AT WHAT TIME HORSES SHOULD BE LET BLOOD. 537 
• 
from any other part of the body it is to be taken, you are then to 
observe never to take blood from that part which is governed by 
' an } T sign while the Moon is in that sign: for example, in the fore- 
thighs or plate veins when the Moon is in Gemini . 
The letting of the blood should be also performed in a calm 
and clear day, and which is free from clouds and fogs ; because 
the veins, being emptyed a little by the blooding, do immedi¬ 
ately attract into their vacuities the air, which is an universal 
spirit, and which, if pure and clear, will be in no hazard of alter¬ 
ing the blood, but, upon the contrary, will fill them with pure 
atoms, which will rectify it; w hereas, if it be moist, to open the 
veins at such a time is just to mix with the blood noysome serosi- 
ties with which the veins do many times abound : moreover, you 
are to observe not to let blood when the Moon is in opposition to 
the Sun, that is, when it is full Moon; nor when they are in con¬ 
junction, , which is new Moon ; nor when they are in a square , 
which is the quarters; because in all these times blooding is pre¬ 
judicial. 
Without designing to shew my abilities and skill, 1 can assure 
you that, before I made these observations, I took sometimes 
blood from horses which did almost cost them their lives, and 
that only for once bleeding; and that, since that time, I have 
performed bloodings which have manifestly saved them, and that 
chiefly for having caused to take it at a proper and seasonable 
time. 
I had almost forgot to tell you that you are never to take blood 
from horses in the solstices nor (equinoxes , for these are times in 
which nature is a kind of sufferer, and therefore waits for some 
cftsis , or other extraordinary effect; you are then not to incom¬ 
mode her at these times, because it may produce very consider¬ 
able accidents, and this is to be observed, not only upon the very 
days themselves, but also two days before and as many after. 
But if you know certainly the constitution and temper of your horse, 
then, if he be sanguine, observe to blood him when the Moon is in 
any of the earthly signs, which are Taurus , Virgo , and Capri¬ 
corn ; if he be cholerick, blood him when the Moon is in a watery 
sign, such as Cancer , Scorpio , or Pisces; if melancholick, when 
the Moon is in an airy sign, such as Gemini , Libri , or Aquarius ; 
and if phlegmatick, then when the Moon is in any of the fiery 
signs, which are Aries , Leo % and Sagittarius. \ have added 
these circumstances purposely for the curious, who 1 know will 
please it. 
4 L) 
VOL. IV. 
