The workes of that famous chirurgion Ambrose Parey translated out of Latine and compared with the French. by Th: Johnson

OF POYSONS, AND OF THE BITING OF A MAD DOGGE, AND THE BI∣TINGS AND STINGINGS OF OTHER VENEMOUS CREATURES. THE ONE AND TWENTIETH BOOK. (Book 21)

CHAP. I. The cause of writing this Treatise of Poysons.

FIVE reasons have principally moved me to undertake to write this Treatise of poysons, according to the opinion of the Anci∣ents. The first is, that I might instruct the Surgeon what reme∣dies must presently be used to such as are hurt by poysons, in the interim whilst greater meanes may bee expected from a Physi∣cian. The second is, that hee may know by certaine signes and notes such as are poysoned or hurt by poysonous meanes, and so make report thereof to the Judges, or to such as it may con∣cerne. The third is, that those Gentlemen and others who live in the Countrey, and farre from Cities and store of greater meanes, may learne something by my labours by which they may helpe their friends bitten by an Adder, madde Dogge, or other poysonous creature, in so dangerous, sudden and usuall a case. The fourth is, that e∣very one may beware of poysons, and know their symptomes when present, that being knowne, they may speedily seeke for a remedie. The fifth is, that by this my labour all men may know what my good-will is, and how well minded I am towards the common wealth in generall, and each man in particular, to the glory of God. I doe not here so much arme malicious and wicked persons to hurt, as Surgeons to provide to helpe and defend each mans life against poyson; which they did not un∣derstand, or at least seemed not so to doe, which taking this my labour in evill part, have maliciously interpreted my meaning.

But now at length, that wee may come to the matter; I will begin at the generall division of poysons, and then handle each species thereof severally: but first let us * 1.1 give this rule; That, Poyson is that which either outwardly applyed or struck in, or inwardly taken into the body, hath power to kill it, no otherwise, than meate well drest is apt to nourish it. For Conciliator writes, that the properties of poyson are con∣trary to nourishments in their whole substance, for as nourishment is turned into bloud, and in each part of the body whereto it is applyed to nourish, by perfect assi∣mulation is substituted in the place of that portion which flowes away each moment.

Thus on the contrary poyson turnes our bodies into a nature like it selfe and vene∣nate, for as every agent imprints the force and qualities thereof in the subject patient, thus poyson by the immoderation of faculties in their whole nature contrary to us, changeth our substance into its nature, no otherwise than fire turneth chaffe in a mo∣ment into its owne nature, and so consumes it. Therefore it is truly delivered by the Ancients, who have diligently pryed into the faculties of naturall things, that it is Poyson that may kill men by destroying and corrupting their temper, and the com∣posure and conformation of the body. Now all poysons are said to proceed either * 1.2 from the coruptaire, or from living creatures, plants and mineralls, or by an artifici∣all malignity in distilling, subliming and diversly mixing of poysonous and fuming things. Hence ••risesundry differences of poysons; neither doe they all worke after the same manner; for some corrupt our nature by the unmeasurablenesse of the ma∣nifest and elementary qualities whereof they consist, others from a specifick and oc∣cult propertie. Hence it is that some kill sooner than othersome; neither is it true, that all of them presently assaile the heart, but others are naturally at deadly strife * 1.3 with other parts of the body, as Cantharides with the bladder, the sea Hare with the lungs, the Torpedo with the hands, which it stupefieth, though the fishers rod bee betwixt them. Thus of medicines, there are some which are apt presently to comfort and strengthen the heart; others the brain, as staechas; others the stomack, as Cina∣mon; Also there are some poysons which work both waies, that is, by manifest and occult qualities, as Euphorbium; for that both by the excessive heate and the whole substance, or the discord of the whole substance with ours, corrupts our nature. An argument hereof is, that Treacle, which by its quality is manifestly hot, infringeth the force thereof, as also of all others of an occult property. Poisons which work by an occult and specifick property, do not therefore doe it, because they are too immo∣derately hot, cold, dry, moist; but for that they are absolutely such, and have that essence from the stars and coelestiall influence, which is apt to dissolve and destroy the strength of mans body, because being taken, but even in a small quantity, yet are they of so pernicious a quality, that they kill almost in a moment. Now poysons do not onely kill being taken into the body, but some being put or applyed outwardly; neither doe venimous creatures only harme by their stinging and biting, but also by their excrements, as spittle, bloud, the touch and breath.

CHAP. II. How poysons being small in quantity, may by their only touch cause so great alterations.

IT seemeth strange to many, how it may come to passe, that poyson, ta∣ken or admitted in a small quantity, may almost in a moment produce so pernicious effects over all the body, and all the parts, faculties, and actions, so that being admitted but in a little quantity, it swels up the body into a great bignesse. Neither ought it to seeme lesse strange, how Anridotes and Counter-poysons, which are opposed to poyson, can so suddenly breake and weaken the great and pernicious effects thereof, being it is not likely that so small a particle of poyson or Antidote can divide it selfe into so many, and so far severed particles of our body. There are some (saith Galen) who thinke that * 1.4 somethings by touch onely, by the power of their quality, may alter those things which are next to them, and that this appeares plainly in the sea Torpedo, as that which hath so powerfull a quality, that it can send it alongst the fishers rod to the hand, and so make it become torpide or numbe. But on the contrary, Philosophers teach, that accidents, such as qualities are, cannot without their subjects remove and diffuse themselves into other subjects. Therefore Galens other answer is more agree∣able to reason, that so many and great affects of poysons and remedies arise either from a certaine spirit or •…•…le huminity; not truly, for that this spirit and subtle hu∣midity may be dispersed over the whole body and all the parts thereof which it af∣fects,

but that little, which is entred the body, as cast in by the stroake of a Spider, * 1.5 or the sting of a Scorpion, infects and corrupts all the next parts by contagion with the like quality, these others that are next to them, untill from an exceeding small portion of the bloud, if the stroake shall light into the veines, it shall spread over the whole masse of bloud; or of phlegme, if the poyson shall chance to come to the stomacke, and so the force thereof shall bee propagated and diffused over all the hu∣mours and bowels. The doubt of Antidotes is lesse, for these being taken in grea∣ter quantity, when they shal come into the stomack, warmed by the heat of the place, they become hot, & send forth vapours, which suddenly diffused over the body by the subtlety of their substance, doe by their contrary forces dull and weaken the ma∣lignity of the poyson. Wherefore you may often see when as Antidotes are given in lesse quantity than is fit, that they are lesse prevalent, neither doe they answer to our expectation in overcomming the malignity of the poyson; so that it must necessari∣ly follow that these must not onely in qualities, but also in quantity bee superiour to poysons.

CHAP. III. Whether there be any such poysons as will kill at a set time?

TO the propounded question; whether there may be poysons which within * 1.6 a certaine and definite time (put case a moneth or yeare) may kill men, Theophrastus thus answers; of poysons, some more speedily performe their parts, others more slowly, yet may you finde no such as will kill in set limits of time, according to the will and desire of men. For that some kill soo∣ner or later than others; they do not this of their owne or proper nature, as Physici∣ans rightly judge, but because the subject upon which they light, doth more or lesse resist or yeeld to their efficacie. Experience sheweth the truth hereof; for the same * 1.7 sort of poyson in the same weight and measure given to sundry men of different tem∣pers and complexions, will kill one in an houre, another in sixe houres, or in a day, and on the contrary will not so much as hurt some third man. You may also observe the same in purging medicines. For the same purge given to divers men in the same proportion, will purge some sooner, some later, some more sparingly, others more plentifully, and othersome not at all; also with some it will worke gently, with othersome with paine and gripings. Of which diversity there can no other cause be assigned, than mens different natures in complexion & temper, which no man can so exactly know and comprehend, as to have certain knowledge thereof, as how much and how long the native heat can resist and labour against the strength of the poy∣son, or how pervious or open the passages of the body may bee whereby the poyson may arrive at the heart and principall parts. For in such (for example sake) as have the passages of their arteries more large, the poyson may more readily and speedily enter into the heart together with the aire that is continually drawn into the body.

CHAP. IIII. Whether such creatures as feed upon poysonous things be also poysonous, and whether they may be eaten safely and without harme?

DUcks, Storkes, Hernes, Peacocks, Turkies, and other birds, feed upon Toads, Vipers, Aspes, Snakes, Scorpions, Spiders, Caterpillers, & other venemous things. Wherfore it is worthy the questioning, whether such like creatures nourished with such food, can kill or poyson such persons as shall afterward eat them? Matthiolus writes that all late Authors, * 1.8 who have treated of poysons, to be absolutely of this opinion, That men may safely and without any danger feed upon such creatures, for that they convert the beasts in∣to

their nature after they have eaten them, and on the contrary, are not changed by them. This reason though very probable, yet doth it not make these beasts to be wholly harmelesse, especially if they be often eaten or fed upon. Dioscorides and Ga∣len seeme to maintaine this opinion, whereas they write, that the milke, which is no∣thing else than the relented bloud, of such beasts as feed upon scammonie, hellebore, and spurge, purgeth violently. Therefore Physicians, desirous to purge a sucking childe, give purges to the nurses, whence their milke becomming purging, becomes both meat and medicine to the childe. The flesh of Thrushes, which feed upon Ju∣niper berries, favours of Juniper. Birds that are fed with worme-wood or Garlike, either tast bitter, or have the strong sent of Garlike. Whitings taken with garlike, so smell thereof, that they will not forgoe that smell or taste by any salting, frying or boyling, for which sole reason, many who hate garlike, are forced to abstain from these fishes. The flesh of Rabbits that feed upon Pennyroyall and Juniper, favour of them; Phisicians wish that Goats, Cows, and Asses, whose milke they would use for Consumptions or other diseases, should bee fed some space before, and every day with these or these herbs which they deeme fit for the curing of this or that disease. For Galen affirmes that hee doubts not, but that in successe of time the flesh of crea∣tures * 1.9 will be changed by the meats where on they feed, and at length favour thereof. Therefore I do noe allow that the flesh of such things as feed upon venemous things should be eaten for food, unlesse it bee some long space after they have disused such repast, and that all the venome bee digested and overcome by the efficacy of their proper heat, so that nothing thereof may remaine in tast, smell or substance, but bee all vanished away. For many dye suddenly, the cause of whose deaths are unknowne, * 1.10 which peradventure was from nothing else, but the sympathy and antipathy of bo∣dies, for that these things cause death and disease to some, that nourish othersome [ac∣cording to our vulgar English proverbe; That which is one mans meate is another mans Poyson.]

CHAP. V. The generall signes of such as are poysoned.

WEE will first declare what the generall signes of poyson are, and then will we descend to particulars, whereby we may pronounce that one is poysoned with this or that poyson. We certainly know * 1.11 that a man is poysoned, when as hee complaines of a great heavi∣nesse of his whole body, so that hee is weary of himselfe; when as some horrid and loathsome taste sweats out from the orifice of the stomacke to the mouth and tongue, wholly different from that taste that meat, how∣soever corrupted, can send up: when as the colour of the face changeth sudden∣ly, somewhiles to blacke, sometimes to yellow, or any other colour, much differing from the common custome of man; when nauseousnesse with frequent vomiting, troubleth the patient, and that hee is molested with so great unquietnesse, that all things may seeme to bee turned upside downe. Wee know that the poyson workes by the proper, and from the whole substance, when as without any manifest sense of great heate or coldnesse, the patient sownes often with cold sweats, for usually such poysons have no certaine and distinct part wherewith they are at enmity, as can∣tharides have with the bladder. But as they worke by their whole substance, and an occult propriety of forme; so doe they presently and directly assaile the heart, our essence and life, and the fortresse and beginning of the vitall faculty. Now will wee shew the signes whereby poysons, that worke by manifest and elementary qualities, may be knowne. Those who exceed in heate, burne or make an impression of heat in * 1.12 the tongue, the mouth, throate, stomacke, guts, and all the inner parts, with great thirst, unquietnesse, and perpetuall sweats. But if to their excesse of heate they bee accompanyed with a corroding and putrefying quality, as Arsenicke, Sublimate, Rose-ager or Rats-bane, Verdegreace, Orpiment, and the like, they then cause in the

stomacke and guts intolerable pricking paines, rumblings in the belly, and con∣tinuall and intolerable thirst. These are succeeded by vomitings, with sweats some-whiles hot, somewhiles cold, with swounings, whence suddaine death ensues. Poy∣sons that kill by too great coldnesse, induce a dull or heavie sleepe, or drowzinesse, * 1.13 from which you cannot easily rouze or waken them; sometimes they so trouble the braine, that the patients performe many undecent gestures and anticke trickes with their mouthes and eyes, armes and legges, like as such as are franticke; they are trou∣bled with cold sweats, their faces become blackish or yellowish, alwayes ghastly, all their bodies are benummed, and they dye in a short time unlesse they be helped; poysons of this kinde are Hemlock, Poppie, Nightshade, Henbane, Mandrage. Dry poysons are usually accompanied by heate with moisture, for although sulphur bee * 1.14 hot and dry, yet hath it moisture, to hold the parts together, as all things which have a consistence have, yet are they called dry, by reason that drynesse is predominant in them: such things make the tongue and throate dry and rough, with unquench∣able thirst; the belly is so bound, that so much as the urine cannot have free passage forth; all the members grow squallide by drynesse, the patients cannot sleepe; poy∣sons of this kinde are Lytharge, Cerusse, Lime, Scailes of Brasse, Filings of Lead, prepared antimony. On the contrary, moist poysons induce a perpetuall sleep, a fluxe or scouring, the resolution of all the nerves and joints, so that not so much as the * 1.15 eyes may be faithfully conteined in their orbes, but will hang as ready to fal out; the extreme parts, as the hands, feet, nose and ears corrupt & putrefie, at which time they are also troubled with thirst by reason of their strong heat, alwaies the companion of putrefaction, & oft times the author thereof: now when this commeth to passe, death is at hand. Very many deny that there can be any moist poysons found, that is, such as may kill by the efficacy of their humidity, because there are no such things to bee found, as may come to the fourth degree of moisture. Yet there is an example that averres the contrary, which was of one, who sleeping on the night, was bitten by a Serpent, as Gilbertus Anglicus affirmeth; for dying thereof, when as his servant, de∣sirous to awaken his Master out of his sleepe, tooke him by the arme, all the flesh be∣ing * 1.16 putrefied, fell off, and presently the bones also fell asunder, being deprived of their flesh, which could not happen, unlesse by excesse of the venemous humidity which lay hid in the teeth and spittle of the serpent. Also wee have found it noted by Hippocrates, that in a rayny, humide, and southerly constitution of the yeare, it happened by the maligne violence of the venenate and putrefying humidity, that * 1.17 the flesh of the armes and legges becomming rotten, fell away by peecemeale, and the bones remained bare; yea also and the bones themselves in some, putrefyed and fell away: neither certainely doth the Lues venerea kill by any other meanes, than * 1.18 by a fretting and putrefying force of humidity, by whose efficacy the solidity of the bones is dissolved; then much more the flesh may bee tainted and consumed by putrefaction.

To these and such poysons which worke by a manifest and elementary faculty, when as they shall bee received into the body after what manner soever, you shall forthwith oppose their contraries, and if by chance it bee not manifest, what, and of what distinct kind of poyson that is, you must know that such poysons as worke by occult properties, it is not by reason as yet found out how they will affect the body, but onely by experience. Therefore to these you must oppose their like antidotes, which may by their whole substance strengthen the heart and vitall faculty, and withstand the strength of the poyson. But to this our distinction of poysons, wor∣king * 1.19 by a manifest and elementary quality, their opinion is contrary, who affirme that the venome of all poysonous beasts are therefore cold, for that such as are bit∣ten or stung with them, are forthwith felt to bee colder than a stone. And that ser∣pents for fear of cold, when as winter is at hand, keep themselves in holes and dens under ground, or else as vipers use to doe, lye under stones, under which, you may often finde them stiffe and numbe, and so unapt for motion, that you may easily take them up in your hand. But the coldnesse that is perceived or felt in such as are bitten or stung, is not occasioned by the coldnesse of the poyson, but by the absence of the naturall heate, withdrawing it selfe in the very instant of the stroake, from the sur∣face

into the center of the body, both for the defence of the heart, as the principall part, as also for that there is nothing, which so much dissipates, or so much oppugnes * 1.20 the vitall heat, as poyson (of what kinde soever it be) doth.

CHAP. VI. How, or by what meanes to shunne, or eschew Poysons.

IT is a matter of much difficulty to avoyd poysons, because such as at this time temper them, are so throughly prepared for deceit and mischief, that they will deceive even the most wary and quick∣sighted; for they so qualifie their ingrate taste and smell, by the admixture of sweet and well smelling things, that they cannot ea∣sily bee perceived even by the skillfull. Therefore such as feare poysoning, ought to take heed of meates cooked with much art, very sweete, salt, * 1.21 soure, or notably endued with any other taste. And when they are opprest with hunger or thirst, they must not eate nor drinke too greedily, but have a diligent re∣gard to the taste of such things as they eate or drinke; besides, before meat let them take such things as may weaken the strength of the poysons; such as is the fat broth of good nourishing flesh meats; in the morning let them arme themselves with trea∣cle or mithridate, and conserve of roses, or the leaves of rue, a wallnut and dry figs; besides, let him presently drinke a little draught of Muskedine or some other good wine; when one suspects hee hath taken any poyson in meat or drinke, let him for∣beare sleeping. For besides that the force of poyson is oft times so rapid, that it con∣sumes our life in a short space, as fire doth stubble, as also for that it is drawne more * 1.22 in wardly into the secret passages of the body by sleepe. Wherefore in such a case it is better to procure vomit by drinking Hydraeleum warme, or butter dissolved in * 1.23 warme oyle, or a decoction of line, or fenugreeke seedes, or fat broth, for thus the received poyson is also cast forth therewith, or else the acrimony thereof retunded, and the belly loosed.

