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 ...

Of ASPES.

[illustration]

IN Hebrew as appeareth, Deut. 32. the Asp is called Pethen, in Psal. 58. Akschub, in Isa. 59. & Jer. 8. Zipheoni, an Asp or a Cockatrice, worse then a Serpent. The Arabians, Has••or, and Ha∣scos; the Greeks, Aspis; the Italians, Aspe, and Aspide: the Spaniards, Bivora; the French, Ʋn aspic; the Germans, Ein sclang gennant; and the Latines, Aspis. About the notation or derivation of this word, there is some difference among Writers. Aristophanes deriveth it from Alpha, an intensive Particle, and Spizo, which signifieth to extend; either by reason of his sharp shrill hissing, or for the length of his body. Others derive Aspis from Hios, which signifieth venom or poyson, and therefore saith the Scripture; The poyson of Asps, because that is a predominant poyson. The Latines call it Aspis, quòd venenum aspergit morsu, because it sprinkleth abroad his poyson when it biteth. Be∣sides we read of Aspis a Buckler, an Island in the Lycian Sea, a Mountain in Africk, and there is a fa∣shion of camping Souldiers in the field called Aspides.

The Epithets declaring the nature of this pestiferous Serpent, are I••cheeir••, rejoycing in poyson, Elikoessa, winding, Lichmeres, putting out the tongue, Smerdalee, fearfull, Phoinessa cruelly killing. Likewise in Latine, dry, sleeping, drousie, deadly, swelling, and Aspis Pharia, a Pharian Asp, so called of the Island Pharus, where they abound. It is said that the Kings of Egypt did wear the Pictures of * 1.1 Asps in their Crowns; whereby they signified the invincible power of principality in this Crea∣ture, whose wounds cannot easily be cured: And the Priests of Egypt and Aethiopia did likewise wear very long Caps, having toward their top a thing like a Navel, about which are the forms of winding Asps, to signifie to the people, that those which resist GOD and Kings, shall perish * 1.2 by unresistible violence. Likewise by an Asp stopping his ear, was figured and understood a Rebel, obeying no lawes or degrees of the Higher power: But let us leave this discourse of moralities, and come neerer to the naturall description of Asps. There are many kindes of Asps after the * 1.3 Egyptian division, for one kinde is called Aspis sicca, a dry Asp. This is the longest of all other kindes, and it hath eyes flaming like fire, or burning coals; another kinde is called Asilus, which doth not only kill by biting, but also with spitting, which it sendeth forth while it setteth his teeth hard together, and lifteth up the head. Another kinde is called Irundo, because of the similitude it keepeth with Swallowes, for on the back it is black, and on the belly white, like as is a Swallow. We read also in Albertus of Aspis Hipnalis, and Hippupex, but it may be that both these names signi∣fie but one kinde. This Hypnale killeth by sleeping, for after that the wound is given, the Patient falleth into a deep and sweet sleep, wherein it dyeth: and therefore Leonicenus saith; Illam fuisse, ex cujus veneno sibi Cleopatram s••avem mortem conseivit, that it was the same which Cleopatra bought to bring upon her self a sweet and easie death. There is also an Asp called Athaes, which is of divers colours: But I do consider that all the kindes may well be reduced to three, that is, Ptyas, * 1.4 Chersaea, and Chelidonia; Ptyas hurteth by poysoning mens eyes, by spitting forth venom, Chersaea liveth on the land, and Chelidonia in the waters.

The Asp is a small Serpent, like to a land Snake, but yet of a broader back, and except in this differeth not much from the Snake, their necks swell above measure, and if they hurt in that passion, there can be no remedy, for the stroak of their eyes are exceeding red and flaming, and there are two pieces of flesh like a hard skin which grow out of their foreheads, according to these Verses of Nicander;

Praeterea geminae ••alli instar fronte carunclae Haerent, sanguine is scintillant lumina flamis.

That is to say;

At hard as Brawn two bunches in their face Do grow, and flaming bloudy eyes their grace.

And the dry Asp, so called because it liveth in mid-lands, farre from any water, hath a vehement strong sight, and these eyes both in one and other are placed in the Temples of their head. Their teeth are exceeding long, and grow out of their mouth like a Boars, and through two of the longest are little hollowes, out of which he expresseth his poyson: They are also covered with thin and tender skins, which slide up when the Serpent biteth, and so suffer the poyson to come out of the holes, afterward they return to their place again. Of all which thus writeth Nicander;

Quatuor huic intra Marillae ••••n••ava dentes, Radices fixere suas, quas juncta quibusdam Pelliculis tunica obducit, triste unde venenum Effundit, si forte suo se approximet hosti.

