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.

The medicines of the Mouse.

The flesh of a mouse is hot and and soft, and very little or nothing fat, and doth expell blacke and melancholy choler. A mouse being flead or hauing his skin pulled off, and af∣terwards cut through the middle, and put vnto a wound or sore wherein there is the head [ 50] of a Dart or arrow, or any other thing whatsoeuer within the wound, wil presently and ve∣ry easily exhale and draw them out of the same. Mice being cut and placed vnto woundes which haue beene bitten by Serpents, or put to places which are stinged by them, do very effectually and in short space of time cure and perfectly heale them. Mice which do lurke and enhabite in houses, being cut in twaine and put vnto the wounds which are new made by Scorpions, doth very speedily heale them.

A yoong mouse being mingled with salt is an excellent remedy against the byting of the mouse called a shrew, which biting horses and labouring cattell, it doth venome vntill it come vnto the hart, and then they die, except the aforesaid remedie be vsed. The shrew also himselfe being bruised and laid vnto the place which was bitten, is an excellent and very profitable remedy against the same.

A mouse being deuided and put or laid vpon warts, will heale them and quite abolish them, of what kinde soeuer they shall be. The fatte which is distilled from mice, being mixed with a little goose-greace and boyled together, is an excellent and medicinable cure for the asswaging and mollifying of swellings and hard lumps or knots which doe vsually arise in the flesh. Yoong mice being beaten into small bits or peeces, and mixed [ 10] with olde wine, and so boyled or baked, vntill they come vnto a temperate and mollify∣ing medicine, if it be annointed vppon the eye lids, it will very easily procure haire to grow thereon. The same being vnbeaten and roasted, and so giuen to little children to eate, will quickly dry vp the froath or spetle which aboundeth in their mouth. There are certaine of the wise men or Magi who thinke it good that a mouse should bee flead and giuen to those which are troubled with the tooth-ache twise in a moneth to be eaten. The water wherein a mouse hath beene sod or boyled, is very wholesome and profitable for those to drinke who a••e troubled with the inflammation of the iawes or the disease cal∣led the Squincie. Mice, but especially those of Affricke, hauing their skinne puld off and [ 20] well steeped in oyle and rubbed with salt, and so boyled, and afterwards taken in drinke, are very medicinable for those which haue any paine or trouble in their lightes & lungs. The same medicine vsed in the aforesaid manner is very profitable for those which are troubled with a filthy, mattery, and blooddy spetting out with retching.

Sodden mice are exceeding good to restraine and hold in the vrine of infants or chil∣dren being too aboundant, if they be giuen in some pleasant or delightsome drinke. Mice being also cut in twaine, and laid vnto the feete or legs of those which are gowtie is an excellent remedie and cure for them. Mice being dryed and beaten to powder, doth ve∣ry effectually heale and cure those which are scalded or burned with hote water, or fire. Cypres nuts being burned and pounded, or beaten into dust, and mixed with the dust of the hoofe of a male or female mule, being dryed or stamped small, and the oyle of mirtle [ 30] added vnto the same, with the dirt or dung of mice being also beaten, and with the dung of a hedge-hogge new made, and with red arsenicke: and all mingled together with vi∣negar and moist or liquid pitch and put vnto the heade of any one who is troubled with the aboundance and loose hanging downe or ouergrowing of his haire, it will very spee∣dily and without any difficultie ease him of the same.

The dust of a mouse pounded and beaten to powder, and mingled with a certaine oile, is very good and wholesome, for those which are grieued with a Tettor or scabbe which may ouerrunne their whole body. The braines or taile of a mouse being dried and beaten to powder is very medicinable for those which are troubled with the casting and shedding of their haire, as also for the disease called the Foxes euill, but this operation will worke [ 40] more effectually if the shedding of the haire doth happen by any venom or poyson. The same in operation hath the whole body of the mouse being vsed in the aforesaide man∣ner.

There is also another excellent remedy to cure and heale the aforesaid disease which is this, to take mice which inhabite in houses, and to burne or dry them in a pot, and then beat them: and being so vsed, to mixe them with oyle of Lawrell, and to rubbe the haires which are like to fall or shed with garlicke, and to put them altogither into a Frontlet or fore-head cloath, and daily to keepe the same medicine or plaister vnto them, vntill the haire do grow fast, and they be ridde of that disease. There is also another remedy for the same disease, which is this: To burne a mouse, and beate him into powder and then to [ 50] mingle the same with hony and the greace of a Beare, and so to annoint the head, and this is accounted for a very speedy and effectuall cure.