You may see this by daily experience, for caustickes, vesicatories, and the like a∣crid things being applyed to an anointed part, will not blister nor exulcerate the part. Neither doth the vomit conduce onely in this, that it excludeth the poyson, but it shewes either by the taste, smell, or colour, the kinde of the taken poyson; so that then by using the proper Antidote, it may bee the more easily and speedily resisted, yet not withstanding if you conceive that the poyson have descended deeper into the Guts, you may with a glyster draw away the rest thereof which adheres to the coats of the Guts. But if the patient cannot vomit, then shall some purging medicine be given him forthwith, and such as are thought more particularly to resist poyson, * 1.24 such as are Agaricke, Aloes, the lesser Centaury, Rubarbe and other things, accor∣ding to the direction of the learned Physitian. Then shall you administer glysters made with Cassia, fatty decoctions, sheeps suet, or butter or Cowes milke, with the mucilages of Line seed, psilium seeds, quince seeds, and other such things as are usual∣ly given in a Dysentery, or bloody fluxe, that such things may hinder the adhesion of the poyson to the coates of the guts, and by their unctuousnesse retunde the acri∣mony of the poyson, and mitigate if any thing shall already be ulcerated, and abso∣lutely defend the sound parts from the maligne effects of the poyson. But let this be a perpetuall rule, That the poyson bee speedily drawne backe by the same way it en∣tred into the body; as, if it entred by smelling in at the nostrills, let it bee drawne * 1.25 back by sneesing; if by the mouth into the stomack, let it be excluded by vomit; if by the fundament into the belly, then by glister; if by the privities into the wombe, then by metrenchites or injections made therinto; if by a bite, sting or wound, let revulsion bee made by such things as have a powerfull attractive faculty; for thus we make di∣versions, that by these we may not onely hinder the poyson from assailing the heart, but also that by this means we may draw it from within outwards. Wherfore strong ligatures cast about the armes, thighes and legges, are good in this case. Also large

cupping glasses applyed with much flame to sundry parts of the body, are good. Also bathes of warme water, with a decoction of such things as resist poyson, as sou∣therne wood, calaminte, rue, betony, horehound, penny royall, bayes, scordium, smallage, scabious, mints, valerian, and the like, are good in this case. Also sweates are good, being provoked so much as the strength of the patient can endure. But if he be very wealthy, whom we suspect poysoned, it will be safer to put him into the belly of an oxe, horse or mule, and then presently into another assoone as the for∣mer is cold, that so the poyson may bee drawne forth by the gentle and vaporous heate, of the new killed beast; yet doe none of these things without the advise of a Physitian, if it may conveniently be had.

CHAP. VII. How the corrupt or venemous Ayre may kill a Man.

THE aire is infected and corrupted by the admixture of maligne vapours, either arising from the unburied bodies of such as are slaine in great con∣flicts, * 1.26 or exhaling out of the earth after earth-quakes, for the aire, long pent up in the cavities and bowells of the earth, and deprived of the free∣dome and commerce of the open aire, is corrupted, and acquires a maligne quality, which it presently transferreth unto such as meet therewith. Also there is a certaine * 1.27 malignity of the aire which accompanieth thunders, and lightnings, which favoures of a sulphureous virulency, so that whatsoever wilde beastes shall devoure the crea∣tures killed therewith, they become madde, and dye immediately; for the fire of lightning hath a farre more rapid, subtle, and greater force than other fires, so that it may rightly be termed a Fire of Fires.

An argument hereof is, that it melteth the head of a spear, not harming the wood, and silver and gold, not hurting the purse wherein it is conteined. Also the aire is in∣fected by fumigations, which presently admitted into the body and bowels by the mouth and nose in respiration, by the skinne and arteries in perspiration, doth easi∣ly kill the spirits and humours being first infected, and then within a short space af∣ter, the solid substance of the principall parts, & chiefly of the heart being turned in∣to their nature, unlesse the man be first provided for by sneesing, vomiting, sweating, purging by the belly, or some other excretion. For that poyson which is carryed into * 1.28 the body by smell is the most rapid & effectuall, by so much as a vapor or exhalation is of more subtle & quicklier piercing essence than an humor. Yet not withstanding, wilt thou say, it is not credible, that any can be kild by any vapor raised by the force of fire, as of a Torch, or a Warming-pan, for that the venenate quality of the thing that is burnt, is dissipated and consumed by the force of the fire, purging and clean∣sing all things. This reason is falsly faigned to the destruction of the lives of carelesse people; for sulphureous brands kindled at a cleere fire, doe notwithstanding cast forth a sulphureous vapour. Whether doe not Lignum aloes and Juniper, when they are burnt in a flame, smell lesse sweetly?

Pope Clement, the seventh of that name, the Uncle of our Kings Mother, was poysoned by the fume of a poysonous Torch that was carryed lighted before him, * 1.29 and dyed thereof. Mathiolus telleth, that there were two Mountebanks in the mar∣ket place of Sicnna, the one of which, but smelling to a poysoned gilly-flower given him by the other, fell downe dead presently.

A certaine man not long ago, when he had put to his nose, and smelled a little unto a pomander, which was secretly poysoned, was presently taken with a Vertigo, and all his face swelled, and unlesse that hee had gotten speedy helpe by sternutatories and other meanes, hee had died shortly after of the same kinde of death that Pope Clement did.

The safest preservative against such poysons, is not to smell to them: moreover, some affirme, that there are prepared some poysons of such force, that being anoin∣ted but on the saddle, they will kill the rider, & others, that if you but anoint the stir∣rops

therwith, they will send so deadlie poysonous a qualitie into the rider, through his boots, that he shall die therof within a short time after: which things, though they be scarce credible, because such poysons touch not the naked skin, yet have they an example in nature, whereby they may defend themselves. For the Torpedo sends a narcoticke, and certainelie deadlie force, into the arme, and so into the bodie of the Fisher, the cords of the net being between them.

CHAP. VIII. That every kinde of Poyson hath its proper and peculiar Signes and Effects.

AS poysons are distinct in species, so each species differs in their signes and effects; neither is it possible to find anie one kinde of poyson, which may be accompanied or produce all the signes and effects of all poysons, other-wise Physitians should in vaine have written of the signes and effects of each of them, as also of their proper remedies & antidotes. For what kind of poyson shall that be, which shall cause a burning heat in the stomack, bellie, liver, bladder & kidneies, which shall cause a hicketting, which shall cause the whole body to tremble and shake, which shall take away the voice and speech, which shall cause convulsions, shall weaken the pulsificke facultie, which shall intercept the freedome of breathing, which shall stupesie and cast into a dead sleepe, which shall together, and at once cause a Vertigo in the head, dimnesse in the sight, a strangling, or stoppage of the breath, thirst, bleeding, feaver, stoppage of the urine, perpetuall vomiting, rednesse, lividnesse, and paleness of the face, resolution of the powers, and manie other things, all which are caused by all sorts of poyson. Lastly, no bodie will denie, but that hot poysons may kill more speedily than cold, for that they are more speedily actu∣ated * 1.30 by the native heat.

CHAP. IX. The Effects of Poysons from particular venemous things, and what Prognosticks may thence bee made.

IT is the opinion of Cornelius Celsus, and almost of all the antients, That the bite of everie beast had some virulencie, but yet some more than othersome. They are most virulent that are inflicted by venemous beasts, as Aspes, Vipers, Water-snakes, and all kindes * 1.31 of Serpents, Basiliskes, Dragons, Toads, Mad dogges, Scorpions, Spiders, Bees, Waspes, and the like. They are lesse maligne, which are of creatures wanting venome, as of Horses, Apes, Cats, Dogges not mad, and manie other things, which though of their owne nature they are without poison, yet in their bites there is something more dolorisicke and ill natured, than in common wounds inflicted by other occasions: I beleeve that in their slaver or sanies, there is something, I know not how to terme it, contrarie to our nature, which imprints a maligne qualitie in the ulcer, which also you may observe in the tearings or scrat∣chings of such creatures as have sharpe clawes, as Lions and Cats. Moreover manie affirme that they have found by experience, that the bites of men are not altogether without virulencie, especially of such as are red haired and freckled, cheiflie when as they are angred; it is probable that the bites of other persons want this maligni∣tie, * 1.32 seeing that their spittle will cure small ulcerations. Wherefore if there shall hap∣pen difficultie of cure in a wound, caused by a mans biting, which is neither red hai∣red nor freckled, neither angrie; this happens not by meanes of the spittle, nor by anie maligne qualitie, but by reason of the contusion, caused by the bluntnesse of the teeth, not cutting, but bruising the part, for being not sharp, they cannot so easily enter the flesh, unlesse by bruising and tearing, after the manner of heavie and blunt

stroaks and weapons, wounds being occasioned by such are more hard to bee cured, * 1.33 than such as are made by cutting and sharp weapons. But of the fore-said bitings of venemous creatures, there are few which doe not kill in a short space, and almost in a moment, but principally if the poison be sent into the bodie by a live creature, for in such poison there is much heat; also there is therein a greater tenuity, which serves as vehicles thereto into what place or part soever of the bodie they tend, the which the poisons taken from dead creatures are detective of. Wherefore some of these kill a man in the space of an houre, as the poison of Aspes, Basiliskes and Toads; others not unlesse in two or three daies space, as of water Snakes; a Spider, and Scorpion require more time to kill, yet all of them admitted but in the least quantity, doe in a short space cause great and deadly mutations in the bodie, as if they had breathed in a pestiferous aire, and with the like violence, taint and change into their owne nature all the members and bowels, by which these same members do in the time of perfect health change laudible meats into their nature and substance. The place whereas these poisonous creatures live, & the time, conduce to the perniciousnesse of the poi∣son, for such as live in drie, mountanous and sun-burnt places kill more speedily than such as be in moist and marish grounds; also they are more hurtfull in winter than in summer; and the poison is more deadly which proceeds from hungry, angry and fasting creatures, than that which comes from such as are full and quiet; as also that which proceeds from young things, chiefly when as they are stimulated to venery, is more powerfull than that which comes from old & decrepite; from females worse than from males; from such as have fed upon other venemous things, rather than from such as have abstained from them, as from snakes which have devoured toads, vipers which have fed upon scorpions, spiders & Caterpillers. Yet the reason of the efficacie of poysons depends from their proper, that is, their subtle or grosse consi∣stence, & the greater or lesse aptnesse of the affected body to suffer. For hot men that have larger & more open veins & arteries, yeeld the poison freer passage to the heart. Therefore those which have more cold & straight vessels, are longer ere they die of the like poison; such as are full, are not so soon harmed as those that are fasting: for meats, besides that by filling the vessels, they give not the poison so free passage, they also strengthen the heart by the multiplication of spirits, so that it more powerfully resists pernicious venome. If the poison worke by an occult and specifick propertie, it causeth the cure and prognostick to be difficult, and then must we have recourse to Antidotes, as these which in their whole substance resist poysons, but principally to treacle, because there enter into the composition thereof medicines which are hot, * 1.34 cold, moist and drie: whence it is, that it retunds and withstands all poisons, chiefly such as consist of a simple nature, such as these which come from venemous creatures, plants and mineralls; and which are not prepared by the detestable art of empoi∣soners.

CHAP. X. What cure must bee used to the bitings and stingings of venemous beasts.

CUre must speedily bee used without any delay to the bites and stingings of venemous beasts, which may by all meanes disperse the poyson, and keepe it from entring into the body; for when the principall parts are possessed, it boots nothing to use medicines afterwards. Therefore the * 1.35 Ancients have propounded a double indication to leade us to the fin∣ding out of medicines in such a case, to wit, the evacuation of the virulent and vene∣nate humour, and the change or alteration of the same and the affected body. But seeing evacuation is of two sorts, to wit, universall, which is by the inner parts, and particular, which is by the outward parts. We must begin at the particular, by such to pick medicines as are fit to draw out, and retund the venome; for we must not al∣waies begin a cure with generall things, as some thinke, especially in externall disea∣ses, as wounds, fractures, dislocations, venemous bites and punctures. Wherefore

hereto as speedily as you may, you shall apply remedies fit for the bites & punctures of venemous beasts, as for example, the wounds shall bee presently washed with u∣rine, * 1.36 with sea-water, aquavitae, or wine, or vineger wherein old treacle or mustard shall be dissolved. Let such washing be performed very hot, and strongly chafed in, ••••d then leave upon the wound and round about it, linnen ragges, or lint steeped in the same liquor. There be some who thinke it not fit to lay treacle thereto, because, as they say, it drives the poyson in. But the authority of Galen convinceth that opi∣nion, * 1.37 for he writeth that if treacle be applyed to this kind of wounds before that the venome shall arrive at the noble parts, it much conduceth. Also reason confutes it; for vipers flesh enters the composition of treacle which attracts the venome by the similitude of substance, as the Load-stone draweth iron, or Amber strawes. Moreo∣ver, the other simple medicines which enter this composition, resolve and consume the virulencie and venome, and being inwardly taken, it defendeth the heart and o∣ther noble parts, and corroboratheth the spirits. Experience teacheth that mithridate fiftly given in the stead of treacle worketh the like effect. The medicines that are ta∣ken * 1.38 inwardly and applyed outwardly for evacuation, must bee of subtle parts, that they may quickly insinuate themselves into every part to retund the malignity of the poyson; wherefore garlike, onions, leeks, are very good in this case, for that they are vaporous; also scordium, tue, dictamnus, the lesser Centaury, horehound, rocket, the milkie juice of unripe figs, and the like, are good; there is a kind of wilde buglosse amongst all other plants, which hath a singular force against venemous bites, whence it is termed Echium and viperinum, and that for two causes; the first is, because in the * 1.39 purple flowers that grow amongst the leaves, there is a resemblance to the head of a viper or adder. Another reason is, because it heales the biting of a viper not onely applyed outwardly, but also helpeth such as are bitten, being drunke in wine, yea, and will not suffer those that have lately drunke thereof to bee bitten at all. Wilde time hath the like effect; though these oft-times agree with the poyson in quality as in heate, yet doe they helpe in discussing and resolving it: yet, as much as wee may, wee must labour to have evacuation and alteration together. It is most convenient, if the part affected will permit, to apply large cupping-glasles with much flame and hornes; also sucking is good, the mouth being first washed in wine wherein some treacle is dissolved, and with oile, lest any thing should adhere thereto, for it will hinder it, if so be the mouth bee no where ulcerated. It is good also to apply horse-leaches; some wish to apply to the wound, the fundaments of hens or turkies that lay egges, for that such are opener behinde, first putting salt upon them that they may gape the wider, shutting their beaks and opening them now & then lest they should be stifled, and ever and anon to substitute others in stead of such as die or are suffoca∣ted; for thus it is thought the poyson is drawne forth, and passeth into the bird by the fundament. There bee others which had rather apply to the wound live birds cut asunder in the midst, and so laid to hot, for that they ghesse these resist poyson by a naturall discord. But certainely it is by their heate whereby they doe not onely digest toads, aspes, vipers, scorpions and other venemous things, but also weare asun∣der and soften sand, stones, and most dry and stony seeds in their gizzards; wherefore we must think them very good to draw out the poyson and dissipate it. But nothing is so forcible to disperse and retund the venome, as the impression of cauteries, espe∣cially * 1.40 actuall, for a hot iron workes more effectually and speedily, and causeth an ulcer which will remaine open a longer time. Wherefore to cause the speedier fal∣ling away of the eschar, you shall scarifie it to the quick, and then plentifully an∣noint the place. For thus the poyson will the sooner passe forth. But this must bee done before the poyson enters far into the body, for otherwise Cauteries will not only do no good, but further torment the patient, and weaken him to no purpose. Let drawing plasters be laid to the wound & neighbouring parts, made of Galbanum, tur∣pentine, blacke pitch, and other gummy and resinous things. After the falling away of the Eschar, basilicon shall bee applyed, quickned with a litle Precipitate, for it is * 1.41 very effectuall in these cases, for that it draweth forth the virulent sanies out of the bottome of the wound, neither doth it suffer the wound to bee closed speedily. To which purpose they put in a piece of of a spunge, or a roote of Gentian or Hermonda∣ctyll,

or some acride medicine, as agyptiacum or Precipitate mixed with the powder of Al••me, or a caustick beaten to powder. But you must alwaies observe this, that with your ointments you must alwaies mixe some Treacle or Mithridate, or the juice of hypericon, or the like, which have power to attract and disperse the poyson, and cleanse the ulcer; yet if too vehement heat shall cause such paine as is likely to bring * 1.42 a gangrene by the dissipation of the spirits, then neglecting the cure of the proper disease for a time, wee must labour to correct the symptome. But in this case you must observe this rule, that you let no bloud, give no purging medicine, nor glyster, nor vomit, nor use no bath, nor other thing that may procure sweat, untill three daies be past after the bite or sting. In the meane space, let the patient shun all manner of labour, but chiefely venery, lest by causing an agitation of the humours, the poyson get sooner to the heart. Therefore then it is time to use universall evacuations, when as you shall suspect that the poyson is diffused over the veines and whole inner part of the bodie besides. Before you shall give nothing, unlesse medicines of Treacle or Mithridate and the like things, which have a faculty to resist poyson, and strengthen the whole body by their benigne and vital vapour, although their substance goe no further than the stomack. Thus pills when they are swallowed, though they goe no further than the stomacke, yet doe they draw matter out of the joints and head; and strong glysters, though they passe no further than the guts, yet by their quality diffu∣sed * 1.43 further with the vapour, they draw from the most distant parts; yet you must giue an Antidote, not onely more powerfull than the poyson in quality, but also greater in quantitie, that so it may the more easily overcome and expell the poyson. Wherefore you must give it twice in a day, and continue it so long untill you shall know that the strength of the poyson is weakned and overcome by the remission and decay of the maligne symptomes. Yet in the meane while, you must not neg∣lect distemper caused in the part by the poyson, but must rather correct it by the application of remedies contrary to the distemper, as by cold things, if great heat afflict the affected part and whole bodie; by hot things on the contrary, if it seeme as cold as a stone, which oft-times happens. And let thus much suffice for the generall cure of poysons: now will we come to their particular cure.

CHAP. XI. Why dogges sooner become mad than other creatures, and what bee the signes thereof.