In English thus;

Within the hollow of their cheeks fiery teeth are seen Fast rooted, which a coat of skin doth joyn and over-hide, From whence sad venom issueth forth when she is keen, If that her ••o she chance to touch as she doth glide.

The scales of the Asp are hard and dry, and red, above all other venomous Beasts, and by reason of her exceeding drought, she is also accounted deaf. About their quantity here is some difference among Writers: For Aelianus saith, that they have been found of two cubits length, and their other parts answerable: Again, the Egyptians affirm them to be four cubits long: but both these may stand together, for if Aelianus say true, then the Egyptians are not deceived, because the * 1.5 greater number containeth the lesser. The Asp Ptyas is about two cubits long: the Chersaean Asps of the earth, grow to the length of five cubits; but the Chelidonian not above one, and this is no∣ted, that the shorter Asp killeth soonest, and the long more slowly: one being a pace, and another a fathom in length. Nicander writeth thus;

Tam proceram extensa quaerunt quom brachia duci, Tantaque crassities est, quantum missile telum, Quod faciens hastas doct〈…〉〈…〉 faber expolit art••.

Which may be thus Englished;

As wide as arms in force out-stretched, So is the Asp in length, And broad even as a casting Dart, Made by a wise Smiths strength.

The colour of Asps is also various and divers, for the Irundo Asp, that is, the Chelidonian, resem∣bleth the Swallow; the Ptyas or spitting Asp resembleth an Ash colour, flaming like Gold, and * 1.6 somewhat greenish: the Chersaean Asp of an Ash-colour or green, but this later is more rare, and Pierius saith, that he saw a yellow Asp neer Bellun: Of these colours writeth Nicander:

Squalidus interdum color albet, saepe virenti, Cum maculis saepe est cineres imitante figura, Nonnunquam ardenti veluti succenditur igne, Idque nigra Aethiopum sub terra, quale refusus Nilus saepe lutum, vicinum in Nerea volvit.

Thus overtherwise;

Their colour whitish pale, and sometime lively green, And spots which do the Ash resemble, Some fiery red: in Aethiop black Asps are seen, And some again like to Nerean mud, Cast up by flowing of the Nilus floud,

The Countreys which breed Asps, are not only the Regions of Africk, and the Confines of * 1.7 Nilus, but also in the Northern parts of the World (as writeth Olaus Magnus) are many Asps found: like as there are many other Serpents found, although their venom or poyson be much * 1.8 more weak then in Asrica; yet he saith, that their poyson will kill a man within three or four hours without remedy. In Spain also there are Asps, but none in France, although the common people do style a certain creeping thing by that name. Lucan thinketh that the Originall of all came from Africa, and therefore concludeth, that Merchants for gain have transported them into Europe, saying;

Ipsa coloris egens, gelidum non transit in orbem Sponte sua, Niloque tenus metitur arenas. Sed quis erit nobis lucri pudor? Inde petuntur, Huc Lybicae mortes & fecimus Aspida merces.

In English thus;

The Asp into cold Regions not willingly doth go, But neer the banks of Nilus warm, doth play upon the sands. Oh what a shame, of wicked gain must we then undergo, Which Lybian deaths and Aspish wares have brought into our lands?

Their abode is for the most part in dryest soyls, except the Chelidonian or Water Asp, which live in the banks of Nilus all the year long, as in a house and safe Castle, but when they perceive * 1.9 that the water will overflow, they forsake the banks sides, and for safeguard of their lives, be∣take them to the Mountains. Sometimes also they will ascend and climbe trees: as appeareth by an Epigram of Anthologius. It is a horrible, fearfull, and terrible Serpent, going slowly, having a weak sight, alwayes sleepy and drowsie, but a shrill and quick sense of hearing, whereby she is warned and advertised of all noyse, which when she heareth, presently she gathereth her self * 1.10 round into a circle and in the middest lifteth up her terrible head: Wherein a man may note the gracious providence of Almighty GOD, which hath given as many remedies against evil, as there are evils in the World. For the dulnesse of this Serpents sight, and slownesse of her pace, doth keep her from many mischiefs. These properties are thus expressed by Nicander;

Formidabile cui corpus, tardumque volumen, Quandoquidem transversa via est prolixaque ventris Spira, veternosique nivere videntur ocelli. At simul ac facili forte abservaverit aure▪ Vel minimrm strepitum, segnes è corpore somnos Excutit, & teretem sinuat mox asperatractum, Horrendumque caput, porrectaque pectorat••llit.

