313 Of Cures ChymrgicaL Lib. II. 



CHAP. LXXXIX. Of the CurK 



A Curb is a long Swelling a little beneath the Elbow of the Hoof of 

 the great Sinew behind^ hard above the top of the Horn^ which 

 caufeth the Horfe to halt after a little Labour ; for the more his Sinew 

 b ftrained, the greater is his Pain, and the more he hath Reft, the 

 leiTer is his Grief; it cometh as the Spavens come, either from Defcent, 

 or from great Burthens when the Horfe is young, or elfe from fome 

 Strain or Wrench. The Signs are, the apparent View thereof ; and the 

 Cure according to the old Farriers, is, Firft to (have off the Hair, 

 then prick it with a Fleam in three or four Places, and for three or four 

 Days together, lay unto it twice a Day Man's Dung ; then lay Galba- 

 num to it likewife twice a Day until it rot, and that the Matter doth 

 iflue forth ; then wafh it with Urine ; and laftly, heal it up with Ho- 

 ney and Oil boiled together, renewing the fame twice a Day till the 

 Curb be gone ; and in any cafe let hH your Salves be applied warm and 

 new made, and if you make an Iflue with a hot Iron in the bottom 

 of the Curb, it will not do amifs. 



Others ufe to take a very hot Iron, and hold it as nigh the fore a^ 

 may be, but not touching it ; then when it is warm, vent it in fix or 

 feven Places ; then take a fpoonful of Salt, half a fpoonful of Nerve- 

 Oil, and a Penny- weight of Verdigreafe, and the White of an Egg; 

 mix thefe well together, and dipping Flax in the fame, lay k to the 

 Curb, and this in few dreflings will take it away. Other Farriers u-fe 

 to chafe and rub the Curb well with their Hands; then take red Wall- 

 wort Leaves, and Burrage, and braying them well together, lay it to 

 the Curb, renewing it once a day for a feven-night together. Others 

 ufe to flit the Curb all the length, then take a piece of linen-cloth, and 

 wet it in Wine made warm ; then ftrow Verdigreafe thereupon, and 

 bind it to the Sore, renewing it once a day until the Curb be gone. 

 Others of the Ancient Farriers take of Wine Lees a Pint, of Cummin 

 half an Ounce, and as much Wheat-Flower as will thicken it, and 

 ftir them well together ; and being made warm. Charge the fore place 

 therewith, renewing it every day once the fpace of three or four Dayj, 

 and when the Swelling is almoft gone, then draw it with a hot Iron 

 made very thin in this fort, and cover the burning with Pitch 

 and Rozen molten together, and laid on good and warm, and 

 clap thereon fome Flocks of the Horfe's Colour, or fo nigh as 

 may be gotten, and remove them not until they fall away of 

 themfelves ; and for the fpace of nine Days let the Horfe reft, 

 and come in no wet. Now there be other Farriers, which to this 

 iaft recited Salve, will add Tar^ and it is not amifs, only it will not 

 ftick fo well. 

 i *^ Now 



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