DOgges become mad sooner than other creatures, because naturally * 1.44 they enjoy that temper and condition of humours which hath an easie inclination to that kinde of disease, and as it were a certaine disposition, because they feed upon carrion and corrupt, putride and stinking things, and lap water of the like condition; besides the trouble and vexation of losing their masters, makes them to runne every way, painfully searching and smelling to every thing, and neglecting their meat. A heating of the bloud ensues upon this paines, and by this heate it is turned into a melancholy, whence they become madde. But yet dogges doe not al∣way become mad by meanes of heat, but also by occasion of cold, that is, by con∣trary causes, for they fall into this disease not onely in the dog-daies, but also in the depth of winter. For dogges abound with melancholike humouts, to wit, cold and drie. But such humours as in the summer through excesse of heate, so in the depth of * 1.45 winter by constipation and the suppression of fuliginous excrements, they easilie turn into melancholie. Hence followes a very burning and continuall feaver, which causeth or bringeth with it a madnesse. Adde hereto, that in the depth of winter the heate which is contained within is redoubled, and in like manner as the scorching heate in summer, it breeds and turnes the humours into melancholie. Also dogges become madde by contagion, as such as are bitten by another madde dogge. A mad dog hath sparkling and fierie eies, with a fixed looke, cruell and a squint, hee carries his head heavily, hanging downe towards the ground, and somewhat on one side,

hee gapes, and thrusts forth his tongue, which is livide and blackish; and being short breathed, casts forth much filth at his nose, and much foaming matter at his mouth; in his gate, as if he suspected and feared all things, he keepeth no one or certain path, but runs one while to this side, another while to that, and stumbling like one that is drunke, he oft-times falleth downe on the ground; he violently assailes whatsoever he meets withall, whether it bee man, tree, wall, dog, or any thing else; other dogs shun him, and presently sent him a farre off. But if another unawares chance to fall foule on him, he yeelds himselfe to his mercy, fawnes upon him, and privily labours to get from him, though hee be the stronger & greater. Hee is unmindfull of eating and drinking, he barkes not, yet he bites all he meets without any difference, not spa∣ring his master, as who at this time hee knowes not from a stranger or enemie. For it is the property of melancholie to disturbe the understanding, so that such persons as are melancholike, doe not onely rage against, and use violence to their friends and * 1.46 parents, but also upon themselves. But when as he sees water, he trembles and shakes, and his haires stands up on end.

CHAP. XII. By what signes we may know a man is bitten of a mad dog.

IT is not so easie at the first to know a man that is bitten with a mad dogge; and principally for this reason, because the wound made by his teeth causeth no more pain than other wounds usual∣ly * 1.47 do; contrary to the wounds made by the sting or bite of other poysonous creatures, as those which presently after they are in∣flicted, cause sharpe paine, great heat, swelling and abundance of other maligne accidents, according to the nature of the poyson; but the malignity of the bite of a mad dogge appeares not before that the venome shall invade the noble parts. Yet when you are suspicious of such a wound, you may acquire a certaine knowledge and experience thereof by putting a piece of bread in∣to the quitture that comes from the wound. For if a hungry dog neglect, yea more fly from it, and dare not so much as smell thereto, it is thought to bee a certaine signe that the wound was inflicted by a madde dogge. Others adde, That if any give this piece of bread to hens, that they will die the same day they have eaten it; yet this * 1.48 latter, I making experiment thereof, failed, for devouring this virulent bread, they became not a jot the worse. Wherefore I think the former signe to be the more cer∣taine, for dogs have a wonderfull and sure smelling faculty, whereby they easilie sent and perceive the malignitie of the like creature. But when as the raging virulen∣cie hath invaded the noble parts, then the patients, becomming silent and sorrow∣full, thinke of many things, and at the beginning make a noise with their teeth; they * 1.49 make no answer to the purpose, they are more testie than ordinarie, and in their sleepes they are troubled with dreames, and strange phantasies, and fearfull visions, and lastly, they become affraid of the water. But after that the poison hath fixed it selfe into the substance of the noble parts, then all their faculties are disturbed, all the light of their memorie, senses, reason and judgement is extinguished. Wherefore becomming starke mad, they know not such as stand by them, not their friends, no nor themselves, falling upon such as they meet withall, & themselves with their teeth, & nailes & feet. Often twitchings like convulsions do suddenly rise in their limbs; I judge them occasioned by extraordinary driness, which hath as it were wholly drunk up all the humiditie of the nervous parts; there is a great drinesse of the mouth with intolerable thirst, yet without any desire of drink, because the mind being troubled, they become unmindful & negligent of such things as concerne them, and are need∣ful for them; the eyes look fierie & red, & all the face is of the same colour; they still think of dogs, and seem to see them, yea and desire to bark and bite just after the ma∣ner of dogs; I conjecture that the virulent humour hath changed all the humours & * 1.50 the whole body into the like nature, so that they think themselves also dogs; whence their voice becomes hoarse by much endevouring to barke, having forgot all decen∣cie,

like impudent dogs, to the great horrour of the beholders. For their voice growes hoarse by reason of the great drynesse of the aspera arteria; they shun the light, as that * 1.51 which is enemy to melancholy, wherewith the whole substance of the braine is re∣plenished; on the contrary, they desire darkenesse, as that which is like and friendly to them. But they are affraid of the water (though good to mitigate their great di∣stemper * 1.52 of heat and drinesse) and they fly from looking-glasses, because they imagin they see dogs in them, whereof they are much affraide, by reason whereof they shun the water and all polite and cleare bodies which may supply the use of a looking-glasse; so that they throw themselves on the ground, as if they would hide them∣selves therein, lest they should be bitten againe: for they affirme that he which is bit∣ten by a mad dog, alwaies hath a dog in his minde, and so remaines fixed in that sad cogitation. Wherefore thinking that he sees him in the water, he trembles for feare, and therefore shuns the water. Others write that the body by madnesse becom∣meth wondrous dry, wherefore they hate the water, as that which is contrary there∣to, being absolutely the moistest element, and so they say that this is the reason of their fearing the water. Ruffus writes that madnesse is a kinde of melancholie, and that feare is the proper symptome thereof, according to Hippocrates; wherefore * 1.53 this or that kind of melancholie begets a feare of these or these things, but chiefly of bright things, such as looking-glasses and water, by reason that melancholie persons seeke darkenesse and solitarinesse, by reason of the black corruption of the humour wherewith they abound. They fall into cold sweats, a fomie, stinking and greenish matter flowes from the ulcer, by reason of the heat of the antecedent cause and ulce∣rated part. The urine most commonly appeares watrish, by reason that the strainers, as it were, of the kidnies, are straitned by the heat and drinesse of the venome. Yet sometimes also it appears more thick and black, as when nature powerfully using the expulsive facultie, attempts to drive forth by urine the melancholy humour, the seat of the venome. Also sometimes it is wholly supprest, being either incrassated by hot drynesse, or else the mind being carried other waies, and forgetfull of its owne duty, * 1.54 untill at length the patients, vexed by the cruelty of so many symptomes, and over∣come by the bitternesse of pain, die frantick, by reason that medicines have not been speedily and firly applyed. For few of those who have used remedies in time, have perished of this disease.

CHAP. XIII. Prognosticks.

WE cannot so easily shun the danger we are incident to by mad dogs, as that * 1.55 of other beasts, by reason he is a domestick creature, and housed under the same roofe with us. The virulency that resides in his foame or sla∣ver is hot and dry, maligne, venenate and contagious, so that it causeth a distemper like it selfe, in the body whereto it shall apply it selfe, and spread it selfe over the whole body by the arteries; for it doth not onely hurt when as it is taken in by a bite or puncture, but even applyed to the skin, unlesse it be forth∣with washed away with salt water or urine. Neither doth this venome hurt equally or at all times alike, for it harms more or lesse, according to the inclination of the aire to heat or cold, the depth of the wound, the strength of the patients body, and the ill humours thereof, and their disposition to putrefaction, the freedome and largenesse of the passages. Now maligne symptomes happen sonner •…•…later, as in some about the fourtieth day, in others about sixe moneths, and in others a yeare after. There * 1.56 be some who thereupon are troubled with the falling sicknesse, and at length grow mad: such as fall into a feare of the water, never recover. Yet Avicen thinks their case is not desperate, if as yet they can know their face in a glasse; for hence you may ga∣ther, that all the animall faculties are not yet overthrowne, but that they stand in need of strong purgations, as we shall shew hereafter. Aëtius tels that there was a cer∣taine * 1.57 Phylosopher, who taken with this disease and a feare of water, when as hee de∣scended with a great courage unto the bath, and in the water beholding the shape of the dog that bit him, hee made a stand, but ashamed thereof, he forthwith cryed out,

Quid cani cum Balbeo? (i) What hath a dog to doe with a Bath? which words being uttered, he threw himselfe forcibly into the Bath, and fearelesly dranke of the water thereof, and so was freed from his disease together with his erroneous opinion. It is a deadly signe to tumble themselves on the ground, to have a hoarse voice, for that is an argument that the weazon is become rough by reason of too excessive dry∣nesse. Finally, the principall parts being possessed, there is no recovery or life to be hoped for. Men may fall mad, though they bee not bit by a mad dog. For as the hu∣mours are often inflamed of themselves, and cause a Cancer or Leprosie, so do they al∣so madnesse in melancholie persons. The bites of vipers and other venemous crea∣tures cause not like symptomes to these that come by the biting of a mad dog, because they die before such can come forth or shew themselves. Great wounds made by mad dogs are not equally so dangerous as little, for from the former, great plenty of venemous matter flowes out, but in the latter it is almost all kept in.

CHAP. XIIII. What cure must be used to such as are bitten by a mad dog.

THis case also requires speedy remedies, for such things are in vaine which come long after the hurt. The Lawyer Baldus experienced this to his great * 1.58 harme; for being by chance lightly bit in the lip by a little dog wherwith he was delighted, not knowing that he was mad, & neglecting the wound, by reason of the smallnesse thereof, after some foure moneths space, he died mad, ha∣ving then in vaine assayed all maner of medicines. Wherefore observing these things both for evacuation, as also for alteration, which we have formerly mentioned in the generall cure of wounds inflicted by the bite or sting of venemous creatures, and by all the meanes there specified, we must draw forth the venome; and if the wound be large, then suffer it to bleed long and much, for so some part of the poyson will be ex∣hausted; if it be not great, it shall be enlarged by scarification, or an occult cauterie, neither shall it be healed or closed up at the soonest, till fourty daies be passed. Sorrel * 1.59 beaten and applied to the wound, and the decoction thereof taken inwardly, is very effectuall in this case, as Aëtius affirmes. To the same purpose you may with good successe make a lotion and friction with mustard dissolved in urine or vinegar, leaving upon the wound a double cloth moistned in the same decoction: lastly, all acride, bi∣ting and very attractive medicines are convenient in this case. Wherefore some apply Rocket boyled and beaten with butter and salt; others take the flowre of Orobus, and temper it with hony, salt and vinegar, and apply it hot. Horse-dung boyled in sharpe vinegar, or brimstone beaten to powder and tempered with ones spittle, is good. Also black pitch melted with some salt, and a little Euphor∣bium mixed therewith and so applied, is good. Some write, that the haires of the dogge whose bite caused the madnesse, applyed by themselves, by their sympathie or similitude of substance draw the venome from within outwards; for so a Scorpi∣on beaten and applied to the place whereas it stung, by drawing out the poyson that it sent in, restores the patient to health, both these by often experience are affirmed to have certaine event. Others chaw unground wheat, and lay it upon the wound, o∣thers roast beanes under hot embers, then huske them and cleave them, and so apply them. Also the wound may be wholesomely washed and fomented with a de∣coction * 1.60 of Docks, and then the herb beaten may be applyed thereto; also the patient may drinke the decoction; and by this one remedy Aëtius affirmes that he hath reco∣vered divers; for thus it moves urine plentifully, which is thought much to conduce to the cure of this disease. There be some who apply the leaves of betony and net∣tles beaten with common salt; others make a medicine to the same purpose and after the same manner of an Onion, the leaves of Rue and salt. Yet the rest are exceeded by Treacle dissolved in aqua vitae or strong wine, and rubbed hard upon the part, so that the bloud may follow, laying upon the wound when you have wiped it, clothes dip∣ped in the same medicine, then presently apply garlike or onions beaten with com∣mon * 1.61

salt and turpentine: by this onely remedy I freed one of the daughters of Ma∣damoiselle * 1.62 de Gron from the symptomes of madnesse, and healed the wound, when as a mad dog had bit her grievously in the calfe of the right leg. Also it is good present∣ly to eate garlick with bread, and then to drinke after it a draught of good wine, for garlicke by its spirituous heate will defend the noble parts from poyson. There bee some who wish to eate the rosted liver of the dog that hurt them, or else the liver of a goat, of which remedies as yet I have had no experience. Others prescribe a dram of the seeds of Agnus castus to be drunke with wine and butter. Others the powder of river-crabs, burnt and drunke in wine. Or, ℞. rad. gentianae ʒii. astacorum flaviatili∣um in fumo combust. & in pollinem redact. ʒiii. terrae sigill. ℥ss. misce. give ʒi. of this same powder in the decoction of river crabs, & let them drink thereof oft at sundry times. Many have cast themselves into the sea, neither have they thence had any helpe a∣gainst madnesse, as Ferrand Pozet the Cardinall testifieth in his booke of poysons; * 1.63 wherefore you must not relie upon that remedie, but rather you must have recourse to such things as are set downe in the books of Physicians, and approved by certaine and manifold experience. But seeing that no poyson can kill, unlesse it be taken or ad∣mitted into the body, we must not fear any harme by sprinkling our bodies with the sanies of a mad dogge, viper, toad, or any other such like venemous creature, if so bee that it be presently wiped or washed cleane away.

CHAP. XV. What cure must be used to such as feare the water, but yet are able to know themselves in a glasse.

SUch as have not their animal faculty as yet orecome by the malignity of * 1.64 the raging venome, must have strong purgations given them. Where∣fore, if in any case Antimonie bee usefull, then is it in this, as that which causeth sweats, looseth the belly, and procures vomiting. For it is a part of extreme and dangerous madnesse to hope to overcome the cruel malignity of this poyson already admitted into the bowels, by gentle purging medicines. Assuredly, such and so great danger is never overcome without danger. Bathes also conduce, which may disperse and draw forth the poyson by causing sweats. Also many and frequent treacle potions are good, to retund the venome, and strengthen the bowels; also it will be fitting to give them water and all other liquid things, which they so much abhorre, in a cup with a cover. Alwaies let such as are poisoned, or bitten or stung, by a mad dog or other venemous beast, keep themselves in some warme and light place, that the poyson which by coldnesse is forced in, may be the readilier drawne out by the means of heat, and the spirits bee recreated by the brightnesse of the aire, and therefore move from the center to the circumference of the body, and let the roome be perfumed with sweet things. To eat very hot and salt things presently at the beginning, as onions, leeks, all spiced meats, and strong wine not all••ied, seems not to be besides reason; because such things by their spirituous heat hinder the diffusion of the poyson over the body, and strengthen the filled en∣trailes. There be some also that would have them to feed upon grosse and viscous meats, which by obstructing the vessels, may hinder the passage of the poyson to the heart and other parts; and by the same reason it will be better to fill themselves with meate to satietie, than otherwise, because the malignity of humours is encreased by hunger, than which, nothing can be more harmfull to venemous wounds. Yet with∣in a short while after, as within five or sixe dayes, they must returne to a mediocritie, and use all things temperate, boiled meats rather than roasted, and that in a decoction of opening things, so to move urine. Lastly, they must keep such a diet as melancho∣like persons ought to do; neither shall they let bloud, lest so the poyson should bee further drawne into the veines; but it is good that the patients body be soluble from the very first. Let their drinke be wine indifferently allayed with water, oxymel sim∣plex, or the syrupe of the juice of Citron with boiled water; or else this following

Julep. ℞. succilimonum, & malorum citri, an. ℥ss. suc. gran. acid. ℥ii. aquae acetosae, min. & ros. an. ℥i. aq. font. coct. quantum sufficit, fiat Julep, ut artis est. Sleep is to be * 1.65 avoided untill the force of the poyson is abated, for by sleep the humours flow back into the bowells. All things that resist poyson must bee given any way whatsoever, as lemons, oranges, angelica rootes, gentian, tormentill, burnet, vervine, carduus be∣nedictus, borage, buglosse, and the like. Let all things that are afterwards set before the patient be meats of good juice, such as are veale, kid, mutton, partridge, pullets, capons, and the like.

CHAP. XVI. Of the biting of a Viper or Adder, and the symptomes and cure thereof.

THe remedies that were formerly mentioned against the bitings of madde dogges, the same may bee used against all venemous bites and stings, yet neverthelesse each poyson hath his peculiar anti∣dote. Vipers or Adders (as we vulgarly terme them) have in their * 1.66 gummes, or the spaces betwene their teeth, little bladders filled with a virulent sanies, which is pressed out into the part that they bite with their teeth. There forthwith ariseth a pricking paine, the part at the first * 1.67 is much swollen, and then the whole body, unlesse it be hindred: grosse and bloo∣dy filth sweats out of the wound, little blisters rise round about it, as if it were burnt, the wound gnawes, and as it were feeds upon the flesh, great inflammation possesseth the liver and the gummes, and the whole body becomes very dry, becomming of a yellowish or pale colour, with thirst unquenchable; the bellie is griped by fits, a cholericke vomiting molesteth them, the stomacke is troubled with a hicketting, the patients are taken with often sownings, with cold sweate, the forerunner of death, unlesse you provide by fit medicines for the noble parts, before the poyson shall in∣vade them. Mathiolus tells that he saw a countrie-man, who, as he was mowing a meadow, by chance cut an Adder in two with his sithe, which when he thought it * 1.68 was dead, he tooke the one halfe whereon the head remained, without any feare in his hand, but the enraged creature, turning about her head, cruelly bit him by one of his fingers, which finger as men usually doe (especially when as they thinke of no such thing) hee put into his mouth, and sucked out the blood and poyson, and pre∣sently fell downe dead.

