Diseases Incident to Dogs, and Their Cures
Because I should think it a very odd Humor for a Person to select these Creatures (Hounds) as instruments for the procurement of his Health Satisfaction, and Delight, and should be so inhumane as to suffer them to perish in their Diseases, because they cannot communicate their Ailings, and beseech Redress; therefore I have briefly summed up the immediate Cures for their several Diseases, and by preventing his Excuse of Ignorance, desire his Application, as need require.
For Sick Dogs. Take Sheeps-heads, Wooll and all, hack, hew, and bruise them into pieces, make Pottage of it, with Oatmeal, and Penny-Royal, and give it warm.
Lice and Fleas. Boyl four or five handfuls of Rue or Herb of Grace, in a gallon of running Water, till a pottle be consumed, strain it, and put two Ounces of Staves-acre poudered, and bathe them with it warm.
Itch. Take Oyl of Flower-de-Lys, powder of Brimstone, & dry’d Elicampane Roots, of each a like quantity, and Bay-Salt powdered; mix these Powders with the Oyl, and warm it, anoint, scratch, and make it bleed, will do well.
Tetter. Take Black Ink, Juice of Mint & Vinegar, of each a like, mix them altogether with the Powder of Brimstone to a Salve, and Anoint it.
Worms. Give your Hound Brimstone and new Milk, will kill them.
Gauling. May Butter, yellow Wax, and unslackt Lime, made to a Salve, and Anoint therewith, is a present Remedy.
Mange. Take two handfuls of Wild-Cresses, of Elecampane, of the Leaves and Roots of Roerb and Sorrel, the like quantity, and two pound of the Roots of Frodels, Boyl them all well in Lye and Vinegar, strain it, and put therein two pound of Grey soap, and after ’tis melted, rub your Hound with it four or five dayes together; and ’tis an excellent Remedy.
For any Ear Disease. Mix Verjuice and Chervile Water together, and drop into his Eares a spoonful or two, morning and Evening.
Sore Eyes. Chew a Leaf or two of Ground Ivy, and spit the Juice into his Eyes.
Surbaiting. Wash his Feet with Beer and Butter, and bind young red Nettles beaten to a Salve to his Soles.
Biting by Snake, Adder, &c. Beat the herb Calaminth with Turpentine, and yellow Wax to a Salve, and apply it. To expel the inward Poyson, give the said Herb in Milk.
Biting by a Mad Dog. Wash the place with Sea-Water, or strong Brine, will Cure him. The quantity of a Hazel-Nut of Mithridate, dissolved in sweet Wine, will prevent inward Infection.
Madness. Lastly, If your Hound be Mad, which you will soon find by his separating himself from the rest, throwing his Head into the Wind, foaming and slavering at Mouth, snatching at every thing he meets, red fiery Eyes, stinking filthy Breath; then to Knock him in the Head, is a present Remedy, and you’l prevent infinite Dangers.
And now I proceed to give some brief Instructions for Hunting the several Chases used in England, for which we have chosen our Hounds; I mean the Time when? and the Manner how?
Having your Kennel of Hounds in good order and plight, and being desirous to enjoy those Pleasures, for which we have observed the aforesaid Rules; Lead them forth, and to your Game (Gentlemen:) Only take this Caution along with you; Do not forget to have in your Pack a couple of Hounds, called Hunters in the Highwayes, that will Scent upon hard Ground, where we cannot perceive Pricks or Impressions; and for your Huntsman’s and your own Ease, let a couple of Old stench Hounds accompany you, by whose sure Scent, the too great Swiftness of the young and unexperienced Ones may be restrained and regulated; and if you please, take the following Observations with you, and away.