Zoologia: or, The history of animals as they are useful in physick and chirurgery.: Divided into four parts; the [brace] first treateth of the more perfect terrestrial creatures. Second third fourth of birds. fishes. insects. / By John Schroder, Dr. of physick.

The Third Classis OF FISHES. (Book 3 (fish))

I. Anguilla, an Eele.

IN medicinal use from this we borrow,

• 1. The fat.
• 2. The head.
• 3. The bloud.

1. The fat is good for wounds, begets hairs (anoynted in the disease Alopecia) restores hearing (dropped into the ear) asswages the Hemroids.

2. They say that the head of an Eele cures warts, if the bloudy head wherewith the warts are touched, be buryed in the earth that it may putrefie.

3. The bloud as yet warm, is said to mitigate the pain of the Colick (taken with Wine.)

N. Some say that the Wine wherein Eeles are suf∣focated makes men abstemious (if the Wine be drunk.)

II. Barbo, a Barble,

IS a fish very commendable in Kitchens.

It is not in Physical use, except the egges are taken of some countrey people to provoke vomit and stool, which they do very violently.

III. Blatta Bizantia

IS the shell or covering of a fish called Conchylium, smelling like Castoreum.

N. 1. Conchylium is the species of long Shell-fishes, which breeding in lakes where Nard doth grow, feed on it, whence the shell smells like Castor.

N. 2. Some confound the Conchylium and the Pur∣ple fish, but absurdly; for that is of the kinde of long shell-fishes, this of the round.

The vertues.

Inwardly taken it loosens the belly, softens the milt, and discusses vitious humors.

Outwardly by fume it stirs up women oppressed with the suffocation of the womb, and Falling-sick∣nesse. In other things it performs what other shells of Shell-fishes do.

IV. Cancer, a Crab.

IN use are,

• 1. The whole meat of the Crab.
• 2. The eyes.
• 3. The shell.

The vertues.

1 Crabs cool, moysten, asswage pain, fix the raging spirits:

Therefore are they of chief use in the heat and pain of the head and reyns, (bruised and applyed in form of a Pultise) in the Quinsie (a Gargarism is made of the juyce of Crabs, and also inwardly the juyce

may be given.) In an Atrophy (inwardly the juyce is used with water, or juyce of Celandine; outward∣ly a playster may be made of Crabs bruised, the li∣ver of a Calf, Oyl Olive, and Oyl of Bay) They draw darts out of the body (bruised and applyed) they are good in St. Anthony's fire, and burnings.

2. Crabs eyes cool, dry, cleanse, discusse, waste the Stone, resolve the Tartar, and clodded bloud.

Wherefore they are of great use in the Stone-co∣lick, Pleurisie, Asthma, Colick, &c. whether they be taken raw and powdered, or burnt and prepared; they serve likewise for cleansing the teeth.

3. The shell hath the same vertue with the eyes. Moreover it cures the scab of children arising from salt humors (mixt with Oyl of Roses and anoynt∣ed.) It drives away the fits of intermitting Fevers.

N. The thin new one is best after they have yearly cast the thicker.

Preparat

1. The ashes of Crabs (that is Crabs burnt) are drying▪ they excel by property against the biting of a mad Dog (taken with root of Gentian) with Honey they mollifie the chaps of the feet, the knobs and Cancers of the fundament. Some give burnt Crabs in a Dysentery.

N. Galen very highly commends this kinde of me∣dicine, which he confesseth, that he learned of Aes∣chrion the Emperick, against the biting of a mad Dog. And saith, that Aeschrion burnt the Crabs alive in a brazen vessel, till they might be brought into a smooth powder, and that about the rising of the Dog-star, the Sun passing into Leo.

The Dose one little spoonful for 40 days.

2. The eyes of Crabs prepared are made after the common manner, making them smooth with water of Fennel.

3. The Magistery of Crabs eyes.

4. The water of Crabs is made of Crabs distilled in B. M. or ashes.

The vertues.

It moves Urine, wasts the Stone, quenches thirst.

