which are swelled and need bathing: Which done, power of the liquor remaining upon the thumbands: and thus let him be bathed herewith every day once for so many days together as you shall think requisite, and it will bring down the swelling quite, and make him sound. ✚. Another Bath I have no less excellent, wherewith I have done many rarecures. viz. Take Smallage, Oxe-Eye, and Sheep's Suet, of each like much, Bath 3 to a good quantity: Chop them small together, and after stamp them in a stone Morter; then boil them with man's Urine, and bathe the grieved parts herewith warm, doing as before with a Bowl or Pail: then with Thumbands of soft Hay made first wet in cold water, rope up the member, as well above as below the grief. Use this as oft as you shall see cause, out if the grief happen in travel, then by bathing him thus overnight and roping him up, he willbe able to travel again the next morning without complaining. ✚. This I do assure you is a most excellent Bath, and it cureth any Lameness which cometh either by stroke, strain, or other Accident. One other Bath I have whereof I never made use, taught me by Bath 4 a Gentleman, who was well versed in Horse-leech-craft. And his Receipt is this: viz. Take Savine, and the Bark and Leaves of the Bay-tree, Pelletory, Rosemary, Sage, Rue, of each three ounces, boil these in a Gallon of white Wine, until half be consumed: herewith bathe your Horse as before is showed, and whether the Grief be visible or not, use it and you will find it an approved Medicine. After this manner hath the Gentleman delivered me this Receipt, which he protested to me to be most sovereign; which I can neither commend nor dispraise by reason I never yet had experience thereof. And thus much of Baths, now let us pass to other matters. §. 4. B. Hippoph. I Pray you Hipposerus, can you show me what is good to cause a Horse in the Stable to Belly well? Hippos. That can I sir, for many horses by being kept long in the stable (especially young horses) will seldom have good bellies, for their bellies will shrink up towards their Flanks, and they become as great as Running Horses use to be, when they are dieted for a Course; which doth betoken great Costivenes in them, which proceedeth of much unnatural heat in the body; and such Horses never thrive or like well, for they be naturally tender, and wash, or flew of their flesh: and therefore such a Horse I could wish you not to keep, but to put away so soon as may be. For if he come once to hard labour, you cannot possibly keep him sound, but be often sick and unhealthy. The best cure which I have, Belly gaunt. was taught me by a French Marshal, who told me that every horse hath about his Cod two small strings, which extend from his Cod to the bottom of his Belly, to wit, of each side one; which said strings you must break with your finger, a thing very easy to be done by those that have practised it; and when you have broken them, you must anoint that place every day with fresh Butter and Vnguentum Populeon mixed together; this done, in short time he will come to Belly well. This I never myself tried, but he that taught it me did much practise it, and he broke many of those strings of sundry horses in my sight. §. 5. B. Hippoph. WHat means have you to help the pain in the Belly of a Horse? Hyppos. This disease is that we call the Colic, which the Italians do call Colon, Belly pain. from whence our English Ferriers derive the word Colic: the French call it Tranchaisons, which is a pain or gripping in the Belly, coming sometimes of cold and wind, and sometimes of gross Humours which lie in the small Guts; sometimes by reason of abundance of Billions or sharp Humours; and sometimes by inflammations in the Body caused by feeding upon raw and bad meats, which occasioneth Crudities. But of this we shall have cause to speak more in its proper place of the Colic: Only thus much, that whereas pains and Gripe in the Belly do proceed ofttimes from the Liver, and the working of the Spleen, which is most vento●ous. But I think it not amiss to give you one Receipt wherewith to cure any Gripe or pains which may at any time proceed either from the Liver, Spleen, or Milt. Neither have you any Signs whereby to know this disease, but only the same for the Colic. And the cure is this. Take Isope, Cowslips, Liver-wort, Lung-wort, of each like much, so as all when they be together, they do not exceed half a handful. Then take Gentiana, Aristolochia Rotunda, Fennugrick, Enula-Campana, dried long-Pepper, of each half a spoonful, and one spoonful of Honey: chop the herbs small, and make the other simples into fine powder, and boil them in a quart of Ale or Muskadine which is much better, and give it him blood warm, and ride him an hour after; then set him up warm, and four or five hours after, give him boiled barley, and for three or four days, let his drink be either Mashes or white water. ✚ With this I have done many good cures. § 6. B. Hippoph. What is good to heal the tongue of a Horse, which is hurt with the Bit or Halter. Hippos. If the tongue of your Horse be hurt or cut with his Bit or Halter, or by any other accident or mishap, Bitten wher● with the tongue h●● the best way to cure and heal it, is: Take Mell-Rosarum, and anoint it therewith, with a linen rag fastened to the end of a stick, let the Sore be so anointed three or four times a day, and let him always after dressing stand upon the Trench one hour, and in short time it will be whole. With this I have cured many Horses, some of which have had their tongues cut more than half through. X. Another Cure I have, which a Frenchman taught me, which is as followeth. Take red honey, the marrow of powdered pork, quicklime and pepper all made into fine powder, of each like much, boil all these together, still stirring it till it come to an Ointment, with which anoint the sore twice every day till it be whole. With this Receipt I have cured sundry good Horses, and I do know it to be very good. ✚. §. 7. B. Hippop. HOw may a man staunch the bleeding at the nose, or when a vein is cut, or a wound given, whereby a Horse is in danger to bleed to death. Hippos. We have many ways wherewith to staunch bleeding, Bleeding staunch, as well at the nose as elsewhere. As thus, Take the tender tops of Isop, and stamp them to mash, and put them up into his nose, or lay and bind it to the wound or vein cut or broken, and he will be suddenly staunched. ✚. Another: Take Bursapastoris bruised, and apply it to the place, and this is very good. Another: Take the powder of the stone called Emachile, and blow it up into the nose, or lay it to the vein or wound, and the blood will be staunched. Another. Take his own blood, dry it, and make it into fine powder, and apply it as is aforesaid, is very good. ✚. Another: Take the tops of the angriest and youngest red nettles, and stamp them very well, and laid to the place, will staunch bleeding. ✚. Another: Take Hogs dung, and apply it as is aforesaid, is very good, ✚. Take also Bumbast-cotten, woollen cloth, silk, felt, all these burned, or the herb called Clownes-all-heale, will do the like. ✚. Al of these I have often tried, and do find them right good. § 8. B. Hippoph. What is good against blindness? Hippos. Blindness Blindness. may come many ways, and therefore if it be that which cometh of films or thickness in the eyes, which of all other kinds of this nature is easiest to be cured; I will remit them to their proper places. But for films only I will give you one or two Receipts. But first it were fit you should understand how this disease cometh to a Horse. If he be subject to have a thickness or white films in his eyes; it cometh most commonly of a rheum which passeth into his eyes from his head, which you may soon perceive by his continual weeping, and sending forth watery moisture which will run from his eyes upon his face: which when you shall observe, let then his Keeper sundry times every day wash and bathe his eyes with cold water newly drawn from the Well; and this will prevent his films, and cure that flux or rheum: but if the films do come before you observe that he had any such rheum or running at the eyes: then Take man's dung, and put it into a Fire-pan, and so burn it until it come to be a coal, then beat it to fine powder, and put thereof into a Goose quill, and blow it into his eyes twice a day; and this will clear his eyes again. ✚. Take also the tops of the angriest young red nettles, a handful, and stamp them very well, then put it into a fine linen cloth, and then dip it into beer a little, and so strain forth the juice, which done, put a few grains of salt, bay or white to it, and when it is dissolved, drop of this liquor into the grieved eye, one drop: and do thus morning and evening, and it will take away not only a film, and other such like thickness which may hinder his sight, but it will also take away a Pearl. These two Receipts I have often practised, and I have found them very good. ✚ Hippoph. I have heard some say that they can make a Horse suddenly blind and yet after restore him to his perfect sight again: but I think they do boast and crack of more than they be able to do, how think you Hipposerus? Hippos. Why truly Sir, this is easily done, and I will briefly discover unto you the secret, which is thus. Take Saffron, and dry it, and make the same into very fine powder as much as will suffice, and put of this powder into a quill, and so blow it into his eyes, and when it hath remained there by the space of half a quarter of an hour, wipe this powder from his eyes so clean, as that it may not be discerned, and this will make him stone blind. But if you be desirous to have him to reassume his sight again, then. Take Garlic, and chew it in your mouth, and then whilst it is still in your mouth, breath into his eyes, and in five or six times thus doing, he will again see very perfectly. ✚ But this latter must be administered within eight days after the Saffron was blown into his eyes, otherwise his sight will never be recovered. ✚ §. 9 B. Hippoph. What is good against the biting of a mad dog? Hippos. I have only three cures for it, whereof I never had occasion to make trial; howbeit they were all recommended unto me for special good: the first is. Take the tendertops of Rue, Boxe-leaves, and Primrose-roots, Biting of mad Dog. of each a handful, pound them together in a mortar, and put them into a quart of new milk, with London Treacle one ounce, and so give it him blood warm. This proportion will serve very well for two Horses. Another, Take Hobgoblin, perewincle, and Box leaves, of each one handful, first mince them small, and then stamp them very small in a stone mortar, and with milk or beer administer it, both at the Change or Full of the Moon. A third cure I also have, which is this: Take the herb which groweth in dry and barren hills, called The Star of the earth; you must give it three days together; the first time you must gather three of these herbs with all the whole roots, and wash them clean, and wipe them clean, than pound them well, losing no part of them; which done, give it your Horse in Milk, Beer, Ale, or white Wine; but be careful the Horse take all the herbs and roots: but if you will, you may make up these herbs and roots in fresh or sweet butter which will do as well: the second day give your Horse five of these herbs and roots, like as you gave him them the day before; and the third day give him seven. Do this punctually as I have here prescribed you, and be you well assured your Horse will be perfectly cured: for albeit I myself have never tried this medicine, yet I do know the party of whom I had this Cure, hath cured much cattles of all sorts therewith, for it cureth all sorts of living creatures which shall be bitten by a mad Dog; I myself can say thus much of this Receipt, that I knew it cure a whole kennel of Hounds of a Gentleman's, one Beagle excepted which they did not suspect to be bitten, which indeed was bitten, so he fell mad and died, but all the residue escaped and did very well. Another time a Gentleman's son of my acquaintance was unfortunately bitten by a mad Dog, who was cured by the party who taught me this Receipt, and this young Gentleman (for he was then but a boy of ten years old) was so fare spent with the rancour of the disease, before this man took him in hand, as that his head began to he addle, and he to talk very idly, yet he cured him, so as he lived and did well, and is at this hour living, he being now come to man's state, and a very handsome and proper man, whose Parents whilst they lived, I very well knew, and with whom I was very intimately acquainted. ✚ § 10. B. Hippoph. What remedy have you for a Spaven? Hippos. We have two sorts of Spavens: the one we call a Through wet, Blood or Bog-Spaven; the other a Dry, or Bone-Spaven: the first of these two is easily cured; the second may be cured, but such a cure is not for every Ferrier to take upon him to compass: for that it is a Cure of very great difficulty, and of no less danger. To speak therefore first of the Blood Spaven, Bloud-Spaven. it is a Disease which groweth upon the hough, with a swelling which is full of blood, which though it be greatest upon the inside, yet the swelling appeareth also upon the outside, being fed and nourished by the great vein which runneth along the inside of the thigh, and so cometh along the inside of the hough, and so down the leg to the pastern, and so from the pastern to the bottom of the foot. This malady cometh by means that the blood is corrupted through hard riding, especially when the Horse is very young. Now the blood being through over much heating too much stirred, it begetteth a fluxible humour, which being marvellous thin, falleth to running downwards towards its centre, but it is stopped in its passage in the hough, where it resideth, and by that means swelleth, and so becometh a disease, which pestering that place, makes the joint stiff, whereby he becometh stark lame, not being able to go, but with great difficulty and pain. The sign is most easy, being most apparent to the eye. The best way to cure it, is: first, to shave away the hair on both sides the swelling, so fare forth as the swelling goeth: then take up the thigh vein, and let it bleed well; which done, tie the vein above the orefice, and let the vein bleed from below what it will; whereby the blood which was assembled about the spaven place, which caused the former swelling, is by this means sent away: then with your phlegm or incision knife, make two incisions in the lower part of the swelling, and after prick two or three holes in each side of the hough where the Spaven is, that the medicine may take the better effect, and when the blood and water hath vented away so much, as it will do, bind round about it, plasterwise the whites of Eggs and Bolearmonack very well beaten together, either upon hurds or linen cloth, and make it fast about the hough, so keep on the plaster. The next day take it off, and wash and bathe the sorance with this bath, viz. Bath for Bloud-Spaven. Take Mallows and the tops of nettles, and boil them in water till they be soft, and therewith bathe him. Then take Mallow-roots, Brancha Vrsina, Oil, Wax, and white Wine, so much as will suffice, and boil them, bind this warm to the sorance round about the hough, and sew a cloth about it, and so let it remain three days more; and every morning struck it downwards with both your hands gently, to the end the bloody humour may issue forth. The fourth day bathe and wash it very clean with the former Bath. That done, Take Carana, and stone Pitch, of each one ounce, and of Brimstone a quarter of an ounce made into very fine powder: melt these together on the fire, and when it is almost ready to be taken off, put into it of Venice Turpentine half an ounce, and make a plaster thereof, spreading it upon leather, and apply it to the place warm, round about the hough, and so let it remain until it do fall away of its own accord: or if it do come off sooner than you might think fitting, then make another plaster of the like ingredients, and apply it as before. ✚ This is the best cure that I could ever know for this malady, with which I have cured many Bloud-Spavens. ✚ Another for a Bloud-Spaven. When the swelling doth appear upon the inward part of the hough, take up the thigh vein, and let it bleed from the neither part of the leg, till it will bleed no longer, and after give fire to the Spaven both longst-wayes and cross-ways, and then apply a restringent charge to the place, and thus it will be cured. This I never tried, but positively speaking, I hold it to be a very good Cure. § 11. B. Hippoph. HOw do you cure the dry or Bone-Spaven? Hippos. This malady is not easily cured but with great difficulty and danger: it is a great hard crust, yea as hard as a bone if it be let run, sticking or indeed growing to the bone, much closer than the bark of an Oak to the body, and it is upon the inside of the hough under the joint near to the great vein of which I spoke of before in the Cure of the bloud-spaven? by which means the Horse that hath such a Spaven, cannot choose but haut. This bone-spaven Bone-Spaven. cometh two ways; the first, through hard riding, or other kind of intemperate labour, whereby the blood dissolving, falleth down and maketh its residence in the hough, which doth in short time become dry and hard as any bone, from whence the sorance taketh its denomination. Secondly, the Horse may have this malady by inheritance or kind either from the Sire or Dam, as I have before specified in the second Chapter of the first Book, where I do entreat of Breeding. The Sign to know it, is evident enough; viz. by your Eye and hand, for it is both visible and palpable enough, and as easy to be seen and felt as the Leg itself. The best way to cure it, is first by taking up the thigh-veine, which caused it, and fed and nourished it, and let him bleed will, and so put him into the Stable, and do no more to him for that day; the next day, shave away the hair from off the Spaven, and rub it hard with a Rowling-pin (having first anointed the place with Petroleum and chafed it well in with your hand) or some other round and smooth stick, morning and evening for four days together, and at the fourth day's end, slit down the skin with your Incisionknife, the full length of the Spaven; but be very careful you do not touch the great Artery or Vein, both which do lie very near; for if you do never so little hurt the great Artery, you utterly maim the horse past all recovery; having thus done, lay to the place the Herb called Flamula bruised, and bind it on that it fall not off, for two days more; then for three days after: Take Cantharideses & Euforbium, & incorporate them well together, (being before beaten into fine powder) with black Soap, and Bay salt, and lay this to the place, and thus dress it every Morning: this will lay the Bone and Crust bare. After take Fearne-roots, Hounds-tongu, and Bore-grease; incorporate all these together, and lay it to the place, until you perceive the Crust to be lose, and to be wasted; assay now and then to loosen the same with your Cornet or other Instrument, and if you can with conveniency take it off quite, do so: Which done, heal up the wound with your green ointment prescribed you in lib. 2. cap. 10. §. 4. you may also apply to the Sorance after the aforesaid corrosives, a Plaster of strong Aegiptiacum till it hath fretted off the flesh upon the Crust so bare as possibly may be, and so you may the better attempt the taking away of the said Crust, or by rubbing it with a Rowling-pin, or a Hasell-stick anointed with Petroleum till the Crust be converted into a mattrative substance, or other thinner kind of corruption, which may very easily be drawn away. And thus have I cured the Bone-Spaven several times: Which disease I cannot easily commend to be cured by any, but those who have before hand seen some other skilful Ferrier to do it before him, and the Method he useth in the working, by reason that the Cure is so extremely difficile, and over-dangerous. ✚. But when at any time you do perceive a swelling begin to be in the Spaven-place of your horse, whereby you may suspect it may prove a Spaven; for prevention whereof. Take Natural Balsam, and having first shaved away the hair, anoint the place with the said Balsam, for two or three days: and after you shall repress the Humours with this Charge. Take Oil of Roses three ounces, Bolearmonack one ounce, wheat flower half an ounce, and the white of one Egg; make all these into one body, and every day (having first anointed it with Balsam) lay on the said Charge. ✚. Hippophyl. But let us look back again to the Eyes. What say you to Bloodshotten Eyes? For a Bone or Dry-Spaven or Curb: First take up the vein that feedeth it (whether Spaven or Curb) as well below as above, then give it fire, then charge the place with pitch made hot, & clap flax upon it, than four days after, you must dulcify the sorance with the Oil Pampileon and fresh Butter melted together upon a gentle fire, and when the scar shallbe fall'n away, you must apply unto it a kind of stuff which is called Blauco or white, made I think of jessoe, and so continue it until it be whole. ✚. This is very good. § 12. B. Hippos. I Say Sir, that Bloodshotten Eyes may easily be helped, if a right Cure be taken, and the Ferrier perite: for as touching Eyes, they are a tender Member, soon hurt and offended of any part about the body of any living Creature; and therefore there ought the greater care to be taken in the Cure thereof: and take this by the way for a point of good Counsel, and for a good Rule, that in administering to the Eyes, you be very careful that your Medicine be not too old, but often made and renewed; for by using old made Medicines, either their Virtues do pass away, whereby the Member dressed receives no good; or else, by being too old, the Medicines may most easily putrify and corrupt, and so by that means do much more harm than good to the Member you hoped to cure; insomuch as if you be not very cautelous in making and compounding your Receipts for the Eyes aright, you may most easily endeavouring to cure one Eye, not fail in putting out both. All diseases in the Eyes come only of two Causes: viz. First, either inward, or outward; Secondly, by means of some Blow, Stripe, Prick, Cut, Bruise, or some such like accident. The Inward Causes do either proceed from evil Humours, which do make their resort to the Eyes, Bloud-shoten Eyes. or else by the means of some cold taken, which breaketh forth at the Eyes into some great Flux; or else by means of some hot, sharp, or salt Humours which do make their resort to the Eyes; all which do and will engender Bloodshotten, weeping, or watery Eyes; and these do proceed from Inward causes. Now these Maladies which have their source from outward Causes, are (as I have before mentioned) either by a Blow, Stripe, Prick, bruise, or the like, which will cause pain and anguish, and such like inconveniencies, whereby the Member being distempered through heat, burning, glowing, etc. will weep and send forth much moisture, which will produce not only Bloodshotten and Weeping-Eyes; but also (if Art and Care be not added in time convenient) Dimness of Sight, Films, Pearls, Pin and web, Dragons, Serpentines, and such numberless Sorances, yea and direct Blindness itself, without special providence and care used by way of prevention. Wherefore for Maladies of this Nature, I will prescribe you a few Receipts, which shallbe very good and approved. First therefore, whereas the common cure in practice among our ordinary Ferriers and Smiths is, to draw blood as well from the Temple-veines as for the Neck veins; my Counsel is, which experience is taught me by my Master here, and it hath not a little profited and pleasured me) to be very cautelous how you draw blood from weak and enfeebled Eyes, as bloodshotten and Rhumatique-eyes, must be (unless in cases of extreme necessity) for by so doing, I have known Horses in like cases which before they had blood taken from them were able to see a little, but after blood-letting they have become so blind as a Beetle; nor were they ever able (no Art wanting) to see more, so as they after became very notable strong, & able Millhorses. First therefore I aver, that instead of opening a vein, I counsel you to lay unto the Temple-veines a Charge, whereby to stay and hinder that Flux of noxious Humours which were the cause of this Malady; and let this Charge be made thus. Bloodshotten Eyes: a Charge. Take Pitch, Rosin, Mastic, of each like much; melt all these together, and either apply it upon a Plaster made of Leather cut round, or of Velvet, of that colour or as ne'er to the colour of the horse as may be, or else lay it good and warm to the Temple-veines, with a cloth fastened to a stick, and before it be cold, clap Flocks of the same colour to the place, and let it so remain on, till of itself, it fall away. Then dress the grieved Eyes with these ensuing things. Take the white of a new-layed Egg, Honey, Selandine, and red-Fennell of each so much as will suffice: stamp them all well together, and so bind it unto the grieved Eye. ✚. But if you do find, that the sight waxeth thick; and that you observe dimness of sight in him, through his weeping: Take then Lapis Calaminaris, and put it into the fire making it red-hot, which infuse or quench in a pint of white Wine; which done, let the stone be made red-hot, and quenched in the same Wine the second time, and so in like manner the third time; and after the third quenching, when it is through cold, dry it; and beat it into fine powder, and put the powder thereof into a glass vial, and put thereto your white Wine wherein your Stone was quenched, and after it hath stood and infused one whole night at the least; put one drop of the clearest of the Wine into the eye of the horse, and so into the other eye also twice a day, till you have stayed the Rheum & quite cleared his Eyes. ✚. Another. Take the juice of Selendine, Red-Fennell, Vervine, and Rue, of each a like quantity, viz. one Branch, or Sprig of either; stamp them together, and strain it through a clean fine linen rag into a little clear running water; then put into it as much grated Ginger, and Bay-salt finely powdered, of each so much as will lie upon a two penny piece, putting all these into a glasse-viall, let it stand to settle, and when you do see it as clear as it will be, drop a drop of this water into either eye, morning and evening bloud-warme, etc. ✚ Another: Take also Ale-hoofe (which is indeed your true ground-Ivy) and stamp it well in a stone mortar, and if it be too dry, put thereinto a little white Rose water, or the water of Eye-bright distilled, then strain it into a glass, and anoint, wash, bathe, and taint (if need be) the sorance therewith, and in short time it will cure the eyes perfectly. ✚ The residue of Receipts I reserve to their due places. § 13. B. Hippoph. What good cure have you for a bloud-running itch? Hippos. This sorance cometh to a Horse commonly by means of some extreme heat given him in the body through over-violent exercise, whereby the blood is inflamed, Bloud-r●ning itch. some whereof getteth betwixt the skin and the flesh, which running too and fro, being salt and billions, it there doth itch and smart, provoking the Horse many times to rub, scrub, and bite himself: Which disease if it be let run long, will come to be an Elephantique leprosy, or at least a terrible mainge: by which means he will soon infect all the Horses which are in the Stable where he standeth, for it is a contagious malady and loathsome. The best way to cure this itch before it proceed further, is, Take Chamber-lye newly made, two quarts, Bay-salt a handful, unslaked Lime a handful, Enule-campana root dried and finely powdered, a handful, but if not dried, then green, cut into thin slices, Hen's dung a handful; boil all these together a while; then with a stick with a clout fastened to it, wash the Horse all over so hot as he may well suffer the same: use this three or four mornings together, and it will cure him, keeping him to a spare diet, and giving him white water. ✚ § 14. B. Hippophyl. What is good to prevent Blowing and pursiveness in a Horse? Hippos. You must first understand Sir, the true nature of this grief, as also how he came by it, whereby you may the more easily know how to cure the same, for that there be sundry ways and means whereby a Horse may come to be breathless and short of wind, and every one of them may be a several disease, and so require a distinct remedy. But if you mean a shortness of wind only, then know that many Horses are naturally thick wound, as being cook-thr●pled, narrow Chawled, etc. Blowing 〈◊〉 Pursivene● Also shortness of wind may come unto him accidentally, as when being fat and over-laden with flesh, or by being too rank of blood, or by too much glut and foulness in the body, then is he subject to shortness of breath and pursiveness; so as upon any motion or exercise he will sweat, pant, blow, and heave at the flanks; and this cometh upon him by immoderate riding, eating, drinking, and rest. And such like exercise causeth the paunch of the Horse (if he be put to any sudden motion or exercise) to be so hard and strutted out, as that he must so strain his longs, (the bellowes of the body) as to cause a dislocation in them, by means whereof they cannot execute their office or function as they ought; and if care and remedy be not speedily had, he will in short time be past all recovery; and then he is brought to that disease which the vulgar do call broken-winded: wherefore to prevent it, administer unto him this ensuing Cure. Let all the hay he eateth, (nor let him eat all he desireth, for such Horses are commonly great feeders) be sprinkled and moistened with water, which will assuage his excess of drinking, and very much cool his blood, which cannot but be inflamed. Then give him every morning for four or five days together, two eggs steeped twenty four hours in the strongest white wine vinegar you can get: give him (I say) these two eggs, and then the vinegar after, then ride him softly an hour after: which done, set him up warm, and three hours after, give him hay sprinkled with water, and at night when you do give him his Oats, wet them in Beer or good Ale, and let his drink be white water. ✚ Do this ten days together, so that about the beginning of May, and about Michaelmas, he may be in breath: and so keep him to spare diet, but with discretion. ✚ This medicine will both purge him, and scour from him much phlegm and filth as well at nose as mouth, and he will be both sounder and in better health a long time after: provided he be also kept to moderate exercise. And if after you have thus drenched and dieted him, you do not perceive his blowing and lifting at the ribs and flanks to cease, then be you confident your Horse is passed all cure, only still moisten his meat as before is inculcated, and he will hold out the longer. ✚ Another Receipt I have for the same malady, which if he be not past all cure, will infallibly do him much good, which is this, viz. Take wheat meal, the powder of Lung-wort, alias Mullet, Gentiana, Anniseeds, Comin-seeds, of each three dams, make them into fine powder, and make paste with them with honey, and fresh butter, of each like quantity, so much as will suffice, and put to it the yolks of two new laid eggs; make this paste into pills, and every morning fasting give him three or four of these pills rolled up in the powder of Enulacampana, and the powder of Licoris, of each like much. These pills preserve the wind of the Horse mervailously, and keeps him always in breath, and therefore good they be often used. ✚ Of these two Receipts I have had great experience, and a third I was taught, whereof I had not oft made trial, yet with that little experience I have had of it, I do find it to be right good, being as followeth. Take the Excrements of a sucking child, and put unto it a pint of white wine; let it boil till the one half be consumed, and so give it him blood-warme. This will cause him to forsake his blowing for 15. days; so as when he beginneth again to blow, give him the same medicine again, and so keep him with this from time to time so oft as you shall have cause, and by this means you shall have his wind good. ✚ But then you must beware you put not into the wine too large a proportion of the Excrements, for it will make him to be very sick, and peradventure endanger him, for howsoever when at any time you do administer it, it will make him very sick. Remember also to sprinkle his meat, and to give him white water. § 15. B. Hyppoph. What is your opinion of Bots, Truncheons, and Worms, their several sorts, and how do you kill them? Hyppos. The general Opinion is, that there are but two sorts of these kind of creeping Creatures, to wit, Bots, and Worms, for they hold that truncheons and bots are both one and the same thing, but they are much mistaken; for bots are of a different shape and colour from truncheons, and of different natures, Bots, & for bots do breed and reside in the great gut adjoining to the fundament, but truncheons do breed and make their abode in the maw only, and if they be suffered to remain any time within the body of the Horse, they will make their way through the aforesaid great gut, and the truncheons through the maw, both which vermin do bring death to the Horse. Now I do aver, that there is a third sort, Three s● of verm● which d● engender the body the Ho●● which have none other denomination than plain worms, unless you will add the word maw-wormes, and so style them maw-wormes, which name indeed is most proper to them, by reason that they select for their resting place the maw only, from which they never departed, where they do eat small holes quite through the maw, by means whereof the Horse dyeth. The Bots are a kind of little worms with great heads and small tails, they breed and live as I said before in the great gut, 1 Bots. adjoining to the fundament, and they may be taken away most easily by putting in your hand, and by picking them from the gut to which they are fastened. Truncheons are in shape short and thick, and of a pretty bigness, 2 Trunch● and they have black and hard heads, but they must be sent away by medicine. Maw-wormes are long, red, and slender, 3 Worme● much like unto earthworms, most of them of the length of a man's finger, and some are longer; these must also be taken away by medicine. All these three sorts do engender in the body of the Horse, by means of evil, raw, and phlegmatic meats, which have turned to bad digestion, whereby putrified matter hath bred in the maw, and from thence these three sorts of evil creatures have engendered. You may very easily know when your Horse is troubled with them: for he will sweat with pain, stamp with his fore-feets, and strike at his belly with his hinder-feets; he will also turn his head towards his belly to look upon it, and forsake his meat, he will also groan, tumble, and wallow; he will also rub his tail as if it were troubled with the itch. Now how to kill these worms is very difficile, for fear of endangering the life of your Horse: only medicines must be given which must cause them to distaste the maw, and to feed upon such drinks being sweet, whereby he may void them with his dung. I will here give you many Receipts, some of which I have very much experimented; and the first is this, viz. Take of Egremony one handful, chop and stamp it small, and put unto it a quart of new milk, with brimstone made into very fine powder, half an ounce: give this to your Horse fasting bloud-warm, and keep him upon the trench fasting three hours at the least, and at night give him white water. ✚ Another. Take the guts of a well-grown chicken, (all but the gizzard) and roll it up warm in the powder of brimstone, and bay-salt, and put it down his throat, and troth him up and down half an hour, doing as before. ✚ Another. Take new milk, and the powder of brimstone, this doth the like. ✚ Another. Take Saven and Wormwood chopped and stamped small, put to it a pint of Muskadine, and give it him warm. ✚ Take also a quart of brine newly made, and give it him to drink. ✚ Another: Take as much Precipitate, alias Red-Mercury calcined as will lie upon a twopenny piece of silver, and convey it into a piece of sweet butter the bigness of an egg, in manner of a pill: give him this in a morning fasting, the Horse having stood all night in his Mussel at the empty rack, unless extremity do compel you, for in such a case you may administer it at any other time. When you are to give it him, take forth his tongue, and make him swallow the whole pill, then ride him a while up and down, and after set him up warm, causing him to fast three hours after: and with this medicine you may kill all manner of Bots, Truncheons, and worms, of what kind soever, yet at the giving, you must be wondrous circumspect and careful; for this Precipitate is a very strong poison, wherefore you must be very observant of your proportion, wherein you ought not to exceed, except with good caution. Again, if you mix your Precipitate before hand with a little sweet butter, the quantity of a hasel-nut; and then afterwards lap it up in the greater lump of butter, it may be received by the Horse to his less danger, and it will beside very much allay its evil quality. But this I leave to your own discretion, assuring you that there is hardly any thing comparable to this, for this disease. ✚ This Receipt I have administered unto three Horses only, whereof the first and last I cured, but the second died under my hands: but I do assure you not for any want of care. ✚ Another: Take Sublimatum so much as can be taken upon a two penny piece of silver, and made up in butter will kill the Bots Bots. in a Horse, if it be administered as was the former Receipt. This I did never try. Another. Take a quart of good Ale, of Rue, and Saven, of each a quarter of a pound, of Stone-Crop half a pound: bray all these in a mortar, and put them to the Ale, and boil it well, then strain it, and give it him bloud-warme, and he will void them. Another; Take of new milk a quart, and a penny weight of brimstone in fine powder, and twenty of the long hairs of his tail, cut them very short, and put it all together into the milk, and give it him to drink, and then throw a handful of bay salt into his mouth, and he is cured. ✚ Another. Take a quart of strong Wort, and give it him to drink bloud-warme, and let him fast eight hours after. Another; T●ke the first day a quart of new milk, and put to it half a pint of honey, and give it him warm: this will cause them to give over from gnawing and feeding upon the maw for a season, by reason they will drink and suck the milk and honey for a time: the next day, give him this drink: Take a quart of sweet Wort, or of your strongest Ale, specially if it be new, then take a quarter of a pound of Ferne roots, of Saven half a pound, of Stone-Crop half a pound; stamp them all together, and put to it of brimstone and of soot, of each two spoonfuls, both well powdered, and let all these be well steeped in Wort or Ale two hours, then strain it, & give him of this two good horn-fuls, then bridle him, and let him stand upon the trench six hours, but this will not kill them; the third day give him these purging pills. Take of Lard one pound, let it be laid in water two hours, then take nothing but the pure fat thereof only, beat it well in a stone mortar, and put thereto of Anniseeds, Licoris, and Fennugrick, all made into fine powder, of each half an ounce, Aloes powdered, two drams, and of Agaricke one ounce: make all these well mixed into one body, and divide them equally into six Pills or Balls, than the Horse having fasted over night, give him in the morning three of these Pills, anointed first with honey, then cloth him up, and litter him well, and keep the Stable warm, and at night give him a sweet Mash, and for three days after, let him have none other drink then white water. These Balls will so purge the bad humours that breed and nourish these vermin, that the Horse will be perfectly clean and free from them, of what kind soever they are: and you shall find them to come away in his dung, and the most of them to be living; for no Medicine (but those two only of Precipitate and Sublimate before remembered, in which is so great peril) can kill them. ✚. This Receipt before any other I have made most use of, & I find it to be the very best, and most infallible of them all; and this will hardly leave one Bot Truncheon or Worm in all his Body: I forbear to report unto you, what quantity of these Vermin, a Horse hath voided at a time, for I love not to relate Wonders. Another Receipt I will deliver you, howbeit not equivalent to the former, which is this, viz. Take the tender tops of green broom, and of Saven, of each half a handful, chop them very small, and work them up into Pills with fresh or sweet Butter; and having kept the Horse over night fasting, give to him three of these Pills in the Morning early, then set him upon the Trench, and let him fast two hours after, but give him no Water till night, and that white Water. ✚. This also have I experienced, and have found it to be very good, for it hath caused the Horse to void many of these bad Cattle. I will conclude with this: viz. Take a quart of Milk warm from the Cow, and put to it of Honey half a pint, and give it him the first day; the next day take Rue and Rosemary, of each half a handful, stamp them well together, then let it infuse, together with the powder of Brimstone, and Soute, so much as will suffice, four hours in Wort or Ale a quart, then strain it, and give it him blood warm; then let him be walked or gently ridden an hour or two, and so set him up warm, and give him Hay an hour before you give him any drink, which let be white Water, and you must not give him Hay in four or six hours after you have given him his foresaid drink. And you must withal remember, that in all Medicines as well for this kind of Malady, as for any other his drink must be either a sweet Mash, or else white Water. ✚. This also is a very good Receipt, and I have had good experience of it, and it hath evermore wrought well. ✚. §. 16. B. Hippoph. WHat help have you for a Brittle Hoof? Hyppos. This cometh two ways, to wit, by nature, or by accident: it cometh naturally when the Stallion who begat him, or the Mare which did Foal him, was subject to the same infirmity; and therefore I do advise all men to forbear Breeding with such a Stallion or Mare, for all their Colts will be in danger to partake thereof. Brittle hoof If it come Accidentally, then must it fall out to come either by some Surfeit that fell down into the Feet, which caused a siccity in the Hoofs, or else in that he had been formerly Foundered or heat in the Feet, and not well cured. I need not show the Signs whereby to know this Malady, being it is most apparent. As touching the Cure, I will give you but only one Receipt for the present; by reason I shall have occasion to handle it more largely when we come to entreat of the Hoofs. And the Cure is this: viz. Take a Rape, or a Drawing Iron, and with either of these make the Coffin of the Hoof fine and thin, in all such places as you shall see cause, and pair the Soles very thin also; then apply to the Feet, as well Soles as Coffins this ensuing Charge. Take Ry-bran, or for default thereof, Wheate-bran, Oxen or Cowes-dunge, of these so much as will suffice, then take Sheepes-Suet, and Hogs-grease tried, Tar, and Turpentine of each half a pound, mince the Sheep's Suet very small, and melt it on the fire, then put to your Hogs-grease, and when these be melted, put in your Ox or Cowdung, stirring them well together, then by degrees put in your Bran, continnually stirring them, and lastly your Tar and Turpentine, and when you have kneaded all these so well together as that they are become one body and like to passed: take them from the fire and so keep them for your use, and being only warm, stop his Soles therewith, but tack on his Shoes first: but for his Coffins make Bags of course cloth, and first covering all his Coffins good and thick, fasten those bags over his hooves to his Pasterns, but take heed they be not too hard tied, yet so as they may stay on; dress him thus every day once for fifteen or twenty days together, and let him not in all that time touch any Water with his Feet, and his Hoofs will become firm and tough again. After if you turn him forth into moist ground it will be the better, if the season will permit it. You must during the time of his cure give him continually white Water. ✚. This cure I have often tried, and it is very good. ✚. §. 17. B. Hippoph. What do you hold good to be applied to the Heels and Feet of a Horse, that is bruised and beaten with travel? Hippos. Sir, I will give you only one Receipt for this cure, which I have often used, and it is so truly a good one, as that it's equal can hardly be found. And thus it is. Take of the tender tops of the most angry, Bruised heels 〈◊〉 feet. and stinging Nettles you can get one handful, stamp them very well in a Mortar, and when they be throughly beaten, put unto them of Turpentine and tried Hogs-grease, so much as will suffice, to bring it to a formal Unguent: Apply this to the Feet and Heels of your Horse, in bags or clouts, and let this be done the very next morning after you come where you may rest him, renew this every day once, and in short time he willbe sound, and well again. ✚. § 18. B. Hippoph. What is good to allay burning with Shot, Gunpowder, or Wildfire? Hippos. For this malady I use evermore to take varnish, and to put it into fair water, and to beat the water and varnish very well together, than I pour away the water from the varnish, and so with a feather I anoint the place burned, Burning with shot. and in few times dressing, it will kill the fire; which done, I heal the sorance with carnifying and healing salves. ✚ This is very good. But I will now give you two or three other unguents, which are most precious against all sorts of burnings, which is this. Take Hogs grease as much as will suffice, set it upon the fire, and let it boil well, and as the skim ariseth, take it away with a feather or such like thing, until no more will arise; that done, and that it hath boiled enough, then put it forth into an earthen vessel, and set it forth into the open air four or five nights, after which time you must wash it in a great quantity of clear running or fountain water, to the end it may be free from salt or other filth, and wash it so long in sundry waters in some great bowl, until it come to be very white, Then melt only this ointment, and so keep it for your use, wherewith anoint the places grieved, and in short time it will cure them. ✚ This I had of a famous French Marishall, and I have often used it, and I ever found it to be most sovereign for all sorts of burnings. But if Hogs grease may not be had, then take the fat of Bacon, and wash it well, and it is marvellous good. ✚ Another, Take fresh butter, and the whites of eggs, of each as much as will suffice, beat them well together, till you bring them to a formal unguent, and anoint the places burned therewith, and it will speedily take away the fire and cure them sound. ✚ This is also special good. Another. Take a stone of quicklime which must be well burned, (that which is best burned, will be lightest) dissolve it in fair water, and when the water is settled, so as all the Lime remaineth in the bottom, strain the clearest of the water thorough a fine clean linen cloth, then put unto this water either the oil of Hempseed, or of the oil of Olive, of like quantity with the water, and so beating them well together, you shall have an excellent unguent most precious for all sorts of burnings. And the nature of these three unguents be to leave no scars. Wherefore we apply them for most sovereign remedies as well for man as beast in cases of this nature. ✚ This also I have often tried, and I have found them all to be most singular. § 19 B. Hippoph. HOw do you take away bunches, knots, warts, and wens, from a Horse? Hippos. These kinds of sorances do come to a Horse, by means of much rankness of bad blood, which is engendered of peccant humours, which humours do proceed of naughty meat. Bunched Knots, 〈◊〉 They are so apparent to the eye, that any man may point at them with his finger. The way to free your Horse of them, is first: take up such veins as you may know to feed them; then shave away the hair from about the places, and for four days together, lay Aegiptiacum to them; at four days end, wash and bathe the places with strong wine vinegar made hot; then take wine vinegar one pint, green coperas and Dyers galls, of each four ounces, cantharides two ounces, bay salt one handful, make these into fine powder, and let them boil on the fire with the vinegar a little, and so wash the sorances therewith scalding hot, and every third day continue thus to do till you perceive them to dry up. Let the scurf fall away of its own accord at leisure, if any more shall happen to grow forth afterwards, apply the same medicine again, albeit it was formerly cured by the same thing: yet I have not seen any Horse to fall into the same malady again, and during the time you have him in cure, let him not come in any water, but keep him in the stable warm. ✚ Another cure is this: First (as before) shave away the hair, and take up the veins which feed those sorances, than six days after, let him blood in the heels to draw away the humours downwards: then wash and bathe him well with hot vinegar; which done, take a quart of oil of Nuts, and Verdegreace powdered two ounces, and a quarter of a pint of Ink; mix all these well together, and apply it cold to the places, rubbing and bathing them well therewith, and if the knots and warts do not begin to dry up at the first dressing, then must you begin again every fourth day until such time as they be throughly cured. ✚ Another, Take course honey one pound, Verdegreace in powder three ounces, mix these well together with the finest wheat flower, and so bring it to an ointment, and after you have cleansed the sorances as before is showed you, apply this ointment to the place with a rowler: if there be any warts among the knots, cut them away clean before you do apply the said ointment, and thus doing ten or twelve days every other day, he will be perfectly cured. ✚ Another: Shave away the hair, and take up the veins as aforesaid, then wash and bathe the place well, then take mutton suet, mallows, and brimstone, make a decoction hereof, & when you have very well bathed the sorances with the said decoction, take the substance thereof, and putting it between two linen , make it fast to the place over night, and in the morning take it away, which done, apply unto the place this unguent, viz. Take vinegar and mutton suet, the gum of the Pinetree, new wax, and rosin of each like much: melt all these together (but put in your Gum last) and so anoint the sorances with a feather twice every day till they be whole. Of this Cure I never made trial, but it seemeth to be a good one. You must not forget in every of these Cures to take up such veins which in your judgement you may find to feed those sorances, and to shave away the hair from about them clean. Now with this other Cure, I will conclude. Wash and bathe the places with the decoction last before mentioned, and lay the substance to the sores. Take then new Wax, Turpentine, and Gum Arabic, of each like much: melt them to an unguent, and herewith anoint the sorances; during which time, let him come into no water, and the Poults of Mallows, etc. must be every night applied till he be whole. Another: Take (and to conclude) blew slate and brimstone, of each four ounces, Verdigrease one ounce, made into fine powder, then take fresh butter four pound, melt it in a small kettle or Posnet, and so soon as the butter is melted, put into it all the former ingredients, and so let them boil well; and when you have brought it to a perfect unguent, take it off, and keep it for your use. And when you would use it, warm thereof upon a chafing dish and coals, and anoint your Horse therewith upon the sorance, and that but once, and it will suffice. But you must let him blood the day before you do anoint him in the neck vein. And at the end of eight days, take a quantity of cold Lee, and three ounces of black soap, and wash the sorance therewith. This quantity of ointment will serve but only for two Horses. Of this Receipt I never had occasion to make trial; but it was taught me by a famous Marishall of France, who commended it unto me for an extraordinary good Receipt; and truly it seems to me so to be. CHAP. VI §. 1. C. Hippophylus. WHat is good to be applied to a Horse, that hath cast himself in his Halter? Hippos. This commonly cometh to a Horse which being tied down to the manger, his ear or paul itching, with his hinder Foot scratcheth the the place that itcheth, so as when he taketh away his Foot, the Halter catcheth into the Pastern joint; which he feeling, falleth to striving, whereby he casteth himself down, and by means of the hardness of the Cord, he is gauled even to the very bone, and many times (if he be not opportunely rescued) the Halter doth strangle him, and he found stark dead. But if the Horse do escape with life, he will be nevertheless terrible gauled, which will soon rankle and swell, unless cure be presently administered. The sign whereby to know it, is apparent enough. I will give you only two Receipts for this sorance, whereof the first shallbe this; viz. Take the leaf of the herb called Saubsucus, Cast in a Halter. stamp it and strain it, and take only the juice thereof, and apply the said juice to the sorance by washing it therewith, after take a linen cloth, white and clean, and make it into three or four folds, steeping the cloth in the said juice, and bind it on to the place grieved: but in Winter when the said Leaf is not to be had, you must take the second rind thereof, and do therewith as before; but then note, that before you wash and apply the said juice to the wound, you must first wash the sorance with warm Water, and then apply your said juice, and he shallbe perfectly cured in short time. This I never yet experienced, by reason I could never yet meet with the Herb. This second I have often tried, and I have found it to be infallible, viz. Make a Roll of fat Wool, and steep the same in Vinegar and Sheep's Suet so much as will suffice, boiled together till it cometh to be very thick, and let the Roll be full as long, or rather somewhat longer than the place gauled: apply this to the sorance Plasterwise, and bind upon it a clean Linen cloth, changing it twice a day, and in short time it willbe whole. This is right good. ✚. § 2. C. Hippoph. What Cure have you for a Canker? Hippos. This is a very loathsome Sorance, which if it be suffered to run long will so fester, and corrupt the place where it happeneth, that it will violently eat, even to the bone: if it fall upon the Tongue, it will eat the very root in sunder; if in the Nose, it will eat the very Gristle through; You may easily know this Sorance, for that the places willbe very raw, and bleed often, and many times you shall perceive a white Scurf to grow upon the place grieved. For it is a most Cankerous Ulcer, which ofttimes is engendered of a fretting humour. It cometh two ways, that is, either of naughty, and corrupt blood procured by means of unwholesome meat, or by some Bilious Humour which came to the Horse by an extreme cold not long before taken, which will cause his bteath to stink loathsomely. Canker. I will deliver unto you sundry cures for this sorance, which myself have experimented, and have found them to be very good. Take white Wine half a pint, Roch Alum the quantity of a Walnut, Bay-salt half a Spoonful, English Honey one Spoonful, Red-Sage, Rue, Ribwort, Honey-Suckle Leaves, Yarrow, Plantine, Bramble-leaves, of each like much, but of every one a little: boil all these in the white Wine so much as will suffice, till a quarter be consumed, and then first inject of this Water into the sorance; or else if the Canker be in the Mouth, wash the place with a clout fastened to a sticks end, and so dress him therewith twice a day or oftener if you shall see cause, till it be whole. ✚. Another Take green Coperas, and Alum, of each one pound, white Coperas four dams, boil these in a pottle of running Water until almost the one moiety be consumed, then take it from the fire, and put into it of Honey half a pound, then holding up his Head with a Drenching Staff (but yet not too high) with a Pewter or Elder Sering or Squirt, inject it into his Nose (if the Canker be there) blood warm; which done, give presently his head liberty, whereby he may snuffle and blow forth the corruption, and fail not to inject him thus three or four times one after the other at every dressing; and do thus Morning and Evening till it be whole; which will not be long. ✚ Butler if it be only a sore Mouth, and that it come to be a Canker, then. Take of the strongest white Wine Vinegar, and make it thick with powdered Alum, and so wash the sorance therewith two or three days together, for this will kill and destroy the Ulcer; then heal up the Sorance thus; viz. Take of fair Water a quart, Alum, and Honey, of each four ounces, Maudeline leaves, red Sage, and Columbine leaves of each a handful: boil all these in the Water till half be consumed and every day twice, that is, Morning and Evening, wash his Mouth therewith bloud-warme, and it will heal him. ✚. Another. First make this strong Alum Water, viz. Take Alum half a pound, Honey half a pint, red Sage, and Wood-bind-leaves, of each a handful: boil all these in fair water, till half be consumed: with this Water and Herbs, wash and rub the Sores till they become red and raw, then take white Wine Vinegar half a pint, Alum powdered two ounces, Ginger powdered half an ounce, and of life Honey half a pint, mix all these well together, and therewith anoint the sore Morning and Evening, and it will cure him. ✚. All these Receipts I have made trial of, and have found them to be right good. Another. Take the juice of the Root Asphodill seven ounces, Quicklime, & Arsenic of each two ounces, beat and incorporate all these together, and put them into a new pot close stopped, and let it boil till it come to ashes; these ashes you shall apply to the Sorance twice a day, but the sore must be first washed with strong Vinegar, as before is taught. §. 3. C. Hippoph. HOw cure you that Horse who hath cast his Hoof? Hippos. This is a troublesome Sorance, yet with care it may be cured: it cometh either by means of some Foundering, or by an Accloy, Prick, Stub, Gravelling, Quitterbone, or other hurt within the Foot, which breaking out above round about the Cronet, and in time the Hoof breaking, it falleth from the Foot. I need relate no Signs whereby to know the same. The Cure is thus. Take Aquafortis the strongest you can get, Casting the hoof. and first with a Rape or Drawing Iron, file or draw away the old hoof somewhat near, then touch the hoof so prepared with your Aquafortis, three or four several dress and no more: This done, anoint the Foot with the Unguent we do commonly make for Horses Feet: viz. Take Hogs-grease three pound, Pach-grease two pound, Venice-Turpentine one pound, new Wax half a pound, salad-oil one pound: Melt and mix all these upon the fire, and herewith chafe, rub, and anoint the Coffin of the Hoof up to the very top; and this will bring a new hoof. ✚ Take also Turpentine half a pound, Tar half a pint, new Wax half a pound, Salad Oil one pint: Melt all these except the Turpentine together till they be well mixed, and a little before you take it from the fire, put in your Turpentine, and so stir it till it be cold; but before hand make him a Buskin of Leather, with a thick sole, made fit for his hoof, but wide enough, that it may be tied about his Pastern, and dress his hoof with this medicine, laying Tow or Hurds upon it, and so put on the said buskin, and fasten it to the pastern joint, or a little above, but so as that the buskin may no way offend or trouble the foot, renewing your medicine every day once till it be whole. ✚ This Receipt is also most sovereign for a Horse that is hoofe-bound: and as the new hoof beginneth to come, it behoveth you carefully to observe where it groweth either harder or thicker in one place more than in another, or crumbleth, or goeth out of order or fashion any where about the Hoof, which when you shall perceive, file the place with your Rape, and so keep the hoof in good fashion, by which means there will come a very perfect hoof again: which being, put him out to grass into some moist Pasture or Meadow, for that is the only way to cause the hoof to become tough. Hippophyl. What is the reason that in all your medicines in which you use Turpentine, you put that in last, and not when you put in your other ingredients? Hippos. Sir, I shall give you in a word a sufficient reason for this demand: to wit, if the ingredients which I do put into any medicine be to be melted upon the fire; as Gums, Pitch, Tar, Rosin, and the like; if I should put in my Turpentine together at once with the residue before it could be sufficiently melted or boiled, the Turpentine (being a drug so subtle) would consume itself into vapour, and by that means leave the medicine imperfect, and that is the cause why I do put in my Turpentine evermore a little before I take it from the fire. §. 4. C. Hippoph. IN what cases do you Cauterize, and what be its virtues? Hippos. Cauterization or giving of fire is of two natures, viz. Actual and Potential: your Cautery actual is made by hot burning instruments, with which you sear and burn those places which be requisite for the perfecting of the Cure you have in hand, which cannot be peradventure otherwise well cured, but by giving of the fire: as in case of great impostumations, staunching of blood in wounds, or in searing of veins, sinews, or the like: or else in case of dismembering, if other means be not at hand, whereby to stay the flux of blood without danger of bleeding to death, and so likewise in very many cases of this nature, wherein I do advise all men that are not very perfect in giving the fire, that they do not practise upon Horses of price, Cautery actual. but first upon jades, and low-prized Horses, to the end they may the better come to know how to carry their hand, and to understand themselves in this Art the better: as when they are to use the lighter, and when the heavier hand; as also that they do make their circles round, and their lines straight and even, and not crooked or waving. For this actual fire is a thing most necessary for them that do truly know and understand the true use and virtue thereof, and therefore it ought to be very carefully, judiciously, and moderately applied, and never but upon good and very considerate grounds: which in so doing, you shall find it to be a most sovereign remedy to hinder and stay all manner of corruption whereunto any member may be inclined, provided that in the handling of your instrument, you touch not Muscles, Arteries, Sinews, Ligaments, Cords, or the like, for so you may utterly lame where you would set upright, and destroy where you would cure, excepting only in cases needful. For by applying this actual fire, you shall join and conglutinate parts and members severed, dry up superfluous moisture, and sink members swelled: you shall beside bring forth all evil and putrifactious matter congealed and gathered into knots, as Wens, Biles, Pustils, Exulcerations, and the like: you shall also assuage old griefs, and make perfect all such parts of the body as be any way corrupted: neither shall you need fear the increase of any evil humours, by reason that the skin being severed by means of the hot iron, it doth ripen and digest all manner of putrefaction and matrative stuff, whereby it venteth and passeth away much more easily, healing and qualifying all grief and pain, causing the member which before was subject to festering and to gangrene, to become the sounder, and by much the stronger, so as nothing of disadvantage will be remaining, but the scar only, where the iron passed, and the worst that can be made thereof, will be but a little eyesore. But than you must have a very great regard unto your Instruments that they be made according to the nature and quality of the place and member which is to be seared: for one fashion will not serve in all causes; for as the places which are to be cauterised are commonly different in shape and proportion, so also ought the shapes and fashions of your instruments to be made accordingly. You are also to have a special care to the heating of your instruments, which ought to be done with a right good judgement; for as they must not be too cold, so ought they not to be too hot, for by that means you may easily inflame the cauterised places too much: Again, in giving the fire great care must be had to the bearing of the hand, for therein consisteth very great cunning, and as I have before admonished you to be careful that you touch not any sinew or ligament, so no fire is to be given to the dislocation or fraction of any bone. And as touching the mettle whereof your instruments are to be made: some commend and prefer gold, silver, and brass, or copper before steel or iron: but I will not control any man's knowledge confessing mine own to be the least; Only thus much I may aver of that little I have (through God's permission) that having made trial of them all, yet I have ever in all my practice found iron and steel to be the very best, and most certain to work with, of all the other metals, and my reason is, because steel or iron will retain it's once received heat longer than any other mettle, whereby I cannot be so much deceived in my work; for gold, silver, and brass, as they be sooner made hot than iron or steel, so are they as soon cold: now steel and iron metals are much more substantial and harder of nature than the other metals be, and therefore as they are somewhat longer before they be hot, so they retain their heat much longer, which during the time of their agitation, works more surely: again, a man cannot tell when those other metals are hot enough, as also when they be too hot, if you put never so little water to them whereby to allay their overmuch heat, they suddenly turn and become so cold as not to be able to make them work at all; the contrary whereof you shall find to be in the nature of iron and steel. And let this suffice for cautery actual. Now I will in a word handle cautery potential, Cautery potential. which as the cautery actual burneth the flesh by the hot instrument; even so doth cautery potential burn the flesh by medicine, of which there are three sorts or degrees, namely by corasive, by caustic, 1 C●rasive. or by putrefaction. Corasive is when that is applied to the wound wherein is dead or proud flesh to corrode or eat it away, by which means the wound is prepared and made the more fit for Emplasters, Waters, or Unguents which do carnifie and make good flesh, by which means the wound which before was foul, is now become clean, healed up, and made sound, and these corroding things are commonly Precipitates, Sublimatum, Arsenic, Resalgar, Leads white and red, Verdigrease, Allome, Coperas white and green, Vitreall, Saudaraclia Chrysocollo, Origanum, Mercury, Aconitum, Capitellum, Roman Vitrial, Shave of Ox or Hearts-horne, Red-corall, Sponge of the Sea somewhat burned, Vnguentum Apostolorum, Vnguentum Aegiptiacum, Vnguentum Caraccum, Magistra, Salniter, Cantharideses, Apium, Aquafortis, Ciclamine, Melanacardinum, and many more, which I am enforced to leave out partly for want of memory, and partly for want of time; all which do burn, eat, and corrode the flesh, putting the poor beast to micle pain. A caustic Caustick. is a greater burner, for that being once put to the skin, will in short time make a wound where none was before, for therewith we do use to make issues, and where it is set to the flesh or skin, it maketh its way in, whereby we may in shorter space administer our Emplastrum, for Caustics are stronger and more violent than either Putrifactives or corrosives; for whereas corrosives do work only upon skin broken, and to corrode and eat out dead, proud, spongy and naughty flesh: and Putrifactives do ripen, mollify, and prepare the wound for the caustic; so caustics do break skin and flesh and all; and therefore it is more violent, and burneth worse than any of the two former. Now your Putrifactives Putrefactive. are such medicines as we do commonly apply to Swell, which we do make for the most part of medicines compounded; as Poultices, rosted-Sorrell, white Lily roots, and the like; for such things are drawers and ripeners, causing swellings which be hard and fleshy, to become soft, and putrifactive, and to prepare Sorances for the Caustics, whose nature is to break and open, what before the Putrifactive had ripened, which otherwise must have been done by Cautery Actual or by incision. And this I do hold sufficient to be handled upon this subject; howsoever much more, and many other particulars may be delivered, yet in this consisteth the substance of all, for by reason I aim at brevity, I refer you to Master Blundeviles Offices, and to Master Markham's Masterpiece, who have entreated hereof very accurately. § 5. C. Hippoph, What good Charge have you to be applied to the Feet, wherewith to stop them, when the Horse is either Surbated or in danger of Foundering? Hippos. This cometh commonly to young Horses, which are sorely ridden before their Hoofs and Feet be hardened, as also sometimes when Horses upon hard riding and long travel are ill shod, this doth not only cause them to be Surbated, but also hazardeth their Foundering; which so soon as you do perceive, the first thing you do, Charge for Surbating. is, to cause his Feet to be clean picked, that no Gravel be remaining betwixt the Web of the and the Sole, then wash the Feet with water and salt, and about an hour after let his feet be throughly well stopped with the Charge prescribed you in Chapter the tenth, §. the sixteenth of this Book; and he will be well in short time. §. 6. C. Hippophil. What is the best way to Cleanse and Purge a Horse from all filth, at his first taking up from grass? Hippos. This I have showed you in the seaventh Chapter of this Book; but yet I will once again reiterate it unto you in few words. First therefore, he having been had into the Stable, the next day, if it be a hot Sunne-shiny-day let his Keeper take him out of the Stable into a place convenient, and there let him handsomely trim him (a thing which every Groom and Keeper knoweth well enough how to do;) then let him take ordinary soft washing Soap, Cleanse a Horse. and anoint his Head all-over therewith, taking a great care that none of the soap or suds, get into his Eyes or Ears, then wash him with warm Water, and so purge and wash all manner of filth from his Head and every part thereof; that done, first wipe all his Head, Ears, Eyes, and Face with a warm linen cloth; and then wipe & rub him dry with clothes: then Soap his whole body all over Capapee, leaving no part thereof free, especially his Main and Taile, then wash him very clean with Buck-lee, with a wisp or cloth, and when you have sufficiently cleansed him, let him be wiped, rubbed, and made dry, as before you have done his Head, & when he is throughly dry, let him be led into the Stable and so clothed up with a clean thin soft cloth, and shod up at your pleasure. And by this kind of Purging, trimming, and cleansing of a Hoof, I have in three or four hours' space so altered a Horse, as that his owner hath not on the sudden known him. §. 7. C. Hippoph. I Have known Horses troubled with sundry sorts of foul or sore heels, all which carry the name of Scratches in general, some whereof have Cliffs cross, and overthwart, some Cliffs with Cracks, and some long Cliffs, etc. What do you say to these Maladies? Hyppos. I say Sir, that every of these sorts are very foul Sorances, yet soon cured, if the Ferrier be so well skilled as to take up the Veins, before he apply his Medicines and Remedies. The Maladies do come by Surfeits taken by overheats, by washing his Horse when he cometh home hot, by naughty meat, or by corrupt blood, the Peccant Humours falling downwards and settling in those parts where the Sorances are, whereby they prove most troublesome to the creature, and no less noisome to the beholders, for the heels be very raw, and do run with loathsome water and matter which doth stink very offensively. Cliffs and ●●●cks in the Heels. The signs need no description. The cure is, first to take up the Thigh-veines, whereby to stop and hinder the falling down of these bad humours which do feed them; then clip or shave away the hair close from about the sores, then wash the places with broken Beer and Butter warm, and dry them again, which done, apply this Plaster to the places grieved. Take Sheepes-suet, or Deeres-suet which is much better, and being melted upon the fire, let it cool till you may hold your finger therein; then put to it so much Ry-bran; or (for want thereof) Wheate-bran as will bring it to a salve, lay it to the place Plasterwise upon Hurds or Tow, and bind a clean linen over the Plaster to keep it on, and so let it remain four or five days without meddling with it, by which time the Sores willbe throughly purged, and the scurf will easily come off; then take old Boar's grease well rotten, and melt it upon the fire, and when it is so cold as was the Sheep's, or Deere-sewet, put to it the yolks of Eggs so much as will suffice, and a little Verdegrease in fine powder: incorporate all these well together, bringing them to an Unguent, with which annoy at the sores every day once, until they be throughly and perfectly whole. ✚. Another. Take Oil de Bay four ounces, Verdegrease, and Litarge of Gold both in fine powder, of each two dams, make all these into an unguent, and anoint the sores therewith morning and evening, till they be whole. In every of these Cures, let your Horse come into no water. ✚ Another: Take Soot five ounces, Verdigrease in fine powder three ounces, Orpin one ounce, beat all these together into fine powder, and then add thereto as much common honey as of all the residue; boil all these together well, putting into it as it boileth quicklime, as much as will suffice, keeping it always stirring till it be well boiled, and is become thick: with this ointment anoint the Sores twice every day, until they be sufficiently cured. ✚ Another: Take hot wood Ashes and Quicklime, and with common honey and white wine; make it into one body to a perfect Unguent, and herewith anoint the Sores; and if this malady have not been long upon the Horse, this ointment will certainly cure him, but if they be old and have run long upon him, then give him the fire, and then dress the Burning with the ointment prescribed you in the former Cure. Another: Take a round iron, and give the fire towards the extremities or ends of the chaps, and anoint them every day as before, and assure yourself the cliffs, chaps, and rifts, will not increase but diminish, and so in short time he will be whole and sound. ✚ This is special good. §. 8. C. Hippoph. I Would gladly know Hipposerus something of Clysters, and their true natures. Hippos. As touching Clysters, there be sundry kinds of Purgations, and therefore to the end you shall the better understand them and their proper virtues; I will first anatomize unto you the several degrees of Purgations: and by reason I have been much, and that for a long time versed in this subject, Of Clysters. I am not ashamed to discover unto you from whence I had my first grounds and principles; for every man (as the Proverb is) must have a beginning; to wit, he must be a scholar before he can be Master: for as Seneca saith very well, It is great temerity in any man to take upon him to be a Master, who did never know what it was to have been a Scholar. My first rudiments therefore I received for Master Blundevile, and after somewhat I attained unto by the help of Master Markham, both very well traveled in this Art, the rest I achieved partly in my travels, and partly from my particular practice and experience. Now Master Markham followeth Master Blundevile in many things verbatim, in the rest in substance, wherein Master Markham doth more largely dilate and deliver himself, making thereby oft times many things more clear and apparent, yet they both assent in what they say; Purgation defined. viz. that Purgation is defined by the learned Physicians to be the emptying and voiding of superfluous humours, which do cumber, pester, and disturb the body with their peccant condition: affirming that such ill humours do breed much bad nutriment, which the learned do call Cacochymia, which when it will not be corrected or amended, either by fair means, or by the help of nature, then must it be compelled, forced, and driven away by Purgation, Vomit, Clyster, or Suppository. And whereas Master Blundevile saith, that Horses are not used to be purged by Vomit, as men be; I in conference with him once asked him the reason thereof; he answered me, for that the neck of the Horse was of that length, as not to be able to purge by vomit, which for the present I took for satisfaction; I then imagining the thing not to be known, until such time as I travelling into remote parts, where I had frequent commerce with famous Marishals and Ferriers, I at length fastened upon one eminent for his faculty, who upon occasion offered, used to administer vomit to Horses as frequently as he did either Purgation or Clyster: which thing when I well observed, I demanded if a Horse could vomit, and to what purpose he did administer in that kind; he answered me that a Horse could vomit, and that he oft times administered for the same end, and thereupon both gave me his Receipt, and did administer in my presence, and made me an eyewitness to the working, not in one Horse alone, but in sundry others. But now leaving this to its proper place, I come to assoil your demand as touching Clysters, their natures and virtues. Clysters secundum vulgus are called Glisters, but the more learned assume the name Clyster, borrowed from the latin word Clyster, from whence the French hath it Clystere. Now whereas all other kinds of Physic is received in at the mouth, Clysters and Suppositaries are administered per Anum, whose natures for the most part are to purge the guts, and to cause the Horse to void, (and to throw forth of his belly such humours as do offend him in matter of his health, to allay the sharpness of bad humours, to cleanse ulcers, to assuage the griefs and pains in the belly caused by wind or otherwise, and so likewise in many other cases. Now Clysters are not all of one and the same nature, neither are they all laxatives (as many do imagine) or do serve to one and the same end: for some must be made to give ease, some are restringent, and do bind, some do loosen and purge, some are to cleanse ulcers, old and long running sores, and some to prepare the body the better to receive its Physic, whereby it may the better work, which otherwise cannot be administered without much peril to the life of the sick creature. So that a Clyster is (I say) commonly given for a Preparative or beginning to purgation. And a Clyster by cleansing the guts, refresheth the vital parts, and prepareth the way before. Wherefore I do admonish every Ferrier, that when at any time they are to administer Physic to a Horse, whether Purgative or otherwise, if the Horse be not at the time soluble in body, that after blood-letting the next day he give a Clyster, and then may he be the bolder to administer what he shall think most requisite: lest otherwise by giving medicine, without further preparation, he stir and provoke the peccant humours, which by reason they cannot find present way forth, being hindered by oppilations in the guts, through costiveness and ventosity, and other impediments do attempt to make their passage by a contrary way, which cannot be done, but with great hazard to the life of the poor beast. Hippoph. But of what ingredients do you make your Clysters, Hipposerus? Hippos. We do usually make our Clysters of Decoctions, of Drugs, of Oils, and sometimes we add salt. Hippoph. What is a Decoction? Hippos. A decoction is a broth made of certain herbs, as Mallows, A decoction what it is. Marshmallows, Palletory, Camomile, and sometimes of white Lily roots, and other such like things, which we do boil in water to a third part, and sometimes we use in stead of herbs and water, to take the fat of beef broth, or the broth of a Sheep's head, Milk, Whey, and some such kind of liquor. Hippoph. What quantity of Broth or Decoction do you usually put in, whereof to make your Clyster? Hippos. That we do administer according to the age, strength, greatness, and corpulency of the Horse; for if he be a Horse of a strong and able body, of large growth, and stature, fat and lusty; we use to put into his Clyster of the decoction three pints, but if he be of a small growth, weak, sick, feeble, or lean, than we do put in but a quart of the same at most: of oil we use to put in half a pint, of salt two or three drams at most, and sometimes we put in Verjuice, sometimes Honey, as we shall find cause: drugs we use, as Seine, Cassia, Agarick, Anniseeds, oil of Dill, oil of Camomile, oil of Violets, Sugar-candy, etc. Hippoph. What quantity of drugs is needful for one Clyster? Hippos. You ought not to exceed the quantity of three ounces in one Clyster at most, neither must you exceed of butter four ounces, and you must be very careful your Clyster be not administered more than bloud-warme. Hippoph. What time is fit for a Horse to keep or retain his Clyster? Hippos. When you give it him, let him be somewhat empty, but before he do receive it, let him be raked, and then having administered it, let him keep it at least half an hour, to the end it may work in his belly, and so do him the more good, and to cause him the better to keep the same; let his Keeper (so soon as the Horse hath received it) hold his tail close to his tuell for half an hour's space, or more, for the longer he keepeth it, the more effectual it will be unto him; the best instrument wherinto give it to a Horse, is a Clister-pipe made of purpose, which ought to be 12 inches in the shank, which must also be put home, and when the Clyster is assumed, let the giver draw away the pipe by degrees, and not all at once. Hippoph. I pray set me down some good Receipts of Clysters. Hippos. That shall I Sir most willingly: the first Clyster that I ever gave, was to a small Nag of a Gentleman's, which being very costive in his body, and refusing his meat, did droop, languish, and pine away; insomuch as the owner fearing his Horse's life, repaired unto me for counsel; when I had well considered the nature of his infirmity, together with its symptoms, I held it most requisite to administer a Clyster, 1 Clyster. which I did, and it was this: viz. Take the fat of beef broth one pint and an half, of good English honey half a pint, adding thereto of white salt two drams, mix all these well, and so administer it blood warm Clyster-wise, and so soon as he hath taken it, clap his tail close to his tuell, by the space of half an hour together at least, and if then it do not work, as I am confident it will, then let one take his back, and ride him up and down a reasonable round troth some times, (but not so as to cause him to sweat) for half an hour more, and set him up warm clothed and littered, and so let him stand upon his trench four or five hours; during which time he will purge kindly; then unbit him, and give him sweet hay, and an hour after he hath eaten, give him white water, nor let him drink any cold water in a day or two after. And this you shall find to be the best remedy for this malady. ✚. This I have administered saepe et saepius, and have done great good therewith: for the nature of this Clyster is, to open and loosen the Body, to bring away with it all offensive Humours, to remove Obstructions engendered in the Body by means of excessive heat; it cleanseth the Guts, and slicketh away all slimy substance which is residing in the Guts Hippophyl. Why but Hiposerus I observe a contradiction in you, as touching the quantity of your Decoction; for where as you did before affirm that you use to put into your Clysters at the most but three pints, and at the least but a quart; you say that you did administer to this Horse, but a pint and half only, which is under quantity of what you did before prescribe? Hippos. Sir, in answer hereunto you must understand that in cases of this nature, Physic ought with judgement to be administered, and the reason why I put into the Clyster of this broth so little; was for that the horse was grown very weak, poor, and low of his flesh, and in good years, & was beside a very small Nag, fetched out of Scotland from the mountains of Galeway or Galwin, and therefore if I should have made his Clyster so strong, and have added so great a quantity of Decoction to him, as I might peradventure have put to a Clyster for a great, large, fat, healthy, or corpulent Horse, I might have repent it; and therefore I made it as I told you, whereby it wrought most kindly, & did him that good which I hoped, & desired: But passing from this now, let us proceed to entreat yet farther of Clysters, and of their several kinds. Another. Take Pellitory two handfuls, 2 Clyster Laxative. or for want thereof Melelote two handfuls, or if that may not be had, than Camomile two handfuls, but Pellitory is the best if it may be had; boil it to a Decoction, and then add to it, of salad-oil, and of Verivice of the Crab, of each half a pint, of Honey four ounces, of Cassia two ounces, mix all these well together, and so apply it bloud-warme Clyster-wise. ✚. This we do call a Clycter Laxative, for this will open the Body and Guts of the Horse very well, it will take from him all noxious and offensive humours; it will carry away all spongy matter: it will allay the biliousnesse and sharpness of humours; it will cleanse old Ulcers; it will refresh and comfort the Vital parts, etc. But if you do find that by giving too great a quantity, your Horse purgeth and scoureth longer and more violently than you would have had him to have done, or for fear it should stir up in him upon the sudden more bad humours than you may easily know how to allay, then give him this Clyster, viz. Take the aforesaid Decoction one pint, 3 Clyster Restringent adding thereto as much of Cow's milk, (as it cometh warm from her) and put also thereto the yolks of three new-layed Eggs well beaten and well mixed with the said liquor: and so give it your Horse blood warm. This is called a Clyster Restringent, for this is only to be applied to a Horse, that is very Laxative, or that doth empty himself too much, which is occasioned oft times through overmuch debility, and want of strength, or when nature is very much offended: you may apply this so oft as need shall require. ✚ Another: 4 Clyster for fat Horse. Take Mallows three handfuls, marsh mallow roots cleansed and bruised, and Violet leaves, of each two handfuls, Flax seed three spoonfuls, so many of the cloves of white Lily roots as you may easily hold in your hand: boil all these in fair water from a gallon to a wine quart, then strain it, and put thereto of Seine one ounce, which must be infused or steeped in the liquor three hours standing upon the hot embers; then put thereto of Salad oil half a pint, and being blood warm, administer it Clyster-wise, causing him to keep it at least half an hour or longer if you may: and the best time to give this is three or four days before the Full and change of the Moon, howsoever it may be given to very good profit (as occasion may proffer itself) at any other time. ✚ This Clyster is to be given to a Ketty or fat Horse, which otherwise cannot be kept clean, for it purgeth glut abundantly, and it is also principally to be given to a Horse that is newly taken from grass. Another: 5 A Clyster for melancholy, Take of Whey a qu●●t, of Anniseeds in fine powder, two pennyworth, of the leaves of Mallows one handful; boil these till the Mallows be soft, then strain it, then put to it of sweet Butter four ounces, which when the butter is melted, administer it bloud-warm. ✚ This purgeth melancholy, it causeth a good appetite which before was wanting, it refresheth the spirits dulled, and occasioneth good digestion if the Horse be kept warm, and well tended. Another: 6 Clyster in case of desperate sick●esse Take of the oil of Dill, of the oil of Camomile, of the oil of Violets, of Cassia, of each half an ounce, and of brown sugar candy in powder, three ounces, then take of Mallow-leaves half a handful: boil the Mallows first to a Decoction in fair water, then strain it, and put to the broth all the forenamed ingredients, administer this bloud-warme Clyster wise. This is a most sovereign Clyster to be given in case of desperate sickness; it helpeth all Fevers; it is good against the Pestilence, and all languishing diseases, most excellent against Surfeits, either by Provender or otherwise, and it will occasion great strength in short time, if it be rightly made, and carefully given. ✚ Another: 7 Clyster for the Pestilence. Take the pulp of Colliquintida, half an ounce, (I mean the seeds and skin taken away) of Dragantium three quarters of an ounce, of Centuary, and of Wormwood, of each half a handful, of Castoreum a quarter of an ounce, boil all these in three quarts of water to a quart; then strain it, and dissolve into the broth of Gerologundinum three ounces, and of white salt three drams, of Salad oil half a pint, and blood warm administer it Clisterwise. ✚. This I have often proved, and do find it to be most excellent for the Pestilence, and to help all Fevers. Another: 8 Clysters Lenitive. Take the decoction of Mallows, and put to it either of fresh Butter four ounces, or of Salad oil half a pint, and give it him Clisterwise. ✚ This is the gentlest Clyster of any before prescribed; for it is both a Lenitive, and a great cooler of the body, and doth infinitely ease pain. It is the best thing can be given to a Horse that is taken, or against Convulsions, or Cramps, and most singular against costiveness proceeding from any sickness or surfeit by Provender, foundering in the body, etc. Another: 9 Clyster for the Colic. Take salt water or new made brine 2 pints, dissolve therein a pretty quantity of Soap, and so bloud-warm administer it Clisterwise. This I never did experience, howsoever I have been oft persuaded by many able Ferriers, who have averred it to be the most excellent that may be had for the Colic, or any sickness or gripings in the guts or belly. And let this suffice for Clysters: only by way of advice I counsel you that before you administer any Clyster, you first rake him; that you put in the Pipe (being first anointed with sweet Butter or oil Olive) gently and by degrees, and that you also draw it forth very treatably; that you make him keep it at least half an hour; that you do administer it but blood warm at most; that you squeeze and press between your hands the bladder strongly; and lastly, that you let him not drink any cold water in a day or two after, but let it be either a sweet Mash, or else white water. §. 