When as Charles the ninth was at Montpelier, I went into the shop of one Farges an Apothecary, who then made a solemne dispensation of Treacle, where not sa∣tisfying * 1.69 my selfe with the looking upon the vipers which were there in a glasse, rea∣dy for the composition, I thought to take one of them in my hands, but whilest that I too curiously and securely handled her teeth which were in her upper jaw, covered with a skinne, as it were a case to keepe the poyson in, the beast catched hold of the very end of my fore-finger, and bit me in the space which is betweene the naile and the flesh; whence presently there arose great pain, both by reason of the part endued with most exquisite sense, as also by the malignity of the poyson: forthwith I ex∣ceeding straitly bound my finger above the wound, that so I might presse forth the blood and poyson, lest they should diffuse themselves further over the body. I dis∣solved old treacle in aqua vitae, wherein I dipped and moistened cotton, and so put it to the wound, and within a few dayes I throughly recovered by this onely medi∣cine. * 1.70 You may use in stead of Treacle, Mithridate and sundry other things, which by reason of their heat are powerfull drawers, as a squill rosted in hot embers, gar∣licke and leeks beaten and applyed, barly floure tempered with vinegar, hony, and goats dung, and so applyed like a pultis. Some thinke it sufficient forthwith to wash and foment the wound with vinegar, salt, and a little hony. Galen writes that the poyson inflicted by the bite of a viper, may bee drawne forth by applying to the * 1.71 wound the head of a viper, but othersome apply the whole viper beaten to mash.

CHAP. XVII. Of the Serpent called Haemorrhous.

THE Serpent Haemorrhous is so called, because by his biting hee causeth blood to droppe out of all the passages of the wounded bodie; hee is of a * 1.72 small bodie, of the bignesse of a viper, with else burning with a certaine fierie brightnesse, and a most beautifull skinne. The backe of him (as A∣vicen writes) is spotted with manie blacke and white spots, his necke little and his taile verie small: the part which he bites, forthwith growes blackish, by reason of the extinction of the native heat, which is extinguished by such poison which is con∣trarie thereto in its whole substance. Then followes a paine of the stomacke and heart, these parts being touched with the pestiferous qualitie of the poison. These paines are seconded by vomiting, the orifice of the ventricle being relaxed by a Di∣arrhaea, the retentive facultie of all the parts of the bellie being weakened, and the veines which are spred through the guts, not being able to retaine the blood contei∣ned in them. For the blood is seen to flow out, as in streams, from the nose, mouth, eares, fundament, privities, corners of the eies, rootes of the naile, and gums, which * 1.73 putrefie, the teeth falling out of them. Moreover there happens a difficultie of brea∣thing, and stoppage of the urine, with a deadlie convulsion.

The cure is forthwith to scarifie, and burne the bitten part, or else to cut it quite off, if that it may be done without danger of life, and then to use powerfullie draw∣ing Antidores.

[illustration]

The figure of the serpent Haemorrhous.

CHAP. XVIII. Of the Serpent called Seps.

THe Serpent Seps is so called, because it causeth the part which it bites, * 1.74 forthwith to putrefie, by reason of the cruell malignitie of its poyson. It is not much unlike the Haemorrhous, but that it curles or twines up the taile in divers circles. Pausanias writes that this serpent is of an ash-co∣lour, a broad head, small necke, bigge bellie, writhen taile, and as he goes, hee runs aside like a crabbe. But his skin is variegated and spotted with severall colours, like to Tapistrie. By the crueltie of his causticke and putrefying venome, hee burnes the * 1.75 part which he hath bit, with most bitter paine; he causeth the shedding of the haires, and as Aëtius addeth, the wound at the first casteth forth manifest blood, but with∣in a little while after, stinking filth. The putrefyed affected parts waxe white, and the bodie all over becomes of the colour of that scurfe, which is termed Alphos, so that by the wickednesse of this putrefactive poison, not onely the spirits are resol∣ved, but also the whole bodie consumed, as by fire, a pestilent carbuncle, and other putride tumours, arising from a hot and humide or suffocating constitution of the aire. Now for the remedies, they must be such as are formerly prescribed against the bitings of a viper.

[illustration]

The Figure of the Serpent Seps.

CHAP. XIX. Of the Basiliske or Cockatrice.

THe Basiliske far exceeds all kinds of Serpents in the curstness of its poy∣son. Therefore it is affirmed by Nicander, that into what place soever he comes, other venemous creatures do forthwith flie thence, for that * 1.76 none of them can so much as endure his hissing; for he is thought to kill all things even with this, & not with his biting and touch only; besides, if any of them hasten to get anie meate or drinke, and perceive that the Basiliske is not farre from thence, he flies back, and neglects the getting of nourishment necessa∣rie for life. Galen writes, that the Basilisk is a yellowish serpent, with a sharpe head, and three risings distinguished with white spots, and rising up in forme of a crowne, * 1.77 by reason whereof hee is stiled the King of Serpents. Certainely the violence of his poyson in killing men is so great, that he is therefore thought to kill men, and other * 1.78 creatures by his sight onely. Solinus affirmes, that the body of a dead Basiliske hath wondrous faculties. Wherefore the inhabitants of Pergamum, in ancient times, gave a mightie price for one, to hang upon the joistes of the temple of Apollo, so to drive away the Spiders and Birds, lest they should there weave their webs, or the other build their nests in that sacred place. Verily no ravenous creature will touch their carkasse; but if constrained by hunger they doe touch it, then they forthwith fall downe dead in the same place: and this happens not onely by eating their body, but also by devouring the bodies of such beasts as are killed by their bitings. They kill * 1.79 the trees and shrubs by which they passe, not onely by their touch, but even with their breath. Amongst the westerne Aethiopians is the fountaine Nigris, neer which there is a serpent called Catablepas, small in bodie, and slow, having a great head; which it scarce can carrie, but that it lies alwaies upon the ground, otherwise it * 1.80 would kill abundance of people, for it forthwith kills all that see the eyes thereof, the Basiliske hath the same force; he is bred in the province of Cyrene, of the length of some twelve fingers, with a white spot in his head, resembling a crowne; he cha∣seth away all serpents with his hisse: Weasels are the destruction of such monsters: thus it pleased nature, that nothing should be without its equall; they assaile them in their dennes, being easily knowne by the barrennesse or consumption of the soile. These kill them also by their sent, and they die, and the fight of nature is ended: thus * 1.81 nature to the magnanimous Lion, lest there should be nothing which he might fear, hath opposed the weake creature the Cocke, by whose crowing onely he is terrefi∣ed and put to flight. Erasistratus writes, that a golden yellownesse affects the bitten part of such as are hurt by a Basiliske, but a blacknesse and tumour possesseth the rest * 1.82 of the body, all the flesh of the muscles within a while after falling away piece-meale. An antidote against this must be made of a dramme of Castoreum dissolved * 1.83

in wine and drunken, or else in the juice of poppie. But Aëtius thinkes it superflu∣ous to write remedies against the Basiliske, when as the sight and hearing onely kills such as either see or heare her.

[illustration]

The figure of a Basiliske.

CHAP. XX. Of the Salamander.

THe Salamander kils not onely such as it bites by making a venemous im∣pression, * 1.84 but it also infects the fruits and herbs over which it creeps, with a spittle or grosse moisture which sweats out of all the bodie, to the great danger of the health and life of such as eat these things at unawares: wher∣fore it need not seeme strange, which is received by some late writers, that some families have all died by drinking water out of pits, whereinto a Salamander by ac∣cident was fallen. For if it shall creepe upon a tree, it infects all the fruit with the * 1.85 qualities of cold and moist poyson, wherein it yeelds not to Aconite.

Aetius writes that such as are infected with the poyson of a Salamander, certaine parts of their bodie grow livide, so that they fall away often, being putrefyed. At * 1.86 the first there appeare white spots over the body, then red, afterwards blacke with putrefaction, and the falling away of the haires. The cure is, to procure vomit, to * 1.87 loose the belly with a glyster, and to give them Treacle and Mithridate in potions. Avicen prescribes the same things against this kinde of poyson as against opium, by reason of the cold nature of them both; the proper antidote is turpentine, styrax, net∣tle seeds, and cypresse leaves. Dioscorides writes that the Salamander is a kind of Li∣zard * 1.88 dull, variegated, and which is falsly reputed not to be burnt by fire. But Pliny saith she is so cold, that she extinguisheth the fire by her touch onely, being laied upon hot coales. On the contrary, Mathiolus saith that cast into a great flame, they are quickly consumed. It is easie out of Aetius to reconcile these disagreeing opini∣ons; * 1.89 This creature, saith hee, passeth through a burning flame, and is not hurt, the flame dividing it selfe and giving her way, but if shee continue any time in the fire, the cold humour being consumed in her, she is burnt. Now the Salamander is black, variegated, with yellow spots, starre-fashion.

[illustration]

The figure of a Salamander.

CHAP. XXI. Of the Torpedo.

THe Torpedo hath his name from the effect, by reason that by his touch and power the members become torpid & numb; in muddy shoars it lives upon fish, which she catcheth by craft. For lying in the mud, she so stupefyes those that are nigh her, that she easily preyes upon them; * 1.90 she hath the same power over men, for she sends a numnesse not one∣ly into the arm of the fisherman, but also over all his body, although his fishers pole * 1.91 be betweene them.

[illustration]

The effigies of a Torpedo.

CHAP. XXII. Of the Bitings of Aspes.

THE wound which is made by an Aspe is very small, as if a nee∣dle were thrust into the part, and without any swelling. These symptomes follow upon her bite, suddaine darknesse clouds their * 1.92 eyes, much agitation in all their bodies, but gentle notwithstan∣ding; a moderate paine of the stomacke troubles them, their fore-heads are continually troubled with convulsive twitchings, their cheeks tremble, and their eye-lids fall gently to rest and sleep; the blood which flowes from the wound is little, but blacke; death no longer deferred than the third part of a day, will take them away by convulsions, unlesse you make resistance with fitting remedies. The male Asp makes two wounds, the female four, as it also happens in the bitings of vipers. Now for that the poyson of Asps congeals the blood in the veines and arteries, therefore you must use against it such things as * 1.93

are hot & subtle of parts, as mithridate or treacle dissolved in aqua vitae, and the same powred into the wound; the patient must be warmed by bathes, frictions, walking, and the like. When as the hurt part becommeth purple, black or greene, it is a signe that the native heat is extinct and suffocated by the malignity of the venome. There∣fore then it is best to amputate the member, if the partie bee able to endure it, and there be nothing which may hinder. Vigo writes, that he saw a Mountebank at Flo∣rence, * 1.94 who, that he might sell the more of his Antidotes, and at the better rate, let an Aspe to bite him by the finger, but he died thereof some foure houres after. To the same purpose you may reade Mathiolus, whereas hee writes that those Impostors or * 1.95 Mountebanks to cozen the better, and deceive the people, use to hunt and take vi∣pers and aspes long after the spring, that is, then whenas they have cast forth their most deadly poyson; then they feed them with meats formerly unusuall to them, so that by long keeping and care, at the length they bring it to passe, that they put off a great part of their venemous nature; neither being thus satisfied, they make them of∣tentimes to bite upon pieces of flesh, that so they may cast forth into them the ve∣nome which is contained in the membraine betweene their teeth and gums. Lastly, they force them to bite, licke and swallow downe an astringent medicine, which they compose and carry about for the same purpose, that so they may obstruct the passages by which the venome used to flow out, for thus at length their bites will be harmelesse, or without great danger. This therefore is their art, that so they may sell their counterfeit treacle to the people at a high rate, as that which is a most safe reme∣dy against all poisonous bites. Christopher Andrew in his book called ••••coiatria, writes, * 1.96 that the Ilands of Spaine are every-where full and stored with serpents, aspes, and all sorts of venemous beasts, against whose bites they never observed or found any be∣nefit in treacle. But the efficacie of the following Antidote is so certaine and excel∣lent, and approved by so manifold experience, that in the confidence thereof, they will not bee affraid to let themselves bee bitten by an Aspe. Now this medicine is * 1.97 composed of the leaves of Mullet, Avenes & red stock Gilly flowers in like quantity, which they boile in sharpe vinegar and the urine of a sound man, and there with fo∣ment the wounded part. Yet if he have not taken nor used any thing of a good while after the wound, it will be better and more certaine, if the patient drinke three oun∣ces of this decoction fasting two houres before meate.

CHAP. XXIII. Of the biting of a Snake.

I Have thought good in a true history to deliver the virulent malig∣nity * 1.98 of the bite of a snake, and the remedies thereof. When as King Charles the ninth was at Moulins, Mousier Le Feure, the Kings Physician, and I were called to cure the Cooke of the Lady of Castelpers. Who gathering hoppes in a hedge to make a salad, was bit on the hand by a snake that there lay hid, hee putting his had to his mouth, sucked the wound to ease the paine by sucking forth the venome. But his tongue forthwith swelled so bigge, that he could not speak his mind: besides his whole arme, even to his shoulder, was in like sort much swelled, his paine was so vehement, that it made him swoune twice in my presence, his face was wan and livid like to a dead body, and though I despai∣red of his recovery, yet not suffering him to bee quite forsaken, I washed his mouth * 1.99 with treacle dissolved in white wine, and gave him some thereof to drinke, adding thereto some aqua vitae. I opened his swolne arme with many and deepe scarificati∣ons, especially in the place where he was hurt, I suffered the bloud which was whol∣ly serous and sanious, to flow more plentifully, I washed the wounds with treacle and mithridate dissolved in aqua vitae, and then I put him exceeding warme in bed, procuring sweat, and making him to lie awake, lest sleep should draw the poyson in∣wards to the entrailes. I by these meanes so farre prevailed, that on the day after hee was freed from all his maligne symptomes. Therefore I judged it onely remained

for a perfect cure, that the wound should be long kept open and washed with treacle, neither was I deceived, for within a few dayes he was perfectly recovered.

CHAP. XXIV. Of the bitings of Toads.

THough Toads want teeth, yet with their hard & rough gums they so strait∣ly presse or pinch the part which they shall take hold on, that they will * 1.100 force their poison thereinto, and so over the whole body by the pores of the pressed part. Moreover, they cast forth their venome by urine, spittle and vomit upon herbes, but chiefly upon Strawberries, the which they are reported greatly to affect. Hence many suddenly and ignorantly catch their deaths.

I heard from a man of very good credit, that there were two merchants not farre * 1.101 from the Citie Tholouse, who whilest dinner was providing, walked into the garden that belonged to the Inne, where they gathered some sage leaves, and unwashed as they were, put them into their wine. They had not as yet dined, when being taken with a sudden Vertigo, the whole Inne seemed to run round, then losing their sight, * 1.102 they fell into a sowne, intermixed now and then with convulsions. But they stam∣mered with their lippes and tongues becomming blacke; a froward and horrid look with continuall vomiting, and a cold sweat, the forerunner of death, which present∣ly seazed upon them, their bodies becomming exceedingly much swolne. But the Justices of the place suspecting that they were poysoned, made the Inne-keeper and the Guests to be apprehended, being examined, they all constantly & with one voice answered, that the dead parties ate of the same meat and drinke which the rest did, but onely that they put sage into their wine. A Physician was asked the question whether sage might be poysoned; he answered, it might: but to come to the purpose, that it must appeare whether any venemous creature had poysoned the plant with her spittle or venemous sanies. This which was lightly pronounced, and only by con∣jecture, was by the eye found to bee true. For at the roote thereof there was found a hole in the ground full of Toads, who got out by putting in of warme water, made it credible that the plant was poysoned by their spittle and urine, whereby you may understand how unwisely they doe, who devoure herbes and fruits newly gathered without washing. Also we must take heed lest falling asleep in the fields, wee lye not neere the holes which toads or other venemous beasts of the like nature have made their habitation. For thence a venemous or deadly aire may be drawn into the lungs. For the same cause wee must abstaine from eating of frogs in the moneth of May, be∣cause * 1.103 then they engender with toads. Oxen in feeding sometimes lick up small toads together with the grasse, which presently will breed their great harme, for thereupon the oxen swell so big, that they often burst withall. Neither is the venome of toads deadly only being taken inwardly, but even sprinkled upon the skin, unless they forth∣with wipe the place, & wash it with urine, water & salt. Such as are poisoned by a toad turn yellow, swell over all their bodies, are taken with an Asthmaticke difficultie of breathing, a Vertigo, convulsion, sowning, and lastly by death it selfe. These so horrid symptoms are judged inherent in the poyson of toads, not only by reason of the ele∣mentary qualities therof, coldness & moisture, which are chiefly predominant there∣in; but much rather by the occult property which is apt to putrefie the humors of that body whereto it shall happen. Therfore it wil be convenient to procure vomit, espe∣cially * 1.104 if the poison be taken by the mouth, to give gly sters, & to weaken the strength of the poison by hot and attenuating Antidotes, as treacle & mithridate dissolved in good wine; but in conclusion to digest it by bathes, stoves, and much and great ex∣ercise. Rondeletius in his book de Piscibus, affirmes the same •…•…ings of the cursed ve∣nome of toads, as we have formerly delivered: yet that they seldome bite, but that they cast forth either their urine, the which they gather in a great quantity in a large bladder, or else their venemous spittle or breath against such as they meete withall, or assaile; besides, the herbs which are tainted by their poisonous breath, but much

more such as are sprinkled with their spittle or urine, are sufficient to kill such as eate them. The Antidotes are juice of betonie, plantaine, mugwurt, as also the bloud of * 1.105 Tortoises made with flower into pils, and forthwith dissolved in wine, and drunken. Pliny writes that the hearts and spleens of toads resist poison. The vulgar opinion is false, who thinke that the toad-stone is found in their heads, which is good against poyson.

CHAP. XXV. Of the stinging of a Scorpion.

