The historie of the vvorld: commonly called, The naturall historie of C. Plinius Secundus. Translated into English by Philemon Holland Doctor of Physicke. The first [-second] tome

CHAP. XI. [unspec F]

¶ Receits and remedies for many kinds of maladies, taken from sundry beasts.

BVt now will I returne to the remedies appropriate to diseases respectiue to the particular members of the body: and first to begin at the head: Bears grease mixed with Ladanum, and that kind of Maidenhaire which is called Adiantum, retaineth the haire of the head which

is giuen to fall off: also the places that be already bare, it replenisheth again with new haire: the [unspec G] same being incorporat with the fnngous excrescence growing about the candle-snuffe, as also with the soot found sticking to the sockets of lamps and candlestickes, causeth the haire of the eie-lids to come thick. Mixed with wine, it is good against the skurfe and dandruffe among the hairs: for which purpose serueth the ashes of Harts-horn burnt and applied with wine: the same also preserueth the haire from breeding lice and nits. Likewise, Goats gall mixed with Fullers earth and vineger, if the head be wa•…•…hed withall, so as the hairs may dry againe by little & lit∣tle. Semblably, the gall of * Buck-goats tempered with Buls stale, killeth lice: now if the sayd gall be old, adde thereto brimstone, and it scoureth besides the dandruffe. It is thought, that the ashes of an asse pizzle will make the haire to grow thick, and preserue them from being grey, if the place be first shauen and well rubbed therewith, or anointed with the liniment made of it [unspec H] and oile, punned together in a leaden morter. Likewise, the vrin of a yong Asse fole is supposed to thicken the haire: but there would be mixed some Spiknard with this washing lie, to rectifie the strong sent of the said vrine. Buls gall mixed with Aegyptian Allum, serueth for a liniment to make the haire come again, if the bald place be anointed therwith warm. As for the running skals of the head, there is not a better thing to cure them than Buls vrine: so doth stale chamber lie, if there be put to it Sowbread and brimstone: howbeit, Calues gall is of greater efficacy in this case, which if it be mingled with vineger, and the head rubbed therwith hot, riddeth nits al∣so. Calues suet stamped with salt and reduced into a liniment, is singular good for the sores in the head. In these cases great account is made of Fox grease, but especially of their gall and dung, tempered with an equall portion of Senvy and so brought into an ointment. Take the [unspec I] pouder or ashes of Goats horn, but principally of the Bucke, put thereto sal-nitre and the seed of Tamarisk: incorporat all with butter and oile into an vnguent. It is wonderfull effectuall in keeping haire from shedding, so that the head be first shauen. Semblably, the ashes of a dogge burnt, & made into a liniment with oile, causeth the haire of the eie-brows to look black: goats milk by report taketh away nits. An ointment made with their dung & hony together, causeth the hair to grow thick, in places despoiled thereof by occasion of some diseases. Likewise the ashes of their houfs incorporat with pitch, keep the haire on which is about to shed.

As touching the pain of the head, the ashes of an Hare burnt, mixed with oile of Myrtles, al∣lay the same: so doth the blown water which is left in the trough after that a boeufe or Asse hath done drinking, if the patient take a draught of it: and if we may beleeue it, the genitall member [unspec K] of a he-Fox, worne about the head in maner of a wreath, cureth the head-ache. The ashes of a Harts horn brought into a liniment with vineger, oile rosat or oile of Ireos, hath the like effect. For watering eies there is a singular ointment made of boeufe tallow boiled together with oile. And the ashes of Harts horn serueth by way of iniunction to cure their asperity and roughnes: for which purpose the very tip and points of the knags are thought more effectuall. The ex∣crements or dung of a Wolfe are good to anoint the eies for the cataract. The same reduced to ashes and made into a liniment with the best Attick honey, is singular for those whose sight is dim and troubled, so that the eies be anointed therewith: in which case, Beares gall is excellent. The grease of a wild Bore incorporat with oile rosat, is singular good for the bloudy fals or chil∣blanes called Epinyctides. [unspec L]

