The gentlemans recreation in two parts : the first being an encyclopedy of the arts and sciences ... the second part treats of horsmanship, hawking, hunting, fowling, fishing, and agriculture : with a short treatise of cock-fighting ... : all which are collected from the most authentick authors, and the many gross errors therein corrected, with great enlargements ... : and for the better explanation thereof, great variety of useful sculptures, as nets, traps, engines, &c. are added for the taking of beasts, fowl and fish : not hitherto published by any : the whole illustrated with about an hundred ornamental and useful sculptures engraven in copper, relating to the several subjects.

CHAP. XVII.

Of several Excellent Medicines for curing Maladies most frequent in Horses.

TO Treat at large of Medicines and Far∣riery would take up a Volume it self; Markham, Snape, and others have done it al∣ready; and all Gentlemen that keep good Horses have their particular Farriers, in the choosing of whom they ought to be very cautious. This Chapter gives you some particular Medicines and Directions for such Maladies and Mischances that very often happen, being such as have been Approved of by Persons of Quality, and very good Horsmen. But for as much as he is e∣steemed a better Horsman, that can keep his Horse in good health (by preventing such like Maladies) than he that can cure them, I shall begin with some Observations relating thereunto. And first,

Of Sickness in General.

WHensoever you perceive your Horse to forsake his Meat, to Droop, or shew any Symptom of Sickness, if it be not great, forbear letting Blood, which is a great weakning of the Spirits; but if the Signs be great and dangerous, then let Blood immediately; and for three Mornings together (the Horse being Fasting) give him half an Ounce of a Powder called Diabexaple, brewed either in a Pint of fine Syrup of Sugar, or for want thereof the like quantity of Molosses; also a Pint of Dragon-Water, or Carduus-Water, or a Quart of sweet strong Alewort will do as well; This Drench give him in a Horn, and if he is of ability of Body, Ride him after it in some warm place, suffering him to Fast about two hours: At Noon give him a sweet Mash, Clothe him warm, and let him not drink cold Water.

This Diahexaple Powder being not commonly known, and by consequence not rightly pre∣pared, I shall here give the Receipt to make it.

Take of the Grains of Ivory, Paradice and Myrrh, of the Roots Gentian, Enula Campana and Turmerick, of each a like quantity; then beat and searce them into a subtile Powder, and give him such a quantity thereof as before directed. This comforts and strengthens the inward Parts, helps the Lungs, resists putrefaction of Humors, opens Obstructions, and if taken in time, not only re∣covers him, but prevents many Distempers.

Observations relating to Sickness.

IF you find in your Horse a shortness of Breath, loathing of his Meat, an heaviness of Coun∣tenance, dull Eyes, staring Hair, a rotten or dry Cough, an extream Loosness, or costiveness, yel∣lowness of the Eyes and Skin, no casting his Loat, lean and hide-bound, to have a staggering Pace, a Frantick Behaviour, extraordinary lying down, [ 10] or beating himself, or a faint or cold Sweat, all these are apparent signs of Sickness.

Observations from the Dung.

YOU ought to observe his Dung, which is a certain Rule to know the condition of his Inward Parts; yet before he passeth his Judg∣ment, he ought to consider what Feeding he hath had, which is a great matter. For example, if [ 20] the Dung be of a pale and whitish yellow Com∣plexion, and clear, hanging together without se∣paration, more than as the weight breaks it in the falling, being neither too Thick nor too Thin, these are Signs of his being clean, well fed, and free from Maladies; if it be well coloured, yet fall from him in round knots, then' its a Sign of soul feeding, and he hath either too much Hay, and too little Corn, or Oats, too much Litter. If his Dung be redish and hard, then he hath had [ 30] too Strong Heats, and Costiveness will follow; if it be pale and loose, it denotes inward coldness of Body, or too much moist Feeding; if it be in round Pellets, and blackish, or brown, it shews inward heat in the Body; if it be Greasy, it shews foulness, and of that Grease is molten, but can't come away; if he voids Grease in Gross Substance with his Dung, if the Grease be white and clear, then it comes away kindly, and there is no danger, but if it be yellow and putrified, then the Grease [ 40] hath lain long in the Body, and Sickness will fol∣low if not prevented.

Concerning Feeding.

OBserve that if there be any Drink, or Meat that is good for the Horse, and if he refuse to take it, do not force him to it, but use gentle Means, tempting him when he is most Thirsty, or Hungry; also mix the Drink, or Meat he lov∣eth [ 50] best, with that which he loveth worst, till both be made Familiar unto him.

Concerning the State of his Body.