The dust or powder of mice being mixed with hony and oyle of Roses, and so baked, or boyled together, and afterward distilled into a cleare water and so powred into the eares of any one which is deafe or troubled with any paine in his eares, and it will quickly

bring him helpe and remedie. The dust of a dryed mouse being also mingled with hony and rubbed vpon the teeth of any one which is troubled with a stinking breath, will pre∣sently take away the sauour thereof. If the vrine of a man or woman be too fluent and aboundant, let them take the dust or powder of a dryed mouse, being beaten and stam∣ped, and mix it with wine or with goates milke, and so drinke it vp, and he shall speedily haue remedie. The grieuous and violent inflammation or turning of the eye-lids, is cu∣red after this manner. First, they take the flesh of the mice, as soone as euer it is beaten small, and mingle it with the yolke of an egge, and mollifie it into a salue or plaister like vnto waxe, and then put it into a linnen cloath, and so wrap it vpon the eye lides in the [ 10] time of sleepe, and it will easily bring helpe and remedy.

There is an excellent remedy for the ouerspreding of the eyes, or to cure the disease in them, called the pin and the web, or to helpe them which are altogether blind, which is this: To take the blood of a mouse, the gall of a Cocke, and some part or quantitie of womans milke, and to take of each of them alike, and then to mingle or mixe them toge∣ther, & being well wrought or kneaded vntill it come to an ointment to rubbe or spread it vpon the eyes: and this will in very short space helpe them vnto their sight; For it hath beene tryed, and hath helped many.

The skinne of a mouse being burned or dryed, and beaten into powder, and so ming∣led with vinegar, and then annointed vpon the head of any one who is pained or trou∣bled with the heade-ache, it will presently ease and helpe him. The heade of a mouse be∣ing [ 20] also born or carried in a linnen cloth, doth cure the same disease. The heads of mice being burned, and beaten into small powder, and then mixed or mingled with hony, and so annointed vpon the legges or feete of them which are troubled with the gowte, are ex∣cellent good and wholesome for the curing of that grieuous disease. The same vertue hath the tailes or bodies of Mice, being vsed in the aforesaid maner in them. Some doe thinke that the aforesaid disease is more speedily and effectually cured after this manner: First, to take a Beetle or horse-flye, and stampe it all to peeces, and then to mingle it with soft and liquid pitch, the skinne being prepared or made ready with nitre: but there must be great care taken that it eate not too farre in the flesh: then to take the head of a mouse, and the gall and dung of a mouse [ 30] and mingle them together with ling-worte and pepper, and so to annoint them, and spread them vpon the aforesaid eaten or launced woundes: and this is very much commended for a very good and medicinable cure for the afore∣said disease.

The heads of Mice dryed and beaten into powder or dust, and then mixed with hony, and so annointed vpon the eyes for the space of ten daies together, will clarifie the eyes, and expell all paine or blemishes from them. Of the heads of Mice being burned is made that excellent powder, for the scowring and cleansing of the teeth called tooth-soape: vnto which if spikenard be added or mingled, it will take away any filthy sent or stronge sauour in the mouth. The braines of a Mouse being taken and put or steeped in wine and stamped, and beaten small and annointed vpon the brow or forehead of any one who is [ 40] troubled with a paine or ache in the head, and he shall soone finde ease and remedy. If any man shall but touch or kisse with his mouth the snout or nostrils of a Mouse, and be troubled with the disease called the rewme which falleth downe and stuffeth the nostrils, he shall in very short space be eased of the same. The Magi or wise men doe very much commend this medicine for the expelling of a quartaine Ague or feuer, which is thus, To take the nose or snowt of a Mouse, as also the very tops of the eares, and bruse them together, and afterward tie them in a linnen cloath, which hath had Roses or Rose leaues in the same, and then bind them vnto the armes or wristes of him which is so troubled, and they will very effectually and speedily cure and heale him. For the rottennesse and demi∣nishing [ 50] of the teeth, the best remedy is to take a liuing mouse and to take out one of her teeth whether the greatest or the least it is no great matter, and hang it by the teeth of the party grieued: but first kill the mouse from whom you had the tooth, and he shall pre∣sently haue ease and helpe of his paine. The hart of a liuing mouse being taken out, and hanged vpon the left arme of any woman, is of such force and power, as it will cause her neuer to conceaue. The laps or fillets of the liuer of a Mouse, being beaten small and

