The parfait mareschal, or Compleat farrier. Which teacheth, I. To know the shapes and goodness, as well as faults and imperfections of horses. II. The signs and causes of their diseases, the means to prevent them, their cure, and the good or bad use of purging and bleeding. III. The way to order and preserve them, when upon travel, to feed, and to dress them. IV. The art of shoeing, according to a new design of shoes, which will recover bad feet, and preserve the good. Together with a treatise, how to raise and bring up a true and beautiful race of horses: as also instructions, whereby to fit all kinds of horses with proper bits, whereof the chief draughts are represented in copper-plates. / Written originally in French by the Sieur de Solleysel Escuyer, sometime one of the overseers of the French Kings Royal Academy of Riding, near to the Hostel de Conde in Paris. And translated from the last Paris impression, by Sir William Hope of Kirkliston Kt. Lieutenat Governour of the Castle of Edinburgh. By whom is also added as a supplement to the first part, a most compendious and excellent collection of horsemanship, taken from the best and most modern writers upon that subject, such as Mr. De la Brow, Pluvinel, and the Great Duke of Newcastle. Part I.

CHAP. CLXXIX. Of the manner of giving the Fire to Horses.

'TIS a general Rule that admits of no Exceptions, unless in cases of extream ne∣cessity, that the Fire must be always given during the Wane of the Moon. The best time is about five or six Days after the Full-Moon. I have oftentimes had occasion, in this Book, to treat of the Parts where the Fire must be given; and of the Diseases which it cures. Nevertheless, I think my self oblig'd to add some Considerations to what has been said on that subject, for a further clearing of a Doubt which is fre∣quently propos'd, namely, whether this Operation can be perform'd safely on Nervous or Sinewy Parts. In answer to this Question I maintain, that the Fire may be given without any danger, provided the Skin be not pierc'd with the red-hot Knives, or other Instruments that are made use of: And therefore, that you may proceed with greater Security, you must observe these three Directions.

• 1. Press not too hard upon the Part.
• 2. Let the Knife be red-hot, not flaming.
• 3. Let it be heated in a Charcoal Fire.

With a due observance of these Cautions, the Operation may be perform'd in any part of the Body, without the least prejudice to the Sinews, or any other inconve∣niency whatsoever. This assertion is grounded upon undoubted Experience, which is the most demonstrative Argument in such cases: For can you imagine a Part fuller of Nerves and Ligaments than the Hough, and the hinder part of the Shank-Bone of the Fore-Legs; and yet I can assure you, that the Fire has been given a hundred times on all these places by my order, on the inside, on the outside, on the bending, both the sides and hinder Part of the Leg, and even on the Pastern-Joints, both of the Fore and Hin∣der Legs, where there is a great number of Nerves and Ligaments, and the Skin is very near the Bones that move the Joint; so that the least alteration or hurt wou'd have been easily perceiv'd. In all these cases I observ'd, that the Horse was at least eas'd, if not perfectly cur'd; for the Fire is the most powerful Resolvent that can be apply'd,

and asswages those hard and congeal'd Swellings that resist the Operation of all other Remedies; so that the Leg which was swoll'n and deform'd before, becomes clean and fit for Service.

The Italians, who deserve to be commended for their extraordinary Skill in Horse∣manship, and for their Care not to venture on any dangerous Operation, without a due Examination and Knowledge of the Cause of the Disease, are frequently wont to give the Fire on the legs and Houghs of their Horses by way of Preservation, and never esteem a Horse the less valuable because he has suffer'd this Operation. And the same Custom prevails among the Turks, Arabs, and Moors, who usually give the Fire, to prevent the ill Consequences of those fatiguing Marches to which their Horses are daily expos'd.

