How to Care for Your Dog, 1607

Topsell, The History of Four-Footed Beasts (1658)"It is the nature of a Dogge when he maketh water, to holde vp his legge... the females doe it for the most part sitting, yet some of the genereous spirits do also hold vp their legges. They...

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How to Have Long-Lasting Shoes, 1660

Hans Sachs, Beschreibung aller Stände (1568)"To be at small charges for Shooes, you may have the best, and almost everlasting, made of the back part of an Ass, where he useth to carry burdens upon: these Shooes will never wear out, for...

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How to Defend Your Garden from Pests, 1824

George Shaw, Zoological Lectures (1809), NYPL"With respect to caterpillars, snails, and slugs, they can only be gathered by hand, and the way to do this effectually is to begin as soon as they appear, employing women or children to look them...

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How to Spend Your Summer, 1465

Walters Art Museum W.175, f. 8r"Choler rises from May 8 to August 6. Then we should use cold and moist foods, work sparingly and use roast meat in small amounts as we often do before a meal. Drink should be diluted as much as possible so as...

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How to Compliment a Lady, 1737

A Group of Figures, c. 1750, Lewis Walpole Library (Yale University)Amorous compliments endorsed by Wits Cabinet: Or, a Companion for Young Men and Ladies: Lady, the Magazine of all rich Treasure is contained in your Perfections....

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How to Protect Against Disease, c. 1470

British Library, Burney 275, f. 379v"Anyone who can ride a bear the distance of nine paces without faltering will be immunized against nine kinds of sicknesses." The Distaff GospelsVaccinations or a bear rodeo: I think you know which is...

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