In English thus;

This feared Asp hath slow and winding pace, When as her way on belly she doth traverse, Her eyes shrunk in her head winking, appear in face, Till that some noise her watchfull eat doth 〈…〉〈…〉ish, Then sleep shak'd off, round is her body gathered, With dreadfull head, o•• mounted neck up lifted.

The voice of the Asp is hissing, like all other Serpents, and seldome is it heard to utter any voyce or sound at all, except when she is endangered, or ready to set upon her enemy. Where-upon saith Nicander;

—Grave sibilat ipsa Bestia, dum ceriam vomit ira concita mortem.

In English thus;

This beast doth hisse, with great and lowdest breath, When in her mood she threatneth certain death.

That place of David, Psalm. 58. which is vulgarly read a death Adder, is more truly translated A deaf Asp, which when she is enchanted, to avoid the voyee of the Charmer, she stoppeth one of her ears with her tail, and the other she holdeth hard to the earth: And of this incantation thus writeth Vincentius Belluacensis. Vertute qu〈…〉〈…〉dam verborum incantatur Aspis, ne veneno interimat, vel ••t quidam dicunt ut quieta capi possit, & gemma de fronte ejus auferri, quae natur 〈…〉〈…〉ter in eo nascitur, that is to say, The Asp is enchanted by vertue of certain words, so as she cannot kill with her poyson, or as some say, be taken quietly without resistance, and so the Gem or pretious Stone be taken out of her fore-head, which naturally groweth therein. And from the words of the Psalm aforesaid, not only the certain and effectual use of charming is gathered by Pierius, but also by many justified in the case of Serpents. Whereof I have already given mine opinion in the former general Treatise, unto the which I will only adde thus much in conclusion, which I have found in a certain unnamed Author; Daemones discurrunt cum verbis ad Serpentes, & infectione interiori hoc faciunt, ut Serpentes ad nutum eorum movean∣〈…〉〈…〉, ae sine l••sione tractabiles exhibeantur: Which is thus much in effect; Devils run up and down with words of enchantment to Serpents, and by an inward or secret infection, they bring to pass that the Serpents dispose themselves after their pleasure, and so are handled without all harm. And in∣deed, that it may appear to be manifest, that this incantation of Serpents is from the Devil, and not from God, this only may suffice any reasonable man: because the Psalmist plainly expresseth, that the Serpent shifteth if off, and avoideth Peritissimas mussitantium 〈…〉〈…〉antationes, the most skilful Charm∣ers. Now if it came from the unresistable power of Almighty God, it should pass the resistance of them or Devils; but being a fallacy of the Devil, the Serpent (wiser in this point then Men that be∣lieve it) easily turneth tail against it: and in this thing we may learn to be wise as Serpents, against the inchanting temptation of the Devil or Men, which would beguile us with shadows of words and promises of no valuable pleasures.

If we may believe Pliny, Aelianus, and Philarchus, the Egyptians lived familiarly with Asps, and with continued kindeness wan them to be tame. For indeed among other parts of their savage beastliness, they worshipped Asps even as houshold Gods, by means whereof the subtil Serpent grew to a sensible conceit of his own honour and freedom, and therefore would walk up and down and play with their children, doing no harm, except they were wronged, and would come and lick meat from the table, when they were called by a certain significant noise, made by knacking of the fingers. For the guests after their dinner, would mix together Hony, Wine, and Meal, and then give the sign, at the hearing whereof they would all of them come forth of their holes; and creeping up, or lifting their heads to the table, leaving their lower parts on the ground, there licked they the said prepared meat, in great temperance by little and little without any ravening, and then afterward departed when they were filled. And so great is the reverence they bear to Asps, that if any in the house have need to rise in the night time out of their beds, they first of all give out the sign or token, lest they should harm the Asp, and so provoke it against them: at the hearing whereof, all the Asps get them to their holes and lodgings, till the person stirring be laid again in his bed.

The holy kinde of Asps they call Thermusis, and this is used and sed in all their Temples of Isis with the fat of Oxen or Kine. Once in the year they crown with them the Image of Isis, and they say that this kinde is not an enemy to Men, except to such as are very evill, whereupon it is death to kill one of them willingly.

