The historie of foure-footed beastes Describing the true and liuely figure of euery beast, with a discourse of their seuerall names, conditions, kindes, vertues (both naturall and medicinall) countries of their breed, their loue and hate to mankinde, and the wonderfull worke of God in their creation, preseruation, and destruction. Necessary for all diuines and students, because the story of euery beast is amplified with narrations out of Scriptures, fathers, phylosophers, physitians, and poets: wherein are declared diuers hyerogliphicks, emblems, epigrams, and other good histories, collected out of all the volumes of Conradus Gesner, and all other writers to this present day. By Edward Topsell.

That the biting of a Shrew is venomous, and of the reason of healing in this kind.

In Italy the biting of a Shrew is accounted for a very strong poyson, and that except there be some medicine very speedily applyed for the curing and healing thereof, the par∣ty so bitten will dye. These Shrewes are truely so venemous and full of poyson, that being slaine or killed by Cats, whose nature is to kill whatsoeuer Mice they take, they will not [ 20] offer to touch or eate the least part of them.

But the biting of a female Shrew is most obnoxious and hurtfull when she is great with young, but most dangerous of all when she biteth any one which is great with young, either a woman, or any other beast whatsoeuer, her self being also with young, for then it will hardly be cured.

If a Shrew shall bite any creature while she is great with young, the pushes or biles will in time be broke which they make, and will come vnto a very great and malignant wound and sore. If the Shrew do also bite any creature during the time she is with young, she will presently leape off, notwithstanding shee biteth more dangerous. There is no∣thing which doth more apparantly explane and shew the biting of a Shrew then a certaine [ 30] vehement paine and griefe in the creature which is so bitten, as also a pricking ouer the whole body, with an inflamation or burning heate going round about the place, and a fiery rednesse therein, in which a blacke push or like swelling with a watery matter, and filthy corruption doth arise, and all the partes of the body which doe ioyne vnto it seeme blacke and blue with the marueilous great paine, anguish, and griefe, which ariseth and proceedeth from the same.

When the push or bile which commeth by the occasion of a Shrew cleaueth or is bro∣ken, their proceedeth and yssueth forth a kinde of white flesh, hauing a certaine rinde or skinne vppon it, and sometime there appeareth in them a certaine burning, and some∣times the same is eaten in and falleth out, but in the beginning there is a most filthy [ 40] greene corruption and matter which floweth in the same, afterward it is putryfied, and eaten in, and then the flesh falleth forth: the wringings also of the inward partes, the difficulty of voiding of the vrine, and a cold corrupted sweate, doth follow and accompa∣ny the same.

But Auicenna affirmeth, that in what place soeuer this beast shal bite, the sores there∣of, with great anguish will pant or beate, and that in euery hole wherein his venomous teeth haue entred, there will a certaine fiery rednesse appeare, the skinne whereof being broken, there will come a very white and matery sore, which will breed much paine and trouble in all the partes of the body for the most part. The sores or woundes which are made also by this beast are very manifestly knowen by the markes of the fore-teeth stan∣ding [ 50] all in a row together, as also by the blood which yssueth from the wound, being at the first pure, cleare, and exceeding red, but afterwardes corrupt, blackish, and full of putrifaction.

There do also diuers bunches arise in the flesh vsually after the biting of this beast, which if any man shall breake, he shall see the flesh which lyeth vnder them corrupted, and de∣uided

with certaine cleftes or rifts in the same. Moreouer the nature of this beast is such, that for the most part he doth couet to bite those whom he can come vnto by the stones or genitall, not onely men, but also all other brute beasts whatsoeuer: and thus much shal suffice concerning the biting of this beast.