9 C. Hyppoph. What is good to be applied to a Horse that is cloyed, pricked, or hath other hurt in the hoof? Hippos. You must first with your Butter, Drawing iron, or Paring knife, lay the wound bare as may be; then Take wax, Hog's grease, and Turpentine, of each one ounce, Cloyed. Verdigrease two ounces, boil these upon a gentle fire, your wax and Hog's grease being first put in and molten, then put in your Turpentine, and lastly your Verdigrease in fine powder, and being indifferently warm, dip Tow or Hurds into the ointment, and so lay it to the Sore, then stop and splent it up, and dress him twice a day, and this will make him whole and sound in short time. ✚ But of this more in its due place. § 10. C. Hippophylus What say you to a Horse whose Cod and Stones are swelled? Hippos. This infirmity proceedeth from sundry causes, as sometimes by being bitten with a Dog, or with another Horse, or by being stung with some venomous or evil creature: The French do call it Enflure de Coullon's: Cod's swelled. It cometh also by means of some evil humours and corrupt blood which do fall down to the cod, sometimes after sickness, and sometimes of rankness of blood and seed, for want of a Mare. If it come by rankness of seed or of blood, then let him have a Mare, and cover her two or three days together, and half an hour after, ride him into the water above the cod or stones, against the stream, and he will do well. ✚ Butler if this disease come by other causes, then Take the Lees of Claret Wine, and Comen-seed, made into fine powder, and a little Wheat or Beane flower; boil these together to an unguent, and so warm as he may well endure it, anoint the cod therewith, which done, draw forth his yard, and wash it, and his sheeths also with white wine vinegar; and three or four hours after, ride him into the water above the cod, and let him also stand in the water some short time, and sometimes ride him against the stream: do this every day till the swelling be assuaged. ✚ This is a very good Cure. Another: Take the roots of wild Cucumbers, and white salt, so much as will suffice, boil these in fair water to an ointment, and anoint the cod therewith warm: and then apply this ointment. Take Goats grease, or for default thereof, Deers suet, the white of an Egg, and Salad oil: boil these over a gentle fire, and herewith anoint the cod, but this must be applied after he hath been ridden into the water and dry again: do this every day once till he be well. ✚ This I have often tried, and have found it to be right good. Another: First, anoint and bathe the cod in the juice of Hemlock, and when it is dried, then Take Pigeons dung, and new Milk, and boil it till it be as thick like to a Poultesse, and therewith anoint the cod every day once. Another: First let him blood in both the spur or flank veins; Then take oil of Roses and vinegar, of each a pint, and of Bolearmonack in fine powder two ounces: make all these into one body, and being lukewarm anoint the cod therewith, and the next day ride him into the water up to the cod against the stream; then bring him into the stable, and when he is through dry, anoint him again: thus continuing to do, till he be well. But if the cod be swollen by means of any hurt, bite, or stroke, then apply to them this following charge: A charge for swollen cod. Take Bolearmonack in powder, vinegar, and the whites of Eggs as much as will suffice, well beaten, and wrought together, and anoint him therewith daily till it be abated, and if it impostumate, where you find it to be soft, open it either with a hot iron, or with your incision knife, if it break not of itself, and so heal it up with the ointment taught you in lib 2. cap. 10. § 4. and it will soon be whole. ✚ This is very sovereign. §. 11. C. Hippoph. What say you to the Colic? Hippos. It is Sir, a disease which cometh of wind, and therefore we generally call it the wind colic; the French call this disease the Tranchaisons; Colic. it causeth great gripings, and extreme pain in the belly of the Horse, so as he will oft times lie down and tumble; he will also strike at his belly with his hinder feet, and stamp with his fore-feets; and the pain will be so great as to cause him to forsake his meat: these signs I have often observed in Horses perplexed with this malady; and albeit I have sundry Receipts for it, and all or the most of them by me tried and approved good, yet one of Master Blundeviles and Master Markham's, I hold inferior to none of mine, for I have often tried it; and this is it. Take a quart of Muskadine, or of sweet Sack, of Cloves, Pepper, Cinnamon, of each half an ounce, Sugar two ounces, make all these into fine powder, and give it him blood warm: then anoint his flanks with oil de Bay; (but I often use to anoint them with the ointment of Acopum, I finding it to be much better) then bridle him up, and troth him out a good round trot, or gallop him softly sometimes the space of an hour until he do dung, but if he will not, then rake him, or else put an Onion peeled and jagged into his fundament: then for three or four days, let his drink be either sweet Mashes, or white water, and keep him warm, and he will do well again. ✚ Another: Keep him fasting over night, and in the morning give him this drink. Take of white Wine a quart, Fenugrick four ounces, Bay-berries, and Pepper, of each four ounces, Grains, and Ginger, of each one ounce, Water-Cresses two handfuls, Sage one handful, Sengrene one pound, Mints a handful, stamp the herbs; and pound the spices, and put them into the wine, and let it boil a little, then strain it, and put to it of life Honey two spoonfuls, and so give it him bloud-warme. ✚ This I have also found to be very good: notwithstanding if he be a stoned Horse, the best cure for him is to have a Mare, especially if he be so troubled with the colic, so as that he cannot piss; besides it helpeth and preventeth sundry sorts of sicknesses and diseases, and strengtheneth nature. ✚ Another: Take of white Wine one pint, and three or four Cantharideses: and make them into very fine powder, and give this to the Horse (well brewed in wine) bloud-warme. This I never tried, for that these flies being a strong corasive, have deterred me, howsoever I have been often invited thereunto by many good Ferriers, who have averred unto me, that they have often used it, and have found it to be right good. Another: Take Cloves, Pepper, Cinnamon, of each one ounce; all made into fine powder, and well mixed, then put it into a quart of Muskadine, and let it boil a while; then take it off, and put to it of Honey one spoonful; give it him bloud-warme: which done, cloth him up, and litter him, and so let him stand upon his trench four hours; then give him meat, and an hour after a sweet Mash, or white water. This was taught me by a Noble Knight, who said he had often used it. But if your Horse hath the colic and stone, then Take of white wine one pint, of Burr-seeds eight ounces, Colic and Stone. made into fine powder, of Parsley-seed two ounces, in powder also, of Isope, unset Leeks, and Water-Cresses, of each half a handful, of black Soap half an ounce; stamp all the herbs in a mortar, and strain them with the Wine, then put to that liquor, your Burr and Parsley seeds, and so give it him bloud-warme; this will break the stone, and bring it from him with much ease, and cure his Colic. ✚ This I have often administered. § 12. C. Hippophyl. What Disease is that which is called the Colt Evil? Hyppos. It is a disease in the yard, sheath, and cod of a Horse or Gelding, and it cometh to Horses by means of heat and rankness of seed; and to a Gelding, by weakness and coldness of seed, to the Horse through too great abundance of seed, which causeth a stopping in the pipe or conduct of the yard, Colt-Evill. and to a gelding for want of heat and strength to send it forth, whereby the yard and sheath swelleth very much. The best way to cure a Horse is to give him a Mare, whereby he sendeth forth his seed freely, and then two or three hours after swim him, or else ride him up to the flanks to and fro a pretty while against the stream. This disease is known by the swelling of the yard and sheath; I have cured many Horses and Geldings with this ensuing Receipt. First swim him, but specially against the stream four or five days together, then apply this Plaster. Take Beane-meale, and Mallows, of each one handful, Hog's grease half a pound, chop the Mallows small, then put to the Hog's grease, and so boil it with a pint of white Wine, and when it is boiled, put it into a cloth, and wrap his cod therein; and so order it as that it may gather like a purse, and make it fast so, as it may neither fall off, nor hurt him: dress him herewith every day till he be well. ✚ I have had great experience of this Receipt: but if you be desirous to have variety, then look over Master Blundevile and Master Markham, who are well stored. § 13. C. Hippoph. WHat is best to be given for a cold? Hippos. There are so many and so good, as that I am to seek almost to know how to begin, they be of so many, and sundry sorts of them, Cold. for some are for colds newly taken, some for old colds, some for colds that bringeth the Glanders, etc. Wherefore for colds newly taken at first, you must understand (Sir) that a cold newly taken (a thing not to be prevented, by reason it oft times cometh by means and ways unknown) you must observe first, that if your Horse be propense to many bad humours, whereof some Horses are more than others, you must first then labour to expel them by purging his head, then search betwixt his jaws, and if there you do find any small kernels, then be you assured he hath a new-taken cold, but if he have great kernels, than was not the cold so lately taken as you might have imagined; also if he do rattle in the head, it is a sign his cold is newly taken, or if he do void any thin matter forth of his nose or eyes, or if he hold his head into the manger; or if when he drinketh, the water cometh out of his nostrils, or that he cougheth oft, and sometimes perhaps cheweth mattrative stuff betwixt his teeth, etc. These and many others be certain signs of a Pose, Catarrh, and newly taken cold, wherein is no danger if it be taken in time, otherwise it will come to a worse matter; I will now give you sundry good Receipts, most of which I have often tried and found to be right good. First, I hold moderate exercise, and seasonable ayering to be marvellous good without further applying of medicines; but if you find that he is much stopped in the head then, Take a small quantity of fresh or sweet Butter, and of brimstone made into fine powder; work them together till they be one entire body, & of a deep yellow gold colour, then take two long wing. Goose-feathers, and anoint them herewith to the very quills on either si●●; which done, roll them in more of the powder of Brimstone, and so put them up into either nostril one, and at the but end of the quills, put a strong packthread, which must be fastened over his pole, like to the headstall of a Bridle: and then leap his back, and ride him moderately up and down an hour or longer, and this will provoke him to snort and snuffle forth of his nose and head much of the congealed filth which is in his head, then tie him to the Rack for an hour after, and this will purge his head very clean: then draw forth the feathers, and he will do well, keeping him warm, and giving him Mashes or white water every day for four or five days after. This Receipt was taught me for more than 30 years since by a famous Marishall of France, which since I found in Master Markham's Masterpiece, but I hold it one of the best things can be prescribed for this Malady. ✚ Another very short, but as good. Take of Time one handful, boil it in a quart of strong Ale, till it come to a pint, then strain it, and add thereunto of ordinary Treacle two spoonfuls, and give it him bloud-warme. ✚ Another. An excellent drink to be given to a Horse for a new-taken cold, provided he be young, that is, not above five years old. Take of French Barley half a pound, put it into a posnet, and put thereto of fair water one quart, and set it upon the fire, and let it boil a little, then take it off, and drain the water from the Barley, and cast away the water, then add the second time the like quantity of water, and boil it as much as you did the first t me, and then drain it from the water, & cast away the water again, then add once again the like quantity of a quart of water, as you did twice before, and boil that also so long a time as you did the two former waters, drain this also from the Barley, but cast it not away, but keep it, and then add to the water of Anniseeds and Licoris, of each half an ounce, make them into very fine powder, and searce them, and put the said powder into the boiled water, and add to it of white sugar-candy, four ounces, than set it upon the fire in a clean skillet, and so boil it up until a third part be consumed, then take it off and strain it, and give it your Horse bloud-warme; drench him thus three mornings together, and it will ripen his cold and cause it to come away. This is very good. ✚ Another: Take of white wine vinegar the best and strongest, five spoonfuls, and put to it of oil de Bay one spoonful, warm it upon the fire, stirring it well; this must be made and given in the morning: but when you do administer it, you must first put your drenching horn into fair water that is good and hot, to keep the medicine from sticking to the horn, then taking it forth out of the hot water, before the horn can be cold, and whilst it is yet moist with the water, put the one half of your medicine into the same, and so as speedily as may be, convey it into one of his nostrils, and after the other moiety into his other nostril; this done, ride him for half an hour moderately, then set him up, and cloth and litter him warm, and let him stand upon the trench three or four hours before you give him any meat, and after do as is accustomed to be done to sick Horses in Physic. ✚ This I do approve to be equivalent to either of the two former. Another: T●ke water and salt so much as will suffice, brew them well together, it then being made bloud-warme, give it him, and do after as is usual. ✚ This for a new taken cold I have often used, and I do find it to be singular good to be given to a young Horse. Another: Take of oil de Bay, of Anniseeds, and of Licoris, of each one half penny worth, and of brown sugar-candy a penny worth, make all these into fine powder, and being well mixed, sew it up into a fine linen rag, and so fasten it unto the Bit or Snaffle of the Horse, and so ride a journey, and travel him, and in short space he will be cured, if it be a new-taken cold only. ✚ This I have also proved, and I do find it good, for it will cure both cold and cough if it be rightly applied, to wit, with riding and exercise. Another: Take of white Wine one pint, Salad oil a quarter of a pint, Rhubarb and Aloes, and Saffron, of each two drams, Nutmeg, Seine, Agarick, Bay-berries, Duke or Dutch powder, and of Cordial powder, of each half an ounce: mix all these together, and then add to it of Honey four ounces, warm them well in a Pipkin, and give it him to drink bloud-warme, but let him stand upon the trench at least three hours before, and three hours after, neither let him for all that day eat any Oats, but in its stead, let him have Wheate-bran, and let his drink be that day either a warm Mash, or white water, and no cold water, but this white water for four or five days after, and put into his Provender for some time Fennugrick made into gross powder. ✚ This is a most sovereign drink to be given for a cold. But if you do find, that his head is very much oppressed with a Pose or Catar, then give him this drink twice a day, viz. Take Fenugrick one ounce, and boil it in a good quantity of water till it burst, then mix with the decoction thereof wheat meal, as much as will suffice, and give it him to drink. Another: Take a quart of the best Ale, and warm it upon the fire, and put into it so much Tobacco made into fine powder, as you can take up upon a shilling at twice, and as much dried Rosemary in fine powder as you may take up upon a shilling at once; give him this to drink bloud-warme in a morning fasting. This drink is called Potio-Necotiana, but I did never make trial thereof, for that I once saw it given by a Ferrier to a sick Horse, which so wrought with him, as that with all his Lenitives and Cordials, the Ferrier had much labour to save the life of the poor Horse; this potion was so violent, which notwithstanding drove the Horse into a most dangerous Calentura. But the next is better. Take a Hen's egg, and make a hole in the top thereof, no bigger than that you may get forth the white and yolk: Then take Tar and sweet Butter, of each like much, as much as will suffice, incorporate these well together into one body, and so convey it into the egg shell, and give it your Horse three or four mornings together, and either journey him gently, or else ride him three or four hours after it; which done, bring him into the Stable and him up warm, and litter him well, and let him be well rubbed, and so keep him upon the trench two hours after, and then give him Hay, and an hour after give him either a warm Mash, or white water; and this will help a cold newly taken. ✚ This will not make him sick, for I have often made trial of it. Another as good as this. Take the long white moss that groweth upon an old dry Park pale, one handful, chop it small, and put it into a pottle of good Ale or Beer, till one half be consumed; then take it off, and strain and press it hard, and put into the liquor of Anniseeds and Licoris, of each half a spoonful, and a piece of sweet Butter, and so give it him three mornings together fasting, and it will cure him. X Another, if he hath taken a cold or pose in the head. Take a quart of Muskadine, or sweet Sack, of Nutmegs, Pepper, Cominseed, Grains, Bay-berries, of each three drams, all made into fine powder: boil these a waume or two, then take it off, and put into it a piece of sweet Butter, and give it your Horse three mornings together bloud-warme; let him all those three days be kept warm, neither let him drink any cold water, but either a sweet Mash, or white water, yea and that three or four days after; and during these three days, let him fast three hours after the receipt of his said medicine. Also three days after when you perceive the cold to begin to break from him, and to rot, cause him to sneeze, by blowing into either nostrils, either the powder of Tobacco, or of Pepper, or of Hellebore. X Another which will cure a longer-taken cold, yea though it be accompanied with a dry cough and shortness of breath, or pursiveness, which I had of Master Markham, and I have often made trial thereof, and it hath done cures which have been held impossible to have been effected. Take of the conserve of Elecampane three quarters of an ounce, and dissolve it in a pint and a half of sweet Sack, and so give it your Horse with a horn in a morning fasting, and ride him gently a little after: and thus do sundry times until you do find the infirmity to decrease. Hippoph. But Hipposerus, this Conserve of Elecampane I do suppose is hard to come by, for surely every Country Apothecary hath it not; how then may a Man make this Confection you so much commend? Hippos. Sir, this Conserve I make myself, and I will give you the receipt hereof. You must understand that there be two kinds thereof, the one is called particularly a Preserve, and the other an absolute Conserve. The first is Simple, the other Compound, both very sovereign for this Infirmity, but the Conserve is evermore to be esteemed the better, and I do counsel you never to be without either of them: for they will keep the whole year through, if they be reserved close stopped. Wherefore as touching the first which is the Simple, you must preserve it like as you do all other green roots, and so keep them in a Galley pot or Glass in a good quantity of its own Sirop, till you have occasion to use the same; and when you are to use it, let it be beaten well in a Mortar together with its Sirop and refined Sugar made first into very fine powder. Now your Compound or Conserve is thus made: First, let your roots of Elecampane be neatly Candied, and made very dry and hard, and get the best and youngest Roots can be had, which must be kept also in a Galley pot or Glass close stopped, in a dry and warm place where they may not give again; and when you would use them, take so much as will suffice, and beat it in a Mortar with the Sirop of Colt's soot, and the powder of refined Sugar, still working it till you have brought it to be a perfect Conserve, and so given to your horse in good sweet Sack or Muskadine. The first of these two, to wit, the Simple, is of most excellent use, for it helpeth any ordinary cold or stopping, it comforteth the Lungs, enlargeth his Wind, purgeth the Head from all filthy matter, and dissolveth many other obstructions, as well in the Body, and Head. But the Compound or Conserve worketh better effects in the Body of the Horse, especially if the Malady be old and dangerous, or if there be any taint, in the Lungs, Liver, or inward parts: This Conserve in time, by frequent use thereof will cure all dry Coughs which are held to be incurable, it helpeth the heaving of the Belly and Flanks, it causeth the Horse to take his Wind kindly and temperately, and freeth him of his dry Cough which before did greatly annoy him; but if you have not these conserveses, take this other Receipt little inferior to the former for these Maladies. Take of the sirop of Coltsfoot, one ounce, of Elecampane roots dried, Anniseeds, and Licoris, of each half an ounce, all made into fine powder, brown Sugar Candy powdered one ounce, which must be divided into two parts, then take sweet Butter so much as will suffice, and so make this into three Pills good and stiff; which done, roll them in the other moiety of your powdered Sugar Candy, and so give them your Horse fasting, then ride him gently for half an hour, and after set him up warm, and let him fast three hours after, causing him to be well rubbed: let him drink no cold water, unless it be with exercise, and let his Hay be sprinkled with water, and his Oats wet in strong Ale, or else with Beer. ✚. Another very good. Take the cankerous Moss of an old Pale, or of the limbs of an old Oak two handfuls, chop and shred it small, and boil it in a pottle of new Milk, and with it a root of Alecompane, let these boil together till half be consumed, then strain it, and press the Moss and Root very well; which done, put to it of sweet Butter the quantity of a Ducke-Egge, and so give it him in a morning fasting blood warm, and ride him moderately an hour after: then set him up, cloth him and litter him warm, and order him as is accustomed with Horses in Physic: Let him have this drink three mornings together, and it will cure both his Cold and Cough wet or dry, or his Pose if he have it. But if you find your Horse to be stopped in the Head, and that he voideth filth, and stinking matter out from his Nose, then shall you every morning administer this fume. Take of Auripigmentum and of Coltsfoot made into powder, of each two dams, then with Venice Turpentine work them into a stiff paste, and make them into small Cakes the breadth of a sixpence, and dry them a little, and then put fire into a Chafing-dish with coals, and so put one of these Cakes upon the coals, covered with a tunnel, and so fume him, and this not only during his Physic, but at other times after, and let his drink be either sweet mashes or white water. ✚. Another, if your Horse hath a new taken cold, then give him this Caudle, which I have often used and do find it to be very good. Take the yolks of four new laid Eggs, and beat them well together and dissolve them with a quart of good Ale, then take three good Nutmegs with a little Anniseeds & Liquorice, made all into fine powder, and as much Pepper in fine powder as you can take up upon a sixpence; put these into the Ale, with a piece of sweet Butter so much as will suffice, and two spoonfuls of ordinary Treacle, and of brown Sugar Candy four ounces, warm all these upon the fire till the Treacle and Butter be melted, then give it him blood warm, four or five mornings together; and this is an infallible cure. ✚. Another very good. Take a pottle of sweet Wort, three heads of Garlic peeled, of ordinary Honey half a pound. boil these till one moiety be consumed, and give it your Horse three mornings together: Then for three mornings together after, give him these Pills. Take Box leaves and Harts-tongue, of each so much as will suffice, stamp them well together, and with sweet Butter make it into Pills; and so every morning give him three of these Pills. ✚. But if he hath a cold which breaketh and runneth from him, then must you be careful to keep his Head and Pole warm, by putting on a double Hood, and every Morning fasting, ride him with two long Goose-feathers put up into either Nostril, well dipped before hand in Oil de Bay, and with a strong Packthread from the ends of the quills fastened over his head like a Headstall of a Bridle, so as the feathers may not get forth, and fasten also to his Bit or Snaffle one Rooteor two of Polipodium; having been all night before lain steeped in the oil of Spike, and every time you ride him anoint the Bit thus before hand prepared with the said Oil, and when he cometh home, put upon his pole his double hood, and rub him against the hair all over, especially his Neck and Pole, (for friction in this case is most sovereign) then whilst he is yet warm perfume his Nose with Frankincense, Storax, and Benjamin, of each like much; do this nine days together, and let his drink be white water: for all Rheums having had time to work their malice will become dangerous, yea and many times cureless. ✚. Now if your Horse hath taken an extreme cold; then: Take Cloves, Nutmegs, Ginger, Galls, or the fruit of the Oak and Cardimums, of each like quantity so much as will suffice, and of Fennell-seeds more than any one of the other Ingredients, make them into fine powder, and searce them, than put two Spoonfuls of this powder to a quart of Sack or muskadine, and strain these into two pennyworth of English Saffron, and the yolks of two new laid Eggs well beaten together, give this to your horse blood warm fasting, and let him have none other drink than white water for three or four days after, and let his Hay be sprinkled with water, and every day at noon give him the blades of reed, or the leaves of Sallows to eat out of your hand, for they be very good for him, and cooling for his body: do this diverse mornings together, and it will not only cleanse his Cold, but also open his Pipes, and set his wind at liberty. But if your horse have an inward cold, which lieth lurking in his Lungs or Stomach, then give him this Medicine. Take Oil de Bay and good Tar, of each the quantity of three walnuts, half as much Honey, brown Sugar-candy in fine powder half an ounce, mix these with a quantity of powdered Brimstone so much as will suffice, and sew them into a fine linen cloth, and tie it to his Bit or Snaffle, and so ride or journey him moderately till all be dissolved into his body, then bring him into the stable, and cloth and litter him warm, and three hours after give Hay, and after a warm Mash; use him thus three mornings together and longer, if you shall see cause. ✚. Another. Take blood from him, if you have ground for the same, otherwise not, Bran prepared. then instead of giving him Oats, you shall give him bran boiled in water after this manner, viz. Set a Kettle over the fire almost full of water, & when it beginneth to boil, put in your bran, and let it boil a full quarter of an hour at least, then take it off, and let it stand till it be almost cold, and about four or five a clock in the morning, give him this Bran so hot as he can eat it; then for his drink, give him the same water, and at night give him Oats and white water, and let him be covered and littered warm; if it be in Summer, let not the Stable be too hot, for that will take away his stomach, and make him faint and sweat too much; and at night give him the quantity of what you can put into an Eggshell among his Oats of this powder following, to which you must keep him for eight days together or longer, if you shall see cause. You must understand that the boiled Bran is that which drieth up all his gross and corrupt humours, which was the cause of his cold. Now the powder is this, viz. Take of Comen-seed, Fenugrick, Silleris-Montani (alias Sisileos') Nutmegs, Cloves, Ginger, Linseed, of each two ounces, Quick Brimstone six ounces, make all these into fine powder, and let them be well mixed: this must be given with his Oats, as is before inculcated; but he must first be watered; and then presently let him be well rubbed, body, neck, pole, legs, breast and belly, and clothed and littered warm, and an hour before you give him his Oats, put into his Rack a little sweet wheat straw, and so (I say) let him eat thereof the space of one hour or better, and then give him his Oats mixed with this powder, which having eaten, give him Hay at your pleasure; and thus doing in short time you shall perceive his Cold to be quite gone, and the sooner if he shall be moderately ayered an hour after Sunrising, and an hour before Sunset, if the Sun do shine. Now if this Cold bring with it a violent cough, as is often seen, then give him the aforesaid Wheat Bran boiled, together with the said powder with his Oats, but then not above three or four days, for that the said powder disperseth the corrupt and gross humours that are in the body, which do occasion the said cough, and when you do perceive that he hath purged sufficiently, keep him notwithstanding to his white water, but an hour before you do water him; Take a stick of the bigness of your thumb or better, of well nigh a foot long, and wrap a linen clout about it four or five times, first dipped in oil de Bay, and put it into his mouth, and with some piece of leather thong, or other small cord fasten it to either end of the stick, and so fasten it over his ears like the Headstall of a Bridle, like as Smiths use to do when they burn a Horse for the Lampas, and let him drink with this stick in his mouth; which done, let him stand with it thus in his mouth an hour after at the least, to the end he may lick and suck up the said oil, and when he is to eat his Oats, put among them this other powder following, viz. Take Fennell seed four ounces, Fenugrick two ounces, Cardimums one ounce, pound these grossly, otherwise he will blow them away in eating his Oats, and with his Oats put every night of this powder one spoonful, and keep him warm, and so use him as before is prescribed. ✚ Another. Take Ivy-berries and dry them, and make them into powder, and so give it to your Horse in Ale or Beer. This I never tried, and this is only for a cough. Another for a cough. Take of salt one pint, of Salad oil half a pint, oil of Anniseeds one ounce, brown sugar Candy, in powder three ounces, give this with your horn to your Horse three mornings together, and it will rid him of his cough, and heal any putrefaction in his lungs, or any other inward parts whatsoever. This also I never tried, but it was highly commended to me. Another Receipt for a cough, which I have found to be very good. Take two new laid Eggs, and open the crowns, and get forth some of the white, and then put into these Eggs so much of the powder of Brimstone as you can take up upon a shilling into either Egg: give him this every morning for some time, or till you see the cough to go from him. Another: Take three new laid eggs, and put them into a pint pot, than put so much of the best and strongest white wine vinegar into the pot as will very well cover the Eggs, and let them lie in the Vinegar 24 hours at least, then beat the Vinegar and Eggs together shells and all, and so give it your Horse cold, and then ride or walk him an hour, and against his coming in, have this drink in a readiness, and give it him, viz. Take Isope, Anniseeds, Licoris, Grains, Long Pepper, Gentiana, Elecampane dried, of each three drams, make all the spices into fine powder, and stamp the Isope well, and so put all into good Sack one pint, and of good Ale also one pint, and of Honey one spoonful, and so boil it, and give it your Horse bloud-warme, and set him up, and clothe him, and litter him warm, causing him to fast three hours after it, and give him no cold water, but sweet Mashes or white water; and this will cure him, for it is an approved good receipt. ✚ Another very good. Take Wheat meal, Anniseeds, Licoris, Polipodium of the Oak dried, Elecampane dried: make all these into powder, and mix them well: Take two spoonfuls of this powder, with a head of Garlic peeled and bruised, mix all these well together, and with your Wheat meal and honey as much as will suffice, make pills thereof to the bigness of a great Walnut, and give your Horse every morning three or four of these Pills, and so soon as he hath taken them, give him two new laid Eggs with their shells. X Another: Take of life honey three spoonfuls, of the best and whitest refined loaf sugar one spoonful and an half, made into fine powder, dried Elecampane root made also into fine powder one spoonful, and of Ambergris two grains, mix all these very well together, and put it into an Eggshell, and give him hereof at night late, and in the morning fasting, and so let him fast for three hours after, and be the cough never so violent, it will both stay and cure the same. X This is right good, for I have had very great proof thereof. Another: Take Benjamin and Brimstone made into very fine powder, of each half an ounce, give this your Horse with one pint of Muskadine, putting into it two new laid Eggs shells and all, broken and well beaten together, let it be given three mornings together. This was commended unto me for a special good Receipt, but I never did make trial thereof. Another: Take Nettle-seeds, Anniseeds, Raisins of the sun stoned, Elecampane in fine powder, of each half an ounce, make all the spices and seeds into very fine powder, and cut the Raisins very small, and so boil all these in Muskadine or Sack a quart, with three spoonfuls of life Honey, then strain it, and give it him three mornings together bloud-warme. This I never proved. Another: Take of Rue one handful, chop or stamp it very small, and put to it a penny worth of Anniseeds in very fine powder, make it up into Pills with sweet Butter, and so give it your Horse. X This I have found to be most sovereign for a Horse that hath a cold whether newly or formerly taken, either wet or dry cough; it is also most excellent for a Horse that hath been overriden, or any way wronged by labour. Now if his cough be so violent as that it may endanger his wind; then, Take Calamint, Gentiana, Cominseed, Licoris, Elecampane, of each two drams, make all these into fine powder, and confect them with life Honey and Butter mingled together and molten; and when it is cold, make it up into Pills; then roll them in the powder of Anniseeds, and give him of these Pills three or four every morning, for two or three mornings together fasting, and after keep him warm, and let his drink be Mashes or White-water. ✚. But if he hath a Cough of the Lungs, give him these Pills. Take the Roots of Mallows newly gathered, Elecampane Rootes newly also gathered, of each one handful, slice them thin, and boil them in fair water with Barley two handfuls, till the roots be soft, then strain forth the liquor, and put into it a penny dish of sweet Butter, of life Honey three spoonfuls, and as much Bean meal as will make all into a paste; then make it into Pills, and roll them up in the powder of Anniseeds, and give him three or four of them every morning fasting for three or four mornings together, keep him temperately warm, and during the time he taketh these Pills, let his drink be either sweet Mashes or white water, and every day about mid day, give him boiled Barley or Brewer's grains. ✚ Another for a Horse that hath his wind broken. Take the leaves of Mullet, alias Mullen, alias Horse-Lungwort, and dry them, and make them into fine powder, and then make them up in Balls or Pills with ordinary Honey so much as will suffice: let these Pills be made of the bigness of an Egg, and give him of them three at a time, fourteen or fifteen days together, or longer if you shall see cause, and let him not drink any cold water, during the time, and for a while after the giving of his Pills, and let his exercise be very moderate, and his Hay sprinkled with water, and his Oats wet with good Ale or Beer, and in short time he will be well and sound again. ✚ This is a most approved good Receipt, with which I have done cures held impossible to have been effected. Another: Take Comen half an ounce, Anniseeds and Licoris, of each two ounces, dried roots of Elecampane three ounces, make them into fine powder, and then boil them in a pottle of Ale or Beer to a quart, then strain it, and give the liquor to your Horse in a morning fasting bloud-warme, and ride him moderately upon it, two or three hours, than set him up warm, and use him ut supra. This I never tried, but he that gave it me did highly commend the same unto me. Thus have I given you many Receipts for a cold, and such diseases which are thereof dependant, whereof many are to my knowledge right good, and by myself experimented, with which I have done cures which have been held very strange, and beyond expectation. Hippoph. Truly Hipposerus as touching these maladies, something there is in them, wherein I do earnestly desire to be yet better informed; and first I would gladly know what be the diversities of the diseases which do proceed from Colds; and how we may come to know one malady from another. Hippos. Sir, in answer hereunto you must understand, that from a cold taken doth issue many infirmities, if the said cold be not speedily prevented; as namely, first Coughs, as well wet as dry, Catarrhs, Murs, Rheums, Pose, Ratlings in the head, Kernels, and inflammations under the Chaule, with Bunches, Knots, Pustils, etc. It causeth also Hid bound, Fevers, headaches, Frenzy, Sleeping-Evill, weeping-Eyes, Canker in the Nose, Strangles, Quinsey, to have Gourded or swollen legs: It will cause the hair to stare, it will in time cause the mourning of the Chine (if there be such a disease) shortness of breath, pursiveness, purtisick, broken wind, (also if there be such a disease) Frelised, broken and rotten lungs, glanders incurable, if it be not in time prevented, grief and pain in the breast, Antecor, it will also cause the evil habit of the stomach, dropsy, loathing of meat, foundering both in the body and feet, tiredness, putrefaction and inflammations in the blood; it will also cause many diseases and inflammations in the liver, together with the siccity and aridity thereof, obstructions, oppilations, costiveness and stops both in the body and pores, a consumption in the liver, the overflowing of the gall, the unnatural working of the spleen, the Yellows, Stavers, the Colic and gripings, belly bound, lax and bloudy-fluxe. All these and many more diseases and maladies do depend upon this one only infirmity we call the cold, and therefore how needful a thing it is for a man who is the truelover of his Horse, to be careful what in him lieth both to keep his Horse from cold taking, as also to know how to cure the same so soon as it shall appear, in performance whereof no small diligence and art is required. §. 14. C. Hippoph. YOu make question whether or not there be such a disease which is so commonly called the Mourning of the Chine, why is there not such a disease? Hippos. No truly, there is no such disease, for that which is called the mourning of the Chine, is none other thing than a plain and rank Glanders, which very few of our English Ferriers do know how to cure, which hath its first source and origen from a cold which being let run long, cometh to be a Glanders, which in time doth waste the liver of the Horse, whereby he dyeth; for if for your better understanding you shall be pleased to open Horses which do dye of this disease, you shall evermore find the chine and pith of the Horse to be sound and whole, but the liver perished, and his lungs putrified, by reason whereof the Horse long before his death casteth forth of his nose much corrupt and stinking matter and filth; wherefore this malady cannot in reason be styled the mourning of the Chine, but merely the Glanders; and for remedy thereof, you shall have sundry excellent Receipts when we shall come to handle this disease, and therefore till then I forbear to speak any more thereof. Hippoph. You question also another disease called a broken wind, why this is so general a malady as that no man but giveth it that name, what do you call it? Hippos. Sir, as touching this infirmity, I say there is none such, for you must understand that this disease so vulgarly called a broken wind, is truly a shortness of breath, or a taint or defect in the wind, pursiveness, the Asmat or Purtisick, as Artists do call it. Three causes there be of this infirmity, two whereof proceed from a cold formerly taken, and the third from another cause, as shall presently be demonstrated. The first is an exulceration of the lungs, which doth begin from a cold; the second by clinging and growing together of the lights, whose origen came also of cold; and the third is a dislocation of the lungs, and this last cometh by means of some violent or sudden act or motion of the body, or by some fall whereby the lungs were become dislocated, displaced, or turned in the body of the Horse, every of which do occasion shortness of breath, by reason the lungs have not power sufficient (being the bellowes of the body) to open, shut, and play at pleasure; and this is the cause why the Horse heaveth at the ribs and flanks, fetcheth his breath short and hot at the nose, wheeseth, and oft times reeleth when he is put to little that doth strain his wind, and therefore so long as he is kept in the stable at dry and hard meats, he heaveth more than when he is at grass, for if you do wash his Provender in Ale or Beer, and sprinkle his Hay with water, you shall perceive him to heave the less: but when he runneth at grass, he heaveth so little, as hardly to be seen, and the reason is, for that the Horse having naturally a very moist body, the cold which he hath taken doth so condense and make thick those humours which before were thin, which do (whilst they were tenues) pass most easily through the pores, but now they are become thick, viscous, and slimy, stopping the pores in such sort, as hardly to be able to breath, but with great labour and no less pain, which doth provoke him to heave and lift, by reason that the lungs, pores, and pipes are so stopped and oppressed, as not to be able to perform their function and natural office, for which nature hath created them, and besides those stops do constrain him to cough and labour so extremely, as to endanger oft times the breaking of a vein, from whence ensue many more inconveniences than this one: nevertheless you may have means to help his wind, but to recover him perfect and sound again, I dare not absolutely promise you, and if you be solicitous to understand more of this subject, to save both your own labour and mine, if you will be pleased to peruse Master Blundevile and Master Markham, they are able to give you ample satisfaction. §. 15. C. Hippoph. What means have you to help a consumption? Hippos. We have two kinds of consumptions, the first is called the dry malady, the other the consumption of the flesh: as touching the first, which commonly cometh at the first of a cold taken, than it exulcerateth the lungs, which in the beginning sendeth forth thin matter from the nose, but after when it is grown more tough and viscous, it runneth no more, but causeth a maceration and leanness through the whole body, whereby he droopeth and pineth away, and albeit he eateth and drinketh, yet it is without appetite, his meat doing him little good. The signs to know it are these; his belly will be gaunt, Dry Malady. and he will be Hidebound, his flesh will consume almost to skin and bones, if you strike him on the belly, it will sound hollow, his hair will stare, neither will he cast it in due season, when other Horses which be sound will do, he will cough hollow and faintly: the Horse that is troubled with this disease, well may he be kept for some time alive, but long he cannot be, for the malady is incurable, if it be too long let run, and therefore I leave him to Dogs and Crows in his languishing plight. The other consumption is that of the flesh, which also beginneth of a cold formerly taken, which for want of remedy in time, occasioneth a general dislike and maceration throughout the whole body: it cometh from immoderate labour or travel by violent heat and cold taken upon it: it cometh also by riding him into the water after a great heat given, and then set up presently negligently; as once it happened to a young Nag of good mettle and spirit, and of very great hope, the owner of which Nag delivered him to an Ambler to pace, who whilst he had him in agitation, hearing Hounds abroad made in to them, who rod him hard all day to the death of the Hare, then coming home hot and all in a sweat, near to the Amblers House was a River with a Water-Mill, where he set him up to the skirts of the Saddle, & then brought him into the Stable where was neither cloth, litter, or other thing to keep him warm, or wherewith to rub him, at which time he took so desperate a cold as never after to be cured: for in short time after, he brought him to the Gentleman that did own him, when upon his coming home the Nag drooped, forsook his meat, and became very sick; the Gentleman desired me to endeavour the best I might for his recovery, for that he loved the Nag well. I ignorant of the cause of his Malady, went as I thought according to Art, I took blood from sundry veins, I gave him a Suppository, and after certain Clysters, which I assured me were most needful for him, Consum●●●on. all that I did administer wrought very kindly and well, but yet nothing could provoke in him an appetite, or be the means of any amendment, I then said him then with frictions, and Cordials, but all was cast away, airing or ought else would not prevail; then I persuaded the Gentleman to turn him to grass, it being in the middle of May and a very seasonable time, for I found him to be inwardly sound, he ran at grass about a month, but still grew weaker, and every day more meager than other, and at length he grew to be so much enfeebled by continual languishing as that being down, he was not able to rise, but with help, in fine, shortly after the Nag died: then for my better experience I would needs have him opened, which being done; a sounder body in a Horse could not be seen, but I discovered the cause of the disease and death of this Nag in his skin, for it being taken from him, you might most evidently see the Fat which did lie next unto his belly, brisket, ribs, and sides, to be so caked and hard, as that it, not being dissolved, the Nag could never after enjoy himself, which caused him to waste and dwindle of his flesh, and languishing die, which so soon as I espied, I presently told the Gentleman the owner of the Nag, that the Ambler had given him that Infirmity (the Nag being then very fat) and after in his heat put him into the water, which the owner examining found to be most true, as well from the report of honest neighbours who lived adjacent to the Ambler, as (after some small pressure) from the ingenuous confession of the very Ambler himself. And this I think fit to bring you for an instance, to the end you may be the more careful in avoiding the like inconvenience, and be the better able to judge of a Malady of this nature. But now as touching the best cure for a Consumption of the flesh (albeit there be many) yet I can recommend but only this one, which both Master Blundevile, and Master Markham have recorded, which is this, viz. Consumption of the flesh. Take a Sheepshead with the wool on, cleave it, wash it, very clean, and boil it in a gallon of fair water, until the flesh come from the bones, then strain the liquor from the flesh, and put into the broth of refined loafe-Sugar half a pound, of Cinnamon, conserve of Roses, conserve of Barberies, conserve of Cherries, of each three ounces, and give your Horse of this broth a quart, every morning fasting blood warm, use this till four or more Sheepsheads be spent, and after every of these drinks let him be walked abroad, (if the weather be warm and not windy) otherwise walk him in some barn, or warm place, and let him fast two or three hours after, & let him not drink any cold water in fifteen days after at the least, but let his drink be either sweet mashes, or white water, and for his Diet let that be what himself best liketh, and that given by little at once and often: and by this means he may recover both Flesh and strength again in reasonable time, ✚. Nevertheless when he hath gotten Flesh, depart with him so soon as may be, least upon any hard travel he happen to relapse, as is most probable he may. With this Receipt I have recovered three Horses, whereof one was a Horse of a high price. Hippoph. But tell me I pray you, were it amiss (for this disease) to take blood from him before you drench him? Hippos. Yea, that it were Sir very much amiss, for so to do, were certain death, for in cases of Consumptions you must take no blood at all, but rather labour to cherish the blood he hath, for his debility and feebleness willbe such, as that he consuming so much in his Flesh, you must rather endeavour to procure his strength then any way to hinder the same, which the loss of blood may most easily do. Neither must you be too busy in administering unto him Purges, but Cordials, as Diapente, Diatesseron, Duke powder, Cordial powder and such like restoratives, also by giving him good meat, as good strengthening bread and heartening, well made and of purpose for him, if he will eat bread, sometimes boiled Barley, and Oats, also boiled Beans, and such like hearty meat, as will restore him, and to give him sometimes about midday a quart of strong Ale or Beer, is very good, and will greatly comfort him. And thus keeping him warm, feeding him, and ordering him well, you may in time recover him again. ✚. And this is the best Counsel I can give you for this Infirmity. §. 16. C. Hippoph. Now what say you to a Convulsion? How do you cure that? Hippos. A Cramp and Convulsion is one and the same Malady, which is a violent contracting or drawing together of the Sinews, and Veins, and Muskles, as well through the whole Body, as in any one member of the same: yet doth it not always apprehend or se●ze the whole body, but takes one member or other as, sometimes it layeth hold upon the Eye, sometimes upon the Tongue, the jaws, Lips, Legs, etc. which albeit it cometh by several means, yet principally it comes either through cold in the body, or else for want of blood, or lastly by over much purging. The signs to know this disease are most easy, for that horse that is therewith troubled, will have that member (for the time the fit is upon it) so stiff, that a man with the utmost of his strength is not able to stir the same, by reason that the Sinews and Muskles willbe so much contracted as not possibly to bring the limb to its pristine state but only by rubbing and chafing, the limb or member with warm , and after the fit is over, it were very requisite to sweat him in the Stable in his , for two or three hours together, and if the Malady be in the lower parts, as in the Legs, Convulsi● then let that member which is taken be wisped up with thumb-bands of Hay made wet first, and after when the member is thus wisped, to cast thereon cold water, and after this his sweeting, let his whole body (but especially the member taken) be anointed with the ointment of Acopum before mentioned in the second book cap. 14 §. 1. A. and to give him some of it inwardly with sweet Sack, or Muskadine: and thus have I recovered sundry horses perplexed with this disease, giving him two or three drinks after of Diapente & then to keep him warm, and to continue him for some time with sweet mashes or white water, but when you come to give him cold water again, let it be with exercise and air after Sun rising, and before Sun set, the Sun shining, and when there is no wind, or other cold nipping weather. But if you have not of this Acopum in a readiness, then apply this bathe or ointment to the grieved place or member, viz. Take Pinpernell a good armful, Primrose leaves, Camomile, Crowfoot, Mallows, Fennell, Rosemary, of each six handfuls, & fine upland Hay, cut & made about Midsummer, when the strength and heart of grass is at the best, a good quantity, put all these into a Lead or Chalderon, and fill up the Chalderon with fair water, and so let it steep eight and forty hours, then boil it until the herbs be soft, and bathe the the grieved member therewith four days together, morning and evening warmed, which done, apply some of these herbs to the places or limbs grieved and keep them on with a thumb-band of Hay, wet in the said decoction, and every day about noon anoint the said visited member with Petroleum, and nerval, and Oil of Spike, mixed together, and keep him warm, give him good meat and mashes or white water, not only during the time of his cure, but a good time after, and let his air be temperate, and his exercise moderate, and take heed of washing him after labour, for that probably was the cause of his Convulsion. ✚. Another. Take strong white Wine vinegar, and Patch-grease, alias Peece-grease, of each like much, melt them upon a gentle fire, then with Wheat-flowre make it into a Poultesse, and apply it to the grieved member good and warm, renewing it morning and evening, but before you do administer this charge (by holding a bar of iron, or a chafing dish of coals near) let him be anointed with Petroleum, nerval, and Patch-grease, and oil of Spike, of each like much) very well, and after bind on the charge all over the grieved place, dress him thus morning and evening, and give him moderate exercise and air, and let him have Mashes and white water to drink, and keep him warm. This is very good ✚ Another: First rake him, then give him the Clyster prescribed in book 2. chap. 11. § 8. Clyster 4. then let two men (on either side of the horse one) rub him well with soft all his body and limbs over, especially the diseased limb, then cloth him up warm, and let him stand upon the trench four or five hours, to the end the Clyster may work the more kindly, after give him meat and white water, and so feed him for that day. But I must tell you, that so soon as you have given him this Clyster, and before his friction, give him this drink whereby to cleanse his body, viz. Take of white wine one pint, Aloes half an ounce, Agarick half an ounce, all beaten very small, and infused in the Wine, putting thereto of the purest clarified Hogs-grease one spoonful, or for want thereof (and which is much better) of sweet Butter six ounces, and give him this blood warm. The next day prepare in a readiness this unguent. Take of strong Ale two quarts, and of black Soap two pound, boil them together till they look black like Tar, and herewith anoint, rub, and chafe him all over that the unguent may sink in: that done, cloth him up, and stuff him warm that he may sweat well, but stuff head, neck, and breast well, let him sweat thus two hours, then cool him by degrees, taking now a little from him, than a little, till he be brought to a good temper again, then keep him so, and about one of the clock at afternoon, give him a warm Mash, or white water, and then some Hay, and an hour after that Provender. Let not this drink be given him above once during his whole Cure, but his Clysters, Sweats, and Frictions till he be well; yet the Clysters not every day neither, and let his drink be white water, wherein Mallows have been boiled, unless sometimes you give him wherewith to comfort him a sweet Mash, but if he will not drink his white water boiled with Mallows, then let him have it without, and let his food be that which is sweet and very good. This did I never try, but two several Ferriers who lived more than 100 miles distant the one from the other, gave me this Receipt verbatim without scarce altering one word, and they both protested unto me they have cured sundry Horses which have been forely perplexed with this disease. Hippoph. What mean you by moderate and temperate ayering of a Horse? Hippos. I do mean by moderate ayering, Ayering. that he be not forth in ayering too long, and by temperate ayering, that a sick Horse if there be cause why he should be ayered, it be not done too late in the evening, nor too early in the morning, for that such kind of ayerings will take too much from a Horse that is feeble or sick, but in such cases, let him be walked to his ayerings in a warm evening, an hour before sunset at least, and in a morning an hour after the sun is up, especially if the wind be not too high, or blow too cold, and that the sun shine warm: for by ayering before sun rising, and after sun set (like as is to be used with Running and Hunting Horses) will make a fat strong Horse both so poor and lean, as not to have a Crow of flesh on his back, as the proverb is, and so feeble as not to be able to arise being laid, and therefore give not such kind of ayerings to a Horse that is infirm; but those which I do term the temperate ayerings, will greatly comfort the spirits of your Horse, give him a very good appetite to his meat, and increase his flesh and good liking, whereas the late ayerings will be (as I said before) very noxious to sick, diseased, or lean Horses. § 17. C. Hippoph. HOw do you help a Horse that groweth costive or belly-bound? Hippos. The nature of this disease is such, as that the Horse that is therewith troubled, cannot discharge himself but with great pain and trouble, his ordure coming from him both very dry and hard. Horses that are kept too much to hard, dry, and hot meats, are most incident to this malady; sometimes it cometh by eating too much Provender, especially Beans, Pease, Tares, or Wheat, which albeit these grains be more hearty than any other, yet they siccicate and dry up the moisture, because they beget more heat and costiveness in the body, than other grains do, yea and wind too, and bad humours causing obstructions: and sometimes this costiveness cometh to a Horse by reason he hath been kept to too spare a diet, as is usually seen in Horses in diet; for this hot and dry food doth suck up (like to a sponge) the phlegmatic moisture of the body, giving way thereby that choler is become the more predominant, so that the meat he eateth cannot be so well digested. This is a disease very perilous, and the origine of many maladies: and it is easily known by its symptoms. And you may cure him after this manner, viz. Take the decoction of Mallows one quart, costiveness or Belly-bound. Salad oil half a pint, or fresh Butter half a pound, benedict laxative, one ounce, give him this bloud-warme clisterwise, and then clap his tail to his tuell, and so cause him to keep it half an hour at least, being walked up and down, then set him up warm, and it will work, whereby he will empty himself, and in due time give him a sweet Mash, and after Hay, and so keep him to Mashes or white water two or three ●ayes, but withal fail not to rake him before you administer your Clyster. ✚ This is a most excellent Receipt which you shall find in lib. 2. chap. 6. § 7. Clyster i. c. ✚ There be many other good suppositories, and Clysters, which I have already and will hereafter set you down, which be very sovereign for this malady. § 18. C. Hippophyl. What disease is that we call the crowne-scab; Hyppos. This sorance is a scab or crust which groweth upon the cronet or top of the hoof, next unto the hair; it is a filthy stinking and cankerous disease, and not only troublesome, but painful to the beast, and it cometh commonly in the winter, whilst the Horse is in the Stable, like as doth the Scratches, and it is engendered first by reason the Horse from a Colt till he came to be handled, was for the most part kept in moist, wet, and cold grounds, for no Horses are inclinable unto this disease, but those that are bred up in such like grounds. The signs to know this malady is, that the hair will stare about the coronet, and become thin and brisly. The way to cure the same is, Crown scab. First to wash and bathe the place well so fare as the scab or sorance goeth, which is commonly round about the coronet, then shave or clip away the hair close; then Take Turpentine, tried Hogs-grease, and honey, of each like much, a little of the powder of Bolearmonacke, the yolks of two Eggs, with as much wheat flower as will thicken it by working it to a salve, and apply this plasterwise with a linen cloth to the sorance, renewing it every day once till it be whole, but let him not come into any wet during his cure. ✚ This is a very good one. Another: Take old Chamber-lye, and set it upon the fire, and as the scum ariseth, take it off, then put to it of white salt as much as will suffice, and as the scum ariseth the second time, take it away; with this liquor wash and bathe the sorance three or four times a day till it be whole. ✚ Another very good which I have often used. Take soft soap, tried Hogs-grease, of each half a pound, Bolearmonacke in fine powder, as much as will suffice, Turpentine four ounces, make all these into one body, and so plasterwise apply it to the place, binding it on with a clout that it come not off, renewing it daily till it do leave running, then wash and bathe it in vinegar warmed, till the sorance be clean dried up. ✚ §. 19 C. Hippoph. HOw do you take away a Curb? Hippos. This is a swelling a little beneath the Elbow of the Hough upon the great Sinew behind, and above the top of the horn, which caused the Horse to halt especially when he beginneth to be hot, for by rest it paineth him the less: it cometh either by a strain, or by carrying of some heavy burden, or else he taketh it hereditarily from his Sire or Dam. The signs to know it is, by the long swelling in the place before mentioned. The cure is. First, shave away the hair, then with an Incle or filleting bind the Hough straight above the joint, then with a smallsticke beat, rub, and chafe the Curb Curb. like as you use to do in the cure of the Splent, then with a Fleame or Knife pierce the skin through in two or three places, and so with your Thumb thrust forth, and crush out the corrupt blood, and after convey so deep as you can get into every hole the bigness of two barley-cornes, of Arsenic, and so having bound up the place let it so remain by the space of four & twenty hours, then open the place, and anoint it every day once with molten Butter, till it be whole. ✚ Another. Take Wine Lees one pint, a porringer full of Wheate-flower, of Cummine in fine powder half an ounce, mix all these well together, and being made warm upon the fire, charge the place therewith, renewing it every day once, by the space of three or four days together, and when you do perceive the swelling to be almost gone, then draw it with your hot Iron, and charge the burning with Pitch and Rosin melted together, which must be applied warm, to the end, the charge may stick on the better, and then presently clap on Flocks, and let it so rest till of itself it fall away, and let him come in no wet or water by the space of twelve or fourteen days after, and he willbe perfectly cured. ✚. Another. Take a Bar of Iron, heat it red hot, and hold it near to the place till it become warm, then with your Fleame prick six or seven holes through the Skin, and anoint the Sorance with Nervell, then take of salt a Spoonful, and of Verdegreace a penny weight in fine powder, with the white of an Egg, let these be well incorporated together, then take a little Flax or Hurds, and wet it in this Medicine, and bind it to the place, renewing it every day once, and in short time it willbe perfectly cured. ✚. All these receipts I have used, and I have found them to be right-good. CHAP. VII. §. 1. D. Hippophylus. WEll now that we have made an end of this Chapter, let us proceed on to another: Tell me I pray, how may a Dangerous Sickness come to a Horse? Hippos. Sir, that which you call Dangerous Sickness is of diverse natures, proceeding from sundry causes, Dangerous sickness how it cometh. having everyone its distinct symptoms, and therefore do require several remedies; wherefore that you may the better know how and when any sickness cometh, observe I pray, but these four principles following, and you shall never err. viz. First, that all sickness cometh either by heats in over violent exercise, as when the Horse (v. g.) hath his grease melted, the heart overchaged, the vital blood forced from the inward parts, and the large Pores and Orifices of the heart so obstructed, and stopped, that the spirits cannot return back to their proper places, so as the Organs of the Body cannot rejoice, but by this means the body must of necessity languish, founder, and mortify. Secondly, dangerous sickness cometh also by colds, as by indiscreet or negligent keeping, as well before as after long and violent exercise, and then is the head perplexed, the eyes dulled, and pained, the roots of the tongue inflamed and swelled, the lungs with rheums tickled and offended, occasioning strong, and laborious coughing, and the Nostrils often distilling and pouring forth filthy and corrupt matter. Thirdly, dangerous sickness cometh also by surfeit of food, either by eating too much, or too little of what is good, or also of that which is not wholesome, so as the first killeth, or at least debilitateth the Stomach, oppresseth the Heart, and sendeth up those evil fumes into the Head by which are engendered the Stavars', Frenzies, and other mortal diseases, the second putrifies the blood, and converts all its nutriment into corruption, from whence proceeds the Yellows, Farcin, Fevers, Mainges, and other such like pestilent, leprous and loathsome diseases, which suffocating the heart, and clogging the Stomach, dilates and spreads itself universally over the whole body, leaving no member free, and confoundeth every faculty, and member thereof. Fourthly, and lastly, dangerous sickness comes also by accident, as when a Horse (v. g) receiveth some deep or perilous wound or hurt, either in his body or elsewhere in some vital or dangerous part, by means whereof nature is so fare offended, as that incontinently a general sickness seizeth upon the Horse, which (not in opportune time prevented) death suddenly ensueth; and these infirmities are called by the more expert Ferriers, Accidental fevers: for if you be pleased to observe well, you shall find the Horse sometimes trembling, sometimes sweeting, sometimes cold, sometimes burning, but never in good temper. And thus much briefly of these four points or grounds, which be the occasion of most dangerous sickness Accidental. Hippoph. What means hath a man to know the signs, whereby to distinguish these several sickness the one from the other? Hippos. Very easily Sir, for if sickness doth proceed from the first of these four principles, to wit from heats, then are the signs these, viz. The heaviness of his countenance, swelling of his limbs, especially of his hinder legs, scouring and looseness of his body, in the beginning of sickness short, and hot breath, a loathing and forsaking of meat, etc. If from the second, viz. cold, than the signs are, a dejected countenance, dulness or sleepiness of the eyes, Dangerous sickness how to know Pustils or hard knots under the Chaule, yea and many times inflamed kernels and swellings so high as to the very roots of the ears, a rotten or moist inward hollow cough, he many times chewing betwiut his teeth, some lose, filthy, and phlegmatic matter, immediately after his coughing, which in some cases is not an evil sign by reason that thereby the cold rotteth and goeth away; whereas on the contrary side for a Horse to cough clear and dry, doth demonstrate a dry cough, which hath long time lurked in his body, sorely festering and tormenting him inwardly, which is very difficile to cure, but at length discovers itself by reason the creatures languishing, and general falling away of his flesh, for his belly will be shrunk up, and when he drinketh much of the same, water will issue forth of his nose, his eyes will be either watery, or materative, and run continually through pain which he hath in his head, procured by means of this cold, and his hair will be rough and staring, etc. From the third, to wit from surfeit by meat, either natural or unnatural; the signs be these, a dulness of the head, eyes, and countenance, yea and that in such a violent manner, so as the Horse will be hardly able to lift up his head from the manger, a dull and dead eye, and sunk into his head, his ears pricked upright, and the tops of them cold, as also his upper lips and sheath, his pace reeling and staggering, and (if the disease be fare gone) he will be of a frenetike and mad comportment, as by biting and gnawing the Rack and Manger, or whomsoever shall come within his reach, and sometimes by biting of himself, and by beating his head against the wall and floor, and other such frantic postures and passions: but if the malady be not yet gotten into the brain, or do not occupy that place; but that it hath settled itself more intrinsically in the body or heart, than you shall perceive by the whites of the eyes, the lips and tongue, this disease to be the plain yellows, and if the disease be fare gone, then will the Yellows be dispersed all over the whole skin, and the Horse sweat in the morning when first you come to him, as if he had been sorely ridden, or had an Arctic fever, and have a desire rather to be lying then to stand, and when he standeth, it will be with his forelegs straddling the one from the other, and he will also have a looseness or scouring, especially if the Horse hath taken his surfeit by eating too many Oats, or other provender, and by drinking sudden-after, which you shall the better know, because the Horse will in his ordure void some of his Oats or other grain whole, as not being digested, by reason that the cold water so suddenly taken, upon his overhasty eating (not being all chewed) will cool his stomach, and make him to swell: besides the Horse will have a general loathing and forsaking of his meat, which is likewise the common symptom of every kind of surfeit, and almost every degree of sickness. The fourth and last ground or principle is, that if his infirmity and sickness do proceed from accidental means, then are the signs, a perplexed and troubled body, sometimes sweeting at the roots of his ears, in the flanks, and behind the shoulders, against the heart, sometimes he will be taken with a trembling all his body over, and sometimes with a glowing and burning in his vital parts, as in the temples of his head against his heart, on the inside of his forelegs next to the body, and on the inside of the hinder-legs, also his mouth will be dry and hot, his tongue will be subject to be inflamed and furred; in fine he will have a loathing and aversion from meat; but only that he must eat, and a great draught and thirst, and a great longing to drink cold water, and when he hath drunk what him liketh, yet will he nevertheless desire to keep his mouth continually in the water. Many other signs there be, whereby a man who is any thing at all skilful and cautelous, may by observing, discover when his Horse falleth into any infirmity and sickness, as when you do perceive that his countenance and postures do alter from their usual customs, then be you well assured, your Horse doth alter and decay in his health. Also you must observe his feeding, and how he doth eat, as whether with a good appetite, or with a weak stomach, the first being good, the second unkindly and unhealthy, as also how he doth discharge or empty himself, and how his urine and the colour of his dung or ordure do alter, which if his dung or excrements be pale, and full of grains, then is it good, but if blacklsh and dusky (according as I have before in its due place handled) then be you confident, he hath much heat and dryness in his body, by which means probably ensueth great and dangerous sickness: very many other signs of sickness there are, as the not casting or shedding of his hair, in its due and proper season, hide bound, costiveness, laxativenesse, the clinging up of his belly to the flanks, continual dislike, drowsiness, dulness and heaviness, when he hath wanted due ordering and feeding, etc. all which symptoms are so well known to every man, as that they need not be handled further in this place. Hippoph. But now Hipposerus, sithence you have thus fare discoursed, what are the causes and signs of dangerous sickness, I would gladly you would show me how I may either prevent sickness before it cometh, or cure the same at first appearance? Hippos. Sir, in this case two things are principally and diligently to be considered. The first is to prevent sickness before it shall approach, whereby it shall not offend at all, and the second is, to take it at the first appearance, and so to prevent and hinder it, whereby to prevent the danger thereof. As touching the first, Dangerous sickness how to prevent. the best way will be three or four days before you put forth your Horse to grass, to take blood from him, and the next day to give him the drink of Diapente half an ounce, with a pint and a half of sweet Sack, which you shall find mentioned in lib. 2. § sequent, and so by degrees to abate his clothes if he have had any, and it is also very good that when you do take blood from him, you do receive it in a basin or bowl, and therewith anoint his back, loins, fillets, breast, and all such like places about him with the said blood, for it is most wholesome, and doth comfort the body very much, cleanseth the skin, and begetteth a general rejoicing throughout all the vital parts of the Horse. But if you have no intent to put him forth to grass, and yet would prevent inward sickness, then fail not (when you have best means) to give him rest, take no blood from him at all, (unless you may justly suspect his blood not to be very good) but give him only a drink of Diapente or Diatesseron, for either of these are the greatest and best refiners and purifiers of the blood of any thing can be administered, and do cause the Horse to avoid all yellow- cholerick-matter, and all evil indigested humours, which may any way putrify, inflame, or corrupt the blood. And observe moreover, that in administering of these drinks, if Sack or Muskadine be not at hand to be had, that then in the place of a pint and a half of either of these (which is the proportion I limit to a Horse of a strong, able, and corpulent body, but to a small or weak Horse one pint) you do take of good Ale or Beer, one quart, and the same quantity of Diapente or Diatesseron formerly prescribed: and if the Ale or Beer be made warm upon the fire, it will be the better. And thus much as touching the first point, to wit, the prevention of sickness before it come, that it may not offend your Horse at all. Now I come to the second point, viz. To take sickness at its first appearance, whereby to send it packing before it hath taken deep root in the body of the Horse, Dangerous sickness how to cu●● so that it shall never come to danger of life or limb, than thus in a few words. You must be very cautelous and vigilant in observing your Horse well, and to pry into him so narrowly, as to discover the least symptom of sickness, that may be able to peep out its head, which so soon as you shall descry, then presently (if reason so require) let him blood, and three several mornings together, give him the drink of Diapente, and let him be kept warm, well rubbed, and have Mashes or white water during that time, and some days after, which will be a very good means for him to remain in perfect health, strength, and good estate of body; But if this Diapente or Diatesseron be not to be had on a sudden, then Take Selendine half a handful, as well the roots as the leaves, well washed and picked, Wormwood and Rue of each half a handful, boil all these in strong Ale or Beer, from a pottle to a quart, and then strain it well, and put into the liquor of sweet Butter half a pound, and of ordinary Treacle two spoonfuls, and so give it him blood warm. ✚ And this is most effectual to the ends before recited. §. 2. D. Hippoph. YOu speak very much of Diapente, giving it very great commendations, I pray how do you make the same? Hippos. The receipt of Diapente doth merit many more Encomiums than I am able to give it, for that it is so precious and sovereign a powder for Horses, and it is compounded of five several simples if it be rightly made. It is (I say) the most sovereign thing which can be given to a Horse by way of drench, whereby to cure him of very many inward diseases. It is good against all infectious maladies, as fevers of what nature soever, all sorts of Pestilences, or contagious colds, Coughs, wet or dry, Glanders, Surfeits, inflammations in the blood or liver, Frenzies, Yellows, it purifieth, refineth, and purgeth the blood from all infection and corruption, it easeth the overflowing or the gall, and the working of the spleen, and in a word it cureth whatsoever diseases the body of the Horse may be inwardly inclined unto; And it is thus made, viz. Diapente. Take Aristolochiarotunda, Gentiana, Baccalani, Myrrah, Eboraci, of each alike much, let these be first pounded severally and finely searsed, and after weighed, so as the quantities may be just and even, not any one less, or more than another, and after so well mixed as may be possibly, and so put into a Galley-pot pressed as hard as may be done, and after so close stopped, as that no air can get into it; and thus you must make it, and reserve it for your use. This must be administered to a Horse in Muskadine, if you drench him for a cold or Glanders. If for other maladies, then in sweet Sack, and the quantity must be a pint and a half: but if Sack or Muskadine be not to be had, then give it in strong Ale or Beer, and the quantity of this powder of Diapente must be two or three spoonfuls, unless to a small, sick, or feeble Horse, than the less quantity, according as in your own judgement and reason you shall think to be most requisite. ✚ And thus is this so excellent powder of Diapente made, and such are its virtues. §. 3. D. Hippoph. HOw do you make also your Diatesseron? Hippos. This confection I have heard some call Horse-Mithridate, and some Horse-Treacle, by reason of the inward virtue thereof, whereby to expel all poisonous and contagious annoyances, and to drive them, and all manner of sickness from the heart. And thus it is made, viz. Take first of the powder of Diapente two ounces, Diatesse. and put it into a clean stone mortar, that is not overgreat, and put thereto of life or clarified honey the like quantity, let the mortar be made hot against the fire, before you do put in your powder or honey, and then with a pestle of wood work it, till it come to a very Treacle, which when you shall find to be sufficiently compounded, then take it forth, and put it into a clean galley-pot or glass, and so keep it very close stopped for your use, and when you have occasion to make use of it, Take of this confection half an ounce, and dissolve it in Muskadine or sweet Sack a pint and a half, and so give it your Horse bloud-warme, and as occasion is proffered, add to it of London Treacle one ounce. ✚ This Diatesseron is a confection so sovereign, being as I said before, an antidote against all infectious diseases, it is a present cure for all sorts of Fevers, or any other desperate or dangerous sickness, taking first blood from the Horse if there be cause. § 4. D. Hippoph. IS there nothing good besides these in case of desperate and dangerous sickness, supposing that neither Diapente or Diatesseron can be had? Hippos. Yea Sir, if neither of these may be gotten, and that you are fearful of the life of your Horse, then do I counsel you thus. Take of the best Tar two ounces, of honey one ounce, Desperate and dangerous sickness black soap two drams, and bay salt a handful, incorporate all these well together, then fill two egg shells, the crowns only being broken, so as you may get forth the meat, and fill them up again with this medicine, and put them down his throat, and walk or ride him gently up and down a quarter of an hour or more warm clothed, that done, set him up warm, and litter him well, and let his drink be either Mashes or white water for four or five days after, but let him fast three hours after his medicine, and let his Hay and Provender be sweet and good, ✚. This I have often experimented. §. 5. D. Hippoph. I Should think Hipposerus, that for change, Bread were good to be given sometimes to a Horse; I pray you what is your opinion thereof? Hippos. If you mean such ordinary Horsebread, which our common Bakers used to make for Horses, (which is now long since out of date and use) I say it cannot be good for a Horse, by reason it was ill made, and the Materials whereof it was compounded, nourish very little, nay it hurteth a Horse much more than it can do him good, for it breedeth evil humours, and worse blood in his body, it being made of bran and chisel for the most part with a little course Rye meal, to make it stick together, and so made up and kneaded with cold water, and after the outside of the loaves or rolls are rolled in ground or rather bruised pease, which can in no case be good or wholesome. But if you have a desire to give your horse bread, whereby he may the better endure labour, either in his travel or long journeys, or in Tilting, Hunting, or otherwise, then if you please to give him this bread which I do here prescribe you, it will give him strength of body, be very much helpful to his wind, keep him from fainting in his labour and exercise, be it never so sore. Horse bread Take Wheat meal, Oat meal, and Beans, all ground very small, of each one peck, Anniseeds four ounces, Gentiana, and Fenugrick, of each one ounce, Licoris two ounces, let all these be finely powdered and seared, and add the whites and yolks of twenty new laid Eggs, well beaten together, and put to the other ingredients, and so much strong Ale, as will knead it up, then make your loaves like to horsebread, but not too thick, and let them be well baked, but not burned, let not this bread be given to your Horse too new, and when you do give it too him, let it be five or six mornings together without other provender; and thus you shall have him well wound, lusty, strong, hardy, and healthy, whereby to be able to hold out and retain his mettle to the last. Also when he is to be used or employed: Take a thin linen cloth, and put therein of white Sugar candy, one ounce, and as much powder of Anniseeds, sew up this to the Bit or Snaffle in a fine linen cloth, when you are to take his back, first dipped in White or Claret Wine, and so let him be exercised, or traveled with this in his mouth: this giveth moisture to his mouth, and stomach, it expelleth inward heat, and faintness from his body and heart, and causeth him to forget his labour and travel, for it doth revive his vital spirits ✚. Another kind of bread I will give you not much unlike the former, but somewhat better and a greater cooler. Take Wheate-meale one peck, Rye-meal, Beanes, and Oat meal, both ground very small, of each half a peck, Anniseeds, Lycoris, of each one ounce, and white Sugar candy four ounces, all in fine powder, the yolks and whites of twenty Eggs well beaten, and so much white Wine as will knead it into a past, make this into great loaves, bake them well, and after they be two or three days old, let him eat of this bread, but chip away the outside. ✚. Hippoph. What is the reason you choose of these grains, meal rather than flower, wherewith you do make your bread? Hippos. Sir, I prefer Meal far before Flower, by reason Flower is much more hot, and binding, and therefore the courser the bread is, the better it is for the Horse, and the more wholesome; and the reason, why I do put Rye into my latter bread, is, because Rye is a loosener, and a cooler, and therefore it will make him the more soluble. §. 6. D. Hippoph. What is good to dissolve and mollify Tumours and hard swellings in the Legs, or other parts and members of the Horse? Hippos. Tumours and swellings sometimes comes by heats gotten with over hard riding, whereby the creature being over much heat, the grease falleth down, and settling in the Legs and other parts, do grow dry and hard, this breedeth Splents, Spavens, Curbs, Ringbones and the like Sorances, which in truth are none other things then proper Tumours, besides it doth occasion other knots and swellings, which are to be cured after this manner, viz. Take of the roots of Mallows, or of Holliocks of each two ounces, Dissolve Tumours. of Linseed, and of Fenugrick, of each six ounces, of the fat or grease of Hens or Capons, or for want thereof, of Neat's foot oil, a Wine quart, of Wax six ounces, steep the roots and seeds being bruised, in a pottle of white Wine, when it is scalding hot, for three days and three nights, and the fourth day boil them in the same liquor, and add thereto when you begin to set it upon the fire, your grease and wax, putting also thereunto of Rosin three ounces, then let all these boil together a good while, and at the taking it from the fire, put thereinto of Venice Turpentine two ounces, and so stir them together, and thus it is made fitting for your use, which being well reserved, will dissolve all hard swellings and Tumours, the Sorances' being daily anointed therewith, ✚. This I have by much practice found to be very good. Another. Take white Lily roots, Hemlock, Mallows, Beares-foote, Scabeous, Cuccoe-pits, of each one handful, chop them small, and infuse them for twelve days together in white Wine, and Salad Oil, of each one pint, then take wax four ounces, and Beane Flower, twelve Spoonfuls, and so boil it, and after strain it, and bring it to an Unguent, and therewith anoint the Tumours and swollen parts, which being done, apply this Plaster to the places. Another. Take Darnell and red Docks, of each two handfuls, bruise them, and then boil them in wine, and Salet Oil, of each one pint, and Beane Flower four Spoonfuls, and put thereto of Asses or Ox's dung, so much as will suffice, when it is boiled to a pultis, apply it Plasterwise and use this every day once, till it be well, ✚. This is also very good. Another. Take Linseed and pound it in a Mortar, and of Fenugrick in powder, of each four ounces, Pitch, and Rosin, of each three ounces, Damask Rose leaves dried, two ounces, Pitch of Greece six ounces, boil all these together, and when you are ready to take it from the fire, add thereto of Turpentine two ounces, Honey six ounces, and Salad Oil, so much as will suffice, and thus applying this Salve Plaster wise to the place, it will mollify any hard substance. ✚. This I have often tried and have found it to be very good. §. 7. D. Hippoph. But Hipposerus, is there any cure for a sick Horse? whose infirmity is so desperate, and he so fare spent, as to be generally judged to be almost at the point of death? Hippos. Truly Sir, both my Master and myself have done such cures upon Horses, which have been so desperately sick as you speak of; insomuch as the beholders have pronounced sentence of death upon them, and the owners would have been well content to have been satisfied, and well appayed with their skins and shoes, and I will show you what our cure is. First open the neck vein, and let him bleed well, then two hours after his bleeding, Take of Diatesseron half an ounce, and give it him blood warm in Muskadine a pint, Desperate sickness. or Sack, for want thereof, or else if these be not on the sudden to be gotten, then take good Ale or Beer, with the like quantity of Diatesseron, then having given it, walk him half an hour (if he be able) in the warm Sun, or if there be not Sunshine, then in some warm Stable, or Barn, than set him up warm clothed, and littered, and let him be rubbed all over, as Head, Pole, Neck, and Legs, and especially 'twixt the Ears, for that greatly easeth the pain in the head, by reason it dissolveth and disperseth the humours: at noon unbridle him, and offer him a little sweet Hay, sprinkled with water, which if he shall refuse to eat, (as 'tis likely he will) then offer him so much bread as the quantity of a penny loaf, and let him eat it all if he will, but if he do refuse to eat thereof also, then give him one gallon of the strongest Alewort you can get of the first run so soon as it is mashed, but let it not be overhot, and before barm be put unto it, give him this I say blood warm, but if that cannot be gotten, then provide him in a readiness against the same hour, a sweet Mash, which when he hath taken, fume his head with Olibanum, Storax, and Benjamin, and then let him be rubbed again as before, and see him warm kept as is usual for sick Horses in physic: and thus do for three days together in all points (blood-letting excepted) for that must be once only (unless extraordinary cause do require the same) and assure yourself your Horse will mend daily, and recover his health and strength in short time, and at three days end, give him no more Mashes, but in their stead, let him have white water only: if by means of this sickness he hath any Pustils or inflammations risen under his chaule, then clip away the hair, and apply such things thereunto, as may ripen them and bring them to a head; and after break them with Shoemaker's wax, or other such like good things, and so let them run and heal at pleasure. Also if you do find your Horse to be costive by means of his sickness, as commonly horses will be after Physic, than first rake him, and finding his dung to be hot, dry, and hard, give him the suppository of a candle, shown you in chap. 18. § 27. Suppos. 