YOU must observe that the Strongest State of Body, which is the Highest of Flesh, provided it is good, hard and without inward foulness is the best; yet you must take notice that his Shape and Fee••ing are to be considered: As [ 60] to his Shape of Body, some that be round, plump, and close knit will appear fat, when really they are lean and in Poverty; and others that are Raw-boned, Slender, and loose knit together, will ap∣pear Lean, Deformed and Poor, when they are Fat, Foul, and full of Gross Humours: So like∣wise as to their Feeding, some will Feed outward∣ly carrying a thick Rib, when inwardly they are Clean, and without all manner of Foulness; and there be others (as the latter) that appear clean to the Eye, shewing nothing but Skin and Bone, when they are full of inward Fatness; In this Case there are two helps, the one inward, and the other outward: The Inward help is only sharp Exercise which dissolves and Melts the Foulness, and strong Scourings, which will bring it away: The outward Help is Handling and Feeling his Body, especially his Ribs towards his Flank, and if his Flesh gene∣rally handle loose and soft, your Fingers sinking or pitting in, 'tis a Sign of his Foulness; but if his Flesh be hard and firm, only upon his hindmost Rib it handles soft and Downy, 'tis a Sign there is Grease, and Foul Matter within, which must be removed, let him appear never so lean. If he be Fat and Thick, and as it were closed up be∣tween the Chaps, or if his Jaws handle full and Fleshy, 'tis a Sign of much Foulness, both in the Head and Body; but if he handle Thin, Clean, and only with some Lumps, or small Kirnels within his Chaps, in such case it is a Sign only of some cold newly taken.

Concerning his Hair.

YOU must well observe your Horses Hair in General, but especially his Neck, and those parts that are uncovered; for if they be sleek, smooth, and close, then he is in good Case, but if his Hair be rough and stareing, then he is in∣wardly cold at the Heart, wants Cloths and warm keeping, or else there is some Sickness creeping upon him.

Concerning Lameness, or Stiffness.

TAke notice that if your Horse be subject to Lameness, or Stiffness of Joynts or Sinews, Subbating or tenderness of Feet, first give him his Heats upon soft and smooth Ground, forbear∣ing hard and Stony High-ways or the like.

Observations from the Vrine.

ALthough it is the General Opinion that the V∣rine is a deceiver, yet something may be discovered thereby, viz. If the Vrine be of an High and Ruddy colour like Blood, then he hath been Over-ridden, or Ridden too early after Win∣ter-grass; if the Vrine carry a white cream on the top, it shews a weak Back, and a Consumption of Seed; if it be of a pale yellowish colour, ra∣ther thick than thin, and of a strong smell, it is an healthful, sound and good Vrine; if it be of an high Complexion, and clear like old March∣beer, his Body is inflamed, and he hath taken some Surfeit; A green Vrine shews a Consumpti∣on of the Body; Vrine with Bloody streaks, de∣notes an Vlcer in the Kidneys, and a black thick cloudy Vrine shews Death.

Concerning the Privy Parts.

IF your Horses Stones hang down, side or long from his Body, he is out of Heart or Lust,

and is either sick of Grease, or other foul Humours; but if they be close couched up, then he is in good plight and health.

Having given you these Observations concer∣ning the State and Condition of your Horse, our next business shall be to proceed to Diseases, and their Cures.

Receipts of Julips, Glisters, and Potions [ 10] for cooling a Horse, Over-heated by violent Exercise, approved of by the late Duke of New-Castle.

For a Cold.

TAke half a Pound of Honey, with as much Treakle mixt together, then take a Pound of Cumminseed, an Ounce of Bay-berries, and an [ 20] Ounce of Annyseeds all beaten to powder, which mix together, and put so much thereof into the Honey and Treakle, as will make it thick like a Hasty-puddin: This give your Horse both before and after his Riding.

To Comfort a Horse Over-ridden.

TAke a Pint of new Milk,, and put therein the Yolks of three new-laid Eggs well beaten, [ 30] three peniworth of Saffron, and two or three Spoon∣fulls of Sallet-Oyl, let them be luke-warm, and given to him in a Drenching-horn.

Honey is a very soveraign thing for the Lungs, for a Cold, and to open all obstructions; and if you put a good Spoonful thereof in his Oats for some time together, it will work notable effects, and recover a very pursey Horse.

Horses of great Exercise, or such as are over∣heated must be often let Blood, sometimes three [ 40] or four times in a few days, until you find good Blood to come.

To let a Horse Blood in the Mouth, and then to rub it with Salt, and cause him to drink his Blood, is an excellent thing; but you must purge him well, that his Grease may come away, for Horses of great Exercise would else be always foundred in the Body, and then they will never thrive, until that Melted Grease be brought a∣way. [ 50]

The best Purge is an Ounce of Alloessicatrina lap't up in fresh Butter, and made into Pills, which give him after he has rested a while. Then give him this following Julip.

Take Mell Rosarum, Conserve of Damask Ro∣ses, and Burrage, with Syrup of Violets, of each four Ounces, Burrage, Endive, Suckory, Bugloss, and Plantain-Water of each about a Pint and a half, which said Water and Conserves use thus. Put the Conserves into a Mortar, and beat them [ 60] together; then mix them well together with the Waters, and give it your Horse in a Drenching-horn cold, and if you add Syrup of Lemmons it is very good; of this Drink give him twice or thrice a week for about a Month, and let him rest afterwards, and it will be effectual.

All the time of this great Heat, feed him with Wheat-bran amongst his Oats wash't in strong Beer, or Ale if he likes it; for Bran is very good to get out his Belly, and to moisten him, because it dries up all superfluous humours that heat him. Likewise in his Water, when he drinks put some of the Bran, which is very good to cool and moi∣sten him; and to loosen his skin if he be Hide∣bound, which Heats do occasion.