Wormewood being beaten or bruised smal, straynd in a fine linnen cloth, and ming∣led in Wine, giuen to the party either man or Woman in Wine to drinke who is bytten by a Shrewe, will procure him present ease and remedy. The same also is an excellent remedy for the bitings or stingings of a Sea-Dragon. Vinegar is very me∣dicinable for the bitings of the Shrew and of Dogs, as also for the Fish called by the La∣tines [ 10] Scolopendra, (which voydeth all her bowels out vntill the hooke come forth, where∣with she is taken, and then sucketh them vp againe) the Scorpion and all other venemous Serpents.

But the Graecian Physitians affirme, that the same ought to be mingled with other Medicines for the helping of the aforesaid diseases, as to take the ashes of the Shrew be∣ing burnt, the Gumme or liquor of the Hearbe called Fennell-giant, dryed barly beaten into small powder, Mustard-seede pounded small with the Hearbe called Purple, or Mothmullein, and mingle them altogether with Vineger, and being so applyed they will presently cure the aforesaid stings or bitings.

Garlike being bruised, and the iuyce thereof anointed vpon the place which was bitten by a Shrew, will presently expell the paine, and wholly cure the sore. For the expelling [ 20] of the superfluities of the pairings of the dead flesh, growing round about the sore, being not cast away but remaining thereon. Take Cummin and couer the wound or biting therewith, then apply Garlike being beaten into Oyle thereunto, and annoint the places about the sore, as also the sore it selfe very diligently, and in very short space of time it will cause the same to fall away of it owne accord. For the healing also of the bites of this beast. Take Garlike, the leaues of a figge tree, and Cummin, mingle them very well alto∣gether, til they come to a mollifiyng or temperat substance, then take the same, and fashi∣on it in the forme or manner of a playster, and it will very speedily and effectually curethe sore.

The seede or leaues of Cole-worts, being beaten together with vinegar, and the hearb [ 30] cald Assafoetida, is very good and profitable to be applyed either to the bites of this beast or a rauening Dogge. The dung of a Dog being taken and annointed vpon either man or Horsse which hath beene bitten by a Shrew, wil bee an excellent remedy both for the curing and healing them of the same. The Hoofe of a Ramme being dryed, beaten into powder, and afterwards mixed with Hony, will be likewise very good for those which are bitten with the same beast, so that they be first tempered and fashioned in the manner of a playster, and then applyed thereunto. The little white stalkes which proceede from a blacke Fig being beaten with the leaues of the Hearbe called Mothmullein, Waxe, and Vineger, vntill they come vnto a mollifying iuyce or salue, will be an excellent remedy against the biting of the Shrew, being annointed thereupon. [ 40]

The young or tender stalkes of a wilde Fig tree, bee they neuer so few or small, being first steeped in Wine, then lapped in a leafe of the same Tree, and so applyed vnto the stings and bites of Scorpions, and the Shrew, will in very short time cure and heale the same. Prouided alwaies that the wound bee well and diligently bathed or washed, before any thing be put or applyed thereunto.

Dioscorides, Auicenna, and Actuarus doe affirme, that the excellentest, and medicina∣blest cure for the bites of a Shrew is this, to take the Spleene of the same beast, and beate it together with Vinegar, and the Gumme called Galbanum, then to annoint it or rub it vpon the sore, and it will presently expell away all paine, and in some short space altoge∣ther [ 50] heale it. If the red bunches or Vlcers which doe vsually grow about the bites of a Shrew do fortune to breake, take very sharpe and strong brine or pickle, and rub it both about, and within the sore, and afterwardes apply barly being burned and beaten into small dust or powder thereunto, which medicine although it seeme somewhat grieuous and painefull, yet it is very good and profitable for the expelling either of the stinges of Scorpions, or the bites of the Shrew or rauenous dog.

The genitall of a Hare being beaten into powder mingled with Vineger, and anoynted vpon the bites of a Shrew, doth speedily cure them. Wilde Mallows being mingled with those Mallowes that grow in the Garden, haue in them a very effectuall force and power to cure all stinges or venemous bitinges, especially of Scorpions, Shrewes, Waspes, and such like stinging creatures.