It is reported of a certain Gardiner making a ditch or trench in his Vineyard, by chance and igno∣rantly, he set his spade upon one of these Thermusis Asps, and so cut it asunder, and when he turned up the earth, he found the hinder part dead, and the fore-part bleeding and stirring: at which sight his superstitious heart overcome with a vain fear, became so passionately distressed, that he fell into a vehement and lamentable frenzy. So that all the day time he was not his own man, and in the night, in his mad fits he leapt out of his bed, crying out with pitiful and eager complaint, that the Asp did bite him, the Asp did wound him, and that he saw the picture of the said Asp (by him formerly slain) following him, and tearing his flesh, and therefore most instantly craved help against it, saying still he perished by it, he was mortally wounded. And when he had now (saith Aelianus) continued a while in this superstitious fury and disease of the minde, his kindred and acquaintance brought him into the house of Serapis, making request unto that fained God to re∣move out of his sight that spectre and apparition; and so he was released, cured and restored to his right minde.

This kinde of Asp they also say is immortal and never dyeth, and besides it is a revenger of sacri∣ledge, as may appear by such another History in the same place. There was a certain Indian Peacock sent to the King of Egypt, which for the goodly proportion and feature thereof, the King out of his devotion consecrated to Jupiter, and was kept in the Temple. Now there was (saith he) a certain young M••n which set more by his belly, then by his God, which fell into a great longing for to eat of the said Peacock: and therefore to attain his appetite, he bribed one of the Officers of the Tem∣ple with a good sum of Money to steal the said Peacock, and bring it to him alive or dead. The covet∣ous wretch enraged with the desire of the Money, sought his opportunity to steal away the Pea-cock, and one day came to the place where he thought and knew it was kept, but when he came, he saw nothing but an Asp in the place thereof, and so in great fear leaped back to save his life, and after∣ward disclosed the whole matter. Thus far Aelianus.

The domestical Asps understand right and wrong, and therefore Philanthus telleth a story of such an Asp, which was a female, and had young ones: in her absence one of her young ones killed a

childe in the House: When the old one came again according to her custom to seek her meat, the killed childe was laid forth, and so she understood the harm: Then went she and killed that young one, and never more appeared in that house. It is also reported, that there was an Asp that fell in love with a little Boy that kept Geese in the Province of Egypt, called Herculia, whose love to the * 1.11 said Boy was so fervent, that the Male of the said Asp grew jealous thereof. Whereupon one day as he lay asleep, set upon him to kill him, but the other seeing the danger of her love, awaked and delivered him.

There is much and often mention made of Asps in holy Scripture, beside the forenamed place, Psal. 58. as in Esa. 59. the Jews are compared to Asps, and their labours to Spiders webs. And Esa. 11. The sucking childe shall play upon the hole of the Asp. Whereupon a learned man thus writeth; Qui∣••un{que} ex h••minibus occulto veneno ad nocendum referti sunt, sub regno Christi mutato ingenio fore velpueris in∣noxios; that is, whosoever by secret poyson of nature are apt to do harm to other, in the Kingdom of Christ their nature shall be so changed, that they shall not harm sucklings, not able to discover them. Great is the subtilty and fore-knowledge of Asps, as may appear by that in Psal. 58. against the Charmers voyce. As also it is strange, that all the Asps of Nilus do thirty days before the flood remove themselves and their young ones into the Mountains, and this is done yearly, once at the least, if not more often.

They sort themselves by couples, and do live as it were in marriage, Male and Female, so that their sense, affection, and compassion, is one and the same: for if it happen that one of them be killed, they follow the person eagerly, and will finde him out, even in the midst of many of his fellows: that is, if the killer be a beast, they will know him among beasts of the same kinde: and if he be a man, they will also finde him out among men: and if he be let alone, he will not among thousands harm any but he: breaking through all difficulties (except water,) and is hindred by nothing else, except by swift flying away. We have shewed already, how the Psyllians in Asia cast their chil∣dren * 1.12 newly born to Serpents, because if they be of the right seed and kindred to their Father, no Serpent will hurt them, but if they be Bastards of another race, the Serpents devour them: these Serpents are to be understood to be Asps. Asps also we have shewed were destroyed by the Argol••, * 1.13 which Alexander brought from Argos to Alexandria, and therefore those are to be reckoned their enemies. Shadows do also scare away & terrifie Asps, as Seneca writeth. But there is not more mortal hatred or deadly war betwixt any, then betwixt the Ichneumon and the Asp. When the Ichneumon hath espyed an Asp, she first goeth and calleth her fellows to help her, then they all before they en∣ter fight do wallow their bodies in slime, or wet themselves, and then wallow in the sand, so har••es∣sing, and as it were arming their skins against the teeth of their enemy: and so when they finde themselves strong enough, they set upon her, bristling up their tails first of all, and turning to the Serpent till the Asp bite at them, and then sodainly ere the Asp can recover, with singular celerity they flie to her chaps and tear her in pieces, but the victory of this combate resteth in antici∣pation, for if the Asp first bite the Ichneumon, then is he overcome, but if the Ichneumon first lay hold on the Asp, then is the Asp overcome. This hatred and contention is thus described by Nicander;