1. of this second Book. And this is the best Suppository can be given him in a case of this nature. ✚ Butler if contrariwise you find him to have a strong and violent lax, or scouring upon him, whereby he purgeth overmuch, and so continueth, then be you assured that he hath something in his body wherewith nature is offended, which you must labour to remove, and for remedy thereof, Take of new milk one quart, and put to it of Beane flower two spoonfuls, and as much of the powder of Bolearmonack searsed, boil these until the milk thicken, and so blood warm give it your Horse, and in a morning or two fasting with a horn, and it will stay his looseness: ✚ but if this do it not, then shall you Take of red Wine one pint, or Tinto the like quantity, and put into it of Bursapastoris, one handful, and of Tanner's Bark in fine powder, half a handful, the outside being first taken away, then boil it till the herb do begin to be soft, then strain it, and put thereto of Cinnamon powdered two spoonfuls, and so give it him blood warm, one or two mornings, and this will infallibly stay his flux: and if you cannot get Diapente or Diatesseron, then give him this drink. Take of Dragon-water one pint, London Treacle one ounce, warm it till the Treacle be dissolved, and so give it him blood warm; give him this drink three mornings together, and for his drink otherwise, let him have sweet Mashes three mornings only, and after till he be well recovered, let him have no cold water by any means, but only white water, and through God's assistance he will be soon restored to his former health. ✚ These things I have often practised to good purpose. § 8. D. Hippophyl. What is to be done to a Horse that droopeth, pineth, or languisheth? Hippos. This disease cometh by a cold taken, or by some unnatural surfeit, by reason of overhard riding, or by being washed after an extreme heat; the fignes to know it, is, he will feed, but with no appetite, neither will the meat he eateth, digest well with him, for, give him Oats and you shall find many of them come forth whole in his ordure, beside, he will be lank in the belly and flanks, and his flesh will fall away. The cure for such a malady, is first to Drooping. Take blood from him as well in the neck as spur veins, for that the blood is most corrupt, and naught, the next day rake him, and administer unto him the Clyster prescribed you in lib. 2. chap. 6. and § 7. Clist. 3. C. the next day after he hath taken his Clyster, give him this drink. Take of new milk warmed as much as will suffice, the yolks of three new laid Eggs, of pepper, made into very fine powder, a half penny worth of Anniseeds, Myrra, Bay-berries, Turmaricke powdered also, of each half a dram, of ordinary Treacle one penny worth and a little saffron powdered, pound all the simples that are to be pounded, every one by itself, and mix them well with the residue, and let them infuse in the milk a whole night, and the next morning give it to the Horse blood warm, and after order him as you are accustomed to do to sick Horses in Physic, but let him have this drink five mornings together, and keep him to Mashes or white water, and if during that time you do not find his appetite to come unto him better than before, then let him rest four days, and at four days end give him this drink, viz. Take Bay-berries, juniper-berries, Aristoloch. rot. Ivory, Myrra, of each two ounces, make all these into fine powder, and searse them, and let them be well mixed, boil of this powder two spoonfuls in strong Ale one quart, or Muskadine or Sack one pint, which is much better, adding thereto when you take it from the fire, so much Pepper finely beaten, as will lie on a six pence, and so much grated Ginger as will lie upon a shilling, and so blood warm administer it to your Horse, than so soon as he hath taken this drink, troth him gently a mile or two upon fair ground, and then set him up warm, and cause him to sweat in the Stable an hour, but not too violently, and after cool him discreetly, and by degrees, and give him this drink and sweats three times, to wit, every other day, and after the taking of these three drinks, Take of Sack one pint, and put to it of Arement two good lumps made first into fine powder, and give it your Horse two mornings, that is to say, having given it him once, let him rest, and then give it him for the seco●d drink four days after. ✚ And thus have I cured sundry horses of this infirmity. § 9 D. Hippoph. What cure have you for a Dropsy? Hyppos. This disease hath an apparent ground more than conjectural, for it never cometh to be known by any symptoms, but only when the horse falleth into dislike, and loseth the true and perfect colour of his hair and skin, and when he loseth his spirit, mettle, strength, cheerfulness, and stomach, and therefore we see it cometh principally for want of good nourishment and digesture, which passeth into melancholy, it proceeding either from the spleen, or from the liver, or both, the blood being corrupted, and converted into a thin and watery substance, and sometimes it cometh of overmuch rest, for want of moderate exercise, which I do judge to be the more probable. Some Ferriers do affirm that there be three kinds of this disease, but I could never observe more than one only, which hath its origen either of melancholy blood water, or wind, but chief of water, by reason that the belly & legs of a horse will swell, and that a watery humour runs 'twixt the skin and the flesh, and if you lay your finger hard upon the swollen places, when you shall take it away, there will be in the place a pit for a small time after. The signs to know it are, that he will be swelled both body and legs, he will be also short-breathed, lose his stomach, have in his body a continual drought, but yet when he cometh to drink, he will not drink much, but pother long with his nose in the water, he will be as if he had a general consumption over all his body, and in time he will pine and fall away to the very bones, and his flanks and buttocks will be dry, and his hair will shed and pill off with every rubbing, etc. The cure is, first let him blood, to take away the cold, Dropsy. thin waterish or wheyish blood, that better may come in its place, then cover him warm, and give him a sweat in the Stable, but if he will not be brought to sweat in the Stable (as many times it so falleth out) then exercise him abroad till he sweat, and bring him into the Stable again, and cloth and litter him warm, and let him be well rubbed, and give him Sallow leaves, or the leaves of the Elm three greene, Rye blades, Sedge, or Grass, to keep his body open, and when you do give him Hay, let it be sprinkled with water; then give him this drink: Take of Ale one gallon, set it upon the fire, and scum off the froth as it riseth, then put into it of Wormwood, and of Rue the tender tops and leaves without stalks carefully picked, of each a handful, and so boil the Ale to a quart, then take it off, and strain it well, and dissolve into it of the best London Treacle three ounces, and put also unto it of long-Pepper and Grains both made into fine powder, of each one ounce, then brew all these well together till it be but blood warm, and so give it him to drink, then bathe and anoint the legs that be swelled with Trayne-oyle twice a day, till the swelling go away; and give him Mashes or white water, and feed him with such meat as he will best eat, changing his diet daily, and give it him by little at once, and after some small time thus spent with him, if the weather be seasonable, turn him to grass, and he shall do well and become sound again. ✚ This is all the Dropsy I do know, howsoever many Ferriers do talk much of another kind which they do call the Feltrick, which is not truly a Dropsy, but a disease distinct from the Dropsy, unto which young Horses are inclinable, that from Foles and Colts are bred in Fens, Moors, Marshes, moist and wet grounds, and Commons, by means whereof they will swell exceedingly under the belly, and so soon as they do come to be handled and backed, whereby they may be provoked to sweat, they will presently have inflammations under the Chaule, run at nose, fall into an incurable Glanders, and in a word become inwardly rotten, The cure is, Feltrick. First with your phlegm strike him in sundry places under the belly, where the swelling is most rank, and so let the corrupt blood and filth issue forth, by the space of an hour or two, then wipe the places clean and dry, and then Take of Buck-lye made very strong with chamber-lye, and the ashes of Ashen wood, and dissolve into the lie of Vnguentum Populeon, and Dialthea, of each one ounce, or as much as will suffice, according to the Lie you have, and being made good and hot, wash, bathe, and anoint the swelling therewith morning and evening till the swelling be quite gone, and after every dressing, troth him up and down by the space of a quarter of an hour, which will be a very good means to cause the humour to dissolve, and so to departed the sooner and the better, and for two or three days, give him fasting a quart of good Ale, and of Diapente two spoonfuls, which must be immediately before his trotting forth, after his dressing, and so set him up warm, and give him white water. ✚ And thus have I cured many Horses of the Feltrick. § 10. D. Hippoph. What is good to take dead flesh out of a sore? Hippos. We use sundry sorts of corrosives wherewith to cleanse foul wounds, and to eat away dead, proud, and naughty flesh out of sores to the end they may heal and carnifie the better and more kindly: but yet omitting all sorts of powders and other corrosives to corrode and eat away dead flesh, I will teach you a most precious Unguent, which will take off any dead, proud, spongy, or bad flesh, in the foot or any other part of the Body, be the wound never so deep or ulcerated, and it will not only take away all proud, dead, and naughty flesh, but it will also cleanse, and heal up the same very sound in short space, And this Unguent is thus made and compounded. Take of common Honey two ounces, Roach-alume, Verdegrease and Vinegar, of each one ounce, sublimat two dams, Dead flesh let all be made into fine powder, and boil it a few waumes, keeping it still stirring, and then take it from the fire, and keep it in a galley pot stopped, for your use. Apply this Unguent upon lint or fine hurds, to the Sorance once a day, and it cureth speedily, and sound, but then observe that every day before you dress the sore, you cleanse, wash, & inject into the wound the water taught you in the next §. which I will show you for a Puncture or deep wound, ✚. And this is an approved cure, and beyond all peradventure. §. 11. D. Hippoph. Well show me then, what is good for a Puncture or deep wound? Hippos. If it be in the foot, or any other part of the Body, if you can come well unto it, or if it be an Impostumation unbroken, scald it first with the medicine of red-Tarre, Hogs-grease, Bay-salt, and green Copporas, described in lib. 2. cap. 16. §. 10. for the Poll. evil, then wash the wound with this water. Take red-Sage, Plantain, Ribwort, Yarrow, Bramble-leaves, Deep wounds. Rosemary, Isope, and Honey-suckle-leaves, of each one half a handful, boil them in white Wine one pint, and as much of Smiths, or coletrough-water, then add thereunto in the boiling, of common Honey one Spoonful, and as much Alum, as a walnut, and a bright black piece of Sea-coal, the bigness of an Egg unbroken, then let this boil till the one moiety be consumed, then strain it hard, and wash the Sorance therewith, and if the wound be deep, inject of this water with a siring or squirt every day: when you dress him, and by thus doing you shall cleanse the wound, take away all dead and bad flesh, and heal up the wound, both sound and speedily. ✚. This is a most approved Receipt. §. 12. D. Hippoph. What is best to be applied to a desperate Strain? Hippos. If it be so desperate an old Strain as that it be holden incurable, if it lieth in the Shoulder, or other hidden and fleshy part of the Body, or that the Horse have a Fistula, Poll-evill or other inflammation, or swelling, then use but this one Medicine, and it will cure the same. viz. Desperate strain. Take a large earthen vessel, or crock of one, two, or three gallons or more, and fill it almost to the top, with Asmart and Brookelime, of each like much, and mix them well, then fill it up to the top with old chamber-lye as can be gotten, so that all the herbs be quite covered and more, then stop it close with a board or some such like thing, and so keep it for your use, for it never can be too old; now when you have occasion to use this Medicine for any grief aforesaid, then take an earthen Pipkin, and put thereinto aswell of the liquor, as of the herbs so much as shall suffice, for your present use, and boil it well upon the fire. Then if it be for a strain in the shoulder, you shall take an old boot, and cut of the foot, so as you may draw it over the Horse-foote and bring it up above the knee, almost to the Elbow of the Shoulder, keeping the neither part of the boot as close and strait to the leg as may be, but the upper part which is to cover the shoulder must be wide and spacious; then into this boot thrust all this mixture, so hot as the Horse can suffer it, and lay it fast, and close about the shoulder, especially before and behind; then drawing up the upper part of the boot, so fasten it to the Mane, and about his Neck, as that it may not by any means slip down, but keep constant and firm; and thus you must apply this Medicine to the place, till the grief departed; this is the most violent of all medicines, and fit for no creature but a horse to endure, yet in short time it will bring forth whatsoever evil matter lieth in the joints; and if you have occasion to apply this to a Fistula, Poll evil, or any Impostumation, or swelling, then may you spare the boot, and only lay on the medicine in manner of a Pultis, and it will be sufficient. ✚. This is a very approved Receipt. § 13. D. Hippoph. What means have you to dissolve Grease or Glut in a fat or ketty Horse, after a strong heat or violent exercise? Hippos. For a thing of this nature, I have seen this scouring administered, viz. Dissolve grease. Take of sweet Sack one quart, and set it upon the fire, either in a Basin, or open Skillet, and when it is scalding hot, put into it of Rosin one ounce, made into very fine powder, then by degrees a little after a little, convey it into the Sack, continually stirring it as you put it in, for fear of clotting, and when the Sack and it is very well incorporate, take it from the fire, and put into it of Salad oil half a pint, and so stir them well together, and as it cooleth, put also into it of brown Sugar-candy, made into fine powder one ounce, and when it is only blood warm, give it to your Horse so soon as he cometh from his exercise, and then being set up, let him be well rubbed, and clothed warm and well littered, and let him fast three hours after it, and let the Groom remain continually with him during these three hours, till you do give him meat, yea and an hour after, neither let your horse all that time stand still long, nor sleep, but be kept stirring, and moving, for that the medicine will by that means work the more kindly, and when you shall give this or any other scouring, be you sure that neither the same day, nor the next, you give him any cold water, but either a sweet mash or white water. This scouring I once did see made, and given by a jockey to a strong, lusty, able hunting Horse, which he had in agitation for a hunting match, but it wrought so violently, and made him so extreme sick for more than twenty four hours after the taking thereof, as that I never durst be so hardy, as to put the same in ure, nevertheless the Creature did very well recover again, and won his match. §. 14. D. Hippoph. HOw may a man come to know, what are the diseases of the Liver? Hippos. Assuredly Sir the diseases of the Liver are many, but yet the true and certain grounds, how to discover them is beyond every Ferriers skill to compass; nevertheless that there be many, and those several and distinct Infirmities in the Liver, no man needs make doubt: for if the Liver be either too hot, or too dry, too moist, or too cold, may easily be diseased, which must needs occur to the Horse, either by intemperate riding or labour, or by evil food, or by means of evil and corrupt humours, which do gather to the place, or by the overflowing of the Gall, or when Choler is predominate, it being chiefly engendered through heat, like as cold begetteth Phlegm, which causeth the sickness and ill disposition of the Liver, together with its pain and anguish, whence proceed inflammations, and Impostumations, stops, obstructions, knobs, yea and very pernicious Ulcers, every of which do cause the general Consumption and disease thereof. If the disease of the Liver do proceed from any hot cause, it is more easy to be discovered, then if it came from any cold cause, for that it doth discover itself by these apparent signs viz. He will be lean and fall away of his flesh, he will loathe his meat, and that which he eateth doth him little or no good, for want of ready digestion, his ordure willbe very offensive, his thirst great, and he will be verv much subject to a looseness: whereas on the other side, if the disease ariseth from any cold cause, you cannot discern it bv any of these signs, for that he will be in very good liking & state of body, eat his meat with a good appetite, his excrements will have no evil savour when he dischargeth himself, he will drink orderly and temperately, neither will he be lose or costive; wherefore if it come of any cold cause, we must then endeavour to find out its symptoms. Now if a Horse be diseased in his liver, the infirmity must (I say) proceed from an inflammation and impostumation, or from an ulcer. If it come from a cold cause, it cannot be an inflammation, nor an impostumation, for that these two do both come from a hot cause, as all the learned do know full well, and therefore of necessity it must be an ulcer which proceedeth from a cold cause, and the signs to know it is, continual coldness of his body, his hair will stare, and he will be subject to great feebleness, faintness and debility of body, and the reason is, for that the exulcerated matter doth diffuse throughout the whole body its evil vapours, which corrupteth and very much offendeth the heart in such wise, whereby to occasion and hasten the death of the poor beast: if in time the malady be not discovered, and skilfully and by Art cured. I have entreated sufficiently upon this subject, to wit, of the nature of this infirmity, and the signs how to know the same. And therefore I think it time we do go to the Cure. Disease of the Liver. So soon as you have discovered this disease: first let him blood on both sides the neck the first day, and the next day let him blood in both the spur veins, then give him this drink, viz. Take Isope, Cowes-lip-leaves, Liver-wort, Lung-wort, alias Molin or Molet-leaves, Harts-tongue, of each a handful, then take Gentiana, Aristolochia rotunda, Fenugrick, Enulacampana dried, and long-Pepper, of each like much, so as when they be pounded and searsed, you may have of each a spoonful; chop the herbs, and then mingle them with this powder, and put to it of life honey one spoonful, then boil all these ingredients in a quart of strong Ale, until a moiety be consumed, and strain it well, and so give it him blood warm, and keep him warm, and having made him fast three or four hours after this drink, give him Barley boiled, but if he shall refuse to eat thereof, by reason the drink hath made him dry and thirsty, then give him a warm Mash, and after the boiled Barley again; but let him not have this drink, but the day after he hath been let blood in the spur veins, give him this drink three times, but let him always rest three days betwixt every drench, and give him white water for fifteen days after his last drink, and let him every day be well rubbed, and this will cure him. ✚ I have often made trial of this cure, and I have found it to be very good, and it is also singular for the lungs; but if you do suspect the liver to be wasted, then give him this drink, viz. Take of strong wort, either of Ale or Beer, and give it him to drink in a morning, having fasted all night from meat and drink, and three hours after he hath drunk his Wort, give him Oats baked in the Oven, and do thus for three or four days together or longer, as you shall see cause, and he will be sound again. ✚ Butler if you do suspect his liver not to be very sound, then Take a good root or two of Polipodium of the Oak, made very clean, and of Liverwort, alias Mullet one handful, cut them very small, then take of Rhubarb scraped or grated into fine powder, six penny weight, and three or four days in a month give it him in his provender early in the morning two or three hours before he drinketh, and let his drink be white water during his cure, and once in six months make trial of his blood by opening a vein, whether it be pure or corrupt, so as you take it from him accordingly, that is, the greater quantity if the same be bad, and the less if it be good, and administer help as cause shall require it. ✚ This is also a most sovereign receipt. § 15. D. Hippoph. YOu have formerly delivered me many good Receipts for colds, but yet would I gladly have something which should be good for a Horse that runneth at the nose. Hippos. Very well Sir, I will therefore give you that which shall be very good, and which I have often myself proved. First then if you shall find your Horse to have taken a cold, and therewith he runneth at the nose, whereby he may be in danger of a Glanders, let him bleed at the neck vein well, then Take of Assefetida, the quantity of a hazel nut, Cold or running at the nose. and dissolve it in a saucer full of white Wine vinegar, then take Lint or fine Hurds, and dip it into the medicine, and so stop it into the ears of the Horse, and with a needle and thread stitch up his ears, so as the medicine get not forth: the next day, take the dry moss which groweth upon an old pale of a Park, or other pale, or upon the limbs of an old Oak, one handful or better, chop it small, and boil it in a pottle of new milk, together with a green root of Elecampane cut into thin and small slices, and so let it boil till half the milk be consumed, then strain it and press it throughly, and before it be cold, put into the milk a good piece of sweet Butter, and of ordinary Treacle so much as will suffice, and so give it him blood warm. ✚ This is also good for the headache, Frenzy, Stavers, Pose, Cold, Cough, wet or dry, shortness of breath, rotten lungs, Glanders, mourning of the Chine, Laxe, Looseness, Bloudy-fluxe, of the like diseases. §. 16. D. Hippoph. WHat may a man apply to a Horse to cause him to draw up his yard? Hippos. This is a disease which cometh of weakness in the back, Draw his yard. or kidneys, either through over-riding, or some leap or strain; or by means of a cold; and sometimes it cometh by a terrible stripe given him upon the loins against the kidneys, or upon the yard itself, or by weariness or tiredness; the signs to know it, is by the unseemly hanging of the member, and the cure is thus: First wash and bathe all the yard and sheath with white Wine made warm, and after that anoint it with oil of Roses, and life honey mingled together, and so put up the yard into the sheath, and with a soft bolster of Canvas, keep it from falling down, and dress him thus every day once till he we well, and let his back and fillets be kept warm, and anointed with Acopum, or if you have not Acopum, then apply this charge unto his back and fillets. Take Bolearmonacke, the whites of Eggs, Wheat meal, Sanguis Draconis, Venus' Turpentine, and strong white Wine vinegar, of each of these as much as will suffice, mix them well, and charge his back therewith, his sheath and his stones, and he shall be well. Another: Take the ashes of Ashen wood, the whitest, finest, and best burned, and searse them, one pound, or red-clay dried, and made into fine powder, half a pound, Bolearmonacke half an ounce powdered, boil all these in as much Verjuice of the crab, as will make it liquid like pap, and with it, anoint his yard, sheath, and stones morning and evening, and he shall be presently cured. ✚ This is special good. §. 17. D. Hippoph. What is good to draw a thorn, stub, iron, splinter, nail, or what else out of the flesh of the horse? Hippos. If the stub, thorn, or whatsoever else it be, that is gotten into the flesh be so deep as that you cannot come to it to pluck it forth with your fingers or plyers, then lay to the place a good quantity of black soap, Draw a thorn. and so let it lie all night, and in the morning it will make it to appear, so as you may come to take hold of it with your Instrument: but if it be gotten into the flesh so deep, as that the soap cannot do it, then must you open the flesh by the way of incision, so deep till you may come to take hold thereof with your Instrument, and so pluck it forth, which done, heal up the wound with the ointment taught you in lib. 2. cap. 10. § 4. G. and so heal it up, but be you certain that you do heal it from the bottom, lest it break out again. ✚ This is the most certain way for this cure that I do know. §. 18. D. Hippoph. What good drink is to be given, whereby to preserve the lungs? Hippos. If you have no great occasion to fear your horses lungs, than you may administer to him in his Provender only such powders as you shall find prescribed you already in lib. 2. cap. 2. § 43. but if you have just cause to suspect that his lungs may be rotten, fretized or broken, then to heal or make them sound again, or at least to give him great ease, for you may know it by these signs, Drink to preserve lungs. viz. his flanks will beat when he cougheth, which he will often do, but principally when you give him riding or exercise, and the slower they beat, the older and more dangerous the disease is; he will also draw his wind short, he will groan oft, but most in lying down, and rising up, and be very fearful and loath to cough. The cure is, Take Tartar made of white Wine Lees, which you may have of the Apothecaries, or if you please you may make it yourself, (for it is none other thing then the thickest of the Lees of white Wine well dried and made into powder.) Take (I say) of this one ounce and a half, of Isope and of Colt's foot, of each half a handful, of horehound one handful, of Elecampane in fine powder, Anniseeds, and Licoris of each one ounce, of brown sugar candy four ounces, boil all these together in good Ale one quart, and when it is half boiled, put into it of Isope water, and of Colts-foot water, both twice distilled, to take off their crudities, of each one pint, and so boil all again together, and then strain it, and give it your Horse blood warm. ✚ If your Horse have been exercised, being foul, or having been in diet, than he hath been overmuch used to Clysters, Drinks, Raking, Purgations, Sweats, Vomits, and the like; give him this drink then, and you shall find it to be most sovereign for him, and the cleaner he is within, the better is its operation, and will work more kindly in his body; and at what times you are to Tilt, Hunt, Travel, or exercise him, give him but one pint of this drink in the morning fasting before his going forth, for it will so help his breath, whereby (through moderate exercise) he will be much the better able to go through with his work, than otherwise he could have done. ✚ And this drink I have often proved. Also if you do find him to be either diseased, or sick in his lungs, or that they be any way fretized, then give him this drink. Take of tried Hogs-grease two ounces, and of Diapente three spoonfuls, put these into a quart of water, wherein Barley hath been boiled till it burst, and warm it in the fire till the Hog-grease be dissolved, and so blood warm give it your sick Horse, and three hours after, give him of the Barley warm to eat, and either sweet mashes, or white water to drink, ✚. This was taught me by an Italian Rider in Paris, and I have often made use thereof, and have found it to be special good, howbeit for the time it will cause him to be very sick, but have no fear, for it is right good for this Malady. Another. Take Muskadine or sweet Sack one pint, life-honey th●●e Spoonfuls, Myhrre, Saffaron, Cascia, and Cinnamon, of each like much, make all these into fine powder, and mix two Spoonfuls of this powder with your Muskadine and Honey, and give it him warm with a Horn, give him this drink fifteen days together, continuing to give him mashes and white water, and this is a most certain Cure, ✚. But if you do find that his Lungs be rotten and impostumated, then Take of the juice of Purslane half a pint, and mix therewith of the Oil of Roses so much as will suffice, and put thereto a little Tragantum steeped before in Goats, Ewes, or Cow's milk, and give him thereof to drink seven mornings together: but this drink will but only ripen and break the Impostume, which you shall know to be done, by his exceeding stinking breath, then shall you give him in fine powder Cassia three ounces, and seven Raisins of the Sun stoned, boil these in Muskadine one pint, and blood warm give it him, and it will heal up his Lungs again. ✚. This is very good §. 19 D. Hippoph. IS there no good thing to be given to a Horse, wherewith to prevent diseases all the whole year? Hippos. As touching the prevention of all diseases, I have spoken before, I think, sufficiently, but yet I will teach you one thing, (for that you are desirous to learn, and learning is no burden) which may be worthy your notice, for I will keep no secret from you; Since it is my Master's pleasure, I should dilate the utmost of my skill and Art. First, therefore the spring of the year coming on, a time when new blood beginneth to come, and that ere long grass willbe able to take heart, whereby the better to give nutriment to a Horse; The first day of April open a vein in the Neck, to see the better how the blood is: if good, take the less, if bade then the more: then from that day until the first of May, give him this which I shall prescribe you, and let him have it every day without fail, Morning and Evening during the whole month of April, from the first day to the last, which is before his turning out to grass, or soiling, which should be about the middle of May, and let him have the same also all the whole month of October (like as you must do in April after you have taken him from grass, about Bartholomew-tide, and do as you before have been taught in all points. That which I prescribe is this. Take a Bushel of old Rye, sweet and clean, well purged, Diseases 〈◊〉 prevent. or sifted, from dust, stones, lome, feathers, cobwebs, or any such like filth, and put it into a clean iron pot, dry, and without water, I mean such an iron pot, in which usually flesh meat is boiled, for such a like vessel, is best for this our purpose, it taketh least harm, and is much more wholesome than Brass, Copper, or any other mettle: set this pot thus dry, and without water over the fire, and put into it your Bushel of Rye (for a less quantity you cannot well have) and as it beginneth to wax hot, keep the Rye with continual stirring, even from the bottom, without any intermission, until you have so parched the Rye, that it becometh black and hard, which to be so, will ask good heat, and no less labour to stir it up and down in the pot, when you do find that the Rye is sufficiently parched, which you shall know by its blackness, dryness, and hardness, take it from the fire, and put it into some other clean, and dry vessel, which so soon as it is cold, let the vessel be kept close stopped, and so kept for your use. Now when you are to use of this Rye, take two or three good handfuls of it, and let it be beaten to fine powder and given to your Horse mingled with his Provender, at every watering, morning and evening, or other times when you usually give him Oats; do this these two entire months of April and October, for that all men do hold, that in these two months the blood turneth and altereth, as we altar his diet from hard and dry meat, to grass; and so likewise from grass to dry meat, for this Rye thus parched and ordered, doth refine the Blood, cool the Liver, and purgeth the Spleen, so as the whole structure of the body is thereby the better eased and freed, from all such bad and unnatural humours, which would otherwise make the body inclinable to sundry Maladies and diseases, which this Rye preventeth, and therefore if you be willing to keep your Horse sound, and free from diseases, order him in these two months according as I have prescribed you, and you shallbe secure, ✚. This I have oft made use of, and it is good. §. 20. D. Hippoph. HAve you any comfortable drink to administer to a Horse that is very sick? Hippos. I have heretofore shown you diverse, but yet I will give you one more. Take of good white Wine one pint, of white Sugar Candy, Drink comfortable. and of Cinnamon, of each one ounce, of Cloves half an ounce, Saffron three dams, of Sugar refined three ounces, make all these into fine powder, then take Mithridate two ounces, Honey of Roses four ounces, mix all these well together, and put it to the Wine, and make it blood warm over the fire, and so give it him, and now and then as he standeth upon the trench, let him chew upon the end of a Bull's pizzle, some Arman, let him be clothed and littered warm, and remain fasting upon the trench three hours, and after give him a sweet Mash, or white water, and after order him as is usual for a sick horse. ✚ This is one of the best preservative drinks that I know, and I have had great proof thereof. §. 21. D. Hippoph. What remedy have you for a dislocated joint? Hippos. Let it be first put into its right place, then in the binding up apply this plaster. Dislocated joint. Take Wheat Bran, and Hogs-grease, of each as much as will suffice, make them into one body, and make thereof a Plaster of Hurds, and so apply it to the place, and after bind and swath it up, and the joint and member will be well again having rest. §. 22. D. Hippoph. WHat disease is that is called Tranchaisons? Hippos. This term we have from the French, which is only a pain or gripping in the belly, caused partly of wind, and partly of cold, and eftsoons of both, and our English term is, the Colic, which is a most grievous pain, engendering many infirmities, as I have before declared in its due place: notwithstanding because you have given me the French term, I will give you two or three French Receipts for the same disease, albeit I did never experiment any of them, yet I do hold them to be good. Disease of Tranchaisons or the colic. Take of Arquequamis one ounce, make it into juice, and put to it of white wine one pint, and so give it to the Horse, which done, anoint his privy members with this unguent, Take of Garlic unpilled, as much as will suffice, and stamp it well, and mix with it of Salad oil as much as will suffice, and so bring it to an unguent, and therewith anoint the yard, sheath, and cod, and it will both give him ease, and cause him to stolen suddenly, by which means he will amend. Another: Take Cinquefoyle half an handful or Pantaphillon, beat and stamp it well, and moisten it with warm water, and so give it him to drink. Another: Take of the powder of Siliris Montani, D'quare, and of Coming, of each an ounce, and put them into white Wine one pint, and so give it him, than so soon as he hath taken this drink, troth him out for half an hour, a good round trot, especially up the hill, and after bring him into the Stable, and clothe and litter him warm. Another: Take of Fenugricke and of Coming, of each one ounce, make them into fine powder, and with white Wine a pint, give it him blood warm, and troth him out as before. § 23. D. Hippoph. HAve you no way to dry sores? Hippos. Yea Sir, and I will give you some receipts for that purpose. ●ake egg shells and burn them almost black: Dry up sores. take also the upper leather of old shoes, and burn them to a coal: take also a Charcoal, quick lime, and green coperas, burned in a well nealed earthen pot, until it be red: Take of each of these a like quantity, and beat them together to fine powder, and strew this powder upon the sore or galled place, and every time you dress the sore herewith, wash it well with strong vinegar or chamber-lye warmed. ✚ Butler if it be an old ulcer, or cankerous sore, then take Mastic, Frankincense, Cloves, green Coperas, Brimstone, of each like much, Myrra double as much as any of the former ingredients, beat all these by themselves to fine powder, and mix them well, then take of this powder and burn it upon a chafing-dish and coals, Lint whe● with to he● ulcers or o● soars. but be careful it flame not, then as the smoke or fume thereof ariseth, take of fine lint a good handful or two, and hold it over the said smoke or steam, so as it may receive all the said steam into the said lint, then when it is throughly well perfumed, put the lint into a box, pot, or glass, and be sure to stop it up so close, as that none the least air can possibly come into it (for the least air will deprive the lint of its virtue) and so keep it for your use; and when you have occasion to make use thereof, first wash the sore with new made chamber-lye warm, either as it cometh from the man, or else warmed upon the fire, then dry the sore again, and lastly lay some of this lint to the sore, and so make it up, and do this twice every day, and you shall find it to be a speedy and perfect cure. ✚ Butler if you would dry up the scratches in the heels of your Horse, Take then chamber-lye which is old made, or stolen, and rock or roch-Allum as much as will suffice, boil them together, and reserve it thus well boiled in a glass, or other clean vessel well stopped, then take of green nettles the strongest, most angry and keen, two handfuls, and lay them thin upon some plate, or other broad thing, and so dry them either before the fire, or in an Oven, after household-bread is drawn, then make it into powder very fine, this done, take of Pepper, and make it also into very fine powder, being finely searsed, so as it may be of like quantity with the powder of nettles, and so mix them well together, then keep this powder in a dry glass, close stopped, and when you may have occasion to use this powder, first wash the sore with the said liquor of Allome and Chamber-lye made blood warm, and so having purged, cleansed, and dried the sorance well with a clean linen cloth, strew and lay on your powder, and thus do after travel or exercise every day once during the time of his rest, and this will cure him throughly. ✚ This cure I have often practised. §. 24. D. Hippoph. What disease is that which is called the Arraistes', and how is it cured? Hippos. Arraistes' or Rats-tayles. This is also a French Epitheton, which we call the Rats-tayles, being a kind of scratches: of this disease I have spoken before in the letter A. and therefore I will now leave entreating further thereof. CHAP. VIII. §. 1. E. Hippoph. WHat is to be given to a Horse that hath eaten a Taint? Hippos. A Taint is a kind of red worm which many Ferriers will say can do a Horse no harm, but they are much mistaken, for I have known Horses to dye with eating it; but if he have eaten a Taint, the signs will be, that he will be sick, and forsake his meat, and he will swell in all his body, also his eyes will so swell that you would think they would fall out of his head, he will draw in and out his breath very short, and his tongue and mouth will be very dry and hot, and peradventure blistered, but he will be easily cured, for so soon as you shall perceive him to forsake his meat, and that he doth begin to swell, then be you confident that he hath eaten some unwholesome thing, for this inconvenience seldom cometh to any Horse but at grass only. The cure is, Eat a Taint. Take of the urine of man as it cometh warm from him, one pint, and of bay-salt one handful, stir these well together, and give it him with a horn, and after walk him up and down half an hour, and he is cured. ✚ This I have sundry times tried, and it is a certain cure. §. 2. E. Hippoph. What cure have you for a Horse that hath eaten a Feather? Hippos. This may be gotten aswell in the Stable, as abroad at grass: in the Stable through the negligence of the Keeper or Groom, in not dusting, shaking, or picking, and searching his Hay and Provender well, and by not looking narrowly, that no Feathers be among his Hay, Oates or Provender, when he giveth him his meat, either in the Rack or Manger, he may also get a Feather at Grass, as he feedeth in a Meadow or Pasture, where Swans, Geese, Ducks, Turkeys, or other Poultry or Fowls do lie and feed, they in the Summer season, mowting, and mewing their Feathers, whereby the Horse grafing and feeding in those places, may easily and unwares eat a Feather, which being taken into the Weasand, will stick fast there, which will so suffocate him, as that it will provoke him to cough so vehemently, as if his Heart would break, for it will stick so fast in his Throat or Weasand, as that he can neither swallow it down into his Body nor cast it up at his Mouth. The cure is. Put the cord of your Drenching Staff into his teeth, Eat a fe●ther▪ and hold his head up on high, then take of Verjuice of the crab one pint, and two new laid Eggs, and beat them together, shells and all, with the Verjuice, and so give it him with a Horn, and so soon as he hath swallowed the same, give him a few small branches of Savine, and this will carry away the feather into his stomach, ✚. This I have very ofttentimes done, and made him well again. § 3. E. Hippoph. But than what Cure have you for a Horse that hath eaten a Spider? which I take to be much more perilous to the life of the Horse? Hippos. The signs to know this, is like to that of the Taint, but only that he will swell much more, and this may befall him rather in Winter then in Summer: for which give him this drink. Take Urine of a Man newly made one quart, of Rue, Bittony, Eat a Spider. Scabious, Pimpernell, Dragons, of each a like much, but in such a quantity, as in the whole, all will amount but only to one handful, chop these herbs together small, and let them boil together in the Urine a little, adding thereto of Bay-salt, and salad-oil of each one Spoonful, and so give it him blood warm, ✚. Now if it be in Winter, Take of Urine one quart, Arement one lump, Aristolochia rotunda, Mithridate, of each one dram, English Saffaron, one scruple, salad-oil one Spoonful, Bezar-stone three grains, let these be set on the fire and given him blood warm, if it be in Summer, turn him to grass, and if need be rake him, and then convey into his Tuell a ball of fresh Butter. But if it be in Winter let him be also raked, and give him of the blades of Green Rye, to a good quantity, and for his Provender, let it be for two or three meals, of scalded bran and Hempseed, and let his drink for three or four days be white water. ✚. These are all approved medicines. §. 4. E. Hippophyl. What is good for a blow on the Eye, whereby aswell to save the Eye, as to assuage the swelling thereof? Hippos. This needs no study as well to find out the means how it cometh, as the signs how to know it, for both are apparent enough, there only remaineth to treat of the Cure. Shave off the hair from off and about the place swollen, having first well bathed it in warm water. then Eye a stroke Take the tenderest tops of wormwood, Pellitory, and Branca-Vrsina, of each half a handful, chop the herbs very small, and then beat them to an ointment with old Boares-grease so much as will suffice, then put to it of life honey, and Wheat flower, of each one Spoonful, and of Lynseed-oyle three Spoonful, boil these over the fire very well, keeping it with continual stirring, and when it is sufficiently well boiled, strain it into a galley pot, and keep it stopped, and as occasion is offered, anoint the place swollen herewith ✚. §. 5. E. Hippoph. What remedy is to be had for the Eye that is charged with a Film, Pin and Web, or with Dragons, & c? Hippos. These diseases in the Eye, do come sometimes by means of some pain in the head, which causeth a Rheum to fall into the Eyes, and sometimes by means of Rheums themselves, which causing the Eyes to water, do engender these diseases, and sometimes again it is occasioned by means of a strip or hay-dust, or some hame which may be gotten into the Eye. I need not deliver you the signs whereby to know them, they are visible to your sight. The cure therefore is thus. Eye Film, Pin and web Dragons. Take Camfire or Sol- Armoniacum, or for want of either of these, white-Sugar-Candy: any of these three being made into very fine powder, and blown into the Eye, three times a day, are most sovereign to cure these diseases in the Eyes of a Horse, but Solemnising- Armoniacum is the very best of them all. ✚. But if a Film or Pearl, without a Pin and Web, do grow in the Eye, then, take up both the two weeping-veines first, which are under the Eyes, and then give a Cauterize to either place, viz. to open the skin all along to the very Eyes, and put in to each of them, a quill cut in the middle, then ofttimes cleanse them, and comfort the places Cauterised or roweled with unguentum-Populeum, and wash the Eyes every day three times with Eye-bright water, mingled with the juice of Smallage, and about fifteen days after, take away the quills, and after wash the Eyes with cold Fountain-water. Another. But if it be a Pin and Web, then Take Cuttle bone, Tartar, Salt-Gemme, of each like much, Pin an● make them all into pure fine powder, and with a quill blow of this fine powder well mixed, into his Eye two or three times a day or oftener. ✚. This have I tried, and have found it to be special good. But if be a Pearl, that the horse hath in his Eye, then Take the angriest tops of red-Nettles, and stamp them well, Pearl● Film. and put them into a fine clean linen Rag, then dip the Nettles as they be in the Rag, into Beer, but yet very slightly, and so wring forth the juice of the said Nettles, into some clean thing, which done, put to it a little salt so much as will suffice, made first into fine powder, and when the salt is dissolved, convey one drop of the medicine into the grieved Eye, morning and evening, and this will take away the Pearl, and the Eye will become as clear as the other, ✚. This I have often tried, and found it to do rare cures in this kind. Now for a Pin and web, any of these ensuing will cure it. Take the sword of a Gammon of Bacon and dry it, Pin an● and make it into powder, & blow thereof into the grieved Eye. ✚. This is good. Another. Take the juice of ground-Ivy, alias Ale-hoofe, Selendine, life-hony, and woman's milk, of each of these so much as will suffice, mix all these well, and put it into the Eye of the Horse, ✚ Another. Take the powder of the bottom of a Brass pot, the outermost black being first taken off, & the next powder let it be blown into the Eye of the Horse, and it will help him. Another. Take the powder of Alum, or of a black-flint, or the powder of Ginger, either of these made into fine powder and blown into the Eye of the Horse, will help a Pin and web. Another. Take ●●lt Arment, and make it into very fine powder, and put thereto of life-honey and fresh butter, of each so much as will suffice, incorporate all these well together, and so convey of this medicine into the Eye of the Horse, and this will cure a Pin and web. ✚. But if there be a Hawe Hawe. in the Eye, this every Smith can take away; nevertheless whereas all other Ferriers, that ever I saw work upon this disease, do use to take it away from the outside of the Eye, I do take it away from that part which lieth next of all to the eye, and I do find my way to be much better, and a safer way, as well whereby to preserve the sight of the eye, as also the wash, and so soon as I have cut out the Haw, I do use to wash the eye with white Wine, and the juice of selendine mingled together, of each a like much, for this healeth the sorance, and keepeth the eye from rankling. Now I have oft times seen the French Marishals take up the wash of the eye with a Spanish needle, threeded with a double brown thread, and to pluck forth the Haw so fare as he well can, then with a pair of scissors to clip off the Haw so close as he can: but I cannot commend this manner of curing the Haw, for by that means he cutteth away the wash of the eye, which indeed is the beauty of the eye, whereby the Horse becometh blear-eyed, which is in him a very great eyesore, he being thereby very much disfigured. ✚ Butler if your Horse have gotten a canker in his eye, then Eye a Canker. Take Ale-hoofe (which is indeed your true ground Ivy) and stamp it well in a mortar, and if it be very dry, then moisten it with a little white Rose-water, or the water of Eye-bright distilled, as much as will suffice, and so strain it into a clean glass, and therewith wash, bathe, anoint, and taint the sorance therewith, and in short time it will cure it. ✚ This is very good to cure a Canker, a Pin and Web, blood shotten eyes, or any such grief in or about the eyes; and I have often made use of this medicine. Another much better. Take of stone Coperas (a thing known to few, and therefore very hard to get) but in the stead thereof you may use ordinary white Coperas, make it into fine powder, as much as will suffice, (for I must leave the quantity to your own discretion) and put it into a small Pipkin, and put thereto so much very fair, clear running, or Well water as will fill up the Pipkin to the very top, than set the Pipkin upon a few coals, and cause the water to boil, but so treatibly, as it may but only simper, and as the scum doth arise, take it away with a feather, continuing so to do, till the scum do leave to arise any more, and when you have sufficiently well boiled it, take it off, and let it stand till it be through cold, then pour away the clear from the bottom, which must be cast away, and the clear kept in a glass vial, very close stopped and bound up for your use, which being thus carefully kept, the water will remain in its perfection long, yea a whole year together or longer. This water cureth almost all diseases in the eyes, as Films, Pearls, weeping eyes, Pin and Web, Dragons, Cataracts, dimness of sight, Blindness, Rheumatic, watery, stroke, blow, or stripe of or in the eye, and so consequently in many other cases of the like nature. ✚ And of this water I have had great experience. Another: Take Sal-Armoniack, Lapis-Tulia prepared, Sagina, called in Latin Panicum-Indicum, and of Ginger, of each half an ounce, and of white sugar-candy two ounces, powder all these and searse them, and being well mixed, put this powder into a clean and dry box very close stopped, and so keep it that no air come to it for your use, and when you have occasion to use of this powder, take a little thereof, and mix with it of the juice of ground Ivy, alias Ale-hoofe, as much as will suffice, and so twice a day convey thereof into his eye with a feather, till it be throughly whole. ✚ This is a principal good receipt; I will give you another special good receipt, which will cure all manner of sore eyes. Take the leaves and roots of Vervine, ordinary honey, and Roman Vitriol, of each like much, beat, bruise, and mix these together, and put it into a stillitory glass, and distil it by Balnea-Maria, with a gentle fire, and the water you take into your Receptacle, put into a vial glass, and keep it very close stopped, that no air get into it, and when you are to use of the same water, pour of it a little into a silver spoon, and mix with it of the fat of a Hen or Capon, a small quantity, and therewith anoint the sore eye twice a day, and it will cure the same perfectly. ✚ I will give you another receipt which will take the film from off the eye albeit there be a very great and thick skin grown. Take the gall of a Hare, and life honey, of each like much, put them together into a spoon, and hold the spoon over the fire, till the medicine be blood warm, and with a feather convey part of this medicine into the eye of the Horse, and thus dress him morning and evening, and in short time it will take it quite away, so as the eye will become as bright and clear again as ever it was before. ✚ This receipt I do hold no whit inferior to any of the former, for I have often made use thereof. But if your Horse have gotten a stripe in the eye, then let him blood in the neck, and in the weeping vein, on the same side where the stripe is, then Take white Rose-water, and the white of a new laid egg, beat them very well together, then wash and bathe the eye well therewith, and lay round about it with your splatter this charge restringent. Take Mastic, Bolearmonacke, Sanguis Draconis, the white of a new laid egg, and white wine vinegar of the strongest, Eye a charge. beat first the hard simples to very fine powder, and then searse them, and they must be beaten severally, then mix them all together with the white of the egg, and the vinegar so well wrought, as that the medicine come to a thick ointment, and with this charge the sorance round about the eye, and this will keep off the humour, and when that you find that the eye doth begin to amend, then wash and bathe the eye twice or thrice a day, or oftener, with cold fountain or Well water, so fresh as it is taken or drawn out of the Well or Fountain, and if after you shall perceive that there doth grow a film or skin over the eye, then take it away by blowing, or putting the powder of Camphire, or Sol Armoniacum, or white sugar-Candy in fine powder, according as I have before prescribed you. ✚ This is a most sovereign receipt. Also if your Horse in his eye have gotten a stripe, Take of fresh Butter wherein never came salt, the quantity of a Walnut, and put it into his ear on that side where the stripe is, and it will help him. Another: Take Lentels or Gray-Pease, and champ or chew them in your mouth, and then whilst they be in your mouth, blow and breath into your Horse's eye, but not any of the Pease by any means, do this every day often, and a little after wash the sore eye with cold Fountain water till it be whole. ✚ But yet I will teach you another receipt which will take off a Pin and Web, Film, Thickness, or any other foulness which may be in the eye whatsoever, whereof I have had great experience, and have done many rare cures in this kind, viz. Take the shells of seven or eight eggs, cleanse them from all manner of inward slime, and dry them well within, then lay those shells between two new Tiles, or old, so they be made very clean and free from Mortar, and then lay them in the glowing embers, and cover them all over, and on every side with burning hot embers, and so let them lie a good space, until the moist substance be quite taken from them, then take them up, and beat the shells to very fine powder, and searse the powder, then with a goose quill blow of this powder into your Horse's eye, do this twice every day, and it is a certain cure. ✚ Butler if you do find the eye to be fed with any Rheumatic humour, or that it be inflamed, or that it hath got a bruise, stripe, or the like, then Take of the purest and whitest refined loaf sugar, one spoonful and a half, let it be made into fine powder and searsed, or else of the best white sugar-Candy (which is much better) the like quantity, let it be finely powdered and searsed, and mix with it so much May or sweet butter (wherein never came salt) as a Walnut, and add also to it so much of the former powder of Egg shells, as of sugar-Candy, make these into one body, and bring it to a salve, and put thereof into the Horse's eye, morning, evening, and noon, and this will make the eye to be clear, sound, and whole again. ✚ This unguent doth purge, cleanse, cool, and comfort the eye of the Horse, and helpeth greatly his sight; make use of this, for it is very good. But if the eyes be inflamed, which you may easily know by the red strakes which will be in them, then Take Thuris Masculi, the marrow of a Lamb, Saffaron, Cuttle-bone, of each one ounce, of the oil of Roses one ounce, and the whites of ten new laid eggs, beat and incorporate all these very well together, and then with a feather put some of this medicine into his eyes once every day. ✚ This receipt is very good, for I have had great trial thereof. Another: Take of white Starch made of wheat, Frankincense, life-honey, of each as much as will suffice, make all these into one body, and with a feather apply it to the grieved eye. ✚ Another: If the inflammation be great, let him blood in both the temple veins, and in the weeping veins, and then wash his eyes with woman's milk and life honey mingled together. ✚ Another for a wart or spongy excretion growing near to to the eye of the Horse, which commonly doth proceed from a condensed phlegm that descendeth to the eye, which in time will cause the eye either to consume, or to grow little, if it be not prevented, which must be done thus. Take Roch Alum and burn it, Eye a W and then add unto it so much white Coperas unburnt, grind them together to very fine powder, then lay a little of this powder just upon the top of the wart, but take heed none get into the eye, for it is a strong corrasive, and will corrode; let the Wart be thus dressed once every day, and in short time it will consume and eat it quite away never to come more. ✚ But as touching Lunatic eyes, Lunatics eyes. this word Lunatic is derived from the Latin word Luna, which signifieth the Moon, and the reason why this disease takes its denomination from thence, is, for that at certain times of the Moon he will see well, and at other times a little, but then at other times no whit at all; and therefore this disease is called lunatic, and this kind of blindness we do hold to be the very worst of all other, but when he doth see, you may know it by the colour of his eyes, for than they will be dim and yellowish, but when he seethe nothing; then will they look fiery and red. This disease cometh sometimes naturally, taking it hereditary, either from the Stallion his Sire, or from the Mare his Dam, by whom he was begotten and fole: it cometh also sometimes by means of evil humours which descending from the head, make their residence in and about the eyes, and these naughty humours are occasioned by the means of intemperate riding, drawing, or other laborious exercise, in which the poor creature hath been put to do more than nature was well able to perform; wherefore by one of these ways, this malady cometh; the cure is thus. Take Pitch, Rosin, and Mastic, of each like much, melt them together, and having before hand provided in a readiness two round plasters of leather, the breadth of a 20 shilling piece of gold, lay and spread the medicine hot upon these two plasters, and so hot as the Horse can suffer them, apply them to his temples, causing them to stick fast to the skin, and let them there remain, until they shall fall off of themselves, than rowel him on the face just under his eyes with a very small French Rowel the breadth of a three pence at the most, and let it be turned every day once, the space of 12 or 15 days, then take forth the Rowel, and heal up the orifice with the green ointment prescribed you in lil. 2. cap. 10. § 4. G. and this will undoubtedly very much help his sight. ✚ Another: Shave away the hair the breadth of a shilling on either side of the head upon the temple veins, and after apply to the place this charge. Take Taca-Mahaca, and lay it upon those places which were shaved, and clap upon them flocks of the same colour, then make incision and put in two French Rowels, as is showed in the cure going before, to bring down the peccant humours, and let the eyes be washed twice every day with the medicine before taught you, made of ground Ivy, Honey, Selendine, and woman's milk. X This is very good for this disease, and this I can boldly commend unto you to be a very good medicine, for I have often used. Now as touching sore eyes which must be cured by medicine, you must understand that the eye is the most delicate part of any one member in all the whole body, it is the Torch or Candle which doth give light to the whole body, it is the guide which doth usher the body, and to carry it from danger, so as it shall not at any time either stumble upon rocks, or blocks, or fall into any precipice; wherefore great regard ought to be had, how you do at any time tamper or meddle with this so choice a member, lest in stead of endeavouring to cure one sore eye, you put out both, a thing often seen and known, and therefore the medicines which you apply to the eyes ought evermore to be new made, yea in a manner every day, for that when once they begin to grow stolen, they become sharp and asper, perplexing the poor beast, much more than otherwise, neither are they so wholesome, nor so powerful whereby to perform their office for which they were made and compounded. If you have a Horse which is but weak of sight, the ●esse blood you take from him, the better it will be for the continuance of his sight, for by taking much blood from a Horse weakly sighted, will on a sudden cause him to become stone blind, like as by experience I have often known and observed. But now to conclude this Paragraph, because I have not yet handled one part appertaining to a sore eye, viz. for an eye which by an unlucky stroke or stripe is broken and beaten out of the head of the Horse. I will give you one only receipt, which can never be parallelled: to wit, Eye broken. Take Alum, and first burn it in a fire-pan, and after when it is burned so, ☞ put it upon the hot coals, and let it burn there till all the moisture be quite consumed, that it becometh as light as a feather, and as white as snow, and so brittle as that it will break with every touch, unless it be very carefully handled, when it is so brittle as that it will run to ashes with every small pressure, and that the taste of Alum remaineth little in the said Alum, then is it sufficiently burned, then take of this powder as much as will suffice, and mix it with life-honey, and stir them well together, as that you do bring it to an unguent; put of this every day morning and evening into his eye with a feather, and so hold your hand upon the eye a pretty while, that the medicine cannot suddenly get forth, and by thus doing, in few days it will be throughly cured, though the eye be utterly lost. § 6. E. Hippoph. What is good to take away a bony excretion, or a fleshy? Hippos. This malady of a bony excretion cometh most commonly by the means of caustics and burning corrosives, which be laid to wounds that are near to the bone, as when the wound is either in the leg, or about the pastern, for that the flesh being extremely burned and mortified by such caustics and corrosives, it doth cause an excretion to grow upon the bone, which through the unskilfulness of the Ferrier, the wound is healed up, but the excretion doth remain still upon the bone, which becometh an eyesore, unless it be afterwards taken off, which occasioneth a new cure, and over and above it enforceth oft times the Horse to haut: sometimes again an excretion cometh by the Horse being galled with a lock or fetters, having been long continued upon the same foot, without changing or removing in time convenient. But howsoever it cometh, the cure is, Take Elecampane root newly gathered, and cleanse it from its earth, Excreti●● and wrap it up in a brown paper, then wet the paper, and so heal it in the hot embers, and so roft it as you would do a Warden, when it is throughly well roasted, that it be like to pap, so hot as your Horse can suffer it, (for it must not scald him) after you have with a stick, (like as you do a splent) rubbed, knocked, and chafed the excretion, bind this roasted root close unto the place, and so let it remain on 24 hours before you do remove it, and in two or three times thus dressing it, the excretion will rot and consume to nothing, and this will also take away a splent. ✚ This is very good. Another: Take the oil of Origanum, and every morning and evening, or oftener, take a little upon the brawn of your thumb, and rubbe the place, and it will therewith in time consume, and quite take it away. ✚ And this will also take away a splent. §. 7. E. Hippoph. What will cure an Impostume in the ears of a horse? Hippos. This disease proceeds from sundry causes, as by means of some blow with some staff or other such like thing, which he receiveth about the ears, or poll, or else by means of some hurt he may get, by being wrung or galled with a new or hard hempen halter, specially if a knot be near or upon the place; sometimes it comes also of a cold taken in the head, and sometimes again by means of bad and peccant humours, which residing in the head, do make its passage by the ears; it is easily known by its much burning, glowing, and swelling, and by the Horse's unwillingness to be touched and handled about that place; if it be an impostumation, than thus it must be cured. Take Linseed and make it into fine powder, and Wheate-flower, of each half a pint, Ears impostumated. ordinary honey one pint, tried— Hogs-grease one pound, mix all these well, and warm them upon a fire, keeping them continually stirring: then take of this ointment and spread it upon a linen cloth, or upon a plaster of leather, the breadth of the swelling only, and apply it warm to the place, and renew it once every four and twenty hours, till it either do break or be so ripe, as that it may be opened; which must be so done downwards, that the corruption may easily issue away, then heal it up with this salve. Take Mel-Rosatum, salad-oil, and ordinary Turpentine of each two ounces, incorporate them well together, and make for the Horse a biggen, or nightcap to keep on the medicine, taint the sore to the bottom dipped in this ointment, and apply also a plaster of the said stuff upon the sore, renewing it every day till it be whole and sound. ✚. But if the Impostumation be broken of its own accord before you do perceive it, then Take oil of Roses, Venice Turpentine, and common Honey of each like much, mix them well together, and so making it blood warm upon a few embers or coals, dip some black wool in the medicine, & so stop up that Ear therewith, which is grieved, renewing it once a day till it be whole. ✚. But if the Ears be only inflamed, then stop of this foresaid medicine into them, and it will both ease him and take away the inflammation, ✚. Another. Take of pepper made into fine powder dist. tried Hogges-greasse one spoonful, the juice of Rue one handful, the strongest white Wine Vinegar two spoonful, beat all these very well together, and if the swelling, Impostumation, or Inflammation, be either in the Ears, Face, Head or Throat of the Horse, if you take either black-wooll, fine lint, Flax, or Hurds, and dip it into this medicine, and so stop both his Ears therewith, and then stitch them up, that it get not forth, renewing it once in two days, till the swelling be clean gone, your Harse will be certainly cured ✚. But if the grief be in any other part of the Body, then with this Unguent, you shall anoint the grieved or swollen place, once or twice a day, till it depart. ✚. But if the swelling be near or about the Cod, or privy parts, than First the place well with cold water, and after being made dry again with a cloth, anoint it with the said ointment, every day once or twice, and you shall find it to be a present cure ✚. This also cureth the Ulcer and Canker in the Nose, and it is a sure Cure for the Vives ✚. I have often cured all these maladies with this Receipt. CHAP. 9 §. 1. F. Hippophylus. WHat cure have you for the Farcin? Hippos. Of all the diseases whereunto Horses are inclinable, this of the Farcin is the most loathsome, the most stinking, and the most filthy, wherefore for the same I shall set you down many cures, but first I intent to discourse somewhat of its Nature, and how it comes to a Horse; This disease we here in England do for the most part call the Farcy, and (Secundum Vulgus) it is called the Fashions, for so Master Markham doth style it; But Master Blundevile, the Italians, and the French do give it the name of Farcin, to which denomination I do the rather incline, by reason we take the said name from the Italians and the French, for that truly I do find that to be the proper name of the said Infirmity, derived from the word Farcina, which is a disease most infectious, poisonous, and dangerous, being never so little let alone, or neglected: It is a kind of creeping Ulcer beginning with hard knots, and Pustils, and after dilating and spreading itself into branches (like to a Vine or Ivy) doth not cease from running, until such time as it hath visited every part and member of the Body, for Quasi Cancer serpit, it commonly beginning either in a vein, or near to some Master vein, which feedeth and nourisheth the disease, that is the cause of its diffusion. It is engendered sometimes of corrupt blood, which heats and surfeits have occasioned in the Body, sometimes by hurts and wounds received, as also by some Cankerous & poisonous thing, as rusty spurs, snaffles, bits, or the like, it is also taken from another horse, which is fallen into the same disease, also by hewing one leg against another, and being smitten with some staff, whereon are hard knots, and sundry such like means and ways; it comes also to a Horse by surfeits given him, which finding no other way of avoidance, lais hold of this disease, whereby the blood, being over much heat, his grease melted, and his taking a sudden cold, which is most frequent after great heats, then growing in the body, and especially in the blood, such obstructions, corruption, and putrefaction, not having any means to vent itself, or to void, or evacuate, but by this way only, by growing into knots, Pustils, Ulcers, or the like, which be so contagious and infectious, so as if but any other horse, do but gnaw or lick with his teeth or tongue, upon the place infected, he will be assuredly within a short time after himself infected also, and when once a horse is strucken or infected with this leprous malady, if he be not presently and skilfully cured, it is as infallible death to him, as if he had either his throat cut, or his brains beaten out, with a Butcher's Axe; Farcin, wherefore if in this case, your horse be visited with this sinistrous disease, I could wish you would carefully observe two things: the first is, that so soon as you do perceive this Malady to appear upon him, that you presently sequester him from his fellows, into some other Stable or stall by himself alone, for fear he might infect them, for that it is catching; And secondly, to be very diligent in omitting no time or opportunity, in getting him administered unto for his Cure: The signs of this disease are so plain and familiar, as that it needeth no description. I will pass to the cure. To the end therefore you may go the more securely to work, whereby you may make it an able and perfect cure, especially if you do find the Pustils to be malevolent, and greatly inflamed, than the first day let him blood in or near to that Master vein, which doth most feed and nourish the Farcin, than so soon as you have well bloodied him, give him this purge, viz. Take of Aloes, made into fine power one ounce, and a quantity of London treacle so much as will suffice, and of life honey so much as will suffice, mix these well together, and give it him in a morning fasting, and six hours after, give him white water, neither needeth this bloodying him, or Purgation, any way hinder him from being dressed for his disease, for that blood-letting doth but only hinder it from running any farther for that time, and the Purge sendeth the disease from the heart, to the end it may no way annoy that place, wherefore for the perfecting of the cure. Take of oil de-Bay two ounces of Euforbium made into fine powder one ounce, incorporate both these so well together, that they may become but one body, then fearch for the first origin, or spring, where the first knots did begin, and so continue searching till you find out the last, clip away the hair from off, and about all these knots, and anoint them very well with this ointment once every three days; and after you have thus dressed him three times, if you do not find the Farcins to be killed, and that the knots do not dry up, then bathe the places three days together with the stolen or urine of a Cow, or Ox, and with the herb called Lion's foot, in latin, Leontipodium, both boiled together, and this will cure him. ✚. This medicine I never made use of but once only, and it cured the horse unto which I did administer the same. ✚. Another. Take nine leaves of the pot herb called Beets, of the smallest but soundest leaves, and nine grains of Bay-salt, beat these very well together to salve, and in a morning before Sunrising, put this medicine into both his Ears by equal portions, and put into them after it, a little wool, to keep in the medicine, and so stitch up his ears, and let him stand so with meat and white water 24 hours at the least, then take forth the wool and stuff, and he is cured. ✚ With this receipt I have cured sundry horses. Another. If your Horse have a farcin in any of the four quarters of his body, let him bleed well in the neck vein fasting, then Take of Arsenic two ounces, and put it into a piece of new cloth, and bind it up with a piece of new Packthread, and fasten it unto the main of the Horse, this is to be thus administered, if the farcin be only in the foreparts, but if the disease be as well in the hinder-parts, as in the foreparts, then hang also the like quantity of Arsenic, made up in a cloth like as was the former, and hang that also upon his tail, and the more you ride, work, or travel, and exercise him, the better it will be for his disease, to qualify and rid the same, and the more spare his diet be, the sooner is he cured, provided you keep him warm in the stable, and for some time you must give him white water. This cure I did never try, but it was taught me by a great Marishall of Paris, one who had the repute of a very honest man, and a most skilful Ferrier, who protested unto me that he had perfectly cured many Horses with this receipt. Another: Take white Bran prepared, like as you shall find prescribed you, lib. 2. cap. 2. § 4. F. how to make fat a Horse, and give it him a day before he is to be dressed, and let him eat it so hot as well he may: continue him to this diet three mornings together, then let him bleed well in the necke-veyne, but give him no Hay that day he bleedeth, but sweet wheat straw only, neither let him either eat or drink in four hours after, and then let his drink be white water. And two days after his bleeding, you shall begin to give him again his wheat bran prepared as before, which shall continue for six days together, during which time you shall give him every evening with his Oats, this powder and these roots following, viz. Take of Coming, of Linseed, of Fenugrick, Sileris. Montani, of each two ounces, quick Brimstone, four ounces, let all these be powdered, and mix them well, and give it at one time with his Oats, so much as you may put into an egg shell, the meat being first taken out; let him be thus used daily, by the space of six days. Those days being ended, Take the root of Salerick, the root of Tassus-Barbatus, the root of Valerion, and the root of Lappaizon, of each like much, chop them all very small, as herbs to the pot, which being thus well mixed, give them to the Horse without Oats if he will eat them, if not, then otherwise in Pills; and when you give him the roots, do not give him the aforesaid powder, and so continue him with these roots six days together, which six days ended, cause him to be bloodied again on the other side of the neck, but then let him not bleed so much as before, and order him as before after the first bleeding: nor shall you give him either powder or roots, but let him be still kept warm, and have his ordinary allowance of meat, as well of Hay as of Oats, and then for six days after, every evening after he hath drunk white water, give him one evening of this powder with his Oats, and the next evening of these roots, and if you find not the Farcin to dry up to your mind, continue then this powder and these roots for six days more, and those days being past, give him good Hay and good Oats, and not any longer the powder, or the roots: and thus following these directions punctually, your Horse shall be perfectly cured, and be brought into good state and health again, neither shall the relics of the farcin remain in any part of his body, and if there be any knots remaining, they shall break, purge, cleanse, heal, and dry up, the main cause being taken and purged away. Of this myself had never trial by reason that many of the ingredients were not easily to be had. Another: Take black Hellebore, and add to the herb some of its juice, put unto it old Boares-grease, and boil it until the juice be quite boiled into it, whereby to bring it to a perfect unguent, with which you shall anoint and rub the knots, or buttons of the farcin, but before you do apply this unguent, let the hair be shaved or clipped away from and about the knots. ✚ With this receipt I have cured only one Horse. Another: Take five or six handfuls of four-leaved Plantain, with the roots, of Bay salt one handful, and so much Coming as you may well take up, with your thumb and two fingers, beat the Coming to fine powder, and then stamp the Plantain and Salt well together with the Coming, and after they be well incorporate, let it steep and infuse 24 house's, then strain and wring it hard, and give the liquor thereof to your Horse in a morning fasting, but you must take blood from him the day before, and he must stand upon the Trench six hours before you give him the said drink, and you must also put into his ears the juice of Rue, and then stitch up his ears, and so let them remain 24 hours, but if the malady shall continue (which I think it will not do) then must you let him blood again, and give him the aforesaid drink. This I never tried, but he that taught me this, did assure me that there is no kind of farcin, but this receipt will cure. Another: Moly herb Albeit that all these receipts be very good for the farcin, yet are not all Horses cured with one and the same medicine; and most certain it is, that the most infallible way to cure the farcin, is to give him the fire: in the practice not only of this cure, but of many others also, which are to be administered inwardly, it is greatly behooveful that the Ferrier be mindful to observe the strength, age, quality, and ability of the Horse, to which he is to administer, and accordingly to mix and apply his ingredients. Another: First let him blood on both sides the neck and spurre-veynes, and let him bleed a good quantity, then take Hemlock, Cinquefoyle, or five leaved grass, and Rue, of each like much, stamp them and strain them, and put the juice thereof into his ears, and then stitch them up 24 hours, and it is a certain cure. ✚ For with this I have cured sundry Horses. Another: First let him bleed well at the neck vein, then take Trifora-Magna, and Aloes Platice, of each two ounces, and as much Barley bran, mix all these, and dissolve it in oil-olive one pint, and put thereto of white wine one pint, and then divide it into two parts or moyities, and so give it two mornings together to your Horse fasting with a Horn, that is to say, either morning the one moyity: this done, take as much black soap as a Walnut, half as much Arsenic in fine powder, and work them into one body to a salve, then with the point of a knife slit or open all the hard knots or pustils, and so put into every of them the quantity of two Barley corns of this salve, which will eat forth the cores, and kill the poisonous humours, than where you see the wounds, and places red and fair, heal them up by anointing them with fresh Butter molten and made hot, and then strew upon them the powder of Bolearmonack. ✚ This is a most approved good receipt, and by myself often practised. Another: Take the juice of Rue, and of Aquavitae, of each one spoonful and a half, beat them well together, and by equal portions convey it into both his ears, then stitch them up for 24 hours' space, and he is infallibly cured. ✚ This is an excellent cure, and by me often used. Another: First wash all the places that be raw or swelled, with Chamber-lye, or white Wine Vinegar warmed, take then of Salt one handful, of white Wine Vinegar one pottle, of Alum dissolved in the Vinegar, one ounce, of Verdegrease and green Copperas, both made into fine powder, of each one pound, melt all these upon the fire, and every day wash the sores, and places swollen therewith warm, twice a day, morning and evening. This I never did experience, but it was commended unto me by a worthy Knight, who averred unto me, that he had cured therewith very many horses, of the Farcin. He also said that he hath cured some with this receipt following, viz. Take Tar, Tallow, and Horse-dunge of each so much as will suffice, incorporate all these upon the fire, and anoint him therewith hot. Another. Take Hempeseed one pound, and bruise it well, then take Rue, and salt, of each one handful, of the leaves of Mallows two handfuls, boil all these in fair water two quarts, unto a moiety, then strain it, and give it your horse blood warm, give him of this two mornings, but not two mornings together, but let him stay one morning betwixt, then take a good quantity of Chamber-lye and Hemlock so much as will suffice, and boil them well, and wash the sores till they be quite whole, and dried up. ✚. This is a very good receipt. Another. Take the herb with the root called Digitalis, in English sope-glove, alias Fox-glove, a good quantity, bind it up into a fine linen rag, and if the Farcin be in the forepart, of the horse, hang it upon the main, but if in the hinder part, then hang it upon the tail, and this will cure him. This I never did experience; But now I will give you for a close the best and most certain cure for this disease, that I ever yet knew: and with which I have perfected more rare cures of this nature, then of all the residue before inculcated. And thus it is. Another. Take of Rue, the leaves and tender tops only, without any the least stalks, a good handful, first chop them small, and then stamp them in a Mortar to a very ointment, when they are so well pownded, put thereunto of the purest white tried Hogs-grease one spoonful, and so work them together to a perfect salve, or unguent, that done, stop into either Ear this whole quantity by equal portions, and put a little wool upon the Medicine, to cause it to keep in the better, and so stitch up his Ears, and let him remain in the Stable so four and twenty hours at the least, and then unstitch his Ears, and take forth the wool, and either put him forth to grass, or else if he be to be wrought, work him, for the more his labour is, and the more spare his diet is, the sooner he is cured. ✚. This I commned to you for the best and most certain cure, that I could ever meet with, for with this receipt only I assure you on my credit, I have cured more than 100 horses, many of which were by other Ferriers, holden for incurable, & sentenced to be food for Hounds. The French do also call the disease, Mal de ver. §. 2. F. Hippoph. I Have heard of another kind of Farcin, called the water-Farcin? Hippos. Truly Sir, in answer to this, I by observation of this disease do find, that there is but only one kind, albeit I will not deny, Wet Farcin. but that some one may be more malignant than another, according to the constitution of the Horse, who is visited therewith, by reason that choler may be in that horse, more predominant then in an other horse, of any of the other humours, for than it cometh forth more dry, but if the horse be naturally Rheumatic, then may it appear more watery and moist, and so of the residue, but still it is but one, and the same infirmity, for more sorts I could never find. But touching this watery Farcin, as you are pleased to term the same, the French giveth this name, viz. lafoy Louppe, which is in English the Wolf, and they gave me the reason why they do so call it, to wit; because it festreth the flesh, eating and corroding therein inwardly, and it beginneth most commonly in the feet, rather than in any other member of the horse. And for this disease a famous French Marishall of Paris gave me this ensuing cure, but I never yet made trial thereof, viz. First wash the place, and shave away the hair, and search the place well with your finger, and let forth the corruption, but be sure you search it to the very bottom. Take then Horse-dung, or Goose-dung, Wine, Salt, and Vinegar of each so much as will suffice, and make thereof a salve, and so Plasterwise apply it to the sorance, binding it on, and the third day open it, and dress it up again as before, and do this every third day till it be whole, but be sure you do every time you dress him, examine the very bottom. This he assured me to be a very perfect Cute. §. 3. F. Hippoph. What is that disease is called the Flanks, and how is it cured? Hippos. This is when a horse hath gotten a wrinch, crick, stroke or other grief in his back, which is called of the French Ferriers Flanks, the cure is this. Flanks. First shave away the hair from the place grieved, then lay on this charge. Take Bol-Armonack, Cumfry, alias Consolida-Major, Galbanum, Sol-Armoniack, Sanguis Draconis, his own blood, Burgundy Pitch, Mastic, Olibanum, of each like much, so much as will suffice, stamp and beat all these together, with Wheat meal, Vinegar, and the whites of Eggs so much as will suffice, and so make it into a charge, and therewith charge the place grieved, then clap upon the top, all along the Chine, and Back of the Horse, a sheeps-skin, coming hot from the sheep, and change it every day, and at three or four days end he will be well, but let the charge lie upon the place, until such time, as it do fall away of itself, and keep him warm. §. 4. F. Hippophyl. HOw may a man bring in few days his Horse to be fat, or at least in good liking supposing him to be sound? Hippos. Sir over much riding and exercise, will bring the fattest Horse that ever trod upon the Earth, to become poor, bare, and lean, and so will too early, and too late ayerings, bad diet, evil keeping, lingering after Mares, and spending upon them, lingering after grass, and the like: But if your horse be poor, bare, lean, Fat horse. and feeble, so that his stomach be good to meat, I will give you a Receipt, which (if you do duly observe my rules, justly as I shall deliver them) you shall get him up into flesh in twelve or fourteen days. First therefore take blood from him, if you do find it gross, or Phlegmatic, for otherwise he cannot possibly mend, than instead of Oats in the morning, you shall give him Wheat bran, Bran prepared. prepared after this manner. Set over the fire a clean Kettle, and fill it almost full with fair water, and so soon as it boileth put in your Wheat bran, and so let it boil a quarter of an hour at the least, then take it off, and let it stand to cool, and about four or five in the morning, give him of this bran so hot as he can eat it, then for his drink give him of the same water, and at night give him Oats and white water, and let him be kept covered and littered warm: but if it be Summer, let not the Stable be too hot, but temperate, and at night give him with his Oats also the quantity of what you may convey into an Eggshell of this powder following; with which you must continue him the space of eight days, or according as you shall see cause. You must understand that this bran thus prepared, is the only thing which drieth up his naughty, gross, and corrupt humours, and doth the better prepare the body to assume lust, courage, strength, and flesh, together with the help of the powder, which is this. Take of Commin, Fenugrick, Sileris-Montani, Nutmegs, Cloves, Ginger, Linseed, of each two ounce, Quick-Brimstone six ounce, Fat a lean● horse. make all these into powder, of this powder give him every night, the quantity of an Eggshell full, with his Oats, as I have before prescribed, but he must first be watered, with white water, which so soon as he hath drunk, let his whole body be rubbed, then clothed, & littered, which being done, then give him a small sheaf of wheat straw, sweet, good, and well threshed into his Rack, and let him eat thereof by the space of an hour, which done, give him Oats mixed with his powder, which when he hath eaten, give him Hay at your pleasure, remembering to keep him warm, but so as with moderation; and let him be also well rubbed, especially against the hair, and by this doing in short time you shall perceive him to mend exceedingly, but you must put also into his Oats together with its former powder, of Nettle-seed two handfuls every time, for that is the thing which principally will cause him to battle: It will also greatly avail to his amendment, if he be ayered every morning and evening an hour after sun rising, and an hour before sun set, if the weather be warm, and the sun do shine. ✚ And this I do assure you is the most exquisite course can be taken, whereby to s●t up a lean Horse, and to make a poor Horse fat in little time, and with small charge. §. 