The Shrew being cut and applyed in the manner of a plaister, doth effectually cure her owne bites. The Shrew being killed and annointed all ouer with Oyle, and durt, or mire, applyed vnto the Vlcers or red swellings which come by her venemous teeth, will very speedily procure them to breake. The Shrew being cut or beaten into small pieces, dryed into powder, mixed with Vineger, and fashioned in the forme of a plaister, will ve∣ry [ 10] speedily and effectually cure the bites of a Shrew, whether she be great with young or not, so that they be well applyed thereunto.

But there are some which do thinke it nothing conuenient to mingle the Shrew with any other thing whatsoeuer, but that it is onely after this manner to be applyed by it selfe as to take it barned or drie it, and then to pound it in powder, and so to sprinkle it in the wound or sore, which in very short time will easily heale it. The Shrew falling into the furrow of a Cart wheele doth presently dye: the dust thereof in the passage by which she went being taken, and sprinkled into the woundes which were made by her poyson some teeth, is a very excellent and present remedy for the curing of the same. Mathaeolus alledg∣eth out of Nicander, that the durt which cleaueth vnto the Wheeles of a Chariot being [ 20] scraped off and sprinkled into the bites of a Shrew, will be very medicinable for the hea∣ling of them, which thing he himselfe thinketh a meere fable, and not to bee beleeued. If the pimples or bladders which arise in the bites of a Shrew shall be thought conuenient to be broken, for the performing of the same, take the skinne of a baked or roasted Pom∣granate, and spread it vpon the aforesaid red pimples, as whot as possible may be suffered for some small time, and it will cause the vlcers to breake, and all the corruption to yssue forth.

If it grow vnto an Impostume, take the little berries or pellets which are within the Pomgranate, being very well baked, and apply them vnto the sore some short time, and they will very easily cure the same. Mustard-seede being mingled with Vineger, annoin∣ted [ 30] vpon the bites of a Shew, doth very effectually heale them. A Moule being bruised in∣to small pieces, and applyed vnto the bites of a Shrew in the forme of a plaister, is a very excellent remedy for the curing of them. Pitch and trifoly being baked, and rubbed verye whotte vppon the bites of a Shrewe, is accounted a very medicinable cure: but it is requisite that this fomentation be giuen vnto none but such as are of a stronge and po∣werfull body, and are also able to endure paine. The liquor of the Herb called Southern∣wood being giuen in Wine to drinke doth very much profit those which are troubled, and pained in their limbs with the bites of Shrewes. Wormwood being vsed in the like manner, will cure those which are bitten by a Shrew.

The genitall of a Lambe or Kidde being mingled with foure drams of the Hearbe [ 40] called Aristologia or Hart-wort, and sixe drams of the sweetest Myrth, is very good and medicinable for curing of those which are bitten or stung with Shrewes, Scorpions, and such like vnemous Beastes. The leaues of Coleworts being dryed, mingled with flower, and tempered together, vntill they come into the form of a plaister, will very much help against the venemous bites of the Shrew. The seede of Colewortes, and the leaues of the same Hearbe being mingled with Vineger, and the Hearbe called Assa foetida beate or pounded together, do very well and speedily cure the bites of the Shrewes, as also of a rauenous Dogge, if the same in due time be applyed thereunto. The liquor also of the leaues of Coleworts being giuen in any kind of drinke, is good and wholsome for the cu∣ring of the aforesaid bites or woundes. The Nuts of a young Cypres Tree being mixed [ 50] with a certaine sirrep or potion made of Hony, Water, and Vineger, and afterwardes drunke, doth very speedily procure ease and help for those which are bitten by a Shrew.