Solus eam potis est Ichneumon vincere pestem, Cum grave cautus ei bellum parat, edita{que} ova, Quae fovet in multorum hominum insuperabile lethum, Omnia fiacta terit, mordace{que} dente lacessit.

That is to say;

Ichneumon only is of strength, that pest to overquell, Gainst whom in wary wise his war he doth prepare, Her egges, a deadly death to many men, in sand he doth out smell, To break them all within his teeth, this nimble beast doth dare.

Pliny, Cardan, and Constantine affirm, that the herb Arum, and the root of Winterberry, do so asto∣nish Asps, that their presence layeth them in a deadly sleep: and thus much of their concord with other creatures.

Galen writeth, that the Marsians do eat Asps without all harm, although as Mercurial saith, their whole flesh and body is so venomous, and so repleat with poyson, that it never entereth into me∣dicine, or is applyed to sick or sound upon any Physical qualification: the reason of this is given by himself and Fracastorius, to be either, because Asps under their Climate or Region are not venomous at all, as in other Countries, neither Vipers nor Serpents are venomous: or else because those people have a kinde of sympathy in nature with them, by reason whereof they can receive no poy∣son from them.

The poyson of Asps saith Moses, Deut. 32. is crudele venenum, a cruel poyson, and Job, 20. cap. ex∣pressing the wicked mans delight in evil, saith; That he shall suck the poyson of Asps. For which cause, as we have shewed already, the harm of this is not easily cured. We read that Canopus, the Master of * 1.14 Menelaus ship, to be bittten to death by an Asp at Canopus in Egypt. So also was Demetrius Ph〈…〉〈…〉, a Scholar of Theophrastus, and the Keeper of the famous Library of Ptolemaeus Seter. Cleopatra likewise to avoid the triumph that Augustus would have made of her, suffered her self willingly to be bitten to death by an Asp. Wheeupon Propertius writeth thus:

Brachia spectavi sacris ••dmorsa colubris, Et trahere occultum membra soporis iter.

In English thus;

Thus I have seen those wounded arms, With sacred Snakes bitten deep, And members draw their poysoned harms, Treading the way of deaths sound sleep.

We read also of certain Mountebanks, and cunning Juglers in Italy, called Circulatores, to perish by * 1.15 their own devises through the eating of Serpents, and Asps which they carryed about in Boxes as tame, using them for ostentation to get Money, or to sell away their Antidotes. When Po〈…〉〈…〉peius Ru∣fus was the great Master of the Temple-works at Rome, there was a certain Circulator or Quacksal∣ver, to shew his great cunning in the presence of many other of his own trade, which set to his arm an Asp, presently he sucked out the poyson out of the wound with his mouth: but when he came to look for his preservative water, or antidote, he could not finde it; by means whereof the poyson fell down into his body, his mouth and gums rotted presently, by little and little, and so within two days he was found dead. The like story unto this is related by Amb. Paraeus, of another, which at Florence would fain sell much of his medicine against poyson, and for that purpose suffered an Asp to bite his flesh or finger, but within four hours after he perished, notwithstanding all his antidotical pre∣servatives.