AScorpion is a small creature with a round bodie in forme of an egge, * 1.106 with many feet, and a long taile consisting of many joints, the last wher∣of is thicker and a little longer than the rest, at the very end thereof is a sting, in some two, hollow and replete with cold poyson, the which by the sting it casts into the obvious body; it hath five legs on each side for∣ked with strong clawes, not unlike to a Crab or Lobster, but the two foremost are bigger than the rest; they are of a blackish or sootie colour, they goe aside, aside; and oft-times fasten themselves with their mouthes and feet so fast to men, that they can scarce be plucked therehence. There be some who have wings like the wings of * 1.107 Locusts, wasting the corn & all green things with their biting and burning. Such are unknown in France. These flee over divers Countries like winged Ants. This is likely to be true by that which Mathiolus writes, that the husbandmen in Castile in Spain, in digging the earth oft-times finde a swarm of Scorpions, which betake themselves thither against winter. Pliny writes, that Scorpions laid waste a certaine part of Aethi∣opia, by chasing away the inhabitants. The Ancients made divers kinds of Scorpi∣ons, according to their varietie or difference of colours, some being yellow, others browne, redish, ash-coloured, greene, whitish, blacke, duskie; some have wings, and some are without. They are more or lesse deadly according to the countries they in∣habite. In Tuscanie and Scythia they are absolutely deadly, but at Trent and in the Iland Pharos their stinging is harmlesse. The place stung by a Scorpion presently be∣gins * 1.108 to be inflamed, it waxeth red, growes hard and swels, and the patient is againe pained, hee is one while hot, another while cold, labour presently wearies him, and his paine is somewhiles more and somewhiles lesse, he sweats and shakes as if he had an Ague, his haire stands upright, palenesse discolours his members, and hee feels a paine, as if he were pricked with needles over all his skin, wind flieth out backwards, he strives to vomit and goe to stoole, but doth nothing, he is molested with a conti∣nuall feaver and sowning, which at length proves deadly, unlesse it be remedied. Di∣oscorides writes, that a Scorpion beaten and laid to the place where he stung, is a reme∣dy * 1.109 thereto, as also eaten roasted to the same purpose. It is an usuall, but certaine reme∣dy to anoint the stung place with the oyl of Scorpions. There be some who drop into the wound the milkie juice of figs, others apply thereto Calamint beaten, othersome use barly meale-mixed with a decoction of Rue. Snailes beaten together with their shels, and laid thereon presently asswage pain. Sulphur vivum mixed with turpentine, and applyed plaster-wise, is good; as also the leaves of •…•…ue beaten & laid thereto. In like sort also the herbe Scorpioides, which thence tooke its name, is convenient, as al∣so a bryony root boiled and mixed with a little sulphur and old oile. Discorides af∣firmes * 1.110 Agarick in powder or taken in wine to be an Antidote against poysons, verily it is exceeding good against the stingings or bitings of serpents. Yet the continuall use of a bath stands in stead of all these, as also sweat and drinking wine somewhat alaid. Now Scorpions may bee chased away by a fumigation of Sulphur and Galba∣num; * 1.111 also oile of Scorpions dropped into their holes, hinders their comming forth. Juice of radish doth the same. For they will never touch one that is besmeared with the juice of radish or garlike, yea verily, they will not dare to come neare him.

CHAP. XXVI. Of the stinging of Bees, Waspes, &c.

BEes, Waspes, Hornets and such like, cause great paine in the skin woun∣ded by their stinging, by reason of the curstnesse of the venome which they send into the body by the wound, yet are they seldome deadly, but yet if they set upon a man by multitudes, they may come to kill him. For thus they have sometimes been the death of horses. Wherefore because such as are stung by these, by reason of the cruelty of pain, may think they are woun∣ded by a more virulent and deadly creature, I thinke it not amisse to set downe what signes follow upon their stingings. Great paine presently ariseth, which continueth * 1.112 untill the sting left in the part is taken forth, the part becomes red and swolne, and there riseth a push or little blister. The cure is, forthwith to sucke the wound very * 1.113 hard, and thereby to draw forth the stings, which if they cannot thus be gotten out, the place, if nothing hinder, is to be cut, or else temper ashes with leven or oile, and so apply them: the part also may be very conveniently put into hot water, and there fomented for an houres space, and at length washed in sea-water. Cresses beaten and applied, asswage the paine and discusse the humour causing the tumour. Oxe dung macerated in oile and vinegar, and applyed hot, doth the same. There are some who apply to the part the same creatures beaten, as we formerly said of Scorpions; beans chawed and laid to the part asswage paine. Vinegar, hony and salt applied exceeding hot, are good, if besides, you dip a cloth therein, and lay it upon the place; sulphur vivum tempered with spittle hath the same effect. The milkie juice of unripe figs in∣corporated with hony, is judged very effectuall, but it is much the better, mixed with treacle. Waspes will not sting nor bite such as anoint their bodies with the juice of mallowes mixed with oile. They may bee quickly chased away with the fume of brimstone and such like things. A waspe is said, if shee find a viper dead, to dip her sting in the others poyson, and thence men learned to empoison the heads of their arrowes. The rough and hairy wormes, which are commonly called Bear-wormes, * 1.114 especially those which breed about a Pine tree, cause great itching, rednesse & swel∣ling in the part which they bite, touch or grate upon very hard. A remedy hereof is onions beaten with vinegar, and the rest of the things formerly mentioned.

CHAP. XXVII. Of the bite of a Spider.

SPiders weave webs with various art, yet in these they alwaies make a lurking hole, so to lye in waite to catch the intrapped flyes, and so to prey upon them. There are many sorts of Spiders, one is * 1.115 termed Rhagium, round and like a blacke berry, whence it taketh the name; it hath a very small mouth under the midst of the bel∣ly, and most short feet, as if they were imperfect, her bite is as painefull as the sting of a Scorpion. Another is called Lupus or the Wolfe-spider, because shee doth not onely lye in waite to catch flyes, but also bees and waspes, and all such things as may flee into her webbe. The third is named Myrmecion, it is larger than an Ant, but headed like one, the bodie thereof is blacke, and hath white spots or streakes running towards the backe. The fourth kind may bee cal∣led Vesparium, in other things resembling a Waspe, but that it wants the wings; of a redish colour, and living onely on herbes. The Ancients have thought their bitings to bee venemous. Now their poyson is therefore thought to bee cold, because the symptomes thence arising are winde in the belly, refrigerations of the extreme parts of the body, numnesse in the bitten part, with sense of cold and shaking. The wound must forthwith be washed with very hot vinegar; then must you lay thereto onions,

and such like things beaten, then procure sweat by art, as by bathes and stoves, yet nothing is more effectuall than treacle and mithridate.

CHAP. XXVIII. Of Cantharides and Buprestes.

CAntharides shine as it were with a golden colour, acceptable to the eye, by * 1.116 reason of the commixture of a blewish or greenish colour therewith, yet their smell is ungratefull. They are hot and dry in the fourth degree, and so causticke, corrosive and venemous, not onely by reason of their cau∣stick quality, but because of a secret antipathy which they naturally have against the * 1.117 urenary parts; which effects they produce not onely if they bee taken by the mouth into the body, but even applyed outwardly to raise blisters. Such as have taken them * 1.118 inwardly, have the tast of pitch or some thing like cedria, or the rosen of Cedars, in their mouthes, it is likely that this tast proceeds from the humours dissolved by the putredinous heat in the stomack, guts & liver, and the vapours that therehence arise; fortaken inwardly, they gnaw, exulcerate and burne all parts from the mouth even to the belly, whence ensueth a bloudy fluxe, excrements flowing out, which resem∣ble the washings of new killed flesh. Then followes a burning feaver, vertigo, mad∣nesse, restlesnesse, the braine being disturbed by the plenty of vapours lifted up from the corroded and burnt parts and humours, which therefore when as they appeare, you may know the affect is uncurable. In the parts appointed for the receiving and conveyance of the urine they cause a burning inflammation, excoriation, strong and continuall erection of the yard, whence ensues a bloudy and painefull strangury, in stead of which there oft-times happens or succeeds an Ischary or stoppage of the water, whence a gangrene and mortification of the part, and so in conclusion of the whole bodie besides. When as Cantharides are taken inwardly, the remedie is vomi∣ting, drinking of Cowes mike to correct the heat and drynesse, good also to mitigate the ulcers and stay the dysentery; it is good also to inject it into the guts by glyster. In stead thereof sallade oile, or oile of sweet almonds is convenient to retunde the a∣crimonie of the poyson fastned to the sides of the stomack. The rest and whole cure of this poyson you may learne by the following history. A certain whore, the better * 1.119 to enjoy the company of a young Abbot who loved her, entertained him with a banquet, and sprinkled divers of their cates with the powder of Cantharides, to in∣cite him the more to venery. The next day, when as the Abbot cast forth pure bloud at his fundament and yard which stood very stiffe, hee called some Physici∣ans, * 1.120 who presently by the forementioned symptomes, which were all very apparent in him, understood that he had Cantharides given him: wherefore they purged him upwards with vomits, and downewards by glysters made with French barly, Rice, a decoction of mallowes, seeds of line and foenugreek, oyle of lillies, goats suet: then presently after they gave him a little treacle with a good quantity of conserve of violets, which might draw the poyson outwards, they gave him milke to drinke, and caused him to use injections into the urenary passage and guts made of refrige∣rating things, as the juice of lettuce, purslaine, cucumbers, gourds, melons; of tough and viscide things, that so they might sticke the more easily and long to the ulcera∣ted parts, as the mucilages of psilium, mallowes, quince-seeds, syrupe of water-lil∣lies, popies and violets, fresh butter, and oile of sweet almonds, and they made him drinke onely barly water, or the common ptisan; they let him feede on veale, •…•…id, and porke boyled with lettuce, purslaine, barly and violet leaves, the which by their humidity might relaxe the belly, and by their toughnesse lenifie the rough∣nesse or asperitie; they applyed also refrigerating things to the loines, share and pe∣rinaeum to asswage the heate of the urine. At length they put him into a warme bath, and to conclude, they left nothing unattempted to draw forth or weaken the poyson. But all their endeavours were in vaine, for the Abbot dyed, not being destitute of remedies conveniently prescribed, but overcome by the contumaci∣ous

malignity of the poyson. The Physicians pains had sar better successe in a certain Gentlewoman against this kinde of affect; her whole face was deformed with red, * 1.121 fierie and filthy pustles, so that all shunned her company as if shee had beene trou∣bled with a Leprosie, and were ready to forbid her the society of men; shee came to Paris, and calling Hollerius and Grealmus Physicians, mee and Caballus being Sur∣geons, shee made agrievous complaint, and besought us earnestly for some remedy against so great a deformity of her face; having diligently considered her case, we pronounced her free from a Leprosie; but we judged it fit to apply to her whole face a vesicatorie of Cantharides, three or foure houres after the application whereof, * 1.122 the medicine being come to worke its effect, her bladder began to burne exceeding∣ly, and the necke of her wombe to swell, with gripings, continuall vomiting, making of water and scowring, a trouble some agitation of the body and members, a burning and absolutely fiery feaver. I forthwith called the Physicians, it was decreed that she should drink wine plentifully, and that it should bee injected by the fundament into the guts, and by the urenary passage into the bladder and the neck of the womb, and that she should keep her selfe, untill the paine were mitigated, in a warme bath made of the decoction of Line-seeds, the roots and leaves of mallowes, marsh-mallowes, violets, henbane, purslaine and lettuce; and her loynes and genitals should be anoin∣ted with unguentum rosatum & populeon stirred and incorporated with oxycrate. By these meanes, all the symptomes were mitigated. Her face in the interim rose all in a * 1.123 blister, and much purulent matter came out thereof, and so the deformity, where∣with shee was formerly troubled, vanished away for ever, so that within a while af∣ter shee was married, and had many children, and is yet living in perfect health.

Buprestes also are of the kinde of Cantharides, being like unto them in shape and * 1.124 faculty. If an Oxe or Sheepe or any other creature shall in feeding devoure one of them, hee will presently swell up like a Tunne; whence also they take their name: if a man take them inwardly, hee shall endure the like symptomes as in taking Can∣tharides, and over and besides both his stomacke and his whole belly shall be won∣derfully puffed up, as if he had a Dropsie. It is probable that this inflation like a tym∣pany happenneth by humours diffused and resolved into vapours by the fiery acri∣mony of the venome: They are to bee cured after the same manner as such as have drunke Cantharides. Lastly, as in all other poysons which are taken into the body, so also here, if the poyson taken by the mouth bee thought as yet to bee in the stomacke, you must then procure vomit. If it bee gotten into the guts, then must it be drawn away by glysters; if diffused over all the body, then must you make use of such things as may drive the poyson forth from the center to the circumference, such as are bathes and stoves.

CHAP. XXIX. Of Horse-Leaches.

HOrse-Leaches are also venemous, especially such as live in muddy stin∣king ditches, for these are lesse hurtfull which reside in clear & pure wa∣ters. * 1.125 Wherefore, before they are to bee used in cas••s of Physick, they must be kept for some dayes space in cleane water, that so they may purge themselves; otherwise they may chance to leave ulcers hard to cure in the places whereto they shall be applyed, and the rather, if they bee violent∣ly plucked off, because they by that meanes leave their teeth fastned in the part. Now hee which by chance hath swallowed a Horse-leach, must bee asked in what * 1.126 part bee feeleth her, that is, the sense of her sucking. For if shee sticke in the top of the Throate or Gullet, or in the middest thereof, the part shall bee often washed with mustard dissolved in vinegar. If shee bee neare the orifice of the ventricle, it is fit that the patient by little and little swallow downe oyle with a little vine∣gar. But if shee fasten to the stomacke, or the bottome of the ventricle, the pati∣ent by the plucking of the part shall perceive a certaine sense of sucking, the pati∣ent

will spit bloud, and will for feare become melancholicke. To force her thence, hee shall drinke warme water with oyle; but if shee cannot so bee loosed, then shall you mixe Aloes therewith, or some thing endued with the like bitternesse, for shee will by that meanes leave her hold, and so bee cast forth by vomit. You may per∣ceive this by such as are applyed to the skinne, on the externall parts, for by the aspersion of bitter things, whether they bee full or empty, they will forsake their hold. Then shall the patient take astringent things, which may stoppe the bloud flowing forth of the bitten part, such is conserve of Roses, with terra sigillata, bole armenicke, and other more astringent things, if need so require. For if they shall ad∣hereto some greater branch of some veine or artery, it will bee more difficult to stop the flowing bloud.

But for that not the earth onely, but the sea also produceth venemous creatures, wee will in like sort treat of them, as wee have already done of the other, beginning with the Lampron.

CHAP. XXX. Of the Lampron.

THE Lampron, called in Latine Muraena, is a sea fish something in shape * 1.127 resembling a Lamprey, but shee is bigger and thicker, and hath a lar∣ger mouth, with teeth long, sharpe and bending inwards, she is of a dus∣kie colour, distinguished with whitish spots, and of some two cubits length; the Ancients had them in great esteem, because they yeeld good nourishment, and may be kept long alive, in pooles or ponds, and so taken as the owners please to serve their table, as it is sufficiently knowne by the historie of the Roman Crassus. Shee by her biting induceth the same symptomes as the viper, and it may bee helped by the same meanes. Verily the Lampron hath such familiarity with * 1.128 the Viper, that leaving her naturall element, the sea, she leapeth a shoare, and seeketh out the Viper in her den to joyne with her in copulation, as it is written by AEli∣an and Nicander.

CHAP. XXXI. Of the Draco-marinus or sea-Dragon.

THE sea-Dragon called by the French Viva, for his vivacity (and by the English a Viver, or as some say a Qua-viver) because being taken in fish∣ing and drawne out of the sea, shee is said long to survive. Her pricks are poysonous, but chiefly those that are at the edges of her gils. Which is the reason that Cookes cut off their heads before they serve them up to the table; and at Roven the fishermen lay them not upon their stalles to sell before they have cut off their heads. The wounded part of such as are hurt, paines them much, * 1.129 with inflammation, a feaver, sowning, gangrene and deadly mortification, unlesse it be quickly withstood. Not very long agoe the wife of Monsieur Fromaget, Secre∣tary of the requests, was wounded with a prick of this fish in her middle finger, there followed a swelling and rednesse of the part, without much paine; but perceiving the swelling to encrease, being made more wary by the mischance of her neigh∣bour the wife of Monsieur Bargelonne Lievtenant particulier in the Chastelet of Pa∣ris, who died not long before by the like accident being neglected, sent for mee; I * 1.130 understanding the cause of her disease, laid to her pained finger and her whole hand, besides a pultis made of a great Onion roasted under the coales, leaven and a little treacle. The next day I wished her to dip her whole hand into warme water, so to draw forth the poyson, then I divided the skin about it with much scarification, but onely superficiarily; to the gashes I applyed Leaches, which by sucking drawing a

sufficient quantity of bloud, I put thereto treacle dissolved in aqua vitae. The next * 1.131 day the swelling was asswaged, and the paine eased, and within a few daies shee was perfectly well. Dioscorides writes that this fish divided in the midst and applyed to the wound, will cure it.

CHAP. XXXII. Of the Pastinaca marina, or Sting-Ray, which some call the Fierce-claw.

SUch as are stung by a Sting-Ray (as Aëtius hath written) the place of the wound doth manifestly appeare; there ensues thereon lasting paine and * 1.132 the numnesse of the whole body. And seeing that it hath a sharpe and firme sting, whereby the nerves by the deepnesse of the stroake may be wounded, it so happens that some die forthwith, their whole bodies suf∣fering convulsions. Moreover it wil kil even the very trees into whose roots it is fast∣ned. Yet Pliny affirmes that it is good against the paine of the teeth, if the gums bee * 1.133 scarified therewith, yea, and it being made into powder with white hellebore, or of it selfe, will cause teeth to fall out without any pain, or any violence offered to them. This fish is good meat, the head and taile excepted; some of them have two stings, othersome but one; these stings are sharpe like a Saw with the teeth turned towards their heads. Oppianus writes, that their stings are more poysonous than the Persians * 1.134 arrowes, for the force of the poyson remaineth, the fish being dead, which will kill not onely living creatures, but plants also. Fishermen, when they catch this fish, pre∣sently spoile him of his sting, lest they should bee hurt therewith. But if by chance they bee hurt therewith, then take they forth his Liver and lay it to the wound; furthermore the fish being burnt and made into powder, is the true Antidote of his wound. The Sting-Ray lives in muddy places neare the shoare, upon the fishes that hee hunteth and catcheth with his sting, having the teeth thereof turned towards his head for the same purpose. Hee is not unlike a Ray, and I have here given you his figure.

[illustration]

The figure of a Sting-Ray.

CHAP. XXXIII. Of the Lepus marinus, or Sea-hare.