Lettuces, Succory Roots, and Endive Roots, are very good to cool him, being boyled in the Wa∣ter he drinks: And during the time of his Cure, let him have no violent Exercise, only gentle walking.

To refresh a Horse, give him Carots with his Oats, and wash his Oats in small Beer, which is ve∣ry good.

A cooling Julip in a Fever.

TAke Barley-water a Quart, two Ounces of Syrup of Violets, and an Ounce of Syrup of Lemons, mix these together, and give him to quench his thirst.

If he is loose of Body in his Fever, to bind him take one Ounce of Ivory, with as much Harts∣horn, rasp them, and put them in three Quarts of Water, which must boyl till about half is con∣sumed, then strain it through a Cloath; and to this Liquor put four Ounces of the Juice of Bar∣beries, and one Ounce and a half of Syrup of Pomegranates, and give it him in a Drenching-horn cold.

A cooling Potion.

TAke a Quart of Whey, four or five Ounces of Syrup of Violets, the like quantity of Cassia, with a little Manna; and this will both cool and purge him gently. This given in a Gl••ster is very cooling to the Bowels.

All these cooling things are very good for sur∣feited and over-heated Horses: But first give the Purge of Aloes to bring away the Grease.

For the Bots and all manner of Worms.

TAke a Quart of new Milk, and as much clarified Honey as will make it very sweet; give it him in a Horn luke-warm early in the Morning, having fasted all Night before; then bridle him up, and let him stand tied to the emp∣ty Rack for about two hours Then take half a Pint of White-wine, and dissolve into it a good Spoonful of Black-soap, and give it him, causing him to fast about two hours after; and this will cause him to void the Worms in great abundance. Or take Salt and Water and give it him in a Horn.

For a Loosness.

TAke a Quart of Red-wine, set it on the fire, put in it one Ounce and a half of Boleal∣mony made in fine Powder, and two Ounces and a half of Conserve of Sloes, then stir and mix them well together; then take it off the fire, and put thereto one or two Spoonfuls of the Powder of Cinamon; mix these together, and give him to

drink. Let him fast two Hours after, and let him eat no wash't Meat: Hay is wholsome, so is Bread and Oats, so as they be well mixt with Wheat or Beans, but not otherwise.

An excellent Scowring when others will do no good.

TAke a quarter of a Pound of sweet Butter, half as much Castle-soap, beat them well to∣gether; [ 10] then put thereto two Spoonfuls of Hemp∣seed bruised, of Anniseeds bruised a handful, one Ounce of Sugar-candy, half a spoonful of Rosin finely bruised; work all these into a Paste, and give it him made up in Pills after his Heat, or when you have warmed him, and stirred up the Grease and Foulness within him.

For the Spleen. [ 20]

MAke a Plaister of Oxicroceum, spread it upon Sheeps Leather, which lay on, suffering it to lye until it come off it self.

A Glister to Expel Wind.

TAke Fennel Seeds and Anniseeds of each two Spoonfuls, bruise them, then put there∣to half a handful of Pellitory of the Wall, Camo∣mile, Rosemary flowers, and Penny-royal. [ 30]

For the Wind-Collick.

BOyl a spoonful of Cummin seeds with a few Camomile flowers in Posset drink, and give it him to drink; which is good to expel the Wind.

For a Horse that pisseth Blood.

TAke a spoonful of Taragon steep it in White∣wine, [ 40] and as much Poppy seeds beaten as will lye upon a shilling, give this in White-wine, which will effect the Cure.

For a Cough.

TAke the Root of Gentian, slice, dry, and beat it to Powder, of which give him fa∣sting as much in half a Pint of his own Water, as will lye upon a shilling. This must be given [ 50] him every third day, until you see his Cough or Heaving to be removed; and all the time of his Cure let him stand in the Stable.

To cause a Horse to piss, that has the Wind-Collick.

TAke a quarter of a Pound of Castle-soap small, to which put two Ounces of Dial∣th••••a, [ 60] beat them well together in a Mortar, make them up into pretty big Balls, and so keep them for use, for they will continue good a year. Take one of the Balls, crumble it into a Pint and a half of strong Beer scalding hot, to dissolve the Ball, then let it stand till it is luke-warm, and so give it him in a Horn, and let him fast about an hour; this will empty him of all his Piss.

To make a Horse Stale or Piss.

TAke the quantity of a Walnut of Castle-soap, boyl it a little in a Pint of strong Beer, and give it him in a Horn luke-warm, and it will cause him to Piss.

To cause a Horse to Vomit.

TAke two large Roots of Polipodium of the Oak, wash and scrape them very clean, and tye it to his Snaffle or Bit, then let it be steeped in Oyl of Spike a whole Night, and in the Morn∣ing fasting put on his Bridle with the Roots tied to the Bit, and ride him softly for about an hour, with it in his Mouth, and if he be troubled with any Flegmatick, or Rheumatick humours, or with any cold or filthy Matter that clogs or anoys his Stomach, it will cause him to cast it forth at his Mouth or Nose: It will also cause him to Sneeze and cough much, purging forth filth and slimy Mat∣ter, so that it will soon cleanse his Body, and purifie his Blood. This you may give to a Horse newly taken from Grass, or to one that has taken a Cold, or is foggy and pursie; this being done, give him White-wine and Honey, as also a Cordial.

