Ioyfull newes out of the newfound world wherein are declared the rare and singular vertues of diuers and sundrie herbs, trees, oyles, plants, [and] stones, with their applications, aswell to the vse of phisicke, as chirurgery: which being wel applied, bring such present remedy for all diseases, as may seeme altogether incredible: notwithstanding by practize found out, to be true. Also the portrature of the sayde herbes, very aptly described: Englished by Iohn Frampton merchant. Newly corrected as by conference with the olde copies may appeare. Wherevnto are added three other bookes treating of the Bezaar stone, the herbe escuerçonera, the properties of yron and steele, in medicine and the benefite of snowe.

bewayle him heereof: in that so little a Hearbe can of∣fende him, and so small a fruite or stone may destroy him.

Against al these venomes as well in general as in parti∣cular, the Phisitions as wel Greekes as Arabiens & Lati∣nistes wrote effectual remedies as wel generall as particu∣lar. Amongest the which they put one in practise, that in tymes past was had in greate estimation, and taken for a present remedie, for the greate vertues and meruellous ef∣fectes, which it wrought against all venoms and acci∣dentes thereof, which they called the Bezaar stone. But as tyme is the discouerer of all thinges: so is it the de∣stroyer and consumer of euery thing: for in hauing bene hid so long from vs, wee knewe no more what the Bezaar stone was, then as if it had neuer beene: and the name thereof was so strange and vnknowen vnto vs, euen as the Townes in Scitia. Time it selfe willing to restore againe vnto vs this precious stone hidden from vs so many yeeres; not onely dis∣couered the same vnto vs, but iointly therwith hath descried vnto vs an hearbe, which hath the lyke vertues and effectes against all manner of venom, which hearbe is called Es∣cuerconera, hauing bene discouered but a fewe yeres past to our exceeding great profit and commoditie.

* 1.1And because these twoo thinges, to wit, the Bezaar stone, and the Hearbe Escuerconera, bee so lyke in ope∣ration, and haue so many and the selfe same vertues a∣gainst venom, that I determined to wryte of them both together, and to shewe the proper vertues of these twoo thinges so excellent in medicine: it is needfull first to knowe, and therefore treate of the venomes as a be∣ginning of the woorke; and to declare what Uenom is, and the cause of such as haue taken Uenom, and then the remedies thereof, and howe they may bee preserued from them: and therefore we wil treate first of Uenom, for that it

will serue not a little for the intent of that which we minde to write of the Bezaar stone, and the Hearbe Escuerconera.

Uenom is a thing, which beyng taken at the mouth, or applied outwardly, doeth ouercome our bodies, by making them sicke, or by corrupting of them, or by killing them: and this is founde in one of these foure thinges; in plants, in mi∣nerals, in beasts, or in mixtures, the which worketh their ef∣fectes, eyther by manifest qualitie, or by hidden propertie, or both. These venoms partly doe kill vs; partly we vse them for our profite, and bodily health; and partly the people of auncient tune did vse them for a remedie against their great labours. That which doeth offend vs as well in generall, as in particular, Dioscorides in his sixth booke of his history of Plantes doeth treate of very exactly,* 1.2 putting in generall these remedies, and in particular, that which is conuenient for euery one of them: and the same did other Greekes, La∣tinistes, and Arabians, which are to be seene, who will more particularly know of them.

These did write of many Medicines, with the which euery one may preserue themselues from poyson: for the malice of mankinde is very greate, and many haue procured for their interest, and reuenge, not onely with venome to offende and kill the common sorte of people; but also Emperoures, Kinges, great Princes and Lords; the which in how much more high estate they are appoynted and placed, so much the more daunger they are in.

And many notable men of the olde Writers fea∣ring this, did compounde many and diuers Medicines, that by meanes of them they might not bee hurte by venom or ve∣nemous thinges that might be geuen them. As for example, the Emperour Marco Antonio did vse suche thinges,* 1.3 who fearing to be poysoned, tooke euery morning a little Tria∣cle and Methridate. Sometimes his confection Methrida∣tica, other times certayne Leaues of Rue, with Nuttes and Figges: and so they did vse the like medicines because they 〈2 pages missing〉〈2 pages missing〉

and inward and outward burning, that it seemeth to them they are fired.

It is also necessary (to know what venome they tooke) for too see the vomite,* 1.4 and what they doe cast vp withall, to iudge by the colour what Uenome it was: and beeyng knowen by this way, or by Relation, or otherwayes bee∣yng apparaunt, it must bee remedied by his contrary, for to estinguish and kill the malice thereof, as all the aunci∣ent Phisitions haue sufficiently written of, as well in generall agaynst all, as in particular against euery one of them, for that euery one hath his contrary effectes for to re∣medie the malice thereof.

The tokens that hee most euill in them that haue taken Uenome,* 1.5 be often soundinges, and to cast vp the white of their eyes, they doe waxe very red, and put out their tongue very great, and blacke, and the pulse fa••••, colde sweete vni∣uersally throughout all their body, chiefly in the extreeme partes, and in their brestes, and they are desirous to vomit, but cannot, and they haue their vnderstanding troubled: and this is in al kinde of venom being taken, or by bytings of ve∣nomous beastes, in so much that they talke ydlely as though they had the frensie which is a mortal signe.

It is needfull, for the better knowledge what Uenom it was,* 1.6 that it bee seene if there did remayne any thing of that which they had eaten or dronken, and to see what was that which was mingled therewith, iudging it by the colour, the smel and the taste, or geuing it to a Dogge, a Hen, or a Catt, and marke howe it woorketh with them: For if any of them waxe sadde or heauie, it is a token that there is venom; and if they dye, it is a token that the venom was strong.

And being knowen to bee venomed the first thing that is to bee procured,* 1.7 is, that hee which is sicke doe vomit, which is the thing that doeth most profit, bycause there should be no tyme for the venom to enter, by the vaynes, and arteires, for to come to the hart, for if it come thither, it is past all mans

helpe: and therefore it is conuenient that this remedie of Uomite be done with all speede, that it may bee expelled, before it passe from the Stomake. And for to cause Uo∣mite, there must bee procured thinges that in very shorte time will prouoke it, as to put the fingers in hotte water, and the moste common thing is sweete Oyle, drinking muche quantitie thereof in suche sorte, that they fill theyr Bellies therewith, that it may the better bee expelled: the which hauing receyued, they shall with theyr Fin∣gers, or feather prouoke them to vomite, which must be done vntill that you perceyue that all that be expelled, and cast out, which was eaten or drunken, which did hurt. And if the Oyle bee not sufficient too doe this; there may bee mad•• thinges for to cause Uomite, beginning by the moste Weake, as the seething of Dill, the Seede of Radishe of Camamell and other like thinges that doe pro∣uoke Uomite, adding to the seet••ing, if it bee needefull, a Dramme of Agarico, the which although it doe pro∣uoke vomite strongly, it hath also the Propertie to breake the strength of the venome. Some for a greate secrete doe geue a Pint of Water of the Flowers of Orenges warme, which although it doeth prouoke Uomite, it hath also a particular vertue too extinguishe, and kill the strength of the Uenome, it muste bee geuen hotte the quantitie of a Pynte. And he••reof it commeth that the Water taken out of the Flowers of Orenges which is a kynde of Cydron, hath greate vertue agaynst Ue∣nome, as wee haue written in a little Booke which is printed with others of myne in Latine, that doeth treate of Orenges. It is verie good that with the thing which prouoketh Uomite, there bee mingled thinges that haue vertue agaynst venome, as Triacle, Methridato, and other like thinges, the which heereafter wee will treate of.