5. F. Hippoph. What help have you for the falling of the Fundament? Hippos. This malady cometh to a Horse sometimes by cold, sometimes through weakness and mere poverty, and sometimes by means of a laxativenesse and flux of blood, when straining to expel, the Horse is not able, and by that means the fundament cometh out, the cure is, Falling of the fundament. Take white-Salt made into very fine powder, strew a little upon the gut, then take a piece of Lard, and first having boiled Mallow-leaves till they be soft, take of these leaves and beat them well with the Lard, and when it is sufficiently beaten, make it up like to a suppository, and apply it to the place every day once, till it be whole. ✚ This I have often tried, §. 6. F. Hippoph. I Should be very glad to know what you can say of Fevers? Hippos. Sir, as touching fevers in Horses, I say that they be as subject to them, as man is, as also that these fevers are of several natures, which cannot be denied, which may most easily be distinguished and known, if you please diligently to observe. A fever cometh many times, either by intemperate riding or travel, or else through bad and unwholesome diet: and all fevers for the most part have their source from these effects, if you add thereunto evil air. §. 7. F. Hippoph. Why Hipposerus, how do you define a Fever? Hippos. I define it thus. A Fever is an unnatural and intemperate heat which beginneth at the heart, dilateth itself through all the arteries and veins of the whole body of the Horse, hindering all his natural motions: howsoever some Ferriers are pleased to make of them more sorts, than I will question their physical and learned distinctions, for I could never conclude them but in a few, as quotidian, tertian, quartan, and pestilent, and yet all these be of one nature, albeit some more malignant than others be, only a Hectic fever is of a different nature from the former, and so also a pestilent fever may be. Now as touching fevers which come in the Spring, Summer, Autumn, or Winter, I cannot see why they should be fevers different in nature from these other, for there are not any of these, but may come to a Horse in any of these seasons. §. 8. F. Hippoph. FRom whence do Fevers proceed then? Hippos. First Sir you must understand that Fevers are of two sorts, that is to say, Ordinary and Accidental, the ordinary fevers are those that come of surfeits, over-riding, and labour, unwholesome meat, as moist, raw, mouldy, and musty bread, corn, provender and hay, of what nature, sort, or condition soever; but your fevers Accidental come of some terrible stroke or deep wound, bringing therewith insufferable pain, dolour, and grief to the poor beast, again, your ordinary Fevers come oft times by the extreme violent scorching of the Sun, but most commonly in the canicular days, as when your Horse is abroad at grass, where is either want of water, or having such as is neither good or wholesome, or else where is want of housing, shelter to go into, or shady trees to be under, and such kind of Agues do prove for the most part either Hectike, or Pestilent fevers, for by that means his blood becometh inflamed, whereby the humour of choler is predominate. Now Sir, if you be pleased to observe strictly and carefully, you shall also find that fevers do come many times also from a quite contrary cause; as from cold taken upon hard riding, or great labour, and by having at such times cold water given him to drink, or by washing, or walking having sweat much, or by being out too late in the gripse or shutting in of the evening, or upon day breaking, especially near or among fenny, moorish, or marish grounds, by reason that naughty vapours do arise from such kind of places: Fevers also do accrue to Horses when upon hard riding, and great toil, you give your Horse cold water drawn out of a Well, which being much colder than either River, or Pond water, doth more i'll the Horse inwardly, whereby he is much more distempered, causing him to quake, and to shake exceedingly after his drink, which occasioneth crudities, and an evil habit in the stomach, which doth beget and engender an ague or fever, wherefore after sweeting and great labour, I do advise you that whatsoever is given him, be first set over the fire to take away the chillness, whereby your Horse may take the less damage, for that fevers taken of this nature, do commonly prove pestilent fevers, whose nature is to infect all his fellows which are in the same stable or room with him, if he be not either speedily removed from his consorts, or else suddenly cured; and the reason hereof is most evident, for that when as a Horse hath been all the whole day traveled (especially in the winter) and brought into the stable all hot and sweeting, when in short time after his blood and pores begin to be settled, and to return to his heart again, and to his intrals, then if you give him cold water, you may instantly perceive him to fall into a formal quivering and shaking for a time, which being once passed over, you shall see him most palpably assume a most extreme and violent burning, and peradventure after falls into a most desperate sweeting, whereby is most easy to be found in him a general distemperature throughout his whole body, together with a formal and dangerous fever, wherefore if the Ferrier be not the more expert, it may stick closer unto him, and remain longer by him then a bushel of Oats will do. But a fever which doth proceed elther from the corruption of the blood, or from the contagion of the air, (according as I have before intimated) that I say is most frequent, albeit not so well known to all Ferriers, and I am able to affirm thus much of these kind of fevers out of mine own long experience, that they are of that extreme violence, and so malignant, and their poison of that infinite force, as that if through their own violence, they be not able of themselves to bring the creature visited therewith to his end, yet will these convert their malice into other mortal maladies and diseases, which will in time prove as noxious, to wit, into the Yellows, Stavers, Glanders, Dropsy, Consumption, Farcin, etc. unto which a pestilent fever is evermore the precursor: insomuch as if the Ferrier be not very skilful and cautelous in observing and knowing the true symptoms of these kind of diseases, he may easily in stead of labouring to effect a Cure, through his misprision, miscarry therein. §. 9 F. Hippoph. What be the true symptoms or signs whereby to know a Fever? Hippos. If you do observe him well, Feave● to kno● you shall perceive him so soon as he beginneth to be feverish, and when the fit first cometh upon him to hang or hold down his head, and if at first coming, it beginneth with a cold fit, then will he quake and tremble, and when his cold fit is over, then will he glow and burn throughout his whole body, his breath will be very hot, and he will fetch his wind thick, and his nostrils will be very open, and his flanks will beat thick, he will forsake his meat, and reel oft times as he goeth, his eyes will be swelled, they will water and be matterative, he will fall away and consume in his flesh, his stones will hang low, he will desire and offer oft to lie down, and yet being laid he will rise suddenly again, he will have great desire to drink, neither will he drink much, and yet you would think that all the water in the Thames would not be sufficient to quench his thirst, for he will covet evermore to keep his mouth in the water, albeit he will drink very little, and his sleep will go from him. And these are the best, most certain, and apparent symptoms that I do know of a Fever. § 10. F. Hippoph. What are the best cures for these ordinary Fevers? Hippos. If the fever be quotidian and daily, Fever Ordinary then Take the yolks of three new laid eggs, and beat them well with seven spoonfuls of the best Aqua vitae, and put unto it of ordinary Treacle, a spoonful, and so making it blood warm over a few hot embers, give it him, and then take his back and ride him, until he do begin to sweat, and then bring him into the stable, and cloth, wisp, and litter him warm, so as he may sweat an hour in the stable, but then cool him by degrees, and let him fast three hours after, but let him blood before you drench him, in the neck and mouth, and give him white water or Mashes. This drink would be given him one hour before the fit cometh. ✚ This is very good. Another: Take white Wine one pint, of Aloes one ounce, made into fine powder, of Agaricke half an ounce, Anniseeds and Licoris, of each one dram in fine powder, and add thereto of life-honey one spoonful, let all these be made warm upon the fire, and so give him blood warm: then take his back, and ride him into a good sweat, and set him up, cloth him, litte● him, and stop well his body, head, and breast, and let him sweat so two hours, then by degrees cool him, and when he is cold, let him be well rubbed and clothed up again warm, but not to sweat any more, and let him stand upon the Trench three hours after his sweeting, then unbit him, and wash his tongue and mouth, with Alum, Vinegar, Sage, and water boiled together, that done give him a little Wheat straw to eat, and an hour after a gallon of sweet, dry, and clean Oats, well dressed and sifted, but lay not all at once before him, but three or four handfuls at a time continuing thus to feed him, till he hath eaten up his whole gallon, and at night, give him a sweet Mash. And the next morning let him bleed at the neck & mouth, the quantity of a quart or l●sse if the blood be good, but if you do find the blood to be black, thick, hot, inflamed, yellowish, frothy, or otherwise evil coloured, take then from him two quarts, after keep him warm, and let him purge, and for four or five days after, give him either warm mashes, or white water. ✚. This I have also known to be very good. Another. First let him Blood in the Neck and Mouth, then. Take Germander, salad-oil, and life-Honey of each four ounces, of Gum, Draganet, dry red-Roses of each one ounce, put these pounded and chopped very small into good Ale a quart, and warm it, and so give it him, then ride him till he sweat, and order him as in the former cure. Of this I did never make trial. Another. Take of the tops of Time one handful, boil these in a quart of Beer, until the Time do begin to wax tender, and soft, then strain it, and put to it, of brown Sugar-Candy, in powder two pennyworth, Anniseeds in fine powder one pennyworth, and two pennyworth of ordinary treacle, when all these are well dissolved over the fire, give it your horse blood warm, but you must remember, that you do let him blood, before you do give him this drink, in the Neck and Mouth. ✚. This I have often tried and found it right good. Another. ●ake of strong Ale one quart, and of Wormwood half a handful, long-Pepper, Grains, and the powder of dried Rue of each one ounce, London treacle two ounces, boil them to a third part, then take it off, and strain it, that done, put into it of browne-sugar-Candy in powder half an ounce, and so give it him blood warm. ✚. This at twice giving will certainly cure his Fever. Another. Take Stone-Crop, of the juice thereof four Spoonful, put this juice into strong-Ale one quart, and so give it your horse, then let him be walked, (if the wind be not too cold and sharp) an hour, then set him up and cover him so as he may sweat an hour, then cool him by degrees, and let him drink no cold water by any means, & let his provender be good, old, dry, and well sifted Oats, but against the fit cometh (whether the Fever be Quotidian, Tertian, or Quartan) let him be kept fasting, for the longer he is fasting, and more empty upon his sick days, the sooner will his Fever leave him. ✚. This is a well approved receipt, and let this suffice for ordinary Fevers, provided that when his fits be gone from him, and that he appeareth more lightsome, and well, it will be very good and wholesome for him if you cause him to be had abroad, and walked warm covered, and so ayred in due time, in the warm Sun, and that will greatly comfort him, and revive his spirits. §. 11. F. Hippoph. What say you now to the Fever Hectic? Hippos. I say Sir, it is a most dangerous and mortal Fever, and so malignant, as that if a skilful Ferrier be not with him in time, it is certain death, and first it beginneth with a Consumption in the flesh; it proceedeth of a hot humour engendered first in the stomach, which too much Physic hath occasioned, and by taking away of too much blood from him, in his youth without necessity, wherefore it is a thing most perilous to take blood from young horses upon very slight cause, & not to be over ready with Physic, but only in case of great necessity. The signs to know this Fever from any other, are to look into his mouth, and to draw forth his tongue, and you shall find both his mouth and tongue raw, and marvelous hot, and having little appetite to meat, his flesh will consume, and waste, and seen lose, if you strike him with your hand upon the buttocks, the flesh thereof will quiver and quake, and he will be continually subject to quaking and shaking all his whole body over: beside he will be very much inclined to sweat as he standeth in the stable. The cure is. First to make this lotion for his mouth. Take of running water or Well water two quarts, and put thereto of Sage, of Yarrow, of Ribwort, of Plantain, of Bramble-leaves, Fever Hectic. and of Hony-suckle-leaves of each one handful, with common Honey one spoonful, boil all these to the consumption of one moiety, and a little before you take it from the fire, put to it the quantity of a wal-nut of Alum, and two spoonful, of Vinegar, when that is dissolved take it off, and drain the water from the herbs, or else slightly strain it, which water you shall keep for your use, and when you would wash his mouth therewith, fasten to a stick a rag, and so wash his mouth and tongue twice or thrice a day, and this will make his mouth well again; or else if you do wash his mouth with the surrop of Mulberries, it is very wholesome and good. ✚. After give him this drink. Take of Aloes, one ounce powdered, of Garlic half an ounce, Anniseeeds, and Licoris of each half an ounce, make first your Aloes, Anniseeds, and Licoris into fine powder, and after bruise your Garlic a little, putting thereto, of brown Sugar-Candy three ounce, in powder, and add thereto of white Wine one pint, warm this, and so give it your horse, then let him be ridden a little, and so set him up warm, and let him be set upon the Trench three hours before, and three hours after, and then either give him sweet Hay, or green Corn, or the leaves of Sallowes, and towards night give him a sweet M●sh, and give him this drink every other day, for three mornings, continuing him with Mashes or white water, and let his Oats be very well sifted, and in short time, he will do well again. ✚. With this receipt I have cured sundry horses, but then forget not to wash his mouth daily with the aforesaid lotion. But if in all these several Fevers, you do find him either to be costive, or very hot in his body▪ then you may do well to administer that Clyster prescribed you, in lib. 2. chap. 6. §. 2. Clyster 2. letter C. §. 12. F. Hippoph. What say you now 〈◊〉 Fever Pestilent? Hippos. It is a disease most contagious, for it is so malignant as that it will infect so many horses as be in the stable where he standeth, and it proceedeth from one of these two causes, viz. either from an infectious air, or from the corruption of the blood, inflamed by means of intemperate riding, and exercise. The signs are these, the horse will hang down his head in the Manger, as if he slept, his eyes will water very much, and Inflammations will arise at the roots of the Ears, as if he had the Vives. The best cure I ever knew was this, with which I have cured many Horses visited with a Pestilent Fever, Fever Pestilent. first let him bleed well in the Neck vein, reserving the blood in a clean basin, which when it is cold will be very bad, and ill coloured, then wash his mouth with the lotion, specified in the precedent §. secondly apply to the Temples this Plaster. Take of Camomile, of Goates-milke, of the juice of Sage, of salad-oil, of white Wine-vineger of each four spoonful, of red-rose-leaves dried one handful, which must be either of a red-rose cake, or otherwise red-rose leaves dried, beat them all in a Mortar, till they become of one body; and so thick, as that you may spread it plasterwise, upon a linen cloth, then strew upon the Plaster two or three Nutmegs made into fine powder, then make it good and hot, putting the backside of the Plaster, into a Pewter dish, over a chaffing dish ●nd coals, and so administer it warm to the Horse, and for his drink, let it be such water wherein have been boiled violet leaves, Mallows, and Sorrell, but if the fit do hold him violently, then. Take of London treacle three ounces, and dissolve it in Muskadine one pint, and squeeze into it the juice of two or three good Lemons, and so administer it with a horn: and this will presently put the fit from him, for the present. The nature of this Fever is so malignant, and so contagiously hot, as that it will fur the mouth exceedingly, and cause ulcers and sores to breed in the mouth and throat: wherefore you shall do the more carefully, if every day you do look into his mouth, and if you can perceive it to be furred, and clammy, then fail you not to wash his mouth and tongue, either with the syrup of Mulberries, or the lotion water taught you in the precedent Section: and if through his too great heat, you do find your horse's body to be costive, then shall you administer this Clyster. Take of new milk, and of salad oil, of each half a pint, and of the decoction of Mallows, and of Violets, of each one pint, adding thereto of Seine, one ounce, and of Century half an ounce, administer this clyster blood warm, and by thus ordering your Horse, you will infallibly cure him of his fever pestilent; for I myself have cured many, and I never failed in any one. ✚ Provided you do give him during the time of his physic, continually morning and evening, either sweet Mashes, or white water, and be also dieted and ordered as is fitting for a Horse that is in physic. §. 13. F. Hippoph. What disease is that which of some is called the Flying-Worme? Hippos. This malady is the same which the French Marishals do call vervolant, which we in England do call a Tetter or Ring worm, Ver vola●● and by reason it runneth up and down the body upon the skin, it is called by the name of the Flying-worme. It cometh by a heat in the blood, whereby is engendered a billious, sh●rp, or hot humour which breedeth to a Tetter or Ringworm, but most commonly it seizeth the rump of the horse, running down all along the joints, till it get into the tail, where I have known it to remain so long, until such time as it came to be a Canker: but yet sometimes again, it will seize some fleshy part of the body of a horse, and so torment him through its continual itching, as that the horse will (with frequent rubbing himself against posts, pales, trees, and walls, etc. as also with his teeth (if he can come to the place) bring away the hair, yea the skin and flesh also. And this disease many ignorant Ferries have taken to be nought else but the louse of a Hog, which to kill or destroy, they only apply a little soap. But I have often known it to prove another thing, viz. a formal Ringworm or Tetter: it is easily known by the falling away of the hair, by reason of the horses continual scrubbing when it is in the fleshy part, but if it get into the joint, betwixt the top of the rump and the tail, than you shall know it by a kind of scab, which you may with your finger feel, and if you scrape or pick it away, then will issue forth by little and little, a kind of thin water, which being let long to run, will in time run down into his tail from joint to joint, and there become a Canker as I said before; wherefore to prevent this inconvenience, if the Tetter be in the joint, then Flying worm or T●tter. Take of Precipitat two drams, and put it into a small vial glass, with fair water, much more than will cover the powder, keeping it close stopped, and with this water wash the place every day once, and it will infallibly cure it. And always so soon as you have dressed the sorance with this water, and stopped it up again close, then shake it together, and so let it remain until its next dressing, which ought to be twice a day. But if the Tetter or Ring-worm be in any fleshy part, it is killed by bathing the sorance with the juice of Sothernwood, Maudlin, and Ru●, of each like much, stamped together, and strained, and so let the place be washed and bathed therewith every day once or twice, till it be whole. ✚ I have thus cured many Tetters. § 14. F. Hippoph. What is good to keep a Horse that he be not tormented with Flies? Hippos. These Flies are a vermin which are more bold than welcome to a Horse, for what by their buzzing, their biting, and stinging, they do infinitely annoy and afflict the poor beast, causing him many times to falter in his travel, and lose his pace, and most commonly through his nodding and other evil postures and gestures, provoked by these flies, they cause him so to fret, as to lose his rain and comely carriage of hi● body, whereby he hath been much undervalved; beside in his travel these Flies do so cause him to fret and fume, that he both overtoyleth himself in his way, causing him to sweat so much, as that he losing his mettle, hath many times thereby inflamed his blood, and brought upon himself sickness, together with a cistemperature throughout his whole body. So likewise being at grass, at what time the fly is too busy, they do provoke him to run, and to scope about, by which means he being many times very full, it causeth crudities and raw digestions to arise in his stomach, which breedeth surfeits, or other maladies, wherefore for prevention thereof, Take the leaves of Gourds, Pumpions, or wild, or garden Cucumbers, stamp them, and strain them, and with the juice thereof wash your horse all over, and the flies will not come nigh him. ✚ Of this I have made often trial. Another: Take an Apple of Colliquintida, and slice or shred it into small pieces, and boil it in ●yle de Bay, and so anoint your horse therewith, and the flies will not approach him. ✚ This is also good. Another: Take Mallows, stamp and strain them, and with the juice thereof wash your horse, and it will keep away the flies. ✚ This is an approved good thing also. Another: Take Verdegreece made into very fine powder, and boil it in Vinegar, and wash him therewith, being careful that none get into his eyes or ears. ✚ This is the best and will last longest. § 15. F. Hippoph. WHat is good to mollify the foot of a Horse? Hippos. If your horse hath been foundered, and that after being cured, his soles and hooves do wax dry and hard, they be either shrunk or in peril of shrinking, than first take off his shoes, and let him be pared somewhat close, but not too near, which done, with Bee-waxe molten anoint the soles with the said molten wax, with a Goose-feather, and so set on his shoes again, then three days after Take tried Hogs-grease and Tar, of each four ounces, Feet to mollify. of fat Pitch, and of Turpentine, of each two ounces, melt and mix all these together, and first stop his feet therewith, and after anoint the coffin of the hooves good and thick with the same receipt. And this is the best mollifier can be had in a cure of this nature. ✚ I have often used it. § 16. F. Hippoph. WHat remedy have you for the Fig in the foot of a Horse? Hippos. This disease is so called by reason of that naughty flesh which groweth upon the frush or heel, which is in likeness and shape of a fig, from whence this malady and sorance taketh its denomination, and the French also give it the very same Epitheton, viz. lafoy Figne, which signifieth a fig. It cometh by means of some hurt which the Horse hath formerly received in his foot (which was not well healed) by some nail, stub, thorn, bone, or stone, & oft times by some overreach, upon the heel or frush. It is apparent to the eye, and therefore needs no other remonstrance. The cure is, Cut away the hoof so as there may be a convenient space betwixt the sole and the hoof, Fig in t● foot. to the end the fig may the more easily be cured, then put to the sorance a piece of sponge which you must bind close upon the fig, which will eat it off to the very root, then heal up the sore with the green ointment taught you in lib. 2 chap. 10. § 4. G. ✚ This I have found good. Another. Cut away the fig close, either with your incision knife, or else burn it off with a hot iron (which is the better way) and so lay unto it for two days after tried Hogs grease to take away the fire. Take then the tops of the most angry young nettles you can find, pound them very small, and so lay them upon a linen cloth▪ just the bigness of the fig, then take the powder of Verdegreece, and strew it upon the chopped nettles, (which must be done before you lay it to the sorance) and so bind it upon the sorance, renewing it every day once till the hoof have covered the sore. ✚ This I do know to be a most certain cure, for it never did fail me. § 17. F. Hippoph. But now what say you to a Fistula? how do you cure that? Hippos. A Fistula is a hollow ulcer which maketh its way crooked, proceeding oft times from naughty and malignant humours; sometimes it is engendered from some wound which hath not been well healed; sometimes it cometh by means of a stripe, which having been so strongly laid on, that it hath bruised the flesh to the bone, whereby it hath putrified inwardly, and either broke forth of itself, or was opened by the Ferrier, and thus it cometh to be a Fistula: sometimes it cometh by a wrench or pinch, with a Collar in drawing, or by being wrung by the tree of a bad saddle; and sometimes it engendereth of its own accord by the means of peccant and bilious humours, which hath long lain lurking in the body of the Horse. The signs how to know it are so manifest, as that it needeth not an Ecce. The way how to cure it, is to search to the bottom either with a probe of lead, or else with some other thing which will bend and yield which way soever the concavity of the sorance leadeth it: and when you have found the bottom thereof, let it be opened downwards, if it may possibly be done, to the end the corruption may the better issue from the place, then taint it for two or three days with tried Hogs-grease, thereby to cause the hole to be the wider, and then inject this water following: Take of Sublimate, and of Precipi●at, of each so much as will lie upon a three pence, of Alum, and of white Coperas, of each three ounces, burn all these in an earthen pot, but first rub the bottom with a little oil, that it may not burn there; this done, burn them all together, then take of fair clear water, two quarts, boil this water first by itself, and scum it in the boiling, then take it from the fire, and put in as much of this powder as will lie upon a shilling at twice, and thus it is made. But if you be desirous to make this water of more strength and efficacy, take then fair water, and Coltrough or Smith's water, of each like much, and of white Wine Vinegar a third part, and with the ashes of Ashen wood, make lie of them, with the water and Vinegar, and so make your water with this powder and lie, and the former ingredients, according as before is taught you. Inject this water with a Syringe into the sorance, and in short time it will both kill the fistula, Fistula. and heal it up. ✚ This is a most approved and infallible cure. Another: Take of the best honey one pint, of Verdigreece one ounce, make it into fine powder, and so boil them together upon a soft fire three quarters of an hour, that done, strain it into a galley pot, and so keep it for your use. ✚ This is a most precious unguent wherewith to taint a fistula or poll evil, for it goeth down to the bottom, it eateth away all dead and evil flesh, whereby to cause that the carnifying flesh may heal the better. ✚ This I have often tried. I have also another Aegiptiacum, which I make thus. Take honey one pint, white Wine Vinegar, half a pint, Alum three ounces, and Verdigreece finely powdered, one ounce and a half; boil all these together, till it be thick: this is a good Aegyptiacum. But if you desire to make it yet stronger, then put to these ingredients of Mercury sublimate in fine powder one ounce, and of Arsenic three scruples powdered also, and so boil them with the former ingredients. This last will kill any fistula or old ulcer whatsoever being dressed therewith: but the other which is made only of Vinegar, Alum, and Verdigreece, may be applied to a fistula in the mouth without prejudice to the Horse. ✚ Of both these I have made often trial. §. 18. F. Hippoph. HAve you not some good water beside, wherewith to wash a Fistula or old sore? Hippos. I can give you a most excellent water which is this: Take white Wine Vinegar four pints, Fistula water. of Camphire and of Mercury-Precipitate, of each half an ounce, green Treacle three ounces, red Sage, Yarrow, and Rib wort, of each one handful, of Honey, and of Hogs-grease, of each half a pound, boil all these together until the one half be consumed, and then strain it, and so wash and cleanse the wound with the liquor. X This is special good. Another no whit inferior to the former. Take of Coltrough water, four quarts, first boil it by itself a good while, and scum it so long as any scum doth arise, then strain it through a fine cloth into a clean pot, and throw away the grounds, which will be black and naught, then wash the Postnet clean wherein it was boiled, and put in your water again. Then take of white Coperas, of Alum and of Verdegreece, of each one pound, beat them all into fine powder, and put them into the water, and boil them all together, and when it is boiled as much as will suffice, which will soon be done, let it stand to settle a while, then pour the clear into a glass, being first cold enough, and so keep it for your use. But the powder which remaineth in the bottom, you may dry and keep in a box by itself, for it will heal, and dry up any sore or ulcer. This water being injected with a syringe of wood or pewter, will cure any fistula whatsoever, if it may come to the bottom thereof. ✚ Of this water I have had great experience. But you must understand that these several waters will only kill the cankerous humour of the fistula, and therefore after the malice thereof is quelled, you must heal up the sorance with the green ointment prescribed you in lib. 2▪ chap. 10. § 4. G. or else with some carnifying salve or unguent. Another: Search the depth thereof with your Probe, as before is taught, you, but be certain you find the bottom, then if the bottom be where you may boldly make incision, do it, and that so wide, as that you may thrust in your finger, to feel whether any bone or gristle be perished, or whether there be any spongy, lose, dead, or proud flesh therein, which must first be gotten forth either by incision, or by corrosive; then take of common honey four ounces, and of Verdigreece one ounce, made into fine powder, boil these together, keeping it always boiling, and stirring it, till it look red, then with a taint of Hurds, taint it to the bottom, and make it so fast that it get not forth, and renew the taint every day once, till it have done mattering, making the taint every day shorter than other, and sprinkle upon it a little slaked Lime. But if you cannot come to taint it to the bottom of the fistula, then take strong Lie, Honey, Roch-Allum, white Mercury, of each as much as will suffice, and boil them together, and inject it to the very bottom of the fistula, and it will kill it. ✚ Butler if the fistula be in the head, then Take the juice of Houseleek, and dip a lock of black Wool into it, and put the same into his ears, and so stitch them up, renewing it every day till it be whole. This cure hath been highly recommended unto me, but I never had opportunity to make proof thereof. Another: Take Roman Vitreall, Roch-Allum, and Rose-water, of each two ounces, boil all these on a quick fire, till they come to be as hard as a stone, then beat it to fine powder, and when you dress the sore, make a taint, which being dipped in unguentum Aegyptiacum, roll then in this powder, and so convey the end of your taint down to the very bottom of the fistula. This is the best way also to cure a poll-evill, and this powder being laid upon an old sore, will both heal and dry it up. ✚ This I only made twice proof of, the first time to a fistula, and the second time to a poll-evill, both which cures I perfected. But now you would gladly know how to ripen and break a fistula, wherefore Take Brookelime, Mallows, Assmart, of each, like much, boil them in old Chamberlye, till the herbs be very soft, and apply these herbs to the swelling, neither do you renew it in two or three days, and then it will both ripen and break any imposthume. ✚ This I have often used, and found very good. And let this suffice for this malady. §. 19 F. Hippoph. NOw let us come to the Feet, how do you cure the Fetlock being hurt? Hippos. If this sorance cometh by any wound, by the biting of a Dog, or by being cast in a Halter, than the best way to cure the same, is. Take unslaked lime, and the yelke of an Egg of each like much, Fetlock hurt. beat them together to a salve, or unguent, then mix therewith the juice of one head of Garlic, and a little soot, and with this anoint the sore till it be almost whole, then to skin the same, Take Salad oil, and oil of Roses of each one ounce, of Turpentine three ounces, and of new wax one ounce, melt them altogether, and add to it a fourth part of the powder Verdegrease, and herewith anointing the sore, in few days it will heal it, and skin it up very sound. ✚. This is a very well approved Receipt. But if your horse have gotten a sore foot by means of any cannell-nayle, or bruise, by treading upon a stone, which after rankleth inwardly, or by other accident; then first rail the skin with your Cornet, and lay upon sorance, Wheate-flower and Bores-grease well incorporate together, and dress him therewith twice a day, for two days together, and at the second day's end, Take the powder of Quick lime, Soap, and Tallow, and mix them well together & for three days or more, apply it to the place, dressing it also twice a day, then wash the wound with hot Vinegar, and put upon it Caprinell, till it be whole. This I nev●r tried. Frothy o● weeping hoof. But if the hoof do weep, or froth by sending forth thin, watery, or frothy stuff, then open the top thereof with your Cornet, so as the wound may become hollow round about the extremities thereof so fare forth as that you may come to the Master Keine to break it in sunder, which done, let it bleed at pleasure, what it will, and when the Vein hath staunched, fill up the wound with Salt finely powdered, then take Hurds, and steep them in Vinegar, and so stop the wound therewith, and bind thereto a cloth to keep the same from falling away, and it will cure it. ✚. But if the sole be hoof, and in danger to fall away, draw it round 'twixt the sole and the hoof with your drawing Iron, and so take out the so●e quite, and then suffer his foot to bleed well, then apply to it this Plaster. Take the whites of Eggs, and beat them a little, and so laying them upon Hurds, apply it to the foot, and bind it on that it fall not off, and let it remain on so by the space of two days, which ended open it, and wash the foot with strong Vinegar warmed, and then fill the sole with the powder of Salt and Tartar mixed together, and so bind it up with Hurds, steeped in strong Vinegar, and thus dress it till it be whole. These two Receipts were taught me by a famous Ferrier of Paris in France, but I never had occasion to make use of it, howbeit I esteem them to be very good. But if your horse be foundered in the feet, and that he hath not been foundered above four days, then with this ensuing Receipt you may easily set him upright, and make him sound again in four days more. The Cure is this. Foundering in the feet. First, let him blood in the Neck, Breast, and Spur veins, and take from him of blood two quarts, which you must receive in a Basin, or other clean vessel, with which make this Charge as followeth. Take the blood, and put into it eight new laid Eggs shells and all, beat them well with the blood, put to it of Bolearmonacke in fine powder half a pound, strong white Wine-Vineger one pint, Sanguis Draconis three ounces, in fine powder, make this up with Wheat meal good and thick so much as will suffice, with this, charge his Back, Reins, Breast Thighs, Fetlocks, and Soles, & spread two Plasterwise, good and thick, and apply them to the Coffin of his Hoofs, and bind the forelegges above the knees good and straight, with broad filleting, or Lists, then Ride him two hours upon a hard way, which if it be paved or pitched is the better, his feet having been pared reasonable near before hand, and when you do bring him into the stable, let his feet be stopped with this Charge. Take Rye, or Wheate-branne, Ox or Cow-dunge, Sheepes-suet, Turpentine (which must be put in last) let your Sheepes-Suet, be of the fat of the loin of Mutton, and minced very small, melt and heat all these upon the fire, and mix them very well in the heating, and then put in your bran to make it into a stiff paste, all which being through hot, than last of all put in your Turpentine, and so incorporate all very well together, with this stop your horse, who being thus three or four days charged, and stopped, ridden and kept warm, and not suffered to drink cold water, but either Mashes, or white water, he will be sound in four or six days ✚. This is a most excellent Receipt, for with it I have recovered many foundered horses. If it be a dry Foundering, especially with too long standing in the Stable, than first pair him somewhat near, and let him bleed well in the Toe-veines, then. Take Eggs and roast them blew hard, raked up in the hot embers, and together with the powder of Coming, stop his feet therewith so hot as they may be taken out of the embers, and put over the sole a piece of leather, with splents close, to keep the Eggs that they come not forth. Take then a great Onion, pill and stamp it, and let it infuse or steep four and twenty hours together before, in the strongest white Wine-Vineger, you can get, so much as will suffice, so that it may be in a readiness, against you have stopped your horse, which must be given him to drink with a horn fasting, and after let him be warm covered, littered, let him stand upon the Trench three hours, and after that you may give him meat, and white water. ✚. This is a most approved good cure. If your horse have been long foundered, as a month or better, to make a perfect cure, and to set him up sound again, it is needful the soles of his feet be taken out, by which means new and better will come in their room, wherefore when you do intent to take them off, have in a readiness these things, viz. Take the tender tops of Isope three handfuls, Foundre● long. pound them to mash in a Mortar, wherewith to staunch his bleeding, then have also further in a readiness this receipt. Take Snails in the shells and break the shells, so much as will suffice, and take forth the Snails, and reserve them, then take Bay-salt one handful, and of the tenderest tops of the angriest red-nettles you can find, two or three good handful, beat them with your snails and salt in a Mortar to a very salve, then take out the sole, then presently staunch the bleeding with your Isope, and so soon as the foot leaveth bleeding, apply to the foot your other Medicine, of Snails, Salt and Nettles, and so bind up the foot with , and so let it remain four and twenty hours, then open it, and heal up the sorance with your green ointment taught you in lib 2. chap. 10. §. 4. and within two days you shall see a new sole coming, ✚. This is right good. But if he be foundered both in feet and body at once, Foundered the feet a● body. and the same time, as falleth out oftimes, through indiscreet and immoderate Riding, by a most violent heat given him, whereby the blood is become inflamed, and his grease melted, than first rake him, and give him the Clyster prescribed you in lib. 2. chap. 11. §. 8. C. Clyster 8. and the next day let him blood in the neck vein to a good quantity, reserving the blood, and keeping it from clotting, by continual stirring, till it be cold; reserve I say of this blood half a pint, by itself, to put into his drink, and the residue keep wherewith to make a charge; Now for his drink let it be thus made. Take of good Sack one pint, of the blood you saved for his drink half a pint, of London treacle, and of Diapente, of each one spoonful, and of mans-ordure warm as it cometh from him, the quantity of a walnut, brew and mix all these well together, and give it him to drink blood warm. This drink thus given, Charge him with this Charge. Take the residue of the blood you kept, and put unto it twelve newlaid Eggs with their shells, and beat them together, then put thereunto of Bole-armoniack in powder four ounces, Vinegar half a pint, Sanguis Draconis in powder three ounces, and with Wheat meal, thicken it to a convenient Charge. Charge his Back, Breast, Loins, Legs, and Feet herewith, both above and beneath the knees, laying it on against the hair. This done, then Take unslaked-lime, & Orpiment, of each like much, q.s. & dissolve them in running water, and let it stand two good hours, and after it is thus prepared, take as much Matrosetum as will bring it to a thick substance, which being made good and hot, anoint the coffins of his hooves therewith, especially about the cronets, and stop also the soles of his feet with the same medicine, and if you let him blood in the toe-veynes well, it will be the better, and he will be the sooner, better, and sounder cured. ✚ This way I have cured two Horses foundered in the body and feet, never having applied it but unto those two only. But if your horse be hoofe-bound, then Hoof bounden. Take Turpentine and sheeps-suet, of each half a pound, Wax a little, as much as will suffice, salad-oil half a pint, boil all these together, but put in your Turpentine last, and as these boil, keep them with continual stirring, and herewith anoint his hooves once a day well, or once in two days, and he will do well. ✚ Butler if it be but an ordinary heat in the feet newly taken, then Take Wheat bran and Hog's grease, and make them to a Poultesse, and apply it as well to the coffins, as the soles, and he will be well again. These two latter receipts a worty Knight taught me, but as yet I never made use, but of the former, which I have found to be very good. §. 20. F. Hippoph But yet Hipposerus, you have not showed me how this malady cometh. Hippos. That was but forgotten Sir, I will now therefore do it. A foundering in the feet cometh evermore after great and over-violent labour, whereby the whole body is become distempered, the peccant and malignant humours stirred, the blood inflamed, and the grease melted, which falling down into his feet, there settleth, and in short time after, to wit, in 24 hours, the poor creature is hardly able to stand, or if he do, it is after a very feeble manner, holding his four feet together, so as you may easily with your hand throw him to the ground, beside he will stand trembling, quaking, and shaking, as if he had a shaking ague, nor would he stand at all, unless he be enforced, for the soles and coffins of his feet will be so sore, his joints and sinews so stiff and benumbed, that he cannot stand but with very much anguish and pain: wherefore if he may have his mind, he would always be lying, and his whole body will be distempered, and so much abound with heat, as rather to desire cold water, rather than meat, which if it be given him, then will he quake and quiver anew, and be in such pangs for the time, as that you would think he would assuredly dye. This disease cometh also to a Horse by being watered when he is very fat, and ridden till he do sweat, causing him to take sudden cold therewith: also after a great heat taken, to be set up without exercise upon the cold Planks, without litter, or to be washed, or walked after great labour, the Horse being very hot and ketty, (for this infirmity falleth most commonly upon fat Horses, but very seldom upon lean) also to water your Horse in shallow places, or waters where the water ascends not higher than his pasterns, by which means through the sudden coldness of the water at his feet, causeth the molten grease descending unto the feet, to cake and congeal, which is the prime ground of this malady. And this not only myself, but all the most perite Ferriers do with an unanimous assent acknowledge. And therefore I do admonish you and every man, who is the Horse's friend, First, to be very careful not to exercise his Horse too soon after his taking up from grass. Secondly, whilst he is very fat; that he do not over-travaile, over-labour, or over-toyle him. Thirdly, that having traveled hard, and to prevent his foundering, let him be more gently ridden an hour before he cometh to his lodging, to the end he may be choole, and the more free from danger. Fourthly, if one hour before you get to your lodging, you ride him into some River, or other watering place up to the belly, (but not deeper) then water him by degrees, still betwixt every draught, stirring and removing him a little, it would not be amiss; but then so soon as you be come forth of the water, it were very good you did continue him in the same pace, going neither faster or slower, (like as I have before inculcated) it will be the better also, and your Horse out of danger of foundering. Fifthly, forbear evermore (especially if your Horse be heated) to water him in any shallow place. Sixthly, besides his being warm set up with litter enough, let him have store of rubbing, as well of his legs as body, for it is a most wholesome thing, it dissolveth melted grease very much, and it doth dissiipate and send away bad humours. Lastly, picking and stopping of his feet in time of journeying, and after is very good and profitable. And thus have I showed by what means this malady cometh to the Horse, howsoever many other ways there are, which I have touched, by reason they are so vulgarly known to every man, and therefore yourself cannot be ignorant of them. §. 21. F. Hippoph. HOw do you help the foundering in the body? Hippos. This cometh oft times by eating too much Provender whilst the Horse is yet very hot, suddenly given him after great labour, whereby his meat not being well digested, (from whence) doth occasion crudities, raw digestion, and the evil habit in and about the stomach, whereby many ill humours are engendered, which will soon be diffused throughout the whole body, by which means the very vigour and strength of the Horse becometh to be much decayed, and in a manner quite lost, enfeebling every joint and member in such wise, as to lose almost the use of going, and being once laid not able to rise again without help: nor can he either dung or stolen, but with much pain; foundering in the body cometh also sometimes, when by travelling and the horse very hot, you suffer him then to drink his fill of cold water, and after do not give him exercise enough, which might warm the same in his belly, wherefore it is most certain that the grease being melted, and the blood inflamed, the humours being stirred and dissolved, will presently resort to its centre, which if they once settle in the body, it must be in and about the heart, if not, they then must down lower; to wit, either to the legs or feet, and there residing, engender these and such like maladies, whereof we have entreated, wherefore by eating and drinking out of its due season, begetteth an evil habit of the stomach, so as if often times present cure be not had, the Horse becometh desperate sick, which sickness will mathematically usher in his death. Now the signs whereby to know when a Horse is foundered in his body, be these; the hair will stare, and he will be very i'll, he will shiver and shake after cold water, and whilst he is in drinking, the water some of it will issue out of his nose, and after two or three days, his legs will swell, especially his hinder legs, and after a while they will begin to pill, he will begin to have a dry cough at first, but after it will be more moist, and then his eyes will water, and his nose run with white phlegmatic stuff, and he will forsake his meat, and his head will so much pain him, as that he will not be able to hold it out of the manger, and seem as if he were always sleeping, etc. §. 22. F. Hippoph. FRom whence proceedeth this word foundering? Hippos. From the French word Fundu, which is melting, which word we many times use in our language, and therefore when through extreme toil and labour of riding or other exercise, the grease is dissolved, and falls to running, we say then that the horses grease is melted, and that he is foundered, for whereas the French calleth foundering in the body, Morfundu, it is none other thing with us, then plain foundering, or a surfeit given in the body of a Horse. As for the Cure, the best way is and most agreeable to Art to purge him, but not in that violent manner, as we use in case of other diseases, but first to rake him, then to administer to him this Clyster. Take of Mallows three handfuls, and boil them in fair water two quarts, to one quart, then strain it, and put to it of fresh or sweet butter, six ounces, and of Salad oil half a pint, and so administer it to him Clisterwise blood warm, that done, walk him up and down in the warm sun, or in some warm house, until he do begin to empty himself, then keep him fasting three or four hours, keeping him warm, and to a stomach for three or four days, but let him have but that one Clyster only, and let all his Hay be sprinkled with water, and let his drink be either sweet Mashes or white water, which when he hath drunk, give him the Malt or Bran to eat, and let his Provender be very little for fourteen days after, especially if his disease came through glut of Provender: Nevertheless the day after his Clyster, give him this cordial drink. Take of Muskadine one quart, of Sugar two ounces, of life honey four ounces, of Cinnamon half an ounce, Licoris and Anniseeds, of each one spoonful; all these made into fine powder, put them into the Muskadine, and warm them on the fire till they be dissolved, and then give it him blood warm, then walk him in the Sun, or warm house an hour, then set him upon the trench warm clothed and littered, and so let him stand three hours fasting, unless sometimes you put a little Armen into his mouth, then give him Hay sprinkled with water, and after an hour a sweet Mash, or white water, and then a few Oats well sifted and dusted, and this by a little at once, remembering to take blood from the neck vein, the same morning you give him this drink, and that a little before he taketh it, and prick him also in the mouth, and the next day after this drink, perfume his head with Storax, Benjamin, and Frankincense, and so order him according as you in your discretion shall think to be most meet, only remember to air him every day abroad, if there be no wind, (for wind is hurtful to him) and thus doing you may recover him, and make him a sound Horse again. ✚ This is singular good. Another: First give him this Clyster, take the flowers of Melelote, Anniseeds and Licoris, Linseeds, Silleris-Montani, of each half an ounce, Polipodium of the Oak, two ounces and a half, Agnus-Castus one handful, the herb Mercury, Mallows, Pellitory of the Well, Branca-ursina, of each three handfuls, make a decoction of all these, lettiog it boil to a quart, then put to it of red wax one ounce and a half, of Cassia newly drawn, three ounces, of Diafennicon, two ounces of Benedicta, one ounce of oil of nuts, as much as will suffice, and of all these make your Clyster according to Art, which you shall give to your horse so soon as you do suppose or suspect him to droop, and after this Clyster hath done working, give him the drink prescribed in lib. 2. chap. 9 § 10. F. which is very proper and good, provided that you do administer it so soon as you do perceive your horse to be foundered in the body, and withal adding to the drink the juice of three great Onions, well beaten and strained into the white Wine, and that he be dressed, ayered, ridden, and ordered as is fitting and usual for horses in physic. ✚ Of this I have made trial, and do find it to be good. Another: Take a head of Garlic, of Pepper, of Ginger, and of Grains, of each two penny worth, make all these into fine powder, and put them into strong Ale one quart, and so give it him to drink bloud-warm: give him this drink two or three mornings, and order him as is before prescribed. And when you do find that he hath gotten strength, let him blood in the neck and spurre-veynes. ✚ This is very good. All cordial drinks are good for this infirmity. §. 23. F. Hippoph. What is your best cure for a false Quarter? Hippos. A false Quarter is a very evil sorance, it is a rift, crack, or chink, which is most commonly upon the inside of the hoof, yet sometimes (though rarely) it happeneth upon the out side, it is occasioned sometimes by evil shooing, by evil paring, and sometimes by gravelling, or a prick with a nail or stub: nevertheless which way soever it cometh, it will cause the Horse to halt, and waterish blood will many times issue out of the rift or chink; the signs are needless to recite, they be so manifest: the only way to cure this malady and sorance is, first to take off the shoe, and to cut away so much of the shoe on that side where the grief is, as that the shoe being immediately set on again, the chink may be wholly uncovered, False quarter. then open the chink to the quick with your drawing iron, and then fill up the rift with a roll of hurds dipped in this unguent. Take Turpentine, Wax, and Sheepes-suet, of each like much, melt them together, and your roll of hurds being dipped therein, stop the rift therewith, renewing it once a day till it be whole, and thus the rift or chink being with this ointment closed in the top, draw the place betwixt the hoof and the hair with a hot iron overthwart that place, which will cause the hoof to grow, and shoot all whole downward, and when your Horse goeth upright and sound again, let him not be ridden with any other shoe until the hoof be throughout hardened, neither let him be ridden upon any hard ground, till his hoof is become very sound and perfect. ✚ Another. For a false Quarter, and to cause the hoof to grow: First prepare a flat piece of wood, making it an inch broad at the least, and so slender, as that it will bend like to a hoop, which must be also so long, as that it may come well nigh twice about the cronet of the hoof: then when you are to bring it about the hoof, have in a readiness a piece of filleting, which must be long enough, which you must cut into two pieces, then having brought the hoop about the cronet, with one piece of the filleting, bind fast the top of the hoop, which fastening must be behind against the heel, and bound very strait and hard, and then the filleting so bound, must be twisted three or four times, and so brought about upon the hoop, and the ends made fast before upon the hoop: then take the other piece of filleting, and few it upon the top of the first filleting, which you bound about the hoof, and then let it be sewed as well upon the one side of the hoof as the other, so fast sewed on, as that it cannot get off. Now you must understand that before you do bind the foot of the Horse with the wooden hoop, and filleting, you must prepare the sorance of the said false quarter, by drawing the place with your drawing iron, so close & near, till you come almost to the very quick, and then will issue out a kind of sweaty or dewy moisture, which you shall perceive, then is it time to bind on the hoop and filleting, according as I have before prescribed you: but yet before you do any thing at all unto the foot, or false quarter, have your salve in a readiness which is to be applied unto the chinks of the false quarter, viz. Take of the roots of Lingua-Bovis, green, and newly gathered, of the roots of Consolida-Major, and the root of Mallows, all newly gathered, of each half a pound, these must be washed and scraped very clean, and cut into small pieces; let these roots be boiled in Aligant two quarts, until the ●ine be boiled quite away, and that the roots become very soft, than pound them very well, and strain them through a fine searser, and that it may strain the better, reserve a little of the Wine as it boileth, wherewith to moisten it in the straining. Take then of Venice Turpentine, of new Wax, and of Burgundy Pitch, of each half a pound, of black Pitch four ounces, of the oldest oil Olive one quart, put these things with the former ingredients into a clean kettle or Posnet, but yet after this manner, viz. First the roots, than all the other things by themselves, the one after the other, the Turpentine only excepted, which must be put in when all the other ingredients be melted, you must let all these boil, until all the Wine be consumed, and the ingredients be very well incorporate, and then put in the Turpentine, and then when it hath boiled one waume or two, take it from the fire, & keep it with continual stirring, till it be cold, and so keep it in some clean vessel for your use; you must also add unto these things (which I had almost forgotten) of Frankincense four ounces, made into fine powder. This salve is to soften and mollify the hoof whereby to make it to grow; having thus prepared your salve, before you bind the hoof, with the hoop, and Filleting as before is showed, anoint and rub very well, where the hoop and filleting is to be placed, with the salve, & then bind on the hoop with the said filleting, that done take hurds & roll it up into a roll, the full length of the chink of the quarter, & having first anointed the hurds very well with the salve, lay it upon the chink of the false quarter, and so bind the hoof up with the two long pieces of the aforesaid filleting, which were sewed unto the other piece of the filleting, which bound and made fast the hoop: and let him not be dressed but once every three days, untying all, aswell the hoop as filleting; Continue him to this kind of dressing, fiveteene or twenty days, or otherwise according as your discretion shall think to be requisite. Now when you shall find that the salve hath brought up the hoof, and that now you know not how to harden it, and make it and sound, to make an able cure thereof, apply this ensuing salve. Take of the strongest white Wine-Vineger one quart, Diers-gals, of greene-Coperas both bruised, of each four ounce, boil these in the Vinegar to the consumption of a moyity, then strain it, and put unto it of old salad-oil one pint, and so boil it again, until the Vinegar be all consumed, which you shall know by stirring it with a little stick, and drawing the stick forth let it drop into the fire, and if that which droppeth from the stick into the fire, do not crackle, them let it boil yet longer, for than it is not enough, but when it is sufficiently boiled, by dropping in a little of the medicine, it will burn without crackling, then take lyturgy of Gold, and lyturgy of Silver, of each half a pound, make th●m into very fine powder and searse them. Take then the Skillet from the fire, and let the medicine stand till it be almost cold, then mix well the lyturgys' and put them in, for if they should be put in whilst the liquor is hot, they would fly forth of the Skillet again: t●en set the Skillet upon the coals again, and so let it boil upon a gentle fire, otherwise you shall not now be able to keep in the medicine, and so boil it up, keeping it continually stirring until it become to be of a deep or dark grey, and do cleave unto the thing with which it is stirred, and that it doth rope like unto glue, then add unto it of new Bee-waxe three ounces, which must be first melted by itself, and then put also into the medicine of foot made into very fine powder, and which is made of wood, and also of white lead in powder, of each three ounces, these I say being made into very fine powder, must be put into the medicine, after it is taken from the fire, and by continual stirring made half cold, and so set upon the fire again, and kept by continual stirring until it be throughly incorporate, and thus it is made; and when it doth begin to be so cold, as that it may be handled, then make it up into Rolls, and so keep it for your use. And when you are to use the salve, take away the hoop Fillitting and all, and all anoint the hoof with the salve, and so bind upon the hoof a linen cloth to cause that the medicine may remain on, and let him be anointed therewith, every day once till the hoof be so hard as that he may be able to travel. ✚. This receipt I do hold to be the most sovereign of any that ever was yet known, which was taught me by a French man, who was so careful to give me ample instructions therein, as that he bond on the hoop and Fillittings (which are the most difficult parts of the Cure) in my presence, for he was very desirous to have me fully instructed therein. § 24. F. ●●ppoph. WHat disease is that which is called the Flanks? Hippos. This disease called the Flanks is different from the former, neither have we no proper name for it, unless we will name the same the Pleurisy, for the Epithet we have from the French, who style the same Mals-de-flanke, it is when your horse is troubled with over much abundance of blood, whereby he either engendereth a Mainge, or else falleth dangerously sick thereby, who by reason he hath been ofttimes let blood before, his body now will look for it, whereof he missing, falleth either into very dangerous, or no less loathsome Maladies, the cure is. First take blood from both sides the Neck, Flanke● maldes● and three days after in both the spur veins, in the Mouth, and in the Temple-veines; then give him a drink of Diapente and sweet Sack, and he will do well. ✚. This is very good. §. 25. F. Hippoph. What good Charge have you wherewith to stop the Feet? Hippos. I think I have sufficiently shown you already, notwithstanding for the residue, I do remit you to its proper place, when and where I will give you store of good Receipts, and therefore I leave it for the present. § 26. F. Hippoph. What is good to stay a Flux. Hippos. This cometh of cold taken, sometimes by reason nature is offended with some choleric humour proceeding from the Liver or Gall, into the Guts: it cometh eftsoons, when a horse drinketh too much, presently after the eating a great quantity of Provender, for by that means the water coming to the Provender, causeth the Provender to swell, whereby crudities are bred in the stomach, and so conveyed down into the Guts, which occasioneth his Flux, also it cometh by travelling too soon after provender, it not being well digested before: and it will come also to a Horse by drinking cold water when he is very hot, and after (the water not being presently warmed in his belly) is the cause of a Lax or Flux. It will also come by eating of a Feather, Hen-dung, Spider, some venomous worm, or other troublesome creature; and therefore my counsel is, not to stop a Flux too hastily, unless you do find that your horse do purge too too violently, and then be you well assured, that nature is not a little offended, for it will bring him in short time to great weakness, and debility of body, give him therefore first the Clyster Laxative, Flux. which you have taught you in lib. 2. chap. 6 §. 8. Clyster 21. letter C. and that will carry away from him all that may any way offend him, and a day after give him t●●● drink. Beane flower, and Bole-Armoniack powdered of each three ounces, mix them with red Wine or Tinte one quart, give it him blood warm, and after keep him warm in the stable, and let him have Hay and Oates, by a little at a time, and that often, and either sweet Mashes or white water, ✚. This is very good. Another. Take of red Wine one quart, and Bay-salt one handful, and brew them well together, and with a horn give it him, and this will stay his scouring, ✚. This is also an approved Cure. Another. Take of wood Ashes finely searsed, and of Bole-Armoniack made into very fine powder, of each like much, put them into the water that he is to drink, and let him drink thereof, morning and evening, and this will stay his Flux, ✚. But if it be a violent scouring, proceeding from the eating of a Feather, or some other naughty thing, so as this will not stay it, then Take the entrails of a Pullet, or great Chicken, all but the Gizzard, and mix with them of Spike-nard one ounce, and make him swallow it, and this will infallibly stay his scouring, yea if it be a bloody Flux. ✚. This is special good. § 27. F. Hippoph. What good Receipt have you to Mundify, cleanse, and heal foul and old Sores? Hippos. I had thought Sir, you would not have fallen upon this till it had come to its proper place, when and where we should have the particular matters of Sores by themselves, together with their cures: but sithence you are pleased to touch them in this place, I will give you one Receipt which cannot easily be paralleled. Take of green Coperas, and of Salt-Peter, of each half a pound, Fowl an old sores ● mundify. bay Salt, and Salt-Gemma, of each three ounces, Arsenic one ounce, put all these finely powdered into a stillitory glass, the pot or bottom thereof well nealed, and put also thereunto of the strongest white Wine Vinegar one pint, set the pot on the fire, and put on the head, closing it with Cute of Hermes, and being thus placed in the furnace, make under it a strong fire, by the space of five or six hours, and with your Receptory take the first water that cometh, for that is the very strongest and best, and after an hour the fire will be out of the warer, then stop up the glass very close, and so keep the water for your use. The next water is also good, but not so strong as the first, but reserve it also by itself, as you do the first. And when you are to wash any sores therewith, be very careful that you lay none of this water upon either sinews or veins, for that it will burn them in sunder, but where Ulcers and fouler old sores be in the fleshy parts, this water will work wonders if wounds be washed with it, and you careful in the application thereof. ✚ Of this I have had great experience. Another I have taught me by an expert Marishall of France, but by reason of the extreme violence thereof I never durst use it, which is called the spirit of Tin, which will also mundify all sorts of old sores, and the French Marishals do use it much. And this is the Receipt, viz. Take Mercury one ounce, Spirit of Tin. and put into an old clean pewter pottinger, and fill up the pottinger with Plantain water, and with your finger stir the Mercury about the pottinger till it be quite dissolved, and then the water will become white, then let it stand an hour in the pottinger, then pour forth the water into a clean glasse-viall, and then you shall see in the bottom of your pottenger, the Tin run liquid like unto Quicksilver, or life as if it were melted, for that is your spirit of Tin, and thus is it made. § 28. F. Hippoph. WHat is to be administered to a Horse that forsaketh his meat? Hippos. There be many causes that may make a Horse to forsake his meat, and yet not be sick at all, and so also by occasion of sickness that either coming upon him, or else which hath already seized him. And first a Horse may forsake his meat, and forbear to eat for some time, no whit sick, as when he shall either linger after Mares, or after grass being weary of dry meat: again, he may forbear his meat, and yet not be sick by means of some accident or inconvenience bred in him, or befallen unto him, as by having the Lamps, Barbs, Giggs, Blisters, bloudy-rifts, tongue hurt, pain in the teeth, or some such like infirmity in or about his mouth,, these may be causes that may induce him to forbear to eat, and yet the creature not sick, but otherwise healthy and hungry, and fain would feed, but either cannot or dare not. Also a Horse may forsake his meat, being through the inconsiderateness of his keeper cloyed, whereby he doth loath his meat, sometimes through over-ayerings morning and evening, sometimes again by suffering him to eat being very hot after great swearing, upon immoderate riding and toil, or after water or washing being also very hot. These and many more may be the causes why a Horse may forsake his meat, and yet not be sick. And he may also forsake his meat by reason of sickness ensuing, as upon Colds, Rheums, and Catarrhs newly taken, and beginning to be felt upon him: so also he may forsake his meat, by reason of sickness which hath already seized him, as in cases of Glanders, Fevers, Morfounding, Consumption, Dropsy, and the like, whereby it is made most apparent that he feedeth not because he is already sick. As touching the first point, if you do perceive him to forsake his meat, and that you cannot easily find the reason thereof, than the first thing you do, search his mouth, lips, and tongue, and if you find any thing there amiss, let it be presently amended, but if you cannot find any thing there amiss, then examine his keeper, and if you may perceive that it came through his default or negligence, either by the cloying him with Provender, or otherwise according as I have heretofore touched, then give him a few branches of Savin, and let him be ayered abroad, keeping him upon the Trench fasting to procure him a stomach, and then feed him by degrees, and that by a little at once, so he will fall to his meat again with good appetite, feed hearty, and do well again. ✚ Butler if you do find that his forsaking of meat cometh by means of any sickness which hath already seized him, then give him this drink, viz. Forsaking meat. Take of white Wine one quart, Polipodium of Oak, a red Cole-wort-leafe, horehound, Mints, she-Holly, juniper-berries, Ginger, Parsley-seeds, Fennell-seeds, of each three ounces, beat into fine powder what is to be powdered, and chop and stamp the herbs small, and so put all into the Wine, and boil them a pretty while, then strain it, and give it your horse blood warm, then leap his back, and troth him softly upon fair ground an hour, but not to sweat by any means, than so soon as he cometh into the stable, cloth, and litter him warm, and wash his mouth with water and salt, and set him upon the Trench, and put over his nostrils a fine linen rag steeped in sour leven, infused first in the best and strongest white Wine Vinegar, and the juice of Sorrell, and let him stand so three hours at the least, then unbit him, and bring him meat, but by little at once, for fear of cloying his weak stomach, neither let him have any Mashes, or cold water, but white water only, until such time as he hath found his stomach again. ✚ This I have often made trial of, and have found it to be right good. Another: Take Rue and Pepper, of each like much, stamp them together to a thick salve, then take a good lump thereof, and put it up a good way into his mouth, and let him champ and chew it a good while, and so soon as you do suffer him to open his mouth, he will put it out, and fall to feeding hearty. ✚ This is not inferior to the former. Another: Take the leaves of Briony, and give him them to eat, and it will bring him to a good stomach suddenly. This was taught me by a very good Ferrier, who avowed it to me to be special good, but I never made trial thereof. § 29. F. Hippoph. HOw do you cure a running Frush? Hippos. This is a naughty sorance, which I have heard rural Smiths to call the Frog, by reason that it breedeth in that spongy part of the heel, which they call the Frog. This sorance comes sometimes when the Smith inconsiderately as he pareth that part, doth go to the quick, whereby it bleedeth, which after becometh sore, and cometh to the running Frush, for that the horse being traveled, whilst it is raw, and so the gravel getting into it, doth cause the place to rankle and impostumate, and it will come in short time to be a running sore, which will so stink, as not well to be endured: sometimes again it cometh by reason of evil humours which do fall down into the legs, and makes its way out at the Frush, it being the softest and tenderest part of all the foot. And sometimes it cometh by a bruise which the horse may easily take by treading upon some stone, which inwardly corrupting, putrefieth, and so is engendered a running Frush. The signs to know it is, the horse will go lame, either upon hard or dirty ways, whereby the gravel doth get in, and fret and pain him at the quick, and you shall perceive that when he resteth, the Frush will weep, sending forth watery stuff from the Frush. The way to cure it is, Take stolen Chamberlye, Frush ru●ning. and boil it with a good quantity of Alum, and keep it in a glass close stopped by itself for your use. Then take of red Nettles two handfuls, the strongest and keenest, dry them that they may be made into fine powder, then look what quantity of this powder you have, add also unto it the like quantity of Pepper, made also into very fine powder, and mix them very well together, and keep it either in some dry bladder, or box for your use also: and when you have occasion to use this water, and powder for this sorance, first take off the shoe, and open the Frush, so that you may come unto the very bottom, then wash the sorance very clean and well with this water made warm, then put on the shoe again, but first let it be hollowed, that it hurt not the Frush, and let the heels of the shoe be wide enough, than the sorance being thus clean washed and purged from all gravel and mattrative stuff, and the shoe set on as aforesaid, fill the wound full with this powder, and stop it with Hurds, and splent it that the Hurds may keep in the powder, and that nothing get to the sore, and thus wash and renew the powder to the place grieved every day once, and in a week or little more it will be perfectly sound and whole again, provided you suffer not any dung to come to the grief, and that he tread not in any wet during the time of the Cure, neither should he go forth of the Stable. ✚ And thus have I cured many horses of this malady. Another, Take of Soot and bay-Salt, of each one handful, and pound them very well together, (having opened and washed the sorance as before is showed) and put unto your Soot and Salt, the whites of three new laid Eggs, and so temper and beat all well together, till you bring it to one entire body, then dip some hurds therein, and so stop not only the place itself, being opened and made raw, but all the sole beside, and so stop up the Frush, splenting it in such sort, whereby the medicine may be kept in, and thus let him be dressed once a day, and ordered as before is premonished, and he soon will be whole and sound. ✚ This I have often proved, and cured many sorances of this nature. §. 30. F. Hippoph. What is best to cure a Fret? Hippos. This disease you call the Fret, is only gripings and pain in the belly, which cometh of sundry causes. The French do call it Tranchaisons, which do signify gripings, it is the plain Colic, caused of wind, sometimes of bilious and sharp humours, which descending from the stomach, go down into the guts, and there torment him, and sometimes it cometh by reason of Worms, Bots, or Truncheons, which do engender in the stomach or guts of the Horse, which do feed and gnaw upon the paunch and guts, putting him to much pain and perplexity. The signs are, he will forsake his meat, lie down oft, and tumble, and when he standeth, he will eft 'zounds strike at his belly with his hinder legs, he will also stamp with his fore-feets, and turn his head towards his belly, and look upon it, and he will many times sweat at the flanks, and seldom any where else, and if the malady be of wind, then shall you perceive his belly to swell, especially towards the flanks: the cure is, Fret. Take of good Ale two quarts, of Fenugrick four ounces, of Bay-berries seven ounces, of long Pepper four ounces, of Ginger one one ounce, Water-Cresses two handfuls, Sage and Nettles, of each one handful, beat to powder the Spices, and chop the herbs small, and boil them in the Ale till one moyity be consumed, then strain it, and so give it him blood warm, and then cover and litter him warm, and let him stand upon the Trench six hours after. But yet so soon as he hath his drink, rope up all his legs to the body, not suffering him to lie down, and cover him so as that he may sweat for one hour only, and then cool him by degrees, and let his drink be either sweet Mashes or white water, and he being thus ordered two or three days he will be well. ✚ This I have often used. Another: Take the entrails of a great Chicken, casting away the gizzard, roll them up in bay-Salt and the powder of Brimstone, and so give it him down his throat, then presently let him be gently ridden, or walked, till he doth dung, and at night give him a Mash, or white water, and he is cured. This is also very good. But if you have cause to suspect that he hath the Bots, then rake him, and in his raking search for Bots, which if you do find any sticking upon the great gut, pluck them all (or so many as you can find) away, whereby you may be confident that the Bots is cause of his grief, wherefore apply such remedies and medicines which I have formerly prescribed you for Bots, Truncheons, and Worms, in lib. 2. cap. 5. § 15. where you shall find such receipts as will cure him. ✚ Butler if you do perceive this grief of his cometh of wind, then make use of such receipts which you shall find by me before inculcated for the Colic, in lib. 2. cap. 6. § 11. lit. C. where be very good remedies for this Malady. CHAP. 10. §. 1. G. Hippophylus. WHat is best to be done to cure a galled back? Hippos. There be so many ways which doth occasion it, as that it would be an endless labour to deliver every particular thereof. But because you do motion the galled back only, I will first speak something thereof. A galled back cometh commonly either with the Saddle, the Pannell, Packsaddle or Male-pillion, which through evil stopping, or defect of stopping, may very easily gall the Horse, so also may the fault be in the tree, which may be so badly made, so as that let the Saddler be never so sufficient, skilful, or careful, yet shall it both gall and hurt him; so also may the tree of the Saddle be either broken or cracked, if it at any time happen, be you then confident, that it can never be so amended or repaired, but that do what you can it shall hurt the back of the Horse, and these be the most frequent and ordinary ways, whereby to gall the back of your horse, howbeit I pass over Male-pillions, Cloak-bags, Portmanteaus, Trusses, and the like. The signs to know a galled back are easy, for either the back will be apparently swelled, or the hair fretted off, the skin either broken or raw, or the back either inflamed or impostumated, every of which is easily to be determined by the eye, or if his back be wrung with the Saddle, and yet not come to be visible to the eye, yet may you come to the knowledge thereof, if taking off the Saddle, stroking your hand all along the back, you shall perceive him either to shake his head, or to winch with his tail, to rouse, or shake, to stamp or strike with his feet, to offer to bite, or the like, whereby you may come to know it, and very easily to find out the place grieved. Now if the back be swelled, and before it be impostumated, so soon as you shall take off the Saddle, and find the same, clap upon the swelling a little of his wet litter, and so set on the Saddle again, and let him remain with his Saddle on all night, and in the morning the swelling will be abated, and the place itself become whole and sound again. Now if the hair be but galled off, so that it doth not impostumate, anoint the place but with a little Butter and Salt melted together, and in twice dressing the place will be whole; but if the back be so galled, as that it is become raw, than the cure is thus, viz. Take three parts of sheepes-dunge newly made, Gaelled 〈◊〉 and one part of Rye, or Wheat flower, and dry the flower, and then mix it well with the sheepes-dung, kneading it as into paste, and making it into the fashion of a Cake, and after bake it a little, and apply the powder thereof warm unto the place, ✚. This will heal him very well. But I may very well spare the labour, in reciting any more receipts for this matter, considering, I have sufficiently already handled them in lib. 2. chap. 5. §. 1. letter, B. §. 2. G. Hippoph. What say you to a Galled that cometh by the Shackell? Hippos. T●a● kind of Gallings being so frequent, as to be known to every one both in the manner how it cometh, and in the signs how to know them, needeth not much disscussion, nevertheless I will give you an experiment or two of mine own, and so leave it to its more proper place. Take new milk three quarts, Plantain one handful, Galled wi● the Shack boil these together till one part of the milk be consumed, then take of Alum six ounces, and of white sugar-Candy one ounce, beat them both to fine powder, and so put it to the milk, and add also unto it of white Wine-Vineger six spoonfuls, then boil it a little till there do come upon the top a tough curd, then strain it, and keep the whey, A whey. casting away the curd, and with this whey first made warm bath, and wash the sore, the hair being first clipped close away, and having thus washed the sorance, and wiped it dry then apply your green ointment mentioned in the fourth §. of this Chapter, but in case where the Galled is not yet broken, yet likely to break, there you shall only apply the medicine taught you in lib 2. chap. 16. §. 10. L. for the Poll-evill, ✚. This whey is also good to cure the bloody Rifts, Bladders, Canker in the mouth, Barbs, Paps, and all Fevers, and Maladies in the Mouth. Another. Take life-hony seven spoonfuls, and Verdegrease half an ounce, and boil them till the honey be half consumed, and that it is become red, then put it into some clean pot, and anoint the sorance therewith, made warm, twice every day, and when you have thus anointed it, cast upon the place Hurds cut very short to keep on the ointment, and this will in short time heal it up very sound. ✚. This is most sovereign for any shackle-galde, which cometh either by lock, cord, or shackle, but if your Horse be desperately galled in any part of his body, as by the girt or otherwise, then. Take of Verjuice of the Crab two quarts, of green Copperas, two pennyworth, and boil them together to one pint and a half: and wash the sorance therewith very well, and after fill up the hole (if any be) with the powder of red-leade, and so let it remain three days untouched, then wash it as before, and fill it with your red ointment again, and thus in two or three times dressing, it will heal up, be the galling never so dangerous, ✚. This have I often used. §. 3. G. Hippoph. What is best to be done to a Horse that is Gravelled? Hippos. This malady cometh when a horse in his travel hath gotten gravel betwixt the sole and the hoof which settleth at the quick, and there fretteth and festreth, you shall soon know it by his halting, and complaining upon the same foot, which so soon as you do perceive, take up the foot and you shall feel it warmot in that place, then in any other part of the foot, and if you make trial with your Pinsors, Gravelling. you shall perceive him to shrink, and to yield when you nip him against that place: Take off the shoe and with your drawing iron draw the place, till you come unto the quick, pick forth all the gravel, and crush forth the matter and blood clean, then wash the sore clean with your Copperas water, taught you in the next ensuing Paragraph, then pour upon the sore sheeps-Tallow, and Bay-salt melted together, of each so much as will suffice, and let it be poured into the wound scalding hot, then stop up the hole with hurds, and set on the shoe again, and at two or three times dressing it will be whole, but till he be through well do not travel him, neither let his foot come into any wet ✚. This is a certain cure. Another. Search and draw the place as before, and get forth all the gravel, then stop the place with Hogs-grease, and Turpentine melted together, pouring it into the wound scalding hot, and stop it up with hurds, and tack on the shoe, and keep his foot from wet, and he will soon be whole; This is also very good. Another. Be you certain that you have gotten forth all the gravel and corruption, then. Take Virgin-waxe one ounce, Rosin, and Deeres-suet, of each two ounces, Bores-grease half an ounce, and of Seagreen, alias Houseleek, one head, incorporate all these together in a Mortar, then melt them over a very gentle fire, and so apply it hot to the sorance, and stop it up with hurds and tack on the shoe, and in few dress it will cure it, ✚. This is a special good cure. § 4. G. Hippoph. HOw do you make your green ointment, you do so much commend? Hippos. Sir, this Unguent which I do so much commend unto you, is the most rare, and sovereign thing that I ever yet saw, or knew, for the cure of any sores, whether old or green, Ulcers, Fistulas, Poll evils, or what else, for where this ointment cometh, no proud or dead flesh will grow, no flies will adventure near the place where this ointment is laid, and for a Horse or Mare-Filly that is cut, gelt, or spla, annnoynt but the place, and they will neither swell or fester, whereby the creature is the further of from danger, for this Unguent doth not only heal sound and well, but speedily also; provided you lay nothing upon the wound or sorance, where the ointment is administered, as neither hurds, lint, plasters, or the like, unless you may have occasion to Taint a wound which is extraordinary deep, neither that for any long time, or too often, and besides the seldomer the wound is dressed, as once a day, or once in two days, it will heal the better and faster, especially if it be brought into good forwardness of healing. And together with this Unguent, you may do well to wash the sorance, with the water I call the Copperas water, which by reason it is always first to be used, I will set it down first, and the Greene-oyntment shall assume the second place. Take fair water two quarts, and put it into a clean Postnet, and put thereto of green Copperas half a pound, Copperas ●ter. and of salt one handful, and of ordinary Honey one spoonful, and a branch or two of Rosemary, boil all these till one half of the water be consumed, and a little before you take it from the fire, put to it the quantity of a Doves egg of Alum, then take it from the fire, and when it is cold put the water into a glass, and stop it up close, and keep it for your use; and when you are to dress any sore, first wash it clean with this water, and if the wound be deep, iniect it with a seringe. ✚. This water of itself will cure any reasonable sore, or wound (but the green ointment being applied after it is washed) will heal any old Ulcer, or Fistula whatsoever, if they come to the bottom of them, and for green wounds, they have not their fellow; the Greene-oyntment is thus made. Take a clean Skillet or Postnet, Greene-oy●ment. and first put into it of Rosin the quantity of a walnut, which being melted, put to it the like quantity of wax, and when that is also molten, put to them of tryed-Hogs-grease half a pound, and so soon as that is melted, put into the rest of common English Honey one spoonful, when all these are melted and well stirred together, then put in of ordinary Turpentine half a pound, and so soon as it is dissolved, take it from the fire, and put into the Skillet of Verdegrease made into very fine powder one ounce, and so stir it well all together, but be careful it run not over, for that the Verdegrease will cause it to arise, than set it again upon the fire, till it do begin a little to simper, then take it off, for if you suffer it to boil it will turn red, and lose its virtue of healing, and become a Corasive, then strain it through a cloth into some earthen Pot, or Pipken, and keep it for your use, laying something upon the mouth of the vessel, that dust get not into it, and if it be not strained, than the grounds in the bottom will corasive a sore, and not heal it. ✚. This is the most sovereign Ointment that I could ever know, for with it I have done so many great cures, as have made me admired by Ferriers themselves, who have courted me not a little for this Receipt, yea they have proffered me ten pounds to teach it them; This cleanseth a wound, be it never so foul, or infected with dead, proud, spongy or naughty flesh, it carnifieth, and healeth abundantly, and with all so sound, and firmly, as that it doth never more break forth, it draweth forth thorns, splinters, nails, and all such things in the flesh, and in a word it cureth all sorts of sores and wounds. § 5. G. Hippoph. WHat is good to be administered to a Horse whose grease is melted? Hippos. As touching this infirmity I have sufficiently shown you before how it cometh, the signs how to know it, and how to cure the same, and therefore I may now forbear to spend any more time in the declaration thereof, only I will give you one singular Receipt more, and this it is. Grease melted. First, take blood from the neck-veine, to a reasonable good proportion, to the end all his inflamed blood may be let forth, then give him to eat either bran prepared as you are showed in lib. 2. chap. 9 §. 4. F. or dry bran whether he will eat best, but if he will eat neither, and that he doth empty himself over much, then give him the Clyster Restringent prescribed you in lib. 2. chap. 6. §. 8. Clyster 3. letter C. or else if you please, you may give him the 8. Clyster in the same §. either of these two so often as need shall require you may give. And if his appetite be not good, give him Arman prescribed you in lib. 2. chap. 2. §. 2. letter A. and two days after let him blood in both the Flank-veines, and if you cannot easily find them, then in the spurre-veines, and the next day after that give him to drink, two quarts of water warmed, and put into it of white-Wine-Vineger one pint, for this will very much refresh his body, and then the next day give him this drink. Take of Tisan three pints, of loaf Sugar finely powdered three ounces, of Cordial powder one ounce, of life honey four ounces, give him this to drink blood warm. In maladies of this nature you must forbear to administer such drugs as be hot, for by such means more horses die then do recover and live: for such kind of drinks as this is being wholly cordial, are best for this infirmity. ✚ This cure I do assure you I have often administered, and have done very much good, and made many great and desperate cures therewith. §. 