The ashes of an Asses house mixed with Asses milke, taketh away the cicatrices of the eies, together with the films and pearls that trouble the sight, if they be annointed therewith. The marrow of a Beefe taken forth of the right leg before, punned with soot, and so incorporat toge∣ther in manner of a liniment, rectifieth the disordered hairs, and other accidents of the eye-lids and corners of the eies: but for to haue an excellent soot, proper to make a salue for to beautifie the eies, it ought to be gathered from a wieke or snuffe made of Papyr reed, and burning with Sesame oile, in such sort as the same may be wiped away with a wing into a new earthen pot that neuer was vsed: & verily, this is a soueraigne soot to hinder the growth again of haires after they be once plucked vp from the eie-browes. Of an Oxe gall tempered with the white of an egge, are made eie-salues reduced into rolles, which beeing dissolued in water, serue to annoint [unspec M] the eyes for foure daies together. Calues suet with Goose grease and the iuice of Basill, is sin∣gular for all the accidents whereto the eie-lids be subiect. The marrow of a Calfe, incorporate with equall weight of wax and common oile or oile Rosat, together with an egge, maketh a so∣ueraigne liniment for the Stian or any other hard swellings in the eie-lids. The violent rheums

that fall into the eies, are repressed and allaied with a cataplasm of tender cheese made of goats [unspec A] milke soked in hot water, and so laid too: and if there be any tumor or swelling risen by occasion of such a flux, it would be applied with hony: and both of them, as well with swelling as with∣out, ought to be fomented with warme whey. But say the eies be inflamed and bleered onely, without any extraordinary moisture appearing in them, the little muscles lying within the loins of a swine, rosted and afterwards punned to a cataplasme, and so applied, do quite rid away the same bleerednesse. It is commonly said, that goats be neuer troubled with bleered eies, nor yet roe-bucks or does, by reason of certain herbs which they feed vpon: and for that their sight is as good by night as day, therfore certain pils be ordained for the infirmities of the eies, made of their dung, inwrapped within wax, for to be swallowed at the change of the Moone. Many there be who are of opinion, that such as be dim-sighted and see little or nothing toward night [unspec B] (whom the Greeks call Nyctalopes) are cured with goats bloud, especially the male: also with the liuer of a goat sodden in some austere or hard wine. Some giue direction, to annoint the eies all ouer with the grauie or dripping of the said liuer rosted, or else with the gall of a goat, and to feed of the said flesh; with this regard, That whiles the same is a seething, the eyes may receiue the vapor and steem thereof. And of this opinion they be, that the said medicine will do the better, if the goat be of a bright ruddy colour. Moreouer, they would haue the eyes of the patient to be fomented with the vapor and fume that riseth from the decoction of the li∣uer whiles it boileth: but others there be, that prescribe to take the smoke thereof as it rosteth or frieth. As for goats gall, there be that vse it many waies prepared; some with hony, against the [unspec C] fumosities that trouble and dim the eie-sight: others, with a third part of white Ellebore, for the pin and web: others againe with wine, against cicatrices, pearles, obscurity of sight, filmes and spots. But for the eie-lids, after the haire which pricked and offended the eie is pulled out, they applie it with the iuice of Beets, suffering the said liniment to dry vpon the eie-lids. If any tu∣nicles of the eie be broken, they take womans milk to apply vnto it. In sum, for al infirmities of the eies whatsoeuer, they hold a goats gall which is old and hath bin long kept, to be more so∣ueraigne and effectuall in operation than any other. Neither doe they reiect the dung of this beast, but repute a liniment made of it and honey, to be as good for waterie eyes, as the marrow for the paine thereof: likewise the lungs of an hare. And verily the gall of an hare (as it is com∣monly reported) incorporat with c•…•…it or honey, and so applied, helpeth those that be dim-sigh∣ted. Furthermore they ordaine, to rub and annoint the eies against their inflammation and blee∣rednesse, [unspec D] either with woolues greace, or else with swines marrow. And no maruell, for they say. That whosoeuer vse to carry about them in a bracelet a foxes tongue, shall neuer be troubled with sore eies.