〈2 pages missing〉〈2 pages missing〉

mu••t bee geuen the remedies, that are too bee done for the Cures and Diseases that the venome is cause of; not forgetting the principall cause which is to kill and to de∣stroy the malice, that is the cause thereof with the me∣dicines and Remedies that I will speake of heereaf∣ter.

If hee that hath taken venome doe not perceyue nor knowe what manner of venome it was that he tooke, nor the Accidentes thereof doe shewe; It is to be thought that it was of the venomes which doe theyr woorke of theyr owne propertie which is the woorst of all kynde of venomes:* 1.8 then it is conuenient that there bee had more care procuring vomite, and that it bee effectually done, as it is aforesayde. And if any bee discended in••o the Guttes, let him haue a gentle Glister that in all properties hath a knowne vertue agaynst venome, which remedies are called Bezaarticas, the which must bee vsed at all times with his meate, and drinke, pro∣curing the inwarde and outwarde comforting of the prin∣cipall members, and vsing meates of substaunce that may geue great strength, taken out by a small presse and in any other sorte that is needefull, in the which there muste bee put thinges that haue v••rtue agaynst all kynde of venome, of the which wee will tr••ate of heereafter.

And this muste bee done, not onely in them that bee venomed with vnknowne Uenome which woorketh the malice of it owne propertie, but in suche as haue taken knowne Uenome which woorketh by qualitie: for that the Uenome is a thing that doeth moste of all pull downe and weaken nature, making leane verie quick∣ly, and ouerthrowing the vertue and strength thereof. These medicines which haue this vertue and speciall pro∣pertie against these venomes, are many: some bee sim∣ples

and other compoundes: and bycause there are many of the one and of the other, I will speake of them that are most vsed, and where is seene greater experiēce of thē which are compounded. The principal is the triacle that Andro∣macho wrote of, the which if it bee well made, is the most principal medicine of as many as euer haue beene com∣pounded agaynst al kinde of venom.* 1.9 And although it bee of a true composition, yet there lacketh some medicines al∣waies to doe that which is possible; wee doe see that in this case it doeth maruellous effectes, and not onely being taken with some water made for the purpose, but also beeing put into prickes or bytings of venomous beastes, and lykewise in Apostomes ful of poyson which are made in the tyme of the Plague.

The Methridate is of very great effect, in this case, and doeth serue sometymes for triacle.* 1.10 That of Cidrons and Emeraldes doe make a meruellous woorke, in al venome. The earth S••gillata hath a prerogatiue aboue them, especi∣ally in feuers which haue an euil qualitie. The triacle Dia∣thesaron, is for the purpose in colde venoms and in bytinges of venomous beastes, and in especially in the byting of a beast that is made. And so you haue many other compoun∣ded medicines that haue vertue and propertie against ve∣nom: but these which I haue spoken of, are the most princi∣pal, and found most true by experience.

The simple medicines bee many, the most principall is the earth Lemnia so celebrated of the olde wryters, in espe∣cially of Galen, who only to see it,* 1.11 and to see how the priests did make it, sayl••d to the Ilande of Lemnos that at this day is called Estalimene, which is the most principal simple me∣dicine that the Greekes knewe.

The true Diptamo is another which ••roweth in the I∣land of Creta, which at this day is called Candia,* 1.12 wherevnto the people of the Isle doe runne, when they feele themselues 〈6 pages missing〉〈6 pages missing〉

in vayne. Lykewyse it is to be giuen to them that are bitten w••th venomous beastes, or pricked of them, bycause it may extinguish and kil the malice of the venome: And although that these pouders are of so much vertue as aforesayde, the Bezaar stone is of greater vertue and excellencie, for that in it alone is founde all the vertues and properties that are in all medicines which we haue already spoken of, by his own propertie hidden and by grace from heauen infused into it a∣gainst venomes: which you shall find to bee the best and most present remedy of all others, as wee wil shewe in that which followeth.

Of the Bezaar stone.

THis Bezaar stone hath many n••mes: for the Arabiens do cal it Hagar,* 1.13 the Persi∣ans Bezaar, the Indians Bezar, the Hebrewes Belzaar, y^e Greekes Alexi∣pharm••cum, the Latinistes Against ve∣nom, the Spaniardes the stone against venom & sounding. Conrado Gesnero in his booke that he made of beastes,* 1.14 speaking of the Goate of the mountayne, sayth that this name Belzaar is an Hebrew name, for that (ben) in Hebrewe is as much to say as Lord, and (za••) venom, as if ye would say, Lord of the venomes and by good reason it is so named, seeing that this stone is Lady of the venomes, and doeth extinguish and destroy thē as being Lady, and mistresse ouer them. And of this it com∣meth that al thinges that are against poyson, or venomous thinges are called Bezaarticas, for theyr excellencie.

This stone is ingendered in the inner part of a beast, that is commonly called a Goate of the mountaine.* 1.15 The ingen∣dering of stones in beastes is a common thing; and also in man chiefly, there is no part•• in his body, wherein they bee

not ingendred: and lykewyse in byrdes, and fishes, & rattes of the field.

Plinie in his 28. booke the 9. chapter, sayeth that the wilde hartes goe to the hollow places where snakes and ser∣pents are;* 1.16 and with their breath doe bring them foorth and eate them. And this is gathered heereby, that they doe it ey∣ther to heale them of some disease; or to wax yong againe, that they may liue many yeeres. The Arabiens doe ampli∣fie this cause and say, that the wild hartes by eating of these serpents, come to ingender the Bezaar stone; and they de∣clare it in this manner.

In these East parts are bred certaine beastes, which are called hartes,* 1.17 which for the great heate of the Somm••r goe into the ••aues and hollowe places, where the adders and snakes and other vermin being of poyson are, which in that country be many, and very venomous, bycause the countrie is so hot; and with their breath they driue them out, and tread vpon them, and kill them, and eate them; and after they are filled with them, they goe as speedily as they can where wa∣ter is, and they plundge themselues therin, in such sorte that they leaue no part of their bodies out, but their snowt, for to fetch their breath: and this they doe, that with the coldnes of the water they may delay the greate heate of the venome, which they haue eaten: and there they remayne without drinking a droppe of water, vntil they haue alayed and coo∣led, that feruent heate, wherein they were by feeding vppon the venomous vermine. And being in the water there doeth ingender in the places w••ere the droppes of water cōmeth foorth of their eyes, a stone, which being come foorth of the water, falleth from them, and it is gathered vp for the vse of medicine. This is tha•• in eff••ct which the Arabiens doe wryte of the manner howe the Bezaar stone is ingendered. I haue procured and with great diligence sought to find out by such as haue come fro•• t••e India of Portingal, and such as haue past beyond the China to knowe the trueth of this

matter: and it is thus.

In the greatest India, (where Ptolomeo doth write to bee founde so much goods and so greate riches before the Riuer Ganges in certayne mountaynes which doe ioyn•• with the Countrie of China,* 1.18) there doe breede certaine beastes lyke to Hartes as well in greatnesse as in swift∣nesse, and are very much lyke vnto hartes, sauing in some respect they doe participate with goates, as well in their hornes which they haue lyke a goate, beeing turned backe∣warde, as in the making of the body: whereby they giue them the name of goates of the mountayne: wherein in my opinion they are deceiued, for they rather ought to bee cal∣led harte goates, in that they haue the partes and likenesses of both, which is of a harte and of a goate. These harte Goates in those partes doe vse themselues lyke to the hartes, that Plinie speaketh of, in these places as is afore∣said, that goe to the dennes of wilde venomous beastes, and with their breathing cause them to come foorth and eate them: and afterwarde doe goe whereas water is, and doe plundge themselues therein, vntill they perceiue that the furie of the venom which they haue eaten bee past, and vn∣till then they dare not drinke a droppe. And beeing come foorth from th••nce, they goe into the fieldes, and there they eate many healthfull herbes, of greate vertue, which are a∣gainst venom, which they by their naturall instinct doe know: that there doe aryse as wel of the venom which they haue eatē, as of the herbes which they haue fed on, being in∣gendred by meanes of the naturall heate, and by that ver∣tue which is declared, being infused at the tyme of the ge∣neration in the inner parts of the bowelles, & in other parts of their bodies, certaine stones, of the greatest and of the smallest sort, which is a thing of greate admiration, & of the greatest vertue that to this day is knowen against venom. It is vnderstoode of that venom which is so pernicious and ••urtful that they did eate; & of those herbes being so health∣ful

that they fed vpon, by a meruellous woorke, the Bezaar stone is ingendered.

