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CHAP. X. What cure must be used to the biteings and stingings of venomous beasts,
CUre must speedily be used without any delay to the bites and stingings of venemous beasts which may by all means disperse the poyson, and keep it from entring into the body; for when the principal parts are possessed, it boots nothing to use medicines afterwards. Therefore the Antients have propounded a double indication to lead us to the finding out of me∣dicines in such a case, to wit, the evacuation of the virulent and venenate humor, and the chang or alteration of the same and the affected body. But seeing evacuation is of two sorts, to wit, universal, which is by the inner parts; and particular; which is by the outward parts. Wee must begin at the particular, by such to pick medicines as are fit to draw out, and retund the venom;* 1.1 for we must not alwaies begin a cure with generall things, as some think; especially in external di∣seases, as wounds. fractures, dislocations, venomous bites and punctures. Wherefore hereto as spee∣dily as you may, you shall apply remedies fit for the bites and punctures of venomous beasts; as for, example the wounds shall be presently washed with urine, with sea-water, aqua vitae, or wine or vinegar wherein old treacle or mustard shall be dissolved.* 1.2 Let such washing be performed ve∣ry hot, and strongly chafed in, and then leave upon the wound and round about it, linnen rags, or lint steeped in the same liquor. There be some who thinke it not fit to lay treacle thereto because, as they say, it drives the poyson in. But the authority of Galen convinceth that opinion;* 1.3 for he writeth that if the treacle be applied to this kind of wounds before that the venom shal arrive at the noble parts, it much conduceth, Also reason confutes it; for vipers flesh enters the compo∣sition of treacle which attracts the venom by the similitude of substance, as the Load-stone draw∣eth iron, or Amber straws. Moreover, the other simple medicines which enter this composition, resolve and consume the virulency and venom, and being inwardly taken, it defendeth the heart and other noble parts, and corroqorateth the spirits. Experience teacheth that mithridate fitly given in the stead of treacle worketh the like effect. The medicines that are taken inwardly and applied outwardly for evacuation, must be of subtil parts, that they may quickly insinuate them∣selves into every part to retund the malignity of the poyson; wherefore garlick, onions,* 1.4 leeks are very good in this case, for that they are vaporous; also scordium, Rue, dictamnus, the lesser Cen∣taury, hore-hound, Rocket, the milke juice of unripe figs, and the like, are good; there is a kinde of wild buglosse amongst all other plants, which hath a singular force against venomous bites, whence it is termed Echium and viperium, and that for two causes; the first is, because in the purple flowers that grow amongst the leaves, there is a resemblance to the head of a viper or adder. Another reason is, because it heals the biting of a viper not onely applied outwardly,* 1.5 but also helpeth such as are bitten, being drunk in wine, yea, and will not suffer those that have lately drunk thereof to be bitten at all. Wilde Time hath the like affect; though these oftimes agree with the poyson in quality as in heat, yet do they help in discussing and resolving it; yet, as much as we may, we must labor to have evacuation and alteration together. It is most conve∣nient, if the part affected will permit, to apply large cupping-glasses with much flame and horns; also sucking is good, the mouth being first washed in wine wherein some treacle is dissolved, and with oil, lest any thing should adhere thereto, for it will hinder it, if so be the mouth be no where ulcerated. It is good also to apply horse-leeches; some wish to apply to the wound, the funda∣ments of hens or turkies that lay egs, for that such are opener behind, first putting salt upon them that they may gape the wider, shutting their beaks and opening them now and then lest they should be stifled, and ever and anon to substitute others instead of such as die or are suffocated; for thus it is thought the poyson is drawn forth, and passeth into the bird by the fundament. There be others which had rather apply to the wound live birds cut a sunder in the midst, and so laid to hot, for that they guess these resist poyson by a natural discord. But certainly it is by their heat, whereby they do not only digest to••ds, asps, vipers, scorpions and other venomous things, but also wear asunder and soften sand, stones, and most dry and stony seeds in their gizzards; wherefore we must thinke them very good to draw out the poyson and dissipate it.* 1.6 But nothing is so for∣cible to disperse and retund the venom, as the impression of cauteries, especially actual, for a hot iron works more effectually and speedily, and causeth an ulcer which will remain open a longer time. Wherefore to cause the speedier falling away of the Eschar, you shall scarifie it to the quick, and then plentifully annoint the place. For thus the poyson will the sooner pass forth; But this must be done before the poyson enters far into the body, for otherwise Cauteries will not only do no good, but further torment the patient, and weaken him to no purpose. Let draw∣ing plasters be laid to the wound and neighboring parts, made of Galbanum, turpentine,* 1.7 black p••tch, and other gummy and resinous things. After the falling away of the Eschar, basilicon shall be applyed, quickned with a little Precipitate, for it is very effectual in these cases, for that it draweth forth the virulent sanies out of the bottom of the wound, neither doth it suffer the wound to be closed speedily, To which purpose they put in a piece of a spunge, or a root of Gentian or Hermodactly, or some acrid medicine, as aegyptiacum, or Precipitate mixed with the powder of A∣lum, or a caustick beaten to powder. But you must alwaies observe this,* 1.8 that with your oint∣ments you must alwayes mix some Treacle or Mithridate, or the juice of hypericon, or the like, which have power to attract and disperse the poyson, and cleanse the ulcer; yet if too vehement heat shall cause such pain as is likely to bring a grangrene by the dissiparion of the spirits, then neglecting the cure of the proper disease for a time, we must labor to correct the symptom. But in this case you must observe this rule, that you let no blood, give no purging medicine nor