A Purge.

TAke a Quart of strong Ale-wort, a quarter of a Pint of Honey, two Ounces of London Treacle, mix and brew them all together, and give it him luke-warm, then keep him upon the Bit about Six hours warm clothed and littered; then give him a sweet Mash, and White-water, Rack him with sweet Wheat-straw, Oats and Bran; this both purgeth and comforteth: And two or three days after give him this following Drink.

Another Purge.

TAke a Pint of White-wine, put in it one Ounce of Sena to sleep all Night, in the Morning early strain it, and put therein one Ounce of Powder of Aloes, half an Ounce of Agarick, and a Spoonful of Liquorish Powder; mix these well together, and give it him luke-warm in a Horn, then ride him gently about a quarter of an hour after it, and so set him up warm, well clothed and littered; let no Air come to him, nor suffer him to eat or drink for about six hours: At Night give him a sweet Mash, and let his Meat be sweet Wheat-straw, Oats and Bran: The next Day let him Blood, and prick him in the third Furrow of his Mouth; and if his Blood be bad, take about two Quarts from him: But if good about a Quart; keep him warm, and give him sweet Mashes or White-water, and put into his Drink either the Powder of Brimstone or Elecam∣pane, Fenugreek or Turmerick, or one or more together, which being well mixt, put thereof into his Drink a Spoonful at a time. This is very good to cool and purifie the Blood, to purge Cho∣ler and other peccant Humours. This Purge is not only good for Horses newly taken from Grass, but for those that are sick or surfeited.

Glisters.

A Glister is a very good Preparative to a Purging Drink, cleansing the Guts, and refresheth the Vital Parts; so that before he give a Drink, whether Purging or otherwise, if the Horse be not soluble in Body, that after Blood-letting, the next day he give a Glister.

A Dec••ction is a Broth made of divers Herbs, [ 10] as Mall••ws, Marsh-Mallows, Camomile, Pellitory, and sometimes white Lilly Roots, which boyl in Water till the third part is consumed. Sometimes instead of Herbs and Water, fat Bees Broth, Milk or Whey will serve.

The quantity of Broth, Milk or Whey, is ac∣cording to the age, strength, and bigness of the Horse; for if a strong, large, fat and lustly Horse, three Pints is usual, otherwise a Quart is suffici∣ent: It is usual to put in half a Pint of Oyl, two [ 20] or three Drams of Salt, and sometimes Verjuce, or Honey, as occasion requires.

The usual Druggs are Sena, Cassia, Anniseeds, Agarick, also the Oyls of Camomile, Violets, and ••ill, S••gar-Candy and such like. As to the quan∣tity of Druggs, three ounces in a Glister is the most used, often less; and put in not above four ounces of Butter, and when you give it, let it be lukewarm.

Your Horse should be empty when you give it, [ 03] and before you give it, Rake him, let him keep it about Half an Hour, holding his Tail close to his Fundament all the while.

The length of the Glister-pipe should be about a Foot long in the Shank, and put it home, and draw out the Pipe by Degrees.

For a Vein that swells upon letting Blood.

TAke black Pitch, white Pitch and R••sin, of [ 40] each a like quantity, boil them together, and lay it on hot, with a flat stick; and then flock it, and this doing, once in four or five days will take down the Swelling; he must be housed, and kept with dry meat the time of his Cure; you may anoint it with Oyl of Populeen, or with Soap and Brandy.

A Horse Burnt by a Mare. [ 50]

THis is known by the Mattering of his Yard within; for Cure take a Pint of White-wine, in which Boil a Quarter of a Pound of Roch-Allom, and when it is cool, Squirt it with a Syring as far into his Yard as you can; and it will effect the Cure.

The Staggers.

THis Disease proceeds from corrupt Blood, or [ 60] Gross ill Humours that oppress the Brain, from whence proceeds a vaporous Spirit, dissolved by a weak heat, which afflicts the whole Head. For Cure, first take a pretty long strait Stick well smooth'd about the bigness of a Tobacco-pipe, and at one end cut a Notch, this Stick put up to the top of his Head, jobbing it a little hard, and turn the Stick, which will occasion him to Bleed free∣ly; then give him this following Drink, Take an Ounce of Anniseeds, and as much Turme••ick beat∣en small, half a Quarter of a Pint of Aquavitae, a Pint and a half of Mild Beer, a Pint of Verjuce, or for want thereof a quarter of a Pint of White-wine-vinegar, and put it to the Beer, and the rest of the Ingredients, which make luke-warm, and give it him in the Morning fasting; as soon as he hath took it, take a handful of Herb-grace bea∣ten small in a Mortar, a penny worth of Aqua∣vitae, and put half the Aquavitae into one Ear, holding it upright in the hollow of your hand, and put half the Herb-grace in after it; then put in Wool or Tow, and tye up the Ear with a Gar∣ter, and the like do to the other ••ar, and tye them both up together; after Twenty four Hours untye his Ears, and take out the Wool, and Herb-grace; the next Day in the Morning let him Blood on both sides of his Neck, and save about a Pint of the Blood, and put thereto a handful of Salt, stir it well together, and give it him fasting: four or five Hours after give him sweet H••y, and at Night, warm Water and Bran: After you have given him the first drink, tye up one of his Fore∣legs, and strew good store of Litter under him, and so let him take his rest, and he will either recover in a Day or Two, or Dye; the Vinegar will make him piss, and the Aquavitae cause him to sleep: If he comes not to his Stomach, then give him Honey, and White-wine, and a Cordial; when you let him Blood in the Head with your Cornet-Horn, let him Blood in the third Furrow of his Mouth, and let him bleed well; also let him Blood in the Gristle of his Nose, with a long Bodkin, or Shomakers Awl.