And as they say which come from those partes, and haue seene this beast from whom they take out these stones,* 1.19 hee is of the greatnesse of a harte and well neere of this making, hee hath onely twoo broade hornes, with the pointes sharpe, turned and falling much backewarde, his hayre is thicke and grosse of a mingled colour, for the most parte, and reddishe, and of other colours: you haue many of them in those mountaines. The Indians doe hurte them and kill them with weapons and with snares and ginnes: and they bee so fearce, that sometymes they kill some of them: they are very swift on foote, and leppe much, they liue in hollowe places of the grounde, they goe in compa∣nies, there bee males and females, their voices are roa∣rings: they take out the stones from the inner parte of their bowelles, and of other hollowe partes of the body, and they vse much diligence in the taking out of them, by rea∣son the Portingales that doe trade thither, giue much for these stones, that they doe so take out, and they carrie them to the China, to sell; and from thence to Maluco, and from Maluco to Calicut, for there is the greatest vt∣terance of them, and they doe esteeme so much of them, that one is woorth there, beeing fine, fiftie crownes, as they are heere.

And as I was wryting this treatise I went to see a beast, that shoulde seeme to bee the same,* 1.20 by reason hee hath all those markes which those of that partes haue, which I sawe in the house of the Archedeacon of Mebla, beeing a woorthie Gentleman, which was sent him from very farre Countries, by the way of Affrica, and is in this forme and fashion: Hee is a Beast of the greatnesse of a wilde harte, hee hath the same hayre, coulour, and horne,* 1.21 that a harte hath, he hath the face, the head, and the tayle lyke a harte; hee is swift in running, like to a harte, his snowt is

lyke to the hartes, and lykewise his countenance, his body is lyke to a Goate, for hee is lyke to a greate hee Goate; and hath twoo hornes turned backwarde, somwhat falling, with the pointes wrested, that hee seemeth to bee lyke a hee goate, and all the rest lyke to a harte. There is one thing in this beast which is greatly to bee maruelled, for if hee fall from a Towre downe to the grounde, hee lyteth vppon his hornes, and receiueth no hurte thereby, but rather doeth re∣bounde as a ball of winde in the ayre: hee eateth grasse, bread, and all that you geue him, he is of great strength, and is alwayes tyed with a Cheyne, bycause hee breketh and byteth asunder the cordes. I doe looke stil when he will dye, or that they wil kill him, to see if hee haue the Bezaar stone.

* 1.22The making and fashion of the stones bee of diuers ma∣ners for that some bee long as the stones of Dates, others bee lyke to Chestnuttes, others lyke to rounde pellottes, of earth, such as are shot in Crossebowes, others lyke to the egges of Pigeons, I haue one lyke to the kidney of a kidd, there are none that bee sharpe pointed.

And as these stones bee diuers in their makings so they doe varie in their coulers,* 1.23 some haue the collour of a darke baye, others bee of an ashe colour, commonly they bee of a greene colour, and with blacke spottes, such spottes as the Cattes of Algallia haue, of a sad gray colour, all which are finely compounded of certaine thinne skales, or rindes, one vppon an other, lyke to the skales of on Onion, very artificially set, and those rindes are so excellent and so gli∣stering, that it seemeth as though euery one of them were burnished by arte, and so taking away that which is vppermost of all, that which remayneth is much more glistering, and shyning, then that which was ta∣ken away: and heereby they are knowen to bee fine, and true, and onely for this I tooke away from that which I

haue, the vttermost shale, that was vpon him, and that whic•• remayned was as glistering and more then the ••••rst, these shales are greater or smaller according to the greatnesse of the stone, it is a light stone and easie to bee scraped or cut, lyke to Alabaster, because it is soft: if it bee long in the water, it dissolueth.* 1.24 It hath no harte nor foundation in the inner parte, wherevppon hee is formed, but rather is some∣what hollowe, and the hollownesse is full of pouder of the same substaunce that the stone is of, which is the best. And this is the best way to knowe whether the stone bee fine and true when it hath that pouder, for they which are false, haue it not, and by these twoo thinges they which are fine and true, may well bee knowne from those which are false and counterfayt.* 1.25 In them that are most t••ue bee these thinne skales and rindes, glistering and shyning one vpon another; and the inner parte hath that pouder which I haue spoken of: and those which are not true haue neither the one nor the other. For I sawe one that was broken, to see if it were fine and it had shales, and in the inner parte it had a grayne or seede wherby the Indian deceiued many.

Guido de Lanazaris, a man naturally borne in this Ci∣tie,* 1.26 which trauelled all the rounde worlde ouer, and was in those partes of the China, sayde vnto mee, that there were Indians that counterfeyted them with a composition that they vse and knowe, but the twoo thinges which is afore∣sayde they coulde neuer bring to passe: to wit, the glistering skales, and the pouder, that is in the inner parte. And hee sayde to mee,* 1.27 that they were there much more esteemed then amongest vs, bycause they bee healed with them of many diseases.

Andrew Belunensis ••o••h alledge of Tipthas Arabien,* 1.28 in a booke that hee wrote of stones, and sayeth that the Be∣zaar stone is a mineral, and that it is taken out after the same manner as the other particular stones are, of his

min••ries as the Diamondes, Rubies, Es••••raldes, and A∣gatas: and it seemeth that Serapio doeth so vnderstande it, when he spake of this stone. He sayde that the Mine∣rall of this stone is in the lande of Syria, and of the In∣dia, and East Countries, in the which they were decei∣ued: for that it is cleerely seene that they are taken out of the sayde Beastes, which the Indians doe take out with greate diligence as wee haue sayde: and there is seene in them the woorke and manifest effect which we will speake of.

Serapio doeth shewe, that in his time there were likewise of these counterfayte stones which he sayeth haue not the vertue agaynst Uenome as the true Bezaar hath.* 1.29 Of this stone I finde no Greeke Authour which hath writ∣ten of it,* 1.30 nor Latinist: onely amongest the Arabiens this matter is treated of, and in some late Writers which wee will speake of heereafter, and for this cause onely the Aun∣cient Writers, beeyng Arabiens that wrote of it, and the late Writers Latinistes and those of our time, amongst the Arabiens, hee that did most largely write of it, was Serapio a learned man, in his medicinall Hystorie in the 306. Chapter where he writeth many thinges of this Be∣zaar stone woorthie too bee knowen,* 1.31 the which of his owne authoritie he sheweth how great excellencie this stone hath against all kind of Uenome, of what m••nner and qualitie soeuer it bee, and agaynst the bytinges of Uenomous beastes, extinguishing and taking away the grounde, and euill qualitie, that the venomes doe infuse into the bodies, deliuering them from death that shall vse it. It is geuen in Pouder, and they say that it doth the same effect by chewing of it,* 1.32 or holding of it in the Mouth: for after it is taken, it doeth prouoke sweate and doeth expell the venome, and maketh the woorke sure, saying that beeyng carried about any person, & that it touch the flesh, and bringing it ouer the left parte, it doeth preserue him that shall so carrie it a∣bout

him that no venome or venomous thing shall offende him: for beyng applyed to the bodie, it resisteth venom that it may not offende him: and them that bee infected there∣with it healeth. And this it doeth not onely to them that haue taken venome, but vnto suche that haue had it put into their Syrope, apparrell, or letter, or other parte that may offende them. The same Serapio sayeth, that this Stone doeth profite muche agaynst bytinges of beastes that are venemous, and in their Prickes takyng the Pouder thereof at the mouth, and prouoking sweate, it expelleth it from the inner partes: it profiteth muche, too cast the pouder of this stone in Prickes, or in woundes made by these venomous beastes, for it destroyeth and ta∣keth away the mallice of the venome, and although that the soares beeyng so made by these beastes doe beginne to cor∣rupt, it cureth and healeth them, and the pouder of this stone beeyng put vppon the venemous beasts doth take away their strength, and if it be put in place where they doe wound any, although they make a sore, yet the malice of the venom doth not take hold••.