N. Quercetan steeps Crabs in water of housleek for a day, then he distilleth them, using three cohobati∣ons, and applyeth it to inflamation, burnings, and Cancers, which he saith they help much, especially if the water be impregnated with the Salt, elixiviated from the reliques.

5. The Oyl or liquor of Crabs eyes is made after the common manner per deliquium.

Otherwise

Take Crabs eyes 5 ounces, Oyl of Tartar per deli∣quium 6 ounces, digest them in Horse dung (13 days) then coagulate and extract with the Spirit of Wine, at length abstract the Spirit of Wine, and there re∣mains the Oyl.

The Dose from 4 grains to 6.

V. Carpio, the Carp,

IS a known fish living in mud and slyme.

Whence we use

• 1. The gall.
• 2. The grease.
• 3. The triangular stone.
• 4. The long stones.

The vertues.

1. The gall helps the dulnesse and the cloud of the eyes.

2. The grease helps the hot diseaseas of the sinews.

3. The triangular stone found in the head of a Carp, is holden to be good against the Colick, Stone, and Falling-sicknesse.

4. The two stones appearing above the eyes are commended against the Epilepsie.

VI. Cetus, a Whale.

WHich name generally signifies huge fishes bringing forth living young, yet in particular it is taken for the greatest species of them, which for its vast bignesse and shape is like a four-footed Beast.

In use is the grease, which heals the scab (anoynt∣ed.)

N. Some would have the Sperma Ceti of the shops to be taken out of this fish, but falsely.

Others account Amber-greese as taken from hence, but falsely.

Manati.

Among the kindes of Whales is reckoned a fish called Manati from the two former feet, which only it represents, and these the Spaniards call hands, whence also they call it the handed fish. The Ger∣mans for the likenesse of its head, whereby it resem∣bleth a Cow, call it a Sea-cow.

In use is the stone of the Manati, which is a crusty bone taken out of its head, and it is of divers shapes; for some time it represents the teeth, and of some is called the tooth of a Sea-cow, sometime the ••ones of the ears, and are called the bones of hearing.

Preparat.

1. Preparation is made of it calcined or burn.

N. It is good to bedew it with some convenient water, as of Fennel, &c.

The vertues.

It is very much commended for breaking the Stones of the veins and bladder, for asswaging the Ne∣phritick and Colick pains.

The Dose 1 dram and upward.

N. Some ascend to an ounce.

2. A Magistery may be made by dissolving it with Spirit of Salt or Niter, and precipitating it with water.

VII. Concha, the Shell-fish,

IS a kinde of Fish wanting an head, entrenched within shells, whether it be a single or double shell. Of this kinde are also those that have Pearl in them. It comprehends under it divers species for the most part, having names according to their fi∣gure and colour, or distinguished by a speciall name.

N. 1. The Concha increaseth and decreaseth with the Moon.

N. 2. Amongst water Animals none is accounted to be taken with a greater desire of eating mans flesh than this.

In medicinal use are,

1. The shells. 2. The flesh. 3. The Pearls.

The Vertues.

1. The shells have the vertue to dry, to move sweat, to cleanse, &c.

Hence their internal use chiefly is in Fevers, which they cure by sweat.

Outwardly they are good in dentifrices, in repres∣sing the swellings of the fundament (the ashes ap∣plyed.)

Preparat.

The shells are used both powdered only, and also calcined and powdered, or prepared after the com∣mon manner, and made smooth with water of Car∣duus Benedictus, and the like.

Of the shells of the long sort is made that famous medicine of Crollius against the Fever after this man∣ner;

Pour Vinegar upon the shells, let it stand for a night, then it extracteth the filth, which being scraped off, calcine the shells to whitenesse, and keep the powder.

The vertues.

It moves sweat in abundance, and therefore used the fit approaching (chiefly in a Tertian) it dis∣solves Fevers, especially if used the second or third time.

The Dose from one scruple and half to a dram.

N. Crollius gives it in a draught of hot Ale with a lit∣tle Butter.

2. The flesh, that is to say, the eatable substance belongs chiefly to Kitchens, and in meat is said to be good for Quartanes.