The roote of a white or blacke Thistle, being beaten or bruised and giuen in drinke, doth very effectually help or cure those which are bitten by a Shrew. The like vertue hath the Hearbe called Rocket in it, and also the seede thereof being giuen in any kinde of

drinke. The gum or liquor which proceedeth from a kinde of Ferula being giuen in wine to drink, doth very much helpe and cure those which are bitten by a Shrew. The same vertue also in it hath the roote of the hearbe called Gentian or bitterwort, being giuen in wine to drink. One or two drams of the yoongest or tendrest leaues of the Laurell tree, being beaten small and giuen in wine to drinke, doth speedily cure the sores or woundes which are bitten by a Shrew: the same being also vsed in the said manner, and giuen in some certaine potion vnto horses to drinke, doth quickly help and heale them. But there are some which before all other medicines doe commend this for the best, and chiefest, that is, to take the iuice which proceedeth from the leaues of the laurell tree, & the leaues [ 10] themselues, being moist and new growing and to boyle them in wine, and being once cooled to giue it to any which is bitten by a Shrew, and this will in very short space alto∣gether helpe them. A yoonge Weasell being giuen in wine to drinke, is accounted very medicinable for those which are bitten by a Shrew, or stung by a Scorpion, or any other venemous creature. The hearbe called Baltsamint or Costmary, the hearbe called Bar∣tram, or wilde Pellito, the hearbe called Betonie, the hearbe called water-minte, or water Cresses, the sweete and delicious gum called Storax, as also the hearbe called Veruin be∣ing each of them seuerally by themselues either giuen in wine to drinke, or applyed in the manner of a plaister or annointed vpon the bits, or wounds which come by the venemous teeth of a Shrew, will very effectually cure the paine thereof. The biting of a field mouse or Shrew, is very troublesome, and grieuous to all labouring beastes, for instantly after [ 20] her bitinges there doe little red pimples arise, and there is most daunger of death in those beastes which she biteth when she is great with yonog, for the aforesaid pimples will then presently breake, after which the beast so bitten will instantly die. The Shrew doth also kill some laboring beasts with poyson, as chiefly horses & mules but especially & for the most part mares, which are great with yong. There are some which do affirme that if horses, or any other laboring creature do feede in that pasture or grasse in which a Shrew shall put forth her venome or poyson in, they will presently die. In what place soeuer a Shrew shall bite in any creature it will be compassed with an exceeding hard swelling, the beast also being so bitten, doth expresse his griefe or sorrow with much paine, & straining his body doth likewise swell all ouer, his eyes doe in a manner weepe, the swelling in his body doth [ 30] squize out matter, or filthy putrefaction, he voydeth poyson out of his belly, and doth vomite all sustenance vp as soone as euer he receaueth it. If an Asse being great with yoong be bitten by this beast, it is a very great chaunce if she scape death.

But if the Shrew doe bite any beast when she is great with yong it is knowen by these signes, or marks, there will certaine red pimples compasse the sore round about, and also spread themselues ouer all the body of the bitten beast, and will in short space destroy him, except there be procured some present remedy. The Normans in Fraunce do sup∣pose the Shrew to be a beast so full of venome, and poyson, that if he shall but passe ouer either an Oxe, or a horse lying downe along vpon the ground, it will bring such a dange∣rous disease vpon them, that the beast ouer which she shall passe shall be lame about the [ 40] loines, or shall seeme as if he were immoueable, and that he can be cured by no other meanes, but by the same Shrew, who either of his owne accord, or by compulsion must passe ouer the contrary side of the beast, and that then he will be cured, which thing I doe hold to be very vaine and not to be beleeued.

For the curing of beastes which are bitten by a Srew, thou shalt boile the seede of Parsly together with Wine and Oyle, and thou shalt cut the place which swelleth with a Pen-knife, by which the poyson may issue forth, and the wound being pointingly pul∣led or torne may waxe rawe: if by these the inflammation doe waxe more feruent and hotte, thou shalt eate the sore with iron instruments burning with fier, taking away some [ 50] part of that which is whole and sound: then shalt thou renew the wound with the iron instruments being gouerned rightly, by which the corruption may issue forth: but if that part doe chaunce to swell by the exulceration, thou shalt sprinckle Barley bee∣ing burned and dryed therein, but before you doe this, it is meete to ioyne the olde fatte.

