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. VI.

¶ Medicines to bring haire againe in places that by some disease are bald: also to rid away nits: for to rectifie and keepe in order the Eye-lids, and the haire growing thereupon: for to cure the pearle in the Eye: and generally for all the accidents befalling to the Eyes: last∣ly, for the impostumat kernels behind the eares.

THe naked places in head or beard, are replenished again with haire by a liniment made of [unspec I] the ashes of sheeps dung incorporat in Cyprin oile & hony: also with the ashes of mules or mullets houses, applied with oile of Myrtles. Our countryman and Latine writer Varro affirmeth moreouer, That the dung of mice (which he by a proper name calleth * 1.1 Muscerda) is a convenient medicine for the said infirmity and defect: he attributeth also the same operation to the heads of flies applied fresh to the bald place, if so be the same were before rubbed hard, and in some sort fretted with a figtree leafe. Some vse in this case the bloud of flies: others min∣gle their ashes with the ashes of paper vsed in old time, or els of nuts; with this proportion, that there be a third part only of the ashes of flies to the rest, and herewith for 10 daies together rub the bare places where the haire is gone. Some there be again, who temper and incorporat toge∣ther [unspec K] the said ashes of flies with the juice of the Colewort and brest-milk: others take nothing thereto but hony. Certes, a strange thing it is of these flies, which are taken to be as senselesse and witlesse creatures, yea, and of as little capacity and vnderstanding as any other whatsoeuer: and yet at the solemne games and plaies holden euery fifth yeare at Olympia, no sooner is the bull sacrificed there to the Idoll or god of Flies called * 1.2 Myiodes, but a man shall see (a won∣derfull thing to tell) infinit thousands of flies depart out of that territory by flights, as it were thicke clouds. But to come again to the foresaid infirmity of haire-shedding: the ashes of the heads, tails, yea and the whole bodies of nice burnt, are very good to make it come again; espe∣cially if the haire went off by occasion of some venomous matter or poison: so are the ashes of an vrchin or hedgehog medled with hony: or the skin therof burnt and applied with tar. As for [unspec L] the head alone of an vrchin consumed into ashes, it is thought so effectual for this purpose, that it will cause haire to grow again vpon a skar: but for the cure of the foresaid defect of haire, cal∣led Alopecia, the places ought before the application of those topicke medicines, to be wel pre∣pared with the razour, and a sinapisme or rubificatiue made of mustard-seed, vntill the place look red: howbeit, some chuse rather to take vineger vnto it. Here note by the way, that whatso∣ever vertue we attribute vnto hedgehogs, the same is more effectuall in the porkespine. Moreo∣uer, Lizards torrified yea and calcined as I haue shewed before, with the root of reeds or canes that be green and new drawn (which that it may burne the better with the Lizards, ought to be sliced small) yeeld ashes, which being incorporat well in oile of myrtles, doe retaine the haire and keep it from shedding, if the place be annointed therwith: and the green lizards in this cure and operation be simply the best: but if you would haue this medicine to work more effectual∣ly, put thereto salt, Bears grease, and Onions stamped. Some there be, who in ten sextars of old oile seeth ten greene Lizards, and therewith make a liniment, thinking it sufficient therewith

to annoint the place once a moneth, and no oftener. The ashes of vipers skins doth raise haire [unspec A] quickly againe and make it grow apace, where it was shed: so doth Hens dung that is fresh and new, if the place be plied with annointing. Take a rauens egge, and mix it with the dung afore∣said in a vessell of brasse, and therewith rub and annoint the head (so that it were shauen before) it will cause the new haire to come vp blacke: but vntill this vnguent be dried vpon the head, the patient must hold oile in his mouth, for feare lest the teeth also by this means turn blacke: and withall, this ought to be done in the shade or within house: and the foresaid ointment not to be washed off in 4 daies space. Others in this cure, vse the bloud and brains of a rauen, toge∣ther with some thick and deep coloured wine. Some boile a rauen throughly, vntill the flesh be parted from the bones, and in the dead time of the night when euery body is found asleepe, put him vp into some pot or vessell of lead. There be again, who hauing prepared and rubified the [unspec B] skin with salnitre, do annoint the place where the haire is gone or groweth thin, with a liniment made of Cantharides and tar punned & incorporat together. Now forasmuch as Cantharides be of a caustick quality and corrosiue, great heed would be taken that they doe not fret and eat into the skin over deep. Now when the place is thus prepared, and lightly exulcerat, they ordain to apply thereto a liniment made of mice heads and their galls, incorporat and wrought toge∣ther with their dung, putting thereto Ellebore and Pepper.