'Twou'd be an endless Labour to undertake the Confutation of all the Errours that are introduc'd by Ignorance and want of Experience in those who are entrusted with the Cure of Horses: But I may say without Vanity, that I have made several successful Attempts in order to the rooting out of those Abuses, and particularly that I have brought this Method into Reputation and Credit; especially at Paris: and I can assure the Reader, that in a vast Number of Tryals, I have always found the Effect to answer, and even sometimes to exceed my Expectation. 'Tis true, that if the Horse be suffer'd to rub off the Skin, or to lick the Sores, the Marks usually remain for a long time after: But these unseemly Scars ought not to be ascrib'd to the Fire, but to the Neglect of those who undertake the Cure. 'Tis highly convenient, or rather necessary in this Case to hinder the Horse from rubbing, biting, licking, or peeling the burnt Parts, after the falling of the Scab, when the Flesh is raw: For if this Caution be not observ'd, all the Dexterity of the Operator cannot prevent the ensuing Deformity of the Part. But since 'tis extremely difficult to restrain Horses from endeavouring some way or other to ease themselves of the Itch that torments 'em when the Sores begin to heal, you must put Collars upon 'em as upon Horses that are troubl'd with the Farcin, or tye 'em up so fast, that they may not be able to lick their Sores. And at the same time strew the Part with Powder of burnt Allom, or Vitriol calcin'd to Redness, usually call'd Colcothar, or wash 'em with the Vulnerary Water once a day, which wonderfully allays that troublesome Itching. For want of the Vulnerary Water, you may apply either the Second, or the Yellow Water; and frequent walking is also very useful in this Case.

If these Directions be observ'd, there will be scarce any apparent Marks of Burn∣ing, especially in Winter when the Hair is long; and even some Horses, who suffer'd this Operation under my Inspection, have been afterwards sold without any suspicion on the Buyer's side, that the Fire had ever been apply'd to any part of 'em. In giving the Fire, unless in Cases of extreme Necessity, you must never pierce the Skin, at least in such Parts as are of necessary Use, but only sear it gently, and by degrees, till it be of a reddish Colour, resembling a Cherry.

'Tis to be observ'd, that the Cure of those Holes that are made by piercing the Skin, is extremely difficult. Sometimes certain Bunches or Tumours, grow upon the Cheeks, which if they were seated in any other part of the Body, ought to be pierc'd with a red-hot Iron assoon as they are fully ripen'd, and the Matter fit to be evacuated: But the giving of the Fire is extremely dangerous on the flat part of the Cheek, for it usually produces an Ulcer that cannot be heal'd without great difficulty.

The Skin is usually pierc'd for Ring-Bones, Scratches, Quitter-Bones, Over-Reaches on the Cronet or Hoof, Strains in the Hips or Shoulders: And sometimes there are only small Holes made which scarce pierce the Skin, and a Plaister laid over 'em. These are almost the only Cases in which the Skin may be safely pierc'd; for 'tis very dangerous to make such an Attempt in the Houghs, and other Nervous Parts. The right Per∣formance of this Operation requires time; for 'tis incomparably better to make use of a moderately hot Knife, and to draw the same Stroak five or six times over, then to make it at one dash with a very hot Knife. Many Farriers are guilty of an Errour on the other side; for they only burn the Hair, which they call giving of the Fire lightly, tho' it hardly deserves the Name of Fire at all, since it produces no Effect. 'Tis true, indeed, those who commend the way of giving the Fire lightly, may be said to speak more reasonably than they think; but tho' we must not imitate 'em, in burning only the Hair, and scarce touching the Skin; 'tis certain the Operation must be perform'd with a light and steddy Hand, but, as I intimated before, the Skin must be sear'd till it acquire a bright Cherry-Colour.

Seven or eight Days before the Application of the Fire, the Parts must be soften'd either with Baths or Fomentations, such as are mention'd in the Chapters that treat of tyr'd and decay'd Legs, or with softening Remedies, such as are prescrib'd for the Cure of Splents: For thus the Humours are dispos'd to yield to the Operation of the Fire, which finds less Resistance, and more effectually dissipates and dissolves 'em.

