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. LXIV. Of Old Swellings in the Legs, occasion'd by an ill∣cur'd Sinew-sprain.

SOmetimes Sinew-Sprains or Sinew-Sprungs are so unskilfully handl'd, that tho' the Pain be so far remov'd, that the Lameness ceases, yet the Humours gather'd in the part not being dissolv'd, there remains a Swelling, which grows so hard, that it seems impossible to cure it without Burning. Nevertheless on such Occasions I have seen the cure perform'd by the following Remedy. Take of Linseed-Flower, and Bean-Flower, of each one* 1.1 Litron, the strongest Aqua-Vitae a Pint and an half; Mix and boil 'em over a little Fire to the Consistence of Gruel, stirring all the while; then add a Pound of Honey, boil and stir till the whole be incorporated; after which remove it from the Fire, and mix it with half a Pound of Mule's Grease, or for want of that, Horses-Grease, which you may easily do, for the Grease will be quickly dissolv'd.

Then shaving off the Hair, chafe the Swelling very hard with cold Spirit of Wine, and afterwards charge it with the above-mention'd Composition, covering it with Flax, and wrapping it about with a Piece of Linnen Cloth, which must be sew'd, and will not hurt the Part so much as if 'twere ty'd; for the Sewing binds the Leg more equally, and with less Pain. Let the Dressing remain two days, then take it off, and bathe the Part with Spirit of Wine: after which repeat the Application every day, and in five or six times dressing the Swelling may be asswag'd, and the Cure perform'd with great Speed, and little Charge or Trouble.

For Hard Swellings that cannot be cur'd by ordinary Remedies.

It happens not unfrequently that Swellings in the Legs grow so inveterate and hard, that the usual Remedies prove altogether ineffectual; in which Case you must give the Fire along the Swelling, beginning at the Top, and drawing the Lines or Stroaks down∣wards, at the distance of half a finger's breadth from each other, or cross-ways if you please, taking care not to pierce the Skin, and above all to draw a Line on each side of the Leg, between the Sinew and the Bone, descending as far as the Pastern. You need not be afraid of hurting the Sinew, since the Fire never does any harm unless the Stroaks pierce too deep, for if they be only made of a Cherry Colour there will be no occasion for Plaisters, Pitch, or Wax, but only to wash the sear'd Parts with Aqua-Vitae and Honey till the Scab fall off, and then to rub the Sores with Spirit of Wine alone. If the Flesh grow too fast you may consume it with Allom, or if that be not strong enough, with Powder of Copperas; and thus by continuing in a careful Observance of these Directions you may quickly perfect the Cure.

If you have Occasion to give the Fire cross-wise round the hinder Legs, let the Lines meet on the midst of the back-Sinew; but 'tis needless to draw the Stroaks over the Bone in the fore-part of the Leg.

Note, That the Fire must be given in the Wane of the Moon, and that its Operation requires the Space of thrice nine days, that is nine days for Augmentation, nine in a settl'd State, when 'tis at the Height, and as many more for Declination or Abatement, during all which time the Horse must be suffer'd to rest.

I thought fit to propose a great Number of good Remedies for Blows or Ki••k••, Swellings, Bruises, and other such-like Accidents, because they happen so frequently.

Another Remedy for Stiff and Tir'd Legs, and to asswage the Pain and Swellings that remain after Foundering and other Distempers.

Boil six little sucking Puppies in Lees of Claret till their Flesh be separated from their Bones; then add Mallows, Marsh-Mallows, white Mullein, Shepherd's-Purse, Dwarf-Elder, Yarrow, Cammomil, Melilot, St. John's Wort, Sage, Rosemary, Thyme, Lavender, Hyssop, French Tabacco and Marjoram. Some of these Herbs will suffice, for I only propos'd so many, that you might have the conveniency to chuse such as you can most easily pro∣cure. Boil 'em with the Puppies about three Hours, pouring in more Lees, as they are consum'd by boiling; then remove the Vessel from the Fire, and add to your Compo∣sition Oils of Linseed, Lilies, and Worms, of each six Ounces, common Turpentine one Pound, Honey two Pounds. Mix and incorporate before the Matter grow cold, and anoint the Horse's Legs as hot as he can endure it, for fifteen days together.

If after Foundering the Feet remain so sore that on hard Ground the Horse treads only on his Heels, you must join to this Remedy that which is describ'd in Chap. CLV.

The same Remedy more Methodically prepar'd.

Assoon as the Herbs and Puppies are boil'd to a Mash, take off the Kettle from the fire, and suffer the Matter to cool a little, without adding the Oils and other Ingredi∣ents; stir it well before you take it out of the Kettle, then beat it by degrees in a large Mortar, and strain it thro' a Sieve, throwing away the Dregs. Put the Pulp or the Substance that you press'd thro' the Sieve into the remaining Lees in the Kettle, and boil it, adding the Honey and Turpentine, and afterwards the three Oils, till the Lees be wholly consum'd; then remove it from the fire, and apply it warm about the Horse's Legs like a Pultice with Tow and a Cloth above all, tying it on gently with two Pieces of List, or only sew the Cloth without any Bandage.

As often as you unbind the Leg, chafe it with Spirit of Wine, and apply a new Lay of the Remedy over the old one: by which Method you may strengthen Legs that are quite spoil'd, if the Horse be young.

Notes

• * 1.1

  A Mea∣sure contai∣ning some∣what above a Pint.