And this is seene by experience in the venomous beastes called Adders and Snakes, for the pouder beeyng put in place where they doe byte, all theyr venemous strength is taken away and nothing doeth remayne but the signe there∣of. Three graynes of this pouder wee with some licour, be∣yng cast vpon snakes and adders they dye foorthwith. Thus muche Serapio sayeth.

Rasis Simia of Gallen a man amongest the Arabiens moste learned in the booke which hee wrote called Conti∣nent,* 1.33 saieth thus: the Bezaar stone is that which seemeth some what yellowe and soft, without any manner of taste, the which hee sayeth that he hath experimented two times, and hath found in it vertue of great efficacie agaynst Na∣pelo the strongest of all venomes. He sayth also that he hath seene in this stone the most maruellous effectes agaynst all

venome that euer he saw in any Medicine, that was against v••nome eyther simple or compounde, or any composition made against venome, as Triacles, or other compositions, for that the Bezaar stone is of more efficacie and vertue then any of them. The same doeth agree with the bookes he made to the King Almasor, saying, The euill Uenoms that doe offende the heart and woorke theyr effect, O how little profite doeth any cure proue in them, if the Bezaar be not taken, for that doeth resist it: and he sayeth, Moreo∣uer I my selfe saw that it did resist the venome called Na∣pelo which is the Uenome that doeth penetrate more then all venoms: thus much of Rasis.

An other Moore very learned and a great Astronomer that wrote of stones figured vnder Signes and Planets and the vertues they haue, was called Hamech Benreripho: he in his booke that hee wrote of the vertue of Plantes and of stones and of beastes, that serue for the vse of Medicine, say∣eth the Bezaar stone is agaynst all venome, and it hath be∣sides this particular propertie taken in pouder agaynst the bytinges of Scorpions, and beyng carried about one, and grauen vppon, he is safe against all the bytinges of vene∣mous beastes. An other Moore called Abdala Narache, a learned man in medicine, sayeth, that the Bezaar stone is agaynst all Uenome, he saw it as a precious thing in the hands of the King of Cordoua called Miramamolim vnto whom was geuen strong venome:* 1.34 and hauing geuen vnto him the Bez••ar stone, by meanes wherof he was deliuered wholly of the venome; foorthwith the King gaue his royall Pallace to him that gaue him the stone, which deliuered him from this imminent death: and surely it was a greate gift of a king, the chiefe Pallace of Cordoua, at this day day beyng a thing so notable and of suche great value: and the stone was much estemed, for that so great a price was ge∣uen for it.* 1.35 Auensoar a Phisition of the Moores, but a natu∣rall

Spaniarde of Penaflore a place lying betweene Cordo∣ua and Seuill, gaue vnto one, who was very much lamen∣ted, by reason he had taken very euill Uenom, of the Beza∣ar stone the waight of 3. graines with the water of Goords, for that it was hot venom, & because it did seeme to be so. For assoone as he had taken it, there did appeare vppon him the Iaundice very yeallow, and he was very well deliuered and saued from it.

Aueroiz a Phisition and a Philosopher very excellent, being a Spaniarde, and borne in Cordoua,* 1.36 saieth that the Bezaar stone is in great estimation and very profitable a∣gaynst all venomous bytinges, and especially against the bi∣tinges of Scorpions.

Haliabas doeth make mention of the Bezaar stone in three places where he treateth of Uenomes,* 1.37 but he passeth it ouer lightly, onely shewing that it is soft, and saith that it must be scoured in water and that the water of it must be ge∣uen to them that are poysoned.

Rabbi Moises of Egypt, but borne in Spayne, a most cunning Phisition, who followed Gallen in all his woorkes,* 1.38 in the booke he made of venomes in the first thing that hee treated of in the thirde Chapter speaking of simple Medi∣cines and the vse of them which are conuenient for the by∣tinges of Uenomous beastes, sayeth the simple Medicines that wee haue amongst vs of most profite and greatest expe∣rience which are of many approoued are the seede of the Cidron &c. And the other is the Emeralde a maruellous medicine agayn••t all venome &c. Gallen made mention of the third which is the Bezaar stone that is taken out of a beast, the which stone is like to an akorn, the colour therof is green and doth ingender by little and little making it selfe grosse: & for that they finde in it o••e skale vpon another, some doe say that they are ingendred in the corners of the eyes of certaine sheepe that are in the East partes: othere doe say that they are ingendred in the purse of the gall of the sayd sheep which 〈2 pages missing〉〈2 pages missing〉

poysoned, I caused him to take thereof diuers Morninges the waight of three graynes of the same Bezaar stone with the water of Oxetongue, and hee was therewith very wel healed.

Many Phisitions of late time and in our dayes haue made mention of this Bezaar stone and doe very much extoll the same in theyr bookes with great Prerogatiues,* 1.39 against all kinde of venome and agaynst many other diseases, which we minde to treate of, to see what we finde written by eue∣ry one of them. Amongest whom Andrewe Mathiolus of Siena, a man very well learned, in the Commentaries which hee wrote most learnedly vppon Dioscorides in the sixth booke,* 1.40 declaring the Medicines that are agaynst ve∣nome, by speciall propertie, doeth write of the Bezaar stone very geeat vertues, and doeth approoue it to be a me∣dicine and remedie most principall that at this day is kno∣wen in the Worlde agaynst venome, and he doeth referre that, as is sayd, vnto the Authours which wee haue allea∣ged.

Andrewe de Laguna borne in Segouia, who amongest the learned was named Galen the Spaniarde for the Com∣mentaries which he made vpon the sixth book of Dioscorides in the Spanish tongue,* 1.41 where he treateth of venomes, he sheweth how present a remedie the Bezaar stone is agaynst all kinde of venome and agaynst the bytinges of venomous beastes, and agaynst pestilent Agewes of euill qualitie, and also that it is a greate remedie agaynst the falling sickenesse, that it doeth expell the stone of the Raynes, and beeyng geuen with Wyne, it breaketh the stone in the Bladder. There hee noteth howe this Stone is engendred in certayne Goates of the Mountaynes of Per∣sia, and howe the stones that are the best bee bright, and skaley and softe, of the colour of a Fruite of Spaine called Beringena, which is a remedie muche commen∣ded

amongest Princes and great lords for the effects afore¦saide.

Valescus de Taranto, a Phisition and borne in Milan,* 1.42 the scholler of Tornamira, in the 7. booke of his experi∣ments, praiseth very much this Bezaar stone, to be of great force against venom and other diseases for his effectes, and for the great fame that was of his woorkes, in this tyme a∣gainst al venom. Saint Ardonius of Pesauris Phisition, in a booke which hee made of venomes, exceedingly prayseth the Bezaar stone & preferreth it before all other medicines, as wel simples as compoundes, which haue vertue against venom or by••inges of venomous beastes: and sayeth, that hee sawe it and prooued it by great experience.

