-^ The Compkdt Horfe-matr^ CHx^P. III. 



mfyj making a commixture with the Fire, whereby alfo it 

 "fnoderateth the heat of the Fire, the coldhefs of the Water, 

 and the drinefs of the Earth, fo as diftemper may the lefs op- 

 prefs the Body. The Air by reafon of its moiflnefs maketh the 

 matter apt to receive its natural fhape, and through the in- 

 flin(ft of the Fire its natural heat, cauling the mixt Bodies as 

 'well fubtile as penetrable, as well light and moving, whereby 

 they be neither too grofs nor too heavy, and withal the Air 

 cooleth and abateththe extremity of the burning heat of the 

 3/ Hearty Liver ^ ^c. As touching the third Element, which Is 



Water. Water, its nature is, that through the coldnefs thereof it con- 

 gealeth, conglutinateth, and bindeth in mixt Bodies both the 

 parts and members together, to wit. Sinews ^ Bones ^ and Tle^i ; 

 fo as the Water by means ot its coldnefs doth temper and af- 

 fwage the violent heat of the Fire, and the condenlity of the 

 Air, coUeding thole things together which otherwife they 

 4. would have diflevered. And as touching the Element of Earth, 



Earth, its nature is by means of its drinefs and Siccity, in mixt Bo^ 

 dies^ fo to harden and fallen them together, as that having 

 onceafliimed their Ihapes, it caufeth them to retain and keep 

 them, which otherwile by the force of the other Elements 

 would be fo lax and loole, as not to be able to hold together, 

 wherein I could produce many familiar inftanceS:, which for 

 brevities fake I am info reed to omit. But the opinion of the 

 bell rhyficians is, that when any natural Body dieth> the fub- 

 ftance thereof returneth back again to thofe Elements from 

 whence it came. Thus you may plainly lee, that fire is natu- 

 rally hot, and therefore feparateth : Air moill, and therefore 

 giveth Shape •• Water cold, and therefore bindeth v and Earth 

 dry, and therefore naturally hardneth, and keepeth its im- 

 predion .• "Wherefore in any Malady in a Horfe:, oblerve but 

 this one Rule, v/a:.that when at any time an Inflammation ihall 

 arife in the Body^ be you confident it proceeds of Fire, and 

 therefore you mull adminiller (if you will perform a right 

 Cure) things contrary to that Element; to wit, whatmay be 

 agreeable to Air and Water, whereby to moiflen, cool, and 

 iallay the rage of the heat. If it be FIhx of Btood^ or the like, 

 proceeding from the abundance of moiflure ; which takes its 

 <5rigin from the Element of Air, then muft you apply Medi- 



cines 