6. G. Hippoph. Well now let us come to the Glanders. Hippos. With all my heart Sir. As touching this disease which we do call the Glanders, it is of all others the worst, noisome, and most infectious, insomuch as that horse that hath it, if he be not removed and separated from his fellows, will infect so many as shall be with him in the same Stable and room. To find out the depth, root, and true nature of this disease, I have greatly laboured, as also how to cure the same. I have also had much conference with many the most famous and exquisite Marishals and Ferriers abroad, and I have seen very much of their practice therein, so also have I had very serious discourses with a number of our best Ferriers and Smiths at home, but I find not one in twenty can speak truly to any purpose of the nature of this disease, and therefore I do not wonder that they cannot cure a disease whereof they are so much to seek. Nevertheless what I do understand of this disease, I will ingenuously deliver unto you. The Glanders is an infirmity which proceedeth first of cold taken, which being neglected, will in time come to be the Glanders; you shall first perceive it by the inflamed kernels and knots which may be felt under the chaule of the horse, and as they do grow in bigness, so do the Glanders grow and increase within the body of the Horse, which first beginning with a thin Rheum, ascendeth up to the head, and settleth near to the brain, and so venteth itself at the nose, which yet may be easily cured, as I have before inculcated, where I entreated of Colds, afterwards it grows thicker, and then it is worse to cure, but yet faisable enough, in longer time it cometh yet to a thicker substance, and its colour is yellowish, much like unto Butter, and then it is more hard to cure, but yet curable, albeit that now it is come to be a perfect Glanders: but when it cometh to be of a viscous, and of a tough and slimy substance, and of a green colour, and to stink terribly, and that it hath now run some months, or peradventure half a year or better, as also having some small specks of a reddish colour in it, then is not every Ferriers work or Art to cure the same, for in a case of this nature, the ablest Ferrier may receive the foil, and the Horse dye under his hands and cure, as I have often by experience been an eye witness, albeit there hath been no defect in the Ferrier, either in Art, industry, care or diligence. I do therefore aver that I would not have any man (be he never so expert an Artist) to promise to himself the cure of every Horse he shall take in hand, by the reason that the Glanders itself is the thing he must cure, but in taking upon him o cure that malady, he must before he can have perfected his cure, cure him also of many other diseases, which the Glanders will bring along with it, as (v. g.) the consumption of the flesh and lungs, griefs and aches in the head and brain, inflammations under the chaule, diseases in the liver, pursiveness, hidebound, dropsy, swollen legs, and many other infirmities too prolix to repeat, all which (I say) are inherent to the Glanders, and its origine that it is of cold past all peradventure, howsoever it sometimes cometh of Surfeits, sometimes of Morfounding, sometimes by infection, all which (the last only excepted) taketh its first source from cold, and when it runneth (as before I said) greenish with reddish specks, accompanied also with an offensive or stinking breath, then are his lungs ulcerated, by means whereof the cure is the more desperate and difficile. I do therefore advise all Ferriers my brethren, who shall at any time take upon them this cure, that they do first prepare the body of the Horse with such preparatives and Physic, as are meet to expel his peccant humours, which must be also very carefully administered, yea and that according to the strength and ability of the Horse: for the Horse cannot choose but be feeble and weak, having of a long time before visited with a sickness of this nature, yea peradventure a whole year or two before together, during which time he hath continually wasted and languished, wherefore he cannot be strong, but a very weak Horse, and therefore his physic must be very gentle, yet such also which may have operation whereby to work, otherwise physic is but cast away. The signs how to know this disease need no further description, and therefore I will proceed to the cure, for the which I will deliver you many receipts, some whereof I have well experienced, to which I will give my particular mark, like as I have formerly done. And I do the rather insert the more receipts, because (as I have before remembered) that receipt which will not cure one, will cure another. Glanders. The first therefore that is to be done in this case, is, to prepare his body by giving him for four or five days together, in stead of his Oats and Provender, wheat Bran prepared, like as I have before shown you in the cases of sick Horses, especially in lib. 2. cap. 9 § 4. F. to qualify and dry up his moist and bad humours abounding in him, then let him blood in the neck, and the next day rake him, and give him this Clyster. Make a decoction of Mallows one pint and a half, and put unto it of fresh Butter, four ounces, and of Salad oil a quarter of a pint, and administer it blood warm, and then with a strappe of leather tie it to his tail, and then fasten the other end of the said strap to his Sursingle, so strait, that his tail must be close to his tuell, that he cannot purge till it be loosened, then mount his back, and let him be gently ridden, sometimes a foot pace, and sometimes an easy trot for half an hour, than set him up warm clothed and littered, and let him stand upon the Trench three hours, during which time he will purge kindly, then give him white water and Hay, and at night a few Oats, for he must be kept to a spare diet. The next day anoint two long Goose-feathers with the powder of Brimstone and fresh Butter, being first well wrought together, till it be brought to the colour of gold, put them into either nostril, and fasten them to his headstall, as is before taught you, and so ride him an hour or two, for this will purge his head, and cause him to send forth mattrative stuff which abideth in his head and lungs, then bring him in and take them forth, and an hour after give him Hay and white water, and Bran prepared, which also he should have given him before his riding abroad. The next day give him his Clyster again, and so let him rest for that day, but ordered in all things as before. The next day give him his Goose feathers again, anointed as before, and ordered in the like manner as you did before, and all this is, but to prepare him for his after drink, but remember to keep him always warm, and let him be evermore fasting and empty, when he is to have any kind of Physic administered unto him, and let him be ayered morning and evening, if the sun shine, or that it be otherwise warm and calm weather. And having thus begun with him, three days after give him this drink. Take of Aqua vitae half a pint, and of white wine one pint, Aristolochiarotunda, Agarick, Gentian, Bay-berries, Myrrah, Ivory, Aloes, of each three drams, make all these into fine powder each one by itself, then mix them very well, and put them into a clean Posnet with the Wine and Aqua vitae, and so warm it upon the fire, then being well brewed, give it him blood warm. This drink must be given thrice, to wit, every third day, and he made to fast three hours after, and after ordered as is accustomed with horses in Physic, during which time, and some time after, let him drink no cold water, but most commonly white water, which once or twice in a week may be changed into a sweet Mash, and let him eat the Bran and Malt, and diet and feed him so, as that he may be kept to a stomach, but be careful you neither cloy, nor pine him. Instead of the Oats which you should give him, let them sometimes be changed into bread if he will eat it: and sometimes you may give him in stead of Oats, some Wheat either in the ears, which is best, or else Wheat threshed and cleared ready for the Mill. ✚ Truly with this cure as I have set it you down, I have recovered many horses. But you must understand that this malady as it hath run along upon the horse, before it come to that height, as to be so rank a Glanders, to be termed the mourning of the chine, so will it ask a long time to cure, and therefore you must not think that it can be cured with this one only course of Physic, but you must let him rest a few days, whereby he may the better gather strength, and then to him again and again, but take no more blood from him, and as you do perceive him to gather flesh, and get strength, so let his exercise be increased, but withal, so as not to over-labour him, or to cause him to sweat violently, nor yet strain his wind too much. Another: If you do find that together with his Glanders, he hath the Strangles, that is that he be oppressed with inflammations under the chaule, clip away the hair from about the place, and clap a piece of sheep's skin newly killed, over all the place, which must be daily renewed, and you must keep warm, not only that place, but his Poll also, then, Take Basilicon, old Boar's grease and Dialthea, of each four ounces, and of oil de Bay one ounce, beat all these very well together, then anoint the place inflamed, once every day at the least, and then put to the sheep's skin, and so keep it on till it be ripe enough, then open it, and put into the orifice a taint of Basilicon for three or four days, then heal up the wound with taints of Aegyptiacum, prescribed you in lib. 2. cap. 4. § 4. lit. A. and during the time of his cure, give him Wheat Bran, as well dry as prepared, and for his drink, let it be white water, unless sometimes a Mash; keep him warm, and after five or six days, ride him abroad with the Goose feather in his nose, anointed as is before advised you, and if he do run at nose very much, then take a stick, and wrap a fine linen rag about it, and anoint it very well with black soap, and put it into his nostrils a good way, but not so as to cause him to bleed, and do this three or four times a day: or else Take the seed of Pordo accenta, and bruise it▪ made up in sweet Butter, so much of the seed as you may take up betwixt your thumb and two fingers at a time. ✚ This is very good. Another: Take the ointment of the oil de Bay, and unguentum Agrippa, of each like much, rub the inflammation places every night with this unguent well mixed, then apply unto the place a piece of a sheep's skin with the wool on: but this medicine is much better in Winter then in Summer, by reason that this unguent of itself is very hot, wherefore in the Summer season, in stead of such hot unguents, take two ounces of those that be cooler, with three roots of white Lilies roasted or boiled, or Rie-leaven six ounces, of old Hogs-grease as much as will suffice, and of the tender tops of Isope half an ounce, mix all these together, and make thereof an unguent, with which rub and anoint the place well, and after apply it to the place plaster wise, this done, cover the place with a piece of sheep's skin the wool being on, and continue to do this till it be ripe and ready to be opened, blow also into his nose of Euforbium, and black Hellebore pulverised, of each like much, to the bigness of a hazel nut of either, then put into each nostril a long Goose feather, first dipped in oil de Bay, which powder and oil will cause him to cast forth much of his Glanders, and of his bad humours which do feed them. ✚ This medicine if it be rightly applied, will cure him. Another: If your horse together with his Glanders be troubled with inflamed kernels under his chaule, then give him this drink. Take of Elecampane dried, Anniseeds, Fennel seeds, Come, Pepper, Grains, Licoris, of each three drams, all pulverised, and add thereto two heads of Garlic peeled and bruised, boil all these in strong Ale two quarts, to a moyity, then strain it and set it over the fire again, and put unto this liquor the quantity of a Tennis ball of tried Hog's grease, and let it remain no longer over the fire, but until the Hog's grease be melted, and so administer it blood warm with a horn, this done, leap his back, and troth him gently a mile upon fair ground, and so home again, then set him up warm clothed and littered, causing him to sweat in his clothes two hours, then by little and little, slake his clothes, cooling him by degrees, till you have brought him to his former coolness, and as he doth begin to leave off sweeting, let him be well rubbed till he be dry, than two hours after this, give him a sweet Mash, and use this drink and sweeting sundry times, every second day for a week. The next week Take Wheat meal, horehound, Anniseeds and Licoris made into very fine powder, of eaeh as much as will suffice, make a paste thereof with ordinary Honey and Salad oil, of each as much as will suffice, than every morning make three Pills the bigness of a great Wal-nut a piece, and give them to the horse three mornings together, keep him all this time warm, and let his drink be white water, and his manger meat be either Wheat Bran prepared, or dried Bran, but if he have kernels under his chaule, then either ripen them, as you were taught before, or else burn them with the flame of a Candle, and open the skin with an incision knife, and then put into the orifice the root of a red Dock, giving it a slit or two, and it will draw his cold quite away from under his chaule. But first you must understand that the drink last before mentioned, aught to be applied before you apply any other medicines, and my counsel is withal that you do purge him before you give him this drink, or any other medicines, for purging doth the better prepare the body of the horse, whereby to cause his physic of what nature soever to work more kindly. ✚ This receipt I have often tried, and I have perfected very great cures therewith. Another very sovereign after your horse hath taken the drink next above prescribed. Take Gumma-Guiacum, Amber, Coral, of each half an ounce, make all these into very fine powder, and infuse it into red Wine one quart, with a good quantity of Cinnamon and Arkanet powdered, and give it to your horse two mornings together blood warm, and so order him as is usual with other drinks. ✚ This is also very good. Another: First give him this drink following, but first purge him two days before: take of Tanners Owes new made, wherein never came Hides, one pint, of salad-oil four spoonfuls, two heads of Garlic, peeled and bruised, Feather-few, and Selandine, of each one handful chopped very small, Anniseeds and Licoris, and Bay-berries, all finely pulverised of each one spoonful, boil all these a little and so give it your Horse bloud-warme twice a week fasting, and he being thus four times drenched, will be perfectly cured. This I never tried, but I have been assured by able Ferriers that it will cure the Glanders be it never so old. Another. Take strong Ale one quart, Tar a quarter of a pint, two heads of garlic, peeled, & bruised, and give it your Horse fasting, warm once in four days, till he be throughly cured. This I never tried. Another. Take of the newest and strongest Tanners Owes one pint, Venice Turpentine washed one ounce, Bayberries in fine powder one spoonful, Saffaron powdered one pennyworth, Aristolochia rotunda one ounce, Guiacum two ounces, both in fine powder, incorporate all these upon the fire, till the Turpentine be dissolved, then give it your Horse blood warm two mornings in a week, resting three days still betwixt till he be cured, which will be in four or five times giving. Another. Make Pills of Venice-Turpentine with paste of Barley flower, and give them to your Horse, and they will Cure him. Another. Take Baked Barley flower two parts, the dust of Oaken-barke, and Bay-berries in five powder of each one part, make a paste thereof with new Tanners Owes, and so make them into Pills, with the powder of Cinnamon three parts, and Saffaron one pennyworth, and so give them to your Horse. Another for the Glanders and Consumption of the Lungs, which must be given after you have made trial of the drink before prescribed, which beginneth thus (take Elecampane, Anniseedes, Fennel-seedes etc. and finding that your Horse is not therewith cured, give him these Pills following. Take Barley flower baked in an Oven, Cumfrey roots, Bursapastoris, Bramble-leaves, or the red and unripe Berries growing upon Brambles, which we do commonly call Blackberries, these unripe berries are much better than the Bramble-leaves, of each one handful, of Alkenet one dram, boil all but the Barley flower in Tanners Owes newly made, so much as will suffice, and when it is throughly boiled, strain the liquor from the other simples, reserving only the liquor, and so make a paste thereof with your Barley-flower, adding thereto of the dust of Oaken bark one handful or two, then make this paste up into Pills the bigness of a good walnut, give him four of these at a time, rolled up in the powder of Cinnamon two parts, and one part in the powder of Saffaron, and use this till he be well, not administering these Pills every day, but every two or three days, till you do find him well. ✚. This I do recommend unto you for a special good receipt, for that herewith I have affected many great cures in this kind, but then withal let his drink be white water, and sometimes a sweet Mash, as in all other cures for this infirmity, and withal put into his white water Bramble-leaves, and knotgrass bruised, and be you very careful that he take no cold, but be kept warm during his cure, and air him morning and evening in the warm Sun, if there be no wind, and every time you lead him forth to be ayred, at his going forth or the Stable spirit into his Nostrils the juice of wild daisy roots, mingled with the strongest white Wine-Vineger, which will purge his head exceedingly, and cause the Glanders to run forth abundantly. Another being an excellent Pill for the Glanders, which I have often used, and that to great good purpose. Take Venice-Turpentine washed half a dram, incorporate it with the powder of Brimstone, Alkenet, & Oake-barke dust, of each like much, so much as will suffice, to make up into Pills, give him every morning two of these Pills, fasting as big as a good walnut every one, till he be well. ✚. Another which is a very good drink, wherewith to dissolve the Glanders and cold, after other drinks have rotten and ripened them. Take of Muskadine one quart, of Figs cut and sliced small, a quarter of a pound, life honey one spoonful, Saffaron pulverised one pennyworth, Ginger and Alecampane of each one dram, in powder, Pepper in fine powder so much as will lie upon a , fresh or sweet Butter the quantity of an Egg, boil all these together a pretty while, then strain it, and blood warm administer it, only adding to the drink the yolks of two new-layed Eggs well beaten into the said drink, and after walk or ride him moderately a little space, and then set him up warm, and order him as in other Physical drinks. ✚. This I have often tried, and do approve it for special good: for this opneth the pipes, causing him to void much filth, and it begetteth a good stomach to meat. Another most excellent. First before you do administer any drinks or medicines, give him this purge. Take of the best and strongest white Wine-Vineger one pint, and put it into a pot, and put to it two newlaid Eggs, and so let them steep in the said Vinegar four & twenty hours at least, and then give them to the Horse four mornings together, and so soon as he hath taken them let him be ridden a while gently, and then set up warm, and set upon the Trench till one or two of the clock, then give him white water, and sometimes a sweet Mash, and let his Provender be moistened with Ale or Beer, and his Hay sprinkled with water, and this will cause him to purge and scour from him much Phlegm and filth: three or four days after you have purged him thus, give him the drink prescribed you before which beginneth thus, viz. (take of Tanners Owes new made wherein never came Hides, one pint, of Salad oil four spoonfuls, two heads of Garlic, etc.) which being administered as is in the said cure prescribed, and he ordered as is convenient for Horses in Physic will assuredly cure him. This I never made use of, but it was recommended unto me for a special good one. Another. Give him the last mentioned purge of Eggs steeped in Vinegar, & keep him to it four or five mornings together, then for four days together after, give him a new-laid-Egge, shell and all, with as much powder of Brimstone as will lie upon a shilling, then for six mornings after, give him every morning a Pill of washed Venice-Turpentine, made up with the powder of the root of Alkenet, and let every of these Pills be of the bigness of a good walnut, let him take this Medicine evermore in the morning fasting, and fast after it till noon, and after order him as in other Physical drinks: and withal you must know that until such time as he be perfectly cured he must not be put to any hard labour either by riding or otherwise, for that will rend a new, and break open again, the Ulcer being newly healed, which as yet be but green and tender ✚. And this is a very good receipt. Another for a Glanders or any cold newly taken. Take the long Moss growing upon the limbs of old Timber-oakes, but not that which groweth upon the main Body or Trunk of the Tree, gather thereof a good quantity, dry it and make it into powder, and give it your Horse four mornings together, in clear new Tanners Owes, one pint, mixing with the said Owes and powder, old red-Wine one pint, let this drink be given him with a horn bloud-warme, and for four days after cover and litter him warm, and set him upon the Trench, and let him there remain fasting during those four hours, and for the time he taketh this drink, let his Manger meat be dry hard bread, well baked, and his Rack meat old dry Hay, but no Oats, and mix with his bread some of this dried powder, being the Moss of the Oak, together with Feather-few, water-Germander, and Cordium, all dried and made into powder, and let his drink be fresh Tanners Owes, wherein came never Leather or Hides, and give it him with a horn, if otherwise he shall refuse to take it, but howsoever let him not drink or take it but blood warm only. This was taught me by a worthy Knight, who affirmed that he hath often used the same, and that he hath done very great cures therewith, but I having many other approved Recipts, did never make trial thereof, nevertheless it seemeth probably good. Another which I have often used. Take six heads of Garlic, pill the cloves, and stamp them well, then put unto it of life-hony six spoonful, and of Wheat meal, so much as will suffice, to make it into a paste, making thereof Pills every one of the bigness of a good Walnut, and so give him of these Pills three or four at a time, and after them three new laid Eggs, and after them cast into his mouth of Bay Salt one handful, this must be given fasting and before drink at six or seven a clock in the morning, then let him be ridden until he do begin to sweat, then bring him into the Stable and cloth him warm, and litter him, and so let him sweat an hour, then cool him by degrees, and after he hath fasted six hours, give him meat, but no drink until six a clock in the evening, which let either be a sweet Mash or white water, and if need so require, let him have these Pills three mornings, resting every one day betwixt, and thus ordering him, he will be perfectly cured. ✚ This I have often proved, and have cured many horses of colds and Glanders. Another very good. Take of Bay berries one ounce, of Licoris two drams, of brown Sugar-candy, Nutmegs, and Ginger, of each a pennyworth, of Garlic a half penny worth, let all these be beaten and mixed, then take of Chamberlye that is four days old, one quart, and boil it by itself to a pint, and put to it of sweet Butter a half penny worth, and with it the residue of the ingredients, and so give it him blood warm, etc. ✚ Another most sovereign receipt for the Glanders; and whereof I have had very great experience. First clear his head by pricking him in the mouth, and rub the place with salt whereby to cause it to bleed the more, then take two long feathers of a Goose wing, well anointed with oil de Bay, thrust it up and down his nostrils, which will open and purge his head, also perfume his head with the stalks of Garlic broken into small pieces, with a tunnel, or with a thick cloth cast over his head, the better to receive the smoke into his nostrils, and do this morning and evening, keeping him to a spare diet and moderate exercise, whereby the better to cleanse his head and stomach, and to empty him, by which means the brain will be the better quieted. To perfume him also with Frankincense, Storax, and Benjamin, of each like much well mixed together, is very sovereign; but two or three days after, let him blood in the neck, after this let him be walked a-abroad, or gently ridden, (if the horse be of sufficient strength) to get him breath, then administer unto him this drink. Take of Muskadine one pint, of London Treacle an ounce and a half, sweet Butter three ounces, give him this blood warm, take then tried Hog's grease, and rub and chafe him under the chaule very well therewith, and leave him anointed thick therewith, then make him this Poultesse. Take of Mallows two handfuls, of Wormwood, smallage and Rue, all small shred and stamped, of each one handful, of Wheat Bran, and of tried Hog's grease, of each one quart; boil all these together, continually stirring them until the Hog's grease be almost consumed, and bind it under his chaule so hot as he can well suffer the same, and keep his head (especially his poll) very warm, leaving only air for his mouth and nose, and light for his eyes. Then perfume him with Frankincense, and keep him warm in the Stable, and so let him rest with this Poultesse four and twenty hours. The next morning give him early of the best new Ale, one quart, with Anniseeds and Licoris, made together into very fine powder, one spoonful, and a good piece of sweet Butter, give him this with a horn blood warm, then put into either nostril a long Goose feather well dipped in oil de Bay and fresh Butter well mixed together, then remove the Poultesse, and if you do find that the kernels and inflammations too ripe, open them, and let forth the matter, and taint the orifice with Turpentine and Hog's grease melted together, then warm some of the Poultesse you left, but not so hot as before, and lay it to the place, and let it so remain until the next day, his head being still kept warm, let his manger meat be old clean Oats, well sifted and moistened in new Ale and Muskadine, if he will eat them so, if not, than Ale alone, and let his Rack meat be Wheat Straw well threshed, and let his drink be white water for ten days after, and then let him not have afterward any cold water, but with exercise, and let him sometimes in stead of white water, a sweet Mash, keeping him to a spare diet, and let him be every day ayered, either by riding or walking, if he be able to be brought out of the Stable, but then evermore keep him warm after it, and let him either by exercise in moderate riding, or in his in the Stable, sweat a little every day once, and after let him be rubbed dry, neither let him sweat in his . Put also into his provender the roots of Elecampane, white Lilies, and Polipodium of the Oak newly gathered, made clean and chopped very small, to the quantity of two spoonfuls, every time, and give him no Provender but when he is very hungry, and fail not to continue this course of physic and diet by the space of ten or twelve days together, and when these days be ended, give him this purging drink. Glanders a purging drink. Take of white wine one quart, or where Wine may not easily be acquired, than the like quantity of good new Ale, Aloes an ounce and a half, made into fine powder, of Agarick half an ounce, the powder of Elecampane two spoonfuls, of life honey three spoonfuls, brew all these well together, and give it him blood warm, and keep him warm, six days after let him blood in the neck, and if the blood be good, then take not above a quart at most from him, but if it be naught, take then a pottle from him, after this, order him both in feeding and exercise very moderately, and by this means you shall recover him, and bring him to his pristine health again. ✚ Another receipt for the Glanders, very precious, which I have often tried. Take life honey as much as will suffice, and mingle it with his Oats, rubbing the Oats and honey together betwixt your hands, so as the honey may be very well mixed with the Oats, let him eat his Oats thus mingled with the honey until such time as he be perfectly cured, which will be when you shall perceive him wholly to have left running at the nose. ✚ I had this cure from one of the ablest Ferriers I ever knew in England, and I have cured many horses therewith. Another: Take of Salad oil, and white Wine Vinegar, of each three spoonfuls, beat them well together, and put it into one of his nostrils three mornings together, and so likewise convey into his other nostril, the like quantity of oil and Vinegar three mornings together, remembering that evermore when you do administer this medicine, you do presently put up into the same nostril a long Goose feather dipped first in oil de Bay, stirring the feather up and down in his nostril, which will cause him to sneeze and snuff forth the viscous corruption which remaineth in his head. Keep him all the time warm, and let his drink be either sweet Mashes, or white water. ✚ Of this I have oft times made trial, and it is special good, as well for Glanders, as for any cold, if the horse run at the nose. Another right good. Take of Diapente and clarified honey, of each one ounce, and with good Sack one pint, give it him blood warm, being first well brewed together, drench him herewith eight mornings together, and so soon as you have given him this drink, inject into his nostrils this receipt following. Take the powder of Aristolochiarotunda, as much as will suffice, and mix with it White or Claret Wine in such a proportion as may make it liquid, and inject or squirt it into his nose. ✚ Or else Take the juice of Selendine mingled with fair water, and inject that into his nose. ✚ Or else Take Roch-Allum and Salt dissolved in white Wine, and inject that up into his nose. ✚ Either of all these are very good to cause him to cast such naughty corruption forth of his nose and head, that doth much oppress him, which lotions are to be administered evermore after the aforesaid drink. ✚ Another also very good drink. Take Tanners Owes new made, and new milk, of each one pint, Salad oil half a pint, one head of Garlic peeled and bruised, a little Turmerick in fine powder, boil all these together, as much as will suffice, then take it off and put in your Salad oil, and so give it him blood warm; give him this drink three times in fifteen days, that is to say, once every five days, and every time you do administer it unto him, convey half a hornfull into each nostril, and let him stand upon the Trench 3. hours after warm clothed and littered, and then give him a sweet Mash, and such meat as is dry, sweet, and wholesome, but during the time of his cure, let his drink be white water. ✚ This is very good. Another very good. Take of fair water two quarts, of Coming made into fine powder and searsed two ounces, and of the inward rind of Elder six handfuls, boil this to a moiety, then take it off, and when it is half cold, strain it and put into the liquor, half a pint of salad-oil, and give him thereof at his mouth three hornefuls, and at either nostril half a hornefull, then leap his back, and ride him moderately till he be warm, so set him up warm clothed and littered, and three or four hours after give him a warm Mashe, but let him eat some Hay first. ✚. This I can aver to be very good, both for Glanders and cold. Another. Take Oyle-de-Bay, and sweet Butter, of each half a pound, Rosemary shred very well and small half a handful, Garlic one pound, beat the Garlic unpilled in a stone Morter, with a wooden Pestle very well, then put to it your Oil, Butter, and Rosemary, and so make it into one body, then with Wheate-flower so much as will suffice, make it up into pills, and give him three or four of these, every day for ten days together, and order him ut supra. Of this I did never make trial, but it was recommended unto me for a special good Receipt. Another. Take Cloves, long-Pepper, Browne-Sugar-Candy, and London Treacle, of each two ounces, beat the Sugar-Candy and spices to very fine powder, and put to them your Treacle, and after add to these Ingredients, of good Sack or Muskadine one pint, and first warm it upon the fire, and when it is almost cold enough to be given him, put to it of salad-oil three pennyworth, and so bloud-warme give it him, and in the giving convey into either Nostril half a hornefull of this drink, and then order him ut supra. Another. Take of new-milke one quart, warm from the Cow, two heads of Garlic peeled and bruised, boil these together, keeping them with continual stirring, then take it off, and let it cool, and a little before it be cold enough to give him, put to it of life-hony two spoonfuls, and of salad-oil half a pint, give it him bloud-warme, reserving for either Nostril, half a hornefull, then order him ut supra. These latter cures I never made trial off, but I think them to be very good. Another. Take Isope, sweet Margerome, Lavander-Cotton, the roots and crops of Elecampane, of each one handful, chop and shred all these together very small, and boil them in good Ale or Beer, so much as will suffice, then strain it, and when the liquor is almost cold, break into it two newlaid Eggs, and stir all well together, and so give it him bloud-warme, give him this drink three times, that is every third day. This hath been recommended unto me for a very good Receipt, whereby to cure not only the Glanders, but the mourning of the Chine, but I never made use thereof. But now sithence I am come almost to the end of my Receipts for this Infirmity, I will give you two Receipts, the one for the Glanders, the other for the mourning of the chine, which are Master Markham's, which he styleth thus. Two most certain and newly found out Medicines, which will without fail cure any Glanders, though our Ferriers hold it impossible. The cure. If your Horse his cold be come to the worst Glanders, which is a continual running at the nose, and hath so run by the space of diverse months, so that the Ferriers can do no good, then shall you take better than two handfuls of the white cankerous Moss which groweth upon an old Oaken pale, and boil it in Milk two quarts, till one part be almost consumed, then strain it and squeeze the moss well, which done give it your Horse lukewarm to drink. Then take two Geese-Feathers, and take sweet Butter, as a big Walnut, and with the powder of Brimstone, finely beaten and searsed, work them together with your knife or splatter, till the Butter be brought to a high gold colour, then take two clean feathers the longest in all the Goose-wing, and first at the quills ends with a needle fasten two long threads, then with your salve anoint the feathers all over, which done in the dry powder of Brimstone, roll them over and over, then putting the feathers ends foremost, open the Horse Nostrils, and thrust them up into his head, then take the threads which are at the quills ends, and fasten them on the top of the Horse's head, which done ride him abroad for an hour or two, airing him in this manner morning and evening, and when you bring him into the Stable, after he hath stood tied up a pretty season, untie the threads and draw out the feathers, and wiping them very dry, lay them up, till you have next occasion to use them, and keep his body warm. This disease you must understand, cometh not suddenly, but grows out of long process of time; so likewise the cure must not be expected to be done in a moment, but with much leisure: therefore you must continue your Medicine, as your leisure will serve, either every day, or at the least thrice a week, if it be for four or five months together, and be sure it will in the end yield your desire. Now the second and well assured, and certain Medicine is to take Elecampane-roots, and boil them in milk till they be soft, that you may bring them to pap, then with a home give them to the horse, together with the milk lukewarm, being no more than will make the roots liquid, then having anointed your Goose-feathers put them into his Nostrils, and ride him forth as before is showed. The other receipt for the mourning of the Chine, he entitleth thus. A most rare and approved Medicine, to cure any high running Glanders, called the mourning of the Chine, held of all men incurable. This disease to my knowledge, there is not any Smith or Ferrier in this Kingdom can tell how to cure: for it comes not to the extremity, till the Horse hath run at the Nose, a year or more, and have at the roots of his tongue a hard lung gathered, which will not be dissolved. Now for mine own part it is well known, that I have cured many with this Medicine only. Perfume. Take of Agri-pigmentum, and of Tussilaginis, beaten into fine powder, of each four dams, then beating them with fine Turpentine bring them into a paste, then make of it little cakes or trotches, as broad as a groat, and dry them. This done lay about two or three of them on a Chafing-dish of coals, and cover them with a Funnel, so that the smoke may come out only at the end thereof, and so without any loss ascend up into the Horse's head through his nostrils, then ride the Horse till he begin to sweat; this do once every morning, before water till the running be stopped, which will be in very short space, considering the greatness of this disease. These be Master Markham's two great cures, which by reason he hath so great Eecomions of their virtues, and also what great cures he hath wrought and perfected with them, I think it not amiss to insert them in this place. Thus I have delivered unto you a great number of Receipts for this one disease, many of which I have tried, and have found them very good, some I could never have means or occasion to prove, and therefore I must expect prompt opportunities, in the interim I do remit them to my brethren to practise. But I will now conclude this Chapter, with one only Receipt more, which I do esteem my Masterpiece for this Malady, having had much experience thereof, nor did it ever fail me upon often trial made. This cure is called, The black drink for the Glanders. The Cure. First prepare his body with bran prepared, and after with a Clyster, and your Goose-feathers, as before hath been taught you. This done, The black drink for the glanders. Take new made Chamber-lye, and of the best and strongest white-Wine-Vineger, of each half a pint, then take of Mustardseed, two or three spoonfuls, and make Mustard thereof with Vinegar, and let it be very well ground, that done, put your Vinegar and Chamber-lye to the Mustard, and so stir them well together. Then take of Tar and bay Salt, of each like much, so much as will suffice, incorporate them well together, and convey so much thereof, as three Egges-shels will hold, the meat first taken forth, and having first prepared these things, let the Horse be taken forth of the stable (being kept that night to a very spare diet) and ride him first till he begin to sweat, then give him the three Egges-shels filled with the said Tar and Salt, and so soon as he hath taken that, give him with a horn the fore-named-drinke made of Chamber-lye, Vinegar, and Mustard, all at the mouth, excepting only two small or half hornefuls, which let be conveyed into his Nostrils, which so soon as he hath taken, let him be ridden again, so much as before you did, then bring him into the Stable, cloth him up warm and litter him well, and so let him stand upon the Trench until three or four of the clock, then unbit him and give him a warm Mash, and order him in all things as is usual for Horses in Physic. Give him this Medicine or drink every other or third day, three or four times, and it is an infallible cure. ✚. This cure I got from a Noble Knight, who had done many great Cures therewith, who was very precise in teaching it, and since I came to know thereof, I have perfected many great Cures therewith, upon horses far spent with the Glanders, insomuch as if it be rightly and carefully administered, it will cure the rankest Glanders that is. And with this Cure I conclude this Chapter. CHAP. 11. §. 1. H. Hippophylus. WEll Hipposerus, sithence we have finished this Chapter, let us go to the next; and tell me, what means have you to help the falling away of the hair from the Main and Tail of a Horse? Hippos. Sir, this disease cometh sometimes by a heat which the horse hath taken, which hath engendered a dry Mainge in the main and tail, which is the occasion of the shedding of the hair from those parts, and sometimes it cometh by a surfeit, causing evil humours to resort to those parts, which is the cause of the falling away of the hair & I have also known a Horse to shed the hair, both of main and tail after he hath been violently and dangerously visited with the Stavers: The signs are evident. And the Cure is. First take blood from the neck vein if it be only in the main, Hair fr● the May● and Tayl● falling a● but if in both main and tail, and then after you have opened the neck vein, and taken from thence a reasonable quantity of blood, then slit the skin of the inward part of the tail, next to the tuell from the buttocks to the fourth joint, and there with your Cornet you shall find a hard gristle which the French Marishals do call Barivole, raise it up with your Cornet and take it forth: that done, fill up the cleft with salt finely beaten, and then with a hot iron steep it in Buck-lye; burn the tail in sundry places, and then anoint the places so burned with Hog's grease, till it be whole. ✚ This cure I got in France among the Marishals there, whom I saw cure sundry Horses of this malady, and I myself have cured four or five after the same method. If it be both in the main & tail, and that you be fearful to experiment this cure by reason you never saw the manner of it, then search both main and tail well with your finger as aforesaid, and anoint the places with this unguent. Take Quicksilver, and tried Hogs grease (the Quicksilver being first mortified with fasting spittle) incorporate them very well together till the Hog's grease be of a perfect Ash-colour, and anoint the sorance therewith every day once, holding a hot bar of iron near, to cause the ointment to sink in, and in three or four days thus dressing him, he will be well, ✚ This is a very good receipt, and I have often used it. § 2. H. Hippoph. But than what is good to cause the hair to grow again? Hiposp. Take the dung of a Goat newly made, ordinary Honey, Hair to grow. Alum, and the blood of a Hog, the Alum being first made into fine powder: boil all these together, and rub and anoint the places therewith every day, and it will cause the hair to come again apace. ✚ This is special good. Hippoph. What is good for the Headache? Hippos. First let him blood in the mouth, and rub it with Salt to cause it to bleed the more, then take two long feathers of a Goose wing well anointed in oil de Bay, thrust them up and down his nostrils, whereby to open and purge his head, and then perfume his head with the stalks of Garlic broken into small pieces, as is before showed, keeping him to a spare diet, and moderate exercise, the better to cleanse his head and stomach, and to empty himself, by means whereof the head and brain will be the better quieted. Headache. It were very good also to perfume him with Frankincense, Storax, and Benjamin, grossly beaten and well mixed, of each like much as will suffice, but two or three days after, let him blood, and give him white water for eight days after, during which time, you may do well to give him sometimes a sweet Mash. ✚ This is very good. § 3. H. Hippoph. What is good to help the heels that be scabbed? Hippos. You shall many times have small dry Scabs upon your Horse heels, which will not be greatly noxious to him, & thereupon the best cure for his Keeper daily to anoint them throughly with the ointment made of Elbow grease. But if there be any running humour issuing from the heels of the Horse, Heels scabbed. then let him stand every day morning and evening up to the belly in water, till the scabs do dontract, then make a convenient Cautherize near to the joints as well cross as thwart wise, then heal it up as you use to do kibed heels. ✚ This is very good. § 4. H. Hippoph. WHat is good for heels that be kibed? Hippos. This disease the French do call javarrs, which is a kind of Scratches, and the cure is to Cautherize the middle of the swelling along, both long and crossewise; that done, Heels kibed. take Ox dung reeking hot, mix it upon the fire with Salad oil, and apply it to the sorance, once and no more, then do afterwards as is prescribed you in a cure for a Splent, in lib. 2. cap. 18. § 17. S. This I never tried. §. 5. H. Hippoph. WHat cure have you for heels that are troubled with the Mellet? Hippos. This sorance we call the mellet, is a dry scab that groweth upon the heel, sometimes on the one, and sometimes on the other heel; sometimes it cometh of corrupt blood, sometimes of a blow given by the toe with the hinder foot, for the mellet grows commonly upon the heel of the forefoot) and sometimes for want of good rubbing and dressing after travel; it will also have a dry chop without any moisture at all. The signs to know it, is easy, to wit, it will soon be felt with your hand. Heel Mellet. To cure it I have before shown you in § precedenti. But yet I will give you one receipt more for the same cure, whereof I have made often trial, and it is very good. Take of ordinary Honey half a pint, black Soap a quarter of a pound, mix these together, and put thereto four or five spoonfuls of Vinegar, and as much Alum finely beaten as a Hen's egg unburned, and of Rye-flowre two spoonfuls, mix and incorporate all these well together, and having first clipped or shaved away the hair, apply this medicine plasterwise to the sorance, just so fare as the sorance goeth, and let it so remain five days, and then take it away, and wash all the leg, foot, and sorance with powdered beef broth, & after rope up his legs with thumbands of soft Hay wet, and he will be sound. But than you must understand, that when at any time you do dress the sorance, you do not fail to take off the dry scab, or whatever crusty thing shall be upon or about the place, and by washing and cleansing the sore that you do make it marvellous clean. ✚ This is a very good receipt. §. 6. H Hippoph. What is good to help a Horse that is Hidebound? Hippos. This malady is when the skin of the horse doth cleave to the flesh, as you cannot with your hand pull up the skin from the ribs; sometimes it cometh through extreme poverty and maceration; and sometimes through the indiscretion of the Groom for want of good tending; sometimes of a surfeit taken by over-riding, and violent heats given him, and then washed, or negligently suffered to stand long in the cold, or in the rain; and sometimes again it cometh of corrupt choleric blood siccicating the flesh, which wanting its natural course, causeth the skin to shrink and cling together, and to cleave to the bones and flesh; it also maketh him sick, and to have a gaunt belly shrunk up to his flanks, and his hair will stare, and his legs will swell: and by these signs you may know the disease it is so conspicuous. It causeth also siccity and aridity in the liver and lungs, causing great torment throughout all the whole body, and his dung will be very hard and dry, and of a naughty savour, for his body will be very costive, and if he have not help in reasonable time, if death itself ensue not, yet will at the last other desperate maladies attach him, whereof the least will be the mainge, which will not easily or suddenly be cured. The cure is to let him blood either on both sides the neck, or on both the spur-veines, than cloth and litter him warm, and do no more unto him that day, more than to give him good meat and white water, for cold water he must not drink till he be throughly well again. The next day give him this drink. Hidebound. Take of white wine one pint, of Salad oil one pound, of Venice Turpentine one ounce, of Mithridate, of loaf Sugar, and of Cassia prepared, of each two ounces, of the milk of sweet Almonds half a pint, and of Verjuice of the Crab one penny worth, mix all these well together, and warming it upon the fire, give it to the sick horse, let him have this drink six or seven mornings together, always having a special care to the strength of the Horse, as well in this, as in all other your cures. ✚ This is a cure I have used very often, and have found it to be special good. Another singular good receipt. First, anoint his body all over with Acopum and Sack warmed together, or else with this Bath. Take fair water, Mallows, smallage, Rosemary, and Bay leaves; boil all these in the water till they shall become soft, and so bathe his whole body therewith warm, and when you have dried him again, anoint him with this unguent. Take of Hog's grease tried one pound, Camomile, Mallows, grunsel, Smallage, of each one handful, chop the herbs very small, and boil them with the Hog's grease a good while with a soft fire, then strain it and wring forth the oil that cometh of the herbs, and with this Unguent anoint his body all over, for it will both supple and loosen his skin: the next day give him this drink. Take of Muskadine and of strong Ale, of each one pint, grunsel, Rue, Smalage, Rosemary, and Betony, of each like much: all together amounting to a handful. Then take Gum-Dragamant one ounce, two heads of Garlic peeled and bruised: let all these boil in the Muskadine and Ale, to the consummation of one pint, then put to it of sweet Butter, a penny worth, and when it is melted, take it from the fire, and strain it very hard, and so give it him blood warm. Let this drink be divided into three parts, whereof give him one part the first morning, the other second parts, the second and third morning's following, for you must understand that when I said that this drink must be boiled to the consummation of one pint; my meaning is, that it must boil till one part be consumed, and not otherwise; and in the interim you must keep your Horse very warm, and let his drink be either sweet Mashes or white water, and four days after he hath been thrice thus drenched, give him this other drink. Take Anniseeds, Licoris, Fennel-seeds, Bay-berries, Elecampane dried, Fenugrick, Turmerick, of each like much, all made into very fine powder, and searsed; let two spoonfuls of this powder (being well mixed) be infused in good Ale one quart, with Salad oil two spoonfuls, give him this drink four mornings together, wherein you are to observe that the first time you are to administer this drink to your horse, you are to put into the Ale two spoonfuls of this powder, and the other three mornings, but one spoonful: keep him warm, and order him as is behooveful for a sick Horse that is in physic, and he is certainly cured. ✚ This is a special good Receipt. Another: Let him blood in both the flank veins, then take of good white Wine one quart, and put thereto of Salad oil, three ounces, of Coming one dram, Anniseeds and Licoris, of each two ounces, make all these into very fine powder, and searse them, and give it him blood warm, then set him up, and let him be throughly rubbed against the hair, and along the back and ribs, and nape of the neck, half an hour together, then cover all his back with a Sack made throughly well soaked in a tub of water, and when it hath drained a while, lay it upon him, and upon that, two housing clothes at the least, and gird them close unto him well wipsed, which will bring him into a sweat, which truly will be the prime cause whereby to restore him to his pristine sanity, but let him not sweat above one hour at most, and cool him by degrees, taking away the Sack first, and keep him to sweet Mashes or white water during the time of his physic, and longer; let him be thus drenched, sweated, and ordered, seven days together, and give him in stead of his Oats, Barley boiled, and dry Beans bruised in a Mill, and good old sweet Hay, well shaken and dusted, and sometimes green Malt from off the floor; and after eight days let him blood in both the breast veins, but take not above a pint of blood from him in all, and that day you bloody him, give him of good Sack one pint, and put to it of Salad oil a quarter of a pint, and of London Treacle one ounce, warm this upon the fire, and brew them well together, and so administer it blood warm, then leap his back, and ride him till he sweat, than set him up warm clothed and littered, and at night give him a sweet Mash, putting into it the powder of Brimstone two spoonfuls, and he will be well again. ✚ This is very good. Another: Take Hog's grease two drams, and of the juice of Dragon-wort one ounce, of Incense half a dram, of Syrup of Roses three ounces, dissolve all these in Tison one pint and a half, set it upon the fire till all be dissolved, and so give it him blood warm, and exercise him moderately upon it till he do begin to sweat, than set him up warm, and let him fast three hours after, and this will scour from him all his infection, loosen his skin, and procure a good appetite to meat, provided you take blood from him the day before, and (if as well in this receipt as in all the former) you do give your Horse a suppository the day before you drench him, you will much better and sooner perfect your cure, especially if you find him costive, otherwise a gentle Clyster will not be amiss. ✚ This is a well approved cure, and I have often used it. § 7. H. Hippoph. HOw do you cure a Horse that is Hipshot? Hippos. Sir, this cometh sundry ways, that is to say, either by a stroke with another Horse, or by a wrench, by which means the bone may be slipped out, and then it must be put in again, or by a strain, which may cause him to halt, or by means of some thorn which he may get by leaping or running among bushes, which must first be gotten out, otherwise the place will fester, and he go lame. The cure is, first let him blood in the thigh vein, on that side whereon the grief is, then charge him with the charge we call a honey-charge, prescribed you in the next §. and so put upon the other foot a Pattent-shooe, and let him not lie down in ten days (if that the bone have been out) after bathe the place well with that bath which is already taught you in lib. 2. cap. 5. lit. B. and the receipt beginneth thus, (take smallage, Oxe-eye, and Sheep's suet, etc.) and put into the Bath some of the said honey charge, and if this do not cure him (as it is most probable it will) then apply to the place this Ceroene (as the French do term it) which is a Cerecloth very hot, and this Ceroene is thus made. Take of black Pitch half a pound, of Mastic two ounces, of Galbanum four ounces, of fat Pitch and of Turpentine, of each half a pound: melt these in a pot together, and when it is half cold, charge the place up to the haunch, and so overthwart the reynes of the back, and if he be not cured at the end of eight or ten days more with this Ceroene, or Cerecloth, then take it off and apply to the place grieved this unguent. Take of oil de Bay, Althaea, tried Hogs grease, of each half a pound, incorporate all these together to an unguent, and therewith anoint, rub, and chafe the place grieved, and he shall do well. ✚ This is a very good receipt, and I have made great use thereof. §. 8. H. Hippoph. HOw do you make this Honey-Charge Hipposerus? Hippos. I will show you Sir, Take of Wheat meal two pound, and put a little Wine to it, as much as will suffice, put it into a kettle, as if you were to make a Poultesse, & when it is well mixed add to it of Bolearmoniack in fine powder, half a pound, of common English Honey, one pound, than set it upon the fire, Honey-charge. and boil it, keeping it continually stirring, and put to it in the boiling, of black Pitch, half a pound, still stirring it till it be boiled, so much as will suffice, & when it is almost enough, put to it of ordinary Turpentine half a pound, of oil de Bay, Coming, Althaea, Sanguis Draconis, Bay berries, Fenugrick, and of Linseed-meale, of each two drams, boil all these together again, still stirring them till they be well incorporate, and herewith charge the grieved members of the horse. ✚ This is the very best charge that I do know for ordinary griefs of this nature; but if you be to apply this to many horses, then must you double your ingredients according to the number of your horses. This charge is singular good for any slip or wrench in the shoulder, hip, or other member, for all sorts of scratches, and for stiffness of sinews, or for sinews hurt or any way offended, as also for a hipshot or dislocation, or for a horse that is overwearied with travel, as also to draw away all bad humours to assuage swellings and tumors, and it will serve in the place of a white plaster. And this I have often tried. § 9 H. Hippoph. Well now let us come to treat of the hoof; what have you good to mollify, the hoof, and to cause it to grow? Hippos. I gave you a very good receipt in lib. 2. cap. 6. § 3. lit. C. but now I will give you more which shall be very good. Take of Elder leaves, and of Walwort, of each like much; stamp and strain them till you have gotten of the juice one quart, or better, Hoof to grow. then take of Mutton or Deres suet clarified, three pound, Turpentine, Honey, and Salad oil, of each one pound: boil these till all the juice be consumed into the other ingredients; then when it is cold, reserve it, and when you have occasion to use it, anoint the hoof therewith. ✚ This is very precious. Another as good to cause the hoof to grow. You must observe this rule, viz. you must at what time you would have him shod, cause his hoof to be pared well and even, and to open the heels and frush well, and so let him be shod up; which must be done when the Moon is three days in the increase after the change, by which means the hoof will grow more in eight days then (if he had been pared and shod in any other time of the Moon) in fifteen days, both faster and better, then to supple the hoof, and to cause it to grow the more, Take Goats grease, Turpentine, Salad oil, and new wax, of each two ounces, melt them together, then whilst they be hot, add to it of ordinary Honey three ounces, of Sanguis-Draconis one dram, in fine powder: incorporate all these together, and bring them to an unguent, with which anoint and rubbe the hooves of the horse daily, which may well be done by using to each the quantity of a hazel nut of this ointment, which will cause the hoof to grow more in fifteen days, then without it in three months, and if you add to the former ingredients, of the juice of the herb called Hepatica, six ounces, and of the root called Hosmanderigalis two ounces, it will be much better. For if you do find that the aforesaid Unguent do not make the hoof to come away to your mind, then will this addition assuredly do it. ✚ This is a very good receipt. Another: Take Salet oil four ounces, new Wax and Turpentine, of each one ounce, Goat's grease three ounces, melt all these together, and being all molten, take it from the fire, and put into it of Horse-grease, Agrippa, and of Morciaton, of each one ounce, beat and incorporate all these together with the other ingredients, till it be through cold; with this ointment, rub and anoint the coffins of the hooves especially about the cronet at the hair, every day once, and it will grow very much. ✚ This is singular good. Another very good. Take of Hogs-grease three pound, of patch or peece-grease two pound, Turpentine one pound, new Wax half a pound, and of salad-oil one pound, melt, and mix all these together, bringing it to an Ointment, and herewith rub and anoint the Coffins of the Horse, especially about the Cronets, near to the hair. ✚. But if your Horse be pricked in shooing, or otherwise accidently hurt in or about the Sole, draw forth the Nail first, or whatsoever was cause of his harm, then take a few of the longest hairs from his Tail, and wrap them about the point of the said Nail, and cast the said Nail (thus wrapped up in the Hair) into the fire, and he will go sound, and upright again: provided you do not suffer any other Nail to be driven in the place of the former. ✚. This many have supposed to be a Charm, but I for my part do not think it to be any such matter, I have often used the same, and have ever more found it to make a perfect Cure. Now as touching hurts and bruises in the feet, most certain is it that a Horse will many times have a sore foot, which will run with water and matter about the Frush and Heel, which many will ignorantly imagine to be a disease in the Foot, not knowing how it might come, when as it is nought else but a very bruise, gotten by treading upon a stone or stub, and I have cured many Horses in this wise, viz. Take a wild or garden Colewort, and beat it with old Bores-grease to an Unguent, and apply it unto the Sorance, then leap his back, and and ride him an easy Trot upon swarde-ground, to the end the Medicine may the better enter into the sore, and thus dressing him once a day he will soon be well. ✚. This is very good. But if your Horse have a weeping Hoof, or small Cliffs, Hoof ping. which disease the French do call la Corne que Escume, the Coffin which frotheth or wheeseth; Then the cure is; First to open the place with your Drawing-iron or Cornet, I mean the outward part thereof only, till you come unto the Master-Veine, which you must break with your Cornet and suffer it to bleed so long as it will, then fill up the wound with the powder of Salt, and hurds steeped in Vinegar, and bind them so on that they fall not off, and thus by dressing it every day once, and in short time it will be well. This cure I never tried myself, but I have been present sundry times in France, where I have seen this cure fully perfected by Marishalls there. But if the Hoof be lose, then: take Bettony, Rosemary, Rue, Hoof ● red-Mints, tansy, Sotheron-wood, of each like much: bray all these herbs with Tar, so much as will suffice, and the powder of Bole-Armoniack, so much as will suffice, and apply it to the hoof, till you find that it be fast again. ✚. This also is very good. Another. Take Tar, Brimstone in fine powder, Wheate-branne, and the Urine of a Manchild: boil all these to a Pultis, and apply it hot to the hoof, and this will fasten it. ✚. This is singular good. But if the Vein lie bare in the sole of the Foot causing the Horse to halt, then to make the hoof to grow over it, whereby it becometh sound again, make this Plaster, and apply it to the Sorance. Take Stone Pitch, and Rosin, of each two ounces, Hoofed Brimstone in fine powder one ounce; melt all these together till they be well incorporate, then when you take it from the fire, add thereto of Turpentine one ounce, and so stir them all together, and as it cooleth, make it up into Rolls, and when you would use it, pour the same into the Orifice by the help of a red hot iron, and so all about the Sorance, then clap Hurds upon it, and over that a piece of Leather, cut and shaped for the purpose, and so splent it to keep it fast on. Use thus to dress him twice or thrice, and he will be cured. ✚. This is very good. But if the foot have taken any harm by an over reach, stub, prick, or gravel, then making the wound very clean, and laying it bare. Take Soap, and Salt of each like much, so much as will suffice, make them to an Unguent, than first wash the Sore with Chamber-lye and Salt, or Beer and Salt, and dry it again with a linen rag, then bind on the Medicine, and let it so remain four and twenty hours; and do thus if the wound be great three or four days together: then having with this Medicine exhausted all the Venom (which it will soon do;) take of train-oil one spoonful or two, and as much Ceruse that is, white lead in fine powder, and so work them to a thick salve; then apply that to the sorance plasterwise, till it be whole; which will not be long, for nothing doth dry up sooner, or is more kindly, or Natural for the breeding of a new Hoof then this. Another most sovereign for a Hoof bound. Hoof bound First pluck off the Shoes, and shoe him up again with half Moon or lunet-shooes, than ease with your drawing Iron or Rape the quarters of the Hoofs on both sides of the Feet, from the Cronet, down to the end or bottom of the hooves, so deep till you perceive as it were a dew to come forth, and if you make two Races it will be the better, and enlarge the Hoofs the more, that done, anoint the Hoofs above next to the Hair, about the Cronet with this ointment. Take of Turpentine one pound, of Wax, and of Sheep's or Deers Suet, of each half a pound, of Tar, and of salad-oil, of each half a pint; melt all but the Turpentine together, and when it is almost ready to be taken off from the fire, put in your Turpentine, and so stir it well together till it be cold. Let his Hoofs be anointed herewith once a day till you do perceive he mendeth, and then let him be ridden upon soft, moyst-swardy-ground, an hour or two every day once, for the space of a Month, and if he do not go well at the Month's end, (as I am confident he will) then take off the lunet-shooes, and pair his Soles, Frushes, and Heels, so thin, till you may see a dew to come forth, & the blood ready to start, then tack on his whole Shoes, and stop all his Feet as well within as without, with this Charge. Take of Cow or Oxe-dung, and of Wheate-branne, of each, so much as will suffice, Hoof bound a Charge. of tried Hogs-grease, and of the kidney of a Loin of Mutton, of each one pound, of Turpentine, and Tar, of each half a pound, melt all these together (the Turpentine excepted) which must be put in when it is almost ready to be taken from the fire, continually stirring it, to the end the ingredients may be the better mixed. Let this Charge be laid on good and hot, renewing it every day once by the space of nine days, to the end the sole may arise: but if this will not do it, then take out the soles clean, and after you have staunched the bleeding, with the tender tops of Isope well stamped in a stone Morter, then apply the medicine of Snails, Bay-Salt, and red Nettles shown you in lib. 2. chap. 9 §. 18. F. renewing it once a day for three days, and after you may heal up the feet, and bring a new and perfect sole with your green Ointment so often recommended unto you, in many other of my Cures; and thus you shall rectify the hooves, and make him sound, but then he must be shod with lavels again, and turned forth to grass. ✚. But if he hath stood in the Stable with little exercise, whereby he may be in danger of a dry foundering. Take of Turpentine, of Sheep's suet, and of Wax, Hoof b● of each one pound, of salad-oil one pint, of Tar half a pint; melt all these upon a soft fire, and stir them in the melting until they be all well incorporate, but put in your Turpentine last, which being well melted put it up in a clean Vessel, and keep it for your use, and herewith anoint the hooves of your Horse daily, they having been first washed very clean, and wiped dry, and this will conserve his hoofs supple and moist, keep them cool, and make them very tough and sound. ✚. This I have often used. But if the hoofs be somewhat strait, and yet the Horse not hoofe-bound, then administer this Medicine to his feet. Take the fat of Bacon, the sward cut away half a pound, Hoof strait of white Soap three ounces, Balm one handful, and five or six sprigs of the tender tops of Rue, chop, and stamp all these together very well in a Mortar, and then fry them, Hoof ● and lay them to the hoofs reasonable hot, and keep him from coming in any wet till he be well, and being thus dressed every day once, his hoofs will in short time be sound, well, and easy to him again. ✚. This Receipt is very good. But let us discourse of a lose hoof yet a little more. Take of Tar three spoonfuls, of Rosin three ounces, of Tansy, Rue, Mints, and Sotheren-wood of each one handful, pound all these very well, adding to it of sweet Butter half a pound, of Virgin Wax half an ounce, and so try them all together till it come to be a thick salve, and apply it Plasterwise warm to the hoofs, seven or eight days together, and this will cure him, and fasten the hoofs again. ✚. This is very good. But if his hoof be otherwise hurt, either by some other Horse treading upon his Hoof, or by any other accident; then Take an Egg, and Soot so much as will suffice, Hoof tyden upo● hurt. to be beaten with the said Egg till it be stiff like a salve; then add to it of salad-oil and Hartshorn made into powder, of each two or three spoonfuls, boil this to a thick salve, continually stirring it in the boiling, and apply it to the hoofs Plasterwise, daily dressing them till they be whole. This I never made trial off, howbeit it was commended to me to be a special good Receipt. Another very good to make a brittle or pomized hoof tough. Take fresh Butter one pound, Hoof b●tle to m● tough. Wax and Turpentine of each half a pound, melt first the Wax, then put to it your Butter, and when that is melted put in your Turpentine, and so stirring them well together, reserve it to your use, and when you do use it, apply it thus: Make a Buskin of leather, so as it may be buckled or tied above or upon the pastern joint, and then lay on so much of the medicine as will cover the hoof all over very thick, and then put on the Buskin and fasten it to his leg or pastern, and let him stand so night and day till you have occasion to ride or exercise him, dressing him thus once a day, and the longer you use this medicine, the better will be his hoof. Hoof to grow. ✚ I have often made trial of this receipt, and I have found it to be very good. But if your horse hath his hoof broken, and that you have a desire it should grow, then Take Garlic peeled seven ounces, Rue three handfuls, Alum powdered and searsed seven ounces, old Boar's grease two pound, beat all these together with Ass' dung one handful, and then boil it, and so reserve it, and anoint his hooves therewith, and they will grow very fast. ✚ This is very good. If he be hurt by being cast in his halter, Hal●er cast. then Take of Wax and Turpentine, of each one ounce, melt them together in a pot: take then of Verdigrece and Hog's grease, of each one ounce, and incorporate them well together raw, viz. without boiling, the Verdigrece being first made into very fine powder, and put into another pot by itself: then when you have occasion to use it whereby to dress a sore: take first of that you made of Turpentine and Wax two parts, and then of that other which was not boiled made of Verdigrece and Hogs grease a third part, and mixing them well together in the palm of your hand, anoint the sorance therewith; thus doting every day once or twice, it will be whole, remembering to clip away the hair first from about the place. And this is a most excellent receipt. ✚ I have often proved it. §. 10. H. Hippoph. WHat may a man best apply to the Hough of a Horse that is swelled, as if he were in danger to breed a Blood or Bogg-Spaven? Hippos. This cometh sometimes to young horses when they be too hard ridden and journeyed in their youth, which is the cause they swell in that place; by reason the blood falling down there settleth, which if it be not speedily removed, will assuredly beget a wet Spaven. The cure is, anoint the place swollen four or five days together with natural Balsam, and after repress the humours with this charge, having first given fire to the place lightly: Hough swelled. Take oil of Roses two ounces, Bolearmoniack in powder one ounce, Wheat flower half an ounce, and the white of an Egg, beat and incorporate all these together, and after you have ended to anoint the place swelled with Balsam: charge every day for four or five days after, the place herewith, and he will be well. ✚ This is very good. §. 11. H. Hippoph. What is good to dry up humours? Hippos. This kind of drying up of humours, is but only to restrain them for working too much upon wounds, whereby the better to cure them. The way therefore is this; First bath the sorance well with hot molten fresh Butter, and then strew upon it the powder of Rosin for a day or two; Hun dry 〈◊〉 then take of the thickest Cream, and of Soot, of each as much as will suffice, and work them to a thick paste, and so apply it to the sorance plasterwise, and it will both dry up the humour which possesseth it, and heal up, and skin the sore in a short space. ✚ This I have often used, and it is right good. § 12. H. Hippoph. What is best to cure the hurt in the Shoulder, or other member? Hippos. There are many things good for a malady of this nature, and when I come to treat of Spraines, Sores, and Wounds, I shall deliver them unto you, and therefore I will now refer them to its proper place, only I will give you one for the present. Take oil de Bay, Dialthea, fresh Butter, oil of Turpentine, Hur●der. of each two ounces, boil and mix them well together, and when they be well incorporate, anoint the place grieved therewith so hot as the Horse can well suffer it without scalding, and let him be thus anointed twice or thrice a day, and give the Horse moderate exercise by walking him a foot pace gently up and down. And this is a certain and an approved remedy. This I never tried, but a great Ferrier who is cried up for famous, taught it me, and wished me to make use thereof. § 13. H. Hippoph. What do you hold good wherewith to cure old Hurts? Hippos. The only best way to cure and dry up old hurts and sores, is this; Take old shoes and burn them to coals, Hurt● to cu● and then beat them to fine powder, then add to it unslaked Lime and ordinary Honey, as much as will suffice, to bring it to a stiff paste, which done, knead them all together unto a paste, and so make it into a Cake, and then lay it upon a fire pan, and so let it be well baked; which done, make it into fine powder, and every day once, put of this powder into the wound, and it will heal it up, nothing sooner. ✚ This I have often used, and it is very good, and herewith we do conclude this Chapter. CHAP. XII. § 1. I. Hippoph. WHat is good to help any imperfection in the feet? Hippos. First pair the feet very thin, open the heels and make the shoes wide, large, and hollow: if the imperfection come by foundering, then Imperfection in the feet. Take a good quantity of Ox or Cow dung, Tar, and Hog's grease, of each half as much, and of Soot the like quantity, as of either Tar or Hog's grease: boil all these very well together, and herewith stop the horse feet very hot, and continue thus to do daily, and it will not only take away any anguish, but also strengthen the hooves, and make them so perfect as that they will be able to endure labour; but when you travel your horse (for exercise is very good for him) let him be stopped herewith hot; but if cold, add then thereto the whites of Eggs as much as will suffice, for that will cool his feet very well, and it will comfort the Frush very much, but if the hoof be naturally brittle, and by foundering become dry and straightened, then to enlarge the same, and to make it the more tough, and to grow the better also. Take of Hog's grease, Turpentine, and Mastic, of each, like much, and half so much Lard as of either of them: melt all these but the Turpentine on the fire, and when it is well dissolved, take it off, and then put in your Turpentine, stirring it well till it be throughly incorporate; then keep it in a stone pot by itself; and when it is through cold, be sure to stop the pot very close, and so reserve it for your use. With this Salve anoint the coffins (but especially the Cronets) every day twice at the least, and it will cause the hoof to grow very much, and become tough and sound. ✚ This I have often used, and it is very good. § 2. I. Hippoph. What is good to ripen an Impostumation? Hippos. To ripen any swelling which doth impostumate, you shall know by the heat, for if you lay you hand thereon, it will be hot and burn; wherefore to prepare and make it ready to be opened; Impostumation to ripen. Take Mallow roots, and white Lily roots, of each like much, bruise them, and put to them Hogs grease and Linseed meal, of each so much as will suffice, and boil them till they be soft, and so plasterwise apply it to the grief. ✚ § 3. I. Hippoph. What is good for any inward sickness in a Horse? Hippos. I have showed you that sufficiently before in lib. 2. cap. 3. § 6. A. where I give you three excellent receipts together; nevertheless if you do find that your horse do not thrive, but droop and impair, I will here give you one receipt more which I do know to be most singular, and will do him much good, and whereof I have had very long and great good experience. First therefore if you do see cause, take blood from him, but not otherwise, and if he be subject to costiveness, then administer unto him either a Clyster or a Suppository, and the day following give him this drink. Take Aristolochia Rotunda, Bay berries, Gentiam, Anniseeds, Inward sickness Ginger, and of Trifora-Magna, of each one ounce: beat all the simples to very fine powder, and mix them well together; then take of white Wine one quart, or of Sack the like proportion, which is better, then put of this powder, and of your Trifora-Magna one spoonful, into the Wine. Salet oil half a pint, and of Mithridate two drams, warm these upon the fire, and so administer it blood warm, and let him be exercised as well before as after his drink, but not so fare as to sweat by any means, neither let him drink any cold water in four or five days after, but either warm Mashes, or else white water. ✚ This is most sovereign for any inward sickness, droopings, forsaking of meat, Fevers, Colds, Coughs, or the like. § 3. I. Hippoph. YOu speak hereof administering a Suppository, but what Suppository were best to be given in a case of this nature? Hippos. I will show you Sir: if your Horse be so ficke whereby you fear to give him any strong medicine, and that he be costive withal, then give him this Suppository following. Take of Honey six ounces, of Sal●niter, one ounce and a half, Inward sickness Supposit of Wheat flower and of Anniseeds in fine powder, of each, one ounce, boil all these to a hard thickness, and then make it into Suppositories; and first anoint your hand with Salad oil or sweet Butter, and the Suppository also which he is to take, and so convey it into his fundament a pretty way, and after tie his tail betwixt his legs, as I have elsewhere shown you: or else hold it close to his body with your hand, by the space of a quarter of an hour at the least, till it be throughly dissolved, and this will cause him to purge kindly, and it will very much cool and loosen his guts: than you may be the more bold to administer what Drinks, Cordials, or other things which you may think most requisite for his recovery. ✚ §. 4. I. Hippoph. What is good to ripen inflammations, Pustils; and Kernels, which do grow under the chaule of the Horse? Hippos. This cometh to a horse that hath either Cold or Glanders, which must be dissolved, otherwise the Horse can never be cured: Jnflamations. wherefore take Wheat Bran two handfuls, and so much Wine, Ale, or Beer, as one quart, with which to thicken it, put to it of Hog's grease half a pound, boil these together till the liquor be quite consumed, and so apply it to the place so hot as the horse may well suffer it, renewing it every day once, till it do of itself break, or be so soft to be opened, then let forth the corruption, and taint it with a taint of flax dipped in this Salve. Take of Turpentine and of Hog's grease of each like much, and of Rosin and Wax a much greater quantity; melt all these together, and with the said taint dipped in this medicine, put it into the wound, renewing it every day once till it be whole. ✚ This is an approved receipt. But if it be an inflammation impostumating in any other part of the body, take then the grounds of a Beere-Barrell, four quarts, of smallage, Pennyroyal, Winter-Savory, Cumfrey, Rue, and of the leaves and berries of the Missell-tow, of each two handfuls, chop all these very small, and put them to the said grounds, and put to it of Sheep's or Dear Suet tried, one pound, and three or four handfuls of Rye or Wheat Bran, so much indeed as will serve to boil this to a Poultesse, and when it is boiled as much as will suffice, apply it to the place, and if the swelling be very much impostumated, it will break it, or at the least so soften it, that it may be opened; if it be hard at what time you put your Poultesse thereunto, it will send it back again without more to do. ✚ This I have very much experimented, and have found it to be right good. But if he be troubled with the Strangles, and that he is very much inflamed under the chaule, then cure them thus: take Basilicon, old Boar's grease, and Dialthea, of each four ounces, of oil de Bay, one ounce, incorporate all these well together, and first clipping away the hair from under the chaule, anoint the swelling and inflamed place therewith very well; this done, bind upon it a piece of Sheep's skin, with the Wool next to the inflammation, that the warmth thereof may the better help to ripen the Pustils, which being ripened, open them, and let forth the corruption, that done, taint it first for three or four days with Basilicon only, but after heal up the sorance with your black Aegyptiacum, taught you in lib. 2. chap. 4. § 4. A. and during the time of this cure, let him eat good sweet Hay, and Bran, in stead of Oats, and let his drink be only white Water. ✚. This is a most excellent Receipt. § 5. I. Hippoph. What is good for a joint that hath in it any Ache, Numbness, Weakness, or Swell which cometh of a cold cause. Hippos. This cometh sometimes of a strain and sometimes of a Cold, taken after a great and violent riding or labour. The signs are apparent, and the Cure is; Take Acopum, and mixing it with sweet Sack, all to rub and chafe the joint grieved Joint gyved. therewith. And if it come of cold, it will at four or five times thus doing, cure it. ✚. This is singular good. Another. Take Aquavitae, and warm it upon the fire, and therewith bathe and rub the grieved Member therewith very well, and hold a hot bar of iron before it, to cause it to sink in the better; take then a rag, and wet it in the same Aquavitae, and lastly, take Pepper finely powdered and seared, an● strew it good and thick upon the said wet rag, and so bind it to the place grieved; take then a dry Rowler of linen, and swath the place therewith, and so let them remain, and thus do every day once, and in short time it will recover him. ✚. Of this I have made often trial. §. 6. I. Hippoph. What is good to increase the Hoof of a Horse? Hippos. I have given you sundry good Receipts before, but I will add one more, which the most Famous Marishall of all Paris gave me, which he recommended unto me for tresbonne, but I never had yet a good occasion to make trial thereof. The receipt is this. Take of the Oil of Hempseed, of Wax, of Venice Turpentine, Increase Hoof. Rosin, Pitch, Bay-seeds dried and powdered of each half a pound, Roch Allume two ounces, mix all these together, and let them boil softly upon a gentle fire, then strain it through a haircloth, and keep it for your use. With this anoint every day the hooves of your Horse, and this will cause them to grow very much. This is probably a good Receipt. CHAP. 12. §. 1. L. Hippophylus. HOw do you cure the Lampas Hipposerus? Hippos. This is a Malady that every common Smith can easily cure, by putting into the Mouth of the Horse a good big Bat of wood, where unto two long pieces of the Headstall of an old bridle is nailed at either end, which will cause him to keep open his Mouth, and then holding up his Lip with your left hand, burn away the rank flesh, with a hot Iron made of purpose, and after rubbing the place with Salt, and giving him Bran for Oats three or four days at the most, he will be whole. ✚. This disease is a Swelling proceeding from rankness of blood, which groweth in the Mouth adjoining to the fore teeth, which said Swelling is an impediment to his feeding; it is apparent enough to be seen, and therefore needs no further remonstrance. ✚. Nevertheless I will show you how the Marishals in France do use to cure the Lampas, from whom I had the Cure, and wherewith I myself have cured many horses. Take a roasted Onion, and very hot put it upon a clout, or upon hurds, and with it rub the Lampas Lampas. very hard, and do this two or three times a day till it be whole. ✚. But many times they burn away the Lampas, like as do our Smiths with an iron instrument, which they do call a Bistory, which is the very same that our Smiths use here in England. § 2. L. Hippoph. HOw do you stop a Lax or Looseness, when it cometh to be violent? Hippos. Very easily Sir, but I had thought I had handled that point sufficiently before, in letter F. where you made your demand touching the Flux in a Horse, notwithstanding I will give you other very good Receipts by me almost forgotten. To illustrate the manner of its coming, Laxe to stop and the signs how to know the same, I hold unfitting for this place, by reason I have sufficiently already performed it. Take of Allome one pennyworth powdered, Bole-Armoniack powdered, one ounce, put these into Milk one quart, continually stirring it till the Milk doth become all of a Curd, give him this with a horn, and it will stay his Laxe be it never so violent. ✚. This I have used. Another. Take Beane flower, and Bole-Armoniack in fine powder, of each four ounces, put them into red Wine one quart, and give him this with a horn blood warm. Let his drink be white water, only instead of Wheate-bran, put in Bean-flower, and that for three or four days after; then let him blood in the Temple veins, and give him warm Mashes, made of ground Malt and Beane-flower, and having drunk up the Wort, let him eat up the residue, but if this do not stay him within two days, then put in each Nostril, salad-oil, and that will do it. ✚. This is special good. §. 3. L. Hippoph. What means have you to raise a lean Horse, and to cause him in short time to hecome very fat? Hippos. I have showed you this before, but yet I will give you Rereipt which you yet have not. Take Elecampane dried, Coming, Turmerick, Anniseeds, Lean● to ma● of each two ounces, Grunsell half a handful boil all these very well with three heads of Garlic picked, a little bruised in strong Ale four quarts, then strain it well, and give unto your Horse of this drink one quart, in a morning fasting blood warm, and then ride him upon it till he do begin to be warm, but not to sweat, and thus do for four mornings together, and within some short time after, turn him to grass if the time of the year be seasonable, and he will feed wonderfully and fatten suddenly: but if the time of the year do not serve for grass, then shall you keep him in the Stable, and besides his former drink, you shall give him in his Oats, this powder, viz. Take the powder of Elecampane dry, and of Coming, both pulverised and seared of each like much: mix them well together, and every time you give your Horse this Provender, take of this powder half an ounce, and strew it by little and little among his Provender for fear of offending him, till he hath eaten up all clean, and do thus but fourteen days together, and you shall perceive your Horse to thrive, mend, and prosper after a strange manner: provided that you do give him seasonable airing, moderate exercise, and Mashes or white water. ✚. This is marvellous good. §. 