For the pain & infirmities incident to the ears, there is not a better nor more excellent thing than the vrin of a wild bore saued and kept in a glasse: the gall likewise of a wild bore or sow, as also of a boeufe, mixt with Cicinie oile and oile Rosat, in equall quantity, is a singular remedy: but especially buls gall, dropped into the ears warm with the iuice of Porret; or els with hony, in case they be impostumat within and run with water. The same alone by it selfe warmed in the rind of a pomegranate, is excellent to take away the ranke and strong sauour of the eares: and if any part within be broken, the said gall instilled with womans milke, healeth it effectually. [unspec E] Some there be, who ordaine the eares to be well washed with it so prepared, for to remedy the difficulty and hardnesse of hearing: others vse to put into the eares wooll, washed before in hot water, and inclose therewith a peece of a serpents slough, with vineger: but if the deafenesse be the greater, they infuse the said gall into the eares, tempered with Myrrhe and Rue, and so made hot all together in the pill of a Pomegranate. Fat lard also is good for this purpose: and the greene dung of an Asse instilled with oile Rosat; prouided alwaies, that all these medicines be warme when they be dropped into the eares. But the fome that a horse doth froth, is better than all these: or the ashes of horse dung fresh made and burned, mixed with oile of Roses. In this case likewise are commended boeufe suet, goose grease, and fresh butter. The vrine of a Goat or bull, yea and stale chamber-lie which fullers vse, made hot, and the vapour thereof receiued [unspec F] into the eare, at the narrow mouth or necke of a bottle, cureth the deafenesse thereof. Some put thereto a third part of vineger, and a quantitie of the pisse of a calfe which is yet a suckling and neuer tasted grasse: yea and others there be, which put thereto the dung mixed with the gall of the said calfe. The skin or slough also which snakes cast off, is very good to be applied vnto the

ears, but they ought to be well chaufed and set into an heat before. Now are these medicines to [unspec G] be inclosed within wooll, and so applied. Moreouer, calues tallow, with Goose grease and the juice of Basill, is good for the hearing: also calues marrow incorporat together with the pouder of cumin, and so powred into the ears. The slimy sperme of a bore which passeth from the shap of a sow after she is brimmed, if it may be gotten before it touch the ground, is singular for the pain of the ears. If the ears be crackt and hang flagging down, there is nothing better than glue made of calues pizzles, if the same be dissolued in water. For other impediments of the ears, the fat of foxes is very good. In like manner, Goats gall, with oile of Roses warme, or the juice of leeks: or if there be any rupture within the ears, the said gall must be applied with brest-milke. For those who be hard of hearing, or haue their eares running and suppurate within, it is not a∣misse to drop into them a beasts gall, with the vrine of a shee-goat or of the male, it makes no [unspec H] matter. But these medicines howsoeuer they are to be vsed, are thought to be more effectual by far, in case they were put into a goats horne, and so hung in the smoke for the space of 20 dayes together. Also there is great commendation of the rennet of an hare, if there be one third part of a Roman denarius thereof, and halfe a denare weight of gum Sagapene, concorporat in Ami∣nean wine. As for the swelling impostumes behind the ears, bears grease represseth and keepeth them downe, if there be a cerot made thereof, together with the equall weight of wax and bulls tallow: some there be who put Hypoquist is thereto: and butter alone is good to annoint them with, so that they were fomented before with the decoction of Fenigreeke. Howbeit, of much better opperation it would be, in case Nightshade were added thereto. The stones of a fox, buls bloud also dried and reduced to powder, be commended in this case. Moreouer, the vrin of a she [unspec I] goat made warm, and so dropped into the ears: the dung likewise brought into a liniment with hogs grease is very good.