The head many times is pestered with nits; but for to rid them away, there is not a better thing than dogs grease. Some for this purpose make a dish of meat with snakes, dressing and ordering them as eels and so eat them; or els they take their slough which they slip off in the spring time, and drinke the same. [unspec C]

Otherwhiles there be certaine branny scales called dandruffe, which ouer-spread the head: to clense it from this scurfe and deformity, it were not amisse to annoint the head with sheeps gal tempered with fullers * 1.3 scouring clay, and let it remaine on the head vntill it be drie.

For the painfull head-ache, it is commonly thought, that the heads of naked snails (I meane those that be found without shels, and are vnperfect yet and not fully made) plucked from their bodies are a singular remedy to be hung about the neck or tied to the head; with this charge, that there be taken forth of their heads first, a certain stony hard substance, which is made flat and broad like a thin grauell stone: and if the said snails be but yong and small, they vse to stamp them, and in manner of a frontall apply them to the forehead. In like manner, the bones of a Vultures head, whether it be the common Geire, or that which the Greeks cal Aegypios, han∣ged [unspec D] about the neck or fastned to the arms: also the brains of the said foule tempered with the oile of Cedar-rosin, driueth away the head-ache, if either the head be throughly annointed, or the nosthrils within forth, therewi•…•…h. The brains of a crow or of an owle, being sodden and eaten wil do as much. Some think it good in this case, to lap the head and forehead with the feathers or plume pluckt from about the neck of a cocke, or with his crested combe, but it must bee of such a cock as hath bin close shut vp as a prisoner and kept from meat and drinke a whole day and a night; but take this withall, the patient who is troubled with the head-ach, must fast as long from all meat and drink. The ashes of a rat or weazill applied to the forehead, easeth the pain, so doth a twig or stick taken from a puttocks nest, laid under the pillow of the sick person; yea and a liniment made of a mouse skin burnt to ashes, mixed with vineger, & so applied. Ma∣ny do say, that the little hard bone in the head of snailes (such especially as are found betweene [unspec E] two cart-tracts) if it be put through the eare, and hanged thereto within a little box of Ivorie, or otherwise tied fast and carried about one within a piece of a dogs skin, is a remedy for the head ach that never faileth, and may serue to do many good. If the head be hurt, or the crown crackt, lay to the wound a copweb with oile and vineger, and so let it lie, it will not lightly goe off vn∣till such time as it be perfectly healed: this copweb is very good also to staunch the bloud * 1.4 of wounds in a Barbers shop. But say that the bloud gush out of the head, and from the brain, what is to be done in that case? Surely there is not a better thing to stay the flux thereof, than to in∣still and drop thereupon the bloud of a goose or ducke, with the grease of the said fouls, sodden together with the oile of Roses. And to returne once againe to the cure of the head-ach: Take [unspec F] a swallow feeding in a morning betimes, cut off his head (but let this bee done if possibly you can in the ful of the Moon) wrap it within a linnen cloth, and binde it to the head of the patient with the yarn that goeth to the self edge or list of a piece of cloth: and yet some there be, who in∣corporat the said head within white wax, and therewith annoint the forehead; and withall, bast

dogs haire downe to a bend or peece of cloth, and fasten the same close to the said forehead.

Let vs come lower to the eielids: it is said, that if one do eat the brains of a crow with meat, it will make the haire there to grow: so doth the tried grease of sweatie wooll called Oesypum, if the edges or brims of the eielids be annointed with it and myrrh hot, with a fine pensill. Ma∣ny promise the same effect, if there be taken the ashes of flies and mice dung, of each an equall portion; so as they both together amount to the weight of halfe a dram or denier Romane; ad∣ding thereto of Stibi or Antimonium * 1.5 two six parts of a denier; so as they be all incorporat with Oesypum aforesaid, and therewith the eielids be annointed. Likewise young mice are im∣ploied to the same purpose, being braied in a mortar with old wine to the consistence of those medicines which be called Acopa, and prepared to dissolue lassitudes. If any haires grow in the eie-lids vntowardly and be offensiue to the eies, or otherwise, pluck them forth, and annoint the [unspec H] place with the gall of an vrchin, they will neuer grow againe to trouble you: of the same opera∣tion and effect, is the humor or liquor that the egs of the Star-lizard called Stellio, doe yeeld from them: the ashes of a Salamander: the gall of a green lizard, tempered with white wine and permitted in the Sun to thicken and dry vntill it haue gotten the consistence of hony, lying all the while in some bason or vessell of brasse: the ashes of young swallows with the milky juice of the Tithymall: and last of all, the slime or froth that issueth from shel-snails.