Amato Lucitano, a learned man of our tyme,* 1.43 being now resident in Ragosa, in his commentaries which hee wrote vppon Dioscorides in the seconde booke of Ceruige∣nitale, did treate of this Bezaar stone very learnedly, as a man of Portingal, who did much enforme himselfe of those of his nation that came from the East India, and he sayeth that the Bezaar stone is of the making of an acorne, full of spottes, declining to the colour of a sad blewe, compounded with many shales, the which they call Bezaar, as a present remedie against al maner of venom, and they take them out of certaine beastes which are lyke to wilde hartes, that are in the East India, and are called goates of the mountaines: they are founde in their bowelles and inner partes, of the which being giuē 3. graynes with the waters of the flowers of Orenges, it is the present remedy against all Uenom, killing and extinguishing, the venomes, and force thereof, it killeth the wormes giuē with water of Verdolagas, & where the feuer is, and where there is no feuer with whyte wine: he saieth that he hath experience, and hath cured therewith the plu••esie being very sore rooted, it is conuenient that it be giuen to them, that haue taken venom, in vomittes, and it wil expel the venom, and being giuen to them that haue vo∣mitted

of beastes speaking of the goate, doeth much commend this Bezaar stone to be against al venō. Other authors there be that make mention of this stone, but they passe it lightly ouer, only praysing it to be good against venom, in generall and in particular, the which at this present I lightly passe ouer, for it is sufficiently spoken of by those before rehear∣sed, wherby it may haue authoritie with al those that therof wil profite themselues.

* 1.44That which I haue seene by experience I wil now speake of for the more confirmation of the sayde cause, and of the meruellous vertues which it hath, wherby it may bee vnder∣stoode what is written by these authors aforesayd, with ma∣nifest examples. It is about 14. yeres past that my Lady the Duches of B••jar was aduertised by the Lorde don Iohn Mauriques that in the Court was vsed for such as did sound, a stone that was called the Bezaar, for that my Lady the Duches had a sonne very sicke of the sayde disease, wel neere since the tyme of his byrth, and shee beeing desirous of his health did procure to know what remedy might be had, and seeing the ordinary remedies of Phisicke which they had ministred vnto him beeing many and diuers by the wysest Phisitions of Spayne, and yet not preuailed any thing; and hearing of the greate vertue of this Bezaar stone, they had communication with mee thereof: yet was it to mee some∣what straunge, for that I had no other knowledge thereof then by bookes, and I thought that it had not beene in these partes: then I requested that the stone might be sent for be∣ing desirous to ease this Lorde, for his vertues deserued the same, and his great knowledge in al kinde of learning, and in al things that a noble man might haue knowledge in, as also to see the stone which was a thing of mee much desired. The stone was sent for to Lishebron by meanes of a Ge∣noues, and there was brought twoo of them very fayre wrought in gold, and eche of them as great as a Date stone and somewhat greater, of colour greene and blackishe, lyke

to a Beringena which is a fruit of Spayne, and the stone be∣ing brought, not a little to our contentment, euery one gaue their iudgement, & it was agreed y^t at such time as he should sownde, it shoulde presently be giuen him: and the sownding being come in the euening hee toke foorth with the appoin∣ted order, which was brought from the court, that hee should take foorthwith the waight of three graines of the pouder of the stone, and it should bee cast in water of Oxetongue so much as might be sufficient for him, and so it was done. O∣pening his mouth hee swallowed it downe, the which he did with much difficultie; within the space of halfe a quarter of an houre, after hee had taken it, hee recouered as easilie, as though hee had not had it. And seeing the vertue that was in the stone, wee did esteeme it much, and the more for that wee sawe that euery tyme it toke him, he came to himselfe so ea∣sily, and when he toke not the stone, the sounding did continue long, and hee returned from it with greate paynes, and in long tyme it seased not: but when the stone was giuen him he came quickly to himselfe and with greate easinesse, as though he had not had any sownding at all. My Lady the Duches caried the stone in her purse, and had the quantitie that he shoulde take alwayes in a readinesse, bycause when the sownding came to him, it might bee giuen him with more speede, bycause hee shoulde not bee long in payne: so that from the tyme that hee receyued it, his soundings came not to him so continually as they did before. This being per∣ceiued, I saide one day to my Lady, that it was the doctrine of Phisitions, that the medicines which doe not heale dis∣eases, cannot preserue that wee fall not into them, but that it seemed good to mee that wee shoulde giue vnto him euery morning the pouder of the Bezaar stone, that with the conti∣nuall vse thereof, the vapour might bee consumed which did ryse vp to the braynes, so that what seemeth to be venomous and hurtfull, the stone woulde extinguish and kil, and would consume the vapour that riseth vp frō all the body, and from

〈2 pages missing〉〈2 pages missing〉

A Childe did eate a certaine venomous thing, whereby hee was in danger of death, and seing that the common re∣medies did not profit, I caused to bee giuen to the childe the Bezaar stone, and immediatly it was well. And for children that haue wormes, it is lykewyse very good, for that it cau∣seth them to be expelled by dissolution, meruellously taking away the accidents, that are wont to happen to childrē. And this it worketh wheresoeuer you feare any griefe or veno∣mous humour. In the thinges that it hath done most good, hath bene in the pestilence, for that there was in Germany a greate Plague, and vnto all such as had the Bezaar stone giuen them, immediatly was seene the greate effect that it did in them that toke it. And in an Hospital were foure per∣sons infected with this euill, and it was giuen to twoo of them and not to the other, and they that tooke it escaped, and the other twoo dyed. And then it was giuen to many that were infected with this euill, and some of them had twoo sores, and some had three, and yet they escaped and of this were witnesses many people of greate credit that sawe it and other meaner persons, as it is very well knowne to all the Court.

* 1.45This stone doeth profit much to them that be sad and me∣lancholike, the Emperour toke it many tymes for this ef∣fect, and it is taken of many persons that are melancholike: for it taketh it away, and maketh him glad and mery that v∣seth it and to bee of a good disposition. Many I haue seene that haue beene much diseased with fayntnesse, soundinges and melancholie, and taking the waight of three graynes of this stone with the water of Oxtongue they haue bin healed presently. In feuers of an euill qualitie and most pestilent, it is meruellous the good woorke that it doeth: for that it ta∣keth away the malice thereof, extinguishing and killing the euil qualitie of the venom, which is the first and principall thing that the Phisition should doe, for if that this bee not taken away first, the cure is in vaine. Many do vse this stone

holding a peece thereof in theyr mouth in the suspected time of a Pestilence, and whereas venom is feared, or any thing that is venomous, and also it dooth profite much taking it in water to them that are sicke of pestilent Feuers.