3. Pearls are round stones found in many Shell-fishes, of the same excrement where of their shells are made.

They are accounted twofold, Oriental and Occi∣dental; the former are more bright, and are prefer∣red before the rest; the latter are white and lesse bright: they are found also in many places of Eu∣rope, as in Scotland, Sil••sia, Bohemia, Frisia, and other Maritine lands, but they are of lesse worth. In like manner the greater, and those which have a hole through them are esteemed riper and more excellent than the lesse and not perforated.

The vertues.

They make a most excellent Cordial, by which the Balsom of life oppressed, and strength decayed are notably refreshed and comforted, therefore they resist poyson, the Plague and putrefaction, they exhi∣larate the minde, and for this cause they are in such repute, that the last help even of those that are ready to die, is usually from thence expected.

Preparat.

1. They are prepared after the common manner, by making them smooth upon a Marble, now and then sprinkling them with Cordial water (as of Roses, Balm, and the like.)

2. Salt of Pearls is made by dissolving them in Vinegar, or in the juyce of Barberies and Limons, thickning the filtration to the remaining of Salt, and being thick by washing or dissolving it again, pu∣rifying it and sweetning it.

N. They need not be powdered, because whole, and without digestion they yeeld to Vine∣gar.

N. 2. Pearls washed, and if you please, bruised, are dissolved in the juyce of Citrons poured on to the height of four fingers by digestion, on the dis∣solution is poured May dew distilled, or Balm water, and the dissolution is poured off. Then new juyce of Citrons is infused, digested, and May dew is again infused, or Balm water, and decanted, &c. And this work is often repeated, till the Pearls be almost wholly dissolved, a very few feces remaining. At l••st the dissolution is made thick with a gentle fire, to the remaining of the powder.

The Dose from 6 grains to 10. in the water of May dew distilled with Manna, or in Cinamon water with Rose water.

N. Pa••acalsus attributes great vertues to the Salt

of Pearl, as to other medicines thereof prepa∣red: the processes (quoth he) of these, though sim∣ple, yet wonderful is the operation of them; yet this action of vertues is not made by Art, but is in their very nature. Which is hid in the grosse sub∣stance, and cannot operate as a dead body, but after dissolution is made its body is revived.

2. Unto this is very like the Salt or Magistery of Pearls of Riverius.

Take Pearls most finely powdered as much as thou wilt, make a paste thereof with juyce of Citrons or Oranges, and let it alone for a time. Then dissolve it with Vinegar distilled according to Art, till the Pearls be almost altogether dissolved: mingle the Vinegar with a third p••rt of River water, distill it in sand with a gentle fire, then with a stronger; being distilled, pour it again upon the Caput mortuum remaining, and dissolve it again, then filter it, and evaporate it very easily, and the remainder will be the Magistery of the Pearls.

The vertues.

Besides the vertues above said, it is a chief Preser∣vative against the Gowt.

The Dose one scruple at the most.

3. The Magistery of Pearls.

1. Common is made by dissolving it with Vinegar distilled, and precipitating it with Oyl of Tartar.

2. Butter is made, as that Buttery Magistery of Co∣ral thus;

Dissolve Pearls in the Spirit of May dew, or in distilled Vinegar, precipitate it with Oyl of Sulphur per C then sweeten and digest it for a time with Spirit of Wine, which being abstracted, thou hast a Magi∣stery melting in the mouth like Butter.

3. The feathery Dissolve Pearls according to art in spirit of Niter, then filter it, pouring distilled rain wa∣ter upon it, then precipitate it with Oyl of Sulphur per C. sweeten and dry it.

The vertues

Are to be gathered out of the aforesaid.

The Dose from 6 grains to 15.

4. The Oyl or liquor of pearls,

Is made per Deliquium; the manner is easie.

