Of the Pestilent Ague.
IT seemeth by Laurentius Russius, that Horsses be also subiect to a pestilent feuer, which almost incureable,* 1.1 is called of him Infirmitas Epidimialis, that is to say, a contagious and [ 10] pestiferous disease, whereof there dyed in one yeare in Rome aboue a thousand Hor∣ses, which as I take it came by some corruption of the aire, whereunto Rome in the chiefe of Summer is much subiect, or else corrupt humors in the body ingendered by vnkinde food, by reason perhaps, that the City was then pestered with more horse-men then there could be conueniently harbored or fed. Laurentius himselfe rendereth no cause therof, but onely sheweth signes how to know it, which be these. The Horsse holdeth down his head, eateth little or nothing, his eyes waterish, and his flanks doe continually beat. The cure. First giue him this glister. Take of the pulpe of Coloquintida one ounce, of Dragantum one ounce and a halfe, of Centuary and Wormwood, of each one handfull, of Castoreum halfe an ounce, boile them in water, then being strained, dissolue therein, of Gerologun∣dinum sixe ounces, of salt an ounce and a halfe, and halfe a pound of Oyle oliue, and mi∣nister [ 20] it lukewarme with a horne, or pipe made of purpose. Make also this plaister for his head: take of Squilla fiue ounces, of Elder, of Castoreum, of Mustard seed and of Euforbi∣um, of each two ounces, dissolue the same in the iuyce of Daffodill, and of Sage, and laie it to the Temples of his head next vnto his eares, or else giue him any of these three drinks heere following; take of the best Triacle two or three ounces, and distemper it in good wine, and giue it him with a horne; or else let him drinke euery morning the space of three daies, one pound or two of the iuyce of Elder rootes, or else giue him euery morning to eate, a good quantity of Venus haire, called of the Latines Capillus Veneris, newly and fresh gathered, but if it be old then boile it in water, and giue him the decoction thereof to drink [ 30] with a horne.