A Gentleman had all his seruantes sicke of Agewes,* 1.46 that are commonly called Modorras, and he put into a pot of wa∣ter a Bezaar stone that hee had, of the which he caused the sicke people to drinke, and they all escaped and were deliue∣red from death. And many people for this cause, haue this stone layde in water continually, that they may drinke there∣of being sicke, for it profiteth much to take away the Agewe, and geueth strength to the hart, and not onely this stone doth profite in venomous thinges and venomes, but in other disea∣ses, as it hath byn proued: & being geuen to them that haue the gidines in the head, it doth much profit, and also against opilations. And it happened that a Nunne that had sown∣dinges and greate opilations, by taking the Bezaar stone was healed, and likewise of the opilations: and being long time without her customed termes, they came very well too her and aboundantly. This stone profiteth much to them that haue taken Arsenike or other corsiue venome, for that it dooth kill and consume the force of the venome, and taketh away the accidentes thereof. Milke hath in this a great preroga∣tiue, and doth woorke effectually, by taking much quantitie, and continually vsing the same, for although that it be a mer∣uellous remedie, it must be vsed in corsiue venomes, for that it maketh the venomes to be expelled by vomit, and doth ex∣tinguish the mallice. It is the true Antidote against corsiue venome, and after the vse thereof, the stone may be giuen or the pouder, or any of the sayde medicines, that haue vertue a∣gainst venome. Also this stone doth profit muche against fe∣uers that bringe certaine red spots in the bodie like to Flea-bytinges, that commonly doe appeare in their shoulders, and in their archter parts of the bodie: these doe come in sore Agewes, that doe expell the humours out of the bodie, and

so it is conuenient that it bee so vsed that it may come out well, and this muste bee done by putting bentosit••es, and other like helpes, that may expell the humour, whereby nature is holpen, forbidding oyntmentes and other things that may disturbe the comming out of these thinges. An other thing which is conuenient, is to geue to the sicke, when these small spottes doe beginne to appeare, those thinges which doe extinguish and kill the venome: of the which we haue treated very largely hauing respect not to let blood, after that they haue appeared, if it come not of too muche replection and fulnesse of blood. One thing I haue founde for these redde Spottes and for Feuers of muche profite and notable experience in many, which is our Bolearmenike prepared in a dishe of earth with Rose wa∣ter geuen in all medicines that are too bee taken, and in the meates that are too bee eaten, and surely in it I haue founde great effect, chiefly in one yeere, wherein reygned many Pestilent Agues, called Moder••as, and many were deliuered from them, with the vse of it, for that this our Bolearmenike doth differ little from that of the East partes, and this shall bee where the Bezaar stone is not to bee had, for that it doth exceed all as I saw in a prin∣cipall Gentleman of this citie which had a sore Feuer, with soundinges, Uomites and other Accidentes of an Ague vpon whom did appeare spottes, which before I haue spoken of on his shoulders, and in geuing him the Bezaar stone with a little of the U••••cornes horne, foorthwith the Accidentes did cease and began to be bet∣ter, for that it did extinguishe and kill the force of the Agewe, which caused all the hurte. And after this sorte I coulde speake of many heere in Spayne, that for the space of this fourteene yeeres I haue vsed it, and many haue beene deliuered therewith from many disea∣ses

with the vse thereof, that surely it seemeth a thing of woonderfull effectes, that a stone taken out of the bel∣lie of a beaste like to a wilde Harte or Goate in so little quantitie geuen, shoulde woorke so greate effectes as wee haue written of. And for that it is already time to treate of the Herbe Escuerçonera, because wee haue beene long and treating of the Bezaar stone, I will speake what is kno∣wen of it.

¶ Of the herbe Escuerçonera.

THe Herbe Escuerçonera the which wee haue promised to treate of, is an herbe knowen, and found within these thirtie yeeres. For time hath discoue∣red it too vs as it hath done many other thinges, as wee see which they bring from the West Indias, and they are so many thinges, as wee see e∣uery day, as were neuer seen by those that were before vs, nor yet by vs, as we haue written o•• in a Treatise that we made of these things which doe treate of all the things that they bring from our Indias that doeth serue for the vse of me∣dicine.

So it is that in the Countrie of Cataluina in the Coun∣tie of Vrgell in a towne called M••mblan••,* 1.47 was the place where y^• herb Escuerçonera was first discouered & found out, & as al that countrie i•• molested & toubled of certaine veno∣mous

beastes which are called Escuerços, and likewise of many other and although that they are very Uenomous and full of poyson, there are also many in number, as well in the tilled fieldes as amongest trees, and grasse, and especially in the Corne fieldes, in such sort that they are to them in steede of a Plague, and an vncurable mischiefe, by reason that the peo∣ple cannot labour in their Uines, nor reape their Corne, nor doe their businesse in the fieldes, by meanes that they are so cruelly hurt by them, whose venome and poyson is such, that wheresoeuer they byte, it swelleth foorthwith, with greate paynes, and the swelling riseth vp to the hearte immediatly, and if they be not remedied and suckered foorthwith, they die presently: their Triacle and other benefites which they had, did serue them to little purpose.

* 1.48And seeyng that in this time this Plague was so without remedie, it fortuned that they brought to that place from A∣frica a young man Captiue, which did heale them that were bitten with these so venemous beastes, with geuing them to eate of a roote, and the iuyce of an herbe that hee knewe which did them so much good, that it healed the bytinges and poyson very easily. For the which there came so many people to the Moore, that they did not onely make him free, but also rich, and the young man in all this tyme with all the promises and giftes that they coulde geue and make vnto him, woulde neuer tell them what roote and herbe it was, wherewith he healed so great a Plague.

Two Persons of the Towne beeyng very desirous to knowe the same, by reason it stoode them so muche vp∣pon too knowe what Herbe it was, went after him and dogged him so politikely, that at length they sawe where hee gathered the hearbe and tooke out of the grounde, the rootes thereof. The Moore beeyng gone, they wente too the place where hee gathered it, and they founde the lacke of the grasse that the Moore had gathered, of the

which they tooke out a good quantitie, because there was muche there in that place, and they went therewith too the Towne, and so to the house of the Moore, where they found him taking out the herbe of a Bagge that hee brought it in: and the one herbe and the other beeyng seene, they sawe that it was all one: whereby the Moore coulde not denie but the thing which had beene by himselfe long time hidden, was now discouered, and the herbe that he had gathered and ge∣uen, and that which the other brought were all one. And from that time forwarde all the people began to know it, and such as had neede of it went to geather it, and vsed it for the bytinges of these venemous beastes, as I haue sayde. They call this herbe Escuerçonera because it doeth heale and re∣medy the bytinges of this beast,* 1.49 called Estorçu in the Ca∣talan tongue, and the same roote is like too the sayde beast, and the beast like too the roote in figure. This beast or vermin commonly is a Spanne and a halfe long, hee is small in the tayle, and is greater and greater towardes the heade: his head is greate and square with a great mouth, his tongue blacke and sharpe, his teeth small like to a shee Adder, with the which hee doeth byte, and with his tongue hee doeth pricke like to a Scorpion, his colour is full of blacke spottes, with diuers colours hee goeth e∣uill fauouredly, and is continually among Plantes, and Uines, and byteth other beastes, as hee doeth men, hee goeth continually by the grounde, and therefore all men looke warily too theyr feete, where they are. Hee is a fierce beast and vglie too beholde, and full of mis∣chiefe, his byting is woorser and more dangerous than the byting of a shee Adder of that Countrie. Onely this Herbe is contrary too him which is called of his name Escuerçonera: for if they cast the iuyce vppon him, it maketh him fowle,* 1.50 and if they put it into his mouth and that hee swallowe it downe, he dyeth. If any man 〈2 pages missing〉〈2 pages missing〉

seede, and the seede beeyng gone, then the Leaues of the Plantes doe fall. The Roote is like too the roote of a Sanahoria fleshie, and waightie, and leaueth with a poynt, and waxeth greater towardes the leaues, it hath a thinne rynde ioyned too the roote, and is of a russet co∣lour, somewhat blackishe, and somewhat sharpe, and be∣yng cut or broken, it doeth cast from it a certayne clammie waterishnesse, like to milke: it is all white within, sweete, and fattie, it groweth for the moste parte in hitlie places, where some moisture is: the complection therof is whot and moyst in the first degree.

The Uertues that it hath bee suche as wee haue spo∣ken of, the principall vertue is agaynst the Escorçu a beast so venemous, and doeth so much hurt, that in this surelie it seemeth to bee a thing of great vertue. It is good when the iuyce is taken out of the leaues and clarified, and that the roote also bee taken, which is a thing of greater ver∣tue.