To come nearer to the very eies: the fiery red spots or pearles appearing in the chrystalline humor, which the Greeks cal Glaucomata, may be cured (as our Magitians say) with the brains of a yong whelp or puppie that is but 7 daies old; so as the Chyrurgian with his probe or in∣strument, do conuey the same gainly on the right side, if the right eye be amisse; and contrari∣wise [unspec I] on the left side, if the other eie be affected. And some of them affirme, that the fresh gall of a foule called Asio will do as much: this Asio, is of the biggest kind of owls, who haue certaine feathers pricking vp like ears. Apollonius Pitanaeus was of opinion, that for to cure the cataract in the eie, the gall of a dog was better than that of the Hyaena, so that it were applied thereto with honey: and he was persuaded, that the same would take away the white spots or pearles of the eie, called Albugines. It is a generall speech, that to clarifie & quicken the eiesight that is dim and ouercast with a mist or cloud, a collyrie or eiesalue made with the ashes of mice heads and their tails, mixt with hony, is a singular medicine: but the same would bee much better in case the said salve were made vp with the ashes of heads and tails both, of dormice, or the wild field mice: or at leastwise with the brains or gall of an Aegle. The grease and ashes of a rat burnt [unspec K] and well incorporat in a mortar with the best Attick hony, is a soveraigne remedy for weeping and watery eies: so in Antimonium, otherwise called Stibi; but what it this, I meane to declare in my treatise of Minerals. The ashes of a weazil is good for the cataract: so are the brains of a lizard or swallow: and if the same lizards & swallows be either braied in a morter or sodden, and so applied to the forehead in manner of a liniment, they do represse the violent rheume that ta∣keth to the eies: which effect they worke either alone by themselues, or els with fine floure of meale, or with Frank incense: and in this wise they help the eies and face * 1.6 blasted and blistered with sun-burning. Moreouer, there is not of all others a better medicine to cleare the eie and to rid away all thick filmes and mists that trouble the sight, than to burn the said lizards & swal∣lows aliue, and with an eie-salue made of their ashes and hony of Candy, to annoint them. The [unspec L] slough or skin of an Aspis, which she likewise somtime casteth, tempered with the own grease, mundifieth the eies of horses and such labouring beasts, if they be annointed therewith. Also, there is not a more soueraigne thing in the world for to remoue the cataract, and dispatch the mists and cloudy films that dim the eies, than to burne and calcine a viper aliue in a new earthen pot neuer occupied before; putting thereto of the juice of fenell the measure of one cyath, and some corns or crums of Olibanum or frank incense: and this medicine is commonly called * 1.7 E∣chion. Moreouer, There is a collyrie or speciall eie-salue made of a viper suffered to putrifie in a pot of earth, so as the grubs or worms that come of the said carrion be stamped and incorporat in Saffron. Some burn a viper with salt in an earthen pot; and they are of opinion, that whosoe∣uer do lick the same salt, or let it melt at the tongues end, it clarifieth the eies: and that they [unspec M] shall * 1.8 keep the stomacke and all the body besides in good temper, yea, and liue long by that meanes. They vse to giue also of this salt vnto sheepe when they are not well at ease, and it is thought to be very wholsome for their health: yea, & it entereth into many antidotes & coun∣terpoisons deuised against the venome of serpents. Some there be who vse to eat vipers ordina∣rily

