Markhams maister-peece, or, What doth a horse-man lacke containing all possible knowledge whatsoeuer which doth belong to any smith, farrier or horse-leech, touching the curing of all maner of diseases or sorrances in horses : drawne with great paine and most approued experience from the publique practise of all the forraine horse-marshals of Christendome and from the priuate practise of all the best farriers of this kingdome : being deuided into two bookes, the first containing all cures physicall, the second whatsoeuer belongeth to chirurgerie, with an addition of 130 most principall chapters and 340 most excellent medicines, receits and secrets worthy euery mans knowledge, neuer written of nor mentioned in any author before whatsoeuer : together with the true nature, vse, and qualitie of euerie simple spoken of through the whole worke : reade me, practise me, and admire me / written by Geruase Markham gentleman.

CHAP. 31. Of the Sleeping euill, or Lethargie in horses.

THe sleeping euill is an infirmity which maketh a horse to sleepe continually, depriuing him there∣by both of memory, appetite, and all alacrity of spirit. It is most incident to white and dunne horse, because it proceedeth only from flegme, cold & grosse, which moysturing the braine too much, causeth heauinesse and sleepe: There needes no other signe more then his sleeping onely. The cure is to keepe him waking whether he will or no, with great noises and affrights▪ then let him bloud in the necke, and the palate of the

mouth, and giue him to drinke water luke warme, wherein hath bene boyled camomill, mother woort, wheate, branne, salt and vinegar; you shall also per∣sume his head, and make him neese, and annoynt the palate of his mouth with hony and mustard mixt to∣gether: it shall not be amisse if with the ordinary wa∣ter which he drinketh, you mixe either parsley seede, or fennell seede, for that will prouoke vrine, you shall also bath his legges and stop his houes with bran, salt, and vinegar boyled together, and applyed as hot as may be, and his stable would be lightsome and full of noyse.