Now therefore it remaineth, that we add in the conclusion of this History, a particular discourse of the bitings and venom of this Serpent, and also of such remedies as are appointed for the same. Therefore we are to consider, that they bite and do not sting, the females bite with four teeth, the * 1.16 males but with two, and when they have opened the flesh by biting, then they infuse their poyson into the wound. Only the Asp Pty••s, killeth by spitting venom through her teeth, and (as Avicen saith) the savour or smell thereof will kill, but at the least the touching infecteth mortally. When an Asp hath bitten, it is a very difficult thing to espy the place bitten or wounded, even with most ex∣cellent eyes, as was apparent upon Cleopatra aforesaid; and the reason hereof is given to be this, because the poyson of Asps is very sharp, and penetrateth suddenly and forcibly under the skin, even to the inmost parts, not staying outwardly, or making any great visible external appearance. Yet Galen writing to Piso, affirmeth otherwise of the wound of Cleopatra; but because drowsiness and sleep followeth that poyson, I rather believe the former opinion: and therefore Lucan calleth the Asp, Somnifera, that is, a sleep-bringing Serpent. And Pictorius also subscribeth hereunto.

Aspidis & morsu laesum dormire satentur In mortem, antid••tum nec valuisse serunt.

Which may be Englished thus;

He that by rage of Asps tooth is bitten or is wounded, They say doth sleep until his death cureless, he is confounded.

The pricks of the Asps teeth, are in appearance not much greater then the prickings of a needle, without all swelling, and very little bloud issueth forth, and that is black in colour; straightway the eyes grow dark and heavy, and a manifold pain ariseth all over the body, yet such as is mixed with some sense of pleasure, which caused Nicander to cry out, Perimitque virum absque dolore, it kills a man without pain. His colour is all changed, and appeareth greenish like grass. His face or forehead is bent continually frowning, and his eyes or eye-lids moving up and down in drowsiness without sense, according to these verses following.

Nec tamen ulla vides impressi vulnera morsus, Nec dignus fatu tumor ictum corpus adurit. Sed qui laesus homo est, citra omnem fata dol••rem Claudit, & ignavo moriens torpore fatiscit.

Which I translate thus;

Wounds of impressed teeth, none canst thou see, Nor tumour worth the naming, smitten body burning, But yet the hurt man painless taketh destiny, And sleeping dyeth, sluggishly him turning.

The true signes then of an Asps biting, is stupour or astonishment, heaviness of the head, and slothfulness, wrinking the fore-head, often gaping and gnawing, and nodding, bending the neck, and Convulsion: but those which are hurt by the Ptyas, have blindeness, pain at the heart, deafness, and swelling of the face. And the signes of such as are hurt by the Chalidonian or Chersaean Asp, and the Terrestrian are all one, or of very little difference, except that I may adde the Cramp, and the often beating of the pulse, and frigidity of the members or parts, or pain in the stomach, but all of them in in general, deep sleep, and sometimes vomiting. But by this, that the bloud of the place by them bitten turneth black; it is apparent and manifest, that the poyson of the Asp mortifieth

or killeth the natural heat, which is overcome by the heat of the poyson outwardly, and the dark∣nesse or blindnesse of the eyes proceedeth of certain vapours which are infected, and ascend up to the disturbance of the brain: and when the humors are troubled in the stomach, then followeth vomiting or else the cramp, and sometimes a looseness when the knuckles are drawn in by the ve∣nomous biting, or the infected humors falling down into the intrails. To conclude, so great is the * 1.17 tabifical effect of this poyson of Asps, that it is worthily accounted the greatest venom, and most dangerous of all other; for Aelianus saith, Serpentum venenum cum pestiferum sit, tum multò aspidu pesti∣lentius, the poyson of all Serpents is pestiferous, but the venom of the Asp most of all. For if it touch a green wound, it killeth speedily, but an old wound receiveth harm thereby more hardly. In * 1.18 Alexandria, when they would put a Man to a sudden death, they would set an Asp to his bosom or breast, and then after the wound or biting, bid the party walk up and down, and so immediately with∣in two or three turns he would fall down dead. Yet it is reported by Pliny, that the poyson of Asps drunk into the body doth no harm at all, and yet if a Man eat of the flesh of any beast slain by an Asp, he dyeth immediately.