at their table, for to preserue their eiesight. But for meat they prepare & order them in this [unspec A] wise: first, so soon as they haue killed a viper, they giue order to put salt into the mouth, vntill such time as it hath sucked out the venomous humor that lieth at the root of the teeth, and dis∣solued or consumed it: afterwards, when they haue cut away to the bredth of foure fingers from vnder the top of the head, and withall taken forth the intrails and garbage out of the belly, they seeth the rest of the body in water, or oile, together with oile and dill seed: and this flesh either they eat out of hand thus dressed, or els working it with some paste, they reduce the same into trosches, that they may be preserued for their vse at sundry times. As touching the broth that is made of this decoction, ouer & besides that it is good in those cases before specified, this qua∣lity it hath, namely, to rid and clense both the head and all the body besides of lice; yea, and to kill the itch that runnes aloft in the skin. The ashes of a vipers head calcined, are by themselues [unspec B] very effectuall without any thing els; but principally in clearing the sight, if the eies be annoin∣ted therwith in some conuenient liquor: so is the grease also of the viper. As for their gal, I dare not be so bold as to approue that which others confidently haue aduised & prescribed: because (as I haue already shewed) the venome of serpents is nothing els but their gall. The grease of a snake mixed with verdegreece, healeth any part of the eye that is broken: but the slough or old skin which they cast off in the spring, doth clarifie the eie-sight, if the eies bee gently rubbed therewith. The gal of an Hulat likewise is highly commended for the white pearles, the cata∣racts and thick films which trouble the sight: the fat also of the said bird is as much praised for the clearing of the same. Moreouer, it is said, that the gall of that * 1.9 Eagle (which I said hereto∣fore, to proue and trie her yong birds, vseth to force them for to looke directly vpon the Sunne) [unspec C] mingled with the best hony of Athens, serueth to annoint the eies, for the webs, filmes, & cata∣racts which trouble the eiesight. Of the same operation is the gall of a Vulture or Geire, incor∣porat with the juice of Porret and a little hony. The like vertue also there is in the gall of a cock or capon, for the pin and web, and for the pearle in the eie, if the same be dissolued in water; yea and for the cataract, especially if the said Cock or Capon be all white. The dung likewise of cocks and capons, I mean that part only thereof which is ruddy and browne, they say, is singular good for those that be pore-blind or short sighted, such also as see not wel but about noon tide. They commend moreouer the gal of an hen (but the fat especially) for the little blisters or spots that otherwise arise in the apple of the eie: in regard of which vertue, many there bee that cram them fat, and for no cause els. But if there be put thereto the pouder of the red bloud-stone Hae∣matites, [unspec D] and the yellow saffron-coloured Schistos, it is wonderfull how much better it will bee for that purpose; yea, and to heale the tunicles of the eies that be broken. Moreouer, Hennes dung, as much only of it I meane as is white, many vse to keep in old oile within certaine boxes of horne, for to cure the white pearles that grow in the apple of the eye. And since I am ente∣red thus farre into the dung of Pullaine, I must aduertise you what is reported of Peacockes, That they doe eat and swallow downe againe the same dung which themselues haue meuted for very enuie that they haue vnto mankind, knowing by a secret instinct of Nature how good it is for many vses. Furthermore, it is an opinion commonly receiued, that all the race of Faul∣cons, if they be boiled in oile Rosat, are soueraigne for any accidents of the eies whatsoeuer, if they be bathed with that decoction. Semblably, it is said, that their dung reduced into ashes and [unspec E] incorporat in the best hony of Athens, is very good therefore: as also the liuer of a Glede or Kite is much commended in those cases. Pigeons dung tempered in vineger, cureth the fistulaes which are between the lachrymall corners of the eies and the nose: and otherwise is singular for the white pearls and the cicatrices or films growing in the eies. Goose dung and duckes bloud be both of them very soueraigne for to soake out the blacke bloud in the eies, occasioned by some contusion or bruise, with this regard, that they be afterwards annointed with * 1.10 Hyssope and Honey. The gall of a Partridge mixed with honey, of each a like weight, mightily cleareth the eiesight: so doth the gal of a fallow Deere applied simply alone, without any mixture or ad∣dition at all. But these galls ought to be kept in a siluer box, say they who ground vpon the au∣thority of Hippocrates for their warrant. Partridge egs sodden with honey in a brasen pan or pos∣net, [unspec F] do cure the vlcers in the eies, and take away the red pearls arising in the blacke thereof. The bloud of Pigeons, Turtledoues, Stockdoues or Coists, & Partridges, is passing good for bloud∣shotten eies. But they say, that the bloud of the cocke Pigeons is better for this purpose than that of the female. Now for to fit this cure, they must be let bloud in the vein vnder the wing or