And it is to be considered that although you take the iuyce and the roote of this Herbe agaynst the Poyson that proceedeth of this beast which is so pernicious, it is conuenient that great diligence be vsed, as we haue afore∣sayde, for the remedie of them that are venomed: where∣by it woulde doe very well that in the meane time that the iuyce bee a prouiding or the Roote of the sayde Herbe, that foure or fiue fingers breadth aboue the sore it bee bounde fast, that the force of the Uenome doe not passe too the reste of the partes of the body, and this is too bee done in the Legge or arme. And if the byting bee in any suche place where it cannot bee bounde, then there must bee laide too it, plaisters of dry and strong thinges that may dissolue the furie of the venom: and this must be done with speed, before the hurt doe enter the inner partes, for if it once doe come to the harte, the cure will goe

harde: and this must bee vniuersally in al prickinges or by∣tings of venomous beastes. And if the wound bee smal it is needful to open it, with a smal cut or some other way: and if it be newe, let the cuttinges bee smal, and if it bee of a long tyme, then let the incision bee deepe, for that with the much blood that geeth out thereof, there goe out a greate parte of the venom also. And after the cutting let there bee applyed such things as may drawe out strongly the venom, still ad∣ding thereunto that as shal be needful. Some there bee that doe sucke out the venom of the prickes or woundes with their mouth, but it is dangerous to them that so doe, for some haue dyed therof: it is better to r••medie it with ventosities, or to put too it the hinder parte of a Cocke, or a Chicken, or a Pigeon beeing aliue, vppon the pricke, or w••unde, the fethers being plucked f••om the hind••r part ther••of, and vse it so often as shal bee needful, vntill y••u perceiue that they haue taken out the venom that is in the wounde, and euery one of them must be applyed thereto so long tyme vntil that you may perceiue that hee doeth waxe faynt, or vntill he bee readie to dye. Also it is a good remedie to put them that bee a liue opened at the back, and let th••m be there as long time as they haue any heate: and beginning to waxe colde, then take them away & put others to, and the venom being taken out by these meanes, let there bee put vpon the wou••d a me∣dicine that hath vertue to keepe the wounde open. Some do vse in the cuttinges or incisions an actuall thing to burne, called a cauterie, which doth very much good, extinguishing the venom, and comforting the hurte. The same ••ffect do••th the cawterie potentiall in killing the ven••me, but it is not so good as the actuall, but thereby it doeth cause that the wounde doe not close, which is very necessary for the cure.

The iuyce of the herbe Escuerçonera doeth profit very much, being put on venomous ••ytings or prickings, by it

selfe or mingled with other medicines, that haue vertue to take away the strēgth of the venom, as treacle, methridato & other medicines like to these: and if the Bezaar stone might be had casting the pouder therof vpō the wound, it wil worke a maruellous effect. While they are in this case they must be kept with good order, & good gouernement, in al thinges that are contrary to them, and vsing euacuations, such as is conuenient with wholesome medicines, and there must bee mingled with them medicines that are against venom, and when time serueth vse letting of blood, and in the rest, to goe to the cure of the disease, and vnto euery one of them, as it is conuenient vniuersally, and particularly, hauing alwayes care to giue to them that are sicke, in the morning fasting, the conserua of the roote of the Escuerçonera, and his wa∣ter, or the Bezaar stone, or y^e pouder as it is said, or Bolear∣menike prepared, hee must haue care to annoynt the harte with things which are temperate, that may comforte with pouders and cordiall waters, amongest the which let there bee put the herbe Escuerçonera. And besides the vertues that the herbe Escuerçonera hath against the bytinges of these beastes in particular, and for the remedie of all in vni∣uersal, it hath also other particular vertues, the vse whereof hath beene shewed vnto vs, it is very good against sown∣dinges, of the harte, and for them that haue the falling sicknes, and for women whose matrix are suffocated or stop∣ped, by taking the conserua made of the roote, and drinking the iuyce of the hearbe clarified, or the water of it distilled. It doeth profit much when the soundinges are come, but much more before they doe come: when they feele that they begin to sownde, let them take the roote therof with the wa∣ter, and it doeth hinder the comming therof: and if it do come it is much lesse, and it doeth not woorke so vehemently as when it is taken after. Unto them that haue the gidinesse in the head it doeth good, and being continually taken, it ma∣keth the hart merrie: it doeth take away the sadnes which is

the cause therof: the iuyce taken out of the leaues and clari∣fied, and set in Sunne for certaine dayes, taking the cleerest thereof, and put into the eyes doeth clarifie the sight, and ta∣keth away the dimnesse therof, if it be mingled with a litle good hony, it is good for them that feare themselues to bee poysoned. The conserua of the roote beeing taken, and the water in the morning, that day by Gods grace they shal bee safe. The vse and experience of this hearbe hath bin taught without any auctor: for to this day we knowe not with what name the authors doe terme it.

Iohn Odoricus Mechiorius an Almayne Phisitiō, doth wryte in an Epistle to Andrew Mathiolo, saying that Pe∣ter Carniser a Catalan Phisition, sent to him the herbe Es∣cuerçonera dry, into Germany: this Phisition did aske of Mathiolo what herbe it was: Mathiolo did not know what hearbe it was, neither did any other, vntil now that it hath bin spoken or written of. Some that are curious wil say that it is the Cōdrillia, a spice of Succory which Dioscorides doth make mention of in the second booke in the 122. chapter: & although that it hath some likenesse therof, it differeth much in the roote: for the Condrillia hath it very wooddie and vn∣profitable and very smal, and in the flowers: but they differ not in their vertues, for both of them are good for the by∣tings of adders. And whatsoeuer that our Escuerçonera is, wee see that his effectes are greate, as well against the by∣tinges of the Escuerços which is so euill a beast and veno∣mous, as for other diseases which we haue spoken of: which seeing that in so fewe yeres there hath bene so much thereof discouered, I do trust y^t much more wil be hereafter by wise men, that there may be added to this which I haue discoue∣red and written of it.

And seeing that we haue treated briefly and the best that we can of these twoo medicines so precious, to wit, the Be∣zaar stone and the hearbe Escuerçonera, which are twoo

things so precious and of so greate effectes against venom, now haue we to treate of the last parte which wee promised to doe; ••nd how we ought to keepe and preserue our selues, & not to fal into so greate a danger, as of them is declared, for that it is better to keepe our selues from daunger, thē to fal therein. Heerein the ancient wryters haue bin very circum∣spect. Amongest the rest it hath beene an ancient custome in Princes Courts & other greate estates, to haue their tasters as wel of their meate as of their drinke for the eschewing of poyson, and so by the meanes thereof they assure them∣selues to be out of peril for that matter, the which surely is allowable and a good custome, and necessary for the safegard and health of any Prince or Lorde, for if there be any hurte in the meate or in the drinke, it shal light first vppo•• thē that doe eate or drinke thereof, and not vpon the Prince or other high estate, in whose life and health greate matters doe de∣pende.