The Part being soften'd, you must proceed to give the Fire gently and dexterously, according to the Nature and Situation of the Part, either in the Form of a Feather, Rose, Shield, Palm of the Hand, or any other convenient Figure.

The Fire thus dextrously and lightly given to a Part that is already soften'd, will produce a much more considerable Effect, than the most violent Fire that can be ap∣ply'd, without a due Preparation of the Part by softening Remedies.

After the giving of the Fire you may apply yellow Wax melted, and mixt with black Pitch also melted, with Shavings of Cloth over all; and after nine, ten, or twelve Days, when the Scabs fall away, wash the burnt Part once a day with Brandy. I seldom use Plaisters in these Cases, since the Cure may be effectually perform'd by anointing the burnt Parts once a day with a Mixture of Brandy and Honey, and by washing the Sores with Brandy alone after the Scabs are fall'n. 'Tis true when the Skin is pierc'd, 'tis absolutely necessary to apply a Plaister to concentrate the Heat of the Fire, that it may operate with greater Vigour: But when the Skin is only sear'd, as in the Cure of a Farcin, the Fire does not stand in need of that Assistance. The Scab falls away of it self, and leaves a less visible Mark, than when Wax, Pitch, or any Plaister is apply'd, which commonly brings away such large Pieces of the Skin, that the Place remains ever afterwards mark'd and deform'd.

You must give the Fire with a Knife that has a pretty thin Edge, but rather round than sharp, and always rub it on a piece of Wood when you take it out of the Fire; for the Ashes that stick to it wou'd cut and fester the Skin. You must also observe to follow the Hair, that it may cover the Marks after the Sores are heal'd. Thus, for Example, when you have occasion to give the Fire on the Sinews of the Fore-Legs, you must draw a Line or Rase downwards between the Sinew and the Bone on both sides, and three or four more upon the Sinews at equal Distances, rather than imitate those who draw cross Lines, as if they were going to broil a Fish.

'Tis a needless Piece of Curiosity to apply drying and Restringent Ointments to the burnt Parts, unless when the Skin is pierc'd, and there is Reason to fear a large and unseemly Scar. These Ointments are thus compos'd; Take Tarr and Burgundy Pitch, of each half a Pound; Bole-Armenic and Seal'd-Earth, of each six Ounces; Turpentine and Rosin, of each four Ounces; Powder of Roses an Ounce: Mix and make an Ointment. But Farriers use only black Pitch, because 'tis cheaper, and more easily procur'd.

I will not pretend to restrain any Man from observing this Method; but I believe it may be better omitted, for when a Scab falls away of it self, it leaves the Skin that is next to it entire, and the Scar is less apparent. I acknowledge 'tis necessary to apply a Plaister in some Places, to concentrate the Heat of the Fire, that it may dissolve the Swelling more effectually, especially in such Parts of the Body, where a Scar does not occasion any considerable Deformity. 'Tis also to be observ'd, that those who design to apply a Plaister must draw the Stroaks at a greater distance than 'twou'd other∣wise be necessary to do. Almost every Farrier has a peculiar Method of giving the Fire; some perform the Operation with a Piece of four Pistoles, some with a Silver Knife, and others with one of Copper, which I believe is the most convenient Instru∣ment, for Copper resists Corruption, and cleanses Wounds. Gold is certainly endu'd with many excellent Virtues, but I have often observ'd, that, contrary to the common Opi∣nion, it makes a very large Scab, and leaves and ugly Scar. There is something very soft in Silver, and its Fire is not so sharp and fierce as that of Gold: But to avoid a needless Charge, I have hitherto us'd Copper Knives with very good Success, and I shall always prefer 'em before Gold, tho' not before Silver.

I cannot forbear repeating the important Advice I have already given you, never to make your Knife too hot, and to heat it always in a Charcoal-Fire; for there is a certain Sharpness in Sea or Pit-Coals, which makes a very large Scab.