pinion, because that bloud is hotter, and therefore by so much the better. But when the eies bee [unspec G] dressed with this bloud, it would not be forgotten, that there be a thin bolster boiled in honey, laid aloft, yea, and a lock of greasie wooll vpon it, which had bin soaked either in oile or wine. The bloud of the fouls abouenamed helpeth those that cannot see toward a night: the liuer al∣so of a sheep doth the same: but if the said sheep be of a russet or browne colour, the medicine will do the better: for as I obserued before in Goats, those that carry such a coat, bee alwaies e∣steemed best. Many giue counsell to foment and wash the eies with the decoction of the said liuer: and if they be in pain and swollen withall, they aduise to annoint them with the marrow of a Mutton. They promise also, That the ashes of scrich-owles eyes put into a collyrie, wil cla∣rifie the sight. Indeed the dung of Turtles consumeth the white pearles in the eyes; so doth the ashes of shell-snailes or hoddidods: as also the meuting of the kestrell Cenchris, which the [unspec H] Greeke writers wil haue to be a kind of Hawke. As for the spot or pearle in the eie called Ar∣gema, it may be cured by all those medicines aboue rehearsed, so that they be applied thereto with hony. But the best hony simply for the eies, is that wherein a number of Bees were forced to die. Whosoeuer hath eaten a young storke out of the nest, he shall (they say) continue many yeares together, and neuer be troubled with inflamed or bleared eies: like as they that carrie a∣bout them a Dragons head. It is said moreouer, That the Dragons grease incorporat in honey and old oile, dispatcheth and scattereth the filmes and webs that trouble the sight, if they bee taken betimes before they be grown too thicke. Some there be who at the full of a Moone put out the eies of yong swallowes, marking the time when they haue recouered their sight againe: for then they pluck off their heads and burne them to ashes, which being tempered with hony, [unspec I] they vse for to cleare their owne sight, to ease the pains, and discusse the blearednesse of eies, yea and to heale them, if they haue caught a blow or rush. As for Lizards, they vse to prepare them many and sundry waies for the infirmities incident to the eies. Some take the green Lizard and put her close within a new earthen pot that neuer was occupied; and therewith 9 of those little stones which the Greeks call * 1.11 Cinaedia, (and these are vsually applied vnto the share for the swelling glandules and tumors that many times rise there) marking euery one of them respe∣ctively by themselues: which being done, they take forth of the pot euery day one; & when the ninth day is come, they let out the Lizard, and then they keepe the said stones thus ordered and prepared, as soueraigne remedies to allay the pain and griefe of the eies. Others get a green Lizard and put out her eies, and bestow her in a glasse with a bed of earth vnder her in the bot∣tome [unspec K] thereof, and withall, inclose within the said glasse certaine rings, either of solid yron or massie gold: and so soon as they perceiue through the glasse, that the Lizard hath recouered her sight againe, they let her forth: but the said rings they keep with great care and regard, as a spe∣ciall meanes for to helpe any bleared eies. There be moreouer who vse the ashes of a Lizards head in stead of Stibium or Antimonium; for to make smooth the roughnesse of the eye-lids. Some hunt after green Lizards with long neckes, which breed in sandy and gravelly grounds, and when they be gotten, burne them to ashes, with which they vse to represse the flux of wate∣rish humors which begin to fall into the eies, yea, and therewith consume the red pearls grow∣ing therein. It is said moreouer, That if a Weasels eies be pecked or plucked out of the head, they will come againe, and shee will recouer her sight: and therefore they practise the like with [unspec L] rings and them together, as I obserued before in Lizards. Furthermore, it is said, That as many as carry about them the right eie of a serpent tied vnto any part, it is very good for to stay the violent rheumes that haue taken to the eies, but then in any wise the serpent must be let goe a∣liue after that she hath lost her eie. As touching those eies which be euermore weeping, and do stand ful of water continually, the ashes of the star-lizards head called Stellio, together with Antimonium, helpeth them exceeding much. The copweb which the common Spider ma∣keth, that vseth to catch flies; but especially that which shee hath wouen for her nest or hole wherein she lieth her selfe, is soueraigne good for the flux of humours into the eyes, if the same be applied all ouer the forehead, so as it meet with the temples on both sides: but wot you what, none must haue the doing hereof, either to get the said copwebs, or to lay it vnto the [unspec M] place, but a young lad not as yet vndergrowne, nor foureteene yeares of age: neither must he be seene of the partie whom hee cureth, in three daies after: ne yet during the space of those three dayes must either hee or his Patient touch the ground with their bare feet: Which cir∣cumstances and ceremonies being duely obserued, it is wonderfull to see what a cure will

