The history of four-footed beasts and serpents describing at large their true and lively figure, their several names, conditions, kinds, virtues ... countries of their breed, their love and hatred to mankind, and the wonderful work by Edward Topsell ; whereunto is now added, The theater of insects, or, Lesser living creatures ... by T. Muffet ...

The Medicines of a Wolf.

A Wolf being sodden alive until the bones do only remain, is very much commended for the pains of the Gout, or a live Wolf steeped in Oyl and covered with Wax, is also good for the same dis∣ease.

The skin of a Wolf being tasted of those which are bit of a mad or ravenous Dog, doth preserve them from the fear or hazard of falling into water. The skin of a Wolf is very profitable for those which are troubled with the winde colick, if it be bound fast about the belly: and also if the person so affected doth sit upon the said skin, it will much avail him. If any labouring or travelling man doth wear the skin of a Wolf about his feet, his shooes shall never pain or trouble him. The skin of a Wolf being new plucked off from him, and especially when it hath the natural heat in it and rowled about the member where the cramp is, is very effectual against it.

The bloud of a Wolf being mixed with Oyl, is very profitable against the deafness of the ears. The dung and bloud of a Wolf is much commended, for those that are troubled with the Co∣lick and Stone.

The bloud of a Buck, Fox, or Wolf being warm, and so taken in drink, is of much force against the disease of the stone. He which doth eat the skin of a Wolf well tempered and sodden, will keep him from all evill dreams, and cause him to take his rest quietly. The flesh of a Wolf being sodden, and taken in meat, doth help those that are Lunatick. The flesh of a Wolf being eaten is good for procre∣ation of children. You may read more things in the chapter going before, concerning remedies of the flesh of a Wolf taken in meat. The fat of a Wolf is no less efficable, then the flesh.

The fat of a Wolf doth very much profit, being anointed upon those whose joynts are broken. Some of the later writers were wont to mingle the fat of the Wolf, with other Ointments for the disease of the Gout. Some also do mingle it with other Ointments, for the Palsie. It doth soften also the Uvula, being anointed thereon. The same also being rubbed upon the eyes, is very profitable for the bleardness or bloud-shot of the eyes. The head also of a Wolf is very good for those that are * 1.1 weak to fleep upon, being laid under their pillow. The head of a Wolf being burned into ashes, is a special remedy for the loosness of teeth. The right eye of a Wolf being salted, and bound to the body, doth drive away all Agues and Feavers. The eye of a Wolf being rubbed upon the eye, doth diminish all diseases that rise in the sight of the eye, and it doth also take away all marks or prints being made with hot Irons. The right eye of a Wolf also is profitable for those that are troubled with stitches on the right side of the belly; and the left eye of a Wolf for pains on the left side. The right eye of a Wolf is very good against the bitings of Dogs. Also the eye of a Wolf is much commended for those that are Lunatick by the bitings of Dogs.

The teeth of a Wolf being rubbed upon the gums of young Infants, doth open them, whereby the * 1.2 teeth may the easier come forth. Again, the gums of children are loosened with the tooth of a Dog, being gently rubbed thereon, but they are sooner brought forth with the teeth of a Wolf. Some men do commend the tongue of a Wolf to be eaten of those that are troubled with the Falling-sickness. The artery which springeth in the throat of a Wolf being taken in drink, is a most certain cure against the Squinsie. The throat of a Wolf taken in drink, is very much commended for those that are trou∣bled with the Falling-sickness. The lungs or lights of a Wolf being sodden and dryed, and mingled with Pepper, and so taken in milk is very profitable for those that are puffed up or swoln in the belly.

The heart of a Wolf being burned and beaten to powder, and so taken in drink, doth help those that are sick of the Falling-sickness. Take one ounce of the gum of an Oak, and half an ounce of the gum of a Pear-tree, and two drams of the powder made of the top of a Hart-horn, and one dram of the heart of a Wolf, all which being mingled together, and made into medicine, is always used for the cure of all ulcers: but it will be more effectual if thou dost add thereto the hinder-part of the skull of a man beaten to powder. The Liver of a Wolf is of no less vertue then the Lungs or Lights, which I have manifested in the medicines of the Fox. The Liver of a Wolf helpeth or profiteth those that are sick of the Falling-sickness. The Liver of a Wolf being washed in the best white wine, and so taken, is very good for those diseases that arise in the Liver. The Liver of a Wolf mixed in the medi∣cine made of Liver-wort, is very much commended for the diseases in the Liver. Galen also doth say, that he hath holpen those which have been diseased in the Liver, only using the medicine made of Liverwort, and he saith, if he did apply any other medicine thereto, it did little or nothing at all pro∣fit him.