PLINY cals the Sea-hare, a masse or deformed peece of flesh. Galen saith that it is like a Snaile taken forth of the shell. It is exceeding poy∣sonous * 1.135 in the judgement of the Antients; wherefore it is not amisse to set downe the description of it, left wee might eate it at unawares, too earnestly view it, or smell thereto, as also that we may use it against the poyson thereof; it is an inhabitant not only of the Sea, but also of Lakes of Sea-wa∣ter, especially such as are muddy; it is of the same colour as the hair of the land-hare is, it hath a hole in the head, out of which hee putteth a certaine peece of flesh, and pluckes it backe againe when as he is seene. Paulus, Aëtius, Pliny, Galen and Nican∣der, * 1.136 are of one opinion, and agree in this, that if a woman big with child do too ear∣nestly look upon one, she will vomit & presently after abort. They which have drunk this poyson, saith Dioscorides, are troubled with paine in the belly, and their urine is stopped. If they doe make water, then is it bloody; they run downe with stinking sweat, which smels of fish; a cholericke vomiting sometimes mixed with blood en∣sues thereon.

Aëtius writes that all their bodies turne yellow, their faces swell, and their feete, * 1.137 but chiefly their genitall member, which is the cause they cannot make water free∣ly. Galen writes that it is the property of the Sea-hare to exulcerate the Lungs. Their * 1.138 Antidote is Asses milke, Muskedine, or honyed Wine continually drunken, or a de∣coction of the roots and leaves of Mallowes. It is good for the falling away of the haire. I have here given you the figure thereof out of Rondeletius his book of fishes.

[illustration]

The figure of a Sea-Hare.

CHAP. XXXIV. Of the Poyson of Cats.

NOt onely the braine of a Cat, being eaten, is poysonous and deadly to man, but also their haire, their breath, yea and their very presence to some prove deadly. For although any hair devoured unawares, may be * 1.139 enough to choake one, by stopping the instruments of respiration, yet the haires of cat by a certaine occult propertie, are judged most dange∣rous in this case: besides also, their breath is infected with a certain hurtfull maligni∣tie. For Mathiolus saith that he knew some, who being so delighted with Cats, that they could never go to bed without them, have by so often drawing in the aire with * 1.140 their breath, fallen into a consumption of the Lungs, which occasioned their death. Moreover, it is manifest that the very sight of their eies is hurtfull, which appeares by this, that some but seeing or hearing them, presently fall downe in a sowne; yet I would not judge that to happen by the malicious virulency of the Cat, but also by the peculiar nature of the party, and a quality generated with him, and sent from heaven. When as, saith Mathiolus, a certaine Germaine in winter time, came with us into a stove to supper, where as were divers of our acquaintance; a certaine wo∣man, * 1.141 knowing this mans nature, lest that hee should see her kitling which shee kept, and so should goe away in a chafe, she shut her up in a cupboard in the same chamber. But for all that hee did not see her, neither heard her cry, yet within a little space, when hee had drawne in the aire, infected with the breath of the Cat, that quality * 1.142 of temperament, contrary, or enemy to Cats, being provoked, he began to sweat, to looke pale, and to cry out (all of us admiring it) Here lies a Cat in some corner or other; neither could he be quiet untill the Cat was taken away. But such as have eaten the braines of a Cat are taken with often Vertigoes, and now and then become foolish * 1.143 and mad: they are helped by procuring vomit, and taking the Antidote against this poyson, that is, halfe a Scruple of Muske, dissolved and drunke in wine. There bee some who prescribe the confection Diamosch••m to bee taken every morning, foure houres before meat. By this you may gather that it is not so fabulous that the com∣mon sort report, that Cats will kill or harme children; for lying to their mouthes * 1.144 with the weight of their whole bodies, they hinder the passage forth of the fuligi∣nous vapours, and the motion of the Chest, and infect and stifle the spirits of tender infants, by the pestiferous aire and exhalation which they send forth.

CHAP. XXXV. Of certaine poysonous Plants.

HAving described the poysons that come from living creatures, I come to speake of such as are from Plants, beginning with the Sardonian herb, which is also called Apium risus: this is a kinde of Ranunculus or Crow-foote: * 1.145 (and, as it is thought, the round leaved water Crow-foote, called Marsh-crow-foote or speare-wort) it taketh away the understanding of such as eate thereof, and by a certaine distention of the nerves, contracts the cheekes, so that it makes them looke as if they laughed; from this affect came that proverbiall speech of the Sardonian laughter, taken in evill part. His Bezoar, as one may terme it, is the * 1.146 juice of Balme.

The juice, fruit, and substance of Napellus, taken inwardly, killeth a man the * 1.147 same day, or at the furthest in three dayes: yea and such as escape the deadly force thereof by the speedy and convenient use of Antidotes, fall into a hecticke feaver, or consumption, or become subject to the falling sicknesse, as Avicen affirmeth. And hence it is that barbarous people poyson their arrowes therewith. For the lippes are forthwith inflamed, and the tongue so swells, that by reason thereof it cannot bee conteined in the mouth, but hangs out with great horrour; their eyes are enflamed, and stand forth of their head, and they are troubled with a Vertigo and sowning, they become so weake that they cannot stirre their legges, they are swollen and puffed in their bodies, the violence of the poyson is so great. The Antidote thereof is a cer∣taine little creature like a * 1.148 Mouse, which is bred, and lives on the root of Napellus, being dryed and drunke in pouder, to the weight of two drammes. In want hereof, you may use the seed of Raddish or Turneps to drinke, and anoint the body also with the oile of Scorpions.

Dorycinum and Solanum Manicum, or deadly night-shade, are not much diffe∣rent * 1.149 in their mortall symptomes or effects. Dorycinum being drunke, resembleth milk in tast, it causeth continuall hicketting, it troubleth the tongue with the weight of the humour, it causeth blood to bee cast forth of the mouth, and certaine mucous matter out of the belly, like that which commeth away in the bloody fluxe. A reme∣dy hereto are all shell Fishes, as well crude as roasted, also sea-lobsters and crabbes, and the broth or liquor wherein they are boyled, being drunke. Now the root of * 1.150 Solanum manicum drunke in the weight of one dram in wine, causeth vaine and not unpleasing imaginations, but double this quantity causeth a distraction or alienation of the minde for three dayes; but foure times so much, kills. The remedies are the same as these prescribed against Dorycinum.

Henbane drunken, or otherwise taken inwardly by the mouth, causeth an aliena∣tion * 1.151 of the minde like drunkenness; this also is accompanied with an agitation of the body, and exolution of the spirits like sowning. But amongst others, this is a nota∣ble symptome, that the patients so dote, that they thinke themselves to be whipped: whence their voice becomes so various, that somtimes they bray like an asse or mule, neigh like a horse, as Avicen writes. The Antidote is pistick nuts eaten in great plen∣ty, * 1.152 treacle also and mithridate dissolved in sacke, also wormewood, rue and milke.

Of Mushromes, some are deadly and hurtfull of their owne kinde and nature, as * 1.153 those, which broken, presently become of divers colours, and forth with putrefie: (such as Avicen saith those are which be found of a grayish or blewish colour) others though not hurtfull in qualitie, yet eaten in greater measure than is fitting, become deadly; for seeing by nature they are very cold and moist, and consequently abound with no small viscosity, as the excrementitious phlegme of the earth or trees where∣on they grow, they suffocate and extinguish the heat of the body, as overcome by their quantity, and strangle as if one were hanged, and lastly kill. Verily I cannot chuse, but pittying Gourmondizers, who though they know that Mushromes are

the seminary and gate of death, yet doe they with a great deale of doo, most greedi∣ly devoure them; I say, pitying them, I will shew them, and teach them the art, how they may feed upon this so much desired dish, without the endangering of their health. Know therfore that Mushromes may be eaten without danger, if that they be first boyled with wild peares: but if you have no wilde peares, you may supply that * 1.154 defect with others which are the most harsh, either newly gathered, or dryed in the sun. The leaves, as also the bark of the same Tree, are good, especially of the wild, for peares are their Antidote: yet Conciliator gives another, to wit, Garlick eaten crude, whereto in like sort vineger may bee fitly added, so to cut and attenuate the tough, viscous and grosse humors, heaped up, and in danger to strangle one by the too plen∣tifull eating of Mushromes, as it is delivered by Galen. * 1.155

Ephemerum, which some call Colchicum or Bulbus sylvestris, that is, medow saf∣fron, * 1.156 being taken inwardly, causeth an itching over all the bodie, no otherwise than those that are netled, or rubbed with the juice of a Squill. Inwardly they feelegnaw∣ings, their stomacke is troubled with a great heavinesse, and the disease encreasing, there are streakes of blood mixed with the excrements. The Antidote thereof is womans milke, Asses or Cowes milk drunken warme, and in a large quantity. * 1.157

Mandrage taken in great quantity, either the root or fruit causeth great sleepinesse, sadnesse, resolution and languishing of the body, so that after many scritches and * 1.158 gripings, the patient falls asleep in the same posture as hee was in, just as if hee were in a Lethargie. Wherefore in times past they gave Mandrage to such as were to bee dismembred. The apples, when as they are ripe, and their seeds taken forth, may be safely eaten, for being green and with their seeds in them, are deadly. For there ari∣seth an intolerable heate, which burnes the whole surface of the bodie, the tongue and mouth waxe dry, by reason whereof they gape continually, so to take in the cold aire; in which case unlesse they be presently helped, they die with convulsions. But they may be easily helped, if they shall presently drinke such things as are conveni∣ent * 1.159 therefore. Amongst which, in Conciliators opinion, excell radish seeds eaten with salt and bread for the space of three dayes. Sneesing shall be procured, if the former remedy do not quickly refresh them, and a decoction of Coriander or Penny-royall in faire water shall be given them to drinke warme.

The ungratefull taste of the juice of blacke poppy, which is termed Opium, as al∣so of Mandrage, easily hinders them from being put into meate or drinke, but that * 1.160 they may be discerned, and chiefly for that neither of them can kill, unlesse they be taken in a good quantity. But because there is danger, lest they bee given in greater quantity than is fitting by the ignorance of Physitians, or Apothecaries, you may by these signes finde the errour.

There ensues heavie sleepe, with a vehement itching, so that the patient oft times is forced thereby to cast off his dull sleepe wherein hee lay, yet keepes his eye-lids * 1.161 shur, being unable to open them. But by this agitation there flowes out sweat, which smels of Opium, the bodie waxeth pale, the lippes burne, the Jaw-bone is relaxed, they breath little and seldome. When as their eyes waxe livid, unlesse they bee drawne aside, and that they are depressed in their orbe, we must know that death is at hand. The remedy against this is two drammes of the pouder of Castoreum given in wine.

Hemlocke drunken, causeth Vertigo's, troubleth the minde, so that the patients may bee taken for mad men; it darkeneth the sight, causeth hicketting, and benums * 1.162 the extreme parts, & lastly strangles with convulsions, by supressing or stopping the * 1.163 breath of the Arterie. Wherefore at the first, as in other poysons, you must endevour to expell it by vomit; then inject glysters, to expell that is got into the guts; then use wine without mixture, which is very powerfull in this case. Peter Aponensis thinks the Bezoar or Antidote thereof to bee a potion of two drams of Treacle, with a de∣coction * 1.164 of Dictamnus or Gentian in wine. He which further desires to enform him∣selfe of the effects of Hemlock, let him read Mathiolus his commentary upon Dios∣corides, where as he treats of the same subject. * 1.165

Aconitum called so of Aconis a towne of the Periendines, where as it plentifully growes. According to Mathiolus, it kils Wolves, Foxes, Dogges, Cats, Swine, Pan∣thers, * 1.166

Leopards, and all wilde beasts, mixed with flesh, and so devoured by them, but it kills mice by onely smelling thereto. Scorpions, if touched by the roote of Aco∣nite, grow numme and torpid, and so die thereof; arrowes or darts dipped therein, make uncurable wounds. Those who have drunke Aconite, their tongue forthwith waxeth sweet with a certaine astriction, which within a while after turneth to bit∣ternesse; it causeth a Vertigo, and shedding of teares, and a heavinesse or straitnesse of the chest and parts about the heart; it makes them breake wind downewards, and makes all the body to tremble. Pliny attributes so great celerity and violence to this * 1.167 poyson, that if the genitalls of female creatures bee touched therewith, it will kill them the same day; there is no presenter remedy than speedy vomiting after the poi∣son is taken. But Conciliator thinks Aristolochia to be the Antidote thereof. Yet some have made it usefull for man by experimenting it against the stinging of Scorpi¦ons, * 1.168 being given warme in wine. For it is of such a nature, that it killeth the party un∣lesse it finde something in him to kill, for then it strives therewith as if it had found an adversary. But this fight is onely when as it finds poyson in the body; and this is marvellous, that both the poisons being of their own nature deadly, should dye to∣gether, that man may by that meanes live. There are divers sorts thereof, one wher∣of hath a flower like an helmet, as if it were armed to mans destruction; but the o∣ther * 1.169 here delineated hath leaves like to sowes-bread, or a cucumber, and a root like the taile of a scorpion.

[illustration]

The figure of a certaine kind of Aconite.

Trees also are not without poyson, as the Yew and Walnut tree may witnesse: * 1.170 Cattell, if they feede on the leaves of Yew, are killed therewith. * 1.171 But men, if they sleepe under it or sit under the shadow thereof, are hurt therewith, and oft-times dye thereof. But if they eat it, they are taken with a bloudy fluxe, and a cold∣nesse over all their bodyes, and a kinde of strangling or stoppage of their breath. All which things the Yew causeth not so much by an elementary and cold quality, as by a certaine occult malignity, whereby it corrupteth the humours, and shaveth

the guts. The same things are good against this, as we have set downe against Hem∣lock; * 1.172 Nicander affirmes, that good wine being drunken is a remedy thereto. There is also malignity in a Wall-nut-tree, which Grevinus affirmes that he found by experi∣ence, * 1.173 whilest hee unawares sate under one & slept there in the midst of Summer. For waking, he had a sense of cold over all his body, a heavinesse of his head, and paine that lasted sixe dayes. The remedies are the same as against the Yew.

CHAP. XXXVI. Of Bezoar, and Bezoarticke medicines.

FOR that we have made mention of Bezoar, in treating of the remedies of poysons, I judge I shall not doe amisse, if I shall explaine, what the * 1.174 word meanes, and the reason thereof. Poyson absolutely taken is that which kils by a certaine specifick antipathy contrary to our nature. So an Antidote or Counter-poyson is by the Arabians in their mother tongue termed Bedezahar, as the preservers of life. This word is unknowne to the Greekes and Latines, and in use onely with the Arabians and Persians, because the thing it selfe first came from them, as it is plainely shewed by Garcias ab horto, Phy∣sician to the Vice-Roy of the Indies, in his history of the Spices and Simples of the East-Indies. In Persia (saith hee) and a certaine part of India is a certaine kinde of Goate called Pazain (wherefore in proper speaking, the stone should bee termed Pazar, of the word Pazain, that signifies a Goate; but wee corruptly terme it Bezar or Bezoar) the colour of this beast is commonly reddish, the height thereof indiffe∣rent, in whose stomack concretes the stone called Bezoar; it growes by little and lit∣tle about a straw or some such like substance in scailes like to the scailes of an onion, * 1.175 so that when as the first scaile is taken off, the next appeares more smooth and shi∣ning as you still take them away, the which amongst others is the signe of good Be∣zoar and not adulterate. This stone is found in sundry shapes, but commonly it re∣sembles an Acorne or Date-stone; it is sometimes of a sanguine colour, and other-whiles of a hony-like or yellowish colour, but most frequently of a blackish or dark greene, resembling the colour of mad Apples, or else of a Civet Cat. This stone hath no heart nor kernell in the midst, but powder in the cavity thereof, which is also of the same faculty. Now this stone is light, & not very hard, but so that it may easily be scraped, or rasped like alabaster, so that it will dissolve, being long macerated in wa∣ter; at first it was common amongst us, and of no very great price, because our peo∣ple who trafficked in Persia, bought it at an easie rate. But after that the faculties thereof were found out, it began to bee more rare and deare, and it was prohibited * 1.176 by an Edict from the King of the countrey, that no body should sell a Goate to the stranger Merchants, unlesse he first killed him, and tooke forth the stone, & brought it to the King. Of the notes by which this stone is tryed, (for there are many counter∣feits brought hither) the first is already declared; the other is, it may bee blowne up by the breath, like an oxes hide; for if the wind breake through, and doe not stay in the density thereof, it is accounted counterfeit. They use it, induced thereto by our example, not onely against poysons, but also against the bites of venemous beasts. The richer sort of the Countrey purge twice a yeare, to wit, in March and Septem∣ber; and then, five daies together they take the powder of this stone macerated in Rose-water, the weight of ten graines at a time: for by this remedy they thinke their youth is preserved, as also the strength of their members. There be some who take the weight of thirty graines; yet the more wary exceed not twelve grains. The same author addeth that he useth it with very good successe in inveterate melancholy dis∣eases as the itch, scab, tetters & leprosie; therefore by the same reason it may well be given against a quartaine feaver. Besides, hee affirmeth for certaine that the powder conteined in the midst of the stone, put upon the bites of venemous beasts, present∣ly freeth the patient from the danger of the poyson, as also applied to pestilent Car∣buncles when they are opened, it drawes forth the venome. But because the small

pocks and meazles are familiar in the Indies, and oft-times dangerous, it is there gi∣ven with good successe, two graines each day in Rose-water. Mathiolus subscribeth * 1.177 to this opinion of Garcias, witnessing that hee hath found it by frequent experience, that this stone by much exceeds not only other simple medicines of this kind, but al∣so such as are termed theriacalia, and what other Antidotes soever. Hereto also con∣sents Abdalanarach; Wee (saith he) have seene the stone which they call Bezahar, with the sonnes of Almirama the observer of the Law of God; with which stone hee bought a stately and almost princely house at Corduba.