For a Broken-winded Horse.

TAke Boars Dung, dry it to Powder, put a Spoonful of it into a Quart of Milk newly taken from the Cow, or else made luke warm, and give it him: If you see that this quantity will not make him sick the first time you give it him, then give him two Spoonfuls more of the Powder, and this in four or five times taking will Cure him. This drink must be given every third day. A Spoonful of the Powder of a H••dg∣hog being given, doth much add to the Cure.

To stop Bleeding.

LEt him Blood in both the Plate-veins, then wind a Thum-band of wet Hay about his Neck, so long to come from his Ears to his Breast, and so keep it wet until you find the Blood to Stanch.

Or take Bettony, and stamp it in a Mortar with Salt, put it into his Nose, or apply it to the Wound, and it will stanch it.

For a Shoulder-strain.

FIrst tye up his sound Leg with a Garter or List, then walk or drive him on his other three Legs, that he may lay the weight of his

Body upon the lame Leg, and so keep him un∣til he begin to Sweat at the Cods and Ears with pain. The reason of this is to see the Plait-Vein the plainer; then let down the lame Leg and the Vein will appear plainer; but if it doth not yet appear visible enough, then heat a little Water, and bathe the place grieved therewith, which will cause it to appear bigger; then let him Blood, and when you see the Blood is come into the Plait-Vein, and that the Vein is plain [ 10] enough to see and feel, tye up his lame Leg a∣gain, and bleed him there on that side the bot∣tom of his Chest his lame Leg is on. Let him bleed about a Quart or two, and the greater the Lameness is, the more let him Bleed; after he has bled about a Quart on the ground; put into a Bowl a good handful of Salt, and let him bleed about another Quart, keeping the Blood and Salt always stirring to prevent clod∣ing; then stop the said Plait-Vein with a piece of [ 20] Lead to hinder more bleeding. Then having in a readiness about an Ounce and an half of Oyl of Turpentine, and as much Strong Beer; put them into a Glass-Vial, shake them well together, bathe it well in with your hand all about his Shoulder, his Breast, and down to his Knee; then take the Blood and Salt, and bathe that as the former; then set him up to his Meat, and with a Garter or List tye both his Fore-legs together as close as you can; the next day untye them, take [ 30] him out and walk him, and if you find he can go pretty well, ride him gently about a Mile, and so set him up again, tying his Fore-Feet to∣gether, as before directed; but if he goes not well the first day, do but walk him the second day; and the third day after his first dressing, do not only tye his Legs, but flat a Stick on both sides, like a Wedge, about the bigness of a Six-pence; this drive between the Toes of his Shoes and the Toe of his Foot fast, so that it may not [ 40] come out; and always whilst he stands still in the Stable tye his Legs close, and peg him with a Wedge; and when you take him out to walk or ride, untye his Legs and take out the Wedge. Do this every Night and Day until he is cured, which will be in a few days, if it be newly taken. To let Blood once, and to Anoint it once with Oyl of Turpentine and Beer, and once with the Blood and Salt, with the help of tying his Legs and wedging them, as aforesaid, is suffici∣ent. [ 50]

Hogs-Grease is very good for a Strain.

For a Sinew-sprung Horse.

TAke a Pint of Linseed Oyl, boyl it, then put in three pennyworth of Aquavitae, stir them together and anoint his Legs therewith.

For a Back Sinew-Strain, or any Grief, [ 60] Pain, Straitness, Shrinking, or Numness of Sinews or Joynts.

TAke a fat Sucking Mastive Whelp, Flay it and bowel it; then stop its Body full of black Snails and gray Snails, Roast it at a rea∣sonable good Fire, and when it begins to warm bast it with six Ounces of Oyl o•• Spike made yellow with Saffron, and the like quantity of the Oyl of Wax. The Dripping and Moisture that falls from it, save, and keep in a Gally-Pot, with which anoint the grieved place, working it in very hot, holding a hot Bar of Iron before it; And thus do every Morning and Evening until it is cured.

For Grease fallen into the Legs, and the Scratches.

