REMEDY FOR SLUGGISHNESS 17 



quite clear they had a knowledge of kennel lameness, 

 which malady thej^ called ' morfounde.' Combing and 

 dressing the hounds with wisps of straw is evidence 

 that they bestowed some care upon them ; at the same 

 time it may be observed that the first-named operation 

 inculcates an idea that they must have possessed 

 longer coats than we are wont to ascribe to any of the 

 varieties of the canine order used even at that period 

 for the purpose of hunting. Walking the hounds into 

 the grass courts is in conformity with present practice, 

 and the fact of their partaking of grass asi an emetic 

 had not escaped the observation of the ancients. 



Divesting them of the cruelty they convey, the 

 perusal of the ensuing directions would afford amuse- 

 ment ; the first is a remedy to rouse a sluggish horse, 

 and the other to subdue an intemperate one : — 



" For Defy of the Spur. 



" Take and shave him the breadth of a saucer on 

 both sides thereas you will spur him ; then take a lancet 

 and make six issues through the skin the length of a 

 wheat corn, and then take a haundelere and raise the 

 skin from the flesh, and then put in a quantity of 

 burned salt, and this will make his sides to wrankle ; 

 and keep him three days, that he be not ridden, and 

 then set on him a child with spurs, and spur him in 

 that place ; and then at night wash that same place 

 with urine and salt and nettles sodden therewith, and 

 this shall grieve him sore that he will never abide spurs 

 after : then let him stand so three days after this 

 washing; then take half a pint of honey and anoint his 

 sides therewith three times, and this shall make the 

 hair to grow, and make him whole for evermore." 



" For to tame a wild Horse. 



" Set on him a saddle and a bridle, and strain the 

 rein upon the saddle head ; and then take a doublet and 

 stuff it full of straw, and fasten thereto a pair of hosen, 

 and fill them full of sand ; and set a pair of spurs on the 

 heels and fasten the doublet sure to the saddle and the 

 hosen to the stirrup, and then put him in a close field 

 and let him run. And all way as he runneth the spurs 



B 