4. L. Hippoph. What is to be done to a Horse whose Legs do swell? Hippos. If this Swelling be only in his fore Legs and not behind, than it is a sign that this his Swelling came by over-violent labour, when the Horse was very fat, (especially inwardly) by reason that the grease that was melted fell down into his forelegges, which if it had stayed in his Body, must of necessity have engendered either an Anticor, Fever, or a Surfeit to the great peril of his life; The signs are known by the swelling, L●gs swelled and therefore to anoint them with Acopum were very good. But the best cure is, first to take up the thigh veins, then with your Fleame to prick the places most swelled, and hottest, in sundry places, especially be low, to the end that the corrupt blood may issue forth; then Take of white Wine-lees one pint, of Coming bruised one ounce, boil then together to a pultis with Wheat flower, three handfuls; then with a cloth apply it to the place good and warm, renewing it every day once, & if in two or three days it doth draw it to a head (as it is very probable it will do) then launch it and heal it up either with Shoemaker's wax, laid on upon a Plaster of leather, or also with a salve made of the yolk of an Egg, Wheat flower, and common honey well wrought together to a salve, which you must also apply Plasterwise ✚. But if it do not come to a head, and yet the swelling continue; then Take of Pitch, and of Virgin-wax, of each three ounces, Rosin half a pound, of the juice of Isop, and of Galbanum, of each half an ounce and of Mirrah-secondary half a pound, of Bdellium-Arabicum, Populeon, and of the drops of Storax, of each half an ounce, and of Deeres-suet half a pound; boil all these together in an earthen Pot, and when it is cold; take of Bitumen half a pound, Bole-Armoniack, and of Costus, of each one ounce and half: make all these into fine powder, and then incorporate them well with the other, and so boil them all over again very well; that done, pour this whole mixture or Medicine into cold water, and so make it up into rolls like a salve for Plasters: and when you are to use it, spread thereof upon Plasters of Leather, which must be so large as to cover the Legs full so far as the swellings are, which (if any thing can do it) this will assuage the swelling, and give very much strength and comfort the Sinews and Nerves: neither is this Plaster to be removed so long as it will remain on. ✚. This I have applied to many Horses very much annoyed with swolne-Legges, and brought them to their former smallness, when as Ferriers have spent much time upon the Cure, and given it over at last. But if the Swelling do fall into the hinder-Legs, or into all foure-Legs together (being but a bad Sorance) causing them to burn and swell exceedingly, and the hair to stare, the cause whereof coming, (as I have before said) from immoderate Riding, heat, and labour, whereby the grease melting falleth down into the Legs, by reason the Horse cannot void it in his Excrements, or else being overhot, he is washed or negligently, set up without sufficient store of litter and rubbing, so as the taking cold, the blood with the grease settleth in the Legs, and there congealeth, and so causeth them to swell. This sorance also cometh by having his feet beaten (especially in the Summer) with being ridden and galloped upon hard ground, which first occasioneth wind-gals, and those also causeth the legs to swell, which truly is the worst kind of swelling of all other, by reason that lameness doth immediately follow it, unless great Art and diligence be speedily applied for prevention thereof. Wherefore the signs being so apparent, needs no remonstrance, and therefore I will pass on to the Cure, which is thus. Take Populeum, Nervell, Hog's grease, of each one ounce, Legs ●led. incorporate them very well together cold, and anoint the sorance therewith morning and evening four days together, and at four days end, take of Claret Wine lees one quart, boil it upon the fire with so much Bran as will bring it to a Poultesse, apply this to the place grieved plasterwise with a cloth good and hot for four or five days more, renewing it every day once, and in short time he will be sound again. ✚ This is a most excellent receipt which I have often experimented. Another. The swelling of the legs may be easily cured, if in the beginning, they be often times in the day laved and bathed in cold water, unless the malady come of too great a surfeit, wherefore if this of cold water will not do it, then Take of common honey one pound, Turpentine, common Gum, meal of Linseed, meal of Fenugrick, of each four ounces, Bay berries made into very fine powder, and seraced, three ounces, mix and boil all these together well, and when you take it from the fire, put unto it of white Wine one pint, and then boil it over again till it do become thick, spread this upon a cloth reasonable hot, and wrap it about the members swelled, and do not renew it above once in a week, and it will cure them. ✚ This is a certain and most approved Cure. Another. If you take up the veins, and make them to bleed below and not above, and then rope up the legs with thumbands of soft Hay wet in cold water, and then cast more water upon them, in short time he will be sound and well again. ✚ This is also very good. § 5. L. Hippoph. What is good to cure the Leprosy? Hippos. This is a moist mainge, very infectious, which cometh by means of great surfeits, taken by over-riding, which is very easy to be seen and known, and therefore needs no further description. The cure therefore is: first, let him bleed well in the neck, then scrape away the scurf with an old Currycomb, Oyster-shell, haircloth, or some such like thing, till the sorance do look raw, and that it be ready to bleed, then anoint the raw places with this ointment. Lepros● elepha● malady Take Arsenic, or Resalgar, and tried Hogs grease, (the Arsenic or Resalgar being first beaten unto very fine powder) incorporate these well together to make them into a perfect ointment; then tie up the head of your Horse so high to the Rack, as that he may not be able to bite, rub, or lick himself, and so anoint the places therewith, and cause the ointment to sink the better in by himself, and so anoint the places therewith, and cause the ointment to sink the better in by holding a hot bar of iron near to the place as you anoint him, and let him stand so tied three hours, and then wash away the Unguent with the strongest Chamber-lye you can get, and wash him so throughly, that you may be assured you leave none of the ointment upon the Horse, and then untie him, and give him meat: and thus dress him once every day till the sores be quite dried up. ✚ This is also good for Scratches, and Kibed-heeles. §. 6. L. Hippoph. What is good to kill Lice in a Horse? Hippos. Lice commonly cometh to a horse when he is very poor, especially when he runneth abroad in the Winter time in some Wood, Coppice, or places where are many high trees, for that the dropping of the trees falling upon the Horse, together with his poverty, doth cause them to engender, and albeit they may be at first but a few, yet will they in short time multiply abundantly: sometimes also a Horse will catch them by standing near to another horse that be lousy, and so long as he be visited with them, he can never prosper, but remain very meager and lean. You may easily know when he is annoyed with this kind of vermin, for that he will often scrub and rub himself against Walls, Posts, and Doors, with his mouth and hinder feet. The way to destroy them is, Lice. Take Staves-Acre, and boil it in running water, and wash him all over with that water warm, and it will kill them. ✚ Another, Take Quicksilver two ounces, and first kill it with fasting Spittle, and when it is throughly mortified, take Hog's grease tried, and so work them together till it become of an Ash-colour, and anoint him therewith, and it will in twice or thrice dressing, kill them all. ✚ Another: Take Tobacco as much as will suffice, and shred it very small, and put it into small Beer, and put to it of Alum powdered, as much as will suffice, and when the Alum is dissolved, wash him therewith, and it will kill them. X All these I have often tried, and have found them to be very good. §. 7. L. Hippoph. HOw do you make your powder of Lime and Honey, Lime 〈◊〉 Hone● with which you do heal and dry up Sores? Hippos, Take of English Honey, and of quicklime newly taken from the Kill, unslaked, of each like much as will suffice, beat your Lime into fine powder, and with your Honey and your Lime knead it to a paste, and when it is throughly wrought, make it into a thin Cake, then lay it upon a clean fire-pan, and set it upon the fire, and so let it bake, and as it is baking, take the soles of two old shoes and cast them into the fire, and let them burn until they have done flaming, and that they do come to be fire coal; then take them forth, and when the Cake is baked sufficiently and cold, beat the Cake together with the shoes soles to very fine powder, and so keep this powder in a bladder or dry box for your use. X This will heal and dry up any wound or old sore, and I have often and long used this powder. § 8. L. Hippoph. What disease is that we call the Low-worme? Hippos. This is that disease which I cannot distinguish from Saint Anthony's fire, or the Shingles, for that it hath the self same symptoms, and this I have cured. This is a Worm that breedeth in the back, betwixt the skin and the bone, and runneth along the breast to the brain, and when it cometh to touch the pannicle of the brain, it maketh the Horse stark mad. You shall first discover it by these signs, viz. presently after a long and tedious journey, the Horse will be sick and forsake his meat, and stand out of length with his feet, bending down his back, and he will often make offer to piss, but cannot, and if he do, yet will it be but very little at a time, and that in the sheath, and in time he will fall mad, gnaw the Walls, Rack-staves, and Manger, and bite and strike at every man that cometh within his reach or danger: and these be the most pregnant and apparent signs: and this disease doth deceive many a good Ferrier. For albeit that this infirmity may be many times among horses, yet Ferriers being ignorant thereof by mistaking it merely for the Stavers, and applying remedies only for that cure, do thereby lose many a good horse through their misprision. But now to come unto the Cure itself, I will give you two receipts; the former of which I learned of a Farmer in Buffolke, who was cried up for a very expert man in this faculty, (as indeed he was) and hath perfected in my presence many a great cure. Then thus, Take of Acrement a quarter of a pound, Loe-●● six heads of Garlic clean peeled, of Rue and Turmentile that beareth the yellow flower, of each one pound, stamp all these in a stone mortar, and put to it so much white Wine, as that when it is strained, there may be of the juice and Wine two quarts, when you have of this liquor in a readiness, let your horse blood under the tail a good quantity, then staunch him, and dividing this pottle of liquor into six parts, give it him six mornings together, that is to say, every morning one part or portion, till he hath taken it all, and by that time he will he perfectly cured. ✚ The second receipt was taught me in France by a famous Marishall of Bourbon, who hath cured very many horses of the self same malady, but in a quite contrary way. For whereas the first Cure was wrought by medicine, this second is perfected by giving of fire. Take an iron with a Button at one end, and make it red hot, then burn him therewith upon the top of his forehead, and a little under his foretop, and another in the foretop, and four other in the neck, clean through upon the crest, whereof two of the holes must be upon the one side of the crest, and two on the other side, and to take away and kill the fire, put into every hole Vnguentum Rosarum, and then let him blood in the neck vein, and he is cured. ✚ This is also an approved Cure. The French do call this malady ver-coquin, and the Italians do name Vermiforme, but they both have but one manner of Cure for the fame. This Ver-coquin, or Low-worme is a living worm which breedeth upon the back bone running along the neck, and so by degrees cometh to the head of the horse, where with its hard beak, it first pierceth the pannicle, and then worketh itself to the very brain of the creature, where it lieth biting, gnawing, and feeding, causeth the horse to become enraged, and to dye mad, if otherwise he be not cured in time, and therefore the French Marishals do affirm, that the prime remedy wherewith to kill and destroy this Worm, is, by fire, and they hold that it cannot be destroyed any other way. §. 9 L. Hippoph. What remedy have you to help the disease of the Lungs? Hippos. This disease of the Lungs is a malady which is first engendered of cold taken, and let run till the horse be either frettized or putrified in the lungs, at what time they become inflamed, and to come at last to rottenness and corruption: the means how to come to the knowledge of this infirmity is, that by careful observance you may perceive his flanks to beat, and his ribs to work, but most chief when he cougheth, and then the more slowly they do beat and heave, the more old and dangerous is the disease; he will also draw his breath at his nose short, and yet weakly, and he will groan often, and principally when he lieth down and riseth up, and when at any time he cougheth, he will seem to chew some thing betwixt his teeth, and from his nose will issue much corruption. The Cure is, Take of horse Lung-wort, alias Mullet, it groweth in every place with broad hoary soft leaves which do feel like velvet; shred it, Lungs 〈◊〉 disease. stamp it and strain it, then take of Fenugricke a good spoonful, and of Madder as much, make them into fine powder, and give this to your horse in Muskadine one pint, or else in good Ale one quart, and administer this unto him every other day for twelve or fourteen days, and sprinkle his Hay with water, and let his Oats be washed in good Ale, and let his drink be white water, and sometimes sweet Mashes. ✚ This is very good. Another: Take a Snake, and cut off the head and tail, and slay it, and after cut the same into pieces the length of your finger, and roast it as you would an Eel upon a Spit, but do not baste it with any thing, for it will baste itself, reserve carefully the oil that drippeth from it, and herewith anoint the breast and the fore-short ribs of the Horse which be against the Lungs, but clip away the hair first from about the place where you are to anoint him, otherwise the hair will take up much of the said Oil; and thus doing often for some time you shall recover his lungs again, and make him perfectly sound. This was taught me by a great Marishall of Tours, but I never could come to make trial thereof. CHAP. XIII. § 1. M. Hippoph. NOw Hipposerus that we have ended this Chapter, let us proceed to another; and tell me what is good to cure a Malander? Hippos. This is a noisome sorance which groweth upon the inward part of the forelegs in the bending of the leg over against the knee: it is a Scab hard and dry, which hath a chop or chink upon it, and it hath hard and stubborn staring hairs growing in and about it, not much unlike to Hog's bristles, by which means it cankereth & corrupteth the flesh, which will cause the Horse to go stiff, and to halt at first setting forth till he be warm, like as doth the Scratches. It cometh either through the negligence of the Groom for default of rubbing, and due and orderly dressing, or else from the corruption of the blood through hard and immoderate riding; and those horses are most especially subject thereunto, which have long hair growing all along the legs from the pastern up to the top of the thigh as most commonly have your Flanders and Freezeland horses, by reason that the hair in that place, being thick, long, and shaggy, doth gather sand, dirt, and other filth, which not being continually taken off by the industry of his Keeper, will scald, burn, and fret into the joint, and so breed this kind of sorance. I have already shown you the signs how to know it, now I will also give you very many receipts wherewith to cure it, many of which are special good. First therefore (whatsoever you have to apply unto this sorance) fail not to wash and shave away the hair from off and about the sorances; first then Malender. Take black Soap, Vnguentum Populeon, and fresh Butter, of each like much as will suffice: mix them well together, and so bring them to a formal Unguent, and apply it to the sorance every other day till it be whole. ✚ But you must withal understand that unless you do pick away and rubbe off the dry crust or scurf, as well as wash and shave away the hair which doth annoy the sorance, you do nothing in the perfecting of the Cure, for be you confident unless you do this, the Malender will not be taken away, nor any medicine that you shall apply to it, be able to heal it up. Another: Take black soap, and allay it with Buck-lye, and wash the place well therewith: this done, apply unto the sorance a plaster of Goose-dung, and renew it twice a day till it be whole. ✚ Another: Take quicksilver, and kill it in Orpiment, then take Buck-lye, and mix ordinary dirt which lieth in the street (wherein must be neither stones nor gravel) with the Buck-lye, Quicksilver, and Orpiment, and herewith anoint the sorance twice a day if need be, and when the ointment is well rubbed in, then clap a plaster of the same medicine to the grief every time you do anoint it. ✚ This is very good. Another: Take of the strongest white Wine Vinegar, and boil it, and so boiling hot, rub the Malender therewith twice every day till it do bleed, that done, put upon it the powder of Verdigrece good and thick, and so bind it on with a clout, and let it so remain till a crust come thereon, and when you shall find the crust to be dry, and withal to chop, anoint the grieved place with tried Hog's grease, and that will cause the crust to fall off, and the sore to heal up. ✚ This is a most excellent Cure, and it did never fail me. Another: Rub the sore with the oil of Hempseed, or with the oil of Nuts, or with sharp Mustard, but the oil of Hempseed is the very best if it may be had. This was taught me by a French Marishall, but I never made trial thereof. Another: First rub off the outward scurf till it bleed, then bind upon the place this medicine; take of black Soap, and of Quicksilver mortified with fasting spittle as much as will suffice, and so work them to a salve, and plasterwise bind it to the sorance, renewing it every day once till it be killed, and after heal up the sore with fresh or sweet Butter. Another: Take Glover's shreds which he cutteth from his white leather, and hoyle them in Vinegar of the best and strongest till they be soft, bind this to the malender very hot, and it will perfectly cure the same. I did never make trial thereof, but it was given me for very good. Another: Take the fat or lard of Bacon one pound, red Lead, Verdegrece and Lethurge of gold, of each two ounces, make them all into fine powder, and boil them well together with the said fat of Bacon, keeping them in the boiling continually stirring; then having very well cleansed the sore, and made it raw, anoint it with this medicine morning and evening till it be clean dried up. ✚ This is very good. Another which is only to anoint the sorance with the oil of Turpentine, and it will heal it up, and make it marvellous sound. ✚ And this will likewise cure Scratches, Sores, Hurts, or the like maladies in a horse. Another: Take a salt barrelled Herring out of the pickle, which hath a soft row, and cut off the head and tail, and cast them away, then mince all the Herring very small, and put it in a stone mortar, and put thereto of black Soap two spoonfuls, and of Alum powdered half an ounce, stamp all these things together till you have made them to be of one body, and plasterwise apply it to the Malender, renewing it once a day for three days: And this will kill the humour that feedeth it; which once done, anoint the place with the oil of Roses, and that will cause the Crust to fall away, then wash it once every day with Chamber-lye, and strew upon it the powder of Oyster-shels, and it is made whole and sound again. ✚. This I dare promise to be a very good Receipt. § 2. M. Hippoph. Well what saey you now to the Mainge? Hippos. This of all other is the worst, vildest, and most filthy, and it will cause the Horse to be ever more rubbing, scrubbing, and scratching. It is a formal Leprosy, and the French do call it the Elephantick Malady, by reason that Elephants are very much subject thereunto. The hair will stare and in many places pill and fall away, and a loathsome Scurf will be upon the places touched therewith, and he will infect all other horses which reside in the same stable, with him: Wherefore so soon as the Malady may be espied, let him be separated from his fellows whether in the Stable, or abroad at Grass. This disease cometh of corrupt and melancholy blood, by means of its over-heating, and sometimes by feeding upon naughty and unwholesome meat. It is so easy to be discovered, as that it needs no other description, than what hath been already showed: and I will give you many good Receipts for this Malady. Mainge. Take Spurge, Selendine, Brimstone, all in fine powder, of each three ounces, Hogge-grease tried, new-Wax, Sheeps-suet, & quicksilver well mortified with fasting-spitle, of each two ounces, melt and incorporate all these together, and so bring them to an ointment, than first wash and make raw the places infected with stolen Urine and green Copperas boiled together, the infected places being scraped, and made raw with a Currycomb or some such like thing, and then anoint him with this Unguent, but first of all you must take blood from the Neck-veine, the day before you dress him with this Unguent. ✚. This is one of the best Recepts for a Mainge that I have, and with it I have done very many rare Cures. Take the roots of Elecampane newly gathered, and the roots of red Dockes, of each like much, slice and cut them thin, and put unto unto them of Chamber-lye three quarts, and of Bay-salt, one handful: boil these till one quart be comsumed, then take it off, and with a rag fastened to the end of a stick, wash the places infected very hot, you having first made the places raw, with an old Currycomb, Oyster-shell, etc. Use this four or five mornings together, than some three mornings after anoint the places grieved with this Ointment. Take quicksilver one ounce, let it be well mortified in fasting spittle, and mix with it so much Hogs-grease as a Hens Eglantine, or better: then take powder of Brimstone, so much as will suffice, and incorporate all these very well together, and anoint all the Mangy places therewith till they be perfectly whole. ✚. This is very good. Another. Take of the Oil of Pilchards, and of Chamber-lye of each one quart, Guinny powder, and the powder of Brimstone, of each three ounces, white Wine-Vinegar one pint, boil all these together till they be thick, make the places raw, and anoint them therewith three times in nine days, that is to say, every three days once, and this will cure him. ✚. This is very good, but you must not forget evermore for this Malady, to take store of blood from your Horse a day or two before you do administer any thing unto him, for until such time as the Melancholy & corrupt-bloud be first let out, he will not easily be cured. Another for a Mainge, Itch, or Running Scab, etc. Take as much Auripigmentum finely powdered, and mixed with Hogs-grease as will bring it to be yellowish, but not too yellow a colour, anoint the places infected therewith, and it will kill it in three or four dress: This Vuguent will take away both the Scab and hair together: but have you no fear, for it will not be long ere new hair will come in its place. ✚. With this receipt I have cured very many horses, who have not been a little overrun with this disease. Another, The first day let him blood on the left side of the Neck, than two days after open the other Vein, and three days after that let him blood on both the Spurre-Veines, and lastly, two days after that under the Tail, and let him bleed in every of these Veins, then scarify all the places and wash them with new Brine made very salt: that done anoint the places with this Vuguent. Take of quicksilver one ounce, tried Hogs-grease one pound, Brimstone made into fine powder four ounces, Rape-oyle one pint. First kill the quicksilver with fasting-spittle, and then incorporate them together throughly with all the other Ingredients, and having anointed all the raw places with this Ointment, cause it the better to sink in by holding a bar of hot iron near to the places, and then touch him no more in three days after, and evermore when you dress him, forget not first to rub and scarify the places infected till they do begin to bleed; but if all this will not avail, then burn the rankest places of the Mainge with an iron, having a button on the end thereof, but then take heed you enter not the flesh, but bear your hand light upon the skin only, and let each hole be well-nigh a span from the other. ✚ This I have often used. Another. Take of Chamber-lye four quarts, Bay-salt four handfuls, boil them well together, and wash the Horse therewith, so hot as he can well suffer it, and when he is well washed; take Neats-foote oil and put it into water, and beat them well together, and therewith anoint the raw places, and in four or five times thus doing, he will be well. This seems to a good cure, but I do not remember that I ever did use it. Another. Take Mother of Salt-Peter, the best & strongest, and wash the sores therewith so hot as the Horse is able to suffer it, and in three or four times dressing it, will cure him. This I never tried, but the party that taught it me, averred that it would not only kill any Mainge, but all Scratches, Pains, Rats-tayles, etc. Another. Take Sopers-lees, and first make the Mangy places raw, and after wash them with the said Sopers-le●s, and in once or twice dressing, he will be well. ✚. This was taught me by the most able Ferrier, I do now know living in England and I have often used it, and I have done with it very many great Cures. It cureth the Mainge both in Horses and Dogs, provided they get not to it with their mouth and teeth. Another. Take Hogs-grease half a pound, Oil de Bay one ounce and half, Crude-Mercury, and white Hellebore, of each one ounce, incorporate these well together, and first make the places raw, & then anoint them with the said Ointment. ✚. This is very good, for I have often tried it. Another. Take of Hempseed, and of Mutton-suet, of each one pound, bray the Hempseed merveylous well in a Mortar, then take of old Bores-grease one pound, Verdegrease, Quicksilver, Hellebore, Gunpowder, Tartar, of each four drams, & of Brimstone three ounces, make all into very fine powder, that is to be powdered, and mix them well, making them into one body, and then dissolve them upon a gentle fi●e, keeping them alwaaies stirring till it be enough, and sufficiently dissolved, and when it is cold, put it into a clean Pot, and keep it for your Use, and when you have occasion to make use thereof, first scarrify the places, and then annoyt them, holding a hot Bar of iron near, and in three or four times thus dressing, he will be well. ✚. This is a most sovereign receipt for this malady, for I have had great proof thereof. Another whereby to cure the Mainge in the Main or Tail. Make Ashes of the herb called Abscinthus, so much as will suffice, quicklime, & Soot, of each so much as will suffice: mingle all these together, and with warm water make a thereof, with which you shall wash the Main and Tail in the places infected, & this will not only cure this Malady, but also cause the hair to grow again very fast. This was taught me by a very good Marishall of France, but I could never make use thereof, by reason the herb Abscinthus was hard to get here. Another. Take a little Brimstone, Masculine-Frankinsence, Niter of Tartar, of the Bark of Ashen-trees, Vitreall, Verdegrece, Black-Helebore, Aristolochia Rotunda, of each as much as will suffice, powder all your simples, and mix them well together with the yolks of Eggs and Salad oil, of each as much as will suffice, and so boil it, and anoint the place well therewith warm. This seems to be good, but I never tried it. Another for the tail: Take Mulberries which be not ripe, with the bark of the roots of the Mulberry tree, and Barley, of each as much as will suffice, boil all these in fair water, and wash the places grieved therewith, and if the sorance do open of itself, then take Sanguis Draconis, the juice of Leeks, Salt, Pitch, Salad oil, and old Boar's grease, of each as much as will suffice, and make thereof a salve, and apply it plaster wise, but this I never tried. Another: Take of Orpin one pound, Brimstone and Euforbium, of each one ounce, Cantharideses twenty five, make all these into fine powder, and with Hog's grease make it into an Unguent, and apply it to the sorance, rubbing it in all along the places visited, and four or five days after, to the end the corruption may the more easily pass away, anoint him again with Hog's grease only, and when the scurf is fall'n off, wash the neck of the horse with Buck-lye made bloud-warme, and he will do well. ✚ This is a very good receipt. Another: You must first scrape the leprous places till they do bleed; then take of Vinegar one pint, white Hellebore, Cantharideses, Euforbium, of each one ounce, make all these into fine powder, and boil them all well together, and apply it very hot to the place grieved, then when the scurf or crust is fallen away, wash the sorance with Buck-lye mixed with black Soap, and it will be well. ✚ This is a special good receipt. Another: Take of the oil of Hempseed, half a pint, Brimstone in fine powder, one ounce, Gunpowder finely pulverised, and Quicksilver, of each half an ounce, and a little Vinegar, then beat them all together a long time, and so apply it cold to the place, and as you do anoint him, let one stand by with a hot bar of iron, whereby to cause it the better to sink in, and this will cure him in few times dressing, but suffer the crust to fall away of its own accord. ✚ This is a most precious receipt. Another: Take of Vinegar one pint and a half, Euforbium half an ounce, made into fine powder, boil them well together, and boiling hot, wash the sorance therewith, and it will heal it; neither need you to clip away the hair, unless you please. ✚ This I have often used. Another: Take of black or blue Slat, and make it into fine powder, and mingle it with fresh Butter, of each like much: mix them well together to a perfect Unguent, and anoint the place therewith, and it will cure him, but this I never tried. Another: Take of the herb called in French, Ouraige, one handful, boil it in Vinegar, two quarts, then take of green Coperas half a pound, and of Salt two handfuls, rub the place therewith so hot as he may well suffer it, and in few times dressing him thus, it will cure him. This I had of a French Marishall, but because I could never find the herb Ouraige, I did never make trial thereof. Another: Take of white Wine Vinegar half a pint, Cantharideses in fine powder, one ounce, boil them together, and boiling hot apply it to the sorance, and your Horse will sooner be cured. ✚ This I have often tried, and it is very good. Thus I have delivered you many receipts for this one malady, which we call the mainge, most of them I have tried, and can promise them to be special good, whereof many will not only cure the mainge in the body itself, but in the main and tail also if you please to make use of them. Another most excellent receipt for the mainge? Take liturgy of gold, two pound, beat it to very fine powder, and searce it through a fine searcer, and put it into a glass which will hold a potttle; then put thereto of the strongest and best white Wine Vinegar that can be gotten, three pints or better, and for four and twenty hours after, shake it together ever and anon, but the first time it must be beaten or shaken a good time together, to wit, a quarter of an hour at the least without intermission, and then let it settle, and so keep it in the same glass close stopped for your use. Now when you would use the medicine, you must make it into a salve after this manner: Take of the oil of Roses two ounces, and of the clearest of the said Vinegar in the glass (which must not have any of the liturgy in it) two ounces also; beat these together with a wooden splatter, until you have brought it into a thick salve: Take then of Quicksilver the weight of a shilling, and first mortify it very well in a little of the syrup of Damask Roses, the quantity of six or eight drops, and about three or four drops of the spirit or oil of Turpentine; with the syrup and oil, mingle and work these things well until the Quicksilver be very well mortified, then mix it well with the former salve, and then put it up into a clean galley-pot, and so keep it; and first making the places raw, anoint them with these Unguents, and it will kill any mainge in the body, main, or tail. ✚ This is very good. Another very good. Take of Tar a gallon, of tried Hog's grease, and Bolearmoniack of each two pound, of Pepper one pound, beat the Pepper and Bolearmoniacke to very fine powder, and then mix all the ingredients together, making them into one body, than first scrape the sorance, so as you do raise the scurf and dry crusty stuff, but not to make it raw, or to bleed much, and then anoint all the places infected, rubbing and chafing it in very well, as if it be in winter, let one hold a bar of hot iron near to the places as you anoint and chafe it in; but if in Summer, the sun will do it much better as he runneth at grass; and thus dress him every three days so long as the unguent lasteth, and he will be cured. ✚ This is an approved cure. Another. To perform this cure, the best way is, to give the fire to the place after this manner: the iron being hot, first draw it along either side of the chink, then draw it upon the top of the chink, then draw three strikes (if need so require) overthwart, and in short time the hoof will grow again, so as the chink will be closed, and remain sound and whole. And over and above, you may exercise him that very next day after you have thus given him the fire, provided his exercise be not upon hard, but upon soft or sandy ground. X This is a very able cure taught me by a singular Marishall of Brussels, and I have practised the same upon sundry good horses here in England. §. 3. M. Hippoph. What is good to cure a sore Mouth? Hippos. This is a disease that sometimes comes by much corrupt blood, and sometimes by cold: for this malady most commonly beginneth in the of the mouth, which will cause it to look red, and be inflamed, and from the it will fall into his chaps, whereby he will not be able to shut them, as if he had there a convulsion. The cure is, if it be but yet in the palate, then let him blood there, and let him bleed well, then: Take of life Honey four ounces, Mouth s● Chibbals or young Onions, half a handful, and toasted Cheese as much as will suffice, boil these in fair water very well, and blood warm wash the , tongue, and all other places in and about the mouth, well with this liquor four or five times, and he will do well. ✚ This is very good. Another: After you have let forth the corrupt blood, then take Verjuice of the Crab, and Bay-Salt as much as will suffice, and warm it upon the fire, and blood warm with a rag wash well every part of the mouth and tongue twice or thrice a day till it be well. ✚ This is also very good; but if it be come into his chaps, which you may easily know by observing his wide yawning and gaping, whereby his chaps will be so fallen, as that he will not be able to bring them together to shut close again, wherefore so soon as you do perceive him in that posture, Take Verjuice of the Crab only, and make it warm, and then fastening a rag upon a stick, wash his mouth very well therewith; the Verjuice being blood warm, and then with your hand help him to close up his mouth, and doing thus two or three times, he will be perfectly cured. ✚ these be special good receipts. §. 4. M. Hippoph. What is good to cure the Mellet Mellet. in the heels? Hippos. I have showed you that cure before, lib. 2. cap. 4. § 9 lit. A. But yet I will give you one receipt more, Take of Honey one pint, and of Soap three ounces, and of white Wine Vinegar five or six spoonfuls, and as much Alum as an Egg, and of Beane flower two spoonfuls, mix all these together, and apply it to the sorance so fare as the mellet goeth, and let it lie on five days, and then take it away: that done, wash the leg, foot, and sorance with warm beef broth, and so keep his legs roped up, well moistened in the beef broth two or three days after, and he will be well. ✚ This I have often used, and it is a most rare cure. §. 5. M. Hippoph. What is best to mollify humours? Mollify humours. Hippos. This I have also formerly handled, yet take with you this only one receipt more. Take of Rosin three ounces, of fresh Butter five ounces, of new Wax one ounce, melt all these upon the fire, and so bring them to an Unguent, and herewith anoint the humours four or five days together, and this will mollify them very well. ✚ This is most precious for this cause. § 6. M. Hippoph. What shall a man do to a Horse that is morfounded? Morfounded Hippos. Morfounding is but the French word: signifying melting of grease or foundering in the body, whereof I have before sufficiently entreated; nevertheless I will give you for this malady two singular receipts, the one I had of an Italian rider in Brussels, and the other of a French Marishall in Avinion, a man esteemed most famous, and of both those receipts I have made often use, and I have perfected them for most rare cures. That which the Italian taught me is this; first open the neck vein, and draw away the inflamed and corrupt blood, then take of white Wine one pint, Salad oil half a pint, of Rhubarb and of Aloes, of each two drams, of Senae half an ounce, of Agarick three drams, Bay berries half an ounce, Saffaron two drams, Duck or Duke powder, and of cordial powder, of each two drams, make what is to be powdered into very fine powder, and mix them well together, adding thereunto of life Honey four ounces, all which being made warm upon the fire, and well brewed together, give it your horse blood warm, but you must withal understand that the same day you shall administer this drink unto him, he do stand fasting upon the Trench three or four hours before, and as many after; neither must you the same day give him any Oats, and let his drink be either a sweet Mash, or white water, and keep him warm, and with white water five or six days after, and then give him Oats, but in tthe interim in stead of Oats, let him have either bread made for him of purpose, or else Bran prepared; and when you do give him Oats, put in amongst them Fenugrick bruised. X This is I do assure you a most excellent receipt, with which I saved the life, and brought to perfect sanity a horse of price, which was visited with this infirmity; the second receipt which I had of the Marishall of Avinion is this; (viz) so soon as you do perceive or suspect him to be morfounded, Take of Salt one handful, and put to it of fair water one pint, and give it him to drink, and ride him moderately upon it till he sweat, and this will cure him if it be administered so soon as you may suspect the malady, but if you stay three or four days, or longer, before you do give him this water and salt, then take of the powder of Hellebore one spoonful, and of Saffaron one penny worth, of Assafaetida, and of Soap of Venice, of each two drams, of Bacca alias the seeds of Bays, a farthing worth made also into fine powder, mix and pound all these together well, putting to them of Vinegar one pint, and give it him blood warm, then cover him with a wet cloth, and cloth him warm, and set him upon the Trench, that he may neither lie down, nor vomit, but let him sweat an hour after, and then cool and dry him by degrees, and let him be well rubbed, and he will do well again. X This is also a very good receipt. CHAP. XIIII. § 1. N. Hippoph. WEll now Hipposerus, let us go on, what will cure the running at the Nose? Nose running. Hippos. I have showed you that before, but yet I will give you two or three receipts more; Take Orpin and Brimstone, as much as will suffice, and cast them upon burning coals, and so perfume his head and nose therewith, and that will dissolve the humours congealed in the head and brain. ✚ This is very good. Another: Take Auripigmentum, and Tussilago, of each two drams, make them into fine powder, and with good Venice Turpentine washed, make it into a stiff paste, and thereof make small cakes the breadth of your thumb nail, and dry them a little, and therewith perfume your horse over a Chafing-dish and coals every day; but before you do perfume him, give him the drink prescribed you in lib. 2. cap. § which beginneth thus (first let him bleed in the neck vein well, then take Assafaetida as much as a hazel nut, etc.) ✚ and this is very good. § 2. N. Hippoph. What is good to cure a Navel galled? Navel galled. Hippos. This is a naughty sorance coming by means of a Saddle behind, which being let run a while, will be long in curing. It is called a Navel galled, by reason that the hurt is upon the top of the back, right over against the Navel, the signs are so demonstrative, as that they need no description; the cure therefore is, Take oil de Bay, Costus, Fox grease, oil of Savine, of each one ounce, then take great garden Worms a hundred, and scour them well in white Wine and Salt, than put all the ingredients together into an earthen pot very well stopped, and boil it well, then add thereto of Salad oil one ounce and a half, and boil it over again till it come to a perfect ointment, then strain it into a Galley pot or glass, and so keep it close stopped for your use, and when you are to use it, only warm it, and so dress the sorance therewith; with Lint or Hurds, and it will soon be whole. ✚ This by proof I do know to be very good. § 3. N. Hippoph. What help have you for a Horse, that is troubled with a disease commonly called the Nightmare? Night-● Hippos. This disease is so called indeed, but yet all able and skilful Ferriers do laugh at those that give it the same Epiphrase, for it is none other thing but a Malancholly-bloud, wherewith the creature is oppressed, for it doth perplex the Heart more than any other member or part of the Body, causing him in the night time to sweat more than in the day, bereaving him of his sleep and natural rest, and the best signs to know this disease, is by observing well the Horse when you come unto him in the morning, you shall perceive him to have sweat aswell in the Flanks, as Neck, and Short-ribs next to the place where the heart lieth. The Cure for the Malady is: Take of Salt one handful, salad-oil half a pint, and of brown-Sugar-Candy made into fine powder, four ounces, mix all these very well, then warm them upon the fire, and so give it him with a horn blood warm, give him this two mornings together, and it will cure him: But the day before you drench him, first open the two Spur-veines, and let him bleed there very well: ✚. I have known many who have taken a good great stone, which hath had an hole in it, and they have taken a with and put it through the hole of the said stone, and so hung it upon the top of the Rack, just over the Horse, whereby he hath been perfectly cured. CHAP. 15. §. 1. O. Hippophylus. WHat good Receipt have you, wherewith to Cure old Sores. Old sores. Hippos. Sir I have many, and the most of them be very good, whereof I will give you only one, and leave the residue to their proper places: Take of Roch-allome a good quantity, and burn it in a hot fire Pan, then take so much Bay-salt, and burn that also; beat these together to very fine powder. then Take of common Honey and of sweet Butter, of each like much, so much as will suffice, and so incorporate all these ingredients together; neither must it be warmed upon the fire, but only thus brought to a Salve, and so keep it for your use: which must be applied either Plasterwise, or Taint-wise, or both, according as you shall see cause, and this will heal any Sores very sound; neither will it permit any dead or proud flesh to remain in the place. ✚. This I have often tried. § 2. O. Hippoph. What is best to be applied to an overreach upon the Heel? Over reach in the heel. Hippos. I have handled this Malady before, in lib. 2. chap. 4. §. 10. let. A. notwithstanding I will give you one or two Receipts more. First, cut out the overreach with your incision Knife, making it plain as may be, then wash it with Beer and Salt, and apply this Plaster unto it. Take Oatmeal and Butter, so much as will suffice, to bring it to a Salve, pound them together in a Mortar, working them into one body, and apply this Plasterwise to the Sorance, renewing it every day once till it be whole. ✚. This is very good Another. Mollify the heels of the Horse with suppling things, whereof I have given you store, then open the sole of the Foot round about, and dress the Heel to enlarge it, then when you have made the Sole firm again, keep his Feet moist with Vnguentum Rosatum, or some such like suppling thing, and he will be whole and sound again, This I never tried. Another. If the malady doth proceed from a disease which the French do call Encastelure, then take out the sole of the Foot where the Sorance is, open it close to the hair, then take up the vein in the ball of the Foot, and give him the fire all a long the hair, upon the said Sorance, and lay unto it black-Sope upon the Hurds, and when the scurf falleth off, dress it with black Aegiptiacum, until such time as it hath produced a circle of a new horn, and keep the Hoof always supple with Vnguentum-rosarun, and the grief will heal up, and wear away in short time, This is very good. §. 3. O. Hippoph: HOw do you make Oil of Oats, and what is it virtue? Hippos. To deal ingeniously with you, neither my Master nor myself did ever know the nature of this Oil, or how to make it, until such time as we met with Master Markham's Masterpiece, from whence since we have made very good use thereof, and do find it to be a most singular receipt: I will give it you just as we have it from him. Take of Milk eight quarts, and warming it upon the fire put thereunto of Allome four ounces, which will cause it to run into a Curd like to a Posset; take of the Curd and cast it away, and strain the Whey through a course cloth into a clean vessel: then take of Oats a quarter of a Peck, dry and clean husked, that were never dried, and put them into the Whey, and so set the Whey upon the fire, and let them boil until the Oats do burst, and be soft; then take them off, and put them into a Cullender, so that the Whey may go gently from them without any pressing: (for you must keep the Oats as moist as may be) this done, put the Oats into a frying-pan, and set them over the fire, stirring them continually, till you see the vapour or smoke of them, not to ascend upwards: But as it were to run about the Pan; then suddenly take them off: and putting them into a Press, press them most exceedingly, and look what comes from them is only their Oil, which you must reserve in a close glass and so stop it well. Now there are others more artificial and curious ways whereby to distil and extract this Oil, yet this above them all, is both the easiest, surest, and least troublesome way, and the very best for every mean capacity. ✚ This Oil of Oates is of all medicines whatsoever the most excellent, and sovereign for the Body of the Horse, as being abstracted from the most natural, wholesome, and best nourishing food, which doth belong to the sustentation and livelihood of the Horse, this Oil being given by four or five spoonfuls in sweet Wine, one pint, or strong Ale one quart, and some of the Whey poured into his nostrils, doth cure the Glanders before all other Medicines. It is also (given in the same manner) the best of all Purgations, for it purgeth away all those venomous and Peccant-humors that feedeth the most incurable Farcin whatsoever; and for my own part at what time I can conveniently come by this oil of Oats, I will never use any other Oil or unctuous matter in any medicine whatsoever, to be administered inwardly but this only: I having found by good experience, that it is the most Sovereign of all simples of that kind, and thus I have showed you what Master Markham's opinion (which is the same both with my Master and my Self) is, both of this Oil and its virtues, and so I remit you to the use and practice thereof. ✚. CHAP. XVI. §. 1. P. Hippophilus. WHat is that Receipt which I have oftentimes heard so highly commended among Ferriers, called Paston, and to what use doth it serve? Hippos. This thing which is called Paston is none other than a plain Plaster; only some of of our verbal Ferriers have gotten hold of the French word Paston, which doth signify a Plaster, and that they deliver and vent among ignorant people, whereby to cry themselves up for learned, and skilful Doctors in Horse-leech-craft; now forasmuch as maladies and diseases, are of sundry sorts and different natures: so ought the Paston, Plasters, and Medicines be discrepant each from other, but since you were pleased to understand the true nature of this word Paston, I have in a word delivered the same unto you, and now I will give you the Receipt of one of the Paston which will be well worth your acceptance, It being the most sovereign remedy of any that ever I could come to know, which is as good to dissolve and take away evil humours, which shall at any time fall down into the Legs of your Horse, as any other Medicine you can use, And this it is. Take of common Honey one pound, of Turpentine half a pound, of Mastic in fine powder two ounces, of Frankincense and Bole-armoniack both made into fine powder, of each four ounces, of Sanguis, Draconis, three ounces, of new laid Eggs six, of the strongest white Wine Vinegar one pint, of the flower of Rice seven ounces, mix all these together, and hereof make a plaster, and lap the legs of the horse from the feet to the upper joints, and do this but four or five times, and you shall see it will perform a most strange and rare cure. ✚ § 2. P. Hippoph. What is good to help a strain in the p●sterne joint? Hippos. If it be only a strain in or upon the pastern joint, Pastern joint str●ned. and not upon the back sinew: Take then of Chamber-lye one quart, and boil it until the scum do arise, then strain it, and put unto it of Tansey and of Mallows, of each one handful, and of ordinary Honey two spoonfuls, and of Sheep's tallow four ounces, chop the herbs small, and then mingle all these ingredients together, and so boil them until the herbs be well sodden, and so apply the medicine to the place with a linen cloth bound up, and stitched close with a needle and thread, that it may not remove, renewing this plaster every day once, for three or four days, and he will be sound and go upright again. ✚ This is special good. Another: Take of Brine one quart, and boil it till it ariseth, and then strain it, and put to it of Tansey and Mallows, of each one handful, of Honey two spoonfuls, and of Sheep's tallow four ounces; chop all these together, and then pound them well: and set them upon the fire, and so boil them, as much as will suffice, apply this warm to the place with a cloth plasterwise, sewing it fast on, and so let it remain five days, and if this do not cure him, then wash the place with warm water, and shave away the hair, and scarify the joint, and then apply the medicine of Cantharideses and Euforbium, etc. as you are showed in the cure for an upper attaint in lib. 2. cap. 4 § 9 lit. A. and so he will be cured, this is very good. § 3. P. Hippoph. I Would gladly Hipposerus, learn a good pill for the Glanders. Pill for 〈◊〉 Glanders Hippos. I have delivered you m●●y already, but since you are pleased to renew this cure again, I will give you two pills, which shall be of most singular virtue, which shall cure any violent cold or Glanders; prevent heart-sicknesse, purge away all molten grease, recover a lost stomach, keep the heart from fainting in and after hard travel, and violent riding and exercise, and these pills will raise a lean Horse, and make him fat suddenly. Take Anniseeds, Coming, dried Elecampane, Canthamus, of each two ounces, make all these into very fine powder, and searce them; then add unto them of the powder of Brimstone, and of the juice of Licoris, of each one ounce, which said juice of Licoris must be dissolved in white Wine one pint, then take of the oil of Anniseeds, and of the Syrup of Colt's foot, of each one ounce, of Salad oil and life Honey, of each half a pint; mix all these with the former ingredients, and with as much fine wheat flower as will knead it into a stiff paste, and so make it up into pills somewhat bigger than a French Walnut, and so keep them close stopped in a glass or galley pot, for they will last good the whole year, and when you shall have occasion to use them, take forth one, and anoint it all over with sweet Butter, and so give it your horse, and continue thus to do every morning one for some time, and ride him a little after the taking thereof gently, if the weather be temperate, and let him stand upon the Snaffle or trench three hours after, then feed him, and at night you may either give him a Mash, or white water. ✚ and thus do (if it be to prevent sickness) three or four mornings together, but if it be to take away any infirmity, as Cold, Glanders, or the like, then administer it eight or ten days together at the least, but if it be to cleanse his body from molten grease, or to take away foulness, then give it him either in his heat, or presently after; but if it be to make him fat, being meager, poor, and lean, then use it fifteen days at the least. If you shall find any difficulty in the giving of this pill, you may then at your pleasure dissolve it, either in sweet Wine, or else in good Ale or Beer, and so give it him with a horn drench-wise. ✚ The other pill is, Take of Wheat flower one pound, or so much as shall suffice to make a stiff paste, then take of Anniseeds, Fenugricke, Brimstone, of each two ounces, Salad oil one pint, common Honey one pound and a half, white Wine two quarts; make the hard simples into fine powder, and searce them, then with the residue make a stiff paste, and of this paste make a pill the bigness of a man's fist, and dissolve it into two or three gallons of fair water, by washing and laving the said paste therein within your hands, & so let your horse drink the same at his ordinary watering times, or at any other time, when he is willing to drink, for he cannot drink too much of this water, then ride him to warm it in his belly, but not otherwise, and when the water is spent, do not cast away the bottom, but filling again the vessel wherein he drinketh, w●●h fresh water, the next time he drinketh, dissolve another ball therein, and thus do for fifteen days together at least, and you shall see some wonderful effects thereof. This water scoureth, cleanseth, and feedeth after an admriable manner, and the former lesser pills do purge the stomach and entrails from all foulness, it voideth and carrieth away in his ordure molten and dissolved grease, and fortifieth nature so powerfully, as that it leaveth no evil humours in the body. ✚ This was taught me by a Scotch man who was Groom in Prince Henry his Stable under Monsieur Saint Anthony, and a singular good Groom he was. I have often times made proof and use thereof, and have found it to be right good, and for that reason I do rather commend it unto you. § 4. P. Hippoph. What good Antidote or preservative have you for the Pestilence? Hippos. This disease which we call the Pestilence or Plague, hath also sundry other names, for some do call it the murrain, others the garget, others the gargill, and the French do call it mal de mountain; the mountain evil: it is a most contagious, and infectious disease, it is sometimes engendered of a surfeit by riding, when the horse afterwards taketh cold, and sometimes it cometh of the contagiousness of the air; as when a horse cometh upon a sudden into fenny or marish places, where he never was before, having been ever bred and kept in pure, sweet, and wholesome air, as one happened to a young Gelding of my own, when I coming into the hundreds in Essex, and travelling late, I came to my Inn, where my Horse the very next day fell into a pestilent Fever, whereof he had doubtless died, had I not administered help instantly, wherefore whensoever you do suspect your horse to be never so little touched with this malady, remove him presently, lest he should infect so many horses as be in the same Stable with him. This comes also to a horse many times by means of corrupt blood and bad humours, which do lie lurking in his body, which washing, drinking being hot, and surfeits, do often cause, but let it come as it may, it brings with it a pestilent Fever, which is seconded by ensuing death, if speedy prevention be not at hand. The signs be these; after that he hath drooped and languished two, three, or four days at most, he will begin to swell under the roots of his ears, as if he had the vines, and under the chaule, and so this swelling will run up his cheeks through the malignancy of the disease, and become very hard, he will hang down his head and face, and seem always to sleep and forsake his meat, and his eyes will be yellowish, he will draw his breath short, which will be also very hot and offensive, and sometimes he will put forth Carbuncles, and swellings in his groin, bigger than a man's fist, and his stones will hang, but this not always, and this I have known in Horses more than in one or two. The cure is, Take of white Wine one quart, and the herb called in French, Pestile● Mairelle, which we in English do term Nighteshade: stamp it, and take the juice thereof, and boil it in the Wine, and when it is boiled as much as will suffice, take then Linseed meal, and Barley meal, and sift out the bran, taking only the flower of them both as much as will suffice, and put it into the liquor, and so boil them again to a Poultesse, and make plasters thereof, and apply it to the swellings, but before you lay on the plaster, strew upon them the powder of Egg shells, and thus renewing the plasters every day once, you shall either ripen or break them, or they will drive the swellings back again without further trouble, but if the swellings do break, then heal them with your green ointment so often shown you, but then to drive away the malignancy of the infection from the heart, and to send it forth, first let him blood in the neck and weeping veins, and then give him of Diapent two sponfuls, with white Wine one pint, and of London Treacle one ounce, and this will recover him. And for your other Horses which you may have just cause to suspect to be infected, to prevent their danger, give him this preparative. Preparative Take two Walnuts, the kernels only, and (the older the Nuts be, the better:) take also two Figs, and twenty leaves of Rue, stamp them all well together, and let every Horse have his proportion three or four mornings together fasting, being made up and given in pills, and let them fast three hours after, and this will both preserve and free them. These things I have often used, and found them to be special good. § 5. P. Hippoph. What good purging pills have you? Hippos. I have already shown you many in lib. 2. cap. § But yet I will give you one or two more. Take fresh Butter one pound, Aloes and Fenugrick, of each one ounce, life Honey, and white refined Sugar powdered, of each four ounces, Agarick half an ounce, make all these into fine powder, and being well incorporated with the Butter and Honey, make pills thereof and give them to your Horse, and if he be a small or weak Horse, than you must give him but two parts of three, but if your horse have a strong cold, and a cough withal, then Take of fresh Butter, and of Melrosarum, of each four ounces, of Aloes and Seine, of each one ounce, Rhubarb and Bay berries, of each three ounces, Colloquintida and Saffaron, of each two drams, cordial powder one ounce, Duck or Dutch powder four ounces, make all these into fine powder, and mix them well with Mithridate two ounces, and with your Butter and Mel Rosarum, beat and pound them well together, and so make them into pills, and give them your Horse; this receipt will purge him very well, albeit it may heat him for some time; and as touching the ordering him in his diet, or otherwise, let all things be done as in other physical cures of the like nature: if it be a small horse, then give unto him two parts in three, and proportion the pills according to the strength, greatness, and corpulency of your horse. ✚ This is very good. § 6. P. Hippoph. What is good to cure the pains in the Heels of a Horse? Hippos. This is a noisome Sorance, coming to a Horse, either by ill humours, and corrupt blood, by means of Surfeits, proceeding from great heats, by intemperate ridings, as I have sufficiently declared, before or else through the negligence of his Groom, or Keeper, for want of good rubbing, cleansing and picking, this doth grow between the Fetlock-joint, and the heel, in the very Pastern, which will cause the place to swell, and to have chaps, from whence will issue a thin and stinking water, and those horses which have shaggy, and long hair upon their Fetlocks, are most subject to this Malady; the signs be easily known, by reason that the chaps may be soon felt, for they will cause the Legs of the horse to swell, and much filthy matter will come from the place grieved, being of that hot nature, as that it will scald the very hair from about the sorance, and this will cause the horse to go very stiff, and lame, at first setting forth: The cure is. Take of the Lees of red Wine one pint, of Wheat-branne one handful of Houseleek one head, of common Honey, two spoonfuls, of the dust of Tanner's bark, Allome, and tried Hogs-grease, of each one pound, & of Verveine half a handful, bray all these well in a Mortar, and add unto them of the lean of of Martlemas or dried Beef, burned, and made unto fine powder, half a pound, and so work them to a kind of salve, and apply it unto the Sorance, so hot as the horse can suffer it: But before you do apply this medicine, you must draw the skin with a hot iron, a little above the houghes, or knees, or else take up the veins (which I altogether use to do) then take of Tar, and of sweet Butter, and of Honey, of each two spoonfuls, and warm them upon the fire, and either anoint the places seared, or else the vein, so taken up with this Unguent, once every day, till his Ointment be all spent, and by that time, your horse will be perfectly cured, especially if you continue this former Emplaster daily to the sorance, having first clipped, and shaved away the hair; from about the place grieved, ✚, With this I have cured many horse. Another. Take of Turpentine, Hogs-grease, and Honey, of each like much, Paston. so much as will suffice, a little Bole-armoniack in fine powder, and yolks of two Eggs: with so much Wheat-flower, as will thicken all the other ingredients: incorporate all these well together, and so bring it to a salve, and Plasterwise apply it to the Sorance, and so bind it up, renewing it every day, and let him not come out of the Stable, or come into any wet, and he will be soon cured. ✚. This is also very good. Another. Take of tried Hogs-grease one pound, Verdegrease one pennyworth, of strong Mustard two ounces, nerval four ounces, of oil de Bay, of Honey and Wax, of each half a pound, Arsenic one ounce, Red-lead two ounces, and of white-Wine-Vinegar half a pint, powder your Verdegrease, and then boil all together, and the hair first clipped away, which must always be done in any of these Cures) apply this Medicine hot to the place, and renew it daily, and it will not only cure the pains, but all manner of scratches, scabbed, and kibed Heels; to wash also the Sorance, with Vinegar and Gunpowder is very good to help the pains, and scratches. ✚. This I have often used. §. 7. P. Hippoph. Do you not use to purge a Horse that is Pursive & Short wound? Hippos. Yea Sir, and I do it after this manner. Pursivenes a pill. Take of the fat of a Boar three pound, mince it very small, and lay it in fair Water four and twenty hours, to the end the salt (if any be in it) may soak out of it, then: Take of Agarick, Pulverised two ounces, of Coloquintida in powder half an ounce, mell rosarum six ounces, in corporrate all these well together, and work it to a paste; which you must make into Pills, the bigness of an ordinary tennis Ball, one of which you most give him at a time rolled up within the powder of Lycoris, but the night before you do administer it, you must give him no Oats at all, but a little Hay and wheat-Branne prepared only, than the next morning about six or seven of the clock, give him one of these Pills, and then cover him up warm; and ride or walk him two hours' space; then bring him in, and let him stand upon the Trench two hours more, then unbridle him, and give him a little Hay sprinkled with water, and eight or nine hours after the taking of his Pill (which will be about three of the clock, give him white Water to drink, and let him eat of the Bran, then at night when you are to go to bed, put a muzell upon his mouth, und let him remain so all night fasting, and let him be warm covered, and the next morning unmusell him, and give him Hay sprinkled with water to eat, and continue to let his drink be white Water, only, the third day give him another of these Pills, after which you may begin to give him Oats, but a little at once; but then the days he do not take his Pills, you must remember ever more an hour after you give him his white Water, to give him of Agarick, and of Rhubarb in powder, of each one ounce, which he must take in fresh or sweet Butter made up like to a Pill: This Purgation may be given to any Horse, but especially to that Horse you shall fear is in danger, to become either pursive of Glandery, and if perhaps the Malady to have been longer upon him, give him then of Antimony thirty grains, drams more or less, according to the strength and age of the horse, and also according to the nature and quality of the disease; and if after the application of this medicine your horse will not feed (as it may be very probably) you may cherish him with milk mingled with the yolks of Eggs and Sugar, well beaten and brewed together. ✚ This I applied to a horse of more than twelve years old, who in seven days eat not one bit of any thing but only the said Milk, Eggs, and Sugar, and yet in fourteen days after, I cured him, and made him perfectly healthy and sound. §. 8. P. Hippoph. What remedy have you for a horse that pisseth blood? Hippos. This disease comes sometimes being troubled with the stone, like as we have it often times among men; sometimes it comes to a horse, that being very fat, is put to more than his strength is well able to perform, like as I once saw a very proper Gelding (a young Gentleman being upon his back in hunting) who coming to a great leap, and the horse being ridden off from his wind, his Rider inconsiderately forcing him to take that leap, which the Gelding with much difficulty took, but withal fell, and was not able to arise but with the help of men, and coming home the same night he pissed blood, whereof he died four days after, maugre the endeavours of three very able Ferriers, and being opened, they found two veins broken near to the kidneys, and much black blood found in the place. This malady may also come by bearing too great a weight, as also when a horse is too hard ridden, he will piss water like to blood: your eye showeth you the disease, and therefore it needs no further remonstrance. The cure is: Take of Ambrosio, Sanguinario, alias Bloud-wort, and Bursa Pastoris, Pissing of blood. of each three ounces, stamp them well, and boil them in fair water very well, and so give the liquor thereof being strained, to the horse blood warm. ✚ Give him this five mornings together, and it will help him. Another: Take Barley, and boil it in the juice of Gumfolly, and give him the Barley to eat, and the liquor to drink, and this will cure him. ✚ This is also very good. Another: First cleanse his yard from all filth, and his sheath also with broken Beer and Butter, then let him blood in the neck and mouth, then take the juice of Leeks or green Onions, to wit, the water wherein they have been steeped twelve or sixteen hours at the least, the vessel wherein they be steeped being kept close stopped. Take of this liquor, and of white Wine, of each one pint, and stir and jumble them together till they become slimy, then give it him to drink, and do this six or seven mornings together, and it will stay his flux of blood, and bring his urine to its natural and ordinary colour. ✚ This is a very good medicine, and I have often tried it. Another no whit inferior to the former. Take Beane flower finely sifted, and add unto it the Suet of a Stag as much as will suffice, and give it him three mornings together warm, with a horn, with a sufficient quantity of red Wine, and during that time, let his drink be either sweet Mashes, or white water, made with Beane meal. ✚ This is an approved good receipt. §. 9 P. Hippoph. What good receipt have you for a horse that hath taken a surfeit by Provender? Hippos. This comes commonly to such horses as are insatiable feeders, and therefore it is requisite that they be dieted, especially if they have too much rest, and too little exercise; for such horses if they can either break, or steal to a Bing of Provender, and drink presently after, will undoubtedly surfeit upon them, for drinking after Oats, Pease, or Beans, doth cause the Provender to swell in their belly and stomach, and so clog the stomach, as that crudities will arise, and so cause him to be very sick, yea and perhaps to no little danger, that you shall see him to stand with his four legs asunder, the one fare from the other, and he will scow●e and cast forth of his fundament, corn which will go forth as whole and entire, as he did greedily swallow them without chewing, or grinding them. The cure is, first open a vein in the neck to keep the blood from inflaming, then draw his yard, and wash it with broken Beer, and Butter, then anoint it with soft grease, and put into the pipe of his yard a small piece of a clove of Garlic, whereby to provoke him to stolen, then rack him, and give him the Clyster prescribed in lib. 2. cap. 6. Sect. 8. Clyster 8. C. and it is called a Clyster lenative, then keep him warm, and to a spare diet, for four or five days after, and let his drink be white water during that time. ✚ with this receipt I have cured many a horse, but one horse amongst the rest of very great price, who otherwise had infallibly died. § 10. P. Hippoph. HOw do you cure the Poll-evill? Hippos. This malady we do term the Poll-evill, because it breedeth in the top of the Poll behind the ears of the horse, but let it assume what name it shall, yet it is none other thing then a Fistula in grain, that is a formal Fistula which doth begin like all other Fistulas with a great inflammation and imposthume in the nape of the neck: sometimes it comes by means of his unruly striving, the halter being new, and therefore hard, which doth so pinch and gall him, that the harm thereof by reason that the flesh is bruised, doth fester and inflame, and from thence is engendered this most loathsome sorance, and sometimes it comes again of bilious and evil humours, which do make their approach to that place: sometimes it comes again by the means of a stroke or blow given by some cudgel by his Keeper or Rider, betwixt his ears, whereby it festereth inwardly, and inflaming breedeth an impostumation, so as if it be not in time taken, it will grow to a very foul Fistula, not easy to be cured; for the poll of the horse is so tender a member, as to be soon offended, and therefore easily damnified; I need not to deliver you the signs, for the swelling will be so apparent, as that it cannot be mistaken, albeit it will putrify much more inwardly then outwardly; and therefore you ought to apply your diligence to open it, before it do break of itself. The cure is, First to lay unto the place swollen, such things as will ripen it, Poll-evill. and to prepare it ready to be opened: and as touching the ripening thereof, Take the loam of a mud wall which had never any Lime in it, but much Straw or Litter; and the elder this Loame or mud wall is, the better; boil so much as you shall please thereof in the strongest white Wine Vinegar, and let it boil till it come to be a very Poultesse, then being very hot, lay it to the swelling, renewing it morning and evening till it be ripe enough to be opened, then open it with a red hot iron made sharp at the end, and let the iron be the bigness of a nail rod, but you must begin below, thrusting your instruments upwards, clean through, that it may come forth in the softest place, and when it is thus opened, so as the corruption may issue forth at ease; anoint the orifices with tried Hog's grease two or three days together, to get out the fire, but howsoever fail not to dress it twice every day with the said Poultesse, taints being dipped in the Poultesse, and put down to the bottom, as well to carnifie and heal the Fistula at the bottom, as to keep open the orifices, and this Poultesse will cure him. ✚ But withal you must remember to make him a hood or nightcap to keep warm the nape of his neck, and to keep in the taints also: this also cureth the Botch in the groin, hurts in the withers, navell-galles, galled-back, or Sit-fasts, etc. Another: First ripen it as before, or else with tried Hog's grease scalding hot, making him a Biggin wherewith to keep his poll very warm, and renew this Emplaster every day, and it will ripen it the sooner; then when you find it to be softest, and most likely to break, open it with a hot iron two inches beneath the soft place, carrying your hand upward into the soft and most matterative place, to draw forth the corruption downwards, then taint it with Flax or Hurds dipped into molten Hogs grease, and lay also a plaster of Hog's grease upon it, renewing it for four or five days once every day, to get forth the fire: after this, take of Turpentine of Venice, half a pound thrice washed, and dried from the water, the yolks of two Eggs, and of Saffaron one penny worth in powder; incorporate all these together very well, then with a probat search the depth of the sorance, and taint it with a sponge full as big as the hole of the wound, and as long, and convey the taint down to the very bottom, well anointed with the said medicine: but this must be done with the help of your instrument, and then cover it with a plaster of Hog's grease, renewing it twice a day, but when the swelling is alaid, then use no plaster, and in short time it will be perfectly whole and sound. X This is a very good cure. Another: First ripen and open it as before is taught you, and apply Hog's grease to fetch forth the fire, then heal it thus. Take Roman Vitreall, Alum and Rose water, of each two ounces, boil all these together on a quick fire till they do come to be as hard as a stone, and then beat it into a very fine powder, and when you are to dress the sore, first dip a taint into Vnguentum Egiptiacum, and so roll it in the said powder, and convey the taint with the help of your instrument, to the very bottom, and it will in short time make it perfectly whole and sound. ✚ This powder being strewed upon any old sore or ulcer, will both heat and dry it up. Another: Powder for old sores. Take of Quicksilver one ounce, let it be well mortified with fasting spittle, and mix with it tried Hogs grease the quantity of a Hen's Egg, and Brimstone pulverised; incorporate these very well together, and anoint the swelling very well with this unguent; having thus done, take presently of red Tar one penny worth, of the reddest and best, of Hog's grease half a pound, and of green Copperas and bay Salt of each one handful, both made into fine powder; boil all these on the fire exceeding well, and then boiling hot (even as it comes from the fire) with a clout fastened upon the end of a stick; apply this medicine upon the place (being so lately anointed with the Quicksilver, Hog's grease, and Brimstone) and thus by scalding it three or four mornings together, you shall after those mornings but only warm the Tar medicine upon the fire, so that it be but melted, and apply it, and it will be cured; for this scalding of the place doth so kill the malice of the Fistula, that it can never break to annoy the Horse any further. ✚ And thus with this medicine I have not only cured many poll-evils, but sundry other Fistulas; it cureth all impostumations and foul Ulcers, being thus applied. § 11. P. Hippoph. What is good in case of pursiveness or shortness of Breath? Hippos. This disease cometh by two means: the first natural, the second accidental; natural, as when a horse is (as we do usually say) cock-thropled, for that his throppell or windpipe being too long, and so becomes crooked as his wind is thereby so straightened or stopped, as that he is not able to draw it in and put it forth with that ease and pleasure that other horses do that are lose thropled, for that the windpipe is (I say) straightened, which doth convey his breath into his lungs, and vent it forth again. In like manner, a horse becometh pursive and shortwinded, when the pipe is too much filled, with fat or other phlegmatic stuff, whereby he is very much suffocated, which causeth his lungs to labour the more, and therefore if you shall be pleased to follow my counsel, never breed with that horse that is cock-thropled. This disease cometh secondly by accident, when a horse shall be too hard strained upon his water, like as many of your ignorant joctries' use to do, when morning and evening they do make them watering courses (as they are frequently so termed) so also this infirmity cometh by riding, galloping, or straining a horse upon a full stomach, before he hath either digested his meat, or emptied himself; for by this means phlegmatic humours do distil out of the head into the windpipe, and so fall upon the lungs, where they do rest, and there congeal, hindering the drawing of his breath: it comes also by Colds, Glanders, and the like; the signs are so apparent, as that they need no description, only this inconvenience (besides many more) it bringeth with it, as to be heavy, sad, and dull in travel, be marvellous subject to sweats, and be ready to fall down if he be but a little strained. A right skilful Ferrier not long since told me of a strange cure in this kind, which a Gentleman's Groom relatd to him of a Gelding which the Groom had in his said keeping, who was so pursive (or as we plainly say) broken-winded, as that he became almost unuseful, and his cure was after this manner; he suffered his Gelding to eat what he would, as well his fill (viz.) of good Hay, as of Provender, but debarred him of all drink for the space of two or three days together, then leaping his back, he road him upon a foot pace to the water, at which time he suffered him to drink his fill, then coming forth of the water, he clapped spurs suddenly to him, and ran him with a lose hand upon the top of his speed so long, until for want of breath he fell with him, and for some time lay as if he were dead, but recovering breath, he arose, and being well recovered of his wind, he road him into the water the second time, where he also drank, and being come out of the water, he did as before, and so being again ridden from off his wind, he fell like as at first, having thus the second time recovered breath, he gave him water the third time, and then road him as formerly, but now this third time being fallen, when he began to get breath again he coughed most vehemently, at what time through the violence of his coughing, the Gelding cast forth of his mouth, and that out of his wind pipe a hard lump of congealed Phlegmatic stuff of a good bigness, which by this means brought up, the Gelding was ever after freed from the malady, and made sound, and from that hour, had the use of his wind, as ably, and as well as ever before, and this was the story which one of the ablest Ferriers I do know in England delivered unto me (as he affirmed, and I do believe him, for that I do know him to be a right honest man) from the mouth of the Groom, who with many vehement asseverations affirmed the thing to be most true, nevertheless albeit I do Mathematically believe that the Groom delivered this history to the Ferrier, I must say with the French man je croy en Dieu: But leaving this famous Groom to his rare cure, let us proceed to cures that are more probable, and now of such cures as I have met with for this disease. You shall participate. Take of new Milk one pint, and of Salad oil half a pint, give him this blood warm, which done, put down his throat two new laid Eggs, Pu●sivenes or shortness of breath. do thus three or four mornings together, and then you shall perceive amendment, but for his Hay, let it be spinkled with water, and his Oats well wet in good Ale or Beer, and let his drink be altogether white water. ✚. This is very good Another. Keep your horse three or four days to a spare Diet, before you do administer to him; then give him this drink: Take Fenugreecke three ounces, of Bay-berries one ounce and a half, of the inner rind of Elder half a pound, the whites of six new laid Eggs, of browne-Sugar-Candy, water-Cressets, Primrose leaves, if they may be had, red Mints, red Fennell, white or Hawethorne leaves, of each one pound, bray all these together in a Mortar, (the Spices before beaten by themselves) and when they be well powdered, put to the Ingredients Ale one quart, and so boil it, and after strain it, and so give the liquor thereof to your Horse to drink blood warm, and set him upon the Trench, and let him fast six hours after, then give him meat, and an hour after that, give him a warm Mash, or white Water, and let him be kept to a strict Diet, and let his drink be Mashes or white Water, nine days together after, and his Hay sprinkled with Water, and his Provender wet in Ale or Beer; and thus you may cure him, ✚. With this medicine I have done very great cures. Another. Take the guts of a Hedgehog, and hang them in an Oven till they be dry, then make them into powder, then take three or four spoonfuls of the powder, and put it into sweet Wine, Ale, or Beer, and so give it him to drink, and the residue of the powder mix with the powder of Anniseeds and Lycoris, and with sweet Butter make it into Pills, and give him two or three of the Pills presently after his drench, and keep him fasting three or four hours after, than you may give him Hay first sprinkled with water, and after Provender or Bread wet or moistened in good Ale or Beer, putting also thereunto of this powder, and if you have not enough of this powder to serve, then; Take of Coming, Lycoris, Centaury, and Anniseedes, of each like much, make these into fine powder, and give him thereof two spoonfuls with his provender, and put also into his Mashes and bread of the powder of Fennell-seede, mixed with the powder of brimstone; this is very good for this malady, for I have seen a horse for a month together, to eat no other Provender but what hath been mixed with this powder, and also his Mashes and white water, so made and compounded, and I have also brought him to drink new Milk mingled with the powder of Brimstone, by means whereof he hath been the sooner recovered, and made perfectly sound: X. and this is very good. Another. First let him blood, then take of sweet Wine one pint, and of the juice of horehound half a pound, of the Oil of Frankincense half an ounce, of the powder of Aniseed, Lycoris, and browne-Sugar-Candy of each half an ounce, let all these be made into fine powder, incorporated well together, and give it him once or twice in the week, for a while, and ride him not at all that day you drench him, but keep him warm clothed, and well littered, and let him stand upon the Trench four hours after fasting, then give him meat, and three hours after a sweet Mash: Putting thereinto of the powder of Lycoris, and Anniseeds, of this I never made trial, but it hath been highly commended unto me for right good. Another. Take of Barley, two gallons, steep it in water two days, and shift the water every day, then take it clean from the water wherein it was last steeped, and boil it in three gallons of fair clear water till it burst, putting thereto of Anniseeds, and Lycoris, and of Raisins of the Sun stoned of each one pound; and so let it boil one hour, then take it from the fire, & strain it very dry, and put unto the liquor of honey one pint, and of Sugar-Candy in powder six ounces, than put the liquor into a clean earthen Pot, or bottle keeping it close stopped, and thereof give your horse blood warm, four mornings together, the quantity of an Ale pint at a time, and let him eat the Barley if he will, howsoever put it not away; but heat some of it every day: and being hot, put it into a bag, and therewith perfume his head. ✚. This is very good, for I have often used it. Another. First you must keep him to a very space Diet and enure him, five or six days to eat his Oats steeped in Chamber-lye, and after that. Take of Bayberries, Fennell, Cummin, Smallege, Fenugreak, Fearne-roots dried, and Lycoris four ounces in the whole, or, of each half an ounce, according to the bigness, age, strength, or Corpulency of the Horse, make all these into powder, then take one part of the powder, and put unto it of fresh or sweet Butter half a pound, and of new Milk half a pint, and so give it your horse blood warm: the next day do the like with the other half of the powder, and the third day let him not forth of the Stable, & give it him so long as he shall be in Physic, for his drink let it be white water made of Barley meal, but not with Wheat bran, and let him stand upon the Trench, at least two hours before his drench, and two hours after, then after that give him that which followeth. Take of fresh Butter half a pound of good Agarick, nightshade, and Cassia, of each one ounce, make all these into Pills (being first powdered, seared, and well mixed,) and administer them to your Horse, then give him of white Wine half a pint, whereby the better to cause him to swallow Pills, the fift day let him rest, and keep him always warm covered, and well littered, and if you do percive him to be lose in his body, and that he hath purged well, let him rest three or four days quiet, without doing any thing unto him, but if he hath not purged after one day's rest only, then give him this drink. Take Mithridate, Diacartami, Senae of each two ounces, and of good white Wine one pint, mix and brew all these together, and so give it him to drink, and let him rest three days, giving him every one of these three days about noon of fresh Butter only, half a pound, made into the manner of Pills, these three days being ended, you must administer unto him as followeth, and continue it weekly till he be perfectly cured. Take of Agarick, Aloes, and of Diacartami of each one ounce, of Saffaron, Myrrh half an ounce, make all these into fine powder, and so make them into Pills with fresh Butter four ounces, and give it to your Horse, and then presently after give him of white Wine one pint, to wash down the Pills. ✚. This is a most excellent cure, and by me often practised. Another. Take of white Wine one pint, of salad-oil three quarts, of Aloes, & Lycoris, of each one ounce, of Coloquintida, of Agarick, & Myrrh, of each half an ounce, of Aristolochiarotunda three drams, of Nightshade one ounce, of Bay-berries three dams, make all these into fine powder, then take of Venice Turpentine two drams, of mell rosarum three ounces, mix all these together, and make it blood warm, and so give it your Horse to drink with a horn, but give him no Oats in fifeteene days, and let his drink be white water, it will not be good to give him much Hay, but Wheat flower, which should not be much beaten or threshed, and instead of his Oats give him Wheat bran, or Barley meal, and keep him warm six days after let him blood, in the Neck. ✚. Let him have this drink twice to wit, after the first drink let him rest one day, and then drench him again, as you did before. Another. First give him this purgation. Take of fresh Butter half a pound, of Seine, and of Agarick, of each half an ounce, made into fine powder, of Aloes, and of loaf Sugar, both powdered of each one ounce, of Cordial powder half an ounce, make all these into fine powder; then Take common-hony four ounces, mix and beat all these together, and so make them into Pills, and give them to your Horse, but before you do, administer these Pills, he must stand upon the Trench two hours, and so likewise two hours after; that day give him no Oats, and let his drink be white water, and for your other directions you may give him his allowance of Oats all the other days, but you must then wet them either in strong Ale or good Beer, and you may travel or give him exercise, but with moderation all those other days, and three times every day you shall give him three or four handfuls of Wheat bran prepared, as before is showed you in lib. 2. Chap. 9 §. 4. F. and thus continue him to this diet at your pleasure. ✚. I have made trial of this cure, and I do know it to be right good, for in a month or six weeks I have brought a Gaunt and Pursive Horse to have a belly as round, fresh, & as clear, as that of a sucking Colt, nor is this cure very chargeable or costly; you must give him Wheat straw instead of Hay, only in the night you may give him Hay, provided it be sprinkled with water. §. 