5. The Essence, Tincture, Arcanum of Pearls.

Take Pearls as much as thou wilt, dissolve them with distilled Vinegar, and make a Salt; purifie the salt thus made by frequent dissolutions in Vinegar and coagulations (the feces always cast away) until no more feces shall remain after the last dissolution, and the Pearls by that freed from all uncleannesse: then dissolve them with rain water, or May dew, and by distillation abstract the humidity, and repeat this so often, till the Pearls become sweet (this the sweet∣nessse of the water last distilled sheweth.) This Salt so freed from the feces, digest in a close vessel in M. B. 8 or 10 days with Spirit of Wine poured on to the height of two fingers; so the Pearls in that time will send their Essence like thick Oyl to the top of the Spirit of Wine, which warily separate, and pouring on new Spirit of Wine, repeat the labour as oft as thou pleasest: for almost all the Salt is converted, a very few feces left, into an Essence. This circulate a fresh with Spirit of Wine for a time, afterward by gentle distillation in B. M. separate the Spirit of Wine, and keep it for use.

The vertues

Are according to the rest, but stronger by far in respect of its very great subtilty.

The Dose from 6 grains to 14.

A secret by the Spirit of Guaiacum.

Take of Pearls powdered very small, as much as thou wilt, extract according to Art a most red tin∣cture with the Spirit of Guaiacum rectified, the re∣maining powder calcine gently, and extract again twice or thrice with new Spirit of Guaiacum. Coa∣gulate the Extracts in B. M. to the appearance of a divers coloured thin skin, which is a sign that the phlegm being abstracted there remains in a coagula∣ted form, the sole secret or Essence of Pearls with the Spirit of Guaiacum.

N 1. This Essence and Spirit can scarse be sepa∣rated asunder.

N. 2. The same Essence or Arcanum of Pearls is suddenly dissolved with water of Balm, and the like, a sufficient quantity, and is turned into a red tran∣sparent colour, of an excellent tast.

The vertues.

It cleans••th the bloud excellently, and is of great vertue in the French disease.

The Dose from 6 grains to 14.

Another Tincture.

Take Pearls half ounce, Spirit of Salt a sufficient quantity, dissolve them according to Art, decant, ab∣stract that it may become like pap, which wash off by a distilled water, circulate with Spirit of Wine 6 weeks, then abstract the Spirit of Wine, with a gen∣tle heat of B. M.

5. The flowers of Pearls.

Pearls are dissolved with distilled Vinegar, the dis∣solution is digested for a moneth, then the Vinegar is abstracted, and at length the flowers are elevated with a stronger fire.

6. The Spirit of Pearls, or the pearled Spirit of the earth.

Take of the Salt or Magistery of Pearls 6 ounces,

terra sigillat. one pound, mingle and imbibe with a sufficient quantity of Oyl of Pearls, and make Balls, which being dryed by a Retort, as the Spirit of Salt is distilled, rectifie it, and keep it for use.

The vertues.

It is a very great secret in the Gowt.

LIII. Dentalium & Entalium,

IS a little Shell-fish somewhat long, rough on the outside, smooth within, hollow after the manner of a reed, and in one part having a chink like a Dogs tooth, whence it is called Dentalium.

N. Not a fish, but a long and slender worm is the Inhabitant of the Dentalium.

It grows to Rocks of the Sea, and to old Shell-fishes.

The Entalium is a Sea Shell-fish, long like a little horn, right and hollow, chamfered without, smooth within, seldom exceeding the length of ones fin∣ger.

N. It seems to be the Dactylus of Pliny.

The vertues.

Though both of these are hitherto little used in Medicine, but only in the Citrine Unguent, yet is it likely, that they may be used with other kindes of shells to the like affects.

IX. Halec, the Hering,

IS a Sea-fish ordinary in the Baltick Sea, and other Seas of Germany.

In medicinal use are,

• 1. The roes.
• 2. The hering it self.
• 3. The brine or pickle.

The vertues.

1. The roes in number 9 are said to move Urine.

2. The whole hering salted is laid to the soles of the feet to derive humors from the head, and to mi∣tigate Feverish heat: The ashes are used for break∣ing the Stone (it is made as that of Crabs.)