Some yeares agoe a certaine Gentleman, who had one of these stones which hee * 1.178 brought out of Spaine, bragged before King Charles then being at Clermont in Au∣verne, of the most certaine efficacie of this stone against all manner of poy∣sons. Then the King asked of mee, whether there were any Antidote which was e∣qually and in like maner prevalent against all poisons? I answered, that nature could * 1.179 not admit it; for neither have all poysons the like effects, neither doe they arise from one cause; for some worke from an occult and specifick property of their whole na¦ture, others from some elementary quality which is predominant. Wherefore each must be withstood with its proper and contrary Antidote, as to the hot, that which is cold, and to that which assailes by an occult proprietie of forme, another which by the same force may oppugne it, and that it was an easie matter to make triall here∣of on such as were condemned to bee hanged. The motion pleased the King; there was a Cooke brought by the Jailor who was to have been hanged within a while af∣ter for stealing two silver dishes out of his masters house. Yet the King desired first to know of him, whether hee would take the poison on this condition, that if the Antidote which was predicated to have singular power against all manner of poi∣sons, which should bee presently given him after the poison, should free him from death, that then he should have his life saved. The Cooke answered chearfully, that he was willing to undergo the hazzard, yea, and greater matters, not only for to save his life, but to shun the infamy of the death he was like to be adjudged to. Therefore he then had poyson given him by the Apothecarie that then waited, and presently after the poyson, some of the Bezahar brought from Spain, which being taken down, within a while after hee began to vomit, and to avoid much by stoole with grievous torments, and to cry out that his inward parts were burnt with fire. Wherefore, be∣ing thirsty, and desiring water, they gave it him; an houre after, with the good leave of the Jaylor, I was admitted to him; I find him on the ground going like a beast up∣on hands and feet, with his tongue thrust forth of his mouth, his eyes fierie, vomi∣ting, with store of cold sweats, and lastly, the bloud flowing forth by his eares, nose, mouth, fundament and yard. I gave him eight ounces of oile to drinke, but it did him no good, for it came too late. Wherefore at length hee died with great torment and exclamation, the seventh houre from the time that hee tooke the poison being scarcely passed. I opened his body in the presence of the Jailor and foure others, and I found the botome of his stomacke blacke and dry, as if it had beene burnt with a * 1.180 Cautery; whereby I understood he had sublimate given him; whose force the Spa∣nish Bezahar could not represse, wherefore the King commanded to burne it.

CHAP. XXXVII. Of Minerall Poysons.

MInerals or mettals are either so taken forth of the bowels of the earth, or else from fornaces. Of these many are poisonous, as arsenicke, subli∣mate, plaister, cerusse, lytharge, verdegreace, orpiment, filings of Iron, brasse, the load-stone, lime, and the like. Such as have taken sublimate, * 1.181 the tongue and jawes become straightned and rough, as if they drunke the juice of unripe services: you cannot amend this asperity with lenitive gargarismes but with much labour and time; for as soone as it descends into the stomack, it stick∣eth to it. Therefore presently after it frets and exulcerates; it causeth unquench∣able

thirst, and unexplicable torments; the tongue is swolne, the heart faints, the u∣rine is supprest, the chest can scarce performe the office of breathing, the belly is griped, and so great paines happen to the other extreme parts, that unlesse they bee helped, the patient will die; for presently will grow upon them, unlesse it be speedi∣ly hindred, the devouring and fierie furie of the poyson, rending or eating into the guts and stomacke, as if they were seared with an hot iron, and bloud sloweth forth of the ears, nose, mouth, urenarie passage and fundament, and then their case is despe∣rate. These and who else soever shall take any corroding poyson, shall be cured with the same remedies, as those that have taken Cantharides.

Verdegreace so stops the instruments of respiration, that it strangles such as have * 1.182 taken it. The cure is performed by the same remedies as helpe those that have taken Arsenick.

Litharge causeth a heavinesse in the stomack, suppresseth the urine, makes the bo∣dy * 1.183 swelled and livide. Wee remedy this, by giving a vomit presently, then after it pidgeons dung mixed in strong wine, and so drunken. Peter Aponensis wisheth to give oile of sweet almonds and figs. Also it is good to give relaxing and humecting glysters, and to anoint the belly with fresh butter, or oile of lillies.

The scailes of brasse drunke by troubling the stomacke, cause a casting and scou∣ring. * 1.184 The remedie is, if the patient forth with vomit, if he enter into a bath made of the decoction of snailes, if he annoint his belly and breast with butter and oile of lil∣lies, and inject laxative and humecting glysters.

The Load-stone makes them mad that take it inwardly. The Antidote thereof is * 1.185 the powder of gold and an emerald drunk in strong wine, and glysters of milke and oile of sweet almonds.

The filings of lead, and the scailes or refuse of iron, cause great torment to such as * 1.186 take them downe. The which we helpe with much milke and fresh butter dissolved therein, or with oile of sweet almonds drawne without fire, with relaxing and hu∣•…•…cting glysters used untill the paine be perfectly asswaged.

Risagallum, Roseaker or Rats-bane, because it is of a most hot and dry nature, in∣duces thirst and heat over all the body, and so great colliquation of all the humours, * 1.187 that although the patients by medicines speedily given escape death, yet can they not during the residue of their lives, use their members as they formerly did, being destitute of their strength, by reason of the great drynesse and contraction of the joynts. The Antidote thereof is oyle of pine kernels speedily given, and that to the quantity of halfe a pint; then procure vomit, then give much milke to drink, and gly∣sters of the same, and let them sup up fat broths.

Unquencht Lime and Auripigmentum, or Orpiment drunke, gnaw the stomacke * 1.188 and guts with great tormenting paine, and cause unquenchable thirst, an asperity of the jawes and throat, difficulty of breathing, stoppage of the urine, and a bloudy flux. They may bee helped by all fat, humecting, and relaxing things which re∣tund the acrimonie, by lenitive potions, and such things as lubricate the belly; as also by creames, and the mucilages of some seeds, as with a decoction of the seeds of Line, mallowes, marsh-mallowes and other such things set downe at large in the cure of Cantharides.

These exceeding acride and strong waters wherewith Gold-smithes and Chy∣mists * 1.189 separate gold from silver, being taken into the body, are hard to cure, because they are forthwith diffused over all the body, first burning the throat and stomacke. Yet it may be helped by the meanes prescribed against unquenched Lime and Or∣piment.

Cerusse causeth hicketting and a cough, makes the tongue dry, & the extreme parts of the body numbe with cold, the eyes heavie to sleepe. The patients very often in * 1.190 the midst of the day see some vain phantasie or apparition, which in deed is nothing; they make a blacke and oft-times bloudy water, they die strangled unlesse they bee helped. The Antidote, in the opinion of Aëtius and Avicen, is scammonie drunk in new wine, or hony and wine, and other diuretick things, and such things as procure vomit, and purge by stoole.

Plaister, because it concreteth and becommeth stony in the stomacke, causeth * 1.191

strangulation by straitening and stopping the instruments that serve for breathing. The patients receive cure by the same remedies, as those who have eaten mush∣roms, or drunke Cerusse: you must adde Goose-grease in the glysters, and anoint the belly with oyle of lillies and butter.

CHAP. XXXVIII. Of Quick-silver.

QUick-silver is so called because it resembleth silver in the colour, and is in * 1.192 perpetuall motion, as if it had a spirit or living soule. There is a great controversie amongst authors concerning it. For most of them affirme it * 1.193 hot, amongst whom is Galen, Halyabas, Rhases, Aristotle, Constantine, I∣sack, Platearius, Nicholas Massa: they maintain their opinion by an argument drawn from things helping and hurting; besides from this, that it is of such subtle parts, that it penetrates, dissolves, and performeth all the actions of heate upon dense and hard mettals; to wit, it attenuateth, incideth, dryeth, causeth salivation by the mouth, purgeth by the stoole, moveth urine and sweat over all the body, neither doth it stirre up the thinner humours onely, but in like sort the grosse, tough and viscous, as those which have the Lues Venerea find by experience, using it either in ointments or plasters.

Others affirme it very cold and moyst, for that put into emplasters and so apply∣ed, it asswageth paine by stupefaction, hindring the acrimony of pustles and chole∣rick inflammations. But by its humidity it softeneth scirrhous tumours, dissolveth and dissipateth knots and tophous knobs; besides, it causeth the breath of such as are anointed therewith to stinke, by no other reason, than that it putrefies the obvious humours by its great humidity. Avicens experiment confirmes this opinion, who affirmeth, that the bloud of an Ape that drunke Quicksilver, was found concrete a∣bout the heart, the carcasse being opened. Mathiolus, moved by these reasons, writes * 1.194 that Quicksilver killeth men by the excessive cold and humide quality, if taken in a∣ny large quantity, because it congeales the bloud and vitall spirits, and at length the very substance of the heart, as may bee understood by the history of a cetaine Apo∣thecary, * 1.195 set downe by Conciliator; who, for to quench his feaverish heat, in stead of water, drunke off a glasse of Quicksilver, for that came first to his hands: hee dyed within a few houres after, but first hee evacuated a good quantity of the Quicksilver by stoole, the residue was found in his stomack being opened, and that to the weight of one pound; besides, the bloud was found concrete about his heart. Others use another argument to prove it cold, and that is drawne from the composition there∣of, because it consists of lead and other cold mettals. But this argument is very weak. For unquencht Lime is made of flints and stony matter, which is cold, yet neverthe∣lesse it exceeds in heat. Paracelsus affirmeth that quicksilver is hot in the interior sub∣stance, * 1.196 but cold in the exterior, that is, cold as it comes forth of the mine. But that coldnesse to bee lost as it is prepared by art, and heat onely to appeare and bee left therein, so that it may serve in stead of a tincture in the transmutation of mettals. And verily it is taken for a rule amongst Chymists, that all metals are outwardly cold, by reason of the watery substance that is predominant in them, but that inwardly they are very hot, which then appeares when as the coldnesse together with the moy∣sture is segregated, for by calcination they become caustick. Moreover many ac∣count quicksilver poyson, yet experience denyes it. For Marianus Sanctus Barali∣tanus * 1.197 tels that hee saw a woman, who for certaine causes and affects, would at seve∣rall times drink one pound and an halfe of quicksilver, which came from her againe by stoole without any harme. Moreover he affirmeth that hee hath knowne sundry who in a desperate Cholick (which they commonly call miserere mei) have beene freed from imminent death, by drinking three pounds of quicksilver with water on∣ly. For by the weight it opens and unfolds the twined or bound up gut, and thrusts forth the hard and stopping excrements; he addeth that others have found this me∣dicine

effectuall against the cholick, drunke in the quantity of three ounces. Antoni∣us Musa writes, that hee usually giveth quicksilver to children ready to dye of the wormes. Avicen confirmeth this, averring that many have drunke quicksilver with∣out any harme, wherefore hee mixeth it in his ointments against scaules and scabs in children; whence came that common medicine amongst the countrey people to kill lice by anointing the head with quicksilver mixed with butter or axungia. Ma∣thiolus affirmeth that many think it the last and chiefest remedy to give to women in * 1.198 travaile that cannot bee delivered. I protest, to satisfie my selfe concerning this mat∣ter, I gave to a whelpe a pound of quicksilver, which being drunke downe, it voyded without any harme by the belly. Whereby you may understand that it is wholly without any venemous quality. Verily it is the onely and true Antidote of the Lues Venerea, and also a very fit medicine for maligne ulcers, as that which more power∣fully impugnes their malignity than any other medicines that worke onely by their first qualities. Besides, against that contumacious scabbe, which is vulgarly called Malum sancti manis, there is not any more speedy or certaine remedy. Moreover Guido writes, that if a plate of lead bee besmeared or rubbed therewith, and then for * 1.199 some space laid upon an ulcer, and conveniently fastned, that it will soften the cal∣lous hardnesse of the lips thereof, and bring it to cicatrization, which thing I my selfe have oftimes found true by experience.

Certainely before Guido, Galen much commended quicksilver against maligne ul∣cers * 1.200 & cancers. Neither doth Galen affirm that lead is poysonous (which many affirm poysonous, because it consists of much quicksilver) but hee onely saith thus much, that water too long kept in leaden pipes & cisternes, by reason of the drossinesse that it useth to gather in lead, causeth bloudy fluxes, which also is familiar to brasse and copper. Otherwise many could not without danger beare in their bodies leaden bullets during the space of so many yeares, as usually they doe. It is declared by Theodoricke Herey in the following histories, how powerfull quicksilver is to resolve and asswage paines and inflammations. Not long since, (saith hee) a certaine Do∣ctor of Physick his boy was troubled with parotides, with great swelling, heat, pain & * 1.201 beating; to him, by the common consent of the Physicians there present, I applyed an anodine medicine, whose force was so great, that the tumor manifestly subsided at the first dressing, and the paine was much asswaged. At the second dressing all the symptomes were more mitigated. At the third dressing, I wondring at the so great effects of an Anodine Cataplasme, observed that there was quicksilver mixed there∣with, and this happened through the negligence of the Apothecarie, who mixed the simple Anodine medicine prescribed by us, in a mortar wherein but a while before he had mixed an oyntment whereinto quicksilver entred, whose reliques, and some part thereof yet remained therein. This which once by chance succeeded well, I afterwards wittingly and willingly used to a certaine Gentlewoman troubled with the like disease, possessing all the region behind the eares, much of the throate, and a great part of the cheeke, when as nature helped by common remedies, could not e∣vacuate neither by resolution nor suppuration, the conteined matter greatly vexing her with paine and pulsation. I to the medicine formerly used, by the consent of the Physicians, put some quicksilver, so within a few dayes, the tumour was digested and resolved. But some will say, it resolves the strength of the nerves and limbs, as you may see by such as have beene anoynted therewith for the Lues venerea, who tremble in all their limbs during the rest of their lives. This is true, if any use it too intemperately without measure, and a disease that may require so great a remedy; for thus we see that Gilders, Plumbers and such as digge in mines, by the continuall ascent of the vapours of quicksilver to the braine, the fountaine of the nerves, by re∣solving the spirits, and dissipating the radicall and substantificke moysture, maketh them subject to the trembling of their joints. Verily if it bee killed and incorporate with hogs greace, and a list besmeared therewith, which may encompasse the body like a girdle, it will drive away lice, fleas and cimices; and anoynted about the navell, * 1.202 it kils the wormes in the guts. There are two sorts of quicksilver, the one naturall, the other artificiall. The naturall is found running or flowing in the veins and bow∣els of the earth, and amongst metals, and in the fornaces of silver mines. The Arti∣ficiall

is made of minium (as it is in Vitruvius) and of the powder of Ivory. Also it is probable that by art it may bee extracted out of all metals, but chiefly out of Lead and Cinnabaris. You may easily distinguish these kindes by the dull and blackish colour, tough and grosse substance, which as it runs, leaves an impression like mel∣ted greace, being as it were the excrement of lead. The best quicksilver of all is pure, cleare, thin and very white: it may bee cleansed with the drosse of Lead, and * 1.203 becomes more thin, being boyled in sharpe vinegar, with sage, rosemary, time, lavan∣der. Or else give it by a pound at a time to a whelpe, to drinke downe, and being cast forth by it, boyle it againe in vinegar, for thus it hath wondrous faculties, and fitly given produceth marvellous effects; nothing is more contrary thereto than fire. For quicksilver, though of its owne nature ponderous, flyeth upwards by the force of the fire, and forsaketh gold by that meanes, than which nothing is more friendly to it.

CHAP. XXXIX. Of the Unicornes Horne.

THere are very many at this day who thinke themselves excellently well armed against poyson and all contagion, if they be provided with some powder of Unicornes horne, or some infusion made therewith. There∣fore I have thought it good to examine more diligently how much truth this inveterate, and grounded opinion hath. The better to performe this taske, I will propound three heads, whereto I will direct my whole discourse. The first shall be of the signification of this word Unicorn. The second, whether there be any such thing really and truely so called, or whether it bee not rather imaginary; like as the Chymera and Tragelaphus? The third, whether that which is sayd to be the horne of such a beast, hath any force or faculty against poysons? For the first, that is, the name, it is somewhat more obscure what the word (being Licorne) in French may * 1.204 signifie, than what the Latine or Greek word is. For the French name is further from the word and signification; but it is so clear and manifest, that this word Unicornis a∣mongst the Latines signifieth a beast having but one horn, as it is vulgarly known, the same thing is meant by the Greek word Monoceros. But now for the second, I thinke * 1.205 that beast that is vulgarly called & taken for an Unicorn, is rather a thing imaginary than really in the world. I am chiefly enduced to beleeve thus, by these conjectures. Because of those who have travelled over the world, there is not one that professeth that ever he did see that creature. Certainly the Romans conquering the world, & be∣ing most diligent searchers after all things which were rare and so excellent, if any where in any corner of the world, this beast could have been found, they would have found it out, and engraven it upon their coynes, or Armes, as they did Crocodiles, Elephants, Eagles, Panthers, Lyons, Tygers, and other creatures unknowne to these countryes. For these that have written of the Unicorn, either that they have heard, or that hath been delivered by tradition, or what they in their owne mindes and fan∣cies have conceived, you shall scarce finde two that agree together, either in the de∣scription of the body, or in the nature and condition of her. Pliny writes, that Uni∣cornes * 1.206 are for the fashion of their bodies like to an horse; that is, as Cardane inter∣prets it, of the bignesse of a horse, with the head of an Hart, the feet of an Elephant, the taile of a Boare, with one black horne in the midst of his forehead, of the length of two cubits. Munster, who (as Mathiolus jests) never saw Unicornes besides pain∣ted * 1.207 ones, doth on the contrary affirme them not to be of the bignesse of an horse, but of an hind calfe of three moneths old, not with feet like an Elephant, but cleft like those of goats, with an horne not only of two, but oft times of three cubits long, of a weazell colour, with a necke not very long, nor very hairy, but having few and short haires hanging to the one side of the necke, the legs are leane and small, the buttocks high, but very hairy. Cardane diss••nting from both these, writes, that hee hath an horne in the midst of his forehead, but that it is onely the length of three

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fingers. Andrew I hevet mentions an Unicorne seene by a certaine Turkish Sang∣jach, which was of the bignesse of a Bull of five or sixe moneths old, and had one * 1.208 horne, but that not in the midst of the forehead, but upon the top of the crowne of the head; he was legg'd and footed like an Asse, but longer haired, and had eares not much unlike the Rangifer, a beast not unknowne in the subpolare or northern coun∣tries.