TAke of Nerve-Oyl, Train-Oyl, and Oyl of Bays, of each half a Pint, with the big∣ness of an Egg of Alom, boil these well together; then having cleansed the Sores and opened the Pultis, if there be any, with Salve anoint the place grieved.

Also for the Scratches; Take Verdigrease and Burnt Alom mixt together, and so apply it, keep∣ing him dry.

A Purgation for a Horse that is si••k of his Grease, or any Costiveness.

TAke a Pint of good old Whitewine, set it on the Fire and dissolve it in a lump of Castle-Soap as big as a large Pigeons-Egg, then strain them well together on the Fire; then take it off, and put into it two good handfuls of Hempseed finely beaten, with an Ounce and an half of good Sugar-Candy beaten to fine pow∣der, mix all these well together; then having warmed the Horse to stir up the Grease and other foul Humors, give him this to drink, and walk him for a little while after it to make the Potion work; then set him up warm, and after a little stirring him in the Stable, if he grows sickish let him lye down; then after two or three hours fasting give him a sweet Mash, and so feed him as at other times.

For a Spavin, Splint, Curb, or Ring-bone.

FIrst, Clip away the Hair all about the Ex∣cretion, next take a piece of Alom'd Lea∣ther just as big as the place where the Hair is cut away; then spread the said Leather round the edge with a little Shoemakers-Wax; then take the Herb Sparagus (which hath the virtue to raise Blisters) bruise it in a Mortar, and lay it on the Leather in the middle where the Wax is not, which ought to be the bigness of the Knot or Excretion, and bind it fast thereon, and so let it lye (if in the Spring or Summer, when the Sparagus is in its virtue) two or three hours; but if in the Winter when it has not that virtue, then add to it a drop or two of Origanum, and let it lye on a day, and be sure tye up the Horses Head for about two hours, lest he bites it away. When you have taken off the Plaister, anoint the place with Train-Oyl luke-warm, and you shall find no Knot.

To make the Hoofs grow quickly, and to be tough and strong.

TAke seven Ounces of Juice of Garlick, two Pound of old Hogs-grease, and one handful of Asses or Cows-Dung, mix them and boyl them all well together, and with this both stop his feet and anoint the Crownets of his hoofs. [ 10]

For any Founder, Surbait, or the like in the Feet.

FIrst, Pare thin, open his Heels wide, and take a good quantity of the Blood from the Toes, then tack on a Shoe somewhat hollow; next take Frankinsence, and rouling it in a little fine Cotton Wool or Bombast, with an hot Iron melt it into the Foot betwixt the Shoe and the Toe, [ 20] untill the Orifice where the Blood was taken away is filled up; Then take half a Pound of Hogs-grease, melt it on the Fire, and mix it with Wheat-Bran to make it thick like a Pultis; then stop up his Foot therewith as hot as he can en∣dure it, covering it with a p••ece of an old Shoe, and splint it up, causing him to stand still for three or four days; and if occasion requires, renew it till the Cure is perfected. [ 30]

A general Salve for any Sore swelling.

TAke Turpentine, Black Soap, Hogs-Grease and Pitch, of each a little quantity; mix and boyl them well together, and apply it warm to the Grief.

The Farcy.

TAke a handful of Rice and ten Cloves of [ 40] Garlick, beat them together; then take a pennyworth of Aquavitae, and strain them through a Cloth; then take a little Black-Wool to drink up the Moisture, and put into each Ear half the Wool, and sew up the Ears together; then cut his Forehead and put into the Hole the inner Rind of an Elder-stick about an Inch long, and keep him in the House that no Wet fall into his Ears the first day and night. [ 50]

For any Farcy, Mang, Scab or Leprosie.

LET Blood, then take a Quart of Wine or Vinegar, put therein a quarter of a Pound of good Tobacco; then set it on an Ember-fire to simper, and not boyl, for a whole Night; then strain it, and with this Water wash the infected place, as often as occasion requires, until it is cured. [ 60]

To help a Horse that Galls between the Legs, through Heat or ill Dressing.

TAke a raw Egg, crush it between his Legs, rubbing the galled place very well there∣with after the Sores are made dry.

For a Canker in a Horses Mouth.

TAke half a Pint of the best White-Wine Vinegar, half a Pound of Roach Allom, and a handful of Sage; boyl these together, and therewith wash his Mouth and Tongue.

For a Horse that has got an Over-reach, or Tread of the Heel.

FIrst, Search it well to the bottom, take out all the Gravel and wash it with Piss; then take a good handful of Nettles and a good handful of Salt, put them in a Cloth and bind them to the Sore; this do two or three Morn∣ings together, then set on the Shoe with a Lea∣ther under it; which done, pour in some Hogs-Grease scalding hot, then some Rozia also scald∣ing hot; and then after that put in some Wheat-Bran.

To draw out a Nail or Thorn in any place.

TAke House-Snails and seeth them in Butter, and apply it for use.

For a Stub, or other hurt in or about the Foot.

TAke Bees-Wax, Pitch, Hogs-Grease, and Tur∣pentine, boyl them together in an Earthen Pipkin; but put in the Turpentine a little before you take it off the Fire, stirring it well together; then make the Wound clean and pour it in scalding hot; then dip Tow in it, and stuff the Sore place full of it, and it will heal in a short time.