3. The brine or pickle is the broth wherein the He∣ring or other fish is kept. It serves for Clysters in the Sciatick and Dropsie, it cleanses stinking ulcers, restrains the Gangreen, disperser strumes; and is good against Quinsies (anoynted with Honey.)

X. Huso Ichthiocolla,

IS one of the greatest sort of fishes (24 foot in length weighing 400 pounds) grisly without bones (except those in the head) withoutscales, &c. It is a fish ordinary in Danubius, swimming out of the Sea into Danubius, for the desire of sweet waters.

It furnisheth us with Fish glew, white in colour, made of its skin, intestines, ventricle, fins, and tayl, after this manner.

The said parts being cut into very thin pieces are steeped in a sufficient quantity of water, then they

are boyled to the consistence of a pultise with a gentle fire, and are malaxed into a masse before they be cold.

The vertues.

It dryeth, filleth up, and in some respect mollifies. Wherefore it is used in glewing plaisters.

N. It is also used to jelly broth; of the same with Sugar-candy is boyled a transparent and yellow kinde of glew, which melted in the mouth is used to glew papers together; it is called Mouth-glew.

XI Lucius, a Lucy.

N. SOme confound a Lucy and a Wolf, which though it may be granted in respect of the name, seeing both are ravenous fishes, as the Land-wolf, yet are they really distinguished, for the Wolf of the Antients is a Sea-fish, of a different shape from the Lucy.

In medicine are used,

• 1. The gall.
• 2. The heart.
• 3. The mandible.
• 4. A little bone crosse-like.
• 5. The grease.
• 6. The egges.

The vertues.

1. The gall is said to drive away the Fever (if three in number be taken.

Outwardly it serves for the spots of the eyes, dim∣ness and other diseases.

2. The heart is eaten against the fits of Fevers.

N. Some command to swallow the heart, the Lucy as yet alive, and to throw the Lucy again into the River.

3. The mandible dryes, cleanses, therefore is it given in the Pleurisie, as a specifical remedy; it

profits also as the rest of the bones of the head in the stone; in the whites and hard labour of women.

Outwardly, the ashes stay fleeting humors [synoviam] mundifies inveterate wounds, dryes the Hemroids.

4. The bone of the form of a Crosse taken out of the head of a Lucy is commended of some against the Epi∣lepsie (taken.)

N. It is accounted of some a singular amulet against charms.

5. The fat or grease is a vulgar medicine, and is anoynted on the soles of the feet, and breasts of Infants for Revulsion of Catarrhs, and to asswage the Cough.

6. The egges are fit to move the belly and vomit; and for this cause they are used of the common peo∣ple in stead of medicine.

Preparat.

The water of the gall distilled cures the eyes.

XII. Mater Perlarum, Mother of Pearls,

IS a species of Shell-fishes taking their name from Pearls, which are oftener found in them then in other.

The vertues.

Besides the common vertues of Shell-fishes, some attribute a Cordial vertue to this; but let them see with what successe.

Others make a medicine against the Fever of this, after the manner which we have described above con∣cerning long Shell-fishes.

XIII. Mustela, a Lamprey.

WHence are in Medicinal use,

• 1. The liver.
• 2. The ventricle.
• 3. The backbone.

The vertues.

1. The liver hanged in a glasse, and exposed to the heat, melts into a yellow liquor, very good for the dimnesse and spots of the eyes.

2. The ventricle is commended very much against the diseases of the womb, but chiefly it is said to ex∣pel the secundine, and to help the Colick (drunk.)

3. The back bone powdered, is said to cure the Fal∣ling-sicknesse.

XIV. Ostrea, the Oyster,

IS a Shell-fish of the kinde of round ones.

The vertues.

Oysters move pestilential botches from their place, and draw all the poyson to themselves; but they are to be tyed to that part of the arm where the ax∣illarie vein runs, if it be in the arm-pits; but if it pos∣sesse the groyn, the lineaments of the thigh, which the vein of the thigh describes.

N. The Shells may be used in stead of other shells.

XV. Perca, the Perch.

IT is understood of the River Perch, to distinguish it from that of the Sea.

In use are stones found in the head near the begin∣ning of the back-bone.