follow thereupon. Furthermore, it is said, That these white spiders with the long and slender [unspec A] legs, being punned and incorporat in old oile, be singular for to consume the white pearle in the eie, if the same be dressed with that composition. Also those spiders that worke ordinarily vn∣der roofes, rafters, and boorded floores of houses, and weaue the thickest webs, if any of them be inwrapped within a piece of cloth and kept bound to the eies or forehead, do restraine for euer the said rheumes and catarrhes that haue found a way to the eies. The greene Beetle hath a property naturally to quicken their sight who do but behold them: and therefore these lapida∣ries and cutters or grauers in precious stones, if they may haue an eie of them once & looke vp∣on them, take no more care for their eie-sight, how it should serue their turnes when they are at their worke. Thus much of eies.

As concerning the ears and the infirmities incident vn them, there is not a better thing to [unspec B] mundifie and cleanse them than a sheepes gall with hony: and a bitches milke if it be dropped into them, easeth their paine. Dogs grease tempered with Wormewood and old oile, helpeth those that be hard of hearing, so doth Goose grease: howbeit, some put thereto the juice of an Onion & Garlick, of each a like quantity. In this case also there is much vse of Ants egs alone without any thing els: for as little and silly a creature as it is, yet she is not without some medi∣cinable vertues: insomuch, as Beares, when they feele themselues sickish or not well at ease, cure themselues with eating Pismires. As for the manner of preparing as well the grease of a goose as of all other fouls, this it is: first the fat ought to be clensed and rid from all the skins, veines, and strings that are among it, and then to be laid abroad to the Sun in an earthen pan, couered ouer with a new lid of earth likewise which had neuer bin vsed: this done, the foresaid pan must [unspec C] be set ouer seething water, that the said grease may melt: and then it is to passe through linnen bags that it may be tried from all the grosse cratchens: and so they put it vp in a new earthen pot, & set it in some cold place against the time that it is to be vsed: howbeit, this is wel known, That if some hony be put therto, it is lesse subject to corruption or putrifaction. Moreouer, the ashes of burnt mice incorporat in hony, or els sodden with oile of Roses, allaieth the pain in the eares if it be instilled into them. But in case some earwig or such like vermine be crept into the ears, there is not the like means to cause it to come forth again, as is the gall of mice dissolued in vineger & dropped into them. Also when water is gotten into the head by the eares, Goose grease, together with the juice of an Onion, is singular good to draw it out. Moreouer, there is a notable medicine made of dormice for all infirmities of the ears, which otherwise could not be [unspec D] cured, but were giuen ouer by all Physitians: for the making whereof, they take a dormouse and flea it, and after the guts and entrails be taken forth, they seeth the same with hony in a new ear∣then vessell. Howbeit, some Physitians there bee who thinke it better to boile the same with Spikenard, vntill a third part be consumed, and so reserue it for their vse: and whensoeuer after there is need of it, the manner is to infuse the said liquour warme into the eare by a pipe or in∣strument called an Otenchyte. This is knowne by experience to heale all the accidents of the ears, though otherwise incurable. Also the decoction of earth worms boiled with Goose grease is singular good likewise to be poured into the ears. But if the ears be exulcerat, broken out, and do run matter, the red worms ingendred about trees stamped in a morter with oile, are very pro∣per to heale the same, if they be applied therto. Lizards that haue hanged vp a long time a dry∣ing [unspec E] with their mouths downward, if they be punned with salt, serue to heale the eares that haue caught some hurt either by bruise, crush, or stripe. But aboue all other, the Lizards that haue brown spots vpon them like rusty yron, and are straked along the taile with lines, are most effe∣ctual for these infirmities. As touching the Wool beads or Caterpillers, which some cal Mil∣lepedae, others, Multipedae or Centipedae, which are a kind of earth-wormeskeeping vpon the ground, all hairy, hauing many feet, & courbing arch wise as they creep; and if you touch them, they wil gather round together: the Greekes, some call them * 1.12 Oniscos, others Tylos: these * 1.13 worms (I say) are very effectual to assuage the pain of the ears, if they be sodden with the juice of Porret in the rind of a pomgranat: some put therro oile of Roses, & giue aduise to poure this medicine into the contrary eare that is not pained. As for that worm or vermin which riseth not [unspec F] archwise with some part of the body in creeping, the Greeks, some cal it Seps, others Scolopen∣dra; which though it be lesse than the former described, yet mischievous enough & venomous; The snails that carry shels vpon their backe, and are vsually dressed for good meat, applied with Myrrhe or the pouder of Frankincense, are very good for the eares that be crackt: so are the lit∣tle