mingled with foure drams of sower and vnpleasant wine is an excellent remedy for those which are troubled with quakings in their ioynts, as also for feauers and shaking agues. A mouse being cut or parted in the coniunction of the sun and the Moone, and the liuer pul∣led out and roasted or boyled, and giuen to one which is troubled with the aforesaid dis∣ease to eate, will very speedily and without any difficulty or paine cure and heale him of the same. The gall of a Mouse being beaten very small, and steeped or washed in Vineger, and so poured or distilled into the eares of any one who is deafe or thicke of hearing, or hath any ach or paine in the same, is counted for the chiefest, and most singular and chie∣fest remedy or cure which is vsed for the same.

The dung or durt of a mouse being new made, is very profitable for those which are trou∣bled [ 10] with the disease called the sciatica or hip-gout, annointed or rubbed vpon the same. Mouse-dung being also mingled with vinegar and oile of roses, and so annointed or spred vpon the forehead or temples of any one who is troubled with the head-ach, will presenly ease and help him of the same. The gum called Benzoine being mixed with wine and Saf∣fron, and pepper, as also with the durt or dung of Mice being new made, and mixed with vinegar, and mingled al in one medicine, and so strained and giuen to one to drinke which is spare and leane, in some short space or time it will make him grow very fat.

The dung or durt of a mouse being mingled with certaine other medicines, is very good and wholesome for those which are troubled with tetters, and dry scabs which o∣ouerrun [ 20] the whole body.

The dung of mice being mingled with the dust or pouder of Frankincense, wtih a little red arsenicke added thereunto, is a very profitable and wholesome medicine for those to vse which are troubled with little hand red bunches and swellings arising in diuers and se∣uerall parts of the body. Seuen pils being taken out of the dung of a mouse and mingled with vinegar and annointed vppon the forehead and temples, of those which are grieued therein, will very speedily help and cure them.

The inward partes of earth mixed with mouse-dung, white Pepper, and Mirrhe, be∣ing of each of them halfe an ounce, & afterwards mingled with Vinegar altogether, and so annointed vpon the head of any one which is troubled with the megrime, will very effec∣tually and speedily ease and rid him of the same. The Hearbe called Strumus beaten to∣gether [ 30] with Mouse-dung, and afterwardes mixed with vineger is an excellent remedy a∣gainst the swellinges in the head, or little bunches which arising therein become sores, and are full of matter and filthy corruption. The dung or durt of mice being melted, dis∣solued, and mingled with vineger, and then rubbed vpon the head of any one who is trou∣bled with the scurfe or skaules thereon in a bath or stone, will presently expell and driue them quite away. The dung of mice being mingled with Frankincense, and so beaten or tempered together vntill they come vnto the likenesse or thicknesse of hony, and then an∣nointed vpon the legs or feet of any one that is troubled with the gout, he shall find pre∣sent help and remedy.

The same disease is also very effectually cured by the dung of a mouse, & burned or scor∣ched [ 40] barly mingled together, of each being the same weight or quantity, & afterwards mix¦ed with vineger altogether, and so spread or annointed vpon the diseased parts. Ther is al∣so another excellent remedy for curing of the aforesaid disease which is thus: to take Can∣tharides and bruise them all to pieces, and mingle them with soft or liquid Pitch, and also with Nitre, and so anoint or rub them vppon the skinne being prepared for the purpose, but there must be great care had that the skin bee not rubbed or launced too far. After∣wards vnto the wounds so made, there must be taken the heads, gales, and dung of mice, being mixed with the hearb Lingwort, and pepper, and so beaten altogether vntill they come vnto a temperate salue or medicine, and then anointed vpon the said wounds, and they will in very short space cure the same.