But concerning the cure of such as have been, or may be hurt by Asps, I will now entreat, not spending any time to confute those, who have wrote that it is incurable: on the contrary it shall be manifest, that both by Chirurgery and Medicines, compound and simple, this both hath been and may happily be effected. First it is necessary when a Man is stung or bitten by a Serpent, that the * 1.19 wounded part be cut off by the hand of some skilful Chirurgeon, or else the flesh round about the wound, with the wound it self to be circumcised and cut with a sharp Rasor; then let the hottest burning things be applyed, even the ••earing Iron to the very bone. For so the occasion being taken away from the poyson to spread any further, it must needs die without any further damage. Then also the holes in the mean time before the ejection must be drawn, either with Cupping-glasse or with a Reed, or with the naked rump of a Ringdove or Cock; I mean the very hole set upon the bitten place. And because the hole is very narrow and small, it must be opened and made wider, the bloud be drawn forth by scarifications, and then must such medicinal herbs be applyed as are most opposite to poyson, as Rue, and such like. And because the poyson of Asps doth congeal the bloud in the * 1.20 veins, therefore against the same must all hot things made thin be applyed, as Mithridatum and Tri∣acle dissolved in Aqua vitae, and the same also dissolved into the wound; then must the Patient be used to bathings, fricasing or rubbing, and walking, with such like exercises. But when once the wound beginneth to be purple, green, or black, it is a sign both of the extinguishment of the ve∣nom, and also of the suffocating of natural heat, then is nothing more safe then to cut off the mem∣ber, if the party be able to bear it. After Cupping-glasses, and Scarifications, there is nothing * 1.21 that can be more profitably applyed then Cen••ory, Myrrh, and Opium, or Sorrel after the manner of a Plaister. But the body must be kept in daily motion and agitation, the wounds themselves of∣ten searched and pressed, and Sea-water used for fomentation. Butter likewise, and the leaves of * 1.22 Yew, are very good to be applyed to the bitings of Asps. And in the Northern Regions, (as witnesseth Olaus Magnus,) they use nothing but Bran like a Plaister, and their Cattle they anoint with Triacle and Salt all over the bunch or swelling. And thus much for the Chirurgical cure of the biting of Asps. In the next place, we may also relate the medicinal cure, especially of such things as are compound, and received inwardly.

First, after the wound, it is good to make the party vomit, and then afterward make him drink juyce of Yew and Triacle, or in the default thereof, Wine, as much of the juyce as a groat weight, or rather more. But for the tryal of the parties recovery, give him the powder of Centory in Wine to drink, and if he keep the medicine, he will live, but if he vomit or cast it up, he will dye thereof. But for the better avoidance and purging out the digested venom, distributed into every * 1.23 part of his body, give the party Garlick beaten with Zythum, until he vomit, or else Opoponex in Wine allayed with water: also Origan dry and green. After the vomit, the former antidotical me∣dicines may be used. And the Northern people use no other Triacle then Venetian. Whereas there * 1.24 are aboundance of all manner of Serpents in the Spanish Islands, yet never are any found there to use Triacle, neither do they account of it as of a thing any whit vertuous, but instead thereof they use the bearded Thapsia, Gilly-flowers, and red Violets, and the herb Avance, boyled in Wine Vinegar, the sharpest that may be gotten, and a sound mans Urine, wherewithall they bathe the wounded part, although much time after the hurt received. But saith Amb. Paraeus, it is much better for the Patient to drink thereof fasting, and before meat two hours, three ounces at a time. And by the help of this notable experiment, the Inhabitants of those Islands are nothing afraid to offer their bodies to be bitten by the most angry Asps. And thus much for compound medicines in general.

It is said, that the first and chiefest easie remedy for such as are bitten by Asps, is to drink so much of the sharpest Vinegar, as he can sensibly perceive and feel the same upon the right side of his mid∣riffe, * 1.25 because that poyson first of all depriveth the liver of sense. For Pliny saith, that he knew a man carrying a bottle of Vinegar to be bitten by an Asp, whiles by chance he trode thereupon, b•••• as long as he bore the Vinegar and did not set it down, he felt no pain thereby, but as often as to ease himself he set the bottle out of his hand, he felt torment by the poyson, which being related to the Physitians, they knew thereby that Vinegar drunk into the stomach was a soveraign antidote against poyson. Yet some say, that the first knowledge of this vertue in Vinegar, grew from the necessity which a little boy bitten by an Asp had of drinking, and finding no other liquor but a bottle of Vinegar, drank thereof a full draught, and so was eased of his pain. For the reason is,

that it hath both a refrigerative, and also a dissipating vertue, as may appear when it is poured on * 1.26 the earth, because it yeeldeth a froth, and therefore when it cometh into the stomach, it disperseth all the infected humors.