'Tis to be observ'd that the Fire does not generally produce a very quick Effect; and I have sometimes observ'd that it exerts not its utmost Vigour till six Months after it is given: For 'tis an insensible and slow-pac'd Resolvent, and requires a very considerable space of time, before it can digest and concoct the Humour; and therefore every Man that resolves to have Recourse to this Method, must arm himself with

Patience; but the Sureness of the Effect will make amends for the Slowness of it. For oftentimes a Horse continues to halt three or four Months after the giving of the Fire, but at last perfectly recovers his former Soundness and Vigour. Nevertheless you must not imagine that the Fire is a never-failing Remedy, for there are some inveterate Swel∣lings that can neither be cur'd by this, nor any other Method.

I shall, in the next place, proceed to give you some Directions, concerning the Rest that is necessary for a Horse after he has receiv'd the Fire in his Legs, Houghs, and other low and hanging Parts of his Body. The Effect of the Fire lasts twenty seven Days, which may be divided into three equal Periods, for its Augmentation, State, and Declination. Now 'twou'd be convenient to let the Horse repose all that while: But the shortest time of Rest that can be allow'd on this Occasion, is at least eighteen Days. I know that many Persons begin to work their Horses sooner; but in my Opinion it is better to neglect the Cure wholly than to perform it imperfectly. In the mean time the Horse must not be suffer'd to lie perpetually loitering in the Stable; for the Fire will operate more vigorously, and the Swelling will be sooner abated, if you walk him gently half an Hour every Day: But even this Exercise must not be begun till eighteen Days after giving the Fire.

Some Farriers are wonderfully afraid of giving the Fire on the sinewy Parts of the Body; but their Fear is certainly an Effect their Ignorance. I dare boldly affirm, that this Operation may be safely perform'd without piercing the Skin, and with a due Dexterity and Nimbleness, in any Part without Exception: Nor wou'd I main∣tain this Assertion with so much Confidence, if I were not convinc'd of the Truth of it by a hundred different Experiments. But the three Cautions mention'd in the beginning of this Chapter, are of so great a Importance in this Case, that to make a stronger Impression upon the Reader's Mind, 'twill not be improper to subjoin the fol∣lowing Example. I saw two Farriers perform this Operation on the two Fore-Legs of the same Horse, and I observ'd also that the Number of the Stroaks or Rases, was equal on both Legs. One of 'em did the Work dexterously, and with a light Hand, and the Success was suitable to his Performance: But the other, who press'd too hard upon the Part, and over-heated his Knives, had the Mortification to see the whole Skin of the Leg fall away, and the remaining Sores were not cur'd without extreme Difficulty.

To make the Fire penetrate and resolve a hard Swelling, supposing you had not time to prepare the Part with softening Remedies; you must immediately after the giving of the Fire, touch the Stroaks two or three times with a Pencil dipt in Spirit of Vitriol, which will concentrate the Heat of the Fire, and make it operate more effectu∣ally than it cou'd otherwise do. If you design afterwards to apply a Plaister to the burnt Part, you must wait till the Spirit be imbib'd or suck'd in; for thus the Scabs will fall away sooner, and leave the Sore fair and clean.

I took occasion to intimate before, that I might justly reckon my self among the Number of those who have brought this Method into Fashion at Paris, and banish those ill-grounded Fears and Apprehensions that formerly deterr'd People from the Use of it. I think I may be allow'd to say, that in this Respect I have done a considera∣ble Service to the Public, for I have given the Fire to so many Horses, that those who are Witnesses of the good Effect of it, were at last freed from their Prejudices, and submitted to Experience, which is certainly the best and surest Instructer. About twen∣ty five Years ago the giving of the Fire was reckon'd to be as effectual a way to dispatch a Horse as the discharging of a Musquet at his Head; but now the Case is alter'd, and this Method is commonly practis'd without the least Scruple.