How to Cure a Snakebite, 1303

British Library, Harley 3244, f. 57r (13th c.)

"First, bind the extremity with strong and tight bindings. Second, get an old rooster and pluck its bottom and hold it with its bottom on the bite, and if the rooster dies it is a good sign, because it is a sign that the venom has been drawn out of the body, so apply many roosters until you see that the rooster does not die from the venom." 

Bernard de Gordon, Lilium medicinae 

 Does your first-aid kit include a flock of bare-assed chickens? Be prepared!

How to Make Facial Toner, 1660

Johannes Vermeer, Portrait of a Young Woman
(1665-67)

"Of Waters that adorn the Face... Take of the Decoction of a Chicken, Capon, or Hen, three pints, of the juice of Lemmons, one pint, White wine vineger, half a pint, Bean and Water-lilly-flowers, each three small handfuls; Camphure and whites of Eggs, each two drams; mix them and distil them with an Alembick."

Johann Jacob Wecker, Arts Master-Piece (1660)

Wondering what to do with that leftover chicken broth? Adorn your face with it! Obviously.