The Northern Shepheards do drink Garlick and stale Ale against the bitings of Asps. And some * 1.27 hold an opinion that Aniseed is an antidote for this sore. Others use Hart-wort, Apium seed, and Wine. Aron being burned, hath the vertue to drive away Serpents, and therefore being drunk with Oyl of bays in black Wine, it is accounted very soveraign against the bitings of Asps. The fruit of Balsam, with a little powder of Gentian in Wine, or the juyce of Mints, keepeth the sto∣mach from the Cramp after a Man is bitten by an Asp. Others give Castoreu〈…〉〈…〉, with Lignum Cassiae, and some the skin of a Storks stomach or maw. There be certain little filthy and corrupt Worms bred in rotten wood or paper, called Cimices, these are very profitable against poyson of Asps, or any other venomous biting beast, and therefore it is said that Hens and other Pullein do earnestly seek after these worms, and that the flesh of such fowl as have eaten thereof, is also profitable for the same purpose.

Athenaeus also writeth, how certain Theeves were condemned to be cast to Serpents to be de∣stroyed, now the morning before they came forth, they had given them to eat Citrons; when they were brought to the place of execution, there were Asps put forth unto them, who bit them, and yet did not harm them. The next day, it being suspected, the Prince commanded to give one of them a Citron, and the other none, so when they were brought forth again the Asps fell on them, and slew them that had not eaten Citron, but the other had no harm at all. The Egyptian C〈…〉〈…〉matis * 1.28 or Periwink drunk in Vinegar, is very good against the poyson of Asps; so likewise is Corral in Wine, or the leaves of Yew. Henbane bruised with the leaves thereof, and also bitter Hops have the same operation. The urine of a Tortoise drunk, is a medicine against all bitings of wilde beasts, and the urine of a Man hurt by an Asp, as Marcus Varro affirmed in the eighty ninth year of his age, according to the observation of Serenus saying;

Si vero horrendum vulnus fera fecerit Asp is, Ʋrinam credunt propriam conducere potu: Varronis fuit ista senis sententia, nec non Plinius ut memorat, sumpti juvat imber aceti.

Which may be Englished thus;

If that an Asp a mortal wound do bite, It's thought his urine well doth cure again, Such was the saying of old Varro hight, And Pliny too, drink Vinegar like drops of rain.

But it is more safe to agree with Pliny in the prescription of Mans urine, to restrain it to them that never had any beards. And more particularly against the Asp called Ptyas, and Matthiolus out of Dioscorides saith, that the quintessence of Aqua vitae, and the usual antidote, both mixed to∣gether and drunk, is most powerful against the venoms of the deaf Asp. And thus much for the antipathy and cure of Asps biting venomous nature, whereunto I will add for a conclusion, that pro∣verbial speech, of one Asp borrowing poyson of another, out of Tertullian against the Heretick M〈…〉〈…〉∣cion, who gathered many of his absurd impieties from the unbelieving Jews. De〈…〉〈…〉 nunc h〈…〉〈…〉cus à Judaeo aspis quod aiunt á Vipera 〈…〉〈…〉tuari venenum, that is, let the heretick now cease to borrow his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of a Jew, as the Asps do borrow their poyson from Vipers. And true it is, that this proverb hath especial use, when one bad man is holp or counselled by another; and therefore when Di••genes saw a company of women talking together, he said merrily unto them, Asp is par' echidnes pharmacon danet∣〈…〉〈…〉tai, that is, the Asp borroweth venom of the Viper. Thus much of the Asp.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Cael. Rhod.
• * 1.2

  Diodorus. Pierius.
• * 1.3

  Aelianus.
• * 1.4

  Aetius. Aegineta. Pliny.
• * 1.5

  Aetius. Avicenna. Arnoldus. Srabo.
• * 1.6

  Aetius. Olaus.
• * 1.7

  Am. Paraeus.
• * 1.8

  Bellonius.
• * 1.9

  Aelianus.
• * 1.10

  Gillius.
• * 1.11

  〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.12

  Pli••y.
• * 1.13

  Suidas.
• * 1.14

  Textor.
• * 1.15

  Aelianus.
• * 1.16

  Mercurial. Aetius.
• * 1.17

  Ponzettus.
• * 1.18

  Galen.
• * 1.19

  Dioscorid. Actuarius. Aegineta.
• * 1.20

  Mercurialis.
• * 1.21

  Paraeus.
• * 1.22

  Aetius.
• * 1.23

  Mercurialis.
• * 1.24

  Andreas.
• * 1.25

  Aetius.
• * 1.26

  Cor. Celsus.
• * 1.27

  Olaus Mag.
• * 1.28

  Pliny. Orpheus.