The Liver of a Wolf is very profitable for those that are troubled with the scurfe in the mouth. The Liver or laps of a Wolf is much used for those that are troubled with diseases in the Liver; but you must dry it and afterwards beat it to powder, and so give the party so affected one dram of it in sweet wine. The Liver laps of a Wolf saith Marcellus, being dryed and beaten to powder, and a little part of it mingled in like portions with the powder made of Fenegreek, of Lupines, Wormwood, and of the herb called Herba Mariae, and so mingled that it may be about the quantity of a cup full, and so given him that day which he is not troubled with the Feaver, but if he shall be troubled with it, let him take it in water for the space of three days, and after he hath drunk it, let him lie for the space of half an hour with his arms spread abroad: and afterwards let him walk very often, but eat very seldom, and let him be sure he keep himself for the space of those three days well ordered, and from drinking any cold drink, or eating any salt or sweet thing, and within a little space after he shall be freed from that disease. The Liver laps of a VVolf being wrapped in bay-leaves, and so set to dry at the Sun or at the fire, and being dryed, beat it to powder in a Mortar, first taking away the leaves very warily, which being powdered, you must keep it in a clean vessel, and when you give it him to drink, you must adde thereto two leaves of Spoonwort, with ten grains of Pepper beaten very small, and as much clarified Honey as is needful, and also made hot with a hot burning Iron, and mingled very diligently in a Mortar, which being so warmed, you must give him to drink sitting

right up in his bed, that after he hath taken the potion, he may lye down on his right side for the * 1.3 space of an hour, drawing his knees together, and after that he hath done so, let him walk up and down for the space of an hour, and this will likewise cure him of the same disease.

Avicen doth set down a medicine concerning the cure of the hardness of the Liver, which is, Take Opium, Henbane, Oyl made of Beavers stones, Myrrhe, Saffron, Spicknard, Agrimony, the Liver of a Wolf, and the right horn of a Goat burned, of each equal parts, and make thereof a medicine. The * 1.4 Liver of a Wolf being made in the form of a dry Electuary and given as a Lozeng, doth also very much profit against the diseases of the Liver.

Gugir a Philosopher doth affirm, that the Liver of al living beasts doth very much profit against all * 1.5 pains of the Liver. The Liver of a Wolf being throughly dryed and drunk in sweet Wine, doth mi∣tigate all griefs or pains of the Liver. The Liver of the same beast to the quantity of a penny, taken in a pinte of sweet Wine, is very medicinable for the curing of all pains in the Liver whatsoever. The Liver of a Wolf being taken in hot wine, doth perfectly cure the cough. If an intolerable cough doth vex any man, let him take of the Liver of a Wolf, either dryed or burnt, as much as he shall think con∣venient, and therewith let him mingle wine, honey, and warm water, and afterward drink the same fasting every day, to the quantity of four spoonfuls, and he shall in short space be cured of the same.

The laps or fillets of a Wolves Liver, being applyed unto the side, doth perfectly heal any stitch or pricking ach therein. The Liver of a Wolf being taken in sweet wine, doth heal those which are trou∣bled with a Tisick. The Liver of a Wolf being first boyled in water, afterwards dryed, beaten and mingled with some certain potion, doth instantly heal the grief and inflamation of the stomach. The powder of a Wolves Liver mingled with white wine, and drunk in the morning for some certain days together, doth cure the Dropsie. The Liver of a Wolf taken either in meat or drink, doth asswage the pains of the secret parts. Two spoonfuls of the powder of a Wolves Liver being given in drink, doth cure all pains or sores of the mouth. The gall of a Wolf being bound unto the navel of any man, doth loosen the belly.

The gall of a Wolf taken in wine, doth heal all pains in the fundament. The entrails of a Wolf * 1.6 being washed in the best white wine, blown upon, dryed in an Oven, pounded into dust, afterwards rowled in Wormwood, is a good and effectual remedy against the Colick and Stone. If some part of the yard of a Wolf being baked in an oven, be eaten by any, either man or woman, it instantly stirreth them up to lust. Concerning the genital of a Wolf I have spoken before in the medicines of the Fox: but antiquity, as Pliny saith, doth teach that the genital of beasts which are bony, as Wolves, Foxes, * 1.7 Ferrets, and Weasels, are brought to an especial remedy for many diseases. If any man take the right stone of a Wolf, being bloudy, steep it in Oyl, and give it unto any woman to apply it unto their secret parts, being wrapped in wooll it instantly causeth her to forsake all carnal copulation, yea although she be a common strumpet. The same being taken in some certain perfume, doth help those which * 1.8 are troubled with the foul evil.

The eyes being anointed with the excrements of a VVolf, are instantly freed from all covers or spreading skin therein. The powder of the same VVolf being mingled with the sweetest Hony as can possible be had, and in like manner rubbed or spread upon the eyes, doth expel all dazeling from them. The fime of a VVolf long rubbed, until it be very light, being mingled with Honey, by the un∣ction * 1.9 thereof, causeth the filth or scurfe growing about the eyes to avoid away, and restoreth them to an exceeding clearness: The powder of a VVolves head being rubbed upon the teeth, doth make fast and confirm the looseness thereof, & it is most certain that in the excrements of the same beasts, there are certain bones found, which being bound unto the teeth, have the same force and efficacy.