Thus various therefore is the report concerning the shape of this Beast. Neither is there lesse difference concerning her nature and conditions. For Pliny writes that the Unicorne is a most fierce beast, and hath a great bellowing voice, and that shee cannot therefore be taken alive. Cardane renders a reason of this fiercenesse, Because (saith he) it inhabits the desarts of Aethiopia, a region squalide, and filthy, abounding with toads and such like venemous creatures. Others on the contrary affirme her to bee of a most milde, amiable, and gentle nature of all others, unlesse one purposely offend her, or use her too harshly; for seeing shee feeds not by stooping her head to the ground, because shee is hindered therefrom by the length of her horne, she must necessarily feed upon the fruit that hangeth upon trees; out of cratches or mans hand she fearlesly and harmelesly takes all manner of fruits, herbs, sheaves of corn, apples, peares, oranges and pulse. And herein they have proceeded so farre, that they feign they will love Virgins, entised by their beauty, so that stayed in the contemplation of them, and allured by their entisements, they by this meanes are often taken by hunters. In this opinion is Lewes Vartoman, who denies that Unicornes are wild * 1.209 or fierce; for he saith that he saw two, which were sent out of Aethiopia to the Sul∣tan, who kept them shut up in Pennes, in Mecha, a city of Arabia foelix, renowned by the Sepulcher of Mahomet. Thevet travailing thither, tels that he diligently en∣quired of the inhabitants, what their opinion was of such a beast, yet could he never heare any tidings thereof. Whence it is easie to discerne, that such beasts have nei∣ther beene in our, nor in Vartomans times. The so great variety of dissenting opini∣ons, easily induceth me to beleeve that this word, Unicorne, is not the proper name of any beast in the world, and that it is a thing onely feigned by Painters, and Wri∣ters of naturall things, to delight the readers and beholders. For as there is but one right way, but many by-waies and windings, so the speech of truth is but one, and that alwaies simple and like it selfe; but that of a lye is divers, and which may easily refell it selfe, by the repugnancie and incongruity of opinions, if one should say no∣thing. What therefore (will some say) of what creatures are these hornes, which we see wholly different from others, if they be not of Unicorns? Thevet thinks them no∣thing * 1.210 else than Elephants bones turned and made into the fashion that wee see them; for thus in the Eastern countreies, some crafty merchants and cunning companions turne, hollow, and being softened, draw to what length they please the teeth of the fish Roharde, which lives in the ••ed and Aethiopian Sea, and being so handled, they sell them for Unicornes horne. Verily that which is termed Unicornes horne being burnt, sends forth a smell like to Ivory. Now Cardanus affirmes that the teeth and bones of Elephants made soft by art, may bee drawne forth, and brought into what forme you please, like as Oxe bones are. For what is there in the world which the thirsting desire of gold will not make men to adulterate and counterfeit? But it * 1.211 is time that we come to the third scope. Grant there be Unicornes, must it therefore follow that their hornes must be of such efficacy against poysons? If we judge by e∣vents, and the experience of things, I can protest thus much, that I have often made tryall thereof, yet could I never find any good successe in the use thereof against poi∣sons, in such as I have had in cure. If the matter must bee tryed by witnesses and au∣thorities, a great part of the Physicians of better note have long since bid it adieu, and have detracted from the divine and admirable vertues for which it formerly was so much desired. And this they have done, moved thereto by many just, but two espe∣ciall reasons. The first is of Rondeletius, who in this case affirmes that horns are endu∣ed * 1.212 with no taste nor smell; and therefore have no effect in physicke, unlesse it bee to dry. Neither (saith hee) am I ignorant that such as have them, much predicate their worth, so to make the greater benefit and gaine by them, as of the shavings or scra∣pings of Unicornes horne, which they sell for the weight in gold, as that which is

singular good against poysons and wormes, which things I thinke Harts-horne and Ivory doe no lesse effectually performe; which is the cause why for the same disease, and with the like successe, I prescribe Ivory to such as are poor, and Unicornes horn to the rich, as that they so much desire. This is the opinion of Rondeletius, who with∣out any difference was wont for Unicornes horne to prescribe not onely Harts-horn or Ivory, but also the bones of Horses and Dogges, and the stones of Myrabalanes. Another reason is, that whatsoever resists poyson is cordiall, that is, fit to strengthen the heart, which is chiefly assailed by poysons; but nothing is convenient to streng∣then the heart, unlesse it bee by laudible blood or spirit, which two are onely famili∣ar to the heart, as being the work-house of the arterious blood and vitall spirits. For all things are preserved by their like, as they are destroyed by their contraries; for all things that generate, generate things like themselves. But Unicornes horne, as it conteines no smell, so neither hath it any aëry parts, but is wholly earthy and dry; neither can it bee converted into blood by the digestive faculty, for as it is without juice, so is it without flesh. For as it cannot bee turned into Chylus, so neither is it fit to become Chymus (that is) juice or blood. Therefore it is joyned to the heart by no similitude nor familiarity. Furthermore, there is not a word in Hippocrates and Ga∣len concerning the Unicornes horne, who notwithstanding have in so many places commended Harts-horne. Therefore D. Chapelaine, the chiefe Physitian of King Charles the ninth, often used to say, that hee would very willingly take away that custome of dipping a piece of Unicorns horn in the Kings cup, but that he knew that opinion to be so deeply ingrafted in the minds of men, that he feared, that it would scarce be impugned by reason. Besides (he said) if such a superstitious medicine do no good, so certainely it doth no harme, unlesse it be to their estates that buy it with gold, or else by accident, because Princes, whilst they rely more than is fitting upon the magnified vertues of this horne, neglect to arme themselves against poys••••s by other more convenient meanes, so that Death oft-times takes them at unawares. When as upon a time I enquired of Lewes Duret the Kings Physitian and Professor (by reason of the great opinion that all learned men justly had of his learning and judgement) what he thought of this horne. He answered, that he attributed no facul∣ties thereto: for the confirmation whereof he rendred the second reason I have for∣merly given, but more largely and elegantly; neither feared he to affirme it aloud, & in plain words to his auditory of learned men, comming from all parts to hear him. But if at any time (orecome by the fault of the times & place) he prescrib'd this horn, that he did it for no other entent, than to help faintings or sownings that happen by * 1.213 the abundance of serous humors, floating in the orifice of the ventricle, which makes men ill disposed, because this mixed with other things endued with the like faculty, hath power to drinke up the waterish humidity by its earthy drinesse. But some will reply, that neither the Lemnian, nor Armenian earth, have any juice in them, neither any smell, nor aëry spirit. It is granted, neither truely are such things truely and pro∣perly called cordiall, but onely by event and accident, for that by the excellent astrictive faculty they have, and stopping the passages of the vessels, they hinder the poyson from entring into the heart. This is my opinion of Unicornes horne, which if any doe not approve of, hee shall doe mee a favour, if for the publike good, hee shall freely oppose his; but in the interim take this in good part which I have done.

The End of the One and Twentieth Booke.

Notes

• * 1.1

  What is to be accounted poy∣son.
• * 1.2

  The differences of poysons.
• * 1.3

  All poysons have not a pe∣culiar Antipa∣thy with the heart.
• * 1.4

  Cap. 5. lib 6. de locis affect.
• * 1.5

  The true reason of the wondrous effects of poy∣sons.
• * 1.6

  No poysons kill in a set time.
• * 1.7

  How poysons come to kil soo∣ner or later.
• * 1.8

  Such things as feed upon poy∣son may be ea∣ten without danger.
• * 1.9

  Lib de simp. facult.
• * 1.10

  The occasion of sudden death in many.
• * 1.11

  Common signes of such as are poysoned.
• * 1.12

  Signes of hot poysons.
• * 1.13

  Signes of cold poysons.
• * 1.14

  Signes of dry poysons.
• * 1.15

  Signes of moist poysons.
• * 1.16

  A history.
• * 1.17

  Sect. 3. lib. 3. epid.
• * 1.18

  The Lues vene∣nerea kills by excesse of moi∣sture.
• * 1.19

  All poysons are not cold.
• * 1.20

  Why such as are poysoned or stu••g, are cold.
• * 1.21

  What such as feare poysoning must observe in their diet.
• * 1.22

  Why sleepe i•• hurtfull.
• * 1.23

  Why and how vomit must be procured.
• * 1.24

  When and where with they shall be purged.
• * 1.25

  The cure of poysoned wounds.
• * 1.26

  By how many, and what meanes the aire may be infected
• * 1.27

  How thunders and lightnings may infect the aire.
• * 1.28

  Whether the vapour that a∣riseth from a burnt thing may poyson one.
• * 1.29

  A history.
• * 1.30

  Hot poysons kill sooner than cold.
• * 1.31

  Lib. 2. cap. 27. The bites of all wild beasts are virulent.
• * 1.32

  The bites of a red haired man virulent.
• * 1.33

  Contused wounds harder to heale than such as are cut.
• * 1.34

  Why treacle retunds the force of all sim∣ple poysons.
• * 1.35

  A double indi∣cation in the cure of vene∣mous bites
• * 1.36

  Lotions fit for venemous bites.
• * 1.37

  Lib. de theriaca.
• * 1.38

  Treacle out-wardl•• applyed and inwardly ta∣ken good a∣gainst v••ne∣mous bit••s.
• * 1.39

  The force of E. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.40

  The eff•…•…e of Cauteries a∣gainst vene∣mous bites.
• * 1.41

  The ••orce of Precipitate a∣gainst vene∣mous wounds.
• * 1.42

  When hot things are not convenient for poysoned wounds.
• * 1.43

  Antidotes must be given in great quantities.
• * 1.44

  Dogs naturally subject to mad∣nesse.
• * 1.45

  Dogs become mad, not onely in the heat of summer, but al∣so in the depth of winter.
• * 1.46

  Why melan∣cholike p••rsons hurt themselves.
• * 1.47

  The bite of a mad dog not ve∣ry painefull at the first.
• * 1.48

  Signes of the bite of a mad dogge.
• * 1.49

  Signes by which you may gather that the noble parts are tain∣ted.
• * 1.50

  Why men be∣comming mad barke like dog••.
• * 1.51

  Why they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the light.
• * 1.52

  Why they are affraid of the water.
• * 1.53

  Aphor. 25. sect. 6.
• * 1.54

  The bite of a mad dog taken in hand in time, is for the most part curable.
• * 1.55

  The venome of a mad dog ap∣plied outwardly only, may cause madness.
• * 1.56

  Whether the Hydrophobia or feare of water beincurable.
• * 1.57

  A history.
• * 1.58

  A history.
• * 1.59

  The force of Sorrell.
• * 1.60

  The force of Docks.
• * 1.61

  A history.
• * 1.62

  A history.
• * 1.63

  Leaping into the sea n••ce••∣taine r••me•…•…y a∣gainst madness.
• * 1.64

  The force of Antimonie a∣gainst madness.
• * 1.65

  Why sleepe is hurtfull to such as are bitten by a mad dog, and all such as are poysoned.
• * 1.66

  The bites of vi∣pers how viru∣lent.
• * 1.67

  The symptoms.
• * 1.68

  A history.
• * 1.69

  A history.
• * 1.70

  Remedies for the bite of a viper.
• * 1.71

  〈1 line〉〈1 line〉
• * 1.72

  The Haemor∣rhous why so called.
• * 1.73

  Wonderfull bleedings.
• * 1.74

  The reason of the name, and description of the Seps.
• * 1.75

  The symptoms.
• * 1.76

  The efficacy of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the poyson 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Basilisk.
• * 1.77

  Lib. de theriac.
• * 1.78

  Wh•• the Basi∣liske is thought to kill by his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sight.
• * 1.79

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. lib. 8. ca••. 21.
• * 1.80

  The 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.81

  Nothing in na∣ture without its equall.
• * 1.82

  Sy•…•….
• * 1.83

  〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.84

  The malignity of a Salaman∣der.
• * 1.85

  The temper of her.
• * 1.86

  Symptomes.
• * 1.87

  The cure.
• * 1.88

  Lib. 2. cap. 54.
• * 1.89

  How a Sala∣mander may be said to live in the fire.
• * 1.90

  The craft of the Torpedo.
• * 1.91

  His stupefying force.
• * 1.92

  Symptomes.
• * 1.93

  Cure.
• * 1.94

  A history.
• * 1.95

  By what means Aspes may bee made lesse hurt∣full. Gal. lib. de Ther. ad pisonem.
• * 1.96

  Against the bites of what serpents treacle doth no good.
• * 1.97

  A certain reme∣dy against the bitings of Aspes.
• * 1.98

  A historic.
• * 1.99

  The cure.
• * 1.100

  The bites of toads how harmfull.
• * 1.101

  A history.
• * 1.102

  The symptomes occasioned by the poyson of toads.
• * 1.103

  May frogs.
• * 1.104

  The cure.
• * 1.105

  Antidotes a∣gainst the poy∣son of toads.
• * 1.106

  The description of a Scorpion. His taile.
• * 1.107

  Winged Scor∣pions.
• * 1.108

  Symptomes,
• * 1.109

  Lib. 2. cap. 10. & lib. 1. cap. 44.
• * 1.110

  Lib. 3. cap. 1.
• * 1.111

  Scorpions cha∣sed away with the juice of gar∣lick or Ra∣dishes.
• * 1.112

  The symptoms.
• * 1.113

  The cute.
• * 1.114

  The bites of Bear-wormes.
• * 1.115

  Differences of Spiders.
• * 1.116

  The description of Cantharides.
• * 1.117

  Enemies to the Bladder.
• * 1.118

  Symptomes.
• * 1.119

  A history,
• * 1.120

  The cure,
• * 1.121

  A history.
• * 1.122

  Cantharides ap∣plyed to the head, ulcerate the bladder.
• * 1.123

  A remedy a∣gainst Leprous 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.124

  The reason of the name.
• * 1.125

  What horse∣l•…•…es most virulent.
• * 1.126

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 reme∣•…•… •…•…g 〈◊〉〈◊〉 diversity of the parts.
• * 1.127

  The description of the Lampron
• * 1.128

  The naturall friendship of the Lampron and Viper.
• * 1.129

  Symptomes.
• * 1.130

  A history.
• * 1.131

  Cure.
• * 1.132

  The symptoms.
• * 1.133

  Lib. 9 cap. 48.
• * 1.134

  The virulency o•• her sting.
• * 1.135

  The description of the Sea-hare.
• * 1.136

  The earnest be∣holding of a Sea-hare will cause abortion.
• * 1.137

  The symptoms.
• * 1.138

  The Antidote.
• * 1.139

  A Cats haire most subject to choake.
• * 1.140

  The breath of a Cat most hurt∣full to the lungs
• * 1.141

  A history.
• * 1.142

  A wonderfull antipathy be∣tweene a man and a Cat.
• * 1.143

  The Antidote against the brains of a Cat.
• * 1.144

  Cats dangerous for children.
• * 1.145

  Apium risus.
• * 1.146

  His Antidote.
• * 1.147

  Napellus, or Monks-hood.
• * 1.148

  Our Author is deceived by the Arabians, who (it may bee) mistook the greeke word, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and instead there∣of reade, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; for a Flye, a Mouse; for there is no Mouse to bee found, but whole swarmes of Flies, which feede thereon: you may finde the description of an Antidote made with them in Labels Stirp. Advers. pag. 302.
• * 1.149

  Dorycinum and Solanum mani∣cum, or deadly Night-shade.
• * 1.150

  The symptoms.
• * 1.151

  Henbane.
• * 1.152

  The Antidote.
• * 1.153

  Mushromes.
• * 1.154

  Their Antidote
• * 1.155

  In 5. epidemi.
• * 1.156

  Colchicum or me••dow-saffron
• * 1.157

  The Antidote
• * 1.158

  Mandrage.
• * 1.159

  The cure.
• * 1.160

  Opium. Why not used in poysonings.
• * 1.161

  The symptoms.
• * 1.162

  Hemlocke.
• * 1.163

  The symptoms.
• * 1.164

  The Antidote.
• * 1.165

  In lib. 6. diosc.
• * 1.166

  Aconitum.
• * 1.167

  Lib. 27. cap. 2.
• * 1.168

  Aconite good against the poy∣son of Scorpi∣ons.
• * 1.169

  The differences
• * 1.170

  The Yew.
• * 1.171

  This is true in some countries, as in Provence. Italy, Greece, &c. but it is not so here with us in Eng•…•… as both •…•…obell & daily exerienc•• cantestifie,
• * 1.172

  The Antidote.
• * 1.173

  The Wall-nut-tree.
• * 1.174

  What is poison.
• * 1.175

  A signe of true Bezoar.
• * 1.176

  The use of Bezoar.
• * 1.177

  Lib. 5. in Dios. cap. 73.
• * 1.178

  A history.
• * 1.179

  No one thing can be an Anti∣d••te again•…•… all poyson.
• * 1.180

  The caustick force of subli∣mate.
• * 1.181

  The symptomes of such as have taken sublimate.
• * 1.182

  Verdegreace.
• * 1.183

  Litharge.
• * 1.184

  The scailes of brasse.
• * 1.185

  The Loadstone.
• * 1.186

  Filings of Lead & 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Iron.
• * 1.187

  Arsnick, Rosea∣ker or Rats-bane.
• * 1.188

  Unquenched Lim•• and Or∣piment.
• * 1.189

  Aquasortis.
• * 1.190

  Cerusse.
• * 1.191

  Plaister.
• * 1.192

  The reason why it is so called.
• * 1.193

  Lib. 4. simpl. in 〈◊〉〈◊〉. practic. cap. 148. 3. ad Almaa. 4. Meteor.
• * 1.194

  In l. 6. Dios. c. ••8.
• * 1.195

  A historie.
• * 1.196

  Lib 4. de nat. rerum.
• * 1.197

  Tract de 〈◊〉〈◊〉 & offen.
• * 1.198

  Quicksilver good▪ or women in travaile.
• * 1.199

  For the disease called Maum sancti manis.
• * 1.200

  Lib 7. de comp. m•…•…▪ secund loc. Against malign ulcers.
• * 1.201

  Against the Pa∣rotides.
• * 1.202

  Against lice & fleas &c. The kinds thereof.
• * 1.203

  How to puri∣fie it.
• * 1.204

  What the name imports.
• * 1.205

  That there is no such beast as an Unicorne.
• * 1.206

  Lib. 8. cap. ••1.
• * 1.207

  Munsters opini∣on concerning Unicornes.
• * 1.208

  Tom. 1. lib. 5. Cap. 5. cosmogr.
• * 1.209

  vartomans ••p••n••on of the nature of the Unicorne.
• * 1.210

  What the ordi∣nary Unicorns hornes are.
• * 1.211

  The Unicornes horne is not ef∣fectuall against poyson.
• * 1.212

  Lib. depo••der. cap. 19 Hornes and bones not ef∣fectuall unlesse to dry.
• * 1.213

  In what cases good.