NOTE-BOOK OF A NATURALIST. 235 



an acetahuliim of melanthion, called by the physicians 

 melanthion of Smyrna, in an hemina of old wine, pour 

 it into the nostrils of the beast, and lay hog's dung to 

 the wound. Nor is the savoury remedy applicable to 

 the restoration of brutes only, according to his experience ; 

 for he confidently directs the same remedy to be applied 

 to a human creature, if occasion require it. One may 

 conceive the sort of reward reaped by the huhulcus by 

 whose neglect the ox was exposed to the venomous bite, 

 when the former was subjected to the tender mercies of 

 the ergastidariiis in the prison* of the villa, under a 

 dispensation which placed the life of the slave absolutely 

 at the disposal of his master. 



In that part of The Way to get Wealth f intituled 

 ' The English Hous-wife,' dedicated to ' The Eight 

 Honourable and most excellent Lady, Francis, Countesse 

 Dowager of Exeter," with the running title of ' The 

 English House -mves Houshold Physic,' we find a dif- 

 ferent formula set forth : — 



To help all manner of swelling or aches in what part of the body 

 soever it be, or stinging of any venomous beast, as Adder, Snake, 

 or such-like, take Horehound, Smallage, Porrets, smal Mallows, 

 and wild Tansey of each alike quantity, and bruise them or cut 

 them small : then seeth them altogether in a pan with milk, oat- 

 meal, and as much Sheeps suet, or Deares suet as a Hens egge, 

 and let it boyl till it be a thick plaister, then lay it upon a blew 

 woollen cloath, and lay it to the griefe as hot as one can suffer it. 



In the section of the same choice book, headed ' Coun- 

 try Contentments,' we find it thus WTitten : — 



If your dogge have been bitten by either Snake, Adder or any 

 other venomous thing, take the hearb Calamint, and beat it in a 

 morter with Turpentine and yellow Waxe, till it come to a Salve, 

 and then apply it to the sore and it will heal it. Also if you boile the 



* Ergastulum, where the slaves were confined, bound or chained 

 together, when they came from work, lest they should make their 

 escape in the night. 



t Small 4to. London, 1G57. 