To kill Lice.

TAke the Juice of Beets and Staveacre beaten together, and therewith anoint his Body all over, and it will kill them.

Also to anoint him with Hogs-Grease under the Mane, and upon the Ridge-bone of the Back, will destroy them.

For a Prick in the Foot.

FIrst, Take off the Shoe, and pare his Hoof to find out the bottom of the Wound; then take Turpentine, fresh Butter, and a little black Pitch boyled together, and pour it into the Wound scalding hot; then dip some Tow in the same, and stuff it well between the Shoe and the Foot, splintering and binding it about with Sticks and Leather to keep it on; but if it be a long Nail that struck into his Foot on the Road in a Journey; then pluck out the Nail, heat it red hot, and put it into the Hole as far as it went in; and having thus seared it with the Nail, to keep it from festring, melt fresh Butter and Turpentine with a little black-Pitch, and pour into the Hole as aforesaid; then clap on the Shoe, and stuff the Foot with Tow, as before directed.

A green Oyntment to heal a Wound.

TAke Water-betony, Comfry, Red Sage, Je∣rusalem Sage, Mugwert, Rue, Southern∣wood, and Rosemary, of each a handful, Boil them in a Pint of May-Butter, with as much Mut∣ton-Suet, and when it hath Boiled a while, take it off the Fire, Strain it through a Cloath, and so put it into a Pot for your use. But before you [ 10] lay on the Oyntment, wash the Wound with this following Water.

Take Half a Pound of Bole-Armoniack, a Quar∣ter of a pound of White Copperas, and two Oun∣ces of R••ch-Allom, beat the Copperas and Allom, and put them into a Pipkin to melt on the Fire; when it is cold, put it with the Bole-Armoniack in∣to a Mortar, and beat them together to a Pow∣der; then take two Quarts of Spring Water, set it over the Fire close covered till it be Scalding [ 20] hot, then put it into a clean Earthen Pitcher, to which put two Spoonfuls of the said Powder, and stir it well together before you let it settle; then when it hath stood two or three days setling, take off the uppermost froth, and gently pour out the Water into another Pitcher clean from the Dregs. And so it is fit for use, always useing it as warm as can be endured; and when you wash the Wound, let the Cloth lye on a while, then wet a double Cloth in the said Water, and lay it [ 30] on the Sore, renewing it two or three times a day, and after it is washt, lay on the aforesaid Oyntment. This Water is very good for any Wound old or new.

For a Sore Back, or Navell-Gall.

TAke a Quarter of a Pint of Train-Oyl, and Boil in it as much beaten Verdigrease as the quantity of a Nutmeg, put it into a Pot, and [ 40] keep it for use.

For a new Wound made by a Stake, or Stub.

WAsh the Wound well with Vinegar and Butter melted together, then take a Clout tyed to the end of a Stick, which dip in some Linseed-Oyl, and run it to the bottom of the Wound, anointing it well; and in a short time it [ 50] will be Cured; And if the Air gets in the Wound, and causeth it to swell, then anoint it with Oyl of Populeon round about the Swelling.

Train-Oyl, and Verdigrease melted together, will Heal and Skin any Wound in a short time.

Fo•• Horses Yard that's foul and furr'd without, that he pisseth in the Cod.

TAke Fresh Butter and White-wine-vinegar, melt [ 60] them, then pull out his Yard, taking off the Filth, and wash it with the Butter and Vinegar until it be clean, and eject some of it with a Syring up into his Yard.

A help for a tyred Hors.

IF your Horse is tired in your Journey, or in a Hunting Match, give him warm Urin to Drink, and let him Blood in the Mouth, suffer∣ing him to swallow it; and if you come where Nettles are, rub his Mouth, and Sheath well therewith, and ride him gently; and when you come to your Inn or Journies end, let him be set up warm, and before your going to Bed give him about six Spoonfuls of Aquavitae, and as much Provender as he will eat; the next Morning rub his Legs with Sheeps-feet-Oyl, and he will be recovered of his tiredness.

For the Glanders.

TAke a Quart of Red Vinegar, but not Wine-Vinegar, set it over the Fire, and put there∣in two Spoonfuls of English Honey, and as much Elecampane, beaten to Powder finely searsed, and as much Roch-Allom, as the bigness of an Egg, also beaten to fine Powder; and when all these are well Boiled, put in half a Pint of Sallet Oyl, then take it off, and let it stand until it is luke warm; and of this give your Horse six Spoonfuls in each Nostril, with a little Horn; then ride him out two or three turns, and tye his Head down to his Foot, for about four Hours, and let him fast as long. You must give this Drink at nine several times, being three days betwixt every Drink; every second day after he hath had his Drink, give him Chickens Guts warm rolled in beaten Bay-Salt, and put them down his Throat, giving him warm Water, and wet Hay all the time you give him this Drink, and this will amend the Glanders, and the Morning in the Chine.

For a Cold, that is not the Glanders.