To come now to the infirmities of the teeth: if they be loose and shake in their sockets, the a∣shes of harts horn will settle them firme and fast again: if they ake, the same ashes are verie good to ease the paine, whether the teeth be rubbed or washed therewith. But some are of opinion, that the pouder of the said horne not burnt at all, is far better than the ashes in these cases: how∣beit, there be dentifrices made both of the powder and also of the ashes. Moreouer, the ashes of a wolues head is thought to be a soueraigne remedy for the pains incident to the teeth. Now it is well knowne, that among the excrements of a wolfe, there be many times bones found, which if they be hanged about the necke, arme, or other parts of the body, haue the same effect. Like∣wise [unspec K] the crudled rendles of an hare infused into the eare, are singular for the tooth-ache: the a∣shes also which come of the head burnt, is a pretty dentifrice for to rub the teeth withall: but if you put Nard thereto, it doth correct and palliat a stinking breath. But some there be, who chuse rather to mingle therewith, the ashes of mice and rats heads. There is found in the side of a hares head a certaine sharpe bone like vnto a needle; herewith, Physitians giue counsel to scarrifie the teeth and let the gums bloud, for the tooth-ache. Take the bone of a beast, set it on fire, and when it is red hot, hold it close to the teeth that be loose and ake withall, it wil set them fast againe: the same being reduced into ashes, and tempered with myrrhe, is a proper dentifrice to blaunch the teeth. The bonie substance likewise of hogs cleyes burnt and calcined, is of the same force and operation: also the hollow hetchill or whirlebones of their hips, about which [unspec L] their hucklebones turne, worke the like effect if they be brought into ashes. Well knowne it is, that if the same be conueighed downe by a horne into the throat of horses and such like beasts, they will cure the wringing torments of the botts that fret and gnaw them in the bellies: and beeing burnt, they are singular good to confirme and fasten the teeth that bee loose and doe shake. Also if the teeth be payned by occasion of some blow giuen vnto them, Asses milke helpeth them: so do the teeth of the said beast, if they be calcined and reduced into ashes: this infirmitie is helped also with the rough wert or corne of an horse if it be infused into the eares with oile: this bunch is called by the Greekes Lichen: and it is not that which is named Hip∣pomanes, whereof I haue no purpose to speak (considering it is a hurtful and venomous thing) but a certaine excrescence growing about Horse knees, and aboue their houses. Moreouer, in [unspec M] the heart of an Horse there is found a bone, like for all the world to the eye-teeth of a dogge: this they hold to be a very soueraigne thing for to scarrifie the teeth when they ake. Also if one take a tooth out of one of the chawles of a dead horse, it will ease his owne that aketh. so it be correspondent in place and number to that which is in paine. The sperme that passeth

from the mature of a mare after she hath been couered by a stallion, if the wieke of a candle or [unspec A] lamp be therewith besmeared and set a burning, doth represent a most strange and monstrous sight of horse heads, as Anaxilaus hath reported: euen so will that of the shee Asse, make a shew and apparition of Asse-heads. As for Hippomanes beforenamed, it is so strong and forcible a venome, especially to incite and stirre vnto lust, that being vpon a time poured into the brasen mettall that was cast into the forme and similitude of a mare at Olympia, the stone-horses which came neare vnto the said image, were set into such a heat and so farre inraged, that they could not by any means be held back but they would needs couer the said brasen mare. Moreo∣uer, the glew that Carpenters and Ioyners vse, cureth the tooth-ache, if the same be boyled in water, and the teeth annointed therewith; but the same within a little while after must be remo∣ued, and the mouth presently washed with wine, wherein were sodden the pill of sweet pome∣granats. [unspec B] Furthermore, if the teeth be ill affected, a collution made with goats milke, or buls gal, is thought to be a remedy of great efficacy. Finally, the ashes of the ankle bones of a female Goat whiles they be fresh and new, are counted an excellent dentifrice to whiten the teeth: so are the said bones of all other four-footed beasts, reared or nourished about a ferm house, if they be in like manner calcined: which I note but once for all, because I would not repeat one thing so often.

Notes

• Creta Cimolia Hirci•…•…um. •…•…me reade 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Swines gall.
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• Nyctalopes, are they also called, who see better in the night than by day: acco•…•…ding as the word importeth.
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.