The dung of a VVolf or Dog being beaten into small powder, mingled with Honey and anointed upon the throat, doth cure the Quinsie or Squinansie, as also all other sores in the throat whatsoever. The fime of a VVolf being given to those which are troubled with the Colick to drink, doth easily cure them, but this dung is more effectual if it have never touched ground, which is very hard to come by, but it is found by this means. The nature of the VVolf both in making his water, as also in voiding his excrements is like unto a Dogs, for while he voideth his water he holdeth up his hinder-leg, and voideth his excrements in some high or steepy place far from the earth, by which means it falleth down upon bushes, thorns, fruits, elder-trees, or some other herbs growing in those places, by which means it is found never touching the earth. There is furthermore found in the fime of VVolves certain bones of beasts which they have devoured, which for as much as they could not be grinded or chawed, so also can they not be concocted, which being beaten and bruised small, are by some commended to be excellent given in drink for the ease of the Cosick, but if the grieved party shall be some fine or delicate person which cannot endure so gross a medicine, then mingle it with Salt, Pepper, or some such like thing, but it is most often given in sweet wine, so there be but a small quantity thereof drunk at one time.

But this dung which the Graecians call Lagonas, and is to be applyed to the groin of the diseased person, ought to be hanged in a band made of wooll, but not of any wooll: But it would be more effectual if it were made of the wooll of that Sheep which was slain by a VVolf. But if the same can∣not be got, then is it fit that there be two bands, one which may be bound about the groin, and ano∣ther which may be bound upon the dung to keep it from falling.

There are also some which cast a small quantity of the same dung to the bigness of a Bean in a little pot, fastening the same to any one which is troubled with the said disease, and it healeth them (which

in a manner seemeth incredible) in very short time. The dung of a Wolf boyled in small white wine, and afterwards taken in drink, is very profitable for those which are troubled with the colick: and it is also reported that if the same dung be covered with the skin of the same beast, and hung upon the thigh of any one which hath the colick being bound with a thread made of the wooll of a Sheep slain by a Wolf, it will instantly cure the said disease.

The fime of a Wolf, so that it be not found upon the earth, but upon some trees, Brambles, or Bultushes, being kept, and when there shall be need bound unto the arm of him that shall be trou∣bled with the Colick, or to his neck being included in a bone, or in Copper, and hung with the thread wherewith silk-women weave, doth wonderfully and most speedily cure him, so there be great care had, that in the mean time there be a little of the same dung given to the grieved party to drink, not knowing what it is. The dung of a Wolf being taken, and the bones therein beaten into powder, mingle therewith cold water, giving it to any one to drink which is troubled with the Stone, and it will instantly cure him.

The dung of a Wolf beaten into the smallest powder then strained and given unto any in his fit which is troubled therewith to the quantity of half a spoonfull in hot water, is a very effectuall and approved cure for the Stone. The bones which are found in Wolves, being bound unto the arm of any one which is troubled with the Colick, having never touched the ground, do with great speed and celerity cure him. The pastern bone of a Hare found in the dung of a Wolf, being bound unto any part of the body of him which is troubled with the colick, doth very effectually cure him. The dung of a Wolf with the hairs of a white Asse, taken by any woman in a certain perfume, maketh her apt for conception.

The teeth of a Wolf are unequall, wherefore their bitings are very dangerous. A ravening Wolf by his biting bringeth the same danger, as a ravenous Dog, they also are cured by the same medicins, as we have declared at large in the story of the Dog. The wounds which come by the teeth or nails of a Wolf are very dangerous, for the filth which pieroeth through all clouts or spunges which are laid upon them: But they are cured by no other means then the bitings of Dogs: Aristotle writeth these things concerning the biting of a Lion, and not of a Wolf.

Johannes Vitus the Hungarian declared that there were certain men in Hungary bitten by a mad Wolf, and that they were as it seemed presently cured: But before forty dayes expired they all died by a most bitter or painfull disease, small pieces of flesh encreasing through their urine in the form of Dogs, with an exceeding pain or torment. It is also reported of a certain Countreyman, who when he had striken a Wolf with his Club, and the Wolf had so torn his face with his nails, that he pulled off the skin, he was in short time healed that there appeared no sign of any harm, but in short time after he began to be sick, and to howl like unto a Dog, and so perished; by which it was conjectured that that Wolf was mad. An Oxe being bitten by a mad Wolf or Dog is cured by Gar∣lick, being beaten and rubbed upon the wound: the Wolf himself is also healed of any wound by old salt flesh applyed unto the same. Two drams of Gentian being drunk in wine, is an excellent * 1.10 cure for the bites of a mad Dog and ravening Wolves, as also of all beasts tearing with their teeth or nails. The bites of Wolves being marked in the bodies of any Cattell, are burned or seared with a hot Iron, lest that the biting be assuredly hurtfull, may draw unto it self corruption. And thus much shall suffice concerning the medicines of the Wolf.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Pliny. Sextus.
• * 1.2

  Blondus.
• * 1.3

  Avicen.
• * 1.4

  Dioscorides.
• * 1.5

  Galen. Pliny.
• * 1.6

  Sylvius. Albertus.
• * 1.7

  Rasis.
• * 1.8

  Marcellus.
• * 1.9

  Galen.
• * 1.10

  Avicenna.