TAke two Spoonfuls of Pepper well beaten, the like quantity of Mustard, four Spoon∣fuls of Sallet-Oyl, four Onions roasted very soft and cut small; then take two Spoonfuls of Ele∣campane beaten into fine Powder, mix all these together, and make them into Balls with Fresh Butter, and give him them three at a time; and nine Balls so given him at three times will Cure him, so that you may Travel him upon it.

Another for a Cold.

TAke new Butter unwasht without Salt mixt in it, with brown Sugar-Candy, Anniseeds and Liquorice, but if the Horse rattles in the Head, put in two Cloves of Garlick made in Balls, and this give him for three Mornings together.

Balls for the Glanders, that Cures also a Cold, prevents heavy Sickness, pur∣geth away all Molten Grease, recovers a loose Stomach, keeps the Heart from fainting with Exercise, and makes a lean Horse soon fat. [ 10]

TAke Anniseeds, Cumminseeds, Fenugreek-Seeds, Elecampane-roots, of each two Ounces finely beaten and searsed, then add to them two Ounces of Brown-Sugar-Candy finely beaten, and the like quantity of the Flower of Brimstone; then take an Ounce of the Juice of Liquorice, and dis∣solve it on the Fire in half a Pint of White-Wine, then take an Ounce of the best Chimical Oyl of Anniseeds, and three Ounces of Syrup of Colts-Foot; which done, take half a Pint of [ 20] Sallet Oyl, the like quantity of pure Honey, and Syrup of Molosses; mix all this with the former Powders, and with as much Fine Wheat-Flower as will bind them together, to work into a stiff Past; and so keep them for use in a close Gally Pot, and when you have occasion for any, take some of the Past, and make it into Balls, about the bigness of a small Egg.

For the use of these Balls they are excellent [ 30] for several occasions. If you use them to cure the Glanders, or a Cold, take one of these Balls, anoint it all over with sweet Butter, and so give it your Horse in the Morning fasting; then ride him a little after, and feed and water him as you are accustomed to do, and this observe for a Week together. If you use these Balls to pre∣vent Sickness, use them in the same manner for three or four days. If you use them to fatten your Horse, then give them for about a Fort-night [ 40] together. But if you use them in the na∣ture of a Scouring to take away Grease or Foul∣ness, then after his Heat, and in his Heat you must use them. Also if you dissolve the Ball in his usual Water made luke-warm, it worketh the like effect, and fattens very much. If you give your Horse one of these Balls before a Journey, it prevents tiring: To give it in the height of Travel doth refresh Weariness, and to give it after Travel prevents Surfeits and inward Sick∣ness. [ 50]

A Water for Sore Eyes.

TAke a Pint of Snow Water, and dissolve it into three or four Drams of white Vitriol, and wash his Eyes therewith, or oftner until cured.

For a Pin, Pearl, Web, or any Film in the [ 60] Eye.

TAke a new-laid Egg, roast it very hard, cleave it in sunder long-ways and take out the Yolk; then fill the empty Holes with white Vitriol finely beaten, and so close the Egg again; then roast it the second time until the Vitriol is melted; lastly beat the Egg-shell and all in a Dish, strain it, and with the Moisture that comes from it dress the Eye.

For a Bite, or Stroak in the Eye.

TAke a little Honey with a little grated Gin∣ger, mix them together, and put it into his Eye with a Feather; do this three Mornings to∣gether.

To take a Film off the Eye.

TAke as much Dialthaea as the bigness of a Walnut, and put thereto the Powder of Verdigrease as much as a Hazle-nut; mix them well together, and every day put into his Eye as much of it as the bigness of a Pease, and this will take off the Film.

For a Canker in the Tongue.

TAke as much Roach-Allom as the quantity of an Egg, boyl it in three or four Spoon∣fuls of Whitewine-Vinegar, with a Spoonful of Honey and an handful of Columbine-Leaves cut small; with this wash his Tongue once a day un∣til it be cured, which will be in a few days. For the washing his Mouth tye a Rag about a Stick.

To make a Star or any other Mark in a Horses Forehead, or any other part.

FIrst, With a pair of Scizars clip away the Hair close to the Skin, where you would have the Mark to be; then take a piece of Brick, or a Pumice-Stone, rubbing it hard all over until it is bare, and so wipe it clean. Then make a Plaister of Burgundy-Pitch, which must be just the bigness of the Mark; and a little before you put it on, lay a hot Iron upon the Pitch to sof∣ten it, to make it stick on the better; and so clap it to the place as a Plaister fit for the Mark, and lay a hot Iron on the back of the Plaister to heat it; then over the first Plaister lay another Plaister a little broader, heating the second as you did the first, and so let it stick on until it come off it self, which may be in about a Month. When these Plaisters come off, then to make the Hair come White where the Mark must be, take a little Hony and Butter (but more H••ny) mix them together, and anoint the place there∣with once in three days; and this do for about four or five times or days, and in about three Months the Mark will be perfect, and the Hair grown.

Many more are the Diseases and Maladies of Horses, and for every Disease there is abundance of Medicines, so that should I insert them all, it would take up a Volume it self. I have here taken notice of the most frequent Distempers, with Directions for their Cures, referring you to the many Books now extant, that only treat there∣of.