[ 50] The haires and dung of a Mouse, parched or dryed by the fire, and annointed vpon the eie-lids of any one which are pield or bare, will presently procure haire to grow thereon. Mouse-dung being dried in the shade is an excellent remedy against voyding of spet∣ting of blood which floweth from some parts of the body, but especially from the belly.

The same is also very good to staunch the blood which issueth from woundes being new made. White Sceny-seede, and the dung of a Mouse or Hare being put into broath with the stem or stalke of Fennell, and so boyled together, and afterwards giuen vnto a Wo∣man to drinke who is destitute of milke in her breastes, will presently and very speedily procure her milke in great aboundance.

The dung of Mice being steeped or washed in raine water, doth ease and refresh the swelling of womens dugs in their time of deliuery. The dung of a Mouse being giuen in any drinke or liquor to one that is troubled with the disease called the collick and stone to drinke, will in very short space or time cure him of the same. Mouse dung being also ta∣ken [ 10] in drinke doth loose the body of either man or woman how fast soeuer they be bound. There is an excellent remedy arising from Mouse-dung against the Sciatica or hip-gout which is this: to take nine graines of a Mouses dung mixed or mingled with halfe a pinte of wine, and giuen to the party grieued vpon a bench or foote-stoole to drinke, so that he drinke it standing vpon that foot only which paineth him, euen at the sun rising, and ha∣uing so drunke it, let him leape downe, and afterwardes let him leape three times, and let him do this but three daies together, and hee shall haue present help and remedy of his disease.

Mouse-dung mixed with Frankincense and sweete Wine, and so drunke by any one which is troubled with the collick and stone, will presently ease him of the same. But the dung of mice mingled with Frankincense, water, and Hony, and so boiled together, and [ 20] drunke, doth not onely driue away the paine of the aforesaid disease, but also doth breake and quite dissolue the stone. Mouse-dung also being taken in drinke by it selfe alone, doth dissolue and melt the stone in the bladder. The same being also boyled in water is very good and profitable for those which cannot make Water. The same being new made and annointed vpon the belly of any one who is troubled with the collicke or stone, shall finde present ease and remedy thereby.

There is yet moreouer another excellent medicine proceeding from this dung, wher∣by the fruite in a Womans wombe may be brought forth either dead or putryfied with∣out any hurt or preiudice vnto the Woman, which is thus; first to take Egyptian salt, [ 30] mouse-dung, and Gourds which are sowen in woods, and afterwards to poure in halfe a pinte of Hony, being halfe boyled, and to cast one dram of Rozen into the Honny, the Gourdes, and the mouse-dung, and beate them well and throughly together, and then roule them vp, and fashion them in the manner of acornes, and put them to the belly of the party so grieued as often as you shall thinke it meete and conuenient, and in vsing this some short space or time you shalsee the aforesaid putryfied fruit to proceed and issue forth.

Mouse-dung being parched or burned and mingled with Hony, is very good and me∣dicinable aswell for those which are troubled with the swellings in their legs and feete, as also for those whose eye-lids are pilled and bald, to make haire to grow again vpon them, being spreade or annointed thereuppon. The dunge of mice being dryed and beaten [ 40] into small dust or pouder, and put into the teeth of any one which are hollow, will present∣ly expell away all paine from them, and also confirme and make the teeth strong. The dust or pouder which proceedeth from mouse-dung is also very good to cure any disease in the fundament of either man or woman.

The vrine of a mouse is of such strong force that if it shal but touch any part of a mans body, it will eate vnto the very bones. The bitings of mice are healed by no other means but by greene figes and Garlike being mixed or mingled together, and so annoynted thereupon. [ 50]

Notes

• Albertus
• Marcellus
• Dioscorides
• Pliny
• Marcellus
• Pliny
• Dioscorides
• Pliny
• Marcellus
• Pliny
• Galen
• Galen
• Pliny
• Marcellus
• Galen
• Galenus Paral. 3.16
• Pliny Galenus
• Pliny
• Sextus
• Pliny
• Marcellus
• Myrepsus
• ••••xtus
• Galenus
• Pliny
• Varro.
• Archigenes.
• Pliny
• Marcellus.
• Myrepsus
• Marcellus.
• Galenus
• Pliny.
• Alexius Pe¦demontanas.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• Marcellus
• Dioscorides
• Auicen
• Pliny
• Hippocrates
• Auicen
• Marcellus