12. P. Hippoph. What cure have you for a Horse that is Pricked? Hippos. This Sorance hath many names; It is called Accloyed, Cloyd, Retreat, Pricked, etc. All which names, we for the most part do fetch from the French, and all is but only plain Pricked, which occurreth to the horse either through the unskilfulness or negligence of the Ferrier, in the driving of his Nails, or in the weakness of the Nails of their evil pointing, or if a Nail should fortune to break in the quick, and not be immediately drawn f●rth, it will in short time fester in the flesh, and soon after impostunate, and so in time beget a fowl Sore, which may ask much Art to Cure. The signs be, that he will complain when he treadeth upon stony or hard ground specially, which so soon as you perceive, you have then just cause to suspect him to be Pricked if he were lately shod, wherefore the better to make trial, your way must be to search the foot whereof he complaineth, and you shall no sooner put your Pinsors, to the place, but that he will presently shrink in his foot by reason that the nipping of the pinson's doth pain him in the quick, or if you do but cast water upon the foot whereon he halteth, in short time you shall perceive the hoof to be sooner dry against the nail or place which grieveth him, before any other part of the hoof. Again, if you shall with your hammer knock upon the top of the clenches, when you do come to that nail which grieveth him, he will lift up his foot; so likewise there be many other such like signs, whereby to discover the place pricked, Pricked. which be familiar to every common Smith, and therefore I shall not need to speak any more thereof. But let us now pass to the Cure. First therefore after you have made trial with your pinson's, or otherwise, as before is inculcated; pluck off the shoe, and either with your drawing iron, or your Butter, search the place to the very bottom, and if you can see or feel any stub of any nail therein, leave not till you have got it away; and if the place be festered or matterative, wipe or wash the wound very well, so as you may leave no part thereof behind; then take of the tender tops of red Nettles, a little handful, and stamp them in a mortar, of badger's grease two ounces, of red Wine Vinegar, and of black Soap, of each two spoonfuls, or for want of badger's grease, take the like quantity of the fat of Bacon, which is salt: Beat all these together in a mortar to an Unguent, and stop the wound well therewith, and after cover it with Hurds, and so tack on the shoe again, and do not remove it in two days, and when you dress it the second time with the said Unguent, you may shoe him up, but drive no nail at that place, and so you may travel him, for he will be whole and sound. ✚ This is an excellent Cure, and I have often used the same. Another: Open the sorance well as before is showed you, and wash it clean with Vinegar and Salt, and then lay unto it the tender tops of Elder buds beaten to a very Unguent, if it be in Summer that those buds or leaves may be had, if not, then in Winter, take inward rind of Elder so pounded and brayed, and upon that, melt into the wound hard Tallow with a hot iron, and then lay upon it to keep it close stopped, some Hurds, and so tack on the shoe, and in few times dressing, he will be whole. ✚ With these two receipts I have done many (whereof some have been very great) Cures. Another. First open the place, cleanse the sore well as before; then take red Nettles, and Bay Salt, of each like much: beat them unto a salve, then fill up the hole of the wound therewith; that done, lay upon it bolster-wise Hurds, and melt upon the Hurds hard Tallow to keep wet, dirt, and gravel from it, which would annoy the sorance; then tack on the shoe, causing the foot to be well pared, and drive no nail near the place, and after twice or thrice dressing, you may ride him, for then the more exercise he hath, the sooner will he be whole. ✚ This is special good. Another: Take off the shoe, and cause him to be well pared and searched as before, then take of Turpentine, brown Sugar Candy powdered, and white Ginger in powder also, of each the quantity of a Garden-Beane, then melt them all together in an iron spoon, and so pour it into the wound hot, and lay Hurds upon it, and after do as you are directed in the former Cures. ✚ This also is very good. Another: Search the place as before is showed, then take Roch-Allum, and burn it, and make it into fine powder, and so fill the hole therewith, and lay a bolster of Hurds upon it, and after do as before you are taught. ✚ And this is very good. Another: Search the place as before is showed, then take of Goat's grease, or for want thereof, Deers-suet, or Sheeps-suet, of Turpentine, Salad oil, and new wax, of each two ounces, melt them all together, and whilst it is upon the fire, add thereunto of ordinary Honey, three ounces, and of Sanguis Draconis one dram made into fine powder, incorporate all these together upon a gentle fire, and bring it to an ointment, and of this you must pour a sufficient quantity into the wound warm, then put on Hurds, and do as before is prescribed you, and let the foot be very well stopped, and let him come in no wet if you can prevent the same, neither let any nail be driven near the grieved place. ✚ This is one of the best Receipts of this kind. Another: Search the place as before, and cleanse it with Salt and Vinegar. Then take Salt, and make it into fine powder, then take four times so much Turpentine, and boil them together, and so pour it hot into the wound, and then put upon it the powder of Brimstone dissolved in white Wine, and lay upon it Hurds, and then do as before is declared. ✚ Very good. Another most singular receipt which the French do call a Retoire. First search and wash as before. Then Take of oil de Bay four ounces, of Orpin, of Cantharideses, and of Euforbium, of each two ounces, make them all into fine powder, and set it upon a gentle fire, stirring it, till you have brought it to an Unguent, with which dress him as before is taught you. § 13. P. Hippoph. What hold you good wherewith to perfume a Horse? Hippos. Perfumes are very necessary to be applied to horses in some cases, viz. in Colds, Glanders, Rheums, Murs, Pozes, Catarrhs, etc. for the better expiation of which maladies, Perfumes are admirable helps, for sometimes they break a cold, sometimes they dissipate congealed humours, which do annoy the head, brain, and stomach of the horse, sometimes they expel and cause the horse to vent, and to send away at his nose and mouth, much filth and corruption, which doth stop, clog, and pester his head and body, and sometimes they do ficcicate and dry up many bad humours, which are engendered in the head and brain, and so likewise many virtues Perfumes have whereof very many of our Ferriers here in England are most ignorant: for did they truly know the nature of Perfumes, and how rightly to apply them in their proper places, they might easily do cures for which they should be not a little admired. The ingredients and simples wherewith we usually perfume sick horses, are many, as Frankincense, Storax, Benjamin, Brimstone, Olibanum, etc. sometimes Herbs, Roots, Grain or Corn, and such like things, which are very much behooveful for the cures of such diseases, for which they are frequently administered, as you shall find in many of my Cures set you down at large: yet I will for example sake set you down two or three for your better satisfaction. Perfume. 1 Take the best Olibanum, Storax, Benjamin, and Frankincense, of each one ounce, bruise all these, and mix them well together, but not too small, and when you are to perfume your Horse, take all these, so well mixed, and putting thereof upon a Chafing-dish and coals, cover the coals with a tunnel, and so apply the small end to one nostril at once, and after to the other, to the end he may receive the smoke or fume up into his head, and let him be thus perfumed a quarter of an hour together. ✚ Another: Perfume. 2 Take Brimstone made into fine powder, and mix with it fresh Butter and Salad oil as much as will suffice, let him not take this with fire, like as he did the former, but let it be conveyed into his nose with a linen clout rolled up in the fashion of a great Taint, and this will bring forth much bad matter. ✚ Another: Perfume. 3 Take Pennyroyal, Sage, and Wheat, of each as much as will suffice, and boil them in fair water till the Wheat do burst, put the Wheat and Herbs being first drained from the water so hot as it cometh from the fire, and so fasten the bag unto the head of the horse, whereby he may receive the fume up into his head. And thus you may perfume him at pleasure, and as you shall see cause. ✚ The residue of perfumes, and the manner how to apply them, you shall find among my Cures, and therefore it will be superfluous for me to entreat any further of them. §. 14. P. Hippoph. What is the best manner of administering Purgations to a Horse? Hippos. As touching Purgations, I have spoken before very largely, as well for inward purging, as for outward, and therefore what I shall say more, is in effect but one and the same thing: nevertheless for your further satisfaction, I will briefly deliver unto you, what can be said of Purgations. Five ways we have whereby to purge a horse, viz. by Pills, Potions, Clysters, Suppositories, and Grass. Pills for the most part do purge and cleanse the head and brain, by drawing the peccant humours down into the body, and so sending them forth with the excrements. Potions do free the stomach, belly and guts, from such naughty humours which Glanders, Colds, and Surfeits have engendered in the body. Clysters are of sundry, and those of different natures, some to ease and appease griefs, some to allay the biliousnesse and sharpness of evil humours, some to bind, and some to loosen, and some to heal as in case of Ulcers and old Sores within the body principally, and those do also cleanse the guts, refresh the inward parts and spirits vital, and prepare the body before hand for the receiving of purging pills or potions. Suppositories help the diseases in the guts, being of nature and condition more gentle than Clysters are, and may be applied when Clysters cannot. It therefore remaineth that the skill of the Ferrier be such, as to be able judiciously to understand the several natures of every of these things, to know how to make choice of his ingredients and simples aptly, to understand how to compound them punctually and artificially, to discern rightly before he do administer what be the humours and maladies wherewith the creature is annoyed and visited, as whether (V. G.) it be Choler, Melancholy, Phlegm, or Rheum, as also in what part of the body the humour offensive, is most predominant, and what simples will purge or remove those evil humours, for it is requisite he be able to know right well, and ad unguem, the nature and property of every one of them in particular, by reason that some are much more asperous and violent than others be, yea many simples are strong poisons if they be not well prepared and corrected, and yet their qualities well weighed and compounded by true Art, and great good judgement, will work wonderful effects. Those simples which be strong, are Colloquintida, Scamony, Hellebore, etc. the more gentle are Manna, Cassia, Whey, Prunes, etc. But those that be of the mean, or indifferent working, are Rhubarb, Agarick, Aloes, Seine, etc. and this I am bold to intimate unto you, to the end you may the better understand their natures, virtues, and qualities, and come to know the more securely how to work when occasion shall be offered. The fift and last way of purging is by grass, especially if the horse be surfeited, and hath been overtoyled the Winter before, for this must be done in the Summer time, when grass is in its best heart; but that grass which will scour and purge most, is a new mown meadow, for that will rake his guts very well, nor will he in such a place gather flesh; I do therefore counsel you not to suffer him to remain in such grounds above fourteen or fifteen days, and then take him forth, and put him into some other pasture, where the grass hath not been touched with the , for than he will belly well, and in short time recover much flesh, and become fat and lusty. This manner of scouring will cause him to empty himself well, to purge, and send away all his bad humours and surfeits, ease his limbs marvellously well, do his legs and feet very much good, refine his corrupt blood, and make him agile and full of spirit. To mow green Rye before it be eared, is also most wholesome, for it scoureth, cleanseth, and cooleth the body very much; so doth the leaves of Sallowes, and of the Elm: but as touching the administering of scourings and Purgations in the Stable, you must understand that some skilful Ferriers who have been far traveled in this Mystery, have very diligently and studiously set you down many very good rudiments and instructions, wherewith to work with all security, whose observations I do advise you punctually to observe: as first the seasons of the year are to be pondered: (V. G.) in winter, if his body be to be purged, it must be first prepared by Phlebothomy or Blood-letting, together with artificial diet, therefore you shall administer either Suppository, Clyster, Potion, or Pill, etc. You must keep him a day or two from hay, straw, or such like hard-meats of digestion, for that those things will be a great impediment to the working of physic or medicine, and he must also be kept for a time from meat, because emptiness is a great help to physical operation, otherwise it may happen (as it doth oftentimes) that more danger than good may accrue to the Horse. Wherefore two or three days before you do intent to purge him, let his meat be either Wheat or Rye-bran prepared, like as before is taught you, and give him also either good bread made of purpose with Beanes, Pease, and some Rye in it, or else Oats well sifted which must be dry and sweet, and let his drink be white water only, and that morning you intent to give him a purge, let him befasting from either meat or drink, but about six or seven a clock in the morning, give him this or some other purge, which I have already taught you, or shall hereafter, which must be correspondent unto the malady, for which you are to purge him, for one Purgation will not sort to every infirmity, but this purge is most profitable for the causes which I shall presently deliver unto you: And this it is, viz. Purgation 1 Take of white Wine one pint, or of strong new Ale one quart, so much of the powder of Mechoacan of the best, and choicest as you may take up upon a shilling at four times, give him this drink warm with a horn, then Troth him but a matter of a Mile gently upon good ground, and so set him up warm, and let him stand upon the Trench till one of the clock, then give him a warm Mash. This will purge and fetch away his filth and slime, and carry away his peccant humours, which Surfeits have engended; half an hour after he hath had his Mash, give him Bread or else a few Oats mingled with wheat bran, and that little and oft for fear of cloying his stomach, and at night give him white water, and so give him bread and hay sprinkled with water for all night. ✚. This is an excellent Purge. Another. Purgation 2 If it be in the spring prepare him as before, then for three or four days together give him, green Rye so much as he will eat, and after feed him with Bread, or else Oats and Bran, like as you are told before, but instead of Hay, continue him those nights with green Rye, by reason his teeth will be on edge. ✚. This cooleth his body, and cleareth it from all Phlegmatic and Rhumatique humours: as for his blood-letting, let that be according as your judgement shall dictate unto you, and you may use this so long as you may see cause ✚. If you do perceive your Horse to be sick, Surfeited, full of colds, or otherwise ill disposed, whether in Summer or in Winter, after you have opened a Vein, give him this Purge. Take of Aloes, Siccatrina, made into fine powder two ounces, Purgation 3 and make it up into pills with fresh or sweet Butter, and give it to your Horse over night, he having been kept fasting the whole day before, and prepared also with the Diet before prescribed; and after he hath taken those pills, give him either a sweet Mash, or white water the next morning early, for that will cause his pills to work the more kindly, that day, and so let him fast till night, during which time he will purge freely; then at night (he having stood upon the Trench all day,) give him white water, and after Oats and Bran, and then give him Hay sprinkled with water for all night, nevertheless he may not the first day purge, by reason that some horses are of so strong a Constitution, as that Physic will not easily or suddenly work, but then be you confident it will the next day: you must therefore be careful how you do order him. After his purging keep him still warm clothed and well littered, take him from the Trench, and put on his Coller-halter, give him sweet Mash or white water, and after feed him well, but by discretion, both with Hay, Oates, and Bran, and keep him to white water two or three days after, or longer, if you shall so please, and when you give him cold water, let it be with exercise. ✚. This I have often tried. Another. If your horse be newly taken from Grass, and that you hold it needful his body be cleansed, & to free him of his many bad humous, which either his Grass or former Surfeits might bring: Then first Rake him, and administer unto him the Clyster prescribed you in lib. 2. cap. 6. §. 8. letter C. Clyster 4. and the next day after give him this drink. Take of the strongest Alewort one quart, of ordinary Honey a Purgation 4 quarter of a pint, of London Treacle two ounces, mix and brew all together well, and so give it him bloud-warme: this done, keep him upon the Trench warm clothed, and well littered six hours after, and let his drink be a sweet Mash, or white water, and let his Rack meat be sweet Wheate-straw, Oats, and Bran. X. This both purgeth and comforteth. Another which must be given the next day. Take of white-Wine one pint, and put thereto of Seine one ounce, Purgation 5 which must be infused all night in the Wine; the next morning betimes strain it, and put into it of the best and choicest Aloes one ounce, made into fine powder, and Agarick half an ounce, of Licoris powdered one spoonful, warm this a little upon the fire, and mix and brew it well together, and so give it your Horse bloud-warme; then walk or ride him gently a quarter of an hour, and so set him up warm clothed and littered, nor let any cold air come unto him, neither let him eat or drink in six hours after, and at night give him a sweet Mash, or white water, and let his Rack-meat be sweet Wheat straw, and Oats with Bran. ✚ The next day (if the sign be good) open a vein in the neck, and prick him in the mouth, and if the blood be bad, take from him two quarts, but if good, than not fully one quart; keep him warm, and let his drink be either sweet Mashes, or white water, and put into his drink, either the powder of Brimstone, or of Fenugrick, of Turmerick, or of Elecampane, one or more together, according as he will be brought to like and take them, which being well mixed, put thereof into his drink, one spoonful at once. ✚ These are very sovereign purgative receipts, whereby to cool the body, purge choler, and other peccant humours, and to purify and refine the blood: but beside, this is not only good for horses newly taken from grass, but for other sick, surfeited, and diseased Horses. Another: Purgation 6 Take of Gentian two ounces, slice it into very small slices, then boil it in Beer one quart, till it come to one pint, and give it him blood warm, but it will make him very sick for a short time, but have no fear, for the potion will do him much good: let him fast upon it four or five hours at least, then give him a warm Mash, or white water, and the next day give him this receipt. Take of Life-Honey, or for default thereof, ordinary Honey, and mingle it with his Oats that he is to eat, which must be mixed by rubbing the Oats and Honey betwixt your hands, so that the Honey may be very well mixed, let him eat his Oats thus mingled, until you do find him to be quite cured, which will be when he hath quite done running at the nose. ✚ This is one of the best, and most certain cordials that I know, neither have I made use of any so much as of this, for the time I have known the same, for this disperseth all phlegm and choler; it also purgeth the head and brain; it purifieth the blood, it venteth the evil humours; it causeth good digestion, and freeth a Horse from Glanders, Colds, Catarrhs, Rheums, Running at the nose, and the like. CHAP. XVII. § 1. Q. Hippoph. WHat cure have you for the quick or running Scab? Hippos. This is a noisome disease and infectious, a very formal mainge, and mere neighbour to the leprosy, or Elephantique disease. It cometh by surfeit taken by over-riding, when the blood is overhot; it doth putrify and corrupt the blood, and consequently the flesh, and at the last, breaketh forth into this malady, which we call the Quick-scab. Quick s● And the reason why we do give it this name is, for that it runneth from one member of the horse to the other, sometimes it will be in the neck, and at other times in the breast of the horse, now in the main, and then in the tail, etc. The cure is, First sh●ve o● clip away the hair from that place visited, so close as may be, and take off the scurf and scabs with some old Currycomb, Oyster-shell, or some such like thing. Then Take fair cold water, with a linen cloth, wash and bathe the places very well, and lay the linen cloth well wet upon the place, and so touch it no more in ten days, and if in that time the quick-scab do not heal, then dress it as before, and so a third time, or a fourth, or so oft as necessity requireth, till it be throughly healed. But remember that the day before you thus dress the sorance after this manner, you take (to a reasonable quantity) of blood from the neck-vein. ✚ This is an approved cure. Another as good as the former. First let him blood, and then shave or clip away the hair close, as in the former cure. Then take Mallows, and Marshmallows, of each like much, and boil them in fair water as much as will suffice, till the herbs be soft, and with the herbs and decoction, bathe and wash the sorance two or three days together warm; then take of common Honey one pint, Coperas, Alum of glass, and Verdigrece, all made into fine powder, of each four ounces, Turpentine and Quicksilver mortified, of each two ounces; boil all these together with the Honey unto an Unguent, and herewith dress him every day till he be whole. ✚ This I say is very good. § 2. Q. Hippoph. HOw do you cure a Quitterbone? Hippos. This cometh to a horse by some hurt he hath taken in the foot, either by a prick with a nail in shooing, or by gravelling, or by a stub, or the like, when it was not so well healed, that it impostumated, and so broke out above the cronet, which bred the malady; or else being neglected, it broke out above the hoof before it was perceived. It is bred also sometimes by a hurt upon the hoof, by a blow, or by striking one foot upon the other; and sometimes it cometh by evil humours which fall down into that place, and it groweth most usually upon the inside of the foot, where when it beginneth, it causeth a hard round swelling upon the cronet of the hoof, betwixt the heel and the quarter of the long talon, it begetteth an Ulcer at what time it doth begin to impostumate, and it breaketh out above the Cronet, like as I said before. The signs I have already given you, for the place will be swelled the bigness of a hazel nut, and the horse will haut right down. The cure is, so soon as it is espied, to open it above; if it do begin to be soft, then Take Auripigmentum made into fine powder, and infuse it in the strongest white Wine Vinegar can be gotten, forty eight hours, and then apply it to the sore, and it will so eat about the Quitterbone, Quitterbone. as that you may pluck it away with your finger or pliers, which so soon as the bone or gristle is taken forth, you may heal up the wound with your Coperas water, and green ointment prescribed in lib. 2. cap. 10. § 4. G. till it be whole, but he must not come into any wet during the time of the cure. ✚ This is very good. Another: First cut the hoof to the quick, then Take a Snake the greatest you can get, and cut off his head and tail, and slay it, and so boil it in water till the flesh come from the bone, and then you may bring the flesh to be a very ointment; put of this into the sorance down to the bottom, and this will kill the Quitterbone, and dry up and heal it; but you must not suffer him to come into any wet, dirt, or gravel, during the time you have him in cure. ✚ With this medicine I cured one horse only, for that I had no cause to use it to any other since. Another: Take of Arsenic the quantity of a small bean, make it into powder, and put it into the hole of the Sorance, conveying it down unto the bottom with your instrument, and then stop the mouth of the wound with Hurds, and bind it on with a cloth, and a rowler, that the Horse may not bit it away; and so let it remain four and twenty hours: then open it, and if you shall perceive the wound to look black within, it is a token that the Arsenic did its office in well working, then to allay the fire, and to restore the flesh that is thereby become mortified, taint the hole with Turpentine and Hogs-grease melted together. Then take Pitch, Rosin, and Wax, of each like much, and of Turpentine as much as of all the other three, and melt them and so make a Plaster of Leather, with which you must cover the top of the Sorance, but first be sure to convey the aforesaid taint to the bottom, and then lay on your Plaster, and thus dress him daily till you have gotten forth the Core, or sharp Gristle, if the Arsenic have not eaten it out before, for if the Gristle be in the bottom of the wound and uncovered, you may raise it with your Fingers or Instrument, and so pluck it quite away, for till that be out, the Sorance will not heal; that done, heal it up with your green ointment, or else with this Unguent. Take of common-Hony, and of Verdegrece in fine powder, of each so much as will suffice, boil this till it be red, and therewith Taint the wound till it be whole, keeping evermore the mouth of the wound open, lest it heal up above before it be well healed at the bottom, neither let your Horse come into any wet, or go forth of the Stable until he be throughly cured. ✚. Thus I have cured many Quitter-bones. Another. Cut the place to the quick, then take Virgin-wax, Pitch of Greece, Galbanum, Mastic, Sagapenum, Olibanum, and salad-oil, of each one ounce, and of Dear or Sheeps-suet half a pound, melt these upon a soft fire, and incorporate them well together, and therewith Taint and dress the same till it be whole. ✚. This is also very good. CHAP. XVIII. §. 1. R. Hippophilus. WHat is good to cure the Red-water? Hippos. This Red-water is that which issueth out of old incurable Ulcers, and Sores, which when you shall see it to come forth of any wound, then be you assured that it is very hardly or seldom cured, till that Water be gotten away; for it is a sign that the wound is poisoned with the said Red-water: nor could I ever find any cure for the Red water, Red waeter. but only one which a Marishall of France taught me, which is this, viz. Take of the root of the herb called Emanuel, alias Bonus-Henricus, or good King-Henry, or All-good: boil the Roots thereof in water, and give it him drench-wise with a horn bloud-warme, and this will take away the Red-water and you may then cure the wound with your other Salves or Unguents. This I had never cause to make trial off in England; but I have been an Eye witness to two or three cures in this kind, which the Marishall of whom I had the Receipt did very sufficiently perfect. The French calleth this Malady, La Eu Rouse. § 2. R. Hippoph. HOw do you make a Restringent charge? Hippos. This Restringent charge Restringent charge. is to be applied to broken bones, or to bones dislocated or out of joint, being first set, as also take moist humours from weeping wounds, and so dry up bad humours which do preoccupate the body. I will commend unto you one only receipt which shall be special good. Take of oil de Bay, four ounces, Orpin, Cantharideses, and Euphorbium, of each two ounces, make all these into fine powder and mix them with your oil de Bay very well, and therewith Charge the place grieved. ✚. This is also very good to Charge the swelling of a Back-sinew spraine. § 3. R. Hippoph. What cure have you for a Ring-bone? Hippos. A Ring-bone cometh two ways, to wit, either by Nature, or by Accident; by Nature, when as either the Stallion or Mare have it, from whom the Colt is engendered, whereby he taketh it as hereditary from them, and therefore (as I have formerly admonished) I will dissuade you from breeding upon any such Horse or Mare that either had or have this malady. It cometh also accidentally by some knock or blow given either by some other Horse, or by his Keeper or other person, and sometimes by some evil humour, which through overheats do fall down into the legs, and maketh its residence upon the top of the cronet. It beginneth first with a slimy humour, which in time groweth to a hard gristle; you shall know it, for that there will be a swelling round about the cronet of the hoof, adjoining unto the lower part of the pastern, and the hair will stare, and be bristly, and it will cause the Horse to haut. The cure is: first wash the pla●●, and shave away the hair, then Take quick or unslaked Lime, newly taken from the Kill, Ring-● which must be well burned, the best burned you may know by its lightness, make your lime into fine powder, and lay it upon the place swollen all along of a good thickness, and bind upon it a linen cloth made fast about the foot, and so put the horse into the water, and let him stand in the water a pretty while, then take him forth, and unbind the foot, and he is infallibly cured, for the burning of the Lime doth kill the Ring-bone, even unto the very root thereof. ✚ With this receipt I have cured not so few as a hundred horses at the least, but when you are thus to dress your horse, let him be brought close to the water whereinto he is to be ridden, that so soon as you have applied your Lime unto the sorance, you may presently put him into the water. Another. First, shave away the hair as before is advised, then scarify the place. Take then Cantharideses half an ounce, Euphorbium, and oil de Bay of each one ounce, your Cantharideses and Euphorbium must be made into fine powder, and then boiled with your oil de Bay, stirring it continually, that it run not over, then with two or three feathers lay it boiling-hot upon the sorance good and thick, let him be dressed in the same place where usually he standeth in the Stable, and let him have no litter near him, but tie up his head so as he may not reach the medicine with his mouth; but when the hair do begin to grow again, give the fire to the sorance, to wit, three or four strait lines right downwards, drawing the swelling quite cross, and let the edge of the iron be no thicker than the back of an ordinary knife, neither must you burn him any deeper than that the skin may look yellow. that done, apply to the place this charge. Take of Pitch and Rosin, of each like much, let them be melted together, and whilst it is hot, apply it to the place all along, from the one end of the swelling to the other, & before it be cold, clap Flocks upon it, and about three days after, lay on more of the said charge, and new Flocks again upon that charge, and so let it remain until the Flokcs and charge fall off of its own accord. ✚ This is also very good. Another. First wash and shave, and scarify, as before, then Excretion to cure. Take gray-Sope, and Arsenic pulverised, of each the quantity of a Walnut, which being very well mixed, spread it upon the sorance so far as the Ring-bone goeth, and having thus spread it, apply upon it a few Hurds, and bind a clean linen cloth upon it to keep it on, neither let it be removed in four and twenty hours, then take it away, and stir not the asker or scab, but only anoint it with fresh Butter, till it do fall away of itself, and so heal it up with some healing salve, whereof I have given you plenty. ✚ This I have tried, and have found to be very good. This medicine will cure a bone-Spaven, Splint, Curb, or any other bony excretion. §. 4. R. Hippoph. HAve you any way to recover and make sound a Horse that is rotten? Hippos. Truly Sir, for any man to promise that, were great precipitation, only thus far he may wade therein, as to give ease and help to a horse that hath the rot, for it is one thing for a Horse to be rotten, and another thing for him to have the rot. For a horse to be rotten, is to have his inward parts wasted and consumed, or at least so rotten, as never possibly to be recovered, to wit, his Liver, Lights, etc. But for a horse to have the disease called the rot, I do find the same to be either a formal aropsie, or else a disease so allied nearly thereunto, as not to be distinguished easily: as we say, a Sheep is rotten, when his Liver is become foul and tainted; nevertheless men do eat the carcase, and do aver it to be good meat, wherefore the Sheep is not rotten, but hath the disease called the rot. This malady cometh oft times to horses unhandled, to wit, in their youth, whilst they be yet Colts, which be bred, and do feed in Fenny-Marsh, and wet grounds, and sometimes it cometh to them after they have been backed and ridden, when they have too hard and violent riding, being yet but young, whereby the blood is first inflamed, and after putrified and corrupted, begetting obstructions in the Liver, and those do cause putrefaction, and so knots and pustils do engender in the Liver, which breedeth either a Dropsy, a Feltricke, or a rot. The signs how to know this infirmity, are these: After his journeys his hair will stare his legs swell and burn, and when you shall press the places swollen with your finger, upon taking your finger away, there will remain a pit or dint, he will forbear his meat very much, and when he doth eat, it will be without any stomach or appetite, he will pant much, lift and beat in the flanks many times, he will swell under the belly, neither will he cast his coat in seasonable time, when other Horses that be sound do, and he will be so faint of body, as that he will become lunt, and utterly to have lost his mettle. These and such like be the symptoms of this malady. Now come I to the cure. Let him first bleed well under the tail, then Take of Mares-milke two quarts, if the same may be had, if not, Rot. the like quantity of the milk of a red Cow, then take a lump of Arement, then take a young horse of or about the age of four years, and of colour black, if it may be, if not, then of some other colour, run and chafe him about that he may sweat much, then with a spoon, or with some other such like instrument, rake the sweat from his head, neck, breast, back, sides, ribs, buttocks, legs, and in a word, from each part or member of the said horse, and get off the sweat so much as you can possibly, and so put your Arement and your sweat into the milk, which all being well mixed, give him this by equal portions three mornings together, till he hath taken it all, and let him drink none other drink after it in six or seven hours, but immediately after his drink, let him be led forth into some pasture where other horses be, the better to cause him to neese, stolen, dung, and empty himself; for it is very wholesome for him so to do, before he either eat or drink. Having thus done, set him up warm and well littered, and if the season do serve, give him of the green blades of Rye, if not, give him Barley steeped in milk three days, but renewed every day once. Then after every of these drinks, if you feel him cold in the pastern joints, or that he trippeth or stumbleth as you lead him in your hand, meddle no further with him, for that he is past cure, otherwise for nine days together, after morning and evening give him white water only, unless now and then a sweet Mash, and sometimes give him milk with his white water, if the Horse be not above nine years old, and so you may cure him: but if he be elder, this may prolong his life, whereby he may do the more service. This I never did experience, but a Noble Knight, and a very friend told me, that he hath thus recovered sundry Horses which have been visited with this disease. CHAP. XVIII. §. 1. S. Hippophilus. WHat good Salves have you wherewith to heal up sores and wounds? Hippos. Sir, I have many, according as I have before shown you, but yet I will give you many more, the greatest number of which I have tried, and I am able to commend them unto you for very good, and those not Salves Salve. only, but Unguents, Powders, and Waters, which be most sovereign. Take of Perosen, and of hard Rosin, of each one pound, of Frankincense, Virgin-Wax, or for want thereof new Wax and Sheep's suet, of each half a pound, of old tried Hog's grease one pound and a quarter, boil the Gums and Wax in white Wine half a pint, and then put unto it your Sheep's tallow and Hog's grease, and when all is well molten and incorporated, strain it, and whilst it is yet hot, put in of Venice Turpentine one ounce, and so work all well together, and when it is cold, pour in the liquor from the salve, which put up into a clean galley pot, or other clean vessel for your use. ✚ This is a most sovereign Treat or Salve wherewith to heal any wound (that is not come to an Ulcer) and so dry it up. Another most excellent powder. Powder. Take unslaked Lime, the dry dust of Tanner's Oaken Bark and old shoe soles burned to a coal, of each like much, make these into fine powder, and mix them well, and keep it in a clean box or glass for your use. ✚ This powder healeth the buds or knots of the Farcin, after they be broken, and it skinneth them, and if they be first washed with the juice of Vervine and strong Vinegar mingled together, and then this powder being cast upon them, will (I say) heal and skin them. It also healeth and skinneth all other sores. Another: Ointment. Take tried Hogs grease half a pound, Verdigrece in fine powder one penny worth, boil these upon the fire two or three walms, then take it off, and put unto it of Venice Turpentine half an ounce, and stir it well together till it be cold. ✚ This Unguent will heal any wound or sore in a Horse. Another: Ointment. Take of Roch-Allum a good quantity, and burn it, and as much bay Salt, and burn that also, make both these together into fine powder, then take of common Honey, and of sweet Butter, of each like much as will suffice, incorporate the Alum and Salt with the Honey and Butter by melting them over a gentle fire, and with a taint or plaster apply it. ✚ And this cureth any foul sore. This I have often tried. Another: Take of fair water Water. one pint, and put into it of green Coperas, and of bay Salt, of each the quantity of a good hazel nut, both made into very fine powder; let these boil a little upon the fire. With this wash any sore before you do apply your Salves, Unguents, or Powders. ✚ This is a right good water. Another: Take of common Honey two ounces, Roch-Allum, Verdigrece, and Vinegar, of each one ounce, make your Alum and Verdigrece into very fine powder, then take of Sublimate finely powdered, two ounces, boil all these a walm or two on the fire; this laid on a Spatula plasterwise once a day, or if the wounds be deep, with a taint, cureth both speedily and sound; but before you dress him with this Salve, let the Sore be well washed and injected with the water last above mentioned, made of fair water, Coperas, and bay Salt. ✚ This is a most approved cure, and good beyond all peradventure, for it cureth not only sores and wounds in any part in the body of the Horse, but in the foot which way soever it may happen, and it cleanseth any wound from dead or proud flesh. Another: Take the buds or tenderest tops of the leaves of Elder, one handful, and first shred, and after pound them very well, till you bring them to a perfect Salve, Salve. and apply this to the sore, binding a cloth upon it to keep it from falling off. ✚ This will cure any old or new sore whatsoever in any part of the body, as galled backs, Spurregals, gravelling, pricked, or accloyed, the wound being dressed herewith every day once, it will cure any Fistula if the juice thereof be injected to the bottom. With this one thing alone I have done cures which very good Ferriers could not cure. Another: Take common Honey and Verdigrece finely pulverised, Aegyptiacum. of each as much as will suffice, boil them together till the medicine wax red, and this will heal up any old or green sore in short space. ✚ This is also very good. Another: Take the white of a new laid Egg, Ointment. and Salad oil as much as will suffice, and beat them well together, and before you do apply it unto the wound, pour into the wound burned Butter, and then lay on your medicine with Hurds plasterwise, and this will cure any green wound. ✚ This is very good. And thus much for sores. §. 2. S. Hippoph. What is good for a Horse that hath gotten wrench in his shoulder? Shoulder wrench. Hippos. If you do find that the grief be in the shoulder, and that you do know it to be a wrench, make this charge, and charge the grieved shoulder therewith. Take Wheate-meale two pound, and allay it with red Wine in a Pipkin or Postnet, as if you would make thereof a paste, then take of Bolearmoniack made into fine powder half a pound, of ordinary Honey one pound, boil all these together, and add thereunto in the boiling, of Pitch half a pound, and so keep it continually stirring until your Pitch be throughly melted, but before you take it from the fire, put into it of ordinary Turpentine half a pound, of Coming, oil de Bay, Dialthea, Sanguis Draconis, Bay-berries, Fenugrick, Linseed flower, of each, two ounces, make all these into fine powder, then take of the oil of Aspic one ounce, boil and mix all these very well together, that done, charge Charge. the grieved shoulder all over very well, even down the knees. ✚ This charge is most sovereign for any wrench or strain in the shoulder, knees, or hips; it also cureth Kibes, Scratches, and all such like sorances, it is also most excellent to comfort the sinews offended or hurt; it is very good for a back-sinew-spraine, it draweth away all bad humours, and abateth swellings. X I have often made use of this receipt, but if it be a shoulder-pight, or joynt-dislocated, than thus he is to be cured, viz. Shoulders dislocated. First cast him and lay him upon that side which is not hurt, then fasten with a cord the foot of the same leg all along a board, and so fasten the foot to some tree or post which must be some two or three paces distant from the horse, and near to the ground, and let one stand at the middle of the board with a stick to turn it easily and by degrees in the middle thereof, and whilst that is in doing, let another with a pail of cold water, rub, wash, and bathe the grieved place with his hand or foot, and that very hard, and in so doing, he must take up the member grieved, which he must chafe from the very top to the farther end of the leg, and by thus doing you shall put in the bone which was out, into its right place, and after this is done, you must raise him as gently as may be, and when he is up, let him blood in the breast-veine on that side the grief lieth, putting a Patten-shooe upon the contrary foot, and let his forefeet be tramelled fifteen days after at the least, to hinder him from lying down, and charge the grieved shoulder daily with a restringent charge, and look upon the grieved member every two or three days, by the space of fifteen days; after that you have thus set the same, neither let him be removed out of his place during that time, and after swim him, and apply baths unto the shoulder made of good herbs, such as I have prescribed you in the Section of baths, and lastly anoint him with this Unguent: Take oil de Bay, the oil de Petra, oil de Spike, and nerval, of each like much: and thus ordering him, he will be sound and well again. ✚ I have proved this upon six horses, and cured them all. Another: If the shoulder be either strained or dislocated, it were very good to swim him, then take blood from the breast vein on that side the grief lieth, than tramel his fore-feets that he do not lie down, and so let him remain three weeks, then anoint the member grieved with Salad oil only, and the first time you shall take but of Salad oil half a pound, which you must rub in against the hair very hard, both upon the shoulder and the breast, by the space of half an hour, the next day after you shall likewise rub and chafe the shoulder and breast, by the space of half an hour more; Shoulders strained. without applying any thing unto them, and so continue rubbing and chafing him for the space of eight or ten days together; as for the Salad oil, you must take four ounces thereof every third day, wherewith to chafe, rub, and anoint the shoulder, and the other two days betwixt, you must not rub and chafe it with any oil at all, and at the end of eight or ten days, his shoulder will be swelled down to the very knee, then take off the oil, and apply a restringent charge to the part grieved and swelled, and add to it of ordinary Turpentine half a pound, to cause the charge to remain on the better, and the next day, and all other days after in stead of this restringent charge, Take Vinegar and bathe the shoulder therewith upon the said charge, and by degrees the hair will fall away, and when the swelling is assuaged, send your horse in the beginning to the water, upon a foot pace, and he will be cured; this receipt certainly is very good, and not costly; but I did never make trial thereof, albeit it was highly recommended unto me by a famous French Marishall, who averred that he hath recovered very many horses therewith, but for a horse that hath gotten a wrench or slip, the only remedy is to put in a French rowel, and then to blow him, and put on a Patten shoe, and let his Keeper turn the rowel every day once, as well to cause the putrefaction the better to issue forth from growing to the flesh, and after twenty days you may take it forth at your pleasure. ✚ This is good for a new strain. § 3. S. Hippoph. Were it not much better Hipposerus, that after you have thus rowelled and blown him, and set a Patten-shooe upon the contrary foot, that he were turned forth to grass, for that the horse keeping himself in continual agitation and motion, as he feedeth in the pasture, the humour may the better descend, and so issue forth, whereby he may sooner be cured? Hippos. Sir, I answer negatively to your assertion, for by his being abroad, the wind will take the wound, and cause him to swell, and thereby do the horse more harm than you are ware of: secondly I say, if when he is abroad there might happen to fall rain, that the place rowelled might take wet and cold, Shoulder rowelled. it might thereby endanger a Gangrene, and therewith endanger the life of your Horse, for the like I myself have done; but having rowelled your horse, and that you be to blow him, if you use to take Tobacco, then forbear to blow him yourself, but let some other who taketh not any, to blow him, for the very scent and steam of Tobacco will cause your Horse to swell both in the shoulder, and all along under his belly, even to the sheath and stones most violently, and the effect thereof I have very often seen. ✚ With rowelling I have cured very many horses, if the strain be newly taken, but if the horse have gotten hurt on his shoulder, that the skin be broken, Shoulder the skin broken. than first cut away all the dead and bad flesh if there be any, then Take the white of an Egg, and beat it, and lay it upon a few Hurds plasterwise, but first wash the wound with a little white Wine made blood warm, and then apply your plaster to the sorance, and then anoint the shoulder round about the sorance with sweet Butter: do this every day once, and it will be whole. ✚ This I have often tried. Another: Take your lancet or phlegm, and make a little hole in the skin upon the pitch of the shoulder, and blow the place with a quill, that the skin may arise from the flesh, then Take of stolen Urine two quarts, and boil it to a moiety, then strain it, and put thereto of sweet Butter, and of tried Hog's grease, of each half a pound, then take of Mallows, Tansey, Vervine, red Nettles, Sothernwood, and of the tender tops of broom, of each half a handful, chop all these together, and boil them in the Urine till they be soft, and then first bathe the shoulder with the decoction or Urine, and after anoint the shoulder with the herbs, being first m●de into an Unguent, using thus to do every day once or twice till it be well; but during this cure, the horse must be kept within doors, and in a few days he will go sound again. ✚ This is very good, for I have often tried it. Another: If your horse have any grief in his shoulder, first put into it a French rowel, and blow it, and put a patten-shooe upon the contrary foot, then apply this charge unto the place: take of Pitch and Rosin, of each one pound, and of Tar half a pint, melt them upon the fire, and before it be cold, charge the shoulder therewith, and clap Flax upon it, and let the charge lie on till it fall away of itself, and once a day turn the rowel for fifteen days together at least, then take out the rowel, and heal up the wound, (then if the season be fit for it) turn him to grass with his patten-shooe on, and let him run three or four months, and he will go upright again. ✚ This is very good, Another, First swim him, (as you may do well to do for any grief in the shoulder or hips) and before you do rowel him, apply unto the grieved member this bathe and unguent. Take Pimpernell an arm full, Bay berries, Primrose leaves, Camomile, Crowfoot, Mallows, Fennell, Rosemary, and fine upland Hay (which was cut about Midsummer) of each like much, and of each a good quantity, put all these into a Lead or Cauldron, and there let it steep in fair water two days and two nights, then boil it until the herbs be soft, and bathe your Horse therewith every day once good and warm, and bind of these herbs with the Hay to the shoulder or place grieved, in what place or joint soever it be, use this bathe four days, and at the expiration of four days, let him blood in the breast, on that side the grief lieth, if the grief be in the shoulder, but if in the knee or fetlock joint, then let him blood in the pastern vein, and so likewise if the pain be behind, and let him bleed well, but if you have not skill or knowledge enough to open any of these veins, then pair the foot very close, and open the toe vein, and there let him bleed well; after this his four days bathing, when he is dry again, anoint the grieved member with this Unguent. Take Petroleum, nerval, Patch or piece grease, and oil of Worms, of each like much, and anoint him herewith by the space of half an hour, and then for half an hour after, troth him in your hand in a fair soft ground, then bring him into the Stable, and observe if any of the said ointment be come forth, or doth stick to his hair, which if it do, let it be rubbed and chafed in again; also bathe him morning and evening, and at noon anoint him, and troth him as before is advised, but at night only bind or rope on the herbs, and this is the cure. Use this but four days only, for fear of making his joints too supple and weak (and if this help not, as I do believe it will) than rowel him, this I never tried, but my opininn is that it is a very good receipt. Another. If your Horse be shoulder splat, Shoulder splat. then put upon him a pair of short pasterns upon his fore-feets, then take of Dialthea one ounce, of Salad oil one pint, of oil de Bay half a pint, of fresh Butter half a pound, melt all these together in a Pipkin, and anoint the grieved place round about (viz.) as well all over the shoulder, as the breast, and betwixt the forelegs, upon and about the brisket, and in two or three hours after, all the shoulder will be swelled, then with your phlegm strike the swelling in very many places, that the corruption may issue forth, and continue to anoint him with the said ointment, and if it gather to a head (as it is likely it will) when it is ripe enough, open it, where you do find it to be softest, and then heal it up with your green ointment so often commended unto you, and thus your horse will go sound again. ✚ This I have often tried, and let this suffice for this malady. § 4. S. Hippoph. YOu have delivered yourself very well, but yet Hipposerus (but yet) I am to seek to know and understand when I see a horse doth haut or complain, where the grief lieth, being a thing most needful for a Gentleman to be very perfect in, but more especially for him that is a Ferrier, who is to cure and set upright the Horse that is lame. Hippos. You speak pure truth Sir, and therefore I will give you such assured rudiments, whereby you shall not at any time fail in the discovery of the least lameness that shall proffer itself to your eye, if you will be pleased diligently to observe my documents, you must therefore first understand, Rules how to know where a horse halteth either before or behind. that if he do haut before, his grief must of necessity be, either in the shoulder, or in the knee, or in the shank, or in the pastern, or in the foot; if it be in the shoulder, it must be either towards the withers, or in the pitch of the shoulder, or in the elbow; if in any of these places of the shoulder, you may know it, in that he will a little draw his leg after him, and not handle it so nimbly and dexterously as he doth the other; if he cast his leg more outward than he doth the other, it is a manifest sign that he is lame, and that the grief lieth in his shoulder, and for the better trial thereof, let your man but turn him short on either hand, and in that shoulder where the lameness is, you shall perceive him to complain, and to yield, for he will either favour that leg, or trip in the turning: you may also find his lameness by his standing in the stable, for there he will hold forwards his lame leg more than the other, but yet you come not to understand in what part of the shoulder the grief lieth; wherefore take for an infallible rule, that if he do complain more when a man is upon his back, then otherwise, when he is from his back, then be you confident that the grief lieth in the withers, and gripe him hard, and you shall perceive him to shrink, and perhaps offer to bite if the Horse do tread thick and short before, then is the grief upon the pitch of the shoulder close to the breast, which you may easily find by setting your thumb hard to the place, and by thrusting him with it as if you would have him to go back, whereat he will shrink, and put back his leg; foot, and body; if the grief be in the elbow, you shall discover it by pinching him with your forefinger and thumb, good and hard upon that place, at the doing whereof you shall perceive him to shrink and hold up his leg, and to offer to bite; and these be all the griefs which do lie in the shoulders of the Horse, which not being visible, you shall thus discover them, as touching those griefs which lie lower, they must be either in the knee, in the shin, in the pastern, or in the foot. If it be in the knee, When in t● knee. you shall find it by his stiff going, for he will not bend it so actively as he doth the other; if it be in the shank or shinbone, you may both see and feel the same, it being then a back sinew spraine, splent, When in th● shank. or some such like sorance or annoyance, so likewise if it be in the bending of the knee, than it is a malender, which is also most easily descried; if it be in the pastern or joint, When in th● pastern. then may you know it by his not bending it so well as the other; besides if you put your hand upon the place, you shall find it to be very hot, and to burn much: first if it be in the foot, it must then be either in the cronet, or in the sole; if in the cronet, it is then probable it came by some strain or wrench, if in the heel, than it came by some overreach, or else by some disease in or about the Frush; if in the sole, than it came by some prick, accloy, retoire, cannel nail, stub, stone, or gravel. And thus have I discovered unto you all the several sorts which causeth a Horse to haut before, and how to know and distinguish the places grieved, together with the occasion of every particular grief. It followeth that we discuss yet further the means how to distinguish an old grief, from a new taken strain or hurt, which without an exact scrutiny, cannot easily be discovered, for oft times a horse hath gotten a strain, for which he is presently turned to grass, where peradventure he runs the whole Summer, and so by that means seemeth to go upright, till he be heated and strained anew, and then will it appear again, howbeit upon his first riding it may not appear: you have therefore three ways whereby to find our his lameness, Three ways to find out lameness. in what joint, limb, or member of the body soever it lieth. 1 The first way is to take him out of the Stable, and to cause him to be turned at the halter's end on either hand suddenly and swiftly upon as hard a way as you can pick out, and if he have any ache, wrench, or grief in his foreparts, it will appear, for that when he shall turn upon that hand in which the grief is, you shall perceive him to favour that leg, and so likewise run both towards you and from you, especially down a little yielding hill, and if he have any ●●perfection, he will soon show it, for that he will favour that legge ●herein the grief resideth; but if you be not able to find out his lameness this way. 2 Then your second way must be for you to take his back, and to ride him out a good round trot or place a full hour, or so long until such time as you have throughly heat him, than set him up, and let him stand quiet two or three hours, and then either take his back again, or else turn him at the halter's end as before, and by thus doing, you may discover the least grief that may be in him, especially when you thus stir him, if it be done upon stony or hard ground, for than he can neither will or choose, but either to favour the member grieved, or else to haut right down. 3 A third way we have, and that is, to know whether the grief doth proceed from a hot or cold cause, for if it proceed from a hot cause, then will the Horse haut most, when he is hot, and in the midst of his travel; but if it be of a cold cause, then will he haut lest whilst he is hot and most ridden and traveled, and most at his first setting forth, whilst he is cold; and thus much for lameness and halting before. Now you perceiving your horse to haut, and that you be assured that his lameness is not before, then may you be confident it must be behind, which being so, the grief must of necessity be either in the foot, or in the neither joint, in the pastern, or in the leg, in the ham, or in the hough, in the stifling place, or joint, or in the hip. If the grief be either in the leg, pastern, or foot, if you do observe him well, you shall understand it by the very same signs which I have inculcated already in the legs, pasterns, or feet, for that the signs be the very same; if it be in the bending of the ham, you may then easily know it to be a plain Selander. If it be in the hough, then is it either a bone or bloud-Spaven, which is easily enough to be discerned, or else it must come of some blow, wrench, or strain, neither then will the swelling easily appear, but you shall perceive it either by the stiffness of the joint, or else you shall find the place to be hot and burning if the pain shall lie in the stifling place, it is manifestly discovered by his gate, for than you may perceive him in his going, to cast the stifle joint outward, and you may plainly see the bone on the inside to be bigger than the other, beside, his toe will hardly touch the ground. If it be in the Hip, which is upon the side of the buttock, and if the hurt or wrench be newly taken, you shall easily know it, in that the Horse will go side-long like a Crab, not being able so well to follow with the grieved leg as he can do with the other. Notwithstanding if it be a hurt taken, long before, you shall perceive the Hip to be fall'n lower than the other, and the flesh to shrink, you may also perceive it the better, as by going up a hill, or upon yielding ground, by reason he cannot go with so great ease, as when he goeth upon even or plain ground. But the better to discover in what part behind the grief lieth, let his Keeper take him out of the Stable in a long rain or coller-haulter, and let him run him in his hand the full length of the rain, for that in which leg soever the grief is, you shall perceive him to favour it, but if you find him to go upright, without favouring any leg, then let your man take his back, and ride him out a good trot or hand gallop, till he be warmed, then set him up, and let him stand an hour or two till he be cold, then take him forth again, and let your man troth him in his hand at the end of the Rain as he did before, and thus you shall perceive him to haut and complain, and well observing him and his gate or going, you may easily find the place grieved. And if any lameness whether before or behind, do proceed from any hot cause, than you shall best know it, for that the more you travel or exercise him, and the warmer he is, the more he will haut. But if his grief shall proceed from any cold cause, then will he halt most, being cold after he hath been traveled and set up warm. §. 5. S. Hippoph. YOu have spoken well of lameness in general terms, but yet would I gladly understand from you somewhat more in particular, as (V. G.) I would know how to distinguish between a pinch in the shoulder, and a wrench in the shoulder, as also betwixt a shoulder splat, and of the shoulder pight, and so of the other members? Hippos. In answer to this demand, I say that if you be cautelous in observing duly and justly the postures and gestures of your Horse, may very easily come to know in what member, joint, or limb the grief lieth, and from whence it proceeds; for you must understand that when a horse is pinched in the shoulder, it must come either by carrying too heavy burdens, or by being put to draw, and be over-laboured too young, his joints and limbs not being knit, and this you may easily find, in that the horse will appear to your eye to be very narrow breasted, and to consume and waste in his flesh from those parts where grief remaineth, and you may also perceive it, in that the shoulder bone will stick out further than the other, and thus you may find it; but if he hath gotten a wrench in the shoulder, it comes commonly by means of some slip, or by causing him to make too sudden a stop upon false ground, or by some fall upon yielding or slippery ground, or by too short or sudden turning him upon false grounds, or upon the planks in a Stable, or by some rash going out of a door, or other narrow place, or by some stroke given by another horse, you shall know it (like as before I told you) by his not well lifting and handling his leg with that dexterity he doth the other, as also by taking him upon the pitch of the shoulder bone, and as touching a shoulder splat, Shoulder-splat. which also cometh by a slide or slip, especially upon some side or yeeld●●g ground, where one leg doth slide from the other; whereby he teareth the flesh which is in the inside near the brisket, which causeth a balk to be underneath the body, which will after be swelled, and the horse will thereupon haut right down, and he will draw his leg after him; but if he be shoulder-pight, Shoulder-pight. this cometh by some brush, strain, or fall, which the Horse receiveth by some leap, skip, stroke, or bruise against some door, tree, or the like: insomuch that often times the joint is dislocated, and this will also cause him to haut down right: wherefore your cures for each of these mischiefs and mishaps, must be handled accordingly, and if the pain do lie in any of the neither joints, it cometh most commonly by means of some wrench, as by putting his foot into some cart root of rough uneven ground, or by going upon lose stones, and many times by turning him too short in places that may be dangerous for his limbs, for by such like causes do occur lameness to a Horse, which when it shall happen, you shall thus know them, and know also in what joint or member the grief hath its abode, and the manner of curing each of these several griefs, I have already sufficiently shown you, and therefore now let us pass to other matters. § 6. S. Hippoph. Well then tell me what is good to cure the Scratches? Hippos. Of this malady we have sundry sorts and degrees, unto which albeit we do give several names, nevertheless they be all in effect but one and the same disease, as Mules, Kibes, Rats tails, Crepanches, pains, etc. every of which are none other thing but the very Scratches, being certain scabs which engender betwixt the heel and the pastern joint, and so goeth many times above the pastern, even up to the hough, and albeit you may have this sorance sometimes upon all four legs, yet not ordinary, for that it breedeth most commonly in the hinder legs, this is a noisome sorance, and comes sometimes through the negligence of the Groom, in that he doth not daily anoint the horse heels with store of elbow grease, (as we term it) especially after journeys and hard travel; or when he brings his horse in from water, and then doth not rub his legs and heels dry, for that the sand and dirt doth burn and fret his heels, which do occasion swellings, and such like swellings do occasion the Scratches. It is therefore requisite that the Groom do clip away the long shag hair from about the pasterns (if he have any) and fetlocks: as also from the inside of his legs, unto the bending of the knee, by means whereof he may the better keep the legs of his horse from this disease; sometimes it also comes from the corruption of the blood after great heats and surfeits taken, sometimes again for that the horse hath been bred in marish, fenny, and watery grounds, sometimes it is engendered from melancholy humours ●hich do fall down to the legs, and sometimes by standing continually upon his own dung, which will through the heat and steam thereof, breed the Scratches without other help, and sometimes again, the Scratches will fall down into the heels of the horse, and there make its way forth after a desperate sickness taken by a surfeit; and lastly it comes by reason the grease of the horse had been molten by over-riding or labour, whereby the grease falleth down and resteth in the pastern and fetlocks, and so causeth the Scratches to be engendered. It beginneth first with a dry scab, and after it sendeth forth fretting, waterish, and matterative stuff, which will stink and be most noisome, and his pasterns and fetlock joints will be full of chaps and chinks, sometimes all along, sometimes right down, and sometimes overthwart, and the places will swell, and the cracks or chinks will cause the legs to be very gourdy, and to run with much noisome and offensive matter, and the horse will be many times so lame, as not to be well able at first setting forth to go, but with much trouble, and no less pain, and by these very signs you shall know this malady: neither shall you want store of receipts wherewith to cure it; the French do call this disease grappes, grapes, and javars', and Arraistes', as also such other like terms and epithetons, all which (as before is touched) makes but only one and the same disease: the first thing which is to be done towards the cure, is to bathe and wash the places all about, and then either to shave or clip away the hair very close, otherwise you can hardly make a perfect cure thereof; then Take the spawn of Toads, Scratches. which in the beginning of March you shall find in pools, ponds, ditches, and standing water; and first drain the water from the said spawn, and then distil it, and keep the water in a glass close stopped to serve you for the whole year, and herewith wash and bathe the places every day warm, and in short space it will cure them: this I have often used. Another: Take Honey and Pepper made into very fine powder, of each as much as will suffice, and boil them together and anoint the sorance therewith, and they will soon heal and dry up; this I did never try, but a famous Ferrier of France taught it me. Another. Take Lime and Salt, and make them both into fine powder, which being well mixed, apply it to the places grieved good and thick, then take Hurds, and cut them very small, and clap them upon it, and so bind up the place with a linen cloth, that it doth not remove, and so let it remain two whole days and nights, and this will cause the sorance to purge, and after heal it up very kindly: This I did never try. Another: Take Verdigrece and the fat of Bacon, and pound them to a formal Salve, and so plasterwise apply it to the sore, and it will heal up the scratches in short time. This is very good. Another. Take old Boar's grease and common Honey, of each as much as will suffice, and work it to an Unguent, anoint the sorance therewith, four or five days, and no longer, and it will cure the Scratches. ✚. This is very good. Another. Take Verdigrece in fine powder, Galls, Brimstone, and Bolearmoniack, of each one ounce, make all into fine powder, and mix them with Boar's grease as much as will suffice, and so bring it to an Unguent, and anoint the sorance therewith, and this will both heal and dry them up. ✚ This I have often tried. Another. First cauterise five strikes on either side, and your iron must be somewhat broad and you must go but only one crossewise, and after heal it up as it is usual in Cures in your Cures of Cauterize this I never did practise. Another. Take Pepper, Garlick, Cole-wort-leaves, and old Boares-grease, of each so much as will suffice, pound them together to an Unguent, and herewith anoint the Sorance, and in few days it will ripen the Scratches, and kill the malice of the disease, and heal it up. X. of this Receipt I have made often use, and it is good; you must not fail always before you dress any horse that hath the Scratches, first to wash and bathe the place well with warm water, and then to shaw or clip away the hair very close, also every time you are to dress any horse of this malady, wash the place with Chamber-lye and green Copperas boiled together, and after dress him up with your other Salves, Unguent, etc. Another. Take Hogs-grease and strong Mustard, and anoint the Sorance therewith, and in short time he will be whole, ✚. This is very good. Another. Take first of white-Wine-Vineger one pint, and put unto it of the strongest Tobacco in the Roll you can get one ounce, open the leaves, and shred the Tobacco small, and boil it until the Vinegar do begin to consume, then take it from the fire, and strain it wring it hard, then take white-Wine one pint, of Roach Allome the quantity of a Walnut, of Bay-salt, and of common Honey, of each one Spoonful, red Sage, Rue, Hony-suckle-leaves. Yarrow, Plantain, Rib-wort, Bramble-leaves, of each like much, half a handful in the whole; boil all these in the Wine till one quart be consumed, then strain this water also, and mix them both together, and set it upon the fire till it begin to boil, then take it off, and when it is through cold, put it up into a glass, and so keep it close stopped, that no air come unto it, and when you would use it for the Scratches, wash the Sorance, and then put upon it the powder of Allome; and this will cure the Scratches. ✚. This I have often tried, and it is singular good. Another. Take Verdegrease and make it into fine powder, and then take common honey, and work them together to an Unguent, and therewith anoint the sorance, and in short time it will infallibly cure him. ✚. With this Receipt I have cured very many Horses. Another. Take tried Hogs-grease, and Gunpowder, of each so much as will suffice, first beat your Gunpowder to very fine powder, and incorporate them very well together, and anoint the places grieved once a day therewith, and it will soon cure the Scratches. ✚. This is a special good receipt. Another. Take Train oil, white-lead, made into very fine powder, and the jelly which you shall find upon the ground, which many do report to be the falling of a Star in the night where it shooteth, of each like much, incorporate these well together, and anoint the sore twice every day therewith, but if you cannot get of this jelly then add to the former ingredients a little Arsenic pulverised, and in ten or twelve days this will heal him. X. This also is very good. Another. Take the tender tops of Elder buds, and the berries of the bramble while they be red, and before they be rip, of each one handful, boil them in Wort two quarts, and put unto it of Allome the quantity of an Egg, and therewith wash and bathe the Sorance good and hot twice every day, and this water will cure him, X. This is also very good. Another. Take of Hemlock a good quantity, shred it very small, then take of Cream one quart, and boil it with the Hemlock till the Cream do turn into an oil, which done take it from the fire, and strain it into a clean galley pot, and keep it for your use: with this anoint the Sorance and it will soon heal it; of this I never had trial. Another. Take Brimstone, and make it into fine powder, and mix with it of sweet Butter, so much as will suffice, to bring it to an Unguent, which will be of the colour of Gold, herewith anoint the sores and it will cure them. This I never tried. Another. Take unslaked Lime, Salt, and Soot, of each like much, all made into very fine powder: boil this in the strongest white Wine Vinegar you can get so much as will suffice, till it become as thick as a Pultis: then soften it with tried Hogs-grease, and so work it to an Unguent, and herewith anoint the places grieved till they be perfectly cured. ✚. This is very good; but to prevent all sorts of Scratches, Kibes, Rat-tayles, etc. take up the Thigh-veynes, and your Horse shall never have any of these Maladies, or if he have them, yet by so doing, they will of themselves be cured. ✚. This I have oft experienced. § 7. S. Hippoph. HOw do you cure a Sit-fast? Hippos. This Malady the French do call Mal de la Corn; it is an hard knob which hath been formerly a Saddle-gald, but by reason that the Owner of the Horse was unwilling to spare his work till it was fully cured; it is converted into a Sit-fast, Sit-fast. which is oftimes troublesome to the Horse, by reason it is grown to a dry knob so hard as a horn. The cure is. Take the green outward leaves of a Cabbadge, and stamp them with old Boares-grease, or tried Hogs-grease, and work them to an Ointment; and then mount his Back, and then set the Saddle, to the end that the Ointment may the better enter, or sink into his Back, and in a few days it will Cure him. ✚ This is a very good cure. §. 8. S. Hippoph. THere be yet certain Scabs which do grow upon Horse-heels, which Ferriers do deny to be the Scratches, but they will have it to be a disease wholly different. How do you cure them? Hippos. Sir, men may say what they shall please, but I do assure you, these are also plain Scratches. But yet I will give a few Receipts for them. Scabs and Scratches. Take of Salet-oyle three ounces, Red-wax-gummed one ounce, common Honey two ounces, mix and melt all these together, and make them into an Vuguent, with which you must oft anoint the Sores, and this will cure them. ✚. I have often used it. Another. Take ordinary Turpentine two ounces, new Wax, oil de Bay, Quick-Brimstone, of each three ounces, common Honey one ounce, Allome and Zacacon, of each half an ounce, mix, melt, and incorporate all those well together, and every evening anoint the places grieved therewith, having first cleansed the Sorances, as before is taught you. This I did never try, but I hold it to be very good. Another. Take the strongest white-Wine-Vineger, Mustard, and Soot, of each so much as will suffice, and mix them well, them add to them the yolks of two Eggs, and of Hogs-grease one ounce, Rape-oyle, and new Wax, of each two ounces, quick-Brimstone in fine powder half an ounce, melt all these, and make it into an Unguent, and therewith, anoint the grieved Sorances. ✚. This I have often tried, and I know it to be very good. § 9 S. Hippoph. What is good for a Horse that can neither Stolen or Dung? Hippos. This accident oftimes happeneth to a Horse that is suddenly traveled, being newly taken from Grass, or that hath been long time kept and pampered in the Stable without any execise at all, for as those who be too hard Riders do soon surfeit their Horses, so likewise do these terribly wrong their Horses who be too indulgent, and tender of them, and therefore the golden means is evermore the best. The signs to know this Malady is plain, for that his pain will be so great as that it will cause him oft to lie down and tumble, as if he had the Bots. I will give you one only Receipt which a famous French Marishall gave me, with which I cured one Horse, for that I had never occasion to practise it upon any since, but I do hold it to be most sovereign in a case of this nature. Take the root of Male-Brake or Fern, and put a piece thereof upon his tongue, and it will cause him both to stolen and dung, Stolen or dung. and so he will be cured. The male of Fearne is to be known by the root, from the female, for if you take a Fearne-root, and cut it in two pieces, you shall see the perfect figure of an Eagle, and thereby you may know it to be the male, which is for your turn. And the female root will bear other effigies different from the male, which wanteth its virtue to perfect this cure. ✚ This (I say) I have once tried. § 10. S. Hippoph. What is to be done to a Horse that falleth sick in his journey or travel? Sick in travel. Hippos. This also happeneth as the former doth, but yet oftener and sooner, especially if he be very fat and pursive, and wanting breath, as also if he be traveled being fat and heavy, the Sun shining and scorching much, for such a horse is in danger either to tyre, or to fall desperately sick, which may also endanger his life, as I have frequently known. The cure must be. Take Muskadine or sweet Sack one pint, Aqua vitae a quarter of a pint, of London Treacle two ounces, and of the best Salad oil a quarter of a pint: warm all these upon the fire, and brew it well, and give him one hornfull thereof, then take his tongue in your hand, and put down his throat a new laid Egg, breaking it with your fingers as you put it forth of your hand; then give him a second horn full, and then another Egg, and after all the residue of the drink, and so after that a third Egg, then let him blood in the , and rub it well with white Salt, than set him upon the Trench, cloth, stop, and litter him again warm, and let him fast an hour or two after it, and then feed him by degrees, both with Hay and Oates, giving him either a sweet Mash or white water, and he will do well again. This drink refresheth all the spirits, being over-laied through heat and labour, and causeth a good appetite to meat. ✚ With this drink I have cured many sick horses, as well of mine own, as of my friends, which have fallen away very desperately sick upon the way in travel; but if I do find that his blood is inflamed, as many times it will be, I then use to open a vein in the neck. §. 11. S. Hippoph. But what is to be given to a Horse that falleth suddenly sick? Sudden sickness. Hippos. First let him blood in both breast veins, or if you have not skill sufficient to open these veins, then let him blood in both sides the neck, and let him bleed well nigh two quarts, then give him this comfortable drink. Take of sweet Sack one quart, and burn it with Grains, Cloves, and Cinnamon, of each like much, being all beaten gross, put to it of Sugar three ounces, and when it is burnt, add unto it of Salad oil half a pint, and of London Treacle two ounces, warm all these, and brew them well together, and so give it to your horse blood warm, then ride him gently until he do begin to sweat, and so set him up warm clothed and littered, but be sure to keep his head and heart warm, neither must you stuff and cloth him too hot; for this drink will cause him to sweat sufficiently of itself, yet litter him well, keeping the Stable close, and so let him fast six hours after, against which time, let him be rubbed very dry, and give him to eat sweet Wheat straw, and after give him either a sweet Mash or white water, and boil therein of Mallows and Water-cresses, of each one handful, of Fennell-seed, and of Persley-seed, of each one ounce, if he will drink the same. After that morning and evening (your horse being fasting) ride him a mile or two, to the end he may take the air, which is very wholesome for him, if the weather be temperate, and let his meat be sweet straw, old clean dry Oats, and some Wheat, and Pease mixed therewith: give him a little at once, and often, until you do perceive his stomach to come well unto him, and let him be daily well rubbed, and warm clothed, to provoke him to sweat, and let him be also well littered, and his drink either sweet Mashes, or white water: and by this manner of keeping and ordering of him, in short time he will recover his pristine sanity. ✚ This I have often tried, and it is very good. § 12. S. Hippoph. What cure have you for a Selender? Hippos. This disease is the very same with the Melander, but the sole difference is, in that the malander breedeth upon the bending of the knee, or the leg before, and the Selender engendereth of the bending of the hough in the leg behind: but it cometh just as doth the Malander, and the cure is the very same with it: but yet I will give you one good receipt which will cure both: first, wash and shave away the hair, and rub the sorance with a wisp or hair cloth till it be raw: 〈…〉. then take the shreds of white leather untanned, which Glover's do make, and boil them in Vinegar till they be soft, and bind of this hot to the place, but if you do not find that by once or twice dressing, taketh not away the scurf or scab, renew it daily until it doth, for by this means the roots of the bristly hair which groweth in and about the sorance, is the only thing that feedeth the Malander, wherefore the roots of the hair being taken off (which this medicine will do) the sorance will soon be cured; and to heal up the rawness thereof, Take fresh or sweet Butter, bay Salt, and Frankincense, both made into fine powder, of each as much as will suffice, and boil them all together on the fire, and with a rag upon a stick apply this medicine to the place scalding hot two mornings together, and after heal it up, and cause the hair to come again, being daily anointed with Mallows and sweet Butter made into an Unguent. ✚ This is a very good cure. §. 13. S. Hippoph. What is to be given to a Horse sick, surfeited, Sick or surfeited. and his grease melted? Hippos. The only way is first to take blood from him, if there be just cause, and after to scour his guts with this purge. Take Cassia one ounce, Filonio-persio, or Persico, and Trifora magna, of each half an ounce, syrup of Violets two ounces, dissolve these in mell Rosarum four ounces, and give it him with a horn in a morning fasting, and after either ride him gently, or else walk him up and down an hour or better, and for an hour after at the least let him stand upon the Trench, then give him a sweet Mash, which when he hath dispatched, give him old dry Oats clean and well sifted, and after sweet Hay, neither let him have any cold water in eight days after, nor after that time, but with exercise. ✚ And this is a special good cure. §. 14. S. Hippoph. NOw let us come to the sinews, what say you to a sinew spraine? Hippos. I have already handled this point sufficiently in lib. 2. cap. 4. § 9 A. for an Attaint upper, nevertheless I will give you more receipts for a sinew spraine, albeit it be the same malady: the first shall be for a sinew sprung, Sinew sprung. or when the sinew is broken, and severed from the flesh, as many times it falleth out, then Take Tartar, and the lees of Claret or red Wine, of each three ounces, Wheat Bran one handful, boil these with the juice of smallage, two handfuls or better, and when you take it from the fire, put into it of Turpentine one ounce, bind this to the sinew grieved, so hot as he may well suffer it, and using this medicine four or five days, he will be sound again. ✚ This is very good: Another, if the sinew or artery be broken with corrosives, or other accident, to cause it to solder or join again. Take the leaves and roots of Solomon's seat, and of great Cumfrey, of each like much, pound them small, and infuse it in white Wine four and twenty hours, bathe the sorance herewith warm (you having first boiled it) and after you have bathed the place well, bind the herbs and roots to the place grieved, dressing him every day once, until he be perfectly consolidate. And if the flesh be still broken, when you do find the sinew to be knit, strew thereon the powder of Lime and Honey, which will heal and skin it in short time. ✚ This is good, for I have often tried it. Another for a sinew grieved. Sinew grieved. If the sinew be so fare grieved, whereby to cause the horse to complain, and to haut, Take then of Mallows a good quantity, and boil them in fair water, until they shall become tender, then drain the water from the herbs, and so stamp them to mash, and apply them to the member grieved hot over night, and the next morning he will be upright again, but then he must have eight or ten day's rest at the least after. But if it be a sinew spraine, then clip away the hair close, or shave it, then Take of the oil of Sulphur, and of the oil of Turpentine, of each one ounce, take first the one half thereof being well mixed, and chafe and rub it into the sinew well, and so let him be tied up to the Rack, that he may not come unto it with his mouth, for that it will greatly perplex him for four or five hours after his dressing, and the next day anoint him, as you did the day before, & he will be cured, but the place will be raw, and therefore heal him up with sweet Butter, or Hog's grease, and when the place healeth, the skin will peel, and yet the hair will come again, but he must either run at grass, or else be kept in the Stable without any exercise at all by the space of a month at least. If the sinew be cut, Sinew cut. then Take new Wax, and Gumme-Arabick, of each two ounces, of the marrow of an Ox or Cow, four ounces, of the oil of Roses three ounces, melt and incorporate all these on the fire, and so keep it for your use, and when you are to use it, warm it, and so apply it either unguent wise, or taint wise, or plaster wise, according as you shall see cause, and it will cure any sorance of this nature. ✚ This I have often tried. Another. If your Horse have a sinew sprained Sinew sprain by an overreach, stroke, or otherwise weakened, the better to strengthen the same, Take tried Hog's grease, Horse grease, May or fresh Butter, Salad oil, of each six ounces: take also of the ointment called Agrippa, two drams, or new Wax, two ounces and a half, and of Camphier a third part to all the rest, melt them all together upon the fire, and so work it to an unguent, and good and warm, anoint the swelled or grieved part therewith morning and evening, and what remaineth of this medicine, let it be reserved in a galley pot for other times, for it will keep a whole year. ✚ This is very good. Another, if it be a sinew spraine only, then Take Goats, Kids, or Deers suet, and Rosin, of each one pound, Fig dust half a pound, Verdigrece in fine powder, half a pound, melt and mix all these well, and therewith anoint the sinew grieved every day, and chafe it into the sinew by holding a hot bar of iron near it. This will both comfort and strengthen the sinew, but I did never make trial thereof. §. 