There is also another excellent medicine for the curing of the Shrew, which Startonicus himselfe doth much commend, which is this: to lance or scarifie the wound assoone as it is bitten, but especially if it be compassed with an inflamation, afterwardes to sprinkle salt and Vineger vp on it, then to encourage or prouoke the beastes the next day following by some sweet water or liquor to run or go some little iourny, first hauing anointed the sore with ful∣lers-earth being beaten small and mixed with vineger, and then daily to nourish or bath it with water which commeth from bathes where some haue washed themselues, and this in very short time being so vsed will very wel and altogether cure the beast. Against the bi∣ting of a Shrew Garlike is accounted for an excellent remedy being mingled with Nitre, [ 10] but if there shal be no Nitre to be had, mixe it with salt and Cummin, then to dry and beat them altogether into powder, & with the same to rub the places which are infected with the biting: but if the venemous wounds do chance to break, then to take barly being scorched or burned, and pound it into small powder, and steepe it in vineger, and afterwardes to sprinkle it into the wound: this medicine Pelagon affirmeth, will onely heale the bites of a Shrew, and that the griefe of the sore, by the vse of any other medicines doth rather en∣crease then decrease.

The flower which is made of red Weat, the Hearbe called Dill, the liquor or Rozen which runneth out of the great Cedar, and two pound of the best Wine being mingled altogether, giuen in a potion and poured downe the throate of any laboring beast which is [ 20] bitten by a Shrew, will presently ease and cure him of his paine.

There is also another potion for the curing of the bites of this beast which is this, to take cloues of Garlike being bruised small, salt, Cummin, and Wine, of each the like quantity, these being giuen to any beast to drinke, doth presently cure him, as also any man being annointed vpon the wound, but not giuen to drink. The hearbe called Narde or Pepper-wort being beaten to the quantity of two ounces and a halfe, and mingled with some sweete smelling Wine, will presently help any beast which is bitten by the Shrewe, being poured through his Nose, and his sore being at that instant time annointed with Dogs dung: the same is also very medicinable or wholesome for men which are troubled with the said biting.

[ 30] The bites of a Shrew being pricked with an Aule and annointed with dust which is found in the furrowes of Cartes vnder the markes or signes of the Wheele, being ming∣led with sharpe vineger, doth presently asswage the paine, and heale the sore. The earth-of the tract of a Cart also mingled with stale or vrine, being applyed vnto the bites of a Shrew, will very speedily cure them either vpon men or beastes. A Shrew being new kil∣led and rubbed ouer with salt, applyed vnto the wounds which she shal bite in any beasts, will instantly cure them: this vertue also hath the gall of a rere-mouse or Bat, being mix∣ed with vineger.

There is a very good remedy against the bitinges of Shrewes, or to preserue Cattle from them, which is this, to compasse the hole wherein she lyeth round about, and get hir out a liue, and keepe her so till she dye, and waxe stiffe, then hang her about the necke of [ 40] the beast which you would preserue, and there wil not any Shrew come neare them, and this is accounted to bee most certaine. And thus much shall suffice concerning the bi∣tings of the Shrewes, and of the cures thereof.

[ 50]

[illustration]

[ 10]

Notes

• Pliny
• Marcellus.
• Dioscorides
• Auicenna
• Dioscorides
• Aeginetta
• Auicenna.
• Dioscorides.
• Pliny.
• Auicenna.
• Aetius.
• Dioscorides.
• Geoponica.
• Pliny
• Aetius.
• Pliny
• Aelianus
• Aetius
• Auicenna
• Aeginetta
• Dioscorides
• Ruellius
• Dioscorides
• Aegenetta
• Ae••ius
• Auicenna
• Pliny
• Aegmetta
• Auicenna
• Albertus
• Absyrtus
• Hierocles
• V••getius
• Hippocrates
• Hierocles
• Vegetius
• Hippocrates
• Pliny