Trueth it is that in these dayes it is done more for a cere∣mony and estate, then for health & safety of life, & this order is vsed amongst great estates, more for custome then for any thing else, for this purpose the common people haue it in estimation, so that at this present it is vsed contrary to that end and purpose it was ment, for they vse nowe taking of a little bred and bringing it with the meate and so taste it: that done, they cast it away, and lykewyse they drinke a drop of wyne or water: & if it should be vsed as it ought to bee, they should eate and drinke thereof throughly, for otherwyse the poyson, if there be any, cānot be discerned before it come in to the Princes mouth. Also the lord ought to command that there be prepared for him diuers meates, for that if hee mis∣lyke of one, he may tast of another: for being of diuers sorts he may tast of eache a little, and eating little at once of any that were infected, it would doe lesse hurte then if he shoulde eate of one dish being infected filling himself therwithal, for being either of them infected and eating much therof, it shal

doe the more hurte. And note this wel, that many times a mā is not giuen alwaies to eate of one meate, nor to see it al∣wayes tasted before he eate it, and afterwarde there appea∣reth in it notable hurte, therefore it is good to take your meate with a forke or a spoone, and that they be made as Ie∣rome Montuo a learned man in Phisike had appoynted for king Henry of Fraunce, which was made to knowe if that he had eatē any venom, there must be made a little forke and a spoone of one mixture of gold and siluer, that the olde wryters called Eletrum and it must bee 4. partes golde and one of siluer, they must bee smooth, cleane & well burnished, with the forke or holder let him eate his meate, and with the spoone his broth: for putting them in the meate or in the broth, if that there bee any venom therein, foorthwith the golde will haue an euil colour, appearing tawnie, blewe, or blacke, and loosing the beautie that before it had, the which wil cause them to looke better to the meate, and this is done for trial therof, and to make further experiēce by some beast that may eate thereof, and so to see the effect thereof, for that is the greatest experience: the lyke may bee done with the drinke to make a cuppe therof, or a broade vessel well burni∣shed. For if the wine or water that is put into it, haue any venom, the vessel wil take some colour therof as aforesaide: and if it haue no poyson therein, it will remaine in his owne colour. And surely it is a gallant and a delicate secrete, when you begin to eate any manner of meate, the first morsell that you take let it be wel chewed, and marke wel if it do byte, or haue any euil taste, or if it burne your mouth, or your tōgue, or that your stomacke abhorre it, for in perceiuing or feeling any thing of these signes, cast it forth, and wash your mouth with wyne or water, and leaue that meate, and fal to other: it woulde doe very wel to giue it to some beast to see the effe••t therof, it is good to haue in the house some beast to whome it might giuen, for to make experience thereof. And the effect so appearing they haue to iudge therof. And this is to be vn∣derstoode

when the venomes come of corsiue thinges, you shal feele a notable sharpenes, and they byte and burne forth∣with: the best is for them that haue suspicion, to eate meate that is rosted or sod, & that they eate neither brothes nor pot∣tages, for in them there may be greater hurte: and if any bee made, let them not bee made with things of smell, as Am∣ber, muske, and sweete spyces, and let them not haue ouer∣much sharpenes, for in broth or pottage, the poyson wil soo∣ner lurke then in rosted or sodden, and vse no meates, which haue much sweetnesse, therein all poyson will lurke the more. Hee that hath any suspition when hee goeth to his meate, let him not bee to greedie to eate foorthwith very ha∣stily, but let him refraine himselfe, and let him eate with lea∣sure, by litle and litle. The lyke he must do, in his drinking, being very thirsty, hee feeleth not what he drinketh: and so many people beeing very dry, haue dronke in lie, lye, and also water of arsenike, not feeling the same vntil they haue hurt their body, and therefore it is conuenient to drinke leysurely by litle, and litle, tasting his drinke as he drinketh: surely if men woulde be ruled by this order, they should easily finde if there were any euil thing in that they eate, and drinke. You haue to consider the colour of your meate, for thereby will somewhat appeare. For it wil looke otherwyse, then it ought to do••; see that your vessels wherein you eate or drinke bee cleane, newe, and glistering: and if your abilitie be such, let them bee of siluer, being cleane burnished, for if you haue ve∣nom in the drinke, it is easily espied, and the siluer doth turne blacke or tawney.

Not many dayes past a Gentleman of great riches, by drinking in a plaine cuppe of siluer,* 1.51 perceiued the cup stay∣ned of a sad tawney colour, and did maruel thereat, hee only tasted the wyne, and it made his tongue rough, & his mouth also: hee looked wel on the wyne that was put into the cup, & it had not that quicknes in drinking that it ought to haue had, and hee looked on the water, and in the bottome of the

ewre there were many graines of arsenyke, w^t as yet were not dissolued. I was called & I gathered out of the ewre more then xx. smal graines of arsenike. & within certain dayes af∣ter the Gentleman fell sicke, wherby I did con••ect••re that it was not the first tyme that they pretended to poyson him: & since that, he hath bin sicke a long time. And thus much I af∣firme that if the cup had not bin altered of his colour •• bin infected, it had not bin perceiued. Therefore it is necessary that the vessels and tinages where wyne & water are kept, be stopt, for feare least any venomous thing fall therein, as spyders, Sallamanquesas and other lyke venomous be••sts, and therefore it is nought to drinke with vessels or cuppes that haue narrow mouths: for it is best to see what one drin∣keth in a cleere vessel and broade, for it is good for them that do regard their health. It is good to haue a peece of a right Unicornes horne in a smal cheyne of golde, that it may bee swilled continually in the water that shalbee dronke. It would doe well, for not onely it taketh away the suspition of the venom, but doeth put to the drinke a meruellous cordiall vertue. Also you must not stand by the fire that is made with venomous wood, for the smoke doeth poyson, as if you should take poyson, and to set in the chamber coales when they doe begin to kindle, many haue dyed therwith: let your apparell be kept by such as you haue trust in, for in them may bee put things that may do notable hurte, and for al that, as is said, it doeth much profit to haue trustie seruants, and that they bee such whome you may trust, and that they be of a good pa∣rentage, and sticke not to reward them wel. And aboue al o∣ther let the Phisition that hath the charge of your health, bee learned and experimented, discrete and of a good iudgemēt, and that he be riche and of a good kinred, and beeing such a one, he wil not doe any thing that he ought not to doe, seing that in his handes is the life and health of the Mayster and Lorde.

FINIS.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The hearbe Escuercone∣ra.
• * 1.2

  Dioscorides.
• * 1.3

  The Emperor Marco Antonio.
• * 1.4

  To knowe what venom it was.
• * 1.5

  Euill signes.
• * 1.6

  To knowe what venom 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was.
• * 1.7

  The cure.
• * 1.8

  Venome of his o••ne propertie.
• * 1.9

  Triacle.
• * 1.10

  Methridat•• and compoū∣ded medi∣cines.
• * 1.11

  Medicine••-simples. Lemnia.
• * 1.12

  Diptamo.
• * 1.13

  The names of the stone.
• * 1.14

  Conra••o.
• * 1.15

  Where they are ingen∣dred.
• * 1.16

  Plinie.
• * 1.17

  Historie.
• * 1.18

  How the Be∣zaar stone is ••ngendered.
• * 1.19

  The figure of the beaste.
• * 1.20

  Historie.
• * 1.21

  His figure.
• * 1.22

  The forme of the stones.
• * 1.23

  His coulour.
• * 1.24

  It is light.
• * 1.25

  Which are fine.
• * 1.26

  Guido de La∣nazaris.
• * 1.27

  In great esti∣mation.
• * 1.28

  Andrewe Belunensi••.
• * 1.29

  Serapio.
• * 1.30

  The old Wri∣ters wrote of this stone.
• * 1.31

  Serapio of his vertue.
• * 1.32

  Note.
• * 1.33

  Rasis. Simia of G••∣len.
• * 1.34

  The king of Cordiua.
• * 1.35

  Auensoar.
• * 1.36

  Aueroi••▪
• * 1.37

  Haliabas.
• * 1.38

  Rabbi Mo••∣ses.
• * 1.39

  Phisitions of late time.
• * 1.40

  Mathiolus.
• * 1.41

  Andrew de Laguna.
• * 1.42

  Valescus.
• * 1.43

  Amato Lu∣citano.
• * 1.44

  That as I haue seene by experience.
• * 1.45

  For them that are sad and melan∣ch••lie.
• * 1.46

  Historie.
• * 1.47

  Histori••▪
• * 1.48

  How this herbe was discouered.
• * 1.49

  Why it is cal∣led Escuer••o∣nera.
• * 1.50

  The vertue of the herbe.
• * 1.51

  Historie.