15. S. Hippoph. But Hipposerus, is it needful that by applying your Unguents, you do evermore work them in with a hot bar of iron? Hippos. Truly Sir, those that are for Strains, Aches, Mainges, Farcins, and such like maladies and sorances, the further they do sink into the skin and flesh, the sooner and better will the cure be performed, and therefore albeit I do not always put you in mind of the hot bar of iron in every of my receipts, yet it is needful to be used. But to proceed with another receipt for a sinew spraine. Sinew sprain. Take ordinary Soap, and Aqua vitae, of each as much as will suffice, boil them, and in the boiling, keep it by continual stirring, then take it off, and (so hot as he can well suffer it) bathe and chafe in the ointment, and he will be sound again. This was commended unto me for most sovereign, but I never made trial thereof. Another for a strain taken in travel. Take so mu●h of the best grey Soap as will serve to anoint the sinew strained, but before you do anoint him, having caused his leg to be cleansed from dirt, sand, or gravel, and made dry again, anoint him therewith, and then swath the leg with a thumband of Hay, and so let him stand all night, and the next morning he will be sound again, so that you may securely travel him again, without fear. ✚ This I have often used, and it is very good. Another if it be a strain newly taken. Strain newly taken. Take then of the strongest white Wine Vinegar you can get, one pint, and May or fresh Butter half an ounce, then put to it of Wheat bran as much as will suffice, which by boiling will bring it to a Poultesse, and apply it so hot as he can suffer it; do this morning and evening, until the swelling be assuaged. ✚ This is very good. Another, but if it be an old taken strain, then Take Mallows and Chickweed, of each like much, boil them either in the grounds of Ale or Beer, or else in old Chamberlye, and apply it to the place. ✚ This is a special good cure. Another for an old strain which is thought to be incurable, insomuch as the sinew being swelled, is become very hard and knotty. St aine old. Take Patch-grease, alias Peer or Peece-grease, as much as will suffice, melt it upon the fire, and anoint the strain therewith very hot, and chafe and heat it very well, then rope the place as before is showed you, but before you rope him up, wrap a rowler of linen upon the place, and do thus daily, and it will dissolve the hardness, and make him sound again. ✚ This is most excellent. Another for a spraine of the same nature. Take nerval, Bolearmoniack, Boar's grease, black Soap, of each like much, melt them together, but first pulverize your Bolearmoniack, and anoint the sorance herewith, chafing and heating in very well; continue thus to do twice a day till it be well. ✚ This is also very sovereign. § 16. S. Hippoph. What is good for a Horse that hath a stinking Breath? Stinking breath. Hippos. This cometh by means of corrupted and infected lungs, the signs how to know it is by the smell only, the cure is, Take Cinnamon, Cloves, Galingall, Comine and Coriander seeds, of each three ounces, Fenugrick eight ounces, make all these into fine powder, and searce and mix them well with Wheat flower two pound, and put thereto so much white Wine as will bring it to a stiff paste, and make a cake thereof and bake it in an Oven till it be as dry and as hard as biscuit, and when it is cold, beat it to fine powder, and give him every morning an hour at least before his water, of this powder four spoonfuls in white Wine or strong Ale, of each one pint. This will take away all the corrupt and evil savours of his breath, for this powder healeth all his inward parts that be putrified, from whence his bad breath taketh its origen. ✚ This is very good and approved, and a better remedy you shall find none. § 17. S. Hippoph. What is the best way to cure or take off a Splent? Hippos. This is to be done many ways, but because we are come to treat of this cure, I hold it not amiss to make you understand what a splent is, by what means it cometh, how to know it, and which way to cure the same, and to take it clean away. A splent is in the beginning, a very gristle, howbeit if it be long let alone, it will come to be a hard bone or excresion, and then it will not be so easily cured. It cometh to a Horse by means of too hard travel and sore riding, whilst he is very young, or by bearing in his youth too heavy burdens, by both which means the grease being melted, falleth down into his legs, and so breedeth this sorance, you shall have it bigger or lesser, according as the cause of its coming was; it taketh its residence for the most part upon the inside of the shank about the middle thereof, but sometimes again higher even adjoining to the knee, which if it be there, than it is more difficile to cure. It will many times cause the Horse to haut, but howsoever it will make him oft to stumble, and to trip, and many times to fall in his travel. Sometimes it cometh to a horse hereditarily, like as doth the spaven, and other sorances and maladies: as if either the Stallion or Mare be visited therewith, as I have formerly intimated. The signs how to know it are most facile, viz. either by the sight or feeling, for that you may both see and feel its swelling. Now to the cure, for which I shall give you very many receipts. First wash the place with warm water, and shave away the hair, then with your incision knife slit a hole clean through the skin, more than the length of a Barley corn, and then convey into the said hole so much Arsenic as the fourth part of a hazel Nut, which must be bound on with a bolster and rowler of linen, and made fast with a needle and thread, and so let remain untouched three whole days and nights, in which time the Arsenic will eat and corrode clean away the splent, Splent. then to kill the fire, anoint the place (having first taken off the rowler and bolster, and washed clean the sorance) with sweet or fresh Butter melted, eight or ten days after, and it will be whole. ✚ With this I have done very many cures of this kind. Another: First, anoint the place with ordinary soft washing Soap, then tie a red woollen cloth about the leg, just upon the splent, that done, heat a Brick glowing hot, and lay it upon the cloth against the place where the splent is, and hold it so close unto it a pretty space, than so soon as you do take that away, have another as hot in a readiness, and clap that too also, doing as before, and so a third, or so many as shall be needful, till you do find that the splent is dissolved and taken away, which commonly will be in applying two or three hot Bricks. ✚ With this I have taken off very many splents. Another: First wash and shave away the hair, then knock, rubbe, and prick it with your blood staff and phlegm, and after you have so done, rub and knock it again, then Take Vervine and Salt, of each one handful, pound them together to an Unguent, and apply it to the place, and bind it up with a rowler stitched on fast with a needle and thread, and so let it remain four and twenty hours, and then unbind it, and it is cured without any more to do. ✚ This is very good. Another: Wash and shave as before, and rub and knock as before also, then with your incision knife lay open the place a little, then knock and rubbe again with a little Salt, then apply unto it this ointment which the French do term a Retoyre. Take of oil de Bay four ounces, Cantharideses, Euforbium, and Orpin, of each one ounce, all these being made into fine power, let them be well incorporate into the said oil, and wrought to an Unguent, lay of this to the splent, and bind it up with a Bowlster and Rowler, and sew it up fast, and let him stand so by the space of three hours upon the Trench, so tied up as that he bite not off the rowler and Medicine ●at three hours' end, unrowle the place, and put unto it again the said Retore or Ointment, being made warm, and let the Horse stand trameled four days, and at four day's end send him to the water a foot pace, where every day he must be ridden up and down, to the belly: If you do love the horse, and have a desire to have him perfectly cured, let him not be ridden more than a foot pace to the water in a month after, for endangering the growing of it again, for nothing can be more sovereign for him then rest. ✚. This Retore is a special good thing for this Malady, and I have often used it, and it did never fail me. I had this in France of a famous Marishall who cured many horses therewith in my presence. Another. After you have washed and shaved, knocked, rubbed, and laid it open, as before is taught you, take a head of Garlic, picked and peeled, three or four drops of the best white Wine Vinegar, a penny weight of green Coppras, all well beaten together, apply it to the splent, and then bind and stitch it up, and let it lie on four and twenty hours, then open it, and if the splent be not taken quite away, make more of the same Medicine, and administer it again, binding it up as before, and after other four and twenty hours take of the medicine, and then you shall need do nothing more unto him, but only what you are prescribed in the precedent cure. This I did never try. Another. First burn away the hair with a hot tile, then shave it close with your Razor, that done have in a readiness a piece of Leather, the breadth of the Sorance, and bind it hard upon it, and let it so remain by the space of an hour, then take him off, and lead to the water, without doing any more unto him, and he is cured. This cure I never tried. Another. Take Mustard seed, and beat it, and let it steep a little in fair water, and after make a Plaster thereof, and lay it to the place, and three days after take it away, but have a care your horse come not unto it with his teeth, the hair also being shaved away before you do apply your Plaster, and this will cure him. This also I never proved. Another. First wash and shave away the hair, then take of the tender tops of Wormwood, smallage, Pellitory, and of Brauca-ursina, of each like much, and beat them together with old Bores-grease, so much as will suffice, and apply it to the place: neither did I try this. Another. First wash and shave as before, and knock, beat, and rub the splent three or four times, then take marsh mallow roots, boiled with the skin on, and laid to the place, and it will take away the Splent: This I never made use of, but a very good Ferrier taught it me, who avowed it to be right good. Another. Take Mustardseed, Mallow roots, and Ox dung, all stamped and boiled together, and plasterwise apply it to the place three or four times. This I never used. Another. Take Auripigmentum made into fine powder, and lay it upon the Splent, and it will take it off; but beware that this powder do touch neither vein nor sinew, for it is a very coroding thing, ✚. Another. Take two heads of Garlic and pill them, and cut them small, but do neither stamp or bruise them: then take of Salt the like quantity, and mix them with your Garlic, and divide them into two equal parts, & so put them into two fine linen clouts, and bind them upon the ends of two sticks, of a foot in length a piece of the fashion of two short wooden foils but nothing so long, being not above twelve inches a piece. Take then your blood stick, and rub, knock, and beat, the Splent therewith very well to soften it, then prick it through the skin with your blood staff and Fleame; then take of the oil of Nuts one pint, and put it into a small Pipkin, and set it upon the fire in a Chafingdish with coals, and make it boiling hot, and when it is ready to boil, put into it your short sticks or foils which hath the Garlic and Salt fastened unto them, and first with the one foil, and then with the other (I mean by turns) apply them hot unto the Splent, and between while, rub and struck the Splent downwards, with your thumb, whereby to bring forth the blood, till having with the foils very well mollefied the said Splent, you may the more easily crush forth the blood whereof the Splent is engendered, and form; it being indeed compact of bad and corrupt blood: and thus is the Splent cured, only you must remember to anoint the place two or three times after with sweet or fresh Butter, ✚. This of all the cures I have is the best, for this Malady, howbeit it may seem intricate; I gate it of a French Rider to a Noble Knight in England, and I have herewith taken off more than one hundred Splents, I have used this more than thirty years since. Another. Take up the contrary Leg, and beat the Splent with your bloud-staffe till it do begin to be soft, then with your Fleame prick it in sundry places that the blood may issue forth. Take then the greatest red Onion, and cut off the top, and pick out the core, and put into it so much of the powder of Verdegrease as the end of your thumb, then put on the top again, and wrap it up in a wet brown paper, and so roast it in the hot embers, as you do a Warden, till it be as soft as pap, then take it out of the Embers, and put away the paper and all that is burnt from about it, and stamp it, and being yet very hot apply it unto the Splent, and lay a Bowlster upon it, and then swath it up with a linen Rowler, stitching it fast, and so let it remain five or six days, and then open it, and after anoint the place every day once, with sweet Butter till it be whole. ✚ This is a very good cure. Another. Take a great Onion, and pick out the core, and put into it of the powder of unslaked Lime, and of the powder of Verdigrece, of each as much as will suffice, but so much as will fill it up, then roast it, as before is showed you, and stamp it in a mortar well, then slit the skin a little, that the medicine may come unto it, to eat away the splent, and shave not away the hair, but lay on the medicine and bolster, and bind it up fast, and so let it remain on three days, without stirring it, then unbind it and wash it clean, and anoint it every day with sweet Butter, till it be whole. ✚ This is very good. Another. Take an Elecampane root, and make it clean, and wrap it up in a brown paper, and roast it in the embers as you did the Onions, and being soft like pap, apply it to the splent, you having first rubbed, knocked, and pricked it as before is taught you, the hair also being washed and shaved off, it must be laid on so hot as he is able to suffer it, and let it lie on two days and two nights, then take off that, and lay on a second, and after a third, till the splent be quite consumed, and then anoint the place with fresh butter only every day till it be whole. ✚ This is special good. Another. Take of the oil of Exeter, and taking every day once or twice a little thereof upon the brawn of your thumb, rub and anoint the place therewith, and thus doing, it will take it quite away, but this will ask long time to do. ✚ This I have tried. Thus have I given you very many receipts for this malady, most of which I know to be good from my own experience: the residue which I never tried, were cried up unto me by very skilful Ferriers and Marishals, for very good. The French do call this malady Surots, and Epineles, or Espinuls. §. 18. S. Hippoph. What help have you for stumbling? Stumbling. Hippos. This inconvenience cometh many ways, sometimes it cometh naturally, and sometimes accidentally, it cometh naturally by reason the sinews of the forelegs are somewhat strait, so that the horse is not able to handle his legs with that dexterity and agility he should, and the only remedy to cure him of this defect is, to cut him of the Cords (as we term it) viz. by cutting a slit upon the very top of his nose, and with your cornet to take up the two great sinews which you shall there find, and so cut them in sunder, and after to heal it up again with some healing Salve, and this will do him no harm, but good, for by this doing, it will give him the use of his legs so perfectly, as that he will seldom or never after trip any more, and this can every ordinary Smith do. ✚ And my counsel is, that when at any time you shall either breed or buy a young horse, before, or presently after you shall back him, let him be thus cut of the cords, and you will find great profit thereby. The second cause that maketh a horse to stumble, is accidental, and this cometh either by means of the putting forth of a splent, or a ridge bone, or about wind galls, or by some detriment taken in the foot, as by being hot, foundered, pricked, stubd, gravelled, or the like, or by some sinew spraine, or some hurt or wrench in the shoulder, or by some pinch in the withers; and it cometh also by over-riding, and then negligently set up, which causeth him to go stiff, and then the cure must be done with baths and unguents, whereby to stretch, supple, mollify, and to comfort the stiff members, for remedy and ease whereof, I have given you very many good receipts before prescribed you, as well of baths as of unguents. But yet I will give you one more which I have often made use of, and have done much good therewith for stiff legs, Stiff leg viz. Take of Hog's grease one pound, of fresh Butter, Altheae, and of oil de Bay, of each half a pound, mix and incorporate all these well together, and therewith anoint, rub, and chafe the legs and sinews of the horse, every third day three times a day, and let his shoes be made wide enough, especially at the heels, and let him be pared thin; the sinews being well suppled, it is needful he be also cut of the cords, which will prevent his stumbling the better. Stumbling cometh also by means of carrying heavy burdens, and when the rider is a man of an extraordinary weight, especially if the Horse be young. ✚ This is a very good cure. §. 19 S. Hippoph. What is to be given to a Horse that cannot Stolen or Piss? Stolen or piss. Hippos. This infirmity cometh either of the colic, or by means of too much hard riding: the cure is, Take Grummell seed, Saxafrage-seed, and the roots, of each half an ounce, make them into fine powder, boil them a walm or two in white Wine one quart, and give it him warm. ✚ This is very good. Another. Take the tops of green Broom, and burn a good quantity of them, so as you may have so many of the ashes as will come to be a pretty handful, searce them, and put them into white Wine a pint, and after it hath infused an hour, give him the Wine, but not the ashes. ✚ This is very good. Another. Take black buds of the Ashen tree, and burn them, then take the ashes cleansed, and as before is showed you of the Broom ashes, and administer it to the Horse just as you did the other. X This is a most approved cure. § 20. S. Hippoph. What good cure have you for the Stavers? Hippos. This disease is secundum vulgus, called the Staggers, Of melancholy. but the true name thereof is the Stavers, it is a dizziness in the head, nearly allied unto the frenzy when it seizeth the brain. It is engendered sometimes of corrupt blood, and heavy and bad humours, which do intoxicate and oppress the brain. It is a disease incident to almost every horse, yea and that most dangerous if it be not soon espied. Sometimes it cometh by feeding and grazing, at what time the Horse is hard ridden, that he be hot and sweateth, for by his feeding and holding down his head so low as to graze upon the ground, the peccant humours do fall down to the head, and there settle, and in short time seizeth the brain, which bringeth this mortal disease. Sometimes it cometh by what was occasioned by hard and over-violent riding, whereby the whole body became distempered, and the blood inflamed and putrified: and sometimes it cometh by eating overmuch, Corrupt blood. for thereby is the stomach so overcharged with meat, as not to be able to digest and convert it all as it ought into good blood and nutriment, and therefore must necessarily breed evil humours, which attaching the head and brain, it is in conclusion the cause of this disease. The symptoms whereby to discover it, is, in that his sight will fail him, and he will hardly be able to see a white Wall, he will slaver at the mouth, and his eyes will be swelled, and run with much water and other filth, and his gate will be reeling and staggering, he will oft lie down and beat his head against the planks, floor, and walls, and when he is laid, his body will quiver and shake, and he will forsake his meat; and these be most certain signs which I have ever observed to be in horses oppressed and exercised with this infirmity. But now to come to the cure: I will give you first a cure which a French Marishal taught me, which by reason it sounded to be so much improbable, I would never make trial thereof, but such as it is you shall have it. Fasten unto the end of a stick a linen rag, and anoint it well with Barbary Soap, and put it up into his nose gently, and by degrees, and so draw it out again as treatably. Another. If you do perceive your horse in his travel to fall sick suddenly of the Stavers, Stavers. and that you be in such a place, where for the present you can get no help, than thrust up the greater end of your riding rod into either nostril good and hard, causing him thereby to bleed well, and this will preserve him for the time, till you come where you may meet with better remedy: then take a piece of Wheaten leaven, bay Salt, Rue, Aqua vitae, and strong white Wine Vinegar, of each as much as will suffice, bray all these in a stone mortar very well, then put this medicine into two thin fine linen clothes or rags, by equal portions, and then moisten it well in the liquor, and so convey those clouts into either of his ears one, and then stitch them up close, that he get not the medicine forth, but that the substance thereof may be diffused into his head, and let the medicine remain so four and twenty hours, then take forth the rags, and this will make him a sound and whole horse. ✚ But before you apply this medicine to his ears, run him through the gristle of the nose with a long iron Bodkin, and the next day after let him blood in the neck and mouth, and then give him this drink, which will keep off the Yellows for coming too fast upon him; then take Turmerick, Myrrha, Ivory, or Hartshorn, of each one ounce, of Saffaron one penny worth, pound all these by themselves to very fine powder, then take Seladine a good handful, stamp it and strain it, and put the juice thereof to the other ingredients, then put unto it of Muskadine or sweet Sack, one pint, or for want thereof, of strong Ale one quart, adding unto it of London Treacle one ounce, set these upon the fire, and let it boil one walm or two, and in the taking off, put unto it of sweet Butter the quantity of an Egg, and so having well brewed the same, give it him blood warm, and for three or four days, give him either sweet Mashes, or white water. ✚ This is very good. Another. First take blood from him in the neck and mouth, and let him chew and swallow down his own blood, being most wholesome for him; and whilst he is thus bleeding, thrust an iron Bodkin through the gristle of his nose, skin and all, then Take Assafoetida, the quantity of a hazel nut, and dissolve it into a saucer full of white Wine Vinegar, then take Lint or fine Flax, and dip it into the liquor, and so stop both your Horse ears therewith, and so stitch them up, and at the end of four and twenty hours, unstitch them, and he is cured. ✚ This is very good. Another. First let him blood in both the weeping veins, and in the mouth, then Take of bitter Almonds one ounce and a half, of the gall of an Ox two drams, of black Ellebore made into fine powder, a half penny worth, of Grains, Castoreum, Vinegar, and of Varnish, of each five drams, boil all these together, until the Vinegar be all consumed, then strain it, and put it into his ears, and do as before. ✚ This is very good. Another. Bloody him as before, then with your incision knife, make a slit down his forehead an inch long and better, and with your cornet loosen the skin round about, but most toward the foretop, then put into the place the root of a red great Dock, cut thin, and let it remain there fourteen or fifteen days, and once in two days at furmost, crush out the mattrative stuff, and then take forth the Dock roots, and heal up the place with your healing Salve, and give him during these fourteen days, white water only, and he will do well. ✚ This I assure you is very good. Another Bloody, etc. Then take Aquavitae, and Garlic, of each so much as will suffice, stamp them together, and convey it into his ears doing ut supra, ✚. This is singular good. Another. Let him bleed well in the neck and mouth (for the abundance of bad blood is the cause of this disease) then with your Incision knife slit the forehead of the Horse, and with your Cronet raise the skin especially upwards, & put in three or four cloves of Garlic peeled, & put upon it a little lint or fine Flax to keep away the Wind (for that is dangerous) and then give the Orifice a stitch to keep in the Medicine the better. Then. Take the seeds of Cresses, of Poppy, of Smallage, of Parsley, of Dill (I say the seeds only of these herbs) and take also pepper, and Saffaron, of each two dams, make them all into fine powder, and put unto them of Barley water two quarts, as it cometh boiling from the fire, and let it infuse therein three hours, and then strain it, and give him one quart thereof, if it may be in the morning fasting bloud-warme, and walk him up and down an hour and better, and then set him up warm, and give him Hay sprinkled with water, and the next day give him the other quart fasting, and then do as before, neither let him drink any cold water in four or five days after, but only white water, unless sometimes a sweet Mash: And thus doing he will be cured. X. This is a most excellent Receipt, and I have often used it. §. 21. S. Hippoph. What remedy have you for a Horse that hath Swelled-Legges? Hippos. This Malady of swollen or Gourdy-Legs cometh eftsoons by long standing in the Stable, when as the upper parts of the planks at his forefeet, are much higher than that at the hinder feet, as I have before observed in lib. 1. cap. 4. for by that means the Horse not standing even, and therefore not at his case, the blood settleth in the hinder-Legges, which causeth them to swell. Sometimes they do come by reason the Horse being hard ridden, was brought into the Stable too hot, and carelessly set up, who taking cold, the blood, grease, and humours do fall down into the Legs, and so cause them to swell. Sometimes it cometh by over-riding, whereby the Horse hath his blood stirred, and his grease melted, which falleth down, and resteth in the hinder-Legges, causing them to swell. Sometimes by being ridden and galloping upon hard ways in the Heats, and by that means the blood and grease falleth down into his Legs, congealeth there, whereby they do become gouty and gourdy. And sometimes gourdy-Legges cometh by sickness and surfeits taken, which after remedy had, yet the faeces or dregges thereof still remaining in the body of the horse, falleth down, and causeth the legs to swell, as I have frequently seen. And these be the primme causes and reasons which we have observed for this Malady. Swelled-Legges. The signs your eye doth demonstrate, and you may without teaching point to it with your finger, and therefore we may say nothing thereof. Wherefore now we will to the cure. If the swelling come by ordinary means, then take up the Thigh-veines, and then you need do no more, for that alone will cure him, and after open the heele-veines, and lay a Retoyre to the Legs, or else give him the fire which will siccicate & dry up the bad humours, which must be given gently, and lightly, neither would I have you give him the fire, unless you might think or find it in your judgement to be very requisite. But my meaning is not that this remedy of the fire be applied, but only to an old grief, otherwise not at all. ✚. This is good. But if besides his swelled-Legges, they also be stiff, coming to him after much labour and travel; therefore. Take of Violet-leaves, Primrose-leaves, and Strawberry-leaves, of each a handful, boil all these in new-Milke till they become very soft, and then take it from the fire, and put to it of the oil of nerval, of Petroleum, and of Pamphilion, of each one ounce, and so stir all together until it becometh bloud-warme, and therewith chafe, rub, and anoint the Legs, Nerves, Sinews, and joints, holding a hot bar of Iron near to the place, to cause the Unguent to sink the better in: Anoint him thus with this Unguent, five or six days together, and it will help him. ✚. This I have often used. Another. Take train-oil, and warm it upon the fire, and therewith bathe his legs morning and evening, and in short time he will be well. ✚. This is very good; also to ride your Horse into the water morning and evening up to the belly, doth take away the swelling of his legs. X. This is mervelous good. § 22. S. Hippoph. What is good to assuage the swelling of the Cod in a Horse? Hippos. This Malady cometh many ways, to wit, by violent riding & heats, when there was not sufficient care had of him, but was neglected in the setting up; also it cometh by washing, walking, and cold taken after immoderate labour, and sometimes by feeding to intemperately upon Provender, and sometimes by feeding upon unwholesome meat. The signs to know it, are, his stomach may be peradventure good to his meat, but yet it will do him little good, for he will be always meager and lean, his hair will stare, neither will he cast his coat at usual times like as other Horses do, he will lose his mettle, and become very lunt, and his eyes will run with water and matter, and his stones will swell; in a word, he will be out of joint, that is, out of good temper throughout every part and member of his Body. Other causes there be of this Malady whereof I have entreated before in lib. 2. cap. 6. §. 9 let. C. to which place I do refer you; nevertheless I will give you a Receipt or two which I have often used, and do know them to be right good. Swelled cod Take Turmerick and long-Pepper, of each a pennyworth, Anniseeds, and Fenugrick, of each a half pennyworth, sweet Butter so much as will suffice, boil all these (being first powdered) in Ale three pints, till one pint be consumed, and then take it from the fire, and strain it, and dissolve into it in London Treacle one ounce, and so well brewed, give it your Horse bloud-warme, let him have this drink sundry times, and let otherwise his drink be white water, and sometimes a sweet Mash till he be well. ✚. This is very good. Another. Take of the best Tar two spoonfuls, life-honey one spoonful, black-sope the quantity of a Nutmeg, Diapente one ounce, and of Bay-salt two spoonfuls, mix all these well together, and convey it into two or three Egges-shels, the tops being so opened as that you may but get forth the meat, then fill up the shells with this Medicine, and so put them down his throat in a morning fasting, and give him presently after it two or three hornefuls of Ale or Beer to send down the Medicine the better, but the surplusage of what remaineth of the Medicine, let it be spread upon the roof of his mouth, do thus every morning for eight days together, and when he hath taken his Medicine, let him be ridden gently an hour or two, and then set him up warm clothed and littered, and set him upon the Trench three hours, and let his drink be white water, and sometimes a sweet Mash, both then and for sometime after. ✚. This is also very good. § 23. S. Hippoph. HOw do you take off a Spongy-Wart? Hippos. A Spongy-Wart, Spongy-wart. is that very thing which our Ferriers call an Anberry, which is kind of wen, which swelleth sometimes to a great bigness, sometimes again it will be but small, but then commonly they are many, and do grow into clusters, this cometh by means of peccant humours caused of bad blood, and that horse that is inclined to Warts, will seldom be ever free of them, for take them off in one place, and he will put forth more in other parts of his body, but to breed of either Horse or Mare inclined to them I will dissuade you: for most commonly he will put them forth about the eyes, yea, and ofttimes so near to the eye itself as to endanger the sight thereof; They be easily known by reason they be so apparently seen, and therefore need no further description. The cure is. It were good first to purge him, and to take blood from that Master-veine which you do find doth most feed them, as well to divert as to stop the malice of that bad humour which doth occasion the malady. If the Wart or Anberry be fare enough extant from the skin, then tie two of his strongest hairs taken from his tail, hard about the sorance so fast as you possibly can, and so as that it may not loosen, and in few days it will fret and eat it clean off, which done, strew upon it the powder of Verdegrece to kill it at the root, and after heal it up again with your green salve. But if you cannot come to tie it either with hair or thread, then either with your incision knife cut it away close to the skin, or else burn off with an hot iron, and then first kill the fire with Turpentine and Hog's grease melted together, and after heal it up as before is prescribed you. ✚ This is very good. § 23. S. Hippoph. What is good to be applied to a Horse that is Surbated? Hippos. Two ways a horse doth surbate; the first is when a horse is newly backed and weighed, upon his first shooing, and when the owner of the horse will not have patience with him, but will presently journey him upon hard and stony ways, his hooves and feet being yet but tender to what they will be afterwards, and so the horse must needs surbate. The second way is, when a horse hath of himself bad feet, and is also either ill shod, or else his shoes be very thin worn, or that they be too narrow or too short, and that he be ridden upon bad, hard, stony, and rough ways; in such like cases your horse will surbate; you shall find it by the handling of his feet, especially the next day after a long journey, by reason he will not stand still long upon his feet without hitching them up, and removing them, for that they will be so sore; as that he will not know how or where to place them, and you shall also perceive him to be surbated, by reason that after a journey he will lie much, standing being painful unto him, and in his lying you shall see him covet to lie and stretch himself all along upon one side, and if you feel the coffins of his hooves, you shall find them to burn very hot, and his hooves to be very dry. The cure is very facile. Take two new laid Eggs, Surbated feet. and after you have well picked his fore-feets, break them raw into the soles, and then stop them up with Ox or Cow dung, and he will be well by the next morning. ✚ This is an approved good cure. § 24. S. Hippoph. HOw do you cure a Horse that is stifled? Hippos. This mischief cometh accidentally, to wit, either by a strain in leaping, or by a slip in travel, or by the stroke of some other horse, and thus the bone is either out of its place, or else the joint is very much strained or hurt. The signs to know it is; if the bone be out, you may see it plainly, for besides his halting, the bone dislocated will so stick out, as that the horse can do no more than touch the ground with his toe, till it be put in again, and the way to put it in is thus. First tie down his head to the Manger, then take a cord and fasten it to the pastern of the stifled Stifled. leg, and draw his leg forwards, and so the bone will come right by helping it with your hand, which being in, your care then must be to keep it in with your hand, and then tie the other end of the cord to the Rack, so as he may not put back his leg to dislocate the bone any more for an hour or two after till it be settled and dressed. Wherefore let his Keeper stand by him all the time, lest the horse should lie down, or be unruly. This done, take pitch which you must have melted in a pot, in a readiness, and with a clout upon a stick anoint the stifling three or four inches broad at the least, and ten inches long, and presently before the pitch can cool, have a strong piece of new Canvas cut fit for the purpose, which being made very warm by a fire, clap it upon the place so neatly, that the bone cannot go forth again. This plaster must not lie towards the flank and foot longst-wayes, but cross-ways upon the joint, as it were about the thigh, otherwise it cannot hold in the bone. Having thus done, anoint the plaster on the outside all over with the said molten pitch, and whilst it is warm, clap flocks of the horses colour all over upon the outside of the Canvas, and let the plaster remain on until it fall away of itself, and after that you may apply such good Unguents as you may think to be most expedient for the malady. But if the bone be not out, then put in a French Rowel a little beneath the stifling-place, and let the Rowel remain in fifteen days, turning it once every day, and at fifteen days end take it forth, and heal up the orifice, like as before you have been taught. ✚ This is special good. §. 25. S. Hippoph. What remedy may be had for a Horse that is troubled with the Stone? Hippos. This is a very troublesome disease, and it cometh of gross and bad humours, gotten principally by violent exercise, and intemperate riding, and it cometh from the Liver and Spleen, which falling down into the kidneys and bladder, settleth there, whereby there groweth in the mouth of the conduct certain inflamed hard knots which stoppeth his urine, whereby he is not able to piss, but with great difficulty, by reason the sinews and the pores about the neck of the bladder are benumbed, which taketh away the sense and feeling of the bladder. And sometimes this infirmity cometh by reason that in his travel, the horse is kept so long in agitation, as not to suffer him to stolen and piss, for the water being made hot by exercise, doth conglutinate, and becometh viscous and thick, so as it cannot pass away from him, as nature requireth it should do, whereby there is made too great a retention of the Urine, by means of the obstructions he hath in his kidneys, which engendereth gravel, sometimes red, and sometimes grey, which falling down into the conducts, engendereth phlegmatic and gross humours, which occasioneth conglutination, and so becometh to be the stone, waxing so hard, and thereby stopping the current of his water, so as he will not be able to piss or stolen. And you may come easily to know it, by reason that he can neither draw his yard, nor piss, but with great pain and difficulty in his sheath, and that many times drop by drop. The cure is, take Saxafrage, Nettle-roots, Parsley-roots, Stone. Fennell-roots, Sperage-roots, and of Dodder, of each one handful, bruise all these things, and boil them on a gentle fire with white Wine, until a third part be consumed, then put unto it of Salt one handful, of Salad oil, and of the Lard of a Goat, of each three ounces, Honey half a pound; when all this is boiled, strain it, and wring it very hard, and of this give your Horse one pint every morning fasting, made blood warm, and if in the boiling or by standing, it happen to become thick, dissolve it again with white Wine, and after the first boiling it must be but only warmed. And give to him this drink every morning so long as it will last. ✚ This is very good, for I have often tried it. Another as good as the former. Take of strong Ale one quart, and put it into a pottle pot, then take so many of the reddest Radish roots, clean washed and sliced into small pieces as will fill up the pot, then stop up the pot so close, as that the air cannot get in, and let it remain four and twenty hours, then strain the roots from the Ale very hard into some other clean pot, and so give it him in a morning fasting with a horn, then ride him a while upon it, and so set him up warm covered and well littered, and in a little while you shall see him piss, give him this drink sundry mornings together; and during this cure, let him have but only white water to drink. ✚ This is special good. §. 26. S. Hippoph. What cure have you for a String-hault? String-hault. Hippos. This is a malady which for the most part the best mettled horses be many times troubled with; it cometh merely of cold, as by taking cold suddenly after hard riding, especially when by being washed, for the blood and sinews being by that means stupefied and benumbed, is the cause of the disease by reason the sense and feeling of the member is taken from him; you may easily know it by the manner of the unsightly lifting, and sudden snatching up of his leg much higher than the other, and it commonly cometh into the hinder leg, rather than into the fore-legge. The cure is, first to take up the vein in the thigh, and after to anoint all the leg and the thigh from the body down unto the very foot a long time together, one holding a red hot Bar of iron near to the place, and let him be anointed with this ointment. Take of the oil of Petroleum, of the oil of Worms, of the oil of nerval, of Patch or Piece grease, of the oil of Spike, of each one ounce, of London Treacle two ounces, and of Hog's grease one pound, melt all these upon the fire, and then take it off, and keep it with continual stirring till it be through cold, and with this anoint the visited member every day once, and then wisp him up with a soft thumb band of Hay from the pastern to the top of the hoof, and thus do for ten days together, rubbing and chafing in the ointment very well a long time together, holding (as before I have advised) a hot bar of iron near to it, to cause this Unguent the better to sink into the sinews, nerves, and joints. But after you have done anointing him, you must keep him warm and well littered, and let the thumb band be daily made lesser and lesser, and shorter and shorter, till you perceive him to handle both legs alike, and your Horse to be recovered; but you must not ride him that he may sweat much in a month after, and so soon as warm weather cometh, turn him to grass into some dry pasture where is water, and take him up again about Bartholomew Tide, or before the cold cometh, and whilst he doth remain in the Stable, keep him warm, and so he will be free of his String-hault, and be a sound horse again. To anoint him also with Acopum is very good. ✚ Thus I have recovered sundry horses of this malady. § 27. S. Hippoph. What is the nature of Suppositories? Hippos. The nature of Suppositories are to help a horse that cannot well empty himself; for a Suppository causeth him to discharge himself of many superfluous and evil humours which do disturb, annoy, and distemper his body with their peccant qualities and conditions, for they breed bad nutriment, which oft times good diet cannot amend, and therefore must be sent away by purgation, that is to say, by Suppository, or Clyster, or Potion; I have spoken already sufficiently, and therefore I will now entreat of Suppositories only, which of all other ways is the gentlest, wherewith to purge and cleanse the guts: for a Suppository is but a preparative to a Clyster or Potion, whereby to loosen the guts, which may be bound and clogged with dry, hot, and hard excrements, which a Suppository rather than a Clyster can loosen; and as I have already given you receipts for Clysters, so now will I give you for Suppositories, whereof you may make use according as occasion and necessity shall require. Take a great Candle of four in the pound, and cut off three inches Supposis. 1 at the smaller end, and then anoint the bigger and longer part either with Salad oil, or fresh or sweet Butter, and so convey it into his fundament, then with your hand hold his tail to his tuell a good half hour, or else tie his tail with a strap to his girt or Sursingle, by which time the Suppository will be dissolved, then let lose his tail, and then presently leap his back and troth him up and down till he do begin to empty and purge himself, for by this means it will work the better and more kindly. ✚ This is the most gentle of all Suppositories can be given. ✚ This dissolveth all hard, dry, and hot excrements, and sendeth them forth, and besides it suppleth the guts. Another, If you do find your horse to be so exceeding weak, as that you dare not without peril of his life, administer unto him any Potion or purging medicine, then give him this Suppository. Take of common Honey six ounces, of Salt-Niter one ounce and Suppository. 2 a half, of Wheat flower, and of Anniseeds in fine powder, of each one ounce, boil all these to a stiff thickness, and so make it into suppositories, then take one of them and anoint it all over with Salad oil, and your hand also, and so put it up into his fundament the length of your hand, then tie his tail betwixt his legs, as before is showed, and let it remain so half an hour, by which time the suppository will be dissolved, then ride and order him as before. ✚ This is also very good, especially in case of surfeits or inward sickness. Another. Take a piece of Castle-Sope, and paring it bring it into the fashion Suppository. 3 of a suppository, and apply it, and order him as before is taught you. ✚ This is special good to purge phlegm, & it is very gentle. Another. Suppository. 4 Take Saven, so much as will suffice, and stamp it to mash, and stamp with in Stavesaker and Salt, of each two ounces, boil these in common Honey so much as will suffice, till it be thick, and so make it up into Suppositories and administer one of them, like as you are before showed, and order him so likewise. ✚. This purgeth Choler. Another. Suppository. 5 Take an angry red Onion and pill it, and iagge it cross ways with your knife, and so administer it, and order him as before. X. This purgeth Melancholy. Another. Suppository. 6 Take common-hony one pint, and boil it till it be thick, & make it up into Suppositories as it cooleth, and administer it, and order him as before is prescribed you. ✚, This purgeth evil humours, it cooleth and comforteth the body very much, and causeth a good appetite to meat. All these I have often used and I do know them to be very good. But you must take with you some instructions fit to be known, which are; First, when at any time you do administer either Suppositories▪ Clysters, Potions, you must do it in a morning fasting unless necessity urge the contrary: Secondly, you must not at those times suffer him to drink any cold water, no not with exercise, but either sweet Mashes, or white water. Thirdly, it is very needful that before you shall administer either Suppository, Clyster, or Potion, that the Horse be raked. And fourthly that he be after kept warm. §. 28. S. Hippoph. What benefit cometh to a Horse by Sweeting? Hippos. Truly Sir very much, for by moderate and judicious giving of Sweats, as well in his in the Stable, as abroad in his exercise, you may cure him of many Maladies and prevent, many infirmities which otherwise might accrue unto him. For Sweeting doth open the pores, & sendeth forth those peccant and malignant humours which do annoy, oppress, and vex him. But as touching this manner of sweeting by you proposed, it hath relation unto what I have already handled in lib. 2. cap. 2. where I entreating of what is to be done to a Horse, newly taken from grass, I there took occasion to advise sweeting, and there I referred you to this place, and therefore I will here illustrate it. Wherefore if you be in the way of ensayning your Horse having already purged, bloodied and cleansed him, and prepared his body fit for sweeting Sweeting. (if need shall require) Then if the weather be fair and warm, ride him a mile upon his trot, and then home again, then presently litter him very well, and him up so warm as that he may sweat, but not yet so violently as to stir the humours in his body too much, neither let him sweat above an hour, and then cool him again by degrees, and that with great care and moderation; and thus ride and sweat him for three days together; then for six days together keep him warm, but not to sweat any more, and during the time of his sweeting, and six or eight days after, let him have no cold drink, but white water, and sometimes a sweet Mash. And thus briefly of sweeting. ✚. This manner of giving sweats I have often used, and with great commodity to the Horse. But let us pass on to another Chapter. CHAP. XIX. §. 1. T. Hippophilus. WHat cure have you for a Horse whose Tongue is hurt? Tong hurt Hippos. This Malady cometh by accident, as with with a Bit, Halter, or the like. Take therefore of Arman half an ounce, and roast it in the embers till it be red-hot, then take it up and beat it to very fine powder: then take of life-hony a Sawcer-full, and of white Wine one pint mix and steep these with the powder together, and so let it boil over the fire, stirring it continually, then take it off, and let it cool, and so wash his tongue therewith morning and evening, or as you shall please till it be whole. ✚. This is very good. Another. Take the juice of Salendine, and wash the hurt-tongue therewith nine days together, and it will cure it, albeit it be half cut in sunder, for the juice of Salendine well conglutinate and sodder the tongue together being cut or wounded. ✚. This also is very good. §. 2. T. Hippoph. HOw do you help a Horse that hath an Itch in his Tail? Taile an itch. Hippos. This cometh of rankness of blood, and therefore it is requisite that first he be let blood in the Tail, and that he bleed well. After. Take Buck-lye, and with a Rag or Hurds in the Lie wash the place infected every day often, or as many times as it shallbe dry, and continue thus doing four or five days, and this will cure it. ✚. This is very good. Another. But if the hair do fall away with the Mainge, or Itch, then slit the skin from within two inches of the Tuell to the fourth joint, and with your Cornet take out a certain bone or gristle, which the French do call Barivole, then fill up the cleft with Salt made into fine powder, and with a hot iron burn the tail in sundry places, and wash it with Buck-lye, as before; But your Lie must be made very strong. This cure I never practised, but I once saw a Marishall of Paris dress, and so cured a Horse in this manner of this malady, of whom I had the cure. § 3. T. Hippoph. HOw do you make your Vnguentum Theriacum? Hippos. This Vnguentum Theriacum Theriacum Vnguentum. is most sovereign for any Ache in any of the joints; it is also special good for Horses that do fall lame, if the grief be in the Hip, Stifling-place, legs, shoulders, Pasterns, or any other part of the legs, a back-sinew-sprain only excepted. And thus I do make it. Take of Nervell, of Oil of Pamphilion, and of black-Sope, of each two ounces, and of tryed-hogs-grease half a pound, melt all these upon a gentle fire, and being melted put into it of ordinary Treacle two pennyworth, then take it from the fire, then with a Splatter or Spoon, keep it by continual stirring till it be through cold, then will it be of a dun-colour, keep this in a galley-pot for your use. And when you shall have occasion to use the same, anoint the grieved place therewith, rubbing, and chafing it in very well, and let one hold a bar of hot iron near, as you do anoint the grief. And thus is it made. ✚. This is most excellent to raise the vein from the sinew at what time you are to take up the vein, I have tried it saepè et saepiùs. §. 4. T. Hippoph. HOw do you destroy a Tetter? Hippos. This Malady or Sorance the French do call Vervolant, the Flying Worm, which is a Tetter or Ringworm, Tetter or Ringworm and the cure is this. Take the roots of Elicampane, and the roots of the red-Dock, of each like much, slice them thin, and put them into urine three quarts with Bay-salt, two handfuls, let it boil until one quart be consumed, then take it off, and with a clout fastened to a stick wash the Sorance very hot. Use this four or five mornings together, and it will kill it. ✚. This is very good. §. 5. T. Hippoph. What is to be done to a horse that tyreth in travel, and falleth sick? Hippos. For a Horse to tyre upon the way, the causes are many: First, for that he is traveled when he shall be too young; Secondly, in that he is lately taken from grass whilst he is yet foul and foggy, before he be well ensaimed; thirdly, in that he hath been long kept and pampered in the Stable, without giving him breath or moderate exercise; Fourthly, by being traveled beyond his strength in longer journeys, and deeper ways than he was well able to perform; Fiftly, it might be through the covetousness or carelessness of his rider, in not feeding or seeing him fed so well as was fitting; Sixtly and lastly, by reason the Horse might have some secret infirmity whereof his master might be ignorant. Wherefore if your Horse may happen in his travel to tyre or faint, have patience with him, and do not force him beyond what he may be able to perform, either by spurring or beating him, like as many choleric and passionate people do usually, but get to some house or Inn so soon as conveniently you may, when first you see him begin to sink or to faint under you, set him presently up warm clothed, and well littered, that he take no cold, and let his Keeper or the Ostler of the Inn rubbe and chafe him all over with fresh dry straw, but especially let him rub him against the hair, and let him have no meat till two hours or more after you have given him this drink. Take of the best sweet Sack one pint, but if that cannot be had, Tiring in travel. then take the same quantity of White or Claret Wine, and put thereto of Cinnamon, Ginger, Nutmegs, Grains, Cloves, Anniseeds, and Fennell-seds, of each one ounce, all made into fine powder: then take red Sage, Rosemary-tops, Mints, Camomile, and wild Thyme, of each like much, so that in all they amount to half a handful, chop the herbs very small, and then put all these Herbs and Spices into the Wine, and then boil them a pretty while, then take it from the fire, and strain it hard, and unbit your horse, and give him this drink blood warm; this done, Bitten him up again, and with a switch stir him up and down as he standeth in his place tied to the Rack, then cool him, and two hours after his drink, give him first some Hay, and half an hour after that, give him either a sweet Mash, or white water, and after feed him at your pleasure, but be you considerate in giving him his Provender by little at once and often, and howsoever feed him well, and thus ordering him, by morning he will be well recovered, and able to travel again. ✚ This is an excellent drink, and of great virtue for any Horse that tyreth or falleth sick upon the way. It is also very requisite that with a Syringe you do inject of this drink into his nostrils. Another. If you do fear that your horse may tyre in his journey, for prevention, carry with you a box of powder of dried Elecampane roots, and let the powder be also seared, and when you do come unto your Inn, let him not be walked, but set up warm in the Stable clothed and littered, his legs, body, head, and neck, be by the Groom or Ostler well rubbed, but chief his Poll betwixt his ears. Then take of strong Ale one quart, or of sweet Sack one pint, which is much better, and put into it of your Elecampane half an ounce, brew them well together, and give it him with a horn, then bridle him, and tie him to the Rack, but not too high, so as he may put down his nose, and let him stand so an hour, then unbridle him, and give him Hay, and an hour or better after that, give him either a sweet Mash or white water, and then Provender sufficient, but with discretion and by degrees, and so also in the morning, give him both Oats and Bread, whether he will eat best, feeding him by little and little so long as he will eat, and in the morning when you are ready to take his back, give him the same drink again, and you shall find him to travel with spirit and mettle; and if you tie a branch of Pennyroyal upon his Bit, it will greatly comfort him. But yet for all that which hath been said, if he happen to tyre, then Take Arsmart, and rub his bare back where the Saddle resteth, and lay also some of the leaves upon his back under the Saddle, and so clap on the Saddle, and this will cause him the better to hold out. ✚ This is good. Another. Take the best Spanish Tobacco you can get, shred it small, and dry it, and make it into fine powder, and mix therewith the powder of Cockle shells of the like quantity, which must be seared, and put this powder into a glass, keeping it close stopped, and so keep it to your use. And when you are to use it, take of this powder, and mix therewith of the oil of Dill, and of the oil of Cloves such a quantity as will make this powder into a stiff paste, and so make it into pills, every Pill the bigness of a Walnut, which must be dried in the shade (these Pills must be made in the Canicular or Dog days only) then keep them close stopped in some glass or galley pot, that no air can get into it, and when you have cause to use any of them, give him one of them at what time you shall perceive your horse to faint or tyre, or that you do perceive him to have taken a cold or surfeit, which may very well be the cause of his debility, give him (I say) one of these Pills when you do come unto your Inn. But if he hath taken a cold or surfeit, then give him a Pill in the morning fasting, and let him be well rubbed, clothed warm, and well littered, and suffer him not to drink any cold water, but either a sweet Mash or white water, for there is not any thing more noxious then to give a horse in this case cold water, and let his travel be moderate and with great discretion, and he will both hold out his journey, and get strength and flesh also in his travel. ✚ And this I have often tried both upon my own horses and others in whose company I have traveled, as well in England as in parts abroad. CHAP. XX. § 1. V Hippoph. HOw do you prescribe a Vomit to a Horse? Hippos. Of this I have spoken a little already, where I did remit you to this place. We do usually give vomits unto horses newly taken up from grass, by reason they are thereby full of very gross and phlegmatic humours, which do abound in the stomach and head, which if they be not fetched from the horse in its due time, will be a means to impair greatly the health of the horse, which must oft times be necessarily expulsed by vomit, and you shall have a receipt of a vomit which I had in France from a special Ferrier there, who (as I have before touched) hath in my presence administered to sundry horses, which did work very kindly upon them, and I myself have administered the same to sundry Horses here in England to very great profit unto them. The receipt is this. Take two of the greatest roots of Polipodium you can get from the Oak, wash and scrape them very clean, and tie it to his Snaffle, Vomiting. Trench, or Bitten, then let it be steeped in the oil of Spike a whole night, and in the morning fasting put on his bridle with the said roots, and ride him with it in his mouth an hour or better fair and softly, and if he be troubled with any rheumatic or phlegmatic humour, or with any cold or other filthy matter which may any way pester, clog, or annoy his stomach; this thing will force him to vent them at his mouth and nose, and it will cause him to cough and sneeze, whereby he will send forth a great abundance of filth and evil slimy stuff from off his stomach and head, as that in short time he will become very clean in his body, for this will both refine his blood, and exhaust all his watery humours, in such sort as by temperate ordering him, and doing as I have here prescribed you, you may be confident to keep him a long sound, perfect, and serviceable horse. And this is not to be applied only to a horse newly taken from grass, but to any other horse that hath taken a cold, or to any ketty, foul, foggy, or pursive horse whatsoever. ✚ This may seem strange here amongst us, but let any man make trial, and he shall find it to be most admirable. § 2. V Hippoph. What is to be given to a Horse that hath a violent Cough? Hippos. If this great and very violent Cough Violent Cough. proceed from a cold (as commonly all Coughs do) then give him first Wheat Bran prepared, as sundry times before is prescribed you, and take blood from the neck vein, then with his Oats give him this powder following, viz. Take of Comen, Fenugrick, Sileris-Montani, alias Sisileos', Nutmegs, Cloves, Ginger, Linseed, of each two ounces, Quick-Brimstone six ounces, make all these into fine powder, and of this powder give him every night with his Oats one spoonful. But because this powder disperseth the corrupt, gross, and phlegmatic humours which are predominant in the body of the horse, which do occasion the said violent Cough, so soon as you shall perceive that with this powder he hath purged sufficiently, use it then no longer, but fail not to continue his white water, but before you give him his water, take a stick about the bigness of your thumb at least, and well-nigh a foot long, and wrap a fine rag about it four or five times steeped before hand in oil de Bay, and so put it into his mouth, like as you would do a Snaffle, and with straps made fast to the ends of the stick, fastened then over his Poll, like as Smiths use to do when they burn horses for the Lampas, and let him drink with it in his mouth, that done, let him stand with it in his mouth one hour after at the least, to the end he may lick and suck up the said oil upon the rag or cloth, and when you do give him his Oats, mix them with this powder following, viz. Take of Fennell-seeds four ounces, of Fenugrick two ounces, of Cardamom one ounce, beat all together but grossly, otherwise he will blow it away as he eateth his Oats, and keep him warm as before is advised you. ✚ This is very good, for I have often used it. § 3. V Hippoph. FOr what causes do you take up Veins? Hippos. As touching taking up of veins, you shall understand that it is a thing in many cases so much behooveful, as that many times the most exquisite Ferrier living, shall not be able to perfect this cure but by that way and means, for unless such veins be either taken up, or some ways stopped, which are noxious to the cure, by feeding the malady with its peccant humours, the Ferrier can never work by true Art. Again, veins well taken up, do prevent many maladies whereunto many horses are much more propense than others are. And lastly, the taking up of veins, cureth some diseases, which could otherwise never be cured. For by taking up of the thigh-veines, sendeth away Spavens, Splents, Curbs, Kibed-heeles, Swelled-legges, Scratches, Malenders, Farition in the legs and the like sorances; besides it easeth all pains, aches, strains, stiffness in the limbs, etc. Take up the Shackle-veynes, Voynes to take up. and it preventeth the Quitterbone, Ring-bone, swellings in the lower-joynts, foundring, etc. Wherefore forasmuch as ignorant people, whatsoever opinion they may have of their superabundant skill, yet are they very much to seek in that they do so much exclaim against taking up of veins, absurdly affirming it to be a great means of laming of Horses: but let them not mistake themselves, for assuredly it is the best and only remedy against these and many more maladies, and when they shall have made trial, they will not be of so prejudicated opinions. CHAP. XXI. § 1. W. Hippoph. WHat good thing have you wherewith to preserve the wind Wind to preserve. of a Horse? Hippos. Sir, for this infirmity I make a Cataplasm which is this. Take Wheat flower four pound, Elecampane and Gentian, of each one ounce, Anniseeds, Fenugrick, Comyn, Brimstone, and Licoris, of each half a pound, let all these be made into very fine powder and seared, then put unto it of common English Honey half a pound, and so much white Wine as will make all these things into a Cataplasm, boil all these sufficiently, till it be so thick that you may make it into Pills, and give your horse of them three or four at a time for six or eight mornings together. Use this often, for it will conserve a horse in health, and keepeth him sound of his body, wind, and courage. ✚ This is most excellent. But if you do perceive a taint in his wind, then Take a close earthen Pot or Pipkin, and put thereinto of the strongest white Wine Vinegar three pints, and four new laid Eggs unbroken, and four heads of Garlic clean peeled and bruised, then cover the pot very close, and bury it in a Mixen or Dunghill twelve hours, then take it up, and take forth the Eggs, but break them not, then strain the Vinegar and Garlic through a fine linen cloth, putting unto the liquor of life-honey four ounces, and of brown Sugar-Candy, Anniseedes and Licoris, all made into very fine powder, of each two ounces, and your horse having fasted all night till morning, give him one of the steeped Eggs, and then one hornefull of this liquor or drink, and then another Egg, and after that another hornefull, and so a third Egg, and then an hornefull, and lastly a fourth Egg, and so the residue of the liquor, remembering to give him into either nosethrill half a hornefull of his drink, and it must be administered bloud-warme, then set him upon the Trench, cloth, stop, and litter him warm, and let him stand so four hours, then unbit him, and if it be in Winter time give him sweet Wheate-straw, but no Hay, and if it be in Summer, give him grass, greene-corne, or the leaves of Sallowes, and for nine days give him either sweet Mashes, or white water, putting therein some Salet-oyle, and be you assured he will do well again. ✚. This is also very good. Another. Take a Hedgehog alive, and Bake him in the Oven in an earthen-pot, close stopped until he do become so dry as that you may make him into powder: give him also this powder one spoonful, in a quart of good Ale every other day, and this will infinitely help and preserve his wind. ✚. This is also special good. § 2. W. Hippoph. IS there such a disease which is called the Wildfire? Wildfire. Hippos. Yea Sir, there is, and it is a disease most dangerous and very difficult to cure, but by a Receipt of a powder which once I obtained of a skilful Chirurgeon, which said powder is not fit to be applied to any living creature, but to a horse only it is so terrible. And thus it is to be made, viz. Take of living Toads four, the greatest and blackest can be found, living Moles or Aunts three, and of old Shoe-soles six, and heads of Garlic unpilled, and with their beards or roots remaining upon them forty, then take of the leanest and saltest Martlemas-beefe three pounds, cut it into thin and swall pieces and slices, such Martlemas-beefe I mean which hath longest hanged in the smoke: take also of Oats eight pints, and of old woollen-ragges the couser the better two pounds; take also of Swallowes-dung a good quantity, and four or five living Swallows, put all these things into an Earthen-pot new, and well nailed, and let it be big enough to be able to hold all the Ingredients, and put also all those living-creatures among them alive, and then make a Cake of Clay, and therewith lute up the Pot so close, as that neither smoke nor air can either get in or out; having so done carry your Pot into some Orchard or other Close, or Backside, from Housing or Straw, and there place it, and so make a great fire both round about it, and upon it, and so keep the fire unto the Pot, till it be as red-hot as the very fiery-coles themselves, and let the fire continue so great after the pot is red-hot by the space of half an hour at the least: then let the fire remain untouched until it be all consumed to ashes, and so go forth of itself, without either quenching the same, or taking away any of the fire about it, and so let it stand till it be through cold, which will hardly be done the same day, so when the Pot is through cold, take it from the place, and opening it, take forth the stuff, and put it into some Trough or great Mortar made for the purpose, which must stand in some out or open place where no wind can come, the Trough or Mortar being covered with a cloth, that the powder may not fly away, there pound and stamp these things together into fine powder, and in the stamping, add thereunto of unslacked-Lime one pound. Let him that stampeth it be close muffled, and his eyes covered with a glasse-case made for the purpose for fear of hurting them; and when it is throughly powdered, searse the powder through a course Haircloth, and so keep the very finest of the powder for your use, in some clean glass or galley-pot. This powder killeth all Wilde-fires whatsoever, and all running Sorances and Ulcers, provided it be applied to fleshy-places, and not to places where veins or sinews be, for that it will burn them in sunder. X. This I have made sundry times, and often used it, and to cure and dry up old sores and Ulcers (this powder being discreetly used and rightly applied) a better thing than this truly I know not, especially if the cure be either desperate or dangerous. § 3. W. Hippoph. What good Plaster have you to lay upon a Wound, whereby to keep in the Taint or Salve? Hippos. Take Pitch, Rosin, Mastic, Turpentine, Hogge-grease, of each so much as will suffice, melt all these together, and so keep it: and when you would use it, spread what will serve upon a plaster of Leather, and so cover the wound Wounds. therewith. ✚. This salve doth infinitely comfort a wound green or old, be the same Fistula or otherwise. Very good. §. 4. W. Hippoph. HOw do you take away a Wen, or other excretion arising in the Flesh? Hippos. A Wen is a hard rising out of the flesh, which cometh sometimes by bad-humours, but most commonly by some Hurt, Stroke, Bruise, Blow, or with a stone thrown at that place, it is outwardly fleshy, but towards the root it is matterative, you need no signs whereby to know it, for it will betray itself by its swelling, The cure is. If you cannot come to tie a double thread about it whereby to eat it off, Wen or excretion. as I have formerly shown you in the cure of a Spongy-Wart: then with your Incisionknife cut it a cross into four equal parts or quarters to the very bottom, but beware you touch not either veins or sinews, then with Mercury eat away the four quarters, or else burn them off with your hot-iron; then heal the place with your healing salve. ✚. This is very good. §. 5. W. Hippoph. What is good to take away Wind-gaules? Hippos. Wind galls are terrible Sorances, which do breed in the legs of a Horse, as well on the outside as on the inside, a little above the Fetlock joint, and by their swelling are plainly discovered, and made visible to the Eye, for they be bladders, wherein lieth a jelly, which being let forth is thick, and of the colour of the yolk of an Egg, whereof some will be bigger, and some lesser. It cometh most commoly to Horses in the Summertime, by reason they are ridden upon hard ground, and the Horse being overheat by too hard riding, his grease falleth down into his legs, and settleth there, and by that means breedeth this Malady, we call Wind-gaules, Windgalles and they will be so painful unto him, as to cause him many times to halt. The signs to know them are by the swellings in that place before named, which be most easy to be seen and felt. The cure is either to strick with your Fleame or to open them with your Incisionknife, and to let and crush out all the congealed stuff which is therein, opening the place no further then through the skin, and you must be careful of the sinew, which lieth close to that place: then. Take the white of an Egg, and Oyle-de Bay so much as will suffice, incorporate them together, and apply it with Hurds Plasterwise, and in three or four days thus dressing it, he will be cured. ✚. Thus have I cured many Horses. Another. After you have let forth the jelly. Take Pitch, Rosin, and Mastic, of each like much, boil or but melt them together, and as it cooleth, make it up into rolls bigger or lesser at your pleasure, and being through cold, apply it with a hot iron to the orifice, and so round about the place of the sorance on either side of the leg, and so soon as you have laid on this charge, and before it can be cold, clap on Flocks, and this will dry up the Wind-gaules, and heal them. ✚ This is special good. But during not only these two cures, but all other for this malady, you must not suffer your horse to come into any Well by any means. Another. First shave away the hair as you must do in all these kind of cures, then open the sorance as before is taught you, and crush forth the jelly and filth, then Take Tacha-Mahacha, Mastic, Parrosin, of each to the quantity of a hazel nut, and of Stone-Pitch to the quantity of a Walnut, with a little Brimstone powdered, melt all these together, and when it is melted, put in so much Turpentine as a Walnut, and so stir them together, and when it is cold, make a plaster thereof upon leather, and apply it warm to the place upon the outside only upon the orifice, which ought evermore to be made on the outside, then put on the plaster itself, and round about it with the same Salve, and clap Flocks upon it, and so let him rest in the Stable, and by keeping him from wet till he be whole, and let the plaster remain on until it shall fall away of itself ✚ This is a most excellent cure, and I have often made good use thereof. Another. Take the oil of Vinegar, and dip your thumb therein, and rub the sorance therewith every day till the hair do fall off, which will cause the Wind-gaules to break, run, and bleed, then heal and cure the Wind-gaules well and sound. ✚ This is as good as the former. Another. Wash and shave as formerly is showed you, then give fire to the place, that done, open the Wind-gaules just in the middle line or stroke, half an inch at least, and so crush forth the jelly with your thumb, then Take Pitch, Rosin, and Mastic, of each like much, and therewith charge the place as before is taught you. This is very good. Another. First wash and shave, and open the place with your phlegm, etc. then take of oil de Bay, and of Turpentine, of each one spoonful, Verdigrece in fine powder, one penny worth, the white of an Egg, and of red Lead two ounces in powder, boil all these to a Salve, and administer it to the place plasterwise. ✚ This is one of the best cures for Wind-gaules that I do know. §. 6. W. Hippoph. What is good for a Horse that is wrung or hurt in the Withers? Hippos. This is a thing that I have handled before, yet I will give you a few more receipts. Having traveled him, and coming home, or to your Inn, when you take off the saddle, and that you do find the horse to be wrung in the withers, and his back or withers thereby to be swelled, immediately clap on the Saddle again, and lay upon the swollen place some wet litter, and so let the Saddle abide on again; Wither-wrung. then cut up a thin Turf of grass and earth together, that done, put the Turf upon the fire, and let it there remain till it becometh red hot, and being well burned, take it from the fire, and moisten the grassy side very well with white Wine Vinegar, then take off the wet litter, and lay the Turf very hot with the grassy-side next to the place, and so put on the Saddle again, and let it so remain for all night, and this presently helpeth any swellings in the withers, or any other part of the back, as also any swellings by Spur-gaules or Navell-gaules. ✚ This is very good. Another. If the skin be broken or ulcerated, then Take sweet Butter, Bay-salt, and powder of Frankincense, of each as much as will suffice, boil all these upon the fire, and with a clout fastened to the end of a stick, even as it cometh boiling from the fire, scald it two or three times, but if it be full of corruption, then make incision on both sides from beneath, that the matterative stuff may the more easily void away downwards, and after use none other thing wherewith to heal it up, but only your usual powder of Lime and Honey, which will heal that, or dry other such like hurts. ✚ This is most excellent, I have often experimented the same. Another. But if it be a wrinkle either in the shoulder, or in any other joint or member, then Take of white Wine one pint, half a porringer full of Wheat flower, of common Honey one pint, of Assizeses three ounces, boil all these together to an Unguent, and anoint the places grieved therewith. And this also is very sovereign for Cones, Cracks, and Chaps in the heels of the horse. ✚ This I often using have found it to be very good. Another. Take three great Onions, pick forth the cores, making a concavity or hollowness in them, then fill them up with the powder of Frankincense, then wrap them up in three or four handfuls of Hurds or Tow, then wet the Hurds, and so cover and heal them up in the hot embers, and lay upon the top of the embers a good Shovell-full of hot burning coals, and so let it remain until the Onions be throughly roasted, then take them forth, and separate the Hurds and burned part from the other, and the soft and pappy part you shall apply to the sorance very hot, and let it remain three days before it be removed, and do thus so oft as need shall require, until it be through whole; but unless the hurt or bruise be very great, it will be cured at first dressing. ✚ This is very good. Another. But if the place grieved be broken, Take then of the oil of Worms, of Turpentine, and common Honey, of each two ounces, incorporate all these together very well till you have brought them to be one body, and either by Taint or Plaster dress the sorance therewith, and it will heal it up sound. ✚ And this also is very good. Another. If your Horse hath taken a wrench in the shoulder, or in the hip, knee, or hoof; then first swim him, then after for thirteen or fourteen days together, anoint the member grieved all over, and a good way about with this unguent. Take of the oil de Bay, of nerval, of Dialthea, of tried Hog's grease, of each two ounces, melt all these together, and stir them well till they be well incorporated, and herewith anoint him against the hair, with a hot bar of iron to be holden before you as you anoint him. and after let him be rowelled with a French Rowel, and let a Patten-shooe be put upon the contrary foot, and let him be kept in the house, and the Rowel turned daily, and the corruption put forth, and then let him be either gently ridden or walked every day half an hour, and let the Rowel remain in the Horse fourteen days at the least, then take it out, and heal up the orifice with your green Ointment, and so soon as he is whole, with your cauterizing-iron draw cross lines eight or nine inches long over against the joint that was pained, so as the rowelled place may be in the middle, but yet burn him no deeper then that the skin may look yellow, and then charge all that place with this charge. Take Pitch one pound, Rosin half a pound, and Tar half a pint, melt these together, and whilst it is warm, charge the place therewith, and clap Flocks upon the charge, and then if the season of the year will serve, let him be turned to grass, and so let him run three months at the least. ✚ This is very good. § 7. W. Hippoph. WHat is good to cure worms Worms. of what sort soever in a Horse? Hippos. Of this malady I have entreated sufficiently before in the § of Bots, where I have given you many good receipts. Nevertheless I will give you one or two more for worms only, and so leave you to practise. Take the entrails of a great Chick, and with the powder of Brimstone and Bay-Salt rolled in the said entrails, give it him down his throat, and cause him to swallow them so warm as they come out of the belly of the Chicken, but cast away the Gizzard, give him this three mornings together, and every time ride or walk him till he dungeth, and keep him warm, and give him white water, and at three days end, give him Rice boiled in water, and after dried in the Sun, and give him also to eat the leaves of Sallowes, and it will cause him to void the Worms with his ordure, but if you shall rake him first, it will be the better. ✚ This is very good. Another. Take the tender tops of Broom and Saven, of each half a handful, chop them very small, and work them into Pills with sweet Butter, and having kept your Horse fasting over night, give him them in the morning, to wit, three of those Pills at a time, and then set him upon the Trench for two or three hours after, and then give him meat, but no drink at all till night by any means, and then let him have warm, but no white water. ✚ This I have often experienced, and do know it to be a most excellent receipt. CHAP. XXII. § 1. Y. Hippoph. WHat is your best cure for the Yellows? Hippos. This disease of the Yellows in a Horse is the very same that Physicians do call the jaundice in a man; and as there be two sorts of jaundice in a man, so also are there the like in a Horse, viz. the Yellow and the Black, the yellow being moist, the black dry; the yellow proceeding from the overflowing of the gall, occasioned of choler, and the black coming from the over-working of the Spleen, by means of overmuch melancholy, both bad infirmities, but the black worst, more dangerous and most mortal, the yellow is more easily discovered by reason of its colour, for it coloureth the whites of the eyes, the tongue, the lips, and the inward parts of the nostrils, which the black jaundice doth not apparently, albeit by due and strict observation, you may come to know when your Horse hath a black jaundice, for than you shall perceive the whites of his eyes, lips, tongue, and mouth to be of a thick and duskish colour, and not so clear and sanguine as before when he was not visited with any such infirmity, both which are so mortal (especially the latter) as that if very great care be not taken whereby to pry into its symptoms, the Horse may fall down upon a sudden (as I have often seen and known) even as he traveleth, and dye, or else he appearing to be sound and healthy, and to eat his meat like as he was accustomed over night when you left him, coming again unto him in the morning, you may find him dead, stiff, and cold. And the origen of this malady cometh principally of unkindly and unnatural heats given him by most violent and intemperate riding, whereby the Liver becometh inflamed; the Liver, the Blood, Gall, and the Spleen, which causeth choler to have sovereignty and dominion over the other humours, and so engendereth this perilous disease, which seldom bringeth a lingering or languishing death, but that which endeth him suddenly, and therefore it is most requisite that the greater eye and care be had unto it. The best symptoms how to know it is thus. Your Horse will be dry in his body, mouth, and nostrils, being marvellous hot through the abundance of choler that reigneth in him, and he will be very gaunt in his belly towards the flanks, he will be also very faint, and not only sweat upon every the least motion, but also as he standeth in the Stable: his eyes, the insides of his lips, mouth, and tongue, will be yellow as Saffron, and he will seldom lie down, and being laid, he will sometimes groan. The cure. First let him blood in the neck and mouth, and let him bleed well, then give him this drink. Take of Turmerick and long Pepper, of each one pennyworth, Yellows. Anniseeds and Licoris in fine powder and seared, of each half a spoonful, Selendine, the leaves and roots one handful chop, stamp, and strain the Selendine, and so put all these together into strong Ale one quart, warm this upon the fire, and in the warming add unto it of London Treacle one ounce, and of sweet Butter the quantity of an Egg, and give it him blood warm, and after keep him warm, and give him white water, and he will do well. ✚ This is very good. Another. First bloody him as before, and then Take Turmerick, Myrrah, Ivory or Hartshorn, of each half an ounce, Saffron one penny worth, make all these into fine powder, and searce them, and put unto it of the juice of Selendine a good quantity, put all these into Muskadine one pint, Sack or Ale, and let it boil upon the fire a walm or two, then put unto it of sweet Butter as much as will suffice, and of London Treacle one ounce, and so give it him blood warm, but let him first be raked. This is very good. Another. First bloody him as before, then Take of white wine one quart, of Saffron two drams, and of Turmerick half an ounce, and a good quantity of the juice of Selendine; give him this blood warm, and keep him warm, and give him white water. ✚ This is very good. Another. First let him blood as you are prescribed before. Then Take of sweet Wine one pint, of strong Ale and Beer one quart, and put unto it of the juice of Salendine six spoonfuls, and of the juice of Rue two spoonfuls, and let all these boil upon the fire a little, then strain into it of English Saffaron half an ounce, and put into it of life honey three ounces, and so give it him bloud-warme, then leap his back, and so ride or else walk him a footpace a quarter of an hour, then set him up warm, letting him to fast three hours after, and after give him meat, and a sweet Mash, or white-water. ✚. This is very good. Another. Bloody him as before. Then Take of the best life honey half a pound, of Saffaron made into fine powder, and of the powder of Fenugrick of each so much as will suffice, incorporate these with your Honey to a stiff paste, and so make thereof three Pills, and dipping them into Salet-oyle give them to your Horse, which after he hath taken, ride or walk him gently an hour, then set him up warm, and order him as before. ✚. This is a particular good Pill. Another. First let him blood as before; Then Take of white-Wine one quart or Ale to the same quantity, and put therein of Saffaron one ounce, and Turmerick one ounce, both made into fine powder, with the juice of Salendine so much as will suffice, and give him this bloud-warme, and order him as before. ✚. This is also very good. §. 2. Y. Hippoph. What cure have you for the mattering of the Yard? Hippos. This disease cometh commonly in Covering time by overmuch spending upon Mares, for that the heat of the Mares, & the Horse his own heat and Coity, doth burn the Horse giving him the running of the reines, as we may truly term it: And the signs to know it, is, you shall perceive the end of the Yard to be swelled, & when he pisseth you may observe him to do it with much pain, and you may also see at other times the Yard to drop with yellow matter. The cure. Give him first a purge prescribed you in lib. 2. cap. 16. §. 14. let P. & it is the first purgation which will ease his pain in pissing; then the next day, Take Roch-Allome one ounce, and white-Wine one pint, boil them till the Allome be dissolved, then bloud-warme iniect this Lotion with a Syringe, putting it up into his Yard, so far as may be, four or five times a day till he be well. ✚. This is a perfect cure, nor shall you need any other. FINIS. Imprimatur, THOMAS WYKES. A Table of the Contents. The First Book. The Contents of all the Chapters contained in the first Book. THE Introduction, Chap. 1. page 1 Of the best manner of breeding, Chap. 2. page 4 How to make and order your Stable, Chap. 3. page 10 Of the marks, colours, and shapes of Horses, Chap. 4. page 15 Of the office of the Groom and Rider, Chap. 5. page 25 The Second Book. The Contents of all the Chapters contained in the second Book. OF what points consisteth the office of the Ferrier, handled Dialoguewise: as also a formal examine of the Ferrier, chap. 1. p. 34 Of the causes of sickness in general, and the causes of health and long life, chap. 2. page 46 Of such things which are of necessity to be known by every expert Ferrier before he do adventure to administer, chap. 3. page 55 The manner of handling the particular cures, chap. 4. page 64 The Index. Chap. 4. A. ACopum and its virtue's page 66 Arman 1. page 67 Arman 2. page 68 Ache in the head page 69 Aegyptiacum 1. page 71 Aegyptiacum 2. ibid. Accloy page 72 All diseases a Cataplasm 1 ibid. All diseases a Cataplasm 2. page 73 All diseases 3. ibid. S. Anthony's fire page 74 Anticor page 75 Attaint upper page 76 Attaint upper or back sinew sprain page 77 Attaint Nether page 79 Avives ibid. Arraistes' or Rat-tayles page 81 Ayering page 139 Chap. 5. B. BAck swollen page 82 Barbs page 83 Bath for Humours to dry them up ibid. Bath for stiff legs page 84 Bath 1 ibid. Bath 2 ibid. Bath 3 page 85 Bath 4 ibid. Belly gaunt page 86 Belly pain ibid. Bit wherewith the tongue is hurt page 87 Bleeding to staunch page 87 Blindness page 88 Biting of a mad Dog page 89 Blood Spaven page 90 Bath for a bloud-Spaven page 91 Bone-Spaven ibid. Bloodshotten eyes page 93 Bloodshotten eyes: a charge page 94 Bloud-running itch page 95 Blowing and pursiveness ibid. Bots, etc. page 97 Bots 1. ibid. Bots page 99 Brittle hoof page 100 Bruised heels and feet page 101 Burning with shot page 102 Bunches, knots, etc. page 103 Bran prepared page 185 Black drink for the Glanders page 234 Chap. 6. C. CAst in a Halter page 105 Canker page 106 Casting the hoof page 107 Cordial powder page 67 Cautery actual page 108 Cautery potential page 110 Corasive 1 ibid. Caustick ibid. Charge for surbating page 111 Cleanse a Horse ibid. Cliffs and cracks in the heels page 112 Clysters page 113 Clyster 1. page 116 Clyster laxative 2. page 117 Clyster restringent 3. ibid. Clyster for a fat Horse 4. ibid. Clyster for melancholy 5 ibid. Clyster in case of desperate sickness 6. page 118 Clyster for the Pestilence 7. ibid. Clyster lenitive 8. ibid. Clyster for the Colic 9 ibid. Cloyed page 119 Cod swelled ibid. Cod's swelled a charge page 120 Colic ibid. Colic and stone page 121 Colt-Evill page 122 Cold ibid. Consumption page 135 Consumption of the flesh page 136 Convulsion page 137 costiveness or belly-bound page 139 Crown-scab page 140 Curb page 141 Cold or running at the nose page 159 Coperas water page 219 Charge page 306 Corrupt blood page 330 Chap. 7. D. DAngerous sickness how it cometh page 142 Dangerous sickness how to know page 143 Dangerous sickness how to prevent page 145 Dangerous sickness how to cure ib. Diapente page 146 Diatesseron page 147 Desperate and dangerous sickness ibid. Dissolve tumours page 149 Desperate sickness page 150 Drooping page 152 Dropsy page 153 Dead flesh page 155 Deep wounds ibid. Desperate strain page 156 Dissolve grease ibid. Disease of the Liver page 158 Draw his yard page 160 Draw a thorn ibid. Drink to preserve lungs page 161 Diseases to prevent page 163 Drink comfortable ibid. Dislocated joint page 164 Disease of tranchaisons or the colic ibid. Dry up sores page 165 Chap. 8. E. Eat a taint page 166 Eat a feather page 167 Eat a Spider ibid. Eye a stroke page 168 Eye Film, Pin and Web Dragons ibid. Eye a canker. page 170 Eye a charge page 171 Electuarium Theriacum page 67 Excresion to cure page 302 Eye a Wart page 173 Eye broken page 174 Excretion page 175 Ears impostumated page 176 Chap. 9 F. FArcin page 178 Farcin wet page 184 Flanks ibid. Fat Horse page 185 Fat a lean horse ibid. Falling of the fundament page 186 Fever defined page 187 Fever how to know page 189 Fever ordinary ibid. Fever Hectic page 191 Fever pestilent page 192 Flying worm or tetter page 194 Feet to mollify page 195 Fig in the foot ibid. Fistula page 196 Fistula water page 197 Fetlock hurt page 199 Frothy or weeping hoof ibid. Foundering in the feet page 200 Foundered long page 201 Foundered in the feet and body ibid. False quarter page 206 Flanks or maldeflanks page 209 Flux page 210 Fowl and old sores to mundify page 211 Forsaking meat page 212 Frush running page 213 Feltrick page 154 Fret page 214 Chap. 10. G. GAlled back page 217 Galled with the shackle ibid. Gravelling page 218 Green ointment page 219 Grease molten page 220 Glanders page 222 Glanders a purging drink page 230 Chap. 11. H. Hair from the main and tail falling away page 235 Hair to grow page 236 Headache ibid. Heels scabbed ibid. Heels kibed page 237 Heel Mellet ibid. Hidebound page 238 Honey-charge page 241 Hoof to grow ibid. Hoof weeping page 243 Hoof lose ibid. Hoof hurt ibid. Hoof bound page 244 Hoof bound a charge ibid. Hoof brittle page 245 Hoof strait ibid. Hrofe lose ibid. Hoof trodden upon or hurt ibid. Hoof brittle to make tough ibid. Hoof to grow page 246 Halter cast ibid. Hough swelled ibid. Humours to dry up page 247 Hurt shoulder ib d. Hurts old to cure ibid. Honey page 69 Horsebread page 148 Haw page 169 Chap. 12. I. IMperfections in the feet page 248 Impostumation to ripen. ibid. Inward sickness page 249 Inward sickness a suppository ibid. Inflammations page 250 joint grieved page 251 Increase the hoof ibid. Chap. 12. L. LAmpas page 252 Lax to stop ibid. Lean horse to make fat page 253 Legs swelled page 254 Legs swelled page 255 Leprosy or elephantick malady ibid. Lice page 256 Lime and Honey page 257 Loe-worme ib. Lungs a disease page 259 Lint wherewith to heal ulcers or old sores page 165 Lunatic eyes page 173 Lameness to find out, three ways page 311 Chap. 13. M. MAlender page 260 Mainge page 262 Mouth sore page 267 Mellet page 268 Mollify humours ib. Morfounded ib. Melancholy page 330 Chap. 14. N. NOse running page 270 Navel galled ib. Nightmare page 271 Chap. 15. O. OLd sores page 272 in the heel ib. Ointment page 304 Ointment ib. Ointment page 305 Chap. 16. P. PAstern joint strained page 275 Pill for the Glanders ib. Pestilence page 277 Preparative page 278 Paston page 279 pursiveness a pill page 280 Pissing of blood page 281 Poll-evill page 283 Powder for old sores page 284 pursiveness or shortness of breath, page 286 Pricked page 290 Perfume 1 page 292 Perfume 2 ib. Perfume 3 ib. Purgation 1 page 294 Purgation 2 ib. Purgation 3 page 295 Purgation 4 ib. Purgation 5 ib. Purgation 6 page 296 Putrefactive page 110 Purgation defined page 113 Pin and Web page 169 Pearl or film ib. Perfume page 234 Powder page 304 Chap. 17. Q. QVick seab page 297 Quitterbone page 298 Chap. 18. R. Read water page 300 Restringent charge ib. Ring bone page 301 Excretion to cure page 302 Rot page 303 Rules to know where a Horse halteth either before or behind page 310 Chap. 18. S. SAlve page 304 Salve page 305 Shoulder wrench page 306 Shoulders dislocated ibid. Shoulders strained page 307 Shoulder rowelled page 308 Shoulder the skin broken ibid. Shoulder splat page 309 Shoulder spl●t page 313 Shoulder pight ibid. Scratches page 315 Sat fast page 317 Scabs and Scratches page 318 Stolen or dung page 319 Sick in travel ibid. Sudden sickness page 320 Selender ibid. Sick or surfeited page 321 Sinew sprung ib. Sinew grieved page 322 Sinew cut ib. Sinew sprain ib. Sinew sprain page 323 Strain newly taken ib. Strain old page 324 Stinking breath ib. Splent. page 315 Stumbling page 328 Stiff legs page 329 Stolen or piss ib. Stavers page 330 Swelled l●gs page 333 Swelled cod page 334 Spongy wart ib. Surbated feet page 335 Stifled page 336 Stone page 337 String haut page 338 Suppository 1 page 339 Suppository 2 ib. Suppository 3 ib. Suppository 4 page 340 Suppository 5 ib. Suppository 6 ib. Sweeting ib. Spirit of Tin page 211 Chap. 19 T. TOngue-hurt page 341 Tail an itch ib. Theraicum unguentum page 342 Tetter or Ring worm ib. Tiring in travel page 343 Truncheons page 97 Two things to be observed in every cure page 64 Three sorts of vermin which do engender in the body of the Horse page 97 Chap. 20. V VOmiting page 345 Violent cough page 346 Vinegar page 69 Ver volant page 193 Veins to take up page 347 Chap. 21. W. Wind to preserve page 347 Wildfire page 348 Wounds page 349 Wen or excretion page 350 Wind galls page 350 Wither-wrung page 352 Worms page 354 White water page 68 Water page 305 When in the knee page 311 When in the shank ib. When in the pastern ib. Chap. 22. Y. Yellows page 355 Yard mattering page 356 FINIS.