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. 50. Of the Consumption of the flesh.

THis disease which we cal the Consumption of the flesh, is an vnnaturall or generall dislike or falling away of the whole body, or, as we terme it, the wa∣sting of the flesh; which proceedeth from diuers grounds, as namely, from inward surfaits, either by naughty foode, or ill dyet, or from vncleane, moist and stinking lodging; but especially from disorderly labour, as by taking great and sudden colds after vio∣lent heate, or such like; all which procure the wasting or falling away of the flesh. The signes whereof are these: first, an vnnaturall and causlesse leannesse, a dry and hard skinne cleauing fast to his sides, want of sto∣macke, or appetite to his meate, a falling away of his fillets, and a generall consumption both of his but∣tockes and shoulders. The cure whereof, according to the ancients, is to take a sheeps head vnfleayed, and boyle it in a gallon and a halfe of ale, or running water, vntill the flesh be consumed from the bones; then straine it through a cloath, and put thereto of su∣gar halfe a pound, of cinamon one ounce, of conserue of roses, or barberies, & of cherries, of each one ounce; mingle them together, and giue the horse euery morning a quart thereof luke warme, till two sheeps heades bee spent; and after euery time he drin∣keth, let him be gently walked or ridden vp and downe according to his strength, that is, if the wea∣ther be warme, abroad; if it be cold and windy, then in the stable or some close house, suffring him neither to eate nor drinke, for two howres after his medicine;

and from cold water you shall keepe him the space of fifteene dayes. Now for his ordinary foode or pro∣uender, you shall repute that best which he eateth best whatsoever it be; and that you shall giue by little and little, and not any grosse, or great quantity at once, because the abundance and glut of food taketh away both the appetite and nutriment which should proceede from wholesome feeding.