and broad snailes brought into the forme of a liniment with hony, and laid too according∣ly. [unspec G] The sloughs or skins that serpents cast, calcined upon a tile or potshard red hot, and so redu∣ced into ashes and incorporat with hony, are very medicinable for all the accidentsof the eares, if the same be dropped into them; but principally when they stink or yeeld from them a strong savour: but if they be full of purulent matter, and run withall, it were better to mingle the same with vineger in stead of hony: but best of all with the gall of a Goat, a Boeufe, or a sea-Tortois. The foresaid sloughs or skins if they be above one yere old, or have caught much wet by raine and water, haue lost their vertue, & do no good, as some are of opinion. Moreover, the bloudie humour that commeth from a spider, either tempered with the oile of Roses, or els alone by it selfe vpon a locke of wooll, or with a little Saffron, is very good for the eares: so is the Cricket digged vp and applied to the place earth and all where it lay. Nigidius attributeth many pro∣perties [unspec H] to this poore creature, and esteemeth it not a little: but the Magitians much more a fair deale: and why so? Forsooth because it goeth as it were reculing backward, it pierceth and bo∣reth an hole into the ground, and neuer ceaseth all night long to creake very shrill. The manner of hunting and catching them is this, •…•…hey take a flie and tie it about the midst at the end of a long haire of ones head, and so put the said flie into the mouth of the Crickets hole: but first they blow the dust away with their mouth, for feare lest the flie should hold her selfe therein: the Cricket spies the silly flie, seaseth vpon her presently and claspeth her round, and so they are both drawne forth together by the said haire. The inner skin of a Hens gisier, which the cook vseth to cast away, if it be kept and dried, and so beaten to pouder and mingled with wine, is good to be dropped or poured hot into the eares that runne with matter: so is the fat also [unspec I] of an Hen. There is a certaine kind of fattinesse to be found in the flie or insect called * 1.14 Blatta, when the head is plucked off, which if it be punned & mixed with oile of Roses, is (as they say) wonderfull good for the eares: but the wooll wherein this medicine is inwrapped, and which is put into the eares, must not long tarry there, but within a little while be drawne forth againe; for the said fat will very soone get life and proue a g•…•…ub or little worm. Some writers there be who affirm, That two or three of these flies called Blattae sodden in oile, make a soueraigne me∣dicine to cure the eares: and that if they be stamped and spread upon a linnen rag and so appli∣ed, they will heale the eares, if they be hurt by any bruise or contusion: Certes this is but a na∣stie and ill favoured vermine, howbeit in regard of the manifold and admirable properties which naturally it hath, as also of the industrie of our Ancestors in searching out the nature of [unspec K] it, I am moved to write thereof at large and to the full in this place. For they have described many kindes of them. In the first place, some of them be soft and tender, which being sodden in oile, they haue proued by experience to be of great efficacie in fetching off werts, if they bee annointed therewith. A second sort there is, which they call Myloecon, because ordinarily it haunteth about mils and bake-houses; and there breedeth: these, by the report of Musa and Pycton two famous Physitians, being bruised (after their heads were gone) and applied to a bo∣dy infected with the leprosie, cured the same perfectly. They of a third kind, besides that they be otherwise ill favoured enough, carry a lothsome and odious smell with them: they are sharp rumped and pin buttockt also: howbeit, being incorporate with the oile of pitch called Pisse∣laeon, they haue healed those vlcers which were thought, Nunquam sana, and incurable. Also [unspec L] within 21. daies after this plastre laid too, it hath been knowne to cure the swelling wens cal∣led the Kings evill: the botc•…•…es or biles named Pani, wounds, contusions, bruises, morimals, scabs, and fellons: but then their feet and wings were plucked off and cast away. I make no doubt or question, but that some of vs are so dainty and fine eared, that our stomacke riseth at the hearing onely of such medicines: and yet I assure you, Diodorus a renowned Physitian, re∣porteth, That he hath giuen these foure flies inwardly with rosin and hony, for the jaundise, and to those that were so strait winded that they could not draw their breath but sitting vpright. See what libertie and power ouer vs these Physitians haue, who to practise and trie conclusi∣ons vpon our bodies, may exhibite vnto their Patients what they list, bee it neuer so home∣ly, so it goe vnder the name of a medicine. Howbeit, some of the more ciuile sort, and who [unspec M] carried with them a better regard of man-hood and humanitie, thought it better and a more cleanely kinde of Physicke, to reserue in boxes of horne the ashes of them burnt, for the vses a∣boue named. Others also would beat them (after they were dried) into pouder, and minister them in manner of a clystre unto those that were * 1.15 Orthopnoicke and Rheumaticke.