These agree in vertue with the rest of shelly-stones, and are used in wasting the Stone and cleansing the Kidneys.

Outwardly in dentrifrices and drying of wounds.

XVI. Rana Aquatica, the Water Frog.

THat is best which is found in clear Rivers and Springs, and is green.

For the red Frog (rubeta) and that which lives in Pools, is condemned as pernicious.

The Earth-frog is inferior to the Water-frogs, and those which are spotted, are accounted veno∣mous.

In medicinal use are,

• 1. Frogs themselves.
• 2. The heart.
• 3. The liver.
• 4. The gall
• 5. The fat.
• 6. The sperm.

The vertues.

1. Dioscorides accounts Frogs as an Antidote against the poyson of all Serpents, if they be eaten with Salt, Oyl, or Butter, and their broth supped: they are also good against the tendons. It brings a loathing of Wine, if the Wine in which a living Frog hath

been drowned, be drunk: a living one applyed on a pestilential botch till it dye, doth draw out the poy∣son. A whole living one is used against the heat of burning Fevers, asswages the pain of the joynts, and quenches St. Anthonies fire (applyed either alive or bruised) it helps the Tooth-ach (boyled and used in a Gargarism.)

N. If it be applyed to the pained belly, it is said that the disease presently passes into it.

2. The heart of a Frog tyed to the spine of the lick of a Fever, mitigates the feverish chilnesse: some apply it to the region of the heart, to asswage the heat of burning Fevers.

3. The liver dryed and powdered in the accesse of Quartanes, and other Fevers, is taken with good successe. Crato gives it in water of Milfoyl.

N. They commend the livers of green Frogs living in Fens, as a specifick medicine against the Epilepsie. They order it to be in the Conjunction of the Lumina∣ries, the Moon in Cancer.

4. The gall peculiarly helps the eyes, and is said to cure the Quartane, made into powder, and given to half a dram.

5. The fat put into the ears cures the pains thereof.

6. The sperm cools, thickens, asswages pains, cures the scabbinesse of the hands, (if they be washed with it in March.) It kills Impostumations under the nayls, and the wilde fire; it helps Erisypelas and burnings, and other inflamations (applyed on the place) It cures the rednesse of the face, the flux of the terms, and Hemroids (put into the Matrix or Fundament.)

N. A linnen cloth often wet in this sperm, and dryed, is kept for use; others put the same sperm in a pot under the earth till it be turned into wa∣ter.

Preparat.

1. The ashes sprinkled, stays the flowing of bloud of wounds and nosthrils. It restrains the Bloudy flux of the womb by fume, it is with liquid pitch anoynt∣ed on Alopecies.

Inwardly it stayes a Gonorrhea (one dram taken.)

2. Distilled water of Frogs,

Is made of living Frogs taken about the end of March, or beginning of April, by an Alembeck.

3. The distilled water of the sperm,

Is made by an Alembeck of the sperm gathered in March.

N. 2. They use to adde Salt.

Vertues.

They are manifest from the precedent, besides which it is a notable medicine for the bladder, ulce∣rated from the acrimony of humors. It is also good to beat back and stay the issue of bloud, and rednesse of the face; it cures Tetters, Erisypelas, and Gan∣grene.

4. The Oyl,

Is made by boyling Frogs with common Oyl, or Oyl of Roses.

5. The compound powder of the sperm.

Take good Myrrhe, male Frankincense, of each two ounces, Saffron powdered half a dram, Cam∣phire three drams; powder all and mingle them; miosten this powder with the distilled water of the sperm of Frogs, twenty or thirty times, yet so, that the former be always dryed of its own accord; then keep it for use.

N. The sperm is to be gathered about three d••ys before the new Moon in March (then it stinks not) and is to be distilled in B. M.

The vertues.

It is a chief remedy against bleeding of the nose,

throat, womb, because by its coldnesse it coagulates the bloud. It helps also if it be dissolved with Vi∣negar, and applyed on Erisypelas and hot Gowts. It likewise stays the bleeding of wounds, it kills Im∣postumation under the nayls.

The Dose 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. grains.

N. 1. If the bleeding arise from the corruption of the bloud, it is no ill medicine, because it drives away rottennesse; but in the diseases of the womb, for the Myrrhe and Saffron I had rather use another.

N. 2. When Frogs and their sperm, or Snayls, Worms, and Crabs are to be distilled, they are to be inclosed in a clean linnen cloth, and hanged in the middle of the vessel, otherwise the waters will par∣take of the stench, and in the same linnens will re∣main the powder of the said creatures very well pre∣pared, to which for the better correcting of it, in∣still some few drops of spirit of Wine, and dry it again, or extract the tincture with the said spirit of Wine.

N. 2. Fabricius de Gangr. commends the powder as good against malign ulcers, and to restrain all in∣flamations.

XVII. Sepia, the Cuttle,

IN Physical use are,

• 1. The Cuttle bone.
• 2. The black humor.
• 3. The egges.

The vertues.

1. The bone dryeth, cleanseth (powdered or burnt to ashes) it cures the spots, moles, the moist scab, it is good for the eyes, (the ashes put in with Honey) it helps

the swoln gums (in dentrifices) it is a remedy for the Asthmatick (taken) it stays the running of the reins, it expels stones, it moves urine (the powder taken to the quantity of a scruple.)

2. The black humor found within a bladder in the body, is said to move the belly (taken.)

3. The egges cleanse the reins and ureters, move the terms and urine.

XVIII. Sturio, the Sturgeon,

IS a fish set with pricks on the back and belly, loving both fresh and salt waters, of a great big∣nesse.

The vertues.

The bones of the Sturgeon are commended in the running Gowt (used.)

As also in discussing the pains of the Colick.

XIX. Testudo, the Tortoyse,

IS a creature living as well in the water as on land, of the kinde of shell-fishes, having a shell-buckler on his back.

In medicinal use are,

1. The shanks. 2. The bloud. 3. The gall.

The vertues.

1. The shanks are used for a most approved Amu∣let against the Gowt.

Take a male Tortoyse (he is known among other things from the difference of his tail, and a litttle slit under the inner shell) when the Moon shall be in the

wane, before she be joyned with the Sun. Let his shanks be cut off he being alive, and being sowed in bags made of a Kids skin, let them be tyed to the pa∣tients members, so that the right shank of the Tor∣toyse answer to the right thigh of the patient, and the left to the left, and in like manner, the right shank of the former leg be applyed to the right arm, and the left to the left.

2. The bloud of a Sea and Land Tortoyse in inward medicines, is given for an Antidote to 2 drams.

The bloud of a land Tortoyse is used against the Hectick (new and raw to an ounce) being dryed, it is commended against the Epilepsie.

3. The gall is good for the eyes.

XX. Thymallus, called Pagrus.

IN use is the fat or grease.

The vertues.

It cleanseth the spots and web of the eyes (mel∣ted in the Sun, and mixed with Honey) it takes away the spots of the skin, and fills up the pits remaining after the Small pocks (anoynted.)

XXI. Tinca, the Tench,

IS a slimy fish loving Fenny waters and muddy, it is bred both by propagation, and also of its own ac∣cord, It loves the Lucy.

In Physical use are,

• 1. The whole fish.
• 2. The gall.

The vertues.

1. The whole fish cut into two parts is laid upon the pulses of the hands, and soles of the feet, to miti∣gate the heat of Fevers, or to divert the pestilential venom. In like manner it is used in the pain of the head and joynts. Living Tenches (one after ano∣ther) applyed on the navel and liver until they dye, are said to cure the Jaundise, for they attract the yellow colour. I have seen a Tench burnt to ashes (especially the skin) with successe given in the whites of women.

2. The gall is commended against the diseases of the ears.

3. In the head it hath a stone as the Carp, which may be used for the same diseases that the stone of the Carp is.

XXII. Truta, the Trout,

IS a fish very much used in kitchens and much com∣mended.

In use is the fat, which is anoynted on the chaps of the fundament.

The End of the Third Classis.