Certes it is well knowne and confessed, that a liniment made of them will draw forth prickes, [unspec A] thorns, spils, and whatsoeuer sticketh fast within the flesh. Moreouer, the honey wherein Bees were extinct and killed, is soueraigne for the diseases of the eares. As for the impostumes and swellings arising behinde the eares, called Pacotides, Pigeons dung applied thereunto, either alone by it selfe, or with barly meale and oatmeale, driueth them backe or keepeth them down. Also the liuer or brains of an Owle being resolued in some conuenient liquor, and applied ac∣cordingly, cureth the accidents of the lap of the eare, and the foresaid impostumations, so doth a liniment made of the wormes called Sowes, together with the third part of rosin: and lastly, the cricquets aboue rehearsed, either reduced into a liniment, or else bound to, whole as they be, are good in these cases. Thus much concerning those maladies aboue specified: it remaineth now to proceed vnto other diseases, and the medicinable receits respectiue vnto them, drawne [unspec B] either from the same creatures, or els from others of that kinde: whereof I purpose to treat and discourse in the next booke ensuing.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Latines in o•…•…d time af∣ter the same analogie cal∣led the dung of swine, Su∣cerda, of kine and oxen, Bu∣cerda, like as the ordure of men, Homerda
• * 1.2

  This Idoll of the Panims, I take to be cal∣led in the ho∣ly Scripture, Beel-zebub.
• * 1.3

  Creta cimol•…•… Tuckers earth.
• * 1.4

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 constrinarunt sanguine fisti•…•… Either when the ba•…•…ber would step the or fice of a vaine after bloud letting: or fice one that is newly wounded, cō∣meth fresh bleeding to be dressed: or if his own rasor chance •…•…o go aw•…•…y & shaue to the quicke, whiles he hath a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vnder his •…•…and to trim.
• * 1.5

  i. One whole scriptule or scruple.
• * 1.6

  Sicet solatis prosunt. This scorching & roughnesse of the skin or face, is called by Physitians Ephelis.
• * 1.7

  As one would say, made of a viper.
• * 1.8

  Stomachi to∣tiusque cor∣poris temperi∣em, serusque ae∣tates, ex Diosc. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.9

  Haliartos, i. the sea Aegle or Orfray.
• * 1.10

  Hyssope, vn∣lesse we reade Oesype, which is the tried grease of vn∣washed wool.
• * 1.11

  Because they be found in the fish called Ci∣naedi.
• * 1.12

  Pliuy con∣foundeth Onis∣cos (which wee call a Sow or Wood-louse) with the Cater piller or wool∣bead Millepe∣da.
• * 1.13

  Indeed our Sows or wood∣lice, called o∣therwise Por∣celliones, and Multipedae, but not Mille∣pedae, & which if one touch them, draw themselues round, are good for the pain of the ears: but not the foresaid Wooll beads or Caterpillers Mill•…•…pedae, which in their creeping rise and fall, &c.
• * 1.14

  which Pliny taketh for a kind of Scara∣baeus or Beetle.
• * 1.15

  Orthopnoici: Such as cānot take their wind but sit∣ting vpright.